Autumn 2018, vol 50 Complimentary

Our BerkshireTimes ™

Local Events | Art & Culture | Home & Garden | Vibrant Living

Cover art by Shawn Baker / www.shawnbakerartworks.com

Visit us at www.ourberkshiretimes.com
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 Autumn 2018
Our BerkshireTimes™
PUBLISHERS Contents
Kathy I. Regan
publisher@ourberkshiretimes.com 4 art, culture & entertainment
UPCOMING EVENTS
Kevin J. Regan
kevin@ourberkshiretimes.com SHAWN BAKER
_______________ PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
EDITORIAL THINGS TO DO
Kathy I. Regan
editor@ourberkshiretimes.com 10 home & garden
WILLIAM CALIGARI
Proofreader
Rodelinde Albrecht NATURAL HOME CARE 7
_______________ BUYING PRELOVED UPOLSTERY
DESIGN 14 food & drink
Magazine Design/Layout
SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS & SQUASH
Kathy I. Regan
Brianna I. Regan
_______________ 16 animal talk
THE FUTURE OF PET NUTRITION
TO ADVERTISE CONTACT
Account Representatives 18 health & wellness
Kevin J. Regan THE MYTH OF DIAGNOSIS
kevin@ourberkshiretimes.com
THERAPEUTIC USES OF OZONE
Debra Johnson
mickschix2@aol.com 22 mind & spirit 10
PAST LIFE REGRESSION
Nina Anderson
A POWERFUL 2-STEP MEDITATION
safe@bcn.net
_______________
24 business services
Our BerkshireTimes is a division BRIGHT IDEAS FOR BUSINESS
of Visionary Group Unlimited
P.O. Box 133, Housatonic, MA 01236 26 education & workshops
Phone: (413) 274-1122 GESTURES OF ACCEPTANCE
advertise@ourberkshiretimes.com
www.OurBerkshireTimes.com 28 get ready for the holidays
TIME FOR TOGETHERNESS
COVER ILLUSTRATION
“Color of Water” by Shawn Baker
30 remember when?
27
SLEEPING UNDER THE STARS
www.shawnbakerartworks.com
Shawn grew up in a ON THE COVER - “Color of Water,” like most of Shawn Baker’s pieces,
family of artists and
was painted on coated paper using a custom-made 12” wide brush that
designers and went
she commissioned a carpenter to make in the ‘90s. Shawn loads the
to The High School of
Performing Arts and
brush with acrylic ink colors, usually 3 or 4, sets the brush to the paper
Juilliard. In the ‘60s she and slowly moves it to create the image. It is impossible to duplicate
married and raised any image. Prints available by emailing or calling the artist (contact
two sons and later information at left).
created an outdoor Our BerkshireTimes magazine has been proudly created without Wi-Fi since it
cafe in Stockbridge, was first published in 2009. This publication is printed with soy ink on Forest
and then a sign business, and published a Stewardship Council® certified paper. We distribute six issues per year and most
magazine. In the ‘90s her art life began in of our editorial content is contributed by our community members.
earnest, a passion that continues to capture
her imagination today. Her art is in most of the All content in Our BerkshireTimes™ is accepted in good faith. We do not necessarily
major hotels across the US and in Dubai. Go 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
to www.shawnbakerartworks.com to see more
reason. For printing errors of the publisher’s responsibility, liability is limited to the cost
of her work, and for prints, contact Shawn at of the ad space in which it first appeared. Unless otherwise noted, we use a Creative
shawnbaker111@gmail.com or (413) 854-7888. Commons License in place of a standard copyright.
3
 Explore the Berkshires
Train Rides for All Ages
When: Saturday, September 1 through Sunday, December 16, 2018. Weekends
and holidays through October and from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
Where: Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Hoosac Valley Train Rides, 4
Hoosac Street, Adams, MA. Park at the Adams Visitor Center located at 3
Hoosac Street, Adams, MA.
Cost: Rides start at $10 (fare prices vary with the event)
Enjoy a 1-hour ride in a 1950s Budd RDC through the picturesque Hoosac
Valley draped in fall colors. Try our “Spirited” Halloween Trains and
ride with a spiritual medium who interprets messages from the beyond.
Our TinseLiner™ Christmas theme trains bring the joy of Christmas in
the 1950s style (‘50s attire encouraged). When the train arrives in North
Adams, riders may disembark at an authentic ‘50s style Christmas tree lot
to enjoy a cup of fresh hot cocoa. During the return to Adams, Santa will
walk through the car and give a gift to each child. Seating is limited, so
reservations are strongly urged at www.berkshiretrains.org.
HVA Fall Foliage Paddle
When: Saturday, October 13, 2018, 10am-1pm
Where: Lenox, MA
Cost: See website
We will paddle a favorite section of the Housatonic River in Lenox (about
3 to 4 miles) during fall foliage time. Enjoy beautiful views of October
Mountain State Forest as you meander along the Housatonic. This is
an easy, flat water paddling, with minimal current. Suitable for families
4 Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
FUN THINGS TO DO!
Enjoy the magic
of Autumn!
with children ages 6-plus years. Preregistration is required. To register
call Housatonic Valley Association at (413) 298-7024 or email paddle@
hvatoday.org. www.hvatoday.org
Berkshire Music School Faculty Concert
When: Sunday, October 14, 2018, 4pm
Where: Saint James Place, 352 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA
Cost: $20
Berkshire Music School celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of
Leonard Bernstein with selections by, or inspired by, Bernstein. Performers
include Marjorie Dix, Keith Spencer, Sherri James Buxton, Beth Craig,
Rahima Hohlstein, and others. The $20 admission is a donation to BMS
education programs. www.berkshiremusicschool.org
Guido’s Truckload Sale
When: Friday, October 19, and Saturday, October 20, 2018. All day.
Where: Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, 760 South Main St, Great Barrington, MA
Only in our Great Barrington location.
Cost: n/a
It’s time to stock up at our famous Fall Truckload Sale! Our natural foods
buyers have been negotiating the best possible deals, so they can pass on
substantial savings to you! Stock up on your favorite fall/winter pantry
staples at 40 percent off* when purchased by the case. You won’t want
to miss this wallet-friendly event! *While supplies last. Some restrictions
apply. See in store for details. www.guidosfreshmarketplace.com
 TakeAway!
Breath Her

W ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE

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 NOW ON SALE  NOW ON SALE  NOW ON SALE 

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SALE
Breath Away!
art, culture & entertainment

ONON
NOW ON SALE  NOW
ONON
ON SALE
I Forever Do...

SALE
Pittsfield Halloween Parade

NOW
Take Her

SALE
ON SALE
NOW
S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S
When: Friday, October 26, 2018, 7pm

I Do. . .

 SNOW
S 
 NOW

NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE
Where: Starting on Tyler Street, Pittsfield, MA. See details below.

NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE
SALE
TakeAway!
Breath Her

NOW
Cost: Free

SALE
S NOW

ONON
ONON
Be in or attend the City of Pittsfield’s 74th festive annual Halloween

SALE
Parade beginning at 7pm on Tyler Street. We encourage your school S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S

SALE
NOW

NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S NOW ONSALE

SALE

SALES NOW
Breath Away!
or community/civic group to participate in this Pittsfield tradition

SALES NOW
ONSALE

ON
ON
(application deadline is Friday, October 12, 2018)! The parade will
begin on Tyler Street at the corner of Tyler and Smith Streets and end

I Forever Do...

SALE
NOW
ON
at Woodlawn Avenue. For more information contact Becky Manship,

NOWON
ONSALE
NOW
S NOW
Pittsfield Recreation Activities Coordinator, at (413) 499-9371,



rmanship@cityofpittsfield.org. www.cityofpittsfield.org

ONSALE
NOWON

NOW
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SALE

SALE 
SALESNOW
SALE
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Stockbridge Halloween Parade,

ON
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Party, and Pumpkin Walkabout
n’s Fine Jewele
ON

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When: Friday, October 26, 2018, 6pm

ONSALE
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Where: Starting at the corner of Main and Pine Street, Stockbridge, MA Est. 1985

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s FiStreet,

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Cost: Free SALE S NOW
ia

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b er
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Join us for Stockbridge’s annual Halloween parade, party, and eighth

Z a 413-243-0508 s

S NOW
Est. 1985
annual Pumpkin Walkabout following the parade (drop off your

ON
ON

NOW ON SALE
ON
ON SALE

pumpkins ahead of time – between 5 and 6pm – and we will light them).
15www.zabians.com
413-243-0508  15 MainStreet,
Main Street,Lee,
Lee MA  zabians.com
NOW

Meet at the corner of Main and Pine Streets decked out in costume and

SALE 
NOW
SALESNOW

413-243-0508
NOWON

march up Main Street to the Town office for cider and donuts. In case of
rain, activities will take place at the library. www.stockbridgechamber.org www.zabians.com
Open 7 days a week until Christmas.
 NOW

