Our BerkshireTimes Magazine, Oct-Nov 2014

Oct-Nov 2014, vol 16 (27)

Take One, It's Free!

Our BerkshireTimes

™

Local Events | Art & Culture | Home & Garden | Vibrant Living Real Estate & Professionals  Get Ready for the Holidays!

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Community matters.

Buy local food.

42 Bridge Street, Great Barrington 413.528.9697 www.berkshire.coop

FOOD SHOPPING WITH VALUE(s)

October - November 2014

Our BerkshireTimes™ PUBLISHERS Kathy I. Regan publisher@ourberkshiretimes.com Kevin J. Regan kevin@ourberkshiretimes.com _______________ EDITORIAL Kathy I. Regan editor@ourberkshiretimes.com Rodelinde Albrecht rodelinde@ourberkshiretimes.com Copyeditor/Proofreader Rodelinde Albrecht _______________ DESIGN Magazine Design/Layout Kathy I. Regan Ads–Independent Designers Katharine Adams, Rural Ethic Studio katmail@ruralethicstudio.com Christine Dupre cedupre@msn.com Elisa Jones, Berkshire Design Studio elisa@berkshiredesignstudio.com _______________

Contents 4

EVENT SAMPLER

6

COVER ILLUSTRATION

Pumpkin and Wolf Pine

Photo by Antonia Small

by Ann Getsinger, Artist

Ann has been creatively working in the Berkshires for decades – painting, drawing, and sculpting. Her home and studio is in New Marlborough, MA, but she also has a strong connection to the coast of Maine. Using a “stream of consciousness” process, her work takes a narrative form, leaving space for the unconscious and the conscious to unfold in surprising ways. Her work is widely collected.

Visit www.anngetsinger.com.

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get ready for the holidays BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

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food & drink

health & wellness LIVING WELL WITH LYME, PART 2 - HEALING BODY, MIND & SPIRIT - LYME SUCCESS STORIES

home & garden AUTUMN'S MAGIC

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animal talk PET AWARENESS EVENTS

ROASTED PORK & KUMQUATS

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education & workshops GREEN EDUCATION

LEGENDARY LOCALS

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real estate & professionals HOUSE PROUD BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

featured advertisers

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

Our BerkshireTimes™ The Voice of Our Community! Like Us On

Savings! Go to:

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

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art, culture & entertainment

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com/coupons to find advertisers who are offering additional online coupons and deals with fantastic savings! Join our mailing list to receive our informative eNewsletter and coupons directly.

Our BerkshireTimes magazine is a bimonthly publication (six issues yearly, starting in February), free to the public, and is enjoyed by community members and visitors alike. Most of our editorial content is contributed by our readers. We welcome your ideas, articles, and feedback, and encourage you to submit original material for consideration through our website. To find out more about advertising, submitting editorial, and posting events on our free community calendar, see our websites at left, and join our mailing list to receive our free monthly eNewsletter.

This month�s cover illustration, Pumpkin and Wolf Pine, by Ann Getsinger, is a 40" x 32" oil on linen. Signed, limited edition prints of the painting are available. Contact the artist through her website at left for more information.

All content in Our BerkshireTimes ™ is accepted in good faith. We do not necessarily advocate and cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by our authors, illustrators, and advertisers. We reserve the right to refuse advertising for any reason. For printing errors of the publisher's responsibility, liability is limited to the cost of the ad space in which it first appeared. Unless otherwise noted, we use a Creative Commons License in place of a standard copyright.

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legendary locals LOCAL AUTHOR CELEBRATES NOTABLE RESIDENTS USING SPECTACULAR, VINTAGE IMAGES

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new local history book reveals the intriguing characters and accomplished citizens who have made the Southern Berkshires such a remarkable place. Legendary Locals of the Southern Berkshires shares the stories of unique individuals, past and present, who have had a lasting impact on the community, the nation, and the world. Vintage images coupled with stories and anecdotes researched by local author Gary Leveille provide a fascinating history of the area.

“Southern Berkshire County is a magical place,” said Leveille. “The special synergy that exists here between people and place has inspired remarkable residents for centuries.”

~ HOURS ~ 9 am to 6 pm Tuesday - Friday 9 am to 4 pm Saturday Closed Sunday - Monday

15 Main Street, Lee, MA 413-243-0508 www.zabains.com

What exactly are “the Southern Berkshires” as defined in Legendary Locals? Leveille explained that nowadays school districts are often used as boundary markers because citizens are linked, socially and financially, by these districts. So the geographic scope of the book includes towns within the Southern Berkshire Regional School District, Berkshire Hills Regional School District, and Farmington River Regional School District. Fascinating folks from Great Barrington, Stockbridge, West Stockbridge, Sheffield, Alford, Egremont, Mt. Washington, Monterey, New Marlboro, Otis, Tyringham, and Sandisfield are included.

“It is hard to pick favorites,” Leveille remarked. “Every town in South Berkshire has been home to an amazing array of movers and shakers. Anson Jones was a poor boy born and raised in Great Barrington who went on to be president of a country – the Republic of Texas, before it was annexed to the United States. Cyrus Field from Stockbridge changed the world as father of the transatlantic communications cable.”

“Sheffield was home to the amazing Barnard brothers – who had remarkable careers in the fields of education and the

military. Egremont is home to Academyaward winning producer and director Cynthia Wade. Cellist Yo-Yo Ma lives in Tyringham. Unsung heroes are also honored. Farmers, teachers, policemen, volunteers, and shopkeepers are not forgotten.

The list goes on and on. More than 150 people are featured and scores more are mentioned.”

For example, novelist Catharine Sedgwick was an amazingly popular author from the 1820s through the 1850s. Her books dealt with women’s issues long before the subject became part of pop culture. But by the latter part of the nineteenth century, stuffy Victorian critics dismissed her writing as inconsequential, and she was forgotten. It wasn’t until the Women’s Movement of the 1960s that Sedgwick again became recognized as a visionary.

Even “rebels, rogues, and rascals” have their own chapter. Gil Belcher, a legendary criminal in the 1700s, was the only counterfeiter in the nation to have a park named after him – Belcher Square in Great Barrington. Henry Huntington founded one of this country’s first nudist colonies on the Otis/Sandisfield line. Eccentric weatherman Levi Beebe offered surprisingly accurate forecasts to big city newspapers from his perch atop Beartown Mountain.

And the “Hermit of Hartsville” claimed a world record as a 40-year-long insomniac.

Legendary Locals of the Southern Berkshires is available at local bookstores and many other locations throughout the Berkshires.

For more information, you may contact the author directly at his email address: garyleve@verizon.net. ~Author Gary Leveille is a writer, editor, educator, photographer, and local historian who resides in the Southern Berkshires. He has written several other books, most recently the bestselling Old Route 7: Along the Berkshire Highway, Around Great Barrington, and Eye of Shawenon, an Egremont history.

art, culture & entertainment

oct-nov event sampler

Lecture Series

Saturdays at 3:30 pm

SEE MORE EVENTS OR POST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT www.OurBerkshireCalendar.com Before Photoshop Date: Saturday, September 27 through October 25, 2014 Place: Knox Gallery, Monterey Library, 452 Main Street, Monterey, MA - 413-528-3795 Price: Free Before Photoshop is a retrospective exhibit of 35mm photography by artist Jean Germain. All the special effects are created without a computer without Photoshop.

Visit Knox Gallery on Facebook for more information.

