Celebrate Summer 2019, vol 53 Complimentary

Our BerkshireTimes ™

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

Cover Art by Astrid Sheckels / www.astridsheckels.com

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 Celebrate Summer 2019
Our BerkshireTimes™

Contents
PUBLISHERS
Kathy I. Regan
publisher@ourberkshiretimes.com

Kevin J. Regan
4 art, culture & entertainment
kevin@ourberkshiretimes.com THE DARK SIDE OF GOOGLE
_______________
FUN THINGS TO DO
EDITORIAL ASTRID SHECKELS
Kathy I. Regan SUMMER FUN ADRIFT
editor@ourberkshiretimes.com

Proofreader
10 food & drink
Rodelinde Albrecht CHILLED AVOCADO SOUP 1
rodelinde@gmail.com THE HISTORY OF HAND PIES
_______________
SUMMER VEGETABLE TIAN
DESIGN IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH
Magazine Design/Layout
Kathy I. Regan 15 home & garden
Brianna I. Regan HEALTHY HOME RENOVATIONS
_______________
SUMMER FUN
TO ADVERTISE CONTACT
Account Representatives 20 shop local
Kevin J. Regan PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS
kevin@ourberkshiretimes.com
22 animal talk
Debra Johnson
DR. BRIAN WESSELS
12
mickschix2@aol.com

Nina Anderson 24 this & that

safe@bcn.net AND ODDS AND ENDS
_______________
26 education & workshops
Our BerkshireTimes is a division ENCOURAGING CAPABILITY
of Visionary Group Unlimited
P.O. Box 133, Housatonic, MA 01236 28 health & wellness
Phone: (413) 274-1122 HONORING THE VACCINE-INJURED
advertise@ourberkshiretimes.com
FLUORIDE. SHOULD WE BE USING IT?
COVER ILLUSTRATION
31 featured advertisers
Mr. Bear’s Moonlight Feast, 2019
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
18
by Astrid Sheckels
www.astridsheckels.com
ON THE COVER - Mr. Bear’s Moonlight Feast
Astrid Sheckels
is a Western With nostalgic charm, Astrid Sheckels brings the enchantment of twilight to
Massachusetts life in this 8” x 9.5” watercolor and gouache illustration, “Mr. Bear’s Moonlight
painter and book Feast.” To learn more about Astrid – a native of western Massachusetts – and
illustrator who her illustrations, books, and upcoming exhibits, see page 6 of this issue and
works primarily visit www.astridsheckels.com.
in watercolor
and oils. She has Our BerkshireTimes magazine has been proudly created without Wi-Fi since it
been painting was first published in 2009. This publication is printed with soy ink on Forest
landscapes, still Stewardship Council® certified paper. Most of our editorial content is contributed
life, commissioned by our community members.
portraits, and illustrating children’s picture
books professionally since 2006. People, All content in Our BerkshireTimes™ is accepted in good faith. We do not necessarily
animals, places, lighting, and color advocate and cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by
all inspire her – plus a good dose of our authors, illustrators, and advertisers. We reserve the right to refuse advertising for any
imagination! Come visit her charming reason. For printing errors of the publisher’s responsibility, liability is limited to the cost of the
world at www.astridsheckels.com. Email: ad space in which it first appeared. Unless otherwise noted, we use a Creative Commons
astrid@astridsheckels.com. License in place of a standard copyright.
 The Dark Side of Google
©6/26/19 “GOOGLE JUST SCRUBBED NATURAL HEALTH WEBSITES FROM ITS SEARCH RESULTS”
By Sayer Ji, Founder, GreenMedInfo.com / condensed and reprinted with permission
E
arly in June, 2019, in one devastating algorithmic
stroke, Google removed many of the top natural
health and health freedom websites from their organic
search results – some losing as much as 99 percent of
their traffic. In fact, the term “organic” should no longer be used
to describe Google’s referral traffic, as a jaw-dropping undercover
investigation by Project Veritas (ProjectVeritas.com) reveals:
Google surreptitiously manipulates its search results and auto-
suggestions to conform to a very specific set of sociopolitical and
economic agendas intended to manipulate elections and promote
private interests. We live in amazing times, albeit intense, filled
with incredible darkness and light. But thanks to the power of
the Internet, we have a level of freedom of information never
enjoyed before by any previous generation on Earth – and that
information is the very life’s blood of democratic ideals, and the
necessary ingredient for informed consent and health freedom,
our primary advocacies.
But what happens when the gate-keepers of the content that flows
through this incredible invention, like Facebook and Pinterest,
censor and shadow ban certain of its users or content, or their
ability to send you messages via email service provider platforms like
Mailchimp, as we’ve recently experienced on GreenMedInfo.com?
Where do we go for information then?
Why not skip the social media filtering and email platform
censorship and go back to using Google, you might ask. Aren’t
they the very archetype and modern-day oracle of fairness, having
become synonymous with looking for and finding objective
answers? After all, wouldn’t you expect that if you typed in
turmeric research on Google, GreenMedInfo.com would come
up on the first page, given we have the world’s largest, open access
resource on the topic which curates over 2,700 peer-reviewed
studies relevant to over 800 diseases, on the topic? Whereas a few
years ago, our search traffic was growing, today it’s as if we don’t
exist on the Internet any longer (unless you specifically search for
us by name). Instead, today, you find first page Google results on
turmeric like: “Turmeric May Not Be a Miracle Spice After All”
from Time.com, or “Turmeric: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions,
Dosage, and Warning” from WebMD.com, which overlook much
of the research we have gathered, and makes turmeric sound like
it’s just another drug that you have to be very careful to take.
Apparently, this is entirely by design! On June 3, 2019, in fact,
Google rolled out its latest core algorithm change, which
obliterated the organic search results for the majority of the top
sites in the natural health and health freedom advocating sector
of the Internet. Sites like DrAxe.com, KellyBroganMD.com, and
NaturalNews.com saw most of their traffic removed overnight.
Mercola.com, perhaps the most heavily hit of all, broke the story
in its two-part report: “Google Buries Mercola in Their Latest
Search Engine Update, Part 1 and 2.” Mercola.com has been a
source of whistle-blowing information about Big Pharma and Big
4 Celebrate Summer 2019 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
Tech collusion for decades, so it is no surprise why Google would
take this action against his platform, and similar ones. In fact, signs
of the coming purge came back in 2016 when GlaxoSmithKline
signed a $715 million dollar contract to partner with Google, and
with increasing partnerships with other pharmaceutical companies
in 2019 like Sanofi. Google’s parent company Alphabet is heavily
invested in a vaccine company, Vaccitech, founded by scientists at
Oxford University. Google, it appears, has become a pay-to-play
operation, and contains a specific sociopolitical and economic
agenda that is built directly into its search algorithms.
Amazingly, on the same day of Mercola’s report, June 24th, an
investigative reporter by the name of James O’ Keefe, founder
of Project Veritas, released an undercover video of a top Google
executive and a whistleblower from within Google, revealing how
the company is manipulating search results to unduly influence
elections, and how they are applying an Orwellian-type narrative to
the autosuggestions, search results, and Google News aggregator
feed used by billions daily. This is a must watch video, and was
almost immediately removed by YouTube (owned by Google),
[and later by Vimeo]. A back up the video was preserved on the
Project Veritas website.
The timing of this video could not be worse for Google. As
reported by the Wall Street Journal on June 24, 2019, the Justice
Department is preparing an anti-trust case against Google.
Additionally, on June 19, Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced
Senate Bill 1914, “A bill to amend the Communications Decency
Act to encourage providers of interactive computer services to
provide content moderation that is politically neutral,” which
would strip Big Tech companies of the immunity they presently
enjoy from lawsuits for exactly the type of political manipulation
Project Veritas’ video above exposed.
Until Google is held accountable for their actions, and there is
industry reform, it will be difficult to get around their full spectrum
dominance (Gmail, Google, YouTube, Google Calendar, Google
Documents, etc.) unless we find better, privacy-secured, platforms.
And there are quite a few you may not have heard about, including
the Internet browser alternatives to Google Chrome such as
Brave Browser and Opera, search engines like Startpage.com and
DuckDuckGo.com (unfortunately Ecosia.com uses the same
Google keywords), and email programs like ProtonMail.com. You
can also use the communications app Signal, which provides a
level of encryption that may be the best out there.
This newsletter [GreenMedInfo.com] is one of the only lifelines
people will have to receive our content in the future. And we highly
encourage you to share it with others. They can sign up here
[www.tinyurl.com/yxjss482]. You can also read my Founder’s
Statement about Recent Censorship Events [www.tinyurl.com/
yypww8up], to get a greater sense for the context of what is
happening to us and similar projects like ours.
continued on page 15

