Our BerkshireTimes Magazine, Spring 2018

Complimentary

Cover Art by Ann Getsinger / www.anngetsinger.com

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

™

Our BerkshireTimes

Spring 2018, vol 47

Spring 2018

Our BerkshireTimes™ PUBLISHERS Kathy I. Regan publisher@ourberkshiretimes.com Kevin J. Regan kevin@ourberkshiretimes.com _______________

Contents 4

DESIGN Magazine Design/Layout Kathy I. Regan Brianna I. Regan _______________ TO ADVERTISE CONTACT Account Representatives Kevin J. Regan kevin@ourberkshiretimes.com Debra Johnson debra@ourberkshiretimes.com _______________ Our BerkshireGreen, Inc. P.O. Box 133, Housatonic, MA 01236 Phone: (413) 274-1122 advertise@ourberkshiretimes.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com Contact us to find out more about advertising. Please submit editorial content, illustrations, and cover art for consideration through our website.

COVER ILLUSTRATION

Photo by Antonia Small

“The Guest House” by Ann Getsinger www.anngetsinger.com

Ann has been creatively working in the Berkshires for decades – painting, drawing, and sculpting. Her home and studio are in New Marlborough, MA, but she also has a strong connection to the coast of Maine. Using a stream-of-consciousness process, her work takes a narrative form, leaving space for the unconscious and the conscious to unfold in surprising ways. Her work is widely collected.

Visit www.anngetsinger.com.

art, culture & entertainment FUN THINGS TO DO

EDITORIAL Kathy I. Regan editor@ourberkshiretimes.com Proofreader Rodelinde Albrecht _______________

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ANN GETSINGER CEREMONIAL STONE LANDSCAPES

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home & garden THE MAGIC OF WATER BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

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food & drink FENNEL PRESERVED LEMON SOUP

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spring gift guide

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animal talk

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BRUSSELS SPROUT RUGBY

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health & wellness GREYLOCK PHYSICAL THERAPY OUR MIRACULOUS BODIES MERCURY AMALGAM FILLINGS

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education & workshops

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HOMESICK & HAPPY

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mind & spirit ASK VICKI

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featured advertisers THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

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ON THE COVER - The Guest House (color), oil on linen, 18” x 36”, 2016, was created by Ann Getsinger especially for her friend, talented singersongwriter Ellis. The image is available as limited edition prints. Contact Ann at left for more information.

Our BerkshireTimes magazine has been proudly created without Wi-Fi since it was first published in 2009. This publication is printed with soy ink on Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper. We distribute bimonthly (six issues per year) and most of our editorial content is contributed by our community members.

All content in Our BerkshireTimes™ is accepted in good faith. We do not necessarily advocate and cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by our authors, illustrators, and advertisers. We reserve the right to refuse advertising for any reason. For printing errors of the publisher’s responsibility, liability is limited to the cost of the ad space in which it first appeared. Unless otherwise noted, we use a Creative Commons License in place of a standard copyright.

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art, culture & entertainment

Explore the Berkshires AND BEYOND - FUN THINGS TO DO!

Slavic Easter Egg Decorating Workshops When: Saturday, March 24, 2018, 10am-12pm, and again at 1-3pm Where: Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum, 104 Walker Street, Lenox, MA Cost: $30 with advance reservation; $35 day of. Children should be at least 12 years of age.

Celebrate the Easter season with a unique opportunity to learn a timehonored Eastern European craft. Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum will offer its annual Slavic Easter egg decorating demonstrations and instructional workshops. This Eastern European tradition of creating intricate and beautifully decorated eggs has been passed down for generations. Lenox resident Tjasa Sprague, who will again lead the workshop, learned the technique many years ago from her Czechoslovakian mother, Maria Krofta. Reservations are recommended as the workshop size is limited. For reservations, call us at (413) 637-3206. www.gildedage.org

Cannabidiol (CBD) & Pets: A Natural Alternative for Pain and Inflammation When: March 25, 2018, 2-4pm Where: Berkshire Humane Society, 214 Barker Road, Pittsfield, MA Cost: Free Berkshire Humane Society’s Coffee Hour Speaking Series presents their new talk, Cannabidiol (CBD) & Pets: A Natural Alternative for Pain and Inflammation, with Cheryl Hutto, owner of www.herohemp.com. Hutto was able to relieve her elderly standard poodle’s arthritic pain and suffering with CBD oils. The event will take place in the Family Dog School training room on the lower level of Berkshire Humane Society. Always great conversation and delicious desserts! To reserve a spot, call Lizzy at (413) 447-7878, ext. 129, or email her at ebrown@berkshirehumane.org. www.berkshirehumane.org

Guido’s Fresh Marketplace Cookbook Club Potluck When: Thursday, April 26, 2018, 7-9pm Where: Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, 1020 South Street, Pittsfield, MA Cost: Free with potluck dish to share Join the Guido’s Cookbook Club! Here’s how it works: 1) Get your hands on a copy of the book of the month. Get it out of the library, borrow 4

Spring 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

from a friend, or buy it at Guido’s at 10 percent off ! We’ll also have some key ingredients from the book at 10 percent off for the month.

2) Send an email to achernila@guidosfreshmarketplace.com so we know you’re participating. 3) Try out a few recipes, and pick a favorite to bring to the potluck. Let us know what it is! (413) 442-9912, ext.

145, www.guidosfreshmarketplace.com

2018 Berkshire Earth Expo: Environmental Action Fair When: Saturday, April 21, 2018, 10am-5pm Where: The Stationery Factory, 63 Flansburg Avenue, Dalton, MA Cost: Free and open to the public Come to learn from experts, talk to your neighbors about what they’re doing, enjoy performances, shop with many local vendors, and get inspired. Enjoy demonstrations, presentations, workshops, kids’ activities, and a marketplace. This event is a forum for education about energy and climate solutions, marketplace for green and sustainable goods and services, a showcase to celebrate activism and activists’ achievements, a place for citizens to meet or reconnect with each other, a gathering to help people feel empowered rather than helpless, a catalyst to host meaningful conversations in the county about climate change and sustainable living, and a place for kids to get excited about sustainable living. Attend the keynote conversation at 1pm with former state senator Ben Downing and Kris Rutman from Western MA Labor Action, moderated by BEAT’s own Jane Winn. Presentations include Jon Atwood: The State of Birds in Massachusetts; Doug Harris: Sacred Native Stone Monuments; Charley Eiseman: Bugs in Your Backyard!

World Qigong Taichi Day When: Saturday, April 28, 2018, 10am-6pm Where: Eastover Estate & Retreat, 430 East Street, Lenox, MA Cost: Free World Qigong Taichi Day is a day of free presentations, demonstrations, and mini-classes offered by nationally recognized leaders of Taichi, Qigong, Chinese medicine, and Eastern philosophy. Bring your friends and family and dive into the wisdom of ancient Eastern healing traditions.