Oct.11 Festival House at Ventfort Hall, 1950-1961 Oct.18 The Gibson Girl: A Gilded Age Icon Nov.1 Nathaniel Hawthorne: Shrouded in Blackness

6th Annual

VENTFORT FILMS:

Sun, Oct. 12, 10 am-4pm Crestfallen Tourney, food, A Berkshire Connection Thursday evenings at 7 pm, Oct. 9 – 30 and demonstrations.

104 Walker Street, Lenox, MA 413-637-3206 GildedAge.org

About the Artist

�

thru OCTOBER 19

Jean Germain began her career as an artist after retiring from teaching in elementary schools. Her images have been published in magazines and newspapers as well as hanging in private and public collections. Her book, Jazz From Row Six, shown at left, was the winner of the Best Music Book Award at the Paris Book Festival. See more of Jean�s work at www.jeangermainphotography.com

Harvest Festival - Berkshire Botanical Garden Date: Sunday, October 12, 2014, 10am-5pm Place: Berkshire Botanical Garden, Intersection of Routes 102 and 183, Stockbridge, MA - 413-298-3926 Price: Adults $5, Children under 12 free Celebrate autumn with popular family activities, continuous live entertainment, 113 food and craft vendors, educational workshops, a farmers market, silent auction and numerous tag sales, a spectacular plant and bulb sale, Hall of Pumpkins, and a Haunted House. Garden parking is free. www.berkshirebotanical.org

"About Face-Face with Imagination"

OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 30 "If Walls Could Talk-Visual Harmonies" Artists' Reception, Nov 1, 3-6pm

DECEMBER "Secrets of the Season" Route 102 (Next to the Fire Station) South Lee, MA ● (413) 717-5199 Open Fri thru Mon 11am - 5:30pm

W

onderful Things has the largest selection of yarns and

unique handcrafted gifts in the Berkshires ♦ Owners Harry and Debbie Sano invite you to visit their store located at 232 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA ♦ Celebrating their forty-second year! ♦ Gift Certificates ♦ Free knitting lessons ♦ (413) 528-2473, www.wonderful-things.com

Arts HotcHkiss The

GBRSS Holiday Handcraft Fair Date: November 15, 2014, 10am-4pm. Rain or shine.

Place: Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School, 35 West Plain Road, Great Barrington, MA - 413-528-4015 Price: Free parking and admission.

The Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School (GBRSS) invites the community to the 42nd annual Holiday Handcraft Fair – a creative welcome to the holiday season with family fun such as puppet shows, hayrides, candle dipping, and novel gifts to choose and make, the GBRSS Holiday Handcraft Fair celebrates the joys of a handmade holiday. Highlights include outdoor carnival games and the children’s craft room where children can make gifts themselves, as well as jump-rope making. Get a jump on holiday shopping at the silent auction, holiday raffle, or the Country Store, which offers one-of-a-kind gifts and handmade treats, plus lunch, warm drinks, and gourmet desserts. www.gbrss.org

www.saintfrancisgallery.com www.facebook.com/stfrancisgallery

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All are welcome!

hotchkiss.org/arts (860) 435 - 4423

programs september through July The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT

guest concert series ~ tremaine gallery dance ~ hotchkiss dramatic association

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

~ film screenings ~ summer portals

October | November 2014

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get ready for the holidays!

THE

holiday gifts

BOOKLOFT

Celebrating our 40th year as an independent bookstore. Thank you!

We sell eBooks! for your iPad, iPhone, Android or Kobo device Great Barrington 413 528 1521 thebookloft.com

ou already know about The Bookloft�s incredible reading selection – but did you know that we have the largest selection of Berkshire books available anywhere? We also carry e-readers, scarves, totes, and other great holiday gift items. Be sure to visit our newest store, Shaker Mill Books, on Depot Street in West Stockbridge (next to the old mill), as well as our Great Barrington store at 332 Stockbridge Road (Route 7). The Bookloft has been an independent bookstore since 1974.

down-to-earth hospitality

Meadow Farm Market

TREAT YOUR GUESTS TO HEARTY SOUPS & HOME-BAKED PIES

Procuring exceptional organic and conventional produce and goods, both locally and regionally grown, as to ensure the best quality offerings for our customers.

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

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

(413) 394-4308 | MidgesMarket@yahoo.com Route 102, 905 Pleasant Street, South Lee, MA

www.MeadowFarmMarket.com

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THE LARGEST SELECTION OF BERKSHIRE BOOKS

LIKE US ON

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ustic and home to a few antique items cleverly used for display, Meadow Farm Market has the air of down-to-earth hospitality. Patrons are welcome to enjoy their lunches at the picnic tables or relax in beautifully crafted Adirondak chairs just outside the front door. Stop in to shop for pretty mums and pumpkins, hearty soups, home-baked pies and sweet breads, apples, local maple syrup, and more. Open year round, this winter our farm market will offer Christmas trees, wreaths, and delicious holiday treats.

best in the berkshires It’s Time to Buy Your Ski Passes!

Affordable Family Fun in the Berkshires 27th Annual Ski Sale October 18 & 19 Book Your Holiday & Spring Parties Now!

101 Dan Fox Drive, Pittsfield, MA (413) 442-8316 • www.bousquets.com 6

October | November 2014

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

27TH ANNUAL SKI SALE OCTOBER 18 & 19

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ousquet Mountain was voted “Best in the Berkshires” for downhill skiing by the Berkshire Eagle Readers Poll in 2013 and 2014.

Our ski lodge will be packed with truckloads of bargains with up to 70 percent off all of your winter sports needs from Ski In Ski Shop in Wilbraham. The ski sale is Saturday, October 18, from 9am to 4pm and Sunday, October 19, from 10am to 4pm. Season pass specials include unlimited day and night skiing in a family-friendly atmosphere. They offer affordable season passes for adults, juniors, and children (perfect for holiday gifts!).

Bousquet Mountain is known for great value, offering affordable tickets. Their Thursday Night Owl Special every Thursday evening is only $10. Day lift tickets are only $25 midweek/nonholiday, and night tickets are $20 from 3 to 9pm. Bousquet�s rustic atmosphere and convenient central location provides the perfect location for your special event, holiday party, anniversary, or wedding.

Go to www.OurBerkshireTimes.com/Coupons for extra savings!

get ready for the holidays!

200th anniversary

NORTH EGREMONT COUNTRY STORE

NEWLY EXPANDED DELI - FOOD MENU

T

he historic North Egremont Country Store, located in the bucolic town of North Egremont near Prospect Lake, offers a convenient way to purchase many of the items you need to entertain your holiday guests including SoCo ice cream, Monterey Chevre, liquor, beer, and wine (including organic), local pure honey and maple syrup, staples like milk, and much more (even Lotto tickets, and fishing bait and accessories). They also make excellent sandwiches and coffee, and serve delicious croissants, bagels, and donuts.

take and bake pizza

Wholesome ● Homestyle ● Delicious Warm & Friendly Service

We offer a full line of groceries and spirits.

Let us help you with your holiday needs!

Photo by John Phelan

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

Route 71, North Egremont, MA (Near Prospect Lake)

Call (413) 528-4796

INTRODUCING OUR CUSTOM MADE SOUR DOUGH

WIN OVER YOUR HOLIDAY GUESTS WITH HOLIDAY PLATTERS

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ocally owned and operated, The Public Market is ready to help you win over those last-minute guests. Their team can put together a wonderful meal – try a Coleman Natural Rotisserie Chicken or a meat-and-cheese platter. No more cold, soggy, cardboard-tasting pizzas! Stop in to get an assortment of Take and Bake pizzas. Choose the toppings and choose the time to bake them in your own oven. Come see what�s cooking in West Stockbridge for the holidays!

