Our BerkshireTimes, Feb-Mar 2015

Feb-Mar 2015 vol 18

(29)

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February - March 2015

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

Contents 4

art, culture & entertainment

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EVENT SAMPLER

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FIRST HOME FIXER-UPPERS

romance & wedding feature GIFT GUIDE

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

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home & garden LOOK UP! GEOENGINEERING

animal talk MY BEST FRIEND FOREVER

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education & workshops SELF LOVE

LOVE IS A SWEET THING

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real estate & professionals

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health & wellness ROMANCING AROMATHERAPY

food & drink THE FLOWER OF LOVE

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DATE ROSE FLAT CAKE STEAK AU POIVRE

featured advertisers

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

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Our BerkshireTimes™

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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 _______________ COVER ILLUSTRATION

Late Summer Bouquet

by Koo Schadler, Artist Koo Schadler’s egg tempera paintings are in more than 400 private and public collections worldwide. She is a master painter of the Copley Society, a contributing editor to The Artists’ Magazine, and a popular painting instructor who has taught workshops around the US and abroad for 18 years. Koo grew up in Litchfield, CT, and has fond memories of visiting the Berkshires. For more information visit www.kooschadler.com.

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Our BerkshireTimes magazine is a bimonthly publication (six issues yearly starting in February, since 2009), free to the public, and 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.

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.

Late Summer Bouquet, egg tempera, on true gesso panel, finished with oil. 13 x 9 3/4"

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art, culture & entertainment

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February | March 2015

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event sampler SEE MORE EVENTS OR POST YOUR EVENT FOR FREE AT www.OurBerkshireCalendar.com Spoken Word & Poetry Date: Mon, Feb 9, 2015, 6:30pm Place: Good Purpose Gallery, 40 Main Street, Lee, MA - (413) 394-5045 Price: $5 suggested donation.

The first Monday of every month enjoy an exhilarating blend of poetry, spoken word, and storytelling. Sign-ups welcome! www.goodpurpose.org Berkshire Music School Presents Date: Tues, Feb 17, 2015, 4pm Place: Berkshire Music School, 30 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA (413) 442-1411 Price: $10 Berkshire Music School presents 10X10 concert during citywide festival. Ten performers in concert in a coffee house setting, as part of the Pittsfield citywide 10X10 festival. www.berkshiremusicschool.org 250th Anniversay Winter Ball Date: Sat, Feb 21, 2015, 8-11pm Place: Skyline Country Club, South Main Street, Lanesborough, MA Price: $45/couple; $23/single Lanesborough is celebrating the 250th Anniversary of its incorporation this year!

Music for this winter ball will be provided

by The Skidmarks, who perform music from the ’50s. Everyone is invited to attend. www.lanesborough-ma.gov Sausage Fest 2015 Date: Sat, March 7, 2015, 11am-6pm Place: The Meat Market, 389 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA (413) 528-2022 Price: Entry is free.

Join us for The Meat Market’s 4th annual Sausage Fest, our winter celebration of all things encased. Entry is free, with a dozen varieties of sausage, from the classic to the experimental, all available as sandwiches or to take home. Add live music, tasty drinks, and free tastings throughout the day to make our most convivial event of the year.

art, culture & entertainment

botanical exhibition

THE

MARCH 1-31 AT THE NORFOLK LIBRARY, NORFOLK, CT

BOOKLOFT

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

The Artist’s Garden: Persephone Returns

We sell eBooks! for your iPad, iPhone, Android or Kobo device

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he “Icebox of Connecticut” is delighted to present the early return of spring with a botanical exhibition at the Norfolk Library (9 Greenwoods Road East, Norfolk, CT) from March 1 to 31, 2015. Botanical paintings by Gail Easton, Molly Helleborus orientalis, watercolor by Gail Easton, ©2015 O’Neill-Lally, and Leslie Watkins will be on display. Watkins will give a botanical watercolor demonstration on Monday, March 2, 10am-12pm. It is free and open to the public. Gail Easton, a botanical artist from Canton, is driven to translate the natural world around her.

Molly O’Neill-Lally, a botanical painter from Litchfield, continues to be inspired by each phase of growth in her garden.

Leslie Watkins is an avid gardener, and longtime instructor of botanical painting. In conjunction with the exhibit, Watkins will offer a special four-part workshop in March, “Nature Studies in Watercolor,” from her studio. There will be an artists’ reception Sunday, March 1, from 4-6pm. www.lesliewatkins.com

Great Barrington 413 528 1521 thebookloft.com

Our BerkshireTimes magazine highly recommends www.GaiamTV.com for quality, streaming videos to expand your horizons. Watch fascinating interviews, movies, documentaries, exercise and yoga classes, and so much more via your computer, smart TV, or Roku.

EGG TEMPERA PAINTING

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Egg Tempera Paintings & Silverpoint Drawings

Buy the Book at www.kooschadler.com

festival of women writers

Join Koo for Summer and Fall Workshops in Painting and Composition.

For All Levels from Beginner to Advanced.

See Website for More Information.

A UNIQUE CELEBRATION OF CREATIVE EXPRESSION

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ow entering its fifth season, the Berkshire Festival of Women Writers in Western Massachusetts showcases the voices and visions of a wide range of women writers, from teens to seniors, with more than 50 workshops, readings, performances, and screenings.

There is at least one event every day of the month of March, taking place at more than 30 venues throughout Berkshire County, MA, from public spaces such as libraries, schools, and theaters to more intimate settings such as Edith Wharton’s former home, The Mount. “The Festival is designed to inspire, nourish, and strengthen women’s creative endeavors by offering an intensive series of stimulating events that encourage women and girls to engage with one another and develop as writers,” says Festival Founding Director Jennifer Browdy, a professor of literature at Bard College at Simon’s Rock.

The March 2015 Festival will include the First Annual Berkshire Festival of Women Writers Book Expo, a book fair for regional writers, publishers, and other vendors. For a complete listing of Festival events visit www.berkshirewomenwriters.org or email info@berkshirewomenwriters.org.

