Our BerkshireTimes Magazine, June-July 2015

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Our BerkshireTimes Magazine is a leading resource for local events, community news, personal growth, and vibrant living in the Berkshire, Massachusetts, region. It's neighbors talking to neighbors, and local professionals you may already know, recognize, and admire, passionately sharing their knowledge and insight. It's creative, fun . . . and different. It makes it easier than ever to get to know and reach the heart of our community by helping us connect, share, grow, and prosper. Published bimonthly, Our BerkshireTimes is free to the public. We deliver to western Massachusetts and the surrounding area as well as online in several locations.

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

    June-July 2015 vol 20 (31) Complimentary

    Our BerkshireTimes

    Special Art, Culture & Entertainment and Health & Wellness FeaturesVisit us at www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

  • Dream Kitchen Bathroom Remodel Interior Renovations

    Siding & Windows Roofing Contractor Additions & Decks

    Any job large or small, we do it right or not at all. FULL LINE REMODELING CONTRACTOR CONVENIENT FINANCING LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1992 MORE CHOICES PERSONAL SERVICE DOWNTOWN SHOWROOM BETTER PRICES Fully Licensed & Insured

    Lic# 051408, Reg # 131832

    (413) 442-3001 674 North Street, Pittsfield, MA www.morrisonshomeimprovement.com

  • 3

    Contents June - July 2015

    Our BerkshireTimes

    Theater of Shells and Spirits (detail)by Ann Getsinger, Artist

    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.

    PUBLISHERSKathy I. [email protected]

    Kevin J. [email protected]_______________

    EDITORIALKathy I. [email protected]

    Rodelinde [email protected]

    Copyeditor/ProofreaderRodelinde Albrecht_______________

    DESIGNMagazine Design/LayoutKathy I. Regan

    AdsIndependent DesignersChristine [email protected]

    Elisa Jones, Berkshire Design [email protected]_______________

    TO ADVERTISE CONTACT Our BerkshireGreen, Inc.P.O. Box 133, Housatonic, MA 01236Phone: (413) 274-1122advertise@OurBerkshiretimes.comwww.OurBerkshireTimes.comwww.OurBerkshireCalendar.com_______________

    COVER ILLUSTRATION

    10 health & wellness REAL PICKLES

    31 featured advertisers

    Our BerkshireTimes

    BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

    26 education & workshops WHAT HAPPENED?

    Our BerkshireTimes magazine was first published in 2009 and is enjoyed by community members and visitors alike. We distribute bimonthly (six times per year) starting each February. Most of our editorial content is contributed by our readers. We welcome your ideas, articles, and feedback, and encourage you to submit original material for consideration through our website. To find out more about advertising and submitting editorial, see our website at

    left, and join our mailing list to receive our free eNewsletter.

    20 real estate & professionals PORCHES

    This publication is printed with soy ink on FSC-certified paper.

    23 home, garden & landscape WHEN HOUSES WALK

    8 fashion & beauty FACE HAVEN MAKEUP TIPS

    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.

    16 food & drink DARK CHOCOLATE PT DE CRME LOVING LAVENDER

    4 art, culture & entertainment EVENT SAMPLER

    BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

    Theater of Shells and Spirits (detail) by Ann Getsinger is a 32" x 44" oil on linen. This painting will be among those shown in a one-person show called Stillscapes from June 6 to July 18 at the Minor Memorial Library Community Studio and Gallery in Roxbury, CT, www.biblio.org/roxbury.

    HAVE YOU HEARD?

    28 mind & spirit A SCOTTISH ODYESSY

    30 animal talk UNDERSTANDING RAW FEEDING

    Pho

    to b

    y A

    nton

    ia S

    mal

    l

    FUN IN THE SUN GIFT GUIDE

    MOVEMENT MATTERS

    BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

    SEA OF ENERGY

    Like Us On

  • art, culture & entertainment

    June | July 2015 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

    4

    enjoy the ride

    art show STUNNING, VIVID ARTWORK CREATED BY CATA ARTISTS

    FUEL-EFFICIENT CHAUFFEURED TRANSPORTATION Alternative Fuel and Fuel-Ecient Chaueured Transportation

    Post Office box 2216 Lenox, MA 01240

    [email protected]

    Serving The Entire Northeast and beyond!JFK, Boston, Hartford, Albany, Anywhere, Anytime.

    Wine Tours and Ride Shares available!

    Serving the Entire Northeast and Beyond!JFK, Boston, Hartford,Albany, Anywhere, Anytime. Wine Tours and Ride Shares Available!

    Top quality limo service with a minimal impact on the environment.

    Alternative Fuel and Fuel-Efficient Chauffeured Transportation

    Tobis Limousine Service offers a full range of luxury vehicles. Professional chauffeurs will drive you safely to or from New York City, Boston, JFK, LaGuardia, Logan, Newark, Albany, Bradley Airport anywhere and any time. Travel in style and let Tobis worry about traffic. They will always get you there on time, any time. For the business traveler or leisure travel, call (413) 637-1224 in Lenox, MA, to reserve your ride. Visit www.tobislimo.com for more information.

    CATAs annual art show, I Am a Part of Art, takes place at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts (28 Renne Avenue, Pittsfield. MA) on Thursday, July 9 from 5pm-7pm. The exhibit features stunning, vivid artwork created by 100 CATA artists with disabilities, honoring their talents and expanding public perception of disability. Free admission and reception. All artwork for sale. To learn more about Community Access to the Arts, CATA, go to www.communityaccesstothearts.org.

    june-july event sampler / go to www.ourberkshirecalendar.comAh, the Artful Abundance of Life! Summer Soirees at Nine Mountain RetreatDate: Wednesday, June 10, 17, and 24, 2015, 7pmPlace: 9 Mountain Street, Plainfield, MA - (413) 634-0321Price: $40/person for the evening, $80/person overnight with brunch. Come enjoy a relaxed, elegant evening of art and fine dining in the Hilltowns. Nine Mountain Retreats Summer Soiree Series features a gallery of local artists work, live musicians, and delicious food prepared by our gourmet chef Brahim Ainabi. Chef Ainabi fuses Moroccan, French, and German cooking and each soiree features a different 3-course menu. Dinner is served at 7pm, performance extends into the evening. Overnight options available, and include brunch. RSVP required, please email [email protected]. www.ninemountain.com

    Butterfly & Bug SafariDate: Saturday, June 20, 2015, 10:30am-12pm (weather permitting)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. www.projectnative.org

    Strawberry Fields ForeverDate: Thursday, June 25, 2015, 3-7pmPlace: On the Green at Harris Street, West Stockbridge, MAPrice: Free. The strawberry crop will be our focus this week at the West Stockbridge Farmers Market with sweet and savory items to buy. Thursday afternoons 3-7pm, through October 8, selling local produce with entertainment and weekly raffle, rain, or shine. weststockbridgefarmersmarket.org

    Just for Fun: West African Dance and Drum Workshop PerformanceDate: Friday, July 17, 2015, 1pmPlace: PS21: Performance Spaces for the 21st Century, 2980 Route 66, Chatham, NY - (518) 392-6121Price: Free. A high-energy performance of dance and drumming by the participants in the PS21 West African Dance and Drumming Workshop taught by dancer/choreographer Jamal Jackson and members of his company including drummer Frank Malloy III. This is the fourth year that we are offering this popular workshop and performance. www.tinyurl.com/k5ct6y5

  • 5

    www.OurBerkshireTimes.com June | July 2015

    S40658

    Celebrating 92 Amazing Summers in the Berkshires!

    Day Camp and Sleepover Camp ~ Ages 3 to 16

    Flexible Sessions ~ Beautiful Lake Buel Campus Only 5 miles from Gt. Barrington, MAcamphalfmoon.com ~ 888-528-0940

    93

    Enroll Today For Summer 2015

    9 Camp Half-Moon Rd | P.O. Box 188 Great Barrington, MA 01230

    (888) 528-0940 | (413) 528-0940 www.camphalfmoon.com

    25th anniversary JOIN BIDWELL HOUSE MUSEUM'S CELEBRATION!

