Our BerkshireTimes Magazine, Aug-Sept, 2015

Local Events | Art & Culture | Home & Garden | Vibrant Living

Aug - Sept 2015 vol 21 (32) Complimentary

Our BerkshireTimes

Special Food & Drink and Education & Workshops FeaturesVisit us at www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

Dream Kitchen Bathroom Remodel Interior Renovations

Siding & Windows Roofing Contractor Additions & Decks

Any job large or small, we do it right or not at all. FULL LINE REMODELING CONTRACTOR CONVENIENT FINANCING LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1992 MORE CHOICES PERSONAL SERVICE DOWNTOWN SHOWROOM BETTER PRICES Fully Licensed & Insured

Lic# 051408, Reg # 131832

(413) 442-3001 674 North Street, Pittsfield, MA www.morrisonshomeimprovement.com

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Contents August - September 2015

Our BerkshireTimes

The Artist's Model (Pearl 1)by Kris Galli, Artist

Kris Galli is a self-taught painter whose work can be found in collections across the US and beyond. She has been painting for thirty years, and lives in Lenox with her husband, photographer Edward

Acker. Kriss work can be seen at Lauren Clark Fine Art in Great Barrington, Canyon Ranch of the Berkshires, and Alta Cafe & Wine Bar in Lenox, MA. www.krisgallifineart.com

PUBLISHERSKathy I. [email protected]

Kevin J. [email protected]_______________

EDITORIALKathy I. [email protected]

Rodelinde [email protected]

Copyeditor/ProofreaderRodelinde Albrecht_______________

DESIGNMagazine Design/LayoutKathy I. Regan

AdsIndependent DesignersChristine [email protected]

Elisa Jones, Berkshire Design [email protected]_______________

TO ADVERTISE CONTACT Our BerkshireGreen, Inc.P.O. Box 133, Housatonic, MA 01236Phone: (413) 274-1122advertise@OurBerkshiretimes.comwww.OurBerkshireTimes.comwww.OurBerkshireCalendar.com_______________

COVER ILLUSTRATION

6 food & drink FOOD FOR THE GODS

31 featured advertisers

Our BerkshireTimes

THE TRUTH ABOUT SALT

26 health & wellness CARDAMOM

Our BerkshireTimes magazine was first published in 2009 and is enjoyed by community members and visitors alike. We distribute bimonthly (six times per year) starting each February. Most of our editorial content is contributed by our readers. We welcome your ideas, articles, and feedback, and encourage you to submit original material for consideration through our website. To find out more about advertising and submitting editorial, see our website at

left, and join our mailing list to receive our free eNewsletter.

20 education & workshops BEING FIRM

This publication is proudly printed with soy ink on FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council) paper.

24 fashion & beauty REALLY?

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.

12 home & garden MIGHTY NO BITEY DREAM HOME

4 art, culture & entertainment EVENT SAMPLER

The Artists Model (Pearl 1) by Kris Galli, www.krisgallifineart.com.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS 29 mind & spirit A SCOTTISH ODYESSY - PART 2

30 animal talk DECEPTION

MICROWAVES EINKORN SOURDOUGH BREAD

A LITTLE DETECTIVE WORK

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

Like Us On

16 real estate & professionals PASSIVE BUT POWERFUL BREAK THE RULES!

Just for Fun: SKINKDate: Friday, August 7, 2015, 1pmPlace: PS21: Performance Spaces for the 21st Century, 2980 Route 66, Chatham, NY (518) 392-6121. Price: FreeAcrobatic Dance with Brian Sanders.Brian Sanders dance company offers an amazing program of acrobatics combined with modern dance. Brian gets us laughing at his unexpected imaginative use of everyday objects in his technically amazing acrobatic dances. www.tinyurl.com/o6a5wkx

Sheffield Antiques ShowDate: Friday, August 7-9, 2015, 10am-5pmPlace: Mount Everett High School, 491 Berkshire School Road, Sheffield, MA (413) 229-8173. Price: $8Longest continuously running antiques show in Massachusetts, featuring quality dealers of fine 18th- and 20th-century furniture and accessories, art, rugs, jewelry, china, sterling, and more! Ample parking, A/C, lunch, bake sale, quilt raffle.www.sheffieldantiques.org

Adams Farmers & Artisans MarketDate: Sunday, August 9, 2015, 9am-1pmPlace: Adams Visitors Center, 3 Hoosac Street, Adams, MA - (413) 743-8300Price: Free. Come visit local farms and vendors, get fresh produce, and see live entertainment in Adams! Vendors wanted.www. tinyurl.com/q499h8o

Free Reflexology Sample SessionsDate: Thursday, August 13, 2015, 6pmPlace: In Front of Cheshire Town Hall, Church Street, Cheshire, MA - (413) 743-0483. Price: Free. Come join us in the town of Cheshire from 6 to 8pm for a block party to include live music, free health and wellness sessions, food, and more!www.handshearthealth.com

Mary PoppinsDate: Sunday, August 13-23, 2015, 7pmPlace: The Colonial Theatre, 111 South Street, Pittsfield, MA - (413) 997-4444Price: Tickets: Adult A: $30, Child A: $20,

Adult B: $25, Child B: $15Mary Poppins flies onto the Colonial stage for Berkshire Theatre Groups 10th Annual Community Theatre Production. In this beloved musical, written by Julian Fellowes of Downton Abbey fame, a practically perfect nanny teaches us anything can happen if you let it. www.berkshiretheatregroup.org

Ping-Pong & Pizza Party PlusDate: Saturday, August 15, 2015, 10:30am-12:30pmPlace: Berkshire South Regional Community Center, 15 Crissey Road, Great Barrington, MA - (413) 528-2810Price: Members $8, Guests $10Age 9+. Join in some friendly competition playing Ping-Pong, pool, and foosball, followed by a pizza lunch (included in fee). Please preregister at least 48 hours in advance. www.berkshiresouth.org/programs/youth

Lenox Library Gigantic 3-Day Book SaleDate: Friday, August 21, 2015, 11am-6pm.Saturday-Sunday, August 22 - 23, 10am-5pm.Place: Lenox Library, 18 Main Street, Lenox MA - (413) 637-2630. Price: Friday $5 donation until 2pm then free until 6pm closing. Sat-Sun free all day. Great bargains in books for readers of all ages! A huge collection of more than 20,000 books from Berkshire homes in 40 categories, including lots of childrens books, gardening books, full-color art books, and current fiction. First look admission numbers given out starting at 9am for the grand opening at 11am. www.lenoxlib.org

Reiki Healing ExchangeDate: Tuesday, August 25, 2015, 6:30pmPlace: Natural Habitat Annex, 1224 North Main Street (Rte. 7), Sheffield, MA (860) 824-0089. Price: $5 suggested donation. Welcoming all hands-on healers (Reiki or other modalities), as well as anyone interested in learning energy work, to share in a delightful exchange of healing energies together the fourth Tuesday evening of every month at Natural Habitat Annex,

august - september event sampler SEE MORE EVENTS OR POST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE

AT WWW.OURBERKSHIRECALENDAR.COM

art, culture & entertainment

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www.OurBerkshireTimes.com August | September 2015

BOSTONDec 18, 2015, $59 per person. Quincy Market, the Freedom Trail, Nathanial Hall.

BILLS VS DOLPHINSNov 7-8, 2015, $289 pp doubles.Includes bus, tailgate party, hotel, game tickets, time at Niagara Falls.

CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORKDec 6, 2015, $59 per person.Drop off by Rockefeller Plaza.See the tree and the ice skating rink. Shopping is a must!