S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S

S NOW
n’s Fine Jewele

NOW ON
ONSALE

Owner Appreciation Day NOWON

S NOW
 ON SALE S NOW ON
 NOW ON SALE
SALE  NOW ON
S NOW ONSALE
SALE S

a
at the Berkshire Co-op! ab i rs
Z

ONSALE
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Est. 1985

ne JeLee
s FiStreet,

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When: Saturday, October 27, 2018, 8am-8pm

Where: Berkshire Co-op Market, 42 Bridge Street, Great Barrington, MA
b ia15
er
Cost: Free
Z a 413-243-0508 s

S NOW
Est. 1985

NOW ON SALE
Four times a year we celebrate our owners by throwing a party! Stop
ON SALE

by from 8am to 8pm for demos, raffles, free samples, and, of course, 15www.zabians.com
Main Street, Lee
The Berkshires...
*10 percent off storewide for co-op owners! *Some restrictions apply. 413-243-0508
I Live It, I Know It, I Love It
NOWON

www.berkshire.coop
www.zabians.com
Open 7 days a week until Christmas.
 NOW

S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S NOW ON SALE S

Sisters Used Furniture’s Steve Erenburg
NOWON
S NOW
 ON SALE S NOW ON
 NOW ON SALE
SALE  NOW ON
S NOW ONSALE
SALE S

Annual End-of-Season Sale Associate

When: Friday, November 2, through Sunday, November 4, 2018

Where: Sisters Used Furniture, 402 Park Street (Route 183), 413 663 0457
Housatonic, MA
Cost: n/a
Join us for our once-a-year end-of-season sale. Our beautiful designer brand
inventory will be 30 to 90 percent off our already incredible pricing. We
will have sofas, dressers, end tables, lamps, desks, mirrors, lots of art, and
so much more. Our sale runs from Friday, November 2, through Sunday,
November 4. Our sale hours will be 11am to 4pm all days. Once the sale is
413 637 1086 Lenox, ma
over so is our season. We will see you all in spring of 2019! (413) 274-9900, www.cohenwhiteassoc.com
www.sistersusedfurniture.com, www.facebook.com/sistersusedfurniture

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018 5

Shawn Baker
OUR BERKSHIRETIMES MAGAZINE'S AUTUMN 2018 COVER ARTIST
I grew up with beatnik parents. They danced in sarongs to classical music. There was always a tree in the living
room and bamboo blinds. My sister read Tolstoy at 12 and I, well, I danced, jumped on my trampoline, and did
acrobatics. Later in life my mother designed clothing, my dad furniture, and my sister became a fine artist . . .
When we moved to New York to further my parents’ furniture business,
I went to the High School of Performing Arts for dance and later to
Juilliard. I married at 21 and have two beautiful boys. When the boys
were still very little, and with no experience at all – I didn’t know how
to make brewed coffee – I created an outdoor cafe with a partner called
The Cafe in the Mews, in Stockbridge, MA. It was a huge hit in a town
that catered to theater, dance, and art. And later with an equal lack of
knowledge, I published a magazine called The Berkshire Restaurant and
Entertainment Guide. In the late ‘80s I started a business called SignWorks
– my first foray into any sort of art life. Having no real idea how to
make signs, I let plain old good taste and some natural ability for design
dictate, and developed a niche in the area for artistic signage. Outside
business life, I was always designing and making things – anything I
wanted and couldn’t find or afford to buy. I was hungry for art, for
beauty, and color. Sign life was challenging and fun but I longed for a
more artistic expression. And then the angels intervened!
One winter in the early ‘90s, I loaned a friend who had a printing
business a couple thousand dollars which was to be repaid the
following week. The week came and went and so did the friend. He
went bankrupt and disappeared, abandoning a half-looted house.
My boyfriend at the time, a “make my day” kind of guy, suggested we
go out to the house at night and see what we could find. So under
cover of darkness we coasted onto the property. Silently with little
flashlights darting around we found the house and garage open and
windblown. Half an hour later, I filled the truck with a great file cabinet
that I subsequently used for 20 years, a fireplace wood holder, and reams
and reams of a thin coated paper from his printing business that just
6 Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
Paintings by Shawn Baker. You can find
Shawn’s work at Diana Felber Gallery in
West Stockbridge, MA, or go to
www.shawnbakerartworks.com.
appealed to me. We crept away with our booty. A successful heist.
One idle evening, more than a year later, I got out some inks and
a square tipped 1-inch brush. I lightly pulled the brush along the
stolen paper, twizzling and turning it. My eyes popped as I saw what
was coming out under the brush. It looked like ribbons, and then
earth striations or underwater things. I bought a 2-inch brush and the
paintings got bigger. Not satisfied, I commissioned a carpenter friend
to make me a 6-inch brush and then a 12-inch brush. I couldn’t stop.
The images fascinated and thrilled me. For several years I piled the
paintings in a corner until a gallery owner came for a sign consultation
one day and spotted them. He encouraged me to frame 8 of them and
display them in his eclectic gallery in Great Barrington, MA. They sold.
A bad loan, a “make my day” boyfriend, and stolen paper . . . the
angels must have been laughing their heads off planning that one.
Other opportunities followed and I have
several art agencies representing me. My
work is now in major hotels, cruise ships,
condo complexes, and other venues all
over the United States and abroad. In
2013 I retired from sign life and moved
to Sarasota, Florida, where I play a lot
of pickleball, practice my aerial yoga,
dance, write, beachcomb, and always
follow my creative passions. Visit www.
shawnbakerartworks.com, and contact
Shawn at shawnbaker111@gmail.com.
 Product
Spotlight

BRILLIANT Floating Opal Jewelry / Cheshire Glassworks

A stunning new take on an old classic, this original handcrafted floating opal jewelry from Cheshire
Glassworks is the perfect gift for autumn gift giving (October’s birthstone). Opals are a seductive gemstone that has always been
associated with love and passion, and can dramatically change appearance – a magnificent show of iridescent colors – when viewed
from different angles. When the gemstone is encased in borosilicate glass (opals are one of the only stones compatible with glass) its
colors are enhanced when it catches the light, resembling a floating bit of fire! Opal rings, earrings, pendants, and marbles available.
Cheshire Glassworks, run by artist/owner Jill Reynolds, is an independently owned studio and gallery located in the northern
Berkshires filled with sparkling jewelry, glass vases, and imaginative sculptures. Jill lovingly creates each one-of-a-kind piece with the
magic of fire, glass, and brilliant color. Now celebrating 12 years in business! Located at 24 South Street (Rt 8), Cheshire, MA.
(413) 743-7828, www.cheshireglassworks.com

CUSTOM Kitchen Cabinetry / Hartsville Design

The kitchen has long been recognized as the heart of
the home – a place where friends and families gather. Are you happy with your
space? If not, it’s time to take action. How often do you have the opportunity to
get exactly what you want, right down to the last detail? You can with custom
cabinets that provide limitless kitchen design options, are built to last, and are
a good investment because they improve the overall value of your home. Bring
your ideas to life – choose the color, grain, size, shape, texture, hardware, and
budget . . . and have it fit perfectly in your space. Be practical or wildly creative.
Hartsville Design can create a beautiful, functional kitchen that fits your style
and will be treasured for generations to come. Hartsville, MA.
(413) 274-1122, www.hartsvilledesign.com

VELVETY Brandied Cherry White Chocolate

Mousse Cake / Chocolate Springs
Enjoy delicious, velvety mousse cake with some serious hot chocolate, just right on
a crisp Berkshire autumn day. Chocolate Springs is a European-style chocolate and
dessert café run by proprietor Joshua Needleman, with decades of experience in
crafting the finest handmade bonbons from natural ingredients. Chocolates at
the café (and for online purchase) include milk and dark, truffles, and award-
winning ganaches and amazing hot chocolate, made fresh every day using only
the finest seasonal and organic ingredients whenever possible. Enjoy coffee, sorbet,
espresso, and much more. Buy gifts online at any time, or visit Chocolate Springs
Café in person at their convenient location at 55 Pittsfield Road, Lenox, MA.
(413) 637-9820, www.chocolatesprings.com