    The Bidwell House Museum, the Berkshires own colonial history museum, is marking 25 years of welcoming visitors to the historic homestead and grounds this year. The 1750s house on 192 acres of fields, gardens, and forest tells the

    story of the early settlement of the Berkshires. It was the home of the Reverend Adonijah Bidwell, first pastor to the pioneer community. The museum opens for the season on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th. Tours are offered Thursdays through Mondays from 11am to 4pm on the hour.

    The museums location at the end of a country lane is part of its great appeal: a visit is an authentic experience of eighteenth century life.

    Special anniversary events include Township No. 1 Day, the museums free community celebration of local history, on Friday, July 3, and the 25th Anniversary Gala Garden Party on August 15. The full event series can be found on the museums website at www.bidwellhousemuseum.org. Plan a visit to the eighteenth century this summer in Monterey, MA!

    the camp experience ENHANCE SELF-ESTEEM, INDEPENDENCE & SOCIAL VALUES

    Camp Half Moon located in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts offers a traditional sleepover camp experience as well as a day camp program for local campers ages 3-15. Our sleep-away camp in the Berkshires is an engaging and rewarding experience for children ages 6-16. The essence of this experience enhances a childs self-esteem, independence, and social values, in addition to providing wonderful memories that often last a lifetime.

    We feel that children gain the most from their camp experience during a minimum stay of three weeks. This allows time for each camper to develop a sense of accomplishment through the development of new activity skills and to cultivate special friendships and enhance personal growth and independence, which is the essence of the summer camp experience. Thus we only accept a limited number of one- and two-week enrollments in order to maintain continuity within our program.

    We believe in giving children sound learning skills, based on consistent skill improvement, rather than rigorous competition. Children gain in confidence when they are encouraged to see even small improvements as personal success.

    art, culture & entertainment

  • 6 June | July 2015 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

    spectacular music 2015 HOTCHKISS PORTALS PIANO CONCERT SERIES

    The Hotchkiss School welcomes everyone to enjoy its annual summer series of world-class concerts free and open to the public. Whether for a pre-concert picnic at Hotchkiss or simply to take in spectacular views of Lake Wononscopomuc and the Berkshire Mountains, visitors are invited to come early before enjoying performances inside the schools spectacular Katherine M. Elfers Hall, Esther Eastman Music Center.

    This year, featured performers include renowned pianists Boris Berman, Chair of the Piano Department at the Yale School of Music, and Menahem Pressler, founding member of the Beaux Arts Trio, whose career spans 60 years. Of Berman, The Los Angeles Times writes, [Boris Berman has] the unmistakable stamp of the great Russian tradition of breathless virtuosity and absolute security. The New York Times calls Pressler a poet, time and again revealing unexpected depths in works that have been endlessly plumbed and surveyed. Mr. Berman performs July 12 and Mr. Pressler July 17.

    For more information, visit hotchkissportals.org or call (860) 435-3775. The Hotchkiss School, 11 Interlaken Road, Lakeville, CT. The concert hall is air-conditioned and handicapped-accessible.

    s u m m e r p o rta l s

    the Hotchkiss school11 Interlaken road, lakeville, ct 860.435.3775 | hotchkissportals.org

    saVe tHe Dates

    Hotchkiss portals ~ piano Concert series July 12 - July 26, 2015

    Featuring concerts by:

    Boris Berman July 12

    menahem pressler July 17

    Fabio & Gisele Witkowski, luiz de moura Castro, and many others.

    - Check our website for updated concert listings -

    HotCHkIssportals.orG

    jane iredale Lip Drink SPF 15 Lip Balm at Face Haven Get ready for summer activities this season with a protective drink

    for your lips in two NEW tinted shades that add a pretty hint of color to your protection. A combination of waxes and oils create a protective shield while broad-spectrum UV blockers, along with a blend of powerful antioxidants, help protect against future damage, leaving your lips soft, smooth, and beautiful. Retail $15. Face Haven has been providing quality cosmetics in Great Barrington for 12 years and offers all services related to makeup including bridal and special occasion, color matching, consultations, makeovers, and lessons for every level. Face Haven, 323 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA, (413) 528-4053

    CHERISH

    Tree Houses and Kidscapes from Backyard HeirloomsMost of us dream of having a tree house as a clubhouse, a retreat, or

    observation platform with a rope swing or zip line, secret door, and a keep out sign. A place to make memories. I love working with children and the child at heart to make their dreams a reality. A tree house, kidscape, or architectural replica birdhouse in your backyard is a wonderful way to get back to nature while making memories that last a lifetime. Your imagination is my only limitation. We offer quality craftsmanship with safety as our priority. Come visit us at Backyard Heirlooms, 525 S. Main Street, Great Barrington, (413) 528-3095, www.backyardheirlooms.com.

    IMAGINE

    art, culture & entertainment

    PROTECT

    Fun in the Sun Gift Guide

  • for your special eventCLASSICAL STRING QUARTET

    Classical String Musicians for Your Wedding

    Call Carol to Book Your Event (413) 586-4992

    Bel Canto Chamber Players

    www.belcantochamberplayers.com

    7

    www.OurBerkshireTimes.com June | July 2015

    Aug 7, 8, 9, 2015 Mt. Everett Regional High School

    491 Berkshire School Road Sheffield, MA 01257

    www.sheffieldantiques.org

    ANTIQUES SHOW SHEFFIELD antiques show

    THE FINEST ANTIQUE DEALERS OF THE NORTHEAST

    Sheffield, MA, is the home of the longest continuously running antiques show in the state. Held every summer since 1948, this years show features fine 18th-20th century furniture, oriental rugs, fine oil paintings, watercolors and prints, rare advertising posters, antique and vintage jewelry, exceptional accessories, china, glassware, sterling silver, and more! Held in the Mount Everett High School, ample parking, A/C, lunch, bake sale, quilt raffle. Sponsored by the First Congregational Church, Sheffield. Starts at 10am daily (see ad for dates).

    If you want the best classical string quartet music live at your wedding, the Bel Canto Chamber Players have more than 25 years experience doing just that! Listen to Vivaldis Four Seasons floating across the lawn from the porch of your home or special Berkshire County inn. We play for your wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, reception; the favorite music you want every time! Whether its Bach, Pachelbel, Mozart, or the Beatles, youll love the music as much as we do.

    berkshire madeHIGH-QUALITY CUSTOMIZABLE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

    Fluk c ei g Coa .M

    www.magicfluke.com

    The Magic Fluke Company was started in 1999 by Dale and Phyllis Webb in New Hartford, CT, and relocated to Sheffield, MA, in 2010. World-renowned for USA-made Fluke, Flea, and Firefly ukuleles, and more recently the Cricket electric/acoustic travel fiddle and electric bass. Visitors are welcome to stop by our solar-powered shop and retail store 8:30 to 4:30 Monday through Friday, or call for an appointment. 292 S. Main Street, Sheffield, MA, (413) 229-8536, [email protected]

    something for everyoneUNIQUE COMMUNITY CENTER IN SOUTHERN BERKSHIRES

    Berkshire South Regional Community Center is the one and only nonprofit community resource that has something for everyone. Young or old, well-off or in need, able or disabled. Berkshire South works hard to offer something for everyone. Unique to the Southern Berkshires, the Community Center has a splash playground that provides endless fun for children, a therapy warm pool for recovery and recuperation, childcare programs for working families, and wellness programs that enhance your life.

    art, culture & entertainment

  • 8 June | July 2015 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

    fashion & beauty

    the perfect pout gorgeous eyes beautiful cheeks

    T he following tips will help keep you looking fresh and pretty this summer. the perfect pout

    The quality of the lip product you use is essential. It should not only provide color but also treat and protect your lips, which is why we use jane iredale lip products here at Face Haven. They are gorgeous shades and have tantalizing finishes that accentuate, quench, and define your lips, all without lip-drying, petroleum-based ingredients.

