Our BerkshireTimes Magazine, Aug-Sept 2014

Aug - Sept 2014, vol 15 (26)

Take One, It's Free!

Our BerkshireTimes

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Community News | Local Events | Personal Growth | Vibrant Living

O Food & Drink and Education & Workshops Special Features OO O Online Coupons at www.OurBerkshireTimes.com/Coupons!

Community matters.

Buy local food.

42 Bridge Street, Great Barrington 413.528.9697 www.berkshire.coop

FOOD SHOPPING WITH VALUE(s)

Our BerkshireTimes邃｢ PUBLISHERS Kathy I. Regan publisher@ourberkshiretimes.com Kevin J. Regan kevin@ourberkshiretimes.com _______________ EDITORIAL Kathy I. Regan editor@ourberkshiretimes.com

August - September 2014

Contents 4 art, culture & entertainment

14 animal talk

JANET RICKUS

EPIDEMIC OF CHRONIC ILLNESS

EVENT SAMPLER

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHTS

6 food & drink special feature EGGPLANT STEAKS

17 education & workshops special feature PRACTICAL LIFE

RASPBERRY SALSA

ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHTS

Rodelinde Albrecht rodelinde@ourberkshiretimes.com

SHRIMP SALAD

Copyeditor/Proofreader Rodelinde Albrecht _______________

CORN SOUFFLE

LIVING WELL WITH LYME

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE QUARK

LYME - MSIDS SYMPTOM LIST

ANGEL FOOD CAKE

BAVARIAN QUARK PANCAKES

DESIGN Magazine Design/Layout Kathy I. Regan

10 fashion & beauty

Ads窶的ndependent Designers Katharine Adams, Rural Ethic Studio katmail@ruralethicstudio.com

11 home, garden & landscape

Christine Dupre cedupre@msn.com Elisa Jones, Berkshire Design Studio elisa@berkshiredesignstudio.com Shirley Sparks, Graphic Design on a Dime sms234@aol.com _______________ TO ADVERTISE CONTACT Our BerkshireGreen, Inc. P.O. Box 133, Housatonic, MA 01236 Phone: (413) 274-1122 advertise@OurBerkshiretimes.com www.OurBerkshireGreen.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com www.OurBerkshireCalendar.com _______________ COVER ILLUSTRATION

Janet Rickus, Artist Minneolas & Blue Bowls, a still life oil painting created by Janet Rickus, adorns the cover of this issue.

Janet was born and raised in Chicopee, MA. She graduated with a BS from Central Connecticut State University in 1971, and began her 30-year career painting still lifes in 1983. She now resides in Great Barrington, MA.

CATWALK

NOBODY CAN FIX THAT!

20 health & wellness

22 mind & spirit 23 featured advertisers

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his publication is printed with soy ink on FSC-certified paper!

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www.OurBerkshireTimes.com/coupons to find advertisers who are offering additional online coupons and deals with fantastic savings! Join our mailing list to receive our informative eNewsletter and coupons directly.

Our BerkshireTimes Magazine is a bimonthly publication (six issues yearly, starting in February), free to the public, and is enjoyed by community members, second home owners, and visitors alike. Most of our editorial content is contributed by our readers. We welcome your ideas, articles, and feedback, and encourage you to submit original material for consideration through our website. To find out more about advertising, 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 邃｢ 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

cover art by janet rickus MINNEOLAS & BLUE BOWLS, OIL ON CANVAS

Lecture Series

Every Tuesday at 4pm

August 5: Cassandra Albinson Edwardian Opulence: Your Day in “Court” or How to Dress to Meet the Monarch August 12: Francis Morrone A Berkshire Connection The Lenox Five by Society Architects Rotch & Tilden Every Thursday at 7 pm August 7: Enslavement: August 19: Robert Asplund The True Story of Fanny Kemble WWI Breaks Out in Lenox: The Dumba Affair August 14: All This, and Heaven Too August 26: Jay A. Clarke August 21: The Age of Innocence The Manton Collection at the Clark: August 28: Ethan Frome A Premier Repository of British Art 104 Walker Street, Lenox, MA 413-637-3206 GildedAge.org

VentFoRt FilMs:

Celebrate Our Forty-second Year!

Wonderful Things

Largest Selection of Yarns and Unique Handcrafted Gifts in the Berkshires Gift Certificates S Free Knitting Lessons Open Mon-Sat 9:30-5, Sun 12-4 Harry and Debbie Sano 232 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230 (413) 528-2473 • www.wonderful-things.com

presents

The Road Less Traveled-Creative Detours

August thru September 8

Artist’s Reception on August 9 from 3-6pm

About Face-Face to Face with Imagination

September 12 thru October 19

Artist’s Reception on September 20 from 3-6pm

Route 102 (Next to the Fire Station) South Lee, MA ● (413) 717-5199 Open Fri thru Mon 11am - 5:30pm 4

www.saintfrancisgallery.com www.facebook.com/stfrancisgallery

August | September 2014

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

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inneolas & Blue Bowls, the striking still life oil painting created by Janet Rickus, adorns the cover of this August-September issue of Our BerkshireTimes magazine.

Janet was born and raised in Chicopee, Massachusetts, then moved as a young girl to West Springfield, where her parents operated a grocery store. She graduated with a BS from Central Connecticut State University in 1971, and began her 30-year career painting still lifes in 1983. She now resides in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

Janet�s still lifes are painted actual size, at eye level, and are often arranged on a surface covered with crisply ironed or softly draped table linens. She always paints during the day in natural light. Whether she’s painting pears or squash, turnips or peppers, she precisely captures the color, shape, texture, and shadow of her subjects. She is meticulous and unhurried, selecting just the right specimens, arranging them just so, and painting them with great concentration and precision, demonstrating expert technique comparable to the Dutch and French still life masters.

Although carefully selected and arranged by the artist, Janet’s fruits and vegetables seem to have developed relationships of their own. They interact in friendly harmony, sometimes leaning against one another, sometimes huddled together in a cluster.

Janet�s paintings are held in major public and private collections internationally and she has been featured in multiple group and solo exhibitions in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Florida. She was honored with an exhibition of her work at the Springfield Museum of Fine Arts in 2001, and awarded the Massachusetts Cultural Council Artist Grant in Painting in 2006. Janet�s artwork is included in a number of private collections, including those of television personality Jane Curtin and the late actor Jason Robards.

~ Contact or visit the Harrison Gallery in Williamstown, MA, for more information. (413) 458-1700, www.theharrisongallery.com. You can also see more of Janet�s work at Gallery Henoch in New York, (917) 305-0003, www.galleryhenoch.com.

home, garden & landscape

aug-sept 2014 event sampler SEE MORE EVENTS OR POST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT www.OurBerkshireCalendar.com Kushi Institute Macrobiotic Summer Conference

Date: Sun, Aug 3-17, 2014, 7am-9pm Place: Kushi Institute, 198 Leland Road, Becket, MA - (413) 623-5741, Price: $93 This is a unique two-week educational program featuring lectures on health, wellness, and organic cooking through macrobiotic principles and offering more than 34 cooking demonstrations, yoga, tai chi, and lectures from doctors, nutritionists, and wellness experts. Enjoy some of the best vegan, macrobiotic meals in the country!

