June 28 Edition

June 28, 2012 Volume III, Issue 6

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www.berkshirebeacon.com Lenox, MA 01240

End of the road?

Contract set to expire for Lenox marketing firm

Bera B. Dunau Beacon Staff Writer

Susan Wicker Guerrero / Berkshire Beacon

Lynn Sutton, chair of the village improvement committee, with some of the flowers that can be seen around Lenox.

Baseball in full swingpage 15

A vibrant downtown Flowers planted and watered by volunteers spruce up Lenox

Susan M. Wicker Guerrero Beacon Staff Writer

Flowering plants beautifying both Lenox and Lenox Dale and trimmed, as well as new, trees add to the ambiance of these two New England towns.

The If Lynn Sutton, chair of the Berkshire village improvement commitBeacon tee, has anything to say about it, Lenox will be known as “only place USA, not any place.”

“Our goal is to make a 1 Local Lenox look,” she said during News an interview on a bench near 6 Editorial the town library.

6 From the “We want people to think Tower of Lenox as a quaint, charm9 Camps ing New England town, beau9 Fast Picks tiful and unique,” she said.

10 Books Also helping to keep both 10 Calendar Lenox and Lenox Dale look11 Business ing good is Warren E. Archey, Cards tree warden. For the past 10 12 Beer years, he has kept existing & Wine trees in the two towns neatly trimmed. In addition, he’s 13 Movies see FLOWER page 5

see BODDEN page 7

Town manager on the hot seat Kameron Z. Spaulding Beacon Staff Writer

Index

13 Girl-2-Girl 16 Sports

LENOX – Bodden and Hamilton may be heading out the door, but the fate of Lenoxology is still up in the air.

Lenoxology is a marketing campaign for the Town of Lenox that was devised by New York City-based firms Bodden Partners and Hamilton Public Relations last year.

Designed to evoke the unique experience of visiting, or living in, Lenox the campaign has been controversial from the start and drawn its fair share of detractors and defenders.

Bodden and Hamilton’s contract expires on June 30, and there has been no move-

ment by the select board or the marketing and events committee to renew it.

The Lenoxology campaign and the Lenoxology-based Discover Lenox landing page that Bodden and Hamilton designed for the Town of Lenox, however, remain in place, as do the campaign’s boosters and critics.

Lenoxology, and its future place, or lack there of, in Lenox’s marketing came up at end of the Lenox Marketing and Events Committee’s meeting on June 21.

Village Inn proprietor Billy Soto expressed a desire to manufacture 1,000 Lenoxology buttons on his own dime, at a total cost of $500, and

Susan Wicker Guerrero / Berkshire Beacon

The flowers on the corner of Housatonic and Church Street are a part of the improvement project.

GREAT BARRINGTON – Poor reviews for Town Manager Kevin O’Donnell have come forward again. For the second time in the last nine months, Mr. O’Donnell has been given low scores for his performance.

The second set of negative reviews has caused speculation over Mr. O’Donnell’s job security.

Mr. O’Donnell received a total of 64 points out of a possible 125, or a score of 51.2 percent. The score is generated through a series of surveys completed by the five-member select board.

Mr. O’Donnell scored lowest on customer satisfaction,

Kevin O’Donnell Town Manager receiving 10 out of a possible 25 points. The highest mark for Mr. O’Donnell came in technical competence where he received 16 points. Mr. O’Donnell’s other scores were a 13 in management, a 13 in supervision and leadership, and a 12 in advice and information.

The scores this time were see O’DONNELL page 4

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The Berkshire Beacon

June 28, 2012

First draft of new sign by-law moves forward Kameron Z. Spaulding Beacon Staff Writer

LENOX – It looks like the overhaul of town sign by-laws will take another step forward in the coming weeks.

One area of contention has been a conflict between the historic district commission and the planning board. The planning board has publicly expressed displeasure with the speed the HDC has worked on sign changes.

The HDC meanwhile has contended they need to have access to the documents before they can work on the plan.

“We have been critical of the HDC saying you have to work on this,” said Town Planner Mary Albertson. “But to be fair we have never given them a draft to work with and that is what we need to do.”

To fix this conflict the planning board has worked on generating a draft of the sign by-law, minus the much discussed sandwich board rules, to the HDC for their board to allow them to provide their comments.

The planning board agreed to send what they still describe as a “very rough” draft of changes to the HDC. The planning board has decided to pull sandwich board regulation from the current plan to allow the HDC to move forward with other areas in the sign bylaw. This decision was made after the HDC expressed that they believe sandwich board signs are temporary and not under their discretion.

The board of selectman will continue approving sandwich signs at their meetings for the remainder of the year, giving that

it’s

Kameron Z. Spaulding / Berkshire Beacon

The weekend long festival will open July 6 at Ski Butternut.

2012 Art Fest set to get underway

Kameron Z. Spaulding / Berkshire Beacon

Signs in the downtown historic district will be discussed as part of the new proposed sign by-law. Final approval will be determined by Town Meeting members. part of the sign by-law more time to be crafted.

“What we have learned recently is that sandwich boards are a sign all of their own,” said Town Planner Albertson. “They are closer to outdoor dining than a sign and will always be under the board of selectman.”

To several members of both boards, the major issue of conflict on the remaining sign issues looks to be the issue of signs by right.

The planning board contends that this could be allowed, while the HDC and its chairman, Jason Berger, have expressed concerns that this could violate the by-laws of the historic district.

Another area the plan will look to define is the use of window displays. Under the current sign by-laws the display of merchandise in a window lands in a “gray area” according the planning

board. Currently anything that “attracts attention” can be a sign, including any window display.

An example of Betty’s Pizza Shack was brought forward by Board Member Kathleen McNulty-Vaughan. Mrs. McNultyVaughan explained she has noticed a surf board in their window.

Under her understanding of the current law, the surf board in the window would be a violation of the HDC guidelines.

On top of window displays, the by-law will look to provide a more complete definition of signs, flags and other displays.

The by-law will also define the process of sign review and approval.

Now that the HDC will be sent a copy of the draft they will be asked to send any comments back to the planning board to continue the process.

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GREAT BARRINGTON – The 11th annual Berkshires Arts Festival at Ski Butternut will offer ongoing workshops, demonstrations, talks, activities for children and live musical and theatrical performances over the Fourth of July weekend.

More than 8,000 visitors are expected to attend this year’s festival, an annual juried show that features more than 200 artists and artisans with exceptional original works for display and sale in ceramics, painting, jewelry, glass, wood, mixed media, sculpture, fashion, and photography.

The producers of Berkshires Arts Festival are Richard and Joanna Rothbard, artistic directors of American Art Marketing and owners of An American Craftsman galleries with locations in New York City, Savannah, Ga., and Stockbridge.

Ski Butternut is located on Route 23 and the festival hours are Friday, July 6, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Saturday, July 7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, July 8, from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Admission to the Berkshires Arts Festival is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $5 for students and is free for children under 10.

A weekend pass for the three-day festival is available for $13. Ample parking is available free of charge.

Featured performances and activities at the 11th Annual Berkshires Arts Festival include: Friday, July 6

Straight Ahead (performing from 1-3 p.m.): The jazz trio is composed of guitarist John Myers, who directs the jazz program for Bard College at Simon’s Rock, flugelhornist Karl Easton and bassist Pete Toigo.

Ryan Hollander, a solo acoustic guitarist, will be playing vibrant and passionate folk and blues music.

Saturday, July 7 The Lucky Five (performing from noon to 3 p.m.): This hot jazz and swing quintet brings verve, high energy and an unpredictable impulse to the tradition of jazz music from the 1920s through the 1940s. The band is composed of Kip Beacco on guitar and vocals, Matt Downing on bass, Pete Adams on pedal steel guitar, and Jonathan Talbott and Lukas Schwartz on twin fiddles.

Alotta Hoopla (Hoop Dance Workshop, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.): The Greenfield-based hooping entertainment company will demonstrate and perform hooping with handmade hoops of all sizes, weights and colors. Alotta Hoopla teaches the hoop dance through a variety of moves, exercises and technique, making it engaging, progressive and accessible for all ages and abilities.

Sunday, July 8 The Barrington Stage Company Youth Theatre performs from 12:30- 2:30 p.m. There will be two performances of excerpts from the company’s productions of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast by the talented BSC Youth Theater, comprised of young Berkshire County actors ages 13 to 19.

June 28, 2012

The Berkshire Beacon

3

Tax reform:

Lee looks to take stance on statewide tax issue

Bera B. Dunau Beacon Staff Writer

LEE – The Lee Board of Selectmen has been asked to take a position on a bill that would significantly change how the State of Massachusetts raises money.

Neil Clarke, of 85 Orchard Street, a retired teacher and Massachusetts Association of Teachers member, made a presentation to the select board at their June 19 meeting on behalf of the Campaign for Our Communities.