    We prefer helping you choose a lip product and hue that is more about your personal style rather than about following the rules. Knowing which finish you prefer; glossy, sheer, or matt will narrow the choices. The right shade will ideally work with your skin tone and complement the natural color of your lips, and the right product will fit into your lifestyle.

    gorgeous eyes

    In addition to color, the finish of eye makeup plays an important role in constructing a look that suits the shape of your eye and can completely change not just how a product looks, but how it should be used. For example an eye gloss can be used on its own as a single shadow to soften and brighten or as an amazing primer to keep powder shadow on all day.

    jane iredale eye shadow possibilities are endless when combining high-quality ingredients and different formulas. Colors range from neutral sheers to moonlit matts. The minerals are highly pigmented and simple to blend,

    Face Haven Makeup Tips

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    15 Main Street, Lee413-243-0508

    www.zabians.com

    Est. 1985Zabian

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  • 9

    www.OurBerkshireTimes.com June | July 2015

    Featuring a curated collection of fashion, art, jewelry, antiques, and more.

    Now in 2 Locations!

    684 Main StreetGreat Barrington, MA Wed - Mon 11-5Sun 12-4

    2 Albany RoadWest Stockbridge, MAThur - Mon 11-5Sun 12-4 413-248-7778www.facebook.com/NEXTConsign

    WendyOPTICAL

    Wendy is a licensed optician with 25 years experience fitting happy

    customers with beautiful frames and lenses in the Berkshires.

    REPAIRS | CLEANING | ADJUSTMENTS 56 Elm Street, Pittsfield, MA

    413.445.5700Wed-Sat 10am to 6pm

    www.wendyoptical.com

    sensitivity-tested and they stay put for a gorgeous, crease-free, long-lasting look.

    beautiful cheeks

    When choosing a blush, the color should mimic your natural flush and the formula must work with your skin type. Dry, oily, or textured skin can affect your choice and layering formulas can deliver amazing results. For a dynamic duo of luster, combine a bright blush for a pop of color with the warmth of a beautiful bronzer. The key to achieving a natural healthy-looking glow is using pure pigmented products. jane iredale blushes and bronzers are great for all skin types and designed to keep you radiant all day long.

    radiant complexion

    With so many foundation options, how do you choose what is right for you and your lifestyle? Are you looking to conceal redness, blemishes, brown spots, or wrinkles? Is your skin dry, oily, or a combination of both? Depending on how your skin looks and feels, and the coverage you prefer, will determine which formula is right for you.

    ~ Face Haven has been providing quality cosmetics in Great Barrington for 12 years, and owner Sherie K. Ross says Our focus is on service and

    providing the ultimate jane iredale mineral cosmetics experience. We only carry jane iredale products because they are dermatologist recommended and free of chemicals, dyes, and preservatives. At the same time they remain cutting edge and not only look amazing but can actually improve your skin. Face Haven offers all services related to makeup including bridal and special occasion, color matching, consultations, makeovers, and lessons for every level. We understand that most people have trouble picking out foundation colors, understanding undertones, and realizing that makeup is not as complicated as it seems. When you are using the right line of cosmetics it is really hard to make a mistake. At Face Haven we offer beginner to advanced consultations where we not only give color advice, but also recognize areas of concern and teach problem-solving techniques. A simple lesson in concealing or a

    quick tip on lifting a droopy eye can not only liven your appearance

    but also change your whole outlook on wearing makeup. We can absolutely map out a daily routine to suit an individuals lifestyle. jane iredale products are multipurpose, so if time is your issue I guarantee we can transform your look in minutes and transition you from day to night in seconds. Sherie K. Ross, Face Haven, 323 Main Street, Great

    Barrington, MA, (413) 528-4053.

    the perfect pout gorgeous eyes beautiful cheeks Face Haven Makeup Tips F A C E H A V E NN A T U R A L C O S M E T I C S & M A K E U P S T U D I OOur focus is on service and providing the ultimate jane

    iredale mineral cosmetics experience. I guarantee we can transform your look in minutes and transition you from day to night in seconds. ~ Sherie K. Ross, Proprietor

    (413) 528-4053323 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA

    Mon-Sat 10am-5pm

    D R . J a y W i s e , D D SD r . C a s e y J o n e s , D M D

    33 Park street, suite 6, lee, ma 01238( 4 1 3 ) 2 4 3 - 1 2 2 2 D r jay w i s e d d s .c o m

    This is where health, beaut y and well being begin.

    Thats OUr Business .

    fashion & beauty

  • 10 June | July 2015 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

    Raw, naturally fermented vegetables are enjoying a cultural and scientific renaissance in recent years. Research shows that including these foods in our diet can improve our health from gut to brain. The microbiome of our

    intestines carries 100 times more DNA than the entire human genome. This complex community influences our health in many ways and is highly impacted by our diet. By consuming foods rich in probiotics, we can improve the health of this microbial community, as well as our general health and wellbeing.

    Similar to those found in yogurt, probiotic cultures produced during lactic acid fermentation of vegetables are known to have many health benefits, including improved intestinal tract health, enhanced immune system function, improved availability of nutrients, decreased allergies, inflammation relief, protection against microbial infection, and maintenance of gut flora that may help to control weight gain and appetite. Additional potential benefits include improved pediatric health and immune system development as well as the reduction of cold and flu symptoms and the need for antibiotics. Evidence also shows that probiotics may reduce the risk of colon cancer, and recent studies suggest that gut microbiota communicate with the central nervous system

    and positively impact brain function and behavior, including anxiety, mood, cognition, and pain. See our website listed below for more information and references.

    Beet & Goat Cheese Toasts

    ingredients:Crusty sourdough baguette, (sliced into 1/2 inch slices)Soft goat cheeseOrganic Beets, well-drainedParsley, chopped (optional)

    instructions:Brush both sides of the baguette slices with olive oil. Broil for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden. Let cool. Spread generously with goat cheese and top with Real Pickles Organic Beets. Broil until warm. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve immediately.

    ~ Real Pickles is a small, worker-owned cooperative located in Greenfield, MA, that produces pickled products that are raw, vinegar-free, 100% organic, and rich in probiotics. Their products (including pickles, sauerkraut, beets, carrots, hot sauce, amazing beet kvass, and more) are made using the traditional natural fermentation process that has been used for centuries all over the world. In support of a regional food system, they buy all of their vegetables from family farms in the Northeast and sell their products only within the Northeast. www.realpickles.com

    real pickles HEALTHY, DELICIOUS & DIFFERENT!

    health & wellness

    here's to your health THE ROAD TO RECOVERY STARTS HERE

    Berkshire Home Health Solutions is your single source for the supplies you need and the service you deserve. After all, getting you better is what we do best.

    No one in the tristate area has a larger inventory of home health-care products, from lift chairs to wrist braces, blood pressure monitors to cloud pillows, fish oil to fitness balls.

    Just as important, no one in the tristate area has more experience. Chances are you already know Gary Williams, long a familiar face in South Berkshire. Gary served at Fairview Hospital and the former Bills Pharmacy for over three decades. Gerry Meenagh is a long-time registered nurse at several private institutions in the Berkshires and if laughter is truly the best medicine, Gerry will have you feeling better in no time. He has nursing experience in geriatric, psychiatric, and pediatric care.

    Get on the road to recovery today. Call 413-528-6083 if you have any questions or, even better, stop by our store at 789 South Main Street in Great Barrington, across from East Mountain Medical Center. www.berkshirehealthsolutions.com

    Berkshire Home Health Solutions, LLC

    www.BerkshireHealthSolutions.com789 South Main Street in Great Barrington, MA

    Call (413) 528-6083

    The most comprehensive collection of supplies and services for home health & personal care in the Berkshires. We utilize an integrative approach to meet the needs of every client.