KOO SCHADLER

A Comprehensive Guide to Painting Egg Tempera by Koo Schadler

Arts HotcHkiss The

at

Alstead, NH  (603) 835-2937

www.kooschadler.com

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

February | March 2015

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gift guide

Our Berkshire Marketplace

Romance & Wedding 2015!

WRITE

Berkshire Pens

Berkshire Pens are hand turned from native woods and acrylics right here in Stockbridge, MA. No two are the same. Each boasts a mirror shine finish. They may be designed as a ballpoint, gel, fountain, or pencil. Pens come in all sizes and styles – some specific for women, adorned with Swarovski crystals, others for children, decorated with cool colors. Men’s items range from those for the sportsman – made from machine gun shells – to a more sophisticated presentation for the professional in his workplace.

Berkshire Pens also turns bottle stoppers, napkin rings, small bowls, spinning tops, and yo-yos. Dan Burkhard, owner of Berkshire Pens, always loved working with his hands. The lathe he uses to create his products was made by his grandfather, Samuel Burkhard, more than a hundred years ago. If you have a piece of wood that has meaning, the possibility exists that you can have an item turned from it. You will work together to create an item that you, or that special someone, will cherish. Prices range from $25 to $220. We make the pens . . . You make your mark! (413) 298-4773, www.berkshirepens.com

CHERISH

Family Stories: Genealogical Research

There’s a story to tell – part history, part romance, part tragedy, with a veil of unsolved mystery. No matter whose family I research, or how “family” might be defined, there’s always a fascinating narrative waiting to be discovered. As a genealogist trained through Boston University’s certificate program, I adhere to strict genealogical research standards. But as a storyteller, I seek out the colorful details like newspaper gossip about Grandma’s scandalous sister, perhaps a photo of the family residence. And as an artist, I “illustrate” the story, with a hand-drawn family tree on parchment, or a pastel painting, if desired. $25 per hour for look-ups in NY and western MA, and translation of German documents. Gift packages are $350 and include a narrative with sources fully cited, a hand-drawn family tree or pastel portrait, and standard research reports with citations. Contact me for a free estimate.

Jennifer Lilienthal, JLL Family Stories, (413) 298-1051, jllportraits@live.com

EXPRESS

CATA - Hand-felted Heart Cards

Express your love with a vibrant Hand-felted Heart Card created by Community Access to the Arts (CATA). Colorful felted hearts adorn high-quality blank cards for a simple and beautiful Valentine. Sold individually with envelope included for $6. CATA celebrates the creativity of people with disabilities through shared experiences in the visual and performing arts. Each week, a group of adults with disabilities collaborate with community volunteers to create beautiful, eco-friendly products out of mostly recycled materials. Sales of these products provide income in the form of commissions to the participants, help fund the program, and tell CATA’s story wherever they are sold. You can purchase their goods online and at shops around the county. Attend their annual performance and gala on May 17, 2014 (see pages 4 and 5 of this issue).

(413) 528-5485, www.communityaccesstothearts.org

Wine, Beer & Spirits CELEBRATE Cellarbration We can help you find just the right wine, beer, and spirits for your special

occasion. Just stop in to see us and we will be glad to help. Join our Savvy Wine Club to taste wines from diverse regions, learn about wine and food pairing, and enjoy access to special pricing on select wines.

Take advantage of our 20% wine sale at Cellarbration Wine, Beer & Spirits on the first and third Thursday of each month (some exclusions apply). The offer includes all 750ml bottles of wine from our hand-picked selections. If you can't make it to the store just visit our website and give us a call and we will put your order aside for you. Gift cards available. Our store is located inside Great Barrington's Big Y World Class Market. Open seven days a week, Monday -Saturday 9am-9pm and Sunday 12 -8pm.

(413) 528-6600, www.cellarbrationwinebeerspirits.com

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romance & wedding love is a sweet thing

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SUDDENLY IT'S NOT JUST ME BUT WE / By Rodelinde Albrecht

ost of us are quite capable of living alone and can be content to do so, thank you very much.

We can decorate our home just the way we like it, prepare the foods we prefer, choose our favorite entertainments.

If we want to get up in the middle of the night and play loud music or clatter around in the kitchen baking bread, who’s to stop us? We have no one to consider but ourselves.

Add another person and everything changes. Suddenly it’s not just me but we. Now someone else’s needs, wants, and preferences must be considered. Now adjustments must be made, compromises negotiated, care taken not to offend. Of course that’s true only if we actually want to build something that works, lasts, and satisfies.

So, is it worth it? The answer is up to you. Do you prefer your own company to that of someone who might at one moment exasperate you but at the next make you feel like a million bucks?

Do you want to live only the way you’ve fallen into by habit or would you like to explore new ways of being, thinking, and acting? Is independence everything to you or will you consider interdependence, trading self-reliance for a condition in which two people rely on each other, care for each other, watch each other’s back? If you are already contentedly coupled, you know

exactly what I’m talking about. If not, and you are looking for love, remember Winston Churchill’s famous words, “Never, ever ever, ever, ever give up.”

Experience and common sense tell us that love makes us feel good. But it’s nice to know that research has caught up with what we already know by identifying a clinically verifiable byproduct of love. When we snuggle up (even with our cat or dog!), our pituitary gland secretes a powerful hormone called oxytocin. This brain chemical is also known familiarly as the love hormone, the cuddle hormone, the trust hormone, and the moral molecule.

Other ways you can boost your oxytocin levels for a healthier, happier you include watching a tearjerker, getting a massage, or dancing, It seems that any activity that engages your emotions, or involves any kind of positive interaction between living beings, contributes to our well-being. Love is a sweet thing.

If you’ve already found your treasure, glory in it, and thank your lucky stars each day of your life. If you’re still seeking, take heart from Winston’s words.

~ Rodelinde Albrecht, Concerned Singles, www.concernedsingles.com

romantic & glamorous A UNIQUE AND MEMORABLE SETTING FOR YOUR WEDDING

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entfort Hall�s beautiful 1893 Gilded Age mansion offers a romantic and glamorous setting, evocative of an elegant bygone era. The hand-carved oak great hall, dramatic staircase, beautiful plaster ceilings, expansive lawn, and 90-foot grand veranda create a picture perfect scene for your memorable day.

