4.12_ourberkshiretimes magazine

April - May 2012, vol 1

Take One, It's Free!

Community News | Local Events | Personal Growth | Vibrant Living

Our BerkshireTimes

Presented by Our BerkshireGreenWestern MA | Northern CT | Eastern NY | Southern VT

Connect, Share, Grow, Prosper It's All About Community!

413.528.9697 WWW.BERKSHIRE.COOP 42 BRIDGE STREET GREAT BARRINGTON MONDAY - SATURDAY 8-8, SUNDAY 10-6

VALUE(s)

GOOD FOOD WITH

Its more than just a store its a co-op.

Great Food, Great Friends and a Magical Turn of the Century Atmosphere.

Sullivan StationRestaurantOpen for lunch & dinner Tuesday through Sunday Host your special event in our historic location or let us cater at your home

Visit our historic landmark Railroad Street, Lee, Massachusetts (413) 243-2082 Vegan, Gluten-free, Vegetarian upon request Sample our Ethnic Cuisine Menu which changes every weekend Live Entertainment on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights

www.SullivanStationRestaurant.com

Jay RhindBUILDERS, INC.Building and renovating in the Berkshires and beyond for more than 25 yearsConsidering Green, Energy Star, or LEED certified? Contact us.413-298-4380 [email protected] www.jayrhindbuilders.com

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PERFO MANCEDo you want the kitchen that youve always dreamed of?It's time.

Kitchens Baths Entertainment Centers Home Offices

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williams.edu/arts

Hartsville Design WoodworkingCall today.(413) 528-6133 FSC Certified Wood Upon [email protected]

www.HartsvilleDesign.com

CONTENTSPUBLISHER Kathy I. Regan [email protected] _______________ EDITORIAL Kathy I. Regan [email protected] Rodelinde Albrecht [email protected] Copyeditors/Proofreaders Rodelinde Albrecht Patty Strauch _______________ DESIGN Magazine Design/Layout Kathy I. Regan AdsIndependent Designers Christine Dupre [email protected] Elisa Jones, Berkshire Design Studio [email protected] Shirley Sparks, Graphic Design on a Dime [email protected] _______________ ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER Patty Strauch [email protected] ______________ EVENT COORDINATOR Patty Strauch [email protected] _______________ CONTACT Our BerkshireGreen, Inc. P Box 133, Housatonic, MA 01236 .O. Phone: (413) 274-1122, Fax: (413) 541-8000 www.OurBerkshireGreen.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com www.OurBerkshireCalendar.com _______________ COVER ILLUSTRATION

April - May 201215 ReviewsCookbook & Film Reviews

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From the Publisher Good Tidings Art, Culture & EntertainmentEvent Sampler

16 Community SpotlightDestination Lee & Starving Artist Cafe

Food & DrinkFarmers' Markets, Recipes

19 Health & WellnessHealing Hypnosis

Home, Garden & LandscapeGeorge Bailey's Rocking Chairs

22 Mind & SpiritEdgar Cayce Study Group

10 Our Berkshire KidsColor Me! Event Sampler

23 Fashion StatementOrganic Treats for Face & Body

1 1 Education & WorkshopsCelebrate the Year of the Dragon

24 Meet & GreetEvent Sampler

12 Animal TalkTips for a Healthier Pet

25 In BusinessThe Cure for the Common Event Sampler

13 Back to NatureComing of Age in Nature

26 Nonprofit SpotlightGoodwill of the Berkshires

14 Our Berkshire MarketplaceSpotlight on Local Products

27 Directory of Advertisers 28 Index of Advertisers IBC Sponsors

15 Berkshire BargainsCoupons! Discounts! Savings!

About UsOur BerkshireTimes is an Our BerkshireGreen publication. We are dedicated to supporting our local economy and creating an ever-expanding, unified network of community-minded individuals, businesses, and organizations in our area. We give more than 50,000 readers per issue the opportunity to connect, share knowledge, and inspire one another through our publications, networking events, and growing online services. Our bimonthly publication (six issues yearly) is free to the public and distributed throughout western MA, eastern NY, southern VT, and northern CT, starting in February of each year. See our website for a location near you. We also publish an annual directory called Your Berkshires. Most of our editorial content is contributed by our community members. We welcome your ideas, articles, and feedback, and encourage you to submit original material for consideration through our website. You will find complete instructions on our online digital form. Our popular networking events are held at fine locations throughout the county. There is no admission charge or reservation required for most events, and you will find great company, interesting speakers, delicious free appetizers, and a cash bar. It's all about community! To find out more about advertising, submitting editorial, attending one of our popular free networking events, and posting events on our free community calendar, see our websites below, and join our mailing list to receive our free monthly eNewsletter. www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | www.OurBerkshireGreen.com | www.OurBerkshireCalendar.com

By Stephanie Andersonwww.stephanieandersonart.com

Elephant Bath

All content in Our BerkshireTimes is accepted in good faith. We do not necessarily advocate and cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by our authors, illustrators, and advertisers. We reserve the right to refuse advertising for any reason. For printing errors of the publisher's responsibility, liability is limited to the cost of the ad space in which it first appeared. Unless otherwise noted, we use a Creative Commons License in place of a standard copyright.

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From the Publisherur BerkshireGreen Publishing proudly presents Our BerkshireTimes! Ever since founding Our BerkshireGreen in 2008, I have dreamed of providing an additional forum for our entire community to connect and share knowledge, insight, inspiration, and good news. All of this is now possible for free in print, in person, and online. Our BerkshireTimes, and now also Your Berkshires: Community Resource Guide (coming in July), are distributed widely throughout the Berkshire region (more than 50,000 readers). Our frequent networking events offer the opportunity to meet and greet, and our growing online services, including Our BerkshireCalendar, provide yet another dimension to our sense of community. My thanks and sincere appreciation to you for making this possible. Kathy I. Regan, Publisher & Founder Our BerkshireGreen Publishing (413) 274-1122, [email protected]

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Good Tidings Planting the Seeds of GrowthBy Susan Jameson~ Native American Prayer

Earth, teach me renewal, as the seed that rises in the spring.

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elcome to the new community feel of Our BerkshireTimes. I invite you to join us on Thursday, April 19, for our next community networking event, at Fiori Restaurant in Great Barrington. To make sure you hear about future events and other community happenings, please join our mailing list. And remember: these events, and a wide variety of others, are listed on www.OurBerkshire Calendar.com. If you own a local restaurant or business, contact me so that you can promote your establishment by hosting one of our community events. Patty Strauch, Event Coordinator & Independent Account Representative (413) 269-6119, [email protected]

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ur BerkshireGreen welcomes spring with an exciting expansion our new publications Our BerkshireTimes and Your Berkshires, our online services, and our growing community! One of our goals is to encourage, support, and recognize the positive growth and development of our local and regional community: economically, environmentally, culturally, spiritually, and socially. Good Tidings highlights the good news about the many exciting projects and partnerships underway. In this first issue of Our BerkshireTimes I wish to offer and amplify the good news of local collaborations of powerful organizations working together for the betterment of the Berkshires and beyond. Working together we will continue to plant the seeds of growth, and ensure the vitality of the regions economy and our communitys overall quality of life. Good Tidings is pleased to provide the opportunity for our readership to share their good news with others. May good bless you!

~ Dan Bolognani, Executive Director, The Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, Salisbury, CT.

(walking, hiking, biking) or a thematic trail that helps us to explore and understand an aspect of our rich heritage.

m happy to see you here, browsing the fresh new pages of Our BerkshireTimes. If you have been a regular reader of Our BerkshireGreen, you will not be surprised either by the elegance of the design or by the excellence of the content of our new publication. Much of the latter is thanks to you: as you may know, most of our editorial content is contributed by our community members. I am excited to be a part of this new venture and look forward eagerly to receiving your stories and illustrations. Rodelinde Albrecht, Assistant Editor & Independent Account Representative (413) 243-4350, [email protected]

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erkshire Bank recently donated its historic central fire station building in Pittsfield to the 1Berkshire Foundation, allowing four economic development organizations to come together as one. The historic building will now house the offices of 1Berkshire, Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, Berkshire Visitors Bureau, and Berkshire Creative Economy Council. 1Berkshire is a new, independent not-forprofit organization charged with strengthening and growing the Berkshire economy using an innovative, collaborative approach to bring together the regions business, creative development, economic, and tourism efforts for the benefit of everyone in the Berkshires.~ Ashley Sulock, Director of Marketing & Communications, Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, Pittsfield, MA.

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he public libraries of Bennington, VT, and Williamstown, MA, are working together to celebrate 2012, the Year of the Dragon a theme developed by local artists Paula LaPorte and Mary Moore. The libraries are developing reading lists, programs, a dragon movie series, childrens activities, visiting local authors, and dedicating space to display local dragon art creations. Both libraries will have fortune cookies with the tag line Information Equals Power. At Bennington College, a dragon mural will be painted in the Bennington Library lobby. The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown will be featuring art collections from China and summer activities Bennington and Williamstown enjoy working to bring the communities together for culture and entertaining activities. Join the festivities and express your inner dragon.~ Joann Erenhouse, Director, Bennington Chamber of Commerce, Bennington, VT.

