August 23 Edition by Berkshire Beacon

August 23, 2012 Volume III, Issue 14

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www.berkshirebeacon.com Lenox, MA 01240

Laugenour picks up union backing

Bera B. Dunau Beacon Staff Writer

Kameron Z. Spaulding / Berkshire Beacon

Historic touch

Lee football gets season underway - Page 20

LENOX - The new street signs, based on of the historical signs in the town are now in place. The last remaining historic sign, on the corner of Cliffwood and Main, was used as a model for the project. James Jurney and the rest of the HDC have been working on the sign project for more

than three years and first began requesting funding for the project in December 2010. “We are very happy with how they have come out,” said Mr. Jurney. “The font just could not be found anywhere so the company had to crave the molds by hand using the Cliffwood sign as a guide.”

The campaign of Green Rainbow Party candidate Lee “Scott” Laugenour has picked up its first major endorsement. Mr. Laugenour, who is running for the 4th Berkshire Massachusetts House of Representatives District against incumbent William “Smitty” Pignatelli (D Lenox) received the endorsement of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Massachusetts State Community Action Program (CAP) Council on Aug. 10. The CAP Council serves as the UAW’s political wing and political action committee (PAC) in Massachusetts. “We thought it was wonder-

ful,” said Mr. Laugenour in an interview with The Beacon about the UAW’s endorsement. When Mr. Laugenour ran against Rep. Pignatelli for the first time in 2010, he received no union support. “We’re working harder and we’re getting stronger,” said Mr. Laugenour when asked about what had changed since then, also citing his and the Green Rainbow Party’s dedication to progressive causes. “We’re serious about bringing political opposition to Beacon Hill.” When questioned about whether he expected to receive additional union support, Mr. Laugenour said, “I wouldn’t rule out more.” “He filled out our question-

naire beautifully and everything else,” said Wilfred “Willie” Desnoyers, President of the UAW CAP Council, in comments to The Beacon. One of the reasons why Mr. Desnoyers said the UAW had decided to back Mr. Laugenour was because Rep. Pignatelli voted for the 2011 legislation that stripped Massachusetts’s municipal employees of most of their rights to bargain over their health care. “That was a slap in the face to unions,” said Pres. Desnoyers, who went on to say that a lot of politicians who’d depended on union backing would not be receiving it this year. Mr. Laugenour has publicly see UAW page 5

History comes alive A problem on the horizon? Lenox looks to address its aging in Stockbridge Susan M. Wicker Guerrero Beacon Staff Writer

The Berkshire STOCKBRIDGE - The Beacon spirits of 18 people who once

Index

1 Local News 6 Editorial 6 From the Tower 8 Pets 9 Berkshire Sonata Insert 11 Fast Picks 14 Calendar 15 Beer & Wine 16 Movies 16 Girl-2-Girl 17 Sports

lived in Stockbridge will come alive this Saturday from 1- 4 p.m. when the town’s library sponsors a special living history program titled “The Shady Porches of Stockbridge.” For the second year, Berkshire County residents from several different professions will take on the personas of the spirits, forgetting their own names and backgrounds. The 18 spirits will gather, three at a time, on porches of homes in town. An accountant, a businessman, a librarian, a policeman, a couple of teachers and so on will slip into their roles of people such as the late Florence

Markham Boyd who lived from 1871 to 1947. She was the daughter of a man who had a contract with the U.S. Postal Service to pick up mail. Feisty and a proponent of open air and physical activity, she was also an animal advocate who kept horses. Barbara Allen is director Barbara Allen, curator of the historical collection at the Stockbridge Library, is director of the upcoming living history program. She is quick to point out “The Shady Porches of Stockbridge” is different from a professional theatrical performance. The volunteers taking on the personas of spirits are never referred to as actors or actresses, she said. They are presenters, characters or, just see PORCHES page 7

infrastructure during tough budget times

Bera B. Dunau Beacon Staff Writer

LENOX –The town’s elected officials and employees are determined to tackle the substantial challenges ahead of them in upgrading Lenox’s aging infrastructure, particularly its water and sewer system. The Beacon sat down for an interview with Selectman Edward Lane, Department of Public Works Superintendent Jeffrey Vincent and Town Manager Gregory Federspiel to discuss this issue. Although the task of dealing with capital improvements in Lenox in the coming years was characterized as substantial by all three men, each one of them also detailed the work see IMPROVEMENTS page 14

Kameron Z. Spaulding / Berkshire Beacon

Fixing the water and sewer systems is one major project.

The Berkshire Beacon

Crosswalks now getting closer look Bera B. Dunau Beacon Staff Writer

LENOX - Partially spurred on by an outspoken public comment, the Town of Lenox is tackling the issue of crosswalk enforcement. “The crosswalk issue is a big deal,” said Lenox Board of Selectmen Chairman Kenneth Fowler. The issue rose to the forefront of town politics when Sunset Avenue resident Ellen Marshall complained to the board of selectmen about lax crosswalk enforcement at the citizen’s open forum of the Aug. 8 meeting. “I have never seen it [the crosswalks bylaw] enforced,” said Ms. Marshall. “Every day, at least twice, someone does not stop.” As a solution, Ms. Marshall suggested randomly policing different crosswalks and paying for the extra cost of this enforcement by leveling the maximum $200 fine on violators. “This is enforcement that could actually save a life,” said Ms. Marshall. Chairman Fowler was sympathetic to Ms. Marshall’s concerns and asked her if she would be willing to discuss them with Lenox Police Chief Stephen O’Brien and a member of the select board, most likely himself, at a future date. Ms. Marshall was agreeable to this proposal. Chief O’Brien said that he had instructed the police force to pay closer attention to the crosswalks since Friday, and that this effort was ongoing. He also said that a report detailing their findings on crosswalk compliance over the weekend was delivered to the selectmen on Monday.

Chief O’Brien went on to say that there hadn’t been many violations, but a few warnings had been given. Chairman Fowler said that he himself had experienced cars running Lenox crosswalks while he was walking in them, and encouraged those who experienced or witnessed this kind of activity to take action. Meeting altercation Ms. Marshall later stormed out of the selectmen’s meeting because she didn’t feel that Chairman Fowler was giving her enough time to talk about some additional complaints, but her suggestions on crosswalk enforcement appear to have resonated with the board. “The message was important to us,” said Chairman Fowler. “It didn’t fall on deaf ears.” Chairman Fowler said that a town police officer or special officer would be deployed on Aug. 18 to monitor the crosswalks situation, possibly issue warnings and report back on it to the selectmen at the Aug. 22 meeting, where additional action might be taken based on what was reported. “The offer is still open [to meet with a board member and Chief O’Brien]; I’m waiting to hear from her,” said Chairman Fowler,. Ms. Marshall, however, said in earlier comments to The Beacon that she had no intentions of getting involved any further. “I’ve brought an issue of concern to the select board,” said Ms. Marshall. “I’ve done what I wanted to do.”

Kameron Z. Spaulding / Berkshire Beacon

After being discussed at a recent meeting more focus is being placed on crosswalk safety.

August 23, 2012

New Goodwill flagship store opens in Pittsfield Susan M. Wicker Guerrero Beacon Staff Writer

PITTSFIELD – People came by the dozens to the grand opening of the Goodwill Industries’ new flagship store at 457 Dalton Ave. last Saturday. They looked, “ooed” and “ahhed,” shopped, stood in long lines to wait for their turns at the registers, bought new treasures and showed immense community spirit for an agency that has been in Pittsfield since 1953. “It’s really exciting,” Frank Engels, Goodwill’s chief executive officer, said of the new store. Even though the 8,000-square footage of the new store is about the same as the Goodwill store on Merrill Road, it appears bigger. Rather than displaying merchandise throughout three rooms, such as at the old store, the new store is spread out in one huge room. The former store on Merrill Road is now closed. Merchandise will be moved out a little at a time. “It’s an extraordinary difference,” Mr. Engels said. “It’s like night and day.” Improved shopping experience Goodwill has been trying to improve the shopping experience for customers during the last couple of years. It stands to reason if there are better displays of merchandise, nicely arranged for customers to buy from, it is good for the mission of Goodwill. The new store has wider aisles, more lights and better displays, Mr. Engels said. The mission of Goodwill is to help people with job training skills and job placement, he added. Last Saturday, the store did some booming business. Shelves filled with merchandise ranging from china plates and dolls to angels, household goods, glassware, books, CDs attracted the hoards of curious customers. They rolled their shopping carts along the shiny floor. They’d pick up items, turn them over in their hands and place them in their carts for purchase. Everything in the new store is neatly organized and carefully displayed. Bright, bold bands of deep blue paint perk up the walls.

Susan M. Wicker Guerrero / Berkshire Beacon

Shoppers are able to find lots of items at the new Goodwill flagship store in Pittsfield. Large red letters marking specific merchandise areas are painted on the walls such as “electronics,” “men’s,” “movies and music” and so forth. Difficult economic times “The economy makes stores like us popular,” Mr. Engels said, “but here in Pittsfield there’s also a sense of community. People like to buy in the Berkshires.” They know the money from their purchases is going into a program right here in The Berkshires to help people with job skills. “They have fun shopping and help our mission as well,” Mr. Engels said. That makes people feel good. The sweeping room where the new Goodwill store is now located used to house a Family Dollar store. It’s right next to Jo-Ann’s Fabric Store. Goodwill signed the new lease on July 1. The 15 employees from the Goodwill’s former Merrill Road location helped get the new store ready to open. Children s clothing is always a popular item, Mr. Engels said, as well as housewares. In addition, a very big seller is holiday décor.

“We get lots of it and it’s real popular,” he said. Original recyclers, good for the environment People might even like the idea that Goodwill is one of the “original recyclers” of all kinds of merchandise. The new store also has a special boutique area for donated designer or high-end clothing, Mr. Engels said. Brand name clothing with names such as Aeropostale, Armani and so forth will be sold at the boutique. All proceeds will go to the “Suit Yourself ” program, which helps provide attire for people needing clothing suitable for job interviews. The new store will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Donations wanted and needed Like most thrift stores, Goodwill depends on good quality donations. People who have clothing or other items in good condition to donate can bring them to the back of the new store. Someone will meet donators and help unload merchandise, Mr. Engels said.

