October 6, 2011 Volume II, Issue 20
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www.berkshirebeacon.com Lenox, MA 01240
Kennedy Park stays center in Lenox debate Bera Dunau Beacon Staff Writer
Craft Fairs - Page 14
The Berkshire Beacon
Index 1 Local News 6 Editorial 6 From the Tower 9 College Sports Report 12 Fun & Games 10 Calendar 15 Movies 15 Girl-2-Girl 16 Fast Picks
LENOX - The Kennedy Park Committee has issued a recommendation that may lead to minor alterations to the Kennedy Park Belvedere, an action that some activists involved in the controversy don’t find to be sufficient. In a 6-3 vote, the Kennedy Park Committee voted to recommend that the Lenox Board of Selectmen consider potentially relocating parts of the Belvedere. The two pieces of the belvedere that were suggested for possible relocation were a plaque with a dedication to Dr. Jordan Fieldman and the granite slab upon which the plaque
rests known by some as “the lectern.” The Kennedy Park Committee also expressed the preference that any alterations to the belvedere be done with the consent of the Fieldman family. The Kennedy Park Belvedere was erected on the Kennedy Park overlook earlier this year in honor of Dr. Jordan Fieldman, who practiced at Berkshire Medical Center and passed away in 2004 at the age of 38 after a long battle with cancer. The Belvedere was constructed with funds from Dr. Fieldman’s friends and family and designed by his father, architect Michael Fieldman. Mr. Fieldman has stated that the see PARK page 8
Photo Credit / Kameron Spaulding
The Kennedy Park Belvedere, in Lenox, has been debated all summer.
Crane & Co.’s biofuel plant stalled Cassandra Zampini Special to The Beacon
DALTON - Pending regulations, under revision by the Patrick administration have stalled Crane & Co.’s Pittsfield City project for a new biofuel plant—a controversial power plant that intends to use timber within its 35-mile radius to produce energy. Environmental groups from across Massachusetts rallied at the State House last week to protest the draft regulations on biomass plants, which would allow biomass to operate at 40-percent efficiency as opposed to 60-percent which was promised by the former Energy and Environmental Secretary Ian Bowles last fall. “I think that draft regulations that are drawn up are challenging, but at
least they are somewhat more reasonable,” said president Stephen Sears of Berkshire Renewable Power, LLC, a developer partnering with Crane & Co. on the project, “Any more challenging regulations will discourage any development at all.” James McCaffery director of the Massachusetts Chapter of the Sierra Club said at the rally that the draft regulations released by the governor last May “were a clear retreat” from the findings of the 2009 state commissioned Manomet Study – a study that found burning wood to make electricity is potentially worse for the environment than burning coal. McCaffery said that if these new regulations would pass, biomass plants could operate at 40-percent efficiency “which means we’ll be burn-
State House still moving slowly State House News Service
ing trees at one ton a minute. That doesn’t sound like a good idea to me.” Chris Matera, founder of Massachusetts Forest Watch, a citizen watchdog group formed to defend Massachusetts state forests who also attended the rally, stated, “Recent scientific reports demonstrate that using standing trees to fuel a bio-fuel production facility, like the one proposed for Pittsfield, would dramatically and perpetually increase carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming.” As the rally gained momentum, Biomass Accountability president Meg Sheehan told the crowd that biomass incinerators would produce only one percent more electricity and consume the equivalent of 50 football fields of
The plodding pace of debate in the Senate over expanded gambling had been forewarned, but Senate President Therese Murray’s pledge not to “stifle” that Democratic back-andforth was put to the test this week in a rare public display of familial acrimony. By Tuesday afternoon, Murray had heard enough when she gaveled her Democratic flock into a private caucus in her office to allow for some not-so-public venting, opening the steam valve on what some have suggested was bubbling for months. On the surface, some Democrats took great exception to Sen. Jamie Eldridge’s amendment prohibiting
see CRANE page 3
see STATE page 14
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The Berkshire Beacon
October 6, 2011
Photo Credit / Ventfort Hall
Lots of medieval events will highlight this weekend’s faire at Ventfort Hall and Gilded Age Museum in Lenox.
Medieval Faire rides into Lenox Susan Wicker Guererro Beacon Staff Writer
LENOX – The third annual Medieval Faire, complete with armored combat, strolling troubadours and musicians, and people in period costumes, will take place on Sunday, Oct. 9, on the grounds of Ventfort Hall. The event is a major fund raiser for Ventfort Hall, a Gilded Age Museum. Proceeds will benefit the facility’s continued restoration and administration. The original idea for a medieval faire as a fund raising event came from Lena Leonardsson, daughter of Birgit Vetromile. Mrs. Vetromile is a volunteer as well as member of the special events committee of Ventfort Hall. Both women are originally from Sweden. Contacted at her home in New York, Ms. Leonardsson said she originally had to convince her mother who, in turn, convinced people at Ventfort Hall, that a medieval faire would be fun and successful. Fun for Children “It’s fun for everybody,” Ms. Leonardsson said. It allows children to get involved, too. She attended and enjoyed medieval faires in Pennsylvania. She will be attending this year’s event with her mixed breed Lurcher
hunting dog, “Bedlur,” who will be wearing barding, a medieval coat for a dog, she said. In past ages, only royalty could own purebred dogs, Ms. Leonardsson said. She said she hopes Ventfort Hall will continue holding the annual faire. Heading the day’s programming will be Jeffrey Mann, a knight and master armor maker, and friend of Ms. Leonardsson He will be coming from his home in Claverack, N.Y., with his wife, Nancy. Passionate Participants Participants at the faire in Lenox are very passionate about the subject matter they will be demonstrating, he said. They will be preserving the knowledge of past times. It will be very educational for children as well as adults. For example, people will be able to see clothing styles of medieval times as well as textile arts such as spinning and weaving. Contacted at his New York home, Mann, who does surveying work, explained he has an armor making shop in the basement. The pieces he makes are museum quality. Armor making is his hobby as well as side business. Medieval Interest Since Childhood Mr. Mann’s fascination with
all things medieval dates back to his childhood. When he was about 12 years old, like most children, he enjoyed seeing sword fighting and knights. His father took him and his brother to a community college where there was a credit free fencing course, he said. Then, while a student at Binghamton College in New York, he joined a fighting group that was associated with Cornell University. “November 4, 1983, was my first time in armor,” Mr. Mann recalled. He participated in heavy weapons combat at Cornell. Heavy weapons fighting entails using weapons made from wooden clubs while wearing steel armor, he said. At the Ventfort Hall Medieval Faire, Mr. Mann, whose background is Irish, will be known as “Geoffrey Fitz Galen.” Barony of Bergental A group of between 15 and 20 people associated with the Barony of Bergental chapter will be coming to the faire. Mr. Mann explained that overall umbrella organization of medieval living history is the Society of Creative Anachronism, (SCA) based in Milpitas, Ca. It is dedicated to researching and recreating the arts and skills of pre-17thcentury Europe, according to the organization’s Web site. However, the SCA is broken
If You Go What: Medieval Faire and Armored Tournament When: Sunday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Ventfort Hall, a mansion of the Gilded Age Museum, 104 Walker St., in Lenox What’s there: Armored combat displays; equestrian exhibitions; medieval arts and crafts; strolling troubadours; period costumes and tents; and food and demonstrations. Cost: Advance tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for young persons aged 7 to 17, and $7 for children aged 4 to 6. On the day of the event, adult tickets will be $22 and children ages 4 to 17 will be $12. up into several Kingdoms, one of which is the East Kingdom that includes Berkshire County. The East Kingdom also covers the Catskills and east to the ocean and Prince Edward Island and south as far as Delaware, Mr. Mann explained. “We had 200 people attend the faire the first year it was held,” he said, “and 400 the second year, hopefully, this year there will be as many or more people than last year.” Two Pittsfield members of the Barony of Bergental who will also be participating are Wayne Velsiz as “Eric Von Hemeor” and Albert Moledijk as “Alberic Maqi Droata,” Mr. Mann said. Mark Monette, group tour co-
ordinator at Ventfort Hall, agreed the upcoming medieval faire would be fun for everyone. “Last year’s faire was very successful,” he noted. “It’s a fun event for children and families.” “It’s a great event, it really is,” said Beverly Rainey, a Ventfort Hall staff member. ”It is our largest event of the year.” Another staff member, Lynn Block, also put her stamp of approval on the faire. “It’s so creative and it’s something different for families to do,” she said. “There’s food and the demonstrations are wonderful.”