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he Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area (Housatonic Heritage) recently announced the recipients of its 2011 Heritage Partnership Grant Program. Recipients shared $73,000 in grant awards, and include nonprofit organizations in the Upper Housatonic Valley National Heritage Area, a 29-town region of Northwest Litchfield County, CT, and Berkshire County, MA. Housatonic Heritage recognized that trails projects benefit nearly every community and every person in the region. Were pleased that we could assist so many organizations in their efforts to build, improve, or promote their trails, whether they are a physical trail

~ Juliana Haubrich, 2011 Chair of the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshires, resident of Williamstown, MA.

his year, the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshires was happy to award Healing Winds the largest grant ever awarded to one organization: $3,000 for its annual Rock, Rattle & Drum Pow Wow. The Council was so impressed with the content of this community event and its past track record that the vote was unanimous. We hope to see this event thrive and become a yearly tradition in our communities. The cultural exchange of art, ideas, and history experienced by those attending this event is invaluable. The success of this group is truly good news and we hope to see them continue to grow as a unique and productive organization for our towns.

~ Susan Jameson is the founder of Humanity in Concert, and the co-founder of Healing Winds and the Rock, Rattle & Drum Pow Wow. She is an interfaith minister, dancer, and passionate metaphysician committed to her work in spiritual development. www.HealingWinds.net

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April / May 2012

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

Art, Culture & EntertainmentApril - May Event SamplerTo see more events or to post your event for free go to

The

[email protected] private parties

www.OurBerkshireCalendar.comBruce Mandel Solo Acoustic StewDate: Friday, April 6, 2012 at 6-9pm (ongoing - check website for full details) Place: Sullivan Station, 109 Railroad Street, Lee, MA - (413) 243-2082. Price: FREE. Excellent restaurant in a historic train depot. www.BruceMandel.com Date: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 3:15-5pm Place: Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Route 183, Stockbridge, MA - (413) 298-4100 Price: $65, $50 members. Character design, storyboard illustration, and digital animation techniques will be explored during this exciting handson series about the art of animation from concept creation to the moving image. Students will learn from talented professional cartoonist and animator Scott Lincoln, the creator of Ralf the Destroyer, a long-running digital comic strip. For teens ages 11 and up. Materials provided. Date: Saturday, April 14, 2012 Place: MASS MoCA, 1040 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA - (413) MoCA-111 Titled after Italo Calvinos beloved book, the exhibition features the work of ten diverse artists who re-imagine urban landscapes both familiar and fantastical. Like Marco Polos poetic imagery, which leaves the reader wondering if the cities he describes are real or perhaps all different versions of his own Venetian home, the works in the show explore how our perceptions of place are shaped by personal influences as diverse as memory, desire, and loss, as well as by cultural forces such as history and the media. www.massmoca.org

original we are therefore we play Otis, MA - (413) 269-4400, Price: Free bluesrock Curtis Kelley Grammy-nominated guitarist whose unique (413)329-0053 jazz style provides rich, rhythmic ground for original melodies and lyrics. Dinner available, with reserBring the magic of music into your home vation, from 5:30-7pm. Free concert sponsored Call to discuss how to host a House Concert by Otis Cultural Council. www.townofotisma. - at no cost to you! com/culturalcouncil

Moving Pictures - The Art of Animation

How Does Bach Do It?

SINGER/SONGWRITER, HOME & CONCERT PERFORMERwww.brucemandel.com / 413.269.7229

Bruce Mandel

Date: Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 8pm Place: Allen Theater at Berkshire School, 245 North Undermountain Road, Sheffield, MA (518) 528-9277. Price: $25, $20 for BBS Members. Students free with ID. Bachs fascinating composition strategies revealed using the Wedding Cantata and the Orchestral Suite #3 as paradigm; then performed in full concert on period instruments with soprano accompaniment. www.berkshirebach.org

Live|Work|Play|Bennington

Invisible Cities

Vital Signs - CATAs Annual Performance & Gala

Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 6pm Place: Founders Theatre, Lenox, MA (413) 528-5485, Price: $125 The culmination of hundreds of performing arts workshops for people with disabilities, CATAs Annual Performance & Gala is the organizations largest fundraiser attended by nearly 700 people. www.communityaccessto thearts.org

So Vermont. So Near!Bennington.com (802) 447-3311

Vital Signs - CATAs Annual Performance Matinee

Jay Mankita, Guitarist and Folk Singer

Date: Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 7pm Place: Knox Trail Inn Restaurant, Rte. 23, East

Date: Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 1pm Place: Founders Theatre, Lenox, MA (413) 528-5485, Price: $20 The culmination of hundreds of performing arts workshops for people with disabilities, the annual sell-out performance is attended by 700 people. www.communityaccesstothearts.org

Our BerkshireTimes

Launch Party& Networking Event

Art Representation Creativity Coaching

Create Your Brush With Opportunity

Fiori Restaurant47 Railroad Street, Great Barrington, MA

Call Janet @ 518-842-1757 www.artnsoulinc.com

Thursday, April 19 5:30-7:30pmJoin usit's free! Free appetizers, cash bar, speakers, door prizes!

Kaya

[email protected]

(413)329-9553

photography

Blaze

ickr.com/photos/kayablazewww.OurBerkshireTimes.com April / May 2012 5

Food & Drink Holistic Health Coaching / Whole Foods for Healing Corporate Consulting / Menopause ManagementSubscribe to Kosmic-Kitchen.com and receive four outrageously gourmet, nutrient dense, healthy, non-gluten dessert recipes. True story!

Farmers' MarketsConnecticutWednesdays 3-6 Enfield Town Green, 820 Enfield Street Saturdays 10-1, May 19 to Oct 13 19 Maple Avenue, Norfolk In front of Norfolk Town Hall Lisa Auclair, [email protected] (860) 542-5044, www.NorfolkFarmersMarket.org

MassachusettsThursdays 3-7, June 21 to Oct 18 North Street by the Senior Center, Pittsfield Barry Hollister, [email protected] www.BerkshireHarmony.com, (413) 281-4114

Enfield Farmers Market

Pittsfield Farmers Market

Norfolk Farmers Market

Pittsfield Farmers Market at Park SquareSaturdays 9-2, May 12 to Oct 20 Park Squares Bank Row, Pittsfield Barry Hollister, [email protected] www.BerkshireHarmony.com, (413) 281-4114 Fridays 3-7, May 25 to Sept 7 340 South Main Street (Rt 7), Sheffield Village Green parking lot of Old Parish Church www.TheSheffieldFarmersMarket.com Saturdays 8:30-12:30, May 26 to Oct 27 South end of Spring Street, Williamstown Roger & Nancy Johnson & Ronald Turbin (413) 458-3933 or (413) 458-9930

Northeast CT Farmers Marketswww.nectfarmersmarket.org Danielson: Saturdays 9-12, June 9 to Oct 27 Killingly Library, 25 Westcott Road, Killingly Plainfield: Tuesdays 4-6, June 26 to Oct Doyles Dollar Store, 732 Norwich Road (Rt 12)

Sheffield Farmers Market

Massachusetts

Williamstown Farmers Market

The Ultimate in Locally GrownSave Money. Eat 100% Organic All Year Round.No Soil! No Green Thumb Required! Coupon OBG10 for $10 off!

KITCHEN GARDENING:

Wednesdays and Saturdays 8-2, May 5 to Nov 24 Berkshire Mall parking lot, Lanesborough Lenita Bober, (413) 569-3663 Thursdays 4-7, June 2 toSept 1 442 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington Mary Feuer & Michelle Derr, (413) 528-0457 www.CommunityHealthPrograms.org

Berkshire Area Farmers Market

New YorkSundays 10-2, May 27 to Oct 28 In the heart of New Lebanon, at Rt 20 & 22 Carin de Jong, (518) 860-4294 [email protected]

Steve Meyerowitz, Sproutman | 413-528-5200 | Sproutman.com

Farmers Market at CHP

Lebanon Valley Farmers Market

Great Barrington Farmers MarketSaturdays 9-1, May 5 to Oct 27 44 Castle Street, Great Barrington Train Station, behind Town Hall Rose Levine, (413) 528-8950 [email protected]

VermontBrattleboro Farmers' MarketSaturdays 9-2, May 5 to Oct 27 Rt 9, West Brattleboro (802) 254-8885

Fridays 1-5, May 11 to Oct 12 Shakespeare & Co., 70 Kemble Street, Lenox Rose Levine, (413) 528-8950 [email protected] Saturdays 8-12:30, July 7 to Oct 6 St. Anthony Drive, North Adams Municipal parking lot, Marshall & Holden Street Lisa Loomis & Diana Kittler, (413) 662-3000 Saturdays 9-1, May 12 to Oct 6 2000 East Otis Road, Otis Parking lot of Papas Healthy Food Jess Ripley, [email protected], (413) 357-9919

Lenox Farmers Market

Sundays, 11-2, May 20 to Oct 14 Rt 11 & 103 in front of Zachary's Pizza Chester (802) 875-2703

Chester Farmers Market

North Adams Farmers Market

Manchester - West River Farmers MarketThursdays 3-6, May 24 to Oct 11 Dana Thompson Recreational Center Rt 30, Manchester Center (802) 824-4492