Contact Marisa directly at (413) 623-5741 ext 102 or summer.conference@kushiinstitute.org. www.kushiinstitute.org/summer-conference WeeMuse Adventure Date: Fri, Aug 8, 2014, 11-11:30am Place: Berkshire Museum, Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-7171. Price: Free with museum admissions. Little ones can explore the aquarium and three museum galleries! Each week features songs, stories, scavenger hunts, play time, and more. This program is geared towards children 18 months to 3 years. Older and younger siblings welcome! www.berkshiremuseum.org Butterfly & Bug Safari

Date: Sat, Aug 9, 2014, 10:30am-12noon Place: Project Native, 342 North Plain Road, Housatonic, MA - (413) 274-3433, Price: Free.

Join us on an adventure through the farm. We will go on a safari with nets, bug boxes, and magnifying glasses to find eggs, caterpillars, and butterflies to relocate into the Butterfly House.

We will identify the butterflies we collect and in some cases release them into the Butterfly

House. All ages are welcome to participate.

Please note, safaris do require walking on uneven ground, and children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Participants will gather at Project Native (weather permitting).

West African Dance, Drum, and Textile Workshop Date: Mon, Aug 11, 2014, 8:30am-1pm Place: PS21: Performance Spaces for the 21st Century, 2980 Route 66, Chatham, NY - (518) 392-6121. Price: $175/$150 members for the week-long day camp program.

Scholarships are available. For ages 8 to 18 exploring West African dance and drumming with the Jamal Jackson Dance Company and textiles with fiber artist Susannah White. www.ps21chatham.org/youth_workshops Magic Show: Ed the Wizard!

~ NEW HOURS ~

Date: Mon, Aug 11, 2014, 6:30pm Place: Cheshire Community Center, School Street, Cheshire, MA - (413) 743-4746 Price: Free. To kick off the Cheshire Library�s summer reading program for 2014, Ed the Wizard will perform magic and share how reading made him the magician he is today. Sign up for “Fizz, Boom, Read!” summer reading at the event, and for our special Wednesday SummerTimes reading and craft program for children ages 4-8. www.cheshirepubliclibrary.wordpress.com Third Thursdays at Berkshire Museum Date: Thurs, Sept 18, 2014, 5-8pm Place: Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street Pittsfield, MA - (413) 443-7171 Price: Free The streets and sidewalks of downtown Pittsfield will fill with live music, street performers, great shopping, outdoor dining, new art, and thousands of people as 3rd Thursdays returns for 2014. Admission to the Berkshire Museum is free during the City of Pittsfield’s Third Thursdays celebrations. www.berkshiremuseum.org

9 am to 6 pm Tuesday - Friday 9 am to 4 pm Saturday Closed Sunday - Monday

15 Main Street, Lee 413-243-0508

food & drink special feature

La Fogata Restaurant Colombian and Latin Cuisine Lunch & Dinner

770 Tyler Street Pittsfield, MA 01201 (413) 443-6969

Paul’s

Restaurant & Pizza

Authetic Greek Food in a Family Dining Atmosphere

Take Out and Catering Available

Corner of Seymour & Wahconah Street Across from Berkshire Medical Center

Pittsfield, MA | 413.445.4965 paulsrestaurantandpizza.com

Leon & Sons’

HIGHLAND RESTAURANT

Serving the Best in Italian American Cuisine Take out Available • Daily Specials (closed Mon)

Family Dining • Family Prices • Since 1936 Buy Your Holiday Gift Certificates Now! 413.442.2457 • 100 Fenn Street, Pittsfield, MA

Off North Street Across From City Parking Lot Your hosts, the the Arace Your hosts, Arace Family, Family, wish wishyou you“Buon “BuonAppetito” Appetito”

Meadow Farm Market Procuring exceptional organic and conventional produce and goods, both locally and regionally grown, as to ensure the best quality offerings for our customers.

www.MeadowFarmMarket.com

LIKE US ON

facebook

Homemade Ice Cream Shoppe Outdoor Patio

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240 Stockbridge Road, Route 7 Great Barrington, MA

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528cafe@gmail.com facebook.com/528cafe August | September 2014

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his is a nice twist on the usual eggplant recipes that abound during the summer!

ingredients Italian eggplants, cut to form six to eight 1½” to 2” steaks 6+ cups tomatoes, cored, deseeded, diced (sweet and fresh) ½ cup basil leaves, shredded 3 cloves garlic, minced (more or less, to taste) 1 cup unseasoned bread crumbs 1½ cups feta cheese, crumbled OR ¾ cup freshly grated pecorino romano – depending on your mood 1 T balsamic vinegar 1 shallot, diced (optional) extra virgin olive oil kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste instructions Coat a roasting pan with olive oil. Salt the eggplant steaks and set aside. In a large bowl, mix the other ingredients well, adjusting ratios to your taste. Let set for 20 minutes. Rinse the eggplant steaks and pat dry. Gently brown the steaks on both sides in a hot skillet. Arrange steaks in the roasting pan. Top with tomato mixture. Roast at 325°F until steaks are tender and tomato mixture is just starting to brown. Serve and enjoy!

raspberry salsa

(413) 394-4308 | MidgesMarket@yahoo.com Route 102, 905 Pleasant Street, South Lee, MA

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FROM THE WEST STOCKBRIDGE FARMERS MARKET

by Ginna Dudney

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

Serving certified free trade organic coffee, nitrate free meats and cheeses, dairy from local farms, bakery fresh breads and of course sundries.

Open 7 Days a Week

eggplant steaks

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

FROM THE WEST STOCKBRIDGE FARMERS MARKET

by Terri Jo Dixon

ingredients plain corn chips ½ cup raspberries (or blackberries) halved ⅓ of a medium sweet onion, diced and rinsed 1 large jalapeno, diced small, seeds in if you like it spicy 2 to 3 cups of fresh tomatoes, diced juice from ½ lime ¼ cup cilantro, loosely chopped salt & pepper to taste instructions Mix all salsa ingredients together. Let sit for at least 15 minutes.

Serve with your favorite corn chips.

food & drink special feature

shrimp salad WITH ARUGULA AND ASIAN PEAR FROM THE WEST STOCKBRIDGE FARMERS MARKET

by Mary Thibeault

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he base of this recipe is the wonderful arugula we have at Colfax Farm at our Market, so it�s always as fresh as can be. If frozen precooked shrimp are used, there is no cooking involved, and the combined tastes contribute to a lovely, light dinner salad for a warm summer night. ingredients ¼ cup grape seed oil 1 tsp raw honey ½ tsp Dijon mustard 1 T apple cider vinegar 8 cups arugula 1 asian pear, cored and thinly sliced ¼ cup pecans sea salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste

Lenox Commons, 55 Pittsfield Lenox Road Lenox, MA 01240

Tel: 413.637.9777 www.jaeslenox.com Jae’s since 1990

© Lsantilli / Dollar Photo Club

instructions In a small bowl, whisk together the grape seed oil, honey, mustard and vinegar. Season with salt & pepper. Set aside. On a large plate, arrange arugula. Top with pecans and pear slices. Drizzle the dressing over the salad when ready to eat. Top with shrimp and serve.

