Yankee Shopper

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YankeeShopperwww.yankeeshopperonline.com

November 10, 2010

editorial [email protected]

advertising [email protected]

Editorial Deadline:20th at noon

the month before publication.

Classified Deadline:November 20, 2010

Display Deadline:November 20, 2010

Guide to the Inside

Crossword ......................... 2

Business & Services ......... Page 10

Classifieds ........................... Page 2

Real Estate ........................ Page 11

Auto ................................... Page 13

Help Wanted ..................... Page 15

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2 Yankee Shopper November 10, 2010

I have lost three pets in the last 13 months. Both of my German Shephards died from Lyme disease and my cat went outside one day and never returned. I was never really sure if the cat was ours anyway. She showed up on our doorstep two years ago, so we took her in. She would come back when she was hungry or to just hang out for a while, but was not with us full time. We still miss her though. I hope that maybe someone thought she was a stray and took her in and that is why we haven’t seen her.

After we put our dog down last month, I did not want any more animals. It has been very quiet at my house since then but I wanted to wait until the beginning of the year. I thought if we got another pet so soon it would be done out of emotion. Plus, I thought it would be a great opportunity to do some work to the house. No ani-mals around to ruin anything. That was until 3 weeks ago, because

all of a sudden we have two cats living with us.One morning my daughter went to work, I went to put some laundry in her room and when I opened her

door I saw the tiniest, cutest black kitten lying on her bed staring at me. I closed the door real quick, thinking I was seeing things. Come to find out one of her friends thought she wanted a kitten but then decided she was wrong. Since it had no home my daughter thought it would be a great idea for us to take him. Three weeks later he has ruined everything in the house. We named him Tux, because he looks like he is wearing a tuxedo with his white paws and white belly.

One of my co-workers came to work this week, telling me about this cat that showed up on her doorstep last week and wouldn’t leave. She tried to bring it in her house but her dog went crazy. So, guess who took the cat home? It is really a good cat. Everyone in the office wants me to bring it in and let it be our office cat. I thought our kitty Tux would welcome this friend, that it would give him someone to play with and take his mind off of my plants, furniture and curtains but so far, Tux is not happy about having to share. We will see how this goes and I will keep you all posted.

I know many of our readers are animal lovers. Pets do add something special to our lives. Most of the time they become a large part of the family, and give us many memories to cherish. I welcome our readers to send us your cute animal photos. We will publish them in our next issue on December 8. You can email them to [email protected] or mail them to 109 South St., Bennington, VT 05201. Please get all photos in by November 24. We will make a great pet section out of all the wonderful pictures you send.

Check out our Home and Health section this month. We are also honoring the Veteran’s this month, with a portion of our revenue going to the Veteran’s Home. 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.ishopberkshires.com.

-Renee Tassone, General Manager

��800.234.1432

Fax 802.447.3270Classified 800.234.1432

editorial [email protected]

advertising [email protected]

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Renee Tassone, General ManagerLinda Devlin, Circulation Manager

Carrie Devlin, Advertising SalesBrian Dempsey, Advertising SalesSarah Masiero, Advertising Sales

Melissa Miller, Art DirectorJen Hathaway, Artist

Chris Sobolowski, Artist

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Editorial Deadline*:20th of month prior

Classified Deadline*:20th of month prior

Display Deadline*:20th of month prior

*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 Yankee Shopper 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 necessar-ily those of the publisher.

©2010, Hersam Acorn Newspapers. All contents of the Yankee Shopper are copyrighted, and any reproduction without permission is prohibited.

Martin Hersam, Chief Operating OfficerThomas B. Nash, Publisher

Renee Tassone, General Manager

Manager’s Memo

November 10, 2010 Yankee Shopper 3

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HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS PARTY!��


By Tara Maroney

When she was diagnosed with celiac disease more than 20 years ago, very few food options existed for Valerie Polidoro Lawson, owner and baker at Upper Crust Gluten and Dairy-Free Bakery in Cheshire, Mass. Now, she has built a business dedicated to making baked goods and treats for others with the same health condition.

Celiac disease affects approximately one in every 133 Americans, or more than 2.1 million people in the United States, according to celiac.com, a website dedicated to helping people with the disease. The treatment for the disease requires people to follow a strict gluten-free diet which includes avoiding wheat, grain and barley – foods that often appear in baked goods, pastas and a number of every day foods.

After being diagnosed, Lawson attended the culi-nary institute of America and took part in their gluten-free culinary program. After completing it, Lawson began experimenting with her own recipes and began her bakery.

“I love to bake,” said Lawson. “I’ve been baking since I was a child. I enjoy doing it.”

She sells a variety of baked goods including breads, cookies, rolls, whoopie pies, muffins and cupcakes. She also sells cake, including by the slice, so that those with celiac can enjoy it whenever they wish and not just on special occasions. She also does wedding cakes and gift baskets, which are popular for special occasions.

Many gluten-free products are notoriously dry and are unlike the gluten-free versions that are in the market place, but that’s not what you’ll find at the Upper Crust Bakery. Through a lot of (often expensive) trial and error, Lawson says her products have been taste tested extensively. In addition to baking without gluten, the bakery is also dairy-free and Lawson avoids hydrogenated oils, trans fat and preservatives.

“The reason I avoid dairy is that most celiac tend to have a dairy intolerance at some point as well,” she said.

Upper Crust Bakery Reinvents Baked Goods for Those with Celiac Disease

continued on page 6


In the past five years, Lawson notes that there has been an increased awareness of gluten intolerance and there has been a significant improvement in label-ing on foods, which is an important step forward. A number of com-panies have begun offering more gluten-free foods and products which have given her more choices of grains than she had when she was first diagnosed.