Ventfort Hall is the ideal site for your unforgettable wedding, rehearsal dinner, or bridal shower. The mansion is available for other private events as well.

unusual to classic MAKING BRIDES HAPPY ONE RING AT A TIME FOR 65 YEARS

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nusual Wedding Rings & More is a second-generation business that has been making brides happy one ring at a time for more than 65 years. We have wedding rings in many different styles and metals for men and women from unusual to classic and many in between. Bring us your jewelry and family heirlooms and we can repair, refurbish, or recreate them with a new look. The words no or can’t do not exist in our vocabulary. We work with craftsmen of the highest quality and will make your dreams come true.

the ambiance, rich history and intimacy in a beautiful gilded age mansion built in 1893 create a truly unique setting for your wedding day.

best wedding value in the berkshires

For more information contact us at 413-637-3206 or by e-mail at info@GildedAge.org

104 Walker Street, Lenox, MA

GildedAge.org

UNUSUAL

b WEDDING RINGS & MORE b 137 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts (413) 236-9300 | unusualweddingrings.com open Tues-Fri 10:15am-5:50pm Sat 10am-4pm

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

February | March 2015

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romance & wedding artisan gifts

Celebrate Our Forty-third Year!

Wonderful Things

Largest Selection of Yarns and Unique Handcrafted Gifts in the Berkshires Gift Certificates S Free Knitting Lessons Open Mon-Sat 9:30-5, Sun 12-4 Harry and Debbie Sano 232 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230 (413) 528-2473 • www.wonderful-things.com

A WIDE VARIETY OF OFERINGS TO MAKE GIFT GIVING EASY

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efore you choose a gift for your loved one or the bride and groom, a visit to Wonderful Things is a must! You will find a wide variety of artisan gifts all handmade in the USA. Wooden bowls and utensils are a big hit. Consider a door harp of inlaid wood for something unique, or who would not want to receive traditional Shaker boxes? There are pottery lines to suit every taste, as well as a full line of Judaica including menorahs, wedding glasses, plates, frames, and more.

are you ready?

WE CAN OPEN UP A WHOLE NEW WONDERFUL WORLD

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oncerned Singles is the simple, smart, prudent way for you to find friendship and romance with interesting, intelligent, creative likeminded singles of all ages, throughout North America and beyond. Since 1984, Concerned Singles has brought together socially conscious, progressive singles who care about social justice, race and gender equity, the environment, and personal growth. We can open up for you a whole wonderful new world of prescreened possibilities for developing a satisfying longterm relationship.

the four c's WE WILL BE PRACTICAL SO YOU CAN BE ROMANTIC

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f you are thinking about buying a diamond, it is very much in your best interest to enlist the help of someone you can trust to educate you on the “Four C’s” that determine diamond quality: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. At Crown Jewelers this is precisely what we have been doing since 1977. Although there are many options now to buy a diamond online, we cannot stress how important personal, face-to-face service is here at Crown Jewelers. Customer service does not end after the purchase.

Now available exclusively at

37 Years • Your Personal Jeweler

www.crownjewelersinc.net Allendale Shopping Center

413-442-9073

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February | March 2015

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We work within your budget to find the diamond that is exactly right for you. We realize you are investing in timeless beauty that makes an intensely personal declaration. For such an important purchase, you want to be sure your special design says what is in your heart.

Here at Crown Jewelers, we will be practical so you can be romantic. Our knowledgeable team will work with you in the creation of rings that will be treasured for a lifetime.

romance & wedding double the pleasure

Treat Yourself AND the One You Love

RELIEVE TENSION AND PROMOTE GENERAL WELLBEING

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assage, facials, and reflexology held at Holistic Massage & Facial are natural healing arts that promote deep relaxation, relieve tension, improve circulation, and help promote general wellbeing of the body. A full-body massage or a facial will let you gently slip into a self-nurturing space, while reflexology, through the application of gentle point pressure on your face, ears, or feet, initiates a restful rebalancing of your body. Book an appointment for you and your special someone to enjoy simultaneous sessions!

intimate dining experience DESIGNED WITH ELEGANCE AND EXPERTLY CRAFTED

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reservation Society is the Berkshires’ newest intimate dining experience featuring simply sophisticated dishes with an à la carte charcuterie and raw bar menu as well as 3- and 5-course prix fixe dinner options. The dining room is cozy and rustic chic with a view of the chef ’s work station.

Seating is limited to 12 guests to ensure personal service. Parties of up to 30 guests are also offered. Preserving the harvest and Berkshire tradition.

Combine 2 Sessions Facial or Massage with Reflexology

for only $125

Sessions by Jennifer Coppola www.holisticmassageandfacial.com and Deborah Dunlap www.handshearthealth.com held at 1063 North Street, Pittsfield, MA

(413) 499-0916

Chef Christophe Jalbert brings to the Berkshires a handcrafted fine dining experience

PRESERVATION SOCIETY raw bar | charcuterie | multi-course tasting menu designed with elegance and expertly crafted

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For a unique dining experience call (413) 429-6310

999 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA

Open daily except Tuesday from 5pm-10:30pm

www.preservationsocietyrestaurant.com

your special day WE CAN HELP WITH CUSTOMIZED EVENT PACKAGES

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aba Louie�s can help you customize your wedding and special event parties. Our wonderful banquet room, located in our Pittsfield Restaurant, can host from 20 to 100 guests.

www.babalouiespizza.com for daily specials

As a family owned and operated restaurant, we at Baba Louie’s treat every guest as a member of our own family. Our team is experienced in helping you host your special event from the planning stage to the final day.

Whether it is a rehearsal dinner, shower, Jack and Jill, or the wedding reception itself, your meal will be made from the highest quality ingredients. Only the freshest vegetables, fruits, cheeses, and meats are used in creating our event packages.