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angel food cake FROM GUIDO'S KITCHEN - SERVES 10-12

ingredients 1½ cups sifted confectioner’s sugar 1 cup sifted cake flour ¼ tsp salt 1½ cup egg whites, from 12 large eggs 1½ tsp cream of tartar 1 cup granulated sugar 1 tsp vanilla © Brent Hofacker / Dollar Photo Club

instructions Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium size bowl, sift together confectioner’s sugar, flour, and salt. Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until frothy. Add cream of tartar and beat until the egg whites form soft peaks. Add granulated sugar slowly and continue beating until the egg whites are thickened and form soft, droopy peaks. Beat in vanilla. Add ⅓ of sifted dry ingredients to the egg white mixture. Fold in gently with a rubber spatula until well combined. Fold in remaining dry ingredients, one third at a time. Gently pour batter evenly into ungreased tube pan and bake until the top is golden and a tester comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Allow the cake to cool completely.

PUTTING FRESH, LOCAL & ORGANIC ON YOUR PLATE FOR 35 YEARS

PITTSFIELD & GREAT BARRINGTON, MA GUIDOSFRESHMARKETPLACE.COM

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

August | September 2014

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food & drink special feature

corn soufflé

FUN TO MAKE, DELICIOUS & SATISFYING

by Rachel Portnoy, Chez Nous, Lee, MA

T

he beauty of having a seasonal menu is to enjoy foods at their peak, of course. Sweet corn is one of those things that, when it�s local and freshpicked, really needs no embellishment. At the restaurant, though, we like to play with the seasonal ingredients and show them off in new and fun ways. Sweet corn season is just coming up, and here is the perfect recipe to enjoy it in a new and delicious way. Usually there is a runaway hit each summer that gets the most requests for recipes at our restaurant and this summer it is our light and corn-packed Sweet Corn Soufflé. A variation on the ever-popular Twice-baked Cheese Soufflé, ours has no cheese, but can be baked once, and then a second time when you’re ready to serve it, making it a truly easy dish! We hope you enjoy this recipe many times this summer, before the last of the corn disappears for the season. ingredients 3 oz butter | 2 oz (½ cup) flour | pinch of cream of tartar 24 oz milk | 6 eggs, separated 5 ears fresh corn | ½ onion or 1 bunch scallions

in food processor. Make béchamel with butter, flour, and milk: melt butter, add flour, stir 1-2 minutes to cook out the flour, then add milk gradually, bring to boil, whisking, and then simmer until thick and doesn’t taste floury. Whisk in yolks. Whip whites with cream of tartar to medium-firm peaks. Mix béchamel with onion and corn. Fold in whites, season to taste.

instructions Prepare molds: coat with soft butter and then bread crumbs.

Mince onion and sweat in butter. Cut corn off the cob, roast in a smoking hot pan or grill until slightly browned. Pulse corn slightly

WE’RE WE’RE

Portion into prepared molds. Bake at 375◦F in a water bath until firm. Can chill when cooked and reheat when you want to serve.

Makes twelve 6 ounce souffles.

Local and Organic Home Delivery or Market Open 7 Days a Week

413.442.0888 Live Green. Eat Fresh

LOCO LOCO

813 Dalton Division Rd., Dalton, MA www.BerkshireOrganics.com

½

’’ BOUT BOUT

entrées available

LOCAL LOCAL From FARM to toyour BELLY From FARMtotoTABLE TABLE your BELLY

Wednesday Wednesday Sunday Monday Wednesday Wednesday

to

lunch toWeekend Sunday Monday noon-3pm

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M-m-m-yum!

999 Main St. Great Barrington, MA 01230

(413) ROUTE7GRILL.COM 999 Main528-3235 St. Great Barrington, MA 01230

(413) 528-3235 ROUTE7GRILL.COM

August | September 2014

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

S6609

6655 DAYS DAYS

Visit your favorite Visit your favorite Localvore’s , eat-in, Localvore’s , eat-in, take-out, catering or take-out, catering or bar have a drink at the have a drink at the bar

S6609

OPE N OPEN

casual french dining

dinner only • 150 Main St., Lee 413.243.6397 cheznousbistro.com

food & drink special feature

did you say quark?

YES, QUARK! A DELICIOUS GERMAN FRESH-MILK CHEESE Submitted by Hawthorne Valley Farm Store, Ghent, NY

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he following recipes are two easy ways to use Hawthorne Valley Farm’s Quark cheese. Quark, which literally means curd, is a traditional German fresh-milk cheese. Various cuisines, especially cuisines of Germanspeaking countries and of Slavic peoples feature quark as an ingredient for appetizers, salads, main dishes, side dishes, and desserts. Quark is a delicious substitute in recipes calling for sour cream or ricotta cheese. You can buy Quark at the Hawthorne Valley Farm Store. www.hawthornevalleyfarm.org

Easy Chocolate Mousse Quark

Bavarian Quark Pancakes

ingredients 1 dark chocolate bar ½ cup powdered sugar 16 oz Hawthorne Valley Farm Quark instructions Melt chocolate in a double boiler. Let chocolate cool slightly before whipping all ingredients together.

ingredients 1¼ cups Hawthorne Valley Farm Quark 2 cups flour dash of salt 1 cup Hawthorne Valley Farm buttermilk 4 eggs 1 T sugar ¼ tsp baking soda

note To make a lighter mousse add 8 oz whipped cream.

instructions Mix well. Cook in frying pan. Makes 14 pancakes.

© tashka2000/Dollar Photo Club

Hawthorne Valley Farm Store

Visit our historic landmark Railroad Street, Lee, MA (413) 243-2082 Vegan, Gluten-free, Vegetarian upon request

Live Entertainment on Friday & Saturday evenings and Sunday brunch

From Our Hands to Your Table A full-line natural foods store featuring organic breads, pastries, cheeses, yogurt, raw milk, sauerkraut and other foods made fresh on our farm!

Fresh • Organic • Local • Delicious Open 7 Days FARM STORE | www.hawthornevalleyfarm.org 327 County Route 21C, Ghent, NY 12075 | 518-672-7500 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

August | September 2014

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fashion & beauty

catwalk IS HERE! Fashionable clothing for women, teens, and men, jewelry, art, pottery, china, textiles, and furniture.

Come have a cup of tea by the river and browse our delightful collection.

Bring your own goods to consign!

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UPSCALE RESALE IN GREAT BARRINGTON

by Mimi Rosenblatt

atwalk is a brand-new women’s upscale resale boutique that was founded to benefit Berkshire Humane Society (BHS). The clothing is hip, fashionable, and affordable with all proceeds going to help the homeless animals of Berkshire County. Shopping at Catwalk is the ultimate “guilt-free” shopping experience that we’ve all been looking for!

The store is run by three animal-loving volunteers who are totally committed to doing whatever they can to alleviate the suffering of homeless animals in the county.

2 Albany Road, West Stockbridge, MA (across the bridge just north of village center) www.facebook.com/NEXTConsign 413.232.4312 STORE HOURS: Fri-Mon 11am-5pm | Sun 12-4pm

Leslie Weil has been a BHS board member since 2010 and is currently the vice president of the board. In addition to all of her volunteer hours for BHS, she works part time at Chez Pet in Lenox. Leslie has an extensive background in interior design, sales, fashion, and graphic design. She lives in Stockbridge with her husband, Mark Lee, and their two rescue cats Tetley and Mikey.

