Autumn 2018, vol 50
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Our BerkshireTimes
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Local Events | Art & Culture | Home & Garden | Vibrant Living
Cover art by Shawn Baker / www.shawnbakerartworks.com Visit us at www.ourberkshiretimes.com
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Autumn 2018
Our BerkshireTimes™ PUBLISHERS Kathy I. Regan publisher@ourberkshiretimes.com
Contents 4
UPCOMING EVENTS
Kevin J. Regan kevin@ourberkshiretimes.com _______________ EDITORIAL Kathy I. Regan editor@ourberkshiretimes.com
SHAWN BAKER PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT THINGS TO DO
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TO ADVERTISE CONTACT Account Representatives Kevin J. Regan kevin@ourberkshiretimes.com Debra Johnson mickschix2@aol.com Nina Anderson safe@bcn.net _______________ Our BerkshireTimes is a division of Visionary Group Unlimited P.O. Box 133, Housatonic, MA 01236 Phone: (413) 274-1122 advertise@ourberkshiretimes.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com COVER ILLUSTRATION
“Color of Water” by Shawn Baker www.shawnbakerartworks.com Shawn grew up in a family of artists and designers and went to The High School of Performing Arts and Juilliard. In the ‘60s she married and raised two sons and later created an outdoor cafe in Stockbridge, and then a sign business, and published a magazine. In the ‘90s her art life began in earnest, a passion that continues to capture her imagination today. Her art is in most of the major hotels across the US and in Dubai. Go to www.shawnbakerartworks.com to see more of her work, and for prints, contact Shawn at shawnbaker111@gmail.com or (413) 854-7888.
home & garden WILLIAM CALIGARI
Proofreader Rodelinde Albrecht _______________ DESIGN Magazine Design/Layout Kathy I. Regan Brianna I. Regan _______________
art, culture & entertainment
NATURAL HOME CARE BUYING PRELOVED UPOLSTERY
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food & drink SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS & SQUASH
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animal talk THE FUTURE OF PET NUTRITION
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health & wellness THE MYTH OF DIAGNOSIS THERAPEUTIC USES OF OZONE
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mind & spirit PAST LIFE REGRESSION
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A POWERFUL 2-STEP MEDITATION
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business services BRIGHT IDEAS FOR BUSINESS
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education & workshops GESTURES OF ACCEPTANCE
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get ready for the holidays TIME FOR TOGETHERNESS
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remember when? SLEEPING UNDER THE STARS
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ON THE COVER - “Color of Water,” like most of Shawn Baker’s pieces, was painted on coated paper using a custom-made 12” wide brush that she commissioned a carpenter to make in the ‘90s. Shawn loads the brush with acrylic ink colors, usually 3 or 4, sets the brush to the paper and slowly moves it to create the image. It is impossible to duplicate any image. Prints available by emailing or calling the artist (contact information at left). Our BerkshireTimes magazine has been proudly created without Wi-Fi since it was first published in 2009. This publication is printed with soy ink on Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper. We distribute six issues per year and most of our editorial content is contributed by our community members. 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. 3
Explore the Berkshires FUN THINGS TO DO!
Enjoy the magic of Autumn!
Train Rides for All Ages When: Saturday, September 1 through Sunday, December 16, 2018. Weekends and holidays through October and from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Where: Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Hoosac Valley Train Rides, 4 Hoosac Street, Adams, MA. Park at the Adams Visitor Center located at 3 Hoosac Street, Adams, MA. Cost: Rides start at $10 (fare prices vary with the event) Enjoy a 1-hour ride in a 1950s Budd RDC through the picturesque Hoosac Valley draped in fall colors. Try our “Spirited” Halloween Trains and ride with a spiritual medium who interprets messages from the beyond. Our TinseLiner™ Christmas theme trains bring the joy of Christmas in the 1950s style (‘50s attire encouraged). When the train arrives in North Adams, riders may disembark at an authentic ‘50s style Christmas tree lot to enjoy a cup of fresh hot cocoa. During the return to Adams, Santa will walk through the car and give a gift to each child. Seating is limited, so reservations are strongly urged at www.berkshiretrains.org.
HVA Fall Foliage Paddle When: Saturday, October 13, 2018, 10am-1pm Where: Lenox, MA Cost: See website We will paddle a favorite section of the Housatonic River in Lenox (about 3 to 4 miles) during fall foliage time. Enjoy beautiful views of October Mountain State Forest as you meander along the Housatonic. This is an easy, flat water paddling, with minimal current. Suitable for families 4
Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
with children ages 6-plus years. Preregistration is required. To register call Housatonic Valley Association at (413) 298-7024 or email paddle@ hvatoday.org. www.hvatoday.org
Berkshire Music School Faculty Concert When: Sunday, October 14, 2018, 4pm Where: Saint James Place, 352 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA Cost: $20 Berkshire Music School celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Leonard Bernstein with selections by, or inspired by, Bernstein. Performers include Marjorie Dix, Keith Spencer, Sherri James Buxton, Beth Craig, Rahima Hohlstein, and others. The $20 admission is a donation to BMS education programs. www.berkshiremusicschool.org
Guido’s Truckload Sale When: Friday, October 19, and Saturday, October 20, 2018. All day. Where: Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, 760 South Main St, Great Barrington, MA Only in our Great Barrington location. Cost: n/a It’s time to stock up at our famous Fall Truckload Sale! Our natural foods buyers have been negotiating the best possible deals, so they can pass on substantial savings to you! Stock up on your favorite fall/winter pantry staples at 40 percent off* when purchased by the case. You won’t want to miss this wallet-friendly event! *While supplies last. Some restrictions apply. See in store for details. www.guidosfreshmarketplace.com
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NOW ON SALE NOW ON SALE NOW ON SALE art, culture & entertainment
Pittsfield Halloween Parade
Be in or attend the City of Pittsfield’s 74th festive annual Halloween Parade beginning at 7pm on Tyler Street. We encourage your school or community/civic group to participate in this Pittsfield tradition (application deadline is Friday, October 12, 2018)! The parade will begin on Tyler Street at the corner of Tyler and Smith Streets and end at Woodlawn Avenue. For more information contact Becky Manship, Pittsfield Recreation Activities Coordinator, at (413) 499-9371, rmanship@cityofpittsfield.org. www.cityofpittsfield.org
Stockbridge Halloween Parade, Party, and Pumpkin Walkabout When: Friday, October 26, 2018, 6pm Where: Starting at the corner of Main and Pine Street, Stockbridge, MA Cost: Free Join us for Stockbridge’s annual Halloween parade, party, and eighth annual Pumpkin Walkabout following the parade (drop off your pumpkins ahead of time – between 5 and 6pm – and we will light them). Meet at the corner of Main and Pine Streets decked out in costume and march up Main Street to the Town office for cider and donuts. In case of rain, activities will take place at the library. www.stockbridgechamber.org
Owner Appreciation Day at the Berkshire Co-op! When: Saturday, October 27, 2018, 8am-8pm Where: Berkshire Co-op Market, 42 Bridge Street, Great Barrington, MA Cost: Free Four times a year we celebrate our owners by throwing a party! Stop by from 8am to 8pm for demos, raffles, free samples, and, of course, *10 percent off storewide for co-op owners! *Some restrictions apply. www.berkshire.coop
Sisters Used Furniture’s Annual End-of-Season Sale
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15www.zabians.com MainStreet, Street,Lee, Lee 413-243-0508 15 Main MA zabians.com 413-243-0508
Open 7 days a week until Christmas.
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15www.zabians.com Main Street, Lee The Berkshires... 413-243-0508 I Live It, I Know It, I Love It
Open 7 days a week until Christmas.
www.zabians.com S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S
Steve Erenburg
S NOW S NOW SALE ONSALE SALE S NOWON ON SALE S NOW NOW ON ON SALE NOW ON Associate
When: Friday, November 2, through Sunday, November 4, 2018 Where: Sisters Used Furniture, 402 Park Street (Route 183), Housatonic, MA Cost: n/a Join us for our once-a-year end-of-season sale. Our beautiful designer brand inventory will be 30 to 90 percent off our already incredible pricing. We will have sofas, dressers, end tables, lamps, desks, mirrors, lots of art, and so much more. Our sale runs from Friday, November 2, through Sunday, November 4. Our sale hours will be 11am to 4pm all days. Once the sale is over so is our season. We will see you all in spring of 2019! (413) 274-9900, www.sistersusedfurniture.com, www.facebook.com/sistersusedfurniture
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When: Friday, October 26, 2018, 7pm Where: Starting on Tyler Street, Pittsfield, MA. See details below. Cost: Free
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663 0457
413 637 1086 Lenox, ma www.cohenwhiteassoc.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018
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Shawn Baker
OUR BERKSHIRETIMES MAGAZINE'S AUTUMN 2018 COVER ARTIST
Paintings by Shawn Baker. You can find Shawn’s work at Diana Felber Gallery in West Stockbridge, MA, or go to www.shawnbakerartworks.com.