    Exercise / Fitness/Orthopedic Supplies Mobility Aids Compression Stockings Back/Neck Support Home/Bath Safety Mobility Aids Nutritional Supplements Rental Beds/Chairs

    Wound Care Supplies Lift Chairs Stairlifts

  • 11

    www.OurBerkshireTimes.com June | July 2015

    the value of vision WE ARE COMMITTED TO DELIVERING THE VERY BEST CARE

    Did you know that 80 percent of your brains activity has to do with vision? Here at Berkshire Eye Center, we will discuss with you the three main aspects of your vision: visual quality, visual comfort, and visual protection. We offer routine and comprehensive eye exams to patients of all ages including newborn evaluations, exams and medical care for young and school-age children, and treatment of age-related conditions in adults and the elderly.

    When you come in for a routine eye appointment our doctors and clinical staff will provide several tests to evaluate the health of your vision. These routine evaluations typically include a refractive test, color blindness test, ocular pressure check, peripheral vision check, and a review of your overall eye health and vision. If any findings are discovered or diagnosed during the exam, then further tests may be performed or scheduled at a later date for further evaluation.

    We are committed to delivering the very best in eye care. Our team of doctors, technicians, opticians, and support staff will work to treat each of our patients with dignity and respect; provide dependable and courteous service; communicate clearly and honestly; protect patient confidentiality; and earn our patients trust.

    Madden Chiropractic LLC 2 Convenient Locations

    Dr. Keith Madden & Dr. Brian TraversaGraduates of Palmer College of Chiropractic

    rAchieve Optimal Wellnesss

    Allendale Underground, Pittsfield, MA (413) 442-091335 Canal St., Lee, MA (413) 243-3994

    Open 6 days a week. Most insurances accepted.

    2 Convenient Locations

    winning smileWHERE HEALTH, BEAUTY & WELLBEING BEGIN

    Now in our new location! With all of the uncommonly healthy food options here in our Berkshires, dont forget: it takes great teeth to enjoy great food! We can help. Dr. Wise and Dr. Jones place a high value on overall health, prevention, and self care . . . we think our dental team is second to none! All phases of restorative, implant, and cosmetic dentistry done with patient first focus in our brand-new and modern facility in convenient Lee, MA.

    empower yourselfACHIEVE OPTIMAL WELLNESS

    Madden Chiropractic now offers cellular inflammation testing. Cellular inflammation is the type of inflammation that is below the perception of pain. It disrupts hormonal signaling at the cellular levels that leads to increased fat accumulation and acceleration of the development of chronic disease. You cant feel cellular inflammation, but you can measure it. The only way to measure cellular inflammation is by testing the ratio of two essential fatty acids in your blood.

    D R . J a y W i s e , D D SD r . C a s e y J o n e s , D M D

    33 Park street, suite 6, lee, ma 01238( 4 1 3 ) 2 4 3 - 1 2 2 2 D r jay w i s e d d s .c o m

    This is where health, beaut y and well being begin.

    Thats OUr Business .

    www.berkshireeye.com

    Our Superior Quality Lenses and Staff Expertise Exemplify Our Commitment to You. Great BarrinGton

    342 Stockbridge rd. 413.528.8911

    Valatie, ny 2967 route 9 Hannaford Plaza Ste 402 518.758.9276

    Pittsfield 740 WilliamS St. 413.445.4564

    We accePt most insurances.We Carry Primary eyeWear & SunWearDigital ProgreSSiveS tranSitionS

    trivex PolarizeD & glare Free lenSeS

    We Have a variety of Designer frames to fit your inDiviDual style & fasHion neeDs

    www.berkshireeye.com

    Our Superior Quality Lenses and Staff Expertise Exemplify Our Commitment to You. Great BarrinGton

    342 Stockbridge rd. 413.528.8911

    Valatie, ny 2967 route 9 Hannaford Plaza Ste 402 518.758.9276

    Pittsfield 740 WilliamS St. 413.445.4564

    We accePt most insurances.We Carry Primary eyeWear & SunWearDigital ProgreSSiveS tranSitionS

    trivex PolarizeD & glare Free lenSeS

    We Have a variety of Designer frames to fit your inDiviDual style & fasHion neeDs

    www.berkshireeye.com

    Our Superior Quality Lenses and Staff Expertise Exemplify Our Commitment to You. Great BarrinGton

    342 Stockbridge rd. 413.528.8911

    Valatie, ny 2967 route 9 Hannaford Plaza Ste 402 518.758.9276

    Pittsfield 740 WilliamS St. 413.445.4564

    We accePt most insurances.We Carry Primary eyeWear & SunWearDigital ProgreSSiveS tranSitionS

    trivex PolarizeD & glare Free lenSeS

    We Have a variety of Designer frames to fit your inDiviDual style & fasHion neeDs

    www.berkshireeye.com

    Our Superior Quality Lenses and Staff Expertise Exemplify Our Commitment to You. Great BarrinGton

    342 Stockbridge rd. 413.528.8911

    Valatie, ny 2967 route 9 Hannaford Plaza Ste 402 518.758.9276

    Pittsfield 740 WilliamS St. 413.445.4564

    We accePt most insurances.We Carry Primary eyeWear & SunWearDigital ProgreSSiveS tranSitionS

    trivex PolarizeD & glare Free lenSeS

    We Have a variety of Designer frames to fit your inDiviDual style & fasHion neeDsCelebrating 20 Years

    of Knowledgeable, Friendly Service.

    www.berkshireeye.com

    Our Superior Quality Lenses and Staff Expertise Exemplify Our Commitment to You. Great BarrinGton

    342 Stockbridge rd. 413.528.8911

    Valatie, ny 2967 route 9 Hannaford Plaza Ste 402 518.758.9276

    Pittsfield 740 WilliamS St. 413.445.4564

    We accePt most insurances.We Carry Primary eyeWear & SunWearDigital ProgreSSiveS tranSitionS

    trivex PolarizeD & glare Free lenSeS

    We Have a variety of Designer frames to fit your inDiviDual style & fasHion neeDs

    We Have a Variety of Designer Frames to Fit Your Individual Style

    and Fashion Needs

    Pittsfield, MA740 Williams Street413-445-4564

    Great Barrington342 Stockbridge Road413-528-8911

    Valatie, NY2967 Route 9 Hannaford Plaza 518-758-9276

    We accept most insurance.

    Adams, MA1 Berkshire SquareState of the Art Facility for Cataract and Laser Surgery

    health & wellness

  • 12 June | July 2015 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

    infrared technology RELAX DETOXIFY REJUVENATE

    S weating is one of the bodys safest and most natural ways to heal and maintain good health. Traditional saunas were first invented in Finland more than 2000 years ago. The earliest sauna was dug into an embankment in the ground and later they were built above ground with wooden logs. Saunas were first brought to America by Finns who settled in the current state of Delaware in 1638. Modern saunas have evolved quite a bit since that time, especially with the addition of infrared light.

    Enlighten Sauna Therapy utilizes infrared technology which has been shown to raise core temperature, lower blood pressure, and aid in weight loss. Traditional saunas heat the air to extremely high temperatures, which can make it unbearably hot and difficult to breathe. Because infrared technology heats the body directly instead of simply heating the air, infrared saunas are seven times more effective for detoxification. At Enlighten you will experience the deepest, most detoxifying sweat of your life.

    Sauna therapy is known to deliver many health benefits for many conditions including Lyme disease, weight loss, relaxation, pain relief, improved circulation, skin purification, detoxification, wound healing, and more.