October 6, 2011
CRANE from page 1 trees every day. “People are still outraged about these incinerators that burn trees for electricity,” said Ms. Sheehan, “they have worse air pollution than coal and don’t deserve our clean energy money.” During the rally, environmental groups including the Sierra Club and Mass Audubon handed the governor 5,000 petitions to limit ratepayer-funded incentives for biomass plants, bringing the total number of petitions to over 140,000. When asked about the rally, Mr. Sears said, “Some people who are in opposition just don’t understand the benefit [of the plant] and don’t understand how it will be beneficial to the towns [of Dalton and Pittsfield].” According to a letter sent to the Department of Energy Resources in October 2010, Sears wrote that the Pittsfield plant would produce 100 jobs and stated that, “the planned bio-fuel source is primarily clean wood and algae. The balance of bio-fuel not used for electrical generation will be used locally to displace fossil fuel in thermal applications including Crane.” “I wouldn’t hold your breath for the ‘algae’ part of the fuel,” said Matera. “This bio-fuel proposal is targeting wood from state owned public wildlife forests to help feed its daily wood demand of 400 dry tons per day, or 275,000 green tons of wood
The Berkshire Beacon
per year, which is about 70 percent as much wood as the entire annual timber harvest in Massachusetts, on private and public lands combined.”
“...the Pittsfield plant would produce 100 jobs and the planned bio-fuel source is primarily clean wood and algae.” —Stephen Sears in his letter sent to the Department of Energy Resources
Indeed, Sears wrote in the letter that although timber forests from state-owned land is not required for the plant, Massachusetts has a significant amount of Division of Fisheries and Wild-
life land where harvesting is beneficial and even helpful for their forest management practices. Biomass plants are part of the Patrick administrations’ plan to supply 15 percent of the state’s energy from renewable sources, and ratepayers are paying more on their electricity bills to subsidize these projects. Similar biomass plants are also being proposed in the towns of Greenfield, Springfield and Russell. “We feel scared,” said Wendy LaPointe, mother of two children whose home is located just 1,500 feet away from the proposed biomass plant in Greenfield. Accompanying her young daughter as she presented Governor Patrick’s aid with a signed petition LaPointe said, “I’m concerned for my family’s health, but I’m concerned for the state as well.”
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The Berkshire Beacon
October 6, 2011
Anair hired by Sweet Brook
African American composers to be highlighted
Kameron Spaulding Beacon Staff Writer
Susan Wicker Guerrero Beacon Staff Writer
WILLIAMSTOWN - Suzanne Anair has been named Administrator of Sweet Brook of Williamstown Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Anair returns to Sweet Brook after leading her previous facility, Springfield, Vt. Health and Rehabilitation, to a perfect, deficiencyfree survey by the Vermont Department of Health. Prior to her most recent position, Anair worked for 15 years at Sweet Brook in various roles, including two years as administrator from 2005-2007. “It is truly a thrill to be back at Sweet Brook, which has always enjoyed a stellar reputation for excellent care and customer service,” said Anair. “We have an outstanding team here at Sweet Brook and I look forward to inviting the community to learn more about the top-notch services that we provide.” In addition to earning a per-
Answers to Sept. 29 Puzzles:
fect, deficiency-free health department survey for 2011, Anair led Springfield Health and Rehabilitation to the Vermont Gold Star Employer award in 2010, and an American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living Bronze Quality Award in 2010. Sweet Brook of Williamstown and sister community, Sweetwood of Williamstown Retirement Living Community, provide a range of options and support for seniors on its Williamstown campus. “Suzanne is an incredible addition to our team at the Sweets,” said John Krol, executive director of Sweetwood of Williamstown Retirement Living Community. “Sweet Brook is truly the premier location for skilled nursing and rehabilitation in northern Berkshire County and beyond. As we move forward with renovations at Sweet Brook and Sweetwood, Suzanne brings the perfect combination of energy and experience to the role.”
Bend the Knotted Oak Chamber Music, a group of three musicians with Berkshire County ties, will present a concert featuring the music of African-American composers. The unique event will take place Oct. 30, at 3 p.m., at St. James Church in Chatham, N.Y. At the event, there will also be spoken words about biography, history, and music, scripted by Marion Hunter and art projections selected by Gary Gelfenbien, an art historian. Mrs. Hunter is married to Uel Wade, the BKO’s artistic director and pianist. “Since the Civil War, 150 years ago this year, some brilliant African American composers have been unleashed to make the most of their gifts, not just in jazz, and pop, but also in classical styles,” said Uel Wade. Uel Wade Scholarship He also started the Uel Wade Scholarship Fund which has given financial assistance to high school music students in Berkshire County, as well as students in several New York counties. Last year, a total of $8,500 was given in scholarships. At the upcoming concert in Chatham, the BKO will present a full program of works by some of those African-American musicians, featuring classical compositions, spirituals, jazz, and blues.
Seasoned Musicians In addition to Mr. Wade on piano, Joana A. Genova, a native of Bulgaria, and artist associate at Williams College, will play the violin. She is the principal second violin of the Berkshire Symphony Orchestra. Nathaniel Parke, principal cello, also with the Berkshire Symphony, and co-principal cello of the Berkshire Opera Orchestra, will also perform. The concert’s offerings range from “autistic/savant Blind Tom Wiggins’ idea of the Battle of Manassas to David Baker’s modernist boogie,” Mr. Wade explained. The repertoire will make use of Romantic, Classical, Baroque, and 10th to 21st century techniques. “In the case of this concert, it’s the unleashing and nourishing of African-American musical genius, and celebrating the influence of black culture on Western European classical music forms.,” Mr. Wade said. “It is great fun hearing these composers use, merge, and develop jazz, blues, and spiritual-folk idioms and mix them with classical, romantic, and modernist traditions.” Played Piano at Age 4 Years Mr. Wade’s first name, Uel, is a variation of the name Ulysses. A native of Los Angeles, he has been dedicated to music his entire life. He began playing the piano when he was just four years old.
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His father was an Orthodox Presbyterian minister who also served as a Navy chaplain during World War II. As a result, the family moved to more than 20 places before Mr. Wade graduated from high school. With his passion for music, Mr. Wade put himself through college, and even worked, at one time, as a milkman to help support himself. Unfortunately, his father disapproved of his choosing music as a career. Nonetheless, Mr. Wade pursued musical studies at Calvin College and studied toward a Master’s Degree at the University of Michigan. However, he left his college studies before completing his Master’s Degree in order to become music director for a bus and truck tour of the musical “Carousel.” Because of his own struggles to pursue musical studies, without any financial assistance, Mr. Wade started the Uel Wade Music Scholarship fund. It’s intended for students interested in studying music. Broadway Background Mr. Wade spent most of his career as musical director, conductor, arranger, and pianist for musicals on and off Broadway. His credits include “Evita,” “I Remember Mama,” and “West Side Story.” He also helped develop new musicals off Broadway such as “Love,” “No Way to Treat a Lady,” and “Portrait of Jennie.”