I
grew up with beatnik parents. They danced in sarongs to classical music. There was always a tree in the living room and bamboo blinds. My sister read Tolstoy at 12 and I, well, I danced, jumped on my trampoline, and did acrobatics. Later in life my mother designed clothing, my dad furniture, and my sister became a fine artist . . .
When we moved to New York to further my parents’ furniture business, I went to the High School of Performing Arts for dance and later to Juilliard. I married at 21 and have two beautiful boys. When the boys were still very little, and with no experience at all – I didn’t know how to make brewed coffee – I created an outdoor cafe with a partner called The Cafe in the Mews, in Stockbridge, MA. It was a huge hit in a town that catered to theater, dance, and art. And later with an equal lack of knowledge, I published a magazine called The Berkshire Restaurant and Entertainment Guide. In the late ‘80s I started a business called SignWorks – my first foray into any sort of art life. Having no real idea how to make signs, I let plain old good taste and some natural ability for design dictate, and developed a niche in the area for artistic signage. Outside business life, I was always designing and making things – anything I wanted and couldn’t find or afford to buy. I was hungry for art, for beauty, and color. Sign life was challenging and fun but I longed for a more artistic expression. And then the angels intervened! One winter in the early ‘90s, I loaned a friend who had a printing business a couple thousand dollars which was to be repaid the following week. The week came and went and so did the friend. He went bankrupt and disappeared, abandoning a half-looted house. My boyfriend at the time, a “make my day” kind of guy, suggested we go out to the house at night and see what we could find. So under cover of darkness we coasted onto the property. Silently with little flashlights darting around we found the house and garage open and windblown. Half an hour later, I filled the truck with a great file cabinet that I subsequently used for 20 years, a fireplace wood holder, and reams and reams of a thin coated paper from his printing business that just 6
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appealed to me. We crept away with our booty. A successful heist. One idle evening, more than a year later, I got out some inks and a square tipped 1-inch brush. I lightly pulled the brush along the stolen paper, twizzling and turning it. My eyes popped as I saw what was coming out under the brush. It looked like ribbons, and then earth striations or underwater things. I bought a 2-inch brush and the paintings got bigger. Not satisfied, I commissioned a carpenter friend to make me a 6-inch brush and then a 12-inch brush. I couldn’t stop. The images fascinated and thrilled me. For several years I piled the paintings in a corner until a gallery owner came for a sign consultation one day and spotted them. He encouraged me to frame 8 of them and display them in his eclectic gallery in Great Barrington, MA. They sold. A bad loan, a “make my day” boyfriend, and stolen paper . . . the angels must have been laughing their heads off planning that one. Other opportunities followed and I have several art agencies representing me. My work is now in major hotels, cruise ships, condo complexes, and other venues all over the United States and abroad. In 2013 I retired from sign life and moved to Sarasota, Florida, where I play a lot of pickleball, practice my aerial yoga, dance, write, beachcomb, and always follow my creative passions. Visit www. shawnbakerartworks.com, and contact Shawn at shawnbaker111@gmail.com.
Product
Spotlight BRILLIANT
Floating Opal Jewelry / Cheshire Glassworks A stunning new take on an old classic, this original handcrafted floating opal jewelry from Cheshire Glassworks is the perfect gift for autumn gift giving (October’s birthstone). Opals are a seductive gemstone that has always been associated with love and passion, and can dramatically change appearance – a magnificent show of iridescent colors – when viewed from different angles. When the gemstone is encased in borosilicate glass (opals are one of the only stones compatible with glass) its colors are enhanced when it catches the light, resembling a floating bit of fire! Opal rings, earrings, pendants, and marbles available. Cheshire Glassworks, run by artist/owner Jill Reynolds, is an independently owned studio and gallery located in the northern Berkshires filled with sparkling jewelry, glass vases, and imaginative sculptures. Jill lovingly creates each one-of-a-kind piece with the magic of fire, glass, and brilliant color. Now celebrating 12 years in business! Located at 24 South Street (Rt 8), Cheshire, MA. (413) 743-7828, www.cheshireglassworks.com
CUSTOM
Kitchen Cabinetry / Hartsville Design The kitchen has long been recognized as the heart of the home – a place where friends and families gather. Are you happy with your space? If not, it’s time to take action. How often do you have the opportunity to get exactly what you want, right down to the last detail? You can with custom cabinets that provide limitless kitchen design options, are built to last, and are a good investment because they improve the overall value of your home. Bring your ideas to life – choose the color, grain, size, shape, texture, hardware, and budget . . . and have it fit perfectly in your space. Be practical or wildly creative. Hartsville Design can create a beautiful, functional kitchen that fits your style and will be treasured for generations to come. Hartsville, MA. (413) 274-1122, www.hartsvilledesign.com
VELVETY
Brandied Cherry White Chocolate Mousse Cake / Chocolate Springs Enjoy delicious, velvety mousse cake with some serious hot chocolate, just right on a crisp Berkshire autumn day. Chocolate Springs is a European-style chocolate and dessert café run by proprietor Joshua Needleman, with decades of experience in crafting the finest handmade bonbons from natural ingredients. Chocolates at the café (and for online purchase) include milk and dark, truffles, and awardwinning ganaches and amazing hot chocolate, made fresh every day using only the finest seasonal and organic ingredients whenever possible. Enjoy coffee, sorbet, espresso, and much more. Buy gifts online at any time, or visit Chocolate Springs Café in person at their convenient location at 55 Pittsfield Road, Lenox, MA. (413) 637-9820, www.chocolatesprings.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018
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Things to Do When the Frost is on the Pumpkin By Nina Anderson
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ummer offerings are plentiful in the Berkshires, but don’t give up on us when the first cold morning appears. Just because the wonderful summer theatres are winding down, outdoor concerts are a memory, and the myriad of country fairs have come and gone, there are still a lot of interesting and fun things to do before we start shoveling. When the air is crisp but the sun still warms your body and makes you want to be outdoors, you can try a zipline if you haven’t already. I have found that until late October, outdoor adventure parks are a great way to have fun with the kids or grandkids. Ramblewild, located near the old Brodie Mountain ski area in Lanesboro, MA, will challenge the best of us with their treetop ropes courses, but also has hiking for those who want a ground-based experience. It’s exciting as a beginner to take their orientation course and then find yourself comfortable at being forty-five feet up in the trees while tethered in their auto-lock carabiner harness system. If you miss the fall season you can try snowshoeing at Ramblewild in the winter. For those of us who love train rides, Berkshire Scenic Railroad in Adams, MA, gives great fall foliage excursions between Adams and North Adams in a 1950s Budd RDC. The ten-mile trip takes you through the picturesque Hoosac Valley where you can view our beautiful Berkshire trees in their autumn splendor. They also have cabaret excursions and even a “spirited” Halloween train with a medium onboard who interprets messages from the beyond, a TinseLiner™ Christmas-themed trains in December.
Also in Adams, for those who enjoy crafting, you’ll find Hobby World, which carries the largest inventory of plastic, wood, and diecast models in New England, and a great assortment of radiocontrolled devices, trains, dollhouse miniatures, puzzles, and toys. Authentic-looking model kits give your kids (and those young at heart) the reward of building something themselves that they can treasure for years to come. 8
Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
Sailing, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing are still an option, as long as you stay aboard. The water can be chilly with nighttime temperatures sometimes dipping below the freezing point. But, if you want to see fall foliage from offshore this is a great time to venture out. Many places still rent boats until mid-October and if you’d like to go for a sail you can travel just over the border into Salisbury, CT, where at O’Hara’s Landing on Twin Lakes you will find Nashalla Sailing that charters their 21’ mini-yacht until the leaves fall off. Call ahead for reservations. Indoor activities are plentiful during those chilly rainy days of fall. If you are curious about how they make all those special effects in movies you can take your techy teenagers to Animagic in Lee, MA. Here they offer free tours where you can see the actual models used in movies and how special effects are made. Want to park your kids for a while? Sign them up for Animagic’s animation workshop where they can create their own movie. To unplug your techy kids, head over to Blue Rider Stables in South Egremont, MA, which offers year-round horseback riding lessons and workshops for children and adults. Not only do they teach horse husbandry, but they also focus on social intervention as a tool to combat bullying and peer pressure in a holistic educational environment where children can interact with animals. Their classes build positive group dynamics and allow kids to develop a respect for horses while having fun. Horses can be emotional healers and a great stress reliever. To prepare for the long winter months ahead it may be worth a visit to their stable. So, as you can see there is no shortage of things to do when the frost is on the pumpkin. I love fall and the Berkshires has lots of great things to keep us entertained no matter what season we are in. ~ Nina Anderson graduated Monmouth University with a BA in art and is author of 18 books on natural health and aviation. She also runs a sailboat charter service in Salisbury, CT, in the summer. www.nashallasailing.com
art, culture & entertainment
www.dianafelbergallery.com • 413-232-7007
6 Harris Street, West Stockbridge, MA
The Ultimate Berkshires Adventure MORE THAN 30 YEARS IN BUSINESS
GET READY FOR WINTER!