BRIGHT NIGHTSNov 16, Dec 8, 13, $49 per person. Includes Yankee Candle in South Deerfield, brunch at Cracker Barrel, and the Bright Nights in Springfield, MA.

EASTERN STATES EXPO Sept 28, 2015, $39 per person. Snacks on the bus, the expo, rides for the kids, cotton candy. The Big Top Circus will be there to entertain you.

SALEMOct 25, 2015, $59 per person. The land of witches and pirates.Enjoy a fun filled day. Never too soon to book this tour.

Reserve Your Space Today - (413) 770-3485www.Eldoradopromotions.com

art, culture & entertainment

Saturday October 10 2015M o n t e r e y C o m m u n i t y C e n t e r 4 6 8 M a i n R o a d

c c m o n t e r e y . o r g

BRATS BEER FOOD MUSIC FUN !

oktob e r fest

Alternative Fuel and Fuel-Ecient Chaueured Transportation

Post Office box 2216 Lenox, MA 01240

[email protected]

Serving The Entire Northeast and beyond!JFK, Boston, Hartford, Albany, Anywhere, Anytime.

Wine Tours and Ride Shares available!

Serving the Entire Northeast and Beyond!JFK, Boston, Hartford,Albany, Anywhere, Anytime. Wine Tours and Ride Shares Available!

Top quality limo service with a minimal impact on the environment.

Alternative Fuel and Fuel-Efficient Chauffeured Transportation

Aug 7, 8, 9, 2015 Mt. Everett Regional High School

491 Berkshire School Road Sheffield, MA 01257

www.sheffieldantiques.org

ANTIQUES SHOW SHEFFIELD

formerly TriYoga, in Sheffield. Everyone gets the opportunity to give and receive precious energy. Bring a portable massage table and join the circle of healing!www.facebook.com/naturalhabitatANNEX

FreshGrass Bluegrass Festival 2015Date: Sunday, September 18, 2015Place: MASS MoCA, North Adams, MAMark your calendar for September 18-20, when FreshGrass returns for three days of fever-pitched bluegrass and roots music. FreshGrass is a family-friendly festival, brimming with bright talent on our four stages, and also in our galleries, brick-lined courtyards, and grassy field. www.massmoca.org/event_details.

Like to sing? Audition for BCC!The Berkshire Children's Chorus will be holding auditions in September for:

Be a part of an award-winning chorus and perform the finest music throughout the community and beyond.

Domestic and international travel opportunities available.

Call 413.229.2465for an audition appointment.

www. b e r k s h i r e c h i l d r e n s c h o r u s . o r g

Junior Choir (grades 2-5)Senior Choir (grades 6-9)

Coda (grades 10-12)

6 August | September 2015 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

food & drink

Chocolate has a special place in our culture and our hearts. Its perfect for gifts, expressions of appreciation, declarations of love and affection, or treats for yourself

when youre down or deserving! As you reach for chocolate, youre celebrating mankinds long love affair with Theobroma cacao, the tree that brings us the food of the gods. Go ahead indulge in voluptuous chocolate. At Guidos, were so enamored of its silky allure, our stores are outfitted with Great Walls of Chocolate. Whats driven our age-old passion for this magical plant? The answer may lie in its history which is as rich and complex as its flavor, and its proven health benefits. And did we mention how delicious it is?

More than two thousand years ago, chocolate was valued not only as a food, but also as part of religious rituals and as currency as well. The ancient Mesoamerican Olmec, Mayans, and Aztecs enjoyed a frothy, spicy drink made of chocolate. This unsweetened beverage proved so popular that cacao trees were cultivated from surrounding rainforests and grown in backyard gardens. In addition to drinking chocolate, the ancients used cacao seeds in wedding ceremonies and as offerings to the gods. Throughout history, chocolate has often retained a special connection to the highest rungs of society, reserved solely for royalty, priests, or important merchants. Always a prized commodity, dried seeds of the cacao pods were used as coins, in trade, as treasure, and were also accepted by conquering peoples as payment for taxes (or tributes). In fact, such was the importance of chocolate that some of the first known enslaved populations were those forced to work in cacao plantations to ensure a steady supply of seeds.

In addition to its charismatic flavor, chocolates allure lies in its long history of reported healing properties. Originally, chocolate was believed to be a tonic to help emaciated people gain weight, to stimulate the nervous system of feeble people, and to improve digestion. Today, scientists are exploring the ability of dark chocolate to lower blood pressure through its bloodthinning action similar to that of aspirin. The fat in dark chocolate is mostly saturated vegetable fat which behaves in artery-friendly ways, much the same as olive. Additionally, dark chocolate contains antioxidants that help ward off disease and slow the aging process. The flavonoids that aid in preventing platelets from clotting are more active in chocolate than in other foods such as tea, red wine, and some fruits and vegetables. Dark chocolate also improves insulin resistance and triggers the brains production of natural opiates.

No wonder were wild about chocolate! No matter how you crave it milk, dark, semisweet; for baking, snacking, or gifting; in bars, blocks, or bags; coating all manner of goodies including ginger, nuts, raisins, pretzels, and coconut; powdered, syrup, or solid; a wee bite or fuel for a major chocoexplosion there is an option for everyone. There are even niche chocolates, including: gluten free, local (Berkshire County and Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont), GMO-free, diabetic friendly, low glycemic, organic, and Fair Trade. Now thats a dizzying array of riches!

With every bite of decadent and velvety chocolate, taste a piece of history thats royally delicious and quite healthy (in reasonable doses, of course). Cultivate your love of chocolate; it is, after all, the storied food of passion! ~Joyce Nelson, Guidos Fresh Marketplace staff writer, www.guidosfreshmarketplace.com

food for the gods, and for you too! NO WONDER WE'RE WILD ABOUT CHOCOLATE / By Joyce Nelson

La Fogata RestaurantColombian and Latin Cuisine

Lunch & Dinner

770 Tyler StreetPittsfield, MA 01201

(413) 443-6969

Home Delivery or MarketOpen 7 Days a Week

413.442.0888813 Dalton Division Rd., Dalton, MAwww.BerkshireOrganics.com


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food & drink

Pittsfield & Great Barrington, MAguidosfreshmarketplace.com

COOPERATIVELY OWNED COMMUNITY FOCUSED

42 BRIDGE STREET GREAT BARRINGTON, MA WWW.BERKSHIRE.COOP

Food Shopping with Value(s)

413-528-2022 www.themeatmarketgb.com

Our mission is to offer a beautiful selection of local, grass fed, and sustainably raised fresh cuts of meat, charcuterie, and salumi made from traditional recipes. We believe that eating local foods is a definitive way to support physical health, our farming community, and the earth.

Taste, Quality, Service, and Respect for the Environment

389 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA

dinner only 150 Main St., Lee 413.243.6397 cheznousbistro.comcasual french dining

entres

available

M-m-m-yum!

Did you know that certain foods can be easily regrown? Try placing a piece of ginger rhizome in organic potting soil with the newest buds facing upward and place in filtered sunlight in a warm, moist environment. In time it will start to grow new shoots and roots. Once the plant is established and youre ready to harvest, pull up the whole plant, roots and all. Remove a piece of the rhizome, and re-plant it to repeat the process.


food & drink

Thou hadst better eat salt with the Philosophers of Greece, than sugar with the Courtiers of Italy. ~ Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), Poor Richard's Almanac

Are you aware that common table salt is an industrial by-product, stripped by chemical processing of all elements except sodium and chloride detrimental to health in isolated form? Anticaking and flow agents are added, and yet our FDA does not require their disclosure to consumers. Table salt comes from the same lot as vacuum-refined industrial salt and is treated with caustic soda or lime to remove all traces of magnesium salts, which are important for health.