Each package can be as simple as our famous pizza and bountiful salads, or customized to include special pastas, appetizers, soups, and desserts. We have also hosted many wonderful events from business luncheons and meetings to baby showers and bar mitzvahs. For any occasion, we can help you host a successful party!

Please come in and check out the banquet room, or call our catering manager at (413) 499-2400. www.babalouiespizza.com.

hudson pittsÞeld gt barrington www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

Food is the Language of love February | March 2015

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February | March 2015

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animal talk

my best friend forever

CARING FOR PETS SINCE 1957

MY PATIENT TUTOR, MY ZEN MASTER, AND MY SOLACE

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By Kristina Dow

grew up in a rural Vermont village (population 800) in the 1950s. The village school was four rooms for eight grades, and when you graduated from first grade to second grade, you simply moved from one side of the room to the other. Every other year you’d move to the lower grade side of another room.

Many of the kids at the village grade school were farmers’ kids, and lots of classroom seats would be empty during harvest time because the kids were needed at home. I wasn’t a farmer’s kid; we were village dwellers. My dad was a Dartmouth and Tuck School of Business grad who married a Vermonter, and then settled into becoming a Vermonter when he became the business manager of the local copper mine. The anomaly of a copper mine in Vermont drew together a diverse group of transient but closeknit adult village dwellers from across the country and from around the world, but kids my own age were very few and very far between.

Warm weather “playdates” consisted of going with my mom to one of the outlying farms to pick up supplies of fresh milk, eggs, vegetables, and fruits. While my mom shared coffee and gossip in the kitchen, I’d roam the farm with the farm kids I knew from school and visit all the farm animals while pulling fresh, warm eggs from beneath the chickens, and searching for kittens in the haymow. By contrast, the winter months were long and cold, but none of that mattered on those crisp, bright winter mornings when Mr. Bushway would bring his daughter Carol down from their farm in a horse-drawn farm sleigh and pick me up for a ride to school.

Those idyllic early years hold many fond memories, but the memories that are the most vivid and that I cherish the most are those of Fluffy, a big gray-and-white tomcat who quite magically appeared at our house one day, and who quickly became my constant companion and, indeed, my very first best friend. But even more than that, Fluffy became, and remains, perhaps the single most enduring and endearing influence on my life.

When the weather was warm and dry, Fluffy and I would spend the day wandering the fields, woods, and riverbanks. He taught me to be silent, observant, and peaceful. Fluffy was my Zen master. When the weather was cold or wet, we’d snuggle safe inside, and I’d read aloud to him. He encouraged me to be articulate, learned, and self-confident. Fluffy was my patient tutor. And if I was ever sad, mad, or scared, I’d take Fluffy under the bed with me to allay my tears, anger, and fear. Fluffy was my solace. And now, as I reflect back almost sixty years, I realize what a truly lucky child I was to have had Fluffy in my life, to have had Fluffy to love, and I loved Fluffy with all my heart. I hope all that Rainbow Bridge stuff is true. I’d love to be with Fluffy again someday . . .

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

~ Kristina “Tina” Dow is the owner of BensDotter’s Pet, in Great Barrington, MA, specializing in raw-food diets and much more. www.bensdotters.com.

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February | March 2015

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food & drink

the flower of love

A GARDENER'S DELIGHT, A TOKEN OF AFFECTION, A CHEF'S SECRET INGREDIENT / By Lawrence Davis-Hollander

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s there anyone who cannot get transported by the scent of a real rose? I don’t mean those perfect and inodorous stalks you buy in the supermarket, bred for pretty blooms alone, but rather the conveyance that occurs from the rich, sweet, voluptuous, and redolent emanation from a species or old rose.

Roses don’t have a singular fragrance but rather a panoply of variation from musk to spice.

Roses have long been associated with love and beauty because of their delicious flowers. Native to the northern hemisphere, there are about 100 to 200 different species (depending upon which botanist you consult) all characterized by thorns or – more botanically correct – stipules, ranging from shrubs to trailing or climbing plants up to 40 feet, and have somewhat to very showy flowers. Roses are part of the much larger Rose family, which includes a couple of thousand different herbaceous plants, shrubs, and trees.

While the story of the cultivated rose plant is long and complex, there are two particularly important areas from which roses came: one is western Asia (essentially the Mideast and adjacent southern Europe) and the other is China, which possesses many more species. China roses (Rosa chinensis) are a complex group of roses hybridized and cultivated for hundreds of years before being discovered by Europeans plus the original species rose. These, combined with the wild Rosa odorata, the wild tea rose, formed the basis of many kinds of modern garden roses.

According to Pliny, Rosa gallica was known to the Greeks and Romans and extensively cultivated by the Romans. This rose was used decoratively, its petals strewn everywhere, at banquets and in the wine, on parade grounds for victors. Roman brides and grooms were adorned with rose garlands as were the images of Cupid and Bacchus. In the medieval period in Europe a cultivar of the gallica was grown, known as the Red Provins or Apothecary’s Rose (of Provins). Rosa gallica officinalis was named for the town in France that became the center of industry for the production of its dried petals. This rose was used medicinally, in perfumes and cookery, and to make rose water. From the gallicas came ancient hybrids of the Summer and Autumn Damasks, the Portland Rose, the White Rose of York, and from that the

½

entrées available

M-m-m-yum! casual french dining

dinner only • 150 Main St., Lee 413.243.6397 cheznousbistro.com 12

February | March 2015

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Cabbage Rose, thence the Moss Rose.

While it is hard to make generalizations, some of the richest scented roses remain the old roses, that is damasks, gallicas, albas, moss roses, and others. The drawback to these is that most bloom but once in the season, yet some of their fragrances are to die for. As with other divine products of nature, morel mushrooms, heirloom tomatoes, or species peonies, the season is short, but so what? If by some chance you have not stuck your nose in one of these ancient blooms and inhaled, you have not fully lived. There are modern fragrant repeat bloomers available; notable are the David Austin roses combining some of the perfumes of the old roses, but alas in the colder parts of our region they are not reliably hardy.

The greatest prize derived from roses is otto of rose or attar of roses, discovered by the Persians in the early 17th century.

