Our BerkshireTimes Magazine: Aug - Sept 2013

Aug - Sept 2013, vol 9

Take One, It's Free!

Our BerkshireTimes

™

Community News | Local Events | Personal Growth | Vibrant Living

Connect, Share, Grow, Prosper • The Voice of Our Community Special Fine Food & Drink Feature!

Left Field Farm Middlefield, MA

Community Matters.

Eat Local Food. www.berkshire.coop

Our BerkshireTimes™ PUBLISHER Kathy I. Regan publisher@ourberkshiregreen.com _______________ EDITORIAL Kathy I. Regan editor@ourberkshiregreen.com

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DESIGN Magazine Design/Layout Kathy I. Regan Ads–Independent Designers Katharine Adams, Rural Ethic Studio katmail@ruralethicstudio.com Christine Dupre cedupre@msn.com Elisa Jones, Berkshire Design Studio elisa@berkshiredesignstudio.com Shirley Sparks, Graphic Design on a Dime sms234@aol.com _______________ ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER Patty Strauch patty@ourberkshiregreen.com ______________ EVENT COORDINATOR Patty Strauch patty@ourberkshiregreen.com _______________ CONTACT Our BerkshireGreen, Inc. P.O. Box 133, Housatonic, MA 01236 Phone: (413) 274-1122, Fax: (413) 541-8000 www.OurBerkshireGreen.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com www.OurBerkshireCalendar.com

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COVER ILLUSTRATION BY

Carol Frances, Artist

Carol Frances’ oil paintings are richly layered with a variety of mixed media including gold leaf, photo transfer, and text. Her current work focuses on birds, flowers, and goldfish. She has gallery representation in CT, MA, NY, and NM, and is in collections in the United States and Europe. She sells giclee prints of her work and beautiful notecard sets, which can be found at www.carolfrances.com.

Art, Culture & Entertainment

14 Animal Talk

Event Sampler

Rodelinde Albrecht rodelinde@ourberkshiregreen.com Copyeditors/Proofreaders Rodelinde Albrecht Patty Strauch _______________

August - September 2013

The Art of Carol Frances

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How to Make Bone Broth

Shop Local!

16 Health & Wellness Alternative Approaches to Migraines

Fashion & Beauty Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture

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15 Our Berkshire Marketplace

Special Food & Drink Feature Recipes from Our Advertisers

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Two Shakes of a Lamb's Tail

It's Never too Late for Small Miracles

19 Nonprofit Spotlight

Home, Garden & Landscape Smart, Money-Saving Home Tips

10 Community Spotlight Lee & Tyringham

12 Education & Workshops

Grassroots Initiatives

20 Mind & Spirit Breathe then Believe

21 Featured Advertisers

Fostering Imagination in Early Childhood

Tell Them You Saw Them in Our BerkshireTimes Magazine!

Our BerkshireTimes™ The Voice of Our Community! Follow Us On Our BerkshireTimes™ is an Our BerkshireGreen™ publication. We are dedicated to supporting our local economy and creating an ever-expanding, unified network of community-minded individuals, businesses, and organizations in our area.

We give our readers and advertisers the opportunity to connect, share knowledge, and inspire one another through our publication, or eNewsletters, and growing online services. Our bimonthly publication (six issues yearly, starting in February) is free to the public and distributed throughout western MA, northern CT, eastern NY, and southern VT, and is enjoyed by community members, second home owners, and visitors alike.

Most of our editorial content is contributed by our community members. We welcome your ideas, articles, and feedback, and encourage you to submit original material for consideration through our website. You will find complete instructions on our online form. To find out more about advertising, submitting editorial, and posting events on our free community calendar, see our websites at left, and join our mailing list to receive our free monthly eNewsletter.

All content in Our BerkshireTimes ™ is accepted in good faith. We do not necessarily advocate and cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by our authors, illustrators, and advertisers.

We reserve the right to refuse advertising for any reason. For printing errors of the publisher's responsibility, liability is limited to the cost of the ad space in which it first appeared. Unless otherwise noted, we use a Creative Commons License in place of a standard copyright.

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Art, Culture & Entertainment Bring the magic of music into your home Call to discuss how to host a House Concert - at no cost to you!

August - September Event Sampler

To see more events or to post your event for free go to

www.OurBerkshireCalendar.com

Bruce Mandel

SINGER/SONGWRITER, HOME & CONCERT PERFORMER www.brucemandel.com / 413.269.7229

Mobiles America’s No.1 Mobile Maker West Stockbridge, MA

Nationally known Gallery /Studio •Crafts •Jewelry •Mobiles.

New: U Pick Your Colors Mobiles!

New: Women’s Apparel: M to 3X.

Open Daily 10-5 PM 8 Center Street www.artmobiles.com West Stockbridge, MA • 413-232-0200

“Best Mobile Gallery & Studio

in New England.”

-Yankee Mag.

Pittsfield's "Glory," The Civil War World of Pittsfield, Massachusetts

Date: Thur-Sat, August 8-10, 2013, 7pm, and Fri-Sat, September 6-7, 2013, 6pm Place: Pittsfield Cemetery, 203 Wahconah Street, Pittsfield, MA - (413) 442-1928, Price: $10.00 Pittsfield’s “Glory,” The Civil War World of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is a new play by Sally Filkins, author of The Melville Trilogy. Presented by Voices Theatre Company, Pittsfield’s “Glory” examines the complex relationship between Pittsfield’s African-American and white communities during the Civil War era. www.mobydick.org

West Stockbridge Annual Zucchini Festival

Date: Sat, August 10, 2013, 10am Place: West Stockbridge, MA, Town Center, Corner Main Street and Center Street, West Stockbridge MA - (413) 232-0222 Price: Free-tickets for some games 10th Annual Zucchini Festival in the West Stockbridge town center, Rts. 41/102, ¼ mile west of Exit 1 of Mass Pike. Great for kids and adults: pet parade, rides, races, zucchini recipe contest, decorating/weigh-off contests, live music and entertainment, games, food, arts and crafts booths, more. Fireworks & dancing in the street. www.weststockbridgetown.com or call (413) 232-0222 for more info.

Free Fun Friday!

Les PetitesDames de Mode

Morgan O-Yuki: The Geisha of the Gilded Age

exhibit

AnnuAL SuMMer pLAy

Date: Fri, August 16, 2013, 10am-5 pm Place: Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street Pittsfield, MA - (413) 443-7171 Price: Free Berkshire Museum will be open to the public freeof-charge as part of the Newton, Mass - based Highland Street Foundation’s summer-long Free Fun Fridays program. www.berkshiremuseum.org

Walker Street, Lenox, MA 413-637-3206 GildedAge.org

June 28–September 1

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August / September 2013

her longtime passion for art by learning to paint. As she threw herself into art with an insatiable curiosity, she discovered a world way bigger than before.

Carol’s enthusiasm and appreciation for life comes across in her work, which has been recognized by many regional and national juried exhibitions, represented in galleries, awarded prizes, published, and sold to public and private collections in the United States and Europe. She is also a selected member of the Connecticut Women Artists and the New Haven Paint & Clay Club.

To view and purchase Carol’s original paintings, limited edition giclee prints, and beautiful notecard sets, visit her website at www.carolfrances.com.

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

Date: Sat, August 17, 2013, 7pm Place: The Guthrie Center, 2 Van Deusenville Road, Great Barrington, MA - (413) 528.1955 Price: $25 includes a dessert and champagne reception with the artist following the performance.

Sally-Jane Heit got her first vaudeville experience playing Mama Rose in the musical Gypsy.

Sally-Jane will perform A Valentine to an Old Theatre Art Form that birthed some of the greatest stars, songwriters, animal handlers, producers, and writers in the business. Her longtime friend and music director, Uel Wade, will accompany her on piano. For tickets call (413) 528-1955. www.guthriecenter.org

Beginner Meditation for Stress Relief

Date: Wed, August 21, 2013, 7pm Place: Hands, Heart, and Health, 44 Richmond Street, Cheshire, MA Price: Free Beginner Meditation for stress reduction and to support a healthy balance from our busy, hectic lives!

