Beacon 090111

September 1, 2011Volume II, Issue 15

www.berkshirebeacon.comLenox, MA 01240

FREE

1 Local News 6 Editorial6 From the Tower8 Inquiring Photographer10 Calendar12 Fun & Games14 Sports15 Girl-2-Girl15 Movies

Volleyball- Page 14

The Berkshire Beacon

Index

Image CredIt / graphIC Courtesy of harry m. pIsIla

An artist rendering of the potential changes to the Hoff Mobil to make it a convenience store with gas pumps.

Bera DunauBeacon Staff Writer

The Lenox Historic District Com-mission (LHDC) will review next Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in town hall a proposal by Glenn Hoff to remodel Hoff ’s Mobil from a full service re-pair facility to a convenience store with pumps.

The proposed remodeling would transform the auto repair shop at Hoff ’s Mobil at 90 Main Street into a convenience store. The gas station portion of the business would remain unchanged.

The proposed change—Hoff ’s Convenience Store—would change the landscape of the corner from a full time gasoline station with full at-tendant service, repairs along with free air for one’s tires. It is an AAA recognized towing garage business.

AAA (pronounced "triple A"), for-merly known as the American Auto-mobile Association, is a federation of 51 independently operated motor clubs throughout North America.

Hoff ’s Mobil project to go before LHDC

see HOFF’S page 4

Janel HarrisonBeacon Staff Writer

One “true roadhouse” stands out here in Berkshire County and that is by no other name than Woody’s Roadhouse.

A roadhouse is defined as an inn, tavern or especially nightclub located outside city limits or on a country road leading out of the city providing food, alcohol, and dancing, Woody’s Roadhouse fits that definition to a tee.

While sitting in the gardens of his 14-room 1800’s Victorian home lo-cated in Cheshire, seventy-four year old Mr. blue eyed Woodrow Witter

photo CredIt / Janel harrIson

The sign out in front of Woody’s Roadhousesee WOODY page 2

Roadhouse in The

Berkshires


Calls for a special town meeting were announced at a public forum on the Kennedy Park Belvedere this week at a meeting of the Kennedy Park Committee in the town hall auditorium.

Sonya Bykofsky a prominent mem-ber of Citizens Advocacy For All, a local political group that was formed partially in response to the Kennedy Park Belvedere controversy, said Monday night that she would seek to

Belvedere begins to

create calls for special town

meeting

see MEETING page 8

2 The Berkshire Beacon September 1, 2011

Kameron SpauldingBeacon Staff Writer

The Southern Berkshire Cham-ber of Commerce is hosting a cocktail reception and tribute to honor Jane Iredale of Iredale Mineral Cosmetics as the Cham-ber’s 2011 Business Person of the Year on Wednesday, September 14th from 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. at the Norman Rockwell Museum.

To attend the Business Person of the Year cocktail reception and tribute, tickets can be purchased through the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce for $50 per person or a “Business Lead-ers” package for $250, which in-cludes two tickets and event recognition.

Members of the Southern Berkshire business community and guests will join the Ward Family, last year’s recipient and this year’s Honorary Chair, to present the 2011 Business Person of the Year Award to Jane Iredale.

Iredale was selected for this award based on her integrity, en-trepreneurial ability and personal contributions to the Berkshires outside of her immediate busi-ness interests.

Jane Iredale is the president and founder of Iredale Mineral Cos-metics. She was the first to supply the aesthetics industry with a full-line of makeup based on minerals

and the first to see the potential of offering physicians a makeup that was good for the skin.

She has worked with world-re-nowned plastic surgeons and der-matologists in the development of her line and lectures all over the world on its benefits.

Organizers say Ms. Iredale was chosen for this honor as a role model to other business people in the community and for her lead-ership qualities and ability to maintain an exceptionally posi-tive work environment.

They add that she fulfills the Southern Berkshire Chamber’s goals and missions through her leadership and vision, her contri-butions to the Southern Berk-shires through policies and proj-ects that have a positive impact on the community, and her per-sonal and business support of community businesses.

According to Chamber Board President, Kate McCormick, “The Southern Berkshire Cham-ber of Commerce is honored to name Jane Iredale as the 2011 Business Person of the Year. She epitomizes everything one ad-mires in a true business and com-munity leader.’

‘The projects she has fostered especially in downtown Great Barrington have had such a posi-tive impact on the people of the southern Berkshires.”

Southern Berkshire Chamber set to honor Business

Person of the Year

“The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce is honored to name Jane Iredale as the 2011 Business Person of the Year. She epitomizes everything one admires in a true business and community leader.”

—Kate McCormick

better known as “Woody” in his first interview speaks out about his life now, and in the past as owner of one of the hottest road-houses in New England; a road-side nightclub with local and na-tional acts performing and lighting up the stage, in an atmo-sphere like no other.

In the 1920s the roadhouse was known as The Mapleview Ball-room, a popular venue for food and dancing. Mr. Witter at the young age of thirty-three bought the roadhouse and opened it in 1971 after seventeen years of ser-vice working at General Electric as a specialist in Plastics.

When speaking of his experi-ence at GE he said, “I really loved that job, but I left it for the Roadhouse.”

First named Woody’s House of Washington, Mr. Witter said, “To begin we had a horrible start.

The first couple of years were really hard.” With debt increasing and not enough customers, things looked grim, until as Mr. Witter put it, “I got my break on Co-lumbus Day weekend a couple of years later when a band called “Fat” out of Springfield played, and the place came alive!”

In the following years the rustic Rock n Roll Palace featured siz-zling local, out of town, and na-tional bands playing rocking and rolling acts where people were packed in like sardines.

Local bands such as Xavier and Leon Savage, and also national acts like Max Creek, Fog Hat, Molly Hatchet, Country Singer Bonnie Raitt, friend and legend-ary Mr. Arlo Guthrie, The Cars, Orleans, and Muddy Water.

Then there were popular bands hailing out of Springfield, Boston and surrounding cities known as The True Believers, The Stomp-ers, The Fools, Zarvis-Allen Band, Potter Mountain Road Band, Cobble Mountain, Paraf-fin, and farenheit.

In addition to a nightclub it was also a banquet hall for wed-dings and parties, and was the scene of other gatherings and charitable benefits including an annual St. Jude’s Hospital benefit and many other benefits for The Boy Scouts of America.

When old patrons and band members speak of Woody’s Road-house it’s always the same. “It was such a great place!” “Lots of memories and some I can’t re-member!” “Ah those years at Woody’s, what memories, don’t know how I made it down the

mountain.” “Great bands, danc-ing and more dancing.

It was a great place.” “I remem-ber sneaking in through the girl’s bathroom window when I was 14, good memories” “I still have my t-shirt.”

Mr. Witter said, “The good part is I worked with my family, I

have five children, Lynne Marie is the oldest, Alyson, Andrea, Mark, and Audrey is the youngest.

We see each other all the time, and they all worked at the Road-house along with my wife Bever-ly.” He added, “People will go anywhere for something-for mu-sic and entertainment. When you did a national act you hit the pa-pers, big in the spotlight!”

Mr. Witter admits years later under age drinkers frequented the bar and after loosing a case to the Superior Court and making the recommended decision to not pursue the case any further, sadly

Woody’s Roadhouse shut it’s doors in the year of 1997 and it’s loyal patrons still mourn it’s dis-appearance today.

When asked how Mr. Witter felt about closing his doors he said, “The average club lasts three years, we lasted almost thirty, so I must have done something right.”

Since its close, there have been many break-ins and vandalism.

Today the building is boarded up, the septic system has failed and the roof has “distortions.”

With these obstacles and in-creasing monetary improvement needed, Mr. Witter has interested parties and high hopes, and in-tends to reopen Woody’s within the next few years!

Today he happily works around his home as he is a licensed con-tractor, and did much of the con-struction and renovation of his home and of the Roadhouse.

photo CredIt / Janel harrIson

Mr. Woodrow Witter stand in front of his gardens at his home in Cheshire.

