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5New Marlborough

July 2011

VillageNews

VOL XII NO 3©

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Clayton • Hartsville • Mill River • New Marlborough • Southfield

Marsha harvey, Our First First respOnder, retires

by Larry Burke

This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of the New

Marlborough Volunteer First Responders, and, as it turns out, the well-earned moment of retirement for the organization’s co-founder, Marsha Harvey. Over these last three decades, Marsha has been the public face of the emergency medical system in our town, and has been, more than any other single person, the driving force behind the excellent emergency medical coverage that we all enjoy. In a recent interview, Marsha recalled that the impetus for the First Responders occurred back around 1980, when the Commonwealth of Massachusetts began insisting that fire fighters take training in first aid and CPR. Some volunteer fire departments resisted the notion of expanding their responsibilities beyond actual firefighting, and this was true in New Marlborough, where the Fire Company leadership suggested to then-Deputy Chief Paul Harvey that he could form his own first-aid squad if he wanted. He took them at their word and, in early 1981 the New Marlborough Volunteer First Responders came into being with Marsha, who was (and still is) a registered nurse, and a small band of willing, if somewhat nervous, recruits. (This reporter was one of original volunteers, and I still remember how anxious I was at the prospect of having to deal with injury and death, and how impressed I was

at the quality of training Marsha and Paul supplied to us right off the bat.) Marsha remembers, “It was an interesting situation in the beginning. A lot of the original equipment was purchased with Green Stamps and Yellow Stamps. Most people today don’t even know what those are. But that’s how we got our first blood-pressure cuffs and stethoscopes and other stuff.” Within a year or so, townspeople recognized the value of the First Responders and donations to the organization supplanted the funding support of Marsha’s stamps. Through most of the 1980s, the First Responders provided advanced first aid while relying on the Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad (SBVAS) to transport patients to the hospital. As the number of trained Emergency Medical Technicians grew within the organization,

and as increased financial support from the Town allowed for the purchase of an ambulance, the First Responders took on the full duties of an ambulance squad, beginning in 1990. Marsha Harvey gives great credit to SBVAS for its early support and for the continuing relationship of the two EMS groups -- the mutual aid agreement whereby Southern Berkshire will send its Advanced Life Support (ALS) team when needed, and New Marlborough Rescue 1 will cover calls for SBVAS when its ambulances are otherwise occupied. Over the years there have been well over one hundred members who have served with Marsha in the First Responders, too many to name here, but when asked to talk about her favorite memories from these thirty years, Marsha spoke of all these members in a collective way:

continued

Marsha Harvey (photo by Larry Burke)

New Marlborough 5 Village News July 20112

“For the most part we always have been a family, a team, that is very interactive and caring about each other.” The membership has always come together to provide support to the individual EMTs who are struggling to heal from the psychological or emotional wounds that are inevitably caused by truly disturbing calls. On the subject of medical calls, which number well into the thousands for Marsha, many of her strongest memories inevitably involve the sadder outcomes. However, one incident that occurred in the mid-1980s, in which a youngster on a bicycle survived being hit by a car purely as the result of the swift actions of the First Responders, has remained clear in Marsha’s mind as a clear example of why the First Responders came into being. One of the factors in play that day -- and it is a characteristic of many of the First Responder calls – is that, as Marsha says, “We’re a small town and we know an awful lot of the people we go to treat.” This is both a blessing and a curse for our EMTs, who sometimes gain an advantage by knowing something of their patient’s history going in, but who may also be more deeply affected by having to treat someone they know well. Looking to the future of the First Responders, Marsha sees that the organization is in relatively good financial shape, and the major concern will be maintaining a sufficient corps of EMTs. In the last two years the organization has been reduced by four EMTs; most recently Dave Herrick has retired and Paul Haiss has found that the demands of family and business are too great at this time. Marsha understands that this is a particularly tough time for volunteerism. “People have two jobs in order to live, so it’s more difficult to get people to volunteer for anything. On top of that, the state is more and more and more demanding in its requirements for EMTs,” she says, ruefully. The net result of the declining number of EMTs in the

organization is greater stress on the remaining ones. The current roster of EMTs includes Marsha’s son Ed,Neil Crawford, Barbara Marchione, Maureen Guidi, Joe Krecji, Michelle Dawson, and Chris Boults. Many of these members have jobs that take them away from town during the day, placing more of a burden on those few who remain close by in the event of a call. Marsha foresees the possibility in the near future of the Town needing to take on one or two paid EMTs,

to guarantee an emergency medical response at all times of the day. Another possibility would be a merger with other neighboring towns, such as Sandisfield, to keep an adequate pool of EMTs on hand. Marsha’s hope is that the First Responders finds some “young blood,” and, to some extent, this is occurring. Recent Mt Everett graduate MacKenzie Loring, has earned her EMT certification and will be participating with the First Responders as her college schedule allows. While Marsha Harvey is now exercising her well-deserved right to retire from the critically important organization that she founded, she will not be leaving us entirely. Debbie O’Brien is adamant that, while it is okay for Marsha to leave the First Responders now, it is definitely not okay to leave her position as a Friend of the Library! So, when you wander by this year’s Burritt Day book sale, you will find Marsha there, manning the cash box, and you should definitely move in for a big hug to thank her for all she has done for us. Neil Crawford, who, along with Ed and Marsha Harbey has served as a First Responder longer than anyone else, describes Marsha as “a fierce mother hen who nurtured all of us and protected what she had worked very hard to build -- a first-class emergency medical service. EMS at one time was just a dream in New Marlborough. The Harveys dreamed that dream for us and made it real.” q

A car accident in 1990; Marsha Harvey, back to camera, directing the extrication of the patient from the car. (photo Berkshire Courier)

New Marlborough 5 Village News July 2011 3

sticky issueCentury Acquisitions Still Wants to Build an Asphalt Plant

There’s a new bloom this summer in Sheffield’s front yards: bright red signs that say, “Stop the HMA plant.” They are the latest response to

a renewed initiative by Century Acquisitions, which produces crushed stone and cement, to build a hot-mix asphalt (HMA) plant in Ashley Falls, a few miles upwind of Clayton. With CA’s application to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection for an asphalt plant permit, nearby residents are up in arms. A Sheffield-based opposition group, No Asphalt Defense Fund (NADF), points out that the plant could produce 500,000 tons of asphalt annually, which would result in 80,000 pounds of toxic emissions a year and the rumble of up to 100 round trips of truck traffic a day. Century Acquisitions, which owns ninety-eight acres in

Ashley Falls and two in North Canaan, moved into the area in 2001, when it bought the plant from Connecticut Sand and Gravel. Since then, according to NADF, the company has doubled production of crushed stone, resulting in increasingly intrusive emissions of airborne sand particles and noise. The addition of a hot-mix asphalt plant would exacerbate these problems, says NADF. The group concedes that its toxic emissions would be within federal and state allowable limits but notes that the plant would require increased production of crushed stone aggregate. At this writing, CA lacks proper permits even for its

present operations. In November 2009 it reached a consent agreement with MassDEP to correct infractions and to restore six acres of wetland next to the Konkapot River that it had disturbed without filing a Notice of Intent. Under the agreement, MassDEP agreed to forgive $10,000 of a $25,500 fine levied in 2008. With its present filing, CA is attempting both to satisfy that agreement and

be permitted to add the asphalt plant.“The genuine problem is that the rock-crushing

operation is already out of control,” says Sheffield resident Dr. Elaine Panitz, an internist with a specialty in occupational and environmental medicine who is among those leading the opposition to the plant. “If CA is given a permit for its proposed HMA operation, that operation will demand major increases in the production of sand and gravel from the rock-crushing operation, which would make the neighborhood even more unliveable, because of increased fugitive dust and noise. These are serious issues that MassDEP knows it must address before permits can be issued.” NADF argues that the scale of industrial activity even now taking place at Century Acquisitions is inappropriate for a small rural community such as Sheffield. Greg Marlowe, general manager of Century Acquisitions,

says that those opposed to the asphalt plant have overstated the problem. The company has indeed applied for a 500,000-ton-a-year asphalt plant, but only, says Mr. Marlowe, because a plant of that size is more efficient than smaller plants. “Five-hundred thousand is an implausible number,” he says and estimates that the company would actually produce a quarter to a fifth of that amount of asphalt. He says that truck traffic in and out of the plant might approach 100 trips on some days, none on others. Asphalt is produced as need arises. “You can’t store it, like, say, cardboard cartons,” says Mr. Marlowe. “It has a life of only a few hours.” Any decision to issue permits can be appealed to MassDEP

and then in state court. If CA eventually prevails, it must obtain a special permit to extend the pre-existing non-conforming use of its property from the Sheffield Zoning Board of Appeals. The issue seems unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. q reported by Joe Poindexter