Thus began a center of the rose oil industry first in Persia, later in France, and eventually in the late 19th century in Bulgaria, which today is the largest center of production generating the finest oil from Rosa damascena. Other rose oil producers include Lebanon, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Russia, and Morocco, some of which use Rosa centifolia, the Cabbage Rose. The great 11th-century Persian philosopher and chemist Avicenna is widely credited with inventing the first large-scale method for making rose water, now largely a by-product of making rose oil. Rose water is widely used as a cosmetic and as an ingredient in regional dishes, especially desserts from the Mideast to India. So why not create a delectable delicacy for your darling?

food & drink

date rose flat cake SIMPLE AND UNADORNED YET AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS! / By Lawrence Davis-Hollander

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confection imbued with reminiscences of the Mideast. A simple, sweet, and tasty treat that’s easy to make using no sugar or gluten. The rose water gives it a wonderful floral fragrance, although not overwhelming.

Pistachio nuts are a wonderful and authentic complement to the rose. Almonds too would be authentic and you could also use pecans, walnuts, and so forth. This recipe goes nicely with tea.

My son loved it.

Ingredients

½ cup rose water ⅓ cup oil 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 egg 1¼ cup water, milk, or soy or almond milk 1½ cups white or brown rice flour (up to ½ cup of another flour such as oat, almond, or coconut may be substituted) ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1½ cup pistachio nuts or broken almonds (or other nut meats) Approximately 2 cups pitted dates (40-45 dates)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350◦F. In a food processor, blend rose water, water, oil, and about 20 dates until smooth. Then beat in egg.

Separately sift together flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix in nuts.

Fold batter gently into flour mixture and blend until smooth.

Batter should be thick yet able to pour. If too stiff add a few more tablespoons of liquid.

Pour into greased 9 x 9 or 8 x 8 pan. Decorate the top with the remaining dates, cut in half. Bake for approximately 30 minutes until the cake pulls away from the sides of the pan and the underside is slightly browned. © Copyright Lawrence Davis-Hollander 2015. ~ Lawrence Davis-Hollander is the author of the book Tomato: A Fresh-from-the-Vine Cookbook featuring delicious recipes for every tomato lover.

Lawrence is also an ethnobotanist, garden writer, gardener, and a principal of Dandelion Gardening Arts. www.dandeliongardeningarts.com.

Hawthorne Valley Farm Store

From Our Hands to Your Table A full-line natural foods store featuring organic breads, pastries, cheeses, yogurt, raw milk, sauerkraut and other foods made fresh on our farm!

Fresh • Organic • Local • Delicious Open 7 Days FARM STORE | www.hawthornevalleyfarm.org 327 County Route 21C, Ghent, NY 12075 | 518-672-7500 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

February | March 2015

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food & drink

Cellarbration Wine, Beer & Spirits Conveniently located inside Big Y for all your one-stop shopping needs

The 1st and 3rd Thursday of Each Month 20% Off Wine Sale

Visit cellarbrationwinebeerspirits.com to find out more about our Savvy Wine Club Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sunday 12pm-8pm

700 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA ♦ 413-528-6600

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

Come taste the “ancient flavors” of authentic Pompeian brick oven cooking & grilling, savored in an elegant, romantic ambiance in downtown Pittsfield.

413-499-1192 p trattoria-rustica.com 26 McKay Street, Pittsfield, MA Dinner daily from 5pm to closing.

Closed Tuesdays. Reservations suggested.

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Two photos to far left by Caroline Alexander

“Antichi Sapori”

food & drink

steak au poivre RICH, SAVORY, DELICIOUS, AND EASY TO MAKE / By Jim Gop

to smoke, gently lay the steaks in the hot pan. Brown steaks on both sides, about 2­to 3 minutes per side.

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owe a lot to Valentine’s Day. Truth be told, a large part of why I got into cooking is connected to a specific Valentine’s dinner. I agonized over picking the right flowers, music, and the right way to ask that special someone to go steady. In the end, it was the dinner that won her over. I suppose when you really care about a person, you want to take care of them, and what better way than with delicious food? Try this classic preparation of steak to impress the special person in your life. Steak au Poivre pairs well with roasted potatoes, French beans, and your favorite red wine.

Ingredients

2 boneless strip steaks, 6­-8oz each Salt and coarsely ground black pepper 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1-inch-thick bundle of fresh thyme sprigs 2 sprigs fresh rosemary 2 shallots, finely chopped ½ cup Cognac or brandy ½ cup excellent quality beef stock ¼ cup High Lawn heavy cream 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons jarred green peppercorns, drained ¼ cup chopped fresh flat­leaf parsley 1 bunch watercress, stems trimmed

Toss the thyme and rosemary on top of the steaks and transfer the whole thing to the oven; roast for 8 to 10 minutes, until medium rare. Two tricks here: 1. Touch your index finger to your thumb and poke your thumb pad; that is what medium rare feels like. 2. Use a meat thermometer inserted towards the center; the temperature should be 120◦F. Remove steaks to a plate, tent with foil, and rest for 5­to 8 minutes before slicing. Pour off the excess fat from the pan and put it back on the stove over medium ­high heat. Add the shallots to the pan drippings, sauté, stirring with a wooden spoon to scrape up the flavors in the bottom. Take the pan off the heat and pour in the cognac. Place pan back on the heat and tilt slightly over the burner to ignite the alcohol, or light with a match.

When the flames go out, stir in the stock and cream, simmer for about one minute to thicken up the sauce so it coats the back of your spoon. Finish the sauce by stirring in the mustard and peppercorns. Taste and season with salt, if necessary.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400◦F. Pat the steaks dry with paper towels and sprinkle all sides with a generous amount of salt and pepper. Place a large skillet over medium­ high flame, drizzle with the oil, and just when it begins

~ Jim Gop is the Manager of Fire Roasted Catering (www.fireroastedcatering. com, sister location to The Meat Market), a catering company focused on using locally sourced food, cooked on site, over hardwood fires using antique and handmade iron and steel equipment. The trail that led Jim to his current path was paved with intensive farm-to-table and seasonal food study. After graduating in 2008 from the Institute of Culinary Education, Jim was offered the Executive Chef position at a local Berkshire restaurant. During his time there, he fell in love with the relationships he developed with local food producers and really earned a taste for the quality of just-harvested ingredients. Jim and his team use what the seasons and the local area have to offer. As a result, each meal provides a unique connection with the land.