With knowledgeable teachers, discuss and experience practical, modern applications of these healing practices. Use the form on the website address below to register so we can get a rough number on who will be attending. www.eastover.com/workshop/qigong-taichi-day.html

art, culture & entertainment

Plant Sale Mother’s Day Weekend When: Friday, May 11, 2018, 9-11am for members-only early buying privileges, 11am-5pm open to the general public. Saturday, May 12, 2018, 9am-5pm open to the general public.

Where: Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge, MA. Cost: Free admission and free parking.

What better way to say hello to spring than with Plants and Answers, our forty-first annual plant sale. We’ve hand picked and grown some of our favorite plant selections and new varieties this year – you won’t want to miss it! Consider donating your unwanted garden and patio items for the tag sale. For more information go to www.berkshirebotanical.org.

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Ann Getsinger OUR BERKSHIRETIMES MAGAZINE'S SPRING 2018 COVER ARTIST

Dust jacket for Kenny & the Dragon, Simon & Schuster, 2008. Colored pencil and acryla gouache on Bristol board.

OUR BERKSHIRETIMES MAGAZINE'S SPRING 2018 COVER ARTIST

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The Guest House (color), oil on linen, 18” x 36”, 2016, by Ann Getsinger

aking artwork is the closest I’ve come to having my life make any sense at all. It’s both indulgent and essential. It’s about balancing freedom and discipline, gut and brain, in order to explore this temporary existence, to consider the sensuality of nature and my personal connection to it. ~ Ann Getsinger

Ann Getsinger, originally from Watertown, CT, is known for her oil paintings and drawings. Ann studied at Paier School of Art in New Haven, CT, and the San Francisco Art Institute, then settled permanently in Western Massachusetts where she continued her studies with realist artist Sheldon Fink. Her work has been exhibited in museums and galleries throughout New England, and can be found in hundreds of homes. In addition to her studio in New Marlborough, MA, Ann also enjoys working regularly in the midcoast area of Maine, which is evident in her paintings.

Our BerkshireTimes magazine’s cover art this issue, titled The Guest House, was created especially for the CD cover of Ann’s friend, singer-songwriter Ellis, whom she met at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in Hillsdale, NY, in 2006. Ellis, a relatively unknown young talent at the time, won the festival’s Emerging Artist Showcase that day and soon afterwards contacted Ann to ask her if she could use her artwork on her upcoming CD. This request was followed by another, and then again at Ellis’s request in 2016, Ann created two more paintings (each 18” x 36”) especially for her latest album, The Guest House (www.ellis-music.com). Ann describes the procedure by saying “As Ellis would finish mixing each song she’d email me the recordings which I’d then respond to and incorporate 6

Spring 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

into the paintings, bringing ideas and my response to the music into the artwork. It was an extraordinary and enjoyable challenge to witness and respond to her unfolding creative process. I’m so grateful for having that opportunity to collaborate in that way. Ellis is a delightful friend, and a very present and wholehearted artist who makes beautiful, meaningful contact with her audiences both on and off the stage.”

You can see more of Ann’s work in two locations in Maine, at the Granite Gallery in Tenants Harbor from July 12 to 18 and at Arundel Farm Gallery in Kennebunk from July 18 to August 14. There is a lot of new work underway in Ann’s studio in New Marlborough where she plans to teach this summer, and Ann will also be holding a two-day course “Going Deep into Still Life” in Kennebunk, Maine, on August 1 and 2. Prints of the paintings from Ellis’s Guest House CD are available by contacting Ann through her website at Ellis at left, Ann Getsinger at right. www.anngetsinger.com.

art, culture & entertainment

Indigenous Ceremonial Stone Landscapes

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HISTORIC AND CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT LIVING PRAYERS OF STONE / Climate Action Now MA

he hills and valleys of New England are dotted with ceremonial stone landscapes put in place by the indigenous peoples of this region. In 2003, the 27 members of the United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) passed a resolution stating “For thousands of years before the immigration of Europeans, the Pau Waus and medicine people of today’s New England region used sacred ceremonial landscapes to sustain the people’s reliance on Mother Earth and the spirit energies of balance and harmony.”

For Doug Harris, preservationist for ceremonial landscapes, and other intertribal representatives, the stone structures embody prayers that continue to live as long as the stones are kept intact.

In April 2017, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) granted the Tennessee Gas Pipeline the right to construct the Connecticut Expansion Project, which led to the destruction and desecration of ceremonial stone landscape features in Sandisfield, Massachusetts. Any time a federal license or federal funds are required for a project, the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) requires a federal agency, such as FERC, to consider the impact on historic and cultural resources before the project is licensed or funds are expended. The NHPA requires consultation with federally recognized Indian tribes for projects that are on tribal lands. It also requires consultation with any tribe that attaches religious and cultural significance to the property, irrespective of where it is located.

FERC did not follow this protocol for this pipeline project, and unfortunately FERC regularly violates the NHPA by delaying the review of these features until it is too late to avoid them. Indigenous cultural heritage, including sacred ceremonial stone landscapes, are routinely destroyed by energy infrastructure – partly because they aren’t recognized, and partly because they aren’t valued.

When Doug Harris, the deputy tribal historic preservation officer for the Narragansett Indian Tribal Historic Preservation Office (NITHPO), learned that one-third of the 73 identified ceremonial stones would be taken apart, NITHPO decided to challenge FERC’s order. On April 9, 2017, NITHPO moved for party status in the FERC permitting process and opposed the start of construction a few days later. On May 10, 2017, NITHPO requested a rehearing of FERC’s order that authorized construction, and on January 10, 2018, FERC denied this request.

The next step will be to petition for review of FERC’s orders in the appropriate U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Sadly, in July 2017, one-third of the ceremonial stones in Sandisfield, MA, were desecrated by being dismantled. But even though harm has been done, good can still come out of it. The goals of this appellate review are to clarify and enforce federal law, namely the National Historic Preservation Act, FERC’s consultation requirements, and FERC’s fiduciary duty to Tribal

Nations. The U.S. Court of Appeals will issue an order that will be binding on FERC after reading the parties’ briefs and questioning their counsel in oral arguments. If NITHPO prevails on some or all of its claims, then FERC will have to comply with the court’s holdings in future pipeline projects across the country. That means this challenge will have national implications.

Climate Action Now MA is supporting NITHPO’s efforts by running a campaign to raise funds for legal expenses, such as attorney and court fees. They identify two main reasons to support the protection of indigenous ceremonial stone landscapes: justice for Indigenous Americans, and restoring accountability to our federal government. This project combines both goals in one lawsuit against FERC, the agency that oversees all interstate gas pipelines and many other energy infrastructure projects in the United States.

Anne Marie Garti, who has been focused on federal pipeline projects since 2012, was retained by NITHPO to challenge FERC’s order.

Anne Marie developed the legal strategy and led the grassroots group that stopped the Constitution Pipeline from being built.