August 23, 2012

The Berkshire Beacon

Lenox book sale looks to raise $25,000 Kameron Z. Spaulding Beacon Staff Writer

LENOX – Those looking for a great book, or even 20,000 of them, will be in luck this weekend. The Lenox Library will be hosting their annual book sale Aug. 24-26. The sale has become known for its wide selection and large crowd. “We have cookbooks starting at only 50 cents,” said Book Sale Co-Chair Ilse Browner. “But we also have over 37 categories, so there is something for everyone.” Browner and her co-chair, Maureen Hammel, lead the way as the group sorts through the over 30,000 donated books to find the best to sell. “Our patrons call to ask about donating books throughout the year,” said Ms. Hammel. “And our volunteers have already sorted hundreds of boxes worth by spring. And still more are coming.” Any book in poor condition is set aside, and this year they still have over 20,000 books to sell. The event serves as one of the library’s largest fundraisers and they expect to raise more than $25,000 this year. “It is a great event and it is for

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Customers search for books at last year’s sale. an outstanding cause,” said Ms. Browner. On Friday, the sale kicks off at 11 a.m and runs until 6 p.m. Although organizers advise getting there before that, as the crowd forms early for what they call a “polite stampede” by shoppers to get the first look at this year’s selection. On Saturday and Sunday the sale runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Also on those days, anyone who spends $15 or more will be named a “big spender.” Those “big spenders” will be able to pick

out a free prize. Last year’s book sale hit a snag, in the form of Hurricane Irene. The three-day weekend quickly became two, as volunteers and even the Lenox High School soccer team dashed to secure the tent and the books. Undeterred, customers followed the boxes that had been moved to the reading room during the storm to keep shopping. Even with the missing day, $15,000 was raised to help keep the library operating.

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Jazz festival announced this September in Lee

Kameron Z. Spaulding Beacon Staff Writer

LEE – Smooth jazz is on the way to The Berkshires. The Lee Community Development Corporation (CDC) has planned the first Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend. The jazz weekend is set for Sept. 14-16, after getting the final approval from the Lee Select Board on Tuesday night. The weekend will feature at least three main concerts and performances outside in town gazebo. The first concert, to take place on Friday, Sept. 14, will feature Sonny and Perley at 8 p.m. at the Spectrum Theatre. The husband and wife team has

spent the last several years developing and perfecting their unique blend of jazz, Brazilian and international cabaret, which has become their musical signature. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door the day of the event. The second concert will feature Charles Neville of the Neville Brothers. That concert will take place on Sept. 15 at 2 p.m. at the Mainstage at the Lee Meeting House in the First Congregational Church. Mr. Neville is the second-oldest Neville brother and the saxophone work in his 50-year career has included rhythm and blues, funk, jazz, bebop, popular and Native American music. Tickets for this show are also

$15 in advance and $20 at the door the day of the event. All event tickets can be purchased online and at the Spectrum Playhouse. Karrin Allyson will headline the festival with a performance mainstage at the Lee Meeting House in the First Congregational Church on Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. Ms. Allyson has been nominated for four Grammy Awards and received positive reviews from several prominent sources, including The New York Times. The performance is a special appearance with the Amherst Jazz Orchestra, with Dave Sporny as musical director. More events are expected to be added as the date nears.

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The Berkshire Beacon

August 23, 2012

From the Notebook: Notes from Kameron Z. Spaulding

Register debate set PITTSFIELD – Berkshire Community College (BCC), in collaboration with the Pittsfield Gazette and Pittsfield Community Television (PCTV), will host a forum for Berkshire Middle Register of Deeds on Monday, Aug. 27, in room K111 on BCC’s main campus at 7 p.m. This event is open to the public. All three candidates for the Middle Register of Deeds race have been invited: Patsy Harris, Jody Phillips and Scott Pignatelli. Bill Sturgeon, radio personality with WRSS 104.3

FM, will serve as moderator. Each of the candidates is registered with the Democratic Party and one will be selected in the primary election on Thursday, Sept. 6. Registered Democrats and independents are eligible to vote in the primary election. The public is invited to watch the event, either in person at BCC or via live telecasts on CityLink, the government channel of PCTV, or streaming at pittsfieldtv.org. The Beacon will also have a wrap-up in next week’s edition.

Local playwright at WAM this fall

PITTSFIELD – Tickets are now on sale for WAM Theatre’s world premiere production of The Old Mezzo by Berkshirebased playwright Susan Dworkin. The production runs Oct. 1228 at the Berkshire Museum at 39 South St. in Pittsfield. In keeping with WAM’s double philanthropic mission, the beneficiary for the production will be Berkshire-based Shout Out Loud Productions, a non-profit helmed by Jeanet Ingalls that takes action to address sexual trafficking. Shout Out Loud will receive up to 25 percent of the box office proceeds. “WAM Theatre is excited to follow in the footsteps of other professional Berkshire theatres by producing at the Berkshire Museum, which has welcomed us with open arms,” said WAM Theatre’s artistic director, Kristen van Ginhoven. “As a nomadic theatre company, WAM Theatre always tries to find the perfect location for the play we are producing, and the museum’s theater is ideal for The Old Mezzo, our first world premiere.” The Old Mezzo concerns the political awakening of a great opera singer. Alyssa, the old mezzo, is driven by the recent death of a famous conductor to teach a master class concerning the politics of singing. The class becomes a play within a play, where the audience revisits important scenes from Alyssa’s past. She has assigned parts to

Susan Dworkin four of her students and as the exercise unfolds, we see how Alyssa had to risk her fame and success to preserve the freedom that is so essential to the arts. By the end of the play, through a surprising connection to recent events, the importance of politics in art is revealed. “Berkshire Museum is delighted to host WAM Theatre this fall,” said Berkshire Museum Executive Director Van Shields. “The innovative nature of their work, from their dedication to producing art that engages the community to their unique philanthropic model, makes collaborating with them most rewarding.” Ms. Dworkin is best known for her books The Viking in the Wheat Field and The Nazi Officer’s Wife, as well as her play All Day Suckers. She was also a finalist for the Susan Blackburn Prize in 1980-1981 for her play Deli’s Fable. Ms. Dworkin was one of the original writers and editors at Ms. magazine.

Jessye Norman, John Williams, Steven Spielberg, Yo-Yo Ma, Keith Lockhart and James Taylor taking a bow after William’s birthday concert.

Great composer celebrated in The Berkshires Philip S. Kampe Beacon Staff Writer

LENOX – More than 18,000 fans crowded the Shed and lawn at Tanglewood to celebrate John Williams’ 80th birthday. He is America’s most famous living composer. According to guest speaker Steven Spielberg, “John has given movies a musical language that can be spoken and understood in every country on this planet.” Mr. Williams has been associated with the Boston Pops for over 32 years and has become an artist-in-residence and laureate conductor at Tanglewood during

most of that period. Famous guests Praise for Mr. Williams came from around the world, including personal speeches via pre-recorded messages from President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton, longtime Tanglewood Conductor Seiji Ozawa, George Lucas, NBC’s Brian Williams and Red Sox players Luis Tiant and Frank Malzone. On stage guests included James Taylor, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, opera diva Jessye Norman, conductor Keith Lockhart, Leonard Slatkin, Shi-Yeon Sung, violinist Gil Shaham, pianist Gabriela Montero, cellist Owen Young and clarinet-

ist Anthony McGill. The two-and-a-half-hour gala featured songs that spanned Mr. Williams’ musical career. Songs from the scores of famous movies that he created were performed by the BSO. Rounds of applause greeted songs from E.T., Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Schindler’s List, Memoirs of a Geisha and Star Wars. Confetti covered the stage at the conclusion of the evening with the crowd singing “Happy Birthday” to Mr. Williams, as he was onstage, singing and smiling at the festive audience with a twinkle in his eye.

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August 23, 2012

The Berkshire Beacon

Local towns receive Green Communities grants Kameron Z. Spaulding Beacon Staff Writer

GREAT BARRINGTON – Being green has started to payoff for two local towns. Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rick Sullivan and Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Mark Sylvia recently presented $280,000 in grants to fund clean energy projects in the Berkshire County towns of Great Barrington and Richmond. “I congratulate Richmond and Great Barrington on joining the over 100 Green Communities across the commonwealth as they make smart investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “Community by community, we are protecting our environment, reducing municipal costs and making Massachusetts a clean energy leader.” Great Barrington will receive $142,700, and Richmond will receive $137,300. “Great Barrington and Richmond are among the leaders in the clean energy revolution underway in Massachusetts,” said Secretary Sullivan, whose office includes DOER. “The PatrickMurray Administration is proud to support towns like these, which are committed to cutting energy use, creating jobs and protecting the environment.” Both towns have stated they will use the finds to make town buildings more energy-efficient. The expenditures will include new windows, doors and insulation. Officials react “With today’s designation, the commonwealth again demonstrates its commitment to supporting our municipalities while advancing our clean energy goals,” said Senator Benjamin B. Downing, Senate Chairman of the Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy. “I am proud that communities I represent, Conway, Great Barrington and Richmond, join 100 other Green Communities in committing to these goals through reduced energy use and the encouragement of renewable energy solutions.” In addition to the grants, each town will receive a certificate

DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia stands with Jim Barry, regional Green Community coordinator, in front of the sign designating Great Barrington a Green Community. from the commonwealth and four road signs identifying it as an official “Green Community.” “Nearly half of the commonwealth’s residents live in a community that has made a conscious decision to buck the energy status quo and become a leader in renewable energy adoption and smart energy use,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “Becoming a Green Community requires hard work, and these grants are a testament to the eagerness with which Great Barrington and Richmond have rolled up their sleeves in support of a clean energy future.” Growing trend Great Barrington and Richmond are the fifth and sixth towns in the county to win the designation, following Becket, Lenox, Pittsfield and Williamstown. The 17 new communities helped Massachusetts surpass the 100 Green Communities mark, a milestone that demonstrates the commitment of Bay State cities and towns that choose what makes sense both for municipal budgets and the environment. Once designated by DOER as official Green Communities, cit-

ies and towns are eligible for awards to fund local renewable power and energy efficiency projects that advance both municipal and state clean energy goals. Grants awarded so far assist an array of projects across the state, including the installation of solar panels on town office buildings, weatherization at schools and municipal buildings, installation of high-efficiency street lights, and a host of energy efficiency upgrades. The program is funded through auctions of carbon emissions permits under the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, as well as Annual Compliance Payments made by electricity suppliers under the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard. “This is wonderful news that Great Barrington has earned the designation as a Green Community,” said Representative William Pignatelli. “I know they worked hard to become part of this program and I commend the town for taking the initiative. Our communities continue to lead the charge toward a more sustainable future and this is another great step towards that goal.”