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We'll check your anti-freeze Alignments ● Tune ups ● Oil change Brakes ● Timing belts ● And more!
ILLIAMS & KINGSLEY
AUTO REPAIR, INC.
413-442-1620 ● 763 East Street, Pittsfield, MA
Set on 1,400 acres, Ramblewild is a premier mission-driven Adventure Forest created to inspire learning and conservation through fun activities. Located within a natural hardwood forest, Ramblewild has one of the largest Aerial Adventure Parks in New England, nature trails, a low ropes course for customized team building programs, a campground, and a maple sugarbush. Whether you’re a fitness fanatic who loves an outdoor workout, a thrill-seeker looking for revitalizing fun, or someone eager to escape from the city for a new outdoor adventure, Ramblewild has something for everyone!
Open April-October Reservations Recommended (413) 499-9914 www.ramblewild.com
Nashalla Sailing
Charter with Captain Nina on Twin Lakes, Salisbury CT 888-217-7233
Therapeutic Riding & Horsemanship at Blue Rider Stables Blue Rider Stables, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Great Barrington, MA, offers mindful connection through the equine experience. Our sessions are designed for children and adults of all ages and skill levels to help facilitate growth, learning, and healing. Riding skills are taught bareback, focusing on core balance and a growing understanding of the horse and ourselves. Discover the art behind the sport of riding, empowerment, acceptance, growth, and healing through the healing powers of equines. Visit our website and contact us to find out more about our programs.
(413) 528-5299 ● www.bluerider.org www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018
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home, garden & landscape
W
illiam Caligari Interior Design offers exceptional comfort, refinement, warmth, and spirit to clients’ homes and workspaces. We work throughout the Berkshires and the Northeast, collaborating closely with our clients to achieve their vision and reflect their values, from design concept to project completion. We partner locally with our region’s finest artisans, fabricators, and artists to achieve singular design detail for our customers. Our work has attracted residential and commercial clients across the United States, in Saudi Arabia, France, Puerto Rico, and France.
Q: William, please tell us more about what you do.
A: Client-inspired residential and commercial space planning, project management, procurement of furnishings and accessories; interior and exterior elevations using by-hand perspective sketches, supplemented by Auto-CAD and other 3-D design technologies.
Q: How did you get started?
A: I began my career in 1981 working in New York City, where I gained broad experience in the interiors industry. In 1989 I returned to the Berkshires to start my firm in Lenox, MA, and we moved to 85 Main Street, Great Barrington in 2003. Our early focus was geared toward hotel/spa interiors, but quickly grew 10
Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
to also include residential clients’ needs. We now focus on both residential and commercial clients throughout the Berkshires, the Northeast, and beyond.
Q: What else do you offer?
A: Interior design services from concept to completion, for projects ranging from grand to modest scale, from short-term project to multi-year design projects. We excel at large multi-year projects, but welcome smaller jobs and shorter-term projects.
Q: What is your philosophy?
A: Capture and respect the client’s vision, offer transparency about cost and process, and honor the budget – regardless of scale.
Q: How can our readers find you?
A: Our website is www.williamcaligari.com, and we welcome visitors at our studio/office at 85 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA, which is also the home of our sister textile company, Linen. We can also be reached at (413) 528-3556.
home & garden
Natural Home Care
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By Kathy I Regan
or centuries people have used dried herbs, flowers, and citrus peels to scent their linens, clothing, and homes. Unlike harmful chemical scents, natural herbs and plants are a much healthier choice and can positively affect your mood and the atmosphere of your dwelling. Organic essential oils (natural oils composed of concentrated compounds extracted from plants that capture the plant’s scent, flavor, and essence) are wonderful to use when fresh or dried plants are not available.
Star Anise and Cloves Decorative to look at, star anise and cloves are often found on display in the cozy autumn season (sometimes embellishing oranges and lemons). The powdered bark of star anise can be burned as incense and the dried fruits are a sweet-smelling addition to potpourri mixtures. Cloves have a sweet and spicy aroma that is ideal for freshening the home, and its powerful antibacterial properties are helpful for mold and musty smells, as well as a beneficial additive to natural all-purpose cleaners.
hartsvilledesign@gmail.com
Lavender and Rose The soft scents of rose and lavender calm the nervous system and can improve sleep quality. Fresh or dried, they are renowned for their beauty and aroma and the perfect choice for your bedroom (if you love the scent, mist romantic rose water on your sheets) or anywhere you wish to create a tranquil, peaceful area in your home. Lavender essential oil has antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial properties – or you can make your own lavender water to clean countertops and doorknobs.
Bed | Table | Bath - Linens for All Occasions
Wild Germanium and Mint When I gave birth to our daughter, Brianna, in 2005, my husband, Kevin, and I were very careful to remove as many chemicals as possible from our home, including all scented personal care and cleaning products knowing how devastating they can be to one’s health. We got used to, and even enjoyed, the lack of scent in our home, clothing, and bedding (chemical dryer sheets are the worst!). But digging in the garden one day I disturbed a patch of wild geranium and was surprised at how the scent improved my mood. Then, a few days later my daughter made me a cup of fresh mint tea from our garden and again found the aroma incredibly uplifting. It’s safe to say I’m now hooked on natural scents. Find your favorites and enjoy!
Visit our new location. We look forward to meeting you. 85 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230 413-528-3556 www.linengb.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018
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TipsandTricks
for Buying Preloved Upholstery GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESS By Anastasia Coulombe
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y favorite part of the business I’m in is exploring estate and tag sales and other venues and finding upholstered treasures – I can talk forever about batting, fills, ticking, decking, you name it! Over the past several years of my search I have scored with great success and failed just the same, but have enjoyed every minute regardless. Here are some tips to make your next treasure hunt successful. ● Let your nose decide - When buying upholstered pieces, first smell. If there are any odors of mold, mildew, or smoke, no matter how well you think it will clean up, chances are it won’t. ● Sit - And not just on one side of a sofa . . . sit in the middle, sit on the other side, lie down, and feel the wear. How is the fill? Are the back cushions batted so they don’t fall? We are creatures of habit and tend to sit in the same spot, so make sure there aren’t any “holes.” Do your feet touch the floor? Is it too deep? Not deep enough? Spend the time to sit! ● Examine everything - Examine every cushion front and back. Unzip the cushions too – I always encourage my customers to do that at our shop. Look at the decking (the platform directly under the seat cushions). Is there fabric there that matches the sofa exactly? Chances are if so, it was a custom-made piece! Look at the brand, then research it. Names such as Hickory Chair, Baker, and Century are fabulous quality designer names that retail for many thousands of dollars and last much longer than an online or box store piece. So many consignment/thrift stores don’t have or take the time to research what they have, which is a bonus for you! Make sure that any imperfections are thoroughly inspected by you. When treasure hunting, imperfections are common and it is your job to find them and decide if you can live with them before taking them home. ● Size matters - Select furniture that is the right proportion for your room size and its purpose. There are many online calculations to help you achieve the best scale. Also, where will the piece go? Keep in mind line of sight when picking out taller chairs and sofas, and where windows and light enter your room. 12
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● Finally, cleaning - This has been my worst downfall over the years, as I have ruined dozens of beautiful upholstered pieces because of inexperience. In all honesty, I could probably teach a course on what to do and not to do with upholstery. My biggest suggestion is the “less is best” rule. Give the piece a good oldfashioned vacuuming. If the covers can be cleaned in a washing machine, make sure to set the water temperature correctly and zip the cushions closed before washing. Always line dry. If there are small spots, determine their origin. Most protein stains can be quickly removed with a Q-tip and hydrogen peroxide. For oil, use a cotton ball and baby powder. The worst thing to do is scrub vigorously with harsh chemicals. Always test spots first in an inconspicuous place. Never use hot water! Hot water sets stains; instead opt for room temperature water. Overall, just enjoy your piece and don’t fret too much over it. Take the time to daydream about your next treasure hunting adventure! ~ Anastasia Coulombe is the proprietor of Sisters Used Furniture, which carries an ever-changing, eclectic mix of high-quality, super clean, gently used, affordable home furnishings. The store is conveniently located at 402 Park Street (Route 183) in the artsy village of Housatonic, MA. Visit in person or check Anastasia’s Facebook page regularly to see her current inventory. www.sistersusedfurniture.com
home & garden
Sisters Used Furniture
Alliance Appliance
Small Shop, Big Savings
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einer White & Sons, a family-run business since 1988, is known for attention to detail and quality work. Our company offers a wide variety of industry contacts and is able to meet all of your construction needs. Whether you’re thinking of a new home, or would like to renovate or add onto your existing home, contact us today so we can discuss your project and help make your dreams a reality. New Construction ● Additions ● Remodeling ● Siding ● Windows Decks & Porches ● Sunrooms ● Kitchens & Bathrooms ● Roofs Interior Finishes ● Trimwork & Moldings ● Free Consultation & More
(413) 229-8450 | www.reinerwhiteandsons.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018
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food & drink
Shiitake Mushrooms & Butternut Squash in Browned Butter
This flavor-packed side dish marries rich butternut squash with salty shiitake mushrooms. Serves 6. By Rachel Oberg, Guido’s Fresh Marketplace
