Health, Hope and Healing Around the Holidays Health Programs at Fairview Hospital

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Fairview Hospital and Berkshire Health Systems will offer "Health, Hope and Healing Around the Holidays," a series of free health programs to support our community during the holiday season. 
 
The program is offered as part of the Berkshire Health Systems role as healthcare partner and community advocate for improving the region's overall quality of life.
 
Programs include:
 
Approaching the Holidays with Better Health in Mind: Nov. 28  4:00 -5:00 p.m.   The holidays can be a slippery slope when it comes to staying healthy and avoiding the overindulgence that accompanies the season.  Emotions, stress and even exhaustion can lead us to let down our guard.  Join Fairview nutritionist Meg McGonagle,RD,  for a discussion about common challenges and smart strategies for approaching holiday eating and drinking events, common triggers, and getting back on track when you slip, in order to enter the new year on a healthy note.
 
Finding Joy - Nov. 30 10:30-11:30 a.m.  There really is both physical and mental health benefits associated with laughter, fun and joyful activities. During the holidays, it is especially important to find joy, even if there are moments of loneliness or sadness. BHS Director of Wellness, Maureen Daniels, M.Ed, will lead a discussion over a morning cup of tea. Together, we will explore what brings you joy and create a plan for adding more joy into your life by recognizing the power of simple, small moments that bring joy if we see them.
 
Coping with the Holidays: Dec. 5   2:00-3:00 p.m.  Traditions and celebrations can spark feelings of loss or sadness for many people during the holiday season.  Tricia Lewis, LICSW, a health counselor with BMC Healthworks, a member of BHS' Employee Assistance Program, will discuss the importance of recognizing and accepting these feelings and explore ways to navigate this sometimes very difficult time of year. 
 
Resolutions: A NEW You or a BETTER You? Dec. 7, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.  It's the time of year we often commit to new goals only to find ourselves with a sense of failure just a few weeks into the new year.  To prepare for successful resolutions in the coming year, join Rich Berry, RN, Coordinator of Fairview Hospital's Life Enhancement Program, to learn how to set goals and helpful tips and strategies, and how to restart if you get off track.
 
Trees of Light, Dec. 12   4:00 - 4:30 p.m.  It's the season of light, and no matter what your tradition is or is not, lights are everywhere. We welcome the community as we light a new installation of year-round lighting at Fairview Hospital.   Charles Redd, Officer of DEI and author of Berkshire Health Systems' Dignity Posts, hosts this celebration of the lighting and shares his reflection on dignity and light as we turn on the lights of care at Fairview Hospital.
 
Coping with Cancer During the Holidays:  Thursday, Dec. 14, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to facing cancer during the holidays.  Join Sue Budz, LICSW, OSW-C, and Shannon Wellauer, RN, OCN of the Phelps Cancer Center for a conversation about how to cope with having cancer or how to care for a loved one with cancer, during the holidays.  Learn tips and strategies for planning, prioritizing, and taking care of yourself and others during this holiday season.  Most importantly, understand that you are not alone on this journey with the region's trusted cancer caregivers.
 
Reservations are accepted but not required.  For more information, call Fairview Hospital Community Relations at (413) 854-9609.

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Car Crashes Through Taft Farms Plant Display

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

An employee sets up caution tape at Taft Farms where a vehicle went through the plant display. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Police are investigating an incident in which a vehicle plowed through an outside display at Taft Farms. 

Shortly before 2 p.m. on Wednesday, police received the call of a crash at the farm.  A car had driven through the outdoor plant section of the farm store on Park Street.  

About an hour later, employees were cleaning up a car-sized hole in the cement divider, and that section of plants was gone, but the business was operating seemingly as normal.  Those involved with the incident had left. 

Police said the cause and any injuries are currently unknown, as the incident is under investigation.  Because it involves a minor, the business owner and police would not comment further. 

Taft Farms thanked first responders and good Samaritans over Facebook and praised the community. 

"We would like to send a huge THANK YOU to the Great Barrington Police Department, Great Barrington Fire Department, Housatonic Fire Department, Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad and all the agencies that responded quickly and professionally to the accident at our store," the post read. 

"Thank you as well to the MANY good Samaritans who stepped in to help until officers and EMTs responded. We live in a fantastic community with many dedicated public servants."

They asked that, out of respect for those involved, people refrain from posting "claims about what happened online." 

Initial reports from someone listening to the scanner and posting on Facebook was that the vehicle had gone into the building and injured multiple pedestrians. 

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