December 1, 2008

Dear Friends,

As of early November, BerkShares, the Berkshires’ own local currency project, has put over two million locally minted dollars into circulation, all of which have been or will be—can only be—spent locally. As the global financial community continues to reel from instability and the cost of shipping goods all over the world continues to skyrocket, BerkShares are attracting the attention of those looking for other models for commerce.

And now, with the holiday shopping season upon us, BerkShares offers yet one more incentive to shop locally: the Second Annual BerkShares Holiday Shop-a-Thon. Whenever someone purchases a holiday gift using BerkShares, he or she earns the chance to enter a raffle and win great prizes generously donated by local businesses. The grand prize is 500 BerkShares cash.

Why let your holiday shopping dollars leave our community in these uncertain financial times? Support your neighbors. Shop locally using BerkShares and keep our wealth here in the Berkshires.

Holiday shopping can be stressful, and there’s nothing more stressful than a trip to the mall. Shopping on the internet may seem simple, but what if that sweater doesn’t fit? What if the gift doesn’t arrive in time? Our local merchants have a wide variety of gift items, and a trip to town is, in fact, shopping made easy. These merchants are part of the fabric of our community, and they would really appreciate your business this holiday season.

The BerkShares Holiday Shop-a-Thon begins November 28 and continues through December 24, 2008. The raffle drawing will take place in early January. Winners will be contacted individually and acknowledged in local media.

Not sure what to get? Consider a gift certificate purchased with BerkShares. In addition to the retail businesses listed below, a number of fine restaurants, performing arts institutions, and health and wellness practitioners take BerkShares.

Also, don’t forget to give something back. The holiday season is traditionally a time of charity, and many Berkshire nonprofits are happy to take your donation—whatever amount is meaningful to you—in BerkShares.

For a Shop-a-Thon official rules and a complete list of participating businesses visit www.berkshares.org 

****

2008 BerkShares Holiday Shop-a-Thon Raffle Prizes:

Grand Prize: 500 BerkShares in cash

from Berkshire Bank, Lee Bank, Pittsfield Co-op Bank, and Salisbury Bank & Trust

$250 gift certificate to Berkshire Bike & Board

$120 in treatments from Affordable Acupuncture

$100 gift certificate to Route 7 Grill

$100 gift certificate to Hildi B.

$50 gift certificate to North Plain Farm

$50 gift certificate to the Chef’s Shop

$50 gift certificate to Michele’s Salon & Day Spa

$50 gift certificate to Berkshire Gold & Silversmith

$25 gift certificate to the Berkshire Co-op Market

Book of movie passes to the Triplex Theater

Kayak rental for two from AdventureUs

Pair of binoculars from the Snap Shop

Massage from Laura Ward

Portrait session with photographer Maureen Cotton

***

2008 BerkShares Holiday Shop-a-Thon Participating Businesses:

Ashley Falls

Cosmic Serpent Creations
 

Dalton
Berkshire Mountain Mamas' LLC

Glendale
Barefoot in the Berkshires

Great Barrington
AdventureUs

Barrington Outfitters

Bella Fine Jewelry & Accessories

Berkshire Bike & Board

Berkshire Gold &Silversmith

Bill’s Pharmacy

Bookloft

Bridlewood Home Furnishings

Brighter Daze

Chef’s Shop

Church Street Trading Company

Community Access to the Arts

Crystal Essence

Daniel Bellow Pottery

Evergreen

Face Haven

Frames on Wheels

Gan’s Bedding Company

Gifted Child

Gorham & Norton

Hammertown Barn
Hanback Gallery

Hildi B.
Homeward Bound

I See GB | Opticians

Jack’s Country Squire

Jason Houston Photographer

La Pace

Locke Stock & Barrel

Mainstreet

Matrushka Toys and Gifts

McGrory Oriental Rugs

Mementos

Mullin-Jones Antiquities

New England Modern

Objects of Art and Antiques

Off the Beaded Path

Petria Boutique

Snap Shop

T. P. Saddle Blanket

Threds

Tom Warner Watercolors

Tom’s Toys

Tune Street

Vault Gallery

Ward’s Nursery & Garden Center

Wild Birds Country Store

Worldwide Market Square

Yellow House Books

Housatonic
J.D. Logan, Contemporary Folk Artist

Lauren Clark Fine Art

Project Native

Silver Twist

Lee
Pumpkin Patch Quilts
Zabian’s Jewelers

Lenox
Berkshire Classic Leather & Silver

Chocolate Springs

Drygoods

eat your peas...

Inspired Planet

The Bookstore

Mill River
Ann Getsinger

Monterey
Grenadier Pottery

New Marlborough

Saskia Larraz Designs

Pittsfield
Dr. Lahey’s Garden

Ferrin Gallery

Sheffield
Babies in Bloom

Campo De’Fiori

South Egremont
Utopian Engineering

South Lee

Borgnis & Son

Southfield
Buggy Whip Antiques

Stockbridge

7 Arts

Heirlooms

Home Thoughts from Abroad

Hotchkiss Mobiles Gallery

Stockbridge Booksellers

West Stockbridge
Baldwin’s Hardware

Hoffman Pottery

Chatham, NY
Davistudio Fine Porcelain

Hillsdale, NY

Sabina Curti Photography

Philmont, NY
Asia Luna Soap

***

For Further Information please contact: BerkShares, Inc., P.O. Box 125, Great Barrington, MA 01230, 413/528-1737, info@berkshares.org.