Help Needed!New Marlborough Fire and Rescue; 229-8100


Town Business Is Your Business

Board of Selectmen

May 16: All three members were present for this re-organizational meeting, the first since the elections. A motion was made by Selectman Larry Davis to nominate Selectman Tara White as chair. The motion was seconded by newly elected selectman Nat Yohalem and passed, with Ms. White recusing herself. The Board welcomed Mr. Yohalem and thanked former Selectman Chuck Loring III for his three years of service to the Town. Ms. White noted that, in accordance with the state’s open meeting law, matters to be brought before the Board must be delivered in writing to the administrative assistant at least forty-eight business hours, or six days, before the next meeting. The Board received, and accepted with thanks, Mr. Yohalem’s letter of resignation from the Finance Committee. Ms. White noted that there are vacancies on the Finance Committee, the Planning Board and the Cultural Council. The Southern Berkshire Regional School District (SBRSD) Committee has sent a letter asking the Board to submit a list of questions about the $3-million-bond issue that they would like the Committee to answer. The selectmen decided to meet with the Finance Committee and to draw up such a list. Selectman Yohalem received a letter from Stanley L. Stanisz regarding the building of a cell tower on property he owns in New Marlborough. Mr. Yohalem said he would send a letter back informing Mr. Stanisz that he should deal directly with Tappan Towers, the company that builds the towers. Mr. Yohalem suggested that the selectmen and the Finance Committee should work jointly on a long-range capital plan. The suggestion will be forwarded to the Finance Committee.

May 23: All three members were present for the meeting. Ms. White reported that the Hatchery Road project requires a sixty-day extension in order to maintain its grant status. The delay is in getting required permits for the project. The Hatchery has been asked to assist in moving the process along and has agreed to do so. A letter has been sent to Kate Parsons of the Department of Agriculture, asking whether or not the department will want any more paperwork than that already in process. The energy-audit project received a bid far above the amount of dollars expected and approved at the Annual Town Meeting. The Town authorized a $60,000 project and the only bid received came in at $169,000. The project

has been revised downward by the Town with assistance, again, from the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC); in addition, the Department of Energy Resources will allow the Town to lower its project to affordable levels. Mr. Yohalem asked his colleagues whether or not they were satisfied with the assistance they received from BRPC since the first bid

was so out of line. The responses from selectmen Tara White and Larry Davis were short on enthusiasm, but not condemnatory. Mr. Yohalem asked who will supervise the project, and Ms. White suggested that Mike Jaffe be asked if he would assume this role. All three agreed. The Memorial Day ceremony and parade will be coordinated by David Hastings. Post-ceremony refresh-ments will be hosted by the Historical Society in the Town Hall. Town consultant Paul Kapinos finally responded to questions asked of him by the Board more than a year ago. None of the replies proved to be particularly helpful. Selectman Yohalem asked why the assessors themselves should not do the field work on defining boundaries and so forth and send the results to Mr. Kapinos for his calculations. Ms. Betty Stalker, a former New Marlborough town assessor, stated that this procedure had been followed in her time. It was pointed out that the Conservation Commission and Planning Board members all make field visits for their purposes. The representatives of the School Committee have met with Sheffield and with Selectman White, and the operating budget is being sent back to the district towns. It will require another Town vote to accept or reject it and, if accepted, will require a Proposition 2½ override or taking the $193,000 from existing approved Town expenses.

June 6: All three members were present to hear Police Chief Scott Farrell discuss his updated version of the Town’s “detail” policy. This policy deals with the off-duty police hired by contractors to guide traffic around street obstructions. In most instances, the details are provided by Highway Department employees who have completed state training. If questions arise, Chief Farrell is consulted and makes a decision whether a police officer is needed. According to Chief Farrell, current policy regarding fees and administrative costs for contracted police officers has been out of compliance with all other towns in the southern Berkshire County. In the revised policy, the officer’s hourly rate is increased to $8 from $7. The cost of the police cruiser has been lowered from $15 an hour to $7.50 an hour, and administrative costs have been increased by about seven and a half percent. The Board was satisfied with these changes, which will be sent to contractors for use in their bid calculations in the future. Chief Farrell asked the Board if the police cruiser


proposal which was rejected at the Annual Town Meeting could be added to the Special Town Election warrants in June. When Mr. Davis commented that, for as long as he could remember, the Town had never put a rejected item on a consecutive election warrant. No decision was made at the meeting. Selectman Yohalem reported on his discussions with department heads regarding a proposed monthly meeting at which communication would be encouraged between departments to include suggestions, complaints, and ideas. Selectmen White and Davis were skeptical as to the long-term life of such meetings, even though each of the department heads Mr. Yohalem has approached has thought it a good idea. Such meetings would be held during working hours. When Selectman Davis expressed the opinion that the department heads would not continue to come, Mr. Yohalem said, “I view it as an obligatory meeting.” He wants three main items to be addressed at the first meeting: a long-term capital plan; a wish list for equipment or other projects; and a list of complaints. He suggested that a selectman be a moderator at the meetings. The other selectmen agreed with the plan. Highway Superintendent Peter Marks reported that, having received no communications from the owner of Elm Knoll Farm regarding the damage to the Town road in Clayton, he sent the grader to the area to cut the planted rows of corn back three rows from the road. He is calculating the cost to the Town for this and for repairs as requested by the selectmen. The bill will be forwarded to the owner. Mr. Marks also reported that the estimated $1,100 cost for extended piping of a beaver trap area has been reduced to $550 and the project has been carried out. The owner of the shrubs bordering the intersection of Konkapot and Clayton Mill River Roads has been asked to trim the shrubs, but has failed to do so. They constitute a traffic hazard and will be trimmed or removed as necessary.