The Campaign for Our Communities is in support of a tax reform plan called “An Act to Invest in Our Communities” that has been endorsed by over 100 groups. Many of the campaign’s supporters are labor unions, but municipal governments, such as the Cambridge City Council, the Boston City Council and the Springfield City Council have also signed on, as have consumer groups, such as the Boston Tenants Association, and political organizations like the Green-Rainbow Party of Massachusetts.

Mr. Clarke’s presentation sought to get the Lee Board of Selectmen to join with these groups in endorsing An Act to Invest in Our Communities.

Mr. Clarke began his presentation by describing a cartoon he’d seen in which a politician asked a constituent what he would like the government to do.

The constituent then lists a number of government services that he would like to see expanded, such as the police force, road repair, and programs for senior citizens, before finishing by saying he’d like to see his taxes lowered.

Mr. Clarke said that the Campaign for Our Communities seeks to address this dilemma by providing a solution that, supporters say, would equitably provide the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with the resources required to maintain its communities.

Before going into the details of their proposal, Mr. Clarke listed some of the important things that government was responsible

Susan Wicker Guerrero / Berkshire Beacon

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A Lee resident, Neil Clarke, is pushing town hall to back tax reform on the state level.

for, such as emergency services and public education.

“Government does together what we can’t do alone and taxes are just the way we pay for it,” said Mr. Clarke, who acknowledged taxes had developed a stigma in political discourse, akin to “Darth Vader taking money out of my wallet.”

He then discussed Massachusetts tax policy.

Mr. Clarke said Massachusetts state taxes were currently below the U.S. average as a percentage of personal income, 9.8 percent vs. 10.4 percent.

He also said that from 19772009, Massachusetts reduced taxes more than any other state, 29.2 percent according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Mr. Clarke said this decrease in taxes had resulted in deep cuts to services, including a 32 percent cut in state funding for higher education and a 42 percent cut in local aid from 2001-2012.

“No society, no state, no country has ever cut its way to great-

ness,” said Mr. Clarke, arguing cuts to state services had harmed Massachusetts’ communities.

Mr. Clarke said the Campaign for Our Communities solution to this problem was the An Act to Invest in Our Communities bill.

This bill would raise Massachusetts’ income tax rate from 5.25 percent to 5.95 percent.

The bill would also increase the personal exemption from $4,400 (single) and $8,800 (married) to $7,900 (single) and $15,800 (married), as well as include provisions to assist low- and middleincome seniors.

The net result would be that the bottom 40 percent of Massachusetts taxpayers would pay less on their state taxes and the middle 20 percent would see no change on their taxes, while the top 40 percent would see an increase, with most of this increase being in the upper portions of the top 20 percent.

The bill would also generate see TAX page 4

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The Berkshire Beacon

Jeannie Norris says farewell to Miss Hall’s Catherine M. Krummey Beacon Staff Writer

PITTSFIELD – In her 35 years as an educator, Jeannie Norris has become a firm advocate for educating young women.

Her career began in 1977, when she was hired as a performing arts teacher at Springside School in Philadelphia, an allgirls school.

“In my 14 years there, I really began to appreciate the transformative nature of single-sex education,” Ms. Norris said. “I became committed to the all-girls setting.”

After Springside, she spent five years at Madeira School in McLean, Va., as director of administration and assistant head for academic counseling.

In 1996, she was hired as the ninth head of Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield. Ms. Norris said she was drawn to the school by the commitment of the faculty and its history, including founder Mira Hall, who she referred to as a “visionary leader.”

“She [Mira Hall] founded the school on the pillars of high academic achievement and a high standard of personal character,” Ms. Norris said. “That is exactly what we’re still focused on today.

We want girls to move beyond achievement to having influence on what matters to them… acting from a very firm set of core values.”

Of her 16-year tenure at MHS, she said the main highlight was “to see us realize the dreams that we had when we began.”

She cited the construction of new teaching and learning spaces and the development of the Horizons program as two key high points in her time at MHS. The

Credit: Miss Hall’s School

Jeannie Norris is leaving Miss Hall’s after 16 years as the head of school.

Horizons program, which has 70 participating businesses and organizations, was established to allow MHS students to gain realworld experiences through working in Berkshire County.

“They’re life-changing experiences,” Ms. Norris said. “The Horizons program helps girls compete in a very competitive work world.”

Upon leaving the school on June 30, it seems that Ms. Norris will most miss the time she spent with the students, who are referred to as “Jeannie’s girls.”

“I can be exhausted, have a conversation with one of the girls and then perk right up,” she said.

As they are what first drew her here, Ms. Norris said she will also miss the faculty and staff at MHS. “I will miss my colleagues – it’s a community with such a shared purpose,” she said.

As to what she won’t miss, Ms. Norris immediately said, “New England winters.”

A native of Joplin, Mo., she is looking forward to moving to Durham, N.C., with her husband. Ms. Norris is looking forward to taking some time to reflect on her 35-year career and decide what to do next.

“I’m very eager to stay involved with education for girls and young women,” she said. “I will find ways to contribute, perhaps on a volunteer level.”

This year, she also had a book, Parenting Great Girls: Giving Our Daughters the Courage to Live Authentic and Confident Lives, published. It is a collection of essays she has written on educating girls during her time at MHS.

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June 28, 2012

TAXES from page 3 approximately $1.4 billion in revenue for the State of Massachusetts.

According to Mr. Clarke, the bottom 20 percent of Massachusetts tax payers pay a greater percentage of their income in state and local taxes than any other group, while the top 20 percent, particularly the top one percent, pay the smallest percentage of their income in state and local taxes.

Mr. Clarke also noted the top one percent of Massachusetts residents reaped the greatest reward from the so-called “Bush tax cuts.”

After Mr. Clarke finished his presentation, Selectwoman Patricia Carlino asked for public input from the small group attending the meeting, which was positive.

“I know what my bill is every month,” said Select Board Chairman David Consolati, who said that he and his wife fell into brackets that would have their taxes raised under the bill, and that they were currently paying large amounts of money to send their children through college.

“To have to add more money coming out of my check every week is a problem.”

Mr. Clarke defended the bill as necessary for funding services and said it would be better if the state’s tax burden did not fall as heavily on low-income earners.

Mr. Consolati replied that, though the bill might provide better funding for schools and provide good educations for children, he wondered whether the state might cost people enough O’DONNELL from page 1 slightly lower than the review he received in September, where Mr. O’Donnell received 67 points.

Members of the board had no public comment on the results during the June 25 meeting.

“We are going to wait to hear from Kevin,” said Chairman Sean Stanton. “And last time we had to wait to hear your response ‘til after we read it in the paper and I hope that doesn’t happen this time.”

“I think it’s important that we’re not finding out in the newspaper what’s going on,” added Mr. Stanton. “I don’t want to be the last to know.”

After the last evaluation the board decided to not take any action until they did a second eval-

“Government does together what we can’t do alone and taxes are just the way we pay for it,” —Neil Clark on his tax proposal money that they wouldn’t be able to send their children to college.

Mr. Clarke did not believe this would be the case and noted the funds raised would be used not just for education, but for all government services.

Selectman Gordon Bailey said that he liked the ideas in the proposal, but didn’t want to vote on it until he’d had time to read and research the proposal more carefully.

“I like to read everything,” said Mr. Bailey, although he added it sounded great.

Selectwoman Carlino proposed that the select board take public input on the issue for the month of July before taking up the issue again during their first meeting in August, a proposal that Mr. Clarke was amenable to. The select board then agreed on this course of action.

The An Act to Invest in Our Communities bill is planned to be introduced into the Massachusetts legislature during this year’s fall session. uation in six months.

In response to his last negative review, Mr. O’Donnell pledged “a renewed, heightened, emotional, empathic, intelligent leadership in the management of town affairs with first rate advice that is practical, fiscally sound, within the scope of established polices and renewed excited enthusiasm.”

Mr. O’Donnell signed a threeyear contract in 2010 after he received multiple high reviews on a slightly different reviewing system.

The board has not stated at any time how they would proceed if these reviews were also negative.

If the town decided to remove Mr. O’Donnell, they would owe him a large payment to buy out the remaining time on his contract.

June 28, 2012

The Berkshire Beacon

them,” Ms. Sutton said. “People pitch in and help at every level.” planted at least 150 new trees.

Planters filled with live plants In 2011, Mr. Archey oversaw can be spotted throughout Lenox the planting of 16 trees on Walk- such as in Lilac Park and Triangle er and Main streets in Lenox. Park, and in front of the library, They included elms resistant to town hall and community Dutch elm disease, flowering cra- center. bapples, pear and sugar maple “We try to use as many perentrees. nials and native plants as possiIn November of last year, he ble,” Ms. Sutton said. suffered a stroke and was unable The Village Improvement to plant new trees. That will Committee, whose members are change this fall, however, when approved by the board of selectMr. Archey plants between 15 men, works with the select board and 20 new trees, he said. to identify spaces in town that Certain trees are suited to spe- need improving. cific places. For example, sugar In addition to live plantings, maples cannot be planted near volunteers also put in mulch, roads because of salt in the ground covers and so forth. winter.

