Tuesday, February 28, 2006

March Madness in Cambridge March Madness in Cambridge

March Madness is upon us in Cambridge and it’s weird because we are just now receiving our first bout of winter. Cambridge and the surrounding area were hit by a wind storm and cold temperatures leaving many of us without power. The lack of electricity allowed for us to see the stars and boy are they amazing. My husband and I had a conversation about light pollution in the dark. Something to think about.

Here’s a run down of things in and around Cambridge – consider an escape and stay at the Rice Mansion Inn.

March maddness begins the very first weekend...

4th – Skiing galore at Willard Mountains “Rock the Mountain” regular skiing plus many other exciting events including live music and fireworks! www.willardmountain.com You gotta try the tubing-took the kids last Thursday way too much fun.

5th-Cambridge Central School presents a Fashion Show and Tea to benefit the prom here at the Rice Mansion Inn.

9thCambridge Historical Society Mixer members and those interested are invited to attend. RSVP to Cindy Gottrrey at 518-677-3536 Sponsored by Black Dog Wine and Spirits and the Rice Mansion Inn 6-8p.

10-11th – Knitting weekend presented by Devine Designs. food, yarn, kitting, learning, touring…heaven for the knitter or wannabe! Contact Melissa or Tara at devindesignscambridge@yahoo.com

10thThe Theater Company at Hubbard Hall presents the first performance of 2006 with Playboy of the Western World. Show runs through April 2 on weekends only. For information contact them at 518-677-2495 or www.hubbardhall.org A great weekend get away at the Rice Mansion Inn, Dinner at One One One and a performance at Hubbard Hall.

17-19th- One of the coolest things about March in the Cambridge area is Sugaring. Cambridge’s cool nights and warm day’s produces “liquid gold” maple sap. From this sap comes pure maple syrup and a variety of other delicious products. Cambridge is located in the Upper Hudson New York Maple Producers Association. During the weekend of March 17-19 you are invited to tour the Sugar Shacks, see the trees being tapped and sample the rich taste of pure New York maple syrup at a pancake breakfast and tour beautiful Washington County. Consider coming for the weekend and staying with us here at the Rice Mansion Inn. We will have a simple breakfast of yogurt, sprinkled with Rice Mansion Inn signature granola made with Shushan Sity Sap Shack maple syrup and drizzled with the liquid gold, Maple Pecan Muffins with Maple butter and fruit swimming in syrup…luscious. Indulge and then have a hearty breakfast at Mapleland Farm or Dry Brook – fee charged. The Battenkill Kitchen will present Annette Nielsen “Cooking with Maple” and the many uses for “liquid gold” from 10a-2p free don’t miss this tasty opportunity! A great weekend with the kids!! Or not! www.mapleweekend.com

25th- Cambridge Central School presents a Monte Carlo Night of gaming and dancing to the sounds of Richard Cherry at the Rice Mansion Inn. The event is a benefit for Operation Santa Clause. For reservations and information contact the Rice Mansion Inn at 518-677-5741 or www.ricemansioninn.com

I’m sure there’s more happening in Cambridge, in fact I’m positive. Cambridge is spectacular – you should try it! Be Well, Be Happy – that’s what life is all about! Christine Hoffer

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Freight Yard Project Freight Yard Project

Freight Yard Revitalization Project (FYP) has really taken shape. What makes this community based partnership so unique? Well, the project involves our local government, local business community, and the non-profit organizations in town. Everyone is represented on the Board of Directors. We had 2.6 acres right in the center of town that was being put up for sale. A few citizens wanted to get together to purchase the land and preserve the intact, historic freight yard. So the partnership was formed as a 501(c) (3) and fund raising began. That was over 3 years ago. Now the FYP is a reality.