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018 7

 Things to Do
When the Frost
is on the Pumpkin
S
ummer offerings are plentiful in the Berkshires, but don’t
give up on us when the first cold morning appears. Just
because the wonderful summer theatres are winding
down, outdoor concerts are a memory, and the myriad
of country fairs have come and gone, there are still a lot of
interesting and fun things to do before we start shoveling.
When the air is crisp but the sun still warms your body and
makes you want to be outdoors, you can try a zipline if you
haven’t already. I have found that until late October, outdoor
adventure parks are a great way to have fun with the kids or
grandkids. Ramblewild, located near the old Brodie Mountain ski
area in Lanesboro, MA, will challenge the best of us with their
treetop ropes courses, but also has hiking for those who want a
ground-based experience. It’s exciting as a beginner to take their
orientation course and then find yourself comfortable at being
forty-five feet up in the trees while tethered in their auto-lock
carabiner harness system. If you miss the fall season you can try
snowshoeing at Ramblewild in the winter.
For those of us who love train rides, Berkshire Scenic Railroad
in Adams, MA, gives great fall foliage excursions between Adams
and North Adams in a 1950s Budd RDC. The ten-mile trip takes
you through the picturesque Hoosac Valley where you can view
our beautiful Berkshire trees in their autumn splendor. They
also have cabaret excursions and even a “spirited” Halloween
train with a medium onboard who interprets messages from the
beyond, a TinseLiner™ Christmas-themed trains in December.
Also in Adams, for those who enjoy crafting, you’ll find Hobby
World, which carries the largest inventory of plastic, wood, and
diecast models in New England, and a great assortment of radio-
controlled devices, trains, dollhouse miniatures, puzzles, and toys.
Authentic-looking model kits give your kids (and those young at
heart) the reward of building something themselves that they can
treasure for years to come.
8 Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
By Nina Anderson
Sailing, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing are still an option, as
long as you stay aboard. The water can be chilly with nighttime
temperatures sometimes dipping below the freezing point. But,
if you want to see fall foliage from offshore this is a great time to
venture out. Many places still rent boats until mid-October and if
you’d like to go for a sail you can travel just over the border into
Salisbury, CT, where at O’Hara’s Landing on Twin Lakes you will
find Nashalla Sailing that charters their 21’ mini-yacht until the
leaves fall off. Call ahead for reservations.
Indoor activities are plentiful during those chilly rainy days of
fall. If you are curious about how they make all those special
effects in movies you can take your techy teenagers to Animagic
in Lee, MA. Here they offer free tours where you can see the
actual models used in movies and how special effects are made.
Want to park your kids for a while? Sign them up for Animagic’s
animation workshop where they can create their own movie.
To unplug your techy kids, head over to Blue Rider Stables in South
Egremont, MA, which offers year-round horseback riding lessons
and workshops for children and adults. Not only do they teach
horse husbandry, but they also focus on social intervention as a
tool to combat bullying and peer pressure in a holistic educational
environment where children can interact with animals. Their classes
build positive group dynamics and allow kids to develop a respect
for horses while having fun. Horses can be emotional healers and
a great stress reliever. To prepare for the long winter months ahead
it may be worth a visit to their stable.
So, as you can see there is no shortage of things to do when the
frost is on the pumpkin. I love fall and the Berkshires has lots of
great things to keep us entertained no matter what season we are in.
~ Nina Anderson graduated Monmouth University with a BA in art and is
author of 18 books on natural health and aviation. She also runs a sailboat
charter service in Salisbury, CT, in the summer. www.nashallasailing.com
 art, culture & entertainment

www.dianafelbergallery.com • 413-232-7007
6 Harris Street, West Stockbridge, MA

The Ultimate Berkshires Adventure

MORE THAN 30 YEARS IN BUSINESS
GET READY FOR WINTER!
We'll check your anti-freeze
Alignments ● Tune ups ● Oil change
Brakes ● Timing belts ● And more!
Set on 1,400 acres, Ramblewild is a premier mission-driven
Adventure Forest created to inspire learning and conservation through
fun activities. Located within a natural hardwood forest, Ramblewild
has one of the largest Aerial Adventure Parks in New England, nature
trails, a low ropes course for customized team building programs,
a campground, and a maple sugarbush. Whether you’re a fitness

W
fanatic who loves an outdoor workout, a thrill-seeker looking for

ILLIAMS & KINGSLEY revitalizing fun, or someone eager to escape from the city for a new
outdoor adventure, Ramblewild has something for everyone!
AUTO REPAIR, INC.
Open April-October  Reservations Recommended
413-442-1620 ● 763 East Street, Pittsfield, MA (413) 499-9914  www.ramblewild.com

Nashalla Sailing

Charter with Captain Nina on

Twin Lakes, Salisbury CT
888-217-7233

Therapeutic Riding & Horsemanship

at Blue Rider Stables
Blue Rider Stables, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
in Great Barrington, MA, offers mindful connection
through the equine experience. Our sessions are
designed for children and adults of all ages and skill
levels to help facilitate growth, learning, and healing. Riding skills
are taught bareback, focusing on core balance and a growing
understanding of the horse and ourselves. Discover the art behind
the sport of riding, empowerment, acceptance, growth, and healing
through the healing powers of equines. Visit our website and
contact us to find out more about our programs.
(413) 528-5299 ● www.bluerider.org

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018 9

home, garden & landscape

W illiam Caligari
Interior Design
offers exceptional
comfort, refinement, warmth,
and spirit to clients’ homes
to also include residential clients’ needs. We now focus on both
residential and commercial clients throughout the Berkshires, the
Northeast, and beyond.

Q: What else do you offer?

and workspaces. We work
throughout the Berkshires
and the Northeast, collaborating
closely with our clients to
achieve their vision and
reflect their values, from
design concept to project completion. We partner locally with
our region’s finest artisans, fabricators, and artists to achieve
singular design detail for our customers. Our work has attracted
residential and commercial clients across the United States, in
Saudi Arabia, France, Puerto Rico, and France.
Q: William, please tell us more about what you do.
A: Client-inspired residential and commercial space planning,
project management, procurement of furnishings and
accessories; interior and exterior elevations using by-hand
perspective sketches, supplemented by Auto-CAD and other 3-D
design technologies.
A: Interior design services from concept to completion, for
projects ranging from grand to modest scale, from short-term
project to multi-year design projects. We excel at large multi-year
projects, but welcome smaller jobs and shorter-term projects.
Q: What is your philosophy?
A: Capture and respect the client’s vision, offer transparency about
cost and process, and honor the budget – regardless of scale.
Q: How can our readers find you?
A: Our website is www.williamcaligari.com, and we welcome
visitors at our studio/office at 85 Main Street, Great Barrington,
MA, which is also the home of our sister textile company, Linen.
We can also be reached at (413) 528-3556.

Q: How did you get started?

A: I began my career in 1981 working in New York City, where
I gained broad experience in the interiors industry. In 1989 I
returned to the Berkshires to start my firm in Lenox, MA, and
we moved to 85 Main Street, Great Barrington in 2003. Our early
focus was geared toward hotel/spa interiors, but quickly grew

10 Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

 home & garden

Natural Home Care

By Kathy I Regan

F or centuries people have used dried herbs, flowers, and

citrus peels to scent their linens, clothing, and homes.
Unlike harmful chemical scents, natural herbs and plants
are a much healthier choice and can positively affect your mood
and the atmosphere of your dwelling. Organic essential oils
(natural oils composed of concentrated compounds extracted
from plants that capture the plant’s scent, flavor, and essence)
are wonderful to use when fresh or dried plants are not available.

Star Anise and Cloves

Decorative to look at, star anise and
cloves are often found on display in the
cozy autumn season (sometimes
embellishing oranges and lemons).
The powdered bark of star anise can hartsvilledesign@gmail.com

be burned as incense and the dried fruits are a sweet-smelling

addition to potpourri mixtures. Cloves have a sweet and spicy
aroma that is ideal for freshening the home, and its powerful
antibacterial properties are helpful for mold and musty smells, as
well as a beneficial additive to natural all-purpose cleaners.

Lavender and Rose

The soft scents of rose and lavender calm
the nervous system and can improve sleep
quality. Fresh or dried, they are renowned
for their beauty and aroma and the perfect
choice for your bedroom (if you love the
scent, mist romantic rose water on your
sheets) or anywhere you wish to create
a tranquil, peaceful area in your home.
Lavender essential oil has antimicrobial,
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make your own lavender water to clean countertops and doorknobs.