CATERING

THOSE WHO FIND US SEEK AN INSPIRED EXPERIENCE Local food, cooked on-site in the open, over huge fires in our custom-built ironware and antique cauldrons.

OUR EVENTS ARE ENLIVENED BY FIRE

RUGGED ELEGANCE | UNIQUE FOOD EXPERIENCE

fireroastedcatering.com ● 413-297-3473 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

February | March 2015

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Real Estate & Professionals

House Proud

First Home Fixer-upper

By Gladys Montgomery

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ith mortgage rates still extremely low, news that FHA and Fannie Mae will issue loans with down payments of only three percent, it is a great time for first-time home buyers to move forward on a purchase. Most dream of finding a home in a great location and in move-in-condition, replete with 21st-century updates and HGTV-worthy finishes, but soon discover that those homes generally carry higher price tags. By purchasing a fixer-upper at a lower price, buyers can spread the cost of improvements over time and have an end product that reflects their own tastes and lifestyles.

First, look for a great neighborhood or beautiful country setting: the least impressive house on a block of more expensive homes, a foothold in a terrific school district, or a place that offers privacy and nice acreage in a well-located rural town.

Second, note the style of the home, the size and scale of rooms, ceiling heights, how traffic flows from room to room and to the outside spaces, how large and well placed the windows are, architectural features that make it special, and whether it meets your checklist for what you need. Look beyond cosmetics, like old wallpaper, which are relatively easy to remedy.

Next, evaluate the condition. Older homes are not required to meet current building codes, but look to see that the owners maintained the house well and made necessary updates to electrical, plumbing, and roofs. During the purchase process, have a professional home inspection and obtain contractors’ estimates on any items or changes that you’ll need or want.

Stripping old wallpapers is a doable task for many homeowners, but remediating lead paint, a potential concern if children under six years of age will be living in the house, is not a great DIY project. Make sure the home is appropriate for changes you'll want to make. For instance, if you plan to refinish the basement, understand that, by law, basement bedrooms must have windows that are low enough and large enough for egress in the event of a fire or other emergency.

Also evaluate the potential cost of renovation and educate yourself so that you can spend wisely. For instance, you may not need to replace windows if they have good storms that provide an acceptable R-value. Once you own the home, you can enlist MassSave, which will perform an energy audit and even subsidize energy-saving work, such as insulation.

Finally, consider all of the costs: the purchase price, improvements, and carrying costs. Improvements do not generally translate into an equal amount when it comes to the selling price, so aim for intelligent improvements and a level of quality that will add appeal and value for you and future owners. ~ Gladys Montgomery is a Realtor with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty in Great Barrington, MA. Licensed in Massachusetts and New York State, she serves both buyers and sellers.

Her background includes a 30-year career as a marketing specialist and as a writer/editor/author specializing in architecture, design, and lifestyle topics. www.gladysmontgomery.williampitt.com

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Real Estate & Professionals

30th anniversary

Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS

SAFE, EFFICIENT, AND DURABLE PV SYSTEMS

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

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erkshire Photovoltaic Services (BPVS) turns 30 in 2015!

Since 1985, we have installed hundreds of photovoltaic systems in the area. Our mission is to provide safe, efficient, and durable PV systems. We favor photovoltaic components manufactured in our region, both to support the local economy and because these modules, mounts, and power electronics are the best in the world. BPVS is fully licensed and insured for commercial, institutional, and residential PV systems.

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

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MA LIC #'s HIC131996, CSL 73150

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efficient and reliable.

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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MA LIC #'s HIC131996, CSL 73150

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.

Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS

Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS

historic landmark OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY IN NEW MARLBOROUGH, MA

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riginally built as a church is 1849, this historic building has had major improvements and updates. It awaits your final transformation into a country store, cafe, antique shop, artist studio, or home. With plenty of parking, and zoned for commercial as well as residential use, the possibilities are only limited by your imagination. Interior renovations include new insulation, drywall, 400-amp electric service, and new heating system. Contact Kevin for more information. (413) 274-1122, kevin@hartsvilledesign.com

46 Howland Avenue, Adams, MA 01220

Tel. 413-743-0152 • www.bpvs.com MA LIC #'s HIC131996, CSL 73150

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ince 1985, recognized for careful designs, proven components and high quality workmanship, BPVS solar electric systems are user friendly, efficient and reliable.

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Member: American Solar Energy Society, Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Solar Energy Business Association of New England, Solar Energy Industries Association.

Historic Building for Sale in Hartsville, Massachusetts

spectacular victorian LIVE, PLAY, AND WORK IN LENOX

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his spectacular 4BR/4BA historic Victorian is completely renovated and now affords the potential of combining home, play, and work. Built circa 1892, the design imperative was to preserve the Victorian vernacular and promote a modern interior.

With separate entrances and a Main Street address, a high-visibility office is possible while maintaining completely private living spaces.

The low-maintenance landscape allows for free weekends while enjoying the 180-acre Kennedy Park, which abuts the property.

maintenance-free living

The newest development from LD Builders...

LUXURY PROPERTY – SEE FLOOR PLANS ONLINE

BARRINGTON BROOK

ust minutes from downtown Great Barrington, Barrington Brook, is an open space residential development in the heart of the Berkshires in western Massachusetts set on 156 acres of scenic beauty and privacy. Each single family condo has 3 to 5 bedrooms with 2 to 3 baths and range from 2,000 to 3,500 square feet in size. The spacious great room has an 11-foot ceiling.