Important minerals are removed because they provide large corporations with staggering profits for use in agricultural and industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, ammunitions, and other unsustainable industries. In addition, iodized salts are GMO products. Iodine is delivered in a corn/dextrose base, which is more than likely a GMO corn byproduct. After extreme chemical processing and being heated to temperatures up to 1200F, table salt cannot support health and no longer combines with our body fluids. Table salt can also cause a deficiency of important essential trace minerals, which are abundantly present in a natural salt product like Himalayan salt.

The fear of salt has arisen from consumer alerts that advise reduced consumption of salt and foods that have a high sodium content. It has more to do with quality verses quantity. Consumers deserve to know that this is not the whole truth, and the FDA doesnt require salt companies to disclose to the consumer whats inside, like anticaking and flow agents, mostly derived from aluminum.

Pure salt is essential to life. The body is made from water and minerals, and all critical functions of the body require these essential minerals and trace elements, which are no longer present in table salt or heat-treated sea salt. Table salt is in most all processed, packaged foods, including drinks, candy, snacks,

ice cream, cheese, processed meats, and so forth. Eliminating processed foods and table salt from your diet is important for health. By using a quality Himalayan salt rich with more than 80 essential trace elements and high in magnesium, calcium, and iron, you can obtain easily assimilated essential minerals and alkalize your body, which is the baseline for wellness.

Sea salt comes from oceans that in our lifetime have become heavily polluted. Growing dead zones and the mix of mercury, heavy metals, and toxins from agricultural chemicals, industrial runoff, nuclear waste, raw sewage, and more have compromised all ocean life. Himalayan salt has been protected for millions of years in the remote, pristine Himalaya mountain range, and is pre-people, pre-pollution. It contains a full spectrum of whole essential minerals that are vital to good health, delicious flavor that supports wellbeing, and it adds delicious flavor to sumptuous meals.

When a quality Himalayan salt that contains more than 80 essential trace elements is ingested, it immediately works with the saliva (amylase in particular) and begins digestion. The longer its present in the mouth the better the digestion, which then continues in the stomach. Himalayan has been known to lower blood pressure, decrease water retention, boost the immune system, and support the liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands, helping them work more efficiently.

Do your body good and use Himalayan salt for optimal mineral absorption, to open up the flavor of food, and to take advantage of its numerous health benefits over table salt and sea salt from polluted oceans.

~ Melissa Kushi, owner of HimalaSalt-Sustainable Sourcing, LLC, operates her certified

organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, Kosher for Passover facility in Sheffield, MA, on a small organic

farm with on-site solar. She is passionately involved in the Non-GMO Project. www.himalasalt.com

the truth about salt DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE EATING? / By Melissa Kushi

Fresh Mozzarella with HimalaSalt & 4 Pepper Blend This is something I can make very quickly when friends are dropping by. Served on garlic crostini, with wine,

it pleases even the fussiest palate. I use organic ingredients whenever possible.

instructions - Slice bread and rub with olive oil, then sprinkle with Garlic HimalaSalt (or HimalaSalt and fresh garlic). Grill under broiler, (or grill on the stovetop in a cast iron skillet so you can get the grill marks/toasted edges just right). While the crostini is grilling, grind several tablespoons of HimalaSalt 4 Pepper Blend onto a plate. Pull or cut mozzarella into pieces to fit crostini, then roll in the ground pepper blend. Place tomatoes on your serving plate first, then the crostini, followed by the peppered cheese. Garnish with fresh whole or finely minced basil.

Loaf of French breadExtra virgin olive oilGarlic HimalaSalt (or fresh, finely minced garlic)HimalaSalt 4 Pepper BlendFresh organic mozzarellaFresh tomatoes, slicedFresh basil


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food & drink

We arent the first, and we certainly wont be the last, to be amazed by the fantastic results that home bakers can get by baking bread in a Dutch oven placed inside their regular oven. We were, however, perhaps the most disappointed when we finally tried this incredibly easy and satisfying way to make real bread at home, only to be told about a month later that, in fact, we needed to eliminate bread (and lots of other stuff) from our diets because of my husbands high blood sugar. What?! Just when we had mastered this phenomenal technique and were enjoying artisanal-style bread made at home for the first time?

We attacked this injustice head-on: we educated ourselves about grains and blood and sugar and all that good stuff, and started using

Einkorn flour, which is naturally low-glycemic, low-gluten, and high protein, to replace wheat in many recipes, from pasta to cookies to pizza dough. Bread, of course, was the last frontier, since the grain contains a different proportion of gluten to wheat. With such a delicate flour, we were doubtful that we could make anything that would hold together enough and not crumble to bits. There are, however, a few ways to develop gluten for bread-baking. One is the long knead, of course, and you can knead Einkorn dough for a very long time and not worry about it getting tough. The other thing that allows gluten to develop to make a nice chewy, silky bread, is time. What a beautiful thing! The bread-making technique, famously called the No-knead Bread by Jim Leahy of Sullivan Street Bakery in NYC, uses only time to develop the breads structure (and, a happy correlary effect, flavor!). Once you let the dough rest for 24 to 48 hours, you heat a cast-iron or Le Creuset-style Dutch oven in your regular oven, and pop the sticky bread dough into that to bake. Voil! A large boule-style bread loaf with a chewy crust, tender interior, and delicious flavor.

We make an Einkorn sourdough using a grated potato, a cup of Einkorn flour, and a tablespoon of honey, left out on the counter partially covered for about a week until its all bubbly and sour, and we use about a half cup of this per loaf, instead of any yeast. If you dont have sourdough starter, however, you can just use a quarter teaspoon of dry yeast in your mix. Either way, get ready to try the easiest bread youll ever make, which also happens to be full of great flavor and nutrition. ~ Rachel Portnoy and Franck Tessier own Chez Nous Bistro in Lee, MA. www.cheznousbistro.com

einkorn sourdough bread NATURALLY LOW-GLYCEMIC, LOW-GLUTEN, AND HIGH IN PROTEIN

By Rachel Portnoy

Einkorn "No-knead" Bread About 24-48 hours ahead of time stir in a mixing bowl:3 cup Einkorn flour (500g) 1 cup water (240 g)2 tsp salt (10g) cup sourdough starter made with Einkorn flour or tsp dry yeast

Stir together the above ingredients and cover lightly with plastic wrap and leave overnight in the fridge. Leave the bread in the fridge until morning to slow and improve the quality of the fermentation. Usually after about 18 hours this mix is happy and bubbly and ready to be stirred down, but you can leave it longer. The longer the better for the breads development, for sure, so dont worry if you cant get to it at any exact moment of the day (I told you this was easy . . . ).

After you pull the dough out of the fridge, give it a stir with another cup of Einkorn flour. Now you can leave the dough on the counter until youre about 2 hours away from when youd like to bake it. After that time, we give it another half cup or so of flour (same idea as before), line a bowl with a cloth napkin or

kitchen towel and dust it extremely generously with either more flour, or cornmeal, oats, or whatever you like to use, so that the dough doesnt stick to the towel. Leave lightly covered again for about 1 to 2 hours.

When youre about 45 minutes away from wanting to bake the bread, turn on your oven to 450F. Place a 4 to 5 quart Dutch oven or other heavy pan with a cover, in the oven to heat up. When youre ready to go, carefully and bravely plop the bread dough out of the towel and into the super-hot pan. Quickly put the heavy lid on the pan, close the oven and set a timer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the lid and bake the bread to get a nice color and crispy crust, until its cooked. In our oven this takes about another 20 to 25 minutes, but every oven is different. If you have a probe thermometer, take an internal temperature of at least 180F to make sure that the bread is cooked. Cool thoroughly on a rack and enjoy!