Wild Germanium and Mint

When I gave birth to our daughter, Brianna, in 2005, my husband,
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possible from our home, including all scented personal care and
cleaning products knowing how devastating they can be to one’s
health. We got used to, and even enjoyed, the lack of scent in our
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www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018 11

 TipsandTricks
for Buying Preloved Upholstery
GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESS

By Anastasia Coulombe

M
y favorite part of the business I’m in is exploring
estate and tag sales and other venues and finding
upholstered treasures – I can talk forever about
batting, fills, ticking, decking, you name it! Over the
past several years of my search I have scored with great success
and failed just the same, but have enjoyed every minute regardless.
Here are some tips to make your next treasure hunt successful.
● Let your nose decide - When buying upholstered pieces, first
smell. If there are any odors of mold, mildew, or smoke, no
matter how well you think it will clean up, chances are it won’t.
● Sit - And not just on one side of a sofa . . . sit in the middle, sit
on the other side, lie down, and feel the wear. How is the fill? Are
the back cushions batted so they don’t fall? We are creatures of
habit and tend to sit in the same spot, so make sure there aren’t
any “holes.” Do your feet touch the floor? Is it too deep? Not
deep enough? Spend the time to sit!
● Examine everything - Examine every cushion front and back.
Unzip the cushions too – I always encourage my customers to
do that at our shop. Look at the decking (the platform directly
under the seat cushions). Is there fabric there that matches the sofa
exactly? Chances are if so, it was a custom-made piece! Look at the
brand, then research it. Names such as Hickory Chair, Baker, and
Century are fabulous quality designer names that retail for many
thousands of dollars and last much longer than an online or box
store piece. So many consignment/thrift stores don’t have or take
the time to research what they have, which is a bonus for you!
● Finally, cleaning - This has been my worst downfall over the
years, as I have ruined dozens of beautiful upholstered pieces
because of inexperience. In all honesty, I could probably teach a
course on what to do and not to do with upholstery. My biggest
suggestion is the “less is best” rule. Give the piece a good old-
fashioned vacuuming. If the covers can be cleaned in a washing
machine, make sure to set the water temperature correctly and
zip the cushions closed before washing. Always line dry. If there
are small spots, determine their origin. Most protein stains can
be quickly removed with a Q-tip and hydrogen peroxide. For oil,
use a cotton ball and baby powder. The worst thing to do is scrub
vigorously with harsh chemicals. Always test spots first in an
inconspicuous place. Never use hot water! Hot water sets stains;
instead opt for room temperature water.
Overall, just enjoy your piece and don’t fret too much over it. Take
the time to daydream about your next treasure hunting adventure!
~ Anastasia Coulombe is the proprietor of Sisters Used Furniture, which
carries an ever-changing, eclectic mix of high-quality, super clean, gently
used, affordable home furnishings. The store is conveniently located at
402 Park Street (Route 183) in the artsy village of Housatonic, MA. Visit
in person or check Anastasia’s Facebook page regularly to see her current
inventory. www.sistersusedfurniture.com

Make sure that any imperfections are thoroughly inspected by

you. When treasure hunting, imperfections are common and it is
your job to find them and decide if you can live with them before
taking them home.

● Size matters - Select furniture that is the right proportion

for your room size and its purpose. There are many online
calculations to help you achieve the best scale. Also, where will
the piece go? Keep in mind line of sight when picking out taller
chairs and sofas, and where windows and light enter your room.

12 Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

 home & garden

Alliance Appliance Sisters Used Furniture

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www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018 13

food & drink

Shiitake Mushrooms & Butternut Squash in Browned Butter

This flavor-packed side dish marries rich butternut squash with salty shiitake mushrooms. Serves 6.
By Rachel Oberg, Guido’s Fresh Marketplace

Ingredients
¼ cup salted butter, divided Kosher salt
1 pound shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps sliced ½ medium butternut squash, peeled and cut into small cubes
2 tsp chopped sage leaves
1 T chopped rosemary
1 T fresh lemon juice

Directions
Set a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add 2 tablespoons of
the butter, let it melt, and then continue to cook until the
butter takes on a deep golden color, about 15 minutes.

Add the mushrooms and cook until they shrink and release
their juices, 10 to 15 minutes.

Season with ¼ teaspoon of salt and transfer to a bowl. Wipe

out the pan.

Add the remaining butter, again letting it brown in the pan.

Add the squash, sage, rosemary, and ¼ teaspoon of salt.

Cook, stirring often, until the squash is tender, about 30

minutes. Add the mushrooms back to the pan, just to warm
them through.

Remove from heat and toss with lemon juice. Taste, and add
more salt if necessary.

~ Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, www.guidosfreshmarketplace.com

14 Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

 food & drink

Take $35 off when you spend $100 or more*

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www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018 15

animal talk
The Promising Future of Pet Nutrition
WHAT VETERINARIANS NEED TO KNOW TO REMAIN RELEVANT / By Kristina Dow
T
he notion that the physiology and biochemistry
of our domesticated dogs and cats have deviated
significantly from that of their carnivorous ancestors
is a fallacy heavily promoted by veterinarians. It is a
construct that sells a lot of plant-based pet food, including, and
especially, veterinary prescription diets. But guess what? That
construct is rapidly beginning to deconstruct, and that’s a curve
that veterinarians would do well to stay ahead of if they wish to
remain relevant in the discussion of canine and feline nutrition.
The common existing veterinary assertion that the domestication
of our dogs and cats has caused their nutritional needs to deviate
from that of their carnivorous ancestors rests in particular with the
claim that the mandibular action and dentition of domesticated
dogs have manifested changes that indicate that our pets have
evolved from carnivores into omnivores. However, despite the
narrative to the contrary, our domestic dogs still have no flat-
crowned teeth, and they have yet to develop any side-to-side
mandibular movement, both of which are required by omnivores
for the predigestive grinding of plant material. The mandibular
action and dentition of our pet dogs and cats are still that of their
carnivorous ancestors, with a powerful vertical mandibular action
combining with a mouthful of sharp-crowned teeth perfectly
aligned for a locking grip with no side-to-side slippage of the jaw,
just as Mother Nature intended.
While we may have succeeded in making our dogs’ and cats’ noses
too short, their backs too long, and their coats of little protective
use, their fundamental nutritional needs for survival and their
fundamental nutritional requirements to thrive remain unchanged.
Our domestic dogs and cats are carnivores and must be nourished
as such, but their carnivorous classifications differ with the degree
to which they depend on meat to survive. The domestic cat is
classified as an obligate (or true) carnivore; the domestic dog is
classified as a facultative (or scavenging) carnivore.
As obligate carnivores, our domestic cats must consume meat to stay
alive. They may eat and enjoy other foods, but only animal tissue
contains the complete amino acid profile that must be included in
their diet for them to survive. Plant-based proteins alone do not
contain all of the amino acids critical for the survival of an obligate
carnivore. They cannot survive, much less thrive, without meat in
their diet. They are categorically carnivores, by definition able to
thrive, to grow, and live with vigor, only on a meat-based diet.
As facultative carnivores, our domestic dogs can survive on plant
material alone, but they must consume meat as a part of their
diet if they are to thrive. That latter distinction is an important
one. Omnivores can thrive without meat in their diet; carnivores
cannot. Our pet dogs, despite their ability to survive on plant
material alone, cannot thrive without meat in their diet, and
they are not, therefore, omnivores. They, too, are categorically
16 Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
carnivores, by definition able to thrive, to grow, and live with
vigor, only on a meat-based diet.
But, for many observers of this discussion, the distinction between
surviving and thriving is not discernable, at least not until they
personally witness both the visible changes in appearance, as well
as the invisible, but measurable, metabolic changes that occur
when their own pet moves from merely surviving to absolutely
thriving. And it is often particularly difficult to persuade a
veterinarian that such a difference can exist when it has never
been seen to manifest, as is often the case with the nutritional
solutions offered by veterinarians. But when you see it, you will
know it, and you will be forever impressed.
So what is the best way to nourish a carnivore to thrive? That’s
easy. Play it as Mother Nature would. She’s still in charge, and
time and time again we see that her best lead to follow is a
species-appropriate prey model raw diet. Replicating a species-
appropriate prey model diet in the home can bring about the
effect of life with newfound growth and vigor. A species-
appropriate prey model raw diet is Mother Nature’s prescription
for health and vitality!
But just as the carnivorous classifications of our dogs and cats
differ with the degree to which they depend on meat to survive,
so do their optimum diets. As an obligate carnivore, the domestic
cat lacks the enzymes necessary to derive bioavailable nutrition
from fruits and vegetables and, therefore, there is no nutritional
need for the inclusion of them in their diets. On the other hand,
as facultative carnivores, domestic dogs have a much broader
ability to synthesize nutrients from the building blocks supplied
by fruits and vegetables, and so their diets will often include
them, albeit by choice, not out of necessity.
What Raw Pet Food Diets Are and What They Are Not
First and foremost, it must be made clear that raw pet food diets
are not simply hunks of muscle meat thrown into a bowl, and it is
extremely important to understand that any such diet would present
a severe risk of phosphorus toxicity of the kidneys. But when
formulated to ensure a proper calcium:phosphorus ratio, raw pet
food diets have consistently been shown to enhance kidney function.
Most raw pet food diets include appropriate combinations of muscle
meat, organ meat, and bone, crafted into a complete and balanced
recipe, sometimes with the inclusion of fruits and vegetables and
other whole foods, and sometimes with the inclusion of synthetic
vitamins and minerals. AAFCO-certified raw pet food diets that
are not complete and balanced must bear the warning that they
are “For Intermittent or Supplemental Feeding Only,” and, in any
such case, it is best to consult with a knowledgeable resource to
determine exactly what is required to properly feed such a diet.
 animal talk

While it is not uncommon for raw pet food diets to present with
organic fruits and vegetables, the inclusion of organic meats is
highly uncommon due to the high price point associated with
those inclusions. Even if organic, beware the raw pet food diets
that are prepared from butcher’s scraps as they are likely to be
much too high in fat for the typical pet dog or cat. Any AAFCO-
certified raw pet food diet should present with a clear listing of
ingredients and a clear guaranteed analysis of the percentage of
protein, fat, fiber, and moisture.