October 6, 2011
The Berkshire Beacon
Colonials are gone, but will baseball still be at Wahconah next summer? Bera Dunau Beacon Staff Writer
The Pittsfield Colonials are no more, but the same cannot be said for baseball in Pittsfield. The Can-Am league owners voted at the League’s annual meeting to revoke the Colonials charter. This was done because of the Colonials inability to refresh a $200,000 line of credit after new ownership for the club failed to materialize. There was talk about the Colonials being sold to an ownership group from Quebec, a move that would have helped the team recoup some of its financial losses, but that deal fell through. The 17 Colonials players who have had their contracts picked up again will be distributed to the other Can-Am League teams through a dispersal draft. The Colonials moved from Nashua N.H. to Pittsfield in 2010. In their two seasons in Pittsfield they made the Can-Am League playoffs both times. This strong performance on the field didn’t translate into a strong showing at the front gate, however, where the Colonials had the dubious distinction of having the lowest attendance figures in the Can-Am league during both of their seasons in Pittsfield. This resulted in the Colonials hemorrhaging money and, towards the end of the 2011 season, the other Can-Am League teams had to pick up some of the expenses of the financially struggling Colonials. Despite the demise of the Colonials, efforts are currently underway to bring baseball back to Wahconah Park in 2012. A group that includes Pittsfield Lawyer Richard Johansen is seeking to purchase the Old Orchard
Beach Raging Tide of the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) and bring them to Pittsfield. The New England Collegiate Baseball League is a collegiate summer league whose players consist of college baseball players who play during the summer to keep their baseball skills sharp. The league also serves as a showcase for professional scouts to see top college players in action, and many NECBL alumni have enjoyed successful careers in the major leagues, including closer Brian Wilson of the 2010 MLB World Series Champion San Francisco Giants. During his time in the NECBL, Wilson played for the Keene Swamp Bats of Keene. The NECBL already has a team in Berkshire County in the North Adams SteepleCats. The SteepleCats have been in North Adams since 2002 and have developed a loyal following. From 2005 to 2009 Pittsfield also had an NECBL team, the Pittsfield Dukes, which were renamed the Pittsfield American Defenders in 2009 when their owner helped form the same ownership group that would later bring the Colonials to Pittsfield. This ownership group sold the American Defenders to a group from Bristol Connecticut in 2010. The team is currently the Mystic Schooners and is based out of Mystic, Conn. Pittsfield Mayor James Ruberto has said that three groups have approached the city about bringing a summer collegiate baseball team to Pittsfield in 2012.
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Lenoxology moves forward Bodden and Hamilton present more information on local marketing plan and for the first time Lenoxology is given a real definition Bera Dunau Beacon Staff Writer
Employees of Bodden and Hamilton gave a presentation on the Lenoxology marketing campaign at Lenox Town Hall, allowing the people of Lenox to see just what they’d purchased for their money. Introduced by Lenox Select Board Chairman John McNinch and Economic Development Action Plan Steering Committee Chairman Scott Laugenour, the Bodden and Hamilton employees gave a professional and dynamic presentation. The presentation covered every aspect of the Lenoxology campaign, detailing how the campaign was created, previewing the soon to be launched Lenoxology website, and suggesting how businesses might be able to integrate themselves into and utilize the campaign. Perhaps most importantly, however, Lenoxology as a concept was firmly defined for all those present. “Lenoxology is a way of experiencing life at its most relaxing and stimulating, resulting in a deep refreshment of the spirit and feelings of being more alive. This unique experience can only be had with a visit to Lenox, in the heart of The Berkshires, with its incomparable mix of history, nature, art and hospitality,” said Hamilton Public Relations Director Michael Wichman. The presentation then went on to detail how Bodden and Hamilton had come up with the concept. Bodden and Hamilton explained that when they interviewed 67 Lenox residents and asked them what about Lenox made it special to them; they were able to divide 90 percent of theses responses into three broad categories – culture, town and nature.
“Lenoxology is a way of experiencing life at its most relaxing and stimulating, resulting in a deep refreshment of the spirit and feelings of being more alive. This unique experience can only be had with a visit to Lenox Massachusetts” —Micheal Wichman, PR Director for Hamilton These categories helped to inform Bodden and Hamilton’s creation of the Lenoxology campaign and contributed to the preliminary version of the website that was shown at the meeting. One of the key features of the website were five prominent sections, each devoted to the five senses – touch, smell, hearing, taste and sight. Each page showed how each of these senses could be satisfied in Lenox with artfully written text and beautiful pictures, as well a slideshow of Lenox businesses that could satiate the highlighted sense. An emphasis on the three categories could clearly be seen on these pages. Additionally, the Lenoxology website, www.discoverlenox.com, will feature a business directory, as well as the potential to be updated and modified to promote different events, such as the Apple Squeeze and the Lenox Caroling Festival. A similar treatment was given to the Lenoxology logo, which was shown in modified forms for different events and seasons. Much of the emphasis of the marketing campaign will focus on social media, such as facebook, youtube and twitter, to try to create a buzz around the town and the concept of Lenoxology, so that people will visit the Web-
site and stories will be written about the town in newspapers and magazines. Although there were some negative opinions of the plan, overall the discussion seemed positive and constructive. Some criticisms that the plan received was that it focused too much on upper class tourism, that it didn’t do enough to promote Lenox’s identity as a part of the Berkshires, that the font for the Lenoxology logo was too childish, and an uncertainness about how people would find the website. There was also a small group of people who disliked the concept of Lenoxology in its entirety, but they were a clear minority. The Economic Development Action Plan Steering Committee hosted the meeting in part to get public feedback on the website and the marketing plan. The EDAPSC will now meet to deliberate and make recommendations to Bodden and Hamilton on how the website can be improved, keeping in mind the suggestions and criticisms that were received at the public forum. The Lenoxology website is expected to be launched in a few weeks time. It will be owned entirely by the town of Lenox.
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The Berkshire Beacon
T H E
B E R K S H I R E
BEACON THE GUIDING LIGHT OF THE BERKSHIRES
George C. Jordan III EDITOR & PUBLISHER
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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 ©2011 The Berkshire Beacon. No portion may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.
View From the Tower The Beacon open government correspondence
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October 6, 2011
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Editorial:
Meetings must be open to the public With all the to do about the Fieldman Belvedere, the issue of “process and procedure” under the Commonwealth’s Open Meeting Law is being addressed. Lenox Town Manager Gregory T. Federspiel has addressed the issues in today’s From the View Column on this page. His opinion and conclusions do not support the fact that the Open Meeting law were violated on several fronts. -The Kennedy Park Commission failed to post an agenda noting a proposal for change in use of public land. -The Kennedy Park Commission failed to investigate or acknowledge that the Scenic Mountain Act may have had a “play” in whether the proposal was fitting or even allowed. -The fact that one of its members, Robert Akroyd, took an alleged $5,000 in payment to help orchestrate the commission of the belvedere is not addressed in this report. This issue reportedly has been filed by an unnamed person with the Massachusetts Ethic Commission. The commission has refused to identify the complainant. -That the selectmen downplayed at the very least its planned involvement in the process and procedure and later voted to support such an plan on public land without documents from the Lenox Conservation Commission, its own legal counsel and in the worst case scenario to notify the public-at-large that there was a plan being developed to honor a doctor by his father. They failed to file a public legal notice of their plan for change in public land, hold a hearing for abutters and the public-at-large and moved to a vote without any outside input. There was and is no excuse for the conduct of both members of the Kennedy Park Commission or the Selectmen. The Berkshire Beacon contacted the Attorney General’s office’s Division of Open Government to seek relief on the part of the citizens’ of Lenox and ask the attorney general to take whatever action deemed necessary to ensure that the Open Meeting Laws would never again be violated. Fortunately the attorney general office has taken over the work of the local district attorney office that was slow to review allegations of misconduct within the scope of the open meeting law or would only issue a letter or reprimand. Hopefully the attorney general will publicly reprimand the conduct of these individuals and issue individual letters or reprimand and fines where necessary and note that no longer will the public business be done behind closed doors.
