Berkshire Penny Saver

There’s Something In It For You!

www.berkshirepennysaver.com April 7, 2011

editorial [email protected]

advertising [email protected]

Editorial Deadline:20th at noon

the month before publication.

Classified Deadline:April 21, 2011

Display Deadline:April 21, 2011

Auto ....................................... 13Business Directory .................. 4Classifieds ................................ 3Soduko Puzzle ....................... 13Help Wanted .......................... 15Real Estate ............................... 9

Penny SaverBerkshire

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2 Berkshire Penny Saver April 7, 2011

Manager’s Memo

Renee Tassone, General Manager

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Do you ever wonder why there is so much cancer? Is it getting more prevalent or am I just getting older? Do you think it is something in the environment or in our food? Do you ever won-der why the only organ or place a person cannot get cancer is their heart? I find that odd. I am so amazed by the number of people who have dealt with or who are dealing with cancer in their

bodies these days. The number has to be increasing every day. What are we doing wrong? I believe our bodies are trying to tell us something.

Up until now, cancer has never run in either side of my family, my mother is the first. Recently we found out that she is in stage 4 of pan-creatic cancer. It has metastasized and has spread to her lymph nodes. She will receive chemotherapy and radiation simultaneously for the next 6 weeks. After this round they will re-evaluate and decide what to do next. Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is one of the worst cancers a person can get. The reason it has such a high fatality rate is because there are usually no symptoms until it is too late. The doctors believe my mother’s cancer started last November, which means it has grown to stage 4 within a 5-month period, a very aggressive cancer.

One of my co-workers and friends was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She is only 40 years old! She had surgery and is doing well. Her mom (who is also a co-worker) had breast cancer when she was 40 and is a survivor. You have to wonder how much genetics have to do with this disease.

My mother-in-law died of peritoneal cancer, which is cancer of the abdomen. This July will mark her 10th year since she has been gone. It seems like just yesterday she was making her famous spaghetti sauce for Sunday dinner. I am sure all of us know at least one person who has suf-fered from this awful disease. It amazes me what the body can endure. People go through so much with this disease. I met with a client today whose brother was diagnosed with lymphoma a couple of years ago. He spent 8 consecutive months in bed, could barely move and was in pain every day. Today he is cancer free.

That is why it is so important that you enjoy every day. Be thankful for your friends and family, tell them how much you love them every-day – because you never know when it will be your last. Don’t put off doing things you want to do or going places you wish to go and always strive to be the best person you can be.

Get involved with organizations such as Relay for Life. It is so impor-tant. Many people I work with and know are deeply involved with this organization. Many of the volunteers and contributors are survivors

themselves or have a loved one who has dealt with cancer. Some people get involved because they know what a worthy cause it is. I will be doing Zumba on Main Street in North Adams on May 14 to help raise money for Relay for Life. Yes, I may look like a fool doing it because I am not the best dancer or very coordi-nated, but I will feel great con-tributing to this wonderful orga-nization. Every year we publish the program for the Relay for Life in Bennington. What ever we can do to help them get the word out.

This month we wanted to show our appre-ciation to our clients. You will find coupons within the paper to help you save on your advertis-ing. We know it is a tough time of year. You are all paying your heating and snow removal bills. We hope this helps.

Also, check out our Easter Scramble, a spe-cial contest with some great prizes that I know you will enjoy. Please remember to tell our advertisers you saw their ad in the Yankee Shopper and Berkshire Pennysaver.

As always, we encourage your feedback. Feel free to send us your press releases to [email protected] or [email protected]. Check us out online at www.ishop-berkshires.com.

-Renee Tassone, General Manager

April 7, 2011 Berkshire Penny Saver 3

800.234.1432Classifieds 800.234.1432

editorial [email protected]

advertising [email protected]

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Renee Tassone, General ManagerLinda Devlin, Circulation ManagerSarah Masiero, Advertising SalesCarrie Devlin, Advertising SalesLinda Perry Advertising SalesMelissa Miller, Art Director

Jen Hathaway, ArtistChris Sobolowski, Artist

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Deadline*:20th of Prior Month

*Deadlines will change due to Holidays. See special deadline notices

published before major holidays.

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Submission Guidelines: Those wishing to submit event listings or editorial content may email [email protected].

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Notice: The Berkshire Penny Saver will not knowingly accept or publish advertising which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. The publisher reserves the sole right to edit, revise, or reject any and all advertising, with or without cause being assigned, which in the publisher’s judgement is contrary to the interests of this publication. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.