Lawyers, landowners, and groups across the United States are now following her lead as she continues to defend against the industries’ challenges to her victory. Anne Marie agreed to work for NITHPO at a reduced rate after performing a legal analysis of the facts and law. She believes there is a high likelihood of success, and that if NITHPO wins, this case will set a strong precedent for future pipelines, as well as other federal projects. ~ Climate Action Now MA is an inclusive, grassroots community of people, connected by our passion to preserve a livable world and create a more just society through organizing, action, and public education.

If you are interested in supporting this precedent-setting lawsuit, consider donating and sharing this article with as many people as possible. Learn more at www.tinyurl.com/protectsacredstones.

Photo by Doug Harris. This image is an example of a ceremonial stone feature.

Please note that this particular feature is not located in Sandisfield, MA.

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Spring 2018

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home & garden

The Magic of Water

By Kathy I. Regan

“There’s magic in the water that draws all men away from the land, that leads them over hills, down creeks and streams and rivers to the sea.” ~ Herman Melville

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ater has always fascinated me. There is something undeniably magical about the sound of a babbling brook, the earthy scent of the soil when it rains, and the sparkle of the sun on ocean waves. Landscape architect Anne Whiston Spirn said it well: “Water is a source of life, power, comfort, and delight, a universal symbol of purification and renewal. Like a primordial magnet, water pulls at a primitive and deeply rooted part of human nature.”

When I was young, my mother (an adventurous farm girl from Minnesota who fully supported my childhood desire to make mud pies and dig up worms) would let me float ice cream stick sailboats down the gutters of our street in the middle of a thunderstorm. Even though, unlike my mom, I was rather cautious by nature, the lure of the water won out over the sound of the thunder and I had a marvelous time! I have fond memories growing up in New Jersey of going on picnics, spending hours by the river and streams looking for fish and frogs and moving leaves, stones, and sticks to change the flow and sound of the water. We vacationed regularly by the ocean, and although I now thoroughly enjoy living in the Berkshires with its beautiful mountains and waterways, I still long for the hypnotic sounds of the sea and look forward to visiting the Maine coast when we can.

Herman Melville’s words “There’s magic in the water that draws all men away from the land, that leads them over hills, down creeks and 8

Spring 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

streams and rivers to the sea” let me know that my feelings about water are by no means unique. Properties with streams, ponds, or water frontage are valued higher than similar lands without water.

Because of its beauty and relaxing effects, many people (including me and my 12-year-old daughter) would love to incorporate a special water feature in their home landscape to attract wildlife.

But it’s more than that. Our bodies are three quarters water and much of our earth is water. Could it be the abundance of negative ions (oxygen atoms with extra negatively charged electrons) found by moving water that bear an electric charge that are so very beneficial for the human body? Or perhaps as Dr. Masaru Emoto (a brilliant water researcher from Japan and author of many related books including Hidden Messages in Water and The Healing Power of Water) said, “Water has a memory and carries within it our thoughts and prayers. As you yourself are water, no matter where you are, your prayers will be carried to the rest of the world.”

The Berkshire area abounds with beautiful lakes and ponds, waterfalls, and meandering rivers and streams. To learn more about the lakes and ponds in Massachusetts, visit www.macolap.org. For a complete description of each waterfall in New England, go to www.newenglandwaterfalls.com. To learn more about our rivers, see www.massriversalliance.org. ~ Kathy I. Regan, publisher of Our

BerkshireTimes magazine. Kathy lives and works in Housatonic, MA, with her husband, Kevin; daughter, Brianna; dog, McTavish; and two parrotlets.

home & garden

let’s get started

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hether you’re ready to start your dream project (an addition, new construction, or an interior or exterior remodel) or are still in the research phase, Reiner White & Sons, Inc. can give you the help and guidance you need to make your dreams come true. From our initial meeting through the completion of your project, we believe that good communication, upfront discussions about costs and options, and careful planning and scheduling are the keys to success.

Reiner White & Sons is a family-owned and operated business with 30 years of professional experience in Massachusetts and Connecticut. We take pride in the quality and craftsmanship of the work we provide and are honored to have so many happy clients that can attest to this. We have built longstanding relationships with our subcontractors and suppliers, and together with our team of highly skilled, organized, and reliable craftspeople we are confident we can help you make your vision a reality.

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einer White & Sons, a family-run business since 1988, is known for attention to detail and quality work. Our company offers a wide variety of industry contacts and is able to meet all of your construction needs. Whether you’re thinking of a new home, or would like to renovate or add onto your existing home, contact us today so we can discuss your project and help make your dreams a reality.

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Now that spring is here it’s time to take action. The first step to achieving your goals is to call us to schedule your free consultation so you can get more information. We will take the time to carefully listen to your ideas, desires, and needs, and address any questions or concerns you may have. So, let’s get started!

Dress Up Your Windows Window Treatments

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Window Treatments

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BerkshireFabric Fabric & Wallpaper Berkshire & Wallpaper 274 Wahconah Pittsfield, 274 Wahconah St.,St., Pittsfield, MA MA

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ideas galore and more WE CAN TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR DECORATING NEEDS

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hen you have a home decorating project to do (large or small), but you aren’t sure where to begin, begin at Berkshire Fabric & Wallpaper. We understand that you want your home to be a wonderful place . . . a reflection of you. We’ll always give you friendly service, topnotch advice, and ideas galore.

So whether it’s one pillow or a complete house transformation, together we can select the perfect fabric, wallpaper, and window treatments, and help you get your project done.

Our custom services include upholstery, slipcovers, window treatments, decorative pillows, cushions, shades, blinds, shutters, and more. We will install our window treatments and pick up and deliver upholstered pieces. Our extensive fabric brands include Kravet, Duralee, Robert Allen, Carole, Thibaut, eStout, Tempotest, PKaufmann Sunbrella, Greenhouse, Barrow, Bartson, Textiles, Comersan, Belle Maison, Pindler & Pindler, Scalamandré, Ralph Lauren, Cowtan & Tout, and many more. Our wallpaper brands include Thibaut, Wallquest, Carey Lind, York, Brewster, Seabrook, Paper & Ink, Anna French, Raymond Waites, Pierre Frey, Waverly, Jamia Brown, Chesapeake, Scalamandré, Ralph Lauren, to name a few.

Shades and shutters brands include Hunter Douglas, Graber, Kirsch, Norman Shutters, and more. www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Spring 2018

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home & garden

Mountain Electronics

TV, VCR & Stereo Repair

In business since 1996, helping you keep your music and memories alive!

Eric Mazur, Proprietor, emtelect@verizon.net (MA Lic #9116)

(413) 664-2007 ● 16 Taft Street, North Adams, MA

don’t toss it . . . fix it!