    (518) 965-3315 www.enlightensauna.net

    46 Main StreetSouth Egremont, MABehind Zorn Chiropractic

    Infrared SaunaHealth Benefits Lyme Symptom Relief Detoxification Pain Relief Weight Loss Relaxation Improved Circulation Skin Purification

    Convenient | Private | Single Sessions | Packages

    Summer Special!One month of unlimitedsessions for only $100.Call for appointment.

    therapysauna

    health & wellness

    Great Barrington, ma 413-528-3334 | Sharon, ct 860-364-5990

    goldman / tripposteopathic 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

    www.goldmantripp.net

    why osteopathy? AN APPROACH MUCH NEEDED IN TODAY'S WORLD

    Osteopathy is the practice of medicine based on the essential relationship in all living things between structure and function, that is, between anatomy and physiology, or between physics and chemistry: a noninvasive yet powerful approach to healthcare.

    Why is traditional osteopathy so powerful yet benign? Because it studies and applies how nature heals through the use of gentle, precise hands-on work with our patients. The relationship of structure and function is natures first principle of health and healing. Any biological system, from forest to flea, is not healthy if its structure has gone awry: from macroscopic bones and muscles to microscopic genes and molecules. A vessel, a nerve, a joint, even a brain, cannot work well if its structure is compromised.

    The human body is one of natures most beautiful and intricate systems whose health and healing depends on the primary relationship of structure and function. Traditional osteopathic physicians are unique in practicing medicine based on this fundamental relationship from nature an approach much needed in todays world of complex health challenges.

  • www.OurBerkshireTimes.com June | July 2015

    13

    Flowing Form Bodywork

    Deborah GerardCertified Feldenkrais Practitioner

    LicensedPhysical & Massage Therapist

    Craniosacral Therapy_________________

    Pain relief through gentle touch and movement. Individual

    sessions and classes are offered.

    [email protected]

    413-429-5438

    metabolic detoxificationENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS AND THEIR EFFECT ON YOUR HEALTH

    By Anne Browne

    L ong-term exposure to toxins can cause them to build up in our bodys organs and tissues. Toxins include pesticides, herbicides, and industrial chemicals that enter the body through food, water, and air. Over time, these toxins can negatively impact our health and vitality and may contribute to the development of chronic illness. Our bodies naturally contain a metabolic detoxification process that primarily involves the liver, digestive tract, lungs, and kidneys. Sometimes, however, the volume of exposure can overburden these natural processes and allow some of these substances to accumulate.

    Lenox Village Integrative Pharmacy, Inc., LVIP, offers a 28-day metabolic detoxification program by Metagenics to enhance the bodys ability to cleanse itself. This program encompasses a three-

    step approach: clearing, detoxification, and reintroduction of approved foods. This complete program includes comprehensive daily menus, nutritional supplements, a booklet of instructions, and a webinar.

    The Metagenics program is designed to be gentle to your system and easy to follow. It includes readily available foods for macronutrients such as high-quality protein and carbohydrates, plus specific micronutrients for targeted nutritional support (UltraClear two-pound canister for $76.95). Please visit LVIP at 5 Walker Street, Lenox, MA, for Metagenics complete line of natural, science-based formulas that nutritionally support the natural pathways of metabolic detoxification to promote overall health, vitality, and resistance to disease. www.lviprx.com

    T he Feldenkrais Method is an approach to improve the physical and mental function of the body. Based on the brains innate capacity for ongoing learning; guided attention in tandem with movement are applied. Movement is used as the medium towards understanding ones habits and acquiring ease, relaxation, and improved function. The applications of the Feldenkrais Method include pain reduction, the improvement of neurologically based difficulties and mobility, as well as enhancing performance of athletes, dancers, and musicians.

    The method is comprised of two modalities. The first, Awareness Through Movement is a group session where participants are led through a series of structured sequences designed to evoke a more synergistic approach to oneself

    in movement. Individuals establish more efficient movement patterns as they practice developing their self-awareness through a series of comfortable and easy led exercises. Functional Integration is the second modality. This session is designed to meet the clients individual needs and intentions. Sessions are conducted clothed, usually sitting or lying on a treatment table. A supportive and noninvasive touch is used to guide the client into experiencing alternative, less effortful movement patterns.

    People who have experienced The Feldenkrais Method report decreased pain and improved flexibility, as well as improved posture, balance, and breathing. As a result their daily movements often invite more grace and feel lighter, allowing for more vital and pleasurable participation in life. www.flowingform.com

    health & wellness

    the feldenkrais methodREDUCE PAIN, IMPROVE EASE, FLEXIBILITY, AND FUNCTION

    By Deborah Gerard

  • 14 June | July 2015 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

    movement matters IS IT POSSIBLE FOR YOUR BODY TO FEEL GOOD EVERY DAY? / By J. Antoine Alston

    With a topic like this the average reader might quickly turn the page thinking, of course movement matters. For their sake I hope they read on though because the right type of movement can add quality years to your life but conversely the wrong type of movement can decrease years from your life, with the latter of those years being much less than desirable! After 20 plus years in the field of fitness and finally running into Grey Cook and Dr. Lee Burton well-known gentlemen in the fitness, rehabilitation, and sports community I am able to support many of my findings from both a quantitative and qualitative standpoint. Cook and Burton came up with the meaningful phrase First move well, then move often! But how do we move well, especially living in an age of computer sedentary lifestyles? Mobility exercises done correctly with proper body alignment are vital to improve the quality of your life and prevent injury in daily or fitness activities.

    We all deserve to be super-efficient in our bodies. Whether your daily activities include dog walking or marathon running, you should be able to do it comfortably. What causes pain, discomfort and weakness? We call it asymmetry (the absence or violation of symmetry). Your body was designed to move flexibly, with all the parts working together seamlessly. Over the years, trauma, injury, overuse, and occupational or sport hazards can upset your bodys

    design. The outcome? Pain, injury, discomfort, weakness, limited mobility, and decreased wellbeing are just a few. By correcting the asymmetries, and getting our body to a state where everything works in harmony, we become more mobile, more functional, and ultimately live longer, healthier, and happier lives.

    A functional movement screening by a qualified fitness trainer can access your body and its areas of asymmetry. Then, following a customized exercise prescription created specifically for you will take you through three tiers including basic body mobility to help you regain full range of motion; stability to turn your range of motion into movement and help you gain the control and stability that supports full body connectivity; and dynamic mobility to achieve whole body connectivity that lets you perform daily activities with ease, without pain, and without injury.

    ~ J. Antoine Alston, the owner of Berkshire Functional Fitness, has 20-plus years in the fitness industry. Functional Fitness is the only consistent way everyone can get specific, prescribed exercise based on all of their needs. It can change lives! Today, Berkshire Functional Fitness is the first and only fully functional fitness center in the area. 325

    Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA. (413)

    528-0067, www.berkshirefunctionalfitness.com

    413-644-8890 ` www.embodyhealingarts.com

    At Embody Healing Arts we believe that every body is an expression of the unity of mind, emotion, and spirit.

    Yoga Body Therapy Products Counseling Gyrotonic Classes Energy & Sound Healing Events

    Dr. Jan Seward, Founder 33 Rossetter Street, Great Barrington, MA

    body, mind & spirit WE HOST A VARIETY OF PRACTITIONERS AND WORKSHOPS

    Embody Healing Arts was founded with you in mind: your body, your mind, and your spirit! At Embody, we offer the highest-quality practices for body, mind, and spirit in a beautiful and energetically clear environment.

    Services we offer include GYROTONIC for the strengthening, toning, and rehabilitation of your body, as well as individual yoga and bodywork. Acutonics, a type of sound healing using tuning forks, is also available, as is Reiki. We offer counseling based on your unique needs.

    Here at Embody we host a variety of practitioners and workshops addressing the evolution of your spirit with an emphasis on evolving consciousness. All of our practitioners are licensed and certified in their field of expertise, and are waiting to assist you in creating your most beautiful, realized life.