Painting Color Workshop
When: Saturday, Aug 31, 2019, 10-12pm
Where: Frelinghuysen Morris Home and Studio,
92 Hawthorne Street, Lenox, MA
Cost: Free with admission
Artist and director Kinney Frelinghuysen will host a color workshop
Saturday, August 31, with materials supplied. This workshop uses Color-aid
papers and creative templates so participants can learn how artists choose
color. (413) 637-0166, www.frelinghuysen.org
24th Annual Southern Vermont
Garlic & Herb Festival
When: Saturday, Aug 31, 2019, and Sunday, Sept 1, 2019, 10am-5pm
Where: Camelot Village, 66 Colgate Heights, Bennington, VT
Cost: $2 to $18
Join garlic-lovers from throughout the country as they come to enjoy
the quintessential Vermont festival, now in its 24th year! More than 200
vendors, food truck area, beer and wine garden, live bands, kids’ activities,
and more delicious samples than you can imagine. Come try anything
from pickled garlic bulbs to garlic ice cream! Consistently rated a Top
10 Fall Event by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, and one of the
world’s Top 10 Garlicfests by Reuters. See more information and purchase
early bird tickets online at www.lovegarlic.com.
Greenwoods Puppet Festival
When: Friday, Sept 13, through Sunday, Sept 15, 2019
Where: Norfolk Library, 9 Greenwoods Road, East Norfolk, CT
Cost: Free, but reservations are necessary to get into the show
Under the harvest moon, join us for a magical weekend. Friday evening,
the first staging of the adult show Puppet Crimes with Jana Zeller will
kick off the festival. Saturday morning, Sarah Nolan’s The Fairy Tailor
Celebrate Summer!
Explore the Berkshires
AND BEYOND - FUN THINGS TO DO
will enchant you all! Midday, Sarah will offer a puppet workshop. Later,
Bonnie Duncan will delight little ones with Lollipops For Breakfast. Moth,
with his puppeteer Doran Hamm, will tease us with his improv show.
Sunday will be filled with wonder with Madison Cripps and his posse of
marionettes and Milo, the Magnificent with Alex and Olmsted. Don’t miss
Mark Alexander’s impressive flying bird puppet! www.norfolklibrary.org.
Please call the library at (860) 542-5075 for reservations.
40th Lenox Apple Squeeze
When: Saturday, Sept 21, 10am-7pm and Sunday, Sept 22, 10am-5pm
Where: Main Street, Lenox, MA
Cost: Free entry. $5 parking at Tanglewood Main Gate with free
shuttle to Main Street
Discover more than 150 food, craft, and informational vendors with live
music and entertainment over two days for the 40th Lenox Apple Squeeze.
This is the town’s biggest event of the year celebrating the fall harvest of
apples; there is something for everyone. Loved by all, it is the not-to-be-
missed street festival of the Berkshires! Come and get your squeeze on! Please
visit us at www.lenox.org/lenoxapplesqueeze for more event information and
a daily schedule of performances. Contact (413) 637-3646, info@lenox.org.
Explore Southern Italy
When: Departures in fall 2019 and in spring and fall of 2020.
Where: Southern Italy on the Amalfi Coast
Cost: Call for details
Explore southern Italy on an Amalfi coast adventure. Travel with Davide
Manzo, the owner/chef of Trattoria Rustica restaurant in Pittsfield, MA,
back to his Italian roots. Experience the historic oceanfront cities of Naples
and Sorrento. Go fishing from the small village harbor of Cettara. Rest on
the beach of Erchie. Take a cooking class in Positano. Enjoy one-of-a-kind
culinary experiences, people, and places. Departures in fall 2019, and also in
the spring and fall of 2020. For specific dates and details contact Roberto
at (508) 308-9332, info@trattoria-rustica.com. www.trattoria-rustica.com
www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Celebrate Summer 2019 5
Astrid Sheckels
OUR BERKSHIRETIMES MAGAZINE'S CELEBRATE SUMMER 2019 COVER ARTIST

“Enchanted Story Time” (4.5”x5.75”), with
its generous dose of Scandinavian whimsy,
is one of the watercolor and gouache
illustrations available in Astrid’s Etsy shop.
“Farmhouse in February,” a watercolor (12.75”x16.5”). In
addition to her imaginative and whimsical paintings
Astrid enjoys painting landscapes, still lifes, and portraits.
An illustration from the children’s picture
book “Hector Fox and the Raven’s Revenge”
(written and illustrated by Astrid Sheckels,
soon to be published by Bangarang Books).

M y art is an outcropping of who I am. I am a Christian and my art reflects my world view. If you see any life, vitality, light,
order, or beauty in my work, it is but a reflection of God, the Great Creator. ~ Astrid Sheckels

Astrid Sheckels cannot remember a time
when she was not telling or illustrating
stories, especially ones involving imaginary
animals. A native of western Massachusetts
and growing up in an artistic family, Astrid
spent her childhood playing outside, using her
imagination, and drawing. She studied fine art
at Greenfield Community College and now
works as a full-time professional artist.
Astrid’s debut picture book as an author/
illustrator is the award-winning Nic and
Nellie (Islandport Press). As an illustrator,
her other award-winning titles include The
Scallop Christmas (Islandport Press) and The
Fish House Door (Islandport Press). She has
illustrated the picture book Hope Somewhere
in America (Twin Lights Publishers) and
the two chapter books, Black Cloud and
Tennessee Rose, in the Horse Diaries series
(Random House).
In June 2016, Astrid signed a multi-book
contract with Bangarang Books for her
original picture book series Hector Fox and
Friends. The first book, Hector Fox and the To see more of Astrid’s work and to
Giant Quest, will be followed by three more find out about her books and exhibits,
books, Hector Fox and the Raven’s Revenge, visit www.astridsheckels.com. You can
Hector Fox and the Daring Flight and Hector follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
Fox and the Map of Mystery. The series also To purchase original art, cards, paper
includes an enhanced storytelling app for dolls, and more visit her Etsy store (also
each of the books. available through her website).
Astrid is a member of the Western Mass
Illustrators Guild and the Society of
Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
She has won a number of art awards,
including the prestigious Lupine Honor
Award (2009) and the Moonbeam Award
for best picture book for all ages (2010,
2013). Besides illustration, she also paints
commissioned portraits, landscapes in oil
on canvas, and watercolor. Astrid now lives
and maintains her studio in the rolling hills
of Greenfield, Massachusetts. Astrid has
spent much time in her mother’s homeland
of Denmark and her Scandinavian roots
are evident in her fine art and illustrations.
She describes her style as “a mix of classic
realism and whimsy.”

6 Celebrate Summer 2019 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

 art, culture & entertainment

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www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Celebrate Summer 2019 7


W
hen I would go to bed at night as a young boy, I
would sometimes imagine that my mattress was
a houseboat or a raft drifting down a river taking
me on a grand adventure as I drifted off to sleep.
I have always been partial to the water. Fishing, boating, and
swimming are a part of who I am. I have owned canoes, kayaks,
and rowboats, but there is something about the size and comfort
of those motorized docks called pontoon boats that I love.
Perhaps my current affection for them has something to do with
the houseboat and raft fantasies left over from my youth. Or
maybe it’s the fact that they are covered with a Bimini-style canvas
canopy and have comfortable sofa-like chairs. It could be because
there is room to walk around and visit with friends and family on
them while listening to music on an awesome sound system. In
reality it’s probably all of the above – pontoon boats are a terrific
way to enjoy the water and the great outdoors.
I’ve lived in the Berkshires for many years now, but I was born
and raised in Litchfield County, CT, and fished the surrounding
area as a young man. As soon as I got my drivers permit I was
off looking for new places to fish. My wandering took me to
the northwestern part of the state and to my very first pontoon
boat rental from O’Hara’s Landing on Twin Lakes . . . and it was
a beauty. O’Hara’s is a family-owned and run business for more
than 50 years and they know what they’re doing. They have a
nice, well-kept fleet of boats and offer boat rentals and sales (new
and used), service with a mechanic onsite, dock space, supplies,
and more. You can also eat breakfast or lunch on their lakefront
restaurant patio. I’ve found their staff to be friendly, helpful, and
professional.
I went with three friends to O’Hara’s that day – Steve, Dave, and
Dan – and we split the boat rental fee. They are all pretty big guys,
and I was no lightweight myself, so we chose a pontoon that could
hold eight people. We also needed the extra room to store the vast
collection of fishing gear and ample teen-size sandwiches and
snacks that we brought along. We received a tour and lesson about
the boat and how to be safe, and after putting on the life vests the
staff provided we started out on my very first pontoon adventure.
8 Celebrate Summer 2019 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
Summer Fun Adrift
THE JOY OF PONTOON BOATS
By Michael Romano
We were unsure of ourselves so we started off slowly and had
only traveled about a hundred feet from shore when a gold trout
jumped out the water in front of us. The state of Connecticut had
been stocking some hybrid golden and tiger trout back then but
none of us had ever seen one. We shut the boat off and made ready
our fishing poles. That’s when we noticed a large number of fish
swimming past us and we quickly threw our lines in the water and
almost immediately hooked up with trout. We each landed one and
put them in a cooler filled with water and ice and then immediately
rebaited our hooks and cast out again with the same result. What
luck! We were ecstatic as we baited up for the third time.
It was then we heard a loud whistle. My friends and I turned to see
who it was and to our surprise saw the Connecticut Department
of Fish and Wildlife stocking truck parked on shore in the process
of putting fish in the water. The two forest ranger types were
watching us with their hands on their hips and disapproving looks
on their faces. It seemed that although we didn’t break any laws we
were guilty of being unintentionally bad sports for catching fish
fresh from the truck. We sheepishly threw back some of the trout
that were still healthy and took the boat out to deeper water out
of sight of the rangers. We went on to fish for the next few hours
but did not catch much. When our rental time was up we returned
to the dock and got our deposit back. No mention was made by
anybody about our fishing in a barrel trick – we had a great time on
the pontoon and did manage to take three trout home for dinner.
I have also rented pontoon boats from Onota Boat Livery in
Pittsfield, MA, on more than a few occasions. One of the first
times I remember was when I worked at the Kolburne School
in New Marlborough to take a group of special needs kids on
an outing. We packed a lunch and beverages, enlisted a life guard
and staff, and spent the day fishing on Onota Lake. Everybody
got a life vest, a fishing pole, and a sandwich and we were off on
our journey. One of the students lost his fishing pole overboard
in the first few minutes. The water was too cold to go in after it,
but somehow we managed to hook it with another pole as we
drove over it. The student got to fish again and actually caught
the biggest fish that day – a two-pound pickerel. A good time was
had by all and all fish were released.
 art, culture & entertainment

I rented a pontoon boat once again for my birthday with six

other guys. There was plenty of room for all of us to fish with
a minimum of tangles. We saw a lot of wildlife on the banks
including a great blue heron, an otter, ducks, and swans. We
caught a few large bass, plenty of perch and sunfish and we
released them all with our good wishes. Another time we went
out and got caught in a rainstorm. The canopy protected us
though and because of the rain the fish were biting like crazy.
We caught and released over a dozen assorted fish that day,
were able to stay warm and dry, and enjoyed a nice lunch on
the water finishing our rental time in style. Pontoon boats are
built for comfort not for speed – it’s enjoyable to just cruise at a
slow pace and appreciate the day. It’s an almost zen-like feeling
floating in the middle of a beautiful lake with the sun on your
face and nature’s beauty all around you.