TAKE AND BAKE PIZZAS! Take Out Dinner Specials Freshly Made Daily ORGANIC CHICKEN & NATURAL PRODUCTS

Local Products in Season Wine & Beer • Fresh Ground Coffees

ORDER YOUR HOLIDAY PLATTERS & PIZZA NOW

413-232-8595

Main St., West Stockbridge MA

from chops to roasts THE BERKSHIRES' PREMIER BUTCHER SHOP AND CAFE

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rom chop to roast, and nose-totail, The Meat Market is the Berkshires’ premier butcher shop and cafe, providing a broad selection of local and sustainable meats. Sourcing wellraised whole animals from small local farms, the chefs and butchers at The Meat Market produce classic and exotic cuts, roasts, and steaks, as well as hand-crafting charcuterie, cured and smoked meats, sausages, prepared foods, and lunches.

Looking for heritage-breed turkeys or pork? Grass-fed beef and lamb? Dry-aged prime rib? The Meat Market has you covered!

What better way to celebrate the holiday season than with a board of house-made pate de campagne, dry-cured salami, and prosciutto, all sourced and crafted in the heart of the Berkshires?

Open for lunch and retail Wednesdays through Sundays, their butchers are more than happy to custom-cut anything you need to make your holidays absolutely perfect. Advance orders are strongly recommended for holiday orders, as supplies of the seasonal classics are limited.

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

389 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA

413-528-2022 • www.themeatmarketgb.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

October | November 2014

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food & drink

slow-roasted pork with kumquats TENDER AND TASTY MEAT WITH A UNIQUE CITRUS FLAVOR Courtesy of Jim Gop of The Meat Market

Ingredients

Coarse salt 3 T organic light brown sugar 2 T finely grated fresh ginger 2 tsp whole cloves, crushed into a coarse powder 2 tsp powdered mustard 1 skin-on, bone-in pork shoulder from The Meat Market 1 can (12 ounces) Big Elm IPA 1 pint kumquats (about 10 ounces), halved 2 T Berkshire Wildflower Honey

Directions

Combine ¼ cup salt, sugar, ginger, cloves, and mustard powder in a small bowl.

Using a sharp knife or a razor blade, score the skin of the pork (take care to just cut into the skin and not the meat) on the top and sides in a diamond pattern at ½-inch intervals.

Remove the pork from the refrigerator and preheat oven to 325◦F. Pat skin dry and pour beer and 1½ cups of water into the baking dish and wrap the entire dish in foil. Carefully transfer the pork to your oven and roast until meat is tender when pierced with a fork, about 3 hours and 15 minutes. Remove foil from pork.

Toss kumquats with honey. Add to baking dish, turning to coat Roast until tender and lightly caramelized, about 30 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 425◦F. Roast until pork skin is crisp and dark brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Let pork rest, tented with foil, for 45 minutes before carving. Serve with kumquats in pan juices. ~ The Meat Market, visit www.

themeatmarketgb.com. See ad on page 7.

Transfer the pork to a baking dish and rub spice mixture into the scored skin. Refrigerate, loosely covered, overnight.

Hawthorne Valley Farm

Every season is a great time to visit!

Farm Store — Full-line natural foods store open 7 days a week Take a walking tour and visit our animals and gardens Fall Festival — October 12 — Hay rides, pumpkin carving, pie baking contest, square dancing, children’s activities, and more!

Yuletide Fair — December 6 — Artisan vendors, puppet shows & activities for children Located in beautiful Columbia County, just two miles east of the Taconic State Parkway at the Harlemville/Philmont exit.

La Fogata Restaurant Colombian and Latin Cuisine Lunch & Dinner

770 Tyler Street Pittsfield, MA 01201 (413) 443-6969 443-6969 (413)

Do You Like to Save Money? Go to www.OurBerkshireTimes.com/ coupons to find advertisers offering

FARM | www.hawthornevalleyfarm.org 327 County Route 21C, Ghent, NY 12075 | 518-672-7500 8

October | November 2014

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

additional online coupons and deals with fantastic savings! Join our mailing list to receive our informative eNewsletter and coupons directly.

food & drink Local and Organic Home Delivery or Market Open 7 Days a Week

413.442.0888

813 Dalton Division Rd., Dalton, MA www.BerkshireOrganics.com

PASTA • SALAD • BEER • WINE SEAFOOD & STEAK DISHES FLAT BREADS • ANTIPASTO

LUNCH AND DINNER SERVED DAILY

Monday thru Thursday 11:30am-9:30pm • Friday & Saturday 11:30am-11pm Sunday 1-9pm, Closed Tuesday

Reservations Now Being Taken for Holiday Banquets and Private Parties

1231 West Housatonic Street (Rte. 20), Pittsfield, MA

“Home Made Goodness From Our Home To Yours”

(413) 464-8501 - www.BattistasItalianEatery.com

Open 7 Days a Week Bagels•Soups•Treats Breakfast Sandwiches

Homemade Ice Cream Shoppe Outdoor Patio

Second Location Coming Soon!

S

Home Sweet Home Doughnut Shoppe II, 31 Main Street, Stockbridge

240 Stockbridge Road, Route 7 Great Barrington, MA

(413) 717-4144 • 258 Stockbridge Rd (Rt 7), Great Barrington, MA

S

528cafe@gmail.com facebook.com/528cafe

Leon & Sons’

HIGHLAND RESTAURANT

Serving the Best in Italian American Cuisine Take out Available • Daily Specials (closed Mon)

Family Dining • Family Prices • Since 1936 Buy Your Holiday Gift Certificates Now! 413.442.2457 • 100 Fenn Street, Pittsfield, MA

Off North Street Across From City Parking Lot Your hosts, the the Arace Your hosts, Arace Family, Family, wish wishyou you“Buon “BuonAppetito” Appetito”

½

entrées available

M-m-m-yum!

PUTTING FRESH, LOCAL & ORGANIC ON YOUR PLATE FOR 35 YEARS casual french dining

dinner only • 150 Main St., Lee 413.243.6397 cheznousbistro.com

PITTSFIELD & GREAT BARRINGTON, MA GUIDOSFRESHMARKETPLACE.COM

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

October | November 2014

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home, garden & landscape

autumn's magic

S

THE HOW AND WHY BEHIND FALL FOLIAGE

By Brian Cruey

omewhere, buried deep in the depths of the memory graveyard known as my mom’s basement, there is a box marked “LEAVES.” Inside are hundreds of fall leaves that, as a kid, I collected and then forced my mom to preserve for me. Who knows how many countless hours that poor woman spent each autumn ironing dead leaves between pieces of wax paper. Not that I wasn’t selective – you had to be a pretty special leaf to make the cut, displaying either pure perfection or a flaw so awesome that it deserved eternity. Some of these treasures would be cut out and made into bookmarks, ornaments, note cards, or drink coasters that I would give out as Christmas gifts, but a lot ended up being tossed into that box because, one, I would always make way too many and, two, my mom couldn’t ever come to terms with throwing anything I made away. A tradition she continues even now when I’m well into my thirties.