“I remember sneaking in through the girl’s bathroom window when I was 14, good memories.”

—a Woody’s patron

Woody from page 1

September 1, 2011 The Berkshire Beacon 3

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Gary Leveille, a Great Bar-rington resident, has worn many hats in his five decades of life. Husband, father, local historian, editor, old postcard collector, and author are just a few of them.

His passionately written, latest book, Eye of Shawenon: A Berk-shire History of North Egremont, Prospect Lake, and the Green River Valley, came out in June. It was two-and-a-half years in the mak-ing and entailed hundreds of hours researching.

It took digging into old deeds, files, newspapers, and records, and interviewing dozens of peo-ple from The Berkshires to Springfield, Boston, and beyond.

Mr. Leveille became a familiar figure in the Berkshire Athenae-um’s Local History Room as writ-ing the book became his life. The author agreed it was time-con-suming to get the nuggets of in-formation that would eventually turn into chapters in the book.

It even required looking for a lost cemetery which Mr. Leveille found. It contained graves of a Pi-oneer family by the name of Race and he tells about the discovery in Eye of Shawenon.

“It is an eclectic collection of historical sketches about the sub-jects that intrigued me,” Mr. Lev-eille wrote in The Eye of Shawe-non. “I hope you enjoy reading about my discoveries.”

Mr. Leveille’s parents were from Western Mass but relocated to Connecticut when he was just a boy. He was born in the small town of Cheshire, Connecticut. They camped throughout Con-necticut, Massaschusetts, and Rhode Island, as a family activity.

Mr. Leveille said he thought the camping trips were boring until they came to The Berkshires and Prospect Lake Park in North Egremont. It was the oldest pri-vately owned campground in Berkshire County. To the young boy, it was “an exciting, adventur-ous place.”

One of his earliest recollections of those childhood days was meeting Joe Elliot who ran the general store in North Egremont. The storekeeper never talked

down to children, Mr. Leveille said, his blue eyes sparkling the way they do when he tells about one of the stories in his book.

The young Leveille bought three arrowheads from Mr. Elliot that had been found in the Green River.

“They cost 35 cents each, which was a lot of money then,” Mr. Leveille recalled. He kept them in a box in his bedroom. The arrowheads fascinated him because they had been made by ancient people, he said.

Experiences like that planted the seeds of a love for history in the young boy and it became his life-long passion.

Mr. Leveille worked as an edi-tor and writer for more than 30 years in the toy and games busi-ness. He was formerly a senior ed-itor and editorial project supervi-sor for Hasbro Games in Springfield.

He also worked on numerous editorial projects for Milton Bradley, Hasbro, Parker Brothers, Disney, and National Geograph-ic, Antiques Roadshow, and many others. He has written instruc-tions and questions for board games.

“When the economy tanked, I had more time on my hands,” Mr. Leveille said. For many years, he had been wanting to write a

book on the North Egremont area.“Over time,” he said, “I real-

ized what an amazing place North Egremont and the surrounding area was and there was very little written about it.” Mr. Leveille changed all that as he began the actual writing in his home office computer. He became totally im-mersed one chapter at a time.

There are dozens of mini-chap-ters in the book which contain fun and interesting stories. Some of their titles are “The Mystery of Shawenon,” “Exodus to Egre-mont,” “Baptist Stronghold,” “Hunting for Elk,” and “The Firemen’s Carnival.”

“History is not always linear,” Mr. Leveille said, lacing his fin-gers together and resting them on his knee. “It took a lot of think-ing to make it cohesive.”

A thin man with silvery hair, parted to one side, Mr. Leveille loves talking about all the fasci-nating characters in his book. He’ll throw his hands up into the air to make a point or knit to-gether his eyebrows while recall-ing a certain character.

Shawenon, by the way, was a Stockbridge Mohican Indian who advised his tribe’s chief, Konka-pot. Shawenon was a “fence view-er” who kept tract of Boundary

photo CredIt / susan WICker guerrero

Gary Leveille at a local book signing

see AUTHOR page 5

Local author shines again in latest novel

Call 413-637-2250 to advertise



Since opening in March of 2010, ReStore, in Pittsfield, run entirely by volunteers, has gener-ated more than $100,000 for Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity.

ReStore offers donated, reus-able and surplus building and re-modeling materials that cost 50 to 70 percent less than retail prices.

Whether it’s chandeliers, doors, furniture, hanging lamps, kitchen cabinets, lamps, nails, tiles, or toi-lets, just to name a smattering, chances are they can be found at ReStore.

It’s opened only two days a week, Fridays and Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If more volun-teers were available, the ReStore could open a third day, said Anne Christopolis, store mananger.

Recently, about three quarters of the store’s storage area has been turned into a bigger space for used furniture. It makes it easier for customers to shop around for that special piece they are looking for.

Up a slight incline to 70 Jeffer-son Place, which is off of West Housatonic Street, across from Clapp Park, one will find this unique establishment in a former warehouse that used to hold air-conditioning and heating equip-ment. It has 6800 square feet of space but even that appears to be filling up fast.

Contractors as well as home-owners can donate materials to ReStore or buy them to use in current remodeling or construc-tion projects.

The local Habitat is part of a national organization that helps build simple, affordable housing

for qualified families who might otherwise be unable to buy homes. Volunteers, with some as-sistance from community busi-nesses, help construct the homes.

For example, Trustco Bank re-cently sponsored a Habitat house and gave a $25,000 contribution, according to Carolyn Valli, execu-tive director of the local Habitat.

The bank is also providing vol-unteers to do extensive financial literacy workshops for prospec-tive homeowners.

In Pittsfield, Habitat has been around since 1993. They just broke ground for their 24th home, said Ms. Valli. Families who become owners of Habitat houses must demonstrate a hous-ing need, have the ability to pay a mortgage, and be willing to part-ner with Habitat.

They must put in a total of 500 hours of sweat equity, 50 of which can be working in ReStore.

They must also be willing to at-tend financial workshops and ob-tain budget counseling. More de-tails on how to qualify can be obtained by contacting the local Habitat for Humanity, 314 Co-lumbus Ave., in Pittsfield.

There are more than 600 Re-Stores nationwide, Ms. Valli said. It’s really a triple win situation, she said. A total of 110 tons of materi-als are kept out of landfills.

Secondly, landlords who shop at ReStore use the materials for upkeep on buildings they own, avoiding substandard properties. Thirdly, Ms. Valli noted, neigh-borhoods are being revitalized with homes built by Habitat.

Homeowners who shop there might concur that ReStore helps them remodel their properties without breaking their budgets.

That makes shopping there more than a triple win situation.

Mrs. Christopolis, store man-ager, has been associated with Habitat for many years, even serving as a Habitat volunteer co-ordinator for nine years.

She owned and operated the former Toy Circus on North Street for four years.

When she’s not volunteering at ReStore, Mrs. Christopolis con-tinues to do private duty as a Li-censed Practical Nurse. A North Adams native, she has done nurs-ing throughout her entire life.

A small statured woman, she is a dynamic force around the store.

“Everybody loves it,” she said of ReStore. People come from throughout Berkshire County to shop there. “It’s a warehouse so

it’s not like shopping at a regular store. People love poking around.”

People who have items to do-nate need to call ahead of time. Some items are not needed such as computers, large entertain-ment centers, microwave ovens, printers, or stereos.

Also on the “no no “ list are hollow core doors and uphol-stered furniture. Only items in good condition can be accepted. If ReStore receives too many of any particular item, such as toi-lets, there will be a temporary hold put on more of that item coming in.

People throughout Pittsfield and as far as Great Barrington and North Adams can call Re-Store for the pickup of heavier items. Pick ups are done on

Wednesdays. Otherwise, after checking via

telephone, they can bring materi-als directly to the store. Leftover paint, nails, tiles, and other build-ing supplies that can be used to remodel are always welcome.

