July-August 2017, vol 32
(43)
Complimentary
Our BerkshireTimes
™
Local Events | Art & Culture | Home & Garden | Vibrant Living Cover Art by Nicholas Mongiardo / www.atelierberks.com
Our BerkshireTimes™ PUBLISHERS Kathy I. Regan publisher@ourberkshiretimes.com Kevin J. Regan kevin@ourberkshiretimes.com _______________ EDITORIAL Kathy I. Regan editor@ourberkshiretimes.com Copyeditor/Proofreader Rodelinde Albrecht _______________ DESIGN Magazine Design/Layout Kathy I. Regan Brianna I. Regan _______________ TO ADVERTISE CONTACT Account Representatives Kevin J. Regan kevin@ourberkshiretimes.com Debra Johnson debra@ourberkshiretimes.com _______________ Our BerkshireGreen, Inc. P.O. Box 133, Housatonic, MA 01236 Phone: (413) 274-1122 advertise@ourberkshiretimes.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com _______________ ABOUT US Our BerkshireTimes magazine was first published in 2009 and is enjoyed by community members and visitors alike. We publish and distribute bimonthly. 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 articles, see our website above, and join our mailing list. 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.
July - August 2017
Contents 4
art, culture & entertainment
ASK VICKI
RETRO POP SHOP
MAGICAL CORNWALL
24
CANOE SNAFU
home & garden
DIGITAL DENTAL IMPLANTS
GREEN-UP YOUR COOKOUT
ORGANIC BONE BROTH
28
INVASIVE SPECIES
education & workshops WE CAN SERVE AS GUIDES
30
food & drink BLUEBERRY & JICAMA SLAW FINE FOOD & DRINK SPOTLIGHT TURMERIC TONIC
20
health & wellness ADRENAL DYSFUNCTION
GRAND OPENING
16
mind & spirit
FUN THINGS TO DO BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS
10
22
cover artist NICHOLAS MONGIARDO
31
featured advertisers TELL OUR ADVERTISERS
animal talk GREAT GRAIN-FREE DEVOLUTION
YOU SAW THEM HERE!
Like Us On
S This publication is printed with soy ink on environmentally friendly satin Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper with satin aqueous coating. COVER ILLUSTRATION: The Zebras by Nicholas Mongiardo
Nicholas Mongiardo is well known as a master of 20th-century French furniture restoration; his personal designs in furniture and decorative arts are extraordinary. Mongiardo moved to the Berkshires from New York City in 1975 and started his furniture restoration business. His high-quality work has attracted celebrity clients and high-end designers. Some of his restorations have been placed in museums such as the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. See page 30 of this issue for more information. To arrange a viewing of Nicholas Mongiardo’s artwork and furniture contact Natalie Tyler at L’Atelier Berkshires Gallery, (510) 469-5468, natalie.tyler@atelierberks.com
May | June 2017
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Explore the Berkshires FUN THINGS TO DO!
A Canon of Beauty: Group Exhibition When: July 1 to August 12, 2017, 11am-4pm every Thurs-Sun Where: Neumann Fine Art, 65 Cold Water Street, Hillsdale, NY Cost: Free Visit Neumann Fine Art for a group exhibition with a theme of beauty. Introducing new gallery artist Barry DeBaun. Neumann Fine Art features changing exhibitions by a select group of regional and nationally exhibiting artists. www.neumannfineart.com
Flora & Fauna Art Exhibition When: July 1 to August 31, 2017; check website for hours Where: L’Atelier Berkshires Art Gallery, 597 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA Cost: Free L’Atelier Berkshires Gallery is proud to present Flora & Fauna Art Exhibition. Profound artworks by masterful contemporary artists who are inspired by and believe in nature. The artwork is evocative of the beauty inherent in our natural world. Paintings of peonies, sculptures of animals, and artworks of a timeless quality. (510) 469-5468, www.atelierberks.com
St. Ann’s Summer Festival
beer & wine garden, kid-friendly movie and free popcorn. Sunday, 7/16, 8am Pancake Breakfast $6/adults, $3/children under 12, 11:15am Mass Under-the-Tent with St. Ann’s Youth Ensemble, ice cream social from The Scoop. See website for complete information and itinerary. (413) 637-0157, www.stannlenox.org
2017 Vision Board Creation Class When: Saturday, July 15, 2017, 9-11am Where: 34 Depot Street, Suite 202, Pittsfield, MA Cost: $40 Led by intuitive life coach Vicki Baird, this class will help you learn more about the Law of Attraction and put it into action by creating a vision board that you can take with you to help you manifest your desires0. You will receive instruction about the Law of Attraction, and then get busy with materials to create the vision boards. Please bring whatever inspires you and exemplifies what you would like to see this year. The board, glue, and many supportive supplies will be provided, along with laughter, community, and inspiration from others attending. www.vickibaird.com
John F. Kennedy in New England: Author Reading & Signing
When: Friday, July 14 to Sunday, July 16, 2017; see times below Where: St. Ann Parish, 134 Main Street, Lenox, MA Cost: See website for full details
When: Saturday, July 15, 2017, 2pm Where: The Bookloft, 332 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA Cost: Free
Everyone is invited to share in the fun at St. Ann Parish for their summer festival – A Berkshire Community Celebration. Friday, 7/14, 6-9pm, Wii Dance Party and Karaoke night. Saturday, 7/15, 9am-9pm, bake sale, kids’ carnival, theme baskets and cash raffles, beef burgers, portabella mushroom burgers (new this year), hot dogs, and more, live auction, Family Tex-Mex Fiesta (5-8pm) $18/adults-$8/children under 12, adult
Raymond P. Sinibaldi, author of John F. Kennedy in New England, will be at The Bookloft to speak about his new book. The author, whose grandfather worked as Kennedy’s East Boston campaign secretary in both 1946 and 1952, pored over thousands of photographs to capture moments of President Kennedy at home in New England. www.thebookloft.com/ summer-author-series
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art, culture & entertainment
Hardy Kiwi Vine Workshop: A Threat to Our Forests When: Sunday, July 30, 2017, 9-10:30am Where: Bullard Woods (off Hawthorne Street), Stockbridge, MA Cost: Free Native Habitat Restoration will be a hosting a workshop to show you how to identify hardy kiwi vine and distinguish it from other vines. They will give advice on how to control this invasive plant, and will take you on a walk through an infestation at Bullard Woods (off Hawthorne Street) in Stockbridge. Please check their Facebook page in case of cancellation due to weather. www.tinyurl.com/ydhey7sf
Canine Nutrition
This African-American Life: Author Reading & Signing When: Saturday, August 26, 2017, 2pm Where: The Bookloft, 332 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA Cost: Free In this acclaimed memoir, Hugh B. Price, the former editorial writer for The New York Times traces his historical lineage throughout the United States. He finds ancestors such as Nero Hawley, who fought in the American Revolution; George and Rebecca Latimer, who escaped slavery in Virginia; and Lewis Latimer, who worked with Thomas Edison and played a pivotal role in perfecting the light bulb. www.thebookloft.com/summer-author-series
The Centre of the Circle Odyssey
When: Sunday, July 30, 2017, 10am-12pm Where: BensDotter’s Pet, 940 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA Cost: Free
When: Wednesday, October 18 to Sunday, October 29, 2017 Where: Cornwall, England, and Scotland, including Stonehenge, Glastonbury, Bath, Avebury, Isle of Skye, Isle of Lewis, Eilean Donan Castle, and more. Cost: Email Sheilaa at in2itivone@aol.com for details
Join BensDotter’s Pet for their Summer Pet Wellness Series event with Dr. Brian Wessels, Veterinary Nutritionist. Dogs and cats are carnivores, and yet the pet food industry feeds them as if they are omnivores or herbivores, offering them levels of vital nutrients that are far below what they require, and polluting them with plant-derived toxins that no carnivore would naturally encounter on a daily basis. So what’s a loving pet owner to do? Attend Dr. Wessel’s lecture, and come prepared to take notes! (413) 528-4940, www.bensdotters.com
What’s your purpose in life? Many of us have forgotten that we are Masterworks of Divine Intention – healer, shaman, oracle, and more. Sacred stone circles are portals of light and hold a purpose for us; their energy remembers who we are and marks our place in the circle of life. Join Sheilaa Hite for this special event to reconnect to your soul’s rightful place as you release negative karma and awaken to your true power and purpose in the circle of life. www.sheilaahite.com
Kids Can Cook @ the Farmers Market When: Saturday, August 5, 2017, 9am Where: Great Barrington Farmers Market Cost: Call for more information This summer Berkshire Co-op Market’s Kids Can Cook workshops will be held at the Great Barrington Farmers Market. We will be using ingredients that can be found right at the market to put together new and interesting recipes that people of all ages can enjoy. Learn how to make healthy snacks with the freshest produce around. (413) 528-9697 ext.33, www.berkshire.coop
Sheffield Antiques Show When: Friday and Saturday, August 11-12, 2017, 10am-5pm Where: Mt. Everett Regional High School, 491 Berkshire School Road, Sheffield, MA Cost: $8 each, or $7 with display ad The Sheffield Antiques Show, sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Sheffield, returns for the 69th year. The show was started in 1948 in the parish hall of the church and is now touted as the longest continuously running show in Massachusetts. Exhibitors will show 18th-20th-century furniture and accessories, vintage jewelry, oil paintings and antique prints, china, arts and crafts pottery, porcelain Napoleon soldiers, sterling silver, oriental rugs, and more. Air conditioning, luncheon, bake sale, farmers market, quilt raffle, and exhibitions add to the draw of the many fine antiques. See ad on page 13. www.sheffieldantiques.org
413-458-7077
296 Main Street, Williamstown, MA
www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
July | August 2017
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art, culture & entertainment
RETRO POP SHOP
T
ake a peek inside the Retro Pop Shop . . . a cool, funky shop located in the heart of the Berkshires featuring a large variety of soda-related collectibles as well as an unsurpassed collection of Americana advertising pieces, major signage, and so much more. The shop’s proprietor, Pierre Duhon, says “Retro Pop Shop’s ‘pop’ is a double entendre for soda pop, which is most prevalent, and pop culture, which clearly explains the shop’s eclectic nature.” Outside the building you will find a comfortable setting with picnic tables, restored bowling benches, a great playground for children, and likely the only full-sized outdoor chess set in the Berkshires! Combined with some of the Berkshires’ best homemade ice cream in the family’s adjacent ice cream shop (Local Lee Scooped Homemade Ice Cream), this is definitely a destination location.