Say Cheese: Take Home Feta

Date: Sat, September 21, 2013, 12-3pm Place: Hawthorne Valley Farm Creamery, 327 County Route 21C, Ghent, NY - (518) 672-7500 Price: $65 Join Hawthorne Valley Farm’s cheesemaker Peter Kindel in the farm creamery for a day of handson cheesemaking. Learn the science and art of turning fresh milk into fabulous curds, and take home fresh feta you made yourself! Space is limited; reserve in advance by contacting Caroline at (518) 672-7500 x232, caroline@hawthornevalleyfarm.org. www.hawthornevalleyfarm.org

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The Art of Carol Frances (this month's cover illustrator) arol’s oil paintings, many of which have roots in pattern and decoration, are richly layered with a variety of mixed media including gold leaf, photo transfer, and text. The artist, whose current work focuses on birds, flowers, and goldfish, loves the metaphoric meaning and poetic potential of simple objects.

The terror attacks of 9/11 propelled Carol to give up her 20-year business career to pursue a direction with more purpose and meaning – she chose to follow

Vaudeville . . . A Valentine to an Old Theatre Art Form

Special Food & Drink Feature DalBarco Red Sauce Renie Masiero, mother of Guido’s owners Chris and Matt (the boys), shares her famous red sauce recipe.

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or generations, this recipe has been a cherished standard in the Italian kitchens of the DalBarco family. The time has come to divulge the ways and means to this rich, slow-cooked, and meaty sauce. Delicious served with pasta, this is real old-school Italian fare with a secret ingredient – cinnamon! When the Masiero family gathers for a special occasion, or has nagged sufficiently, Renie serves her homemade gnocchi with this sauce. Leftovers? Out of the question!

Ingredients (serves a big Italian family – at least 12 – freezes well) 1 large yellow onion

2 (28 oz.) cans tomato sauce

4 cloves of garlic

4 country-style pork chops

3 turns of the pan olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

2 pounds ground beef

½ bunch each fresh parsley,

1 pound sweet sausage

sage, rosemary, and thyme

2 cups red wine

1 tablespoon sugar

3 (8 oz.) cans tomato paste

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3 (32 oz.) boxes chicken broth

3 bay leaves

2 (28 oz.) cans tomato puree

Contains probiotic, live active cultures, vitamins and calcium

Non-fat, Low-fat, No-sugaradded, Dairy-free, Glutenfree, Kosher

Rotations of

& over

to choose from…

The DalBarco Girls Below

Instructions Pre-heat oven to 350°F degrees. Chop onions and garlic. On top of stove, cover the bottom of a big, heavy stockpot with three turns of the pan of olive oil. Saute onions and garlic until translucent.

Add ground beef and sausage, break up, and brown. Add red wine. Add tomato paste and dilute with three empty tomato paste cans full of chicken broth. Add the tomato puree and the tomato sauce. Reduce heat to simmer.

bringing berkshire county

Season the pork chops with salt, pepper, and two tablespoons chopped herbs (except bay leaves) and bake for 1 hour in 350°F degree oven. As the chops are baking, add to the sauce on stovetop, salt, pepper, sugar, cinnamon, and remaining herbs. Continue to simmer.

fresh local & organic

Add cooked chops, two boxes of chicken broth, and bay leaf to the sauce and simmer gently, uncovered for four to five hours. Stir frequently. Remove pork chop bones before serving.

foods

S

over

for

30 years

come &

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

Visit our historic landmark Railroad Street, Lee, Massachusetts (413) 243-2082

Vegan, Gluten-free, Vegetarian upon request Live Entertainment on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights

SHOP with

LOCAL familyowned

independent businesses

www.SullivanStationRestaurant.com

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

August / September 2013

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Special Food & Drink Feature Furnace Brook Normandy Chicken

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illtop Orchards – an historic apple orchard in the Berkshires and home to award-winning Furnace Brook Winery – invites you to visit and explore our 200 acre property in Richmond, MA.The Vittori family celebrates its 26th year at Hilltop Orchards. Preserving local farming and opening our land for apple picking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing is our pleasure and our privilege. You’ll be inspired by the vast open space and fantastic views from the hilltop as you hike the orchards and woodland trails. Enjoy this delicious recipe!

Ingredients

Tuscan Eggplant Salad

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ild Oats Market is a member-owned, cooperative-based whole foods market located at 320 Main Street, in Williamstown, MA. One need not be a member to shop at Wild Oats, although membership offers several benefits. The market carries a wide selection of organic and naturally-made products, including: meats, eggs, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, breads, pastas, oils, cereals, juices, and chocolate. In addition, the store offers a hot foods bar, a salad bar, a fresh grab-and-go deli, and breads, rolls, and pastries freshly baked on-site. Wild Oats Market also carries supplements and personal care products, as well as environmentally-friendly household supplies. Try our tasty recipe below.

Ingredients

6 chicken breasts

2 cups Furnace Brook’s French Cidre

2 apples

½ cup cream

1 large eggplant, peeled & sliced

¼ bunch (6 big leaves) fresh basil

3 large onions

2 pinches ground nutmeg

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 clove fresh garlic, minced

4 tablespoons butter

salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions Cut onions into fine strips.

Cut apples into small cubes.

Add onions and apples to a frying pan with 2 tablespoons of butter.

1 roasted red pepper, sliced ½ pounds tomatoes, diced 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed

Cook on medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes until golden.

In a larger thicker pan melt remaining butter, add the chicken breasts (brown for about 3 minutes).

Assembly

Add the cooked onions and apples and cover with the Cidre.

Add nutmeg, salt, and pepper.

Toss eggplant with 2 tablespoons of vinegar and let sit for a moment to absorb the vinegar, toss with olive oil and spread out on a lined sheet pan. Bake at 325°F until brown and tender, about ½ hour. Cool.

Allow to simmer (without cover) until two thirds of the Cidre has evaporated, approximately 30-40 minutes.

Remove the chicken breasts and set aside keeping them warm.

Pour the cream into the Cidre sauce and stir for a few minutes.

If necessary, to thicken sauce, add a teaspoon of flour.

Coat the chicken with the sauce.

Immediately serve with rice or potatoes.

Enjoy!

Place diced eggplant in a large bowl, salt, and let sit for 1 hour. Rinse and drain.

In a large stainless steel or glass bowl combine pepper, tomato, capers, basil, garlic and 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar. Add eggplant and mix until blended.

Salt and pepper to taste and let marinate overnight in refrigerator.

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ackyard Foraging by Ellen Zachos is a book I have been waiting for: as an avid cook and hiker I have been frustrated for decades by not knowing what lovely berries and leaves I could safely pick! This book, filled with full color pictures and warnings (so you won’t pick and eat something you should not), solves that dilemma for 65 easy to identify plants. With a little nudge from this book, I will now boldly go where I have not gone before and pick a FEW (also known as ethical foraging). There is so much to eat out there in the wild (which we all did before agriculture came in): dandelions, crabapple, and nasturtium I knew about, but spruce tree tips? Really? With your gatherings, you can make liqueurs, dandelion wine, Hortopita (replacing the traditional spinach with wild greens), and Dahlia Tuber Bread. Some very sweet childhood memories revolve around blackberry picking in the dunes in Holland and I look forward to expanding and reliving that connection with nature with this helpful book. ~ Miriam Jacobs writes about food in www.sandwichdiva.com.

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August / September 2013

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

Special Food & Drink Feature

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How to Make Bone Broth (and why you should) / By Sarah Wilson

’ve mentioned on Twitter that I’ve been making bone broth and some of you asked for the details. And so I oblige! I’ve become a big fan for a bunch of overwhelming reasons, which I’ll outline below. Sally Fallon introduced me to the stuff in Nourishing Traditions and since then I’ve followed a community of people who can’t stop raving about it. A lot of nutritionists steer their clients to simply drink bone broth. That’s it. It is so full of good stuff . . . who needs supplements?

Making it is easy and cheap, albeit not very attractive. When describing the final stages of cooking says, Sally Fallon says, “You will now have a pot of rather repulsive-looking brown liquid containing globs of gelatinous and fatty material. It doesn’t even smell particularly good.” Nice, but regardless . . .

I buy the bones from farmer’s markets for $2 a bag. But if you’re not near a farmer’s market, your butcher will sell some to you (or give them to you!).