All units have garages, screened in porches, an open deck, and appliances are Energy Star rated. www.barringtonbrook.com

Barringtonbrook.com 413-637-0843

 From $499K  Now in pre-construction  Minutes from downtown GB  Set on 156 acres  Swim club with heated pool  Furnished model open daily

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February | March 2015

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Join us for School Tour Days...

a parent’s chance to observe classes in session.

. r a e y o ol h c s 16 0 2 5 1 0 2 r fo g n i l l o r n e ! ased education d b e y t i Now r e m . .. li v o s i c e is Spac d s

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Tours at 9:00 am & 10:00 am Tuesday, February 24 Tuesday, March 17 Individual tours daily by appointment.

To register, visit www.BerkshireMontessori.org or call (413) 637-3662.

21 Patterson Road in Lenox Dale, MA.

education & workshops

self love UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS BEHIND BEHAVIORS

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By K. Meagan Ledendecker

t this time of year, we often think about how to bestow acts of love and kindness. Yet one of the first acts of loving kindness we can do is take care of ourselves, notice our own needs, and patiently honor our efforts.

Psychiatrist Rudolf Dreikurs has explored how human behavior has a purpose. Sometimes we are aware of the purpose, and sometimes it is unconscious. Through his work with children, Dreikurs described how to understand behavior by first acknowledging the needs a person is trying to fulfill.

At the most basic level, of course, we all need food, sleep, love, and protection. Certainly, if someone is starting to act out in some way, the first question to ask is if she is hungry, tired, or not feeling well. The need for belonging, connection, or significance is also a strong force. If a person doesn’t feel loved or accepted, he may do something (often unconsciously) to get affection or attention, maybe lash out to get even with whoever doesn’t seem to be noticing his needs, or perhaps even retreat into a discouraged mode.

Dreikurs identified how many behaviors stem from four mistaken goals: the desire for attention, the need for power, the hunger for revenge, and the assumption of inadequacy. If the person’s goal is attention, the coded message behind the behavior is “notice me” or “involve me usefully.” If he needs power, his behavior is sending the message that he needs meaningful ways to contribute. If she is trying to get revenge, she is communicating that she is hurting or needs her feelings validated. And when she assumes inadequacy by giving up or wanting to be left alone, the message behind her behavior is that she needs people to believe in her and show small steps towards success.

Although Dreikurs focused on children, the principles really apply to us all. When we “act out” or misbehave, what are we trying to communicate to those around us? First and foremost, we should check and see if our basic needs are being met. Are we taking time to breathe? Are we eating nourishing food? Are we getting substantial sleep? If we are taking care of our basic needs, it’s worth considering what else might unconsciously be motivating our actions. Do we need someone to notice our efforts? Do we feel powerful in our lives? Are we doing work that matters? Are we holding onto a grudge? Are we discouraged?

Children need the adults in their lives to peer behind their behavior, consider underlying causes, and provide empowering support. As adults, however, we often need to do this for ourselves. At the heart of the process is self-acceptance. We need to love ourselves unconditionally and give ourselves the time and space to attend to our unconscious motivations. So in this season of love and kindness, let’s consider and acknowledge our unspoken goals, the beliefs behind our behaviors, any coded messages, and proactive ways to take care of ourselves.

~ K. Meagan Ledendecker has three children and is the Director of Education at The Montessori School of the Berkshires. In addition to Montessori training for ages three through twelve, she has Assistants to Infancy training for childhood development prenatally through age three.

Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School

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

February | March 2015

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home & garden

LOOK UP! GEOENGINEERING

IT SOUNDS LIKE SCIENCE FICTION BUT IT'S NOT, AND IT'S HAPPENING OVER OUR HEADS IN THE BERKSHIRES

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h a t if there were a monumental environmental threat that you didn’t even know was happening?

What if you found out it is seriously affecting your health and that of people you know and love? What if you knew it was such an enormous problem that it has the potential to destroy our crops and trees, the soil they are grown in, our entire water supply, and whole ecosystems – and that if you didn’t act, we could never turn back?

We are not talking about fracking, nuclear energy, or the oil industry. We’re not even talking about climate change. What if it came into use in an insidious way, just as GMO foods have come into our food supply without our knowledge? What if it appeared to be harmless, but it wasn’t? And what if it were so cleverly woven into our culture that we didn’t even see it anymore? What if it were so masterfully disguised and wrapped in controversy that if you thought it strange or concerning, you’d be scorned or ignored? It sounds like science fiction, but it’s not. It’s happening right above you, and it’s called geoengineering.

This international program involves spraying nano aluminumcoated fiberglass known as CHAFF, barium, strontium, radioactive thorium, cadmium, chromium, nickel, mold spores, fungal mycotoxins, ethylene dibromide, polymer fibers, and more from airplanes at high altitudes that then fall to the ground, ending up in our bodies, our water, our soil, and the air we breathe, causing a radical increase in headaches, asthma, autoimmune diseases, nervous system disorders, dementia, liver and kidney problems, flu-like symptoms, compromised immunity, and more.

You can find articles and debates in which scientists are proposing to “dim” the sun to slow down climate change, using a technique called solar radiation management (SRM). Their concept is to mimic the dimming and cooling effects of a volcanic eruption and existing particulate pollution made by human activity. However, it has been out of the proposal stage for quite some time, and even though officials will not admit it, SRM is already in full-scale operation. SRM sounds like a viable solution to slowing climate change, and scientists have repeated how “cheap” it is over and over again. But it comes with a price. In fact, it comes with many.

In addition to causing serious health problems, global climate engineering/geoengineering programs are radically disrupting weather patterns, disrupting the hydrological cycle (causing severe drought in some areas, flooding others), destroying the ozone layer, and continuously contaminating the entire planet with the toxic fallout.

Climate engineering programs have been fully deployed for many years. There is a mountain of hard science data and film footage to back up this statement. If you’re concerned, go to www.skyderalert.com and take a few minutes to view the trailer for Look Up, an award-winning documentary, narrated by William Baldwin. It is an excellent introduction to the issue of ongoing climate engineering/geoengineering.