For extra nutrition, add either sprouted Einkorn berries, ground flax seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds into the dough, or even maple syrup or molasses for a little sweetness!


food & drink

homey and deliciousHOUSATONIC'S TAKE OUT, SIT DOWN, COFFEE SHOP

226 Pleasant Street, Housatonic, MA 01236 | 413-274-0261Breakfast and Lunch | Mon-Fri 6 - 6, Sat 8 - 6, Sun 9 - 4

OPENING SOON226 Pleasant Street, Housatonic, MA | 413-274-0261Breakfast and Lunch | Mon-Fri 7-6, Sat 8:30-5, Sun 8:30-4

See our full menu at www.housiemarketcafe.com

photo credit - ruralintellgence.com

NORTH EGREMONTCOUNTRY STORE

Wholesome Homestyle Delicious

We offer a full line of groceries and spirits. Let us help you with your holiday needs!

Monday-Thursday: 6a-6p Friday-Saturday: 6a-7p Sunday: 6a-4p

Photo by John Phelan

Route 71, North Egremont, MA (Near Prospect Lake)Call (413) 528-4796

Warm & Friendly Service

country storeCONVENIENT SHOPPING WITH WARM AND FRIENDLY SERVICE

The historic North Egremont Country Store located in the bucolic town of North Egremont, MA, near Prospect Lake, offers a convenient way to purchase many of the items you need to entertain your holiday guests including SoCo ice cream, Monterey Chevre, liquor, beer, and wine (including organic), local pure honey and maple syrup, staples like milk, and much more (even Lotto tickets and fishing bait and accessories). They also make excellent sandwiches and coffee, and serve delicious croissants, bagels, and donuts.

If you are looking for a satisfying way to start your day, stop at the Housie Market Cafe in the heart of Housatonic, MA. A delicious variety of all-day breakfast fare includes chocolate croissants and assorted danish, hand pies, peanut butter & kimchi sandwiches, eggs made to order, yogurt & BOLA granola, and owner Amy Hagertys signature Diamond in the Rough muffin pictured at left. See their website or stop in to choose one of their thick deli-style sandwiches for lunch.

Sandwiches and More413-528-9720

230 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA www.martyandjims.com

HOURS: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, Closed Sun

chef-prepared foodCASUAL EATERY WITH DELICIOUS HOME COOKING

If you enjoy home cooking you will love Marty and Jims affordable breakfast and lunch menu including their own roast beef, turkey, baked ham, and corned beef cooked on the premises. And if youre a soup lover youll enjoy their delicious made-from-scratch hearty soups. Owners Jim Kenefick, a retired executive chef, and Marty (Martha) Brown have more than 75 years combined culinary experience. They pride themselves on serving quality chef-prepared food at a reasonable price.

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Local Monterey, MA, resident Terri See has unexpectedly found herself in a booming business. A business that she never even considered starting until just a few short months ago.

Terri commented I never imagined Id say these words, but . . . I make bug spray. An all-natural tick and mosquito repellent, Mighty No Bitey, unexpectedly burst into being one afternoon while I sat at my dining table. On that day, in just three hours, the repellent went from concept to hundreds of dollars in sales. Since then Mighty No Bitey has sold daily from its website and is now on shelves in 13 stores and counting!

It all began with a casual statement on Facebook about making her own bug spray. Terri cited studies about the oils and boosters she uses which make her formula as effective as the chemical DEET (without the health hazards). Within minutes of that post, friend after friend commented, asking her to make her spray for them. In that lightbulb moment, she thought, absolutely! Enthused by the response she received with social media and the immediate flurry of orders, she flew into production. Within a couple of hours Terri had created a catchy name and logo, then ordered bulk labels and bottles. By the next afternoon, her website (www.mightynobitey.com) was up and in minutes came the first online sale with nearly a thousand dollars in total sales in the first eight hours!

Terri said, The hard part the bug spray had already been created over a decade ago. As one of the people bugs prefer to feast on, yet having allergic reactions to DEET (the chemical

found in OFF and other commercial sprays), I decided to research my options, and after a good deal of investigation, created an all-natural bug spray for myself. I continued to make it each summer, but had never thought of bottling it for sale. Until now.

Within days of that Facebook post and putting up her website, several store owners approached her asking to carry the spray. Its now being carried in stores in Massachusetts (including the Red Lion Inn gift shop in Stockbridge, the Monterey General Store in Monterey, and others), as well as shops in Connecticut, New York, and Florida. Already!

Terris formula contains none of the repelling oils, such as orange oil, that promote sunburn. It was extremely important to me to develop a product that is skin healthy. The best thing I can say is that it works. Ive been using it for more than a decade, my customers are raving about it, and the stores I vend to are reordering it. Great response, not just in the sales, but in customer testimonials.

Mosquito and tick season is in full swing, and we all want to protect ourselves from itching, stinging insects, and the diseases some of them carry. Mighty No Bitey is one line of defense to make our outdoor activities safer and more enjoyable. Terri is not only glad for the success of her new business, but also that the awareness of safer alternatives is growing by the day.

HOME & GARDEN BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT


home, garden & landscape

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circa436 North Street

circaberkshires.com413-445-7200

Your Resource for Big City Style in The BerkshiresDanish and Mid-Century Modern Furnishings and Lighting

circaberkshires.com436 North Street, Pittsfield, MA

413-445-7200

circa436 North Street

circaberkshires.com413-445-7200

Your Resource for Big City Style in The BerkshiresDanish and Mid-Century Modern Furnishings and Lighting

circaberkshires.com436 North Street, Pittsfield, MA

413-445-7200Now Open Sundays!

Meadow Farm Equipment

(413) 243-0777

WE CARRY ALL OF YOUR OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT AND LANDSCAPING SUPPLIES

Visit Our New Location on Route 102 Power Equipment, Tractors, Lawn Mowers

Mulch,Topsoil, Compost, Grass Seed We Also Do Equipment Repair

1160 Pleasant Street, Lee, MA 01238

Mon-Fri 7am-5pm Sat 8am-3pm

Celebrate Our Forty-third Year!

Wonderful ThingsLargest Selection of Yarns

and Unique Handcrafted Gifts in the BerkshiresGift Certificates S Free Knitting Lessons

Open Mon-Sat 9:30-5, Sun 12-4Harry and Debbie Sano

232 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230(413) 528-2473 www.wonderful-things.com

Backyard Heirlooms

525 Main StreetGreat Barrington, MA

413.528.3095Follow us on Facebook

Architectural Sculptures Functional Garden Art ` Tree Houses

Custom Birdhouses ` Kid Scapes

Open Sat & Sun from 10am-5pmand by appointment

Dont You Deserve the Best?ELECTROLUX | 90 Years of Innovation

BUY ONE-GET ONE FREE$600 VACUUM (Fresh Era)

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We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. ~ Frederick Keonig

Most of us have spent time dreaming about the perfect home . . . the perfect haven for ourselves and our family. It can be fun picturing what it will look like, how we would find it, and then actually moving in. Imagine! This is certainly one of the reasons that Pinterest has become so popular. But what if the house of your dreams is the home you already have?

Melissa Michaels well received book, Love the Home You Have, inspires her readers to create a home thats not only lovely but a true reflection of what matters most to you. She shares her house stories (the awkward, the humorous, and the lessons learned), her heart for the home, and her journey to contentment with what she has. With humor and candor Melissa shows you how to find joy in the small things, and reveals how to transform your rooms (and your life) from plainly livable to fabulously lovable.