Ingredients ¼ cup salted butter, divided 1 pound shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps sliced
Kosher salt ½ medium butternut squash, peeled and cut into small cubes 2 tsp chopped sage leaves 1 T chopped rosemary 1 T fresh lemon juice
Directions Set a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter, let it melt, and then continue to cook until the butter takes on a deep golden color, about 15 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook until they shrink and release their juices, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with ¼ teaspoon of salt and transfer to a bowl. Wipe out the pan. Add the remaining butter, again letting it brown in the pan. Add the squash, sage, rosemary, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring often, until the squash is tender, about 30 minutes. Add the mushrooms back to the pan, just to warm them through. Remove from heat and toss with lemon juice. Taste, and add more salt if necessary. ~ Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, www.guidosfreshmarketplace.com 14
Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
food & drink
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animal talk
The Promising Future of Pet Nutrition WHAT VETERINARIANS NEED TO KNOW TO REMAIN RELEVANT / By Kristina Dow
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he notion that the physiology and biochemistry of our domesticated dogs and cats have deviated significantly from that of their carnivorous ancestors is a fallacy heavily promoted by veterinarians. It is a construct that sells a lot of plant-based pet food, including, and especially, veterinary prescription diets. But guess what? That construct is rapidly beginning to deconstruct, and that’s a curve that veterinarians would do well to stay ahead of if they wish to remain relevant in the discussion of canine and feline nutrition. The common existing veterinary assertion that the domestication of our dogs and cats has caused their nutritional needs to deviate from that of their carnivorous ancestors rests in particular with the claim that the mandibular action and dentition of domesticated dogs have manifested changes that indicate that our pets have evolved from carnivores into omnivores. However, despite the narrative to the contrary, our domestic dogs still have no flatcrowned teeth, and they have yet to develop any side-to-side mandibular movement, both of which are required by omnivores for the predigestive grinding of plant material. The mandibular action and dentition of our pet dogs and cats are still that of their carnivorous ancestors, with a powerful vertical mandibular action combining with a mouthful of sharp-crowned teeth perfectly aligned for a locking grip with no side-to-side slippage of the jaw, just as Mother Nature intended. While we may have succeeded in making our dogs’ and cats’ noses too short, their backs too long, and their coats of little protective use, their fundamental nutritional needs for survival and their fundamental nutritional requirements to thrive remain unchanged. Our domestic dogs and cats are carnivores and must be nourished as such, but their carnivorous classifications differ with the degree to which they depend on meat to survive. The domestic cat is classified as an obligate (or true) carnivore; the domestic dog is classified as a facultative (or scavenging) carnivore. As obligate carnivores, our domestic cats must consume meat to stay alive. They may eat and enjoy other foods, but only animal tissue contains the complete amino acid profile that must be included in their diet for them to survive. Plant-based proteins alone do not contain all of the amino acids critical for the survival of an obligate carnivore. They cannot survive, much less thrive, without meat in their diet. They are categorically carnivores, by definition able to thrive, to grow, and live with vigor, only on a meat-based diet. As facultative carnivores, our domestic dogs can survive on plant material alone, but they must consume meat as a part of their diet if they are to thrive. That latter distinction is an important one. Omnivores can thrive without meat in their diet; carnivores cannot. Our pet dogs, despite their ability to survive on plant material alone, cannot thrive without meat in their diet, and they are not, therefore, omnivores. They, too, are categorically 16
Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
carnivores, by definition able to thrive, to grow, and live with vigor, only on a meat-based diet. But, for many observers of this discussion, the distinction between surviving and thriving is not discernable, at least not until they personally witness both the visible changes in appearance, as well as the invisible, but measurable, metabolic changes that occur when their own pet moves from merely surviving to absolutely thriving. And it is often particularly difficult to persuade a veterinarian that such a difference can exist when it has never been seen to manifest, as is often the case with the nutritional solutions offered by veterinarians. But when you see it, you will know it, and you will be forever impressed. So what is the best way to nourish a carnivore to thrive? That’s easy. Play it as Mother Nature would. She’s still in charge, and time and time again we see that her best lead to follow is a species-appropriate prey model raw diet. Replicating a speciesappropriate prey model diet in the home can bring about the effect of life with newfound growth and vigor. A speciesappropriate prey model raw diet is Mother Nature’s prescription for health and vitality! But just as the carnivorous classifications of our dogs and cats differ with the degree to which they depend on meat to survive, so do their optimum diets. As an obligate carnivore, the domestic cat lacks the enzymes necessary to derive bioavailable nutrition from fruits and vegetables and, therefore, there is no nutritional need for the inclusion of them in their diets. On the other hand, as facultative carnivores, domestic dogs have a much broader ability to synthesize nutrients from the building blocks supplied by fruits and vegetables, and so their diets will often include them, albeit by choice, not out of necessity.
What Raw Pet Food Diets Are and What They Are Not First and foremost, it must be made clear that raw pet food diets are not simply hunks of muscle meat thrown into a bowl, and it is extremely important to understand that any such diet would present a severe risk of phosphorus toxicity of the kidneys. But when formulated to ensure a proper calcium:phosphorus ratio, raw pet food diets have consistently been shown to enhance kidney function. Most raw pet food diets include appropriate combinations of muscle meat, organ meat, and bone, crafted into a complete and balanced recipe, sometimes with the inclusion of fruits and vegetables and other whole foods, and sometimes with the inclusion of synthetic vitamins and minerals. AAFCO-certified raw pet food diets that are not complete and balanced must bear the warning that they are “For Intermittent or Supplemental Feeding Only,” and, in any such case, it is best to consult with a knowledgeable resource to determine exactly what is required to properly feed such a diet.
animal talk
While it is not uncommon for raw pet food diets to present with organic fruits and vegetables, the inclusion of organic meats is highly uncommon due to the high price point associated with those inclusions. Even if organic, beware the raw pet food diets that are prepared from butcher’s scraps as they are likely to be much too high in fat for the typical pet dog or cat. Any AAFCOcertified raw pet food diet should present with a clear listing of ingredients and a clear guaranteed analysis of the percentage of protein, fat, fiber, and moisture.
How Raw Diets for Cats Differ from Raw Diets for Dogs Raw diets for cats, as obligate carnivores, should not include any fruits or vegetables, and the inclusion of those in raw diets for cats have been known to upset the pH balance of the body and increase the incidence of urinary tract infections in susceptible cats. For that reason, synthetic vitamins and minerals to balance the diet are preferable to the inclusion of fruits and vegetables. In addition, the inclusion of any seaweeds such as dulse, kelp, or spirulina may create problematic levels of iodine in susceptible cats, overstimulating the thyroid and bringing on hyperthyroidism. Most raw diets for dogs, as facultative carnivores, contain fruits and vegetables; however, true prey model diets for dogs eschew that inclusion. In a prey model diet’s simulation of the scavenging carnivore’s natural way of feeding in the wild, only the raw diet equivalent of the prey (muscle meat, organ meat, and bone) should be consumed at mealtime, simulating the consumption of the kill in the absence of fruits and vegetables, and thereby maximizing the acidity of the gut so as to ensure the destruction of pathogens and parasites, as well as the full digestion of consumed raw bones. Alkaline fruits and vegetables would then be scavenged (given as treats) between meals.
Pathogens in Raw Food Diets The USDA presumes a cultural awareness of safe handling practices for raw foods, and so allows managed-risk levels of pathogens in raw foods intended for human consumption. But the FDA presumes a cultural complacency with regard to safe handling practices for pet foods, and so maintains a standard of zero tolerance for pathogens in foods intended for pet consumption. Raw diets labeled for pet consumption are, therefore, held to a higher standard of pathogen control than are raw meats intended for human consumption, and most raw diet manufacturers have initiated a kill step in their raw diet processing to ensure pathogen-free feeding. Additionally, the natural pH balance of the saliva and of the gut of a raw-fed carnivore is not pathogen-friendly, and the transit time of raw proteins through the carnivore’s shortened digestive system does not encourage pathogen proliferation. Please remember: Canine and feline nutrition is not about marketing theory, it’s about nutritional science. It’s about physiology. It’s about biochemistry. Cheers to our healthier pets! ~ Kristina “Tina” Dow is sole proprietor of BensDotter’s Pet in
Great Barrington. www.bensdotters.com
www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018
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home health && garden wellness
The Myth of Diagnosis MYTH: IF YOU KNOW THE NAME OF YOUR DISEASE, YOU KNOW WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU By Mark Hyman, MD
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oday I want to revisit a topic that is still very relevant. I believe that we put too much emphasis on naming diseases. Sure, the names we give disease are useful for finding the right medication, but they are not helpful for truly getting to the root cause or creating a healing response. As my team and I were preparing to make the Broken Brain Docuseries, we revisited one of my first books, The UltraMind Solution, and I found the passage below. So much of this still applies to current thinking, and I am hopeful that Functional Medicine, which I believe to be the future of medicine, will guide healthcare providers away from naming and blaming and toward discovering and treating the root cause of disease.