SAVE MONEY, SAVE MEMORIES, SAVE OUR ENVIRONMENT

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efore you toss out Grandma’s vintage radio or record player, that old broken boombox, TV, DVD, CD, or classic 8-track player with memories, call Eric at Mountain Electronics to evaluate it for repair. Millions of tons of electronic devices are discarded every year worldwide – a lot of them made with high-quality materials that would last for many more years with minor repairs or a good cleaning. Other services include converting most video formats to Beta, 8mm, DVC, VHS, VHS-C, DV mini to DVD, and more.

land management

Native Habitat Restoration restoring balance to nature

Wetlands  Woodlands Meadows  Fields Invasive Plant Control  Pollinator Habitat Brush Management  Field Restoration

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Emergency Water & Fire Remediation ServiceMASTER of the Berkshires ServiceMASTER of Columbia County, NY 413-445-5678 800-707-1441 • Licensed • Bonded • Insured

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EMERGENCY ON CALL SERVICE ● Emergency Water Damage Remediation Locally Owned ● Emergency Fire, Soot and Smoke Remediation and Operated. ● House Wide and Post Construction Cleaning ● Floor Maintenance ● Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning ● Animal Debris and Odor Clean Up ● Mold and Odor Remediation ● Sewer and Septic Clean Up ● We Will Use Green Cleaning Products Upon Request

Certified & Trained Technicians With More Than 15 Years Experience.

3 Westview Road, Pittsfield, MA

www.ServiceMasteroftheBerkshires.com 10

Spring 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

WE OFFER A VARIETY OF SPECIALIZED SERVICES

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ith more than 30 years of experience, Native Habitat Restoration offers private and public landowners a variety of services specializing in invasive plant control, brush management, forestry mowing, pollinator habitats, and replanting. Our womenowned company helps you complete all aspects of restoration, from planning and permitting to grant-writing and implementation with appropriate management tools, including organic options. We specialize in restoring wetlands, woodlands, meadows, and floodplains.

more than you expect WE ARE NOT JUST A DISASTER-RESTORATION COMPANY

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erviceMaster of the Berkshires has been proudly, confidently, and professionally serving Berkshire County residents for more than 20 years. While we are primarily a disaster-restoration company, which simply means we clean up after water and fire damage, we also do so much more.

• We detail-clean new homes after the contractor has finished (postconstruction cleaning).

• We detail-clean homes for buyers purchasing an existing home.

• We detail-clean homes for existing homeowners looking for that one-time big cleaning.

• We professionally steam-clean carpets and upholstery – in your home.

We clean out and clean up homes in hoarding situations. We are not a janitorial company and we are not a housekeeping company, we are the cleaning professionals you need to handle the job. If you are overwhelmed with the task, we can help. If you don’t have the time, we can do the job. If the unexpected occurs, we can help!

We are the professionals to call for your home’s large cleaning needs in addition to disaster restoration.

home & garden

Business Services

spring is here!

In Business Since 1881

SHOP FOR FLOWERS, VEGETABLES, ACCESSORIES & MORE

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anging baskets filled with flowers, herbs, or strawberry plants make wonderful gifts for Mother’s Day. They are very practical for decks and balconies in particular, or where other plants won’t grow. Water thoroughly and often, use a slow-release granular fertilizer, and rotate the basket on occasion so the plant gets sun on all sides. Stop by Jaeschke’s Orchards to shop for vegetable plants, gardening accessories, gifts for Easter, and for additional helpful gardening and landscaping tips.

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West Road, Adams • 413-743-3896 business since 1881! West Road, Adams Under (413) 743-2374 the Gazebo on Frank Consolati Way, Lee Under the Gazebo on Frank Consolati Way, Lee Open Fridays Only from 10am - 3pm Open Fridays Only from 10am - 3pm

family owned & operated SERVING CUSTOMERS FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS

erkshire Fence is a family-owned and operated company located in Sheffield and Pittsfield, MA. We have been dedicated to meeting our customers fencing needs for more than 30 years. Our experienced representatives will work with you to help you choose your fence style, and our skilled residential crew will professionally install it. Whether your interest in fencing is large or small, residential, commercial, or industrial, Berkshire Fence is here to serve you. Visit our website for more information.

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clean energy

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Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS

SERVING THE BERKSHIRES SINCE 1985

60 Roberts Drive, Suite 109 North Adams, MA 01247 Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS Solar Energy Industries Association.

(413)46664-0152 • www.bpvs.com Howland Avenue, Adams, MA 01220

erkshire Photovoltaic Services (BPVS) has installed hundreds of safe, efficient, durable photovoltaic systems. They favor photovoltaic components manufactured in our region to support the local economy and because these modules, mounts, and power electronics are the best in the world. BPVS is fully licensed and insured for commercial, institutional, and residential PV systems.

BPVS now also provides repair and warranty service on PV systems installed by solar firms that have gone out of business.

Association, Solar Energy Business Association of New England, MA LIC Solar #’s HIC131996, CSLSustainable 73150 Energy Tel. 413-743-0152 • www.bpvs.com Member: American Energy Society, Northeast

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MA LIC #'s HIC131996, CSL 73150

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

American Solar Energy Society

Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS

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quality home appliances NAME-BRAND APPLIANCES, VACUUMS, REPAIRS & PARTS

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lliance Appliance is your one-stop shop for quality name-brand home appliances and vacuums, exceptional professional repair service, and extensive appliance parts for the do-it-yourselfer. Located in Pittsfield, MA, and serving Berkshire County since 1976, Alliance Appliance is a tight-knit family-owned business that supports hard work, honesty, and reliable customer service. If you aren’t sure whether you need a brand-new appliance or just a repair, you can call them for personalized guidance.

Open 7 Days

46 Howland Avenue, Adams, MA 01220

Tel. 413-743-0152 • www.bpvs.com

Alliance Appliance

MA LIC #'s HIC131996, CSL 73150

S

YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP FOR NAME BRAND for APPLIANCES, REPAIR & PARTS recognized careful designs,

ince 1985, proven components and high quality workmanship, (413) 443-1230 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.

www.alliance-appliance.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Spring 2018

11

food & drink

Fennel and Preserved Lemon Soup

by Guido’s Fresh Marketplace This quick and nurturing soup brings together flavorful broth, salty preserved lemon, and crisp and refreshing fennel. Serves 4 to 6.

Ingredients 2 T olive oil 3 cups chopped fennel (bulbs and stalks) 2 cups chopped leeks (whites and light greens) Several grinds of pepper 3 cloves garlic, minced One 33.83-ounce box Aneto vegetable broth One 15-ounce can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 1 T chopped preserved lemon rind, additional to taste

APRIL 2018 IS

community

MONTH: CELEBRATING YOU, OUR DEAR CUSTOMER, EVERY THURSDAY! YOU’LL ENJOY: DISCOUNTS* SAMPLES GIVE-AWAYS SPECIAL GUESTS GIVE-BACKS *Some restrictions apply. See in store for details.

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Spring 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

1 cup chopped arugula 1 T preserved lemon brine Optional: salt Parmesan cheese, for serving

Directions 1) Set a large saucepan or stockpot over medium heat. Add the oil and heat just until it shimmers. Add the fennel, leeks, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until the fennel softens, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.