June 13: Ms. White being absent, Mr. Davis chaired the meeting. He announced that a Special Town Meeting will be held in the Great Hall at 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 24, to discuss and vote on the operating and transportation budget submitted by the Southern Berkshire Regional School District. There will be a Town election on June 27 for the purpose of overriding Proposition 2½, allowing the $193,000 to be exempt from the Town-approved expense budget. This is the last date possible for the decision because, by state law, if not voted on by June 27, the proposed budget is automatically approved. The town of Sheffield is voting on the proposed budget shortly before New Marlborough. If Sheffield votes to approve the budget it will have been approved by four of the five towns, as is necessary. The issue left with New Marlborough voters will be to override Proposition 2½, or to cut our existing

budget to find $193,000 to pay our share. Mr. Yohalem said that a letter has been drafted and is being sent to all registered voters in the town explaining the issues and choices. (The article was defeated 168-172) Joe Krejci, representing the First Responders, brought before the Board a letter in which the Responders report that not only has the number of calls greatly increased, but also that there has been a large increase in the paperwork they are obliged to submit. Moreover, Neil Crawford, a veteran Responder, said members will have to participate in twice as many continuing education hours than previously required. They have therefore requested that Maureen Guidi be awarded $15 an hour for eight hours over the twelve hours per week she devotes to administrative work. The funds would come from the ComStar account, which receives its funding from recovery of insurance or privately donated expenses for use of the Responders’ vehicle and services (otherwise free to all). It would amount to approximately one half of the $6,000 in the account. There would be no charge to the Town. The selectman agreed by vote brought by Mr. Yohalem. Mr. Davis reported that the Town personnel policy revisions have been approved and the Highway Superintendent has signed a contract allowing him 150 hours of overtime, plus three extra weeks of unpaid vacation time. A discussion with Administrative Assistant Skorput on his contract renewal is pending. Tim Newman, the head of the Technology Committee, reported that WiredWest had received approval of twenty-six of the forty-seven towns approached and that this was sufficient to move forward. Nat Yohalem moved that the Board should approve the formation of a Municipal Lighting Plant Board, that it appoint itself as the LPB’s first members, and that it subsequently meet and appoint Tim Newman as manager and Debra Herman as alternate manager. All these motions were individually voted and passed. WiredWest can now seek grants for its next steps in: finalizing a business plan and conducting engineering studies necessary to seek potential providers of the Town- owned project. Fire Chief Peter Scala reported the approval of the policy for the stipends paid to the Fire and Rescue Department members who attend 50 percent of calls and 50 percent of continuing education (with certain exceptions requiring allowances by approval), to be divided equally among all members. If there is any excess in unspent stipend funds, the balance may be distributed among the qualifying members. As last year, the stipend is established at $1,400. Mr. Davis emphasized that state law requires that all payments must be adequately documented. Mr. Yohalem asked that the policy be written for the record. q

reported by Charlie Parton


Finance cOMMittee

There have been no meetings for which minutes have been approved since April 14. q

cOnservatiOn cOMMissiOn The following report was compiled by Martha Bryan, who was unable to attend the meeting, from minutes recorded by the Commission’s secretary Kathy Chretien. As a consequence of conflicts of scheduling among members, the Commission has not been keeping the regular meeting time. Those who want to know the current meeting schedule, should contact Ms. Chretien, at the Town Hall, 229-8278.

May 16: Co-Chairs Ned Wilson and John Weinstein were present to address the night’s agenda. Al Thorpe of Accord Engineering

and Surveying presented a Request For Determination of Applicability (RDA) for work at the Halbreich residence on Hillside Avenue. Mr. Thorpe explained that the owner would like to upgrade the current septic system and well and that the Board of Health had approved the work proposed. Mr. Thorpe explained that a few trees would be taken down and that a silt fence would be installed. The Commission voted to give the RDA a negative determination (meaning the work was approved as permitted). Next, Mark Amstead, the property owner at 120 Downs Road on Lake Buel, submitted an RDA for the construction of a dock. He explained that a concrete pad was already in place so no digging would be involved. He said further that he would like to install an aluminum dock which would be put down seasonally and taken up in the winter. The Commission again gave the permit a negative determination. Mr. Amstead then presented a second RDA for work at his residence. He explained that he would like to jack and level the existing house, install piers to support the existing screen porch, repair the front steps, and build an addition to the house. The Commission approved the application with a negative determination. Lastly, Rich Baehr of Appalachian Contractors submitted an RDA for the Busch residence at 28 Downs Road. He explained that last winter a tree fell on the house and that a temporary repair was done in mid-winter. Now he would like to repair the roof and replace the shingles. The Commission voted to approve the application with the following conditions: the old shingles will be put in a dumpster and any new building supplies would be kept on the side of the house on Downs Road. Finally the mail was reviewed, including two forest-cutting plans. The cutting plan for James Mallory at 893 Mill River Great Barrington Road was denied and the plan for Berkshire Natural Resources Council at Stump Road was approved. Newsletters and workshop announcements were noted and the meeting adjourned. q

reported by Martha Bryan

planning BOard

June 1: The meeting was called to order at 7:10 a.m., with Chair James Mullen and Patricia Hardyman present. Also in attendance were Amy Kacala and Brian Domina from

the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission. The previous minutes were held as there was no quorum. The Board had a general discussion with Ms. Kacala and Mr. Domina about moving ahead with the Comprehensive Plan. The following were some of the items that needed clarification: * Agricultural piece of the plan. This may need to be expanded and could be added as an addendum to the current plan.* How to structure the villages and village centers.* Creating additional natural resource protection by making denser village areas and larger land areas outside of the villages.* Question? Change by-laws? One for villages and one for outside of villages.* Define village boundaries.* What about the Lake Buel district? How does this fit in?* Could each village have different uses, dimensions, etc? The next step will be for Ms. Kacala to send down the scope of the plan, overall layout of the tasks for each meeting, and set up a public hearing for input on the draft copy. At this time, the Board is aiming for the end of December 2011 for completion of the plan. Due to scheduling conflicts, the next meetings will be on June 29 and July 6. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m. q

Editor’s note: We are grateful to the Board for providing the minutes, which have yet to be read and approved by the Board.


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graduatiOn 1950

My graduating class from New Marlborough High School had ten students. Back in 1950 things were very different. Most of the roads we drove

on in New Marlborough were not paved. Our high school was in the New Marlborough Central School and students could prepare for three types of diplomas. We could take the business course with shorthand, bookkeeping, and typing. The other choices were to take the general diploma course or the college course. During our senior year we had a lot of fundraisers, including a turkey shoot, so we could go on our big class trip to Washington, D.C. One of the parents, Janet Wuori, and the PTA chairman, Palmer Cook, drove us there in cars. It took all day to get there. We stayed for five days in the Hotel Ambassador. We went on guided tours, traveled down the Potomac on a show boat, and went to visit Virginia. We all had a great time. Before graduation, Class Night was held at the Town Hall. The seniors were on stage and each one received a funny gift. I was given a horn so people could hear me since I was so quiet. We also had a graduation dance after the graduation ceremonies on June 16, also at the Town Hall. None of my classmates went on to college. Jack Stanton went to Mechanic School, but most of us went out looking for jobs. q

reported by Ramona Veretto

graduatiOn 2011

This year’s graduates have had a much different experience than from those above. Seven students from New Marlborough graduated from Mount

Everett High School. They all went through the arduous process of applying to colleges and filling out scholarship application forms, as well. They celebrated their accomplishments with fifty-two other classmates, starting with a senior prom at Cranwell Resort in May, graduation ceremonies at Tanglewood on June 4, and a class trip to

Lake George, which was paid for by each graduate. Karissa King said of this trip, “I thought it was a great experience. We went white-water rafting and had to work together in ways we haven’t had to in the past. It was a lot of fun and forced me to spend time with the people I may have neglected over the years.” All of the graduates from New Marlborough are going on to college next year with the help of the scholarships they received in recognition of their achievements. Janet Britton, Matt Carson, and Matt Ferrara will attend Berkshire Community College; Karisa King, Roger Williams University; MacKenzie Loring: Bridgewater State College; Max Marysshchuk: Wentworth Institute of Technology; Peter Zdziarski: Massachusetts College of Art. Several New Marlborough students graduated from Monument Mountain Regional High School on June 5 at Tanglewood. Valedictorian Sam Levin and the salutatorian Eliza Mitchell are both from New Marlborough. Eliza will be attending the Honors College at University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Sam will be attending Oxford University in Oxford England where he will pursue his interest in biology. While at Monument Mountain he founded Project Sprout and the Independent Project, an alternative school within a school. q

reported by Jane Burke

BLUEPresented by the

New Marlborough Village Association

A M I X E D M E D I AI N V I T A T I O N A L S H O W

July 22 to August 21Friday, Saturday & Sunday

11am-4pm

Opening Reception:July 22, 5pm-7pm

At the New Marlborough Meeting HouseRoute 57, New Marlborough Vi l lage Green


“Blue” art shOw Opens in Meeting hOuse galleryFriday, July 22

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word ‘blue”? Most people think color, but you may also associate blue with a

melancholy state of mind as Blue Mood, glorious weather as Blue Skies, or a performance of rhythm and blues Jazz music. This reporter knows a dog named Blue. Blue can also be a stimulating theme for an art show. Beginning Friday, July 22, thirty-two artists will showcase their exploration of the color blue in the New Marlborough Meeting House Gallery. A variety of media ranging from carved birds to fabric fantasy, from astronomical photography to oil paintings will be on display in this invitational show through August 21. Elizabeth L. Lombardi, a resident of Mill River and current chair of the Meeting House Gallery committee, is one of the more experienced artists in this show. Elizabeth, who was drawn to art early in her life, sees painting both as a means of expression and as a source of calm and healing. She has combined her own artistic journey with teaching. She has taught art for many years in Waldorf Schools, including Garden City, New York, Princeton, New Jersey, and Great Barrington. When she moved from