I make a batch and freeze it for soups and stews in 8- and 16-ounce containers to drink as a soup, or to use for braising veggies (instead of using oil). You basically use it as you would stock, but it’s richer, more gelatinous, and more nutritious. Here’s a bit of a cheat sheet (if Sally hasn’t scared you off)!

bone broth: the deal Bone broth is like normal stock but made with big, cheap bones (hopefully organic!) simmered for a very long time (24-plus hours). At the end of cooking, a stack of minerals have leached from the bones and into the broth so the bones crumble when pressed lightly.

why would you? because it is soooo good for you!

1. Our immune systems love it. It’s rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and other trace minerals, which are easily absorbable, thus assisting the immune system. Mark’s Daily Apple has a great article breaking down all the nutrients found in bone broth.

2. It’s great for arthritis and joint pain. It contains glucosamine and chondroitin – which help mitigate the deleterious effects of arthritis and joint pain. Rather than shelling out big bucks for glucosamine-chondroitin and mineral supplements, just make bone broth and other nutritive foods a part of your regular diet.

3. It’s a digestive aid. It 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.

4. It rebuilds the gut. Chris Kresser says the gelatin in bone broth helps in repairing 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.”

5. It combats stress plus inflammation, which is a boon for AI sufferers. Glycine is an “inhibitory” neurotransmitter, and promotes natural sleep and has a “quieting,” protective antistress action.

6. It’s great for thyroid issues. 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).

7. It’s great for nails, hair, and women generally. Rich in both gelatin and collagen, it promotes bone and joint healing in addition to supporting digestion. It helps to support the connective tissue in your body and also helps the fingernails and hair to grow well and strong.

8. And it’s super cheap. I just made about 3.5 quarts of the stuff and then I got excited and added up how much it cost me. Ready? $3.90. By using the bones from leftover roast chickens matched with vegetable scraps you’ve saved, you can whittle that paltry sum down even lower.

beef bone broth recipe - Taken mostly from Sally Fallon’s Nourishing Traditions.

a good ½ or more inches thick and you can literally pick it up in chunks (like ice on a frozen pond) and toss it out. Last but not least, divide into containers and freeze/eat.

some things to know • You brown the meatier of the bones in the oven first to 400°F for 45-90 minutes. Lamb and beef bones give better broth if roasted in the oven first.

• Acid is necessary in order to extract the minerals from the bone. Add some vinegar to aid in leaching these minerals – in particular calcium and other nutrients – from the bones.

• The water should be cold, because slow heating helps bring out flavors.

• Stock will keep several days in the fridge . . . I mostly freeze it though.

• Boiled down, the stock concentrates and becomes a jellylike fumée or demi-glaze that can be reconstituted into a sauce by adding water. ~ Sarah Wilson is the author of the recently released bestseller I Quit Sugar. A journalist, TV host, and blogger, Sarah is the former editor of Cosmopolitan magazine and was the host of the first series of MasterChef Australia, the highest-rated show in Australian TV history. She’s also a qualified Health Coach with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York.

Visit www.sarahwilson.com.au and www.iquitsugar.com.

• about 4.5-6.5 pounds of bones (beef marrow, knuckle bones, meaty rib, neck bones – whatever the butcher will give you) about 3-4 quarts of cold water • ½ cup vinegar • 2 or 3 onions, coarsely chopped • 3 carrots, coarsely chopped • 3 celery stalks, coarsely chopped • several sprigs of fresh thyme, tied together • 1 teaspoon dried green peppercorns, crushed or a teaspoon black peppercorns Place the bonier bones (without much meat) in a very large pot with vinegar and cover with water. Let stand for one hour.

Meanwhile, place the meaty bones in a roasting pan and brown at 350°F degrees in the oven. When well browned, add to the pot along with the vegetables.

Add additional water, if necessary, to cover the bones. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and add the thyme and crushed peppercorns. Simmer 12-72 hours.

You will now have a pot of brown liquid containing gelatinous and fatty material.

Strain the lot (you’ll need to use tongs or your hands to pull out the bones) into a large bowl. Let cool in the fridge and then . . . operation remove fat layer.

This is a little gross, but somehow satisfying. The congealed fat on top is usually

Beautiful vistas, heritage apples, award-winning wines Apple picking • Free wine tasting • Hiking • Fresh baked goods

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

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August / September 2013

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Special Food & Drink Feature No SIX DEPOT

Crepes • Paninis • Soups • Salads

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Espresso • Coffee • Tea • Juices Open Weekly 7:30 - 5 (Closed Tuesday) Sunday Musical Brunch 9 - 3 www.StavingArtistCreperie.com

40 Main St • Lee, MA • 413-394-5046 ®

KITCHEN GARDENING:

The Ultimate in “Locally Grown” Save Money. Eat 100% Organic All Year Round.

No Soil! No Green Thumb Required! Coupon OBG10 for $10 off!

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

ix Depot Roastery and Café is located in the historic Train Station in the center of West Stockbridge, MA. It’s a friendly mom and pop shop, run by Flavio and Lisa (and children), with Sascha as Café Manager and Betsy and Sarah as baristas.

more. It’s a friendly place with long communal tables, a guitar, and backgammon boards, where it is not unusual to see strangers talking and live music playing.

Six Depot imports green coffee from all over the world, traveling to meet the farmers and carefully sourcing the beans from small growers and co-ops who use sustainable and organic practices, grow their coffee high-altitude in the shade, hand pick the ripest, bestquality coffee cherries, and are recognized for their efforts with fair pay.

In their small shop within the cafe, you can buy Six Depot coffee, 18 varieties of full-leaf teas, natural sea salts, and olive oil. You can also find local items from jams, yogurt, honey, pottery made within the café, sauces, and sweets, as well as some stellar Italian and Argentine imports. Their coffee is available for sale to individuals as well as wholesale.

They then roast these beans right in the café, three times a week, where people can see the process and the connection is made between grower, roaster, and drinker. Flavio handroasts the coffee in small batches on a vintage Probat roaster using eyes, ears, and nose to adjust the roast and make sure it is perfect.

Friends, neighbors, farmers, and visitors meet up in the café where they enjoy hand-pulled lever espresso drinks, beautifully prepared teas, and housemade specialties, like slowroasted pork, Argentine steak, homemade granola and baked goods, local salads, and

In September, as they expand into the central space of the Train Station, Six Depot will host regular community events – such as special suppers, coffee and tea tasting, classes, art openings, original film screenings and more, so join their mailing list at www. sixdepot.com and follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sixdepot.

Antichi Sapori

The authentic flavors of Pompeian brick oven cooking & grilling savored in an elegant rustic ambiance.

Emphasis on local and organic products.

Meats are antibiotic & hormone-free.

The authentic flavors of Pompeian brick oven cooking At& Trattoria Rustica you will experience from the intimate grilling savored in an elegant Italy, rustic ambiance. setting with Neapolitan artwork surrounding you to the delicious onthe local and products. food you Emphasis will enjoy.

It's fine art oforganic Italian dining, service, music Beautiful Courtyard Dining Meats are antibiotic hormone-free. and the enjoyment among& family and friends.

Antichi Sapori

�

� 413.499.1192 Trattoria-Rustica.com 26 McKay Street in downtown Courtyard Pittsfield. Dinner 5 p.m. (closed Tuesday) Beautiful Dining

413.499.1192 Trattoria-Rustica.com 26 McKay Street in downtown Pittsfield. Dinner 5 p.m. (closed Tuesday)

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August / September 2013

Six Depot Roastery & Café Open every day (except Tuesdays) 8am-4pm 6 Depot Street, W. Stockbridge, MA 01266 (413) 232-0205, hello@sixdepot.com

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PANDA HOUSE RESTAURANT

Fine Chinese Dining ♦ Lunch and Dinner Dine-in or Take-out ♦ Party Rooms Available all tabs of $45 and over $10 OFF alcohol & gratuities excluded

MUST PRESENT THIS AD WHEN ORDERING

506 Pittsfield Road, Lenox, MA – (413)499-0660 Sun-Thurs 11:30am-10pm & Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm

www.pandahouserestaurantma.com

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Fashion & Beauty Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture A Safe Alternative to Botox or Surgery

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rained and certified by worldrenowned teacher, lecturer, and facial rejuvenation acupuncture practitioner Virginia Doran, MAc L.Ac, LMT, our acupuncturists Rebecca Rice and Christopher Reilly are pleased to offer Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture at our Center in Delmar, NY. Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture supports our overall health with a focus on revitalizing the face. By maximizing our inner vitality, our eyes glow with radiance, and our inner beauty can shine through.