Marsha Weiner has lived in the Berkshires since 1996. She has been involved with Purradise, the South County feline adoption center of BHS, since its inception in 2010. Marsha lives in Great Barrington with her husband, Dr. Ed Weiner, and their two rescue cats, Munro and Tyrone.

15 Main Street, Lee 413-243-0508

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August | September 2014

Mimi Rosenblatt (me!) relocated to the Berkshires in 2004. I have been a passionate animal lover my entire life. I became involved with BHS in 2010 as an original member of the Purradise Advisory Board where I have been able to put my public relations and fund-raising experience to good use.

When I�m not working at Catwalk, I teach fitness classes at Berkshire Functional Fitness and host Cat Chat, a weekly radio program on WSBS. I live in Great Barrington with my husband, Mark Lefenfeld, and our three rescue cats, Tallulah, Paulie, and Roxanne.

Leslie, Marsha, and I are extremely proud of the success of Purradise, celebrating its www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

fourth anniversary in May with nearly 600 cats now placed in loving homes. However, fundraising is a full-time endeavor since Purradise (part of BHS) is supported solely by the generosity of many private donors.

Always looking for new and lucrative fundraising ventures, we decided to hold a weekend pop-up boutique in November 2013 to see if it could be a viable fundraiser for BHS. Thus Café Chic was born in a mere two months. Women’s clothing and accessories were gathered from far and wide, and by opening more than 2,000 items had been procured, cleaned, and tagged. It was a raging success, netting $10,000 in only a little over three days!

After we had time to rest and recuperate, we thought that it might be smart to change Café Chic from a pop-up boutique to an actual, year-round permanent endeavor.

The BHS Board of Directors endorsed the idea as long as the name was changed. A brilliant volunteer came up with the name Catwalk, which all agreed was the perfect choice for this BHS venture.

Catwalk opened its doors Memorial Day Weekend and has been warmly and enthusiastically embraced by the Berkshire community. Donations are pouring in from all over the county and beyond. With new items arriving daily, there is truly something for everyone! Donations of new and gently used current clothing may be dropped off at Catwalk any time during business hours at 325 Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington, MA (behind Aegean Breeze). Hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday from 10am-5pm; Saturday from 10am-4pm; Sunday from 12-4pm. Closed on Tuesday.

All donations are tax deductible, and tax receipts are provided upon request.

For more information, visit their website at www.catwalkboutique.org, go to the Catwalk Facebook page, or call (413) 717-4005.

home, garden & landscape

nobody can fix that!

TURNING TRASH BACK TO TREASURES

by Peter K Lilienthal

y friend gazed with dismay at the wreckage in the shipping carton. Creatively ineffective packing, combined with violent handling, had transformed a set of beautiful handcrafted masks into unrecognizable pieces of junk.

OurBerkshireTimes. com/coupons (413) 528-9700

www.berkshireradon.com Certified and insured.

I looked at the stuff, assessing it for a moment, then said, “I can fix that.” Too quickly he replied, “Nobody can fix that!” Those were the words of a friend that started a hobby, which grew into a business. He stood there toting his losses while looking through boxes of broken things. They were newly arrived goods from his overseas buying trip, but the combination of foreign transport and the indifference of middlemen had taken their toll. I could see how beautiful they once were, and couldn’t stand to see them go in the garbage. The challenge was on. Like all of us, I was born with certain impulses that would later come to define my life, and two in particular combined that day: my desire to save beautiful things from the trash, and an innate instinct to best put something wrong to right.

Sooner or later, everyone winds up holding the broken pieces of a valued possession thinking it’s ruined – damaged beyond repair. It may be a piece of porcelain that belonged to your parents, or an old oil painting with a hole in it and a badly chipped gold leaf frame. Sometimes it’s damaged wooden furniture.

I’ve done leather touch-up, stone table and marble mantelpiece repair. You name it, I’ve seen it, and I’ve fixed it. Once I even flew to Atlanta, Georgia to work on the painted ceiling of a custom motor home!

Everyone reacts differently when a valued possession is damaged. Some break out the glue and put the item together as best they can. Others think it’s the end of the line and throw that special something in the trash with a sad goodbye. Still others carefully gather all the pieces and put them in a box until they can find someone like me.

My joy is in their joy when I return a restored item back to its owner. Over the past twenty years, I’ve turned a lot of wreckage back into works of art in a variety of forms – a missing finger on a Hummel figurine, a chunk off a gilded picture frame, a hole poked clear through the canvas of an abstract painting, broken legs on a delicate chair, a scratch on a leather couch, a damaged marble fireplace, to name a few. I can honestly say that I love my work and I still enjoy the delight people express at seeing something they love looking “Good As Old” (my business name – clever, eh?).

Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS

46 Howland Avenue, Adams, MA 01220 www.bpvs.com 413-743-0152 Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS Solar Energy Industries Association.

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46 Howland Avenue, 01220 Association, Solar Energy Business Adams, AssociationMA New England, MA LIC #’s HIC131996, CSL of 73150 Member: American Solar Energy Society, Northeast Sustainable Energy Tel. 413-743-0152 • www.bpvs.com

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MA LIC #'s HIC131996, CSL 73150

efficient and reliable.

electric systems userdesigns, friendly, SBPVS incesolar 1985, recognized for are careful provencomponents componentsand andhigh highquality qualityworkmanship, workmanship, proven Sincesolar1985, recognized for careful designs, BPVS electric systems are user friendly, efficient and reliable.

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MA LIC #'s HIC131996, CSL 73150

413-743-0152 • www.bpvs.com Member:Tel. American Solar Energy Society, Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Solar Energy Avenue, Business Association New01220 England, 46 Howland Adams,ofMA Solar Energy Industries Association.

Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS

Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS 46 Howland Avenue, Adams, MA 01220

Tel. 413-743-0152 • www.bpvs.com

www.nedynamark.com MA LIC #'s HIC131996, CSL 73150

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ince 1985, recognized for careful designs, proven components and high quality workmanship, BPVS solar electric systems are user friendly, efficient and reliable.

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

Call us today, sleep better tonight.

413.442.5647 Since 1978 MA 982 C

DYNAMARK SECURITY CENTERS

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“ We Protect America” ®

Following are some friendly tips you may find useful. continued on page 12

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Testing & Mitigation Services

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August | September 2014

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home, garden & landscape

circa Your Resource for Big City Style in The Berkshires Danish and Mid-Century Modern Furnishings and Lighting

circaberkshires.com 436 North Street 436 North Street, Pittsfield, MA circaberkshires.com 413-445-7200 413-445-7200

Celebrate Our Forty-second Year!

