October 1, 2009
For Immediate Release:
 

BerkShares Turns Three!

BerkShares, the Berkshires’ very own local currency, is turning three, which means we’ve had our Melvilles, Rockwells, and Van Ens commingling with the fed’s greenbacks for three years and running. In that time, nearly 2.5 million BerkShares have been circulated through our community. Roughly 400 businesses have officially signed up to accept them, and many more do so informally. Thirteen branches of five local banks exchange them. What the New York Times called our “great economic experiment” is stronger than ever as we enter the fourth year of BerkShares.
 
Begun before the foundations of our global economic system began to falter, BerkShares are a tool to build wealth locally, to keep a portion of our hard-earned cash from lining the pockets of faraway companies and CEOs. Given current economic conditions, BerkShares are more essential than ever, and our region is fortunate to have such a great economic experiment well underway. And so we’re celebrating!
 
To start, BerkShares will be the featured group at the October 7th Green Drinks, an eco-conscious happy hour at the Route 7 Grill, which takes place on the first Wednesday of every month. Organized by Orion magazine, the Great Barrington Green Drinks is a chance for folks interested in local issues, from education to agriculture, business and the arts, to come together and share what they’re working on. Come to the October Green Drinks and raise a glass and toast BerkShares, while enjoying a variety of complimentary hors d’oeuvres lovingly prepared by the Route 7 Grill staff. A short presentation on the accomplishments and goals of BerkShares will be part of the offerings, told through the creative theatricality of our very own Buy Local Sock Puppet Troupe. The festivities begin at 5:15 at the Route 7 Grill, 999 South Main Street (Route 7), in Great Barrington.
 
But that’s not all. Our friends at the Route 7 Grill have dreamed up a special BerkShares Birthday menu, specially priced for those paying with BerkShares. On offer that night will be a fixed price, all-local, three-course dinner consisting of: Equinox Farm salad greens with choice of dressing; Sheffield Foods Farm natural roast suckling pig, stuffed with apple and sweet potato stuffing with Taft Farm veggies on the side; and
Windy Hill Apple Crisp for dessert! The cost of the BerkShares Birthday Dinner is 30 BerkShares (or $38, for those paying in U.S. dollars).
 
The Route 7 Grill is the one of Berkshire County’s leading farm-to-table restaurant, and an enthusiastic supporter of BerkShares. All of the meats served at the grill are naturally raised from local farms and small family farms, with the understanding that having a close relationship with farmers can have a positive effect in preserving local farming traditions. The restaurant is an ardent supporter of local agricultural enterprises and other local efforts, and is a fine example of local business done right.
 
So please come to the Green Drinks happy hour, stay for the BerkShares Birthday Dinner, and, in the spirit of the occasion, we hope you will come prepared to pay for your drinks and your meal with BerkShares. Visit one of the thirteen branches of Berkshire Bank, Lee Bank, Lenox National Bank, Pittsfield Co-op Bank, and Salisbury Bank & Trust to buy BerkShares in advance of the birthday celebration.
 
To find out which businesses accept BerkShares, which branch banks exchange them, or for other information about BerkShares please call 413/528-1737 or visit www.berkshares.org.