Yankee Shopper by Hersam Acorn

Yankee

www.yankeeshopperonline.com

Shopper

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Guide to the Inside Crossword.................Page 8 Horoscope ................Page 6 Business & Services ..Page 12

Classiﬁeds .................Page 2 Real Estate ..............Page 13 Auto .........................Page 14

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Editorial Deadline: 20th at noon the month before publication.

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Classiﬁed Deadline: Wednesday, January 20, 2010

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Display Deadline: Wednesday, January 20, 2010

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Manager’s Memo It has been ten months since we suspended our two publications, Yankee Shopper and the Berkshire Penny Saver. The response to revive these publications has been overwhelming, so we decided now was the right time to do just that. We are very excited to introduce our premier issue of the Yankee Shopper and the Berkshire Penny Saver combined in to one great publication. We will be publishing monthly, the

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Renee Tassone, General Manager Linda Devlin, Circulation Manager Carrie Devlin, Advertising Sales Sheryl Gibson, Advertising Sales Sarah Masiero, Advertising Sales Melissa Miller, Art Director Mary A. Garcia, Artist Jen Hathaway, Artist Chris Sobolowski, Artist ■

Editorial Deadline*: 20th of month prior Classiﬁed Deadline*: 20th of month prior Display Deadline*: 20th of month prior *Deadlines will change due to Holidays. See special deadline notices published before major holidays. ■

Submission Guidelines: Those wishing to submit event listings or editorial content may email yankee@hersamacornma.com.

first week of every month with a deadline of the 20th the month prior. We will be distributing 10,000 copies from North Adams to the Connecticut line. You can also check us out on line at www.yankeeshopperonline.com and www.berkshirepennysaver.com. Place classified ads, order subscriptions or read current issues. We also want to thank all of our advertisers and readers who have waited patiently to see these publications return. We continue to publish our two Vermont papers, the TriState Pennysaver News (which we recently extended our reach to Lee) and the Vermont News Guide, along with all of our specialty magazines that we distribute in Massachusetts, New York and Vermont. We hope you enjoy this publication. As always we encourage your feedback. Feel free to send us your press releases to yankee@hersamacornvt.com or berkshire@hersamacornvt. com. We all would like to wish you wonderful, safe and happy Holidays. Renee Tassone, General Manager

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Notice: The Yankee Shopper will not knowingly accept or publish advertising which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. The publisher reserves the sole right to edit, revise, or reject any and all advertising, with or without cause being assigned, which in the publisher’s judgement is contrary to the interests of this publication. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. ©2008, Hersam Acorn Newspapers. All contents of the Yankee Shopper are copyrighted, and any reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Martin Hersam, Chief Operating Ofﬁcer Thomas B. Nash, Publisher

Yankee Shopper

December 23, 2009

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Yankee Shopper

Holiday Greetings ��

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December 23, 2009

Holiday Greetings ��

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Lanesboro Junction Talented Crafters Fill Shop

– Mary Ann White

Lanesboro Junction is a great stopping place on Rte 7 in Lanesboro. The shop is filled with some of the most beautiful and creative crafts that I have ever seen. These are all made in the Berkshires by some really talented folks who love quilting, making furniture, restoring furniture, painting, jewelry, knitting, crocheting, doll-making, and so much more including Sweet Paws, homemade doggy treats made by a young girl who is working her way through college. Christine Larrow, one of the first employees of BRTA (Berkshire

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Regional Transit Authority) runs the business that has been at its present site for two years with another 11 years in the basement at Allendale in Pittsfield. Thomas Delphia, Christine’s brother, owns the business and also American Garage Door that has its showroom in the same building. The building was built in the 1800’s and served as a wheelwright shop. Eight years ago Tom purchased the building, and in his spare time restored it, taking approximately six years. In 2007, with the help of many, many local crafters who wanted and needed – Mary Ann White Lanesboro Junction is a great stopping place on Rte 7 in Lanesboro. The shop is filled with some of the most beautiful and creative crafts that I have ever seen. These are all made in the Berkshires by some really talented folks who love quilting, making furniture, restoring furniture, painting, jewelry, knitting, crocheting, doll-making, and so much more including Sweet Paws, homemade doggy treats made by a young girl who is working her way through college. Christine Larrow, one of the first employees of BRTA (Berkshire Regional Transit Authority) runs the business that has been at its present site for two years with another 11 years in the basement at Allendale in Pittsfield. Thomas Delphia, Christine’s brother, owns the business and also American Garage Door that has its showroom in the same building. The building was built in the 1800’s and served as a wheelwright shop. Eight years ago Tom purchased the building, and in his spare time continued on page 7