UAW from page 1 condemned the 2011 legislation. In terms of how the UAW came to endorse a Green Rainbow Party candidate, President Desnoyers said that Mr. Laugenour had, in addition to filling out their questionnaire well, been highly recommended by members. “If the right Republican comes along we’d probably endorse him,” said President Desnoyers, saying that the union didn’t base its support on party affiliation. “We have no allegiance to the Democratic Party.” The UAW previously endorsed Green Rainbow Party Candidate Mark Miller in the 2011 special election for the 3rd Berkshire Massachusetts State House District, an election that he barely lost to Democrat Tricia Farley Bouvier. “When we find somebody who we think represents the values of unions, especially a progressive union like ours, we support them,” said UAW Local 2322 President Ron Patenaude, who was one of the western Massachusetts UAW members who recommended Mr. Laugenour to the CAP Council. Local 2322 represents all UAW members in western Massachusetts. These members work in a variety of professions, such as nursing, housekeeping and teaching. In addition to Rep. Pignatelli’s vote for the 2011 legislation that

restricted the ability of public employees to negotiate over health care, Pres. Patenaude also expressed dissatisfaction with Rep. Pignatelli’s overall performance as a legislator. “I can’t come up with one piece of legislation Smitty’s ever written or sponsored,” said Pres. Patenaude. In terms of the resources that the UAW will bring to the race for the 4th Berkshire seat, Pres. Desnoyers and said that the union would be providing a donation in addition to sending out a mailing to all their members in the district and possibly phone banking and providing volunteers. “We’ll stand behind him,” said Pres. Desnoyers, who went on to say that the CAP Council would be in contact with Mr. Laugenour’s campaign to see what they’ll be needing. “We’re going to try to get our members as involved as we can,” said Pres. Patenaude, who added that he would also be making a personal donation to Mr. Laugenour’s campaign. When asked by The Beacon whether he thought the UAW’s endorsement would be a game changer for his campaign, Mr. Laugenour, while enthusiastic, took it in stride. “Any time any individual group or voter shows support…that is a momentum builder for the campaign,” said Mr. Laugenour.

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The Berkshire Beacon

August 23, 2012

View From the Tower

Editorial:

Selectmen over-stepping on zoning Lenox Selectmen, when asked about an illegal sandwich board sign in front of The Kemble Inn earlier this month that they had previously approved, redefined their power and over-stepped their jurisdiction. The four members, Chairman Kenneth Leroy Fowler, W. David Roche, Edward P. Lane and John J. McNinch, redefined zoning and announced they own the property between the street and the sidewalk when, in fact, the commonwealth owns it. Absent was Channing Gibson. The selectmen said that the sign is allowed on municipal property regardless of the zoning for the actual property – because we own it. The Berkshire Beacon believes the property in question is zoned residential and lies within the Historic District, but is owned by the commonwealth as part of Route 7A. The Beacon has never heard or seen documents to support the selectmen’s position. This sounds like legislation by the seat of one’s pants! Fact is 7A is a state road and thus from the road side to the sidewalk and possibly further on the property is deeded land to the commonwealth. There has never been an argument or hearing to support the contention that the selectmen have absolute rule over a prop-

T H E

erty – residential or commercial. Thus, the sign that the selectmen approved last month is illegal in its setting and in the context that the selectmen may only approve temporary signage in the commercial district, but not residential. There is still an issue of what constitutes a temporary sign – a week, two weeks, a month, a quarter, half a year or some unknown date? The purpose of a temporary sign was to give retailers in the historic district a chance to go before the Lenox Historic District Commission and seek a permit for a sign, nothing more. The selectmen have scratched their collective heads and rolled over to give the retailer the summer months to get a permit. This was not the intention of the town meeting members. If the selectmen believe they are correct, let them show where in the zoning bylaws they may issue signs in a residential area or that their position to split alleged ownership of the roadway to the sidewalk and beyond is in their jurisdiction? This was a poor example: They should have taken the time to find out where the municipal land is as opposed to the commonwealth’s. Further, they should have denied the sign, noting that they lacked jurisdiction.

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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.

George C. Jordan III

Right to speak NEWS ITEM: A local citizen appeared before the Lenox Board of Selectmen and offered opinions and/or complaints and then raised her voice to get their attention. Does her attitude constitute a verbal threat or just positioning herself as a lawyer might do for her client before a judge and jury? In this case, it is the selectmen, who from time to time appear to hold all the cards and believe if they did not think of it or consider the issue, it is not worthy of discussion. Isn’t the Town of Lenox about democracy? Isn’t it about holding Town Meetings – special and annual – to gain insight as to how the taxpayers feel? Isn’t it about electing a board of selectmen that listens to a voter

no matter how absurd the subject? Isn’t it about offering an idea or solution to the problem? This woman lives on Sunset Avenue and has complained about the high-speed traffic allegedly by employees of Kimball Farms, craft fair personnel and patrons who allegedly block her driveway and the general disregard of drivers who do not stop for people in the marked crosswalks. The more she spoke, the more upset she became. Like it or not, she had every right to be heard and to ask the selectmen or police chief to intervene. The simple answer would be for the selectmen to write Kimball Farms a letter acknowledging the complaint and asking the police chief to have it patrol Sunset

Avenue patrolled at the hours when change in personnel occur. Also, police could watch the crosswalks and walk the beat for those who have parked for extended time. Come to think of it, it wasn’t too long ago that there was a beat cop on duty during the summer months. Perhaps it is time to bring him back, if for no other reason than to answer questions from the tourists. Yes, freedom of speech is guaranteed to each of us. And it certainly applies to our elected and appointed officials to listen to complaints. To do less is to say the U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights has no place in Lenox. Let all voices be heard; it will make for a better community.

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August 23, 2012

The Berkshire Beacon

Vogue comes to honor Edith Wharton at Mount Catherine M. Krummey Beacon Staff Writer

LENOX – What could possibly bring renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz, supermodel Natalia Vodianova, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jeffrey Eugenides and award-winning actor Elijah Wood together for a day at The Mount? The chance to recreate the world of Edith Wharton alongside other renowned writers, actors and artists for a spread in Vogue magazine is what brought them to The Berkshires this June. The 16-page pictorial taken by Ms. Leibovitz is featured in the September 2012 issue (with pop singer Lady Gaga on the cover). “We are thrilled that Vogue has created this wonderful homage to Edith Wharton,” said Susan Wissler, executive director of The Mount. Ms. Vodianova is the star of the shoot, portraying Mrs. Wharton in dramatic fashion. Mr. Eugenides co-stars as writer Henry James, alongside Mr. Wood as Cook, Mrs. Wharton’s chauffeur; actor Jack Huston as journalist William Morton Fullerton; actress Juno Temple as Anna Bahlmann, Mrs. Wharton’s secretary and companion; actress Mamie Gummer as Beatrix Farrand, Mrs. Wharton’s niece; writer Junot Diaz as Walter Van Rensselaer Berry, a close friend of Mrs. Wharton and Mr. James; writer Jonathan Safran Foer as architect Ogden Codman Jr.; actor Max Minghella as painter Maxfield Parrish; and actor James Cordon as Theodore Roosevelt. Artist Nate Lowman also portrayed sculptor Daniel Chester French, another notable former resident of The Berkshires. Ms. Leibovitz’s photos were based on ones taken of Mrs. Wharton and her contemporaries during the 10 years she called The Mount her summer home. The originals can be viewed online at the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. The shoot took place throughout the interior and exterior of The Mount and at Chesterwood, Mr. French’s Stockbridge home, which is now a museum. “Being a part of Vogue’s September issue will help elevate the

Credit: Stockbridge Library

These “spirts” answered questions about their time period during last years living history program. PORCHES from page 1

Credit: Vogue

In the September issue of Vogue Natalia Vodianova, above, will represent Edith Wharton. visibility of The Mount and the Berkshire region on national and international levels,” said Rebecka McDougall, The Mount’s marketing and communications director. “It’s very exciting.” This national media coverage draws more attention to the celebration of what would’ve been Mrs. Wharton’s 150th birthday year. “We knew we wanted to tell more of Wharton’s story in this celebratory year, her 150th birthday, to build awareness of the work we are doing here,” Ms. McDougall said. “We are delighted Vogue was interested in conveying a major part of it, calling attention to Wharton’s lasting relevance and her continuing role as a 21st century muse.” Ms. Wissler added that Ms. Leibovitz and Grace Codding-

ton, Vogue’s creative director (who styled the shoot at The Mount), recognized Mrs. Wharton’s significance. “It’s [The Mount] where she blossomed into one of the greatest American writers of all time,” Ms. Wissler said. “It’s no surprise that Annie Leibovitz and Grace Coddington, two women who have achieved world renown and respect in their given fields, are inspired by Wharton.” In addition the the photo spread, the September issue of Vogue features an essay by awardwinning author Colm Tóibín on Mrs. Wharton and her relationships with the rest of the historical figures portrayed in the shoot. Vogue’s website also features behind-the-scenes interviews with the stars of the shoot.

spirits. Volunteers learn all about their characters, what time frame they lived in and are able to answer questions from the public about that time in history. “They are not professionals,” Ms. Allen said. “These are people who are interested in history.” Cost to attend the event is $20 a ticket, which can be purchased in advance at the library as well as at the town offices on the day of the event. Visitors are more than welcome to just sit back and listen to the spirits, simply eavesdrop or interact with them. There is ample opportunity to ask questions, too. Cost of the ticket covers visitation at all six porch sites. Proceeds to help library’s history collection Proceeds from the living history event will be used entirely for the historical collection at the library, which is actually a “really wonderful museum downstairs,” Ms. Allen said. The event is also funded, in part, by the Stockbridge Cultural Council. “We appreciate their giving us money,” Ms. Allen said. There will be 200 years’ worth of characters on the day of the program. All will wear time-appropriate costumes. Volunteers made many of them but some were also borrowed.

“We gathered them from numerous places,” Ms. Allen said. A combination of people helped launch living history programs in Stockbridge. For example, Tom Daly, who is associated with the Norman Rockwell Museum, used to sponsor walks in the Pittsfield Cemetery. He helped start historical walks in the cemetery in Stockbridge, Ms. Allen said. Then, the library got involved and one of the presenters, Mary Balle, suggested doing a living history program off-site as a fundraiser for the library, Ms. Allen said. Program evolved “It just evolved,” she said. “There are many community participants.” In addition to Ms. Balle, Patricia “Pat” Flynn is also involved in the logistics of the program, Ms. Allen said. There are no scripts or rehearsals for The Shady Porches program since it is impossible to get 18 people together. Each presenter is given some information about his or her spirit and many people do additional research on their own. The volunteers are never identified since they slip into the personas of their spirits and must never come out of character, Ms. Allen said. “That is part of how this is so different,” she said.