There are two places in the Berkshires that I am aware of that rent
pontoon boats, both in Pittsfield, MA. Berkshire U-Drive Boat
Rentals, located on North Street, offers rentals for Pontoosuc
Lake (www.berkshireudriveboatrentals.com). Onota Boat Livery,
located on Pecks Road, offers rentals for – you guessed it – Onota
Lake (www.onotaboat.com). Owners Caryn and Rick Wendling
bought the business this past January. I was lucky enough to catch
Caryn when she wasn’t too busy so we could talk for a bit. In
addition to pontoon and various boat rentals they sell boats and
motors, fishing supplies and bait, offer rental space in the marina
for people to dock their boats, and have a full-service marine
repair shop on site. Their pontoon boat rentals are all new, and
they provide a half hour with staff so you can learn how to use
and enjoy them safely. The older boats get sold by the livery at a
good price, so I am saving my pennies. TONY’S
If you would like to own a pontoon boat and would like to shop BERKSHIRE
around, be sure to check out Tony’s Berkshire Boats on West BOATS
Housatonic Street in Pittsfield, MA. They have been there for
● Sales & Service
more than 50 years and are one of the oldest and biggest boat
● A Harris Dealer
dealers in the area. They have up to 30 pontoons in stock and
you can buy or even lease one for the summer. I spoke to Warren, (413) 443-6475
their head salesman, and he was very informative about the size
and types of pontoons they carry. They can even be customized! 483 West Housatonic, St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
In general a new pontoon can cost anywhere from $20,000 to
more than $100,000 depending on size and custom features.
They can come with many options including handicapped

Nashalla Sailing
accessibility, refrigerators, elaborate sound systems, and even a
flat screen TV for those that want it. As
for me . . . I just want to fish from one. Charter with us!
Twin Lakes, Salisbury, CT
~ 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.” Michael is a retired chef – he and NashallaSailin
g.com
his wife, Susan, worked for many years at the
now-closed Kolburne School.

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Celebrate Summer 2019 9

 Creamy Chilled Avocado Soup
with Thai Flavors / Four entrée or six appetizer portions

T his is a refreshing, chilled soup with Thai flavors and coconut milk, perfect for any warm
summer lunch or dinner. Goes well with a topping of cooked shrimp or a dollop of low-
fat sour cream or yogurt. This recipe has been adapted from www.californiaavocado.com
by local dietitian Rachel Alves of Guido’s Fresh Marketplace.

Ingredients
2 large, ripe avocados (about 8 oz each) 1 14-15 oz can of light coconut milk
1-2 fresh garlic cloves, minced, or ½ tsp 6-8 cups water (more or less as needed for
garlic powder desired consistency)
2 tsp fresh ginger, grated or minced 1-2 T Thai green curry paste (start with 1
and add more to desired spiciness)
Zest and juice of 2 limes
1 T (or more as desired) maple syrup, honey,
1 tsp salt
or agave nectar
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper (more
¼ cups chopped fresh Thai basil (sweet basil
to taste)
will do, also!)
Pinch of red pepper flakes

Garnish Suggestions
Cooked shrimp Chopped toasted, salted peanuts
Lowfat Greek yogurt or sour cream Sliced green onions or chives
Toasted unsweetened coconut

Directions
Scoop the flesh out of the avocados and place in the bowl of a food processor. Add the garlic
(or garlic powder), ginger, lime zest and juice, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes and pulse
a few times to break down the avocado. With the processor on, pour the coconut milk into the
chute and add the water, one cup at a time until you achieve the desired consistency. Add the curry
paste and sweetener of your choice and purée again for about 30 seconds or so. Taste and adjust
for seasoning: salt, curry, red pepper, and sweetener. Soup should be a balance of sweet and spicy.
Add basil and pulse twice.

Place soup in a large bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. To serve, ladle soup into bowls and
top with garnish of your choice.

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

 food & drink

Take $35 off when you spend $135 or more*

*Please present this coupon found in Our BerkshireTimes Magazine to server
at start of meal. Offer expires Sept 30, 2019. Not valid for wine dinners or holidays.
One coupon per table. Cannot be combined with other offers or promotions.

“Come taste the ancient flavors of authentic Pompeian brick oven

cooking and grilling, savored in an elegant, romantic, intimate
setting in downtown Pittsfield.” ~ Davide Manzo, Proprietor/Chef
Dinner daily starting at 5pm. Closed Tuesdays. Reservations suggested.

26 McKay Street, Pittsfield, MA

(413) 499-1192 • www.trattoria-rustica.com

½
entrées
available

10 MILL RIVER, GREAT BARRINGTON RD, MILL RIVER

413-229-2663 ● VISIT US ON FACEBOOK

NORTH EGREMONT

D-e-e-licious!
COUNTRY STORE
NEWLY EXPANDED DELI - FOOD MENU!
Wholesome ● Homestyle ● Delicious

SoCo Ice Cream ● Local Free-Range Eggs

Milk ● Liquor ● Beer ● Wine ● Pastries
Lotto ● Post Office ● Fishing Bait
Photo by John Phelan

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

Tues-Sat dinner only • 150 Main St., Lee 413.243.6397 cheznousbistro.com Call (413) 528-4796

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Celebrate Summer 2019 11

food & drink

The History of Hand Pies

GRAND OPENING MID-MAY! / By Rodelinde Albrecht
SWEET, SAVOURY, AND OHHH SO SATISFYING / By Kathy I. Regan

S
weet or savoury, hot or cold, hand pies are the perfect food
any time of year. Tasty, satisfying, aromatic, and fun to eat,
these D-shaped, portable meals are formed by placing a
dollop of filling onto a circular piece of pastry dough – the dough
is then folded in half, the edges are crimped shut, and the pies are
baked (or fried in some places) until flaky and golden brown.
Easy to take on the go because they require no plate or utensils
to eat, hand pies make convenient, versatile meals and are a great
option to have when entertaining guests. Some say it’s all about the
crust – that’s where the magic lies – and we do agree this is very
important, but mmmmm those fillings. Today for an appetizer or main
dish, savoury hand pie fillings can include many different types of
meat, fish, cheese, vegetables, and herbs in any combination. Sweet
hand pies can be made with a wide array of fruits, purées, and sweet
cheeses and spices, and can be eaten plain or garnished with ice
cream, crème fraîche, chocolate shavings, and more. The real magic,
or trick of the trade, is making sure the filling is neither too juicy so
it leaks from the pastry crust, nor too dry so it is unpleasant to eat.
Russian pirozhki, Jewish knishes, Jamaican beef patties, Nigerian
meat pies, Greek spanakopita, Bolivian salteñas, and on it goes.
We found mixed information when researching the history of hand
pies, but to the best of our understanding it looks as if historians have
traced the roots of meat pies back to ancient Egypt and the origins
of pie pastry to the Greeks. At the time the main purpose of the
pastry shell was to serve as a storage and preservation container for
the fillings, and were for the most part too hard to eat. During the
Medieval times of England, hand pies were mostly filled with meat
like beef, lamb, wild duck, and pigeon. In our culture, they trace the
origins of hand pies back to nineteenth century England where they
made a convenient lunch for Cornish tin miners, and once again, after
the fillings (beef, potatoes, rutabaga, and onion) were consumed, the
pastry was discarded. The Pilgrims who colonized America brought
England’s meat-based recipes with them and it was not until the 1800s
that the majority of sweet pies came into fashion. Flash forward to
today and what a sweet, savoury, and ohhh-so-satisfying assortment
of hand pies (and edible pastry!) we have to choose from.

Popular in many places around the world (although made in Be sure to keep an eye on Sweet and Savoury on Main’s Facebook
different ways), you will recognize hand pies as Mexican empanadas, page (see ad below) for hand pie specials.

boutique bake shop on main street in lee, ma

small batch ● handcrafted on the premises daily
locally sourced when possible ● scratch made

Doughnuts made by John and Debbie Scalia, formerly of Home Sweet Home Doughnuts.
pastries ● savoury hand pies ● soups ● specialty cakes ● paninis ● coffee & espresso
413-243-7777 | 56 main street, lee, ma | www.sweetsavourymain.com

12 Celebrate Summer 2019 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

 food & drink

Summer Vegetable Tian

RECIPE FROM ANDREA KREST AT BERKSHIRE FOOD CO-OP

W
ith summer veggies hitting peak season right now, this
classic French dish is the perfect way to use fresh, local
ingredients direct from the farm! While you’re at the
Co-op, grab a Berkshire Mountain Bakery baguette too, so you can
soak up every last drop of the herbaceous juices this dish yields.
minutes, then pat dry.
Slice onions and cook with garlic in 3 tablespoons of the olive
oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until slightly browned,
about 10 minutes.

Ingredients Transfer to a medium baking dish.