©2008, Hersam Acorn Newspapers. All contents of the Berkshire Penny Saver News are copyrighted, and any reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Martin Hersam, Chief Operating OfficerThomas B. Nash, Publisher

Penny SaverBerkshire

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An Extraordinarily Enjoyable Quaint Magazine for Otis & Beyond

E-Subscribe for free on-line Read it in Print Subscriptions $20

Send to Otis Gazette, Otis, MA 01253-0800

www.OtisGazette.com

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Exhibitions“Witness: The Art of Jerry Pinkney”Through May 30, 2011Career retrospective of the beloved picture book

and 2010 Caldecott Medal-winning artist Jerry Pinkney.

“Elwood’s World: The Art and Animations of Elwood H. Smith”

Through May 15, 2011Humorous art and animations by the acclaimed

contemporary illustrator.

“Travels with Norman” Through June 19, 2011Discover Norman Rockwell as a citizen and trav-

eler of the world through never-before-seen photos from the permanent collection of Norman Rockwell Museum.

Programs for Children and FamiliesArtZoneExplore your “inner Rockwell” by creating your

own works of art in the Museum’s creativity center. Free for children. Adults free with Museum admis-sion.

Saturday, April 9Programs for AdultsThe Business of Art: Illustrating and Publishing Children’s Books with

Mary Jane Begin 1 to 4 p.m.Accomplished picture book illustrator Mary Jane

Begin will offer insights and share her experiences as an artist in the field. Options for self-publishing will also be explored. $15, $10 Museum members.

Sunday, April 10Programs for AdultsRockwell Center Talk & BrunchImperiled Illustrators: J.C. Leyendecker, Norman

Rockwell, and the War at the “Saturday Evening Post” 11 a.m.

Dr. Jennifer A. Greenhill explores the transition at “The Saturday Evening Post” between two star illus-trators--J.C. Leyendecker and Norman Rockwell. Delicious brunch to follow. Pre-register by calling

Events at Norman Rockwell Museum


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413.298.4100, or [email protected].

Saturday, April 16Programs for TeensTeen WorkshopPage Turners: Creating Handmade Art

Books 1 to 4 p.m.Explore the process of creating unique

handmade books. Teens are invited to design, assemble, and bind their own art books built from fine papers, fabrics, and art supplies. $10, $8 Museum members.

Monday, April 18Programs for Children and FamiliesSchool Vacation Week WorkshopWords and Pictures: Writing and Illustrating

Classic Tales 1 to 3 p.m. Children will explore original artworks in

our galleries and re-imagine well-loved sto-ries to develop illustrated books to take home and enjoy. Children ages seven and up. $6, $4 Museum members.

Tuesday, April 19Programs for Children and FamiliesSchool Vacation Week WorkshopWords and Pictures: Writing and

Illustrating Classic Tales 1 to 3 p.m. Children will explore original art-

works in our galleries and re-imag-ine well-loved stories to develop illustrated books to take home and enjoy. Children ages seven and up. $6, $4 Museum members.

Wednesday, April 20Programs for Children and

FamiliesSchool Vacation Week Workshop

Words and Pictures: Writing and Illustrating Classic Tales 1 to 3 p.m.

Children will explore original artworks in our galleries and re-imagine well-loved sto-ries to develop illustrated books to take home and enjoy. Children ages seven and up. $6, $4 Museum members.

Thursday, April 21Programs for Children and FamiliesSchool Vacation Week WorkshopWords and Pictures: Writing and Illustrating


our galleries and re-imagine well-loved sto-ries to develop illustrated books to take home and enjoy. Children ages seven and up. $6, $4 Museum members.

Friday, April 22Programs for Children and FamiliesSchool Vacation Week WorkshopWords and Pictures: Writing and Illustrating


our galleries and re-imagine well-loved sto-ries to develop illustrated books to take home

and enjoy. Children ages seven and up. $6, $4 Museum members.

Saturday, April 30Programs for Children and FamiliesFamily Festival DayMoving Pictures! The Art of Animation

with Elwood Smith and Brian Hoard 1 to 4 p.m.

Join illustrator Elwood H. Smith and ani-mator Brian Hoard for a fascinating look at their process of bringing drawings to life, followed by your chance to create simple animations of your own! Free with Museum admission.

Open daily; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. General public admission is $15 for adults, $13.50 for seniors, $10 for college students, $5 for kids and teens 6 to 18, and free for kids 5 and under (five per adult). Kids Free Every Day is a gift to families from Country Curtains, Blantyre, and The Red Lion Inn. For details, the public may call 413.298.4100, ext. 221, or visit http://www.nrm.org.