How Raw Diets for Cats Differ from Raw Diets for Dogs

Raw diets for cats, as obligate carnivores, should not include any
fruits or vegetables, and the inclusion of those in raw diets for
cats have been known to upset the pH balance of the body and
increase the incidence of urinary tract infections in susceptible
cats. For that reason, synthetic vitamins and minerals to balance
the diet are preferable to the inclusion of fruits and vegetables.
In addition, the inclusion of any seaweeds such as dulse, kelp, or
spirulina may create problematic levels of iodine in susceptible
cats, overstimulating the thyroid and bringing on hyperthyroidism.

Most raw diets for dogs, as facultative carnivores, contain

fruits and vegetables; however, true prey model diets for dogs
eschew that inclusion. In a prey model diet’s simulation of the
scavenging carnivore’s natural way of feeding in the wild, only
the raw diet equivalent of the prey (muscle meat, organ meat,
and bone) should be consumed at mealtime, simulating the
consumption of the kill in the absence of fruits and vegetables,
and thereby maximizing the acidity of the gut so as to ensure
the destruction of pathogens and parasites, as well as the full
digestion of consumed raw bones. Alkaline fruits and vegetables
would then be scavenged (given as treats) between meals.

Pathogens in Raw Food Diets

The USDA presumes a cultural awareness of safe handling

practices for raw foods, and so allows managed-risk levels of
pathogens in raw foods intended for human consumption.
But the FDA presumes a cultural complacency with regard
to safe handling practices for pet foods, and so maintains a
standard of zero tolerance for pathogens in foods intended
for pet consumption. Raw diets labeled for pet consumption
are, therefore, held to a higher standard of pathogen control
than are raw meats intended for human consumption, and most
raw diet manufacturers have initiated a kill step in their raw diet
processing to ensure pathogen-free feeding.

Additionally, the natural pH balance of the saliva and of the

gut of a raw-fed carnivore is not pathogen-friendly, and the
transit time of raw proteins through the carnivore’s shortened
digestive system does not encourage pathogen proliferation.
Please remember: Canine and feline nutrition is not about
marketing theory, it’s about nutritional science. It’s about
physiology. It’s about biochemistry. Cheers to our healthier
pets! ~ Kristina “Tina” Dow is sole proprietor of BensDotter’s Pet in
Great Barrington. www.bensdotters.com

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018 17

home
health && garden
wellness
The Myth of Diagnosis
MYTH: IF YOU KNOW THE NAME OF YOUR DISEASE,
YOU KNOW WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU
By Mark Hyman, MD
T oday I want to revisit a topic that is still very relevant.
I believe that we put too much emphasis on naming
diseases. Sure, the names we give disease are useful for
finding the right medication, but they are not helpful for truly
getting to the root cause or creating a healing response. As my
team and I were preparing to make the Broken Brain Docuseries,
we revisited one of my first books, The UltraMind Solution, and I
found the passage below. So much of this still applies to current
thinking, and I am hopeful that Functional Medicine, which
I believe to be the future of medicine, will guide healthcare
providers away from naming and blaming and toward discovering
and treating the root cause of disease.
R
Myth: If you know the name of your disease,
you know what’s wrong with you.
This myth is pervasive throughout medicine, and it is the single
biggest obstacle to changing the way we do things and finding the
answers to our health problems.
The problem is simply this – we are in the naming and blaming
game in medicine. It is what we were trained to do. Find the
name of the “disease,” then match the drug to the disease. You
have “depression,” so you need an “antidepressant.” You are
“anxious,” you need an “anti-anxiety” medication. You have
bipolar disease or mood swings, so you need a “mood stabilizer.”
Unfortunately, this approach or method of thinking is outdated,
increasingly useless, and often dangerous. In some ways, it’s even
tyrannical. Once you have a label, you are put in the group of
people who have the same label, and it is assumed you carry the
attributes of this group.
For example, a group of psychologists, psychiatrists, and lawyers
headed by Dr. Rosenbaum, a Stanford University professor of
law and psychology, pretended to be hearing voices and got
themselves admitted to psychiatric hospitals across the country.
Once they were admitted to the hospitals, they resumed acting
18 Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
normally. The hospital staff and physicians then viewed all their
“normal behavior” such as note-taking, as “abnormal.” It was
only the regular “crazy” patients who could tell them apart.
The same thing happens to you once we assign you a label – you
have depression, schizophrenia, ADHD, dementia – we throw you
in the same group with everyone else who has that diagnosis and
assume you all have the same problem, even if evidence is found
that you don’t necessarily suffer from exactly the same problem.
But these labels or diagnoses are just names we associate with a
collection of symptoms. This name has nothing to do with why you
have those symptoms – with the root causes of the “disease.”
The future of medicine is personalized treatment, not “one-size-
fits-all.” The outdated method of naming the disease and then
assigning a drug to fix it clearly isn’t working.
Unfortunately, few in the medical industry today seem to
understand this. The truth is that medical practice is virtually
predicated on the myth of diagnosis.
I want to help you understand how serious this problem is. It is
not trivial because it changes everything about how we think about
disease and what to do about it.
A very few fundamental problems exist that explain nearly every
disease. It doesn’t matter what specialty your disease falls under.
As Pierre Laplace said, a very few fundamental laws can explain
an extraordinary number of very complex phenomena.
These underlying problems are the link between most chronic
diseases. In almost every disease, the same few things go wrong.
And those same few problems are all interconnected. One affects
the other in a giant web of biology. Pull on one part of the web
and the whole web moves.
This web is built of the 7 keys of UltraWellness, which I’ve written
quite a bit about. These keys are the underlying causes of all illness.
This new roadmap turns the myth of diagnosis on its head, and
in doing so reveals one of the most radical concepts to emerge
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www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018 19

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health & wellness

The Myth of Diagnosis

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 / By Mark Hyman, MD

was introduced into Europe during the Middle Ages, and 30
percent of those of European descent carry the gene for celiac
disease (HLA DQ2 or HLA DQ8), which increases susceptibility
to health problems from eating gluten. Keep in mind that
American strains of wheat have a much higher gluten content
(which is needed to make light fluffy Wonder Bread).
A review paper in The New England Journal of Medicine listed 55
“diseases” that can be caused by eating gluten. These include
many neurological diseases including anxiety, depression,
schizophrenia, dementia, migraines, epilepsy, and neuropathy
(nerve damage).
Besides making the brain inflamed, gluten can be broken down
in the gut into odd little proteins that are almost like psychedelic
drugs (opium-like peptides called gluteomorphins). These change
brain function and behavior.
receptor by glutamate is implicated in many psychiatric disorders.
Glutamate is called an excitotoxin (a substance that overexcites
and kills or damages brain cells).
So gluten can cause brain dysfunction by three different
mechanisms – inflammation, odd morphine or psychedelic
proteins, and as an excitotoxin.
So gluten, we see, can be the single cause behind many different
“diseases.” These diseases are not treatable with better medication,
but simply by 100 percent elimination of gluten from the diet.
One cause, many diseases . . .
One disease caused by multiple factors, or one factor that causes
multiple diseases? How could this happen? It completely upsets
our current thinking. And it should!

Gluten also contains significant amounts of glutamate, a But the reason this is true is simpler than you might think.
molecule that accelerates, activates, excites, and damages brain
cells through a special brain receptor or docking station called the We are all unique, biochemically and genetically, and have
NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor. Overactivation of this different responses to the same insults. In one person gluten may
cause arthritis, in another, it can cause depression. Depression
may be caused by gluten in one person; in another, it may be
BODY CONNECTION CHIROPRACTIC caused by B12 deficiency.
BODY CONNECTION CHIROPRACTIC
The beauty of Functional Medicine, and the science of
Chiropractic care for
Chiropractic care for nutrigenomics, is that they take these factors into account to help
the whole family create health for each individual.
the whole family
Gentle technique, pediatrics and
gentle technique,
Gentle
Gentle technique, pediatrics
technique, pediatrics and
pediatrics and
and
pre-natal care, auto
prenatal care,
care, accident
online care
scheduling Medicine has been looking in the wrong place for answers.
pre-natal auto accident care
pre-natal care, auto accident care
Finally, science has provided a gateway to a different way of
ADAM KERZNER, DC thinking about mental illness and brain disorders. We need to get
ADAM KERZNER, DC
413-644-0030 out of the “name it, blame it, and tame it” game – the myth of
413-644-0030
www.adamkerzner.com
168 Main Street, Suite 2 • Great Barrington, MA 01230 diagnosis – and start thinking about how the body works, how
168 Main
168 Main Street,
Street, Suite
Suite 2
2•• Great
Great Barrington,
Barrington, MA
MA 01230
01230 to personalize our approach, and how to not suppress symptoms
but to restore normal function.