Wonderful Things

Largest Selection of Yarns and Unique Handcrafted Gifts in the Berkshires Gift Certificates S Free Knitting Lessons Open Mon-Sat 9:30-5, Sun 12-4 Harry and Debbie Sano 232 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230 (413) 528-2473 • www.wonderful-things.com

ally

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Over 20 Years Experience In

Disaster Restoration

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TECHNICIANS WITH OVER 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE GREEN CLEANING PRODUCTS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST Emergency Water Damage Remediation House Wide & Post Construction Cleaning ● Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Floor Maintenance ● Animal Debris & Odor Clean Up ● Sewer & Septic Clean Up Fire, Soot & Smoke Remediation ● Mold & Odor Remediation

ServiceMASTER of the Berkshires, ServiceMASTER of Columbia County, NY 3 Westview Road, Pittsfield, MA

www.servicemasteroftheberkshires.com

413-445-5678 800-707-1441 • Licenced • Bonded • Insured

800-707-1441

24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK

EMERGENCY ON CALL SERVICE

nobody can fix that!

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

Damage Prevention Tips Number One: Moving

It may be better to choose a mover from the area where you are moving to as opposed to where you are moving from. That way if there is an issue it will be more convenient to deal with it. Many moving companies hire temporary help and give them a tee shirt with their company name on it. You can guess the rest. I know some local movers in the Berkshire area who are a cut above the rest in terms of handling precious, fragile goods.

Call me and I’ll tell you who they are!

Number Two: Pets

I love cats. I have two of my own and I count them as dear friends. Many of you have dogs and I’m sure you feel the same way toward them. Consider your home environment. Is there an opportunity for your dog�s Godzilla-like tail to sweep objets d’art off their perch? Can your cat get between the objects on a shelf and a wall, knocking them down either accidentally, or, if you are not following kitty’s schedule properly, on purpose?

Number Three: Housekeepers

Don’t set up your cleaning people to fail – place your objects where the accessibility is not perilous. If you expect to keep an object really clean, consider keeping it in a dust-free display case, and don’t crowd things or you risk a chain reaction!

Number Four: Shipping

Do not underestimate the ability of shippers to break your valuables and wiggle out of insurance claims. When you ship something and are asked if you want insurance, find out the following.

• What constitutes proof of value? Just because you bought $3000 dollars worth of coverage doesn’t mean they will pay that much, or anything at all.

• If you packed the item yourself, be prepared to prove it wasn’t broken before it went in the box. (I’m not kidding!)

• Find out what standard of packaging is considered adequate.

Usually this means double boxed with a certain number of inches of padded space between cartons. For breakage claims, often the recipient needs to save all the packing materials to return to the shipper. If the person on the other end of the transport doesn’t work with you on this, the claim may be denied. The real lesson here is: Don’t waste your money on insurance, spend it on really good professional packing instead. ~ Peter Lilienthal, Good as Old Antique Repair, (413) 298-1051, pklilienthal@gmail.com. See ad on facing page. © design56 / Dollar Photo Club

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August | September 2014

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home, garden & landscape

Do You Like to Save Money? Go to www.OurBerkshireTimes.com/ coupons to find advertisers offering

additional online coupons and deals with fantastic savings! Join our mailing list to receive our informative eNewsletter and coupons directly.

Accurate

Plumbing & Heating

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(413) 443-7729

www.AccuratePlumbingAndHeatingMA.com

Antique Repair Good as Old

Do you have a valued possession that is damaged beyond repair?

I can fix it! I will restore it to“Good as Old.” ~ Peter K. Lilienthal

Porcelain/Statues • Marble/Stone • Furniture Signs • Frames • Paintings • Leather Professional Mending by Peter K. Lilienthal, Stockbridge, MA (413) 298-1051 • (413) 854-7803 • pklilienthal@gmail.com Before

After

Before

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After

August | September 2014

13

animal talk

D

o you have original animal artwork, or an interesting or humorous short story that you would like to share with our readers about your pet? If so, please send 175 words and a clear, high resolution photo of your pet and/or you to editor@OurBerkshireTimes. com, and we may publish it in a future issue of Our BerkshireTimes magazine.

S

end us a brand-new advertiser (be sure to tell the advertiser to mention your name and number) and we will send you a $25 gift certificate for BensDotter's Pet store

(see ad on facing page),

the first time they advertise.

CAMP WAGALOT Stockbridge, MA (413) 298-5300

EXERCISE & PLAY BOARDING in a safe and supervised environment.

DAYCARE

www.lovecampwagalot.com August | September 2014

CHALLENGING CONVENTIONAL VETERINARY PRACTICE

by Kristina Dow

H

ardly a day passes that I am not in conversation with pet owners seeking natural solutions to their pets’ chronic illnesses.

More often than not, pet owners arrive seeking simple nutritional solutions to their pets’ itchy skin, yeasty ears, and the chronic vomiting and diarrhea that can result from years of poor nutrition; however, increasingly those conversations reveal a deepseated level of chronic disease that crosses the lines of breed genetics and manifests as autoimmune disorders resulting from the body’s abnormal immune response.

Autoimmune disorders can include cancers, epilepsy, thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, inflammatory bowel, and allergic responses to multiple carbohydrate and protein sources, as well as allergies to trees and grasses, what I have come to call allergies to life. Our pets, and especially our dogs, are suffering from an epidemic of autoimmune disorders that go well beyond simple nutritional solutions, although a healthy, natural diet can certainly help in the battle against chronic disease.

© Andrii Oliink/Dollar Photo Club

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an epidemic of chronic Illness

An ever-increasing number of veterinarians and veterinary researchers are acknowledging the likelihood that the rise of chronic autoimmune disorders in our pets is directly linked to vaccinations. At the forefront of studying that cause and effect, and establishing minimal vaccination safety protocols, is the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, now in year seven of its vaccination challenge studies.

More than ten years ago, the American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Taskforce offered the following (JAAHA 39 March/April 2003): “Current knowledge supports the statement that no vaccine is always safe, no vaccine is always protective and no vaccine is always indicated . . . Immunological memory provides durations of immunity for core infectious diseases that far exceed the traditional

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

recommendations for annual vaccination.

This is supported by a growing body of veterinary information as well as welldeveloped epidemiological vigilance in human medicine that indicates immunity induced by vaccination is extremely long lasting and, in most cases, lifelong.”

And an open letter appearing in the Veterinary Times UK, January 2004, offered an across-the-pond follow up to that JAAHA article: “Further, the evidence shows that the duration of immunity for rabies vaccine, canine distemper vaccine, canine parvovirus vaccine, feline panleukopaenia vaccine, feline rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus have all been demonstrated to be a minimum of seven years, by serology for rabies and challenge studies for all others.”

Every time you enter a veterinarian’s exam room or speak on the telephone to a veterinarian or veterinary assistant, you are acting as an advocate for your pet. That advocacy should include asking your veterinarian to blood-titer your pet for disease immunity, rather than re-vaccinating your pet.

And now take the quantum leap from pet advocate to pet health activist.

Send a donation to the University of WisconsinMadison School of Veterinary Medicine’s www. rabieschallengefund.org, and give your favorite veterinarian and veterinary clinic a digital and print gift subscription to Dogs Naturally magazine. Be a pet health activist one veterinarian at a time, one veterinary clinic at a time. ~ Kristina “Tina” Dow is sole proprietor of BensDotter’s Pet, a pet supply store in Great Barrington. www.bensdotters.com

animal talk

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CARING FOR PETS SINCE 1957

he Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter is Pittsfield’s municipal shelter, managed by Friends of Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter, Inc., a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) public charity. They are dedicated to reuniting stray animals from Pittsfield with their owners, providing shelter and veterinary care for animals in need, and finding loving homes for adoptable, homeless animals. You can support the shelter in many ways including monetary donations, sponsorship programs, foster parenting, making donations toward veterinary bills and pet meds, and dropping off the following items.