Otis Farmers Market

Last winter market April 21, 10-1 St. Peters Episcopal Church 200 School Street, Bennington. Summer market starts May 5 Saturdays 10-1 and Tuesdays 3:30-5 150 Depot Street, Riverwalk Park, Bennington

Walloomsac Farmers Market

When you wake up in the morning, Pooh, said Piglet at last, whats the first thing you say to yourself ? Whats for breakfast? said Pooh. What do you say, Piglet? I say, I wonder whats going to happen exciting today? said Piglet. Pooh nodded thoughtfully. Its the same thing, he said.~ A. A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner

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April / May 2012


Food & DrinkHealing Mushroom-Barley-Lentil Soup with Kalehis is truly a one-bowl meal! And fast try cooking the barley and lentils in a crockpot all day the longer they cook the creamier they get. You can add the veggies at the beginning and let them cook all day, or add them after the barley and lentils have cooked, about an hour before eating. And heres a bonus tip: Soaking the beans and grains together overnight and throwing away the soaking water makes them easier to digest and helps them to cook faster. This soup also contains the healing triad of onions, mushrooms, and greens, easily remembered as OMG! Cruciferous vegetables like kale contain compounds that have a variety of potent anti-cancer effects. They also work synergistically with compounds found in mushrooms and onions to remove carcinogens, reduce inflammation, neutralize oxidative stress, and kill cancer cells. So eat up! The portion below serves four. cup hulled or hull-less, not pearled, barley soaked for 8 hours, drained and rinsed cup green lentils, checked for stones, soaked for 8 hours, drained and rinsed 5 cups water or soup stock 1 tsp herb salt 1 three-inch piece of kombu, optional 2 cups mushrooms 2 cups leeks, chopped 1 cup onion, diced 2 cups kale, chopped 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp fines herbs, 1 tsp thyme, 1 bay leaf, and tsp black pepper 2 tsp Bragg Liquid Aminos or soy sauce, to taste

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Katherine Miller, Kosmic Kitchenlocal by nature

329 main st, lakeville, ct 06039 860 435 9765 cafegiuliact.com

Place soaked lentils and barley, the water or stock, salt, and kombu in a heavy-bottomed soup pot and bring to a boil, or use a crockpot on low for the whole day. Simmer one to two hours or until very soft and starchy (all day if using a crockpot). Saut the veggies in the olive oil for 10 minutes, then add the herbs, sauting a few minutes more before adding the Bragg or soy sauce. Add veggies to the soup or crockpot, simmer until tender, taste, and adjust seasonings. Serve garnished with fresh parsley and/or herbs, and toasted nuts or seeds.~ Whole Foods for Healing classes are held regularly in the Kosmic Kitchen in Lee, MA. For more information contact Katherine Miller, Kosmic Kitchen, [email protected], www.kosmic-kitchen.com.

private parties, special events, birthdays, rehearsal dinners, weddings e Boathouse, 349 Main Street, Lakeville, CT 06039[T] 860-435-2111 www.theboathouseatlakeville.com [F] 860-435-4543There is no love sincerer than the love of food.~ George Bernard Shaw

Fine Dining with rustic elegance

Roasted Vegetables, Lamb, and CouscousRecipe excerpted from The Cleaner Plate Club by Beth Bader & Ali Benjamin, used with permission from Storey Publishing(See cookbook review on page 15 of this issue)

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Diced into inch cubes: 4 medium parsnips, peeled 3 large carrots, peeled 1 fennel bulb 1 large sweet potato 2 onions, 1 cut into eighths and 1 diced 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp ground turmeric tsp ground cumin tsp salt 2 garlic clove cloves, minced

2 cups chicken broth 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes (undrained) 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 pound ground lamb 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 tbsp paprika Pinch of cayenne pepper 4 ounces tomato paste 1 cup couscous Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 ounces of feta cheese, crumbled

34 HOLDEN STREET NORTH ADAMS eat+drink 413.664.4444

Preheat the oven to 400 F and grease a 9 by 13 inch roasting pan. Combine parsnips, carrots, fennel, sweet potato, and the onion cut into eighths in the baking pan with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and the turmeric, cumin, and salt. Toss well to coat evenly. Add cup of the chicken broth and the tomatoes with their juice, and mix well. Roast in the oven, stirring occasionally, for about 1 hour, until vegetables are tender. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and the garlic, and saut. Add the lamb and brown the meat until no longer pink, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the lemon juice, paprika, and cayenne, and stir. Mix in the tomato paste. Add the remaining 1 cups chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Add the couscous, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for a few minutes, until the couscous absorbs the liquid. Fluff the mixture with a fork, and season with salt and pepper. Serve the lamb and couscous mixture topped with the roasted vegetables and tomato sauce. Garnish with about 1 tablespoon of feta per serving.

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WWW.PUBLICEATANDDRINK.COMApril / May 2012 7


Home, Garden & LandscapeWahida Janice Young413.281.1804car eer abundance love happiness

George Bailey's Rocking Chairseorge Bailey was a man everyone in town seemed to know about when we bought our house. He had owned that house most of his life. He had worked in the local sawmill, was a bachelor, and a man beloved by young and old. After work, he would often sit in the general store a few doors down, surrounded by children avidly listening to his stories. Judging by the books we found stashed away in the attic, he was not just a storyteller, but also a reader, his interests spanning a variety of subjects from history to literature, from science to biography. The books had been stored in boxes and piles by the owner who briefly held title to the property before we bought it from him. Considering Georges popularity, it was all the more astonishing that no one in the village knew what had happened to him; or perhaps we just asked the wrong people. The consensus, though, was that he had died. Then one day, about a year after we had moved into the house, something was happening in the brick church across the street. We inquired, and found out that it was the funeral of George Bailey. We were sad, because the whole year we had thought that he was no longer alive, and because we would have so wanted to meet him. And here he had been living in a nursing home not far away, albeit no longer with a very clear mind. My young daughter and I quickly changed from shorts to skirts and attended the service. Afterwards, we introduced ourselves to Georges aging sisters and his niece. With delight they accepted our invitation to tea. They were full of praise for the improvements we had made to the house, and reminisced about

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By Veronika Albrecht-Rodrigues

www.youngfengshui.com

[email protected]

DEAN FULCOpainting contractor

quality interiors & exteriors established in 1988 new construction historic restoration renovations commercial

905 DUBLIN ROAD RICHMOND, MA 01254 413-464-5280

growing up there. The sisters even asked to visit the room they had shared while growing up, and with our combined support the more aged of the two was half tugged, half pushed up the steep stairs amid a good deal of laughter. Downstairs, they went from room to room, looking around, remembering . . . they told us that in the room that is now kitchen and dining area there used to be a large black iron cookstove. Next to that stove, George would sit in his rocking chair of an evening, reading. I could easily see him there in my mind, visiting faraway places and times through his books. The stove is no longer there the chimney was falling apart and had to be dismantled but George Baileys spirit still lives here. Sometimes I find myself talking to him. There are two rocking chairs that came with the house: one made of oak, the other of maple with a rush seat and high back. I dont know which of these was Georges favorite chair; the sisters didnt say, and we forgot to ask, but I bet it was the high-backed maple chair. In summer this chair lives in my garden now deep red Picasso Geranium on its seat. It is a celebration of George Bailey and an inspiration to me. Copyright 2012, Veronika Albrecht-Rodrigues.

~ Veronika is a former professor of German literature. She is currently working on a book about her early childhood memories of WWII in Salzburg, Austria, and her late husbands experiences as a US soldier overseas during the same war. Veronika Albrecht-Rodrigues

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On the Earth1 0 3 F r i e n d S t re e t , A d a m s , M A 0 1 2 2 0 ( 4 1 3 ) 7 4 3 - 1 6 3 08 April / May 2012 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

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April / May 2012

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Our Berkshire KidsColor Me!April - May Event SamplerTo see more events or to post yours for free go to

www.OurBerkshireCalendar.com In School Open HouseDate: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 9:00am Place: The Montessori School of the Berkshires, 21 Patterson Rd., Lenox Dale, MA (413) 637-3662. Please register online. A parents chance to tour the campus and observe classes in session. www.Berkshire Montessori.org

Pre-school Storytime

Date: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 10:30am Place: North Adams Public Library Youth Services Dept., 74 Church St., North Adams, MA (413) 662-3133, Price: Free 60 minutes of stories, crafts and activities for children 3 to 6 and their care providers. www.naplibrary.com

Norman Rockwell Museum Presents: Kids Create!Date: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 10:30am Place: Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Rte 183, Stockbridge, MA - (413) 298-4100 Price: $2 Children, Free for adults and members. Explore our galleries with Chief Educator Melinda Georgeson for an exciting interactive look at the world of art, especially for young art lovers, ages two to five, and their caregivers. www.nrm.org

Illustration by Linda Graves, Dancing Bear Studio, www.lindagravesartist.com. If you would like to submit an illustration for consideration, please go to www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

decorations balloons streamers costumes tableware party favors themed items air dancers

hats pinatas candles paper goods wedding

baby shower retirement graduation

[email protected] 525 South Main Street, Lanesboro, MA10 April / May 2012 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