Wishing you health and happiness, Mark Hyman, MD.

ndy
WeOPTICAL
Wendy is a licensed optician with
27 years’ experience fitting happy
customers with beautiful frames and
lenses in the Berkshires.
REPAIRS | CLEANING | ADJUSTMENTS
Flex Spend - Use it or Lose it!
56 Elm Street, Pittsfield, MA
413.445.5700
Wed-Sat 10am to 6pm
www.wendyoptical.com
~ Mark Hyman, MD, is a practicing family physician, a ten-time #1
New York Times bestselling author, and an internationally recognized
leader, speaker, educator, and advocate in his field. He is the director of
the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine. Mark is also the
founder and medical director of The UltraWellness Center in Lenox, MA,
chairman of the board of the Institute for Functional Medicine, a medical
editor of The Huffington Post, and was a regular medical contributor on
many television shows including CBS This Morning, The Today Show,
Good Morning America, CNN, The View, Katie, and The Dr. Oz Show.
www.drhyman.com

20 Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

 health & wellness

The Many Therapeutic Uses of Ozone

NATURAL METHODS TO ACCELERATE HEALING / By Drs. Maureen & Jeffrey Viglielmo

O ur bodies are made up of a diverse array of symbiotic

microorganisms – an estimated 100 trillion cells in
fact; at least 10 times the number of our human cells,
as we mentioned in our previous article in Our BerkshireTimes
magazine. When in proper balance they carry out a vast number
cleanings. In addition, we use this water to irrigate root canals,
and to debride extraction sites.

We utilize ozone in its gas form by applying it to oral surfaces.

of vital physiological and psychological functions and about 80
percent of our immune response. But when less desirable microbes
are given the opportunity to take over and wreak havoc, we need
to take action. Sometimes antibiotics are unavoidable, but there are
many natural ways we can help. For instance, eliminating sugar and
adding raw, organic fermented foods to our diet is very beneficial.
The prepared surface of a tooth is treated just before placing our
restoration – this insures a sterile surface which decreases the
normal postoperative sensitivity many experience. Ozone gas is
also used just prior to filling root canals and on soft tissue lesions
where we are trying to accelerate healing. In addition, it is helpful
for tooth areas that have become sensitive to certain foods, drinks,
and home cleaning efforts due to tooth brush abrasion.

In dentistry, ozone gas (a highly reactive oxidative molecule) can be
used in many applications to help us with this battle. Since our own
cells have a natural antioxidant system to protect them, ozone is
able to safely remove bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungus from
the dental area because these life forms lack this protection.
One method we use in our office is to irrigate ozone-charged
water around the teeth prior to cleaning. This procedure greatly
reduces the number of microorganisms that can potentially be
introduced into the blood stream, and as an added benefit it also
reduces the discomfort some people experience during dental
Another method we use to deliver ozone to needed areas is through
ozone-charged olive oil. This salve has been quite effective for
canker sores and other soft tissue wounds, both in the mouth and
on the body. Internal use of ozone has been employed for many
years to treat systemic infections, fight cancer, and to accelerate
wound healing since it enhances the immune system. The gas
form can be safely introduced into the body through every
portal except the eyes, arteries, and unmodified into the lungs.
Preconditioning for dental surgeries with local injections can be
done to prepare the body for quicker and more complete healing.
~ Drs. Viglielmo Biological Dentistry, (845) 339-1619, www.drvigs.com

Drs. Maureen & Jeffrey Viglielmo Biological Dentistry

The beautiful smile we can help you
create is the gateway to a healthy body.
As biological dentists we provide safe mercury removal,
biocompatible restorations, and customized periodontal
therapy. Our office is located in Kingston, NY– a pleasant,
scenic drive from the Berkshires and well worth the trip!

● Mercury-safe amalgam removal ● Invisalign®

● Biological periodontal therapy ● Mouthguards
● Customized supportive nutrition ● Intraoral imaging
● iTero® digital goop-less impressions ● Ozone therapy
● Only a little more than one hour from the Berkshires, MA
● Cosmetic & restorative dentistry
● Phase contrast microscope
● Digital radiography

(845) 339-1619 ● www.drvigs.com ● 56 Lucas Ave, Kingston, NY

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018 21

 Past Life Regression
WHAT IS IT AND HOW DOES IT WORK? / By Sheilaa Hite
P
ast life regression is a process that enables you to go
back through your current and past lives to particular
points in time in order to retrieve memories and
relive impactful experiences. With the right facilitator
it’s possible to calmly, safely go through previously unknown
or emotionally frightening territory. Once there, you can
reexperience an old energetic pattern and work through it so that
it can begin to serve you instead of hinder you.
There are several reasons why you might choose to
experience a past life regression session:
● To remove blocks and dispel fears.
● To better understand yourself and your motivations.
● To access information and expertise from your past.
● To heal issues – personal, professional, and spiritual.
● To know why certain people (and circumstances) are in your life.
● Curiosity (who was I before this lifetime – Cleopatra,
Shakespeare, or . . . ?).
A few years ago, I worked with a client (I'll call him John) who
was a wonderful artist. He refused to have an agent though, and
was never able to make a good living. Although people liked his
work, no matter what he did to promote it, his art did not win
prizes or sell well. He knew he was blocked and wanted my help
removing that block.
I regressed John to the lifetime that was most instrumental in
creating the block and we were both surprised at what he’d
experienced in that lifetime. He’d been a member of a wealthy,
influential 13th century Italian family who had fallen ill with a
S 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%.”
413-637-0085 MANAGER – MALIBU SHAMAN BOOKSTORE – MALIBU, CA
www.SheilaaHite.com
22 Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
painfully debilitating digestive tract ailment. Before the illness,
he’d led a privileged, charmed life with the expectation that life
would always treat him well.
No expense was spared in getting the best doctors for John, but
no matter what they did or prescribed, his condition and the pain
only got worse until it became obvious to all that he was going
to die from his ailment. Feeling that God had abandoned him,
he decided that he, himself, must be the cause of his suffering
because he was somehow unworthy of the wealth, health, and
good life he’d been born into. (He identified the people around
his deathbed and I was surprised to hear that I was one of the
people in attendance!) As John took his final painful breaths,
he decided that because he was so unworthy, he would never
again ask for, expect, or accept help or acknowledgement from
anyone again.
I guided John through two other lifetimes that ended equally as
painful and unhappy as the first one. In both of those lives, he
made the same decision about himself and his perceived lack of
worthiness. We discussed his experience when I brought him out
of the regressed state. As we talked, he understood why his current
life was so difficult and why he never received the acceptance
and acknowledgement he wanted and needed. And finally, John
discovered that the limiting subconscious contract he’d made with
himself during those past lives could be nullified in his current life
by consciously accepting and acknowledging his own self-worth,
and asking others to do the same.
A few weeks later, John invited me to an art show he was
participating in. When I arrived, he was beaming! He looked
younger and energetically lighter as he proudly showed me his
prize – a purple first place ribbon he’d just been presented with
for one of his paintings. I was so happy for him, and happier still
when he introduced me to his new agent. Since that time, John’s
commissions have increased, his work is selling well, and he is
very happy with himself and his amazing life.
Conscious knowledge is power. If you’ve ever wondered what
subconscious contracts you’ve made that are holding you and
your potential success and happiness hostage; what natural gifts
and talents are hidden just out of reach in your current life; why
certain types of people, relationships, and circumstances keep
recurring in your life, past life regression can help you answer
those questions.
~ Sheilaa Hite, CHt, CLC, is an intuitive Counselor, author, teacher, Past
Life Regressionist, life/success coach, and spiritual guide who is listed in
Paulette Cooper’s book, The 100 Top Psychics and Astrologers in America. She can
be reached through her website, www.sheilaahite.com, and at (413) 637-0085.