It’s expensive to advertise, Mrs. Christopolis said, so to date, most people find out about ReStore through word of mouth.

“It’s starting to catch on,” she said.

“I’ve got a good crew here,” she said of the current volunteer workers at ReStore. “They are awesome to work with and we have fun.”

ReStore is also a fun place to go for that needed remodeling object.

photo CredIt / susan WICker guerrero

Everything from nails, towel racks, and screws can be found on ReStore’s shelves.

ReStore your home

AAA is a not-for-profit member service organization with more than 51 million members. AAA provides services to its members such as travel, automotive, insur-ance, financial, and discounts. Its national headquarters are in Heath-row, Florida.

According to the Manta web-site its name is Hoff's Mobile Services Inc., and has been in business 33- years since 1978.

The LHDC is charged with re-viewing developments within the

historic district and has the power to prevent developments that it feels violate the historic nature of the district.

Elements the Commission can take into consideration when making a decision on a proposal include, but are not limited to, the historic and architectural na-ture of a site, the general design of and materials used in a building or renovation, and the relation of these features to other buildings in the surrounding area.

The commission has no say on interior arrangements or architec-

tural features not subject to pub-lic view in buildings in the histor-ic district.

Ralph Petillo, director of the Lenox Chamber of Commerce, hadn’t heard about the proposed remodeling when contacted by The Beacon.

“I don’t’ think we’re going to be taking a position on the issue,” said Mr. Petillo, pointing out that the chamber wasn’t in the habit of telling people what was best for their businesses.

He also praised Hoff ’s Mobil for the service it has provided

Lenox over the years, particularly its in-town gas service, which he characterized as invaluable for year round Lenox residents. Glenn Hoff ’s son, Glenn, works at the station.

“We know they love Lenox, and that they’ll do what’s right for the town,” said Mr. Petillo, refer-ring to the Hoffs.

Furthermore, although he was careful not to speak for the cham-ber, Mr. Petillo believes that so long as Hoff ’s still plans to sell gas after the renovation, the Cham-ber will not become involved.

Plans by Architect Harry M. Pisi-la of Pittsfield are on file in town hall.

Daniel O’Brien, owner of O’Brien’s Market, which is locat-ed next to Hoff ’s Mobil, had no comments on the proposal, other than to note he wasn’t in favor of the project.

Mr. Hoff was unavailable for comment on proposed project.

The Historic District Commis-sion’s meeting is open to the public.

HOFF from page 1


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lines. He died in the 1770s and has now been brought to life in Leveille’s book.

David Vosburgh, a South Egre-mont artist, did a beautifully painted rendition of Shawenon, on the book’s cover. He has very limited edition prints for sale, Mr. Leveille said.

The “eye” in the book’s title re-fers to Prospect Lake, home to several monstrous snapping tur-tles. The author referred to a quote by David Thoreau:

“A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth’s eye; looping into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.”

Mr. Leveille writes in an easy-to-read manner, adding touches of humor as well as drawing the

reader into the swirling adven-tures of the past. Writing is al-most like exploring a cave, he noted. One never knows what he’s going a fi nd around the corner.

Mr. Leveille and his wife, Au-drey, have two children. Justin, 22, just graduated from the Uni-versity of Vermont as a public communications major. Their daughter, Katelyn, is a theater arts major at Berkshire Commu-nity College, Mrs. Leveille teach-es second grade.

“The events and people of North Egremont, Prospect Lake, and the Green River Valley have changed the course of history,” Mr. Leveille said. If in doubt, people can look inside “Eye of Shawenon” and see for them-selves, he said.

AUTHOR from page 3

Kyle CheneyState House News

Like Mooninites before it, the Great Bay State Quake of 2011 prompted some eye-rolling inside the barely-staffed capitol, where chandeliers shook and the anti-gambling crowd punned gratu-itously about the coincidental timing.

Because on the same day that a 5.9-magnitude earthquake struck in Virginia and briefl y jiggled New England, the details of the year's most hotly anticipated leg-islation—a plan to bring three ca-sinos and a slot shop to Massa-chusetts—eaked to the press and caused the equivalent of a tecton-ic shift on Beacon Hill.

That the gambling bill was sandwiched between two natural disasters—Hurricane Irene is churning the coastline on its way to New England this weekend - was not lost on political observers and believers in omens.

Nor was the fact that its unex-pected release preceded by a day a recommendation from prosecu-tors to throw the ex-most-power-ful-man-in-Massachusetts—Sal DiMasi—behind bars for 12 years and change. DiMasi coun-tered Friday that a three-year sen-tence would be more appropriate, arguing, in part, that his efforts to crush expanded gambling were proof that he's unafraid to stand up to business interests.

The U.S. attorney's offi ce says DiMasi, convicted in June on conspiracy and honest services fraud charges, dishonored his of-fi ce by taking bribes and deserves the harshest public corruption sentence ever handed down in Massachusetts.

He should've known better, prosecutors argued, particularly because his two immediate prede-cessors were convicted felons.

DiMasi was once among the fi ercest critics of expanded gam-bling in government, a fi eld that has winnowed in recent years to a smaller, quieter few.

The job has now passed largely to a less structured, ad hoc collec-tion of opponents, most promi-nently represented by former At-torney General Scott Harshbarger.

On Tuesday, Harshbarger riled Speaker Robert DeLeo, expanded

gambling's most ardent champi-on in government, by preempting efforts to put a positive spin on the gambling bill with a cutting statement that alluded to DiMa-si's downfall.

"We had hoped that public outrage over a string of public corruption cases would have con-vinced the Governor and legisla-tive leaders to include public re-view, oversight and comment on this bill before it came out with their stamp of approval," he said, urging rank-and-fi le Democrats to rise up against their leadership to demand a cost-benefi t analysis of expanded gambling, a long-held, sometimes-amorphous demand.

Harshbarger's commentary struck a nerve. DeLeo and his gambling point-man Rep. Joseph Wagner unloaded on the former attorney general, calling him out by name and shedding the politi-cal niceties and decorum usually accorded to veteran hands of the same party.

"Scott Harshbarger puts him-self out there as a process guy, but he doesn't really want to do the work. He wants to fi re off press releases expressing his opposition when he couldn't take the time to appear before the committee and express himself in person," Wag-ner said. "His remarks ring a little hollow,"

DeLeo pointed out that Harsh-barger was all smiles about the legislative process - the same pro-cess, according to DeLeo, used for gaming - when the two men collaborated on a court reorgani-zation bill that the governor signed into law earlier this month.

The biggest takeaway from the gambling rollout was the utter lack of perceptible obstacles to passage. Solid majorities that sup-ported the bill last session—in-cluding a veto-proof one in the House—appear likely to hold, and battle-tested proponents have mollifi ed the governor, whose concerns about providing slot li-censes to racetracks without com-petition proved to be the fi nal, in-surmountable hurdle last year.

Opponents who consistently warn of dire consequences for lo-cal businesses, spiking addiction and crime rates, and the instabil-ity that comes with the gambling industry have found few takers in the Legislature and have shown no signs that they've made in-roads since last session.

After all, it's all about jobs."The legislature has debated

and voted on expanded gambling in Massachusetts for several years now, and this year it looks closer to becoming a reality than ever before," said Sen. Karen Spilka (D-Ashland), co-chair of the eco-nomic development committee that released the casino bill on Wednesday.

In a Friday statement she an-nounced she would abstain from weighing in on the bill at the committee level because of un-specifi ed concerns about commu-nities' "voice" in the casino siting process.

Asked for an elaboration on what areas of the bill Spilka felt were lacking, an aide declined to provide specifi cs. "She wants to make sure that the communities have a stronger voice," said Spilka spokeswoman Emily Fitzmaurice, in an email, adding the Spilka plans to fi le amendments when the bill arrives in the Senate fol-lowing anticipated House approval.