Right now, all eyes are on ReadSome places are tight for larger ing Park, adjacent to the town litrees and the tree warden has to brary, in the town’s historical be cognizant of trees potentially area. blocking the view as well as of Three “charretts” – which is a overhead wires.

French word for “meetings” often Ms. Sutton runs her own land- used in landscape design – will be scape design and garden business held to discuss the space and for residential and some commer- come up with a design for the cial clients in both Lenox and park, Ms. Sutton said. Dates will Wellesley. be announced.

She has been involved in the A landscape architect, Walter Village improvement committee Cudnohufsky, who has worked for the past three years, including on projects in Lenox, will run the serving as chair for the past year charretts. and a half.

Members will work closely All positions on the committee with the library to develop the as well as the tree warden position park, she said. are volunteer.

The area is heavily trafficked Other members of the hard- with lots of walkers. First of all, working Village improvement the park needs basic things like committee include Caroline updating and leveling, she said.

Roach Pratt, Barbara Sims, Jim The committee tries to keep Terry and Kelly Wickliff. plants with color blooming in Everyone reacts positively to town from March through Nothe plantings the members of the vember. In the spring there are Village improvement committee daffodils, pansies and tulips do, she said. among other plants. Then come “It’s a nice thing and it makes sweet potato vines, diamond frost everybody feel good,” she said.” (which has sparkly white flowIt’s win-win.” ers), ornamental grasses and The Village improvement com- many other native and perennial mittee also draws additional vol- plants. unteers throughout the town.

Ms. Sutton said getting to Some people water the plants know people around the towns around town and others chip in has been, to date, the best part of by weeding. being chair of the Village ImThere were many pairs of hands provement Committee. helping at the annual spring clean As one woman walked by she up day, too, Ms. Sutton said. yelled out, “Everything’s looking During holiday decorating, wonderful.” Ms. Sutton smiled painting companies lend their and noted everyone reacts posibucket trucks to put up the tively to the beautification of the decorations. town.

“We couldn’t’ do it without FLOWERS from page 1

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Childhood friends’ travel reaches The Berkshires Catherine M. Krummey Beacon Staff Writer

RICHMOND – They’ve come a long way from Muscatine, Iowa.

Last weekend, a group of 17 women from the Muscatine High School class of 1970 descended on The Berkshires for what has become an annual group trip.

“In 1995, it was decided we would get together every year,” said Mary Whitacre, who still resides in Muscatine. “Some of us have known each other since before elementary school, but this group really formed in junior high and just grew.”

While it may have been more than 40 years since some of them lived in the same town, these ladies have been meeting up for yearly trips since 1996 and still remain close.

“The support you feel across the miles is incredible,” said Barbara Barton of Media, Pa. “You know people are there for you.”

The trip to The Berkshires was a first for most of them, with Jo see FRIENDS page 7

Catherine M. Krummey / Berkshire Beacon

The Muscatine High School class of 1970 returned to The Berkshires for their annual trip last weekend.

Great Barrington discusses marketing best small town title Kameron Z. Spaulding Beacon Staff Writer

GREAT BARRINGTON – It is time to cash in on all that good press.

That was the message as the town discussed how to use their recent recognition as the “best small town” in America by Smithsonian magazine to promote the town.

The magazine named Great Barrington its top choice thanks to the fact that in the town, “bigcity smart” meets New England natural.

In the article, writer Susan Spano had this to say about the Berkshire town: “At the forefront of the bigchain-grocery-store-defying, eatlocal movement, Great Barrington is devoted to its family farms, farmers markets and co-

op. Berkshire Grown, an organization that promotes the production and marketing of locally grown food, spreads the word with lectures by writers like Michael Pollan.”

Ideas discussed were adding mention of the award to signage at both ends of town and a possible series of events, including a concert series.

Even though the town will continue to discuss how to market the new recognition, not all select board members felt it was there place.

“Maybe I am more humble, but I don’t want to toot our own horn on this,” said Chairman Sean Stanton.

The town ended the discussion with the intention of talking with local businesses and marketing firms about possibly developing a plan.

Other news The town made their appointments for the upcoming fiscal year at their last meeting.

Several board members also noted there are many open seats and they hope new members will come forward.

A number of current board members did not ask to be reappointed, causing even more open seats.

The town again entered into an agreement with the Center for EchoTechnology to take part in the hazardous waste collection program. The town already had funding for the program in the annual budget.

The program is an annual event that is collaborative between several towns in the county. The first collection day will take place in Lee on July 21, with the next in Great Barrington in October.

6

The Berkshire Beacon

Editorial:

Sometimes you just smile and apologize Lenox Town Manager Gregory T. Federspiel and Select Board Chairman Kenneth Leroy Fowler, along with the other four selectmen, could take a moment and issue a written apology to the group of residents of Lenox who are suing the town on the placement of the Belvedere in Kennedy Park.

The Berkshire Beacon editorially and in The View has called on the selectmen and those from the Kennedy Park Committee several times to apologize.

Given the estimated cost to defend the suit, our elected and appointed officials would be wise in issuing a written statement of apology for allowing the Belvedere to be built on

public land.

The Berkshire Beacon would be willing to host such a meeting by bringing the two sides together to offer a regretful acknowledgment of an “offense or failure” in this process which was done out of camera and in violation of the Open Meeting Law. Otherwise, the town will face spending legal dollars defending their actions that could go to the betterment of service and the clarion call of more events for this community.

Despite calls to not promote the Belvedere, the actions by town officials will trumpet more publicity as the case winds its way though the court system.

Editorial:

With Federspiel here to stay, let’s move forward Lenox Town Manager Gregory T. Federspiel considered the town manager job in Ipswich, which has a population of 13,395.

The pay ran from $120,000 to $135,000. Mr. Federspiel’s pay here was $108,000, which the selectmen increased to $111,800.

Details of the job: Town manager serves as CAO under a strong manager charter, residency in Ipswich required.

Historic coastal community 30 miles north of Boston, which is best known for its Crane Beach.

Five-member board of selectmen, elected for staggered three-year terms. $45 million budget, 200 employees.

Strong communication, financial planning and negotiation skills required.

The job was not offered to Mr. Federspiel, who has 13 years of experience here.

Mr. Federspiel would be wise to reign in the selectmen body and develop an initial one-year plan, a five-year plan and, if possible, a 10-year one.

The selectmen seem to put their “noses” into every idea and plan. This is why we have committees and commissions

to give us reports to move forward or discard.

Keys to the future: Marketing Lenox, maintaining the integrity of the Lenox Historic District along with legal signs and not to thwart the LHDC with a bouquet of sandwich boards.

Also develop a budget that will forestall an override, seek bonding for improvements at the sewer plant and institute cost-cutting measures like the senior program to put retirees to work.

Also, an integrated school budget under School Committee Chairman Don Fitzgerald to share costs with the parents for bus rides to school, athletic programs and a combined resource for laptop computers.

We need to refocus our positions from self-serving plans to one of community-minded goals. Lenox should not be all about the business community, but using the Lenox Chamber of Commerce to help lure new businesses into town, nor should it be about Lenox vs.

Lenox Dale, where a development committee may be formed to help grow the industrial/ commercial district including the old Niagara Mill into something productive.

June 28, 2012

View From the Tower George C. Jordan III

Save the Berkshire theaters Berkshire County has a series of theaters, from Great Barrington’s Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center and Stockbridge’s Berkshire Theatre Festival to Lenox’s Shakespeare and Company to Pittsfield’s Colonial Theater and Barrington Stage Company to Williamstown’s Theatre Festival.

Many times our thoughts are turned to an endangered species in Berkshire County – the nonprofits – which, upon reflection, is the question, where will the next audience come from?

In many cases the first thought is Tanglewood. Tanglewood is trying to plug the hole and is trying to bring forth another generation of concert goers.

Today our attention is turned to the Berkshire theaters and what and who will support them for the next generations.

In this Sunday’s Boston Globe, the issue was raised: “One solution to addressing the concern of aging theater audiences is to make opportunities available for young people to experience live theater” (“Theater audiences are growing older,” BostonGlobe.com, June 17).

T H E

“The Davenport Trust Fund (DTF) in Bath, Maine, has collaborated with Maine State Music Theatre in Brunswick, Maine, for the past four years on an educational outreach program.

“More than 2,000 young people and families have attended performances with tickets provided to schools and nonprofits. It is amazing to see a child’s expression, particularly when a book he or she has read comes alive on stage.

“Foundations, businesses, and individuals can make a difference so that theater will survive and continue to enrich lives,” according to Barry M. Sturgeon, Trustee of the DTF. The question here: What do we need to do to ensure and preserve our own summer theaters and year-round venues?