Q: Pierre, please tell us more about Retro Pop Shop. A: We carry a wide variety of advertising pieces inclusive
of porcelain, tin, wood, reverse glass, paper lithographs, and more. We also feature fun items like telephone booths, juke boxes, pinball machines, barber shop poles, vintage gas pumps, and one of the largest collections of Coca Cola memorabilia anywhere. There’s a fabulous retro kitchen area as well as an assortment of advertising clocks and thermometers. These unique collectibles are procured through a variety of means including specialty auctions, collaboration with our invaluable local “pickers” scouring estate and tag sales, online purchasing, and buying from locals who enter the store with great pride wishing to broker an unusual family piece they have inherited. 6
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Q: How did you get started? A: I basically got my start because of a midlife crisis. I had
been working a variety of jobs from social service–related fields to a brief stint in sales, but I had a lifetime dream of owning my own little shop in the Berkshires. Then in 2006, with unwavering support from my lovely wife, Paula, the Retro Pop Shop was born!
Q: What is your philosophy? A: We treat people as we would like to be treated! Retro
Pop Shop is a very family-friendly shop. Items are clearly priced and we realize negotiations are often part of the complete buying experience. We are not only open to, but encourage bartering if both parties are agreeable. We love buying your items and are most amiable to house calls or shop appointments, as we buy a substantial amount of our inventory locally. We are also fine with people just stopping in to offer us something to buy. Come on down and turn your cool Americana items into cash!
Q: How can our readers find you? A: We are most conveniently located in the true heart of the
Berkshires on the Lee/Lenox town line at 395 Laurel Street (Route 20), Lee, MA. The shop is colorfully and whimsically painted, beckoning the passing traveler to stop and take a peek inside and explore. When you take exit 2 off the Mass Pike from Boston or NYC, you will pass right by the shop heading to Tanglewood, our most beloved sacred place! Call (413) 243-0025 or (413) 441-2239 for more information. See ad on page 7.
art, culture & entertainment
ahoy, landlubbers
Nashalla Sailing
SAIL & PICNIC ON BEAUTIFUL TWIN LAKES IN SALISBURY, CT
C
ome join Nashalla Sailing this summer for a relaxing sail on beautiful Twin Lakes in Salisbury, Connecticut. Our comfortable, stable 21’ mini cruiser holds up to four landlubbers and is accessed at O’Hara’s Landing dock. Captain Nina has been sailing for more than 50 years and will provide you with a fun afternoon or sunset voyage. Bring a picnic and your sunblock. Visit our website for details at www.nashallasailing.com, and call (888) 217-7233 to book your charter. Gift certificates available.
Charter with Captain Nina on Twin Lakes, Salisbury CT 888-217-7233
new & vintage
TOONERVILLE TROLLEY
RECORDS & CDs New ● Used ● Imported Stop by for a visit!
10am-6pm Tues-Sat, 12-4pm Sun
413-458-5229 131 Water Street, Williamstown, MA www.toonervilletrolleyrecords.com
A MUSIC STORE THAT GOES BEYOND THE BAR CODE!
T
oonerville Trolley Records & CDs is an independent music store with a stock of thousands of new and used vinyl treasures painstakingly accumulated from obscure warehouses, now-defunct distributors, and discerning collectors. We also carry a selection of (now hard-to-find) interesting new and used CDs from all genres of music. ln addition, we carry supplies for record cleaning, mailing, and storage, plus guitar strings, picks, capos, and so on.
cool memorabilia
D
AMERICANA EXTRAORDINAIRE
iscover the Retro Pop Shop. It’s truly unique, like no other store in the Berkshires. If you’re a fan of American Pickers, Rick’s Restoration, or Pawn Stars, you’ll love the Retro Pop Shop. Americana extraordinaire! Meander through the whimsical maze of classic Coca Cola machines, vintage gas pumps, various telephone booths, all encompassed with hundreds of vintage advertising signs everywhere you look. Humor is prevalent throughout your journey. Come take a peek inside . . .
Stop by the GREATEST Hobby Shop in all of New England! Be sure to check out our wide selection of Metal Detectors and accessories. models & kits ● kites ● remote control trains ● airplanes cars ● metal detectors ● puzzles ● paint sets ● and more!
(413) 743-7223 ● 171 Grove Street (Rt 8), Adams, MA www.hobbyworldonline.com ● follow us on Facebook
C: 413-441-2239 ● P: 413-243-0025 395 Laurel Street (RT 20), Lee, MA
www.RetroPopShop.com
toys for all ages COME SEE OUR EXTENSIVE STOCK OF ALL THINGS CREATIVE
H
obby World, located in Adams, MA, was launched in 1999 by hobby enthusiast Bob Blanchette. During the last 18 years, Hobby World’s inventory has grown and diversified in many ways, meeting not only the needs of their steady r/c car customers, but almost every other type of hobbyist requirement including model trains and radio-controlled vehicles, rocket kits, doll houses and supplies, stamp collecting, paint by number, and so much more. Toys for all ages. You name it and Bob probably carries it! www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
July | August 2017
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CANOE SNAFU By Michael Romano
I
bought the little grey canoe for fifty dollars. It had a dull, lifeless finish, and it was bent and dented in many places with a half dozen bullet holes that had been repaired with some kind of fiberglass. The seats had been removed and replaced with strips of sheet metal, pop-riveted to the frame. All in all it was a rather ugly and uncomfortable way to travel, but it obviously had history. A history the strange little man I bought it from did not want to share, but I bought it anyway when he gave me a broken paddle to sweeten the deal. Now, I’m kind of a big guy, and the canoe never let me forget this. One wrong move and water would spill inside and threaten to swamp me, so I had to make sure I was centered in the boat and everything I needed was well within reach. Still, it gave me the opportunity to paddle around the local lakes and ponds and fish in places I could never reach before. I started to get pretty good at canoeing with a little practice, and it wasn’t long before I talked my friend Bruce into going out with me. Bruce and I had lots of fishing adventures together so of course he was dubious about accompanying me out on the open waters, especially in a canoe that could barely hold me, but he did anyway. We were wildly successful with a little careful determination, catching and releasing dozens of species of fish. In fact, the fish began to fear us! At one point however, while fishing with poppers (a floating lure that resembles a swimming frog or small animal that makes a pop or splash when moved, hence the term “popper”) we suddenly found ourselves in a double hook up. Against all odds, two very large bass had simultaneously taken each of our bait on opposite sides of the canoe. We fought them up to the boat and guessed their weight at more than 7 pounds, and the plan was to net
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them and release them back into the water. That’s when disaster struck! I grabbed my net at the same time that Bruce grabbed his, and the fish in the meantime had crossed over to the same side of the canoe. As we dipped our nets toward the fish a startling revelation came over us. We were sunk, literally. Water poured into the boat and the canoe went over, dumping me, Bruce, and all our equipment into the lake! The canoe sank like the Titanic and it took us several times to get it to the surface. Bruce and I floated it to shallow water, emptied it out, and returned back to the scene of the mishap to dive for our equipment. We dove several times and retrieved some of our tackle and coolers, but we never saw the bass or the fishing poles again. Several years later someone actually stole that old canoe from Bruce’s house. Why they stole it, I'll never know; Bruce probably would have paid them to take it. Still, I loved that old canoe, it was a lot like me – grey, dented, and bent with a lot of history, but still willing to fish. ~ Michael Romano, a Great Barrington, MA, resident for almost 40 years, is an avid fisherman who in his own words “kind of treats fishing as a contact sport and has had more than a few misadventures in the process.” He has fished many local waters and also enjoyed quite a few saltwater trips. Michael is a retired chef – he and his wife, Susan, worked at the now-closed Kolburne School in New Marlborough, MA, for many years where he enjoyed taking many of the students fishing.