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Late Summer 2012 Volume 2 • Issue 6

Th a t a n o S e e r i B h s berKSHIre e k r players The storied history of a mecca of dance

Janel M. Harrison Beacon Staff Writer

Jacob’s Pillow

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Ella Baff

Page 12

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BECKET – Jacob’s Pillow is an incandescent escape on the winding Route 20/ Jacob’s Ladder, down a rustic country road, finally finding oneself upon a bucolic 1700s mountain top farm enveloped in greens and golds. It’s a enchanting place like no other, where Andrew Boynton said it well this June when he wrote in The New Yorker, “There’s No Place Like Jacob’s Pillow.” It’s a place where one word enters the minds and souls of its visitors: dance. History of the name You may ask yourself how Jacob’s Pillow received its name. As written in Jacob’s Pillow Director of Preservation Norton Owen’s book, A Certain Place; The Jacob’s Pillow Story, it was during the days of horse-drawn carriages when Route 20 was the main stagecoach road between Boston and Albany. In order for the road to cross over the steep mountain it had to go switchback with one section resembling the rungs of a ladder. Mr. Owen writes, “Biblicallyminded New Englanders were reminded of the story in Genesis 28 wherein Jacob dreamed of a ladder to heaven, and so a portion of Route 20 became known as Jacob’s Ladder.” The owners of Carter’s Farm, now the site of Jacob’s Pillow, thought that a unique boulder on the property could have been the rock that Jacob used for a pillow to rest and so Jacob’s Pillow came to be with all its magical elements. “Enthusiastic” 80th season This season, the Pillow celebrates 80 years of dance legacy and in an interview with Executive and Artistic Director Ella Baff, two words were said to describe this celebratory season, “totally enthusiastic.” She added, “I’m trying to really expand ideas for audiences and we represent a wide range of dance. The Pillow is a place where we honor tradition, but we’re also creating new ones.”

Courtesy Photo

This week is the last week for the 2012 season at Jacob’s Pillow. Performances run through Aug. 26 and tickets are available. She’s especially excited about the allmale dance company Kafig, led by international choreographer Mourad Merzouki. The company has toured the world with sold-out performances exhibiting a dynamic blend of smooth samba, athletic hip-hop and Brazilian capoeira and was seen Aug. 15-19 at the Pillow. Inspiration from founder The company’s performances are much in keeping with the history of Jacob’s Pillow and its founder, the legendary dancer/ choreographer Ted Shawn, when in 1931, he purchased the Carter Family Farm and broke cultural boundaries with his pioneering forms of American modern dance and his sensational company of male dancers. In an on-grounds interview, Director of Preservation Norton Owen spoke of his remarkable exhibit “Decades of Dance,”

wherein he used centered themes to depict eight decades of dance history at the Pillow, beginning with Mr. Shawn and his male dancers, who lived on premises, and when they weren’t dancing, they were painting, building and remodeling the farm houses on site. Barn showcases Pillow history In fact, housed in Blake’s Barn (The Visitor’s Center) are both art and photography exhibits along with the Pillow’s extensive archive collection of photos, videos, books and more. One can see a picture of Ted Shaw. He appears to be floating gracefully on a ladder, paint brush in hand, bending forward, toe pointing back as he white-washes the farm house. The 18th century barn was moved piece-by-piece to the Pillow in 1992 from see DANCE page 10

The Berkshire Sonata

August 2011

DANCE from page 9 the Stock bridge property of famed dancer Marge Champion in memory of her dancer son, Blake Champion, who died tragically in a motor vehicle accident. Mr. Owen spoke passionately of Jacob’s Pillow and all that it means for him. This is his 37th season with Jacob’s Pillow, where he began as a student dancer himself in 1976 and his position has continued to evolve through out the years. He said, “It’s exciting for me to be here as it enables us to say something about the Pillow and our longitude in a way that’s thought-provoking.” Exhibit encompasses 80 years He adds in regard to developing the “Decades of Dance” themes, “I asked myself, ‘How do you encompass 80 years into an exhibit?’” And brilliantly he came up with seven themes that offer opportunities for reflection and “transcend time.” Mr. Owen wrote, “The exhibition focuses on a representative sampling of noteworthy dancers who have appeared at the Pillow since the first season in 1933.” The themes are: “Cultural Diversity” exemplifies Ted Shawn’s belief that dance is the universal language and as such has power to promote one world. “Emerging Talents” recognizes many dancers and choreographers have been seen at the pillow in the earliest stages of their careers. “Celebrated Partnerships” depicts teamwork as an essential part of Pillow performances. “Sense of Place” details how the natural environment of Jacob’s Pillow has always provided dancers with a perfect backdrop. “Pushing Boundaries” explores the idea that dance forever expanding, en-

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Norton Owen Director of Preservation at Jacob’s Pillow stands in front of Blake’s Barn. compassing what is Ted Shawn described as “every way that man has moved rhythmically to express himself.” “Icons” displays the dance world’s legendary figures who have always held important place at Jacob’s Pillow, usually center stage. “Passing it On” demonstrates the fact that since Jacob’s Pillow began training dancers in 1933. With each theme decadent and memorable photos of dancers are exhibited, along with additional moving video footage now available on the “Virtual Pillow” website. Building on the history Dancers such as Ted Shawn and his

male dancers and at one time wife and dance partner Ruth St. Dennis, Paul Taylor, Gregory Hines, Janet Collins, Alexandria Danilova, Judith Jamison, Savin Glover and Mikhail Baryshnikov are just a handful of the accomplished names who have graced the Pillow with their spellbinding talent. With Jacob’s Pillow comes its vast and diverse history of the Carter Farm, The Underground Railroad, struggles during World War II with gas rations, the loss of Ted Shawn’s male dancers to the military and The Renaissance. With it also comes the future bright with new directions, expanding horizons and dancers that will take us into a new century.

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The Berkshire Sonata

The love of puppets is in the family

Nancy G. Shepherd Special to The Beacon

Once upon a time there were two people who had a dream about making fairy tales come to life in a make-believe world. These were not your usual fairy tales of just words; they were fairy tales using strings to tell a story. Such was the dream of Genie Zust and her late husband, Richard Robbins. Since its opening on Shakespeare’s birthday in 1971, this admirable couple entertained thousands of children of all ages at the Gramercy Arts Theater, City Museum in New York, temples, cabarets and other venues as the Robbins-Zust Family Marionettes. All in all, there are over 130 puppets in the family, some dating back over 40 years, with periodic repairs or costume changes having been made. Mr. Robbins designed, then skillfully carved the 20 to 30 pieces required for each puppet’s wooden body (the heads are more complicated). Mrs. Zust then painted the puppets, designed and made their costumes. It is interesting to note the evolution of the puppets over the years, the subtle differences in the styling of hands and heads as Mr. Robbins refined his designs. The Robbins-Zust Family Marionettes was more than a name for this original group of performers. Originally, this family of artists, puppeteers and designers was composed and headed by Richard Robbins and Genie Zust with their children, Dion, Maia and Thea Robbins-Zust. Today, Dion is the sole producer, director and occasional star of the shows and works with a cast of “angels” who are onstage for performances. One such performer, Gabe Jones, plays the bass and guitar, accompanied by a piano/synthesizer. Additional puppeteers perform with the family, including third-generation Milo Robbins-Zust. Dion masterminds the complete production from setting up the theater and props, operating and narrating, while puppeteers (skillfully keeping all strings separate) make puppets dance across the stage and bellow at each other with continually changing voices, performing the speaking roles rather than using prerecorded dialogues. Thus, he is able to keep a constant flow of ever-changing wording to captivate his youthful audience who are totally absorbed in a fantasy world. Each of the fairy

tales in the repertoire incorporates a moral message, and Dion Robbins-Zust has revised a few of them to reflect todays living standards. A typical performance begins with a welcoming introduction with live music and marionettes to engage the audience in the inherent nature of craft and movement of life. In the four years Dion has performed without his parents, Circ de Puppet and the Blue-Hand group were added as warm-up acts to get the audience involved. This year Dion has reintroduced his mother’s directive of singing songs with the kids just before the classic halfhour tale is performed. In observing a performance of The Robbins-Zust Family Marionettes’ show, children sat in a state of awe watching these little marionettes glide across the imaginative home-made draped theater stage. A story about Jack and the Beanstalk was being performed and every child under the tent appeared to be mesmerized by the actions and voices. At the end of the show the audience was invited backstage by Dion, who masterminded and coordinated both the movements and voices of the puppets. Dion, being his warm, hospitable, charming self welcomed any and all questions concerning the performance. One such question was, “How do you keep the puppets separated so all of the strings don’t end up being tangled up?” “Twist all the strings together, then wind the strand around the paddle when stored, and use fishing swivels so the strings can be disconnected,” he responded. He summed it up best when he said, “Puppets can do things people can only dream about doing.” “Live Fairytales,” performed five days a week this summer is a true celebration of life with their familiar repertoire: Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, The Firebird, Jack and the Beanstalk, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Peter and the Wolf, to name a few. Scheduled performances run through Aug. 30. Mondays through Thursdays, there are 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. shows at St. Paul’s Church at 29 Main St. in Stockbridge (across from the Red Lion Inn). Tickets are $5; group rates are available. On Saturdays at 11 a.m., The RobbinsZust Family Marionettes can be seen at Marketplace Cafe at 55 North St. in Pittsfield (next to Beacon Cinema) for free.

visit us online at www.berkshirebeacon.com

August 2011

Jacob’s Pillow executive director reflects on 80 years of dance Catherine M. Krummey Beacon Staff Writer

BECKET – As the 80th season of Jacob’s Pillow comes down to its last couple of weeks, Ella Baff, the executive and artistic director, discusses the “extraordinary” performances that have come across the stage in Becket. “Every week has really been extraordinary, because we present so many different kinds of dance,” Ms. Baff said. In performances earlier this month, Compagnie Käfig, whose program features acrobatics skills and athletic samba, hiphop and capoeira dance styles, is a highlight of the 80th season for Ms. Baff. “This isn’t a regular dance company – it’s a show,” she said. In the history of the Pillow and Ms. Baff ’s 14 years as director, expanding the free programming has been an important milestone, as this season’s offerings include more than 200 free events. In looking to the future – the next 80 years – one thing on Ms. Baff ’s mind is building up the property. “I want to build a better studio for our school,” she said. “We’re an internationally-recognized school for pre-professionals, but the current studio is too small and the ceiling’s too low.” Ms. Baff would also like to see more housing for the artists added, as half of them currently have to stay in town due to a lack of space. “They don’t get a chance to be on-site and be part of the community – a very im-

Ella Baff portant part of the Pillow,” she said. In order to see these improvements come to fruition, she would like to receive more support from donors so they can do a better job of paying the artists who come to the Pillow to perform, adding that they currently work with a “tight budget.” However, Ms. Baff believes that the support of all their patrons and donors is a large part of what has gotten the Pillow through its first 80 years. “I want to thank everybody in the world who supports Jacob’s Pillow and the arts,” she said. “It’s a place that has made a deep and meaningful impact on artists and audiences.”