2) Pour the vegetable broth over the vegetables. Increase the heat to medium-high to bring the mixture to a very low boil.

Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.

3) Add the beans, preserved lemon, and arugula. Cook until warmed through, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the preserved lemon brine. Taste and add more salt, pepper, or preserved lemon.

Serve topped with Parmesan. ~ Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, located in Great Barrington and Pittsfield, MA. www.guidosfreshmarketplace.com

food & drink

Haflinger Haus Restaurant  Tavern  Inn

17 Commercial Street, Adams, MA 413-743-2221

Austrian-American Cuisine Special Mother’s Day Menu.

Call for reservations.

www.haflingerhaus.com

NORTH EGREMONT COUNTRY STORE NEWLY EXPANDED DELI - FOOD MENU!

Wholesome ● Homestyle ● Delicious SoCo Ice Cream ● Local Free-Range Eggs Milk ● Liquor ● Beer ● Wine ● Pastries Lotto ● Post Office ● Fishing Bait Photo by John Phelan

Route 71, North Egremont, MA (Near Prospect Lake)

Call (413) 528-4796

½

entrées available

Our Market is Open 7 Days a Week

D-e-e-licious!

Tues-Sat dinner only • 150 Main St., Lee 413.243.6397 cheznousbistro.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Spring 2018

13

spring giftguide GLOW

Danforth Pewter Oil Lamp / Wonderful Things

The Addison oil lamp by Danforth Pewter is named after the beautiful lakeside town near their workshop and home. It has a delicate beaded detail that adds sparkle to the pure form. 6.5” high with glass chimney. Each Danforth oil lamp comes in a gift box with a care card and instructions. Celebrate a wedding or anniversary with this special handmade gift. Wonderful Things, owned

by Harry and Debbie Sano, also has the largest selection of yarn, needlework, and craft supplies in the area along with a wide array of handcrafted gifts. Give the special person in your life this lovely Danforth oil lamp, a fabulous selection of yarn or other craft item, or a gift certificate. Visit 232 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA. (413) 528-2473, www.wonderful-things.com

That Work / Berkshire Organics AAH! Things The items and brands Berkshire Organics offers online and in their store

are carefully selected and researched before being placed on their shelves – they are committed to carrying healthy, quality products made by small, independent companies.

The personal care products by Things That Work, pictured at left, fit that description brilliantly. Owner Lisa Bilotta believes in the reduce, reuse, recycle model and practices this in her choice of formulas, packaging, and design of her offerings. Lavender Bath Salts: lavender essential oil (aah that smells good!) joins vitamin E and Epsom salts in this 1-lb pack with handy stainless steel scoop. Tooth Powder: a natural formulation that will leave your mouth fresher longer. Hair Spray: nonaerosol natural hair spray with fine mist sprayer, unscented with light hold (a personal favorite of the publisher of Our BerkshireTimes magazine). Visit Berkshire Organics at 813 Dalton Division Road, Dalton, MA, or order online.

(413) 442-0888, www.berkshireorganics.com

SING

Do . . Re . . Mi . . Fa . . Sol . . La . .

Orange Grand Marnier / Chocolate Springs

This spring, stop in and experience Chocolate Springs fine, Europeanstyle chocolates, and be sure to bring home a glorious selection for Easter and Mother’s Day. Sold as classic assortments (comprised mostly of dark chocolates with approximately 20 percent milk chocolates) or individually, these delicious and decadent treats are sure to please. Chocolate Springs is a European-style chocolate and dessert café with decades of experience in crafting the finest handmade bonbons. Milk and dark chocolate, truffles, amazing ganache, and award-winning hot chocolate are made fresh every day using only the finest seasonal and organic ingredients whenever possible. Buy gifts online, or visit Chocolate Springs Café at 55 Pittsfield Road, Lenox, MA. (413) 637-9820, www.chocolatesprings.com

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Spring 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

animal talk

Brussels Sprout Rugby AND OTHER AMUSING SNIPPETS / By Dawn Allen Do you have an amusing animal story to share? If so, upload it through www.ourberkshiretimes.com for consideration!

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love animals and the many cute and amazing things they do. Following are some of the adorable moments that have occurred in my household that speak to the ever-important issue of enjoying every moment spent with these special beings.

Our animal friends live in the moment, inventing very unique places to sleep, things to eat, and other crazy antics, rarely to be held back by public opinion.

Brussels Sprout Rugby Our rabbits, Arthur and Clyde, live for food. Each day at lunch they get two Brussels sprouts, presumably one per rabbit. If either of them drops their sprout, they are incapable of finding it again. The farsighted nature of rabbits combined with impatience seems to explain this phenomenon. So the rabbit that drops its sprout attempts to steal the other one’s sprout. This results in a raucous game of Brussels sprout rugby. They run, body slam, steal the sprout back and forth, and try to chew really fast whenever they manage to take a bite. They never hurt each other; it’s just a game and very amusing to watch!

That Is Not Our Property

But I Am in the Litter Box I’ve written on my blog about our efforts to litter train Arthur.

He is 99 percent accurate in terms of using the litter box, if you go by his definition of “using.” He likes to put his front feet in the box and hang by his armpits over the side. This leaves the hind end (the important end) just outside of the box. We have tried every kind of gadget, strategy, and communication, but nothing seems to work. I even made him a handicap-accessible box to make it easier to climb in with his arthritic hips. Finally I’ve surrendered to the cuteness! ~ Dawn Allen is a professional animal communicator. Prior to that she was a student at Goddard College where she studied holistic methods of working with animals. She also spent one year as an intern for Linda Tellington-Jones, founder of Tellington TTouch™. Dawn lives in Westfield, MA, with her husband, Tim, daughters Sierra and Hannah, two cats, a horse, two donkeys, and one rabbit. www.dawnallen.org

CARING FOR PETS SINCE 1957

When I am outside with May, our gray cat, she gets very upset if I talk to any neighbors, or go on their lawn. She stands at the edge of our property and meows . . . “That’s not our property, you don’t belong there!” The irony is that she feels perfectly fine about visiting the neighbors when she is on her own.

Your trusted source for quality foods and supplies.

Your trusted resource for raw-feeding information and advice.

Chirping Our long-haired orange cat, Sasha, has the cutest habit of chirping at other cats. If she is on the bed and our other cat, Nikita, enters the room (even in the dark), she will start chirping. It is a sound reserved only for other cats; her own special greeting. Where she learned it we will never know. The other cats think it’s ridiculous, but we love it; not many cats make a combination purr, meow, and chirp, I’m sure.

Consolidation Clyde, our white rabbit, loves to be petted. He could spend hours getting a head rub. Arthur, our French lop rabbit, always wants to do whatever Clyde does – his eternal sidekick. Whenever we are petting Clyde, Arthur slides his head under our hand as well, and smashes his cheek against Clyde’s. We call this consolidation; very convenient because we can pet two rabbits with one hand.