Mr. Sturgeon writes about the media’s role.

“The DTF was established in Bath, in 1927 and reached its 85th year on Feb. 8. More than $13 million has been awarded in grants.

“I have been a trustee for 19-years and collect history about

B E R K S H I R E

BEACON THE GUIDING LIGHT OF THE BERKSHIRES

George C. Jordan III EDITOR & PUBLISHER Kameron Z. Spaulding EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Susan G. Robinson GRAPHIC DESIGNER

our founder and the previous trustees.

“Twice in the past five years, we have used different media to inform the public,” Mr. Sturgeon noted.

“For our 80th anniversary in 2007, we produced an 8-page insert in a free local weekly newspaper, focusing on our history, what we do, the trustees, and to educate the public about philanthropy.

“This was done primarily as a milestone being reached but also because there was a lack of understanding in the community about our work.

Perhaps it is time to duplicate this effort to ensure the future of theater-related venues for the next generation in Berkshire County.

There are pockets of enterprising people who value theater, but at the same time collectively in Berkshire County there should be a mechanism to raise monies to ensure and preserve theater.

It is never too late to begin the saving for the future of one of the non-profit art projects: the theater.

Contact Us General Inquiries: george@berkshirebeacon.com (413) 637-2250 Send Display Ads to: graphics.beacon@gmail.com Send Calendar Listings to: calendar@berkshirebeacon.com Visit us Online: www.berkshirebeacon.com

Bera B. Dunau, Rae A. Eastman, Susan M. Wicker Guerrero, Janel M. Harrison, Catherine M. Krummey, Dick L. Syriac CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Janel M. Harrison, Jacqueline J. Wendling, Nancy G. Shepherd, Glenda Lee ADVERTISING SALES The Berkshire Beacon is published weekly. The Beacon is distributed throughout Berkshire County, MA. The Berkshire Beacon assumes no financial responsibility for failure to publish an advertisement, incorrect placement or typographical errors published. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of their advertising and claims and offers contained within their advertising. The Berkshire Beacon reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. All contents copyright ©2012 The Berkshire Beacon. No portion may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

June 28, 2012

BODDEN from page 1 distribute them for free to supporters of the campaign around town.

Mr. Soto, a regular and outspoken audience member at every marketing and events committee meeting that he can attend, said that he’d written to the marketing and events committee, the Lenox Board of Selectmen and Town Manager Gregory Federspiel for permission to use the Lenoxolgy logo at the end of May, but had yet to receive the required authorization.

Lenoxology is the property of the Town of Lenox, and Mr. Soto would be risking legal action if he were to use it without permission from town government.

“Give me the permission. I’ll print it up and I’ll do it,” said Mr. Soto at the meeting.

“The easiest thing to do is a campaign button,” said Mr. Soto, in comments to The Beacon, explaining why he wanted to make them.

The Berkshire Beacon

Mr. Soto also said that he was unsure whether or not he would still produce the buttons, even if he were to get the necessary approval, as they probably wouldn’t be ready by July 4, which is when they would have, in Mr. Soto’s estimation, the greatest impact.

Mr. Soto bringing up his plans to produce Lenoxology buttons spurred the committee to talk about their thoughts on the campaign in general and its future.

“We need a brand,” said Marketing and Events Committee Vice Chairman Carl Pratt, who pointed to the need for Lenox to have a unique marketing brand, even if Lenoxology was abandoned.

“It [the Lenoxology launch] came at a time that you couldn’t escape [controversy],” said Marketing and Events Committee Member Tony Simotes, who felt that Lenoxology had been lumped in with last year’s debates surrounding the Kennedy Park Belvedere and wind turbines.

Marketing and Events Com-

mittee Alternate Eiran Gazit felt the campaign had fallen victim to small town politics, and the campaign would not have generated as much opposition had it been created by a local (not a New York City) firm.

Mr. Gazit, who has been a steadfast supporter of Lenoxology, also said he was open to letting the Discover Lenox landing page go.

In the end, while none of the members of the committee seemed opposed to continuing on with Lenoxology and some, such as Bob Romeo, were supportive of it, the overall feeling on the committee appeared to be that the campaign’s time may have come and gone.

At the same time, the marketing and events committee was equally adamant that, whether or not Lenoxology was a part of it, a marketing strategy for the Town of Lenox was necessary, and Lenoxology could still be a viable in this role.

Where do we go now?

The future of Lenox marketing is unknown Bera B. Dunau Kameron Z. Spaulding

LENOX – Bodden and Hamilton’s relationship with the Town of Lenox is coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean that Lenox won’t consider reviving it in the future.

Bodden Partners and Hamilton Public Relations devised the Lenoxology marketing campaign for the Town of Lenox last year.

The campaign was, and remains, a flash point of controversy and garnered the companies both criticism and praise. Bodden and Hamilton also created the Lenoxology-themed website Discover Lenox for the town, which has received mixed reviews, as well as complaints for how long it took for the site to be created.

At the same time, Bodden and Hamilton were also responsible for bringing the Berkshire Cycling Classic to Lenox this year, something that they’ve received uniform recognition and praise for.

“I don’t really believe that we’ve decided this is the group we want to stay with,” said Lenox Select Board Chairman Kenneth Fowler in explaining the select board’s position.

“We haven’t fired them,” said

7

FRIENDS from page 5 Ann Losinger of Pittsfield serving as their host and tour guide this time around.

“We’re going to contribute to the local economy,” Betty Cleffman Hager, of San Marcos, Texas, said of their time in The Berkshires.

The visit to the area started with attending the Third Thursday street festival in Pittsfield and checking in to The Inn at Richmond. From there, the women visited the Norman Rockwell Museum, saw Diana Krall perform at Tanglewood (from a “primo” lawn spot) and had a cookout at Ms. Losinger’s apartment complex over a very fun-filled weekend.

“We still had time to relax at The Inn at Richmond; it was very peaceful,” Ms. Losinger said. “It was truly a reunion.”

A couple of days after the trip, Ms. Losinger said her cohorts were still exhausted and exhilarated about their time in The

Berkshires.

“They’re still raving about their visit to The Berkshires, as they should,” she said.

Their previous trips have brought them across the country, from Park City, Utah, to the Florida Keys, from San Francisco to Maine. The highlights of their 17 years of trips include belly dancing in Texas, skinny dipping in Colorado, bobsledding in Utah, eating lobsters in Maine, wine tasting in San Francisco and most of all, a lot of laughter.

“There might be some highlights we don’t remember,” Mrs. Whitacre added.

Of course, every five years they also make it back home to Muscatine for their reunions.

For Louise Bridges of Scotsdale, Ariz., one of the highlights of the trips to Muscatine is when the ladies meet with their mothers.

“The girls walk in and it’s like we’re 18 again,” Ms. Bridges said.

To advertise in The Berkshire Beacon Classifieds Call 413-637-2250

The Discover Lenox website by Bodden and Hamilton has not always been well received in the town yet they have helped brand the Lenox name with the Lenoxology symbol.

Marketing and Events Committee Member Bob Romeo, adding Bodden and Hamilton have fulfilled the terms of their contract.

“That contract was foundational in nature,” said Mr. Romeo. “They were engaged primarily to brand the town.”

As for future marketing efforts, Mr. Romeo said that the direction that the town would be going in was still being determined by the three chief players in marketing Lenox – the marketing and events committee, the board of selectmen and the chamber of commerce.

“In my opinion, we haven’t identified where we want to go,” said Mr. Romeo, who said that when a direction was decided on, an RFP would be sent out to.

As to whether or not he would

like to see Bodden and Hamilton respond to the RFP, Mr. Romeo said, “Absolutely.”

Select Board Chairman Fowler also said that the board would probably hire another marketing firm.

Chairman Fowler did add, however, that he believed the board was looking for a more local group to take over.

As for a possible local candidate for the position, a firm to keep an eye on would be Studio Two, the Lenox-based company that designed the new Lenox Chamber of Commerce website.

Although Chairman Fowler didn’t mention Studio Two, Mr. Romeo praised their work on the chamber site, and mentioned them as a company that would probably respond to the RFP.

My dad would always say…

It just makes sense.

It just sense.

“Work hard and save your money for makes a rainy day.

Don’t buy things you can’t afford..”

I used to think, “Give me a break, Dad.” Well, “Work hard and save your money for a rainy day. Don’t buy things with every year that goes by Dad’s advice makes more sense. It you can’t afford..” I used to think, “Give me a break, Dad.” Well, seems that he’s getting smarter as I get older. Common sense. with every that goes by Dad’s advice makes more sense. It Simple, butyear effective. seems that he’s getting smarter as I get older. Common sense.

Simple, but effective.

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The Berkshire Beacon

June 28, 2012

Susan Wicker Guerrero / Berkshire Beacon

This water color by Michael Cohen depicts the Hancock Shaker Village.