In response to a complaint to the Massachusetts Attorney General regarding the failure of the Lenox Selectmen and its agents to follow the procedures of the Open Meeting Laws, Gregory T. Federspiel, town manager, issued a packet to George C. Jordan III, editor and publisher of The Berkshire Beacon denying the claim. In a letter date Sept. 27, Mr. Federspiel writes: “Sifting through the various requests for documents and suggestions you have for how boards and committees might best inform the public, ‘I find your fundamental fear is that the Kennedy Park Committee and the Selectmen violated the Open Meeting law in their approval process for the Kennedy Park Overlook project (the Fieldman Memorial) I think you will find that the record is clear that no such violations occurred.” Mr. Jordan claimed that the issue was not posted in town hall by either the selectmen or the Kennedy Park committee, nor was there any public notice printed in any area newspaper that there was to be a planned use on public land. “If the general public was not aware of the development, then how can either body claim they operated in the public view and in their best interest?” said Mr. Jordan, “What has occurred is that the both the committee and the selectmen operated out of camera and thus the complaint was filed with the attorney general’s office Division of Open Government.” “However on review of documents presented there was no posting of said meeting and agenda by either the Kennedy Park Committee or the Selectmen. Further there was no legal notice by either body that the subject was to be discussed or voted upon, Mr. Jordan said. Mr. Federspiel said: “The first time the overlook project came before a board was back in May of 2010. At a duly posted meeting (agenda attached) the Kennedy Park Committee brought up under new business a recent letter that had been sent to the chairman inquiring if the committee would entertain a proposal for an upgrade to the overlook and a memorial to Mr. Fieldman’s son.” Again, the only documented agenda of May 12, 2010 omits mention of a proposed Fieldman proposal on public land, Mr. Jordan notes. “The minutes of the meeting indicate the receiving of a letter under new business from Michael Fieldman, Mr. Jordan said. “(Mr. Robert) P. Coakley received a letter from Michael Feldman requesting permission to place a plaque in Kennedy Park for his son: the plaque suggested would read: ‘Jordan Fieldman, Nov 4 1965-June 1, 2004, Scholar Educator Physician’. “He also mentioned making a donation to Kennedy Park.
“Joseph Nolan (former selectman) brought up whether this sets up a precedent and opens up the Park to numerous plaques. “Without discussing this issue further we can’t commit ourselves to approving this request. This committee needs to discuss how to deal with requests such as this in the future.” This quote is attributed to Mr. Nolan. The first public notice of any proposal was an “Update on Michael Fieldman proposal” on the Kennedy Park Committee Meeting Oct. 13. 2010. At that meeting, according to the minutes were Mr. Coakley, Mr. Nolan, Terry P. Weaver, Luke Martin, Susan McNinch, Ruth H. Wheeler, Rob Akroyd and Town Manger Greg Federspiel. Under new business: Michael Feldman gave a presentation on his proposal for improvements and a memorial garden at the Aspinwall Hotel site (aka Picnic area). “Improvements include stainless steel brackets to stabilize the existing wall. The drawings are ready to go to bid. “Mr. Weaver made a motion to approve the plans and it passed unanimously.” Voting in favor on Mr. Weaver’s motion were Mr. Coakley, Mr. Nolan, Mr. Martin, Mrs. McNinch, Ms. Wheeler, Mr. Akroyd. Absent were Richard Houdek and Raymond Kirby. Mr. Feldman will give an informational presentation at the next Selectmen’s meeting on Oct 27 at 7 p.m. according to the minutes. At the selectmen’s meeting under general government, the Kennedy Park Project Presentations was cited. According to the minutes: “Michael Fieldman and Rob Akroyd appeared before the Board to discuss a project that Mr. Fieldman would like to build in memory of his son Jordan. “The project would consist of renovating the overlook area that served as the front yard of the former Aspinwall Hotel. There would be an elegant design complementing the prime purpose of the space - the views. “There would be a small memorial plaque and a granite walkway set flush with the ground for easy mowing. “The Kennedy Park Committee has given their whole hearted endorsement to the project. Work would be done this fall or next spring. A motion was made by Linda Procopio Messana and seconded by Dia Trancynger to approve of this project as presented. Also supporting the 4-0 vote were Ms. Kimberly Reopell Flynn, chairperson, and John McNinch. Kenneth Fowler Mr. Federspiel said: “I write to clear up any concerns you may have about open meeting law violations by the Kennedy Park Committee and the Board of Selectmen.”
October 6, 2011
The Berkshire Beacon
7
The British have come
Yo u r A rt
New Pittsfield store specializes in British food and other goods
Susan Wicker Guererro Beacon Staff Writer
PITTSFIELD – It’s a long way from Sheffield, England, to Pittsfield, but a brand new store at 80 North Street called Brits ‘R’ US, hopes to bridge the gap. Opened in September by Alan Greaves, an Englishman-turnedPittsfieldite, the new store offers a variety of food items from England, Ireland and Scotland. It will soon have jewelry and gift items from those countries, as well as English television DVDs. Located in the former Chapters Bookstore’s 900-squarefoot space, the store promises to offer all English and Irish and other European people living in the United States the food and TV they miss from home. There will also be plenty for Anglophiles, said Mr. Greaves, owner. Reaction from customers in the few weeks since Brits ‘R’ US’s opened has been “extraordinary,” he said. A jovial, spirited and very personable man, Mr. Greaves has wanted to open this kind of store for the past 10 years. He came to Pittsfield in 1999 after meeting a Pittsfield woman, Gloria Wrinn,
on the Internet. They corresponded, met, fell in love, and eventually married. He has children from a previous marriage and twin grandchildren. Since his move to the United States, Mr. Greaves became an American citizen. While acclimating to the American culture, he missed all the stuff he grew up with, he said. He especially missed English “bacon and sausage,” both of which he now carries in the store. English bacon, he said, has less fat than bacon found in a typical American supermarket and, “it’s nicely sliced.” Soon there will be frozen meat pies, a staple of the UK. An English couple in Buffalo makes the pies that will be sold in Brits ‘R’ US. There will be the well-known steak and kidney pie variety as well as steak and ale, meat and potato, beef and onion, and chicken tikka pies. “These flew off the shelves,” the owner said of the biscuits they stock. “We’ve gone through a full case.” The biscuits, or cookies, just taste different, he said. “Once people taste them, they love and want them.”
Anther English product in the store is English Luxury Clotted Cream. This is traditionally served on scones with a sweet jam, such as strawberry. Jillian Greaves, Mr. Greave’s mother, visiting from England, said in her country there is a law. It states that clotted cream must come from Cornwall or Devon; otherwise, it cannot be called English clotted cream. Brits “R” US also carries bags of mix for scones. The owner’s mother, speaking in a thick English accent, said she thinks her son is “very brave” to start a business venture. “Either brave or stupid,” Mr. Greaves said, letting out a big belly laugh. He quickly added, “Customers are going to drive the direction of this store.” Whatever people tell him they would like to see in the store, he will try to accommodate. So far, customers representing several countries have stopped in. They include England, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, and Vietnam, to name just a few. Then, some Anglophiles who used to work in England have come, too. The rest of the customers have just been the “curious ones,
Photo Credit / Susan Wicker Guererro
Alan Greaves, owner of Brits “R” US, says customers will determine the future direction of his new store at 80 North St. in Pittsfield.