1 medium eggplant, peeled
Salt to taste In the same skillet, cook eggplant in 2–3 more tablespoons of
2 medium onions the olive oil until tender and slightly browned, about 10 minutes.
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced Season with salt and pepper.
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Freshly ground black pepper to taste Arrange zucchini, tomatoes, and eggplant in layers over the
2 medium zucchini, sliced onions. Top with herbs, drizzle with remaining oil, and season
6 ripe medium tomatoes, sliced with salt and pepper. Sprinkle Gruyère cheese over the top and
3-4 sprigs fresh herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, basil, or oregano bake 30 to 40 minutes.
½ cup grated Gruyère cheese
Enjoy!
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400°. Thinly slice the eggplant (¼” ~ Berkshire Food Co-op, located in downtown Great Barrington, MA,
thick), sprinkle with salt, and place in a colander. Drain for 30 (413) 528-9697, www.berkshire.coop.

GOOD FOOD
~ for ~
EVERYONE!
34 Bridge St, Great Barrington, MA, 01230
www.berkshire.coop | (413) 528-9697

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Celebrate Summer 2019 13

 Improve Your Health & Support Local Farms
T
he new owners of Berkshire Organics, Shaun
and Amanda Opperman, say “Considering the
relevance of Berkshire Organics in our community
has led us back to where it all began: with a strong
connection to local farmers and an amazing abundance of peak-
of-season fruits and veggies that we are able to deliver to homes
throughout Berkshire County within hours of being harvested.
We’re experiencing clarity as we restructure the business to focus
on our produce basket program and delivery service. The health of
our community is proving to be an indomitable motivation for our
work, and is really the driving force for all we’d like to accomplish.
“What is offered is a very real connection to truly local food being
grown by farmers within miles of where we live. It’s sustainable
agriculture thriving in a globally focused system of mass food
production. It’s action behind the demand for essential nutrient
content that should be inherent in what we eat. We also offer practical
tools and information so our customers are empowered to use their
food to enrich their lives and work toward feeling their best selves.
“Many people are not able to go to a farm to pick up their CSA
shares each week. It’s a fabulous and worthy experience but it just
isn’t realistic for a lot of folks. We offer a convenient, predictable,
and flexible delivery service that allows for adequate meal
planning and is compatible with our busy lifestyles.
“The food we eat has the potential to heal us, fuel us, and support
vitality. It communicates with our DNA. In fact, every molecule
of food is a message instructing our cells to do a task. Cabbage
promotes cancer-fighting activity, blueberries can reverse the
process of diabetes, garlic and ginger thwart viral illness, greens
give us calcium, build our bones, thin our blood, and help our
bodies form hormones and neurotransmitters. On the other
hand, sugars in any form, e.g. processed flours, cereals, and
sweeteners, work against our innate immune defenses, dictate the
metabolic pathways our bodies use, tax our energy, and invoke
14 Celebrate Summer 2019 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
powerful neurological addiction. Our food’s nutrient content is
thus incredibly important to our well-being.
At Berkshire Organics Our Driving Force Runs Deep
“We’re on the farms each week. We know our farmers. And our
mission is to source food for you that’s in season and full of the
vitality we need to thrive. We use photography and social media
to connect our community with the farmers and how their food
is being grown.
Affordability and Easy Integration Into Our Lives
“Our organic offerings are not the expensive organic offerings found
in supermarkets. Working with local growers for over a decade
has allowed us to agree on price points that promote the farm’s
sustainability and are still reasonable enough for us to distribute
to homes throughout the Berkshires.
“The ordering system at www.berkshireorganics.com is a platform
our customers can access at will. There are no minimum order
requirements or up-front financial obligations. Every produce
basket offered is completely customizable and able to be built upon
as the needs of the individual or family change. We’re delighted
to offer something for any budget, the flexibility of ordering
as needs vary, and a
seamless integration
into our lives that saves
us time.”
To find out more, visit
their website (address
above), call them at
(413) 442-0888, or visit
their market in Dalton,
MA, to shop on Friday
and Saturday of each
week from 9am to 7pm. Shaun and Amanda Opperman and family

The Dark Side of Google / Continued from page 4
©6/29/19 PART 2 - GOOGLE: “ORGANIC IS A LIE, SUPPLEMENTS ARE DANGEROUS, CHIROPRACTIC IS FAKE,”
AND OTHER THOUGHTS THEY WANT YOU TO THINK”
By Sayer Ji, Founder, GreenMedInfo.com / condensed and reprinted with permission
Recently, a shocking discovery was made: Google is auto-
completing the search fields of billions of users with false
information (topics ranging from natural health to candidates
for election), based not on objective search volume data, but an
extremely biased political and socio-economic agenda – one that
is jeopardizing the health and human rights of everyone on the
planet. It was discovered that Google also manipulates users with
their autocomplete function into thinking that natural approaches
to health are fraudulent and even harmful.
Google manipulates your search results in a very specific way.
For instance, if you start your search out with “supplements are,”
Google will autocomplete your search field with the following
suggestions: “supplements are bad, useless, not regulated,
dangerous, scams.” Most Google users believe that its suggestions
reflect the volume of searches others are doing on the topic –
a reasonable assumption, given Google says their algorithm is
“Based on several factors, like how often others have searched
for a term.” In fact, Google goes out of their way to say they
are not making subjective suggestions, but objective predictions
based on real searches. But Google Trends data show the
“supplements are” autocomplete results above to be inaccurate,
if not blatantly falsified. In fact, keyword search volume trend
lines show that since 2004, searches for the phrase “supplements
are bad” relative to “supplements are good” are far lower, and the
gap continues to increase, with about 5x more people searching
for them in a positive rather than negative light. This is the very
definition of the Orwellian inversion: where Good becomes Bad,
and War becomes Peace.
Amazingly, a third Google product from its extremely profitable
Google Ads division called Keyword Planner, shows an even
more accurate quantification of how many searches have
home & garden
actually been performed in the United States in the past month
with the phrase: “supplements are bad.” The result? Only 100-
1,000 searches, which is between only .2739 and 2.7 people a
day. That’s right, in the entire population of the United States
(327,321,076 as of March, 26, 2018), at most 2.7 people type the
phrase “supplements are bad” into the Google search engine.
But if any of those 327 million people type “supplements are
. . . ” into the Google search engine, all 327 million users will
have their search completed for them with the suggestion that
they are “bad” and search for information on how bad they are.
Alternative browsers like DuckDuckGo.com, on the other hand,
won’t suggest anything because it does not have an autocomplete
function as Google does, which Google states: “is designed to
help people complete a search they were intending to do, not to
suggest new types of searches to be performed.”
Our investigation has uncovered a number of examples like this
[including: taking vitamins is, gmos are, organic is a, homeopathy
is, holistic medicine is, chiropractic is, and so forth] where
Google is placing autocomplete suggestions into the search
user’s mind that are not only the opposite of what most people
search for, but sometimes do not search for at all – indicating
that Google’s ostensibly objective feature is literally a propaganda
device programming users to think thoughts they would never
otherwise consider.
One might argue that the examples mentioned above are benign,
and may even reflect a twisted sense of humor. After all, wasn’t
Google’s original tongue-in-cheek motto “Don’t be evil”? And how
seriously do we take a company whose name, after all, is as silly
as Google? It turns out, however, that the sort of manipulations
revealed here actually have extremely powerful effects on human
thinking and behavior – far beyond what most can even imagine.
The true extent to which Google’s search algorithm affects
human society today was first revealed by research psychologist
Robert Epstein, and his associate Ronald E. Robertson, who
discovered the search engine manipulation effect (SEME) in 2013
– the largest human behavioral effect ever identified. In fact, their
randomized, clinical trial based research revealed that Google’s
“instant” search tool, which “autocompletes” a user’s sentences,
may be so extraordinarily powerful as to have determined the
outcomes of a quarter of the world’s elections in recent years.
Their 2015 paper titled, “The search engine manipulation effect
(SEME) and its possible impact on the outcomes of elections,”
published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is well
worth reading. It found that within certain voter subpopulations,
such as undecided Republicans, the SEME was so powerful that it
determined up to 80 percent of the votes. continued on page 31
www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Celebrate Summer 2019 15
 Healthy Home Renovations
SPRUCE UP YOUR DWELLING, FEEL WELL & SAVE MONEY / By Nina Anderson
I
f you’re thinking about sprucing up your dwelling,
whether it’s just planting a few bushes or repainting
the bedroom, you might want to consider the effect
these renovations will have on your health. Many of
us living in the Berkshires are conscious about using nontoxic
lawn and garden treatments since chemical weed killers, fertilizers,
and pesticides are not only hazardous to our health but can also
affect our pets and the wildlife that scamper about our yards. But
when it comes to interior renovations we may not be as savvy.
Many years ago my book, Your Health and Your House, was
published. In it I outlined a myriad of “new” nontoxic building
and decorating materials. At that time it wasn’t easy to find paint,
varnishes, and cleaning products that didn’t outgas volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) and toxic vapors, which can have adverse
health effects. Some even contain known or suspected human
carcinogens (cancer-promoting substances). More immediate
symptoms from breathing these fumes can range from asthma,
dizziness, and migraines to depression and more. Today it is much
easier to choose natural cleaning products, and most paint stores
carry paints that contain low or no VOCs, but you need to read
labels or ask someone who’s knowledgable.
If you plan to do a more serious renovation like replacing flooring,
you may want to choose unfinished wood and then apply a low- or
no-VOC finish to it. For quality natural stains and paint check out
Bioshield at www.bioshieldpaint.com. Natural bamboo and cork are
nontoxic flooring options, but inquire about the resin that is used to
hold them together – check to see if they are GreenGuard certified
to contain low VOC emissions. Soft vinyl, engineered woods, and
laminates can be quite toxic because of the glue they use, but several
brands claim low VOC, so do your research. If you must install
prefinished flooring, make sure it is stored in a well-ventilated place
for a few weeks prior to installation so the chemicals have a chance
to at least partially outgas. Marble tiles, slate, or ceramic are normally
devoid of toxins but marble may contain chemical resin gap fillers,
so ask about this. Also, some marble and slate products come with a
chemical sealer on them. I have used ceramic extensively in my home
and find that AFM Safecoat (www.afmsafecoat.com) produces a
sealer and water-resistant treatment that is zero-VOC that you can
apply once the tile is set. Be careful of glazed tiles that may contain
lead – not good with kids or pets that spend time on the floor.
Carpets are great at hiding a myriad of floor issues including
scrapes, scratches, and discoloration, or used as the main
treatment over subflooring. They also feel good beneath your
tootsies, but many carpets come with a high chemical load,
especially if they are stain resistant. That new-carpet smell that
we thought was good is actually outgassing chemicals that are
inherent in the glue (often formaldehyde-based) used to bind the
fibers and in the artificial fibers themselves. People exposed to
chemical carpets have developed symptoms such as headaches,
16 Celebrate Summer 2019 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
sore throat, dizziness, slurred speech, and more. And if this
chemical assault is not remedied, it may eventually develop into
an autoimmune illness such as multiple-chemical sensitivity
(MCS). Did you ever wonder why your dog prefers to sit on the
furniture? Could it be that he/she doesn’t want to breathe those
toxins that are most concentrated within two feet of the floor?
You may discover a used carpet treasure at a tag sale in good
shape that has long since outgassed, but beware of the dust
mites, bacteria, and mold that could be lurking in it. If you prefer
carpet, untreated chemical-free, biodegradable, sustainable, pure
undyed natural wool carpets (like Earthweave, www.earthweave.
com) that are suitable for allergic, chemically injured, or immune
compromised individuals are the healthiest choice.
Suppose you want to remodel your kitchen or bath and hope to
find cabinets and countertops that are free of chemicals. This is
not an easy task. Many of the designs we see today are made with
plastic or Formica, which although not considered toxic if it is
fabricated with low-VOC laminate glue, may be still be emitting
harmful fumes. Make sure the products you choose contain non-
toxic plywood rather than formaldehyde-based particle board.
It is possible to purchase all-wood cabinets created without
formaldehyde-based glue, and these can be unfinished allowing
you to choose zero-VOC paints or other natural finish. Finished
nontoxic cabinets may be a little more expensive, but so are
doctors when you develop symptoms from chemical exposure.
Countertops can also be a source of symptoms if they are
constructed with toxic resins – choose marble, copper, granite,
or ceramic without chemical finishes.
Another piece of green renovation is to cut energy costs and
possibly save money with an Energy Star program. If you are
replacing your old leaky windows, consider Low-E. Low-E glass
windows have a microscopically thin coating that is transparent
and keeps the temperature in your home consistent by reflecting
the interior temperatures back inside. More money can be saved
if you are reinsulating an area of your home or adding on with
new construction. Old fiberglass batt insulation sags after awhile
and reduces the insulation factor. I found the best solution is
to use open-cell Icyene water-blown foam (castor oil based, no
polyurethane). Not only is it nontoxic but it won’t exacerbate a
fire. We have put a torch on the foam and it absolutely won’t
catch fire – it just melts. Because it penetrates every nook and
cranny in the wall there is no air to fuel the fire either. Another
alternative is hemp and wool batt insulation but check the brand
to see if they use chemical binders.
If you need an expert to advise you, there are many local
architects, builders, and suppliers who would be more than
willing to help. ~ Nina Anderson is author of Your Health and Your House
and Are You Poisoning Your Pets? She also does healthy house inspections.
www.nlpberkshires.com
 home & garden