Hubbard Hall is working on renovating the Beacon Feed building. Community volunteers are doing all the work on this historic structure and once finished, dance and art classes will happen here. The Bean Heads Coffee House building is in a perfect location to service the many parents that want a little something while waiting for their budding ballerinas to finish classes. And who could resist grabbing a cup of coffee and spending some time reading the book you just purchased from Battenkill Books, now located on the Freight Yard site, at one of Bean Heads outdoor tables. It’s the perfect location to capitalize on the economic development of the Freight Yard Project (FYP). For more information on Bean Heads, visit its web site at www.beanheadscoffeehouse.com

In November, U.S. Representative John E. Sweeney (R-Clifton Park) secured a $600,000 grant for the Cambridge Freight Revitalization Project, "Our region's has always been an area of rich cultural heritage and economic potential," said Rep. Sweeney. Sarah Ashton, ED of the FYP has secured our designation as an economic development zone with Capit0l Zone Credits available for those investing in the site. We are also the New York state beta site for a new, environmentally and economically friendly innovative septic system. This will allow businesses to expand with little disruption to the roadways and existing business traffic flow. By summer 2006, the FYP park space will begin to blossom. The Cambridge Farmer’s Market is every Sunday from May-Oct. in the green space and recently opened galleries and craft shops have unique art work for sale. Cambridge is fast becoming a destination location for southern Washington County. The future is wide open.

Saturday, February 04, 2006

Feb. Happenenings in Cambridge Feb. Happenenings in Cambridge

Hello to all you Cambridge Buzz Fans, Christine Hoffer, Proprietor of the Rice Mansion Inn here.

My goal is to keep you informed to the happenings in Cambridge, Southern Washington County and the Rice Mansion Inn. There is much to do in Cambridge so visit the Cambridge Buzz whenever you find the time to strike the keys.

February 10 – 11 is a good time to be in Cambridge. The Rice Mansion Inn has availability visit our site at www.ricemansioninn.com or call us at 518-677-5741. Friday night a local group Canatluna will be playing at West Village Market. Paula and her team put out some great food, music is free – Cantaluna plays for tips. Bring your favorite beverage or stop by Black Dog Wine and Spirits located on Main Street Cambridge, they have West Village Markets menu and can pair wine for you – how easy is that! Saturday you could stroll the streets and surrounding Village for antiques and sites or hit the slopes at Willard Mountain. Saturday evening you might consider a Moon Snowshoe with Battenkill Valley Outdoors, trek under the stars and a full moon. End with hot chocolate and a bonfire. The trek is free, snowshoes can be rented. For more information contact Battenkill Valley Outdoors at 518-677-3311. Not an adventurist? Hubbard Hall, www.hubbardhall.org, has the perfect venue, wine and art. February marks their second art sale. Area artists including Will Moses, Harry Orlyk, Virginia McNise and about 98 others will have created original pieces for this sale. It is a raffle auction, cost is $28 to enter and if your name is drawn you select an available piece for $128 – luck and fun all in one night in Cambridge at Hubbard Hall.

Battenkill Valley Outdoors just north east of Cambridge will host a winter festival on Saturday, February 18. Come for the day or the weekend maybe even stay at the Rice Mansion Inn, check us out at www.ricemansioninn.com. The festival will feature backcountry ski, snowshoe and Mad River Rocket sleds (really cool): demo and representatives will be on hand. There will be a winter scavenger hunt, bonfire, marshmallow roast and winter hearty food catered by Spoonful-- $5 for ALL of the activities, $17 for all the activities and meal. Spend the evening at Hubbard Hall with Lo Faber, Todd Pasternack and friends “5” will perform at Hubbard Hall, concert begins at 8:00 p.m. For information and tickets call Hubbard Hall at 518-677-2495 or visit Hubbard Hall at www.hubbardhall.org

Winter school break is the week of February 20, bring the kids and ski at Willard Mountain, enroll in classes at the Historic Salem Courthouse www.historicsalemcourthouse.org. Relax unwind and enjoy an escape to Cambridge and Southern Washington County.

March updates will include Knitters retreat, Maple Sugaring and Monte Carlo night at the Rice Mansion Inn.

Be Happy and Well – that’s what life is about,

Christine Hoffer
Rice Mansion Inn