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— by Susan J. Coons ...love...One day after school when my friend and I were driving to San

Fernando, we had a conversation about the kind of guy we thought we would like to spend our life with. The kind of “man” I thought I would be attracted to would be tall, have wavy hair, be worldly, romantic, maybe a writer, wear a trench coat with epaulets, have a sense of humor, be very intelligent and intellectual, enjoy reading and art, and ruggedly

handsome with a ruddy complexion. Carol said that didn’t sound like much fun. She wanted a guy who was strong, worked with his hands, and liked to play hard.

At the end of our first year of college, when Carol was 19, she met just the kind of guy she was looking for. They were married six weeks later, had five children and they’re still married.

I met the man I would marry when I was just 20. His name was Mike

■ FROM MY CORNER ■

continued on page 9


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Coons, and he was everything I told Carol a real man would be. He had beautiful, kind and loving eyes, a warm smile, warm hands, and he had a wonderful sense of humor. In fact, he was all of the above. This Wednesday, March 23, we would have been married 44 years. It’s his loving eyes and warm smile that I miss seeing every day. When things get tough, I picture him gazing at me, and it makes me believe, if just for a moment, he’s still here with me.

Love is different for everyone. For us it was holding hands in the gro-cery store; watching him read a story to our children; cooking breakfast together when we went camping; having a drink together on the patio,

sitting in silence as we watched the sun blink into the Pacific; Christmas mornings; a foggy afternoon on the beach eating a sandwich from Nate and Al’s and sharing a quart of beer; steamy love in a motel on a humid afternoon; our prayers of thanks; glancing at his loving smile as I was sewing a button on his trench coat. Yes, there was that trench coat.

Below is a poem, author unknown. This was in a small blue card, on the cover the words “Thinking of You” in silver ink. My husband sent this card to me in October, 1964. This card has stood on my dresser ever since that time. It’s still there.

continued on page 10

continued from page 8


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Dear Suze,Once a day, and sometimes more, You knock upon my daydream door.I say warmly, “Come right in. I’m glad you’re here with me again.”And we sit down and have a chat, Recalling this, discussing that, Until some task that I must do Forces me away from you.Reluctantly I say good-bye, Smiling with a little sigh,For though my daydreams bring you near I wish that you were really here.But what reality can’t change My dreams and wishes can arrange,And through my wishing you’ll be brought To me each day, a guest in thought. — Love, Mike

continued from page 9 10 Top Timesaving Tips + 5 Bonus Tips

– Ceil Petrucelli

Here are some tips to help you save time - and don’t we all wish we had more time?

1. Don’t just wait, or sit, or veg out in front of the TV. Some things can be multi-tasked! Do two or more things at once. Exercise in front of the TV while you’re catching up on the news or watching a favorite program. Sew a missing button on a blouse while you’re waiting for a pot to boil. Throw in a load of laundry while you’re waiting for supper to cook.

2. Say no. You really don’t have to say yes to every single request for your help. Schedule a set amount of time each week for random requests. Once that time slot is filled, don’t take any more requests for your time that week.

3. Stop running up and down the stairs. Even though it might be good exercise! Tired of running up and down the stairs while you’re cleaning? Stock a set of cleaning supplies on each level of your home. Or, put all of your cleaning supplies into a bucket or carrier and bring that along



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PAYMENT INFORMATION��

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with you as you’re cleaning.4. Set up a bill paying area. Keep a set of bill paying supplies -- your

bill paying organizer, a calculator, pens, pencils, your checkbook, stamps, envelopes and address labels in one defined place. Next time you want to pay bills, you’ll be done in a jiffy.

5. Book your next appointment while you’re there. Whenever you visit your doctor, dentist or hairdresser, bring your datebook or PDA and book the next appointment before you leave the office.

6. Call before you go. Hate driving all the way to the store or library and discovering that the DVD or book you wanted is already checked out? Next time, call before you leave home and ask if that DVD or book is available. If it is, great! If not, you’ve saved yourself an unnecessary trip.

7. Stop waiting in line. As much as you or I may want to shop at local area stores, sometimes it isn’t always practical. Make your purchases from the Internet. For the small amount you’ll pay in shipping and han-dling, you will have saved time driving to the store, time waiting in line, and money in fuel costs.

8. Open mail over your recycling container or shredder. Don’t carry

your mail over to your desk or table where it’s bound to pile up and take hours to go through later. Open it right over the recycling container, and get rid of all unnecessary mail immediately.

9. Stop checking email every 5 minutes. Email is great, but if you’re checking for new mail every five minutes, you can easily get distracted and time is going to quickly slip away. Check for email only once or twice per day.