Beginning watercolor paintings displayed through July 6 Susan Wicker Guerrero / Berkshire Beacon

Michael Cohen works with a student during the six-week class at the community center.

Adults take time to learn a new art form

Susan M. Wicker Guerrero Beacon Staff Writer

LENOX – Light streamed into six huge windows in a room at the Lenox Community Center and a fan whirled in the corner as the final adult beginner watercolor class in a six-week series got underway.

Students, all ladies, sat at three long tables arranged in a kind of square, their paintings spread out on the tables in front of them.

Tubes of watercolor paint, brushes and cups of water stood nearby.

Michael Cohen, a landscape and portrait painter as well as retired art teacher, originally from Long Island, welcomed the students who have met faithfully from 1-3 p.m. on Thursdays.

“This was a pleasure for me,” he told them, referring to teaching them watercolor techniques.

“You were all open to what I wanted to teach you.”

He went on to say there was never any wasted time in the classes and the students produced some “fine work.”

Berkshire Bank grant funds Kim Graham, director of the Lenox Community Center, told

the students the classes were made possible through a Berkshire Bank Community Choice Grant. The public voted on the recipient, she said.

“We are always looking to offer things at the community center,” she said.

The students got right to work on the last day of class. Their paintings appeared colorful and detailed.

Some worked from scenes on cards and others had painted replicas of pitchers and other objects that had been placed on a table in the middle of the room.

One student brought in a peony to one of the classes and modeled her painting after it. The large flower in her painting had a Georgia O’Keefe look to it.

Mr. Cohen, a slightly-built man with a shock of thick, white hair, light eyes and glasses, walked leisurely from student to student.

“If I walk around and don’t say anything to you it means I like what you’re doing,” he told the students.

Cohen offers encouragement He gave plenty of encouragement as well as suggestions to the students.

Leaning slightly over the shoul-

der of one student, he pointed to a section of her painting and said, “What I’d like to see is another layer here. So let’s put a little white here.”

He questioned the students on some of the things they learned.

“How many primary colors are there?” he asked. They called out “three.” They are red, yellow and blue, all of which can be mixed and result in variations of other colors.

As the students concentrated on their works of art, a hush fell over the room. This was serious business interjected with occasional laughter and camaraderie.

There was a lot of concentration.

Some of the students were a little self-critical of their work but plunged ahead.

“Continue working and I’ll be around,” Mr. Cohen said, moving from student to student.

He told the students the only time a painting is done is if there is nothing more that could be done to make it better.

Paintings displayed at center He also reminded the students their paintings were going to be hung and displayed at the community center for two weeks.

One student jokingly asked if

Paintings done by students in Michael Cohen’s beginning adult watercolor classes will be displayed at the Lenox Community Center through July 6.

The initial six-week series of classes has ended, but a second series of watercolor classes will be held at the center in September. Beginning watercolor students are welcome to join as well as those who have some experience with the technique.

More information on the classes and sign-up instructions will be printed in the Senior Sentry publication as well as announced in local newspapers.

Mr. Cohen, a landscape and portrait painter, will be participating in a show with three other artists at Hancock Shaker Village. It will open to the public on Labor Day and continue for two months.

All of the paintings will be of scenes around the shaker village.

Mr. Cohen works in both watercolors and oils. He is a talented and experienced artist.

they were going to be for sale.

A total of 12 students signed up for the classes – Pat Archey, Pat Borelli, Christine Chasse, Doris Fleisher, Erica Hathaway, Ellen Jacobson, Zoey Jilleen, Christine Jordan, Donna Lefrowitz, Agnes Majewski, Katie Sells and Dolores Tucker.

Mr. Cohen moved to this area from Long Island three years ago.

He said he had come frequently to The Berkshires to attend Tanglewood and stayed at bed and breakfast establishments in Great Barrington. Then he decided to buy a home because he wanted his own place, he said.

His art studio is in New Lebanon, N.Y. Art full time after retirement He has a bachelor of fine arts degree from Queens College in New York. He taught art and spe-

cial education prior to retirement.

Then he was able to do his art full time.

He’s shown his work in galleries in Buffalo, Merrick, Great River, Rhinebeck and Glen Cove (all in New York), as well as in New Canaan, Ct., and in Silingsgrove and Pittsburgh, Pa. Mr. Cohen’s fiancée, Esther Bronte Roman, is a jazz singer and has her own band. She is well-known and liked among the watercolor class students and was there taking photographs on the last day of class.

Ms. Graham, center director, presented a cake to Mr. Cohen as part of the last day celebration. It had white frosting, yellow and blue roses and yellow trim. It read, in dark blue frosting, “Thank you and have a great summer.”

June 28, 2012

The Berkshire Beacon

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The Berkshire Beacon

Berkshire Book Club:

Fairy Tale Interrupted Rae A. Eastman Beacon Staff Writer

The author of this memoir – an Italian girl from the Bronx – first met the man who would be her boss for the next five years as both of them pulled at the same door in opposite directions.

John F. Kennedy Jr. was partner to her then boss in a firm they founded together.

When he and his butler began packing up her office, telling her he was moving in, her Italian temper got the better of her and she let him have it. They became friends and the dialogue they carry on is a delight.

Suddenly the firm is sold, and she is left high and dry until John says, “Why don’t you work for me?” He told her he was starting a magazine.

She learned on the job and eventually became not only trusted but indispensable: taking care of the mountain of mail and hundreds of phone calls, protecting him from the public and the endless photographers and columnists who tailed him.

He himself was savvy about dealing with the public: he would get in a cab several blocks from his destination to avoid photographers and ignore the number of people who called his name as he walked down the street – one cabby advised him to walk against the traffic.

Her boss also had a temper but, she found, he mostly vented it on her when through some mistake, she’d put him in the position of having to rely on his name – which he hated doing.

Meanwhile he was trying to fund the magazine that became George. When he was successful – at last – she was fearful: “Am I coming with you?”

“Of course,” was the answer.

“You’re a lifer, Rosie.” They both shared the same values, the principal one of which was loyalty.

John wanted to get young people interested in politics, feeling that once they knew more about

Community Calendar FRIDAY, JUNE 29 INTERFAITH ACTION INITIATIVE MEETING

Fairy Tale Interrupted

By RoseMarie Terenzio Available in bookstores and on Amazon Gallery Books, $25 (hardcover) the people in politics, they would be more apt to vote.

Editors were hired, but even the ivy league ones (which most of them were) vied for lunches with their famous boss, leaving her back at the office. That angered John and he said “come on, we’re going out to lunch.”

The others got the message, and she got clear in her own head where her first loyalty lay; loyalty meant so much to both of them.

As he saw her unremitting fealty, he gave her more responsibility.

When Carolyn came along, Rosie had a new friend and a shopping companion as well as a stylist, and Carolyn had someone to share confidences with.

Their deaths left her devastated for years.

Finally, she brought herself to produce a play and at last, started her own public relations firm.

It is a most readable book, one that keeps your interest with its variety, humor and personal truth.

The author never exploits either her boss or her position and goodness knows where she got such writing talent. Her boss would have approved her honesty and the straightforward style of her book.

June 28, 2012

North Adams, 10 a.m.

Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative will be held at the First Baptist Church. Use the Eagle Street entrance. All are welcome. We will be featuring two important topics. First NBIAI Steering Committee member Corinne Case will make a presentation on harmful new tobacco products being sold to young people to hook them on tobacco at a young age. We also will be meeting with representatives of The Berkshire Dream Center, a faith-based non-profit that is helping people in Berkshire County.

MORPHOSES

Becket, 8 p.m.

Jacobs Pillow -Ted Shawn Theater, 358 George Carter Road, Becket, 413-243-9919; 8 p.m. / $39 - $64

SATURDAY, JUNE 30 HISTORY TALK BY PROF. JOHN DEMOS

Tyringham, 10 a.m.

Bidwell House Museum History Talk: The Unredeemed Captive: Her Journey and My Own. John Demos, Samuel Knight Professor of American History Emeritus at Yale University looks back at his prize-winning 1994 book about the 1704 attack on Deerfield and the fate of captive Eunice Williams. At Tyringham Union Church, Main Road, $15 per person, $10 for members of the museum.

PEN AND INK DRAWING

Great Barrington, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Come and learn to draw with Leslie Meltzer. Call 274-3738 to sign up. Ramsdell Library, 1087 Main St., Housatonic, 413-274-3738

FOREST INSECT PEST WORKSHOP

Williamstown, Noon to 2:30 p.m.

Land owners, forestry professionals, educators and outdoor enthusiasts are invited to a workshop “Invasive Species: What’s Here And What’s On The Horizon” at Hopkins Memorial Forest. Samantha Brady of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources will lead the workshop, which will focus on identification and management of two recently introduced forest pests. This workshop, which will begin at the Rosenburg Center near the entrance of Hopkins Forest, will be conducted in two parts.

