Amy Krzanik reports from North Adams. You’ve read about it in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Wall Street Journal and here, on our site. It’s Building 6, the 3-story refurbished factory building that’s adding 130,000 square feet of space to MASS MoCA, nearly doubling its total gallery size and allowing for artist workshops, performing artists’ support facilities, festival amenities and more. Thousands of people visited the museum’s campus on Sunday, May 28 for a first look at the building and exhibits by Laurie Anderson, Jenny Holzer, James Turrell, Joe Wardwell, the Louise Bourgeois Trust, the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, the estate of Gunnar Schonbeck and others. Pop-up performances throughout the day featured music by The Amherst String Quartet and Brooklyn United Marching Band, DJ Herbert Holler, and a Soundsuit celebration of dancing and drumming, choreographed by Williams College professor Sandra Burton, which culminated in Nick Cave’s Until exhibit. An evening performance by the band CAKE in Joe’s Field capped off the festivities.
Danielle Krcmar and Dana, Barron and JB Clancy pose in front of their friend Joe Wardwell’s Hello America: 40 Hits from the 50 States; Maggie Mitts, who works at Chesterwood in Stockbridge, and her mother, Marybeth Mitts, who works at Williams College.
Bob Faust, artist Nick Cave, Sandra Burton and the museum’s director, Joe Thompson.
Part of an exhibit by Jenny Holzer; one of the rooms in the James Turrell exhibit.
John, Jen and Cailyn Soltanas; Dan Mitchell, Maxime Leroy-Tullie, Nicolas Cogrel and Colin Martin.
The dark room, created by Laurie Anderson; a closeup of Anderson’s work featured in an adjacent gallery.
Mark Anders, Zirwat Chowdhury, Paige Johnston, Karthik Pandian and Aaru.
One view of Robert Rauschenberg’s A Quake in Paradise (Labyrinth); guests play a large xylophone in Gunnar Schonbeck’s No Experience Required.
The courtyard was packed with visitors enjoying the sunny weather.
The Brooklyn United Marching Band performs for an enthusiastic crowd.
There is direct access to Copake Lake from this contemporary lake house. The four-bedroom, two-and-one-half bathroom home was built in 2007 with a large deck facing the water and a private dock. The design is open concept with views from nearly every room. The living/dining room opens to the kitchen with Carrara marble surround. Copake is just two hours from New York City. Listed for $1.975 million by 
There are stunning views of Sharon’s Mudge Pond from this chic contemporary set on over 10 acres. The home opens to a two-story atrium that faces a living room with a stone fireplace, adjacent dining room, and a gourmet kitchen with granite counters and eating area. All five bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms and were designed to take in lake views. Located off a quiet country street, the home’s access to the lake allows for boating and fishing. Listed for $2.1 million by 
This 1880 charmer has the good fortune to look out to the Hudson River with Catskill views beyond. Offering bright and spacious rooms, the house in Tivoli has a living room with an impressive stone fireplace, a kitchen, and dining room. There are three bedrooms, two-and-one-half bathrooms, and two porches facing the waterfront. Convenient to Rhinebeck, the property has a separate studio/garage. Listed for $599,000 by 
This lakefront contemporary cabin offers year-round, private views of New Preston’s Lake Waramaug. The interior features a top-of-the-line kitchen, living room with an abundance of windows, two bedrooms, and a fully insulated and heated sleeping porch. Luxurious amenities include quarter-sawn oak floors, two terraces, custom closets, a stone fireplace, fine hardware, and extensive outdoor lighting. Outside by the water there is a new dock with a pergola. Listed for $1.1 million by 
In Stockbridge, two homes share over 600 feet of lake frontage on Stockbridge Bowl. There is a single-level, two-bedroom ranch and a three-bedroom contemporary, both of which are steps to the water and have decks and porches. Two large docks allow for swimming, boating, and the ultimate enjoyment of the Berkshire’s famous lake. Surrounded by beautiful landscaping, the level property includes a gunite pool, pool houses, a large koi pond, and, of course, water and mountain views. Listed for $2.95 million by William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty. 