I thought the whole thing was magic. The wax paper, for sure, but also the process of the changing of the leaves in general. Even at our youngest, the color palette that comes with every fall resonated inside of us, stirring emotion and imagination. I think one of the reasons that the phenomenon of autumn is so captivating year after year isn’t just because it’s beautiful, which indeed it is, but because it still conjures that same spark of wonder inside of us.

Of course, it’s not magic. It’s boring old science but that doesn’t make it any less amazing.

The truth is, the vibrant colors that we see dotting our hillsides have, in some part, been there all season long. Leaves don’t exactly “change” color so much as they lose a color. That color of course being the green that we see all summer long. In the summer months, trees (and most plants) use the process of photosynthesis to convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into oxygen and glucose – a type of sugar that the plant uses as food. Trees use their leaves to capture those elements (light, rain,

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October | November 2014

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

and carbon dioxide) and the leaves contain a chemical – chlorophyll – that makes the process of photosynthesis possible. It just so happens that the chlorophyll, more often than not, has a very dominant green pigment.

When the days start to get shorter and sunlight becomes less available, not only do people start shutting down their vacation homes, but trees start shutting down their sugar factories. The chlorophyll in a leaf, with all of its green pigment, fades away and reveals the yellows, oranges, reds, and browns that were there all along.

The color that remains is what we see in the fall, and it is a common design tool gardeners use to add interest to a landscape. There are many things to consider when choosing a tree for your home garden, one of those being fall color. Put the bright yellow autumn foliage of the Gingko Biloba against the reds of the Red Maple and the oranges of Witch Hazel, and you’ll have a color display that could rival any summer garden. Some plants are even named after their fall color, like the invasive burning bush that is so prevalent in this area and simply stunning this time of year. It’s not so rare for a plant’s greatest attribute to be its fall display.

We all know that some fall “shows” are better than others and the potency of that yellow and red is dependent on external factors. In general, the best fall foliage occurs in years when we’ve had a warm, wet spring, a summer that’s not too hot or dry, and a fall that has plenty of warm sunny days and cool nights. If we are really lucky, we get to experience it most years here in the Berkshires where people from all over pour into the region to see the amazing colors painting our gorgeous hillsides. Like most things, it’s just better in the Berkshires! ~ Brian Cruey is the Marketing and Communications Manager for the Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge, MA, www.berkshirebotanical.org, and a contributing writer for Rural Intelligence, www.ruralintelligence.com.

home, garden & landscape

L

ned rated Ope And

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Berkshire Photovoltaic

Over 20 Years Experience In

Services, BPVS

Disaster Restoration

46 Howland Avenue, Adams, MA 01220 www.bpvs.com 413-743-0152 Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS Solar Energy Industries Association.

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46 Howland Avenue, 01220 Association, Solar Energy Business Adams, AssociationMA New England, MA LIC #’s HIC131996, CSL of 73150 Member: American Solar Energy Society, Northeast Sustainable Energy Tel. 413-743-0152 • www.bpvs.com

TECHNICIANS WITH OVER 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE

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GREEN CLEANING PRODUCTS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

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BPVS electric systems userdesigns, friendly, incesolar 1985, recognized for are careful provencomponents componentsand andhigh highquality qualityworkmanship, workmanship, proven ince 1985, recognized for careful designs, BPVS solar electric systems are user friendly, efficient and reliable.

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Emergency Water Damage Remediation House Wide & Post Construction Cleaning ● Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

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413-743-0152 • www.bpvs.com Member:Tel. American Solar Energy Society, Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Solar Energy Avenue, Business Association New01220 England, 46 Howland Adams,ofMA Solar Energy Industries Association.

Floor Maintenance ● Animal Debris & Odor Clean Up ● Sewer & Septic Clean Up

Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS

Fire, Soot & Smoke Remediation ● Mold & Odor Remediation

ServiceMASTER of the Berkshires, ServiceMASTER of Columbia County, NY 3 Westview Road, Pittsfield, MA

www.servicemasteroftheberkshires.com

413-445-5678 800-707-1441 • Licenced • Bonded • Insured

EMERGENCY ON CALL SERVICE

additional online coupons and deals with fantastic savings! Join our mailing list to receive our informative eNewsletter and coupons directly.

Accurate

Plumbing & Heating

46 Howland Avenue, Adams, MA 01220

Tel. 413-743-0152 • www.bpvs.com

Celebrate Our Forty-second Year!

MA LIC #'s HIC131996, CSL 73150

S Wonderful Things Gift Certificates rS r Free Knitting Lessons

24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK

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Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS

ince 1985, recognized for careful designs, proven components and Selection high quality workmanship, Largest of Yarns BPVS solar electric systems are user friendly, and Unique Handcrafted Gifts in the Berkshires efficient and reliable.

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Mon-Sat Sun 12-4Energy Member: AmericanOpen Solar Energy Society,9:30-5, Northeast Sustainable Harry and Association Debbie Sano Association, Solar Energy Business of New England, Solar Energy Industries Association.

232 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230 (413) 528-2473 • www.wonderful-things.com

Antique Repair Good as Old

Do you have a valued possession that is damaged beyond repair?

I can fix it! I will restore it to“Good as Old.” ~ Peter K. Lilienthal

Porcelain/Statues • Marble/Stone • Furniture Signs • Frames • Paintings • Leather Professional Mending by Peter K. Lilienthal, Stockbridge, MA (413) 298-1051 • (413) 854-7803 • pklilienthal@gmail.com Before

After

Before

After

z Serving Berkshire County z

Certified Trained Technicians on Staff Parts ⓦ Service ⓦ Installations Oil to Natural Gas Conversions Todd Wich Mast. Lic. #12776 Licensed | Bonded | Insured | Estimates Residential ⓦ Commercial

(413) 443-7729

www.AccuratePlumbingAndHeatingMA.com www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

October | November 2014

11

home, garden & landscape

House Proud

What's Your Style? / By Gladys Montgomery

Whether you prefer contemporary, historic, or traditional, a neighborhood house or a grand estate, you�re likely to find a home that fits your wish list, thanks to the wide range of architectural styles in the Berkshires.

Begin at the beginning, in the 1730s, when settlers moved here from Connecticut and eastern Massachusetts, bringing hefty post-and-beam construction methods with them. They built with massive first-growth timbers and mortise-and-tenon joinery. With only fireplaces for heating, they capitalized upon the sun�s passive solar benefits by orienting the longest facade of their houses to the south, and they often insulated with thick, dense wooden planks that spanned the distance between the foundation sills and the roof eaves. Be they humble vernacular Capes or grand centerhall Georgian manses, these homes built before the American Revolution are the true Colonials, and they have spawned more than two centuries of imitations. By 1790, in the early years of the new nation, the Federal style emerged: more refined than its predecessors and embellished in wealthy circles with French wallpapers and – yes! – wall-to-wall carpeting.

During the nineteenth century, railroads and emerging industries stimulated an era of new building. Starting in about 1825, wealthy merchants and farmers alike adopted the bold Greek Revival style (the last of the Neoclassical era) and transitioned to lighter wood-frame construction. By 1850, with pattern books fueling popular trends across the country, the Victorian era took hold, bringing with it the Gothic Revival, Tudor, and Queen Anne styles, the uniquely American front porch, ornate gingerbread trim, turrets and towers, fish-scale shingles, and – finally – central heating. By the 1880s, reacting with a “not invented here” attitude to imported Victorian styles, American architects created Colo12

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nial Revival and Shingle Style homes. By the 1890s, the extension of water and sewer lines into new areas of existing towns helped to spread these styles into newly developed neighborhoods. And, marking America�s Gilded Age, the grand Colonial Revival and Shingle Style mansions known as Berkshire “Cottages” became getaways for wealthy families fleeing hot urban summers.