• Dry dog food • Canned and dry kitten food • Non-scoopable cat litter • 1″w; 4 to 6 foot length swivel clip dog leashes • Kongs, tennis balls, and puzzle feeders • Liquid hand soap

• Hand sanitizer • Dishwasher detergent • Laundry detergent (HE) • Disposable gloves (M&L) • 30 gal. trash bags • Postage stamps • Gift Cards to Staples, Petco, Walmart, or Price Chopper

The shelter is located at 63 Downing Parkway in Pittsfield, MA, (413) 448-9800, www.sonsinianimalshelter.org

Your trusted source for quality foods and supplies.

Your trusted resource for raw-feeding information and advice.

BENSDOTTER’S PET 413-528-4940 940 MAIN STREET, GREAT BARRINGTON, MA 01230

Convenient Location with Ample Parking on Route 7 less than a minute south of Guido’s

Mon-Fri 10a-6p

Sat-Sun 10a-4p

www.bensdotters.com

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T

he Northern Berkshire County Animal Rescue was established in 2009. Their founder, Carrie Loholdt, is the North Adams and Savoy Animal Control officer. The shelter is a subsidiary of Great Danes Around New England Rescue, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity. Volunteers consist of animal control officers, veterinary techs, and others animal advocates.

Their mission is to educate the public on the importance of spaying and neutering pets, and to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals in need. Each family member adoption includes spaying and neutering, rabies and distemper vaccinations, deworming, flea treatments, and behavior testing.

For a rewarding experience, consider volunteering at the shelter, or fostering an animal in your home. Generally fosters have the animal for up to two months (shorter or longer depending on the animal). The shelter will take care of the vetting of the animal and if needed will supply the food.

Monetary donations are greatly needed and very much appreciated. Please visit www.nbcar.org to make a quick, easy, secure, tax deductible contribution through PayPal, or send your check for the Northern Berkshire County Animal Rescue to PO Box 611, Adams, MA. www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

August | September 2014

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d s ’ ri

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Toddler Children’s House Elementary Adolescent Summer Call to schedule a tour or visit us online for more information.

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

education & workshops special feature

practical life YOUNG CHILDREN YEARN TO PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICAL MATTERS

by K. Meagan Ledendecker

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Photo by Susan Lacombe Photography

n our daily lives, we participate in numerous activities to maintain our surroundings, as well as care for ourselves and others. As adults we take these activities for granted. Young children, however, yearn to participate in practical matters.

In addition to self-care, the Montessori environment provides numerous ways for the child to care for his surroundings. Through real and meaningful activities, the child develops a strong sense of community belonging.

Everything we do to care for the environment and ourselves makes up what can be called “practical life” activities. In a Montessori home or school environment, practical life activities help a child learn about cultural norms, while also helping him develop internal motivation, intellect, and body coordination.

In order for the child to be successful in this process of caring for his surroundings, the environment must be thoroughly prepared.

Child-sized materials give the child an opportunity to participate in a purposeful way. The work must be real work, rather than an activity to keep the child busy, and the impact on the environment must be clear. If the plants need water, the child can water the plants. If the floor is wet, the child can mop the floor. If a table is dirty, the child can scrub the table.

Practical life activities have two purposes: one is external and one is internal. The first purpose is to achieve something meaningful: Washing a table leads to a clean table. The second aim is to help the child develop internally.

As the child engages in purposeful work, he feels like an important part of the family or community. By beginning to help take care of his personal needs, he feels a sense of competence. Practical life activities help the child become psychologically and physically independent. By the time a 24-year-old begins life on his own, he should be able to provide for himself, be responsible for his actions, plan for his future, and perhaps even help support others. The little things we do early in a child’s life set him up for later success.

In a Montessori environment, the child has a place where practical life activities are carefully prepared and presented to support emerging independence. The sink is at the child’s height. The faucet is easy to open and close. The soap container holds just enough soap to wash hands. The child can perform activities that previously were done to or for him.

The process of self-care can begin early in the child’s life by approaching tasks with an attitude of collaboration. Even if a baby can’t do an action, he can have a sense of participating. We can invite participation, by saying things like, “I’m going to put on your shirt.

Let’s put your arm through the sleeve.” As we allow for more and more collaboration, the child’s participation gradually increases. Opportunities for collaboration can be as simple as offering something in front of the child, rather than actually putting it into his hands.

Eventually the child begins to imitate adult actions, which leads to the child performing tasks in his own unique way. This process is not completely linear though, as some days a young child needs more support than others. At this point, we can offer loving support, while still upholding a sense of the child’s involvement: “Let’s do this together.”

Parents often ask how to support their child’s practical life work at home. One easy and meaningful strategy is to create routines that help the child care for his home environment. He can clean up toys at the end of the day, set the table for dinner, or put dirty clothes in the laundry basket. The preparation for these activities isn’t elaborate and merely requires carefully selected items or furniture: a basket in the room for laundry, special shelves for toys, or a low drawer prepared with items for setting the table. When thinking about how to create practical life activities, we can think about the following: 1. Will the activity help develop independence and coordination of movement?

2. Can it be done independently?

3. What skills are needed?

4. Will this activity allow repetition?

5. Is it culturally appropriate and necessary?

6. Is it beautiful?

7. Is the material child-sized?

8. Is it logical?

9. Is it safe?

In the process of learning how to care for himself and his surroundings, the child observes what is essential and makes the activity his own. As he internalizes the procedure, he starts to realize how capable he is. He puts his whole focus into his work, and then experiences great satisfaction in the process. Meaningful engagement in practical life activities allows the child to develop a strong sense of belonging and ultimately flourish into his fullest self.

~ K. Meagan Ledendecker is the Director of Education and cofounder of The Montessori School of the Berkshires. In addition to her Montessori teacher credentials, she is trained in Dunstan Baby Language and YogaEd. She has three children of her own. www.berkshiremontessori.org www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

August | September 2014

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education & workshops special feature

Country& Fall Fair Festival September 27 & 28 10 am to 5 pm Hay rides, chicken races, and other Fall fun!

country fair & fall festival TRADITION NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD

C

ome to Hancock Shaker Village’s Country Fair and Fall Festival!

Celebrate the bounty of the harvest on their spectacular grounds, September 27 and 28 from 10am to 5pm. Country Fair fills the Village with a bounty of fresh produce and farm products, flowers, maple sugar treats, honey, artisanal cheeses, and other locavore items. This classic New England harvest festival includes hayrides, chicken races, live music, and other fall fun!

Farmer’s market, locavore foods, great shopping & handmade gifts from dozens of vendors

Enjoy the food tent, live music, great shopping, agricultural demonstrations, and handmade gifts from dozens of regional craft vendors, including folk art paintings, hand-woven scarves and linens, jewelry, Shaker oval boxes, and other great gift items just in time for the holidays. Dozens of handmade quilts will be on display in the ell of the world-famous Round Stone Barn.