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

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

Mon-Fri 10a-6p

Sat-Sun 10a-4p

www.bensdotters.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Spring 2018

15

GREYLOCK PHYSICAL THERAPY

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reylock Physical Therapy, located in Lanesboro, MA, offers practical and consistent testing tools to measure and assess all components of body function. They watch people move, identify their dysfunction, find out where they are successful in their movement mechanics, and build upon that success. This translates into an accurate and meaningful treatment program for their patients. Owner Lisa Baumgart, MPT, FAFS, says that patients can achieve healing with minimal or no discomfort with their individualized and unique approach to physical therapy.

Q: Lisa, please describe what you do.

A: I do things a little differently in that I combine traditional physical therapy practices with functional physical therapy practices. The latter technique utilizes an approach called Applied Functional Science® and it effectively identifies and treats the cause of symptoms and dysfunction. After observing and assessing a patient’s whole body movement patterns, I am able to formulate a treatment plan catered specifically for that individual. I still use traditional approaches as necessary because they are very beneficial, but I use them as an adjunct to the functional approach.

Q: How did you get started?

A: I initially started a career in law, working as a paralegal and legal secretary for a few years, thinking I would eventually go to law school, but I didn’t enjoy it. While still working for a law firm, I decided to take a course in anatomy and physiology and found my passion. I have always been interested in the human body and amazed at how all the different systems work together.

I have also had a long-standing interest in finding the root cause of dysfunction. After graduating from American International College in 2001 with a masters in physical therapy, I felt really proud to have my degree and make it through such a rigorous program with excellent grades. However, I also believed there had to be more than just testing and treating patients on the table 16

Spring 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

and then sending them away, expecting them to function and feel better. I was fortunate enough to get hired at a clinic that focused on a functional approach to physical therapy and I worked there for five years. I felt there was a wide-open market for a more functional approach in my area so in January 2007 I took a leap of faith and opened my own practice.

Q: Please tell us more about functional physical therapy and when you incorporated it in your treatment plans.

A: After I started the business, I went deeper into movement science, which is based on the initial philosophy of Gary Gray of the Gray Institute. I attended a 40-week mentorship program that resulted in certification as a Fellow of Applied Functional Science®. This program taught me how to really look at my patients and treat the cause of their dysfunction.

Traditional physical therapists typically treat patients on a table or in a sitting position, and utilize only a few standing exercises.

Functional physical therapy focuses on performing hands-on mobilizations in standing positions called Functional Manual Reaction™, followed by standing exercises in all three planes of motion. Essentially, we are going after the cause of the problem, which is often nowhere near the manifestation of pain/limitation.

For example, a patient recently came to me for treatment of left shoulder bursitis (an inflammatory condition). I watched him walk and move in all planes of motion and noticed something was not right with his right foot and ankle. After he revealed he had an old ankle sprain that never healed right, I determined that compensations throughout his body were directly linked to this old injury, ultimately causing dysfunction in his left shoulder.

Specifically, I was able to see that his right hip stopped rotating (an unconscious compensation pattern he used to avoid rolling his ankle again), leading to limited thoracic/spinal rotation to the right, causing excessive compressive force (bursitis) at his left

health & wellness

shoulder every time he reached his left hand to the right. I would never have seen this using only a traditional approach. With functional physical therapy, the idea is to call in as many “friends and helpers” from the body as possible, allowing all nerves, muscles, and bones to connect and link up throughout the body.

Q: What else do you offer?

A: In addition to a functional approach to physical therapy, we also strive to set up patients with an excellent home exercise program, in order to make sure the healing process continues outside of the clinic. I also offer custom orthotics casting and fitting only when necessary to correct faulty foot biomechanics, improve alignment, and reduce stress on other joints in the body. Additionally, I have long self-studied functional nutrition and will graduate in May of 2018 from the Kalish Institute of Functional Medicine.

Nutrition has a significant impact on the presence and reduction of inflammation and is directly related to pain and dysfunction.

To help find the root cause of inflammation, I will be offering laboratory-based assessments, nutritional supplement programs, and diet/lifestyle counseling including weight loss and hormone balancing programs. This self-pay service will be independent of PT treatment. My goal with this is to facilitate optimal healing and wellness in my clinic for those who are interested.

Q: Do you accept insurance?

A: Yes, we accept most insurance that covers the cost of your treatment, less any copay or deductible you are responsible for.

I hired an amazing electronic medical records (EMR) company called Systems4PT that diagnoses all aspects of my business from documentation and compliance to billing and collections.

This allows me to spend as much one-on-one time with my patients as possible, maximizing their healing. In the end, I go home every night knowing that my business is in tip-top shape.

Q: What is your philosophy?

A: It is the mission of Greylock Physical Therapy to provide healing, wellness, and prevention through functional physical therapy and education. We aim to provide an environment of respect, acceptance, understanding, and integrity.

Q: How can our readers find you?

A: Greylock Physical Therapy is a bright and cheerful clinic located at the foothills of Mount Greylock, 31 Williamstown Road, Lanesborough, MA. www.greylockpt.com

31 Williamstown Rd., Lanesboro, MA 31 Williamstown Rd., Lanesboro, MA

413-442-7007 413-442-7007

Lisa Baumgart Lisa Baumgart,, MPT MPT Restoring Function & Fitness Restoring Function & Fitness

“Lisa Baumgart “Lisa Baumgart is a very talented is a very talented healer/therapist. healer/therapist.

In the very first session In the very first she reduced mysession pain she reduced my well over 50%.

Inpain a “Choosing GPT for well over 50%.

In Iamy few weeks time, had rehabilitation was the few weeks time, I had almost no pain.” best decision that I could almost no pain.” have made.” ~Rochelo Marian - Don - Don Rochelo

We focus on dynamics Weoffocus on dynamics the whole body to sk Lisa to of the whole body to sk Lisa to determine your strengths speak to your determine your strengths and weaknesses. speak to your and weaknesses. company, club or Our unique approach to company, club or Our unique approach to organization physical therapy is called organization physical therapy is called complimentary!

Applied Functional complimentary! e offer a different approach to physical ScienceApplied or ChainFunctional Reaction Science orTransformation.

Chain Reaction therapy by treating the whole body while Transformation. addressing specific areas of pain or dysfunction.

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tragmuaB as detnelat y rev .tsipareht/rela W noisses tsrif y rev eht Providing individualized care with 1:1 therapist time niap ym decuder promotes consistency in care and full healing. Improve By focusing on finding successful movement Improve a nI .%05 revo ll patterns and building on this, our patients can Mobility achieve healing with minimal to no discomfort.

Mobility dah I ,emit skeew function! ”.niap MA on tso greylockpt.com ● 31 Williamstown Road,function!

