Host’s Name(s): Ruth Dinerman Location: Lee, MA 40 Prospect St

Description of site:
I use as little fossil fuel as possible, because I am an energy miser. I heat my house with wood pellets and make electricity from the sun. It is one of the many ways that I try to clean up after myself; this is something my parents taught me to do. That may not sound like a lot of fun, but actually it is. Come visit and I'll show you.

Available for visits:
I am available on spring and summer evenings after 5 pm when the sun is still shining, or on weekends.

Considerations and opportunities noted by host:
My house is close to downtown Lee, so there are places to get ice cream and there are many good hiking trails nearby.

To arrange a visit and interview:
Call Ruth at 413-243-4804

Directions:
From the North: At the Route 7/ Route 20 split in Lenox, take Route 20 East, and head into Lee. After passing Laurel Lake, continue down the hill. Take the first right onto Summer Street. Then Take first left onto Prospect Street. Go about 1/2 mile and 40 Prospect Street is on the left.

From the South and East: Take Route 20 West past the Mass Pike entrance and continue toward downtown Lee. When Route 20 goes off to the right, go straight onto West Park Street. Prospect Street is the second right. #40 Prospect Street is the 4th house.

Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.

Description of site:

We have an energy efficient home, built in 1981. The way it is built is called an “envelope design” which helps conserve energy, and we also have a solar hot water system. In 2004 we added a 1- kilowatt photovoltaic solar system to the standard electric service. In 2005 we made a Toyota Prius II our main car.

Available for visits:

Contact us to discuss a time for a visit.            

Considerations and opportunities noted by host:

Some attractions that one might visit while here include: the Lenox

high school; The Mount (Edith Wharton's home, May through October); Tanglewood (July and August--note that it has a public cafeteria); the Berkshire Scenic Railway (summer); the Audubon Sanctuary, Pleasant Valley, for hiking & talks, and Kennedy Parks, for hiking & cross country skiing.

To arrange a visit and interview:

Email Phillip at philkcom@verizon.net or call (413) 637-3515

Directions:

Ask when making arrangements.

Host's Name(s): Marcia Gross Location: North Adams, MA 74 Church St

Description of site:

This is a public library with photovoltaic panels (10 kW) and geothermal walls.

Available for visits:

There are no special restrictions on visits.

Considerations and opportunities noted by host:

Mass MoCA is nearby for those who would like to visit.

To arrange a visit and interview:

Contact Marcia at work from 9am-3pm. Find information at the web site: www.naplibrary.com

Directions:

The North Adams Public Library is located in the center of the city, at the head of Main Street where it intersects with Church Street. At the intersection is a statue of a Civil War soldier. The address is 74 Church Street. Route 2 goes west from North Adams to Williamstown and on to Troy, NY, and east to Greenfield and eventually Boston.

From Vermont, Connecticut or the Massachusetts Turnpike (Route 90): Take Route 7 to Williamstown and then Route 2 to North Adams. Within North Adams, we are at the corner of Main Street where it changes to East Main Street and Church Street.

Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.

Host's Name(s): Andre Rambaud Location: North Hancock, MA 2458 Route 43 Hancock Rd. Privacy Campground

Description of site:

All our electricity is made with water pressure; it also heats my house for free. There is also a small wind generator, solar panels for domestic hot water and more clean to see.

Available for visits:

There are no special limits on visits, however heavy snow fall would limit school bus access. Arrange an appointment in advance.          

Considerations and opportunities noted by host:

IOKA farm is near by, on Route 43 in Hancock: (413) 783-5915.

To arrange a visit and interview:

Call Andre at (413) 458- 3125 between 9am and 9pm.

Directions:

My site is located 5 miles south on Route 43 from the crossroad of Route 7 and Route 43. Please ask for further directions.

Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.