art, culture & entertainment
knit & crochet
F
VISIT US TO BEGIN YOUR CREATIVE JOURNEY
ellowship and community building are crucial for humans to share knowledge and grow in spirit. My favorite time at The Spin-Off Yarn Shop is Sit & Knit, when knitters from all walks of life gather with infectious enthusiasm. Whatever the reason we knit and crochet – to escape life’s stressors, keep hands busy, or for creative outlet – knitting provides health benefits by exercising the brain and developing spatial skills, focus, and concentration. Visit us to begin your creative journey. ~ Beth Phelps, Proprietor
Join us for Sit & Knit! Wed & Fri, 2-4pm. All skill levels welcome. Open Wed-Thurs 12-5pm, Fri-Sat 10-5pm
130 Water Street, Lower Level, Williamstown, MA
www.spinoffyarnshop.com ● (413) 344-6257
world class art AT NEUMANN FINE ART GALLERY IN HILLSDALE, NY
B
arry DeBaun was born in 1956, Brooklyn, NY, and was raised in Long Island until he turned ten and then moved to the Catskills. With the beauty of the mountains surrounding him, his inspiration comes from his love of nature. His work is reminiscent of 19th-century painting, influenced by the Hudson River School, the Pre-Raphaelites, and the American Impressionists. Neumann Fine Art, Hillsdale, NY, welcomes DeBaun as their newest featured artist. For more on Barry DeBaun visit www.neumannfineart.com.
imagination & discovery
I
TO
A WIDE VARIETY OF TITLES AND SUBJECTS
ndependent since 1974, The Bookloft is conveniently located in Great Barrington at Barrington Plaza, 332 Stockbridge Road. We carry a wide variety of titles and subjects, and offer gift certificates for all of your gift-giving needs. If we don’t have what you want in stock (feel free to call and inquire), we will gladly order what you need. Most orders arrive within 1-4 business days. Stop in to visit and be sure to ask us about our frequent buyer program and discounts for seniors, teachers, students, and military.
Alternative Fuel and Fuel-Efficient Chauffeured Transportation Alternative Fuel and Fuel-Efficient Chauffeured Transportation
Top quality limo service with a minimal impact on the environment.
Serving the Serving TheEntire EntireNortheast
and Beyond! JFK, Boston, and Hartford, Northeast beyond! Albany, Anywhere, Anytime.
JFK, Boston, Hartford, Albany, Anywhere, Wine Tours and Anytime.
Ride Shares Wine Tours and Available! Ride Shares available! 413-637-1224 www.tobislimo.com tobislimo@aol.com
READ?
Visit us and find out more about our Frequent Buyer Program! Discounts available for seniors, teachers, students, and military.
(413) 528-1521 ● Great Barrington, MA ● www.thebookloft.com
enjoy the ride FUEL -EFFICIENT CHAUFFEURED TRANSPORTATION
T
obi’s Limousine Service offers a full range of luxury vehicles. Professional chauffeurs will drive you safely to or from New York City, Boston, JFK, LaGuardia, Logan, Newark, Albany, Bradley Airport – anywhere and anytime. Travel in style and let Tobi’s worry about traffic. They will always get you there on time, any time. For the business traveler or leisure travel, call (413) 637-1224 in Lenox, MA, to reserve your ride. Visit their website at www.tobislimo.com for more information. www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
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home & garden
Green-up Your Cookout WITH THESE PARTY TIME TIPS By Kevin Pink
S
ummer is here, and cookout season is in full swing. Attending a party might just mean bringing drinks, potato salad, or dessert, but if you’re hosting, it’s much more complicated. Whether it’s Independence Day, Labor Day, or just Saturday, there are so many things to consider when planning a cookout. Here are some of our favorite tips for preparation and party time to help reduce stress, save money, and make your backyard cookouts more sustainable.
Establish your guest list. Knowing how many people are coming is very helpful when it comes to buying food. This can be as simple as an event posting on social media or emailing your friends to confirm their attendance. Using email, social media, or e-vites reduces paper use, making for a strong start to a zero-waste event. Knowing how many people are coming will help you determine if you need that extra package of hot dogs so you can potentially save some money with a very small amount of effort, and it will keep your refrigerator from being overstuffed with uneaten picnic food.
Choose to reuse. Use reusable plates, cups, and flatware. You’ll save money by not having to buy disposable dishes every year, and after the party you can run them through the dishwasher for a lazy (but more energy-efficient than hand-washing!) clean – just make sure to turn off the heatdry feature. This holds true for tablecloths and napkins, also; choose reusable cloth options over paper and plastic. You only have to buy them once, and they stay out of a landfill when you’re done with them. Decorate. Skip the plastic banners and party favors, and opt for a little creativity instead. Mason jars and tea lights make a nice centerpiece, and you can have kids help by painting designs on them early in the party, to be illuminated as the sun sets. Jars or vases, or even empty cans filled with flowers from your garden will also make an attractive table topper. Visit our Go Green blog at www.cetonline.org/go-green-news for tons of great sustainable crafting ideas you can use to impress your guests!
Clean grill. The grill is the workhorse of any summer Buy local. Summer in Massachusetts means that farmers cookout. Use a grill with a cleaner-burning fuel like natural gas markets are everywhere. Buying at a farmers market means buying goods that weren’t shipped across the country (or internationally), so they put much less carbon in the atmosphere in the process of arriving on your table than products purchased in a grocery store. In addition, farmers market produce often comes without plastic or cardboard wrapping, further reducing waste. Finally, you’ll be keeping your money in your community by supporting local agriculture.
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or propane to add less carbon to the atmosphere. If you have a charcoal grill, use lump charcoal instead of briquettes. Lump charcoal does not have the chemical additives that help compress briquettes, so it burns cleaner.
Grill smart. Most metals conduct heat very easily, so metal grills absorb heat, making the cooking process less efficient. Ceramic is a poor conductor of heat, making ceramic grills very
home & garden
effective at trapping heat for efficient cooking. If your grill has a lid, close it as often as possible to keep that heat in. Finally, your grill cooks most efficiently when it has lots of food on it, so load it up!
Think about drinks. Your best bet for reducing waste is using larger drink containers (think two-liter bottles, gallon jugs, or larger dispensers) instead of individual containers. This eliminates unnecessary packaging, and could potentially save you some money. Keep your drinks cool by using a cooler or bucket of ice instead of leaving them in the refrigerator; the constant opening and closing lets the cool air out of your refrigerator, making it work harder. Recycle! This is practically a given, but recycle all the
Sisters Used Furniture
Small Shop, Big Savings Always buying. Always new inventory.
Summer hours: Thursday-Saturday 11-4, Sunday 12-4 402 Park Street, Rte 183, Housatonic, MA
containers you can. Cans and bottles can be redeemed for their deposits, but you can also recycle many plastic containers (like the kind you would purchase filled with coleslaw or potato salad at a grocery store deli) as well. The number in the triangle often embossed on plastic lets you know what kind of plastic it is, and you can use that to determine where you can recycle it.
Find up to date inventory on our Facebook page.
Source separate. One way to help your guests help you is putting out a few clearly-labeled containers, such as one for trash, one for recycling, and one for compost. You’ll save yourself the effort of going through a big mess after the fact, and you can capture food scraps like corn cobs, apple cores, and baked beans for composting.
Don’t forget leftovers. Send them home with your
guests, eat cookout food for the next few days, bring a plate to a neighbor or family member who couldn’t make it, or just donate them in bulk to a food rescue organization or a food pantry. You can use these means to reduce waste and stretch your dollar a bit further, but if all else fails, you can always compost leftovers and add them your garden.
(413) 274-9900 www.sistersusedfurniture.com
Dress Up Your Windows Window Treatments
Hunter Douglas ● Graber ● Norman Shutters Upholstery, Draperies, Fabric & Wallpaper
We hope these tips help you have some excellent cookouts! From all of us here at the Center for EcoTechnology, have a great summer! ~ Kevin Pink, Marketing and Development Specialist,
Center for EcoTechnology.
The Center for EcoTechnology (CET), www.cetonline.org, helps people and businesses save energy and reduce waste. We make green make sense. For more than 40 years we’ve offered proven advice and resources to save you money, make you more comfortable at home, and help your business perform better. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3), CET works with partners throughout the region to help transform the way we live and work for a better community, economy, and environment – now and for the future. We provide practical solutions that save energy, materials, and money and have a positive impact on our environment and community. We serve residents, businesses, and communities in the areas of energy efficiency and waste reduction and through our retail store, EcoBuilding Bargains, www.ecobuildingbargains.org.
Window Treatments
Hunter Douglas • Graber • Comfortex • Norman Shutter For all Your Decorating Needs Upholstery, Draperies, Fabric & Wallpaper
BerkshireFabric Fabric & Wallpaper Berkshire & Wallpaper 274 Wahconah Pittsfield, 274 Wahconah St.,St., Pittsfield, MA MA
(413) 442-4420 413-442-4420
Open 10-5, closed Open dailydaily 10-5:30, SatSat 10-4,10-4, closed SundaySun
www.berkshirefabricwallpaper.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
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home & garden
Grand Opening! CREATE YOUR DREAM HOME TODAY
historic Brushwood Farms prior to the company’s acquisition, the building was deemed structurally unsound and sat derelict on the market for nearly a decade. Morrison’s completed the major overhaul of the building creating a green workspace, all while keeping the building true to its historic roots.