Lanesboro, ~ Lisa Baumgart, MPT, FAFS

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www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Spring 2018

17

health & wellness

ndy WeOPTICAL

Wendy is a licensed optician with 27 years experience fitting happy customers with beautiful frames and lenses in the Berkshires.

REPAIRS | CLEANING | ADJUSTMENTS

Flex Spend - Use it or Lose it!

56 Elm Street, Pittsfield, MA 413.445.5700 Wed-Sat 10am to 6pm

www.wendyoptical.com

Naomi Alson

LIC. ACUPUNCTURIST & HERBALIST

For general wellbeing . . .

With specialized training in: ● Alleviating the side effects chemotherapy ● Infertility ● Herbal treatments ● Regulating the immune system

At Lee Family Practice, Lee, MA

(413) 243-3223  naomifalson@gmail.com

Hydro Health of Western Massachusetts Body Detoxification for Wellness Relaxing ● Rejuvenating ● Healing

Colon Hydrotherapy (Colonic) Ozone Steam Sauna Therapy Far Infrared Sauna Therapy IonCleanse® Foot Baths FDA Approved Equipment

If you are serious about healing, regenerating, and revitalizing your body, starting a detoxification program will be the most important paradigm shift of your life. I can help you begin. ~ Bruce Collingwood, I-ACT Certified Colon Hydrotherapist

(413) 445-7470 ● 51 Stearns Ave, Pittsfield, MA www.hydrohealthwesternmass.com 18

Spring 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

Our Miraculous Bodies

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By Amelia Sydlosky

n the mid-’80s all I knew about health and healing was “take two aspirins and call me in the morning” . . . who knew? But then, by chance, I met several women who had a different understanding of healing and this encouraged me to find a new direction in life that would have meaning for me.

Following the lead of these lovely women, I enrolled in a holistic health training program. I was in for a big surprise! We were taught all of the body systems and how miraculous we are created. I became aware of spirit working in our lives and I learned that in a split second our bodies can react to a stimulus without our conscious permission or awareness. An example many of us are familiar with is our fight-or-flight response . . . a car suddenly stops in front of ours, for instance, and we experience the shock in our bodies, digestion stops, and blood rushes to our extremities to enable us to respond quickly. Every day our organs execute many miraculous functions without our assistance or request. Take the liver for example; it can perform 500 different tasks unknown to us as they are occurring.

I also learned that our face (just like our feet through reflexology) contains master control points for body functions. Utilizing energy work and gentle massage of the powerful energy centers located in the face (that you can do yourself or have done professionally), can encourage our body functions to be brought into harmony and balance. It can help give the face a more youthful appearance, balance hormones (PMS and/or menopausal concerns), lesson TMJ (nightly teeth grinding, jaw pain, and headaches), assist lymphatic drainage for removing toxic energy, and more. Try these health and skin-care tips: ● Make facial massage a part of your daily routine. Use gentle circular movements from your fingertips all over your face and neck while applying a chemical-free organic moisturizer. You can find an excellent chart of acupressure facial rejuvenation points at www.tinyurl.com/y7qx7f9n. ● Use natural facial oils such as evening primrose oil to reduce skin inflammation; avocado oil, which is extremely good at hydrating and softening your skin and is also recommended as an effective treatment for acne and blackheads, eczema, and other forms of skin inflammation; coconut oil for its vitamins and hydrating properties; or sweet almond oil for its vitamin E content that will help repair your skin. A few drops applied on clean skin will serve as the perfect night recovery cream. ● Hydrate regularly (internally and externally), clean your skin properly morning and night, and exfoliate once or twice a week.

~ Amelia Sydlosky, Amelia’s Holistic Facial Rejuvenation. Amelia, a licensed aesthetician in practice for 25-plus years, practices in her Hillsdale, NY, studio, offering 90-minute healing sessions combined with Reiki Level II. (518) 320-8314, ameliasholisticfacials@gmail.com

health & wellness

Mercury Amalgam “Silver” Fillings PART 2 (see part 1 in OBT’s Winter 2018 issue online) / By Drs. Maureen & Jeffrey Viglielmo

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lmost 15 years ago we learned about the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) when member dentists at an unrelated nutrition conference asked us if we were still placing mercury amalgam (silver) fillings. When we admitted we were, they quickly told us that there is substantial, convincing evidence that the mercury found in these fillings is harmful and that we could learn more about quality alternatives at the IAOMT. We decided to attend an IAOMT meeting right away and found out that this group, which is now more than 30 years old, had amassed a large collection of research articles that made us rethink our training in dental school. Amalgam fillings continually release harmful mercury, even more so when they are heated by food or drink, when they are abraded while chewing food or brushing, and certainly when they crumble. They can even split teeth since they expand differently than your natural tooth, so it is very important to have them removed. There is a great video on the internet called the “Smoking Tooth” produced by the IAOMT. We were impressed when we first saw it – check it out!

At that first IAOMT meeting we attended, we purchased some of the equipment we now use to safely contain the poisonous vapors that are released when mercury amalgams are disturbed or

removed. Although we do liberate more vapor during removal this can safely be done by a qualified IAOMT-certified dentist with the right equipment. We now follow IAOMT recommendations (see www.iaomt.org) to contain these vapors, which protects not only the patient but also the clinicians and the environment.

The procedure for safe amalgam filling removal includes using a dental dam to isolate the tooth being restored, providing the patient with a clean external air source or oxygen delivered via a nasal mask, employing a secondary suction system with special charcoal filters and an ionizer to clean the room air, providing a charcoal rinse to coat the mouth, and methodically removing the amalgum in large pieces with a lot of water. To protect the clinicians (an occupational hazard that has sickened many of our fellow professionals), we wear respirators with special mercury filters. In addition, we have greatly reduced our office’s discharge of the removed mercury (an environmental hazard) with an inoffice sedimentation filter. In Kingston, NY, where we practice, we were recently asked to prove we had this protective device in place – 10 years after the equipment was mandated. Better late than never! We are all happy that, as a profession, IAOMT- certified dentists are making great strides to protect our health and the environment. ~ Drs. Viglielmo Biological Dentistry, www.drvigs.com

Drs. Maureen & Jeffrey Viglielmo Biological Dentistry The beautiful smile we can help you create is the gateway to a healthy body.

As biological dentists we provide safe mercury removal, biocompatible restorations, and customized periodontal therapy. Our office is located in Kingston, NY– a pleasant, scenic drive from the Berkshires and well worth the trip! ● Mercury-safe amalgam removal ● Invisalign® ● Biological periodontal therapy ● Mouthguards ● Customized supportive nutrition ● Intraoral imaging ● iTero® digital goop-less impressions ● Ozone therapy ● Only a little more than one hour from the Berkshires, MA ● Cosmetic & restorative dentistry ● Phase contrast microscope ● Digital radiography

(845) 339-1619 ● www.drvigs.com ● 56 Lucas Ave, Kingston, NY www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Spring 2018

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Engaging children 15 months through 8th grade

Montessori means

expression

Homesick & Happy

A SUMMER PATH TO INDEPENDENCE

By K. Meagan Ledendecker

L

ast summer my daughter, who was just turning eight, vehemently resisted the idea of summer camp. She was convinced that between not knowing anyone and having to try new things, the experience would fall just short of sheer torture. But my husband and I insisted. We knew she needed broader social experiences that summer, as well as the opportunity to stretch herself and try her hand at some different skills.