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normally. The hospital staff and physicians then viewed all their “normal behavior” such as note-taking, as “abnormal.” It was only the regular “crazy” patients who could tell them apart. The same thing happens to you once we assign you a label – you have depression, schizophrenia, ADHD, dementia – we throw you in the same group with everyone else who has that diagnosis and assume you all have the same problem, even if evidence is found that you don’t necessarily suffer from exactly the same problem. But these labels or diagnoses are just names we associate with a collection of symptoms. This name has nothing to do with why you have those symptoms – with the root causes of the “disease.”
Myth: If you know the name of your disease, you know what’s wrong with you.
The future of medicine is personalized treatment, not “one-sizefits-all.” The outdated method of naming the disease and then assigning a drug to fix it clearly isn’t working.
This myth is pervasive throughout medicine, and it is the single biggest obstacle to changing the way we do things and finding the answers to our health problems.
Unfortunately, few in the medical industry today seem to understand this. The truth is that medical practice is virtually predicated on the myth of diagnosis.
The problem is simply this – we are in the naming and blaming game in medicine. It is what we were trained to do. Find the name of the “disease,” then match the drug to the disease. You have “depression,” so you need an “antidepressant.” You are “anxious,” you need an “anti-anxiety” medication. You have bipolar disease or mood swings, so you need a “mood stabilizer.”
I want to help you understand how serious this problem is. It is not trivial because it changes everything about how we think about disease and what to do about it.
Unfortunately, this approach or method of thinking is outdated, increasingly useless, and often dangerous. In some ways, it’s even tyrannical. Once you have a label, you are put in the group of people who have the same label, and it is assumed you carry the attributes of this group. For example, a group of psychologists, psychiatrists, and lawyers headed by Dr. Rosenbaum, a Stanford University professor of law and psychology, pretended to be hearing voices and got themselves admitted to psychiatric hospitals across the country. Once they were admitted to the hospitals, they resumed acting 18
Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
A very few fundamental problems exist that explain nearly every disease. It doesn’t matter what specialty your disease falls under. As Pierre Laplace said, a very few fundamental laws can explain an extraordinary number of very complex phenomena. These underlying problems are the link between most chronic diseases. In almost every disease, the same few things go wrong. And those same few problems are all interconnected. One affects the other in a giant web of biology. Pull on one part of the web and the whole web moves. This web is built of the 7 keys of UltraWellness, which I’ve written quite a bit about. These keys are the underlying causes of all illness. This new roadmap turns the myth of diagnosis on its head, and in doing so reveals one of the most radical concepts to emerge
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One disease can have many, many different causes, all of which manifest the same symptoms. Take depression for example. It may be caused by many different factors, yet the symptoms we see are the same across the board. The DSM-V accurately describes these symptoms (100 percent accuracy), but it says nothing at all about the causes (0 percent validity).
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“Lisa Baumgart is a very talented healer/therapist. In the very first session she reduced my pain well over 50%. In a few weeks time, I had almost no pain.”
Imagine a room full of people with depression. They all meet the DSM-V criteria for depression, and they would all be prescribed antidepressants for their “disease.”
Lanesboro, MA
One disease, many causes – one cause, many diseases
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from this new medical approach: The name of the disease bears little relationship to the cause of the disease.
health & wellness
However, neither this diagnosis nor the treatment provided takes into account their genetic individuality. It doesn’t tease out the reasons each of them became depressed in the first place.
Lisa Baumgart, MPT, FAFS “Lisa Baumgart is a very talentedFunction & Fitness Restoring healer/therapist.
31 Williamstown Rd., Lanesboro, MA
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It may be there are many “depressions,” not just one generic “depression.” These “depressions” may be the result of a multitude of causes: folate, B6, or B12 deficiency; low thyroid function; “brain allergies” to foods; an autoimmune response to gluten that inflames the brain; mercury poisoning; abnormal proteins called gluteo- or casomorphins from maldigested food that alter brain chemistry; brain inflammation from a hidden infection; blood sugar imbalances; low testosterone or other sex hormones; a deficiency of omega-3 fats; or adrenal gland dysfunction from excessive stress, among many other possible causes.
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These are some of the real causes of “depression” as well as many other mental illnesses and neurological conditions. Without addressing core, underlying issues like these, we can never have optimal brain function or mood.
There is really no such thing as the “disease” called depression, just many different systemic imbalances that cause the symptoms we collectively refer to as “depression.”
413-442-7007
On the other side of the spectrum, there can be one factor in a person’s diet, lifestyle, environment, or genetic makeup that can cause dozens of different and seemingly unrelated “diseases.”
Baumgart
Gluten, the protein found in the most common grain eaten in America – wheat – as well as barley, rye, spelt, and kamut is an excellent example. Gluten is one common factor that can create so many illnesses and diseases it would be hard to count them all. The reasons are many. They include our lack of genetic adaptation to grasses, and particularly gluten, in our diet. Wheat
continued on page 20
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health & wellness
The Myth of Diagnosis CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 / By Mark Hyman, MD was introduced into Europe during the Middle Ages, and 30 percent of those of European descent carry the gene for celiac disease (HLA DQ2 or HLA DQ8), which increases susceptibility to health problems from eating gluten. Keep in mind that American strains of wheat have a much higher gluten content (which is needed to make light fluffy Wonder Bread). A review paper in The New England Journal of Medicine listed 55 “diseases” that can be caused by eating gluten. These include many neurological diseases including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, dementia, migraines, epilepsy, and neuropathy (nerve damage). Besides making the brain inflamed, gluten can be broken down in the gut into odd little proteins that are almost like psychedelic drugs (opium-like peptides called gluteomorphins). These change brain function and behavior. Gluten also contains significant amounts of glutamate, a molecule that accelerates, activates, excites, and damages brain cells through a special brain receptor or docking station called the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor. Overactivation of this
BODY CONNECTION CHIROPRACTIC BODY CONNECTION CHIROPRACTIC
So gluten can cause brain dysfunction by three different mechanisms – inflammation, odd morphine or psychedelic proteins, and as an excitotoxin. So gluten, we see, can be the single cause behind many different “diseases.” These diseases are not treatable with better medication, but simply by 100 percent elimination of gluten from the diet.
One cause, many diseases . . . One disease caused by multiple factors, or one factor that causes multiple diseases? How could this happen? It completely upsets our current thinking. And it should! But the reason this is true is simpler than you might think. We are all unique, biochemically and genetically, and have different responses to the same insults. In one person gluten may cause arthritis, in another, it can cause depression. Depression may be caused by gluten in one person; in another, it may be caused by B12 deficiency.
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The beauty of Functional Medicine, and the science of nutrigenomics, is that they take these factors into account to help create health for each individual.
ADAM KERZNER, DC ADAM KERZNER, DC 413-644-0030 413-644-0030 www.adamkerzner.com
Medicine has been looking in the wrong place for answers. Finally, science has provided a gateway to a different way of thinking about mental illness and brain disorders. We need to get out of the “name it, blame it, and tame it” game – the myth of diagnosis – and start thinking about how the body works, how to personalize our approach, and how to not suppress symptoms but to restore normal function.
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receptor by glutamate is implicated in many psychiatric disorders. Glutamate is called an excitotoxin (a substance that overexcites and kills or damages brain cells).
Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
Wishing you health and happiness, Mark Hyman, MD. ~ 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
health & wellness
The Many Therapeutic Uses of Ozone NATURAL METHODS TO ACCELERATE HEALING / By Drs. Maureen & Jeffrey Viglielmo
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ur bodies are made up of a diverse array of symbiotic microorganisms – an estimated 100 trillion cells in fact; at least 10 times the number of our human cells, as we mentioned in our previous article in Our BerkshireTimes magazine. When in proper balance they carry out a vast number of vital physiological and psychological functions and about 80 percent of our immune response. But when less desirable microbes are given the opportunity to take over and wreak havoc, we need to take action. Sometimes antibiotics are unavoidable, but there are many natural ways we can help. For instance, eliminating sugar and adding raw, organic fermented foods to our diet is very beneficial. In dentistry, ozone gas (a highly reactive oxidative molecule) can be used in many applications to help us with this battle. Since our own cells have a natural antioxidant system to protect them, ozone is able to safely remove bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungus from the dental area because these life forms lack this protection. One method we use in our office is to irrigate ozone-charged water around the teeth prior to cleaning. This procedure greatly reduces the number of microorganisms that can potentially be introduced into the blood stream, and as an added benefit it also reduces the discomfort some people experience during dental
cleanings. In addition, we use this water to irrigate root canals, and to debride extraction sites. We utilize ozone in its gas form by applying it to oral surfaces. The prepared surface of a tooth is treated just before placing our restoration – this insures a sterile surface which decreases the normal postoperative sensitivity many experience. Ozone gas is also used just prior to filling root canals and on soft tissue lesions where we are trying to accelerate healing. In addition, it is helpful for tooth areas that have become sensitive to certain foods, drinks, and home cleaning efforts due to tooth brush abrasion. Another method we use to deliver ozone to needed areas is through ozone-charged olive oil. This salve has been quite effective for canker sores and other soft tissue wounds, both in the mouth and on the body. Internal use of ozone has been employed for many years to treat systemic infections, fight cancer, and to accelerate wound healing since it enhances the immune system. The gas form can be safely introduced into the body through every portal except the eyes, arteries, and unmodified into the lungs. Preconditioning for dental surgeries with local injections can be done to prepare the body for quicker and more complete healing. ~ Drs. Viglielmo Biological Dentistry, (845) 339-1619, www.drvigs.com
Drs. Maureen & Jeffrey Viglielmo Biological Dentistry The beautiful smile we can help you create is the gateway to a healthy body. As biological dentists we provide safe mercury removal, biocompatible restorations, and customized periodontal therapy. Our office is located in Kingston, NY– a pleasant, scenic drive from the Berkshires and well worth the trip! ● Mercury-safe amalgam removal ● Invisalign® ● Biological periodontal therapy ● Mouthguards ● Customized supportive nutrition ● Intraoral imaging ● iTero® digital goop-less impressions ● Ozone therapy ● Only a little more than one hour from the Berkshires, MA ● Cosmetic & restorative dentistry ● Phase contrast microscope ● Digital radiography
(845) 339-1619 ● www.drvigs.com ● 56 Lucas Ave, Kingston, NY www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018
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Past Life Regression WHAT IS IT AND HOW DOES IT WORK? / By Sheilaa Hite
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ast life regression is a process that enables you to go back through your current and past lives to particular points in time in order to retrieve memories and relive impactful experiences. With the right facilitator it’s possible to calmly, safely go through previously unknown or emotionally frightening territory. Once there, you can reexperience an old energetic pattern and work through it so that it can begin to serve you instead of hinder you.
There are several reasons why you might choose to experience a past life regression session: ● To remove blocks and dispel fears. ● To better understand yourself and your motivations. ● To access information and expertise from your past. ● To heal issues – personal, professional, and spiritual. ● To know why certain people (and circumstances) are in your life. ● Curiosity (who was I before this lifetime – Cleopatra, Shakespeare, or . . . ?). A few years ago, I worked with a client (I'll call him John) who was a wonderful artist. He refused to have an agent though, and was never able to make a good living. Although people liked his work, no matter what he did to promote it, his art did not win prizes or sell well. He knew he was blocked and wanted my help removing that block. I regressed John to the lifetime that was most instrumental in creating the block and we were both surprised at what he’d experienced in that lifetime. He’d been a member of a wealthy, influential 13th century Italian family who had fallen ill with a
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www.SheilaaHite.com 22
Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
painfully debilitating digestive tract ailment. Before the illness, he’d led a privileged, charmed life with the expectation that life would always treat him well. No expense was spared in getting the best doctors for John, but no matter what they did or prescribed, his condition and the pain only got worse until it became obvious to all that he was going to die from his ailment. Feeling that God had abandoned him, he decided that he, himself, must be the cause of his suffering because he was somehow unworthy of the wealth, health, and good life he’d been born into. (He identified the people around his deathbed and I was surprised to hear that I was one of the people in attendance!) As John took his final painful breaths, he decided that because he was so unworthy, he would never again ask for, expect, or accept help or acknowledgement from anyone again. I guided John through two other lifetimes that ended equally as painful and unhappy as the first one. In both of those lives, he made the same decision about himself and his perceived lack of worthiness. We discussed his experience when I brought him out of the regressed state. As we talked, he understood why his current life was so difficult and why he never received the acceptance and acknowledgement he wanted and needed. And finally, John discovered that the limiting subconscious contract he’d made with himself during those past lives could be nullified in his current life by consciously accepting and acknowledging his own self-worth, and asking others to do the same. A few weeks later, John invited me to an art show he was participating in. When I arrived, he was beaming! He looked younger and energetically lighter as he proudly showed me his prize – a purple first place ribbon he’d just been presented with for one of his paintings. I was so happy for him, and happier still when he introduced me to his new agent. Since that time, John’s commissions have increased, his work is selling well, and he is very happy with himself and his amazing life. Conscious knowledge is power. If you’ve ever wondered what subconscious contracts you’ve made that are holding you and your potential success and happiness hostage; what natural gifts and talents are hidden just out of reach in your current life; why certain types of people, relationships, and circumstances keep recurring in your life, past life regression can help you answer those questions. ~ Sheilaa Hite, CHt, CLC, is an intuitive Counselor, author, teacher, Past Life Regressionist, life/success coach, and spiritual guide who is listed in Paulette Cooper’s book, The 100 Top Psychics and Astrologers in America. She can be reached through her website, www.sheilaahite.com, and at (413) 637-0085.
mind & spirit
A Powerful 2-Step Meditation for Inner Peace and Calm WITH THE HEART-BRAIN QUICK COHERENCE® TECHNIQUE By Gregg Braden
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his meditation is a powerful technique that will allow you to shift from stressed-out to instant inner peace and calm. The technique cultivates heart-brain coherence – what athletes call being “in the zone” – and is appropriately called the Quick Coherence® Technique [by HeartMath, www.heartmath.com], and has been refined into two simple steps that you can do right now – wherever you are. Independently, each of the following steps sends a signal to your body that a specific shift to peace and calm has been put into motion. Combined, the steps create an experience that takes us back to a natural inner harmony that existed in our bodies earlier in life, before we began to separate our heart-brain network through our conditioning.
Steps for Quick Coherence® Step 1: Heart Focus and Steady Breath Heart Focus - Shift your focus into the area of your heart, and begin to breathe a little more slowly than usual, as if your breath is coming from your heart. This step is a powerful technique unto itself and can be used when you’re feeling overwhelmed by the day’s events or when you simply desire to be more connected with yourself. As you slow your breathing, you are sending a signal to your body in general, and your heart specifically, that you are in a place that is safe and it’s okay to turn your attention inward. Step 2: Activate a Positive Feeling Activate a Positive Feeling - Make a sincere attempt to experience a regenerative feeling such as appreciation or care for someone or something in your life. The easiest way to do this is to think of a beautiful place you have been or to think of a very close friend or loved one.
The key in this step is to first create the feeling, to the best of your ability, and then to embrace the feeling, again to the best of your ability. Your ability to sustain the feeling is what maintains the optimal conversation between your heart and your brain. As with any skill, you’ll find, I think, that the more you practice creating coherence between your heart and your brain, the easier it becomes to do so and find that inner balance. And the more you consciously practice this 2-step meditation, the more natural the experience of achieving coherence begins to feel to you. With the growing level of ease in achieving heart-brain coherence, you’ll also discover your ability to sustain the connection between your heart and your brain for longer periods of time. Finding inner peace and balance will be something you can begin to cultivate at will, allowing you to be more resilient when conditions in your life become more challenging and stressful. You can practice this technique anywhere and anytime. ~ Gregg Braden is a five-time New York Times best-selling author, and is internationally renowned as a pioneer in bridging science, spirituality, and human potential. From 1979 to 1990 Gregg worked for Fortune 500 companies as a problem solver during times of crisis. He continues problemsolving today as he weaves modern science and the wisdom preserved in remote monasteries and forgotten texts into real world solutions. His discoveries have led to 12 awardwinning books now published in more than 40 languages. Find out more about Gregg’s latest book, Human by Design, and upcoming news and events at www.greggbraden.com. www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018
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Bright Ideals for Business SMART TIPS & TOOLS TO IMPROVE YOUR BUSINESS SERVICES
Take Care of Yourself
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hen you are excited about a new business, it is incredibly easy to overdo it. But to have a successful business in the long run you must take care of your health. Don’t sacrifice your well-being. When you schedule business meetings in your calendar, also be sure to schedule proper sleep, time to relax, organic food, and meditation, and time in nature. www.heartmath.com
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Your competitors
Get Past Your Fear of Video
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eople want to hear from you. They really do. Gone are the days of impersonal advertising; it’s time to show your face. Many businesses are now utilizing video to describe products and services on their websites and in their social media to connect with their customers because it builds trust and dramatically increases conversions.