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he Bennington Free Library and the Milne Public Library, Williamstown, invite you to join them for the 2012 Chinese Year of the Dragon. The Chinese year starts on January 21 and lasts throughout the year. The Dragon's internal element is Earth, but the element of this year is Water. The relationship between these elements is that Earth dams (or absorbs) Water. This means that this is a year when the nature of the animal of the Chinese Horoscope, the Dragon, will overpower the energies of the year. In Eastern symbology, the Dragon is considered a benevolent creature that brings about good luck. This is how the 12 animals of the Chinese horoscope were chosen: The Jade Emperor, or Emperor of Heaven, summoned all the animals of the Earth, and he gave a year to each of the first 12 animals to arrive. The Dragon, even though it was the largest, fastest, and most powerful animal of creation, arrived fifth to the call of the Jade Emperor because it stopped along the way to make rain for the farmers and to help the Rabbit cross the river that all animals had to cross to arrive at the palace. The Dragon is the only one of the 12 animals of the Chinese Horoscope that

Celebrate the Year of the Dragon

Education & Workshops

is mythical. This indicates a connection with a transmuting power; hence this is a year when those born under this horoscope may be able to achieve what seemed impossible before. A warning in the Year of the Dragon is to manage energy wisely, so you dont get exhausted. This may be hard to do in a year of abundant good energy, because it may seem unlimited. Contrary to some popular rumors that have been circulating in the past few years about predictions, there is nothing in Chinese Astrology that indicates that the year 2012 is the end of times. Dragon years are expected to be full of benevolence and grace, especially this 2012 Water Dragon Year. The libraries will be celebrating with suggested books, programs, lectures, and childrens events, along with community events to be announced. Find a good book and prepare yourself for a year of Chinese culture, history, and mysticism.

Expect more.

Lenox Dale, MA (413) 637-3662 BerkshireMontessori.org

Bard College at Simons Rock

SUMMER PROGRAM

The path-breaking early college for motivated high school students blazes another new trail: Non-residential academic enrichment classes for rising 8th, 9th and 10th graders, taught by experienced college faculty with a passion for making learning fun.

Hands-on sustainability education for all ages

NEw fOR 2012!

Sustainability tours by appointment: Ecological wastewater treatment Wind and solar energy Organic gardening Composting & recycling Sustainability Education Experience Days (SEEDs) for grades 7-12 Fourth Annual Sustainability Symposium: Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Week-long classes meet 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sign up for morning, afternoon or full-day programs. July 2-6:(No class 7/4)

Flamenco and Spanish Culture Pop Culture Meets Social Psychology Native Americans in the Berkshires Eco-Blitz: Field Ecology at Simons Rock Creating Digital Animation Painting Like Van Gogh Bio-technology Boot Camp Citizen Journalism and Digital Media Improvisational Theater Workshop Life in Extreme Environments Creating Digital Music Exploring Graphic Novels

July 9-13: July 16-20: July 23-27:

Photo by Jane Feldman 74

Darrow is a college-preparatory, co-ed, boarding and day school for grades 912 located on the MassachusettsNew York border. 518-794-6000, www.darrowschool.org.

For more information and to register, visit www.simons-rock.edu/summer

LIMITED OPENINGS AVAILABLE FOR FALL 2012!


April / May 2012

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Animal Talk

BENSDOTTERS PET 413-528-4940940 MAIN STREET, GREAT BARRINGTON, MA 01230

A Wise Old Veterinarian Once Told MeTips for a Healthier Pet / By Kristina DowFeed a Healthy DietThe foundation of your pets health is what you feed. Feeding good quality pet foods and treats can save you a lot of time and money on trips to the veterinarian, and save your pet a great deal of misery. Avoiding foods and treats with corn, wheat, or soy can greatly reduce the chances of your pets developing itchy skin, chronic ear infections, impacted anal glands, and inflammatory bowel disorders, which often result when the body is forced to deal with high-gluten diets. More canned food and less dry food promotes a better-hydrated, betterfunctioning body, especially for cats. Balanced raw diets yield optimum results. absolutely necessary. They should never be combined with other products (collars, dips, household aerosols) that are also laced with insecticides and parasiticides. Human-grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) applied to your pets coat, your pets bedding, and your yard offer a non-toxic alternative to flea and tick control, while products with combinations of essential oils are often very effective in repelling mosquitoes. Do not, however, use essential oils on cats, no matter what the product label claims.

QUALITY FOODS AND SUPPLIES RAW DIET SPECIALISTSA Little Bit Conventional A Little Bit Alternative A Whole Lot Different!Convenient Location with Ample Parkingon Route 7 less than a minute south of Guidos

Open Daily at 10aMon-Fri until 6p Sat until 4p Sun until 2p

Find Alternatives to Long-term Suppressive TreatmentsSuppressive treatments such as anti-histamines, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, steroids, and barbiturates are not curative; they merely mask a diseased state of the body, and can produce other diseased states when used long-term. Chronic conditions, which conventional therapies can only suppress with pharmaceuticals, are often found to be greatly ameliorated, if not cured, through changes in diet, supplementation with nutraceuticals, and alternative therapies such as Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Therapy, and Homeopathy.

Minimize VaccinationsAn increasing number of animal healthcare professionals point to over-vaccination as a significant threat to our pets well-being, resulting in more deep-seated chronic disease than has been acknowledged. Once your pet has had its first set of vaccine boosters (usually about 1 year of age), your wellness visits to your veterinarian should include blood titers of disease antibody levels rather than vaccinations. Except as mandated by State law, do not vaccinate your pet unless blood titers show a definitive need. Never allow a sick animal to be vaccinated. Do not vaccinate for Lyme disease (for more information visit www.drschoen.com).

Pet Wellness is Our Specialty - Raw Feeding is Our Passion

Charlotte Bordeleau!

Beautiful

Become an Integral Part of Your Pets Veterinary TeamYou own the pet, and you pay the bills. You should, therefore, feel empowered to play a pivotal role in determining the care of your pet. Build a team of veterinary providers who will support you in that role. Dont be afraid to ask questions, to do some homework, and to ask questions again. Dont be afraid to get a second opinion. Dont be afraid to consider alternative therapies. Your pets are depending on you to make informed decisions on their behalf.

Manage Dental Health Without AnesthesiaGood oral hygiene is of paramount importance to overall wellness. Nevertheless, dental cleanings under anesthesia should be performed only if extractions are clearly required. A clean mouth can be achieved without risking the short-term and long-term effects of a procedure performed under anesthesia. Encourage your veterinarian to provide nonanesthetic dental cleaning services. Promote and maintain good dental hygiene at home by using healthy (gluten-free) dental chews, or any number of the other safe dental products that are available.

Cheers to Your Healthier Pet!~ Kristina Tina Dow is a retired college administrator, former veterinary assistant, and selfdescribed Born-Again Raw-Feeder. Tinas shop, BensDotters Pet, is located in Great Barrington, MA. The shop carries a wide array of supplies and natural treats, and specializes in raw-food diets. www.bensdotters. com. See her ad on this page.

VCA All Caring Animal HospitalConventional & Holistic Veterinary Medicine440 Stockbridge Road Gt. Barrington, MA

www.vcaallcaring.comPlease visit our website for current promotions and discounts, such as the Free First Exam for New Clients.

413-528-8020

Minimize Flea and Tick Treatments and Heartworm PreventivesTopical insecticides and oral parasiticides should be used only seasonally and only when

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April / May 2012


Animal TalkFood Supplies Grooming28 Holden St. North Adams, MA 01247

Back to Nature Coming of Age in NatureThe Role of Wilderness Rites of Passage in Adolescents Lives By Michelle Aplandn the United States today, adolescents come of age in the midst of cultural conditions that pose great challenges to their healthy maturation. They need support and guidance as they navigate through our cultures mixed messages and often misguided ideals, during a stage when cultural indoctrination is at its peak. Without appropriate, intentional challenges stretching their physical, emotional, and/or spiritual capacities, adolescents are left feeling deflated. With this, their intense energy meant to drive transformation and lead them to fly into new realms of life may implode and cause self-destructive behavior.