We acknowledged her feelings while we worked with her to register and select different activity options. Throughout the process I could feel her underlying desire to take on this new challenge, as well as her frustration, perhaps with her own fears and uncertainties.

At one point, as I prepped her for the first day of camp, I remembered a moment when she was an infant on the cusp of crawling. She would rock back and forth on her hands and knees, sometimes crying in exasperation. She wanted to crawl, to move toward some interesting object on the floor, but seemed to feel unable to make that first move.

From birth our children are on a path toward independence.

When they are very young we can clearly see the stages, from being held in arms to sitting, then from sitting to crawling to walking. We witness them begin to babble and then talk. With each new skill, our children develop self-confidence and learn what they are capable of achieving.

The more children have the opportunity to confidently explore their environment, the more they master developmental tasks and establish new skills, all of which help to support a widening sense of independence.

The urge to become independent is strong. As adults we can be

supportive of this natural process, even when our children are entering into activities that feel challenging and even initially unattainable.

After my daughter started summer camp, I picked up a copy of Dr. Michael Thompson’s book, Homesick and Happy: How Time Away from Parents Can Help a Child Grow. Thompson clearly outlines how important it is for our children to have their own experiences, especially those that are not under parents’ purview.

This letting go can take great effort for both children and their parents. “Every child has to practice being independent,” reminds Thompson, “and every parent has to practice letting his or her child be independent.”

In order to achieve independence, children need to be able to experiment with what they can do and be able to accurately judge their own limitations and abilities. The summer camp experience offers children this chance to push their limits, without worry about varied reactions from parents.

Certainly my daughter’s response to camp spoke to her awareness of claiming her own space and being aware of a parental reaction.

“Don’t tell my mom,” she said to a caregiver after the first day. “But summer camp is really fun.” ~ K. Meagan Ledendecker, mother of three and founder of The Montessori School of the Berkshires, fondly remembers her first forays away from home. She also now wishes for summer camp options for adults! www.berkshiremontessori.org www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Spring 2018

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mind & spirit

Ask Vicki

Send Your Questions to vicki@vickibaird.com

By Vicki Baird

F

ifteen years ago, I quit my corporate job to discover my own path. Today, I help people just like you develop your gifts, harness them, and take them out to the world. Welcome to Ask Vicki where I use my Intuitive Life Coach and Belief Repatterning™ experience to answer your questions. If you have a concern (career path, relationships, or mind and spirit related issues) email me at vicki@vickibaird.com.

Hey Vicki!

I’m in the best relationship of my life right now and my partner and I are very much in love, but due to my parents’ divorce that came from cheating, I find myself jealous and needy more than I’d like. The jealousy doesn’t come out in anger, but more through fear. How can I overcome the fear of being abandoned? ~ Shannon, New Bedford, MA Shannon, The feeling of being abandoned is definitely a tricky one to work with but it is important to point out that you were not cheated on.

You were affected by the cheating and the environment it created, but your ability to be in a trusting, loving, peaceful relationship is not hindered by your parents’ relationship unless you allow it to be.

I also wonder if you may be using it as a protective mechanism so you don’t have to invest all the way in your partnership.

Research has shown that the brain creates new neural pathways and can alter existing ones in order to adapt to new experiences.

This can contribute to the fear of being abandoned, but it’s also possible to re-pattern your neural pathways. In the meantime when the feelings come up, recognize that you are not your parents and that this is not your truth. But honestly, we all have to deal with this type of fear on some level – it’s very human. When you recognize this, it can relieve a lot of pressure. In addition, I feel that you are struggling with forgiving your parents for what you had to go through growing up. If you can find forgiveness in your heart, this will move you up the emotional ladder and in turn help you relax in your relationship. Give yourself permission to succeed in this connection. ~ Vicki

Dear Vicki,

I am one of the millennials that are talked about so much and not always in a favorable way. My question is that it seems I am following the less than complimentary descriptions of my generation rather than my own knowing. How do I change that? ~ Matthew, Nassau, NY Matthew, Thank you for being courageous enough to contact me. I personally love your generation – exciting, smart, independent thinkers. I’m grateful to you and the others that are challenging the status quo. Keep it up, man! It can be difficult not falling into what others are saying, but I’m wondering if they actually know you or if they are making a blanket statement.

Are you allowing external voices to override your own GPS system because it seems easier than connecting with your own intuition? If you are listening to less than complimentary statements and acting accordingly, maybe there is some truth to it. Ask yourself if going along is being lazy rather than defeatist.

If the honest answer is lazy, then focus on connecting with an idea, work, or volunteer project that infuses you with excitement and energy. This will give you a sense of purpose, pride, and independence (hopefully including some living expenses if you aren’t doing that yet!). If you listen more to others than yourself, you will be asking the same questions throughout your life. I’ve personally never subscribed to blanket descriptions because we are all so unique and special. You create you and allow the naysayers to question themselves in decades down the road; should they get there. ~ Vicki

S

Vicki Baird Intuitive Life Coach Imagine what could happen . . . if you believed in you!

Vicki is the only certified practitioner in the USA.

www.vickibaird.com 22

Spring 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

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Weekly tours by appointment

(413) 637-3662

MORE THAN 30 YEARS IN BUSINESS It's time for your spring tune-up.

We'll be happy to check your wipers, tire pressure, and anti-freeze.

Alignments ● A/C ● Brakes ● Timing Belts ● Much More!

W

ILLIAMS & KINGSLEY

AUTO REPAIR, INC.

413-442-1620 ● 763 East Street, Pittsfield, MA

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

Quality Foods, Equipment, and Supplies

15 Main Street, Lee 413-243-0508 www.zabians.com

Hartsville Design Woodworking Custom Cabinets & Design Service  kitchens  cabinets  islands  hutches  bathrooms  vanities  tub surrounds  living & dining  bookcases  entertainment centers  fine furniture

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

Monday-Friday 10a-6p

Saturday-Sunday 10a-4p

(413) 274-1122 HartsvilleDesign.com

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Spring 2018

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Behind Every Great Home ...

NO OBLIGATION IN-HOME DESIGN CONSULTATION CONSTRUCTION • RENOVATION • WEEKLY SERVICE www.aquapool.com • (800) 722-AQUA (2782) HIC.0503482 • SPB.0000044 • NHC.0010353 • MA. LIC 113981 RI. LIC 37265 • N.Y. LIC WC 5600-H93 • N.Y. LIC. PC 679

MULTIPLE WINNER: TOP 50 POOL BUILDER IN USA!