A Powerful 2-Step Meditation
for Inner Peace and Calm
T
his meditation is a powerful technique that will
allow you to shift from stressed-out to instant inner
peace and calm. The technique cultivates heart-brain
coherence – what athletes call being “in the zone” –
and is appropriately called the Quick Coherence® Technique [by
HeartMath, www.heartmath.com], and has been refined into two
simple steps that you can do right now – wherever you are.
Independently, each of the following steps sends a signal to your
body that a specific shift to peace and calm has been put into
motion. Combined, the steps create an experience that takes us
back to a natural inner harmony that existed in our bodies earlier
in life, before we began to separate our heart-brain network
through our conditioning.
Steps for Quick Coherence®
Step 1: Heart Focus and Steady Breath
Heart Focus - Shift your focus into the area of your heart, and
begin to breathe a little more slowly than usual, as if your breath
is coming from your heart.
This step is a powerful technique unto itself and can be used
when you’re feeling overwhelmed by the day’s events or when you
simply desire to be more connected with yourself. As you slow
your breathing, you are sending a signal to your body in general,
and your heart specifically, that you are in a place that is safe and
it’s okay to turn your attention inward.
Step 2: Activate a Positive Feeling
Activate a Positive Feeling - Make a sincere attempt to experience a
regenerative feeling such as appreciation or care for someone or
something in your life. The easiest way to do this is to think of a
beautiful place you have been or to think of a very close friend
or loved one.
mind & spirit
WITH THE HEART-BRAIN
QUICK COHERENCE® TECHNIQUE
By Gregg Braden
The key in this step is to first create the feeling, to the best of
your ability, and then to embrace the feeling, again to the best of
your ability.
Your ability to sustain the feeling is what maintains the optimal
conversation between your heart and your brain.
As with any skill, you’ll find, I think, that the more you practice
creating coherence between your heart and your brain, the easier
it becomes to do so and find that inner balance. And the more
you consciously practice this 2-step meditation, the more natural
the experience of achieving coherence begins to feel to you.
With the growing level of ease in achieving heart-brain coherence,
you’ll also discover your ability to sustain the connection between
your heart and your brain for longer periods of time.
Finding inner peace and balance will be something you can
begin to cultivate at will, allowing you to be more resilient when
conditions in your life become more challenging and stressful.
You can practice this technique anywhere and anytime.
~ Gregg Braden is a five-time New York Times best-selling author, and
is internationally renowned as a pioneer in bridging science, spirituality,
and human potential. From 1979 to 1990 Gregg worked for Fortune 500
companies as a problem solver during
times of crisis. He continues problem-
solving today as he weaves modern
science and the wisdom preserved in
remote monasteries and forgotten
texts into real world solutions. His
discoveries have led to 12 award-
winning books now published in more
than 40 languages. Find out more
about Gregg’s latest book, Human by
Design, and upcoming news and events
at www.greggbraden.com.
www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018 23
 Bright Ideals for Business
SMART TIPS & TOOLS TO IMPROVE YOUR BUSINESS SERVICES
Take Care of Yourself
W hen you are excited about a
new business, it is incredibly
easy to overdo it. But to have a
successful business in the long run
you must take care of your health.
Don’t sacrifice your well-being. When
you schedule business meetings in
your calendar, also be sure to schedule
proper sleep, time to relax, organic food,
and meditation, and time in nature.
www.heartmath.com
Your competitors
W hen searching for ways to
improve your marketing, look
to your competitors. Find out what
they are doing to attract customers.
But find a balance – it’s important to
pay attention to businesses in your
industry but also to not make them
your priority.
www.tinyurl.com/y9h8blds
Talk Less, Listen More
T rue, you have something great to
share with the world, but listening
more (really listening) and talking
less will give you an advantage because
(1) knowledge is power, (2) the person
who’s doing the talking will feel
understood and cared about, and (3)
when you do speak people will listen.
Read more at
www.tinyurl.com/y8ymthty
24 Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
Get Past Your Fear of Video
P eople want to hear from you. They
really do. Gone are the days of
impersonal advertising; it’s time to
show your face. Many businesses are
now utilizing video to describe products
and services on their websites and in
their social media to connect with their
customers because it builds trust and
dramatically increases conversions.
www.tinyurl.com/l9dn6ng
Is your website mobile-friendly?
M obile devices are the preferred
way to access content online.
Everything from internet browsing
to major purchases is taking place on
phones and tablets and you don’t want
your business to be ignored. Use this
friendly tool to see if your website is
mobile friendly:
www.tinyurl.com/yc4gynad
Why Blog?
W hen you say the word blog,
many people respond with
“I don’t have the time!” But if you
want more business it can definitely
be worth it. Placing good original
content/articles in a blog on your
website (be sure not to use material
under copyright without permission)
will help drive traffic to your website,
Increase your SEO, and develop better
customer relationships.
Rave Reviews
Y ou can attract more
customers by getting
enthusiastic reviews from people
who have already purchased from
you. Get permission to include
as much information as possible
(including town, website, and
headshot if possible). Then post
them everywhere you can.
Elevator Pitch/Speech
T he importance of crafting
a good elevator pitch (a
short, prepared speech that clearly
and succinctly explains what
your organization does) can’t be
overstated. If you cannot easily
explain what you do, how can
others easily understand and
want to buy what you offer?
www.tinyurl.com/yalvb9fa
Sell Online
I t’s not as hard as you think.
If you work from home
or own a brick-and-mortar
business, selling online can be
a valuable way to supplement
your income especially when
foot traffic is slow. If you need
help with graphics contact Our
BerkshireTimes Magazine. 65
places to sell online:
www.tinyurl.com/y78a2dap
 business services

a perfect polish
TAKE ANY WRITING TO ANOTHER LEVEL

I t takes a true love of words and a keen sense of what makes this
language of ours so exquisite to gently but firmly and thoroughly
polish the glory from a work of prose. Rodelinde Albrecht is
a Brown-educated, highly experienced freelance copyeditor,
proofreader, and translator. From a yellow farmhouse in the
Berkshires, with the company of a cat named Minerva, she
Respond Promptly
makes the English language her life and her livelihood. A

W e are living in a fast-paced

world where information is
available instantaneously at your
more pleasant and dedicated associate is not to be found.

fingertips and we are used to extremely

quick deliveries when we place an order.
When a potential customer contacts you
(by phone, email, text, or through social
media) it is more important than ever
to get back to them quickly (or your
competition will).

Social Media

C onsumers rarely use just one social

platform. Do some research and ask
your customers which ones they prefer.
If you are not already using social
media for business (it’s important to
protect your business
have separate all-business accounts) LET'S MEET TO DISCUSS YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS

S
consider Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn,
Alignable, YouTube, Pinterest, inopoli Insurance Agency is a local family-run insurance
Instagram, and Tumblr. Make sure to agency in Berkshire County, MA, that has provided reliable
advertise which ones you are on. service for more than 20 years. We are a client-driven agency
www.tinyurl.com/qetwpwb with comprehensive products for your personal, agricultural, and
commercial needs. We can help you prepare for every stage of
life with financial products tailored specifically for you including
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Your Office home, auto and life coverage, means you can feel good that
MORE YOUR ALLY THAN YOUR AGENT
home, auto and life coverage, means you can feel good that

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reate an office space you enjoy
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American National is a group of companies writing a broad array of insurance products and services. Products and services may not be
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conditions andofeligibility
companies writing a broad
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Life Insurance Life insurance
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made available through FamilyorCasualty
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93674.V1.12.2015
93674.V1.12.2015
Engaging children
15 months
through
8th grade

Montessori means
expression

O ver the summer I took a seven-week course, and as
the weeks went by I began to think my teacher didn’t
like me. It was a vulnerable feeling and I found myself
devastated and confused about my experience. I was intensely
aware of wanting to feel accepted. To help process these
emotions I talked to colleagues and turned to articles, books,
and life experience to help find perspective. Eventually I was
able to communicate my feelings to the teacher, and thus better
understand my experience in relation to her perspective.
Even so, the whole ordeal drained me emotionally and highlighted
the importance of feeling accepted. As humans, we need to
feel a sense of belonging. World-renowned philosopher and
psychiatrist Alfred Adler describes this desire to connect with
others as our “social interest,” while Montessorians speak about
the human tendency to communicate and associate with others.
As I processed my experience and desire for acceptance, I
considered the children in my life who have an equally strong
need for acknowledgement, reassurance, and support. I thought
back through small encounters when I could have offered more
encouragement or regular gestures of recognition.
We, as adults, have a responsibility to ensure that the young
people in our lives feel unconditionally accepted and loved, that
they are heard and can communicate with us, and that they are
acknowledged and supported.
The significance of this is highlighted in a study by Harvard
professor Robert Rosenthal, who explored how teacher
expectations can affect student outcomes. As an experiment,
Rosenthal told a group of teachers that test results indicated that
a number of their students were expected to show blossoming
intellectual and academic growth. In actuality, the students
were randomly selected. But over the course of two years, the
education & workshops
randomly selected “blossoming” students showed gains in IQ,
and teachers described them as curious, well-adjusted, happy, and
interesting. Yet the only difference between these children and
the others was how their teachers perceived them.
In an NPR Morning Edition report, Alix Spiegel states how these
expectations influence IQ: “As Rosenthal did more research, he
found that expectations affect teachers’ moment-to-moment
interactions with the children they teach in a thousand almost
invisible ways. Teachers give the students that they expect to
succeed more time to answer questions, more specific feedback,
and more approval: They consistently touch, nod, and smile at
those kids more.”
These small acts of touching, nodding, and smiling, combined
with the assumption that the children would succeed, were
instrumental to actual success.
How vital and how simple.
Most likely all I needed this summer were some of those almost
invisible acts – little messages that would have assured me that
my ideas mattered and that I was liked and appreciated.
As we embark on the year ahead, let’s all reach out to children
(and adults) to offer small, yet significant,
gestures of acceptance and belonging.
~ K. Meagan Ledendecker, co-founder and
Director of Education of The Montessori
School of the Berkshires, feels a sense of
belonging and acceptance most of the time but
also believes there is much to learn from those
moments when we don’t feel recognized. Visit
www.berkshiremontessori.org.
www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018 27
Get Ready for the Holidays!
Halloween: Wed, Oct 31
Daylight Savings Time ends: Sun, Nov 4
Thanksgiving: Thurs, Nov 22
Hanukkah: Mon, Dec 3 - Mon, Dec 10
Christmas: Tues, Dec 25
Kwanzaa: Wed, Dec 26 - Tues, Jan 1
New Year’s Eve: Mon, Dec 31
New Year’s Day: Tues, Jan 1
 get ready for the holidays

