The first week of September. Back to school. The end of summer flex Fridays. The summer of 2014 is in the books even though these last few days have been the warmest of the season. As long as I can remember it seems that teachers have made one of the first assignments of the year an essay on "What I did on my summer vacation." Even though it may seem trite; it is actually a great topic because of the commonality and it gives students the opportunity to reflect on the immediate past. The ability to reflect is a skill that could serve us all well.

   Personally, I had a very satisfying vacation. Carole and I spent a bit of time in the Lenox area of the Berkshires in Ma. The main attraction was the Tanglewood music program of the B.S.O. Among the artists we were fortunate to see were James Taylor, Jason Alexander, Josh Grobin, Yo Yo Ma and conductor emeritus John Williams. The venue was enjoyable and the performances inspiring. We also spent a bit of of the days exploring both the natural beauty and the historical aspects of the area.

     That area of the Berkshires was very similar to Newport RI. Just Mountains vs. Oceans. Many of the rich and famous of both New York and Boston spent summers, and some, after falling in love with the area the entire year there. Some of the names you may recognize: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Edith Wharton, The Morgan family and many industrialists and financiers. Some of the more recent people of the area are Norman Rockwell and now James Taylor. The period of greatest growth and activity was during what is known as the "Gilded Age'. That time period generally encompasses Post Civil War, the explosive growth of Railroads, the industrialization of America and through the Great War culminating in the Roaring 20's.

   We stayed within the city limits of Pittsfield which is the county seat of Berkshire County. During the Gilded Age period Pittsfield grew from an agricultural hub between Albany and Boston to a bustling county seat boasting many industries from woolens to paper. Sadly, today Pittsfield is a shell of what it used to be. The population has shrunk by 25% to 35%. General Electric ( William Stanley invented transformers nearby) used to employ 13,000. Now it is less than 700. Many building are basically empty; showing their age and belying their past grandeur. The state of Massachusetts has stepped in to restore, renovate and rejuvenate the city. They have thrown lots of money at this and have many public agencies and public welfare cases in buildings that used to house schools, churches and office buildings. This has not worked well. The town feels heavy, no spark; people idling the day away till it is time to check back in to their quarters. The residents that the state has re-located there do not contribute to creating a active and viable Pittsfield. What Pittsfield is lacking is private and community investment to create a vibrant, forward looking environment to instill pride and spirit. Walking the streets I witnessed neither.  

     I thought of the expression "There except for the grace of God go I". Look around you here in our hometown of Huntington. There is almost an electric excitement on the streets most days. Better to have to search for a parking spot than have easy parking but nowhere to go. Huntington lost a major employer when Grumann moved. However, with commitment from public officials, private industry and our community's residents, we have been able to maintain and grow an enviable environment looked at by L.I. New York State and the nation. Reinwald's Bakery is proud to be a small part of that commitment. Thanks to all of you for your obvious commitment also.

Enjoy your days,

Rich Reinwald.