Designed by noted architect Alfredo Taylor, this striking and historic property sits on Doolittle Lake, a clean and motor boat-free lake in Norfolk. Built in 1930, the exterior of the house itself remains unchanged with a fieldstone, stucco and wide-board exterior, and screened porches. Inside has fully renovated bathrooms and kitchen, a great room with soaring ceiling, foyer, mudroom, and four bedrooms. The beautiful property, with a separate guest cottage, offers long views across the weed-free waterfront with dock. Listed for $1.995 million by Klemm Real Estate. 
By Madaline Sparks
There is a prevailing argument in the food world about what constitutes real chili, and it boils down to beans or no beans. Texans swear that a bowl of red comprises large chunks of beef, fresh chiles, and broth cooked into a rich, spicy concoction—with no tomatoes, I might add. Almost everywhere else, chili is made from ground beef, beans, and a tomato-based sauce. 
I’m not sure that lunacy accurately defines the effect that chili has on a person when digging into a bowl of the aromatic sauce, succulent meat chunks, and subsequent heat that accompanies each bite, but my own paternal grandfather, Rennon Preston Fielding, used to remark, “Put a bowl of Texas chili on my head and I’ll slap my brains out getting my hands on it.” My papa, as well, was no stranger to expressing himself hyperbolically — the bigger the better. He was Texan, after all.
1. In a large heavy pot (such as a cast-iron Dutch oven), heat about a third of the bacon grease over medium heat. Add part of the meat in a single layer and sear until the pieces are browned on all sides. Remove to a bowl and repeat, adding bacon grease and single-layer batches of beef until all the meat has been browned.
From the outside, this classic Craftsman in Pittsfield appears modest but it actually has over 2,000 square feet. Built in 1911, the house has hardwood floors, French doors, original woodwork, a fireplace, and a front porch. Bright and sunny areas include the entry hallway, kitchen, living room, dining room, mudroom and laundry room plus four bedrooms and one full bathroom. The roof was replaced in 2008 and there is a one-car garage. Listed for $234,900 by The Kinderhook Group. 
This 1902’s Arts and Crafts bungalow in the heart of Hudson has been stylishly renovated. A charming front screened porch welcomes you into its spacious open living spaces with an eat-in kitchen, living room, den, dining room, four bedrooms, and four bathrooms. Original details include stained glass, period fixtures and oversized windows that overlook the established perennial gardens and rear deck. Walk to shops, galleries, antiquing, cafes and restaurants. Listed for $490,000 by Halstead Property. 
In Falls Village, this Craftsman has been totally renovated while maintaining its classic Arts and Crafts exterior. The three-bedroom home has all-new everything including the kitchen, three bathrooms, insulation, windows, mechanicals, exterior shingles, and paint. Additionally, there is a newly finished lower level, large front porch, an enclosed back porch, and new Bluestone terrace. Move right in and be close to the village, within walking distance of everything it has to offer. Listed for $325,000 by 
Sitting on over four beautiful landcaped acres in West Stockbridge, this Contemporary home with Craftsman touches was recently renovated. The open-plan house has a chef’s kitchen with custom cherry cabinetry, dining room, living room, and a first-floor master suite with deck access. Two large bedrooms on the first floor share a bathroom, and a second-level guest room/den has a full bathroom. An expansive deck looks out to the backyard with extensive gardens and a pond with a waterfall. Listed for $785,000 by William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty.
Set atop 52 acres in Taghkanic, this Craftsman-style home is exquisitely designed. The entrance opens to a two-story octagonal foyer that leads to the gathering room with a wood-burning fireplace, coffered ceiling, and many windows. There is an open chef’s kitchen, first-floor master suite with ensuite bathroom, two guest bedrooms, second-floor octagonal sitting room, and a home gym/spa with steam room and sauna. A spacious screened porch and a covered porch overlook the acres of surrounding woodlands. Listed for $1.595 million by Gary DiMauro Real Estate.
This handsome 1920s shingle Hudson home is a Craftsman foursquare that has its original oak door with oval beveled glass, a wide front hall with a diamond patterned stained glass window and original staircase, and bay windows in the dining room, living room, and master bedroom. The kitchen is modern but has a decorative tin ceiling. On the second floor, a spacious master bedroom has sliding glass doors that lead out to a potential deck. There are two other bedrooms. The house has been well-maintained over the years with a newer roof and good systems in place. Listed for $315,000 by Peggy Lampman Real Estate. 