Quality since 1988

Licensed and insured Architecture + Landscape
We specialize in
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www.workingdesign.info
15 Sheffield Road
South Egremont, MA

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60 Roberts Drive, Suite 109
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Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, BPVS
(413)46664-0152
Howland Avenue, • www.bpvs.com
Solar Energy Industries Association.
Adams, MA 01220
Association, Solar Energy Business Association of New England,
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Tel.
Member: LIC Solar
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46 Howland Avenue, Adams, MA 01220 www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Celebrate Summer 2019 17

Tel. 413-743-0152 • www.bpvs.com

 Summer Fun
SIMPLE STEPS TO GET ORGANIZED FOR A STRESS-FREE SUMMER / By Julie Ulmer
I t’s that busy time of year when everyone wants to
get out and enjoy the warm weather, so indoor
household chores and tasks often take a back seat.
While we’re gardening, camping, picnicking, going
to concerts, and swimming, our homes have a way of filling up
with extra clutter. It’s a grab and go time of the year but with a little
extra planning and the following tips, you can stay better organized
and have more stress-free fun time in the sun.
• Devote a tote bag to swimming gear with all the basics in one
place. Be sure to include swimwear, towels, sunscreen, natural bug
spray, goggles, ear plugs, floaties or water wings for the little ones,
as well as an empty plastic bag (or other waterproof options) for
transporting wet suits home to be washed.
• Pass up freebie swag that’s given out at many fundraisers,
community events, and 5K runs, unless it’s an awesome T-shirt
or a well-designed refillable water bottle – something you know
you’ll really use. I find a lot of not so very well-made tote bags
in clients’ homes that we wind up using to drop off donations.
Swag tends to add up quickly, so if you notice you have more
freebie clutter than you know what to do with, kindly refuse to
even bring it home!
• Originally souvenirs were simply relics from a destination,
but to preserve sacred and historic sites officials started distributing
mass-produced trinkets to visitors. Soon, souvenir fever was
ignited. This year when you go on vacation be kind to yourself,
friends, family, and the environment by passing up that goofy pen,
oversized pencil, refrigerator magnet, bumper sticker, mug, shot
glass, miniature snow globe, or shrunken Statue of Liberty. While
comical and fun at first, eventually it’s just one more knickknack
to dust or postcard that you’ll never send. With smartphones and
all the photos we take these days you won’t forget your trip to the
beach, so leave the seashells at the seashore!
• A rainy summer day is a good opportunity to work on the
buildup of clutter and possessions inside your home. You have
probably heard about keeping items based on whether they “spark
joy” but I like to encourage people to ask themselves if an item
sparks apathy. Don’t try too hard to apply this logic, instead ask
yourself if a possession is something you use, need, or love.
Utilitarian items might not spark any emotion but if you use that
badminton set, need a first aid kit, or love your collection of wood
carving tools, the answer to keep or discard will come easily to you.
• Remember how handy a good list can be to assure us that
we packed everything we need, or to remind us how to efficiently
get ready for an event. Not only do I have a basic packing list for
travel, I have created lists for barbecuing (the culinary term mise
18 Celebrate Summer 2019 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
en place is French for having everything in place) and for local day
trips like when we go to outdoor concerts. When there is a check
list, it’s easier for you to delegate tasks to others and with the
whole team on board, getting ready to go is less stressful!
• It’s time to start the grill and slice up that watermelon! But
the bounty of the season can create challenges for kitchens
that don’t have much space. Counter clutter can impede food
preparation causing frustration. Countertops are prime real estate
so don’t let squatters like mail, medications and supplements,
rarely used appliances, or excessive condiments crowd the cutting
board zone. Lots of produce means lots of washing, knife work,
and preparation. Think of any food show from Julia Child in
the late 1960s to modern day cooks, and you don’t see radios,
knickknacks, or piles of cookbooks taking up precious prep
space. Where should the mail really live? Can you just keep your
top three favorite cookbooks in the kitchen and the rest on the
bookshelves in the dining room?
• Sporting goods should be accessible and for some that
means doing a seasonal swap. This summer the skis, snowshoes,
and ice skates could live elsewhere to make room for soccer
cleats, biking gear, and everything tennis. Do be mindful of
how you store skis though: living in a hot attic in the off season
might mean warping. Categorize like with like so it’s easier to
pack everything you need for a hike up Monument Mountain
or a trip to one of the many town beaches or state parks in the
lovely Berkshires.
One of the best ways to keep your home neat and tidy any
time of year is to adopt two mantras: put it right away or else
it will stay and don’t go anywhere emptyhanded. There’s always
something that belongs in another room of the home or
elsewhere altogether, and taking a few extra moments to put
things away properly will help keep your home streamlined
and ready for summer living!
~Julie Ulmer has built an extensive business as a professional organizer,
speaker, and consultant, having founded Minding Your Manor in 2005. She
specializes in chronic disorganization and
hoarding disorder. Minding Your Manor
services the Capital District as well as
Columbia, Rensselaer, and the northern
Dutchess counties of New York and the
Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. Julie
is a member of the National Association
of Professional Organizers, the Institute
for Challenging Disorganization, and the
Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.
www.mindingyourmanor.com
 home & garden

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• Bonded 800-707-1441 Sheffield: 413-229-9900 ● Pittsfield: 413-443-4515
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● Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning ● Animal Debris and Odor Clean Up
● Mold and Odor Remediation ● Sewer and Septic Clean Up
● We Will Use Green Cleaning Products Upon Request

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3 Westview Road, Pittsfield, MA
www.ServiceMasteroftheBerkshires.com www.alliance-appliance.com

LiLies - saLvia - BLueBerry - herBs - hydranGea - natives

Ward’s
Where Gardeners GroW

Blue Hill Flowers, Country Store and Cafe

Wedding & Special Event Flowers ● Gifts ● Cafe ● And More!
Dress Up Your
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Rd., Canaan, CT ● 860-824-0808
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Hunter Douglas ● Graber ● Norman Shutters
Upholstery, Draperies, Fabric & Wallpaper

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Window Treatments, Fabric,
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all of your decorating needs.