    To find out more about our services, workshops, practitioners, and events, visit our website at www.embodyhealingarts.com. Sign up for our mailing list, and look for our coupon at www.ourberkshiretimes.com/coupons for a discount on your first service. Come to Embody, because your body is a beautiful place to be!

    health & wellness

  • health & wellness

    15

    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 [email protected]

    Naomi AlsonLIC. ACUPUNCTURIST & HERBALIST

    improve your healthINDIVIDUAL SESSIONS, CLASSES, AND WORKSHOPS

    Improve your health and fitness and reduce stress with Ming Lash through movement, large or subtle. Build a strong, flexible body that supports health with GYROTONIC exercise. Connect and unwind from the inside out, with Somatic Movement. Relax into deep stillness with Healing Bodywork, where the inherent, natural healing and integration of lifes challenges takes place. Go through the transformation of healing with the support of Flower Essences. Individual sessions, classes, and workshops!

    Sacred geometry is a universal language that describes the inner workings of nature and the intrinsic order of the universe. As www.sacred-geometry.com aptly puts it, The strands of our DNA, the cornea of our eye, snow flakes, pine cones, flower petals, diamond crystals, the branching of trees, a nautilus shell, the star we spin around, the galaxy we spiral within, the air we breathe, and all life forms as we know them emerge out of timeless geometric codes. Sacred Geometry: Deciphering the

    Code, by Stephen Skinner, will show you how over the centuries, temple builders have relied on magic numbers to shape sacred spaces, astronomers have used geometry to calculate holy seasons, and philosophers have observed the harmony of the universe in the numerical properties of music. By showing how the discoveries of mathematics are manifested over and over again in biology and physics, and how they have inspired the greatest works of art, this illuminating study reveals the universal principles that link us to the infinite.

    burning question?PEOPLE COME TO ME WHEN THEY ARE AT A CROSSROADS

    People come to me when they are at a crossroads with burning questions about a direction to take, a partnership in business or love, a potential move, or an overall confusion about what to do with their lives. Whether its coaching alone or in tandem with Neurofeedback, I provide a supportive platform to guide you through challenges and decisions, and help you to establish and maintain new habits and perspectives. For more information visit www.we-infinity.com.

    Hope FitzgeraldWave Energy Center

    *Intuitive Life Coach*Neurofeedback Practitioner

    413-528-2260

    www.we-infinity.com

    Hope Fitzgerald is an amazing, authentic and very powerful spirit - having a session with her is truly life changing!

    individualized treatmentACUPUNCTURE AND HERBS CAN HELP

    Acupuncture is a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine that helps stimulate one or more points in the body to promote the flow of Qi (internal energy). Numerous studies support the use of acupuncture in reducing symptoms such as depression, facial pain, headache, peripheral neuropathy, lower back pain, nausea and vomiting, neck pain, postoperative pain, shortness of breath, chronic fatigue, hot flashes, and side effects caused by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, as well as infertility.

    www.OurBerkshireTimes.com June | July 2015

    HAVE YOU HEARD?

  • 16 June | July 2015 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

    In a world of chocolate-lovers, I usually stand alone. Quite frankly, I like chocolate just fine, but give me a choice and its vanilla, lemon, fruit, caramel . . . really almost any other flavor that Ill pick first. As a pastry chef, I might have been considered Chocolate Challenged. It didnt take me long to figure out, however, that dessert = chocolate in many peoples minds, and if Im going to set out to please (which is, naturally, what we pastry chefs are generally aiming for), Ive got to have lots of delicious chocolate desserts up my sleeve and on my menu! For me, when I try a new

    chocolate recipe, my criterion is this: If I just take a taste and have had enough, its a no-go; if I can finish a whole portion of it, it must really be good. This Chocolate Pt de Crme has to be the most unassuming-looking little dessert around. Theres no bells and whistles to it, no complicated techniques. Ive learned that where chocolate is concerned, thats really all you need: Chocolate lovers will love it because its chocolate, and the rest of us love it because its a little cup of pure deliciousness. And not only that, its a breeze to make. Happy baking! ~ www.cheznousbistro.com

    fireroastedcatering.com 413-297-3473THOSE WHO FIND US SEEK AN INSPIRED EXPERIENCELocal food, cooked on-site in the open, over huge firesin our custom-built ironware and antique cauldrons.

    CATERING

    OUR EVENTS ARE ENLIVENED BY FIRE

    RUGGED ELEGANCE | UNIQUE FOOD EXPERIENCE

    dark chocolate pt de crme THE MOST UNASSUMING-LOOKING LITTLE CUP OF PURE DELICIOUSNESS AROUND

    By Rachel Portnoy, Chez Nous Bistro

    food & drink

    recipe adapted from flour by Joanne Chang / makes 5 desserts

    ingredients

    180 ml half and half220 ml heavy cream4 oz bittersweet chocolate4 egg yolks75 g sugar tsp vanilla tsp salt2 tbsp Kahla, or other chocolate-friendly alcohol of your choosing

    instructions

    Boil the cream and half and half in a heavy-based saucepan, whisk together yolks, sugar, and salt, then slowly temper in (pour over gradually) the cream mixture, whisking constantly to avoid curdling the eggs. Pour everything back into the pot and slowly bring up to barely a simmer. Off the heat, add the chocolate and whisk in to melt, as well as the vanilla and the Kahla. Strain through a fine sieve and pour into jars or cups. Allow to set in the fridge before serving.

  • 1/8-H

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    food & drink

    www.OurBerkshireTimes.com June | July 2015

    413-528-2022 www.themeatmarketgb.com

    Our mission is to offer a beautiful selection of local, grass fed, and sustainably raised fresh cuts of meat, charcuterie, and salumi made from traditional recipes. We believe that eating local foods is a definitive way to support physical health, our farming community, and the earth.

    Taste, Quality, Service, and Respect for the Environment

    389 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA

    COOPERATIVELY OWNED COMMUNITY FOCUSED

    42 BRIDGE STREET GREAT BARRINGTON, MA WWW.BERKSHIRE.COOP

    Food Shopping with Value(s)

    (413) 232-85655 Albany Road

    West Stockbridge, MA 01266

    T

    NREVA

    A Nostalgic Dining Experience

    www.shakermilltavern.com

    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

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

    and of course sundries.

    (413) 394-4308 | [email protected] 102, 905 Pleasant Street, South Lee, MA

    LIKE US ON

    facebook

  • food & drink

    La Fogata RestaurantColombian and Latin Cuisine

    Lunch & Dinner

    770 Tyler StreetPittsfield, MA 01201

    (413) 443-6969

    Home Delivery or MarketOpen 7 Days a Week

    413.442.0888813 Dalton Division Rd., Dalton, MAwww.BerkshireOrganics.com

    L avender has been around for at least 2,000 years. Lavender residue has been found at Egyptian mummification sites, and it is believed that Jesus Christ was anointed with it at the time of his burial. In the Bible, it is referred to as

    spikenard. This fragrant aromatic herb from the mint family has thirty different varieties and is found on many continents.

    Lavender is derived from Latin lavare, meaning to wash.Lavender is often used as a bath additive and in natural cleaning products. It is also used medicinally as an herbal remedy, in cooking, perfumes, and in repelling insects.

    When I was growing up, my mother bathed with Yardleys English Lavender soap. We had a modest home, and she was affectionate, so I believed the lavender was part of our atmosphere. It was after she passed on, in 2001, when I realized I had grown

    fond of that scent. I started looking to incorporate it into my own home. Now I keep some dried lavender near the bed all year, but especially enjoy getting it fresh from the garden in the summer.

    A friend I know from town distilled essential oils from lavender and shared some oil with us. An acquaintance who visits with her family in the summer says it grows abundantly where she lives in Istanbul. It should be harvested just before it is fully open to experience the peak fragrance, she advises.

    Just a few years ago, a dear friend gave me a recipe for lavender cookies. They were a basic shortbread cookie with bits of lavender flowers in them. Delicious! We got hooked, but did not try to replicate them ourselves until this Easter. You can make lavender-scented sugar by immersing the flowers buds in the sugar for a few weeks, or you can use a blender or food processor to blend the buds into the sugar.

