Couples Romantic Getaway

Jim Palmeri is Executive Chef at Mohonk Mountain House. Since arriving at Mohonk Mountain House in 2007, Chef Palmeri has created an outstanding culinary experience that embraces a farm-to-table philosophy, highlighting the bounty of the Hudson Valley region. The Wisconsin native graduated from the nationally acclaimed Culinary Institute of Kendall College in Chicago and has worked in resorts for most of his professional career. A good part of it was with Hyatt Regency properties in places such as Scottsdale, Arizona; Coral Gables, Florida; Las Vegas, and even the Cayman Islands. Palmeri also worked at the Four Seasons in big cities including Washington D.C. and Chicago.

On the Trail is a modern acoustic band that explores everything from bluegrass to contemporary pop, from stunning instrumentals to beautiful traditional songs. The group was founded through their love of bluegrass and the band the Punch Brothers. They have already gained recognition and praise for their exploration and strong execution of the challenging music, as well as for their new original music. Most recently, On the Trail had the honor of winning the 2022 Thomas Point Beach Band Competition after participating in 2021’s Telefunken Battle of the Bands at the Podunk Bluegrass Festival. They also were selected as an Emerging Artist at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2023. On The Trail features Austin Scelzo (fiddle and vocals), Tom Polizzi (mandolin and vocals), Charlie Widmer (guitar and vocals) and Matt Curley (upright bass and vocals). Their latest album “Where Do We Go From Here” is also available for streaming on all platforms.

Laurie Shayler has been dancing her entire life and started teaching children at an early age. Before falling in love with Ballroom Dancing and forming her company Dance Connection, she received a B.A. in Dance from SUNY Brockport. After moving to New York, she worked as a professional modern dancer with many choreographers performing and teaching in New York City, and touring across the U.S., Europe and Asia. She created the innovative Dance as a Second Language Course (DSL), merging the studies of English and Social Dancing at Baruch and LaGuardia Community Colleges. Now settled in Brooklyn, her passion for dance and teaching continues with her company Dance Connection offering group and private classes in Swing, Latin & Ballroom styles and specializing in Wedding Choreography.