Is your website mobile-friendly?
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obile devices are the preferred way to access content online. Everything from internet browsing to major purchases is taking place on phones and tablets and you don’t want your business to be ignored. Use this friendly tool to see if your website is mobile friendly:
www.tinyurl.com/y9h8blds
www.tinyurl.com/yc4gynad
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rue, you have something great to share with the world, but listening more (really listening) and talking less will give you an advantage because (1) knowledge is power, (2) the person who’s doing the talking will feel understood and cared about, and (3) when you do speak people will listen. Read more at www.tinyurl.com/y8ymthty
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ou can attract more customers by getting enthusiastic reviews from people who have already purchased from you. Get permission to include as much information as possible (including town, website, and headshot if possible). Then post them everywhere you can.
www.tinyurl.com/l9dn6ng
hen searching for ways to improve your marketing, look to your competitors. Find out what they are doing to attract customers. But find a balance – it’s important to pay attention to businesses in your industry but also to not make them your priority.
Talk Less, Listen More
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Rave Reviews
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Why Blog?
hen you say the word blog, many people respond with “I don’t have the time!” But if you want more business it can definitely be worth it. Placing good original content/articles in a blog on your website (be sure not to use material under copyright without permission) will help drive traffic to your website, Increase your SEO, and develop better customer relationships.
Elevator Pitch/Speech
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he importance of crafting a good elevator pitch (a short, prepared speech that clearly and succinctly explains what your organization does) can’t be overstated. If you cannot easily explain what you do, how can others easily understand and want to buy what you offer? www.tinyurl.com/yalvb9fa
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Sell Online
t’s not as hard as you think. If you work from home or own a brick-and-mortar business, selling online can be a valuable way to supplement your income especially when foot traffic is slow. If you need help with graphics contact Our BerkshireTimes Magazine. 65 places to sell online: www.tinyurl.com/y78a2dap
business services
a perfect polish TAKE ANY WRITING TO ANOTHER LEVEL
I Respond Promptly
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e are living in a fast-paced world where information is available instantaneously at your fingertips and we are used to extremely quick deliveries when we place an order. When a potential customer contacts you (by phone, email, text, or through social media) it is more important than ever to get back to them quickly (or your competition will).
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Social Media
onsumers rarely use just one social platform. Do some research and ask your customers which ones they prefer. If you are not already using social media for business (it’s important to have separate all-business accounts) consider Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Alignable, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, and Tumblr. Make sure to advertise which ones you are on. www.tinyurl.com/qetwpwb
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t takes a true love of words and a keen sense of what makes this language of ours so exquisite to gently but firmly and thoroughly polish the glory from a work of prose. Rodelinde Albrecht is a Brown-educated, highly experienced freelance copyeditor, proofreader, and translator. From a yellow farmhouse in the Berkshires, with the company of a cat named Minerva, she makes the English language her life and her livelihood. A more pleasant and dedicated associate is not to be found.
Your Office
reate an office space you enjoy spending time in and you will be more productive. Browse Pinterest for inspiration. Follow ergonomic rules and make sure you have plenty of natural light. Also Use natural materials to cut down on toxic outgassing and install an exhaust fan that can be used while printing or making copies. Get creative with storage solutions and create a comfy space.
protect your business LET'S MEET TO DISCUSS YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS
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inopoli Insurance Agency is a local family-run insurance agency in Berkshire County, MA, that has provided reliable service for more than 20 years. We are a client-driven agency with comprehensive products for your personal, agricultural, and commercial needs. We can help you prepare for every stage of life with financial products tailored specifically for you including With FARM FAMILY , you’ll get an agent who has the know- out life, annuity, and FARM disability insurance. today With FAMILY , you’ll get Call an agent whoto hasfind the knowhow and products tohelp helpyou you protect properly what manage your family’s more about how we can matters most. how and products to help you properly manage your family’s risks. An open appointment book, along with options for risks. An open appointment book, along with options for home, auto and life coverage, means you can feel good that home, auto and life coverage, means you can feel good that you’re getting more an ally than just an agent. you’re getting more an ally than just an agent.
MORE YOUR ALLY THAN YOUR AGENT
SINOPOLI INSURANCE AGENCY DOMINIC SINOPOLI DOMINIC SINOPOLI Agent Agent 30 STOCKBRIDGE RD 30 STOCKBRIDGE RD GT BARRINGTON, MA 01230 GT BARRINGTON, MA 01230
dominic.sinopoli@farm-family.com dominic.sinopoli@farm-family.com 413.528.1710 413.528.1710
VISIT OUR WEBSITE: AN.INSURE/SINOPOLIAGENCY http://www.farmfamily.com/agent/dominicsinopoli http://www.farmfamily.com/agent/dominicsinopoli
American National is a group of companies writing a broad array of insurance products and services. Products and services may not be National is a group ofeligibility companies writing a broad array of insurance products and services. and services may not be available in allAmerican states. Terms, conditions and requirements will apply. Life insurance and annuity productsProducts are issued through available in all states. Terms, conditions and eligibility requirements will apply. Life insurance andNew annuity American National Insurance Company, Galveston, Texas; or Farm Family Life Insurance Company, Glenmont, York.products Property are andissued through American Nationalare Insurance Company, Galveston, Farm Family Life Insurance Glenmont, casualty products and services made available through FarmTexas; FamilyorCasualty Insurance Company,Company, Glenmont, New York.New York. Property and casualty products and services are made available through Farm Family Casualty Insurance Company, Glenmont, New York. 93674.V1.12.2015 93674.V1.12.2015
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Engaging children 15 months through 8th grade
Montessori means
expression
education & workshops
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ver the summer I took a seven-week course, and as the weeks went by I began to think my teacher didn’t like me. It was a vulnerable feeling and I found myself devastated and confused about my experience. I was intensely aware of wanting to feel accepted. To help process these emotions I talked to colleagues and turned to articles, books, and life experience to help find perspective. Eventually I was able to communicate my feelings to the teacher, and thus better understand my experience in relation to her perspective. Even so, the whole ordeal drained me emotionally and highlighted the importance of feeling accepted. As humans, we need to feel a sense of belonging. World-renowned philosopher and psychiatrist Alfred Adler describes this desire to connect with others as our “social interest,” while Montessorians speak about the human tendency to communicate and associate with others. As I processed my experience and desire for acceptance, I considered the children in my life who have an equally strong need for acknowledgement, reassurance, and support. I thought back through small encounters when I could have offered more encouragement or regular gestures of recognition. We, as adults, have a responsibility to ensure that the young people in our lives feel unconditionally accepted and loved, that they are heard and can communicate with us, and that they are acknowledged and supported. The significance of this is highlighted in a study by Harvard professor Robert Rosenthal, who explored how teacher expectations can affect student outcomes. As an experiment, Rosenthal told a group of teachers that test results indicated that a number of their students were expected to show blossoming intellectual and academic growth. In actuality, the students were randomly selected. But over the course of two years, the
randomly selected “blossoming” students showed gains in IQ, and teachers described them as curious, well-adjusted, happy, and interesting. Yet the only difference between these children and the others was how their teachers perceived them. In an NPR Morning Edition report, Alix Spiegel states how these expectations influence IQ: “As Rosenthal did more research, he found that expectations affect teachers’ moment-to-moment interactions with the children they teach in a thousand almost invisible ways. Teachers give the students that they expect to succeed more time to answer questions, more specific feedback, and more approval: They consistently touch, nod, and smile at those kids more.” These small acts of touching, nodding, and smiling, combined with the assumption that the children would succeed, were instrumental to actual success. How vital and how simple. Most likely all I needed this summer were some of those almost invisible acts – little messages that would have assured me that my ideas mattered and that I was liked and appreciated. As we embark on the year ahead, let’s all reach out to children (and adults) to offer small, yet significant, gestures of acceptance and belonging. ~ K. Meagan Ledendecker, co-founder and Director of Education of The Montessori School of the Berkshires, feels a sense of belonging and acceptance most of the time but also believes there is much to learn from those moments when we don’t feel recognized. Visit www.berkshiremontessori.org. www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018
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Get Ready for the Holidays! Halloween: Wed, Oct 31 Daylight Savings Time ends: Sun, Nov 4 Thanksgiving: Thurs, Nov 22 Hanukkah: Mon, Dec 3 - Mon, Dec 10 Christmas: Tues, Dec 25 Kwanzaa: Wed, Dec 26 - Tues, Jan 1 New Year’s Eve: Mon, Dec 31 New Year’s Day: Tues, Jan 1
get ready for the holidays
autumn decorations
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In Business Since 1881
PICK YOUR OWN APPLES IN THEIR ADAMS LOCATION
aeschke’s Orchard has been growing some of the finest apples in the region at the base of Mt. Greylock (many varieties of hybrid, standard, and heirlooms) for more than 130 years. Stop by their Adams location to pick your own! Enjoy the mountain views and fall foliage from this family-owned farm while you shop for colorful mums, pumpkins, sweet apple cider, exceptionally flavorful fruit, pies, jams and jellies, and delicious freshly made apple cider donuts for your autumn festivities.