    Readers may purchase the dried food-grade lavender sans added chemicals from the bulk department of the Berkshire Co-op Market. Enjoy! ~ Mary T. Makuc lives in Monterey, MA, with her husband and children.

    loving lavender FRAGRANT, HEALING, CALMING, BEAUTIFUL, DELICIOUS / By Mary T. Makuc

    Salted White Chocolate Lavender Cookies / Yields 20-22 cookies

    ingredients - 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp cornstarch tsp baking soda tsp kosher salt 2 tsp lemon zest 1 cups granulated sugar 2 tsp lavender 8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 6 tbsp vegetable shortening

    1 large egg + 1 large egg yolk, at room temperature 6 oz white chocolate chunks (about 1 cups) sea salt, for sprinkling

    instructions - 1) In a small bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest; set aside. 2) In a food processor, process the sugar and lavender for about 10-20 seconds until the lavender is chopped into pretty tiny pieces, and sugar starts billowing like smoke up out of the top of the processor. 3) In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter, shortening, and lavender sugar at medium-high speed for 3 minutes. Add the egg and egg yolk and beat for 3 more minutes until fluffy. Add the flour mixture and the chocolate and beat on low until combined. 4) Using a large (3 tablespoon-sized) cookie scoop, scoop the dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets an inch or two apart. Place the sheets in the freezer. 5) Preheat your oven to 375F. When the oven has finished preheating, take the sheets out of the freezer and bake for 12 minutes. They should look a little underdone when you take them out. Immediately sprinkle each cookie with a small pinch of sea salt (and extra lavender, if you like). 6) Allow the cookies to cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheets before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.

  • 19

    food & drink

    www.OurBerkshireTimes.com June | July 2015

    NORTH EGREMONTCOUNTRY STORE

    Wholesome Homestyle Delicious

    We offer a full line of groceries and spirits. Let us help you with your holiday needs!

    Monday-Thursday: 6a-6p Friday-Saturday: 6a-7p Sunday: 6a-5p

    Photo by John Phelan

    Route 71, North Egremont, MA (Near Prospect Lake)Call (413) 528-4796

    Warm & Friendly Service

    dinner only 150 Main St., Lee 413.243.6397 cheznousbistro.comcasual french dining

    entres

    available

    M-m-m-yum!

    Serving the Best in Italian American Cuisine Take out Available Full BarFamily Dining Family Prices Serving Customers Since 1936

    Leon & SonsHIGHLAND RESTAURANT

    100 Fenn Street, Pittsfield, MA (413) 442-2457 Off North Street (a few minutes walk down Fenn)

    Celebrating 75 years in business, our talented chefs provide everything from cold

    sandwiches to delicious Italian meals. Pittsfield & Great Barrington, MAguidosfreshmarketplace.com

  • 20 June | July 2015 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

    Before central air conditioning, and still for those of a more romantic, naturalistic turn of mind and mood, there was and is the porch. Shaded by its roof, cooled by breezes passing between columns and through screening, the porch is the warm-weather place to relax and read, gather for a conversation or a meal, and enjoy the surrounding scenery. The porch as we know it is a distinctly American phenomenon. Tracing its roots to ancient Greece and Rome, and influenced by the columned loggias of the Moors who occupied much of Europe in the Middle Ages, the porch as a form probably migrated from the sugar islands of the West Indies to the Southern American colonies. During the 19th century, the porch gained a foothold during the Greek Revival period and became a ubiquitous feature of the Queen Anne, Carpenter Gothic, and other Victorian architectural styles. Americans claimed the porch as their own.

    Andrew Jackson Downing, a prominent author of pattern books that trumpeted the porchs virtues, called it indispensable . . . agreeable . . . a positive luxury in all the warmer parts of the year.

    The rising popularity of the porch paralleled the rise of the Berkshires as a resort destination. Urban dwellers had every reason to escape to the fresh, clean air and open, green fields of the country: the 19th-century urban environment was dirty, polluted, and densely populated, a petri dish for disease, especially tuberculosis, an easily transmitted airborne bacterium that wiped out whole families and accounted for one out of five deaths nationwide. In the country, the porch was a healthful, even therapeutic luxury, a standard feature of Carpenter Gothic farmhouses, English-style cottages, and rustic retreats alike. New railroad lines not only inspired the first commuter suburb

    (in New Jersey in 1857), they also transported both tourists and factory-made building parts, such as iconic gingerbread porch trim, to rural areas. After the Civil War, these building parts also included screening, as manufacturers turned their attention from the making of sieves for military kitchens to peacetime uses.

    On the first floor, the porch mediated between the house and its surroundings. By the last quarter of the 19th century, second-story porches gained favor as healthful places to sleep, and multiple porches, including second-story ones, became a hallmark of the Queen Anne architectural style.

    Drive along a country road today, and you see wonderful porches with gingerbread trim on the white-clapboard farmhouses that dot the bucolic Berkshire landscape. Stroll through an older tree-lined neighborhood in Great Barrington or North Adams and youll see homes with multiple first- and second-story porches. In the 21st century, new homes often have token porches rather than useful ones, and we can be spoiled captives of central air conditioning. But if you are fortunate enough to live in a house with a porch and if you use it, as I do mine, you know what a distinct pleasure it is.

    ~ Gladys Montgomery is a Realtor with William Pitt Sothebys International Realty in Great

    Barrington. Working with buyers and sellers, and licensed in Massachusetts and New York, she specializes in architecturally distinctive homes in all price ranges. Her background includes a 30-year career as a marketing specialist and as a writer/editor/author focusing on architecture, design, and lifestyle topics. www.gladysmontgomery.williampitt.com

    House Proud Porches / By Gladys Montgomery

  • www.OurBerkshireTimes.com June | July 2015

    21

    real estate & professionals

    Williamstown North Adams Adams Pittsfield Egremont

    Jennifer Segala Broker

    25 Serene Country Acres Along the Green River in North Egremont.Simple, easy living with wonderful mountain views and the Green River bordering the western edge. 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms,

    2 living rooms, barn, and cleared acreage rolling down to the river. Plenty of room for horses. Bring your toys. $1,325,000.Call Bruce Cumsky/Sales Associate at 413-329-7266 for a showing.

    Serenity now. Serenity forever.

    No agency sellsmore real estate!

    We represent Allof the Berkshires!

    steepleview.com steepleview.comWilliamstown North Adams Adams Pittsfield Egremont

    Jennifer Segala Broker

    25 Serene Country Acres Along the Green River in North Egremont.Simple, easy living with wonderful mountain views and the Green River bordering the western edge. 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms,

    2 living rooms, barn, and cleared acreage rolling down to the river. Plenty of room for horses. Bring your toys. $1,325,000.Call Bruce Cumsky/Sales Associate at 413-329-7266 for a showing.

    Serenity now. Serenity forever.

    No agency sellsmore real estate!

    We represent Allof the Berkshires!

    steepleview.com steepleview.com

    Steepleview Realty Expandsto Pittsfield and Egremont.

    Having begun in Great Barrington over 17 yearsago, Jennifer Segala, Broker/Owner, is pleased toannounce the return of Steepleview Realty intoCentral and South County. With a new presencein Pittsfield and Egremont, Steepleview nowcovers the entire Berkshire real estate market, fromConnecticut to Vermont, like no other real estateagency! Known for selling the most real estate inthe county for many years, Steepleviews return toPittsfield and South County offers the strongerlocal presence clients have been requesting...andwell deserve.

    Year after year Steepleview Realty has sold moreproperties throughout the Berkshires than anyother agency. Its highly professional and dedicatedagents with over 145 combined years of experi-ence are committed to guiding clients throughthe buying and selling process to find them thebest values and returns the market will bear. Withthe most up-to-date digital tools and strategicteam thinking, Steepleview is the right call. Turnto the best agency in the Berkshires for thebest real estate solution anywhere in theBerkshires, visit www.steepleview.com

    Now Representing Clients fromConnecticut to Vermont

    No Other Real Estate AgencySells More Properties. None!