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August 23, 2012

The Berkshire Beacon

WordXWord fills Pittsfield with writers and musicians Catherine M. Krummey Beacon Staff Writer

PITTSFIELD – For one week, downtown Pittsfield became the epicenter for all things spoken word. From poetry and music performances to writing workshops, the WordXWord Festival hosted more than 40 events over eight days (Aug. 11-18). “The festival went really well,” Festival Manager Bill Yehle told The Beacon after the festival. “Really, every single day was a highlight for me, and it seems eerily quiet around here now.” Mr. Yehle was also impressed with the size and broad range of audiences. “With only one or two exceptions, events were filled to, or over, capacity,” he said. “Audiences were more diverse in terms of age and geography (more younger and older attendees, more attendees from Albany, north county and beyond).” The participants also came from a diverse pool. “There was a really nice balance between participation of local/regional artists and the nationally-known authors,” Mr. Yehle said. The featured visiting artists at the festival included Derrick C. Brown, Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz, Anis Mojgani, Robbie Q. Telfer, Thuli Zuma, Taylor Mali, Jon Sands, Jeanann Verlee and Megan Falley. For Mr. Yehle, one of the highlights of 2012’s WordXWord was the feature night at the CompuWorks Loft on Aug. 16. “For me, personally, the high points would include the blockbuster showcase night on Thursday, which featured six fantastic author/performers – any one of which would warrant their own

“Fearless leader of fun” entertains children at Berkshire Athaneum Susan M. Wicker Guerrero Beacon Staff Writer

Catherine M. Krummey / Berkshire Beacon

A large “WXW” sculpture outside of Mission Bar and Tapas celebrates the WordXWord Festival. feature – in a single event,” he said. Other highlights included a poetry slam at Shawn’s Barbershop (where 15-year-old Heather Morris brought audience members to tears) and the presentation “Some Good, Some Bad and Some Ugly” by Ms. Falley and Ms. O’Keefe Aptowicz at Pittsfield Bra and Girl. “[They] shared openly about their start, growth and challenges as artists,” Mr. Yehle said. The workshops, a lot of which were held at Y Bar, were also an important part of this year’s WordXWord. “Having multiple-day residencies by the visiting artists allowed

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for more qualitative interaction between the local audience and artists and the visiting artists [during] workshops, informal discussions and hanging out at the Writers Lounge at Y Bar – even sharing of the ‘stage’ in some cases,” he said. Musical performances also were a key part of the festival, with many of them taking place at Mission Bar and Tapas, WordXWord’s main sponsor, and The Lantern. Leo Crandall, Billy Keane and the Misdemeanor Outlaws, Chris Merenda and the Wheel, John Brodeur and Tall Heights were among the musical acts that performed as part of WordXWord.

PITTSFIELD – What do a West African story, a Yiddish lullaby and a tale about a little Japanese prince have in common? They were all part of a children’s program, “Stories of Sleep, Dreams and Starry Nights,” at the Berkshire Athenaeum . Mary Jo Maichack, a teaching artist, singer, minstrel storyteller and guitar and ukulele player, presented the program to a couple dozen summer-loving children and the adults who brought them to the library. The program was part of the library’s summer reading program, “Dream Big: Read!” The entertainer has given more than 3,000 performances to young audiences since 1989 and has won numerous national awards for her singing and storytelling. Sponsors make programs possible Sponsors including the Friends of the Berkshires Athenaeum, Ben and Jerry’s, and Cyberstation, a video arcade at the Berkshire Mall, make the children’s programming possible. Now a Holyoke resident, Mrs. Maichack was born and raised in Pittsfield in a house on Jason Street. At that time, she was known as Mary Jo Danckert. She gave an energetic, lively and interactive performance. She told The Beacon she grew up with two siblings in a house where there was lots of singing and storytelling. An English major, Mrs. Maichack also spent a year as a children’s librarian, where she was introduced to the art of storytelling. Has her own website Her website, MaryJoMaichack. com, notes that she “loves people, music, story, languages, poetry, personal empowerment, her husband, artist Gregory Maichack and one fluffy cat.” She told a story about people who lived in a West African rain forest, based on the book The Cow-Tail Switch and Other West African Stories by Harold Courlander.

Mary Jo Maichack Mrs. Maichack got the kids to get up and do the alligator stomp and they also danced to “ants in the pants and in a trance.” An engaging performer Dressed in black pants,a black print shirt and sandals, Mrs. Maichack kept the children’s attention with lively expressions and hand movements. She swirled her arms in the air, scrunched up her face and laughed heartily while keeping the young audience engaged. She accompanied herself on guitar while singing the Yiddish lullaby. During another number, Mrs. Maichack had several children come in front of the audience to act out a play that involved a baby who refused to sleep at night. The kids went wild with laughter seeing their playmates wearing a bonnet, dog mask, thick goggles and other props. She has numerous presentations available for the public. For more information on the kinds of shows she presents, go to her website or call her directly at (413) 532-3667. May all your dreams come true Mrs. Maichack mentioned the book, Stories to Play With, by Hiroko Fujita. Besides children’s programming, she also entertains as a cabaret singer and has performed at the Colonial Theater in Pittsfield. She ended last week’s program by telling the children, “May all of your dreams come true.” Anything is possible with the “fearless leader of fun” who has a “heart full of song and story.”

IMPROVEMENTS from page 1 they were doing to address the issue. “We’re pretty much prepared to go any way we have to [to fund the improvements],” said Selectman Lane. Superintendent Vincent detailed the massive number of capital improvements that will need to be made to Lenox’s water and sewer system over the next 10 years. The most expensive of these improvements will involve replacing the town’s aging pipes, some of which are 100 years old. Replacing the pipes is estimated to cost tens of millions of dollars, but Superintendent Vincent says that the process can be staggered over time. The town will also need to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant in response to the new phosphorus limits predicted to be included in the DEP and EPA’s new permit for the plant, expected to be issued this fall. The town is also constructing three new pump stations, the first of which is expected to be completed on New Lenox Road this fall. The cost of these pump stations is estimated at $7 million. Finally, the town is looking to replace aging equipment and increase capacity at its water treatment plant, in addition to looking for new water sources for the town. In total, Town Manager Federspiel says that, including all of the pipe work, capital improvements to the town’s water and sewer system will cost the town $60 million. This, combined with additional capital improvement needs from the town school system and public safety, will present a substantial hurdle for the Town of Lenox in the coming years, to the possible tune of $80 million. Town Manager Federspiel said the town would be addressing the water and sewer issue in three ways. Firstly, it would be retiring debt in the next five or six years to free up bonding capacity, secondly, water and sewer rates will be increased, and finally, the town would look at possibly sharing services with Pittsfield. Town Manager Federspiel said Lenox already shares some of its wastewater treatment with Pittsfield and there was already a good working relationship on which to build. As for the debt being freed up, Town Manager Federspiel said

The Berkshire Beacon

while $20 million would be freed up by 2018, half of that is school debt, which is being paid off with state aid. This means the town will only be truly getting access to $10 million in bonding capacity. “We’re at the early stages of figuring this out,” said Town Manager Federspiel, when asked by The Beacon how much debt the town would have to take on to pay for capital improvements. Town Manager Federspiel did say, however, that the town would definitely have to utilize the $10 million of freed up bonding capacity and would almost certainly have to exceed that. The wild card in all of these calculations comes in the form of state or federal aid, which could change the calculus considerably. “We would certainly apply,” said Town Manager Federsipel, when asked what the town would do in the event of a second wave of stimulus money becoming available. Indeed, Superintendent Vincent, noting this infrastructure was built with state and federal dollars, believes higher levels of government should play a bigger role in these upgrades. “Regionally, and [in] the state, and nationally we need to refocus our priorities,” said Superintendent Vincent. “Nationally we need to reinvest,” said Town Manager Federspiel, agreeing with the superintendent’s sentiments. Still, even if the town had to pay for all of these capital improvements at the same time, Town Manager Federspiel said Lenox does have the bonding capacity to do so, while adding he didn’t think the citizenry could afford to take on so much debt. “I would never do that,” said Town Manager Federspiel. It is because the town officials and the select board would like to avoid a scenario like this that they are seriously discussing capital improvements now, and working on measures to soften their blow, such as the select board’s 10-year plan. “We’re just gonna put our heads together…and see what we can do,” said Selectman Lane.

August 23, 2012

Community Calendar FRIDAY, AUGUST 24 ST MARY’S SCHOOL CARNIVAL

Alford, 6 - 10 p.m. The carnival takes place at Lee Athletic Field on Housatonic St. (Route 20), across from Friendly’s, All Proceeds to benefit St. Mary’s School.

WRITERS READ

Lee, 5:30 p.m. Writers Read is a monthly series of established poets and writers reading from their works. Each reading will feature a poet and writer reading from their works for approximately 30 minutes each. Good Purpose Gallery & Starving Artists Café, 40 Main St.

144TH ANNUAL CUMMINGTON FAIR

Join us at Cummington Fairgrounds - Thurday through Sunday, August 23rd through August 26th for the biggest and best little fair in the country! Enjoy rides, exhibits, games, dinners and performances.

LENOX LIBRARY BOOK SALE

Lenox, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. The Lenox Library, 18 Main St., will host a weekend long booksale. From 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., there is a $5 donation to enter, but after 2 p.m. it’s free.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 ARTSCAPE HOSTS DOWNTOWN TOURS

Pittsfield, 1 p.m. Artscape will continue giving tours of downtown art. The

90-minute tours are led by artist Craig Langlois. The tour leaves the Pittsfield Visitors Center, located at the Colonial Theatre on 111 South St.

LECTURES/LITERARY

Lenox, 5 p.m. The Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home, 2 Plunkett St. Come hear why Wharton’s writings continue to captivate readers and win Wharton new fans. Each week professional actors present readings of Wharton’s works on the terrace. Wine and other refreshments available for purchase. Members: free; non-members: $5.

MADE IN AMERICA: ARTS & CRAFTS OF OUR HERITAGE

Sheffield, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Made in America: Arts & Crafts of Our Heritage at the 1735 Ashley House on Cooper Hill Road. Come try out your skills, learn something new, and watch master artisans at work. Try your hand at a colonial recipe, spinning wool into yarn, caring for farm animals or dancing the minuet.

NORTH BERKSHIRE PAINT COLLECTIONS

Hinsdale, 9-4 The Hinsdale paint shed is located at the Transfer Station on Longview Avenue. Open to residents of Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Hancock, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, New Ashford, Peru, Savoy, Williamstown and Windsor.