(413) 664-7777Mon-Sat 10am-6pm www.barkncat.com

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Quality All Natural Food & Treats Frozen Raw Diets Toys Accessories Supplies

67 State Road Great Barrington, MA 01230 413-528-5550MON FRI 10:00 AM 5:30PM SAT 10:00 AM 4:00 PM

WWW.PAWSHBUDDIES.COM

warm loveBerkshire humane society cat adoption center 301 stockbridge road Great Barrington ma wed. - sun. (413) 717-4244 berkshirehumane.org

stefanie and teddy

For cats and the people who love them

Back to NatureBeautiful vistas, heritage apples, award-winning winesFree wine tasting Hiking Fresh baked goods

Hilltop Orchards, home of Furnace Brook WineryOpen daily: 9am-5pm (413) 698-3301 508 Canaan Rd / Rt 295 Richmond, MA 01254 hilltoporchards.com furnacebrookwinery.com

ing of their relationship with the earth, and a connection to a story that is so much bigger than any individual human drama. The Looking to the ancients for guidance, we can knowing of deep, meaningful purpose is a create contemporary rites of passage that are need that is hard to fulfill in our society toboth community- and nature-based. Here, day, and it can be found as the earth draws adolescents can find needed guidance inter- the senses outward and invokes a sense of nally and externally for a truly fulfilling jour- mystery and belonging that help attune our ney toward adulthood. The natural world is a beings to a richer reality. Wilderness rites of great teacher, and an ideal arena passage help create a relationship in which to explore the self apart with these gifts of the natural Through from our contemporary cultures world, and help adolescents learn constant barrage of impossible to navigate through the complex the lens of world in order to be more alive, ideals. Nature offers a perspective on life that invites self-knowledge, joyful, self-loving, and purposeful nature, interdependence, and the underbeings. standing that each life is part of a everything Adolescents need deep soul greater story. recognition from their peers looks Through the lens of nature, everyand mentors, and a vision of a thing looks different. The magic future infused with inspiration different. of the heartbeat, the shivers that and purpose greater than self. come from hearing the howl of This is a time when youths bethe coyote, the exhilaration that comes from come familiar with their gifts and passions, physical exertion to keep warm or to build a and grow to understand the necessity of ofshelter, all remind us that we too are animals. fering these in service to their community In nature, we remember our animal needs: wa- and world. Weaving a culture that illumiter, food, warm clothes, fire. Sometimes, we nates joyful interdependence, and supports see death, unencumbered by human ideas or youth in utilizing the potential and passion involvement a bird-kill site with feathers and inherent in this life stage, wilderness rites blood strewn about; a short-tailed shrew mo- of passage can transform our society. They tionless in the path; a squirrel hit by a car on do this by fostering the growth of young the side of the road as it was merely trying to men and women who know themselves as survive. Death is present, and so is life blue powerfully, inextricably connected to nature jays squawking and chickadees singing, count- and to the world community. less trees and plants continuously converting our carbon dioxide to life-sustaining oxygen. ~ This article is adapted from a piece that first appeared in the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Adolescents rites of passage in a wilderness Health e-newsletter (http://www.kripalu.org/ setting can provide a palpable understand- article/201/).


April / May 2012

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Our Berkshire Marketplace

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potlight n Local o roducts! 'P

U.T. Vibrance - A Crisis Intervention For-

Doggles Pentapulls - One tough tug toy! Made with eco-friendly recycled fabrics and BPA free. Toys range in price from $1.99 to $22.99. Visit Chez Pet for lots of fun stuff! Stop in for a visit at 55 Pittsfield Road, Lenox Commons, Lenox, MA (413) 637-0800 | www.chezpet.com

mula that combines anti-adherent botanicals with 5g of D-Mannose to support healthy urinary tract function. This short-term, 2 day regimen is offered in a pleasant tasting powder or convenient tablets. Vibrant Health GUARANTEES this product against E. Coli. U.T. Vibrance is available at local health food stores or online. Designed and Manufactured by Vibrant Health in Canaan, Connecticut. $29.55 (800)-242-1835 | www.vibranthealth.us.

Fabric Sculpture - The Bodhi Tree Gallery in Sharon,CT, exclusively hosts more than100 local artists work. The Gallery is founded on the idea that quality items, such as this fabric sculpture by artist Terry Holst Grubbe Waldron, deserve a showplace, and the Bodhi Tree is just that. Representing crafters and artists of all media, the gallery offers a large variety of gift items and home dcor, such as jewelry, pottery, handblown glass items, wood items, and so much more. The work ranges in price from $5 and up. (860) 364-5642 | www.bodhitreegallery.com

Luxurious Gift Basket - All natural and handmade, these soaps and bath products provide rich moisturizing comfort. Gift basket and individual products, as well as a full line of Carriage House Soaps, can be purchased at the Bodhi Tree Gallery with prices ranging from $5 for a bar of soap to $50 and up for personalized baskets. Private and personalized labels available for parties and showers. Bodhi Tree Gallery is located in the Sharon Shopping Center, 6 Gay Street, Sharon, CT. (860) 364-5642 | www.bodhitreegallery.com14 April / May 2012 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

Berkshire BargainsCoupons! Deals! Discounts! Savings!o you want to hear about more exciting deals and discounts from local businesses? If you do, join our mailing list at www.OurBerkshireTimes.com today so you can start receiving our free, fun, informative, monthly eNewsletter. During the month of April, Starving Artist Cafe and Creperie is offering 1/2 off of any desert crepe if you mention Our BerkshireGreen. Simply delicious! See ad on page 17. Guidos Fresh Marketplace in Great Barrington and Pittsfield, MA, is offering 10% off your order when you present their advertisement (from page 6 of this issue) at checkout. Take advantage of the savings and enjoy! here is no task more important than feeding our children and there are quite a few books out there concerned with feeding them, but I have fallen in love with The Cleaner Plate Club by Beth Bader & Ali Benjamin. The reason is simple: It is obviously written by real moms who are living in the real world. This cheerful book covers all the basics, from what I can see. It talks about modeling good behavior, why we need to adjust portion sizes (in the past 20 years bagels have gone from 140 calories to 350 calories!), shopping strategies (including farmers markets), and strategies like using smaller plates and bowls, because smaller portions will satisfy just as well as the larger portion on a larger plate. The recipes prove to be hassle-free and use ordinary, whole ingredients cooked from scratch what I call normal food. They nod to the fast food competition in GoldenCrisp Chicken Nuggets (with an awesome breading tip sidebar), and Ham and Broccoli Mac and Cheese, to a more adventurous Spicy Asian Greens and Pork. Red Cabbage Slaw gets some dried fruit to add sweetness, Summer-Squash Fritters are cooked like pancakes, Slow-Cooker Oatmeal lets you wake up to a comforting bowl with a few dates and figs, and Chicken Salad is made kid friendly with red grapes, blueberries, and almonds. I appreciate that the authors do not cook down (the culinary equivalent of talk down) to their children eaters: there is nothing simple about Roasted Vegetable, Lamb and Couscous (see recipe on page 7 of this issue), Fish Curry, Pasta with Chard and Asparagus, or Carrot-Quinoa Biryani. One must-try recipe is Salt and Vinegar Kale Chips. A University of Wisconsin exten-

ReviewsThe Cleaner Plate Club by Beth Bader and Ali Benjamin

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Cookbook Review by Miriam Jacobssion project had 201 elementary school students making and tasting this recipe with amazing results. Although 99% of the kids had never even heard of kale, half of them liked this recipe on the first try! And yes, there are delicious desserts in this lovely book but for obvious enough reasons it is not their primary focus. No matter what food you choose to serve, I would love to encourage you to eat at the table with your children with no electronic distractions (no TV, no iPod). The amazing benefits of this were proven by Project EAT (Eating Among Teens): a long-term University of Minnesota study of nearly 5,000 adolescents and their families. The study found that children who regularly ate meals with their parents had a lower risk of developing eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, had better self esteem, were less likely to be overweight, ate more vegetables and fruits, and drank less soda. These middle- and high school students also performed better in school and engaged in less risky behavior such as drug and alcohol usage. Eating a meal together is about so very much more than just food: it is about community, connection, and family. In some mystical, indefinable way, homemade food is love made visible and all those privileged to eat it are nourished in both body and soul. Enjoy.~ Miriam Jacobs is a local food columnist and author known for her commonsense approach to delicious and nutritious eating. Her cookbooks include The School Lunchbox Cookbook and Cooking with Edible Flowers.

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1/2 Off Any Dessert Crepe

Save 10% on Groceries

Connecting Point Wellness in Great Barrington, MA, is offering free introductory sessions on 4/18, 5/23, and 6/20 from 5-8pm. See ad on page 21 for details. Subscribe to www.Kosmic-Kitchen.com and receive four outrageously gourmet, nutrient dense, healthy, non-gluten dessert recipes. True story! See ads on pages 6 and 16. Hillltop Orchards in Richmond, MA, is offering a free wine tasting. Try their award-winning Furnace Brook Wines, produced at Hilltop Orchards. Stop by their Farm Winery Store. Open Daily 9am-5pm. See ad on page 13. VCA All Caring Animal Hospital is offering a coupon through their website for a free initial health exam for new clients. Good for up to two pets (dogs or cats only) per household. Check with your nearest VCA hospital for other types of pets. See ad on page 12, and their website for more information.

Free Introductory Session Acupuncture | Massage | Bodywork

Receive Four Free Recipes

Free Wine Tasting

Free Initial Pet Health Exam

Save $10 with Sproutman below.

The Ultimate in Locally GrownSave Money. Eat 100% Organic All Year Round.No Soil! No Green Thumb Required! Coupon OBG10 for $10 off!