Following is additional information that will shine more light 20

February | March 2015

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on this extremely important issue, one that is radically affecting our planet’s life support systems, and every one of us. We hope the following information will motivate your continued investigation of the completely illegal, unregulated, and incredibly devastating climate modification programs that are being conducted over our Berkshires and on a global scale.  Learn More at www.geoengineeringwatch.org, and at www.skyderalert.com, and follow the links below.  Climate Engineering, Weather Warfare www.tinyurl.com/mxjevdp  The Most Important Topic of Our Time www.tinyurl.com/nvh6jam  “Look Up” Trailer - www.tinyurl.com/ny387cg  Aren’t They Just Contrails? No. www.tinyurl.com/kzgtmm7  Global Research Article - www.tinyurl.com/bxy5yqy  What About Aluminum? - www.tinyurl.com/mhrapmb  Why Is Aluminum a Problem? www.tinyurl.com/7ncaqw4  THRIVE/Chemtrails www.tinyurl.com/kpr9b75  Why in the World Are They Spraying? www.whyintheworldaretheyspraying.com

Still Not Convinced Weather Modification Is Taking Place? Follow the links below.  Operation Popeye - www.tinyurl.com/o3gxbvd  93rd Annual American Meteorological Conference, January 2013, “Seeding of Cirrus Clouds to Reduce Global Warming” - www.tinyurl.com/mgynqqk  Weather Modification Inc. www.weathermodification.com  North American Weather Modification Council www.nawmc.org  The History of Weather Control www.climateviewer.com/chemtrails  What Can You Do? Contact your senators and representatives and share your concerns. Contact www.dcgeoconsortium.org and express your opinions.

health & wellness

romancing aromatherapy USING SCENT TO DEEPEN OUR LOVING CONNECTION

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By Justin Kaye

alentine’s Day is upon us and I’d like to encourage everyone to explore the universe of scent this year.

In ancient Egypt and Rome, bathing with essential oils was part of the ritual of preparation for lovemaking. The Tantric tradition in the East still uses this practice. Traditionally in the East, whether it be China, India, or Japan, if you go to a yoga ashram or a Buddhist temple you will more than likely smell pungent incense burning. Whereas in the West (especially the USA) we see a trend of many meeting places and businesses encouraging fragrance-free environments. It is true that a growing number of people have allergies to chemicals, but we are not talking about commercial chemical-laden perfumes and colognes, which are quite toxic, but about the sensual joy of fragrances derived directly from nature.

There is interesting science behind the powerful effect of scents on sensuality. The olfactory lobe of the brain (part of the limbic system) is considered to be the seat of our feelings.

As soon as an odor enters the nasal cavity, it meets up with more than 50,000,000 receptor neurons located in the upper part of the nose. These receptors convert the scent into a message that is transmitted to the olfactory bulb, where the scent is processed, and then it is passed onto other areas of the brain that control emotions. For instance, alpha brainwaves have been shown to increase with the aroma of lavender, which is considered to be a relaxing fragrance. The smell of nutmeg can reduce blood pressure, and tuberose oil has been shown to reduce the stress hormone cortisol. There is even some evidence that shows essential oils can help everything from depression to impotence.

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

sauna

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The wonder of scent can be enjoyed in many ways. Sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, rose, jasmine, vanilla, musk, and agarwood (aka oudh) are traditionally considered to have aphrodisiac properties.

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February | March 2015

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health & wellness

romancing aromatherapy continued from page 21 / By Justin Kaye

Following are simple ways to enjoy essential oils on Valentine’s Day and throughout the year. ` Salt bath infused with essential oils ` Room spray or diffuser for the bedroom or bathroom ` Candles with essential oils ` Massage oil infused with essential oils

Flowing Form Bodywork Deborah Gerard

The undiluted application of essential oils is a highly controversial topic within the aromatherapy industry. Because some oils can irritate the skin, they should usually be diluted with a carrier oil rather than being applied directly to the body. Those who do feel that using certain undiluted oils is appropriate generally only apply them to specific localized areas for acute conditions.

The single most powerful oil I have encountered is agarwood or oudh oil.

Agarwood is reputed to be the most expensive wood in the world. There are many names for the resinous, fragrant heartwood produced primarily by trees in the genus Aquilaria. Most commonly, the resin is known as agarwood, aloeswood, eaglewood, gaharu, or oudh. Agarwood has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda to treat a variety of ailments, yet it is largely unknown even among those in New Age communities.

So it’s the brain (limbic system) that is

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February | March 2015

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the real erogenous zone. It would appear that the limbic region is a very important part of human beings in the wider context.

It is much more than a mechanism related to smell, since we know it can have a direct effect on so much of our physiology as well as our psychology.

Ultimately you need to find the scents that you and your partner respond too.

We are all largely stuck in conditioning as to what is considered masculine and what is considered feminine fragrance in the West. In India, people don’t create the same distinctions about specific fragrances. For example, it is as common for women to wear musk oil as it is for men to wear rose oil, which in the West is considered to be more feminine. It may take a little experimenting, but that is the fun part too. It’s all worth it when you find that specific fragrance that your loved one responds to.

For information about the limbic system as well as an interesting history of aromatherapy go to www.essentialoils.co.za. ~ Justin Kaye developed an interest in healing work from a very early age. He has been a licensed massage therapist and hatha yoga teacher. A longtime student of aromatherapy, Justin decided to turn his passion for scent into a side business. Visit www.facebook.com/ scentsbyskanda. Scents by Skanda offers a full line of essential oils known and unknown.

Specializing in custom blends, musks, and agarwood oils. Contact Justin for sampling and more information. justingkaye@gmail.com (413) 717-2498

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Toddler Children’s House Elementary Adolescent Summer

Now enrolling for 2015-2016 school year!

BerkshireMontessori.org

Individual tours daily by appointment

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

(413) 637-3662

February | March 2015

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Hartsville Design Woodworking Custom Cabinets & Design cherry | walnut | oak | exotics  Kitchen cabinets islands hutches dish racks wine centers

 Bathroom vanities tub surrounds dressing rooms

 Living & Dining

entertainment centers walk-in closets bookcases staircases furniture

(413) 274-1122

www.HartsvilleDesign.com