Stimulating the circulation of blood flow and collagen production, as well as increasing facial muscle and skin tone, maximizes the beautifying effect.

The Benefits of Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture Improved muscle tone and dermal contraction Increased collagen production Reduction of bags under the eyes Reduction of sagging and jowls Decreased puffiness around the face Elimination of fine lines on the face Reduction of larger wrinkles Hormonal balancing for hormonal acne or dry skin Moistening of the skin through increased circulation to the face Improvement of facial color Tightening of the pores Lifting of drooping eyelids Reduction of age spots Reduction of stress evident in the face Emergence of one’s innate beauty and radiance

Safe Alternative to Botox and Surgery In today’s culture of plastic surgery and Botox injections, acupuncture offers a safer, more holistic alternative.

History The practice of acupuncture to enhance beauty dates back to China’s Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). It was used during this time by the empress and the emperor’s concubines.

Known in China as Mei Rong, these techniques are referred to in the West as an Acupuncture Facelift, Cosmetic

Acupuncture, and Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture.

Treatments A typical course of treatment consists of 10 to 15 consecutive treatments. The first 6 to 10 treatments should be performed twice per week. After the initial course of treatments, monthly or seasonal maintenance sessions are recommended to prolong the effects of the acupuncture.

Nutritional changes, herbal supplements, herbal/flower essences, and meditation coaching may all be included in the program to further support the process of enhancing health and revealing beauty. Rebecca Rice and Christopher Reilly are both licensed acupuncturists in New York, and have both been certified in Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture.

A unique boutique in downtown Pittsfield for you to explore!

Clothing  Accessories  Gifts 137 North Street, Pittsfield, MA The Shops In Crawford Square

www.pateezboutique.com

Providing Holistic Primary Care, Integrative Medicine, Acupuncture & Medical Massage

Acupuncture Basics The thousands of acupuncture points throughout the body present areas where an individual’s qi can be accessed and adjusted.

The stimulation of these points brings about a shift in qi flow through the pathways, called meridians, that connect these points to the whole of the body’s energetic anatomy.

The acupuncturist uses the specific character of each point, and the precise pathway of each meridian, to decide where a needle needs to be inserted in order to restore the proper flow of qi in the body. When this is achieved, an immediate increase in wellness is often experienced, with subsequent treatments building and adding upon each other.

At the Center, we use the highest quality acupuncture needles. They are extremely thin, sterile, and are not reused. Unlike hypodermic needles, acupuncture needles are solid and hair-thin. In most areas of the body, they are inserted no more than one half inch. Clients rarely feel more than a slight pinch upon insertion, which quickly fades away and gives way to the unique sensations of relaxation that typically occur with acupuncture. Many clients fall asleep during their treatment.

To make an appointment with Rebecca Rice or Christopher Reilly at our Delmar, New York office, call the Center at (518) 689-2244. www.stramcenter.com.

See ad at right for our Bennington, Vermont location.

Ronald Stram, M.D. Founder and Medical Director 530 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201 802-445-3152

www.stramcenter.com

BCBS, Cigna, MVP, Medicaid Accepted for Certain Services

Naturopathica's transformative Natural Face Lift leaves your skin soft, smooth and radiant.

Erica Leopold

Master Esthetician 135 Main St. Lenox, MA

413-637-0193

spa@gardengablesinn.com

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” ~ Audrey Hepburn

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August / September 2013

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See Our Stylish Collection of Unique Handcrafted Gifts & Home Decor

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Home, Garden & Landscape

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PROJECT NATIVE Native Butterfly House

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educational adventures for all ages A non-profit native plant nursery, education center, trails & wildlife sanctuary in Housatonic, MA.

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(413) 274-1122 (leave message) publisher@OurBerkshireGreen.com

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Your personal shopper for exceptional home furnishings

Sue Schwarz Director

Store Hours: Thurs - Sun 11-5 and by appt.

917.701.3841 755A North Main St. Sheffield, MA 01257 www.gallery315home.com Gallery315Home@gmail.com

Home, Garden & Landscape Smart, Eco-Friendly, Money-Saving Home Tips / By Kevin J. Regan 1. Cut Down on Mold

when renovating highmoisture areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements by using greenboard instead of regular drywall.

Note that greenboard drywall’s paper covering is water-resistant, but not waterproof; use a cement-based backerboard like Wonderboard for tile-covered wet applications like showers and tub surrounds.

2. Protect Your Wood Projects by recycling used gift cards. Use them as a barrier when using clamps – just slip the cards between the wood and the clamps before tightening the jaws.

3. Prevent Exterior Rot

by priming every side and all edges of each piece of wood with one or two coats of an oil-based primer before you install it (especially both ends since the end grain is like a sponge). This is an often overlooked step that creates unnecessary trouble down the line. In addition, you must make certain that all exterior work is flashed and caulked correctly to prevent any water from getting behind the exterior millwork.

screening, and stainless nails for wood (especially cedar or redwood).

5. Collect Pictures

from magazines, books, and the internet for inspiration when you are planning custom cabinetry or home improvement projects. A picture is worth a thousand words and will help you share your vision with your interior decorator, cabinetmaker, or other home improvement professional.

with this clever idea. First, remove the loose screws, and put carpenter’s glue into the problem holes. Then, insert a toothpick or the pointed end of a golf tee into each hole and tap into place with a hammer. After the glue drys, cut off the exposed extra part of the toothpicks or tees using a sharp utility knife. Finally, drill new pilot holes and reinsert the screws through the hinge. Be careful not to overtighten the screws. The hinge should feel much more stable and secure.

6. Protect Your Wood Trim by 10. Instead of Using Very Toxic attaching adhesive felt pads to the front and sides of your vacuum cleaner head so that it can glide against baseboard trim without making marks.

7. To Help Organize

your workspace when staining or painting wood trim, use an inexpensive 6-ft. stepladder as a lumber rack. Just fasten a cleat across the back legs of the ladder at the same height as each step, and slide your trim (finish side up) through each step for drying.

4. I Use and Recommend aluminum 8. Fix Sticky Wooden Drawers by and stainless steel nails for areas where moisture is a consideration to avoid corrosion, rust, and staining. Aluminum nails should be used for siding or

9. Tighten Loose Door Hinges

rubbing beeswax on the glides and everywhere the drawer touches the framework of the furniture, or by adhering self-adhesive nylon tape to the glides.

pressure-treated wood for outdoor projects, use rotresistant North American woods such as Eastern red cedar, black locust, and redwood, or exotic hardwoods such as tigerwood, ipe, cumaru, and garapa. Do not underestimate how toxic pressure-treated wood is and how detrimental it can be to your family’s health and the environment – see www.epa.gov/oppad001/reregistration/cca/cca_qa.htm for more information.

11. Looking for Healthy Stains

and paint? Try using products from BioShield Healthy Living Paints, www.bioshieldpaint.com.

Their excellent collection of paints, stains, thinners, and waxes are free of synthetic chemicals and made primarily from naturally derived raw materials.

~ Kevin Regan, Hartsville Design Woodworking, www.hartsvilledesign.com. See ad below.

Do you want the kitchen that you’ve always dreamed of?