THE EAGLES BAND Pittsfield, 2 p.m. The Eagles Band will play a free show at EPOCH, located at 140 Melbourne Road.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 TOWN PLAYERS OF PITTSFIELD’S PLAY READINGS

Pittsfield, 3 p.m. Town Players of Pittsfield presents “Crossing the Line” by local playwright Jamuna Yvette Sirker, at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Ave. For this staged reading, Sirker and director, Meredith McMillan have chosen to experiment with form by juxtaposing two one-acts.

MOMENTS HOUSE HOSTING FREE RESTORATIVE YOGA AT ZAANTI

Lenox, 4:15 - 5:45 p.m. Zaanti Yoga Studio, in cooperation with MOMENTS House, is hosting a free restorative yoga class for cancer patients, their families, friends and their caregivers. The classes will be held at Zaanti Yoga Studio at 449 Pittsfield Road.

MOTORAMA

North Adams, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Motorama! is back for its second year in downtown North Adams. Main, Holden and Eagle streets will be closed to all but pedestrian traffic as downtown North Adams fills with hundreds of cars, trucks, motorcycles, snowmobiles and tractors. This vehicle show offers fun for everyone.

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

August 23, 2012

The Berkshire Beacon

Wine and Beyond:

The Wild Horse round-up

Philip S. Kampe Beacon Staff Writer

In 1981, visionary winemaker Ken Volk searched California’s central coast for land to establish a winery and selected the Templeton area for the home of Wild Horse Vineyard. His reason for choosing the location is that it is midway on the central coast, which makes sourcing grapes from the north and south ideal. Templeton is close to Estero Bay, thus creating a proven groundwater table with easy-tomanage soil for grape growth. Volk’s goal is to experiment with rare grape varieties and make small batches of atypical wines from the Paso Robles region. His team’s leader, Clay Brock, general manager and director of winemaking, works closely with Head Winemaker Chrissy Wittmann to create unheard wine blends from this region. Recent grape varieties used in experimental Wild Horse wines include Blaufrankisch, Cabernet Franc, Grenache Blan, Malbec, Negrette, Malvasia Bianca, Verdelho and Touriga National. At a recent lunch, Brock explained that he is an extension of Volk’s vision. His goal is to make exceptional wines while experimenting with different varietals. The classic wines in the Wild Horse collection include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Viognier. Wines from the portfolio are sold in four separate categories: Central Coast, Unbridled, Winery Exclusives and Cheval Sauvage, which means “Wild Horse” in French. The 44-acre vineyard is named as a tribute to the wild mustangs that used to roam on the hills above the vineyard. Rumor has it that the vineyard

is named after the Cal Poly mascot—a galloping horse. Both Volk and Brock are Cal Poly Alumni. Wines are produced from the estate grapes as well as grapes sourced from over 40 different vineyards in the area and up to 30 different varietals. Sixty five percent of the vineyard’s production includes Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. Three wines to try The 2010 Wild Horse Unbridled Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyards is an elegant, lightlyoaked wine that accompanied my first course when dining with Brock at New York’s A Voce restaurant at Columbus Circle. The lively Chardonnay paired perfectly with the hard-to-match pasta with barnacles appetizer that I ordered. Maybe it was the richness and balanced acidity of this apple, lemony wine that made the match feel like it was made in heaven. Brock ordered the same appetizer and knew the wine and pasta were made for each other. At $20 a bottle, the 2010 Unbridled Chardonnay is a true steal. The 2010 Wild Horse Unbridled Pinot Noir Santa Barbara is a beautifully lush, silky, 14.5 percent alcohol upscale wine that made my lamb belly entrée taste better than it really was. Possibly the mix of raspberries, cherries and cinnamon contributed to the velvety tannins and minerality in this bargain-priced $34 bottle of wine. The 2008 Wild Horse Cheval Sauvage is a Pinot Noir at the highest level. The cranberry and strawberry concentration is mind boggling on the palate. Add full-bodied, balance and lushness to the menu and you have a wine that can stand on its own without the consumption of food. The aromas of dense red fruit, coupled with a richness on the palate, make the long-lasting finish memorable. The 2008 Cheval Sauvage should rank in the top tier of west coast wines.

Long Trail CEO Brian Walsh presents a check to the Vermont Community Foundation for the money that had raised from last years Good Night Irene Ale. The beer is being re-released this fall as well.

The hurricane of beers is back on shelves this year

Kameron Z. Spaulding Beacon Staff Writer

With the one year anniversary coming this weekend, what better time to talk about Good Night Irene Ale. Long Trail Brewing Company will re-release Goodnight Irene Ale, a limited edition brown ale that supports the Vermont Food Bank and the Vermont Farm Disaster Relief Fund. Long Trail developed and first released Goodnight Irene Ale in September 2011, in conjunction with Farrell Distributing Co, and raised over $10,000 for the two charities last fall to help the people of Vermont recover after Hurricane Irene. “Vermont has come a long way since the devastation of Hurricane Irene last summer,” said Brian Walsh, CEO of Long Trail Brewing. “By re-introducing Goodnight Irene Ale, Long Trail continues to support the recovery effort by doing what we do best: brewing quality beer. Last year, we exclusively re-

leased Goodnight Irene in Vermont, and this year we are proud to introduce it in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania so that more people will be able to taste this excellent beer while supporting Vermont’s recovery efforts.” Goodnight Irene Ale, an easy drinking brown ale, features caramel and chocolate malts balanced by a subtle, floral hop bitterness. Long Trail has brewed a limited quantity of Goodnight Irene Ale and it will be available in bars and restaurants across these states through out the later part of Summer and into early Fall. In addition, Long Trail has brought back its popular Goodnight Irene T-shirts, which sold out within days of their release last Fall. “Goodnight Irene Ale is a way for us to keep reaching out to help our fellow Vermonters,” said CEO Brian Walsh . “We are making a portion of our proceeds available to the VT Farm Disaster Relief and the Ver-

mont Food Bank. Long Trail Brewing Company wishes all of our friends and neighbors hit by Hurricane Irene a safe and speedy recovery.” Mass Brew Fest The third annual Massachusetts Brewers Festival will take place on Friday, Aug. 24th from 6 p.m. to 9:30pm at the World Trade Center Head House Concourse on the South Boston waterfront. The World Trade center is a beautiful indoor/outdoor venue with great views of Boston and a perfect setting for a summertime beer fest. You can sample 80-plus beers from 30 Massachusetts breweries and this event is always packed. Some of those on tap include Cambridge Brewing Company, Cape Cod Beer and Opa Opa Brewing Company. Tickets are $40 at the door and $35 in advance, and the festival has sold out the last two years. This festival is widely considered to be a good time and is sure to please.

The Berkshire Beacon

August 23, 2012

Girl-2-Girl Two sides Janel M. Harrison Beacon Staff Writer

Credit: Focus Features

ParaNorman is the perfect movie for kids Bera B. Dunau Beacon Staff Writer

If I ever have kids (some day, but not too soon), I am going to sit them down when they’re eight or nine and watch ParaNorman with them. ParaNorman isn’t just one of the best films of the year, it’s the best animated film since Up. ParaNorman is the second feature length offering from stopmotion animation studio Laika, which burst onto the scene in 2009 with its fantastic adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline. ParaNorman tells the story of Norman Babcock (voiced by Kodi Smit-McPhee), an 11-yearold boy living in the small town of Blithe Hollow, Mass. Norman can see and talk to ghosts, although no one believes him when he says so. This causes Norman to become distant from his family, tormented by his classmates and distrusted by the townsfolk. When a long-dead witch’s curse threatens Blithe Hollow, however, it’s only Norman who can confront it and attempt to put things right. It’s impressive just how completely ParaNorman succeeds as a movie. ParaNorman contains one of the best and most honest portrayals of childhood bullying and ostracization I’ve seen on screen. Rather than sensationalizing it or

making it a minor part of the story and then ditching it once the second act starts, Norman’s loneliness and isolation are key touchstones of the film. Norman isn’t the most tormented kid in history, and his family isn’t the worst, but that doesn’t make any difference to Norman, just as it wouldn’t to any bullied child. This gives ParaNorman a genuine quality that will be appreciated by adults and kids alike. ParaNorman also contains one of the most effective statements against intolerance I’ve seen in a children’s movie. Then there’s how fearlessly ParaNorman delves into dark places. Children’s movies, unlike children’s books, tend to avoid unpleasent and scary material, skirting around the edges at best and talking down to their audience at worst. Not so for ParaNorman, which tackles some dark and uncomfortable themes while still remaining entertaining and child-appropriate. But what really makes this movie a winner is its fresh and original plot and how it manages to tie everything together so well. From story to pacing to character development, ParaNorman promises a lot and delivers every time. Out of the films I’ve seen this year, only Cabin in the Woods can rival ParaNorman in

pleasantly defying audience expectations. Indeed, the film consistently avoids the common children’s media trap of simplification. ParaNorman is also visually marvelous. Stop-motion animation can sometimes feel like an endangered art form, but films like this hammer home just how vibrant and dynamic the medium is, especially when combined with 3D technology. It should also be noted that, despite their similarities, Coraline and ParaNorman are quite different, both aesthetically and in tone. For instance, while Coraline had many scary parts, it was also a very pretty film. By contrast, ParaNorman perfectly evokes the small town/suburban life by having everything be just a tad bit grotesque. Finally, the movie benefits from an excellent script, performed by some top notch voice acting talent, including John Goodman, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Jodelle Ferland. Bottom line, if you want to see a smart, well-made, bold piece of movie making, go see ParaNorman. And if you have kids, take them to it. Provided they can sit through a few scary parts, ParaNorman is one of those rare movies with a story you’ll all love and a message that will resonate with everyone.