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December 23, 2009

Lanesboro Junction

Talented Crafters Fill Shop continued from page 6

restored it, taking approximately six years. In 2007, with the help of many, many local crafters who wanted and needed a place to display and sell their products, Christine opened. She is now taking in consignments from around 100 crafters. These folks know that it is not so much about the money, it is more of a hobby especially with wholesalers being able to offer lower prices. Christine said that people visiting nearby Jiminy Peak stop in from all over the world totally in awe of the talent of local artisans. Her philosophy was that if they built it, they (the crafters) would come, and sure enough they have, ranging in age from 17 to elderly, male and female, and even locals who have moved out of state who package up their crafts and ship it to Christine. Christine said that her biggest joy has been in meeting the people who stop in and the many crafters who have become her family. She said that it is a lot of work, but she has many helpers who assist with set-up and fill in at the shop when needed. She expressed great appreciation to

her brother Tom, who has allowed her the space to do something that she loves, while still being able to help him with his business. Located at 1 North Main Street, Lanesboro Junction is open from Monday through Saturday from 10-4 and is closed on Sunday. There are far too many items to list that are for sale there, so it is well worth the trip and time to stop in and see what is available.

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Yankee Shopper

From my Corner — by Susan J. Coons

...are you awake?... Do you find it difficult to go back to sleep after you wake up in the middle of the night? Do you look at the clock? Looking at the clock is a big mistake for me, because then I think well, I have two more hours to sleep before I have to get up. I’ll lie there with my eyes closed trying to get comfortable. Sometimes my ear gets bent funny and I have to adjust it. I try deep breathing. I try to imagine my body completely relaxed. Sometimes I don’t know what to do with my arms. I can’t seem to get comfortable. Nothing works.

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And what crazy one-liners are running through my brain to keep me keyed up and wide awake? Seeing something I want to paint, thinking about the specifications of a wall I want to put up in the kitchen, the color scheme in my bedroom, a new pellet stove for the kitchen, selling my ventless gas stove, needing a front end realignment on the car, the muffler and the tires (I look at the clock and see that there are now only 1-1/2 hours left to try to get some sleep), my dog’s separation anxiety, gotta remember to bring a recipe to Donna, Jill chasing the cat, poor Jack, Thanksgiving, the menu, remember to call Norma early enough, early deadlines (a look at the clock tells me that now I only have an hour to try to take a nap), TV taping, what I will write for the week, have to finish painting a swanky bowl, and more and more silly stuff to think about. As if this isn’t enough, last night when I finally went to sleep after lying awake so long, I dreamed I was lying awake trying to sleep! Isn’t that the craziest thing? Are you familiar with Madeline Kahn singing “I’m tired, so tired...” in the movie, “Blazing Saddles”? That’s my song this week.

Yankee Shopper

December 23, 2009

Unearthing the Origins of the Christmas Tree

From Christmas stockings and mistletoe to smiling Santas and burning yule logs, the symbols of the season are so powerful that people seldom stop to think about their origins. But one of the most common symbols of

Christmas --at least in the United States and Canada -- is the twinkling Christmas tree, which is often depicted with piles of shiny gifts under its bottom branches. While most of us take these kinds of holiday images for grant-

ed, many of us aren’t sure where the traditions started or how they became associated with Christmas. Whether you’ve always wondered about the origins of the Christmas tree or are simply in need of some seasonal small talk for this year’s holiday parties, the following should add some insight into the origins of this popular holiday tradition. A Growing Tradition

Christmas tree has become one of the foremost symbols of the holiday season. But the origin of the beloved holiday evergreen has been debated for centuries, with some historians asserting that it has Christian roots and others contending that its roots are pagan. However, many explanations trace the custom of having a decorated evergreen tree inside the home to 16th century Germany, while others go back 300 years earlier to a tradition that began with the Miracle Plays sponsored by local churches. While its specific origin is unclear, we do know that the Christmas tree tradition spread first across Europe and then throughout the world. In the U.S., Christmas trees were first seen in communities with prominent German populations in the late continued on page 11