Open 7 Days
Hanging Baskets PUMPKINS MUMS SWEET APPLEPlanters CIDER OUR OWN APPLE CIDER DONUTS APPLES Annuals MONTHBoxes OF PEARS PLUMS DURING THE Cemetery SEPT-OCT PICK YOURGeraniums OWN APPLES IN ADAMS! • Perennials In-season & vegetables, BOTH LOCATIONS OPENfruits 7 DAYS A WEEK 9-5 garden accessories & more!
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Crane Ave, Pittsfield (413) Locally owned 736 Crane Ave.,443-7180 Pittsfield • 413-443-7180 736 Crane Ave., Pittsfield • 736 413-443-7180
business since 1881! West Road, West Road, Adams • 413-743-3896 Under the Gazebo on Frank Consolati Way, Lee
West Road, Adams • 413-743-3896 Adams (413) 743-3896
Under the Gazebo on Frank Consolati Way, Lee
Open Fridays Only from 10am - 3pm
Open Fridays Only from 10am - 3pm
one-stop shopping FOR ALL OF YOUR BASIC HOLIDAY NEEDS & MORE
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10 MILL RIVER, GREAT BARRINGTON RD, MILL RIVER 413-229-2663 ● VISIT US ON FACEBOOK
chewy, doughy, delicious
he Mill River General Store, in a country setting with friendly hometown atmosphere, provides one-stop shopping for all of your basic needs. Stop by for coffee, pastries, amazing donuts, breakfast, or a deli sandwich for lunch. While you’re there you will find everything you need including Mill River memorabilia and postcards, newspapers, kitchen items, local fresh milk and other staples, hotdogs, bread, energy drinks, gum and candy, ice cream, wine and liquor, a fax and copy machine, a post office, and more.
Berkshire Record’s ‘Best of the 2017’ Vo Best Shop and Best&New York Style NYBagel STYLE BAGELS 17 FLAVORS Berkshire Record’s ‘Best of the 2017’ Voted Best Shop and Best&New York Style Deli NYBagel STYLE BAGELS 17 FLAVORS OF CREAM CHEESE BAGELS BAKE
THE BEST NY-STYLE BAGELS IN THE BERKSHIRES!
BAGELS BAKED FRESH DAILY
reat Barrington Bagel, undeniably the best New Yorkstyle bagels in the Berkshires, is celebrating its 22nd year in town. They feature a large variety of smoked fish, deli sandwiches, homemade cream cheeses (17 flavors!), delicious coffee, salads, and the most talked-about homemade soups and chili in the area. Ask about their holiday catering, daily specials, attractive ready-toserve trays that will complement any occasion, and tasty rugelach, imported NY chocolate babka, and crumb cakes.
SMOKED FISH PASTRAMI • SOUPS SALADS
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Naomi Alson
LIC. ACUPUNCTURIST & HERBALIST
For general wellbeing . . . With specialized training in: ● Alleviating the side effects chemotherapy ● Infertility ● Herbal treatments ● Regulating the immune system
Located at Lee Family Practice, 11 Quarry Hill Rd, Lee, MA 413.243.3223 naomifalson@gmail.com
FRESH DAILY
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CATERING FOR OCCASION
CATERING FOR ALL 777 MainBARRINGTON, Street, Great OCCASIONS 777 MAIN ST. GREAT MA B 0
● www.g 413.528.9055 413.528.9055, GBBAGEL.COM 777 MainBARRINGTON, Street, Great MA 777 MAIN ST. GREAT MA Barrington, 01230 ● www.gbbagel.com 413.528.9055 413.528.9055, GBBAGEL.COM
well-balanced lifestyle STAY WELL THROUGH THE BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON
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aomi Alson, a licensed acupuncturist since 1999 and herbalist in the Berkshires since 1977, can help you prepare for and stay well through the busy holiday season. Dedicated to helping you achieve a well-balanced lifestyle, she specializes in stress and pain relief, regulating the immune system, herbal treatments, infertility issues, and alleviating the side effects of chemotherapy treatments. Naomi practices at Lee Family Practice in Lee, MA. You can contact her at (413) 243-3223, naomifalson@gmail.com. www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018
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Sleeping Under the Stars IT WAS A SIMPLE, CAREFREE TIME / By Michael Romano
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ecently as I was sitting on my deck, listening to the crickets and other creatures sing their night songs. I was reminded of the nights that I spent in my childhood home in Connecticut. At the time we didn’t know we were the baby boomers but we did know there were tons of kids of all ages around the neighborhood and we all sort of knew each other. There was a little league field and a playground across the street from my house and we would play ball and hang around like kids do. We would stay out until our parents yelled for us or the streetlights came on, and then we would go home and watch one of the three channels we got on our black-and-white TV. It was a simple, carefree time. When we were about 12 years old, a group of us wanted to expand our nighttime fun, so we asked our parents if we could sleep outside under the stars. The sleepout was to be held in one of the neighbors’ backyards, so there was some semblance of adult supervision. There were no tents involved and most of us didn’t even have sleeping bags, just blankets and pillows. We brought flashlights, comic books, and snacks, and stayed up telling spooky stories and reading our comics by flashlight and were usually asleep before eleven. The group of sleepers shrank down as time progressed but a few of us continued the practice and had semiweekly sleepouts until school started. We still brought flashlights, but like cavemen we had discovered fire. A small campfire took center stage and because of it the sleepout menu changed to hotdogs and marshmallows. The following summer we started our sleepouts again but something had changed: we were teenagers! Instead of spending the night at the campsite we wandered around the neighborhood, almost getting in trouble. We weren’t quite juvenile delinquents, but we did manage to be obnoxious and loud and even threw rocks at a deserted factory, breaking a window or two. Our main crime was becoming garden raiders. The sleepout menu changed again. We had a mission. My best friend Dave and I were always coming up with ideas, most of which weren’t too good or smart but at the time we thought we had a winner and we borrowed a big pot from Dave’s mom and a kitchen knife from my mom and brought them to the sleepsite. Almost every house in the neighborhood had a vegetable garden, some were quite large and had a variety of items, and Dave and I
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would scope out the good stuff while doing our paper routes and make plans. When sleepout time came we would wait until the dead of night when the lights went out and then grab a bunch of veggies from the gardens (tomatoes, squash, peppers, carrots, and corn, to name a few) and quickly put them in the big pot and run back to our camp. We were hunters, raiders, and gatherers and were proud of it. When we returned to the fire we would cut everything up, add some water, and make a rustic vegetable stew that we would have never eaten at home if our moms had made it. We enjoyed it because the ingredients were ill-gotten, freshly picked, and we made it ourselves. Thankfully, we never did get caught. As our teenage years went on, our sleepouts gradually faded from our lives. Spooky stories became discussions about cute girls. Pizza and burgers replaced stolen veggies and the comics changed to “other” magazines, stolen from our dads’ drawer. Other things seemed more important now as we had gotten jobs, cars, and girlfriends. Our sleepouts completely stopped when Dave’s dad got a job in another state and his family moved from town. Without my partner in crime, garden raiding wasn’t fun anymore. We were entering the adult world whether we wanted to or not. It’s strange how things change as you get older. I now have a garden of my own and realize how wrong it was to violate those neighborhood patches. Karma has visited my garden in the shape of squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits. They seem to take joy in only taking one bite of each tomato, squash, or cuke, leaving the rest to spoil. The baby boom is over and there aren’t many kids around the neighborhood these days to carry out our sleepout and garden raiding tradition. A good thing perhaps, but in some ways, also something to be missed. I thankfully still have my fond memories of reading comics by flashlight, eating snacks while sleeping under the stars, listening to the crickets and critters sing their nighttime songs for us, and waiting for the neighbors’ lights to go out so we could make our garden raids. ~ 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 for years at the now-closed Kolburne School in New Marlborough, MA.
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Toddler Children’s House Elementary Adolescent Summer
Now enrolling for 2016-2017 2018-2019 admission
BerkshireMontessori.org
Weekly tours by appointment
(413) 637-3662
Aviators and history buffs! New book by a local author takes you back to the 1920s and 30s where a kid (her father) with nary a nickel in his pocket, learned to fly. This is a true story about his many adventures and mis-adventures in that golden age of early aviation. A Barnstormer Aviator by Nick Vuyosevich and Nina Anderson SafeGoodsPublishing.com 413-229-9042 or Amazon.com
www.ourBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018
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Hartsville Design Woodworking Custom Cabinets and Design Service
kitchens cabinets islands hutches offices bathrooms vanities bookcases craft rooms tub surrounds living & dining entertainment centers fine furniture (413) 274-1122 hartsvilledesign@gmail.com HartsvilleDesign.com