The twentieth century brought more of these, along with the Bungalow and Craftsman designs, and contemporary architecture emerged in the 1920s and �30s with the advent of the single-level ranch house offering indoor-outdoor living. Modernism did not really catch on until the 1950s, when the end of World War II, the GI Bill, newfound prosperity, building techniques, and materials yielded a new boom. The years that followed brought us the raised ranch, the split level, the A-frame, soaring walls of glass and steel, and the modern timber-frame, which evolved from eighteenth century post-and-beam construction.

In the twenty-first century, we�re sure to see more attention to energy efficiency, more modular homes and more green building, even as we see contemporary architects push the envelope even more, but we�ll also see the continuation of traditional styles that have proved themselves over time. Whatever type of house you choose, the Berkshire lifestyle begins at home. ~ Gladys Montgomery (gladysmontgomery. williampitt.com) is a Realtor with William Pitt Sotheby�s International Realty in Great Barrington, MA. Attuned to the needs of buyers and sellers, and licensed in Massachusetts and New York State, her background includes a 30-year career as a marketing specialist and as a writer/editor/author specializing in architecture, design, and lifestyle topics.

Real Estate & Professionals

Artfully Uniting Extraordinary Homes with Extraordinary Lives

Dan Alden

Marc Bachman

Karen Climo

Dawn Farley

Jeff Loholdt

413.335.9300

646.637.6304

413.429.6732

413.429.7133

413.652.7423

Pat Melluzzo

Gladys Montgomery

Lynda Mulvey

Anita Schilling

Steven J. Weisz

413.446.1146

413.822.0929

Office Administrator

413.626.1920

917.670.6339

williampitt.com THE BERKSHIRES ∙ 308 MAIN STREET, GREAT BARRINGTON ∙ 413.528.4192

Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

PITTSFIELD Brilliantly updated grand Tudor home with views, on 11 acres abutting golf course. $4,900,000 Gladys Montgomery 413.822.0929 & Steven Weisz 917.670.6339

TYRINGHAM Spectacular turn-of-the-century Berkshire 115-acre estate with pond, tennis court and views. $3,295,000 Gladys Montgomery 413.822.0929

EGREMONT Bright and open, Hampton’s inspired 5 BR Contemporary on 10+ acres with views. 6,800 sf, chef’s kitchen and home theatre. $2,495,000 Karen Climo 413.429.6732

WILLIAMSTOWN Quintessential New England Country Estate on 100 bucolic acres. Views, 7 BR and 5 baths. $1,750,000 Jeff Loholdt 413.652.7423

williampitt.com THE BERKSHIRES ∙ 308 MAIN STREET, GREAT BARRINGTON ∙ 413.528.4192

Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

October | November 2014

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Real Estate & Professionals

circa Your Resource for Big City Style in The Berkshires Danish and Mid-Century Modern Furnishings and Lighting

circaberkshires.com 436 North Street 436 North Street, Pittsfield, MA circaberkshires.com 413-445-7200 413-445-7200

Hartsville Design Woodworking (413) 274-1010 Kevin@HartsvilleDesign.com Kitchens • Baths • Offices • Entertainment Centers • Staircases • Furniture • Big & Small Jobs

www.HartsvilleDesign.com

big city style MID-CENTURY, DANISH MODERN, VINTAGE, AND ANTIQUE

L

ocated in Pittsfield, MA, in the Beautiful Berkshires, Circa carries the largest selection of Danish and Mid-Century Modern furnishings and lighting in the area, as well as home decor, local artwork and handcrafted gifts, vintage clothing, and more. We carefully hand select our inventory so that we can offer our customers the best selection, quality, and prices around.

New items arrive daily and there is always plenty of parking.

attention to detail CUSTOM KITCHENS, BATHS, STAIRCASES, AND MILLWORK

H

artsville Design builds and installs a full range of highquality custom cabinetry and millwork for every room in your home and office. Whether it’s the kitchen you’ve always wanted, a unique mantel for your fireplace, inventive storage units to help you get organized, or an artistic display case for your hightech audio-video equipment, Hartsville Design can work within your budget to match your individual space and lifestyle. Custom woodworking is meant to last for generations.

historic building FOR SALE IN HARTSVILLE, NEW MARLBOROUGH

O

Historic Building for Sale in Hartsville, Massachusetts

riginally built as a Methodist church in 1849, this historic building has a beautiful stone foundation, original doors, and double-hung windows with original “wavy” glass panes. The siding is full thickness old growth clear pine in great shape (but in need of paint). The building frame is a massive chestnut post-and-beam design. One plus acre of land, backed by a stream and distant mountain views. Permitted use of the property allows both commercial and residential occupation. (413) 274-1010, kevin@HartsvilleDesign.com.

creative & professional WOOD, METAL, VINYL, CHAIN LINK, AND CUSTOM DESIGNS Free Estimates Available 7 Days a Week.

All Types of Fence Including Custom Designed.

Fully Insured. Senior Discounts Available.

Superior Quality and Service.

•

965 South Street, Pittsfield, MA (413) 442-8081, nefence@gmail.com

www.newenglandfencesite.com

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N

ew England Fence has been installing quality fences throughout Berkshire County for more than 10 years. Owner/installer Todd Storti�s goal is to provide professional and creative service with an emphasis on customer satisfaction. You will find a wide variety of fences for residential and commercial use available, as well as custom designs made to your specifications.

You can expect professional, guaranteed installations, free estimates, and proven customer service.

Real Estate & Professionals

adorn your home & garden

Ward’s

GARDEN ACTIVITIES TO WARM YOU UP THIS FALL

P

Mike & Greg Ward

Where Gardeners Grow

lants and gardens can be enjoyed and celebrated year round. That’s why Ward’s Nursery & Garden Center offers garden talks, fall and holiday craft classes, and special events into the holiday season.

Ward’s classes respond to customers’ current garden questions.

We know that plants and landscaping can be overwhelming but a little knowledge, especially about what’s easy and what’s tricky, can bring amazing results. This season Ward’s Nursery & Garden Center will offer free talks on Spring-flowering Bulbs, Shrubs and Trees, and Herbs for Indoors. And if you miss them, know that Ward’s staff can respond to your questions at any time.

In November, Ward’s launches the Holiday Decorating Center, showcasing craft and decorating ideas to plan your own unique Thanksgiving or Christmas décor. For a special evening treat, join the Ladies’ Night - After Hours Sale Event on Wednesday November 12 and enjoy a relaxed evening of holiday decorating demonstrations and shopping. All event details are available online or by telephone. Preregister and join us at Ward�s.

fire prevention week

e Perennials, Trees & Shrubs e Garden & Craft Classes e Colonial Candles e Seasonal Décor e Cabbage & Kale e Hardy Mums e Spring Bulbs e Pumpkins

Ward’s Nursery & Garden Center

600 S. Main St. Gt. Barrington MA Open Daily 8 am - 5:30 pm www.wardsnursery.com i 413-528-0166

i

(& Gents’) i ^

i

You’re Invited

More Event Details Online

i

Ladies’ NightiOut

ne After Hours Sale Event O night

Wed. November 12, 5to7pm i

Only!