M
orrison’s Home Improvement Specialists, Inc., a family owned and operated company originally established in 1992 by Steve Morrison, opened the doors to their new renovation and remodeling center in Lenox, Massachusetts, on May 20, 2017. This innovative design center offers high performance, high quality, cost-effective, green building solutions and efficient home renovations and designs. Owner and founder, Steve Morrison, said, “We are beyond excited to have completed the restoration of our building, and to officially open our doors to the residents of Berkshire county.” Originally built in 1870 and formerly part of the
With more than 5,600 square feet of showroom space, the design center offers the latest products and services on the market. The new location showcases completed work, and its central Berkshire county location allows for convenient access. The company is also affiliated with numerous local vendors in the industry including Stockbridge Gas, Lee Tile & Stone, All Star Excavation, and Alarms of Berkshire County, as well as product lines from local suppliers such as LP Adams and S&A Plumbing. Morrison proudly states, “This collaboration will allow us to offer our customers the best in the industry for every facet of home improvement all under one roof!” Whether you’re hoping to build a new home, addition, or interior renovation; a dream kitchen or bathroom remodel; an exterior renovation including new siding, windows, roof; or a deck so you can better enjoy our beautiful Berkshire weather, Morrison’s Home Improvement Specialists has you covered. www.morrisonshomeimprovement.com
DreamKitchen Kitchen Dream Dream Kitchen Dream Kitchen
BathroomRemodel Remodel Bathroom Bathroom Remodel Bathroom Remodel
Siding&&Windows Windows Siding Siding & Windows Siding & Windows
RoofingContractor Contractor Roofing Roofing Contractor Roofing Contractor
GRAND OPENIN G! Renovation & Rem od
“Anyjob joblarge largeororsmall, small,we wedo doititright rightorornot notatatall.” all.” “Any “Any jobBElarge ORE or small, we do it right or not at all.” F FULL LINE REMODELING CONTRACTOR CONVENIENT FINANCING “Any job large or small, we do itCONVENIENT right or not at all.” FULL LINE REMODELING CONTRACTOR FINANCING FULL LINEOWNED REMODELING CONTRACTOR CONVENIENT FINANCING LOCALLY ANDOPERATED OPERATED SINCE 1992 MORE MORECHOICES CHOICES LOCALLY AND SINCE FULL LINEOWNED REMODELING CONTRACTOR 1992 CONVENIENT FINANCING LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1992 MORE CHOICES PERSONAL SERVICE DOWNTOWN SHOWROOM BETTER PRICES PERSONAL SERVICE DOWNTOWN SHOWROOM BETTER PRICES LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1992 MORE CHOICES PERSONAL SERVICE DOWNTOWN SHOWROOM BETTER PRICES PERSONAL SERVICE DOWNTOWN SHOWROOM BETTER PRICES
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(413)442-3001 442-3001674 674North NorthStreet, Street,Pittsfield, Pittsfield,MA MAwww.morrisonshomeimprovement.com www.morrisonshomeimprovement.com (413) (413) 442-3001 674 NorthRd Street, MAMA www.morrisonshomeimprovement.com (413) 442-3001 ● 25 Pittsfield (Rte 7Pittsfield, & 20), Lenox, ● www.morrisonshomeimprovement.com (413) 442-3001 674 North Street, Pittsfield, MA www.morrisonshomeimprovement.com 12
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home & garden
SHEFFIELD
ANTIQUES SHOW
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413-358-0170
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Hartsville Design
August 11 & 12, 2017 Aug 7, 8, 9, 2015 Friday & Saturday 10am-5pm
Mt. Regional High High School School Mt. Everett Everett Regional 491 Berkshire School Road 491 Berkshire School Road, Sheffield, MA Sheffield, MA 01257
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www.sheffieldantiques.org www.sheffieldantiques.org BRAND YOURSELF! Personalized Corporate & Workwear Apparel
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Shower Enclosures
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Emergency Water & Fire Remediation ServiceMASTER of the Berkshires ServiceMASTER of Columbia County, NY
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Mountain Goat Artisans Local, One-of-a-Kind Handmade Gifts
Mary Merselis-Proprietor Pottery ● Furniture
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(413) 884-5339 Open 12-5pm Wednesday - Saturday
130 Water Street, Williamstown, MA
www.mountaingoatartisans.com
EMERGENCY ON CALL SERVICE ● Emergency Water Damage Remediation Locally Owned ● Emergency Fire, Soot and Smoke Remediation and Operated. ● House Wide and Post Construction Cleaning ● Floor Maintenance ● Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning ● Animal Debris and Odor Clean Up ● Mold and Odor Remediation ● Sewer and Septic Clean Up ● We Will Use Green Cleaning Products Upon Request
Certified & Trained Technicians With More Than 15 Years Experience.
3 Westview Road, Pittsfield, MA
www.ServiceMasteroftheBerkshires.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
July | August 2017
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Invasive Species A THREAT TO OUR LOCAL FORESTS By Jessica Toro plants may worsen the problem due to their lack of nutritional value and the increased chance of predation. While losing biodiversity is a big deal, there is also a direct impact on people. Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) causes second-degree burns when skin comes in contact with it. Japanese barberry is linked to the increased abundance of ticks carrying Lyme disease. Farmers have to manage the multiflora rose that has invaded their hayfields causing complete loss of production of edible hay. Across the United States, the annual cost is estimated at $120 billion a year in economic losses, with over 100 million acres (an area roughly the size of California) suffering from invasive plant infestations (The Nature Conservancy).
Hardy kiwi fruit
W
hat is an invasive species? The official answer is that it is a non-native species whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic harm, environmental harm, or harm to human health. What that means for the Berkshires is that we have masses of tangled bittersweet vines strangling our trees, shrub invasives all through woods and conservation lands, Phragmites australis and purple loosestrife taking over our wetlands, and Japanese knotweed covering the banks of the Housatonic River and tributaries for miles. The bigger picture is that invasive species are the second greatest threat to rare and endangered species across the globe. The Trustees of Reservations has stated that invasive species are the single greatest threat to biodiversity on The Trustees’ properties (Invasive Plant Management: Guidelines for Managers, 2008). According to The Nature Conservancy, invasive species have contributed directly to the decline of 42 percent of the threatened and endangered species in the United States. As bird populations continue to decline at an alarming rate, invasive Barberry
Hardy kiwi vine
With nearly one-third of the current Massachusetts flora not native to the Commonwealth (Sorrie and Somers 1999), there are large challenges in dealing with invasives species. Landowners may tackle part or all of the invasives on their land only to be frustrated by invasives coming in from adjacent properties. In some areas, entire neighborhoods have joined together in an effort to deal with a single or multiple invasive species with great success. Another strategy, often referred to as early detection and rapid response, is to control invasives before they become costly and widespread. This strategy relies on building public awareness to find and deal with invasives prior to becoming a common occurrence throughout the Berkshires. One species that could benefit from the early detection and rapid response strategy is the Hardy kiwi vine, a new emerging invasive threat to the diverse forests of Western Massachusetts. Hardy kiwi vine (Actinidia arguta) is one of the newest species
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home & garden
to be reviewed by the Massachusetts Invasive Plant Advisory Group and listed as Likely Invasive. Even with this designation, it is still being sold primarily through catalogue sales and occasionally through garden nurseries. Hardy kiwi vine poses a threat to forests by growing more than 20-35 feet per year and forming dense mats of intertwining vines that can overwhelm other vegetation, including trees. The weight of the vines during the growing season, in addition to snow and ice loading on the vines in the winter, destroys the tree canopy, creating large open “amphitheaters” of only kiwi vine.
A Hardy Kiwi Task Force has been established to coordinate survey efforts and communicate locations and control efforts among conservation organizations, state and federal agencies, private landowners, land trusts, and conservation commissions. Native Habitat Restoration will be hosting a workshop to learn how to identify this vine and to walk through an infestation at Bullard Woods (off Hawthorne Street in Stockbridge) on Sunday, July 30, 2017 from 9 to 10:30am. The workshop is open to the public and there is no charge to attend. Please check our Facebook page for a cancellation due to weather. ~Jessica Toro is the co-owner of Native Habitat Restoration, based in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. She has designed and implemented many invasive control and restoration efforts over the past 18 years. Prior to starting Native Habitat Restoration, Jessica worked for 11 years at the Nature Conservancy as the Conservation Program Manager of the Berkshire Taconic Landscape. www.nativehabitatrestoration.weebly.com
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46 Howland Avenue, Adams, MA 01220 www.bpvs.com 413-743-0152 Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS Solar Energy Industries Association.
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MA LIC #'s HIC131996, CSL 73150
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This vine is found at some of our open space areas. One of the largest known infestations in New England is on two adjacent properties in Lenox. Kennedy Park is a 360-acre property owned and managed by the Town of Lenox (where 200 acres of forest is impacted by this vine), and Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is a 1,140-acre property owned and managed by MassAudubon. The vine is now threatening Ice Glen in Stockbridge and Monument Mountain in Great Barrington. It is also in state lands in Beartown and October Mountain, as well as along the Appalachian Trail.