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(413) 274-1010 FSC Certified Wood Upon Request Kevin@HartsvilleDesign.com Kitchens • Baths • Entertainment Centers • Display Cabinets • Big & Small Jobs

www.HartsvilleDesign.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

August / September 2013

9

Community Spotlight: Lee & Tyringham er ast

At Hawkmeadow Farm Jacqueline Nicholas

Offering Treatment for, and Prevention of Depression • Anxiety • Insomnia • Dementia through…

Lifestyle Changes • Diet and Nutrition Supplementation and Herbs Yogic Breathing and Meditation • Counseling

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Certified Nursing Care

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Psychiatric Wellness Alternatives

Karen Bonhote – Cert. Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist Richard Cleaver – Cert. Kripalu Yoga Teacher Lee, Massachusetts • 413-243-2224

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PASTE AND PRINT August 23 thru September 30 Please join us for our Artist’s Reception on August 31, 2013 – 3 to 6pm Music and Lite Fare Open Fri thru Mon 11am - 5:30pm

Route 102 (Next to the Fire Station) South Lee, MA ● (413) 717-5199

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Berkshire Harvest Farms 905 Pleasant Street, Route 102 South Lee, MA 01260

Crepes • Paninis • Soups • Salads

Delicious Locally Grown Produce and Food Products Available at Our Market Doug Rysewyk

Owner of Larrywaug Brook Farm in Stockbridge, MA

Espresso • Coffee • Tea • Juices

Call (413) 344-3719, email: rysewykd@aol.com Save the Date! Lee Founders’ Weekend 2013 Friday, September, 20 through Sunday, September, 22

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August / September 2013

Open Weekly 7:30 - 5 (Closed Tuesday) Sunday Musical Brunch 9 - 3 www.StavingArtistCreperie.com

40 Main St • Lee, MA • 413-394-5046

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

PR_AD.indd 1

7/12/13 10:07 AM

Authentic Lee

in the Authentic Berkshires

A

By Phil Smith

first-time visitor from the West Coast asked the concierge in a Boston hotel what to see on a short trip to the Berkshires. Even the Lee Chamber of Commerce couldn’t have dreamed up a better reply: “Go to Lenox, it’s a marvelous boutique; go to Stockbridge, it’s a classic photo op; then go to Lee, it’s the real Berkshires.” True story.

So if National Geographic thinks we are one of the world’s most authentic places to visit, and the concierge is right, Lee is perhaps the most authentic place in the highly authentic Berkshires. It has a relative absence of the plastic and concrete found in urban areas and a continuing influence of the natural elements that built the place.

Lee is ringed by lush, leafy, unspoiled ridgelines. Beneath those ridges lies some of the hardest rock known to humankind.

Therein lies the tale of this town. Those forests yielded the lumber that built our quaint old frame houses still seen today. The same forests gave us pulp and for a time made Lee the paper capital of America. And the unyielding marble was carved from the ground by tough, hard-working immigrants, then shipped to Eastern cities to construct many of our most famous buildings.

There is a little bit of Lee in the U. S. Capitol Building, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Boston Public Library. Quarrying still goes on in town and thousands of Americans have a little of the town (Lee Lime) sweetening their lawns. Specialty paper is still made in the town that has not lost its blue-collar roots. Farms producing dairy products, beef, pork, vegetables, and wool also dot the landscape. Most of us here are early risers.

Lee was never the darling of the Berkshire cottage set and it remained a mill town well into the mid-twentieth century. Then the Massachusetts Turnpike cut its swath through the state and funneled most Berkshire traffic into our town. We started calling ourselves “Gateway to the Berkshires.” Gradually, we became a visitor stop and a place for vacation homes. Today the town has the full range of accommodations from cozy motels to posh inns and B & Bs. Restaurants abound too, with American, French, Chinese, Greek, Hispanic, Italian, Indian, Peruvian, and Vietnamese cuisines. Once there was only a 24-hour diner and the Morgan House.

Even while Lee maintains its somewhat gritty past, it has made a transition. Dr. Michael McManmon’s College Internship Program gives us a little of the feel of a unique prep school village. Spectrum Playhouse brings in cultural events. At Animagic you can practice with movie special effects. Any day now we will annex West Becket, and Jacob’s Pillow will be ours. (Just kidding!)

The galleries and antique shops are improving. You can even take a hike with some friendly llamas at Hawkmeadow Farm.

And what of Tyringham, our charming tiny neighbor to the south, linked to Lee by a common school system and by the famed Appalachian Trail. The towns enjoy a symbiotic relationship; they come here to shop and we go there to hike, especially at the exquisite Tyringham Cobble and at Ashintully. The town has a fascinating history all of its own. You have to love a place that would arrest and fine a former American president for catching too many fish as they did to Grover Cleveland. And it was way ahead of its time, being the only town in Massachusetts named for a woman.

Somehow you get the feeling that, as visitors come and go, neither Lee nor Tyringham will fundamentally change much anytime soon. Lee remains a rather quaint industrial village that found a way to accommodate visitors without losing its soul.

And craggy, grassy Tyringham looks much the same as it did to the Mahicans in spite of a two-century history of entertaining the rich and powerful.

~ Phil Smith is a volunteer and a member of the Board of Directors of the Lee Chamber of Commerce, a Trustee of Housatonic Heritage, and the author and publisher of Love the Berkshires Quiz Game, the ultimate authority on Berkshire trivia.

Learners today

Leaders tomorrow Come and see why we call it “an education for life.”

Visit our 40-acre campus in Lenox Dale, MA to view independent learning in the mixed-age classrooms of our authentic Montessori environment.

Open Houses are offered in the fall and tours are given daily by appointment.

For more information, call us at 413-637-3662 or go online to berkshiremontessori.org/inquire.

Toddler

Children’s House

Elementary

Adolescent

Summer

Education & Workshops Fostering Imagination in Early Childhood

S

By Trice Atchison

torytelling – a deeply nurturing and engaging act for both listener and teller – is a cornerstone of early childhood education at the Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School. Early Childhood teachers often accompany their storytelling with puppets to gently illustrate the unfolding tale.

Puppetry is one way to nurture and grow the imagination, particularly in young children.

Handmade puppets are loosely formed and have lightly suggested features, allowing the children to “fill in” the details, and begin to create their own imaginative pictures to accompany the spoken word. Puppetry also encourages deep listening and concentration, an essential foundation for later academic and artistic learning.

Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than information.” Imagination is intertwined with the ability to think flexibly and creatively. Finding a solution to a problem or challenge is inextricably linked to envisioning alternatives. Imagination points to the possible, and allows a fresh perspective on what is and has been. As teachers and parents, we can’t know the future world in which our children will live. But by nurturing our children’s imagination, we nurture their power to envision and imagine, and think creatively to solve problems, so they are well equipped to meet the future.

In the Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School early childhood programs, teachers tell stories for children in parent-toddler and nursery classes with felted wool tabletop puppets, which can stand on their own as they are moved about the set, depicting the story and its characters in an uncomplicated way. In the kindergarten, with an audience of four- to sixyear-olds, teachers often use silk marionettes, which move gracefully and make simple gestures that communicate the movement of the story, creating a magical, fairytale quality.

Puppetry sets are simple, crafted out of natural objects like stones and branches, with colorful silks to suggest features of the landscape (rivers, mountains) as well as the season and mood of the story. While moving the puppets, the teacher speaks in a calm, rhythmic voice, using careful articulation so that the children can clearly hear the story's poetic language and imagery. Singing and softly played instruments, such as the lyre or glockenspiel,

help children form a richly nuanced story in their mind’s eye.

For three- and four-year-olds, puppet stories are brief enactments of traditional nursery rhymes, nature stories, or simple fairytales. By kindergarten, stories grow in length and complexity, adapted from familiar fairytales, folk legends from around the world, and themes representing the cycles of nature. These stories paint pictures of courage, ingenuity, friendship, thoughtfulness, and the natural order of life. Characters often overcome adversity or personal shortcomings to arrive at new understanding.

As they listen – eyes dreamy, cheeks flushed – children are delighted by and fully absorbed in these puppet stories, and in a world where wonderful, surprising things can happen. In their free play, the children often reenact puppet plays they’ve seen their teachers present.

Sometimes they bubble over with their own spontaneous stories and act them out for a willing audience of fellow classmates.

The ability to form inner pictures is the foundation for a rich imaginative life, and it lasts a lifetime. Puppetry is one way early childhood teachers at the Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School assure that a child is ready for the grades. Students’ ability to hold a thought as a picture in their minds is a necessary precursor to reading, writing, and other academic learning. In later years, the children may draw upon the images inspired by puppet stories, buoyed by the creative thinking they have developed and inner nourishment they have received to bring meaning, hope, and inspired action to the challenges they meet.

Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School

For more information, call Tracy Fernbacher at (413) 528-4015, extension 106, or visit www.gbrss.org. ~ Trice Atchison is the parent-child teacher at GBRSS, offering classes for babies, toddlers, and preschool-age children with a parent or caregiver.

She is a graduate of Sophia's Hearth Family Center (Keene, NH), a leading training site for birth-to-three work with families, and is studying therapeutic puppetry through Juniper Tree School of Puppetry Arts (Denver, CO). She and other GBRSS teachers lead Rhyme Time, a free “circle time” at Matrushka Toys and Gifts, Main Street, Great Barrington, MA. For details, contact store at (413) 528-6911.