Light Refreshments - Wine - Music - Adults only please!

Door Prizes – Decorating Demos – Gift bags for the first 20 arrivals!

www.nedynamark.com

WORKING SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES

New England Security Center wants to keep you safe. Every October since 1922, The NFPA designates one week of the year as Fire Prevention Week to commemorate the huge fires and deaths in the famous Chicago fire on October 9, 1871. This year the date is October 5–11 and the theme is “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month.” Deaths from fires are reduced by 50 percent in locations where there are working smoke detectors.

Detectors should be installed properly and tested every month.

Fire Prevention Checklist  Make sure electrical cords are in good condition and not under rugs or furniture  Do not overload electrical outlets  Have furnace checked, cleaned, and filter replaced regularly  Have fireplaces, stoves, and chimneys cleaned and checked  Unplug electric blankets when not in use  Locate all space heaters 10 feet from combustibles  Store matches away from children  Use candles safely and never smoke in bed or on couches

Call us today, sleep better tonight.

413.442.5647 Since 1978 MA 982 C

DYNAMARK SECURITY CENTERS

New England Security will be happy to provide additional information or a guest speaker upon request.

®

“ We Protect America” ® www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

October | November 2014

15

Join us for School Tour Days... a parent’s chance to observe classes in session.

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Wednesday, Oct. 15 Saturday, Nov. 18 Tours at 9:00 and 10:00 am 15 months through 8th grade — Only a few spots left for the current school year.

Individual tours daily by appointment

We are located at 21 Patterson Road in Lenox Dale, MA. To register, visit www.BerkshireMontessori.org or call (413) 637-3662.

education & workshops

green education in the berkshires CO-CREATING WITH THE EARTH PRODUCES IMMEDIATE AND TANGIBLE RESULTS

By Robyn Perry Coe

B

iodynamic farming is part of the “green” education at Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School (GBRSS), where students from early childhood through eighth grade enjoy learning to care for the earth in their “outdoor classroom,” along with Hadley Milliken, the biodynamic farming and gardening teacher at the school.

“Biodynamic farming as an aspect of Rudolf Steiner’s philosophy – nurturing the land so farming is a closed circle, a whole ecosystem – includes the child in that circle,” says teacher Hadley Milliken. “I worked with early childhood campers over the summer who transformed the vegetable garden, and have already had that full circle experience, from planting seeds to harvesting fruit and eating it for snack.”

celebrate the success of the school’s Green Initiative, a campaign launched this spring to help fund the farming and gardening program, as well as prepare school facilities to be energy efficient and sustainable. After a biodynamic prep, in which the community works together to enrich school grounds and gardens before “putting them to bed” for the winter, families will grill, fiddle, and picnic in the fields to celebrate the rich land and community surrounding the school in the Berkshires. ~ Robyn Perry Coe is Admissions and Marketing Director at the Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School. For more information, visit gbrss.org, or call 413-528-4015 ext 106.

Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School

Experiential learning is central to Waldorf education, developed by scientist and philosopher Rudolf Steiner, who also applied his integrated approach to farming, developing biodynamic farming in the 1920s.

Biodynamic farming is one inspiring way that Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School extends its mission to engage all aspects of the human being – intellectual, spiritual, and physical – to provide children with a well-rounded education.

“The experience of co-creating with the earth produces immediate and tangible results,” Milliken says. “The children have a hand in creating beauty that nurtures them, a full circle experience that gives them awe and reverence for nature. Through farm-based education, we are actively creating conscientious stewards of the land.”

Waldorf education was recognized last year by the Captain Planet Foundation’s “Green School Award” as exemplary in transforming the world by educating ecologists.

As the seasons change, the extended school community gathers for Michaelmas festival in the fields and gardens at GBRSS to dedicate a new school greenhouse, gift of the Class of 2014, and

Parent-Baby • Pre-K • Kindergarten 1st-8th Grade • Summer Program Waldor f Education in the Berkshires for over 40 years We educate our students to meet life with courage, impart meaning and purpose to their lives, and respond with creativity and integrity to the needs of the world. Our well-rounded, hands-on education prepares students for their choice of high school and college – and to reach their full potential.

(413) 528-4015

www.gbrss.org

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

Great Barrington, MA

October | November 2014

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animal talk

pet awareness events TO HELP RECOGNIZE THE SPECIAL ROLE THAT OUR PETS PLAY IN OUR LIVES

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ctober is the American Humane Association�s Adopt-A-Dog Month, www.americanhumane.org. Adopt a rescue or shelter dog and experience the joy of sharing your life with an animal companion.

If you are ready to take on the responsibility of becoming a pet owner, keep in mind that a dog can provide . . .

CAMP WAGALOT Stockbridge, MA (413) 298-5300

EXERCISE & PLAY BOARDING in a safe and supervised environment.

DAYCARE

www.lovecampwagalot.com

• love and devotion • an exercise buddy • a best friend and confidant for your child • health benefits like lower blood pressure in stressful situations and less chance of depression • a partner in agility competitions • elevated levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax • a constant companion for your favorite senior citizen • a fuzzy face to greet you after a hard day at work

CARING FOR PETS SINCE 1957 Your trusted source for quality foods and supplies.

Your trusted resource for raw-feeding information and advice.

BENSDOTTER’S PET 413-528-4940 940 MAIN STREET, GREAT BARRINGTON, MA 01230

Convenient Location with Ample Parking on Route 7 less than a minute south of Guido’s

Mon-Fri 10a-6p

Sat-Sun 10a-4p

www.bensdotters.com 18

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October 16 is National Feral Cat Day to raise awareness about feral cats, promote Trap-Neuter-Return, and recognize the millions of compassionate Americans who care for them, www.nationalferalcatday.org.

November 2 to 8 is time to celebrate National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week with The Humane Society, www.humanesociety.org. Approximately 3,500 animal shelters across the United States serve the estimated 6 to 8 million homeless animals who need refuge each year, so this is the time to reach out and support their efforts if you have not already done so.

November 17 is National Take a Hike Day and National Black Cat Day. Does this mean you are supposed to go on a hike with your black cat? Ha! We will leave that one up to you.

health & wellness

living well with lyme disease

T

he challenges and symptoms that people with chronic Lyme and coinfections deal with was discussed in part one of this article in the AugustSeptember issue of Our BerkshireTimes magazine (archived for viewing at www.

OurBerkshireTimes.com). When confronting these challenges, Katina Makris, author of the book Out of the Woods: Healing Lyme Disease, Body, Mind & Spirit, aptly relays the frustration of many sufferers by saying, “How long have I waited for an answer to this misery? How depressed, despairing, broken, and frantic have I been? How many doctors have shrugged me off without an answer or even an insight into my state of profound sickness? . . . Why did so many people disregard my pleas for help? Why is chronic Lyme Disease so overlooked? Why don�t doctors know about these specialty tests [IGeneX Labs among others]?”

Aside from the political issues, the answer to these questions lies in part in the fact that standard Lyme and coinfection testing is woefully inaccurate and these infections can mimic other diseases, making a clear diagnosis a challenge. Good medical detective work is needed and many practitioners simply do not have the time, patience, or knowledge. Because of this, symptoms are often passed shamefully over as being “all in your head.”

I know from firsthand experience that chronic Lyme disease is not all in your head, and it can indeed play havoc with your health and your life. I have been dealing with a longstanding Lyme and Mycoplasma infection for more than 10 years that was repeatedly misdiagnosed.