KITCHEN GARDENING:

Steve Meyerowitz, Sproutman | 413-528-5200 | Sproutman.com

fter reading the description of The Blue Butterfly (2004) on the back of the DVD case, I very nearly restored this film to the library shelf. Id had a long and busy week so I was looking for undiluted entertainment, something light and frothy that would tax neither my wits nor my emotions. A moronic comedy, or perhaps some romantic piece of fluff. Did I really, I asked myself, want to watch the story of a ten-year-old boy who is dying of a brain tumor? Luckily for me, my curiosity conquered my qualms. The plot of the movie is based on real-life people and events. The young protagonist Pete Carlton, convincingly portrayed by Marc Donato, is confined to a wheelchair (his tumor has left him very little control over his movements). He is a precocious child with a passion for insects, and his dearest wish is to capture the exquisite and elusive Blue Morpho butterfly, which is native to the Costa Rican rainforest. He badgers his mother, Teresa (played by a stoic Pasquale Bussires), to take him to a lecture by his hero, the renowned entomologist Alan Osborn (a strong-but-silent William Hurt). By dint of sheer doggedness, Pete convinces Alan to make the trip, with near-disastrous results. This is more than a mere adventure story, although it is certainly that as well. It offers a glimpse into an unfamiliar culture, with its own ways of dealing with illness. It is about a quest for the nearly unattainable, about pursuing a dream against all odds, about finding a courage and a strength you did not know you had. And yet it manages to avoid most of the pitfalls of its genre. At times it may make you weep, but your tears will be genuine. And the ending will surely take you by surprise. ~ Rodelinde Albrecht, Concerned Singles, www.ConcernedSingles.com. See advertisement on page 24. www.OurBerkshireTimes.com April / May 2012 15

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Film Review of The Blue Butterfly / By Rodelinde Albrecht

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Community Spotlight: Lee

Destination LeeBy Chris Collins

Holistic Health Coaching / Whole Foods for Healing Corporate Consulting / Menopause ManagementSubscribe to Kosmic-Kitchen.com and receive four outrageously gourmet, nutrient dense, healthy, non-gluten dessert recipes. True story!

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ME MB E R FDIC /ME MB E R DIF

E QUAL HOUS ING LE NDE R

simple, direct and personal banking

1-800-843-4100 www.leebank.com

Upstairs BasementRick Clayson, Manager/Owner

E S T. I N 1 9 7 2 B Y H E L E N B U N N Y L A R S O N

(413) 243-2565 53 Main Street Lee, MA 01238Store Hours: Monday through Saturday 10-5, Sunday 1-4CONSIGNMENT SHOPS OF THE BERKSHIRES

XLNT food and wine16 April / May 2012

French chef, American baker, real food

5pm dinner only seasonal hours 150 Main Street, Lee, Mass. 413.243.6397 cheznousbistro.com

he town of Lee has been referred to as a lot of things over the years, but its not often that people associate it with arts and culture. But a look through some of Lees history books and town reports show otherwise. In 1905, $200 was appropriated to the Lee Cornet Band and Lee Italian Band. The 1925 town report shows $450 being used to fund live music. Louis Airoldi made a strong case, via the DPW, to fund playgrounds, an athletic field, and a skating rink. In 1946, he requested a $1,500 appropriation for a swing set, new bleachers, skating rink, and playground maintenance, and asked the town to support funding a paid person, John Consolati, to supervise activities. At that time, as now, the United States had just come out of a long and painful war and the economy was struggling. But Airoldi was undeterred. A supervisor should be in charge for which it is hoped funds will be made available, wrote Airoldi. It is likely that some argued that recreational activities were frivolous and unnecessary, but the town felt otherwise and passed the motion. Today, people talk about the good old days when people spent time together, be it at the soda fountain or the old skating rink to visit old friends and make new ones. In the early 1980s, a few local community members dedicated themselves to establishing a center in town where young residents had access to positive social activity. Though there was some initial opposition to the project, the dedication and tenacity of a few gave life to the Lee Youth Association, which today is a shining example of service to children and families in the Berkshires. Today it employs five full-time and 32 part-time employees. In 2006, the Lee CDC and the Lee Chamber of Commerce conducted a survey of downtown businesses and stakeholders. Of 25 choices, the second most popular item to bring to fruition was to encourage more downtown events. In 2007, The Feiden Review stated that street

includes Concert Production Manager at the National Music Center, producer of the Berkshire Music Festival, and co-producer of the 2007 Alice Brock art show. He attended the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and is a writer and musician. Chris has performed in Florida, the Berkshires, and New York City.

fairs and special events could help build a sense of shared goals rather than just a series of separate businesses, and that seed money might come from fund-raising, a town match, and other sources so that Lee could build a brand that is more than just a Gateway to the Berkshires. The 2008 Harvard University Field Study states, a great asset for Lee is the opportunity to tap into the larger Berkshires Creative Economy. Tapping into this and other existing networks is critical in maximizing Lees potential. In 2010, the Lee Cultural Council (LCC) expanded its mission and began producing events and programs in Lee with an eye toward a more active town in which to live, visit, and work. Collaborations with the Student Education Development Fund, Chamber of Commerce, and First Congregational Church have produced the Lee Idol talent contest, the Alices Restaurant Movie and Memorabilia Show, and the first annual Cabin Fever Festival, among other events. Today, while the LCC raises its own funds, it hopes the town will offer additional support so it can establish year-round programming that not only lends support to the missions of other town boards and organizations, but provides a greater level of opportunity for local families through educational programs, workshops, and downtown events. Throughout the generations, even during hard times, our town has made sure that Lee residents of all ages have had access to arts, culture, and community. Today we have an opportunity to help create new traditions and memories for those who will be running our town for the next one hundred years. Perhaps some of the good old days are still ahead of us. ~ Chris Collins career in the arts



The Starving Artist Caf & CreperieMain Street, Lee, MassachusettsWhat We OfferThe Starving Artist Caf & Creperie is located in downtown Lee, Massachusetts. Our philosophy is Always Organic & Local When Possible. We are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the summer, and serve savory and sweet crepes along with delicious sandwiches, fresh salads, homemade soups, organic baked goods, fresh organic juices, smoothies, Barrington coffee, and much more. There is something for everyone, including buckwheat glutenfree and vegan crepes, vegan and gluten-free Having two children of our own, we wanted a kid-friendly atmosphere at the Starving Artist and have included a great play area.

New American Bistro cuisine in a cozy tavern environment.Great for private parties!

Operating since 1853 on historic Main St. Lee, in the heart of The Berkshires.

33 Main St., Lee, MA 01238 (413) 243-3661 morganhouseinn.com

What Makes Us Different

We are a family-run organic caf with a focus on creating healthy delicious food. We have many options for vegans, people with gluten allergies, and other dietary needs. We also feature local artists at our musical brunch every Sunday, serving breakfast all day with live music from 10am-1pm. Come join us anytime during the month of April 2012, mention Our BerkshireGreen, and we will give you half off the price of any dessert crepe!

Jacqueline NicholasReiki Master/Teacher

413.446.0691 [email protected]

We Are Community-Minded

baked goods, and organic meat options. Eat in, outside, or takeout are all available. We are located next door to the Good Purpose Gallery. Our name pays homage to the many Starving Artists of the area with local artists paintings hung on the walls and a live musical brunch every Sunday, combining the art of food with our beautiful crepes.

One of our main goals at The Starving Artist Cafe is to limit the impact we have on the earth in every way. We support local and organic farms in the Berkshires as much as we can. This benefits local businesses and ensures you are getting the freshest products and ingredients in your food. Being avid recyclers in order to be kind to our environment, we use corn-based biodegradable plastic products and our paper products are made from recycled paper. Our website is hosted by 100 percent wind energy and our faithful customers receive a paperless newsletter each month.

About the Owners

Ryan and Emmy Davis are natives of Lee. After owning Berkshires Green Grocer for three years, we had the opportunity to design and create a brand new caf in the newly renovated Bookless Building in our hometown. We wanted a space that would bring warmth and creativity to the food and to our surroundings.

How to Find Us

We are located at 40 Main Street in downtown Lee. Open Monday through Saturday from 7:30am-5pm and Sundays from 8am-3pm for our musical brunch. On Fridays & Saturdays in the summer we are open until 8pm with live music. See www.starvingartistcreperie.com or follow us on Facebook for daily specials and updates.

A Proud Member of the Lee CommunitySee our ad on Page 1

Sullivan Station RestaurantRailroad Street, Lee, Massachusetts (413) 243-2082

STFun Facts About Lee, Massachusettshe town of Lee was incorporated in 1777, and named after General Charles Lee, second in command to George Washington during the course of the colonists fight for freedom from the oppressive rule of England. Lee is famed for papermaking and for its marble. Lee marble, said to be the hardest and finest quality marble in the world, was used in the construction of the nations Capitol building, St Patricks Cathedral, Columbia University, Grants Tomb, NYC City Hall, and the Empire State Building. The Massachusetts Statehouse and the Boston Public Library, as well as many of downtown Lees finest structures, were also made with Lee marble. Downtown Lee is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The farmhouses, estates, business blocks, and factories that have given life to this town since 1760 still exist.~ Taken with permission from the Lee Chamber of Commerce website, www.LeeChamber.org.

www.SullivanStationRestaurant.com

Reiki AwakenAWAKEN TO HEALTH & WELLNESS

Tracy McManmon

Master Reiki Practitioner/Teacher

LEE, MA 01238 | 413.854.7096 WWW.REIKIAWAKEN.COM | [email protected]

R/C Airplanes & Engines, Helicopters Complete Parts & AccessoriesR/C Cars, Trucks, Boats Estes Rocket, TrainsPlastic & Die-cast Models JOE SORRENTINO REPAIR SERVICE AVAILABLE BUS (413) 243-2651 109 CENTER ST. LEE MA

BARN SPEED HOBBIES1-800-499-2651


April / May 2012

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MOTHER EARTHin mind.