● Hunter Douglas ● Graber

Window Treatments ● Norman Shutters
Hunter Douglas • Graber • Comfortex • Norman Shutter
For all Your Decorating Needs 274 Wahconah St. Pittsfield, MA
Upholstery, Draperies, Fabric & Wallpaper Open daily 10-5, Sat 10-4, closed Sun Ward’s Nursery & Garden Center - 600 S. Main St - Gt. Barrington
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www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Celebrate Summer 2019 19
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CELEBRATE SUMMER 2019

shoplocal
IN THE BERKSHIRES!

ENJOY La Riojana Wines / Berkshire Food Co-op

Fair Trade certified La Riojana wines are produced
cooperatively by family farmers in Argentina. La Riojana teaches their growers
to produce wine using sustainable and ethical farming practices and helps
them, their families, and communities grow and prosper. In the southern
Berkshires, you can only find these delicious, affordable wines at Berkshire
Food Co-op. Six varieties available including Chardonnay, Rosé, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Malbec, Bonarda Malbec, and Torrontés. Berkshire Food Co-op
was created almost 40 years ago by families in the community to bring great food
to the southern Berkshires. Everything they sell is thoughtfully chosen to meet the
highest standards of quality and sustainability. 34 Bridge St, Great Barrington, MA
(413) 528-9697, www.berkshire.coop

TREAT Green Gorilla CBD Freeze-Dried Dog Treats

Lenox Village Integrative Pharmacy
Green Gorilla CBD freeze-dried dog treats are made with organic ingredients and
expertly formulated. CBD oil works to interrupt and decrease pain signaling. It also
reduces inflammation, stress and anxiety, improves sleep, relieves discomfort in hips
and joints, enhances the immune function, and restores energy and balance. CBD
products are also available for human consumption. Come in and consult with our
pharmacist. LVIP has been family owned and operated for more than 25 years and
offers packaged medication tear-off packets, some compounded medications, and
home delivery.. In addition, the pharmacy offers jewelry, natural skin care and cosmetics,
bath, gifts, and homekeeping items to choose from. 5 Walker St, Lenox, MA
(413) 637-4700, www.lviprx.com

“M agic is seeing wonder in nature’s every little

thing, seeing how wonderful the fireflies are and
how magical are the dragonflies.”
~Ama H. Vanniarachchy
 ENCHANT Dragonflies & Necklace / Cheshire Glass
These magical glass dragonflies and this stunning
dichroic glass necklace on sterling silver chain have been handcrafted right here in
Berkshire County at Cheshire Glassworks by artist Jill Reynolds. Jill’s independently
owned studio and gallery, located in the northern Berkshires, is filled with sparkling
pendants, earrings, bracelets, rings, 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 13 years in business. Custom orders are always welcome.
Jill is also now carrying work by other talented local artists. To view more of Jill’s
creations see her website and Facebook page. Visit 24 South St, Cheshire, MA.
(413) 743-7828, www.cheshireglassworks.com

SAVOR Gelato & Sorbet / Chocolate Springs

Enjoy delicious, creamy, freshly made gelato and sorbet at
Chocolate Springs. Stay for a scoop or cone, and buy prepacked pints of all your favorite
flavors ready to go. This European-style chocolate and dessert café run by proprietor Joshua
Needleman, who has decades of experience in crafting the finest handmade
bonbons from natural ingredients, is located conveniently in Lenox, MA. Chocolates at
the café (and for online purchase) include milk and dark, truffles, award-winning
ganaches, and amazing hot chocolate using only the finest seasonal and organic
ingredients whenever possible. In addition to the treats mentioned above, enjoy
coffee, espresso, specialty desserts, and much more. Buy gifts online at any time,
or stop by in person to visit the café at 55 Pittsfield Rd, Lenox, MA.
(413) 637-9820, www.chocolatesprings.com

10% OFF Fishing & Boating Await You

Onota Boat Livery
Onota Boat Livery is your one-stop shop for all fishing and boating needs.
The store is open seven days a week and offers a huge variety of fishing
tackle, live bait, marine accessories, and boat/motor sales. Boat rentals
are available and include kayaks, canoes, small fishing boats, and pontoon
boats. The livery offers a full-service marine repair shop and has a huge
inventory of engine repair parts. Dock slips are also available. Located on
Onota Lake at 463 Pecks Rd, Pittsfield, MA. Visit our website or call us for
more information. Mention this spotlight to receive10 percent off your tackle/
rental purchase. (413) 442-1724, www.onotaboat.com

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Celebrate Summer 2019 21

Dr. Brian Wessels BVSc M.Med
c1943 - 2019 / By Kristina Dow
T
he veterinary community has lost an iconic veterinary
practitioner. Dr. Brian Wessels, a mentor, a friend, and
the inspiration for a good number of the articles I’ve
written for this publication, has passed away. Those
of you who were fortunate enough to have worked with him,
or to have consulted with him, or to have attended one of his
workshops, will understand the great loss his passing represents.
Dr. Wessels spoke with great knowledge and wisdom, with truth
to power, and his silence now is overwhelming.
Dr. Wessels received his Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree
(our North American Doctor of Veterinary Science degree)
from the Veterinary Faculty in Pretoria, South Africa. In private
practice for 20 years in Pinetown, South Africa, he then received
his advanced Masters in Medicine degree from the Nelson R.
Mandela School of Medicine in Durban, South Africa, and
served at that institution as department head of physiology,
biochemistry, and functional histology.
Ultimately, Dr. Wessels’ retirement brought him to the Litchfield
Hills of Connecticut, and from that vantage point he inspired
veterinarians and lay people, from Tucson, AZ, to Westport,
CT, to Great Barrington, MA, to feed and nurture their pets
holistically. And yet, he refused the holistic label for himself.
On the Anaflora Flower Essence website, one can find Dr. Wessels
listed along with mystical scholars, animal communicators,
spiritual healers, and well-known holistic veterinary practitioners
as an exemplary friend and colleague of Anaflora, recommended
by them without qualification, but Dr. Wessels never defined
himself as either holistic or alternative. As far as he was concerned,
he was just doing things the way that all veterinarians should, with
integrity and careful study, taking care to do no harm, and always
remaining respectful of Mother Nature’s intentions and allowing
influence by none other.
As a truly extraordinary veterinary nutritionist, Dr. Wessels
was able to offer his students of nutrition a clear, fact-based
understanding of the physiology behind the nutritional needs
of our pets, and he could describe with great clarity the genesis
of the pathologies created when those needs were not met. His
students learned that proper pet nutrition is not a matter of the
pet food industry’s opinion-du-jour, but rather it is a matter of
well-defined, unwavering physiological needs.
While that may all sound unwaveringly boring, Dr. Wessels was
never boring in his teaching. In fact, his manner of teaching
could be delightfully wicked. For example, when the conversation
22 Celebrate Summer 2019 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com
about canine nutrition would turn to stool formation (“poo” as
he called it) as an indicator of digestive health, Dr. Wessels would
often suggest to his audience that the best way to evaluate a dog’s
poo was for both man and beast to enjoy a good evening meal
and then take a walk together, with the former enjoying a good
smoke while observing the latter enjoying a good poo.
Then, as he continued with his description of what a healthy dog
poo should look like, Dr. Wessels would gesture as if holding
and enjoying a cigarette in his right hand, then, transferring the
imaginary cigarette to this left hand, he would stoop to pick up,
with his right hand thumb and index finger, an imaginary perfect
poop, pretend to examine it as he described it, and then toss it
over an imaginary fence into his imaginary neighbor’s back yard.
At that point, he would then transfer his imaginary cigarette back
to his poo-scooping right hand, and resume his imaginary smoke.
By this time, Dr. Wessels’ audience would have erupted with a
mixture of aghast groans, hoots, and laughter, while I would be in
the back of the room stifling my own laughter while chiding him,
“That’s wrong on so many levels, Brian!” And Dr. Wessels, quite
satisfied with himself, would return to his lecture with a chuckle.
But, as engaging as his lectures could be, the end-of-program Q&A
was always when Dr. Wessels’ unparalleled expertise shone through.
His responses to the randomly offered questions were always . .
. wow . . . right there! For example, when queried by an elderly
woman about why her tiny dog would eagerly run to the filling of
the food bowl, but then look at the bowl and its contents blankly
and walk away without touching a bite, Dr. Wessels was quick to
suggest a number of ways to correct the nutritional deficiencies
that were likely creating a disconnect between the emotional side
of the brain (that registers hunger) and the instinctive side of
the brain (that would tell the dog to eat), and thus yielding the
behavior she was describing. “Try adding those couple of things
to the diet, and I’m sure your little ankle-snapper will feel much
better,” he’d say with a wink and a smile.
But, as important as Dr. Wessels’ nutritional teachings were
in understanding the basic underpinnings of good health,
his approach to illness brought his teachings to a whole new
level. And to illustrate that point, there follows, with the kind
permission of the publisher, an edited reprint of an article that
appeared in a 2011 issue of this publication. It was written as a
part of a series I wrote about the teachings of Dr. Wessels, who
is therein referred to as the Wise Old Veterinarian.
~ Kristina “Tina” Dow is sole proprietor of BensDotter’s Pet, a retail pet
supply store in Great Barrington, MA. www.bensdotters.com
 animal talk

A Wise Old Veterinarian Once Told Me

Do Not Always Assume That The Body Is Failing . . .
It May Very Well Be Succeeding / By Kristina Dow

I t happened in the dark of night. My husband did not realize

that Xena, our elderly kitty, was sprawled out sound asleep
on the floor beside the bed. As he arose from the bed, he
stepped down on her . . . hard. She cried out in apparent pain,
but seemed alright within a few minutes, albeit very annoyed.