Long Island to Princeton in 1979, she focused on adult students, specializing in painting the human figure in watercolor. Influential teachers were Oskar Kokoschka in Salzburg, Austria, and Jacques Fabert in Buckingham, Pennsylvania. Largely self-taught in the area of watercolor, Elizabeth specializes in this medium while enjoying explorations in acrylics and powdered pigments. She is particularly drawn to the layering of transparent washes of color, which contributes to a sense of movement and a depth of hue. In developing her talent, she did not want her paintings to be limited to quick impressions. Elizabeth’s credentials for chairing the Meeting House Gallery Committee rest on her years of serving as leader of several art organizations in Princeton, including the Garden State Watercolor Society and the Princeton Artists’ Alliance. In addition to such organizational activities, Elizabeth’s artistry has been recognized by numerous awards in state and national shows. Her work has been exhibited in the American Watercolor Society show and she is an elected member of the New Jersey Watercolor Society. Her painting of figures has led to numerous portrait commissions. She has also been commissioned to paint large works for private homes, and murals in school entrance lobbies. She is currently painting illustrations for a children’s book. Among the artists included in the show are Cynthia Atwood, Dominick Avellino, Joseph Burke, Erica Eigen, Suzie Hardcastle, Meryl Joseph, Holly McNeely, Brian Mikesell, Irami Nacht, Matthew Poindexter, Hope Schreiber, Abbe Stahl Steinglass, Connie Susman, and Robin Tost. Beginning July 23, the Meeting House Gallery will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The opening reception with the artists will take place on Friday, July 22, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 pm. The Meeting House Gallery is located on Route 57 in New Marlborough on the Village Green. All events in the Meeting House are sponsored by the New Marlborough Village Association. q reported by Pam Stebbins

“Out of the Blue” by Elizabeth Lombardi


Neighbors Southfield’s Betty Taylor recently journeyed to Sweetwater, Texas, for the May 28 Homecoming 2011 of WASP -- Women Airforce Service Pilots. During 1943-44,

almost 2,000 women trained as pilots at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, and more than 1,000 earned their wings. They flew non-combat missions such as ferrying planes and towing targets, thereby freeing male pilots for combat missions. About 260 of the women are still alive today, and Betty was one of twenty-two who attended the reunion. The WASPs are finally getting the recognition they richly deserve.

Celia June of Clayton is shown here with four members of the twenty-eight member Watoto Children’s

Choir of Uganda, all of whom have lost a parent or both parents as the result of HIV/AIDs. They are, back row, Auntie Dora, chaperone; and Celia June and in front from left

to right Maria; Peace; and Rachel. The choir was locally sponsored by the Salisbury Congregational Church, with other Congregational

churches helping to board the girls. The four stayed for two nights in late May with Celia June before continuing on their six-month

American tour, which began in Florida and went on to Boston.

This is Awesome, a fox kitten named by Ed Harvey. He/she has a sibling named Camo, who is much

shyer. They and their mother have a den in downtown Mill River. Ed says, “… I just couldn’t resist trying to tell them apart and hence labeling them; such a weird hu-man thing to do.” Last summer, Ed came across these turtles, who were sunbathing on Hadsell Street (see facing page). These and many other of his photos can be seen on his website, www.ruralamericanimages.com.

Laura Endacott reports on Project Bee’s activities: “On May 28, Project Bee took a field trip to Meredith Kennard’s apiary in New

Marlborough. About a hundred yards behind the Old Inn on the Green, a solar-powered bear fence guards Meredith’s thriving two-year-old hives and

three newly installed hives. Donning full bee suits, Project Bee members (right) and a few curious individuals looked on while Meredith smoked her

hives and then opened them to reveal healthy frames loaded with honey, pollen, and brood (not yet hatched bees.) One of the most wonderful

moments was watching two newly hatching worker bees chewthemselves out of their cells. “Thanks to the many enthusiastic and dedicated

beekeepers in New Marlborough, the bees are thriving. So next time you see a honeybee, take a moment to appreciate the honeybees’ work in

pollinating the flowers, and the beekeepers who are working to make it possible.”

Celia June and her four guests, photo by Jon Swan

Meredith Kennard showing her bees

photo by Laura Endacott

Awesome, photo by Ed Harvey


Neighbors is compiled by Barbara Lowman: [email protected]

The Muster Team of the New Marlborough Volunteer Fire Department won the Sportsmanship Trophy at the Bissellville

Muster held in Dalton. The team placed second and third in several of the contests which involved connecting hoses, donning fire gear, and even putting out a small fire. Team members: Eli Dvorchik, Ed Harvey, and MacKenzie Loring, all second-generation firefighters,

and Travis Wiegle, a third-generation firefighter. The team plans to add a few more members and head up to the Muster being held in conjunction with a Pittsfield Colonials game at Wahconah Park

Park on July 3.

Mill River ten-year-old Brian Dillon was made an honorary member of the International Fire Photographers Association

(IFPA). This honor was bestowed on him at the New England Region Photo Night and Dinner, which was held on June 2 at Florian Hall in Boston. Brian received a fire photographer T-Shirt and badge from IFPA President Stephen Walsh, the badge being the first one Mr. Walsh personally owned. Brian has been mentored by Ed Harvey, who marvels at Brian’s natural talent and his love of photography and the fire service. Ed asked Mr. Walsh if Brian could be a junior member of the association. That request spurred the honorary membership and the establishment of a Youth Mentorship Program at the IFPA to build photography and social skills for fourteen- to eighteen-year-olds. Brian is the son of Laura Dillon and New Marlborough Firefighter Tom Dillon, who passed away on April 12, 2008. Brian’s family has been very supportive of Brian’s hobby, often stopping in their native New York City so Brian can shoot the FDNY fire apparatus. Brian’s photos can be viewed at www.nmfdfirephotos.smugmug.com.

Jim Hannagan showed up the other day, shifting his residence from winter in Washington, Massachusetts,

to summer in New Marlborough. With him came his six rescue Huskies. The first was obtained in a lottery from

a rescue shelter in Florida. Jim’s long-time interest in this breed took hold, as did his education about the breed.

His dogs are of various ages and are his friends; they are not undergoing the training necessary to race. But, as

Jim points out, they know what to do better than their owners, so they are regularly exercised on a lead with Jim

at the helm.

All photos on this page by Ed Harvey

Neighbors, continued

Turtles basking in the sun on Hadsell Street pond.

Brian Dillon

Jim Hannagan and his friends

New Marlborough Muster Team


Janice Boults of Canaan Valley Road writes: “My neighbors up Foley Hill Road, the Zyszkowskis, saw a

young bear trying to open a dumpster the first week of June. They also reported seeing a larger bear near the intersection of Campbell Falls Road and Norfolk Road early one morning. The Zyszkowskis raise honeybees, so the bear could be a big issue.”