The size of your home need not matter as much as you may think. Finding joy in the small things not in the amount of stuff you have or dont have can be the key to creating your sanctuary. Melissa will help you find beauty in the ordinary, discover your style and let it shine with simple ideas, entertain possibilities and people with more gratitude and joy, gather inspiration in the 31-day Love Your Home Challenge, and leap from dreamer to doer with confidence.

Melissa Michaels is the New York Times Best-Selling author of Love the Home You Have, and the owner and author of The Inspired Room (theinspiredroom.net), one of the top decorating blogs on the web for the past eight years.

dream home WHAT IF THE HOUSE OF YOUR

DREAMS IS THE HOME YOU HAVE?

By Kathy I. Regan

Sisters Used Furniture

402 Park Street, Route 183Housatonic, MA 01236www.sistersusedfurniture.com

buying/selling(413) 274-9900

Open Thurs-Sat 11-6, Sun 12-4

Small Store, Big Savings!



15

MondaySaturday, 8am5pmOil and Propane Delivery and Service

877-794-9066

Route 20, West Lebanon, NYwww.HLFuel.com

100 GALLONS OF PROPANE OR HEATING OIL FREE

One Coupon per Customer / New Heating Customers Only1,000 Gallons Minimum

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Call now for great pre-paid and fixed pricing onheating oil and propane for the upcoming winter season.

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Valley Roll-OffDumpster Service

P.O. Box 388, 95 Marble Street, Lee MAwww.valleyrolloff.com (413) 243-6655

No Daily Rates 10, 12, 15, 20, 30 & 40 Yards All Rear Doors Swing Open For Easier and Faster Loading!

Valley Roll-Off Dumpster Service is a family owned and operated business. Tom and Steve Garrity welcome the opportunity to earn your business. Call our knowledgeable staff to help you plan your next project or house cleanout. We can help you choose the right size dumpster and price range that fits your budget.

Since 1985, recognized for careful designs, proven components and high quality workmanship,

BPVS solar electric systems are user friendly, efficient and reliable.

Member: American Solar Energy Society, Northeast Sustainable EnergyAssociation, Solar Energy Business Association of New England,

Solar Energy Industries Association.

Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS46 Howland Avenue, Adams, MA 01220

Tel. 413-743-0152 www.bpvs.comMA LIC #'s HIC131996, CSL 73150

r r

Since 1985, recognized for careful designs, proven components and high quality workmanship,

BPVS solar electric systems are user friendly, efficient and reliable.

Member: American Solar Energy Society, Northeast Sustainable EnergyAssociation, Solar Energy Business Association of New England,


Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS46 Howland Avenue, Adams, MA 01220

Tel. 413-743-0152 www.bpvs.comMA LIC #'s HIC131996, CSL 73150

r r

Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS

46 Howland Avenue, Adams, MA 01220413-743-0152 www.bpvs.com

MA LIC #s HIC131996, CSL 73150

Since 1985, recognized for careful designs,

proven components and high quality workmanship,

BPVS solar electric systems are user friendly,

efficient and reliable.

Member: American Solar Energy Society, Northeast Sustainable Energy

Association, Solar Energy Business Association of New England,


Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS

46 Howland Avenue, Adams, MA 01220

Tel. 413-743-0152 www.bpvs.com

MA LIC #'s HIC131996, CSL 73150

r r

RENT TO OWN* Sheds * Gym sets * Gazebos

GazebosSwingsSheds

Benches

Route 8 Cheshire, MA(413) 743-9964

Toll Free 1-866-411-7433 (shed)www.berkshiresheds.com

Picnic TablesChildrensGym Sets

Gazebos Benches Picnic Tables Sheds Swings Childrens Gym Sets

Route 8 Cheshire, MA(413) 743-9964

Toll Free (866) 411-7433www.berkshiresheds.com

Its like getting a little help from a friend.

(413) 822-9988 SeniorsHelpingSeniors.com/Berkshires

SeniorsHelpingSeniors.com/WesternMass










AUGUST- Our roadside tent in Pittsfield is open! Specializing in native produce and berries. SEPTEMBER - Pick your own apples in Adams. Farm stand open for native produce and fruit.

BOTH LOCATIONS OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 9-5

$500 OFFPURCHASE OF $25 OR MORE

In Business Since 1881

Open 7

Days

736 Crane Ave., Pittsfield 413-443-7180West Road, Adams 413-743-3896

Under the Gazebo on Frank Consolati Way, LeeOpen Fridays Only from 10am - 3pm

736 Crane Ave., Pittsfield 413-443-7180West Road, Adams 413-743-3896

Under the Gazebo on Frank Consolati Way, LeeOpen Fridays Only from 10am - 3pm

With Yankee Clipper Coupon Only. Expires 9/23/07

Hanging Baskets Planters Annuals

Cemetery BoxesGeraniums Perennials

In-season fruits & vegetables, garden accessories & more!736 Crane Ave, Pittsfield (413) 443-7180

West Road, Adams (413) 743-3896 Locally owned business since 1881!

Tent open at Crane Ave location.

August | September 2015 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

16

real estate & professionals

Passive House design is an approach to home design that minimizes the energy required for heating and cooling. It is a system that has been developed and tested in Europe (Passivhaus) for more than 15 years with great success in energy savings and homeowner satisfaction. Well-designed Passive Houses are extremely resource efficient, comfortable, and healthy.

The Passive House Institute US, www.phius.org, states that Passive building comprises a set of design principles used to attain a quantifiable and rigorous level of energy efficiency within

a specific quantifiable comfort level. Maximize your gains, minimize your losses summarizes the approach. To that end, a Passive building is designed and built in accordance with these five building-science principles:

1) It employs continuous insulation through its entire envelope without any thermal bridging.

2) The building envelope is extremely airtight, preventing infiltration of outside air and loss of conditioned air.

Passive House Construction brings in a new wave of high performance, high quality, green building that can cost-effectively revolutionize the comfort, indoor air quality, resilience, and efficiency of the homes and business buildings we design today.

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real estate & professionals

3) It employs high-performance windows and doors (typically triple-paned).

4) It uses some form of balanced heat- and moisture-recovery ventilation and uses a minimal space conditioning system.

5) Solar gain is managed to exploit the suns energy for heating purposes and to minimize it in cooling seasons.

Passive House design sets specific targets for the heating and cooling demand, based on the treated floor area. High levels of insulation are required for cold climates to keep the heat in. Very tight construction is required to minimize heat loss and air movement through the envelope. Controlled fresh air supply is required for occupant health and comfort. These features create a home in which the internal temperature is consistently healthy and comfortable, and in which the possibility of condensation, mold, and other building failures is greatly reduced.

How does Passive House compare with typical construction or green building?

There are many aspects to sustainable or green building design including site and orientation, material use and recycling, energy use, water conservation, reduction of CO2 footprint, and indoor air quality. Passive House focuses on energy use, specifically that required for heating and cooling, and as such is a cornerstone of good design and building practice. All the decisions that go into creating an efficient plan, good solar orientation and shading, super-insulation, super-tight construction, fresh ventilation air, are essential to Passive House design and are reflected in the hard data of a specific energy budget for heating, cooling, and ventilation. As compared with building to code, Passive House design can reduce the energy required for heating and cooling your home by up to 80 percent.

What about active solar power, geothermal power, passive solar, and other alternative energy sources?

Passive House design concentrates on reducing the primary energy demand. It is common sense to reduce the energy demand as much as possible, and take advantage of free solar radiation, prior to installing expensive alternative energy systems. Passive House applies this approach in a rigorous manner. Building orientation, local solar and climate data, heat gain through windows, and the necessity of summer shading are all factored into the energy demand. With

Passive House design, if and when photovaltaics and/or solar hot water systems are installed, they can be smaller systems and have a greater impact on the energy budget due to the high efficiency of the building envelope.