NORTH BERKSHIRE PAINT COLLECTIONS

Cheshire, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Cheshire paint shed is located at the Transfer Station on Main Street, adjacent to the Highway Garage. Open to residents of Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Hancock, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, New Ashford, Peru, Savoy, Williamstown and Windsor.

SUNDAY, JULY 1 BRONZE CASTING DEMONSTRATION Lenox, 2 p.m.

Sculptor Andrew De Vries will conduct a bronze “pour,” casting molten metal into a mold to create a new sculpture, on Saturday, at the Lenox Library’s Roche Reading Park. Mr. De Vries will be on hand before and after the event to answer questions, and some of his work will be on display. One of his works, a bust of his sculpture “Rapture,” has been donated to the library as a fundraising raffle and tickets will be available to purchase at this event and throughout the summer season.

27TH ANNUAL BERKSHIRE CHARITY AUTO SHOW

Pittsfield, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The 27th annual Berkshire Charity Auto Show will be held on the grounds of the Hillcrest Campus of Berkshire Medical Center, 165 Tor Court (rain date is July 8.)

Thirty-seven categories of cars will be represented ranging from antiques and originals by decade beginning with the 1900 Ford Model A up until 1972, with special groups for popular models like Corvettes and Thunderbirds. Show proceeds benefit Berkshire United Way, which supports the event with volunteers.

WHEELER HOUSE OPENS FOR TOURS

Great Barrington, noon to 4 p.m.

The Great Barrington Historical Society (GBHS), based at 817 South Main St. in the c. 1771 Captain Truman Wheeler House, will open the property for free seasonal tours every Sunday, It is being restored for use as a town museum and research center.

If you have an event you would like listed in our calendar please email us at Calendar@berkshirebeacon.com!

June 28, 2012

The Berkshire Beacon

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12

The Berkshire Beacon

Wine and Beyond:

Santa Carolina Wines from Chile hit a bull’s-eye

Philip S. Kampe Beacon Staff Writer

It’s hard to imagine that in 1875, Luis Pereira Cotapos, a Chilean businessman and founder of Santa Carolina Wines, had the vision to plant French vines of the classical Bordeaux grape varieties on his property.

Luis Pereira Cotapos convinced a group of French winemakers, including Germaine Bachelet, to pack up and move to Chile to make the grape varietals they know so well. On top of that, the viniculturalists came with vines in hand, and the tradition of Santa Carolina emerged.

The history of wine in Chile began, mainly for religious purposes, in the 1500s. It wasn’t until the mid-1800s, over 300 years later, that the consumption of wine reach the society outside of religious practices.

At that time in history, Chilean society was influenced by French society and their deep love for luxury goods, which included fine wine. That was the fire that created Santa Carolina’s French varietals by the now “visionary” Luis Pereira Cotapos.

Today, after years of success, Santa Carolina has grown into a worldwide, middle-of-the-range (price-wise) leader. In 2004, a major overhaul of the company began, which included the purchase of state-of-the-art winemaking facilities paired with a major focus on sustainability and environmental issues.

Since 2005, Santa Carolina’s chief winemaker has been a charming man, Andres Caballero, who I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with. Andreas expressed that, “We produce wine that reflects our heritage, our history and our identity.

Each of our wines looks for personality and complexity, expressing soil, fresh fruit characters and smooth tannins.”

Andreas was correct.

The result is world-class wines which are full of personality and are readily available at reasonable prices.

The wines are as diverse as their origin, most coming from unique valleys from the north (Limari Valley), the coast (Casablanca Valley and Leyda Valley)) and the south (Cachapoal Valley).

My focused tasting with Andreas included his Santa Carolina 2011 “Reserva” collection.

I first sampled Santa Carolina 2011 Sauvignon Blanc Reserva.

The wine is made from grapes from the Leyda Valley, noted for rolling hills, cool nights and being only three miles from Pacific Ocean, near the Coastal range.

The cool nights make it an ideal place for Sauvignon Blanc, yielding wines that are crisp with minimal acidity.

My second wine was the 2011 Pinot Noir Reserva from the Casablanca Valley. The Casablanca Valley’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean brings early morning fogs and cool afternoon ocean breezes that moderate the valley temperatures and humidity.

The climate combined with granite soils promotes a long ripening period with low yields. The result of six months in French oak is a balanced wine with smooth acidity and light tannins.

The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva is made at the foot of the Andes Mountains in the Colchagua Valley. Deep rocky soils and a warm, dry climate cooled by mountain breezes make the valley perfect for producing Cabernet Sauvignon. Eight months in oak barrels create a well-balanced, full-bodied wine with rich, dark fruit overtones.

Santa Carolina 2011 Carmenere Reserva grapes grow in the Rapel Valley, an area noted for long summers of cools breezes and sunshine. The soil is made-up of sand, clay and loam, ideal for producing concentrated wines with silky tannins.

As a result of my afternoon with Andreas Caballero, I now fully appreciate the wines from Chile, especially those made under the Santa Carolina label.

June 28, 2012

New beer ranking loves IPAs Kameron Z. Spaulding Beacon Staff Writer

A record number of 16,445 votes were tallied in Zymurgy magazine's "Best Commercial Beers in America" poll, and the message is loud and clear: American Homebrewers Association (AHA) members love hoppy beers.

Eight of the top 10 vote getters were IPAs, double IPAs or pale ales, and for the fourth straight year, Russian River Brewing Co.'s Pliny the Elder, a double IPA brewed in Santa Rosa, Calif., was named the "Best Commercial Beer in America."

In its 10th year, Zymurgy's annual survey saw increased participation, with readers voting online for their 20 favorite beers that are commercially available in the United States. Votes were received from some 1,500 Zymurgy readers around the world.

With a fierce field of hoppedup beers, Russian River's Vinnie Cilurzo was very pleased to win a fourth accolade: “When we started brewing Pliny the Elder in 1999, there were almost no double IPAs on the market. Present day, there are so many great hoppy beers, it's hard to put to words how honored we are.”

Just like last year, the second and third rankings were rounded

Pilny the Elder was again named the best commercial beer by Zymurgy magazine. out by Bell's Two Hearted Ale (Kalamazoo, Mich.), and Dogfish Head Craft Brewery's 90-Minute IPA (Milton, Del.) The only beers in the top 10 that didn't fit into the categories of IPA, pale ale or double/imperial IPA were Stone Brewing Co.'s Arrogant Bastard (American strong ale) in fifth and North Coast's Old Rasputin (Russian imperial stout) in 10th.

With more than 2,000 breweries now in the U.S. and more than 1,100 breweries in plan-

ning, according to statistics compiled by the Brewers Association, there are more choices than ever for beer lovers to explore, according to Jill Redding, editor of Zymurgy. "The Zymurgy readers' poll grows in numbers and prestige each year," said Redding. "As homebrewers and beer lovers, our readers have some of the most sophisticated and knowledgeable palates on the planet."

The complete list of the "Best Beers in America" is available at HomebrewersAssociation.org.

RJ Stohr

Diamonds and Fine Jewelery

90 North Street Pittsfield, MA 413-447-9023

June 28, 2012

The Berkshire Beacon

13

Pixar hits another home run with latest flick

Girl-2-Girl I remember when...

Bera B. Dunau Beacon Staff Writer

Brave is an undeniably gorgeous movie.

The latest animated feature from Pixar’s acclaimed studios, Brave is a feast for the eyes that sometimes soars to the breath taking. It also features a charming and effective story that, while not as rich and sophisticated as some of Pixar’s previous offerings, still manages to tell an effective tale.

The plot of Brave centers on Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald), a fiery young princess living in a legendary version of medieval Scotland. Merida is a tomboy who likes nothing more than practicing archery, riding her horse and climbing cliffs.

This clashes with the expectations of her mother, Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson), who wants Merida to be more ladylike.

The conflict between Merida and her mother comes to a head when Merida learns that the eldest sons of the leaders of the three other clans will be competing for her hand in marriage, something that Merida is unequivocally opposed to.

This causes Merida to search for a way to change her fate, but she soon discovers that her solution is far too effective and must do everything in her power to undo her mistake before it’s too late.

Brave is a drop-dead beautiful piece of animated filmmaking.

Some of the scenes practically sing, and the CGI scenery is nothing short of bar-raising. Merida’s hair, in all its frizzy red glory, is a striking achievement in animation, and one that I’m sure animators will be looking at for years to come.

Another strength of Brave is in its character designs. In particular, the designs for the clan leaders and their sons, as well as one particularly hulking manservant, are fantastic and really added to the picture.

The one quibble I had with the visuals in Brave were the faces, which were sometimes a bit off or doll-like, but honestly, this was only noticeable a small part of the time and only came up be-

Janel M. Harrison Beacon Staff Writer

Merida, voiced by Kelly Macdonald stars in Braze cause everything else looked so good.