Drawing Oct. 1, 8, & 15
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checking it out,” Mr. Greaves said. There are lots of different flavored canned puddings such as sticky toffee and strawberry jam as well as rice pudding, custard, and light molasses syrup for baking. Perusing the candy offerings can be quite intriguing. Mr. Greaves’ favorite is a dairy milk chocolate bar. Another has liquid that comes up through a licorice stick. “This is all the stuff I grew up with,” he said. He’s from Sheffield, the fourth largest city in England. The pop section has selections such as Ben Shaw Dandelion and Burdock, Lilt pineapple and grapefruit, and Tizer, a “great British pop.” A stocky man with light sandy colored hair and light colored eyes, Mr. Greaves is a staunch fan of the BBC’s Doctor Who, the Guinness record holder for longest-running sci-fi show. Broadcast from 1963-89, and 2005 to the present, the creative and imaginative show follows the travels through space and time of the Doctor. Mr. Greaves hopes to get DVDs of Doctor Who into the shop soon, and already carries large cardboard figures of Doctor Who characters,
all of which are for sale. “I want the stuff in here to be unique,” Mr. Greaves said. Like most Englishmen, the storeowner drinks English breakfast tea. He carries a specialized teapot in the store called the Original Staffordshire Brown Betty. A sign beneath one of the pots states it’s made in England, not China. Brown Betty pots are made from red terra cotta clay. It is said to retain heat better than any other clay. The pots are hand made by methods that date back to the 1700s. The Greaves family lives near Onota Lake, which makes Mr. Greave’s commute to the store quite easy. Right now, it’s open 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The first thing Mr. Greaves does when he starts his workday is put out flags, including the British flag, in front of the store. He takes them in at the end of the day. So, he said if the flags are flying, customers would know the store is open. If all goes well, there may even be a tearoom in the future, attached to Brits ‘R’ US. Such plans, however, depend entirely on how the new business evolves.
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The Berkshire Beacon
October 6, 2011
PARK from page 1
Photo Credit / Janel Harrison
There were animals and all kinds of events for children at the fall festival.
Berkshire Botanical joins the fall celebration Janel Harrison Beacon Staff Writer
Dishing up a multifaceted feast of sights from Atlantic Giant Pumpkins, a historic daylily collection, a puppet show by The GB Rudolph Steiner School to the sounds of David Grover, Frank Schaap, and Robert Bourdon, to delectable morsels and entrées to spice up your pallet was what one would find this weekend at the 77th Annual Harvest Festival at The Berkshire Botanical Garden. Proceeds for the event support its educational programs. Under grey skies, crowds strolled through the path of cloudy white tents, past garden fairies and a pirate selling raffle tickets. These vendors, from all over the county and beyond, set up their wares, demonstrating the sense of community we have here in the Berkshires, and the respect and admiration for our businesses. Mr. Robert Fair, of Canaan, N.Y., retired from human services work three-years ago and now loves life painting colorful intricately detailed displays of acrylic folk art. “I’ve got so many ideas in my head of what a picture should be,” he said. By his side his wife Betty shared his recent publica-
tion into Bits and Pieces, “The Source for Clever Puzzles and Intriguing gifts” at bitsandpieces.com. Next door was Ms. Caroline Stone of Pittsfield, owner of the business Kingdom, where abundant piles of brightly autumn colored fleece pumpkins and murals caught eyes. For several years one of her murals hung at the Pittsfield Berkshire Athenaeum and has just recently been acquired by The Christian Center. There was the lovely Mrs. Helen Pelletier of Worthington with her “Simply Elegant Quilts.” “I have been quilting for over 15 years,” she said, “ever since my son got married and my mother, daughter, daughter in-law and I got together to make him a quilt as a wedding gift.” Continuing on the path under rustic arbors was banjo playing Frank Schaap, and it was into the buzzing of the Farmers Market. Communications Manager of BBG Ms. Robin Parow stood with Billy Boy, the Donkey. “Where would we be without our farmers,” she said, She also added, “The festival is one of the longest running and largest events of its kind in the country.” Standing by the historic daylily collection was Director of Horticulture Ms. Dorthe Hviid.
“Over 200 cultivars are registered with the American Daylily Society,” she said. “From 1896-2002” Look out Charlie Brown because Peter’s Sweet’s Atlantic Giants are here and visitors could guess the weight of the “ginormous” pumpkin and win a bag of Great Pumpkin Seeds and a gift Basket from the BBG’s gift shop. And the lucky winner of the “Guess the Pumpkin’s Weight Contest” was Evan Love of Lenox. The great pumpkin weighed a whopping 1,107 pounds. Across the street was food, food and more food. People crowed around CC’s Sweet Potatoe Spiral Chips, where one could get a heaping plate of mouth-watering chips fried on site. The company is out of Rhode Island and this is their first booth at the festival. Children’s activities kept the little ones busy and having a great time. Among some were the Hay Jump, Friendly Farm Animals, a Haunted House, a Hay Maze, and “Hula Hooping for all” brought by Hooping Harmony. “The Berkshire Botanical Garden would not be what it is today without its 350 volunteers who return year after year,” said Ms. Sharon Hulett-Shepherd Membership manager and volunteer coordinator.
Belvedere was created in order to enhance the enjoyment of those visiting the overlook. Many in Lenox, however, feel that the belvedere is a private memorial in a public space that mars the overlook’s natural beauty. “I found whatever the committee came up with to be just confusing,” said Sonya Bykofsky, a representative of the anti Kennedy Park Belvedere group Citizens Advocacy for All. “Honestly I don’t even understand the proposal fully.” Ms. Bykofsky expressed dissatisfaction with the Kennedy Park Committee not wording its suggestions for altering the Belvedere more strongly. She was also disappointed that the Kennedy Park Committee didn’t take the opportunity to call for the relocation or removal of the entire Belvedere, especially when a number of committee members expressed the sentiment that the Belvedere was a far bigger project than what they thought they had signed off on. She characterized the committee’s decision to suggest leaving much of the Belvedere standing as “taking the easy way out.” Ms. Bykofsky said that Citizens Advocacy For All would ideally like to see all the granite removed from the Kennedy Park overlook. She also said that the group was in favor keeping the belvedere’s wrought iron fence, and keeping the plaque dedicated to Dr. Fieldman somewhere on the overlook, possibly affixed to the fence. “I think we owe it to Mr. Fieldman to honor his initial request
and give him the plaque,” said Ms. Bykosfky, referring to Michael Fieldman, Dr. Fieldman’s father, and his initial letter to the town, in which he requested permission to erect a plaque in honor of his late son. Ms. Bykosfsky also stated that while Citizens Advocacy for All still maintained hope that the Select Board would adequately address the Kennedy Park Belvedere controversy, Citizens Advocacy for All was seeking legal counsel to file an appeal in pursuant of Section 11.5 of the Scenic Mountain Act to have the Belvedere removed. Ms. Bykofsky and Citizens Advocacy for All maintain that the Kennedy Park Belvedere violates Lenox’s Scenic Mountain Act. “We’re just trying to preserve natural resource(s) here,” said Ms. Bykofsky. The Lenox Conservation Commission is currently reviewing a notice of intent by the town of Lenox to determine whether or not the Kennedy Park Belvedere violates the Scenic Mountain Act. This review will trigger a formal hearing process with notifications to abutters. The filing of the notice of intent was delayed because the Conservation Commission hadn’t yet created forms for filing the notice and the town needed to get the exact calculations from the contractor of the materials used to construct the Belvedere. “I actually filed it today, so we’re only one meeting away from what we targeted,” said Town Manager Gregory Federspiel on Tuesday, Oct. 4.