All of this sounds great. But how much is it going to cost, and what if I have an existing home?

Super-insulation, airtightness, high performance windows, and mechanical ventilation all have an increased up-front cost compared to baseline construction. But the benefits are enormous: less energy use over the lifetime of your home; a healthy and comfortable indoor environment; reduced mechanical systems and maintenance cost. These benefits will only compound as utility and fossil fuel costs increase. Deep Energy Retrofits apply these same principles to existing homes undergoing major renovations (e.g., new siding and windows). Passive House upgrades can also be phased-in over time. The key is a planning strategy that allows for future upgrades without compromising work already done.

~ Christopher Vlcek of Littlewolf Architecture is a licensed architect in MA, CT, and NY, and has been practicing since 2000. He has been living in the Berkshires since 1996, prior to which he was a founding partner of Small Build Company, a construction firm in Toronto, Canada.

Chris became a Certified Passive House Designer/Consultant in 2011.

He combines a love for design and craft with a balanced approach to efficiency and energy use. www.littlewolfarch.com


Y ouve heard the old adage, rules are made to be broken? Well, this most definitely applies to the design world too. Dont limit your space by complying with so-called design rules. Every space is unique and different and shouldnt be held back because of silly antiquated rules. However, it is important to know some of these rules, but only so you know how to break them!

Rule 1 - Paint small rooms a light shade

Break it! Never let a room size dictate or limit the color palette. While painting a small room a light shade may give the appearance the room is bigger, youre not really fooling anyone! Your brain already knows the size of a room when you enter it; dont try to trick it, its smarter than you give it credit for! Work with what you have, not what you wish you had. Painting a small room a darker shade will create a dramatic, visually interesting space. What makes a small room feel small is not the wall color, but the size of furniture, how many chotchkes you have around, and how filled the space is.

Rule 2 - Dont mix metals

Break it! What used to be considered a design faux pas is now looked at as chic and classy! Mixing metals in a room helps to make the items stand out and also look like they were collected over time and have meaning, not newly purchased. Combining cool silvers with warm brass, gold, copper, or bronze tones adds visual interest by creating layers. By sticking to just one metal in a room your treasured pieces will go unnoticed. Let them shine!

Rule 3 - Small space, small print

Break it! Wallpaper is coming back in a big way, especially in powder rooms or other small spaces, or to create an accent wall. Wallpaper of today is not what it once was. Its very artistic and tactile. Im frequently asked, Since this room is so small, shouldnt the wallpaper also have a small print? You want the wallpaper in these small spaces to be the room! A small print will get lost and look blah, where a big print shows intention and makes a statement. When executed properly, youll create a dramatic effect. This applies not only to wallpaper but to fabric as well.

Rule 4 - Dont combine old and new

Break it! Mixing antiques with contemporary pieces creates great juxtaposition in a room. The proper mix of old and new styles will give your room personality while being personal, as well as give your antiques new life!

Rule 5 - Dont mix patterns

Break it! Mixing patterns is a little trickier to execute than some of the other ideas above, but with thought and a plan, mixing patterns can give a room a lot of character. A few things to keep in mind for combining patterns is to change the scale of the pattern between pieces. If all of the patterns are small, for example, this will create a busy look. Also, to avoid being too distracting, the patterns should have a white/negative space background so your eyes have a resting place.

~ Leah Luczynski, Leah Luczynski Interior Design, designs for both residential and commercial clients throughout the Berkshires. Whether its selecting paint colors for a single room or redesigning an entire home, Leah puts forth the same care and attention to detail no matter the size of the project or budget. Leah currently resides in Pittsfield with her husband,

Scott, and daughter, Charlotte. www.leahinteriors.com

break the rules!DON'T LIMIT YOUR SPACE BY COMPLYING WITH SO-CALLED DESIGN RULES / By Leah Luczynski



19

Mon

tess

oris

discov

ery-based education...

can mean a whole new per

specti

ve fo

r you

r chi

ld.

Toddler Childrens House Elementary Adolescent Summer

Call (413) 637-3662 to schedule a visit.

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

Select spaces available for the 2015-2016 school year.

21

One week into our familys trip to California for a work-related training program, and I was pulling my hair out. My two youngest children were pushing all my buttons and finding some new ones. Bedtime had become a nightly struggle. And I began to dread the weekend dedicated to family vacation time.

As I tiredly flipped through my Positive Discipline cards, I sighed and remembered that my children were trying to communicate. Misbehavior is always a form of communication. A misbehaving child is a discouraged child.

I took a deep breath. I thought about my children being discouraged, and was able to see their behavior through a lens of compassion rather than frustration. For whatever reasons, they werent feeling a sense of belonging or significance. It made sense. We were all trying to adjust to the time change, a new sitter, and my increased workload. I had been reacting to their misbehavior by trying sternly to set more limits.

Positive Discipline, however, is about moving from being punitive or reward-based to being kind and firm at the same time. Its a respectful approach that acknowledges that when we feel worse, we do worse, and when we feel better, we do better.

Yet often, as parents, we get caught in a cycle. We punish or cajole. Our children rebel, or maybe get back at us, or perhaps retreat. Things get worse. We punish again, as if making life more miserable will help our children make better choices. In reality, though, we are all more likely to do better if someone supports us to figure out what went wrong and how to make things right.

As a case in point, I arrived quite late the first two days of my training program. I knew I had made a mistake and already felt bad about it. Later in the day the director kindly and quietly reminded me about arrival time expectations. Her communication was warm and understanding. That night I rearranged child care, left considerably earlier, and felt successful about the changes. I

wanted to improve and felt supported in doing so. If the director had reprimanded me, perhaps even publicly, I certainly would have slunk into discouragement.

Our children deserve and need the same kind of respect. They do best when they are encouraged rather than punished or pampered.

With this in mind, my husband and I took time to hear our seven-year-olds ideas about how to support her when she was frustrated. We stayed open to ways to give our children a sense of purpose and meaning. At dinner one night, we really listened and watched as our three-year-old showed us again and again and again how he could fold his napkin. He was focused and feeling masterful, which was more important in that moment than whether he had eaten his avocado.

With the shift in routines, we made sure our children understood what was expected and then, with kindness and firmness, held true to those expectations. Which is what the director of training did for me. She didnt make exceptions or excuses, or make me feel worse or demotivated. She merely held loving limits and expressed a belief that she knew I could get there on time. And I did.

~ K. Meagan Ledendecker is a Certified Positive Discipline Educator, Director of Education at The Montessori School of the Berkshires, and is always on that seemingly unattainable quest to become a better parent. www.berkshiremontessori.org


education & workshops

being firmAND KIND AT THE SAME TIME

By K. Meagan Ledendecker

Nurturing living connections...early childhood through grade 12

WALDORF SCHOOL | www.hawthornevalleyschool.org330 County Route 21C, Ghent NY 12075

Situated on a 400-acre Biodynamic farm in New Yorks Hudson Valley, Hawthorne Valleys integrative Waldorf curriculum helps young men and women grow academically, artistically, and socially into the

Day and Boarding Programs Accepting Applications [email protected]

creative individuals needed in todays complex world.

518-672-7092 x 111

22

Defiant, he stares at us, holding my grandmother possessively. Well, he seems defiant to my father and me, as we stare at the complete stranger in the 1930 photo. Who is he, and why is Grandma in his arms?