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Native Habitat Restoration restoring balance to nature
Wetlands Woodlands Meadows Fields Invasive Plant Control Pollinator Habitat Brush Management Field Restoration
(413) 358-7400
www.nativehabitatrestoration.weebly.com Licensed in MA CT NY VT
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July | August 2017
15
food & drink
Blueberry & Jicama Slaw By Guido’s Own Dietitian, Rachel Alves
H
ere’s a colorful slaw sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next BBQ, compliments of Guido’s Fresh Marketplace’s talented dietitian, Rachel Alves. This delicious recipe serves 8 to 10 people.
Ingredients Dressing Ingredients ½ cup mayonnaise ½ cup low-fat sour cream or plain yogurt
1 T apple cider vinegar 1 T freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 T honey or maple syrup Slaw Ingredients 1 medium jicama, peeled and shredded ½ head Savoy cabbage, shredded 2 carrots, shredded ¼ head purple cabbage, shredded 1 pint blueberries (about 2 c.) 1 tsp toasted sunflower seeds ½ cup crumbled blue cheese (or Gorgonzola) 2 T chopped fresh mint Kosher salt
Directions Make the Dressing Whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, lemon juice, and honey or maple syrup in a small bowl and set aside. Make the Slaw Combine jicama, cabbages, and carrots in a large bowl and toss with some dressing to coat. Add blueberries and toss gently to coat all ingredients, adding more dressing as needed. Season with salt to taste and toss again gently to mix. Top with sunflower seeds, cheese, and mint and serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 4 hours. ~ Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, www.guidosfreshmarketplace.com 16
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Home Sweet Home Doughn ut Shoppe
FINE FOOD & DRINK SPOTLIGHT HOMEMADE
Doughnuts & So Much More / Home Sweet Home Doughnut Shoppe
In the mood for a homemade hand-cut doughnut? Stop by this family owned and operated mom-andpop shop and you will have 30 mouth-watering varieties to choose from. You will also find freshly brewed and iced coffees always available (regular and flavored including hazelnut, French vanilla, caramel vanilla mocha, and mudslide); breakfast sandwiches all day on your choice of croissant, English muffin, biscuit, bagel, doughnut roll, or wheat wrap; puréed fruit smoothies; lunch sandwiches; hot dogs; and soups. Ask about their signature “Berkshire Bomb” – a cinnamon-spiced muffin, dipped in butter and coated in cinnamon sugar. Like them on Facebook. 258 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA. (413) 717-4144, www.homesweethomedoughnutshoppe.com
FUNCTIONAL
Mosquito Mud Pottery / Wonderful Things
Beautiful and functional, this stylish triangular stoneware platter will be an asset to any kitchen. Wonderful Things, owned by Harry and Debbie Sano, is well known for its extensive selection of pottery and American-made and artisan gifts. It also has the largest selection of yarn, needlework, and craft supplies in the Berkshires. Find the perfect present for any occasion, or give the creative person in your life a fabulous selection of yarn, or a needlepoint kit. Gift certificates available. Visit Wonderful Things at 232 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA. Open Mon-Sat 9:30-5 and Sun 12-4. (413) 528-2473, www.wonderful-things.com
REFRESHING
Gelato, Sorbet, Ice Cream / Chocolate Springs
Treat your friends, loved ones, coworkers (and yourself!) to a delicious, cool, refreshing gelato, sorbet, or ice cream this summer. Chocolate Springs is a European-style chocolate and dessert café with decades of experience in crafting the finest handmade bonbons. Milk and dark chocolate, truffles, amazing ganache, and award-winning hot chocolate are made fresh every day using only the finest seasonal and organic ingredients whenever possible. Visit Chocolate Springs Café in person at 55 Pittsfield Road, Lenox, MA. (413) 637-9820, www.chocolatesprings.com
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July | August 2017
17
Turmeric Tonic By Rachel Portnoy
E
very job has its stresses and working in the kitchen has a way of giving your body a beating, for sure. For my husband and me working at the restaurant, we love what we do and we love to eat, it all goes hand in hand. The results of our work habit can be euphoric or destructive however . . . it’s a mixed bag and often both at once. I think that for cooks, it’s really hard to find a balance between not standing too much, not lifting too much, and not eating too much. Now after 25 years in the industry, we find ourselves looking at maybe a bit more weight than we’d like to be carrying around, a bit of back pain here, and a bit of shoulder pain there. We know we’re not unique in this situation. One remedy for aches and pains that caught our eye was Turmeric Tonic, a refreshing beverage based on the antiinflammatory properties of turmeric. We figured, “Why not give it a try?” And, going along with our tendency towards a lack of moderation, why don’t we make the stuff in massive quantities so that we can drink it every day? And why don’t we make it super-concentrated and freeze it in the ice cube trays
n
y Egazaria hoto by Mar
P
we used to make baby food way back when? And then all we have to do is just dilute it in hot or cold water when we want, depending on season/preference/mood? I assure you, this stuff is actually delicious. And extremely handy to have around. Making a smoothie? Throw a couple of cubes in. Feel like you’re coming down with a cold? Boil water and add cubes and a touch of honey. Why not try it in a cocktail? Or, turn your sparkling water into a tasty spritzer . . . voilà! It’s a great way to get some healthy fresh turmeric into your diet on a regular basis. On the advice of a friend, we put a generous pinch of black pepper in, which heightens turmeric’s antiinflammatory properties, and gives the drink even more zip. Now that the garden is blooming we’re thinking about whirring some mint into the next batch. If you don’t want to freeze the mixture in ice cube trays (it helps to have huge freezers at work like we do!), there’s no reason why you can’t freeze it in small jars and just keep one in the fridge to add to your favorite beverage.
Franck’s Turmeric Tonic Recipe makes 4 ice-cube trays of concentrated turmeric cubes. It should be good in the fridge for up to 7 days, and in the freezer for 3 months. 1 large hand of fresh ginger ½ lb fresh turmeric 1 lemon, zest and juice 2 oranges, zest and juice 1 tsp black pepper Pinch salt Honey (optional)
Instructions Bring 2½ quarts of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Wash the turmeric and ginger thoroughly, then purée them in a food processor. When the water boils, take off of the heat and add the turmeric and ginger purée, the zest and juice, pepper, and salt, and optional honey. Allow the mix to steep at least 1 hour or overnight in the fridge. Press through a sieve to remove the solids, then pour into ice cube molds or jars and freeze. ~ Rachael Portnoy, Chez Nous Bistro, www.cheznousbistro.com 18
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food & drink C O O P E R AT I V E LY O W N E D • C O M M U N I T Y F O C U S E D
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NORTH EGREMONT COUNTRY STORE NEWLY EXPANDED DELI - FOOD MENU!