“I’ll get you my pretty!” Hi Girls! Choo-choo and hello again, New York! We are definitely becoming great friends! It’s our now nine-year-old daughter’s dream birthday gift to experience the Big Apple, Broadway and the majestic Gershwin Theatre’s award-winning musical Wicked – yay (writer clapping hands)! We are beyond ecstatic, not to mention we’ll stop in the American Girl Doll store so Felicity and Kit can get their ears pierced. Hopefully they don’t start to bleed and have to be treated at the American Girl Doll Hospital. I hear it can cost ya, but whatever makes them happy, for I love to see them smile… Wicked, a book by Winnie Holzman with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, is based on the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, running parallel to our known, beloved story The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. The movie taught us that somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly and unknown lands await us, or perhaps somewhere after the rain we find hope and promise, and beyond the rainbow we find heaven where our precious angels wait… I can’t wait to learn the story of the witches of Oz, because I’ve never read the book and when I think about the screenplay and the story’s premise it makes me think there really is another side to every story, and often we don’t think about what that is, do we? We think about our side and how we feel. In movies and books we root for the good characters, and when we see these bad characters, we almost never think what led to their own demise, and often the story doesn’t say. What made them fall from grace? Were they hurt? Abused? Heartbroken? Weak? And unable to deal with life’s adversities because they always come? What about our relationships and the men of our past who have

broken our hearts and left us for dead, many times unknowing of the deep emotion and pain they brought upon us. So now let us look to the other side… how do they feel while they are taking us for a ride? Are they tearfully unsure, something missing, longing to see the world far away; maybe they just aren’t ready for what life will deal out to them under the inevitable circumstances of details and travesties? It’s too much to struggle with their own demons? Or maybe they just don’t care enough or love enough? If the break-up happened it happened for a reason, right? No matter how much you may have loved, was he just not right for you? I’m speaking about my girlfriend and this beast of guy who won’t leave her alone… well, he knows a good thing I guess. But seriously what’s his story of why he is the way he is? What happened to him anyway? And will he ever learn? I know a woman who for some reason wishes to leave havoc wherever she goes. What happened to her and will she ever find peace and see the light? I try to pray for these people and believe me sometimes it’s a daunting task, but who are we to judge? One thing I find is these people can lead us to another place; I love the song “There’s A Place for Us,” originally from West Side Story. Just a thought, but perhaps they’re there to help us build character, move forward until we find all it is we’re looking for, until we find our life… It doesn’t always seem that way, I know, but it is true, and should we even think to thank them? Should Dorothy thank her arch-nemesis, the Wicked Witch of the West, for making her stronger and enabling her to grow up and realize there’s no place like home? Why not? It’ll be fun to find out.

Ciao Bella

August 23, 2012

The Berkshire Beacon

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William’s XC team is ready to run for another title

Kameron Z. Spaulding Beacon Staff Writer

WILLIAMSTOWN – The Williams College women’s cross country team has qualified for all 19 NCAA Championships since NESCAC permitted post-season team competition in 1993. This fall the Ephs look to extend their streak to 20 years. Thirteen times Williams has finished in the top five at the NCAA Championships, winning the title in 2002 and 2004. Head Coach Pete Farwell will enter his 13th year at the helm of the Ephs and will have four of his top seven runners back from the 2011 NCAA Division III Championship race, where the Ephs finished third behind champion Washington University (MO) and Middlebury. Two top-seven runners were lost to graduation in Olivia Delia, who was the third Eph across the line at the NCAAs, and Lauren Goldstein-Kral, who was the sixth-fastest Eph in that race. The biggest loss from the 2011 team, however, was not to graduation, but to the prestigious Wil-

liams-Oxford Junior Year Abroad Program, which has claimed Chiara Del Piccolo, the NCAA Division III champion in 2011. Del Piccolo closed out 2011 winning her last five races and becoming just the second Eph woman to win the NCAA race, joining Jess Caley (‘98), who won in 1995. Del Piccolo topped the NCAA field of 222 runners and won by a large five-second margin last November in Winneconne, Wis. “We’ll miss the experience and racing ability of Olivia and Lauren, who were wonderful fouryear athletes on our squad,” said Farwell. “Chiara’s performances were outright phenomenal in that championship month last year, and it will certainly affect our team score not to have that one point up top, but we have plenty of veteran all-conference runners, up-and-coming potential stars and a great team.” Headlining the list of returnees from last year’s NCAA team is sophomore Alison Smith, who finished 33rd overall and fourthfastest among freshmen. Smith was the Ephs’ second finisher be-

hind Del Piccolo at the NCAA race. Her finish in the top 35 earned Smith All-American honors. Senior co-captain Celeste Berg was the fourth Eph to finish at the 2011 NCAAs when she came in 75th. Three seconds behind Berg was junior Shayna Barbash, who came in 79th. Sophomore Anna Spiers was the seventh Eph finisher, coming in 110th. Barbash was the Ephs’ third finisher at the NCAA-New England Qualifier when the Ephs punched their ticket to the NCAA Championship race with a second place team finish. Barbash finished in 13th place. Spiers, 18th across the line and the fourth Eph finisher, led a Williams trio that took places 18-20 at the NCAA–New England Qualifier. Smith finished 19th and Celeste Berg was 20th at the qualifier. At the first championship meet last season, the Little Three at Amherst, the Ephs won the title comfortably by placing five runners in the top seven and eight in see WILLIAMS page 18

Williams is coming off a great season that featured their 19th straight trip to the NCAA Championships.

WILLIAMS from page 17 the top 10. Del Piccolo led, by claiming first place, with Barbash third and junior Leslie Blackshear in fourth. Alison Smith was fifth and Lauren Goldstein-Kral took seventh, while Spiers came in just two seconds behind GoldsteinKral to finish eighth. Brianne Mirecki captured 10th place and became the team’s valuable alternate for the NCAA meet. “Celeste and Brianne bring tremendous leadership and work ethic to their roles as co-captains this year,” said Farwell, “And they back it up with the ability to compete at the highest level, always giving and achieving their maximum. “ Junior Leslie Blackshear was sidelined by injury after the Little Three meet, but had led the team in many workouts and meets up until then. “We’ll be looking for her to return to our scoring pack, as she has been working hard on her conditioning all summer,” Farwell said. Other top candidates to join the top seven include those who placed sixth, seventh, ninth and 12th, respectively at the 2011 ECAC Division III Championships: junior Kaleigh Kenny and sophomores Molly Malinowski, Talia Calnek-Sugin and Amelia Ortiz. “Kaleigh was a most pleasant surprise in that meet, coming out WILDCATS from page 20 decent players coming back and we have some talent, but we are really inexperienced.” The offensive line will be the biggest question mark for the ‘Cats this season, as only senior Preston Webb returns to man both the defensive and offensive line. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, Webb will miss the beginning of the season as he continues to recover from a foot injury he suffered during the baseball season. “We will have some other kids who will have an opportunity to step up,” Thomson said. One of those kids expected to step up on the line was last year’s JV standout Vinny Onorato. “We were happy with his progress at the JV level, and we think he can be a big help up front,” Thomson said of Onorato. The quarterback position appears to be filled by junior Deaglan Giarolo, the big righty ap-

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of nowhere, and she continued her rise with great 3k racing during the track season, as did Amelia in the 10k,” said Coach Farwell. “Molly and Talia improved all season, and look to be even better prepared this year.” One or two freshmen from a talented incoming class may move into the top seven, and a group of first-years will provide additional team depth within the “Second Seven.” Based on their high school results these are likely to be Meg Richardson, Anna Ryba, Sophie Chatas, Kathryn McNaughton and Lacey Serletti. “I see Middlebury, defending region champions, plus MIT and Amherst as the top contenders from New England, and we will vie with them for berths at the NCAA Championship,” said Farwell. “While we are in the best women’s cross country conference (NESCAC) and region (New England) within NCAA Division III, we are perennially in the top two or three, and can be again, with this contingent of talented and dedicated team-spirited harriers.” The Ephs will open their 37th varsity season on the road when they compete in the Vassar Invitational on Sept. 8 and follow that with the home Purple Valley Classic 20-team invitational, featuring nationally-ranked teams from four regions. pears to have a strong arm and has developed physically to be a top-rated high school quarterback for the next two years. Matty Kelly, a kick-returner last year, will be moved to running back this season and is expected to carry the load offensively for the ‘Cats. Complimenting him in the backfield will be big senior captain Cam Collins and Ryan Hurley. Collins is also moving from the wide receiver position and will see his first time in the backfield for Thomson. “It’s always a competition and it’s always a process,” Thomson said. “We are excited to see what he can do in the backfield, we have decent depth in the backfield so we are excited to see how it will all pan out.” Giarolo will focus on targets Jared Kirchner at tight end, and Zach DeSantis at receiver, while Lee will use a multiple offensive set, with either split backs in the backfield or their conventional

August 23, 2012

Alison Smith

Tim Davis / Berkshire Beacon

Monument Mountain football players run a hill during the first day of practice.

Celeste Berg

Spartans football coming together as “family” Tim Davis Beacon Staff Writer

Shayna Barbash wishbone or eye formation. “The team determines the passing game so we will have to wait and see, and determine and evaluate our passing game from game to game,” Thomson added. Other players who are expected to contribute for the ‘Cats are senior defensive lineman Tim Leprovist and Lenox seniors Marin Delic and Logan Flynn, who both appear physically and athletically, to be an asset for Thomson’s crew. “We think they are going to contribute,” said Thomson of his Lenox seniors. Lee opens their season Sept. 8 at Hoosac, and will be a tough test as pre-season polls have Hoosac, who went 8-3 last year to be one of the toughest teams in the county, against the inexperienced Wildcats.

GREAT BARRINGTON Monument Mountain football continues to be a work in progress. While the wins haven’t piled up yet, the football program has continued to show signs of life, from the Pee Wee youth programs to this year’s high school team, which consists of 20 freshman and 16 sophomores. “I try not to look at it by the year, but that we are continuing to make progress,” said Head Coach Todd Tinker. “When the youth program started we had 11 kids, today we have 45 kids (at the high school camp).” Tinker will rely heavily on his senior core of returning players, especially All-Berkshire County linebacker Jesse Dupont, Matt Morardi, Brandon Curtin and Adam Vincent. Vincent will anchor the offensive line at center, and Tinker, “expects quality things” out of Mt. Everett seniors Nick Vance, and Aaron Martin. “We have some quality older leadership,” Tinker said. “I think we are in our best pre-season shape since I’ve been here.” Offensively, the Spartans will rely heavily on returning junior

quarterback Riley O’Brien. “He has taken some nice steps with his off-season training,” Tinker said of O’Brien. Behind O’Brien, Tinker will use a running back by committee to start the season, in hope someone materializes as the clear-cut leader. “I am sure in a couple of weeks we will see some kids step up,” Tinker said of his backfield. “We have some new kids we are really impressed with.” The Spartans will rely on a traditional running game to start the season utilizing an off-set-eye or power eye in the backfield. “We are going to balance our attack a little more,” Tinker said. “We got some ideas (for the offense), and we got them on paper, we just need to see how it goes in the next couple of days and see how the guys respond.” A unique approach Tinker has immediately instilled in this year’s team is the concept of unity and a sense of “family” according to the head coach. “We are a family, our philosophy is if someone makes a mistake or a mental error, we all work on it,” Tinker said. A great example of this concept see SPARTANS page 19

August 23, 2012

The Berkshire Beacon

Berkshire Sports Guy:

Pohle still a local golf legend Dick Syriac Beacon Staff Writer

MCLA ready to kick-off season

Kameron Z. Spaulding Beacon Staff Writer

NORTH ADAMS – The MCLA men’s soccer team was selected sixth in the preseason MASCAC poll, as recently announced by the league offices. The Trailblazers return 18 players from last season’s 5-10-1 club. The Rams of Framingham State were selected as the preseason favorite. Framingham State, which claimed both the conference regular season and tournament titles last fall, captured five first place votes to amass 57 points and top second place Salem State’s total of 53 points that included two first place votes. Bridgewater State is next in third place with 47 points, while Westfield State and Worcester State (which received the other first place vote) follow in fourth SPARTANS from page 18 is when the team lines up in a three-point stance and works at exploding off the line during a snap count at practice. If a player makes a mistake, the entire team does push-ups or squats - including the coaches. “You lead by example and a big thing for us this year is discipline,” Tinker said. “A philosophy that was taught to me was you do the little things right, you don’t expect to be a great football team without doing the little things.” Tinker has worked with his brother, Preston, the president of the youth football program, to develop a unified system where younger players will be adept to

and fifth place with 43 and 36 points, respectively. After MCLA with 22 points, Massachusetts Maritime and Fitchburg State round out in the poll in seventh and eighth place, respectively, with 19 and 11 points. The Trailblazers, under the direction of Adam Hildabrand, enter the 2012 campaign with high hopes. MCLA posted just a 1-51 record in MASCAC play a year ago; however three defeats were by just a single goal. The team returns both of their leading scorers in Jake McCall and Joseph Mecca. The two seniors each scored three goals last season. MCLA will kick off the 2012 season on Aug. 31 against Newbury in the Norwich Cadet kickoff classic. MASCAC league play begins on Sept. 15 when MCLA travels to Salem State. the high school football program, including plays and skills that fit into Tinker’s style and philosophy. “I really like what is going on with the youth league,” Tinker added. “When I took over, our first job was to get everyone on the same page, from the Pee Wees all the way through so we become a feeder program.” “When we took over (the youth program) everyone was running a different offense. We decided let’s get the offense together and develop a program that carries all the way down,” Tinker said. “They have good numbers (in youth football) and the Senior League played in a championship game recently, and that’s encouraging.”

I recall the day I was hitting range balls toward the baseball grandstand back in the day when that was the practice facility for Taconic Golf Club in Williamstown. Hit an eight iron to medium right field, a four iron around second base and a good driver could get the grandstand. I was testing a demo club and was pretty proud of the fact that I could occasionally bounce one off the first base dugout. The year was 1993. A young boy with a few clubs in hand walked by and set up shop a few spaces from me. When he struck the ball I was impressed by the sound that the ball made jumping off his club so I turned to get a closer look. He looked about 10 years old (he was actually 13), and his tee ball was still rising as it cleared the grandstand. If you ever found a golf ball in the parking lot at The Purple Pub, Joey Pohle probably hit it there. Dad works at Taconic Joey’s dad, Rick, the head PGA golf professional at Taconic Golf Club, certainly had given this kid some serious instruction. Joey was a student at Mt. Greylock and was a member of the golf team when he was in the seventh grade. Throughout his Greylock years he was one of the top players in the county and in western Massachusetts. He also excelled in hockey. After dominating the competition in high school, Joey Pohle was off to Division I University of Rhode Island. At URI he was joined by some very talented teammates with Berkshire County and western Massachusetts roots. As a freshman he teamed with Lee native Jim Salinetti and Greenfield’s Josh Hillman to form one of the strongest golf teams ever assembled on the Kingston, R.I., campus. Other members of the squad included Mike Sims and Justin Thompson. After URI After their college years these young men would continue to be involved with golf and the golf industry. Salinetti, one of the top amateur golfers to ever come out

Joey Phole of Berkshire County, is the head PGA professional at Winchester Country Club, Hillman is the top guy at Berkshire Hills in Pittsfield and Thompson is the director of golf at Wanderers Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., while we can look for Sims on the leader board on the Web.com tour. Where is Joey Pohle? He left URI after his freshman season. “He enjoyed the competition and his teammates at URI but being on a full scholarship limited his other activities,” said his mother, Cathy, from her office at Taconic Golf Club. “He wanted to play some intramural sports and that was not allowed at URI because of the financial aid he was getting. He wanted to play volleyball and continue to play hockey so he decided to transfer to Skidmore in Saratoga, N.Y. where he could engage in those activities.” “We hated to see Joey transfer but he was doing what was best for him,” his former teammate Hillman added. “It was ironic that I eventually worked under his dad at Taconic. He went on to play some great golf at Skidmore and we had no doubt that he would that he would be successful.” After a very successful career at Skidmore he stayed on campus and took a job in the admissions office. While there, he applied for the head coaching job of the golf team and was not chosen for the position. A new position Let’s fast forward to 2012, when Indian Valley Country Club in Telford, Pa., was elated to announce the hiring of their new head PGA golf professional, Joey Pohle. Indian Valley is a William Gordon-designed par 72 layout

constructed in 1952 that measures 6,900 yards and currently has 500 members. Ralph Richardson, who for 12 years has been the general manager at Indian Valley, was sold on Pohle as soon as he met him. “Joey blew us away during the interview process,” he said. “Very polite and professional, a great teacher and an accomplished player, but what really made him stand out were the countless references we received from people who knew him and who had interacted with him in the golf business.” Pohle’s resume was certainly impressive. He had worked at some of the finest clubs in the greater Philadelphia area. In 2007, he was at Merion Golf Club and Chester Valley, and he also spent time at Wee Burn Country Club. He was the head professional at Militia Hill at the Philadelphia Cricket Club before taking the job at Indian Valley. Pohle had also garnered some attention playing in the greater Philadelphia section of the PGA. In 2007, he bested a field of 72 to win the Assistants Championship, and in 2009, he won the TPD Section Title to top 120 fellow professionals. Works with sister Joey is joined on the Indian Valley golf shop staff by his very talented sister, Becky, who is the golf shop manager. She joined her brother after spending three years at Philadelphia Country Club. She is an award-winning merchandiser and adds a nice touch to the displays in the shop. Becky was educated at Elmira College in New York, and before moving to the Philly area, she spent some time in Virginia. “Joey and I have an excellent relationship; working with him is great,” she added as she was preparing to host 116 golfers for a Wednesday afternoon member-guest. As for her playing ability, in limited action: “I play about six times a year and I usually break 100.” Joey Pohle enjoys the Philadelphia area and takes in many Flyers and Phillies games. His wife, Colleen, a Philly native, and six-month-old son, Gavin, keep him pretty busy.

The Berkshire Beacon

Wildcats may have to rebuild after Super Bowl

August 23, 2012

Experienced • Dedicated • Leadership

Tim Davis Beacon Staff Writer

LEE- In high school football, great teams come and go as quickly as the leaves change color in the fall air. The challenge for this year’s Lee Wildcats, who lost an unprecedented 18 seniors, will be to try and rekindle some of last season’s magic of their 10-3 season and Western Massachusetts Super Bowl appearance. “Last season was a very successful year for us, we tied a school record with 10 wins before losing to an undefeated Mt. Greylock,” said Lee Head Coach Keith Thomson. “We are really starting from scratch this year.” The Wildcats lose 10 out of 11 starters on defense, and four out of the five starting offensive linemen, including the entire offensive backfield and quarterbacks. “The last couple of years we have been very successful and it’s always tough to see the kids go, “ Thomson added. “We have some see WILDCATS page 18

Scott

PIGNATELLI

August 9, 2012 Volume III, Issue 12

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www.berkshirebeacon.com Lenox, MA 01240

Eberwein named dean at MCLA

Catherine M. Krummey Beacon Staff Writer

NORTH ADAMS – Howard “Jake” Eberwein III has officially moved on from his days as superintendent of the Pittsfield Public Schools. On Tuesday, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) announced that Dr. Eberwein is the school’s new dean of graduate and continuing education. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the MCLA leadership team, faculty and community in expanding high quality educational opportunities for the

Howard Eberwein III citizens of Berkshire County and beyond,” he said. Dr. Eberwein received his master’s degree in education from MCLA in 2003 and earned his principal certificasee MCLA page 3

Church on the Hill to get some repairs - Page 2

SuSan m. WicKer guerrero / BerKShire Beacon

The current Hillcrest Hospital Campus will soon undergo massive changes.

Major changes for area cancer care

Susan M. Wicker Guerrero Beacon Staff Writer

The Berkshire Beacon

Index

Ken Retzel has worked with horses his whole life.

Local man makes the races run

1 Local News 6 Editorial Dick Syriac 6 From the Beacon Sports Writer Tower 8 Shelter The year was 1974 and as a Pets 9 Fast Picks member of the publicity department at Green Mountain 10 Books 10 Calendar Race Track, I was looking for a scoop. 11 Tax Free In the company of the track Specials photographer Ernie LeClair, I 12 Beer & Wine was patrolling the barn area in 13 Movies quest of a picture that might 13 Girl-2-Girl make the national wires. A 14 Sports shot of a horse getting hosed

Tim Davis / Berkshire Beacon

Lee Head Coach Keith Thomson addresses his team during the first day of practice.

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down would not cut it, a horse munching on a bale of hay, no, I don’ t think so. As we came upon a shed row, we both knew we had hit the mother lode. We saw a seven-year-old boy with bushy red hair sitting on a horse with his I.D. badge on. Click, click we got the shot and it went, as they now say, viral. Both wire services used the see TRACK page 2

PITTSFIELD – David E. Phelps, President and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems (BHS), announced plans last week for a comprehensive and state-of-the-art cancer center to be located at the Hillcrest Campus of Berkshire Medical Center (BMC). The huge project is being planned in partnership with Berkshire Hematology/Oncology, the area’s largest private medical practice. Mr. Phelps said both partners are extremely committed and share the same vision. Berkshire Health Systems is this area’s largest employer. The $30 million project will include extensive renovations and a new entryway at Hillcrest for the BMC Cancer Center. A total of $20.1 million is earmarked for renovations to the existing buildings as well

artiSt rendering

This is a drawing of the proposed cancer center to be located at the Hillcrest Campus of BMC. as for the new entryway and lobby. A total of $10 million will be used to buy new equipment and electronic record systems. The center will be four stories high and 49,930-square feet. According to information released by BHS, the renovation and new construction will include a new entrance and lobby, a Wellness Center, a Radiation Oncology and Multi-

disciplinary Clinic, Hematology/Oncology Physician Practice, a full clinical laboratory, a pharmacy, infusion and treatment service, and radiation therapy. Phase I will begin in early 2013, Phase II in the fall of that year and Phase III in 2014. The center will provide a new view on cancer care in see CENTER page 7

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