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BEACON THE GUIDING LIGHT OF THE BERKSHIRES
October 6, 2011
The Berkshire Beacon
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College Sports Report
Williams wins again WILLIAMSTOWN - Williams used a fast start scoring three goals in the first 20 minutes of the first half and cruised to a 4-0 victory over the Hamilton College Continentals on Tuesday. The Ephs quick start pleased head coach Michelyne Pinard who said after the game, “”we have not started very well in recent games so that was definitely a focus and goal of ours. We did a really good job of finding each other and finishing on our offensive third.” Scoring first for the Ephs at the 7:17 mark was Hayley Cook who got behind the Continental defense and put the ball past Melanie Miller to give the Ephs the 1-0 lead. The Ephs would strike again just 1:49 later when Cait Clark played the ball over the head of Hamilton’s center back to a streaking Brett Eisenhart who as able to loft the ball over Miller for the second goal of the afternoon. Clark and Eisenhart would connect again with 28:13 to play as Clark collected the ball on the right side of the field and found Eisenhart nicely positioned just outside the six-yard box. Eisenhart tactically played the ball into the low right corner of the net to bring the Ephs lead to three. With 34:10 to go in the second
half Hamilton would get their best opportunity to score but Eph midfielder Carla Nicasio stepped in front of an open goal to block a shot. Hamilton would keep the pressure up for much of the second half but the Ephs’ back line stood tall to help keep the Continental attack at bay. Williamstown native Sarah Brink would score her first career goal at the 87:59 mark of the contest when she took a feed from fellow first year Louisa Costa. Hannah Von Wetter finished with 3 saves, all coming in the second half, while her Continental counterpart, Melanie Miller, finished with five saves. While Pinard was pleased with her team’s effort she knows their best soccer is still ahead of them, “We have yet to put a full ninety minutes together, but I think we are ready to that and hopefully it will happen against Amherst this weekend.” The victory bring the Ephs record to 6-1-1 (3-0-1 in NESCAC) while the Continentals fall too 5-4 (3-3 in NESCAC). The Ephs will be back in action this Saturday when they welcome archrival Amherst to Williamstown.
After a surprise 2010-11 season MCLA looks to build again this year NORTH ADAMS - MCLA has released the 2011-12 Men’s Basketball schedule as the Trailblazers look to have a huge season. They are coming off a resurgent season that saw them go 17-10 season and were the second seed in the 2011 MASCAC conference tournament, this year they look to build on that. The Trailblazers face a daunting schedule in 2011-12; as they will face eight teams that made the post-season last year and potentially three others that didn’t qualify but won seventeen games or more. MCLA will play their home opener on November 15th versus Sage College who qualified for the East Region ECAC tournament last season. MCLA will then play their first of three tournaments November 18th and 19th when they travel to Endicott College (17-10) and face Suffolk University in the
first round of the Endicott Invitational. The Trailblazers will play two more perennial New England powers early when Keene State visits on November 22nd and neighboring Williams College visits on the 27th. Williams was the National Championship runner-up in 2010-11. The following weekend MCLA will try to defend its Tri-State Shootout title when it takes on RPI (17-8) in the opening round at Southern Vermont. December 9th MCLA will have an ECAC post-season tournament rematch as New England champion Brandies University comes to North Adams. The Trailblazers close out the semester with an Atlantic region ECAC tournament opponent as they travel to the Big Apple on December 13th to play New York University. The Trailblazers will spend the
holidays in Washington, D.C. partaking in the Catholic University Holiday Tournament. Catholic U. won 21 games last season and lost in the Mid-Atlantic ECAC finals. MCLA will open the second semester against Fisher College; the lone New England representative of the 2010-11 NAIA National Tournament. The Trailblazers will open the MASCAC portion of the schedule on January 10th at MASCAC regular season champ Salem State. MCLA will host league tournament champion Bridgewater State on January 25th and will clash with league rival Westfield State at Westfield on February 7th. MCLA will close out the regular season home schedule and hold senior day on February 11th versus Framingham State.
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The Berkshire Beacon
October 6, 2011
Community Calendar THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6TH FIRST THURSDAYS ARTIST DISCUSSION North Adams, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
For the fourth “First Thursdays Discussions” at the Historic Beaver Mill, a few candidates who have indicated a specific interest in exploring the best ways the city, via the council, can utilize the art community for mutual benefit, will discuss their ideas with artists and interested residents. We will meet in the first floor studio of Frog Lotus Yoga Studio. The Historic Beaver Mill is located next to Natural Bridge State Park, 189 Beaver Street, Route 8 N, 500 meters north of Route 2.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7TH PITTSFIELD CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL Pittsfield
The Pittsfield City Jazz Festival runs October 7-20th, 2011. October 7-9 is Jazz About Town, our annual jazz crawl with Venues throughout downtown Pittsfield.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8TH FREEING YOUR ART Lee, 1:15-4:15 pm
We will use a variety of techniques designed not only to provide you with access to your own limitless well of creativity, but also the means of expressing it. It’s a great way into abstraction, or a great way to develop your abstract vocabulary. The workshop will also help you strengthen all of your artwork by learning and incorporating principles of design. And most importantly, the class provides an opportunity for you to free yourself from your inner critic, learn to trust your intuition, and open yourself to inspiration. Great for the novice as well as the accomplished. Held at The Berkshire Visual and Performing Arts Center Spectrum Playhouse Community Center - 20 Franklin Street Lee.
DANCIN’ AT THE MANSION Lenox, 7:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Ventfort Hall, “Dancin’ at the Mansion” with The Kathryn Anderson Classic Jazz and Swing Combo. Dancing to American Songbook standards performed in the style of the big band era., 104 Walker St.
CRAFT FAIR AND BAZAAR Florida, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Friends of the Florida Senior Center have announced that their annual Craft Fair and Bazaar will be held on Saturday, ( Columbus Day Weekend), and local crafts people and artisans are invited to participate. The Florida Senior Center is located opposite the Florida Baptist Church on the Mohawk Trail, a 15 minute scenic ride from downtown North Adams.
matter ranges from theatre to politics, will be speaking at The Colonial Theatre, on Sunday, This event is sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. James W. Giddens and will be facilitated by WAMC’s Joe Donahue. Tickets are VIP: $100, A: $65, B: $45 and C: $15.
12TH ANNUAL SILENT AUCTION Sheffield, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Medieval chivalry and armored tournaments are not dead, but alive and thriving. Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum, 104 Walker Street, will host the third annual Medieval Faire at the historic JacobeanRevival mansion in Lenox on Sunday, The series of events will include exciting displays of armored combat every hour, equestrian demonstrations, medieval arts, crafts and clothing, strolling troubadours and musicians, and lectures on feudalism and medieval society.
12th Annual Silent Auction with hundreds of lots. Antiques, silver & glass, china & linens, Art, jewelry, house & garden, fabulous vacation week, Gift Certificates from Berkshire businesses, restaurants, cultural events & more. African Quilt raffle tickets with Quilt drawing at 2 pm. Christ Church Episcopal & Trinity Lutheran Church, 180 Main Street.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9TH CONCERT: JENNIFER KOH, VIOLIN Williamstown, 3 p.m.
Williams College, Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall Jennifer Koh is a violinist recognized for her intense, commanding performances. Her program of Bach sonatas is supplemented by a new work by Missy Mazzoli.