In terms of the story, Brave has both the fortune and misfortune of being a Pixar movie. The reason why I say this is, as a Pixar movie, Brave’s story is going to be compared to a number of iconic Pixar films, such as Up, Ratatouille, Wall-E and The Incredibles.

Brave’s plot certainly isn’t on the level of these films – it’s less layered and nuanced – but that doesn’t mean that it’s bad.

The story is a simple one that hinges upon the relationship between a daughter and her mother, and Brave had the courage build a movie on this. This is a gutsy move, especially in a moviemaking climate that seems to equate children’s movies with gimmicks, but I’d expect nothing less from Pixar, and they pull it off excellently.

It’s also impressive to see a movie with a female protagonist that doesn’t have a romantic interest and to feature intergenerational conflict without villainizing older women.

Additionally, Brave’s core plot is bolstered by the dynamic of the three visiting clans, who provide comedic moments and character beats that are just as memorable as their excellent designs are.

Again, the only problem with

Credit: Pixar

Brave’s plot is that it will be inevitably compared with other Pixar movies. Yet, I think this is unfair.

Different movies try to tell different stories. Brave’s story may be simpler than many of Pixar’s previous offerings, but it is well done, and had any other company put it out, I don’t even think questions about the story would be crossing people’s minds.

Would I have preferred Brave to have had a few more layers?

On a personal level, yes. But did I enjoy the final product regardless? You bet I did. And do I think that this is going to be a problem for any child, or quite frankly most non-film critics, who see this movie? Not in the slightest.

As for the voice acting, the entire cast does a good job, but it is only Billy Connolly, in the role of Merida’s father, King Fergus, who really shines. The Scottish actor truly brings the wild yet warmhearted king to life, and he animates every scene that he’s in.

I would recommend Brave to anyone, but I consider it mandatory viewing for families, especially ones with young kids. Good children’s movies are hard to find and you’re not likely to find one as beautiful and as well made as Brave for a while. Treat your kids and enjoy.

Picture this, ladies: a dim school auditorium quietly awaits the arrival of anxious children, young adults and eager families.

The stage is set with plush velvet curtains, shiny oak floors and a mirage of colored light illuminates the backdrop.

Today is recital day.

Dancers of all genres have worked hard throughout the year for this day to showcase their talents.

As the clock continues to tick, the big double doors open wide and sounds echo of instruments clanging and moms who can’t decide whether they’re excited or nervous are whisking children back and forth with hair nets, bobby pins, hairspray, hair brushes dancing tights, ballet shoes, tap shoes, jazz shoes, leotards and costumes through adjacent double doors to a bright dressing room the size of a small gym.

There, more nutty moms and children are all gathered in preparation as street clothes are strewn across the floor and glittery costumes every color of the rainbow hang in plastic sheaths in racks and on the walls. The big numbers are about to be performed – one more important than the other as the line of tutus grows outside the door.

This was my weekend, and as you may guess, I was one of those crazy moms – sure I’ll admit that – with two daughters dancing, one ballet and one tap. I’m shooting here and there and back and forth.

Whoops! My daughter’s gloves are in the car, “Honey! This one’s for you, along with a bottle of water please?” Her “Good Ship Lollypop” tap dance would not have been complete without those white gloves and the water was to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

Even my girlfriend was just a tad irritable during the slightly disorganized dress rehearsal and almost knocked down the “door girl.”

Not good if you can imagine

the situation… it was kind of needed afterward to indulge ourselves in a Pearl Harbor, eggplant and chicken parmesan at The Russell Inn while messing around with my daughter’s hair bun nets, which I never used, just for the heck of it – “Paging Dr. Harrison to surgical room 4.” Right, you had to be there. To say the least we were a bit stressed.

But oh, when it finally all comes together and you’re sitting right up front as your almost nine-year-old daughter is smiling and looking like a new flower, with ballet pirouettes near perfect and the music sweetly haunting.

That’s what makes the scene all worth while and so beautiful because during those moments we realize what being a parent is all about and of the great worth.

Here come the tears.

My youngest daughter loves being on stage and smiles all the time when she remembers to, as far as her tap dance went, so cute!

Rubbing her belly, click-clacking her feet and she looked plenty adorable in her sandy blonde pig curls, rosy cheeks and sailor hat.

If she was an adult I might tell her not to quit her day job because it seems tap may not be her thing, she looks a little bored and not loving it, but she is only seven after all, with plenty of time to figure it out.

My wish is for my girls to find what their passions are and to do them wholeheartedly.

So now it’s your turn and whether your dance or music recital, sports game, scout ceremony, art show, play, etc. already passed or you’re about to experience it. They truly are moments of love and pride to forever color your days when you look back and say, “I remember when…”

-Ciao

Bella

14

The Berkshire Beacon

June 28, 2012

Berkshire Sports Guy:

Great sports all around Dick Syriac Beacon Staff Writer

Am I the only one who is thrilled to see the NBA season finally come to a close? Even with the shortened season, I could not wait for the hype to go away.

The playoffs usually attract my interest more than the regular season, but when it is my bedtime and the game is only half over, bedtime takes priority.

I would like to thank ABC for informing us that coming up at halftime of each game was “The Halftime Show.”

That is when they gather up four guys to tell us what we just saw in the first half. Funny, I always thought that a show involved some sort of entertainment.

There are a great deal of people who believe that the Miami Heat won the series because of their big three: LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and any referee.

The Heat sure know how to celebrate. LeBron and the boys went through some serious bottles of champagne at the LIV nightclub, including a 15-liter bottle of “Ace of Spades,” which goes for $75,000. I wonder how you figure the gratuity on that. *** Why does ESPN continue to let us down? They seem to take sensational over substance, and if they are suppose to be the “Worldwide Leader in Sports,” it is time that they lived up to that moniker.

Last week Chris Capuano of West Springfield pitched a great game for the L.A. Dodgers in which he gave up one run and struck out 12.

I tuned into SportsCenter to catch the highlights.

What a disappointment. The mothership from Bristol, Ct., has strange ideas of what reporting a game should entail.

Capuano was never mentioned.

The piece showe Dodger manager Don Mattingly being ejected from the game after arguing a call with an umpire and the guy who got the walk off hit getting hit in the face with a shaving cream pie.

That’s it. I’m glad I sat around waiting for that.

*** It’s junior golf clinic time – The Cranwell Junior Golf Academy is rolling along and will run until August 11.

There are two age groups, 6-12 and 13-17.

Local professional and high school coach Chris Polidoro runs the program.

Polidoro also conducts group clinics on Sunday mornings for adults from 10-11 a.m.

For more information call the golf shop at (413) 637-2563 or email Chris at Chrisp@cranwell. com.

*** Our weekly county golfing road trip took us to north county, and there we had a pleasant experience.

Nine holes at North Adams Country Club, a stop at the famous Jack’s Hot Dogs and nine more at Forest Park Country Club in Adams.

Both courses were in great shape with nice rolling greens.

Beautiful views, no crowds and reasonable rates – do yourself a favor and check out these golfing venues. *** A busy week at area clubs includes the three-day MemberGuest at Taconic and the Pewter Cup at Berkshire Hills. There will be some very talented players at both clubs.

If you are in a gallery mood you can see catch the action from the Silvio LaMarre bench overlooking the ninth at Taconic or watch the bombers try to hit the par-five number 18 in two from behind the green at BHCC and catch other shots from the deck. *** I was very saddened to hear of

the passing of Charley McGee of Lenox. Charley was a member of some very good Lenox hoop and baseball teams in the late ‘60s.

He also played at North Adams State and was an avid golfer, most recently at Greenock CC in Lee. *** Jerry Sandusky could get 442 years in jail when he is sentenced.

It is a good thing that he always buckled his seat belt riding away from the courthouse after court each day or it could have been worse. *** Curt Schilling lost $50 million of his own dough on his 38 Studios business venture. If I had that kind of scratch I might just look for low-risk investments.

Maybe he will have to unload that crib he bought from Drew Bledsoe that was big enough to allow the Yankee Division of the Massachusetts National Guard to camp there.

If you need a 11,000-square foot pad on 26 acres in Medfield, Mass., the once $8 million asking price is now down to $5 million. *** Roger Clemens was the NESN surprise celebrity in the monster seats at Friday night’s game with Atlanta. The fan reception was mixed.

I was waiting for that fool to grab a mike and announce that he was coming back to pitch for in Boston. Never mind his birth certificate, I would like to see a copy of his grammar school diploma. *** Don Orsillo is still at it on NESN. I caught the third inning on Friday night. I know it was the third inning because he told us 12 ti mes before there were six outs.

Don, once again, there is a box on the screen that tells us the inning.

Also, lose the “anticipated” or “expected” line when telling us who is due up for the Sox. In the third inning, I don’t think Ross, Gonzalez and Ortiz were anticipated to bat, they were going to bat.

They are not a bottle of ketchup, they are in the batting order.