In the U.S. and Canada, the

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Weekly Events Monday • 9:30 a.m. - Caregiver support group, for those who provide care to a loved one, sponsored by the Lee Regional Visiting Nurse Association, Inc. Phone: 413-2431212 Lee Regional VNA Offices, 32 Park Street, Lee. • 6p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Knitting/ Crochet North Adams Public Library, 74 Church St., North Adams. For information phone 413-662-3133 or visit www.naplibrary.com. Tuesday • 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Blood Pressure Clinic: Blood pressure and health counseling sponsored by the Lee Regional Visiting Nurse Association, Inc. and the Becket Board of Health, at the Becket Town Hall. Information: 413-243-1212 • 9:30 a.m. - Toddler Time. For

one to two-and-a-half years. North Adams Public Library, 74 Church St., North Adams. For information phone 413-662-3133 or visit www.naplibrary. com. Wednesday • 9 to10 a.m. - Blood pressure and health counseling sponsored by the Lee Regional Visiting Nurse Association, Inc. and the Lee Board of Health. Phone: 413-243-1212. Lee Regional VNA offices, 32 Park Street, Lee. • 10 a.m. - Preschool Story Time. North Adams Public Library, 74 Church St., North Adams. For information phone 413-662-3133 or visit www.naplibrary.com. • 11 a.m. - 12. - Blood Pressure Clinic: Blood pressure and health counseling sponsored by the Lee Regional Visiting Nurse Association, Inc. and the Chester Board of Health,

at the Chester Town Hall, Chester, MA. Information: 413-243-1212 • 6:30 p.m. - Bingo - Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #310 located at 515 Curran Highway in North Adams. 413-664-9043. • 6:30 p.m. - Bingo - NonSmoking - Refreshments Available - Progressive Jackpots. Info: 413-4437135 - ITAM Lodge #564, 22 Waubeek Road, Pittsfield. Friday • 4:30 p.m. - Bingo - with food, Speedball, Horserace and Bingo Nut 2 Tickets. Weekly progressive game prize of $1,199, plus weekly door prize. St. Mary’s School, 115 Orchard St., Lee. • 6:30 p.m. – Bingo every Friday. Doors open at 4:30, games begin at 6:30. St. Mary’s School, 115 Orchard Street, Lee. 413-243-1079.

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Yankee Shopper

December 23, 2009

Unearthing the Origins of the Christmas Tree

continued from page 9

18th and early 19th century. Two communities in particular -- Windsor Locks, Connecticut and Easton, Pennsylvania -- lay claim to being the “birthplace” of the American Christmas tree tradition. Throughout the world, Christmas trees are a symbol of the continuation of life through the dark, cold months of winter and are linked both to the winter solstice and the belief that the birth of Jesus brought light into the world. In many parts of the world, Christmas trees have long been set up and taken down according to the calendar. Traditionally, they were brought into the house on Christmas Eve and removed the day after Twelfth Night (January 6th), and varying from these dates was considered bad luck. Red + Green = Christmas While the colors green and red are now synonymous with Christmas, the association of these colors with the holiday originally had nothing to do with Santa, elves or even mistle-

toe. Like so much holiday lore, the origins of the red-and-green Christmas theme have long been debated, but the explanation that appears to be most deeply rooted in fact begins in 14th century Europe, when Adam and Eve’s Day was celebrated each year on December 24th. At that time, churches presented dramatic performances --called Miracle Plays -- that were intended to teach religious topics to a largely illiterate population. For Adam and Eve’s Day, people gathered to watch the “Paradise Play,” which presented the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Since no apple trees were available in the middle of winter to represent the Tree of Good and Evil on stage, a pine tree with apples tied to its branches was used instead. The use of a “makeshift” apple tree worked so well that many churches adopted its use. The “Paradise Tree” eventually became so popular in Germany that people started to erect evergreen trees in their homes and decorate them with red apples. Over time, the green of the trees and the red of the apples became

widely associated with the celebration of Christmas. Light Up the Holiday Before the invention of the light bulb, families in many parts of the world brought light into their homes during the cold holiday season by placing candles in their Christmas trees. While this custom was extremely dangerous and caused many fires, it

wasn’t until the early 20th century that most people had access to electric Christmas tree lights. Edward H. Johnson, a friend and business partner of Thomas Edison, was the first to string together lights for the purpose of decorating a Christmas tree in 1882. However, Christmas light kits were not available until 1903 and, until then, only very wealthy families could afford to light up their trees.

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Yankee Shopper

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