Wholesome ● Homestyle ● Delicious SoCo Ice Cream ● Local Free-Range Eggs Milk ● Liquor ● Beer ● Wine ● Pastries Lotto ● Post Office ● Fishing Bait Photo by John Phelan
Route 71, North Egremont, MA (Near Prospect Lake)
Call (413) 528-4796
42 BRIDGE STREET • GREAT BARRINGTON, MA • WWW.BERKSHIRE.COOP
½
entrées available
D-e-e-licious! Tues-Sat dinner only • 150 Main St., Lee 413.243.6397 cheznousbistro.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
July | August 2017
19
The Great Grain-Free Devolution
Fool Me Once, Shame on You – Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me / By Kristina Dow
I
t was somewhere around 2006 when I first read the label on a bag of dry, kibbled grain-free pet food. As a recently retired college administrator, I had gone back to work at a veterinary clinic (something which I had done both fulltime and part-time while in college), and somehow I ended up managing the clinic’s feed store. Being a long-time raw-feeder, and therefore out of much of the commercial pet food loop for quite a few years, one of my first tasks was to familiarize myself with what commercial pet foods had become. As I picked up the bag of grain-free kibble and scanned the label, I could feel myself bristle as I read, “The Ancestral Diet Meets Modern Nutrition” and “Easy-to-Feed Alternative to Raw.” A bag of kibble invoking ancestral diets and raw-feeding in its marketing slogans? What could possibly be further from an ancestral diet and raw-feeding than a bag of kibble?! But I took a few deep breaths and proceeded to the bag’s ingredient 20
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panel, and, as I began to read, I had to admit that the grain-free kibble showed some promise, not as an ancestral diet, nor as an alternative to a raw food diet, but as an improved bag of kibble. Here it is necessary to note that, contrary to popular assumption, grain-free is not carbohydrate-free. Whether with grain or grainfree, dry kibble needs two things to make it into a dry kibble, two things that are not consistent with an ancestral diet, nor with a raw food diet. First, a high volume of carbohydrates is required to make everything stick together to form the kibble, and, second, in the presence of such a high volume of carbohydrates, a high volume of fiber is required to create a firm stool. The first bit of good news I read on the grain-free kibble label was the elimination of corn and wheat as carbohydrate-fiber sources. For far too long, those high-gluten grains had been pet food staples that clogged our pets’ intestinal villi, damaging them beyond repair,
animal talk
and leaving in their wake leaky gut syndrome, with symptoms including systemic food sensitivities. Gut-damaging soy had also disappeared. But, unfortunately, it was not all good news. In place of the corn, wheat, and soy was white potato, a nightshade family vegetable known to be high in solanine, a plant toxin produced as a defense against insects and herbivores, and decidedly not good for digestion. But white potato was not to be long in pet food . . . Fast forward a few years, and now we find bags of kibble touting that they are both grain-free and white potato-free. It seems the surge in inflammatory bowel disease, symptomatic of solanine poisoning, caused a rethink of the use of white potato, and a new trend has emerged with legumes (primarily peas, chickpeas, lentils, and beans) as a white potato substitute. Here we go again . . . There are predictably two problems with feeding our pets a diet high in legumes. The first is legume phytates, and the second is legume lectins. Both are classified as anti-nutrients as a result of their action as binders that inhibit the complete digestion and absorption of food. As such, and not unlike soy and white potato, both of those legume binders are known to cause intestinal inflammation. In addition, the legume lectin binders, not unlike corn and wheat glutens, are known to cause the breakdown of the lining of the intestine and lead to leaky gut. Legumes, too, need to be on their way out of pet food. The pet food industry works very hard to convince us that our dogs and cats are omnivores, because to convince us of that is to convince us that species-appropriate nutrition for our cats and dogs comes in a bag loaded with whole grains, white potatoes, or legumes. But clearly it doesn’t. And this is where I will surprise you. I am not going to turn this into an essay touting raw-feeding, although that certainly would be easy to do. Instead, let’s consider where the pet food industry should turn to find its best carbohydrate-fiber source for kibble. The answer is simple: The pet food industry should bring back white rice as a carbohydrate-fiber source, and profusely apologize for its brief romance with white potato and its latest infatuation with legumes. My preference for white rice as a carbohydrate-fiber source over any other grain or grain-free option is based upon the relative ease with which it can be detoxified. Common milled white rice is little more than pure starch and fiber, and, although virtually devoid of nutritional value, it is also virtually devoid of toxins. All we need ask of it as a pet food ingredient is to be a safe source of carbohydrate and fiber, a role to which it has been demonstrated to be well suited. ~ Kristina “Tina” Dow is sole proprietor of BensDotter’s Pet, a retail pet supply store in Great Barrington, MA, that specializes in raw food diets, including those designed as Nature intended. www.bensdotters.com
DON’T MISS THIS PROGRAM! Sunday, July 30 10am - noon
BensDotter’s Pet 940 Main Street Great Barrington
Summer Pet Wellness Series
CANINE NUTRITION Dr. Brian Wessels BVSc M.Med Veterinary Nutritionist
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
CARING FOR PETS SINCE 1957 Your trusted source for quality foods and supplies. Your trusted resource for raw-feeding information and advice.
BENSDOTTER’S PET 413-528-4940 940 MAIN STREET, GREAT BARRINGTON, MA 01230
Convenient Location with Ample Parking on Route 7 less than a minute south of Guido’s
Mon-Fri 10a-6p
Sat-Sun 10a-4p
www.bensdotters.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
July | August 2017
21
mind & spirit
Ask Vicki
Send Your Questions to vicki@vickibaird.com By Vicki Baird
F
ifteen years ago I quit my corporate job to discover my own path. Today, I help people just like you develop your gifts, harness them, and take them out to the world. Welcome to Ask Vicki where I will use my Intuitive Life Coach and Belief Re-patterning experience to answer your questions. If you have a concern (career path, relationships, mind and spirit related issues) email me at vicki@vickibaird.com. Okay, let’s get started!
Dear Vicki,
Do you believe all people have the ability to connect to the afterlife, or are only certain people gifted with this ability? ~ Diane, Pittsfield, MA Dear Diane, I believe that all people can receive messages from their loved ones, but certain people come into this life with the ability to speak to souls they do not have a heart connection with. This communication can be in the form of language, feeling, seeing, or empathically connecting. If people opened up to the messages being sent by those who have crossed, the grief
Vicki Baird Intuitive Life Coach Imagine what could happen . . . if you believed in you! Experience Belief Re-Patterning to help you change your belief systems.
(413) 499-9791 Vicki is the only certified practitioner in the USA.
www.vickibaird.com
S
heilaa Hite Intuitive Counselor
Featured in Paulette Cooper’s directory, ‘THE 100 TOP PSYCHICS in AMERICA’
Tarot • Astrology • Palmistry • Psychometry Mediumship • Past Life Regression Hypnotherapy • Life Coach Consultations in Person, by Phone or Skype Classes, Parties and Events
413-637-0085
“SHEILAA’s accuracy rate is 95-100%.” MANAGER
– MALIBU SHAMAN BOOKSTORE – MALIBU, CA
www.SheilaaHite.com 22
July | August 2017
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of having someone pass would be lessened by the connection. I do hope you are allowing your own messages!
Dear Vicki,
I’ve been at the same job now for almost 22 years. I’m at a point in my life where I feel like there may be something I’m missing out on, but can’t seem to put my finger on it. I’m afraid of changing my career though because this is the only job I have ever known. Help! Thank you. ~ Sincerely, A Woman in Her 40s Looking for Direction, Lee, MA Dear Woman in Her 40s, What a great name! I’m wondering if it needs to be the job that changes. What if you start with the time you have after work to make new connections? That way you will not be affecting your income and can explore new options without the fear of going hungry. Small changes add up to big results. Is there somewhere you would like to volunteer? An event you wish to attend? A cause that speaks to your heart that you can get involved in? The feeling of missing out on something may be more about discovering your connection to self and your internal happiness, and not necessarily about the need to change your career just yet. The fear of change itself may in fact be keeping you from exploring these options. Once you face that, you can begin the amazing process of getting to know you. Enjoy the process!
Dear Vicki,
For someone with poor boundaries who has lived the majority of their life seeking external affirmation, what can I do on a daily basis to strengthen my authenticity muscle and internal guidance system? ~ Kelly, Richmond, MA Dear Kelly, What a great inquiry! First, I would recognize that the practice of seeking external affirmation is very likely something you learned as a child. Now you can learn a new practice and stop making the old way your go-to. It will take a daily commitment to self, so you are on the right track with the muscle analogy. Start off each day by making a short list of your strengths – when we feel connected to our inner strength, we don’t need validation from outside sources. You can also be mindful of when you are seeking validation rather than input from others. Input is great (sharing information is amazing), but requiring external validation only serves to diminish our sense of self by putting more emphasis on what others think. ~ Vicki Baird, Intuitive Life Coach and Certified Belief Re-patterning Practitioner, www.vickibaird.com
Magical Cornwall and the Merry Maidens By Sheilaa Hite
I
n southwestern England lies the magical duchy of Cornwall. Although technically a part of the United Kingdom, many of Cornwall’s inhabitants consider themselves to be citizens of a different country. Having visited this paradise, I can understand the reason for making this distinction. Cornwall has a look and energy all of its own. Wherever I went, I was aware of movement just outside my peripheral vision. So much so, I half expected to see fairy folk appear when I turned to get a clearer look. Cornwall’s largest town, Penzance, has something for everyone, including mild temperatures and palm trees, the breathtakingly beautiful St. Michael’s Mount, and the best clotted cream and scones in the world. St. Michael’s Mount is a tidal island you can walk to from the mainland when the tide is low. It’s linked to the mainland by a man-made causeway and has several buildings from the twelfth century, including a medieval chapel and a castle. By a powerful mystical connection called a ley line, it’s historically and energetically linked to its identically lovely “twin” island, Mont Saint-Michel, in Normandy, France. Near Penzance is the powerful stone circle, The Merry Maidens. In ancient communities, stone circles were built on energy fields that amplified the connection between it and its builders. They served as astronomical calendars, places of worship, and meeting places. These amplified stone circles are the energetic repositories of the histories and legends of the people who built them. Whenever you stand in them, they “tell” you stories of their existence, their purpose, and your connection to them and you’re somehow transformed. If healing of the heart and/or spirit is required, if you want to clear negative karma and give yourself a new life, if you need to access your power and fulfil your life’s purpose, all of that can happen in the circle of the stones.
My Odysseys are infinitely rich and rewarding; so much so that many of last year’s participants are going on the upcoming Centre of the Circle Odyssey to the most powerful standing stone circles in Cornwall, England, and Scotland. I wholeheartedly invite you to join us and participate in what will be one of the most energetically, spiritually, and emotionally liberating, empowering experiences of your life. You can read more in depth about previous adventures and next October’s upcoming Odyssey at www.sheilaahite.com. ~ Sheilaa Hite, CHt, CLC, is an intuitive counselor, author, teacher, Life/Success Coach, certified hypnotherapist, and spiritual guide who is listed in Paulette Cooper’s book, The 100 Top Psychics and Astrologers in America. Sheilaa can be reached at (413) 637-0085 and through www.sheilaahite.com.