Sanjiban Sellew of New Marlborough village writes: “On Saturday, June 5, Cynthia and I sat in our living room

after dinner looking out at our newly planted vegetable garden. Two full-grown cottontail rabbits were on the lawn nearby chasing each other. Eventually one rabbit stopped and faced off with the other, boxing with the front paws. Suddenly, the rabbits began an Olympic-type event that had us jaw-hung. One rabbit leaped straight up in the air at least two feet high while the other rabbit jumped four or five feet horizontally just underneath the air-borne rabbit. When they landed they faced off again and continued this mating dance many times.”

Don Beauchamp of Clayton writes that on May 22 he was walking a friend’s dog in the Goodnow meadow

on the west side of the Southfield Mill River Road when the dog flushed a brood of bobwhite quail, the mother and five chicks. “The mother took off to distract the dog. The chicks flew every which way. One flew right at me, then dropped down and ran over my boot. They all got away.”

Tim and Katie Clifford of New Marlborough village provide a headline for their story: “Red Fox Still in

Residence at Red Fox Farm.” On June 3, at 9:00 a.m., Katie writes: “Tim spotted a mature red fox sitting at the lower end of the meadow at our property (formerly a part of Red Fox Farm) on South Sandisfield Road. The fox sat long enough for us to grab a pair of binoculars and get a really good look at him before he trotted across the meadow into the woods.” The following morning, at 11:00 a.m., she saw “a red fox (presumably the same one) moving quickly across the back yard with a dead, brown critter (a rabbit?) held tightly in its jaws.”

Charlie Parton of New Marlborough village writes: “On June 1 at about 8:00 p.m. one night we were just

having a meal when an adolescent bear walked casually across our backyard, looking about and sniffing -- all very casually -- and then went up and across our waterfall and came to the edge of the pond; looked and thought and then went off into the woods. Probably spent fifteen minutes checking things out. Chipping sparrows with babes in our flowering crab and chickadees checking out the wren box on our front-porch wall.”

Editor’s note: In late May, Don Beauchamp reported seeing bat droppings under the eaves of Celia June’s house in Clayton, a sign that some members of the big brown bat population may have survived in this area. Notified of this, Connecticut bat expert Linda Bowen (see “Bat Populations Are in Decline,” NM5VN, July 2010) wrote: “You may want to consider writing another article on bats to remind people that we need help in finding colonies and counting them. Since we last communicated, I built a website -- www.bats101.info -- to aid in getting the information and forms to people to help in finding the colonies and counting them. Even if the forms from Massachusetts are submitted to me, I can get them to the appropriate Massachusetts officials.” Linda’s address is [email protected] q

compiled by Jon Swan

On May 30, Jon Swan of Clayton woke at 4:41 a.m.

to hear the calls and songs of three very different birds: a barred owl, a whippoorwill, and several bluebirds. In early June, at about 9:30 p.m., his neighbor, Don Beauchamp, heard the whippoorwill at close range, got his camera, and took a picture of the whippoorwill. It was sitting on the Swans’ roof, next to the central chimney. The bird’s three-note call is so loud that it often wakes Jon and Marianne in the night and again at first light.

Our wild liFe neighBOrs

On June 8, Tara White of Southfield wrote: “I have

seen four snapping turtles in the last two days. In checking, I found that this is the time when Mama is laying eggs. One was in the garden that we have at Joby’s [the home of Joby Baker, above the corner of Norfolk Road and Southfield Branch Road] and decided to eat a few peas before leaving! “Also seen in the last week: a lynx up on East Hill Road and a bear that went up the cemetery road near Joby’s. The wildlife is hot and heavy out there.”

drawing by Sanjiban Sellew


MeMOrial day 2011

Color Guard, photo by Neil Brander

New Marlborough Volunteer First Responders, photo by Al Leonardson

hSelectman Nat Yohalem placing a wreathphoto by Al Leonardson

i the Salute, photo by Larry Burke

Veterans from the Town of New Marlborough, photo by Larry Burke

iKids with the flag, photo by Larry Burke

John Sisson, photo by Larry Burke


elihu Burritt dayAugust 20, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Plans are coming together quickly for the 37th Elihu Burritt Day, an annual town fair sponsored by the New Marlborough Cultural Council. There will be

many vendors with a wide range of artistic and craft items, plus several food booths with a variety of offerings. The Friends of the Library will hold its popular Book and Bake Sale to raise funds for the library. The Cultural Council has been collecting items for the White Elephant Sale since April. With three more collection dates -- July 16, August 6, and August 13 -- there should be an impressive array of useful and/or curious items for sale. There will also be a Silent Auction for a few items of greater value. Once again John Schreiber is organizing the Antique Car Show, which attracts more people each year. New Marlborough Fire and Rescue members will be on hand to demonstrate the fire and ambulance equipment. Entertaining children of all ages, Roger the Jester will give an 11:00 performance, and Henry the Juggler will perform at 1:30. The Annual Elihu Burritt Award for community service will be presented at 12:00 by State Assemblyman Smitty Pignatelli; the 2011 honoree will be profiled in the August NM5VN. The annual 5K Fun Run/Walk will begin at 10:00. There’ll be a Crafts for Kids workshop with Arlyn Hoberman and Joyce Sachs from 12:00 until 2:00. Throughout the day, Jim Kelly will be available as the clown who does face-painting,

along with Herb Abelow’s petting zoo and hayrides with Freddie Friedman. A new feature this year will be the presence of a professional appraiser, Charles Flint. For a modest fee ($5 for one item, $10 for three items, to support the Cultural Council), he will appraise a wide variety of items. If a piece of furniture is to be appraised, a photograph is sufficient. Mr. Flint does not appraise jewelry or coins. If you are curious about the value of family heirlooms or other items, this is a convenient way to get an estimate. It’s New Marlborough’s version of Antiques Roadshow. Burritt Day will conclude with the Fire Company’s annual Pig Roast and Block Dance at the new Emergency Services Center in Southfield. For those who missed the inaugural open house last winter, this is another chance to view the impressive new facility that has been created with a lot of volunteer labor and monetary contributions from the community. Tickets will be available at the Mill River Store or from any emergency services member; cost is $15

for adults and $7.50 for children. Dinner will be served from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., followed by dancing and a raffle. Come join the fun! q reported by Barbara Lowman

Hayride for children at last year’s Burritt Day.

photo by Larry Burke


the Mysteries reMain Separating Fact from Speculation about Indian Cairns and Mounds

Knowing what you do not know is the beginning of knowledge. This was the underlying theme of a fascinating talk on Indian cairns and mounds

presented by Lion Miles at the inaugural First Fridays’ program sponsored by the New Marlborough Historical Society. Mr. Miles, a historian and author of a monograph on tribal leader John Konkapot, made sharp distinctions between fact and speculation about the three- to four-foot-high stone piles that dot wooded landscapes in New Marlborough (numerous groupings are situated in Cookson State Forest) and elsewhere throughout the U.S. That they were constructed by Indians is indisputable, said Mr. Miles, and it is generally accepted that the small stone at the tops of these cairns are prayer stones. He speculated that the quartz stones wedged into the sides of many cairns were intended to block underground evil spirits from entering the upper world. But what determined the location of the cairns? The cairns, Mr. Miles believed, were raised in homage to the spirits that assisted the hunt and served as place markers for returning hunters. Until the early eighteenth century

there were no known permanent Indian settlements in Berkshire County. The Berkshires were used as hunting grounds by the Mohicans situated in the Hudson River valley, who would travel here in the fall and winter, after the growing season for deer, moose and bear. The cairns, Mr. Miles believed, served, among other things, as place markers for returning hunters. Mounds are known to have been Indian burial sites, but Mr. Miles cautioned against too readily assuming an Indian origin for such formations. The prominent pair of mounds in the New Marlborough village cemetery are thought by many to contain Indian remains. Mr. Miles was dubious. He thought it unlikely that New Marlborough’s mid-eighteenth century settlers would have been so callous as to have placed their graves atop those of Indians. Here, as in similar South County mounds whose origins are uncertain, an archeological probe using radiation might settle the matter. q