The next morning, we both breathed a sigh of relief when all

still appeared normal. Xena ate a hearty breakfast, washed her
face, and settled in for a nap. All that drama in the darkness must
have been more insult than injury.

It was a few days later that Xena stopped eating. We took her to
the vet, and described the trauma of some days earlier. The vet
examined Xena, drew some blood, and took some x-rays. The
vet’s diagnosis was not what we wanted to hear: a mass on the
spleen, no doubt a tumor that would require further evaluation
to determine malignancy. An elevated white blood cell count, no
doubt due to a very severe infection, from which, at her age, she
was unlikely to recover. And a high blood urea nitrogen level,
no doubt indicative of kidney failure. The prognosis was grim.

Enter the Wise Old Veterinarian . . . Out for a drive in the

country, he stopped by to chat, and I queried him with regard to
Xena’s recent diagnosis. After describing her condition, I asked
for his advice regarding what I might do to help keep the old girl
comfortable in her final days.

Instantly, he burst into complaint, “Why is it that we always

assume that the body is failing rather than succeeding? Why is it
that we are capable of seeing only pathology? We search ardently
for clues to something gone horribly wrong, all the while failing to
recognize that the body may be functioning absolutely normally.

“Everything about this case is entirely consistent with absolutely

normal physiology, not disparate pathologies. There’s no
need for a malignancy, no need for an infection, and no need
for failing kidneys to explain what could be going on. It can
all be explained as an absolutely normal series of responses
to trauma. The trauma yields a bruised mass (hematoma) on
the spleen. The white blood cell count elevates with the injury
and inflammation, and as well to clean up the hematoma. The
blood urea nitrogen level rises with the loss of appetite and
accompanying dehydration, and as well with the release of urea
as the hematoma dissolves. The body is performing exactly as it
should. With a bit of supportive care, she should be fine.”

And fine she was. And fine she remained for several more
years – well into her 20th year – but with a night light always
kept on in the bedroom.

Gratias tibi ago, requiescas in pace, Brian.

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Celebrate Summer 2019 23

This & That

“To create art with all the Learn More About Art
passion in one’s soul is to NONPROFITS INTRODUCE ART TO THE BERKSHIRES
live art with all the beauty
in one’s heart.”
~ Aberjhani
F or those of us who want to learn more about art from
accomplished artists there are several nonprofit organizations
that offer venues in the Berkshires. The Berkshire Art Association
(BAA) connects the community with artists by providing outlets for
their work, makes financial awards possible for high school art field
trips, and among other projects they have helped local merchants
and artists set up the First Fridays Artswalk under the auspices of
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. The Becket Arts Center has an art camp
for children, provides exhibitions for local artists to present their
work, and this fall will have a DriveAbout guide to help others discover
AD
REINHARDT
FANNIE
HILLSMITH
BALCOMB
GREENE
ESPHYR
SLOBODKINA
JOSEF
ALBERS
the wonderful talent living here in the Berkshires. Visiting artists to
the Frelinghuysen Morris House & Studio are giving demonstrations
of their medium on Fridays at their Lenox location. They also offer
a fun August workshop that uses Color-aid papers and creative
...AND MORE!
templates so participants can learn how artists choose color and
can create their own masterpiece. The Guild of Berkshire Artists
American Abstract Artists
holds seminars, exhibits, and special events to educate their
—A Collection. members and the public about art. The Northwest Connecticut
Unseen Works. Arts Council serves both the culture-loving public and the cultural
community in its 25-town service area and surroundings by acting
FRELINGHUYSEN MORRIS HOUSE & STUDIO as a hub for all aspects of cultural information and resources to
92 Hawthorne Street | Lenox | 413 637 0166 | Thursday - Sunday | Tours | frelinghuysen.org ensure that culture thrives in and around the region.

Discover Lenox
HOME TO SCENIC LAKES, RIVERS & MILES OF TRAILS

L enox, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra,

Tanglewood, draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each
year with its quaint shops, historical attractions, fine restaurants, and
award-winning lodging. This is a big year for the Lenox Chamber of
Commerce with their upcoming 40th Lenox Apple Squeeze to be
held on September 21 and 22. The two-day event will host more than
130 food, craft, and informational vendors up and down Main Street
and brings in close to 20,000 people each year. Visitors can expect
live music both days at the stage (located behind Firefly Gastropub)
to continue the festivities. Additional parking will be offered at
Tanglewood for $5 with a shuttle running back and forth to Main
THE 40TH ANNUAL Street throughout the event both days. In addition, the Chamber will
LENOX APPLE SQUEEZE be awarding a $500 scholarship a to a senior from Lenox Memorial
SEPTEMBER 21 & 22, 2019 High School for competing in an Apple Squeeze Instagram contest.
STARTING AT 10AM BOTH DAYS
Also celebrating the forty-year mark in Lenox this year are
VISIT LENOX.ORG
Andrew DeVries Fine Art International, Laurie Donovan Designs,
FOR MORE INFORMATION
and Guido’s Fresh Marketplace. A big forty recognition as well
for lifelong resident Tom Fiorini, whose father was one of the
Apple Squeeze founders. Tom has a sculpture garden on Church
THE LENOX CHAMBER Street and has attended every Apple Squeeze to date. So much to
OF COMMERCE celebrate and enjoy, this is an event not to be missed!

24 Celebrate Summer 2019 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

 This & That

What’s Your Lucky Number? Grimaldi Farm Store

Certified Organic Grass-Fed Beef & Farm Fresh Eggs
IT PAYS TO GET TO KNOW & SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMERS Our Farm Store is Self-Service. Stop in and Browse.

M ost of us now know that consistently eating locally

grown organic food is so much better for our family’s
health (including our pets) and the environment, but with busy
schedules we can sometimes forget just how important it is. The
use of pesticides and herbicides in conventional farming these
days significantly increases the risk of developing serious health
issues in addition to contaminating groundwater, ruining the soil
structure, and promoting erosion. And it’s interesting to note
that nonorganic meats have an even higher (in fact far higher)
concentration of pesticides than fruits and vegetables. It pays
to get to know and support your local farmers for so many
reasons: not only is it a great way to learn about your food, Custom Ground Beef Mixes | Quarter, Half & Whole Cow Options Available
buying local whenever possible really does strengthen our local “We are proud to offer grass-fed certified organic beef from our free-
range, happy, and healthy herd. We invite you to shop at our farm store
economy and revitalizes our community.
and choose from our wide variety of grass-fed certified organic beef
products. If you have any questions get in touch with us – we will be
But are you really getting organic? Once again, get to know your glad to assist you in any way we can.” ~ Mario, Dominic, and Joe Grimaldi
local farmers. And what about when you shop at the grocery
store? Think PLU (price look-up) codes. On most produce you will 22 Old Talerico Road, Ghent, NY 12075
find a sticker with a bar code that contains a number. Conventionally 518-929-3420 ● www.grimaldifarmstore.com
gown food labels will start with the number 4. Genetically modified Our products are
foods (aptly refereed to as Frankenfoods) start with the number 8. also available at:
And when looking for organic, your lucky number is 9.

The Shires of Vermont

BEAUTIFUL SCENERY, RICH HISTORY & FUN THINGS TO DO

B ennington County is comprised of 17 towns and is the

only Vermont county with two shire towns (county
seats), Manchester in the Northshire (nine towns) and
Bennington in the Southshire (eight towns). The two shire
towns are linked by the scenic Shire of Vermont Byway.
The area is alive with a creative economy that blends an authentic
sense of place with a powerful historical and agricultural heritage.

The Southwestern corner of Vermont, also known as The Shires

of Vermont (Bennington through Manchester) has a terrific
lineup of activities this summer. Start the season in Bennington
with Midnight Madness in mid-July (a retail extravaganza), then
visit the Southern Vermont Craft Show and Homebrew Festival
in the beginning of August. The annual Sidewalk Sales in
Manchester (their famous shops offer the biggest discounts of
the season) also happens in August, followed by the Garlic and
Herb Festival on Labor Day weekend. Nicknamed Garlicfest,
this farmer’s market-style festival is known for its cascading rows
of 200-plus garlic vendors, kids’ activities, food trucks, beer and
wine garden, and regional live bands. It is considered to be one
of the best garlic-themed festivals in the world. And this is just
a sampling of happenings!

www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Celebrate Summer 2019 25

 Enrolling
Enrolling for 2019-2020
for 2019-2020

Tours available by appointment.

appointment.

www.BerkshireMontessori.org | 413-637-3662
www.BerkshireMontessori.org 413-637-3662 | info@BerkshireMontessori.org
info@BerkshireMontessori.org