Parent-Baby • Pre-K • Kindergarten 1st-8th grade • Summer Programs

Igniting a Lifelong Love of Learning for over 40 Years The Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School integrates academics with the arts in a developmentally appropriate, experiential education for preschool through eighth grade, providing a well-rounded education which prepares students for their choice of high school and college.

(413) 528-4015

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

www.gbrss.org

Great Barrington, MA

August / September 2013

13

Animal Talk

Happiness in Two Shakes of a Lamb’s Tail

CARING FOR PETS SINCE 1957

By Karen A. Bonhote

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

Monday-Friday 10a-6p Saturday-Sunday 10a-4p www.bensdotters.com

A

s a child, I lived in a beloved green farmhouse on a small farm on Long Island. My memories of living close to nature with animals and growing our own food are sweet and happy. Eventually, after the urban sprawl of New York City crowded out many of the little towns and rural farms, I moved away.

After years of living and working in Rochester, NY, I came to a crossroads in my life.

Open to a change, I joined some of my favorite extended family members in a move to the Berkshires, hoping for a more determined, healthier, and fun lifestyle.

Now, two-and-a-half years since moving to Western Massachusetts, I am living on a 16acre farm in Lee with a man I love, and growing my own vegetables again. A llama hiking business has been an established small community treasure on the farm for locals and summer tourists. The October Mountain State Forest is in our backyard and our view is westward, far into New York State, with spectacular sunsets.

We conceived the idea of raising sheep after a trip to Scotland last fall. Convinced that our large open pasture is conducive to grazing herds, we decided to try out a cooperative with

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several friends to share the responsibilities and cost of such a project. What appealed to me immediately was the idea of sharing space with these animals and the pleasure of seeing them day after day. The satisfaction of caring for the herd in a manner that is respectful, kind, and loving was also important to me. We received advice and assistance from some of the local sheep farmers to help get us started. I appreciate their taking my numerous calls and questions.

After investigating sheep breeds, we decided to raise Romney sheep for meat and wool.

Last fall, we purchased two yearling ewes, Aimee and Amelia (who had been earmarked for slaughter by their previous owners), and in December we acquired two bred ewes, Bonnie and Bernadette. The five-month gestation period for lambs flew by. To my delight, our first lamb was born one hour after we returned from a week’s vacation. I named her Charlotte. Twin boys arrived the following week.

As a nurse, I had envisioned helping with the delivery. But of course these ewes knew exactly what to do, and paid me no mind except when I got too close for comfort. The thrill of seeing nature in action reminded me of the independent order of the natural world.

We also purchased triplet boys, which my partners strongly cautioned me not to name. Consequently, one is known as “troublemaker,” another “the runt,” and we usually refer to the three together as “the boys.”

Animal Talk We have dealt with a number of unanticipated problems with the lambs, such as multiple escapes from their pasture (including a daytime escape accompanied by two piglets), constantly getting their head stuck in the fencing, and a newborn eye infection. Docking (applying a band at the top of the tail, causing the tail to wither off, in order to prevent backside infection) is an interesting procedure we had to learn.

Our llamas provide companionship for the sheep. They have also demonstrated their protective services. This spring, when a visiting dog entered the pasture uninvited, it was firmly escorted out of the pasture by our beautiful white llama, Picasso, his head down as if pushing the dog out with his nose. Surely this is instinctive; years earlier, Picasso had been observed making the same move on a rogue coyote.

As the summer slips by, we have been caring for the herd on a daily basis. Our partners in the cooperative will take care of the butchering. That part of the project is less familiar and less comfortable for me. While I am not a vegetarian, I anticipate wanting to be away from home that day. I don’t know how I will feel when I arrive home with fewer sheep in the pasture and a freezer full of meat. But we do want hormone- and antibiotic-free meat. We want to provide a comfortable, lowstress environment for the lambs as they exit this farm. We value the concept of sustainability, and feel that working as a cooperative with friends is a worthwhile goal.

Moving to the Berkshires has been an unimaginable pleasure. The natural beauty of the land is something I never take for granted. And returning home to a beloved green farmhouse with a garden and animals is a dream come true. ~ Karen Bonhote lives at Hawkmeadow Farm with her partner, Richard Cleaver.

Their business is Psychiatric Wellness Alternatives. See their ad on page 10.

Our Berkshire Marketplace electroBlast® Trace Mineral Concentrate Sold in Guido’s, electroBlast® broad-spectrum trace mineral concentrate restores water to its original electrical potency. Processing of bottled and filtered water removes many life-sustaining elements. For proper immune function and to slow the process of aging, it is essential to add electroBlast® to your water.

Tests have shown it enhances your body’s electrical field and improves blood constituency in only five minutes. Restoring trace elements has been shown to help ADD, arthritis, depression, impotence, and fatigue. Locally produced, electroBlast® is unsweetened, with no artificial ingredients. Each bottle makes 50 drinks (unflavored or flavored), and retails starting at $8.99 up based on size. www.electroblast.com For FREE ebook, The Electric Athlete, call (888) 217-7233.

S

FroyoWorld Frozen Yogurt Lounge FroyoWorld in Great Barrington, MA, offers a delicious rotation of ten yogurt flavors with gluten-free, no-sugaradded, sugar-free, and dairy-free options, including Original Tart, Strawberry Tart, Green Apple Sorbet, Mango Tango Sorbet, Vanilla Bean, Dutch Chocolate, No-Sugar Added Cappuccino, Red Velvet Cupcake, Birthday Cake Mix, and Cracker Jacks. They offer over 60 toppings from fresh seasonal fruits, childhood candy, nuts, to popping bobas . . . if you can think of it, they probably have it. The combinations are endless! They are located right on Main Street in the heart of Great Barrington.

The atmosphere is warm and cheery and the staff is helpful and will offer a sample to try if you are on the fence. Priced by weight at 54 cents per ounce. www.froyoworld.com/greatbarrington-ma

S

Intranasal Light Therapy Intranasal Light Therapy (the simple process of clipping a small red light diode to the nose) is a way to stimulate self healing and boost immunity by illuminating the blood capillaries through the nasal cavity. Numerous conditions have been found to benefit from this therapy as it stimulates restoration of body balance (homeostasis). When in balance, the body can prevent or reverse conditions such as high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, diabetes, atherosclerosis, sinusitis, dementia, viral infections, asthma, immune system deficiencies, infections, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, psoriasis, certain sleep disorders, and more serious conditions.

Purchase locally through Our BerkshireGreen, Inc. To find out more about the VieLight Intranasal Light Therapy unit go to www.mediclights.com and www.vielight.com. The unit sells online for $299 plus $20 shipping. For a limited time you can purchase this unit locally though Our BerkshireGreen, Inc. for $299 with free shipping (a $20 savings!). Go to the "Marketplace" at

www.OurBerkshireGreen.com and save $20!

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

August / September 2013

15

Health & Wellness Alternative Approaches to Ease Migraines

36

By Ana del Rosal and Dana Fulco

million people in the United States suffer from migraine headaches a year. It is a neurovascular disease with the main symptoms being recurring lateral or bilateral severe intense throbbing pain. The migraines can last from 4 to 72 hours and be accompanied by visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sensitivity to light, touch, and smell, and tingling or numbness in the extremities or face. They may be caused by food, stress, allergens, menstruation, and changes in the weather.

Migraine sufferers often identify with debilitating, unrelenting pain with unfortunate frequency, which is the main reason for employee absenteeism. As well, it imparts numerous challenges on the individual struggling with this chronic pain condition. Experimental research has shown promising new therapies for migraine sufferers, yet for many, successful long-term treatment regimens are elusive.

Therapeutic protocols regularly utilize potent drug combinations and/or invasive procedures to prevent migraine onset and manage symptoms; however, finding a tolerable regime can be a lengthy process. Patients suffer from unbearable or dangerous drug-related side effects, drug inefficacies, changing pain patterns, and mental exhaustion. Thankfully, a variety of complementary therapies, including acupuncture, massage, diet, relaxation technique, and exercise, have the ability to treat not only the physical migraine symptoms, but may also remedy the psychological and emotional stresses associated with chronic pain. Acupuncture and medical massage are two ways to treat the root causes of migraine headaches.