We offer system design with

Laser Therapy Ultrasound House Calls Acupuncture Geriatric Care Soft Tissue Surgery Orthopedic Surgery Dental Services Digital Radiology Nutritional Consulting

Dr. Julie Shanahan Dr. Laura Aylesworth Dr. James Leahey

Solar Electric Solar Hot Water Solar Pool Heaters Geothermal Heat Pumps High Efficiency Boilers and Furnaces 26 Years Local Solar Experience LEED Accredited Professional

920 Pleasant Street, Lee, MA 01238 413-243-2414 www.valleyveterinaryservice.com

Renewable Energy Solutions, Inc., Lee, MA

Think Globally. Act Locally.

413-243-0909

Gateway to the BerkshiresDDS

Dr. Jay Wise18 April / May 2012 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

Serving great dental patients for over 30 years!31 Park Plaza Downtown Lee, Massachusetts

Call today for an appointment

www.drjaywisedds.com

413.243.1222

Health & WellnessReikiThe Usui System of Natural Healing

Jill PowellReiki MasterHinsdale, Massachusetts

De Stress & Renew withYoga and/or Chakra Illuminations518-577-8172 Grace M. Tuma, M.A. Yoga & Shaman Healer.

Acupuncture - Chinese Herbal Medicine Dragon's Way and Breast Health Qi Gong Classes

Kelly Clady-Giramma, Dipl. O.M., L.Ac.55 Concord Parkway,

Fertile Ground Acupuncture

(413) 695-8876 | (413) 629-3972

[email protected]

413-655-2109 | 413-441-3672

PROMOTES SELF-HEALING, STRESS RELIEF & BALANCEHours by appointment Home visits available

The Good Life Natural Food & Wellness CenterRemedies for Mind and Body1083 East Main Street, Torrington, CT 06790 860-482-0111 | [email protected] www.thegoodlifellc.comSTORE HOURS | M, T, W, F 9-5:30, TH 9-6:30, SA 9-5

www.BerkshireReiki.com

Sharon True, M.A., C.M.A., R.S.M.TPRIVATE, DUET, AND GROUP CLASS WORKOUTS WITH HOLISTIC APPROACHAVAILABLE IN GREAT BARRINGTON

Somatic Movement Therapist & Certified Pilates Instructor

413.528.2465

TriYoga BerkshireHeather Coon

413.854.3177 d www.triyogaberkshire.com1224 North Main Street (Rte.7) - Sheffield, MA3 miles south of Great Barrington over looking the beautiful Housatonic River

In the Flow and on the River

413.232.7018 | www.BerkshireLifeCoaching.com

Phoebe Williams, Certied Professional Coach

Breast vitamin c infusion therapy High dose iv tHermograpHy Physician assessment early risk suPervision

IntegrativeStreet Lenox, MA 01240 Health Solutions 25 FranklinCall 413-637-8921 for more information.


April / May 2012

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Health & Wellness

In the deep hypnotic states of alpha and theta, there is another major advantage: the mind is more open to suggestion. So I listened to suggestions to increase Tcells, release stress, let go of fear, eat more healthfully, and drink more water. I focused on an inner picture of healing completely: seeing myself fully recovered.

ance from a professional hypnotist, trained not to lead, influence, or create memories.

Part of the Future of MedicineHypnosis has been accepted by the AMA for pain, stress, and habits since 1959. The medical community is now becoming more aware of how medical hypnosis can help patients to engage their minds in the healing process. One popular mind-body program used in top New York and Boston hospitals is Prepare for Surgery, Chemo or Radiation . . . and Heal Faster, by Peggy Huddleston, PhD. The program uses deep relaxation, positive imagery, and healing statements in the OR to talk to the subconscious mind. The result: less pain, less anxiety, quicker healing. Hospitals such as Mass General, St. Peters in Albany, and Sharon Hospital in Connecticut offer mind-body techniques to assist healing.

Filled with Disease or Filled with Healing?If you want to get somewhere, get your goal in mind. Thats how you get to where you are going each day. But too many people, when faced with a disease diagnosis, start seeing themselves as filled with the disease. Not the best way to get to the goal of healing. We are influenced to envision a negative outcome sometimes without even realizing it. TV, movies, and magazines show vivid images of illness. The medical community often inadvertently adds to that. The human mind loves vivid imagery! It sticks. Vivid and negative imagery engages our limbic brain, the oldest part of our brain, responsible for survival. Perhaps this explains the wild popularity of nasty tabloid magazines, frightening movies, and grim reality shows. My job was to envision a different picture. SurBy Susan Spiegel Solovay, CHT viving and thriving! Cancer had made a mistake messing with me. It was not my When I woke from the haze of anesthesia after my time. I had living to do. Grandchildren to meet. I saw myself filled with healing. hysterectomy, I knew something was very wrong. I refused to hear my odds. Later, when I read my No one in the room was smiling. Not the doctor, nor my husband, nor my sister, who was visiting odds were 80% to 20% against my survival, I wept. from St. Louis. The heavy quiet spoke volumes. I Long and hard. And refused to look at statistics didnt have the energy to ask what was wrong. Later again. Was I kidding myself? I thought, someone has that day, I learned I had cancer, everywhere. And a to be in that 20%. I signed up for that team. grim diagnosis: Ovarian Cancer, stage 3C.

Healing hypnosisMy First Call Was to a Hypnotist

A Different C-word: Youre CuredIn 2004, I chose to follow the latest protocol for Ovarian Cancer reflecting my belief in using the best of Western medicine along with alternative mind-body therapies. During treatment, I was the patient in the chemo room with the homemade CD playing the whole time. I created vivid hypnotic suggestions to welcome the chemo as a healing agent, to direct the chemo to where it was needed, and to protect the healthy cells. I insisted on seeing myself as having millions of healthy cells far more healthy cells than cancer cells. There is a test for some Ovarian Cancers: a protein marker that is measurable, called CA-125. The doctor had never seen CA-125 numbers drop so fast. From mid 2000 to under 10. As I write this, I am celebrating eight years cancer-free. Continuing to bring positive imagery and healthy changes into how I think, feel, and take care of myself. I changed some negative habits. Many cancer patients do. We call it saving our life. Most of those changes were changes in attitude. I teach stress reduction at Gildas Club and NY Oncology, as well as training professionals in hypnosis techniques, and have a busy private practice. Mention the word hypnosis, and most people think of someone they know who quit smoking or lost weight by seeing a hypnotist. Now we know the powerful potential of hypnosis to help with medical issues. My story is only one of thousands that are being documented how the mind can help create a more positive outcome. When my doctor at Albany Medical Center introduced me at a medical conference on Ovarian Cancer, he called me cured! I was speechless. I did not know any doctor used that word. Remission, yes . . . but I had not expected the word cured. Thats a C-word I welcome. Mind and body.~ Susan is a certified Medical Hypnotist, Teacher, and Life Coach. See her website at www.hypnocoachny.com, and her ad on page 21.

What Is Hypnosis Anyway?

A hypnotist? I had been a Certified Hypnotist for 10 years at that time. And while the bulk of my work had been with helping people quit smoking and lose weight, I understood the mind-body connection, and how the subconscious mind runs the body. I was going to need the power of the subconscious mind to get well and stay cancer-free.

The Most Powerful Pharmacy in the WorldIn the words of the respected physician and bestselling author, Dr. Mark Hyman, The most powerful pharmacy in the world is right between your ears. I enlisted that powerful force to help me heal. Since stress suppresses the immune system, I needed the opposite. I was going to relax and build my immune cells back. Hypnosis, by definition, is a focused state of relaxation: its the brain state between waking and sleeping. To achieve the best immune response, I would use hypnosis for the deepest relaxation. Deeper, deeper . . . into the alpha and theta brain states . . . for healing. 20 April / May 2012

Hypnosis is widely misunderstood. Thats because it is a common and powerful state of mind that has been portrayed in silly ways in stage shows and movies. Weve all been in a hypnotic trance state often probably every day! Thats because it is the state between waking and sleeping. Thats right . . . when you relax on your way to sleep, or if you wake without an alarm on a lovely Saturday morning and drift and daydream, youre in hypnosis. The hypnotic state is induced as the mind relaxes and focuses. When we daydream, when we are in a reverie, reading a novel, when time passes without us noticing; even while watching TV or an absorbing movie these are all trance states. We go into highway hypnosis driving with no memory of how we got there because we have been relaxed and focused, and probably daydreaming. Perhaps youve heard of using hypnosis to retrieve memories; it is utilized psychologically as well as forensically. Hypnosis opens a gateway to the subconscious mind. Details long lost can be remembered. However, because the mind is open to suggestion, memories must be retrieved with guid-


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April / May 2012

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Health & Wellness

Mind & Spirit

Dr. Goldman, a leading international figure in the practice and continuing education of Osteopathy, has been in practice in Sharon, CT since 1992. He now brings his extensive healthcare experience to Great Barrington and the surrounding communities. As a certified specialist in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine and fully licensed physician, Dr. Goldman treats the whole person not just the symptoms by emphasizing the interrelationships of structure, function, and the ability of the body to heal itself.