1843 West Housatonic Street Pittsfield, MA 413-443-0188

All you bakers, get your rolling pins ready for the Pie Contest, too!

Rules and entry forms available online. Hancock Shaker Village is located at the intersection of Routes 41 and 20 in Pittsfield, MA. Children ages 12 and under are always free. Adult admission required.

Enter our Pie Contest!

(Details online)

hancockshakervillage.org

multicultural bridge

BRIDGE – We Connect People Through…

•

Cultural Competence Training Consulting Multicultural Presentations Youth Programs Workplace Language Classes

•

www.multiculturalbridge.org Strengthening Berkshire County’s Diverse Population With Programs at Foster Communication, Respect, and Pride Email: adminsupport@multiculturalbridge.org Main Office: 17 Main Street, Suite 2 Lee, MA 01238 413-394-4029

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August | September 2014

Satellite Office: 318 Monument Valley Road Great Barrington, MA 01230 413-644-2372

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

HIGHLIGHTING THE MOSAIC OF THE BERKSHIRE HILLS

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he Multicultural BRIDGE mission is to integrate community by promoting mutual respect, cultural literacy, and inclusion through training, fellowship, advocacy, and education. Our 2014 summer and fall education programs include community education with forums on citizenship and immigration, race dialogues, Spanish conversation, and cultural literacy classes. These classes are for community members at large or for professionals who can bundle for PDPs and CEUs. Our current school collaborations provide youth leadership training, family education and engagement, and many types of literacy courses.

These courses range from reading and writing, financial literacy, and cultural heritage to health and mental health (mindfulness training) for grades K-12. BRIDGE is also a proud partner on opioid use and abuse prevention, and sex health initiatives with local partners.

Our professional training serves the Berkshires and beyond into Boston, MA, Canaan, NY, and Burlington, VT. For current classes, training, and upcoming community events, visit our website www.multiculturalbridge.org. Facebook: Multicultural BRIDGE or Twitter: BRIDGE413. Please also visit our “On the Bridge” blog highlighting the diversity of the Berkshires.

education & workshops special feature

join our book group

THE

ENJOY GOOD BOOKS & GOOD COMPANY

BOOKLOFT

Celebrating our 40th year as an independent bookstore. Thank you!

T

he Bookloft in Great Barrington, MA, hosts a few book groups at our store monthly. See www.thebookloft.com/book-groups for more information. Give us a call or stop in to put your name down for a brand-new book club. Read books and learn a thing or two; meet people and make a friend or two; maybe have a glass of wine and eat a snack or two. Get out and enjoy great books! Do you have your own book group already? Order your group�s books and receive a 10% discount on all copies of book group picks.

We sell eBooks! for your iPad, iPhone, Android or Kobo device Great Barrington 413 528 1521 thebookloft.com

fun activities

A wonderful, well-rounded collection of books for all ages and interests, plus friendly, respectful library services with a fine “listening ear” to patron suggestions!

ADD THESE ACTIVITIES TO YOUR SUMMER CALENDAR

T

he Ramsdell Public Library in Housatonic, MA, is pleased to offer the following events. For more information and to register online go to www.gblibraries.org.

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Public Computers and a computer game station for kids Unique world & traditional crafts for all ages Live music from local & distant musicians Professionally led history, science, animal and earth programs for families ... and so much more!

 Wed, Aug 6, 3-4pm: Experiment - Kandinsky Citric Fizz  Sat, Aug 9, 10:30-11:30am: Animal Tracks Cootie Catcher  Wed, Aug 13, 3-4pm: Optical Illusion Drawing and Refreshments  Sat, Aug 16, 12-1pm: Blue’s Enchanted Adventures

your child's full potential

(413) 274-3738

1087 Main Street in the • Village of Housatonic, MA

Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School

RUDOLF STEINER SCHOOL & WALDORF HIGH SCHOOL

S

ince 1971, the Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School in Great Barrington, MA, provides a warm, developmentally appropriate, experiential approach to learning for students from preschool through eighth grade, on a 32acre campus surrounded by gardens, fields, and woods. One of more than 1,000 Waldorf schools worldwide, the school�s curriculum integrates fine and practical arts with the sciences, mathematics, literature, and cultural heritage, to foster in students a lifelong love of learning, clear and precise thinking, a rich and healthy emotional life, and a developed power of will, preparing students for their choice of high school and college, and to reach their full potential. www.gbrss.org

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ow in its 13th year and located around the corner from Norman Rockwell’s famous Main Street in Stockbridge, MA, the Great Barrington Waldorf High School is a coeducational college preparatory school for 9th through 12th graders providing education that seeks truth, develops imagination, nurtures growth, fosters responsibility, and honors inner freedom. A 2:1 ratio of students to faculty creates an atmosphere of academic excellence, artistic fulfillment, openness, and mutual respect, with a mission to be affordable to all admitted students, including home-schoolers. www.waldorfhigh.org

Parent-Baby • Pre-K • Kindergarten 1st-8th Grade • Summer Program Waldor f Education in the Berkshires for over 40 years We educate our students to meet life with courage, impart meaning and purpose to their lives, and respond with creativity and integrity to the needs of the world. Our well-rounded, hands-on education prepares students for their choice of high school and college – and to reach their full potential.

(413) 528-4015

www.gbrss.org

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

Great Barrington, MA

August | September 2014

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health & wellness

living well with lyme disease PART 1 - THE GREAT IMITATOR

by Kathy I. Regan / Look for Part 2 Next Issue - Healing Body, Mind & Spirit

T

o say that Lyme disease is a controversial, political, and sensitive subject is a grand understatement.

Often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, mistreated, and vastly underreported, Lyme and its many potential coinfections (now being dubbed as Multiple Systemic Infectious Disease Syndrome, or MSIDS,

by Lyme expert Dr. Richard Horowitz) is the number one vector-borne epidemic spreading throughout the world (possibly by more than ticks). And you may not know that you have it.

The Quest

In my quest to find out more information about Lyme for Our BerkshireTimes magazine, in July of this year my research brought me to a three-day conference called Living Well with Lyme Disease, at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in Rhinebeck, NY, presented by the following esteemed Lyme-literate professionals.

Richard Horowitz, MD, medical director of the Hudson Valley Healing Arts Center in Hyde Park, NY, where he has successfully treated more than 12,000 chronic Lyme disease patients, and the author of Why Can’t I Get Better?

Solving the Mystery of Lyme and Chronic Disease. www.cangetbetter.com.

Tom Francescott, ND, naturopathic doctor, teacher, and founder of Dr. Tom�s Tonics, a naturopathic health center and pharmacy in Rhinebeck, NY, specializing in science-based detoxification and natural approaches to treatment. www.doctortomstonics.com.

Katina I. Makris, CCH, CIH, recovered Lyme patient, host of the weekly talk show Lyme Light Radio With Katina, and author of Out of the Woods: Healing Lyme Disease, Body, Mind, and Spirit. www.katinamakris.com The conference was well attended (by many health care practitioners as well as those dealing with Lyme) and I found

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August | September 2014

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

it to be an extremely informative and inspiring experience.

The Omega Institute The Omega Institute is a nonprofit organization founded in 1977 on a beautiful 195-acre campus that draws more than 23,000 people each year to their enlightened workshops and educational programs delivered by the visionaries of our time. Described as a place to explore the extraordinary potential that exists in all of us, their serene yet vibrant setting and programs nurture both the integration of modern medicine and natural healing and the connection of science with spirituality and creativity.