In Chinese medicine the signs and symptoms of migraines signify an imbalance in the body. A licensed acupuncturist considers the whole body and environmental and physical factors that are related to the onset of a migraine. In-depth questions are asked about the time (morning, afternoon, or evening); location (frontal, one side, the back of the head, or the whole head), character of pain (sharp, stabbing, dull, or achy); as well as general questions about sleep, diet, digestion, and more. The clearer the picture the easier it is to create a proper diagnosis from which to select acupuncture points that will either move stagnant energy, nourish a deficiency, or reduce an excess. Acupuncture treats the root cause of the migraines and alleviates the symptoms without any side effects.

There have been several studies that have shown that acupuncture helps to improve the quality of life of migraine sufferers by decreasing days with migraines and their intensity. Dr. Albrect Molsberger, a medical acupuncturist, of

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Ruhr University in Germany has said about using acupuncture to treat migraines “it is at least as effective as [preventive] drug therapy, has longer-lasting effects, is safe, seems to be costeffective, and reduces drug intake with possibly severe unwanted effects.� Another alternative to consider is medically based massage.

Medically based massage therapy has proven extremely effective both as an abortive migraine treatment, as well as an invaluable tool for the prevention of migraine onset. Specialized massage techniques/modalities are tailored to address the specific needs of each patient. As with acupuncture, migraine location, time of onset, relevant postural imbalances, and daily stressors cumulatively indicate the appropriate course of treatment. Massage therapy can often provide immediate pain relief by specifically manipulating tight, restricted, and/or ischemic tissues that initiate and potentially prolong the pain cycle. In addition, restoring range of motion and proper circulation to affected areas prevents further stagnation and supports the long-term development of healthy tissue function. Patients with extensive migraine histories respond particularly well to trigger point therapy as the techniques release chronically impaired tissues that cause widespread, reoccurring pain. These techniques carefully stretch restricted muscles, engage underutilized muscles, and promote muscular stability for optimal functionality. Massage helps alleviate the nausea, stress, and insomnia that often accompany migraines. Medically based massage provides migraine sufferers with effective, noninvasive therapy devoid of the potential complication often associated with medications.

Of course, along with acupuncture and massage, it is important for patients to do their own part in maintaining optimal health, such as eliminating common trigger foods like chocolate, alcohol, MSG, aspartame, an overuse of caffeine, and aged cheese. Other people find keeping a migraine journal useful to track triggers, and once they knows the causes of their attacks it is simpler to stay away from them. As well, remember to stay hydrated, get plenty of sleep, and reduce stress.

~Ana del Rosal, MASc, LAc, is a Vermont-licensed Acupuncturist and Dana Fulco, BS, LMT, is a licensed Massage Therapist. They both work with the Stram Center for Integrative Medicine in Bennington, VT. Editor’s Note: I suffered from debilitating migraines for years until finding out that I had leaky gut syndrome and was allergic to dairy and most grains. When I eliminated these foods, the migraines disappeared.

To address the allergies, I am now in the process of repairing my digestive tract with rich bone soups (see page 5) and fermented foods (probiotics), and love the idea of adding acupuncture and massage!

Health & Wellness Berkshire County Hypnosis & Behavioral Change Center Control Anxiety ~ Manage Chronic Pain ~ Reduce Stress Lose Weight ~ Increase Motivation ~ Stop Smoking

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Health & Wellness It's Never Too Late For Small Miracles – Step by Step / By Thea Basis

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Ursula's Story

or 30 years, I have been working in the health and fitness field. I specialize in fitness training for seniors and for people with special needs. I was contacted by a family member of an 83-year-old woman, living in an assisted living facility, who had suffered a stroke, completed physical therapy, and was inclined to sleep most of the day.

The family recognized the importance of keeping Ursula moving, and they were concerned that she was shuffling her feet rather than walking properly.

So I headed out to meet Ursula and her elder son. I immediately liked Ursula, who is a charming, attractive, polite mother of two. We all agreed on a program to meet Ursula’s goals of improved gait, better balance, strength training, and endurance training. Sounds tough, but I start where the client is and then move steadily in the right direction.

In my first session with Ursula, I learned that as a result of the stroke, she could not follow my verbal or physical cues. I would demonstrate a move, but Ursula could not mimic what I was showing her. So we began the work by my placing Ursula’s limbs in correct positions, guiding her movements, and communicating the instructions to her in ways she could follow. It was a slow start with constant repetition. But within a couple of months, I saw clear improvement and within four months Ursula’s walk had improved to be a normal gait and pace.

The most amazing thing though was to witness the improvement in Ursula’s cognition. After much repetition, Ursula was able to focus on her large wall calendar and gradually re-learn to make sense of it. Soon other residents began to seek out Ursula’s company as her natural brilliance returned. Other ladies wanted

to share her table in the dining room, and began inviting her to take walks.

We have just passed our one-year anniversary. Ursula wants to begin taking the group exercise classes, which had not appealed to her previously as she could not follow the instructions. I helped Ursula transition to the group exercise class in support of her wish for increased independence. I am so inspired by how exercise was able to contribute so much to the improvement in Ursula’s cognitive abilities. It far exceeded my – all of our – expectations. Ursula went on to inspire other residents to keep up their exercise routines as they have seen her progress.

I am honored to have played a role in Ursula’s recovery. I recognize that like Ursula, my brain also benefits by physical activity. We all benefit from moving our body, engaging our mind, and sharing our spirit.

I

Sally's Story

met Sally last year at an assisted living facility. She is a friendly 89year-old former golfer, and much loved matriarch of a large family.

More than a year ago, Sally had a setback that landed her in a wheelchair.

Shortly afterward, Sally’s family asked if I could do fitness training with her.

I agreed and requested a medical release from her primary care physician.

The doctor told Sally’s daughter that he saw no need for fitness training as he expected Sally to need nursing home care within six months. Fortunately, Sally’s daughter did not agree. Knowing Sally has COPD, I finally received the medical release as the doctor had to admit that moving was definitely better than not moving.

I admire Sally’s willing spirit and we have been working together now for a year. Her program includes lifting light weights, walking with a walker, balance training, exercise biking, stretching, and strength training.

Sally had a skin tear when I first started working with her that had not healed for many months. The wound finally healed after a couple of months of fitness training and a fresh wound healed in less than two weeks. Her circulation has improved quite a bit. I see Sally three times a week, every other day, for an hour. Sally is out of her wheelchair and back on her feet using a walker! Two weeks ago she climbed the stairs from the lobby to the first floor, 19 steps, and then repeated the climb after just a short rest. Sally was not winded or particularly tired after her ascent. She looks forward to our sessions and we both enjoy our time together. We walk outdoors as the weather permits. She is able to get herself to The Berkshires’ 65+ retirement community events of interest within the facility and enjoys Sunday dinner at her son’s house. Sally is an inspiration to me, demonstrating how well we can heal even in advanced age, if we keep active.

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August / September 2013

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~ Thea Basis has been an avid exerciser since age 11, when she was diagnosed with scoliosis.

Thea learned then that the physical body can be corrected and balanced by specific movements. After earning her BS degree in Holistic Health in 1986, she soon added a Fitness Trainer credential, realizing that the mental and emotional bodies could be rebalanced as well by movement. Thea currently works with seniors and special needs clients (from her home, in your home, or at your facility) who choose to maintain or regain strength, flexibility, balance, gait, cognitive engagement, and to deal productively with the inevitable stresses of aging. theabasis@verizon.net, (413) 528-8084. See ad on page 17.

Nonprofit Spotlight Grassroots Initiatives: Three Essential Mechanisms / By Paul Deslauriers “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

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rassroots initiatives can resolve any community need and create new avenues for wellbeing and prosperity. Grassroots organizing utilizes a “bottom-up” approach. Its success and sustainability is not dependent on money. Building a grassroots initiative is not dependent upon a hierarchy or a “leader” nor is it dependent upon any individual or organization to get the initiative under way. It can be done by you or by anyone with the desire and focus to be one of the people to birth an initiative.

The three foundational mechanisms essential for the success of any grassroots initiative are alignment, collaboration, and culture. These three mechanisms can be utilized as guides for success.

They generate energy, creativity, and resources that develop and sustain local solutions.