Encouraging Capability: How Being Curious Can Help
By K. Meagan Ledendecker
I
recently attempted my first open water swim
across Lake Mansfield. The day was stunning. Blue
skies. Warm sun. Cool water. I was with a group.
We had people supporting us in canoes and on
paddleboards. I had spent the previous year becoming a stronger
swimmer, refining my strokes and increasing my endurance.
But a few minutes into the swim, my breathing rate began to
increase. I could feel anxiety, and even the tendrils of panic, begin
to creep into my consciousness. I knew I was going to have to
turn back.
The swim coach wanted me to succeed. He gave me advice. I
floated on my back. I alternated strokes. I tried everything he
suggested. All the assistance helped. But only briefly. I was
overwhelmed and needed to head back to shore.
Ultimately, I knew I was going to need to try the open water swim
again, without the pressure of lots of people around and without
trying to do the whole swim at once. I needed time and space to
process what I needed and to figure out what steps would work
best for me.
A few weeks later, while driving with my family to my first
triathlon, my six-year-old son was getting lots of “you should”
advice as he got himself settled in the back seat. His sister and
I kept offering suggestions, and it quickly became clear that we
were merely overwhelming him.
Later I remembered how much more effective it can be to
ask questions rather than telling someone what to do. In the
Positive Discipline model, we ask “curiosity questions” in order
to cultivate feelings of capability and to invite cooperation. The
added benefit is that children are less likely to put up resistance
or get flooded when their brains are processing questions rather
than commands.
education & workshops
So when my son was getting upset about the arrangement of his
possessions as we started our drive, I could have asked questions like:
“What’s happening?”
“What would you like to have happen?”
“How can I help?”
When we reached the site of the triathlon, I recalled my earlier
open water swim attempt and thought about my son’s process
of learning to navigate his feelings of frustration and anxiety. I
looked around at the group of people setting up bikes, getting on
wetsuits, and preparing to face a challenge. Once again the day
was stunning. Blue skies. Warm sun. Cool water.
In that moment, it occurred to me that we all could benefit from
curiosity questions. When the coach in the canoe had seen me
stop swimming, what if he had asked, “What’s happening? What
would you like to have happen? How can I help?”
Perhaps the outcome would have been the same, but I think my
internal process would have been different. Maybe I would have
considered my own needs and felt more empowered at a time
when I was feeling pretty incapable.
We have an opportunity to help our children, and I daresay
even the other adults in our lives, feel more confident and even
connected. In those moments that we
want to give advice and solve problems,
what if we were to just become curious?
~ As director of education of the Montessori
School of the Berkshires and mother of three,
K. Meagan Ledendecker is curious about
how to cultivate curiosity and capability in
school, home, and workplace communities.
www.berkshiremontessori.org
www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Celebrate Summer 2019 27
 More than Four Billion
Our government has paid out more
than four billion dollars in damages to
individuals and families affected by
vaccine injury and there are thousands
more cases waiting to be processed. And
yet, all of this has happened without
any liability on the part of the drug
companies that created and sold these
vaccines. Where are the checks and balances
in our legal system to protect the public? In
a country that prides itself on individual
freedoms, our legal system is failing us.
Useful Links
From OBT Magazine
The Truth About Vaccines - For parents
who wish to be informed about both
the benefits and the risks associated with
vaccines without pressure, propaganda, or
agenda, we highly recommend watching The
Truth About Vaccines. This free educational
7-episode series contains quality information
from 60 top vaccine experts. To register, go
to www.thetruthaboutvaccines.com.
National Vaccine Information Center,
NVIC - This nonprofit organization is an
independent clearinghouse for information
on diseases and vaccine science, policy,
law, and the ethical principle of informed
consent. NVIC supports the availability
of all preventive health care options and
the legal right for individuals to make
informed, voluntary health choices for
themselves and their children. They are
dedicated to preventing vaccine injuries
and deaths through public education
and advocating for informed consent
protections in medical policies and public
health laws. NVIC defends the human right
to freedom of thought and conscience
and supports the inclusion of flexible
medical, religious, and conscientious belief
exemptions in vaccine policies and laws.
www.nvic.org
Legally protect your loved ones against
vaccine-induced damage. If we still live in
a free country you have the right to say no!
Download this helpful free report from Dr.
Joseph Mercola about how to legally avoid
immunizations: www.tinyurl.com/y2akq267.
28
Honoring the Vaccine-Injured
By Adam Kerzner, DC
T
he inconvenient truth about
vaccines is that there is a
growing number of children
with vaccine injuries. As the
number of vaccines given has increased, so
has the number of vaccine reactions, side
effects, injuries, and deaths. In the current
adversarial climate surrounding vaccines,
these individuals and their families are
being dismissed instead of honored for
their sacrifice. I propose that we step back
from all the fear and anger and take the
time to acknowledge these families. By
ignoring and dismissing them, the level of
division and mistrust is growing.
The pharmaceutical industry promotes
vaccines as “100 percent safe and 100
percent effective.” To believe this is simply
to believe in a fantasy. There is no drug
that does not have significant side effects.
It creates the first disconnect between
these families and the public at large.
The Vaccine Injury Compensation fund
was set up by Congress in the 1980s to
help families who were injured by vaccines.
Since you can’t sue vaccine makers for any
damages, families are sent through a system
of arbitration. This fund has paid out
over 4 billion dollars and there are many
cases waiting to be processed. This system
protects drug companies from having to
give any evidence of possible production
or safety flaws that may be related to the
injury caused by the vaccine.
The reporting system is VAERS
(vaccine adverse event reporting system).
When an injury happens, parents have
experienced resistance to reporting it.
Many are dissuaded by being told it is
just a coincidence and it couldn’t be
from the vaccine. Studies have found
that only a small fraction of adverse
vaccine events are being reported. There
is valid criticism of VAERS because it is
voluntary reporting and the claims made
do not constitute blame. This is true,
but it does not mean these injuries aren’t
happening. In fact, it means we need to
have more research and reporting on
vaccine injuries. We need to examine
and document all cases of reactions to
vaccines. Doctors should be encouraged
to clearly report adverse events, so we
can better understand them.
Parents need to be heard. Parents, mostly
mothers, are being told they are emotional
and hysterical since vaccines are “100
percent safe.” This misogynistic rhetoric in
part fuels the growing anger on the part of
parents. It is important to note that much
of the so called “anti-vax” movement is
being led by parents of vaccine injured
children. By putting our heads in the sand
on this issue, we are fanning the flames
of anger and mistrust in our systems –
our health care system as well as our legal
system. We need to listen to and honor
their many valid concerns.
We have a growing generation of children
with learning disabilities, neurological
deficits, and chronic illness. Much of
this can be scientifically connected to
a toxic overload in our environment,
which includes aluminum, mercury, and
other chemicals found in vaccines. There
are calls for increased safety protocols
for vaccines. Vaccine injuries need to be
better identified, studied, and considered
as the required number of shots increase.
These efforts are being drowned out
by name-calling and the rhetoric of
fear coming from drug companies.
Please remember that when someone is
questioning the safety of vaccines, it is
likely that their life has been touched by
illness and grief.
~ Dr. Kerzner, Body Connection Chiropractic
located in Great Barrington, MA, has been in
practice in the Berkshires since 1997. The focus
of his work is building health and well-being
in his clients through gentle hands-on spinal
care, and to empower people in their healing
choices through education and self-discovery.
www.adamkerzner.com
 toring Function & Fitness
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www.OurBerkshireTimes.com | Celebrate Summer 2019 29

health & wellness

Fluoride. Should We Really Still Be Using It? / By Drs. Maureen & Jeffrey Viglielmo

M
ainstream dentistry has historically been
in love with fluoride, a naturally occurring
element in our earth’s crust. In dental school
we were told it was a great tool in combating
tooth decay, which of course we wish to lessen for our patients. It
was explained that if taken systemically in water or supplemented
it would be incorporated in the teeth as they form, making them
less susceptible to acid attack which is the primary reason teeth rot.
What has been found, however, is that this desired action is false. In
fact, fluoride can kill the cells that form enamel (the outer covering
of our teeth), causing mottling, which is not only unaesthetic but
has also, ironically, built a large cosmetic business for the dental
industry in general. Fluoride does not harden the teeth as highly
touted by numerous TV commercials! If it has a positive effect at
all, it is that it makes the bacteria temporarily sick, which lessens the
amount of acid they can produce from fermenting sugars in your
diet. If you want to slow down your decay process, it is much better
to reduce the fermentable carbohydrates that you eat. It will help
not only your teeth but your entire body as well.
The practice of adding fluoride to water supplies and oral care
products should be ended as soon as possible for many reasons.
Studies have shown that fluoride is a bone carcinogen and a
neurotoxin, it has been shown to decrease IQ and cause brain
damage, it impairs fetal brain development, and it’s an endocrine-
disrupting chemical that has been linked to the rising prevalence
of thyroid disease – medicating an entire city through their
drinking water without any control over dosage is dangerous.
The more water that is drunk, the higher the daily intake! Not
to mention the added exposure from dental care products. A
researcher at Harvard University found that boys under the age
of 10, during their growth spurt, had a manifold increase in
osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Our town of Kingston, NY, was the
first community included in a study in the 1940s. Thank goodness
it was the control . . . unfortunately for Newburgh though, which
wound up being fluoridated. The results did state that tooth decay
was reduced in Newburgh, but failed to note that the reduction
was also seen in Kingston (which was not fluorinated), likely
from generalized better oral hygiene in both cities.
Did you know that the fluoride used in drinking water is an
untreated industrial waste product and is also used as a rat poison?
If a child eats a tube of fluoridated toothpaste, they may die from
cardiac arrest. There are many accounts of communities being
physically crippled by the escape of fluoride gas during the days
of uranium enrichment and spills in water bodies. It makes no
sense to use this toxin any longer. If there are any positive dental
effects from the use of fluoride, the risks far outweigh the benefits.
Fluoride-selling pharmaceutical giants that profit greatly from it are
behind the marketing campaigns to sell this product, but should
we really still be using it in our bodies? ~ Drs. Viglielmo Biological
Dentistry, (845) 339-1619, www.drvigs.com

Drs. Maureen & Jeffrey Viglielmo Biological Dentistry

The beautiful smile we create with you
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

30 Celebrate Summer 2018 | www.OurBerkshireTimes.com

 featured advertisers

The Dark Side of Google

Continued from page 15 BENSDOTTER’S PET 413-528-4940
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Most searchers assume the results Google will present are

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