Future First Friday programs: A talk on New Marlborough’s oldest houses by James Parrish on July 1; a presentation on old bridges in South County by Bernard Drew on August 5; and an analysis of the earliest burials in the New Marlborough Village Cemetery by conservators Jim Fannin and Monique Lehner on September 2. All programs, held at the New Marlborough Meeting House and starting at 6:00 p.m., are free and open to the public.

reported by Joe Poindexter

Lyon Miles photo by Holly McNeely

SUMMER PROGRAMS

S•M•ART!Science Meets ART

SMArt - Science Meets Art Student Show

Opening 4-6 July 15Gallery Open 11-4 July 16& 17

New Marlborough Meeting House Gallery

Go to: flyingcloudinstitute.org for information and registration

For ages 5-14SPACE STILL AVAILABLE

Session 1 June 27 - July 15 Session 2 July 18 - 29


Upcoming: Events Calendar for July and August

July 1 – New Marlborough’s Oldest Houses, Jim Parrish presents the second in the First Fridays series of programs sponsored by the New Marlborough Historical Society, 6:00 p.m. in the Meeting House. Free to the public.July15-17 – Flying Cloud Annual Exhibit – students and faculty will show new works at the Meeting House Gallery on the Village Green. Opens 5:00 p.m. Friday the 15th.July 22 – Blue, an invitational show of works by thirty-two artists, with literal and figurative interpretations of the show’s theme, opens 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Meeting House Gallery. Refreshments will be served. The show remains on view Friday through Sunday until August 7. August 5 – Old Bridges in South County, Historian Bernie Drew presents the third in the First Fridays series of programs sponsored by the New Marlborough Historical Society, 6:00 p.m. in the Meeting House. Free to the public.August 20 – Elihu Burritt Day. Our Town’s annual recognition of the Learned Blacksmith with arts, crafts, and a great collection of white elephants on sale, starting at 10:00 a.m. on the Village Green. Plus the Fire Department’s Annual Pig Roast and another great opportunity to see the new Firehouse in Southfield. Starts at 5:00 p.m., followed by a block dance.August 26 – New Works by New Marlborough Artists, at the Meeting House Gallery. Opening, with refreshments, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and on view Friday to Sunday until September 19.

BOys OF suMMer yOuth BaseBall starts July 2

The “Boys of Summer” Cal Ripken youth baseball season for players eight-to-twelve-year olds starts on Saturday, July 2, at 10:30 at beautiful Greene Park on Route 23 in Monterey center. The program is for New Marlborough, Great Barrington, Monterey, Otis, Sandisfield, and surrounding towns, plus vacationing players

of all levels. Players can play once while visiting the area or for the whole twelve-game season. The cost is $40 per player or $70 maximum for families of multiple players. Informal pick-up games will be played on Saturday mornings at 10:30 and Tuesday evenings at 5:30 through August. Sign up when you show up. For more information, email [email protected] or call 413-269-4632. q

The Cultural Council is still looking for contributions of small household items for the White Elephant Sale on Elihu Burritt Day, August 20. Collection dates are three more Saturdays: July 16, August 6, and

August 13. The location is the Olenbush/Levine barn across from Town Hall.

Please don’t drive on their lawn! All collections will be

from 10:00 a.m. until noon.

Among the large crowd at the Meet-ing House Gallery opening for the “Fire and Water” show were Representative Smitty Pignatelli and his wife, Diane, andPaula Hatch (left).

photo by Larry Burke


sMart suMMer prOgraM

The SMArt Summer Program, “Where Science Meets Art,” is Flying Cloud Institute’s five-week exploration of the connections between art, math, and science. This summer it runs from June 27 through July 29 and includes children ages five through fourteen. The professional staff draws from an impressive group of New Marlborough

professionals -- Krista Kennedy, Cynthia Atwood, Kristen Sparhawk, Jon Suters, Annabelle and Tom Coote, Jane and Larry Burke, Rebbecca Schrieber, and Jeramy Vallianos. Other specialists include architect Diego Gutierrez of Housatonic, photographers Dan Mead and Sally Eagle of Great Barrington, artists Phil and Sue Knoll of Monterey, and performing artists Meredyth Babcock of Becket and Tom Truss of Austin, Texas. These talented scientists and artists will help children portray science ideas in their art. The public is invited to enjoy the accomplishments of the children at the SMArt Show at the New Marlborough Meeting House Gallery over the weekend of July 15-17. On view will be paintings, prints, photography, architectural drawings and models, film, and ceramics. The opening is from 4-6 on Friday, July 15. q

reported by Jane Burke

nMc kindergarten visits Flying clOud

Our class took a bus to Flying Cloud in May. When we got there, we went to the dance room to talk about what we were going to do. We were going to study rocks. Then, we went into the woods and looked for special rocks. Jeramy showed us around and answered our questions. We got to bring our rocks back to the science room

and look at them under a microscope. We also made pottery fossils in the pottery room and Jane Burke is going to fire them in the kiln and give them back to us. We played Tree Frog outside at recess. At the end, we danced the story of rocks. I liked Jane’s dog and cat. q reported by Grant Chase

the dawning OF new MarlBOrOughHow the Town Got Started: a Talk by Jim Parrish

Early house development, early settlements, early industry will be the subjects of an illustrated talk by James M. Parrish, as the second in the First Fridays series of programs presented by the New Marlborough Historical Society. The talk will be given July 1 at 6:00 p.m. in the Meeting House

Gallery, which is located on the New Marlborough Village Green. There may be no one so well qualified to discuss the town’s early history. Mr. Parrish, currently a museum technician and archivist for the U.S. Park Service, was trained as an archeologist and at one time served as the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s Regional Preservation Planner for Berkshire County. His talk is free and open to the public.

hphotos by Jane Burke


pedal the Five villages

by Lisa M. Maloney

In “The Invasion of the New York Cyclists!” an article that appeared in these pages a dozen years ago, John Rooney recalled that in the 1930s cycling enthusiasts

would board a train in Grand Central Station early in the morning and arrive in Canaan at around 10:00 a.m. to enjoy a leisurely Sunday ride in the country. In those days, he wrote, “bicycles had only one speed, the average weight of a bike was about fifty pounds and had balloon tires.” Today, a good road bike will weigh between eighteen to twenty-five pounds and the tires will be thin. Cycling the Southern Berkshires is once again a popular activity. In 2001, when I first discovered this area, I would ride for hours and not see another cyclist. Every year since, when visiting New Marlborough, I have seen more and more cyclists pedaling the low-traffic paved roads.Over Memorial Day weekend, I passed about twenty cyclists enjoying a group ride. Having cycled every state on the East Coast, with the exception of Georgia and New Jersey, I have concluded that the Berkshires is my favorite place to bike ride. So now I say to all you fortunate folks who live in the area: get out of your car, hop on a bike and be prepared to enjoy this amazing, magical place from a different angle. You will be surprised at what you rediscover! The two rides I have chosen to highlight start and end at the Old Inn on the Green in New Marlborough. Both are around twenty miles and feature rolling terrain, gradual climbs, and some flat spots. These are perfect after-work rides that can be completed in an hour or an hour and a quarter. You’ll get some fresh air and beat back the day’s stresses in beautiful surroundings. Happy trails!