Join Us
In the Centre of the Circle Odyssey October 18-29, 2017 Now more than ever, we need magic in our lives. Each of us is a Masterwork of Divine Intention – reconnect with this truth as you join me for a once in a lifetime experience – Heal and clear negative Karma and enhance your life! Experience ancient soul memories, sacred places, soul-time, fun time, breathing time. Embrace wholeness, happiness, grace, peace, and power.
Our Odyssey Includes Alignments in Stonehenge & the Most Powerful Stone Circles Clear Past Life Karma High Tea in Bath at Jane Austen Centre Ley Lines Eilean Donan Castle Soul, Grace & Power Reconnection Ceremonies Ancient Isle of Avalon, the Tor Glastonbury And Many More Wonders!
Registration Closes August 1, 2017 For full itinerary and to book your space: call Sharon Polidoro, Berkshire Travel Group, (413) 443-9188, spolidoro.btg@gmail.com. Or Sheilaa Hite at www.SheilaaHite.com.
As an Intuitive and Odyssey leader, I’ve conducted many ceremonies in the stone circles of Avebury, Stonehenge, and Calanais and I’m looking forward to performing the invocation of my most powerful spiritual journey yet, The Centre of the Circle Odyssey, October 18 to October 29, 2017, in the Merry Maidens standing stone circle. www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
July | August 2017
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home & garden
Adrenal Dysfunction COULD YOU BE SUFFERING FROM ADRENAL FATIGUE? By Mark Hyman, MD
S
teve tweets, “What is your recommended protocol for treating adrenal fatigue?”
This is a question that I get almost daily. First, let’s talk about why your adrenals are important. Your adrenals are important because they help you respond to stress. If you have chronic stress, your adrenals get beat up, and your energy plummets and it becomes difficult to manage your life. You could feel tired and wired, all at the same time. You might get palpitations or feel anxious or have trouble sleeping. You might crave salt. You may get dizzy when you stand up. You might have low blood pressure. You might even have sugar cravings, because your body can’t regulate your blood sugar properly. All these are clues that you could have adrenal problems. So, why do we get adrenal burnout? We get it from the chronic, unremitting, ongoing stresses of everyday life: stresses of our families, stresses of relationships, stresses of work, the stresses of constant interaction with Facebook and Twitter and the online world, and all the inputs that never let us pause. It’s really important to understand how the whole stress response works, why it goes wrong, and why, over time, your adrenal glands, which are these little glands that sit on the top of your kidneys, are not able to compensate for the chronic stress that you have in your life. At The UltraWellness Center [health clinic in Lenox, MA], we do saliva testing to measure cortisol levels throughout the day. When you have adrenal burnout, your cortisol starts to go down, you can’t respond normally to the stresses of life, and you end up just feeling tired and crummy most of the time. We push ourselves with coffee and other stimulants to feel better – but using these tactics doesn’t really work.
How Do You Heal Your Adrenals & Regain Your Energy? First, I recommend eating a whole food, anti-inflammatory diet. Focus on anti-inflammatory foods including wild fish and 24
July | August 2017
www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
other sources of omega-3 fats; red and purple berries (rich in polyphenols); dark green leafy vegetables; orange sweet potatoes; and nuts. Add anti-inflammatory herbs – including turmeric (a source of curcumin), ginger, and rosemary – to your daily diet. Eliminate inflammatory foods such as refined, omega-6, and inflammatory oils, like corn, soy, and safflower oils. And don’t skip meals. It can be hard for your body to recover from skipping meals if you have adrenal dysfunction. Next, find ways to actively relax. I like to do yoga or take a hot bath at night. I call it the UltraBath, where you take two cups of Epsom salts, half a cup of baking soda, 10 drops of lavender oil, and you soak for 20 minutes. Did you know that they put lavender oil in babies’ baths? They do this because lavender oil lowers cortisol and helps to balance the whole hormonal system. After this bath, you will end up with a really decreased stress response. There are other things you can do as well. Massage is great, as are meditation and deep breathing. There are all sorts of tools and resources available for you online. I even have a guided experience on my website. Very simple things have profound effects. Exercise is always important – gentle, regular exercise like a morning walk, a light jog, or a short bike ride. Do something out in the fresh air to get natural light that affects your pineal gland and helps reset your brain and the stress response. I also recommend regular rhythm. Rhythm is the key because your hormones are balanced in rhythms. So, waking at the same time every day, going to bed at the same time every day, eating at the same time every day – these are the rhythms in life that help to reset your natural balance. Following your natural rhythms of work and rest during the day is also essential. Take natural breaks when you are tired. Our bodies function best on ultradian rhythm cycles of 90 minutes of activity punctuated by a few minutes of resting or zoning out! Naps are also a great way to reset. If you are all over the place, your adrenals are going to burn out.
health & wellness
Boost Your Stress Resilience with Supplements
Naomi Alson
Supplements are one of the simplest ways to boost your adrenals. At The UltraWellness Center, we use a lot of wonderful herbs called adaptogens because they help you adapt to stress. Try adding the following to your daily supplement routine to help balance adrenals:
LIC. ACUPUNCTURIST & HERBALIST
For general wellbeing . . . With specialized training in: ● Alleviating the side effects chemotherapy ● Infertility ● Herbal treatments ● Regulating the immune system
• Siberian ginseng or Rhodiola or Cordyceps – all wonderful herbs that also help your stress response. I use Adreset (1 to 2 caps, twice a day) with my patients.
At Lee Family Practice, Lee, MA
(413) 243-3223 naomifalson@gmail.com
• Vitamin C (500 to 1000mg, once a day), zinc (30mg, once a day), vitamins, especially vitamin B5 (2, once a day). • Ashwagandha, magnolia, theanine (from green tea), and phosphatidylserine can help calm an overactive stress response and improve sleep. The combination I use successfully with my patients is Cortisol Manager (1 or 2 at night). If you don’t seem to be getting any better, I recommend working with a Functional Medicine practitioner like the ones we have at The UltraWellness Center. If you have any of the symptoms listed above, if you’re worried about your adrenal stress response, if you’re thinking that you might have adrenal burnout, I encourage you to take some time, find things you like to do to hit your pause button, get into rhythm, try a few vitamins and herbs, and reset your life. Wishing you health and happiness, Mark Hyman, MD 31 Williamstown Rd., Lanesboro, MA 31 Williamstown Rd., Lanesboro, MA
413-442-7007 413-442-7007
Lisa Baumgart Lisa Baumgart,, MPT MPT Restoring Function & Fitness Restoring Function & Fitness
W ~ Mark Hyman, MD, is a practicing family physician, a ten-time #1 New York Times bestselling author, and an internationally recognized leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in his field. He is the director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine. Mark is also the founder and medical director of The UltraWellness Center in Lenox, MA, chairman of the board of the Institute for Functional Medicine, a medical editor of The Huffington Post, and was a regular medical contributor on many television shows including CBS This Morning, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN, The View, Katie, and The Dr. Oz Show. www.drhyman.com
e offer a different approach to physical therapy by treating the whole body to while addressing specific areasskofLisa pain or sk Lisa to dysfunction. Providing individualized care with speak to your speak to your 1:1 therapist time promotes consistency in company, club or care and full healing.company, By focusing on finding club or organization successful movement patterns and building organization on this, our patients can achieve healing with complimentary! complimentary! minimal to no discomfort.
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~ Lisa Baumgart, MPT, FAFS
“Lisa Baumgart “Lisa Baumgart is a very talented is a very talented healer/therapist. healer/therapist. In the very first session In the very first she reduced mysession pain she reduced my well over 50%. Inpain a Greylock PT isIn very well over 50%. few weeks time, Iahad few weeks time, I had proud tonoannounce its almost pain.” almost pain.” 10-yearno - anniversary! Don Rochelo - Don Rochelo
We focus on dynamics Weoffocus on dynamics the whole body to of the whole body to determine your strengths determine your strengths and weaknesses. and weaknesses. Our unique approach to Our unique approach to physical therapy is called physical therapy is called Applied Functional ScienceApplied or ChainFunctional Reaction Science orTransformation. Chain Reaction Transformation.
Improve Improve
Mobility Mobility function! function!
greylockpt.com ● 31 Williamstown Road, Lanesboro, MA www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
July | August 2017
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health & wellness
I
Digital Dental Implants / By Messenger Digital Dentistry f you have missing teeth and want them replaced, giving you back the look and feel of natural teeth, and you want them to last a long time – you should consider dental implants.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made from titanium or zirconium that is placed in your jaw to replace a tooth, a bridge, or to hold a denture in place. It is surgically placed into the jawbone where it will fuse (osseointegrate) into the bone.
Why choose an implant?
Implants are the next best thing to healthy, natural teeth. They are strong and stable and look, feel, and function like a natural tooth. Implants are a long-term solution built to last a lifetime. Traditional tooth-supported dental bridges last 5 to 10 years, but at some point they need to be replaced. Implants also restore proper oral function. By replacing missing teeth, normal chewing and bite can be re-established keeping surrounding teeth, gums, and jaw functioning in a healthy manner.
Is implant placement easy?
Implant placement is now easier than ever. Digital technology today allows placement of implants with sound predictability based on knowing where you are going to place the implant before you even see the patient for surgery. Digital technology
makes implant placement more predictable, less invasive, and far less time consuming.