autumn decorations In Business Since 1881

Open
7
Days
PICK YOUR OWN APPLES IN THEIR ADAMS LOCATION

J aeschke’s Orchard has been growing some of the finest

apples in the region at the base of Mt. Greylock (many varieties
of hybrid, standard, and heirlooms) for more than 130 years. Stop
Hanging Baskets
PUMPKINS  MUMS  SWEET APPLEPlanters
OUR OWN APPLE CIDER DONUTS  APPLES
PEARS  PLUMS  DURING THE
CIDER
Annuals
MONTHBoxes
Cemetery OF
$
500 OFF
PURCHASE OF
by their Adams location to pick your own! Enjoy the mountain SEPT-OCT PICK YOURGeraniums
OWN APPLES IN ADAMS!
• Perennials
views and fall foliage from this family-owned farm while you shop
In-season
$25 OR MORE
BOTH LOCATIONS OPENfruits
7 DAYS& vegetables,
A WEEK 9-5
for colorful mums, pumpkins, sweet apple cider, exceptionally garden accessories & more! With Yankee Clipper Coupon Only. Expires 9/23/0
flavorful fruit, pies, jams and jellies, and delicious freshly made Locally owned
736 Crane Ave., Pittsfield • 736 Crane Ave, Pittsfield
413-443-7180  (413)
736 Crane Ave.,443-7180
Pittsfield • 413-443-7180
business since 1881! West Road, Adams  (413) 743-3896
apple cider donuts for your autumn festivities. West Road, Adams • 413-743-3896 West Road, Adams • 413-743-3896
Under the Gazebo on Frank Consolati Way, Lee
Under the Gazebo on Frank Consolati Way, Lee Open Fridays Only from 10am - 3pm
Open Fridays Only from 10am - 3pm

one-stop shopping
FOR ALL OF YOUR BASIC HOLIDAY NEEDS & MORE

T he Mill River General Store, in a country setting with friendly

10 MILL RIVER, GREAT BARRINGTON RD, MILL RIVER
413-229-2663 ● VISIT US ON FACEBOOK
hometown atmosphere, provides one-stop shopping for all
of your basic needs. Stop by for coffee, pastries, amazing donuts,
breakfast, or a deli sandwich for lunch. While you’re there you will
find everything you need including Mill River memorabilia and
postcards, newspapers, kitchen items, local fresh milk and other
staples, hotdogs, bread, energy drinks, gum and candy, ice cream,
wine and liquor, a fax and copy machine, a post office, and more.
Berkshire Record’s ‘Best of the 2017’ Vo
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Naomi Alson
LIC. ACUPUNCTURIST & HERBALIST
For general wellbeing . . .
With specialized training in:
● Alleviating the side effects
chemotherapy
● Infertility ● Herbal treatments
● Regulating the immune system
Located at Lee Family Practice, 11 Quarry Hill Rd, Lee, MA
413.243.3223  naomifalson@gmail.com
well-balanced lifestyle
STAY WELL THROUGH THE BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON
N aomi Alson, a licensed acupuncturist since 1999 and herbalist
in the Berkshires since 1977, can help you prepare for and
stay well through the busy holiday season. Dedicated to helping
you achieve a well-balanced lifestyle, she specializes in stress and
pain relief, regulating the immune system, herbal treatments,
infertility issues, and alleviating the side effects of chemotherapy
treatments. Naomi practices at Lee Family Practice in Lee, MA.
You can contact her at (413) 243-3223, naomifalson@gmail.com.

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Autumn 2018 29

 Sleeping Under the Stars
IT WAS A SIMPLE, CAREFREE TIME / By Michael Romano
R ecently as I was sitting on my deck, listening to the
crickets and other creatures sing their night songs. I was
reminded of the nights that I spent in my childhood
home in Connecticut. At the time we didn’t know we were the
baby boomers but we did know there were tons of kids of all
ages around the neighborhood and we all sort of knew each
other. There was a little league field and a playground across the
street from my house and we would play ball and hang around
like kids do. We would stay out until our parents yelled for us or
the streetlights came on, and then we would go home and watch
one of the three channels we got on our black-and-white TV. It
was a simple, carefree time.
When we were about 12 years old, a group of us wanted to expand
our nighttime fun, so we asked our parents if we could sleep
outside under the stars. The sleepout was to be held in one of
the neighbors’ backyards, so there was some semblance of adult
supervision. There were no tents involved and most of us didn’t
even have sleeping bags, just blankets and pillows. We brought
flashlights, comic books, and snacks, and stayed up telling spooky
stories and reading our comics by flashlight and were usually
asleep before eleven.
The group of sleepers shrank down as time progressed but a
few of us continued the practice and had semiweekly sleepouts
until school started. We still brought flashlights, but like cavemen
we had discovered fire. A small campfire took center stage
and because of it the sleepout menu changed to hotdogs and
marshmallows.
The following summer we started our sleepouts again but
something had changed: we were teenagers! Instead of spending
the night at the campsite we wandered around the neighborhood,
almost getting in trouble. We weren’t quite juvenile delinquents,
but we did manage to be obnoxious and loud and even threw
rocks at a deserted factory, breaking a window or two. Our main
crime was becoming garden raiders. The sleepout menu changed
again. We had a mission.
My best friend Dave and I were always coming up with ideas, most
of which weren’t too good or smart but at the time we thought we
had a winner and we borrowed a big pot from Dave’s mom and
a kitchen knife from my mom and brought them to the sleepsite.
Almost every house in the neighborhood had a vegetable garden,
some were quite large and had a variety of items, and Dave and I
30 Autumn 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
would scope out the good stuff while doing our paper routes and
make plans. When sleepout time came we would wait until the
dead of night when the lights went out and then grab a bunch of
veggies from the gardens (tomatoes, squash, peppers, carrots, and
corn, to name a few) and quickly put them in the big pot and run
back to our camp. We were hunters, raiders, and gatherers and were
proud of it. When we returned to the fire we would cut everything
up, add some water, and make a rustic vegetable stew that we would
have never eaten at home if our moms had made it. We enjoyed
it because the ingredients were ill-gotten, freshly picked, and we
made it ourselves. Thankfully, we never did get caught.
As our teenage years went on, our sleepouts gradually faded
from our lives. Spooky stories became discussions about cute
girls. Pizza and burgers replaced stolen veggies and the comics
changed to “other” magazines, stolen from our dads’ drawer.
Other things seemed more important now as we had gotten jobs,
cars, and girlfriends. Our sleepouts completely stopped when
Dave’s dad got a job in another state and his family moved from
town. Without my partner in crime, garden raiding wasn’t fun
anymore. We were entering the adult world whether we wanted to
or not. It’s strange how things change as you get older.
I now have a garden of my own and realize how wrong it was
to violate those neighborhood patches. Karma has visited my
garden in the shape of squirrels, chipmunks, and rabbits. They
seem to take joy in only taking one bite of each tomato, squash,
or cuke, leaving the rest to spoil. The baby boom is over and there
aren’t many kids around the neighborhood these days to carry out
our sleepout and garden raiding tradition. A good thing perhaps,
but in some ways, also something to be missed. I thankfully still
have my fond memories of reading comics by flashlight, eating
snacks while sleeping under the stars, listening to the crickets
and critters sing their nighttime songs for us, and waiting for the
neighbors’ lights to go out so we could make our garden raids.
~ Michael Romano, a Great Barrington, MA,
resident for almost 40 years, is an avid fisherman
who in his own words “kind of treats fishing
as a contact sport and has had more than a few
misadventures in the process.” He has fished
many local waters and also enjoyed quite a few
saltwater trips. Michael is a retired chef – he and
his wife, Susan, worked for years at the now-closed
Kolburne School in New Marlborough, MA.
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