15TH ANNUAL AUTUMN IN AUSTERLITZ Sheffield, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Don’t miss the 15th Annual Autumn in Austerlitz Festival featuring volunteers dressed in early 1830’s costumes, quilt raffle, silent auction, early 19th century crafters and wares, antiques, live music, entertainment for children, vendors and a variety of hot and cold food, including homemade soup, bread and bake goods along with random T-shirt giveaways.
4TH ANNUAL GO, PDC, GO RACE Richmond, 9:30 a.m.
The annual 5-kilometer road race and fun run will be held at Camp Russell. Registration from 8:30-9:15; race begins at 9:30. Cash prizes, free T-shirt and goodie bags to first 100 runners. Raffle, massage therapist on site. Benefits the Pediatric Development Center.
FRANK RICH TO SPEAK AT THE COLONIAL THEATRE Pittsfield, 2 p.m.
Berkshire Theatre Group is proud to announce that Frank Rich, a prolific and influential writer who’s subject
3RD ANNUAL MEDIEVAL FAIRE Lenox, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
PUMPKIN FEST Monterey, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Family Event with fun activities for children: pumpkin decorating, face painting, science table, scavenger hunt, storytelling and more. Hosted by the Garden Angels and Ruth Green, Free. For more information: www. bidwellhousemuseum.org. 413-528-6888. Bidwell House Museum, 100 Art School Road.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10TH WEAVING WORKSHOP North Adams, 1- 3 p.m.
Richview Avenue, This is open to students in grade 3 or older & parents/adults. We will use my large 4 harness floor loom, a smaller 4 harness floor loom & a 4 harness table loom. I will also have out the weaving board and little plastic child’s loom. There is a limit of 10 participants.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19TH REGIONAL WINE DINNER SERIES Great Barrington
Fiori Restaurant (47 Railroad Street, Great Barrington, Mass. 01230) now presents a monthly Regional Wine Dinner series, featuring dishes paired with the wine that best compliment them. Each dinner includes a menu exclusive to the evening, offering food and wines from different regions of Italy. A $65 prezzo fisso menu that includes three dinner selections and a dessert are offered, with the option to upgrade wine selections for an additional $20.
If you have an event you would like listed in our calendar please email us at Calendar@berkshirebeacon.com!
October 6, 2011
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The Berkshire Beacon
October 6, 2011
October 6, 2011
The Berkshire Beacon
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The Berkshire Beacon
October 6, 2011
Craft Fair season is coming Kameron Spaulding Beacon Staff Writer
Photo Credit / Kameron Spaulding
The chocolate stout always pours with a great head.
A stout for dessert this winter Kameron Spaulding Beacon Staff Writer
Brooklyn Brewery is probably one of my favorite micro breweries, from Brooklyn, N.Y. The Brewery opened their doors in 1988 and have been pounding out instant classics ever since. Today, Brooklyn Brewery is known as one of the top 40 breweries in America. Their Black Chocolate Stout is without a doubt one of the beers that helped them climb that ladder. “We use three mashes to brew each batch of this beer, achieving a luscious deep dark flavor through a blend of specially roasted malts,” said head brewer Garrett Oliver. Oliver and the guys at Brooklyn Brewery hit it perfectly with this stout. When you pour this beer in to the glass, it instantly foams to a beautiful head with a rich dark coffee/chocolate color. When the head dissipates, the beer turns into a wonderful, dark stout full of flavor, with strong notes of chocolate it. Hops are vague amongst the roasted barley bitterness, some
sweetness prevails with a fruitiness attached of prunes. Roasted and chocolate flavors linger just about forever. Along with those notes of chocolate you get a hint of alcohol as an after taste, which is expected with a beer that is 10.1 percent APV. This one is a winter beer and will be on all the shelves soon. The 2011 vintage is expected to fit perfectly in line with the great beers of the last few classes. The stout is good right from the package store but can develop even more if you have a cool and dark place to let it bottle age for a few years. This beer is what I always call a dessert beer, thats right I said it beer for dessert. It pairs very well with any chocolate dessert, tarts or ice cream. Those sweets really tend to bring out the robust nature of the beer. Overall, I give this beer a B plus, but its a big boy beer so drink with caution. Next week we get real local with a full recap of a tour of Barrington Brewery and a few reviews of some of their beers.
GREAT BARRINGTON – A pair of wool mittens, a cup of hot cider, a piece of double chocolate cake, the scent of warm beeswax candles, the sounds of acclaimed local musicians, and the purchase of one of a kind holiday gifts, are all part of the fun at the Steiner School’s annual Holiday Handcraft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. While grown-ups peruse an array of handcrafted items for purchase, children can dip beeswax candles, and enjoy games, puppet shows and home-baked goodies. The pocket lady, her dozens of pockets filled with treasures, is a perennial favorite with young fair-goers, as is the Little People’s Shop, for children only, where the youngest shoppers may find treasures for themselves or for holiday giving – at prices ranging from a quarter to a few dollars. A $1 raffle ticket might win two weeks at summer camp, a beautiful necklace, relaxing massage, gift-basket of seasonal vegetables, or other exciting items. Hand knitted wool sweaters and hats, hand made toys, pottery, fine jewelry, wooden crafts, and blown glass are just a few of
STATE from page 1 lawmakers from going to work for a casino operator for five years after leaving the Legislature. The reaction elicited by Eldridge’s proposal, however, begged the question of whether lawmakers were finally being forced to confront the ghost-of-speakers-past. “We’re creating a presumption here that the people in this body cannot operate with integrity and I find it alarming in a number of important respects,” said Sen. Gale Candaras. In the wake of Salvatore DiMasi’s conviction, many lawmakers were eager to lump the former speaker in with other notable black marks on the body. With the exception of maybe Dianne Wilkerson, it was easy to brush off the transgressions of
Photo Credit / Kameron Spaulding
Craft fair season is about to begin in The Berkshires. the crafts that will be for sale and auction at the Fair. A beautiful hand made doll will go home with the lucky child who guesses her name. History of the Fair Forty years ago the Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School opened in a converted red barn adjacent to Pumpkin Hollow Road, and one year later the first Holiday Handcraft Fair was held. In those early days, the Fair, like the school, was in one room. The first Fair raised $300 to benefit the young school. Since then the school has grown, and the Fair has grown along with it. Now the day-long event fills a whole school building and raises over $30,000. “The traditions of quality hand crafting, and old fashioned fun, however, have not changed a bit,” according to Leslie Bizzalion, Anthony Galluccio or James Marzilli as isolated cases of a senator’s personal life gone awry. “This is an economic development bill for the people of the commonwealth of Massachusetts. It should not be an economic development bill for legislators,” Eldridge said. Senate Ways and Means Chairman Stephen Brewer did little to hide his disdain for the not-sosubtle subtext of Eldridge’s amendment, and it did not go unmentioned that lawmakers routinely spin through the revolving door to the private sector without similar prohibitions on joining the health care, bio-tech, or clean energy sectors. “To have an implication that we are not people of intelligence and compassion and commitment troubles me dearly and ought to trouble each and every
Fair Chair and mom of four students. Parents, grandparents, teachers, staff and friends of the school always organize the fair. One hundred percent of the school community participates in the fair in some way. The Fair reflects the roles that the visual arts and handwork play in the Waldorf curriculum. From first grade on, all students are taught to draw and paint, knit and sew. Later, in woodcarving classes, students learn to use hand tools to make carved utensils, musical instruments and toys. By developing coordination and skills and a respect for the processes involved in making everyday objects as well as art, children learn to appreciate the value of human effort and the beauty of natural materials and handmade things.
one of you. We will support this amendment but I reject and I resent the implications of the gentleman who just spoke,” Brewer said. Senate Democrats emerged from Murray’s conclave – one she later explained she called not because debate had grown contentious, but because it turned personal – with a “compromise” amendment allowing for a oneyear cooling-off period. Embraced by the Senate without further debate, the provision instantly leaped to the top of the list of concessions to gambling opponents ripe for the squashing when the bill inevitably heads to conference committee with the House. “We’re one big happy family – an Irish family,” mused one veteran Senate aide after the testy debate.