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Edgar Cayce Study GroupBerkshire Osteopathic HealthFAMILY PRACTICE & OsTEOPAThIC MAnIPuLATIOn Stephen Kisiel, DO and Mary K. H. Yee, DO OsTEOPAThIC MAnIPuLATIOn Joshua Krembs, DOhe Edgar Cayce Study Group meets every Tuesday at 7pm in Canaan, NY (detailed information following). Edgar Cayces message for 2012, the year of great galactic alignments, is to embrace the intensifying universal energies surrounding us and not to fear them. Edgar said Spirit is the Life, Mind is the Builder, and the Physical is the Result. In our Study Group we will learn to use Edgar Cayces wisdom to develop our abilities and manifest our lifes true purpose. Edgar Cayce is known as the Father of Holistic Medicine, and the best documented psychic of the 20th century. Edgar Cayce left a legacy of more than 14,000 readings with information involving health, metaphysics, dreams, prophecy, and spiritual growth, to name a few. He predicted the stock market crash of 1929 and the date of his own death, for example. The importance of the material in Edgars readings is evidenced by approximately one dozen biographies and more than 300 titles that discuss various aspects of this mans life and work. Sixty-seven years ago, who could have known that terms such as meditation, Akashic records, spiritual growth, auras, soul mates, and holism would have become household words to millions?

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The Association of Research & Enlightenment (www.edgarcayce.org), the nonprofit organization devoted to disseminating Edgar Cayces knowledge, sponsors our study group. Our membership is free and open to all, ranging from those who know that we have the power to improve ourselves and the world, to those who are simply curious about the man Edgar Cayce. In addition, we will incorporate the current channeling of Edgar Cayces spirit by the Reverend Bente Hansen (www.edgarspeaks.com) which reveal Edgar Cayces messages for 2012! Edgar Cayce was asked to come up with lessons for developing our abilities and that resulted in the two-volume book A Search for God, which we will use as the guideline for our Study Group. Our Study Group members will be encouraged to be caring and open-minded with a mission of sharing our experiences. Feel free to tell your friends, family, and other contacts. Meetings are every Tuesday at 7pm at 1409 County Route 5, Canaan, NY 12029. A newcomer can seamlessly join the sessions at any point in their course of study. For more information contact Bob Connors, (518) 781-4686, raconnors@yahoo. com. Visit www.meetup.com/Edgar-caycestudy-group-canaan-NY/.

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April / May 2012


Organic Treats for Face & Bodyat Seven salon.spa / By Gladys Montgomery

Fashion Statement

he room is quiet, and I am swathed in a sheet and blanket, my face and dcollet covered with a rich layer of organic herbal creams that give off a faint pine-like scent. My feet, which have just been similarly massaged and moisturized, are enveloped in cozy booties. I hear faint strains of music and the esthetician preparing her next potion in a corner of the room, but the sounds seem far distant. In fact, I could be lying next to a train track with a freighter clattering past and not much care: I am that blissed out. Though I think of myself as a low-maintenance person, I am no stranger to facials and massages, and Ive been coming to Seven salon.spa, at Seven South Street, Stockbridge, for my hair since it opened six years ago. But this is the first time that I have ascended to its spa several generously sized, well-appointed, and immaculate treatment rooms on Sevens second floor. Ascended seems the right word: this facial and the massage that follows it make me feel as though Im floating on a cloud. From the beginning, Sevens spa has been a vital part of the business the brainchild of Mark Johnson, who embarked on a career as a hairstylist 23 years ago, and his long-time partner and husband of two years, Maurice Peterson, who is Sevens co-owner and business manager. The couple began their Berkshire residence as second-home owners, fell in love with the area, and moved here full time when they launched the salon/spa. Au courant with the latest trends in healthful hair, skin, and spa products, Seven offers organic single-process hair coloring with Herbatint, products by John Masters and others, skin care products by Pangea and Comfort Zone, and Jane Iredale makeup, the purest mineral cosmetics on the planet. It also offers manicures, including long-lasting shellac solutions, and a range of skin and

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body treatments, including facials, massages, peels, waxing, makeup application and lessons, complimentary private steam baths for spa clients, and myotonolgy (described as a nonsurgical facelift note to self: mark for future reference), even tarot and readings by intuitive Sheilaa Hite. We have a gamut of clients women, men, kids, actresses, and elderly ladies, and try to serve all of them with a good range of prices for services, Johnson says. We respect our employees, and they have their own creative control over what they do. Good quality people always look for that. Were lucky to have the staff that we have. Johnson still works in New York City two days a week at Space, the first high-end salon established in SoHo. Having trained with Vidal Sassoon, he spent four years doing magazine and runway work before deciding to work in the real world as a cutter and colorist. Its just much more fulfilling, he explains. What we do for our clients makes a lasting impact on their looks, and theyre living with the results of what we do day and night. A great stylist combines mastery of technique with a high level of taste, and Johnson has both. The one thing that is missing at Seven is a diva-esque attitude among its employees and its clientele, and thats a breath of fresh Berkshire air. Today, I am breathing deep, as esthetician Nicole Troiano slathers my face with gentle exfoliating, deep cleansing, and rich moisturizing masks from Comfort Zones botanical, bio-organic Sacred Nature line. While the second mask penetrates, she treats my feet and calves to a massage and moisturizing treatment. Fifty minutes later, the facialists ministrations, a succession of eucalyptus-scented hot towels, and sybaritic potions of borage oil, ylang ylang, sandalwood, and jojoba oil have left my skin feeling luscious and looking radiant. How often can I do this? this formerly low-maintenance Continued on page 24 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

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April / May 2012

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Fashion StatementOrganic Treats for Face & BodyContinued from page 23

Meet & Greet

client asks Troinano. She recommends once every four to six weeks, the length of time it takes normal skin cells to replace themselves. In time, she explains, with these bioorganic treatments, the skin will become noticeably better in quality and tone. A few days later, I return to one of Sevens massage rooms, where masseuse Lori Meek personalizes her treatments to the preferences of the client, from deep tissue work with lots of strong pressure to the more rhythmic and flowing motions of the Swedish massage. I opt for the latter, relaxing into a meditative zone while my neuromuscular and lymphatic systems bask in satisfied waves of contentment. Soothing percussive chords play quietly in the background, as the therapist kneads my back with an all-organic scentless, non-oily blend of jojoba and shea butter. The more relaxed the client is, the deeper the massage can go, Meek explains. With nine years under her fingertips, she and Alex Vinogradov, the other lead member of Sevens massage team, offer a total of 34 years of experience, way above the industrys three-year norm. In addition to individual treatments, they team up for couples massages. Massages break up adhesions, move fluid in the tissue, and bring blood into the muscles, so over time, the body becomes more supple, Meek says. People move differently and look younger. I certainly feel that way. My complexion is radiant without makeup, my stride is somehow longer and looser, and my shoulders and back feel amazing. Deconstruct the word treatment, and what you get is treat, something we all deserve. Seven salon.spa, 7 South Street, Stockbridge, MA 01262, (413) 298-0117, www.sevensalonspa.com.

Rodelinde AlbrechtDirector, Concerned Singles

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Go to www.OurBerkshireTimes.com to win a fabulous prize from Seven salon.spa!~ A full-time real estate agent with The Kinderhook Group, based in Stockbridge, Gladys Montgomery specializes in architecturally significant properties, including historic ones in all price ranges. She is an award-winning writer and editor who was founding editor of Berkshire Living Home & Garden and is the author of five books and hundreds of magazine feature articles in the shelter and lifestyle field.

get to know your community April - May Event Sampler - To see more events or to post yourevent for free go to www.OurBerkshireCalendar.comNorth Adams Green Drinks A Series of Town Hall Meetings at the Norman Rockwell Museum

meet & greet

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Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 5:30pm Place: Freight Yard Pub, Western Gateway Heritage State Park, North Adams, MA A free informal gathering of people interested in conservation and environmental issues. All are welcome. For more information about Pittsfield Green Drinks, contact Bruce Winn at BEAT, [email protected], (413) 2307321, or Jay Walsh at [email protected]

Date: Thursday, April 19, 2012 from 5:30-7:30pm Place: Fiori Restaurant, 47 Railroad Street, Great Barrington, MA. Price: Free. Join Our BerkshireGreen Publishing to celebrate the launch of Our BerkshireTimes Magazine. Delicious free appetizers and cash bar, interesting speakers, and door prizes. Come get to know your community. Connect, Share, Grow, Prosper It's All About Community!

Our BerkshireTimes Launch Party and Networking Event

Date: Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 5:30pm Place: Norman Rockwell Museum, 9 Rte 183 Stockbridge MA - (413) 298-4100. Price: Free. Join us to share your thoughts on the most compelling issues of our day. This series of Town Hall conversations inspired by Norman Rockwells Four Freedoms paintings will explore aspects of our democracy in a rapidly changing and increasingly global world. Noted commentators will offer observations and inspire community discourse, with a reception to follow.

Date: Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 5:30-7:30pm Place: Bodhi Tree Gallery of Fine Crafts Price: Free. Join Our BerkshireGreen Publishing for good company, delicious free appetizers and wine, in

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