Host’s Name(s): Lee Harrington Location: Pittsfield, MA 39 South Street

Description of site:

The mission of the Berkshire Museum is to enrich, inspire, and educate through interactions with the arts, history, and the natural world. We have fourteen galleries, including touch tanks, and many hands on interactive stations.

Available for visits:

Open year round; call for availability.
                   

Considerations and opportunities noted by host:
We have developed self-guiding kits that can be checked out. The kits are based on three subject areas: art, natural science and the aquarium. Many of the activities can be applied toward a patch or badge. Visit www.berkshiremuseum.org for more information.

To arrange a visit and interview:

Phone or email Leigh Harrington:

413-443-7171 ext. 23

lharrington@berkshiremuseum.org

Directions:

Ask when making arrangements.

Description of site:

We make a good part of our own electricity from sunlight. We also have a big garden, which saves transportation energy, and we heat some of the house with wood. I have made well over 12,000 kWh of clean solar electricity.

Available for visits:

Mr. Congdon is retired and hopefully can fit in a visit most any time of the year.                    

Considerations and opportunities noted by host:

Bartlett's Orchard sales outlet is next door.

To arrange a visit, contact:

Call Mr. Congden at (413) 698-2703 from 5 to 9pm

Directions:

From Pittsfield, take Barker Rd. off of Route 20 West (Housatonic Street); pass town line into Richmond with pond on left. Continue to Bartlett's Orchard. Turn around and return to 1st house on the right.

From West Stockbridge, at the 15mph sign at the end of Main Street, go straight onto Swamp Road to Bartlett's Orchard. Past that, the site is the first house on the right.

Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.

Description of site:

We have PV (photovoltaic) panels (1.2 kW) on our roof to generate electricity. Any electricity we don't use goes back to the power company-- so sometimes our meter runs backwards. We also have various things in the house to help us use less energy and the way our house is positioned saves on heating and cooling. We use power strips we can switch off to avoid unnecessary loss of energy through  electronics like our TV system and our stereo system. We use a laundry centrifuge to remove more water from our clothes before we dry them. We replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones everywhere we can. We also have a hybrid gas-electric car that uses an electric motor to run off of batteries to help save on gas.

Available for visits:
We welcome several visits each year.

Considerations and opportunities noted by host:

We have a dog and a cat, mice, turtle, fish, etc.
Pine Cobble Trail is nearby for hiking in the woods.

To arrange a visit and interview:
Email Alison at acase@williams.edu or call 413-458-0029

Directions:

From Williamstown, Route 2/Main Street: Turn north onto Cole Avenue at the traffic lights; follow to the end, over a bridge. Turn right after the bridge onto North Hoosac. Pine Cobble Road is a left turn about 1/3 mile after the bridge. On Pine Cobble, turn right at the bus shelter. Our house is almost at the top of the road, on the left, set back from the road. It is a beige colonial with black shutters, center gable and dormers, and a large porch with white pillars.
Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.

Description of site:

We have a new house that uses solar energy for direct heating and an additional experimental  system that collects heat indirectly from metal and copper on the roof.

Available for visits:

Call ahead for visits. Winters can be be bad because of the drive way, but just inquire ahead to see. Our house is a no-shoe house.

Considerations and opportunities noted by host:

Winters visits can be problematic.
Attractions include the Pine Cobble Trails that run behind the house. It is a 2 hour trail hike up and down, but girls could hike a piece of it. The Williams College Museum is close by, and Spring Street has restaurants.

To arrange a visit and interview: (413) 548- 2258

Directions:Ask when making arrangements or double check if provided here.

Take Route 2 East through Williamstown. Take a left at the light on Cole Avenue. Go to the end over the bridge. Turn right on North Hoosic Road and follow North Hoosic Road towards North Adams for about 1/2 mile. Turn left on Pine Cobble Road. Go to some mailboxes, and take a right to stay on Pine Cobble Road. Go up hill about 1/4 mile. Our house is on the left: #291 Pine Cobble Road.

Note: When making arrangements, be sure to double check directions with the host.