October 6, 2011
The Berkshire Beacon
Tucker and Dale doesn’t disappoint, but it doesn’t shine either Bera Dunau Beacon Staff Writer
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil is an independent horror comedy that benefits from strong acting and an incisive premise. Having enjoyed a run on the festival circuit, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil is now in limited release at select theatres. It is also available on iTunes. Tucker and Dale vs. Evil takes the horror movie trope of murderous hillbillies and turns it on its head. Tucker and Dale are a pair of rural, working class guys heading up to Tucker’s newly bought West Virginia vacation home to fix the place up and go fishing. Along the way, they cross paths with a group of college students, who are creeped out by Tucker and Dale’s appearance, a situation that is only exacerbated by Dale’s lack of social skills. Things take a turn for the worse, however, when Alice, one of the college girls, slips and hits her head on a rock while swimming. Tucker and Dale rescue Alice and take her back to their cabin to recover but her friends are convinced that she has been kidnapped. Tucker and Dale vs. Evil is able to generate quite a bit of comedic
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fodder simply by taking on the evil redneck stereotype. The mockery and demonization that rural people, particularly those from Appalachia and the South, face in movies is still disturbingly blatant. From the critically acclaimed classic Deliverance, to the upcoming remake of Straw Dogs, working-class rural people are routinely portrayed as stupid, dirty, backwards and vindictive. Tucker and Dale vs. Evil derives some of its best laughs by pointing out the discrepancy between this fantasy and reality. Rather than murderous psychopaths, Tucker and Dale are kind and decent human being. And while Tucker and Dale do have their stupid moments, Dale is actually a very bright individual, and the jokes made at their expense are never done so in bad faith. Tucker and Dale vs. Evil wouldn’t be as funny as it is, however, without the fine performances of its two leads. Alan Tudyk, best known for his role as Wash on the television show Firefly, is hilarious in the role of Tucker, and his comedic skills and timing are truly impressive. That being said, it is Tyler Labine’s performance in the role of Dale that truly steals the show.
Labine manages to play Dale as both awkward and charming, a character who can be incredibly thick, yet is also very intelligent. Playing a character with contradictory qualities is a difficult thing, and often the complex elements of such a character can seem artificial and tacked on. Labine manages to portray Dale in such a way, however, that we can both see how he would freak out the college students at the beginning of the movie, and be a legitimate romantic lead by its end. If there is one complaint that I have about Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, it is that it doesn’t go far enough. Tucker and Dale vs. Evil gets a lot of mileage from calling out an unfortunate stereotype that has plagued American movies for too long. However, it doesn’t go nearly far enough. In the movie, there actually are murderous rednecks, and the massacre they perpetrated plays a signifigant role in the plot. Still, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil is a funny and charming film, and well worth your time. If you want to see an innovative, well-acted horror comedy, that flips the script on tired cinematic conventions, you should definitely take a look.
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Girl-2-Girl Bridesmaids Janel Harrison Beacon Staff Writer
Have you just been asked the question? You know, the one that brings an unexpected tear, because your good friend has asked you to stand by her at one of her best days. Well, roll out the carpet for the Maid of Honor and bride’s maids, because it’s our job to see to it that our beautiful bride’s special day is as wonderful, spectacular and memorable as it can be, and that she is well supported. That’s right, with power comes great responsibility. Therefore just give yourself a pat on the back girls because you have just entered into another dimension; the “this is a wonderful thing” combined with the “oh no, now what?” dimension. As I mentioned in a previous column, one of our best friends is getting married in May, and we are ecstatic to see her happy and ready to journey down the aisle. In our case the “oh no, now what” really has nothing to do with our bride. No Bridezilla here! But we may have on our hands a tiny bit of a Bridesmaid Kong. Does that sound right? Bridesmaids talk amongst themselves and sometimes, one of us slips up and relays information the other may not want to hear, and it’s war girls, right? I say figuratively speaking in our heads. Recently our Maid of Honor put out an e-mail “Bridesmaids only,” everyone has something to say, great right? We’re all involved! And some more than others, but that’s to be expected with different lifestyles and schedules. Here’s the thing—what is being said in this thread that could potentially hurt our friend by stressing her out is somehow leaking back to her. We can’t stress enough that we would like this thread to be for bridesmaid’s eyes only. So if your dress doesn’t fit, the color is wrong, it looks baggy or you feel like a Jimmy Dean sausage in it, don’t tell the bride! She has enough to worry about. Talk it out with the maids and we will help you to fix it, come up with a solution, after all we’re all in this together. And always remember,
it’s not about you. It’s a great honor you have been given, so whether it’s a gorgeous dress or a total meringue, smile and wear it proudly. The well-known Mrs. Emily Post attended finishing school and became an American author famous for writing on etiquette. She was born in 1872 and lived until 1960. Still today her words are highly received. The following are her lists of your responsibilities. Go proudly! Maid or Matron of Honor: • Helps the bride select the bridesmaids’ attire. • Organizes the bridesmaids’ gift to the bride. • Makes sure bridesmaids have their attire. • Holds the groom’s wedding ring and the bride’s bouquet during the ceremony. • Witnesses the signing of the marriage certificate. • Stands in the receiving line, if there is one. • Helps the bride during the reception (gathering guests for the cake cutting, dancing, the bouquet toss). • Helps the bride change into her going-away clothes, and takes care of the bride’s wedding dress and accessories after the reception. Nice, but optional: • Assists in hosting or organizing a pre-wedding party, if the bridesmaids decide to have one. Bridesmaids: • Attend the bridesmaids’ luncheon, if there is one. • Supervise flower girl(s) and ring bearer(s) if asked. • Assist the bride at the reception as requested. • Participate in activities such as a receiving line and a bouquet toss. • Contribute to the bridesmaids’ gift to the bride. • Host a shower, bridesmaids’ luncheon, bachelorette, or other pre-wedding party or get-together. In closing, becoming a fabulous bridesmaid takes more than just a pretty dress. It takes grace and your friendship to a sky-high new level. With good intentions for all, and savoir-faire, you’re sure to make it the happiest day ever for your friend. Ciao Bella
16
The Berkshire Beacon
October 6, 2011
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something about to happen, rather than something that’s waning. So the Greylock Ramble is well timed. The Town of Adams welcomes all on Oct. 10 to climb southern New England’s highest peak. Hundreds will. Buses depart from downtown to the Cheshire Harbor trailhead. In addition, your chief recommends Old Cheshire Rd., which follows the west side of Cheshire Reservoir (as opposed to Rte. 8, which follows the east side). The oranges and yellows have struck some big, old maples along there. Plus, you also get to pass Lakeview Orchard’s pick-your-own apple trees, lined up like 18th century soldiers. Take Summer St. off Rte. 7 in Lanesborough. If you are looking to enjoy the foliage at one of the Berkshires Gilded Age Cottages then be sure to attend the 3rd Annual Medieval Faire atVentfort Hall in Lenox on Oct. 9. Not only will it offer you a spectacular foliage view but you can enjoy medieval equestrian demonstrations, crafts, food and more. Rte. 7 passing over Brodie Mountain in New Ashford shows good color, especially on the western side. Once in Williamstown, take a gander into the Hopper on Mt. Greylock from in front of the high school (on Rte. 7) and at the large maples along Main Street in front of the Williams Inn and down West Main St. For your safety, remember to pull over to the side of the road. No peeping while driving.