In addition to the bakery, Lawson is interested in starting a celiac support group for those who have been newly diagnosed and for those in the area living with the disease. No group currently exists and she thinks it would be a great way for people to connect and share recipes.

When people are first diag-

nosed, Valerie notes that people have a lot of misconceptions of a gluten-free diet, including the idea that gluten free products are healthy which is not necessarily true. Similarly, she recommends that those with celiac and gluten intolerance be cautious of what they eat. While many restaurants have begun to add gluten-free meals to their menus, some may not understand the condition and may not prepare foods properly or in a gluten-free environment.

Upper Crust Bakery is run out of Valerie’s home and orders can be placed by calling her at 413-743-2959, a few days in advance. For more information, visit her website at www.glutendairyfree-bakery.com.

Upper Crust Bakery Reinvents Baked Goods for Those with Celiac Disease

continued from page 5

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★★ ★★

Donating is a popular way to show apprecia-tion during the holiday season, but not every household has the funds to donate this year. In lieu of making a financial donation, a gift of time and service is just as valuable.

Research indicates that 50 percent of charita-ble donations are made between Thanksgiving and Christmas. During the season of hospital-ity and togetherness, making charitable dona-tions is ever-present in many people’s minds. However, financial insecurity due to the slug-gish job market and economy will likely result in more people hoping to volunteer their time instead of their finances this holiday season.

Volunteering one’s time is a way to give back without expending funds. Just as charities and other organizations are in need of money to operate their causes, they also need manpower to put plans in action.

Busy people may think they don’t have the time to volunteer, but this is not the case. According to Charity Guide, a nonprofit orga-nization dedicated to promoting flexible vol-unteerism by inspiring and facilitating acts of kindness, volunteer work can take as little as 15 minutes per week and be based on a flexible

schedule.When considering volunteerism, individu-

als can pick a cause that is dear to their hearts. Organizations that raise awareness about med-ical conditions to animal rights groups are all charities that can use assistance. Here are some ways the average person can volunteer service.

• Business owners who provide a particular product or service can donate such items to the charity. For example, a printing company can offer to print letterhead or envelopes for an organization. A baker can offer food for luncheons or fundraisers. Donation of time

doesn’t necessarily have to mean manning the phones.

• Schools are often understaffed and can use the help of parents and other community members. Volunteering beyond the typical call of duty can help school programs flourish. Volunteering time as a coach or as a librarian can ensure children have the resources and programs for a well-rounded education.

• Consider spending time with the elderly at a nearby assisted-living facility or as part of a home-visitor program. Individuals who don’t have family nearby may appreciate a visit from someone, even if it’s just to sit and chat. This is something the entire family can do, even children.

• Something as simple as carpooling or offering to shop for busy people is another form of volunteer work that doesn’t require being part of a particular organization. Why not babysit for a person who has to catch up on some holiday shopping?

There are plenty of ways to contribute with-out writing a check. The holiday season is the perfect time of year to think in a giving way. GG10B071

The Gift of Volunteerism for the Holidays


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Holiday eating habits are often characterized by overindulgence. From the first taste of turkey on Thanksgiving Day till the last pig in blanket hors d’oeuvre on New Year’s Eve, holiday eating habits are not always healthy.

Unhealthy eating and overin-dulgence during the holidays is something many people accept as a staple of the season. But it’s just as easy to enjoy a healthy

diet during the holidays as it is to go overboard. All it takes is a nip and tuck here and there to make holiday eating habits healthier.

• Contribute healthy items when attending social gather-ings. Many holiday parties are pot luck, wherein each guest brings a dish to the party. Instead of contributing another batch of holiday cookies, bring a healthy dish, like a large salad that makes

for a great appetizer or a low-fat and low-calorie dessert that everyone can enjoy.

• Don’t forget vitamins and minerals. There’s no way to con-trol the menu when attending holiday functions like office parties or even when traveling to visit family and friends. But, when cooking during the holiday season, add more healthy foods to existing recipes to make up for

any lost nutritional value. Include more vegetables in the menu, and don’t be afraid to add nuts, fruits or beans to meals as well.

• Limit alcohol consumption. Overindulging during the holi-days does not just pertain to eat-ing too much turkey. It’s easy to overindulge with alcohol as well. In addition to being dangerous,

Tips to Make Holiday Eating Habits Healthier

continued on page 9


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overindulging with alcohol is also very unhealthy. Many drinks are high in calories, even if the drinks are four ounces or less. A 3.5-ounce martini, for instance, is well over 100 calories. When consuming alcohol during the holidays, limit yourself to one drink. It’s not only safer to do so, but it also benefits the waistline.

• Baste with broth. Holiday turkeys need to be basted, and arguably no baste is healthier than fat-free broth. Many recipes call for basting with fat drippings or sauces. But fat-free broth is a much healthier option, and might even taste better.

• Don’t miss meals. Thanks to the hectic nature of the holiday season, it’s easy to skip a meal or two here or there, especially if there’s a holiday party later in the day. But skipping meals will only increase the likelihood of overeating at holiday gatherings, which, as mentioned earlier, often feature less healthy fare. HL10C199

Tips to Make Holiday Eating Habits Healthiercontinued from page 8

When it comes to roasting, many people think about their favorite meats and poultry to put in the oven. But many things can be roasted, including nuts and even coffee. In fact, before commercially produced coffee was available, many people did their own roasting of beans at home. Those interested in exploring the flavor of home-roasted coffee can experiment. For some, repurposing an air popper for popcorn will be sufficient. Others may want to roast coffee in a pan on the stove. If coffee roasting will become a serious hobby, purchase a roaster for this specific purpose. TF10B034

Did You Know?


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