Charlie Law has led the SteepleCats to a fast start this season.

SteepleCats pull off 5-3 win NORTH ADAMS – Charlie Law was called upon to solidify the back end of the SteepleCats rotation, and the tall righty did not disappoint in his first start of the season as a pitcher, limiting Keene over seven strong innings to back the SteepleCats to a 5-3 victory on Sunday afternoon at Joe Wolfe Field.

Law, who missed the entire 2011 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, entered the game with two previous appearances for the SteepleCats (10-5), but both of them were in relief roles. That quickly changed Sunday, as he powered through the Swamp Bats (9-3) lineup with four strikeouts while yielding only three runs on six hits.

Meanwhile, North Adams got a huge boost from the bottom of the order, as the six through nine spots in the lineup combined to go seven-for-13 at the plate while scoring all five SteepleCat runs.

Keene saw seven different players record a hit with Jared Walsh leading the way with a two-forfour showing and a run scored.

Swamp Bats starter Andrew Grant took the loss after lasting only three and one-third frames, allowing all five runs on six hits and four walks with one strikeout.

Tom Bammann worked a scoreless eighth before surrendering a hit and hitting a batter to start the ninth, but Matt Long-

field earned his second save of the year, inducing a fly out before striking out the final batter of the game to seal the deal.

Keene went ahead, 2-0, after Nelson Ward singled home Walsh before Grant Kay drove home another on a sacrifice fly to give the visitors an early edge. But the SteepleCats answered with three in the bottom of the inning to take the lead, as Dillon Bass launched his first extra-base hit of the season to left center to bring home Julian Santos.

Down by a run, Jeff Roy drew the SteepleCats even with a sacrifice fly before Esteban Tresgallo did likewise three batters later to give the ‘Cats a 3-2 advantage.

North Adams got two more across in the fourth after Tyler Palmer walked and later scored after Santos knocked a single to right that got away from the right fielder, resulting in a three-base error. Two batters later, Shane Klemcke made it a three-run advantage with an RBI single, as the ‘Cats took a 5-2 lead after four innings.

From that point on, both defenses would batten down the hatches, as the only other run scored the rest of the way was a solo home run by Grant Kay in the sixth inning that trimmed the North Adams lead to 5-3.

Both sides finished with eight hits and one error apiece while also stranding six base runners.

June 28, 2012

The Berkshire Beacon

15

Suns drop a close game PITTSFIELD - The Suns lose a thriller against the Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide by a final of 5-4.

Dan Bradley got the start for the Suns as he was opposed by Chris Bernard for the Raging Tide. Action was slow in the first three innings as there were only two hits in the game; both hits were from Old Orchard Beach.

The first runs of the game were in the top of the fourth, as Jason Vosler and Michael Pratt hit back-to-back RBI doubles to give the Raging Tide a 2-0 lead.

Old Orchard Beach would get an insurance run the next inning in the fifth as Michael Cleary hit a lead-off double and scored later in the inning thanks to Dan Fratus' sacrifice fly to left.

The Suns would make an attempt to cut the lead down as with one out with the bases loaded, Ryan Deitrich grounded out to second as Steve Dill came around to score. The score was now 3-1.

Now just mentioned was the word 'attempt.' Well, that attempt helped, but not for long.

In the sixth, Grayson Porter hit a two-run blast just over the 377 foot marker in left-center field.

Raging Tide now had a lead of 5-1.

The Suns would make it a

The Pittsfield Suns fill the dugout during a recent home game. The Suns are now 7-8 on the season. close ballgame, however. In the bottom half of the sixth, Travis Smith hit a base knock that brought in Brendan Slattery as well as Zach Thulen to cut the four-run deficit in half as the score was now 5-3.

Edging the closer to a tie with the Raging Tide, the Suns got another run across the plate in the seventh, as Brendan Slattery's base hit drove in Jimmy Ricoy, bringing the game to 5-4. Unfortunately, some excellent relief work from the Van Zant brothers in the eighth and ninth stopped Pittsfield's rally short as Old Orchard Beach prevailed in the con-

test, 5-4.

Getting the win for the Raging Tide was Adam Ogburn, as it was a staff day for Old Orchard Beach's bullpen pen. There were a total of seven pitchers for the visiting team getting the loss was Dan Bradley, who gave up all the runs for the Suns.

The younger Van Zant brother, Henry Van Zant, got the save, closing it out in the ninth.

The player of the game was Grayson Porter, who went 2-3 with a two-run home run. Pittsfield drops under .500 at 7-8 as Old Orchard Beach reaches a 7-6 record.

Allendale Shopping Ctr. • Pittsfield, MA (413) 499-1780 • Fax (413) 448-6047

kathie@squaw-peak-travel.com • www.squawpeaktravel.com

Joey Lye at bat for the Canadian national team against the US Futures softball team last year.

Lye makes Canadian national team

Kameron Z. Spaulding Beacon Staff Writer

Joey Lye, an All-American shortstop at Williams, is one of 20 players that has been named to the Canadian Women's National Team and will represent their country at the Title IX 40th Anniversary Celebration Game against the United States and the World Cup of Softball VII in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

On Saturday, Team Canada and the USA Women's National Team were a part of ESPN's weekend celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the signing of Title IX, meeting at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.

The USA preveiled 9-1, with Lye starting at shortstop for Team Canada and going 0 for 2.

The two teams will meet again Saturday, June 30, back at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.

That game will be broadcast live on ESPN at 7 p.m.

Team Canada now moves onto the World Cup of Softball VII, which begins play Wednesday.

The World Cup of Softball VII will feature six national teams

who will be competing in a single round robin, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico and the United States.

The top two teams from the round robin will advance to the Gold medal games while the third and fourth-place teams will square off for bronze.

In two seasons with Team Canada, Lye has won three international medals, earning a silver medal at the 2011 Pan American Games and two bronze medals at the 2011 World Cup of Softball and the 2010 ISF World Championships in Caracas, Venezuela.

She led all hitters at the 2011 World Cup of Softball by posting a .625 batting average, going 10for-16 with six runs and two RBIs while starting all six games at shortstop.

She also had three walks and was 3-for-3 in stolen base attempts.

Lye is entering her second season as the head softball coach at Stevenson University on Owings Mills, Md. She is also an assistant women's ice hockey coach at Stevenson.

16

The Berkshire Beacon

June 28, 2012

KELLY’S

Friday, July 13th: Wine Dinner @ Dotties!

Fun, Friendly, & Professional Sunday Tastings!

Happy Birthday, America!

Open 9-5 July 4th!

PA C K A G E S T O R E

W������ MA. MOST C������������ B��� S�������� / ~ FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1951 ~ W���� C���� W��� S��� � W��� T������ B�� D������� Here’s y YOU should be coming to the Berkshire’s local �� K����� K��������, CSW / E�������� S����� S�������� / purveyor of fine wine, craft beer, spirits, & artisanal chee!

G������ M����� / P����� C����� / C����� S��� Fri. June 29 - Dogfish Head Posi�ve Contact Release Party!

Special Thank You to the Kelly’s Berkshire Bus Wreck Tour Collaborators! The “North County Invasion” was a HUGE success!

Watch out Berks - the Kelly’s bus will be rollin’ by again very soon...

Join us for a unique cra� beer experience - a Dogfish Head release party! Posi�ve Contact brew is in and came with a special vinyl album. Only Kelly’s is hooked up to spin! Try some great brews from one of the most desired breweries and have a ton of fun - we’re sampling 11, yep, ELEVEN Dogfish Head brews!

Fri. July 13 - Wine Dinner at Do�e’s!

Two of your favorite, local, family businesses: Kelly’s & Do�e’s are teaming up yet again! First it was a superb cra� beer dinner, now it’s an exquisite wine dinner! So get your reserva�ons in!

Sat. July 28 -

Whiffle Ball Tournament - Get A Team Together!

We’re conver�ng our back lot into a sandlot for the day with proceeds benefi�ng the Robert “Boog” Powell Community Fund. Assemble your team and get it registered!

18+ to register, under must be on parent/guardian team.

Hours: Mon - Sat: 9am to 10pm Sunday’s: Noon to 8pm 653 Main St., Dalton, Ma. 01226 413.684.0870

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Sat. August 18 - Irish Themed Golf Tournament - ALL Welcome!

John Kelly of KPS & Jim Kelly of Donnybrook Golf Course are hos�ng an Irish Themed Golf Tournament to benefit the Irish-American Scholarship Fund!

Sat. August 25 -

Augtobeerfest! Berkshires Largest Beer Fest!

The largest cra�, domes�c, and imported beer purveyor (us) is bringing the largest beer event in the Berkshires to the thirsty masses (you).

Detailed event info at: www.kellyspackagestore.com/calendar JOIN OUR PRIVATE EMAIL LIST TO STAYON TOP OF WHAT IS TRENDING NOW! TEAM@KELLYSPACKAGESTORE.COM