The most spirited debates are shaping up to be over the bill's in-tricacies: How much should casi-no revenue be taxed?

What type, if any, preference should Native American tribes get for a casino license? Should smoking be permitted inside gambling facilities? How should casino tax revenue be appor-tioned? What safeguards should be in place for communities host-ing casinos and their neighbors?

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Opponents who consistent-ly warn of dire consequenc-es for local businesses, spik-ing addiction and crime rates, and the instability that comes with the gam-bling industry have found few takers in the Legisla-ture and have shown no signs that they’ve made in-roads since last session.


Editorial:A Dying Breed

The Lenox Historic District Commission will hear a petition Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in Town Hall by Glenn Hoff to convert his Mobil gasoline repair station into a gas /food convenience store. The petition is for “remodeling”.

This is a substantive change from an auto repair business to a second convenience store on the same block as O’Brien’s Market. Mr. Hoff is seeking a “Certifi cate of Appro-priateness.” If approved, it will be an end of an era for Lenox residents along with tourists, who each summer visit Lenox and fi ll-up at Hoff ’s. Many times, customers get assistance with their vehicle issues.

Where there is proposed change in the use of the property, a legal notice should be required to allow input from the community.

The gasoline station has been on the market for a couple of years. Only one bonafi de off er of interest was reportedly received. It is likely that the same party, who owns a series of gasoline/convenience stores throughout the county, may be interested in purchasing the property once the certifi cate has been issued.

If approved, this will be one of the last owner/operator gas-oline stations with free air for one’s tires, a repair shop for full vehicle service and a local towing service connected with AAA. The towing service is not part of the sale, according to Mr. Hoff .

With the news that the Berkshire Visitors’ Center, Berkshire Chamber of Commerce and two other economic agencies will be lo-cated under one roof along North Street, Pittsfi eld, this should be the impetus for Lee, Lenox and Stockbridge to formulate their own plan either together regionally or individually.

Besides the Berkshire Chamber of Com-merce, there are fi ve chambers of commerce in Berkshire County from Williamstown Chamber of Commerce formerly the Board of Trade to Lenox, Lee and Stockbridge Chamber of Commerces and the Southern Chamber of Commerce, Great Barrington.

For this commentary, Williamstown serves its own populace; Southern Berkshire has a unique setting of Great Barrington and the surrounding towns in southern Berkshire County. The Adams Visitor’s Center operated by the Town of Adams will remain active.

The Lee Chamber is small and sits on the corner in the park along Route 20; Stock-bridge has a small building on Main Street, which leaves Lenox as a focal point for de-velopment of a Tourist Center. Today, they are using the Lenox Library as their tourist center with good reviews.

Lenox Chamber has been in several places from the Curtis Hotel to the Heritage House and now has created a visitor’s center in the Lenox Library. It seems they are in a state of fl ux.

This could be a good thing. Assuming the town meeting members are

on the same page of creating economic de-velopment as well as a tourist-based com-munity, then with possible grants they could authorize a visitor’s center that would be the envy of Berkshire County.

Locations could be downtown, a site along Route 20 & 7, Lenox Commons and other possible commercial sites like the one at Route 7 & 20 and Housatonic Street.

One suggestion would be to form a com-mittee to fi nd a site and a second committee to create a design of the building.

The downtown merchants and the B&Bs would fi ght for a downtown location, while those businesses along the strip would ar-gue for any number of places where there could be easy on and easy off parking, rest-rooms and a facility that would be operated year-round from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In an ideal world, it could be the Bartoni property where promoters are trying to put low income housing while others have ar-gued it would be a better site for a commer-cial development and/or a public safety building for the town.

Couple this with a Berkshire Hills Travel Center, this just might make the promotion ideal in the sense that visitors could view the county’s off erings at one spot and go back to Lee and Stockbridge or drive up Walker & Housatonic Street to downtown Historic Lenox.

Part three next week: Innovative idea

George C. Jordan IIIEDITOR & PUBLISHER

Kameron SpauldingEDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Janel Harrison, Bera B. Dunau, Susan Wicker GuerreroCONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Susan RobinsonGRAPHIC DESIGNER

Janel HarrisonADVERTISING SALES

The Berkshire Beacon is published weekly. The Beacon is distributed throughout Berkshire County, MA. The Berkshire Beacon assumes no financial responsibility for failure to pub-lish an advertisement, incorrect placement or typographical errors published. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of their advertising and claims and offers contained within their advertising. The Berkshire Beacon reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason. All contents copyright ©2011 The Berkshire Beacon. No portion may be repro-duced without written permission of the publisher.

THE GUIDING LIGHT OF THE BERKSHIRES

T H E B E R K S H I R E

BEACON

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View From the

TowerGeorge C. Jordan III

The Berkshire Beacon is looking for our own readers to help us identify people in the commu-nity who may be the subject of Beacon profi les.

The reason for the profi les is for the readers of The Beacon to get to know better the people in their own community.

They may be the average person, they may be leaders in a small community, they may work for a utility company, a bank, a grocery store, an insur-ance company and/or in the courthouse.

The editorial staff asks that you recommend

such a person for consideration. He or she may be in the political limelight and have done something extra ordinary for you and your family. Also, the in-dividual may have been instrumental in bringing a grant or monies for the improvement within he community.

Please take a moment to e-mail [email protected] with your selection, and off er within one hundred words reasons you selected this person. Described him/her as your would your friend, spouse or child. Let’s see what happens.

Beacon Profi les



Like everyone else in Western Mass, I prepared for the arrival of Hurricane Irene.

As news reports repeatedly blasted her scary effects in the south, even causing several deaths, I made mental notes of all that had to be done.

Into the refrigerator went three containers of water. That, in it-self, took quite a bit of juggling. Juice cartons, yogurt, eggs, etc., all had to be moved around into corners to accommodate two pitchers and one bottle of water.

Down below, in the freezer sec-tion, I placed an extra container of water. If the power went out, it’d help to keep the food cold be-cause by then the container would be filled with solid ice.

I closed all the windows and put candles on the kitchen table, along with a box of matches.

Outside in the backyard, my husband laid the newly made birdbath, with a fancy ceramic bowl, down on the ground. I didn’t want to see my artistic

work of art get smashed to smithereens.

Back at the ranch, in the kitch-en, I made beef stew and curried veggies. After completing all the preparations, we waited.

We made the cat stay inside, much to her dismay. The day be-gan with continued heavy rain pelting the windows. It had actu-ally begun Saturday night. Sleep-ing until the unheard of hour of 9 a.m. felt glorious.

I had gone to church on Satur-day so it would be easy to hunker down and stay safe at home all day Sunday. All through the day we waited. It was kind of like antici-pating having a tooth pulled out.

How naughty would Irene be? Would she pick up my disman-tled birdbath and haul it against the kitchen window? Would the garbage cans become giant bul-lets? Would the gargantuan pine tree that towers over our front yard crash into the roof of our home, swooshing down on the attic and upper floors of the house?

As I warmed up wholegrain waffles and cooked maple sausag-es for breakfast, I felt grateful that

the electric power was still on. The rest of the morning we put-tered around and, of course, wait-ed some more to hear the wind howl. It barely whimpered

Before we knew it, it was lunch-time and we were still intact. Rain continued to hit the house and a slight wind rustled the trees but hey, that was nothing like we ex-pected. Irene was being a good girl.

All through the afternoon, we kept busy and continued to listen to the news reports on Irene. We even listened to President Obama’s address, reassuring everyone that hurricane rescue efforts were be-ing put into action. That made us feel safe and secure.

By 11 p.m., the rain stopped. It was time to go to bed. I had some wine and toasted Irene’s staying calm while passing through West-ern Mass. Thankfully, in this area, Irene turned out to be a dud and that was cause for celebration.