    Williamstown413-458-7001

    North Adams413-664-0411

    Adams413-743-5903

    Pittsfield413-499-5903

    Egremont413-329-7266

    .

  • 22 June | July 2015 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

    real estate & professionals

    Historic Building for Sale in Hartsville, Massachusetts For more information: www.hartsvilledesign.com/building-for-sale

    Sisters Used Furniture

    www.sistersusedfurtiture.com402 Park Street, Route 183Housatonic, MA 01236

    buying/selling(413) 274-9900

    [email protected]

    Always Changing Inventory Terrific Bargains!

    Visitors to our Manhattan apartment sometimes let out a gasp it is that beautiful and inviting. Michael also renovated our historical home in Otis. They are entirely different spaces yet we are at home in each. B. Hyman, Otis / New York City

    M I C H A E L K E I T HI N T E R I O R D E S I G N

    917-763-5121www.michaelkeithdesign.com

    sea of energy ANCIENT AND SACRED KNOWLEDGE

    By Kathy I Regan

    We live in a sea of energy. Quantum physics tells us that nothing is actually solid. Everything from the cells in our bodies to the objects we hold is energy. Everything is vibrating, frequency. And beyond that, physicist Nassim Haramein, Director of The Resonance Project Foundation (www.resonance.is), states that everything is connected by the structure of space itself, even if it is not apparent to us on the surface. Space is infinitely dense infinitely dense with information or energy.

    Becoming aware of this invisible force (referred to as qi or chi in traditional Chinese culture, prana in the Hindu religion, pneuma in ancient Greece, mana in Hawaiian culture, lng in Tibetan Buddhism, ruah in Hebrew culture, and vital energy in Western philosophy) and learning how to work with it can have a profound effect on our environment and our health. Misaligned energy can be corrected to make our environment feel and actually be more conducive to health, wellbeing, comfort, harmony, and success. With the introduction of the detrimental effects of electricity, cell towers, Wi-Fi, and HAARP, doing anything we can to improve our surroundings will be to our great advantage.

    The following scientific methods of working with energy go into much more depth than we can explore here, but they are well worth looking into and/or finding a skilled practitioner who can tell you more.

    Many of you may have heard of Feng Shui, a Chinese system often referred to as the art of placement. This ancient science examines how the placement of things and objects within our living environment affect the energy flow in it, and how these objects interact with and influence our personal energy flow. Starting out with even basic techniques, like removing clutter, can make a big difference.

    Vaastu Shastra is the ancient Indian science of architecture and construction that stresses achieving harmony between home and body by eliminating negative and enhancing positive energies around us. Ancient Indian people believed your house is a living organism and treated constructing a house as a sacred ceremony. Careful attention is paid to placement of the home, room, and doors, colors used, ventilation, amount and quality of sunlight a building receives, and so forth.

    BioGeometry (patented by Dr. Ibrahim F. Karim, DSc in Cairo, Egypt, during his research there) is the science of using the energy principles of shape to qualitatively balance biological energy systems and harmonize their interactions with the environment. It uses shapes, colors, motion, orientation, and sound to produce a vibrational quality that balances energy fields. BioGeometrical shapes are specially designed to interact with the earths energy fields to produce balancing effects on multiple levels on biological systems. You may wish to contact Michael Keith Interior Design (ad at left) for more information. ~ Kathy Regan, Publisher, Our BerkshireTimes magazine. www.ourberkshiretimes.com

  • www.OurBerkshireTimes.com June | July 2015

    23

    home, garden & landscape

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    Excavation trEE Work & rEmoval rototillinglaWn & gardEn carE mulching WE do it all!!

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    STONEMASONSpecializing in Dry Stone Walls,

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    Dry Stone Wall Construction & Restoration Recycling Old Wall Stone into New Walls Dry Layed Walkways & Patios Freestanding & Retaining Walls

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  • 24 June | July 2015 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

    home, garden & landscape

    PROJECT NATIVE342 North Plain Rd (Rte. 41)

    Housatonic, MA 413-274-3433

    Butterfly House CelebrationFriday, July 24, 5pm - 7pm

    The Caterpillar Lab with Sam Jaffe Saturday, July 25

    Live Birds of Prey with Julie Ann Collier of Wingmasters

    Sponsored by Wild Birds Country StoreSunday, July 26 at 11am & 1pm

    More info at projectnative.org

    Weekend with Wildlife at Project Native

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    when houses walkIF YOU EXPLORE OLD HOMES IN THE AREA YOU MAY SEE A PATTERN

    By Jennifer Lilienthal

    The two-story building, no longer useful as a boarding house for the textile mill, crept slowly down Daly Avenue, which was unusually clear of traffic, its new electrical lines having been carefully moved out of the way. A miracle, Berkshires-style? After all, every year, everything bursts almost startlingly into life here each summer; out of the woodwork come joggers, gardeners, and children abuzz with activity. No, the Dalton house hadnt actually come to life. Instead, it had been painstakingly bolstered, boosted onto wooden rollers, and winched, powered by a mule walking in circles.

    Okay, so it was a miracle, by my way of thinking, anyway.

    If you explore old homes in western Massachusetts, youll probably begin to notice a pattern. Thoroughly stretching the bounds of the possible, many homeowners in bygone decades made the surprising decision to pick their houses up and put them someplace else. I think we tend to think that our technological advances make it possible to do things that people a few generations ago couldnt dream of doing. Yet the act of moving a building, which we generally see as intimidating, to say the least, was once fairly commonplace. Local building migrations include these feats:

    The Stockbridge Casino was moved down Main Street. It became the Berkshire Playhouse (or the Berkshire Theatre Festival as its now known), located at the intersection with Yale Hill Road. The Mission House in Stockbridge was disassembled and moved in pieces in the late 1920s from Prospect Hill (known as Heaton Court) to Main Street. The Colonel Ashley House in Sheffield was moved about a quarter mile down the road. Henry Ward Beechers Blossom Farm in Lenox was moved to clear the view when the Gilded Age cottage Wyndhurst was built (present-day site of Cranwell Resort).

    All of which inspires me to ask: why? Wealthy Gilded Age residents could afford simply to act upon whims, moving homes

    to more fashionable locations, or setting buildings back from roads that grew noisier and dirtier as automobiles multiplied. Home-moving, however, was not limited to the wealthy, so it must sometimes have been regarded as practical. And sometimes there was little choice: a house, or even an entire neighborhood, had to make way for a new road or a reservoir. The house could be razed, or it could be moved, and New Englanders hate to throw things away.

    Look at old directories for Massachusetts, and it becomes obvious that house-moving was not that rare. Companies actually advertised building relocation as a specialty. For instance, Babcock Building Movers of Worcester advertised their expertise in maneuvering both wood and brick buildings, either with or without chimneys in their 1875 ad. An ad for F. L. Pomeroy & Son of Amherst listed building moving as casually as house painting in their ad in a 1912 directory.

    Its hard to conceive of moving a building without modern trucks, but on the other hand, a lack of modern plumbing and electricity could really simplify the process, especially if it were then moved down a road unencumbered by power lines or heavy traffic. Most pre-1900 moves Ive read about went in one direction: downhill, for obvious reasons. Still, the house would have to be bolstered and lifted, and then, its downhill progression would have to be controlled, so even the most ideal of house-moves were impressive accomplishments.

    Was your house moved? Maybe youve heard stories from the past owner, or youve seen your home in old photos with different neighbors and youve wondered why your old home has a much newer cellar. Send your walking house story to me, and it may be featured in a future column. ~ Jennifer Lilienthal, Professional Genealogist, JLL Family Stories,

    j l [email protected] story referenced:

    Daly Avenue Property is Sold for Brown Oil

    Headquar te r s, The Berkshire Eagle, 8 May 1959, p. 27, cols. 1-2).

  • www.OurBerkshireTimes.com June | July 2015

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