Tri-Town Ramble (New Marlborough/Sandisfield/Monterey

With the Old Inn on the Green at your back, take a left on Route 57/183 East. In .2 miles turn left onto Route 57. This gradual uphill passes by fields of wild yellow flowers and fern and is shady in spots. S2.6 miles you roll into Sandsfield where you pass beaver ponds and Flying Pigs Farm.S4.2 miles turn left onto West Street for some nice rolling

hills passing West Lake.S7.1 turn left onto West Hubbard for more rolling. This woody road has few houses. Get ready for a fun descent into Monterey and no cars!S10.3 take a left onto Main/Route 23 West. Coast down to the center of Monterey past the former Monterey General Store, Gould Farm, and the Harvest Barn Bakery; look for grazing cows, wild flowers, and distant views.S13.1 left onto Corashire for a fun one mile rolling downhill — test your brakes for quick stop at Route 57.S14.2 left on Route 57 East starts off flat but begins a

gradual 3.5-mile climb.SAt 16.3 look right for a great view of the Berkshire Hills; continue pedaling and pass Mepal Manor and Spa.S18.0 arrive back at the Old Inn. Be sure to stretch legs, arms and shoulders and drink plenty of water before, during, and after the ride.

The County Road Breakaway (New Marlborough/Mill River/Sheffield/Southfield

With the Old Inn on the Green at your back, take a right going west on Route 57/183.Take your immediate left onto New Marlborough Southfield Road for a nice downhill that flattens out.S1.3 miles take right on Mill River Southfield Road. This section is rolling, with incredible pastoral views, and then a nice long downhill into Mill River. S2.4 bear right toward Mill River Store. This sunny stretch of road is rolling, with pastoral views.S3.4 take a right at the library; after turning you will immediately see the Mill River store on your right. This rolling section takes you by sunny fields of tall grass and wild flowers. You’ll pass Freeman Elms Inn.S5.1 left onto County Road (careful at this intersection) beautiful rolling road, open fields, old barns, and Taconic Range in the distance, rusting silos and ruins of an old farmhouse rolling to a 3-mile gradual downhill.S6.0 pass into Sheffield (still on County Road) look right for impressive view of the Taconic Range while flying downhill, keeping balance and not going off the road because you are blown away by the scenery. Enjoy this shady section and listen for the rush of a river.S9.8 take left onto Hewins. Prepare for a short uphill climb to great views of Mount Everett. You will see and smell the Balsam Hill Dairy Farm. A short downhill takes you past fields of grazing horses.S12.8 left and left onto Alum Hill just past Pine Island Dairy Farm. S13.9 pass into New Marlborough for cornfields and more views of the Taconic Range.S14.2 take left onto Clayton Mill River Road alongside a mile-long cornfield; this road was recently paved, so it is a smooth rolling surface.S15.3 see Konkapot River on your right and some stone walls.S16.1 left onto Canaan Southfield Road, surface a bit rough but no cars and some shade.S19.3 left on to Norfolk Road pass United Church, Farm Country Soup, Buggy Whip Antiques, Southfield Store.S20 right onto New Marlborough Southfield Road; short climb.S21.4 right onto Route 57/183 East back to the Old Inn. Be sure to stretch your legs and arms and shoulders, and drink plenty of water. q Lisa M. Maloney of Hamden, Connecticut, has been cycling the Southern Berkshires for the past decade, logging more than 1,500 miles on back roads.


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Building a greenhOuse by Nathaniel Chase

For the past few of weeks Flying Cloud has been working with Greenagers, a nonprofit organization for teenagers working to strengthen our environment and our community, and the

Undermountain sixth grade to build a greenhouse. The sixth grade has been talking about solar energy with Lindy Marcel from Flying Cloud, who has been helping us make plans for the greenhouse. The sixth graders have come up with many ideas of items we can use to build the greenhouse. Some ideas I came up with were that we could use recycled bottles, Plexiglas or plastic. After we made our lists, we talked about weight of the materials used, from how far away they came, and the cost. We talked about this because we wanted to keep our greenhouse eco-friendly. Finally, the class settled on using recycled bottles because they came from local recycling bins, they were light, and they would be at no cost because nobody had any use for them. On June 8 all fifty-seven sixth graders went to Flying Cloud to help with the greenhouse. Flying Cloud really made us feel like we

were contributing to this project, and indeed we were. We helped by making the frame for the greenhouse. Will Conklin from Greenagers showed us how to use saws and chisels to make the beams fit together. We went into the woods with Joseph Burke and Henry Fuore to find saplings to use. They explained that these small trees were most likely not going to survive so cutting them down was okay. With Railroad Street Youth Project staff we cut and stacked plastic bottles onto the saplings for the walls. Now to finish it off, Greenagers volunteers are going to put the greenhouse together and then anybody who attends Flying Cloud this summer and after will see all the work we have done. q

Sliding plastic bottles on to a sapling with Jenn Fuore and Samantha Halley.

Sam Levin gets a garden group motivated

Joseph Burke helping to harvest saplings

photos by Jane Burke

thank yOu tO Our cOntriButOrs!

Janet S. Brown; Elizabeth Olenbush & Roger Levine;

Edward Goodnow; Michael Skrak;

Michael Krawitz; Anthony & Marjorie Consolini;

and Judith & Richard Breyer


The New Marlborough Library has family passes for free or reduced admission for the following area attractions: Ashley House and Bartholomew’s Cobble, Berkshire Museum, Chesterwood, Clark Art Institute, The Folly at Field Farm, MASS MOCA, Ventfort Hall

Mission House & Indian Museum, The Mount, Naumkeag House & Gardens,

Norman Rockwell Museum,Sandisfield Arts Center, Smith College Museum of Art,

the pulse A Farmers’ Market in New Marlborough?

Farmers’ markets are popping up all over, giving Berkshire farmers, bakers, and producers

a place to greet, meet, and sell to Berkshire fresh-food lovers. How would you like to see a farmers’ market in New Marlborough? Would you support it ? I put the question to Mill River residents Anne Caban, and Alan Gewirtzman, who said, “I’d love it,” and “It would be fabulous. How about the Town Hall?” Martha Bryan, also of Mill River, said, “I think a farmers’ market would be great for the community. It might also encourage others to consider New Marlborough a place to farm. We could get some of the land working again and generate a local economy.” “It’s a good idea. Everyone who has a garden always has a little extra to share,” said Barbara Marchione, while having a quick bite for lunch at the Mill River Store. A few days later I saw Tim Newman sitting with his morning coffee at the Southfield Store and he said, “It would be great. The challenge would be to get enough farmers to come here. There are lots of other markets -- Sheffield, Norfolk, and two in Great Barrington.” Laurel Demagall, who had just served Tim his coffee, said, “I think it would be great if enough people got involved.” Just outside the Southfield Store I ran into Jeremy Stanton and his neighbor, Brien Hadley, who were conversing in the morning sun on either side of Jeremy’s white picket fence. “I’m game for it,” said Brien enthusiastically, and

Jeremy replied, “I’d like to see a farmers’ market or even

a farm stand in New Marlborough. Maybe use the honor system.” This led Jeremy to recall the honor-system farm stand Scott McKenzie kept going in Hartsville for many years, a stand that was often crowded, especially when the sweet corn was ready. Jeremy’s only concern about an honor-system farm stand was that during zucchini season there might be more zucchinis at the end of the day than what was initially offered. Tom Weeks, while picking up his mail in the Southfield Post Office, stopped for a minute to answer, “Sure, I’d support a local farmers’ market!” Finally I struck green-gold when I called Southfield farmer Steve Cunningham, on the phone, for a comment. I’d heard about his Berkshire Bounty Farm through Berkshire Grown, a group that helps to promote Berkshire-area farmers. Steve said that he’s planning to bring his Bounty Mobile to the United Church of New Marlborough’s parking lot in Southfield every Wednesday evening from 5:00 to 6:30, where he’ll be offering his USDA- -certified organic fruits, vegetables, berries, and herbs to the public. Maybe it’s the seedling of something grand -- our own farmers’ market? q

reported by Ann Getsinger

JUNE 3JULY 1AUGUST 5SEPTEMBER 2

FirstFridays

New Marlborough HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.

