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Linda Robinson-Hidas, Amherst-based acupuncturist and president of the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Society of Massachusetts, presents Rep. Pignatelli with a 'Person of the Year' award on behalf of the organization.

Acupuncture Society Honors Rep. Pignatelli

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BOSTON — State Representative William "Smitty" Pignatelli (D-Lenox) and the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Society of Massachusetts co-hosted a briefing in the State House on Thursday to help elected officials, staff and the public understand more about acupuncture and its ability to help patients deal with chronic pain, substance abuse issues, PTSD and a number of other conditions.

Legislation filed by Representative Pignatelli currently pending in the State House would increase patients' access to safe, effective, quality treatment by requiring that insurance coverage in Massachusetts include acupuncture treatment of pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse and nausea.  

During the event, Linda Robinson-Hidas, Amherst-based acupuncturist and president of the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Society of Massachusetts, presented Pignatelli with a "Person of the Year" award on behalf of the organization.


"We gave the award to Smitty because he has been a tireless promoter of acupuncture and its integration into available medical choices for all people of the commonwealth," Robinson-Hidas said. "For several years, he has filed and fought for a bill which would mandate insurance coverage and therefore provide a non-pharmaceutical alternative to opioid treatment of pain."

"As the opiate epidemic continues to worsen, we cannot wait for health insurance companies to catch up with the scientific literature when we could be utilizing an effective tool to decrease the circulation of prescription opiates and improve substance abuse treatments in our communities," Pignatelli said. "Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years and it should be equally accessible to all, regardless of their insurance provider."

Acupuncturists in Massachusetts are licensed by the Board of Registry in Medicine and acupuncture treatment plays a crucial role in clinical settings at Hillcrest Cancer Center in Pittsfield, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Bay State Medical Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and many other health care facilities ranging from hospitals to community health centers to private practices.


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Ventfort Hall: Baseball in the Berkshires

LENOX, Mass. — Larry Moore, Director of the nonprofit Baseball in the Berkshires, and a retired Physical Education Specialist, will tell about the history of baseball in the Berkshires at Ventfort Hall on Tuesday, July 16 at 4 pm. 
 
A tea will be served after the presentation.
 
According to a press release:
 
The game of baseball has a long and storied history in the Berkshires. From the broken window by-law of 1791 and the first college game ever played in 1859, there were 60 years of minor league teams calling the Berkshires their home. There are 40 major league players coming from the Berkshires and two of them are in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Over 220 minor league players were born, raised or settled in the Berkshires. Just when you think you have a grasp on those stories someone asks about women's baseball and black baseball in the Berkshires. Going back to the late 1800's both the history of women and people of color have strong roots here. The long list of famous baseball visitors that left parts of their stories here contains the names of "Say-Hey Kid," "Joltin' Joe," "The Iron Horse" and of course, "The Babe."
 
Larry Moore worked as a Physical Education Specialist in the Central Berkshire Regional School District for 37 years. He taught a popular yearlong unit about the history of baseball for 25 years, along with his regular Physical Education program, to his fifth graders culminating with a trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He now volunteers at the National Baseball Hall of Fame as an Outreach Educator. Nine years ago he, along with Tom Daly, Jim Overmyer and Kevin Larkin, established a group of baseball enthusiasts who established the nonprofit organization, Baseball in the Berkshires. Its mission is to tell the fascinating stories of baseball in the Berkshires through exhibits and educational programming.
 
As director of this group he, and his fellow volunteers, have created numerous exhibits and educational programs throughout the Berkshires. He co-authored the book "Baseball in the Berkshires: A County's Common Bond." 
 
He is a resident of Lenox and has spent many years working with the young people of the Berkshires, as an educator, coach, official, and business owner.
 
Tickets are $40 for members and with advance reservation; $45 day of; $22 for students 22 and under. Ticket pricing includes access to the mansion throughout the day of this event from 10 am to 4 pm. Reservations are strongly encouraged as seats are limited. Walk-ins accommodated as space allows. For reservations visit https://gildedage.org/pages/calendar or call at (413) 637-3206. Please note that all tickets are nonrefundable and non-exchangeable. The historical mansion is located at 104 Walker Street in Lenox.
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