10. Make lists. (This is my favorite!) Stop trying to remember every-thing you have to do. You’re bound to forget something, and it may result in lost time or a missed appointment. Write it down and let your list remember for you.

Bonus Tips1. Set goals and deadlines. Know what you have to do, and attach

deadlines to those tasks. Don’t waste time constantly having to think about ‘what’s next.’ Use the “ABC” method to prioritize.

2. Screen your calls. Don’t answer the phone every time it rings. If you do, you’ll find yourself talking to telemarketers or people who would be more convenient to talk to at another time. Screen your calls. Only




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return those you wish to return. And call back your friends and relatives during a set telephone hour later.

3. Get ready the night before. Stop wasting morning time frantically running around trying to get things done to get to work on time. Do whatever you can to prepare yourself the night before. Set the breakfast table. Lay out your clothes, and your kids’ clothes. Have the coffeepot start automatically by using the timer.

4. Restrict TV viewing to your favorites. Use your DVR or other recording device to record your favorite programs. Then, watch them during a designated time each night, or each week -and zap through the commercials! Better yet, use the “On Demand” feature that is available through various cable and satellite services.

5. Bundle or bunch errands

together. Figure out and plan your route in advance so you’re not dou-bling back or wasting time and gas when you’re driving from point A to B to C.

Even if you don’t use all of these tips, doing one or two may save you a few minutes to an hour a day and that can add up to several hours a week or a month. Think of how you can use some of that time on a fun activity for yourself or with your family or friends.

Ceil Petrucelli is an interior designer, decorator, and home organizing consultant based in Bennington, Vermont and is the owner of Ceil Petrucelli Interiors and The House Therapist. She can be reached at [email protected]

Have the coffee pot on a timer so it starts automatically.



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Wednesday, April 13 / 7:00 pm - 8:30 pmLocation: Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary Instructor: Diane Wetzel - Sanctuary Volunteer and Master GardenerFee: $0 Registration is required.All new participants in the Community Gardens Project must reg-

ister for this program in order to garden at the Community Gardens at Canoe Meadows in Pittsfield. It is also strongly recommended as a refresher for those who have not participated in the program in sev-eral years. Diane Wetzel, master gardener and a community gardener herself, will share information about the benefits of organic gardening

and impart practical information on how to incorporate this approach. Those who have attended this program in the past may register for a garden by mail but are encouraged to attend the session as well. An identical session is planned for Saturday, April 16, 2-3:30 p.m. for those who cannot attend the April 13th session. These information and regis-tration meetings are held at the Berkshires Sanctuaries office of Pleasant Valley at 472 West Mountain Road in Lenox.

This program is free for those registering for the Canoe Meadows Community Gardens Project. Sponsored by Berkshire Sanctuaries

Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Road, Lenox, MA 01240, 413-637-0320.

Gardening Organically and Community Gardens Registration

Many times people who are passionate about a certain goal or ideal want to share their views with others. Individuals who have strong feelings about protecting the environment can share their enthusiasm through giving back.

Volunteerism is one of the ways to spread the message about environ-mental dangers and potential solutions. Here are some ideas for doing good in a green way.

Green Ways to Give Back


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• Start locally. Organize a few friends and start on a small scale, such as cleaning the streets of the neighborhood or petitioning for stron-ger penalties for the failure to recycle properly.

• Organize a weekly or monthly event. Beaches and waterways are areas that can quickly become fouled by trash and other debris. Water seems to be a collec-tion point for items that wash into the system or are blown around. Schedule routine clean-up crews to clear rivers, streams and beaches of items that mar the beauty of these bodies of water.

• Hook up with an eco-friendly orga-nization. Investigate the organizations that do their part toward protecting the environment. See if they accept volunteers to further their causes.

• Put your money where your heart is. Individuals who want to make a difference can donate funds to a specific cause. Or help solicit dona-

tions from other people to raise awareness and money.• Educate the youth. Volunteer time at a child’s school to promote

a specific environmental cause. For example, children can collect the tops from milk containers or water bottles, which may not be recyclable in tradi-tional operations, fouling up machin-ery. These caps can be sent to a special place for recycling.

• Organize a carpool. Get together with neighbors or coworkers to take turns driving the kids to school or adults to work.

• Host a street-wide tag sale. Encourage neighbors to pool their

resources and have a weekend tag sale to get rid of unused items in a practical way. Everyone can make a little money while reducing the number of things that would end up in the trash. Whatever is left over at the end of the sale can be donated to charity.


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