How do I take care of my implant?
When caring for implants, it is important to maintain healthy tissue and supporting bone. It is impossible for the implant itself to decay or develop a cavity due to the absence of natural tooth structure; however, the success of an implant can become jeopardized in the presence of inflammation or periodontal infection. Good oral home care and professional maintenance visits twice a year can help prevent implant failure
What is the cost?
Dental implant treatment cost depends on the number of implants and their location. Most insurance companies cover a portion of implants; however each individual plan has specific criteria. Special financing through CareCredit and Lending Club is available. Editor’s Note: Titanium is a metal alloy. People with autoimmune conditions, compromised immune function, galvanic current sensitivities (from more than one type of metal placed in the mouth), electromagnetic sensitivities, or metal allergies, should research these topics and consult their heath care practitioner before considering dental implants. Zirconium implants may be better tolerated. See www.tinyurl.com/ov4ajrf. For metal allergy testing see www.melisa.org.
Messenger Digital Dentistry ● One visit crowns with no impressions. ● Single visit root canal therapy, post, core, and crown. ● Computer guided implant placement allows for less
Dr. Gene Messenger (front center)
Dr. Mohammed Forhad (2nd from right)
More than 25 Years in Practice Graduate from the University Received Diplomate Status in the IDIA of Pennsylvania Has a Fellowship in ACCD and Special Training in Surgical Extractions, Laser Dentistry from WCLI Bone Grafts, Endodontics, Mentor/Trainer for Implants and Cad Cam and Pediatric Dentistry
1111 South State Street North Adams, MA 01247 26
July | August 2017
invasive surgeries and precise implant placement. ● Amalgam (silver)-free fillings. ● Digital x-rays we use allow for 90% less radiation. ● On-site laboratories for denture repairs and relines. ● One visit smile makeovers, veneers, crown, and bridges. ● Computerized periodontal evaluation. ● Advanced Zoom tooth whitening. ● Six Month Smiles - clear braces. ● Extraordinary Dental Care.
(413) 664-6545
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www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
health & wellness
Benefits of Organic Bone Broth Excerpt from bone broth article by Sarah Wilson (Aug-Sept 2013 issue of Our BerkshireTimes magazine) see back issue archive at www.ourberkshiretimes.com Immune systems love it
Bone broth is rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and other trace minerals, which are easily absorbable, thus assisting the immune system.
Helps arthritis and joint pain
It contains glucosamine and chondroitin which helps mitigate the deleterious effects of arthritis and joint pain. Rather than shelling out big bucks for glucosamine-chondroitin and mineral supplements, just make delicious bone broth and other nutritive foods a part of your regular diet.
Digestive aid
Bone broth helps break down grains, beans, legumes, vegetables, and meats, and is hydrophilic in nature, which means that it facilitates digestion by attracting digestive juices to food in the gut. Bone broths have been used successfully in treating gastrointestinal disorders, including hyperacidity, colitis, Crohn’s disease, and infant diarrhea.
Rebuilds the gut
Chris Kresser (a globally recognized leader in the fields of ancestral health, Paleo nutrition, and functional and integrative medicine) says the gelatin in bone broth helps to repair the integrity of the gut: “Homemade bone broth soups are effective in restoring a healthy mucosal lining in the stomach. Bone broth is rich in collagen and gelatin, which have been shown to benefit people with ulcers. It’s also high in proline, a nonessential amino acid that is an important precursor for the formation of collagen.”
ndy WeOPTICAL
Wendy is a licensed optician with 25 years experience fitting happy customers with beautiful frames and lenses in the Berkshires.
Combats stress and inflammation
Glycine in bone broth is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that promotes natural sleep and can help you combat stress and inflammation because of its quieting, protective, antistress action.
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Eating muscle meat with a rich source of gelatin counters the negative effects of methionine, cysteine, and tryptophan, leading to a more efficient metabolism (healthy thyroid).
Helps nails, hair, and women in general
Rich in both gelatin and collagen, these substances in bone broth promote bone and joint healing in addition to supporting digestion. They also help to support the connective tissue in the body as well as encouraging the fingernails and hair to grow well and strong.
And it’s super cheap
You can buy very reasonably priced organic soup bones in bulk from places like McEnroe Organic Farm in Millerton, NY. Call ahead to make sure they have bones in stock. Also, by using the bones from leftover roast chickens matched with vegetable scraps you can save even more.
www.wendyoptical.com
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education & workshops
How?
What?
When?
We Can Serve As Guides By K. Meagan Ledendecker
A
s adults, we often step into particular kinds of roles with children. We can be parents, aunts, uncles. We can be coaches, mentors. We can be teachers. Each role has a set of expectations, often with an unspoken rule that the adult knows best and that children will learn from us. Yet the roles adults can play in children’s lives can be much more nuanced. We can facilitate, suggest, model, and observe. The world can teach and the adults can serve as guides in a process of learning and discovery. In the Positive Discipline approach, adults guide growth and learning by asking “curiosity questions.” The key is not to rely on scripted questions but rather to be genuinely curious, perhaps asking questions like ● ● ● ● ●
How do you feel about what happened? What were you trying to accomplish? What did you learn? How do you think you might use what you learned? What ideas do you have for solutions?
Avoiding the question, “Why?” is also important as it can sound accusatory and can lead to a child feeling defensive. Recently a young person in my life was struggling – lashing out verbally, doing everything he could to emotionally hurt those around him. Once I realized that what I really wanted to know was how I could help him feel better, I could ask the question with all my heart, “What can I do to help you have a better day?” When we shift our roles and think about how to learn more about what our children are feeling, thinking, and exploring, we become meaningful guides. Rather than dispensing information, we can help children make discoveries.
Recently an elementary-aged child came up to me ecstatic with a discovery about the periodic table. “Look!” she exclaimed, “Gold has the symbol Au, because the Latin name for gold is aurum. Au for aurum!” Because she had discovered this on her own, the knowledge was so much more invigorating and inspiring than had I instructed her about etymology and periodic table symbols. In How Children Learn, John Holt describes children’s process of learning: “The child is curious. He wants to make sense out of things, find out how things work, gain competence and control over himself and his environment, and do what he can see other people doing. He is open, perceptive, and experimental. He does not merely observe the world around him. He does not shut himself off from the strange, complicated world around him, but tastes it, touches it, hefts it, bends it, breaks it. To find out how reality works, he works on it. He is bold. He is not afraid of making mistakes. And he is patient. He can tolerate an extraordinary amount of uncertainty, confusion, ignorance, and suspense.” Children naturally want to figure out the world and themselves. Thus, we can be thoughtful guides through this remarkable world of ours. We can entice. We can inspire. We can show possible paths. And we can observe, so as to most effectively support our children as they construct the adults they will become. ~ K. Meagan Ledendecker not only guides her own three children, but also six- to twelve-yearolds at The Montessori School of the Berkshires (MSB). Before co-founding MSB she taught in traditional school settings and worked for various nonprofits. www.berkshiremontessori.org www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
July | August 2017
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cover artist
Nicholas Mongiardo The Zebras / Photo by Carole Schultz
N
icholas Mongiardo is well known as a master of 20th-century French furniture restoration, yet his personal designs in furniture and decorative arts are extraordinary. Mongiardo moved to the Berkshires from New York City in 1975 and started his furniture restoration business. His high-quality work has attracted celebrity clients and high-end designers. Some of his restorations have been placed in museums such as the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. Nicholas became the expert on French Deco designers, such as Ruhlmann, J.M. Frank, and Chareau from the period 1914 to 1934, and the inlaid process of leading expert Jean Dunand. His research in surface technique took him to Vietnam to document the processing of organic lacquer and eggshell inlay. During his time there The Zebras, organic eggshell lacquer screens, were created as part of the African Nature Series. This series of screens includes ones depicting giraffes and elephants as well as seven other stunning designs all made from eggshells. The Zebras screen measures 84” high x 120” wide. To arrange a viewing of Nicholas Mongiardo’s artwork and furniture, contact Natalie Tyler at L’Atelier Berkshires Gallery, (510) 469-5468, natalie.tyler@atelierberks.com. See more information below.
L’Atelier Berkshires Art Gallery
D
iscover fresh and unique contemporary art at L’Atelier Berkshires Art Gallery, located in a historic building in Great Barrington, MA. The gallery offers paintings, sculpture, furniture, and a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the workings of contemporary art. The gallery is proud to present Flora & Fauna Art Exhibitions this summer with profound artworks by masterful contemporary artists who are both inspired and believe in caring for our natural world. In Bloom is a stunning exhibition of Gemma Di Grazia’s soft pastel oil paintings, Claudia Alvarez’s ceramic sculpture, and Melanie Vote’s paintings. Fading Fauna is an exhibition of artworks by artists who believe in protecting our wildlife. Join L’Atelier Berkshires as art and science come together for wildlife conservation with artwork by Marshall Jones, John Ryan, April Coppini, Nicholas Mongiardo, Eva Connell, and Natalie Tyler. 597 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA. Visit www.atelierberks.com for more information.
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May | June 2017
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