Alignment for grassroots development refers to the relationship between a community’s need and your personal intention and beliefs. An example might be to hold the intention to support healthy, affordable, organic food and independence from large corporate agriculture. Personally, it is my belief that healthy food is our birthright and that we should not have to consume foods that are genetically modified, irradiated, and laden with man-made chemicals. I have a passion to unplug from the corporate system and plug into local healthy food systems.

In 2008, when most of the Berkshires’ 33 pantries and meal sites were running out of food at the end of the month, Co-Act initiated the Food Net to resolve this need and also became a vehicle to teach and promote local sustainability through community gardens and instructive programs. Co-Act has been proud of partnerships with local farms, gardeners, and organizations like Berkshire Organics in Dalton, MA. Each year since the Food Net’s inception, produce distribution to the meal sites has increased; the most recent was 21,000 pounds in 2012. For more information about the Food Net and how you can participate, visit www.co-act.org.

Some communities may need cleaner water or air, more affordable housing, improved job development, or an end to gang violence. Needs can vary from one town or city to the next. It is through the alignment of our hearts with what the community needs most that a supportive outlet is formed to express our passion and access the community as the primary resource.

Alignment occurs when this community issue is taken on by dedicated individuals. The change starts from within, such as a belief in a cause. A key ingredient in the development of a grassroots venture is the ability of this focus to stir the hearts of individuals to work for meaningful change within their local community. When there is alignment of a person’s passion, words, and deeds, it opens the doorway to a potential that is beyond the material

~Margaret Mead

realm. The true asset that will bring about lasting new possibilities and resources become available. reform lies within our hearts.

Initially, it was estimated that 30 people would Collaboration in grassroots organizations probably use the shelter. Co-Act opened the doors forms “webs” of participation. The core compe- to COTS on December 22, 2012, more than 100 tency of any grassroots endeavor involves partici- unduplicated guests used the shelter in the first four pation, and the weaving together of talents, insights, months. Averaging 21 people each night during the resources, and support. Collaboration is the actual winter months, people of all backgrounds are using coming together of persons, a group, or groups to COTS. Single adults, elderly individuals, veterans, work on issues as a cross-functional, mutually sup- and youth all experience homelessness. Persons portive, interdisciplinary team. struggling with substance dependence, disability, The initiative’s creativity and responsiveness mental illness, or those who have lost their jobs, all comes from the “community brain trust” formed can experience homelessness. COTS has served as through collaboration. A brain is more creative and a welcome harbor and safety net. For more inforinsightful when all its synapses are alive and con- mation about how you can participate or serve, visit nected throughout its gray matter. The same is true www.BerkshireCotShelter.org. with organizational intelligence, which also relies Culture implies growth, improvement, strength, on interconnected pathways. To increase the intel- health, and productivity. Through culture we cultiligence of a grassroots initiative, you must nurture vate our group initiative. It has the potential to deand encourage these connections. The environment velop and sustain the initiative, and nourishes those of collaboration needs to be trustworthy and open. who participate. Culture creates a unique cohesion Avoid the mistake of not including those who have among the group. The more this cohesive element already been proactively working on this issue. is uplifting and supportive, the more attractive the One inspiring example is Berkshire COTS, a group endeavor becomes. community-supported overnight shelter. For 25 For these initiatives to work without the normal years, Berkshire County had lacked shelter for people compensation of money, there needs to be another Continued on page 20 who could not stay at the often overfilled local shelter. Their only options were waiting out the frigid nights inside doorways or under bridges, in abandoned cars and buildings, office buildings that had to be broken into, or the police station waiting room. As a community, many felt this was not just a bad situation, but a moral issue.

Why then had this problem persisted unsolved for so long? The answer lies mostly in the fact that there was no financial profit in setting up a winter shelter.

But grassroots organizing is not dependent on money. Access to another form of energy to fuel an initiative comes from the network of support, replacing the so-called legal tender. Co-Act began the grassroots initiative of COTS by calling together the heads of 18 of the most involved organizations who served this population. This successful collaboration involved many invested and committed groups and individuals whose hearts were in alignment with the cause: (413) 274-1010 the Salvation Army for the use of their FSC Certified Wood Upon Request space, the Berkshire County jail who collected laundry weekly, the churches who Kevin@HartsvilleDesign.com helped raise enough money to purchase Kitchens • Baths • Small & Large Jobs good quality cots and liability insurance, and the many dedicated and compassionwww.HartsvilleDesign.com ate people who donated their time, some night after night. Through collaboration,

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August / September 2013

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Nonprofit Spotlight

Mind & Spirit

Continued from page 19

type of compensation participants receive. It is an exchange that is not in the material realm.

Rewards like love, community, feeling alive, respect, personal growth, and being able to make a difference in other people’s lives are why people keep on coming back.

The Pearl Street Center is an example of a grassroots response to unemployment, and other economic and social stressors that are affecting over 20 percent of Berkshire County residents. Using culture, collaboration, and alignment for its success, Co-Act worked closely with 21 health and human service organizations.

Initially, time was spent exploring the optimum environment that would support the clients and staff. The two most important values we agreed to integrate into the culture were “no separation” and “love.” And it has worked.

The Pearl Street Center is celebrating its second year serving the homeless and unemployed and averages 35 guests each day, more than 18,000 client services per year, and is providing showers, mail addresses, phone and computer use, counseling, workshops, job development, refreshment, and community. For information on how you can help, visit www.PearlStreetDayCenter.org.

As community, we have the power to create any grassroots initiative; we do not need to bind ourselves to old bureaucratic ways of resolving community needs. Together, we can solve any community problem or realize any dream.

To learn more about developing grassroots initiatives, read the recently published LIBERATE: Replace Elite Systems with Common Good Systems . . . A Guide to develop Grassroots Prosperity, by Paul Deslauriers, available at www.nrgpublishing.com. ~ Paul Deslauriers has more than 25 years of experience as a community organizer, management coach, organizational development consultant, and workshop facilitator.

He has worked with diverse groups such as the Alaskan Inuit, Icelandic, and Hawaiian communities. He was coordinator and coach for a group of 287 grassroots communities focused on activism in the United States and Europe.

As a business organizational development consultant, he worked for over 60 ad agencies and 30 TV broadcasting stations.

Presently, Paul is the Executive Director of Community Organizing for Action (Co-Act), which is involved with locally produced energy, ending hunger and malnutrition, public transportation, shelters, and local currency. Paul also gives workshops throughout the country involving grassroots community development and improving group performance. www.co-act.org

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August / September 2013

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Breathe then Believe / By Dan Hegerich

couple of days ago, I was visiting one of my volved in restoring your respiratory system so that favorite cafés. It’s a combination European it is natural, free, and unrestricted will make life easy Pastry shop and a Japanese Tea House with and more fulfilling. an emphasis on artisanal gourmet chocolate. I was When you open up your breathing to being more there to create a flyer for a new weekly conscious natural, you increase your conscious awareness, and breathing class called Breathe then Believe. I met up with increased awareness comes greater personal rewith the owner, Joshua, who was very busy with a sponsibility. Thus you become an agent of transformop and bucket, applying a sealant for his floor. mation. Change is inevitable and requires no effort.

After about ten minutes, Josh sat down at my On the other hand, transformation requires a certain table and we shared some Chinese tea and herbs that effort resulting in a change in your conscious awareI had brought in. He explained to me that it was his ness. And the great thing about learning to restore annual springtime cleaning for the café. After re- your breath is you can practice while you mop floors moving all the dirt, grime, and gunk that had built up or make fantastic chocolate! over the year, he was polishing his floors and putting The Breathe then Believe weekly class is being ofon a new sealant. This was to make the daily sweep- fered Thursday evenings at Lenox Yoga. Go to their ing, mopping, and general cleaning easier. Josh said website at www.lenoxyoga.com for the schedule. ~ Dan is a Holistic Lifestyle Consultant and Optimal “even though it is hard work, it feels really good to Life Coach. Through nutrition and movement therapies, Dan have a clean slate to begin fresh.”

Josh then asked what I was up to. I mentioned found his way back to health from the experience of termithat I was starting up a breathing class entitled Breathe nal cancer a remarkable six times. Visit www.danhegerich.com then Believe. I began to explain that it was just like and www.dothecure.blogspot.com. cleaning the floors. You utilize the necessary tools to clear away all the negative stuff and restore the floors to a new clean slate. "Be what you are, and nothing less. The world needs it of you."

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