We live in a Lyme-endemic area, so if you have not been feeling right and are not satisfied with the answers you have been getting, trust your instincts and start doing your own research. Begin by answering the symptom questionnaire at www.cangetbetter.com.

Then, get a proper diagnoses by making an appointment, if you are able, to see a Lymeliterate doctor like Dr. Ronald Stram (www. stramcenter.com), or Dr. Richard Horowitz (www.cangetbetter.com).

PART 2 - HEALING BODY, MIND & SPIRIT

By Kathy Regan

Whether you choose to do antibiotics, a different type of therapy, or a combination of both, understand that rebuilding the foundation of your health and immune system is imperative to regain your health, as is a good detoxification program.

We will offer detoxification tips in the December-January issue of Our BerkshireTimes, but in the meantime it is worth mentioning that infrared sauna therapy can be extremely helpful. Quality EMF-protected saunas are pricey, but you can purchase reasonably priced sessions or packages from Enlighten Sauna Therapy in South Egremont (see ad page 21), at Hydro Health of Western Massachusetts in Pittsfield (in combination with other detox therapies) www.hydrohealthwesternmass.com, and at the Stram Center for Integrative Medicine (see ad page 23).

I�d like to share an informative article

by Dr. Chris Decker, a naturopathic physician with offices in Vermont and Massachusetts, followed by some local success stories.

of our immune system resides there. When we’re dealing with infection, it’s totally where the action is. Therefore, as we may suspect, food is an important medicine. Because if we can shore up our GI tract, we simultaneously strengthen our immunity. And that’s when big things start to happen. For one thing, Lyme symptoms start to fall by the wayside.

I see this time and again in my practice, even in cases of longstanding chronic Lyme. A healthy gut means far less susceptibility to the influences of infection. It explains why some people can spend their days gardening and picking ticks off themselves by the gross and yet not get sick, while others can be literally disabled by a single exposure to the same disease. It also possibly explains why mention of Lyme is so conspicuously absent from the medical literature historically. It’s not that Lyme wasn’t around – 5,300-year-old Otzi the Ice Man had it, and it’s probably considerably continued on page 20

Flowing Form Bodywork

S

Lyme Disease by Dr. Chris Decker

I’ve treated many people with Lyme disease over the years, and I consider myself a Lyme-literate physician. I’ve seen lots of people who’ve suffered greatly from this illness, people who have seen many practitioners, and who have tried everything from multiple, high-dose, long-term antibiotic regimens to complex herbal protocols, sometimes exhausting their bank accounts without ever really recovering their health.

In my opinion we desperately need to revise how we think about Lyme disease.

In naturopathic medicine we have a construct called the “therapeutic order.”

In terms of treating disease, the therapeutic order basically tells us what to do and when to do it. Confronted with an illness like Lyme disease, we have several options, as I’ve described. Another option is simply to start with the basics.

Hippocrates is said to have remarked that all diseases begin in the gut. This makes sense, because some 80 percent

Deborah Gerard Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner Licensed Physical & Massage Therapist Craniosacral Therapy

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

_________________

Pain relief through gentle touch and movement. Individual sessions and classes are offered.

www.flowingform.com debhands1@gmail.com 413-429-5438 October | November 2014

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health & wellness

living well with lyme disease PART 2 - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19

older even than that. What’s changed is that we are now subsisting on a diet unlike anything we’ve ever eaten before in the whole of our human history. We now have food sensitivities and leaky, dysbiotic guts, and we are forced to deal with an unprecedented level of toxicity that is all but ubiquitous. It’s daunting, and we have little room for error, but if we play our cards right, we can see to it there’s hope.

I can personally attest to this, having had Lyme myself some years back. It was a long time ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. After a few months of antibiotics that gave me little but diarrhea for my trouble, and after several popular herbal protocols likewise offered no relief, I decided to see if the GAPS diet (by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride), word of which had recently come to the US, might help. GAPS is essentially the paleo diet with a big emphasis on lots of gut-healing bone broths and probiotic foods. I thought if I ate this way for a few months, I’d be in good enough shape to go back to using some herbs again without getting too much of a die-off reaction. Instead, to my pleasant and great surprise, after four months I found I didn’t have any symptoms left!

Just like that! I didn’t even need the other protocols. And when I implemented a similar strategy in my practice, I began to have very good success with treating Lyme, which became no longer such a notoriously difficult disease to treat.

I’ve since discovered that not everyone makes a clean break from their symptoms. Although many do, I’m grateful to have an herbal pharmacopoeia at my disposal. The plants are potent medicine, and they do indeed accomplish their task. My point is only that we need to use them with judicious timing. Even antibiotics can serve their purpose, being useful on occasion to palliate intolerable symptoms (and, I should mention, typically being the treatment of choice very early on after a bite from an infected tick or other biting insect). But the deep healing of the gut, the first step in the therapeutic order, is, I have found, always at the heart of the successful protocol.

I’d like to say a word about lab testing 20

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for Borrelia infection. Testing for Lyme is very inaccurate. Although tests like the Western blot are useful for many other kinds of infection, Lyme has a way of breaking the rules owing to its peculiar pathophysiology, and the Western blot results in a large percentage of false negatives. The ELISA, an enzyme-linked assay that is the screening test for Lyme, has an accuracy not much better than a coin toss. I’ve had patients absolutely debilitated from longstanding Lyme who never, not once, had a positive test. Yet they clearly had the disease and responded to treatment for it. Some labs, like IGeneX in Palo Alto, CA (www.igenex. com), take testing to a level of thoroughness beyond what most mainstream conventional labs accomplish, but when all is said and done, Lyme is oftentimes a diagnosis of clinical symptomatology.

To conclude, I’d like to share with you these words about Lyme disease from Natasha Campbell-McBride, author of Gut and Psychology Syndrome (www.doctor-natasha. com), as it was her great book, interwoven with my studies of paleo/primal and Weston Price-type nutritional philosophies, all with their own brilliant authors and scholars, that have helped so much.

By Dr. Campbell-McBride

“Borrelia has been in existence for a long time, possibly longer than us, humans.

Yet Lyme disease has become so common only recently despite the fact that contact with wild animals is very minimal in our modern urbanised populations. So, what happened? A very big thing happened in the recent few decades: our immune systems got compromised by our modern life-styles and the environment which we, humans, have created. When your immune system is not working properly, you become susceptible to all sorts of infections, which used to be harmless.

“People who suffer from chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy, autoimmunity and other degenerative conditions, recently blamed on Lyme disease, are immune-compromised. The fact that

health & wellness

Borrelia has been discovered by our science does not mean that it is the answer to these problems: when the immune system is disabled, all sorts of microbes can be at work, many of which we have not even discovered yet. And indeed antibiotic treatment for Borrelia does not eradicate chronic degenerative conditions, despite the fact that tests may show that this bacterium is gone.

Very powerful antibiotics are used to treat Lyme disease, often intravenously and long-term. Antibiotics are not harmless! Healthy bodily flora is the most essential factor in keeping your immunity healthy. Antibiotics will destroy that factor very effectively, making your immune system even more disabled, making you even more vulnerable to Borrelia or any other pathogen.

“So, if you suffer from a chronic degenerative condition and had a positive test for Lyme disease, don’t rush to have antibiotics. What you need to rush to do is to restore your immune system. Number one intervention is the food you eat!