Opening the bedroom win-dows once again, I fell into a deep and peaceful sleep to the strains of the old song, “Good night, Irene, good night, Irene, I’ll see you in my dreams.”

photo CredIt / Bera dunau

The Housatonic River in Lenox Dale the day after Tropical Storm Irene hit.

A personal tale of Irene


The Lenox Board of Selectmen will consider three proposals by the Economic Development Ac-tion Plan Steering Committee (EDAPSC) to bring free Wi-Fi to downtown Lenox.

The selectmen were expected to vote Wednesday night at their regular meeting.

At an August 3 meeting, the Select Board declined to vote on a proposal to pay for the installa-tion and maintenance of a Wi-Fi system in downtown Lenox.

If implemented, the project would have cost an estimated $14-15,000 with an additional $1,000 every month in maintenance costs.

Scott Laugenour, chairman of Economic Development Action Plan Steering Committee (EDAP-SC) acknowledges that Wi-Fi is one of the committee’s most con-tentious issues.

One of the key issues facing the committee is how to provide quality service for a competitive

price, with the key focus being on the quality of the service provided.

“If we can’t give you good ser-vice… then cost isn’t going to happen,” said Mike Sapranowitz, (EDAPSC) and Chamber of Commerce member.

The three proposals are:• The first proposal would be identical to the proposal the Se-lect Board declined to vote on, with the town paying for the in-stallation and maintenance of a Wi-Fi system.

• The second proposal would still involve the town paying for the installation of a Wi-Fi system, but the maintenance of such a system would be at least partially financed by downtown business owners.

• The third proposal would take advantage of the fact that many businesses downtown already have Wi-Fi, and would give incentives for these businesses to open up their Wi-Fi networks.

Selectmen to consider Wi-Fi

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call a special town meeting on the issue.

A special town meeting requires the signatures of 200 registered Lenox voters, and Ms. Bykofsky collected 38 of them after the hearing.

“I am not an attorney, I am a concerned citizen and this is a learning process for me,” said Ms. Bykosfsky after the meeting.

Lenox Select Board Chairman John McNinch was the modera-tor of the hearing that drew over a hundred people. The public fo-rum was to get public input on how to soften the impact of Ken-nedy Park Belvedere as well as how to improve the process that goes into approving changes to town property.

The Kennedy Park Belvedere was erected earlier this year on the Kennedy Park Overlook in honor of Dr. Jordan Fieldman, a physi-cian who practiced at Berkshire

Medical Center, and who died at the age of 38 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

The belvedere was designed by Michael Fieldman, a prominent architect and Dr. Fieldman’s fa-ther, and funded entirely by do-nations by Dr. Fieldman’s friends and family. It was crafted to pro-vide visitors to the Kennedy Park Overlook with a sense of peace and tranquility.

Opponents of the belvedere ob-ject to the aesthetics of the struc-ture, often characterizing it as tomb-like, and have criticized the process by the select board and the Kennedy Committee by which it was approved which they say lacked transparency. Those op-posed to the belvedere, also be-lieve it to be a private memorial in a public space, and thus inappropriate.

Chairman McNinch began the meeting by updating those in at-tendance on recent developments involving the Kennedy Park

Belvedere. Mr. McNinch informed the au-

dience that the retaining wall of the Aspinwall Hotel, the founda-tion of which the Belvedere rests upon, had recently been strength-ened by stainless steel straps cour-tesy of the Fieldman donors, as was promised by Mr. Fieldman when the belvedere was first proposed.

Chairman McNinch also an-nounced that an endowment for the maintenance of the overlook, totaling $10,000, was being es-tablished by the Fieldman do-nors, another element that was part of the Belvedere’s initial proposal.

Mr. McNinch informed the au-dience that Town Counsel Fred-erica McCarthy of Springfield, had been consulted, and had de-termined that proper procedures had taken place prior to the ap-proval of the belvedere.

Finally, Chairman McNinch announced that the town of

Lenox was in the process of filing an RAD with the Lenox Conser-vation Committee, to determine whether or not the Kennedy Park Belvedere violated the scenic Mountain Act.

After detailing these develop-ments, Chairman McNinch out-lined the parameters of the public hearing’s comment period an-nouncing that it would be an hour long, and that speakers would be limited to two minutes each.

These restrictions sparked boos and vocal expressions of outrage from some audience members. Nevertheless the two-minute time limit was never enforced, and well over a dozen members of the community were able to pres-ent their comments to the Ken-nedy Park Committee.

An Orderly Meeting

In general, those speaking were respectful. Many who gave their comments acknowledged the dif-

ficulty of serving on a committee in Lenox, a number having served on committees in the Town of Lenox themselves.

Nevertheless, nearly every per-son who spoke asserted that the approval of the Kennedy Park Belvedere had been a mistake, and that it should either be re-moved or seriously altered.

“I have been a past member of the zoning board of appeals so I do know what hard work goes into being on a committee in the town of Lenox, and I do know also that well intentioned hard working people can sometimes make mistakes.” said Susan Ly-man who presented the commit-tee with guidelines for the installa-tion of living memorials in parks from the state of Maryland.

“There’s only one Kennedy Park Lenox, only one Kennedy Park Berkshires, one Kennedy park Mas-sachusetts, one Kennedy Park in the world,” said Robert Mears, who lives near the park, and ex-

MEETING from page 1

Inquiring Photographer


Dan Tawczynski, Great Barrington

“I don’t know too much about it but on principle, people who oppose it are right. To erect a monument in a public place does not sound completely normal.”

Reggie Cooper, Lenox

“I think it’s a touching idea, what the family’s trying to do but perhaps it’s out of context in the park. It would be nice if it could fit. Maybe they could possibly relocate it.”

Dawn Whalley, Pittsfield

Ms. Whalley comes to Kennedy Park three to four times a week.

“I can see both sides. I think it’s a nice place to sit in the sun. It seems real peaceful to me. I’m more toward the side that it stays where it is. I don’t know what it was like before.”

Controversy over a newly installed Belvedere at Kennedy Park’s overlook, in Lenox, continues to swirl. Some people love it and want it to stay while others dislike it and want it to be taken out. It’s been called everything from mausoleum to touching and appropriate. Mi-chael Fieldman, an architect, raised $140,000 to have the walkway, plaque, and granite slabs installed in memory of his son, the late Dr. Jordan Fieldman. Dr. Fieldman died at age 39 in June of 2004, after battling cancer for 15 years. He was a resident physician at Berkshire Medical Center when he lost the battle for his life.

The Inquiring Photographer asked people the following question: What is your opinion of what’s happening at

Kennedy Park in Lenox?



Sometimes a beer comes out that just blows your mind. The Great Divide Brewing Compa-ny’s Espresso Oak Aged Yeti Im-perial Stout is one of those beers.

According to Great Divide “a generous infusion of espresso adds yet another layer of com-plexity to this beer.”

The website then describes the vanilla character, the malt flavor and the boldness of the hops, and concludes that “it’s official: You can now have Yeti with breakfast.”

Yes, a beer that is actually brewed to be a breakfast beer. I’m not encouraging anyone to drink before noon, but sometimes these things happen.

Brian Dunn, a Denver native, began brewing in an abandoned dairy processing plant on the city’s edge.

From there, Great Divide Brew-ing Company has risen through the ranks to become one of the

America’s most decorated micro-breweries, and the city of Denver has become a beer capital of the world.

“Great Divide beers have earned 17 Great American Beer Festival medals and five World Beer Cup awards. Great Divide was also ranked eighth in Rate-beer.com’s 2010 ‘The Best Brew-ers in the World’ and was ranked seventh in Beer Advocate’s 2009 ‘All-Time Top Breweries on Plan-et Earth,”‘ says the website.

When you open Espresso Yeti and pour it down into your favor-ite drinking mug, instantly the aroma of coffee dances on your nose and invites you in, looking almost like a freshly brewed cup of coffee, only with a thick, dark head.