Many programs and professional training courses are held at the institute each day (www.eomega.org) from April through October. For people who wish to stay on campus, several options of accommodations are available. Here in the Berkshires we are easily within driving distance so we chose to travel daily.

Guests at Omega have free use of the campus library, sauna, Sanctuary, lake, tennis courts, basketball court, woodland trails, and tranquil gardens. Omega�s Wellness Center offers a wide variety of services to benefit overall well-being, and all guests have the option to attend daily yoga, tai chi, meditation, and dance classes.

Three delicious local and (when possible) organic buffet meals are included daily in the community dining hall, and the Omega Café offers an additional place to eat, relax, and socialize.

Excellent childcare services are available for children age four to twelve. The Children�s Program is designed to give your children their own unique Omega experience while you enjoy the workshop of your choice. Our 9-year-old daughter, Brianna, had a wonderful time. We found the staff, environment, and activities well monitored, nurturing, and fun.

health & wellness

Lyme/MSIDS: The Great Imitator Known in Lyme-literate circles as the Great Imitator, Lyme/ MSIDS – those opportunistic and stealthy pathogens – can mimic many disease processes including chronic fatigue, arthritis, fibromyalgia, autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson�s disease, general immune dysfunction, heart problems and palpitations, sleep disorders, thyroid disease, chronic pain, neurodegenerative disorders, severe anxiety and feelings of doom, gastrointestinal problems, food allergies (dairy and grains in particular), unexplained dental and eye problems, and the list goes on.

Newly infected individuals do not always display the “acceptable symptomolgy” of the well-known bullseye rash (less than 50 percent in fact) and testing remains notoriously inaccurate by most labs, leading to late stage or chronic Lyme. Even when treated, a percentage of people continue to exhibit ongoing disabling symptoms. To add to the complexity of this issue, there are more than 100 strains of Lyme, and it often comes with a veritable cocktail of coinfections, including bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infections that must be treated (differently than Lyme) and when overlooked, often account for a patient�s inability to get better.

Because so many doctors are inadequately trained, many patients report seeing ten or more doctors and have suffered for months or years before being properly diagnosed. Once diagnosed, there is much controversy over what is considered proper treatment, and patients are often left confused and depressed, fearful not only that they will not find a way to get better, but also that they will not be financially able to afford treatment.

But there is hope. People with chronic Lyme and Multiple Systemic Infectious Disease Syndrome can getting better with individualized treatment protocols, patience, and persistence. In the next issue of Our BerkshireTimes magazine, we will share our positive findings. In the meantime, following is some highly recommended material.

Recommended Reading • Why Can’t I Get Better? Solving the Mystery of Lyme and Chronic Disease by Richard Horowitz, MD, www.cangetbetter.com • Out of the Woods: Healing Lyme Disease, Body, Mind, and Spirit by Katina I. Makris, www.katinamakris.com • Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself, and You are the Placebo, by Dr. Joe Dispenza, www.drjoedispenza.com • Healing Lyme and Herbal Antibiotics by Stephen Harrod Buhner, www.buhnerhealinglyme.com • The Top 10 Lyme Disease Treatments and Lyme Disease and Rife Machines

by Bryan Rosner, www.lymebook.com • The Salt/C Plus Protocol for Lyme Infection by M. Fett, www.fettnet.com/ lymestrategies/welcome.htm • The Lyme Disease Solution by Kenneth B. Singleton, MA, MPH Recommended Laboratory Testing IGeneX, Inc., Palo Alto, CA, (800) 832-3200. www.igenex.com Recommended Viewing Under Our Skin, www.underourskin.com continued on page 22

The world’s leading macrobiotic learning institute.

Serving macrobiotic breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.

Learn to cook healthy for yourself and for others.

2014 Programs

Psoriasis: The Natural Approach August 22 - 24 Secrets of Longevity September 5 - 7 Healthy Gluten-Free Cooking September 12 - 14 Controlling Crohn’s and Colitis September 21 - 27 Way to Health Program One week in every month See our calendar online at

KushiInstitute.org/2014-calendar-of-events

gol dm an / tripp osteopathic healthcare As osteopathic physicians, we use our comprehensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology to promote health and healing. We work gently with our hands to help your body restore optimal function – based on optimal structure – to help solve musculoskeletal problems and health issues of all kinds.

As fully licensed physicians, we have all of the full and current medical pharmacopeia, nutritional science and medical training at our disposal.

Your individual treatment may include a wide range of approaches, but is always founded on our gentle hands-on work.

Andrew M. Goldman, DO, Osteopathic Physician Kim E. Tripp, DO, PhD, Osteopathic Physician Great Barrington, ma 413-528-3334 | Sharon, ct 860-364-5990

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

August | September 2014

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health & wellness

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August | September 2014

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six signs to watch for MULTIPLE SYSTEMIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE SYNDROME

MSIDS is a symptom complex of Lyme disease and multiple associated tick-borne coinfections that encompasses not only infections with Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme disease, but also other bacterial, viral, parasitic, and fungal infections that can come from tick and potentially other insect bites. ~ The following information and more can be found in the book Why

Can�t I Get Better? by Dr. Richard Horowitz, MD, an internationally respected expert on Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. www.cangetbetter.com

1. You have more than one symptom (partial list).

fatigue • joint and muscle pain or swelling • tingling, numbness, burning, twitching, or stabbing sensations • neck cracks or stiffness • headaches • light and sound sensitivities • dizziness • difficulty falling and staying asleep • memory and concentration problems • chest pain or palpitations • psychiatric symptoms like depression and anxiety • shortness of breath or cough • upset stomach • unexplained fevers, sweats, chills, or flushing • vision problems • eye/ vision problems and floaters • increasing food allergies • nerve pain • gastrointestinal problems • ear pain and/or buzzing or ringing in the ears or head • unexplained facial or tooth pain • tremors

2. You have good days and bad days.

A hallmark of Lyme disease is that the symptoms tend to come and go with good days and bad days.

3. The pain changes and moves around your body.

A classic trait of Lyme is the migratory nature of the muscle and joint aches and pains, tingling, numbness, and burning sensations. They tend to come and go and move around the body.

4. Women�s symptoms worsen right around your cycle.

Lyme disease symptoms are known to change with fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone.

5. Your symptoms may improve when you take medication for other ailments. Patients taking antibiotics for an un-

related problem may feel much better when taking the antibiotic, and worse when they stop. Conversely, some people have intensified symptoms and feel much worse (this is known as a JarishHerxheimer reaction when the bacteria are being killed off).

6. Blood test confirmation.

The sixth point to determine if your symptoms are due to Lyme is to ask your health care provider to run a blood test called a Western Blot through a reliable laboratory like IgeneX labs, www. igenex.com. Note that there are more than 100 different strains of Lyme disease in the US and 300 strains worldwide, as well as many strains of each coinfection. Unlike most labs used by practitioners, IgeneX uses several strains to improve their testing. Yet still not all testing is accurate, so it is extremely important to find a Lyme-literate doctor who can properly diagnose symptoms.

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