If you have digestive symptoms, follow the GAPS Nutritional Protocol. If your digestion is OK, follow the Weston A Pricetype diet. As your immune system starts working again, it will deal with Borrelia and lots of other microbes, which you don’t even need to know about. A good percent of people who test positive for Borrelia have no symptoms and are healthy and well. Why? Because their immune systems are working properly! And make no mistake: a well-functioning human immune system is infinitely cleverer than any doctor or scientist!

“The only exception is a fresh Borrelia infection from a recent tick bite which manifested with typical symptoms of a fresh Borrelia infection. A course of antibiotics in this situation is sensible. While taking antibiotics take all the essential steps to boost your immunity with diet and protect your gut flora with a good quality probiotic. Following the GAPS diet or the WAPF-type diet will restore your immune system long-term.

“The question about eradicating Borrelia: why eradicate? If somebody did a study of testing everybody for this parasite, they may find that the majority of the population has it, just as the majority of the population has H pylori in their stomachs. We do know that about 70 to 80 percent of people who test positive for H pylori are healthy and have no symptoms. Should we try to eradicate H pylori in all of them, exposing them to powerful antibiotics? Absolutely not! Vast majority of microbes on this planet are not our enemies, they are our friends! What every one of us has to do is to find a balance, a harmony between the myriad of microbes living on us and inside us and our immune systems.

So, focus on feeding, nourishing, and nurturing your immune system, rather than killing, attacking, or eradicating anything.”

gol dm an / tripp osteopathic healthcare As osteopathic physicians, we use our comprehensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology to promote health and healing. We work gently with our hands to help your body restore optimal function – based on optimal structure – to help solve musculoskeletal problems and health issues of all kinds.

As fully licensed physicians, we have all of the full and current medical pharmacopeia, nutritional science and medical training at our disposal.

Your individual treatment may include a wide range of approaches, but is always founded on our gentle hands-on work.

Andrew M. Goldman, DO, Osteopathic Physician Kim E. Tripp, DO, PhD, Osteopathic Physician www.goldmantripp.net Great Barrington, ma 413-528-3334 | Sharon, ct 860-364-5990

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~ Dr. Chris Decker is a licensed naturopathic physician, homeopath, and certified GAPS practitioner with offices in Brattleboro, Vermont, and Florence, Massachusetts, where she maintains a full-service practice that includes clinical nutrition, homeopathy, and, in Vermont, laboratory diagnostics. www.drchrisdecker.com

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Local Lyme Disease Success Stories

The following people have experienced Lyme disease/coinfections and were kind enough to share the information and wisdom they discovered as they found their way back to health.

46 Main Street South Egremont, MA

(518)-965-3315 • www.enlightensauna.net

continued on page 22

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health & wellness

living well with lyme disease PART 2 - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21

Katina Makris, author of the book Out of the Woods: Healing Lyme Disease, Body, Mind & Spirit, and host of www.lymelightradio.com, who is now in vibrant health, was previously diagnosed through Bowen Labs, IGeneX Labs, and LabCorp (after being misdiagnosed for years) with Lyme, Babesia, Bartonella, and EBV. For five years she experienced intense flu-like pains, swollen glands, headache, severe dizziness, profound fatigue, weakness, tachycardia, and anxiety. During the course of this time period her health spiraled downward until she was bedridden with meningitis migraines, foot drop, IBS, and insomnia. Her road back to health was long and hard, but she did it with the help of Dr. Jeff Sullander, and Dr. Meredith YoungSowers. Katina�s therapies included cat�s claw (samento), Rife treatments, homeopathy, and a huge array of nutritive supplements from Pure Encapsulations to rebuild the damage and depletions. She ate a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, and utilized acupuncture and Stillpoint as supportive therapies.

Katina says, “My biggest message with my healing work is that rebuilding the damage and depletion of the illness is just as important as killing the bugs - this is where a great clinical nutritionist or naturopath comes into play. My second strongest message is that tending to the emotional and spiritual wounds is critical because until we free up that energy the physical body can only go so far.”

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heilaa Hite Intuitive Counselor

Featured in Paulette Cooper’s directory, ‘THE 100 TOP PSYCHICS in AMERICA’

Tarot • Astrology • Palmistry Psychometry • Mediumship Past Life Regression • Hypnotherapy Life Coach Consultations in Person, by Phone or Skype Classes, Parties and Events “SHEILAA’s accuracy rate is 95-100%.”

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– MALIBU SHAMAN BOOKSTORE – MALIBU, CA

413-212-7256 www.SheilaaHite.com 22

October | November 2014

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Marisa Marinelli of Becket, MA, who is now in radiant health was previously diagnosed with a chronic Lyme infection (after bring misdiagnosed for years). She experienced extreme pain in her lower back and hip and at times stiffness up her entire spine and neck. In her 20s, Marisa would wake up mornings with difficulty breathing and feeling like she was in a straitjacket. She also experienced depression, memory loss, slight twitches, hair loss, and bowel distress. For her therapy Marisa choose to take a supplement called MMS (Master Miracle Solution) as well as teasel root and burdock root (in supplement and whole form) in addition to a macrobiotic diet. In a process of 6 to 8 weeks all of her symptoms disappeared. Marisa also felt she had good results working with a chiropractor in NYC who did alternative therapies on her nervous system. Marisa says, “I found it was crucial to avoid all types of sugar (including fruits). In my most severe times, it would trigger a flare instantly. I follow a general plant-based diet practicing macrobiotics for the past 10 years. I believe if I was not already doing so, my symptoms would have been much worse. Go to www.kushiinstitute.org for more information about a macrobiotic diet and how it can help with the healing of Lyme disease.” www.macromarinelli.com James Schumacher of Great Barrington, MA, who is now in good health, finally tested positive for Ehrlichiosis (a Lyme coinfection), but not Lyme, in 2011. For five years prior, he had been experiencing extreme fatigue, brain fog, joint aches, and depression. James chose to use Stephen H. Buhner�s herbal protocol (www.buhnerhealinglyme.com) for eight months with modest improvement, and then did it again for a year

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Bettina Zumdick from Lee, MA, who is now in good health, experienced terrible pain and stiffness in most joints for about five months before she tested clearly positive for Lyme. Her doctors did not believe she had Lyme and did not want to give her the test, but Bettina insisted and was proven right. She chose to use a custom-designed macrobiotic diet as her primary therapy with teasel root extract, Japanese knotweed, and stinging nettle tea. You can find out more about her book, Authentic Foods, at www.bettinazumdick.com.

Connie, a local resident who is currently working towards complete wellness, was finally diagnosed through IGeneX Labs and Clongen Labs with Lyme, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Bartonella, Babesia, and Mycoplasma after 9 years of intense symptoms and misdiagnoses. Connie has experienced just about every debilitating symptom associated with these organisms, but has seen significant improvement with Rife therapy, the Salt and C Protocol by Marc Fett, Zhang Chinese herbs, and detoxification. She also feels that oils EPA, GLA, aloe vera, Boluke, minerals, MSM, Quercitin, Iodoral, B-complex, as well as Transcendental Meditation®, psychotherapy, and emotional clearing have been extremely helpful.

Naomi Alson Lic. Acupuncturist & Herbalist

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with better results. The herbs included cat�s claw, eleuthero, Japanese knotweed, sarsaparilla, and astragalus. In addition to avoiding sugar and gluten as much as possible, and having supportive massage therapy, James took selenium, B-complex, and vitamin C to support the herbal protocol.

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