Upon taste, your mouth is blessed with the comforting taste of espresso and oak. It is a mar-riage of flavors that is as majestic as the Rockies, where this beer was thought up.

Great Divide hits a home run

photo CredIt / kameron spauldIng

The Great Divide Imperial Stout is a sure winner and one of the better versions on the market today

pressed both his objections to the belvedere and his love for the en-during spirit of the Park in his comments.

“We gotta take this thing down and have Mr. Federspiel get a hold of Mr. Fieldman and ask him where he wants it delivered,” said Dick Mendel of Lenox Dale, who offered to volunteer his time to help dismantle the belvedere.

According to Town Manager Gregory Federspiel, if a special town meeting was held, it could vote on the Kennedy Park Belve-dere, but the ultimate say over the fate of the belvedere would still rest with the Select Board, which has statutory powers to regulate town property.

Mr. Federspiel also stated that no contract had been entered into with the Fieldman donors, and that the town still retains full control over the Kennedy Park Belvedere site.

Bob Coakley, chairman of the Kennedy Park Committee said that the committee expects to

meet sometime in the near future to finalize its recommendations on the Kennedy park Belvedere, which will be submitted to the Select Board on September 14.

Chairman Coakley also voiced support for fellow committee member Rob Akroyd, whose de-cision to take $5,000 from Mr. Fieldman to help supervise the construction of the Kennedy Park Belvedere has drawn criticism from some members of the com-munity, some of whom have characterized this arrangement as a conflict of interest.

Mr. Coakley said that Mr. Ak-royd has been in contact with Boston, and that they have in-formed him that his actions did not violate any ethics codes.

“There’s not a more honest, de-cent, better man in town than Rob Akroyd and we’re fortunate to have him on our committee,” said Mr. Coakley.

“Rob Akroyd was going to vol-unteer to help the guy (Mr. Field-man) and we all said if he’s going

to hire somebody to overlook it, you should be paid. Rob didn’t even take what he would normal-ly get.” Mr. Coakely said.

Meanwhile Susan Lyman, a former member of the Zoning Board of Appeals of 28 Schermer-ehorn Park, called for removal of the Kennedy Park Belvedere slab, the slab path and the slab benches while retaining the plaque noting that a mistake has been made.

Ms. Lyman said: “There has been a procedural flaw, and a Kennedy Park committee mem-ber should not have taken on the project. That is a clear conflict of interest. That is a violation.

She was referring to Rob Ak-royd, whose landscape-architec-ture firm, Greylock Design Asso-ciates, oversaw construction for a fee of $5,000.

Ms. Lyman also questioned whether the committee had a written contract with Fieldman, exposing the town to potential “legal procedures.”

Nick DeGennaro, New York State

Mr. DeGennaro is one of the workers who helped install the Belvedere.

“The people have a right to complain. People were used to not having anything here. Now it’s up to the people of Lenox to make a final decision.”

Mike Corneau, Lenox

“I don’t think aesthetically that it fits. It’s out of place. I’m not against it but I wish it’d never been put up. It’s a nature preserve and it’s not for man-made materials.”

Keith Dupuis, Pittsfield

“Well, I think they’ve made it much more beautiful. There’s a nice fence and shrubs that enhance the view. It’s a little more civilized. The Belvedere is a little modern. I’d say leave the nice benches and walkways. I don’t know about the Belvedere.”


Community Calendar THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST

FOR OUR THIRD FIRST THURSDAYS DISCUSSIONSNorth Adams, 6:30 - 8 p.m.Four candidates have accepted an invitation to talk to art-ists and interested residents about how the council will work with the art community. Discussions are located in various spaces within the Beaver Mill. We will meet in the studio/gallery of Leibman Studios.

DRURY FOOTBALL SPAGHETTI SUPPERNorth Adams, 4-7Eagles Hall on Curran Highway; $7 adults, $5 seniors and students.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND

BREAKFAST BUSINESS FORUMPittsfi eld, 7:30 - 9 a.m.Berkshire Enterprises will offer a Free Business Breakfast Forum What have you done lately to learn from your competition? on Friday, This forum will explore what business owners are doing today to defeat complacency and while they engage in competitive research to fi nd ways to improve their businesses. The forum will be lead by Steve Fogel, Program Director of Berkshire Enterpris-es. It will be held in the Third Floor Board Room at One Fenn Street in Pittsfi eld.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD

MERWIN HOUSE OPEN FOR TOURSStockbridgeMerwin House is open for complimentary guided tours on Saturday, ours of the house are conducted from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., on the hour. This is a unique opportunity to view Merwin House as the next open house date is not until December 3, 2011.

FARMERS MARKETNorth Adams, 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.St. Anthony Municipal Parking Lot, Center & Marshall Streets

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH

LABOR DAY CANOE TRIPAshley Falls, 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.Bartholomew’s Cobble,105 Weatogue Road, Ashley Falls, Celebrate Labor Day by paddling the winding Housaton-ic on a guided canoe trip with The Trustees of Reserva-

tions. You'll enjoy the beauty of this meandering river as it passes through agricultural fi elds and fl oodplain forests. Watch for Bald Eagles fl ying over Bartholomew's Cobble. Paddles, life preservers, and boats are provided. Please pre-register.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7TH

FIFTH ANNUAL CRUISE NIGHTWilliamstown, 6 - 8 p.m.Williamstown Commons and the Berkshire County Night Cruzers invite you to our Fifth Annual Cruise Night on Wednesday evening, It will be held on the grounds of Williamstown Commons, 25 Adams Road, Hot dogs and Hamburgs will be on sale. There will be music and classic cars.

THE HUMAN RESOURCES ASSOCIATION OF BERKSHIRE COUNTYPittsfi eld, 7:30 p.m.The Human Resources Association of Berkshire County (HRABC) will kick off its annual program year with a meeting on Wednesday, at Berkshire Hills Country Club, on Benedict Road in Pittsfi eld. Each month the meeting begins at 7:30am with a continental breakfast and speaker starting at 8 a.m. Reservations for September 7th meeting must be made by September 1, 2011. OPEN HOUSEGreat Barrington, 9 a.m.Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School (GBRSS) is de-lighted to announce its fi rst Open House of the 2011-2012 school year on Wednesday, This open house offers an opportunity to meet kindergarten and preschool teach-ers, experience Early Childhood classrooms and curricu-lum. GBRSS is now accepting Early Childhood applica-tions for the 2011-2012 school year.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH

BFAIR'S ANNUAL MINIATURE GOLF TOURNAMENT & COMMUNITY DAYWilliamstown, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please come join our friends & families for a round of miniature golf & our Community Day fair events, Minigolf Tournament starts at 1p.m. At The Range.

NBH OFFERS CPR AND FIRST AIDNorth AdamsNorthern Berkshire Healthcare will offer a summer class for Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), First Aid, and Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers on

Saturday, at the VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire. The class will focus on new American Heart Association guidelines on CPR which highlight hands-only CPR. Registration: (413) 664-5321.

EXTENDING THE SEASON'S HARVEST: GROWING VEGETABLES FOR FOUR SEASONSMontereyThe Berkshire Botanical Garden is offering “Extending the Season’s Harvest: Growing Vegetables for Four Sea-sons”, a workshop on Saturday, at Gould Farm with in-structor Stephen Enoch. This workshop is for anyone in-terested in how to extend the season’s harvest and enjoy growing greens throughout the late fall and early spring months.

WOOD ARTS AND HISTORIC TIMBER FRAME MODELSBecket, 2 to 5 p.m.The Timber Framer's Art presented by Will Beemer, Di-rector of the Heartwood School for the Homebuilding Crafts. A collection of timber frame models of historic buildings from 13th C. Europe to modern day New Eng-land will be on display celebrating the natural beauty of trees, the joiner's skill and the use of sacred geometry.

EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN MUSIC FESTIVALNorth AdamsThe Everything Under The Sun Music and Arts Fest is a Fundraiser/Birthday party for The Minerva Arts Center, Saturday, and Sunday, at Noel Field, Rt. 8, North Adams. Gates open at 11 AM both days, and close Promptly at 10 PM. The MAC has a commitment to bring arts and cul-ture to the Northern Berkshires. For our birthday party, we are celebrating with a two day music and arts festival featuring a mix of up-and-coming and established acts from all across the musical landscape. There will be some-thing for everyone. Admission:$10 dollars per day ad-vance tickets. Try to get them from any of the bands; $13 dollars at the gate and online; $7 dollars kids 5-10 at the gate and online; Free Kids under 5.

LET'S CAN WITH COMMUNITY COOPERATIVE FARMGreat Barrington, 4 - 5 p.m. Join us in the Berkshire Co-op Market Cafe to learn the basics of canning and pickling. Community Cooperative Farm will feature Zucchini bread and butter pickles, sau-erkraut and blueberry jam. Please stop by or call the Berk-shire Co-op Market Front Desk to sign up 413-528-9697

If you have an event you would like listed in our calendar please email us at [email protected]!

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See puzzle answers in next week’s issue of The Berkshire Beacon



The 2011 MCLA Volleyball will look to build off its 2010 MASCAC tournament appear-ance while integrating a lot of new faces.

The Trailblazers went 14-12 overall and 3-3 in the MASCAC last season. MCLA finished 4th in the MASCAC and lost in the first round of the conference tournament to Westfield State.

MCLA returns just six players from last season’s squad that start-ed the year 6-1. The Trailblazers lost several key players as seniors Christina Kidd, Amanda Lane and Amanda Borsotti all depart. Kidd and Lane both graduated with over a 1,000 career digs and Borsotti was a key starter.

Head coach Amanda Beckwith will look to two seniors with loads of experience to lead this year’s squad. Kayla Bromback, of Lee, led the Trailblazers in kills

and blocks as the six-foot Brom-back was dominant at times last season.

The team also brings back se-nior Hayley Gundersen. Gunder-sen is a jack-of-all-trades for MCLA as she finished in the top three on the team in assists, aces and receiving percentage.

MCLA also brings back sopho-more Kelley Bryant. Bryant played well as a freshman and fin-ished second on the team in digs behind Lane.

Bryant will look to fill that role defensively that Lane had done the last couple of seasons. Kendra Hobbs and Rachael Nichols are the other returning Trailblazers from the 2010 season.

The key for the 2011 season will be how much the newcomers contribute; if they are a factor then MCLA should be right back in the top half of the conference.

Those key newcomers are a pair of freshman setter’s in Brittany Kish and Reagan Parrelli . Those

two will be looking to set for Julie Christian a middle hitter who transferred in from Hudson Val-ley Community College.

Allie Chang and Angelica Per-fido are also expected to contrib-ute right away. Perfido is coming off a state championship with Frontier high school. Kelly Bod-nar and Sam Barbarotta, both of Pittsfield, are a couple of Berk-shire County products that are looking to contribute as well.

The Trailblazers will open their season on September 1st in a tri-match at Southern Vermont that also includes Castleton State.

The Trailblazers home opener is September 7th versus Castleton and the conference home opener is September 24th versus Bridge-water State.

The Trailblazers will also play in the Continental Classic the weekend of October 21st. MCLA will play four matches in two days that will feature games with Keuka, Hamilton and Trinity.

photo CredIt / mCla atheltICs

The 2011 MCLA Women’s Volleyball team

MCLA volleyball looking to have

big season Q: I saw Nancy McKeon a while back on Disney Channel’s

“Sonny With a Chance” playing Demi Lovato’s mom, and I won-dered what else she has been doing lately. — Sally T., via e-mail

A: Nancy currently co-stars in the Hallmark Channel origi-

nal movie “Love Begins,” which airs Sunday, Sept. 18. Nancy plays Millie, a local restaurant owner and the heart and soul of the town of Anderson’s Corner. Nancy told me a main reason she took the role: her daughters.

“There are projects I’ve done that are just too grown-up for them to see. This was a chance for them to make fun of me in funny costumes and funny shoes and funny hair. They had a great time. Plus, I love the stories Hallmark tells, and this group of people were pretty terrific to work with.”

***

Q: I love classic Westerns, espe-cially “The Rifleman.” Can

you tell me if series stars Chuck Connors and Johnny Crawford are still living, and if so, what they are doing? — Rhonda H., Bountiful, Utah

A: Chuck Connors passed away in 1992 at the age of 71 of pneumo-

nia stemming from lung cancer. His 40-year career spanned sports (basketball and baseball), film and TV; however, he was best known as Lucas McCain of “The Rifleman.” Johnny Crawford, 65, slowly stepped away from acting and headed toward music. He leads the Johnny Crawford Orchestra. See what he’s been up to, and if he’s coming to your area, at crawfordmusic.com.

***

Q: As a history buff, I was excit-ed to read in your column that

the History Channel is making a miniseries about the Hatfields and McCoys, starring Kevin Costner as Anse Hatfield. Who will play Ran-dall McCoy? — Darnell R., via e-mail

A: I, too, am eager for this minise-ries, which is slated to air next

year. I’m happy to report that Bill Pax-ton — of “Big Love,” “Apollo 13” and

“Twister” fame — is set to play Ran-dall McCoy, the famed arch nemesis of “Devil” Anse Hatfield.

***

Q: I’m excited that my favor-ite show, “90210,” is com-

ing back to the CW soon. Can you give me any teasers for this season? — Heidi R., Washington, D.C.

A: “90210” returns for its fourth season on Tuesday, Sept. 13. I

spoke with Michael Steger, who plays Navid Shirazi, and he gave me the scoop (but not enough to get him in trouble).

“Navid’s going to be working with Dixon, but Dixon’s no longer working FOR Navid. Max and Naomi and the whole pregnancy bomb at the finale, they address that in the first episode. Also, Navid’s family flies to Swit-zerland to be with his father, but his sister doesn’t get on the plane. Navid does see Adrianna again, and it’s a very awkward situation, but they do talk in the first two episodes. Also, we’re doing a lot more location stuff. I’m excited because there’s a lot more action going on.”

Write to Cindy at King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475; or e-mail her at [email protected].

© 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

—24—

Nancy McKeon

• To fix a hole in drywall that requires a healthy helping of joint compound, cut a piece of screen slightly bigger than the hole and tack it to the inside of the drywall. You also can wad up a piece of aluminum foil and shove it in the hole, pressing it in a bit to create a recess for the compound. The foil will keep the compound at the site of the hole, allowing it to set up instead of fall down.

• “I recently did a little work on my car, and afterward I washed and waxed it. My tools got pretty grimy, so I cleaned them too. Since I had the wax out, I used it on several of them to keep them from rusting in storage.” — A Reader, via email

• Add a fabric-softener sheet to your vacuum bag when you change it. While you clean, you will distrib-ute the good smell throughout your home. You also can use a cotton ball scented with your favorite essential oil or even perfume.

• If you have trouble threading nee-dles, try spritzing some hairspray on your finger, and twist the end of the thread. It will keep the fibers togeth-er and stiffen it enough to be easily threaded.

• It’s still possible to save a bit of money on car maintenance if you can’t change your own oil. Learn common add-ons that you will be offered at oil-and-lube places. Air fil-ters are surprisingly easy to replace on your own, and so are windshield wip-ers. Very often, the staff of auto-sup-ply chains will lend you tools or even assist you right in the parking lot.

• Got bug bites? Try these for some relief from the itching of insect bites: apple-cider vinegar; a paste of baking soda and water, allowed to dry on the bite; a similar paste of meat tender-izer and water; or antiperspirant.

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Ser-vice, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475 or e-mail JoAnn at [email protected].

© 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.