Organizing family photos can be challenging, especially when the photo collections owner is deceased, and captions are inadequate or completely absent. And, in this case, when the deceased person was secretive about her past . . . .

Grandma had said only that she was twenty-two when she left Germany, and that she knew no English. She never mentioned that she went to America to join her boyfriend, nor that he later dumped her. Those details were revealed when I traveled to Germany and met an old schoolmate of hers for tea. The tale had a happy ending: Grandma then met a friend of the boyfriends, whom she later married. So Grandmas mystery boyfriend was a friend of my grandfathers.

My trip to Germany was in 1990, and I forgot all about the mystery until I recently saw the strange man in the photo. Having learned forensic genealogical techniques, I decided to try to identify Grandmas boyfriend.

Identifying people in photos often initially involves placing them in space and time. This photo was labelled Christmas, 1930. Three other Christmas photos show the same group of seven young people arranged artfully before a Christmas tree in the same Brooklyn living room. But the 1933 photo shows a subtle rearranging: my grandparents beam at the camera, linked in a chummy embrace, while the mystery man stands slightly away from the others.

Another step in photo identification is usually to see whether the picture might capture the subjects during a particular event, which might be documented in newspapers or archives, then searching for clues in those documents or articles. Here, the event was Christmas, and my father knew the place: it was the home of my grandparents middle-aged German friends, whom Ill call the Schuberts.

Identifying individuals can be made possible if you step back and consider their likely intersections, or the places/times at which their paths might have crossed. Knowing two of the subjects in the photo already, I listed their histories:

Grandpa left Neudorf, Germany, in May 1927, heading for Detroit, Michigan. In August 1930, Grandma left Boennigheim, Germany, arriving in Brooklyn, New York. The mystery man had known both of my grandparents before they met each other. Had he met them both in Germany? Had he been to Michigan? Had Grandpa spent time in New York? Did they meet at work? Or on the ship? The Schuberts could be the key: the group consistently met in their Brooklyn brownstone. Even after a soap-opera-worthy partner change, they all stoically celebrated together.

I searched records for the Schuberts. The 1930 census listed them in Brooklyn, along with two young German men with different surnames. One was identified as a brother-in-law, a house painter who immigrated in 1926. The other was a nephew, aged 22 my grandmothers age. He had arrived in the U.S. in 1927 like my grandfather and worked in a candy factory. So had my grandfather. The pieces fit I went to the ship manifest listing my grandfathers arrival in New York harbor: the nephews name was also on that manifest.

So, clearly, they had met on the ship. The nephew had stayed in Brooklyn, my grandfather had gone on to Michigan, but they had maintained contact and he eventually moved to Brooklyn. The Schuberts kindly invited their nephews friends to celebrate Christmas with them and the rest is family history. ~ Jennifer Lilienthal, Professional Genealogist, at [email protected] is sole proprietor of JLL Family Stories. She specializes in German records research, New York State and western Massachusetts and family history writing. Jennifer lives in Lee, MA.

a little detective work THE TRICK TO UNRAVELING A FAMILY MYSTERY

By Jennifer Lilienthal

August | September 2015 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com



23

travel back in time EXPERIENCE BERKSHIRE COLONIAL HISTORY

The Bidwell House Museum is located on a country lane in the rural town of Monterey in the southern Berkshires of Massachusetts. The Berkshires own colonial history museum is marking 25 years of welcoming visitors to the historic homestead and grounds this year. The 1750s house on 192 acres of fields, gardens, and forest tells the story of the early settlement of the Berkshires. It was the home of the Reverend Adonijah Bidwell, first pastor to the pioneer community.

Tours are offered Thursdays through Mondays from 11am to 4pm on the hour. The last tour begins at 3pm. The museum building is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The grounds are open daily from dawn until dusk for hiking and nature watching. The museums location at the end of a country lane is part of its great appeal: a visit is an authentic experience of 18th-century life.

Attend Bidwells special 25th Anniversary Gala Garden Party on August 15. The full event series can be found on the museums website at www.bidwellhousemuseum.org.

Plan a visit to the eighteenth century this summer in Monterey, MA!

Hope FitzgeraldWave Energy Center

*Intuitive Life Coach*Neurofeedback Practitioner

413-528-2260

www.we-infinity.com

Hope Fitzgerald is an amazing, authentic and very powerful spirit - having a session with her is truly life changing!

workshopLEARN ACTIVITIES THAT CAN BE IMMEDIATELY APPLIED

The HANDLE Approach, Sept 26-27, Sat and Sun 9-5, Great Barrington, MA. $300 or two for $500. Is your loved one struggling with learning, attention, or behavior? Discover why HANDLE proposes that ADD is a misnomer. Understand how ADHD, autism, and more are related to connections and interactions between our internal and external environments. Recognize signs of stress and how to adapt to avoid crisis. Learn activities that can be immediately applied in classroom, home, and clinical settings.

workshopEXPERIENCE A PROFOUND SHIFT

Do you feel the urge to emerge into the next, best version of yourself? Consider this Infinity Wave Workshop (10/8-10/12) if you want to experience a profound shift in your perception of life and your role in it. Buoyed on the loving energetic of the Infinity Wave, we will dive into the depths of your personal evolution while in the presence of others like you. If youre ready to plunge deeper in order to thrive now, this workshop will provide a calm yet swift support on your spiritual trajectory. www.we-infinity.com.

Holistic Approach to NeuroDevelopment and Learning Efficiency

HANDLE helped me be aware of my surroundings and

be less clumsy. Now Im noticing other people who could use HANDLE too. E.G. 11 year old Finding HANDLE has been a guiding light. Through the practice of simple activities, worlds within me (that had always been beyond my reach) are being discovered with Excitement and Gratitude. S.A. 65 year old

Elizabeth Frishkoff, MSW Certified HANDLE Practitioner

94 West Ave, Great Barrington, MA 01230 [email protected] 413-528-0477 www.handle.org

Serving ages 2 years old through adult/seniors

with:

Attentional Issues Autism/Aspergers

Traumatic Brain Injury Memory/Organization

Dyslexia/Sensory/ Learning Challenges

Sleep/Depression Issues

168 Main St, Suite #2, Great Barrington, MA [email protected] 413-528-0477 www.handle.org







with:












with:






Serving ages 2 years old through adult/seniors with:

Attention Issues Autism/Aspergers Traumatic Brain Injury Memory/Organization

Dyslexia/Sensory Learning ChallengesSleep/Depression Issues

168 Main Street, Suite #2, Great Barrington, MA [email protected] 413-528-0477 www.handle.org

Handle is amazing! I am saving gas now. No longer driving around to get my daughter to sleep. ~ Mother of 3-year-old



fashion & beauty

Fade Scars with Raw Potato

To help fade red marks and facial scars, try treating your skin with potato juice. Potatoes contain enzymes that can help to promote healthy skin and reduce scarring. Raw potato contains potassium, sulfur, phosphorus, and chlorine, making it a good home remedy for scars.

Instructions1) Peel a raw potato. Place the peelings in a bowl for later use.2) Be sure the area you want to treat is clean and healed. Rub the raw potato over the area until very moist.3) Bandage scars with potato peelings and leave on for one hour or more and repeat daily until the marks/scars heal.

Raw Honey for Lovely Skin

Raw organic honey (especially Manuka honey) is antibacterial and very healing for the skin. It can help unclog pores while simultaneously delivering moisture to dry skin. Apply a thin layer of raw honey to slightly damp skin using a circular motion. Leave on for at least 30 minutes and then gently rinse it off with warm water. Mix with oats or baking soda to act as a gentle exfoliant. Honey can also be added to a bath soak or used as a hair conditioner.