sponsored by

At the New Marlborough Meeting House6 TO 7 PM

A series of talkson historical subjects

July 1: Jim Parrish on Old Houses


New Acquisitions at the Library Adult Fiction

The Borrower, by Rebecca MakkaiTabloid City, by Pete HamillProphecy, by S. J. ParrisOscar Wilde and the Vampire Murders, by Gyles BrandrethThe Tiger’s Wife, by Tea ObrehtPlease Look After Mom, by Kyung-Sook Shin Adult Nonfiction

The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books We Shared, by Alice OzmaA Reason to Believe: Lessons from an Improbable Life, by Deval Patrick

Children’s Fiction

Throne of Fire, by Rick RiordanTrue (... Sort Of ), by Katherine HanniganHothead, by Cal Ripken, Jr.Wild Wings, by Gill LewisHarry & Hopper, by Margaret WildNo Sleep for The Sheep, by Karen BeaumontBig Nate Out Loud, by Lincoln Peirce Children’s Nonfiction

Olivia’s Birds: Saving the Gulf, by Olivia BoulerHow to Write an E-Mail, by Cecilia MindenFirst Garden: The White House Garden and How It Grew, by Robbin Gourley

New Marlborough Friends of the Library will be COLLECTING BOOKS July 9, 16, and 23 from

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon at the American Legion Hall in New Marlborough Village for their annual book sale held during the Elihu Burritt Day Celebration. PLEASE, DO NOT LEAVE BOOKS AT THE LIBRARY! Please, no encyclopedias, text books, or ripped/musty books. We Also Need: People to sort books. People to bake for our sale. People to help set up and “man” the tables on August 20. Anyone interested in helping, call the Library: 229-6668.

Thanks to a grant from the New Marlborough Cultural Council, the New Marlborough Library kicked off its 2011 Summer Reading Program, “One World, Many Stories,” with a concert by Roger Tincknell at the New Marlborough Central School.

Library Summer Hours:

Beginning July 1 the library will also be open on Mondays from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Tues & Fri 1:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.Wed & Sat 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.Thurs 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

DENNIS J. DOWNINGATTORNEY & COUNSELLOR AT LAW

17 MAHAIWE ST, GREAT BARRINGTON, MA 01230Tel.:(413)528-5040; Fax: (413)528-5095

e-mail: [email protected]


Town Times:* Board of Selectmen: Every Monday at 6:30 p.m. * Planning Board: First and third Wednesday at 7 p.m. * Board of Health: First Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. * Conservation Commission: Last Tuesday at 7 p.m.* Board of Assessors: June 1 - Aug.31 Monday through Thursday 7a.m. - noon * Fire Department training: Every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Fire Station* Building Inspector: Monday 5 - 7 p.m. Wednesday 8 - 10 a.m. * First Responders meeting/training: First and third Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Fire Station * Cultural Council: Second Thursday at 4:15 p.m * Town Treasurer: Monday- 9 -12 a.m. * Tax Collector: Monday - Thursday. 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.* Selectmen’s Administrative Secretary: Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.* Dog and Animal Control Officer: John Springstube 232-7038 * Town Clerk: 229-8278 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays; Saturday by appointment* Town Hall: 229-8116* Police: business office: 229-8161

Emergency calls: Police, Fire, and Medical: 911

New Marlborough 5 Village Newsappears monthly, also online at www.newmarlborough.org

The next issue will be dated August 2011All copy must be submitted no later than July 15.

For advertising, contact: Barbara Lowman, tel: 229-2369 PO Box 243, Southfield, MA 01259

[email protected]

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can be paid by mail, please enclose a selF addressed stamped

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NM5VN Editorial TeamJon Swan, issue editor; Marianne Swan, layout;

Pam Stebbins, Debra Herman, Jane Burke, Charlie Parton,David Lowman, Martha Bryan, Joe Poindexter, Barbara Lowman, Larry Burke, Diane Swartz,

Contributing writers: Janice Boults, Laura Endacott, Ann Getsinger, Mary Richie Smith, and Tara White.

We welcome advertisements from businesses owned by New Marlborough residents. Other businesses can be listed in the Service Sector (see back page). Questions, rates? Call Barbara Lowman; 229-2369

New Marlborough Highway Department

Located on Mill River-Southfield Rd. Hours: Monday - Friday 7:a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

PO Box 99, Mill River, MA 01244 (413) 229-8165


New Marlborough 5 Village News

P.O.Box 243, Southfield, MA 01259

e-mail [email protected]

U.S. POSTAGEPAID

Non-Profit Org.PERMIT #95

GT. BARRINGTONMA 01230

service sectOrwAbsolute Animal Control: Douglas Faits; Problem animal

solutions, wild life removal. MA and CT licensed and insured. 413-562-7907 or 413-237-5550 (cell) WWW.AACWR.COM

wAlexandra’s House: Help for second homeowners with renovations, organizing, decorating, moving and staging to sell. Call 413-528-6169. [email protected]

wBenchmark Real Estate: Nancy Kalodner, Broker/Owner. Offering New Marlborough the finest professional real estate services for over 25 years. Call 528-9595

wBerkshire Environmental Research Center (BERC): Thomas Coote. Lake & pond management, wetland delineation, ecological research, rare/invasive species assessment. 413-644-4509. [email protected]

wCampbell Falls Carpentry: Licensed contracting and building services.Custom cabinetry and built-ins. Design and planning help on small- to medium-size projects. Call Tony at 413-229-6097.

wCale’s Pet Care: Pet sitting, dog walking, small farm care. Experienced, caring, and reliable. Call Cale James at 229-2271

wCorashire Realty: Serving New Marlborough for 40 years. Let experience, knowledge, and personal attention work for you. 528-0014

wDesign+Planning: Christopher Blair; Since 1986, creative, budget aware design. Achieve your goals for additions, alterations to an existing home or new construction. 413- 528-4960. [email protected].

wJames Edelman: General Contractor, Real Estate Sales. Best Results. Construction License #090773. Home Improvement Registration #152035. Real Estate Sales License #9086247. 413-528-0006 or [email protected]

wGoewey Painting Services: Interior & exterior painting, window washing,pressure washing, vinyl siding washing, deck and floor refinishing; fully insured; impeccable references. 413-229-2787

wLand of Nod Winery: 99 Lower Rd., East Canaan CT 860-824-5225 Come try our new chocolate raspberry dessert wine! www.landofnodwinery.com

wSusan M. Smith: Attorney At Law; Concentrating in the areas of Estate Planning, Estate Administration, Elder Law, Real Estate and Zoning Matters. [email protected] or 229-7080

wLawn Care Plus: Small bucket & back hoe work, snow plowing, spring clean-up, house watching and odd jobs. Call Jim @ 229-3057

wPat Nourse: Monterey. Youth patchwork quilts and American Girl doll dresses. 644-9530

wMill River Knifewright: Custom designed, One-Of-A-Kind kitchen, hunting and fishing knives. Repairs, sharpening. Drop off and pick up: Mill River Store or call John Manikowski: 229-2905

wPicture Framing: Over 30 years experience, archival materials, large selection of mouldings and mats, free local delivery. Call for appointment, Ann Getsinger 229-2119

wReiner White: General Contractor; 413-229-8450wWild Birds Country Store: Absolutely everything to enjoy

nature and backyard birds. www.wild-birdstore.com 783 Main St., Great Barrington 644-9007

wQuality Painting Services: Beautifying Homes in the Berkshires. Offering interior/exterior painting, staining, sheetrock repair. Pressure washing decks. Contractor registration #147903. Len Mandile 413.269.8948

To list your business or organization here, contact Barbara Lowman at 229-2369. A listing of up to 25 words, free to advertisers in the current issue, is $5 per issue or $50 per year

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