King Features W

eekly ServiceAugust 29, 2011

Answers to August 25 Puzzles:


Girl-2-Girl

Janel HarrisonBeacon Staff Writer

What is going on ladies? We have a devastating Earthquake in Japan, and now DC and Virginia, not to mention many felt the un-earthing rumbling right here in our Berkshire nest.

A few months ago according to Mr. Harold Camping of Family Radio, the world might have end-ed. Fish died and birds fell from the sky; so much for the topic of Fall Fashion.

It’s unbelievable! And now Hurricane Irene has rocked ev-eryone’s world, and here we are partaking in pre-hurricane hur-rahs, packing emergency kits, storing water and blankets in the basement and even prepping for tornadoes and floods.

At least it’s close in the intensity of fright felt by many, and being a mother of two young girls with a ferocious wind beating at our high window panes all night long, my first concern was to protect them. As women we are so emo-tionally caught up when we look into the face of adversity, and what do we do? We just keep swimming…

Mother Nature is much more powerful than we are; her entity is unnerving. And with all these natural catastrophes happing it really makes a gal start to think… ask the Cosmic questions here. Could all this mean something? And are we being prepared for much more to come?

I decided to do a little research about the whole 2012 theory and worlds end, because on top of a giant hurricane about ready to collide with the East Coast, why not bombard myself with this disturbing information.

Actually I began my research pre Irene which I kept avoiding due to pure fright, then decided after speaking with my good friends, why not get the facts and determine if it’s worth the worry. If it has any truth, I’d like to be prepared, wouldn’t you?

Feel free to put your papers down girls if this subject sends

shivers, but at this point in time I’m pulled to brief you on my findings…

The origin of this dastardly prediction all begins with these theories:

• Let’s talk about the Mayans: an ancient race believed to pos-sess knowledge beyond our means. Apparently their calendar ends on December 21, 2012 which also happens to be our Winter Solstice.

• Next is the planet Nibiru dis-covered by the Sumerians, pre-dicted to be heading toward Earth, and will make contact on December 21, 2012. Apparently the prediction was originally made for May of 3003, but when nothing happened, our dooms-day was recalculated.

• Another is the phenomena of our planets aligning in 2012, there-fore impacting Earth tremendously.

• We have the Polar shift theory and the reversal of the Earth’s magnetic pull.

• Then there’s the danger of the earth being hit by a meteor, and guess when that might be? Ding-ding! 2012!

• Solar storms are another con-cern, big enough to annihilate our world.

• I won’t even mention Mr. Harold Camping once again has recalculated. October 21, 2011… again already?

I like to go with the “Good Book.” Written in Matthew and Mark, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son; but only the Father.”

Consequently it never hurts to allow ourselves to be informed and prepared. In the words spo-ken by Mrs. Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman,” but not near the same context, “I’m a safety girl!” The question on deck is, are you?

Ciao Bella


Despite its perfectly cast lead, Conan the Barbarian is a bland piece of filmmaking that fails to entertain.

Based off the stories of legend-ary fantasy author Robert E. How-ard and the 1980s films staring Ar-nold Schwarzenegger, 2011’s Conan the Barbarian tells the sto-ry of Conan, a young barbarian Warrior, and his quest for revenge.

Raised in the fictional land of Cimmeria during the mythical Hyborean age, Conan is literally born in blood, ripped from his dieing mother’s womb by his fa-ther (Ron Pearlman) in the midst of a battle. Growing into a fierce young man, Conan witnesses the slaughter of his people by Khalar Zym (played by Stephen Lang), an evil warlord dedicated to res-urrecting his sorceress wife and ruling the world.

The lone survivor of the mas-sacre, Conan vows to hunt down Zym and all others responsible for the death of his father and the obliteration of his people.

This is a fine premise for a sword and sorcery epic and I be-lieve that if the filmmakers had stayed true to it, Conan the Bar-barian might have been a truly fun movie. Unfortunately, Conan the Barbarian instead degenerates into a series of action set pieces, neglecting plot and character de-velopment in the process.

One may ask why it’s impor-tant that an action movie have a good plot and engaging character development. After all, doesn’t one see a movie like Conan the Barbar-ian precisely for the action?

What talented action filmmak-ers realize, however, is that the most important ingredient in an action set piece is a character that the audience can understand and relate to.

Die Hard, The Terminator, Le-thal Weapon, District 9, the origi-nal Star Wars, all feature engaging protagonists whose personal struggles and character growth make us root for them as they get into violent conflicts.

In these films, you don’t just watch the protagonists battle

against their foes, you cheer for them, and grip the edge of your seat when they’re threatened and all seems lost.

Unfortunately, those in charge of 2011’s Conan the Barbarian forgot this basic cinematic truth.

The result is that we see Conan thrown into one fight scene after another, with hardly any time in-between for the audience to catch its breath and learn more about our protagonist and the world he lives in.

Eventually, these battles lose their luster, and we no longer care about their outcome.

That is a shame, because the adult version of Conan is played

by Jason Momoa, who just may have been born to play the role.

Sadly, Momoa’s Conan is al-most constantly engaged in te-dious, uninspired combat. The result is that although he is like-able, we don’t spend enough time with him to truly become invest-ed in his fate.

So, should you give Conan the Barbarian a chance? Unless you’re a die hard Jason Momoa fan, I’d give it a pass and watch A Game of Thrones instead. Momoa may play a perfect Conan, but there’s not enough of him to save this poorly constructed film.

photo CredIt / Conan the BarBarIan

Conan is played by Jason Momoa in the new 2011 version of the classic film.

Even Momoa cannot save the new Conan Cosmic

Questions


In the September 22 Fall Preview Issue

Call 413-637-2250to Advertise!The Berkshire Sonata

Actual Size: 2.75” w x 2.25” hincludes color

only $89

Lenox’s 32nd Annual

Saturday, September 24 ~ Sunday, September 25Saturday, September 24 ~ Sunday, September 25

What can you findat the Apple Squeeze?

• Hand made crafts• Sculptures• Original art works • Hand made jewelry• Textiles• Wood carvings• Leather goods• Hand woven clothing

Enjoy foods, wines, beers and delicacies from around the world as local farmers display the bounties of this year’s harvest. Apples and all imaginable apple recipes abound as you stroll through the Historic Village of Lenox where hay rides, children activities, and live entertainment fill the town with performances of Music, Dance, and Theatre.

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Display your ad next to a convenient pull-out schedule of events for Lee’s Founders’ Weekend or The Lenox Apple Squeeze Festival!

Founders’ Weekend Friday, September 23 - Sunday, September 25

Lee’s 17th Annual

What’s going on during Founders’ Weekend?2.75” w x 2.25” h

includes color

only $49Friday September 23, 2011Founders Weekend begins! 10am - 8pm ��Main Street Sidewalk Sales 3pm - 5pm ��Creative Lee Annual Art Show

featuring work by Lee artists in the Lee Library Gallery� Refreshments and Music by Mary Masiero�

4pm ��Moonshine Holler to perform at the Park� Sponsored by the Lee Cultural Council�

5pm - 8pm ��"Taste of Lee" all along Main Street5pm - 8pm ��Carr Hardware hosting Huge & Free

Kids Carnival! Castle Bounce House, Caterpillar Craze Bounce Obstacle House, Big Kahuna Wet Slide, Putts Perfect Golf, Bottle Toss, and Frog Hop games!

5pm ��"Lee Idol" Singing contest, Round 1 open to all participants, at the Spectrum Playhouse�

6pm - 8pm ��Housatonic Philharmonic sponsored by Trustco Bank at Dresser Hull Lumber, Windows and Doors, Main Street�

Saturday September 249am - 4pm ��First Congregational Church Tag Sale,

Fellowship Hall10am - 3pm ��First Congregational Church Tours 10am - 3pm ��First Congregational Church Cookie Sale10am - 6pm ��Sidewalk Sales down Main Street10am - 2pm ��Annual Creative Lee Art show in the

Lee Library Gallery

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