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Est. 1985Zabian

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25


WendyOPTICAL

Wendy is a licensed optician with 25 years experience fitting happy

customers with beautiful frames and lenses in the Berkshires.

REPAIRS | CLEANING | ADJUSTMENTS 56 Elm Street, Pittsfield, MA

413.445.5700Wed-Sat 10am to 6pm

www.wendyoptical.com

Sugar Hairspray (makes 1 cup)

Ingredients1 cup distilled water 4 tsp organic white sugar (use more or less to adjust hold )5 drops essential oil (optional)

Instructions1) Heat water in a small saucepan to boiling.2) Add sugar and stir to dissolve.3) Allow to cool. Add essential oil if desired.4) Pour in a fine mist spray bottle. *The spray will be good for about one week. If you would like the mixture to last longer, add 1 tablespoon vodka after the hairspray cools.5) Spray hairspray on hair lightly after styling and wait until it dries, then spray a second layer if needed.

Whiten Your Teeth with Coconut Oil

If you would like whiter teeth and fresher breath, you may wish to try a traditional Ayurveda health therapy called oil pulling that dates back thousands of years. Many claim that in addition to a variety of health benefits, the process strengthens gums, whitens teeth, and eliminates plaque.

Instructions 1) Gently swish a tablespoon of cold-pressed organic oil (my family and I prefer coconut oil for its antibacterial properties, but other oils may be used) in your mouth on an empty stomach for around 20 minutes. Make sure not to swallow any of the oil. 2) Spit out, then rinse with Himalayan salt water and brush teeth with baking soda. Or, you may wish to brush with charcoal for extra whitening. Continue oil pulling each morning as long as desired.

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If we want to remain radiantly beautiful and healthy, sugar in all forms is extremely important to avoid internally, but externally it can actually help us avoid some very harmful chemicals found in most hairsprays. The following alcohol-free hairspray recipe is healthy, inexpensive, fun to make, and best of all, it works!

`

By Kathy I. Regan


health & wellness

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Known botanically as eletaria cardamomum, this assertive spice is popular world wide and has medicinal as well as culinary uses. Cardamom dates to the fourth century BC, when it was used in India for treatment of bodily ills, including help for mouth infections, inflammation, kidney and gall stones and digestive problems. Ancient Greeks and Romans valued cardamoms intensely aromatic, resinous fragrance, which they captured in perfumes.

Today, cardamom is most widely employed as a flavoring agent for Arab and Turkish coffee and is also an important ingredient in Indian curries and rice dishes, in Scandinavian breads, cakes, and pastries and, in the West, appears most often in windmill type cookies. In addition, its used as a pickling spice, especially for pickled herring, and is added to punches, mulled wine and Indian chai masala (tea).

Cardamoms flavor is at the same time sweet and pungent. Related to ginger, cardamom shares its more common cousins warmth and aromatic qualities,

but also contains notes of eucalyptus with lemony undertones. While cardamom is second only to saffron in expense, a little goes a long way. Its wise to be conservative with this spice, as its intense flavor can be overpowering. In light of its high cost, cardamom is regarded as a special occasion, festive flavoring, used sparingly for celebrations.

While cardamom grows as small pods, the seeds within are the flavor-makers. Seeds are ground and added to coffee beans (ground together to make Middle Eastern coffee) and baked and savory foods, such as pilafs, curries, and lentil dishes. The pods themselves are sometimes used whole or split, but are removed at the end of cooking time to avoid the bitterness they can sometimes impart. Whole pods retain their freshness for quite some time, while ground seeds are most perishable, losing their aroma and flavor after about three months. When possible, purchase ground cardamom in small quantities to ensure best results in cooking and baking. ~Joyce Nelson, Guidos Fresh Marketplace staff writer, www.guidosfreshmarketplace.com

Cardamom is a potent tonic and stimulant that contains a high amount of manganese as well as vitamin C, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin A, and zinc. Cardamom improves digestion, helps combat bad breath and headaches, and can aid the body in detoxification and fighting free radicals. Another benefit of this spice is that it increases circulation of blood within your lungs, thereby aiding in relieving the symptoms of breathing problems like asthma, colds, and cough and it can help relieve phlegm and chest congestion. Cardamom can help regulate your heart rate and blood pressure and it can fight anaemia because of its abundant supply of these essential minerals.

cardamomTHIS ASSERTIVE SPICE HAS MEDICINAL

AND CULINARY USES

By Joyce Nelson


27

health & wellness

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health & wellness

Microwave ovens quickly heat food by causing water molecules within the food to resonate at very high frequencies, making them turn to steam. This is accomplished with the use of radio frequencies/microwave radiation. What most people dont realize is that this process also causes a change in the foods chemical structure (not what nature wisely intended). Microwaves damage the nutritional value of the food, heat food unevenly, and carcinogenic toxins can leach out of containers/covers placed around the food. In addition, radiation leakage is also an issue. According to Powerwatch, a nonprofit independent organization, Even when the microwave oven is working correctly, the microwave levels within the kitchen are likely to be significantly higher than those from any nearby cellular phone base-stations. Remember also that microwaves (just like cell phones) will travel through walls if the microwave oven is against an inside wall. A recent study has found unequivocal evidence that microwave frequency radiation affects the heart at nonthermal levels that are well below federal safety guidelines, according to Dr. Magda Havas of Trent University. Russian research has found that carcinogens were formed from the microwaving of nearly all foods tested.

The Lawsuit - In early 1991, a woman named Norma Levitt had hip surgery, only to be killed by a simple blood transfusion when a nurse warmed the blood for the transfusion in a microwave oven (which altered the blood, that caused her death).

Bottle Blues - When baby bottles are heating in a microwave, the bottle may seem cool to the touch, but the liquid inside may be extremely hot and could burn the babys mouth and throat. In addition to nutrient depletion, the chemical structure of the milk will be altered and the protective properties of expressed breast milk will be destroyed. Frankenstein Food - Microwaves destroy the delicate molecules of vitamins and phytonutrients (anticancer nutrients that are extremely effective at halting the growth of cancer tumors), rendering the food dead and nutritionally depleted. Theres even some evidence to suggest that microwaving destroys the natural harmony in water molecules, creating an energetic pattern of chaos in the water found in all foods. Damaging Health - Humans are the only animals on the planet who destroy the nutritional value of their food before eating it. Many consumers are in an ongoing state of malnourished overfeeding. People who use the microwave on a regular basis are walking down a path towards degenerative disease and a lifelong battle with obesity. The more you use the microwave, the worse your nutritional state gets, and the more likely you are to be diagnosed with various diseases. Stay SafeSimply put, its best to stay away from microwaves! Check to make sure foods are not heated in a microwave when eating out. When you wish to heat food or drinks, stay safe and use a stove burner, a toaster oven, or an oven. ~ Brianna I. Regan is the daughter of publishers Kathy and Kevin Regan of Our BerkshireTimes magazine. She greatly enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family.

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By Brianna I. Regan with assistance from Kathy I. Regan

a scottish odysseyPART 2 - SEE PART 1 IN OUR JUNE-JULY ISSUE

By Sheilaa Hite


29

Last fall, I led sixteen participants on an odyssey to one of the most beautiful and magical places in the world the Scottish Highlands and Islands. As I look back on this amazing journey, the three places that stand out to me the most are Rosslyn Chapel, the Fairy Glen, and the sacred Isle of Iona.

The beauty and energy of 15th-century Rosslyn Chapel embraced and welcomed us during our private visit there. With a conn

Our BerkshireTimes Magazine, Aug-Sept, 2015

Documents

Transcript of Our BerkshireTimes Magazine, Aug-Sept, 2015