On Saturday, July 28th, Storey Publishing and Berkshire Grown will bring a celebration of timeless skills for all ages to HEIRLOOM, an event hosted by Greylock Works.
The word “heirloom” is usually used to describe an object that’s passed down through the generations. But skills and knowledge — knowing how to do or make something like blending herbal teas or cooking with cider — could work in much the same way, couldn’t they? Perhaps here at Storey, we’re in the business of passing along heirloom wisdom to help people create something future generations will cherish.
As we continue to celebrate Storey’s 35 years in book publishing, we’re teaming up with two neighboring organizations to help produce HEIRLOOM by design, a day-long handcraft and local food celebration here in our hometown of North Adams, Massachusetts, on Saturday, July 28. The host organization is Greylock Works, an historic cotton-spinning mill that has been transformed into an amazing event space and soon-to-be artisanal food production facility.
In addition to joining dozens of artisans and food producers who will be exhibiting wares (we’ll have plenty of books!), we’re collaborating with Berkshire Grown, our local food advocacy organization in Berkshire County, to present FLAVOR at HEIRLOOM, with Storey authors, staff, and friends sharing their time-tested skills and knowledge. Beloved herbalist Rosemary Gladstar kicks things off as the keynote speaker, answering the question, “What makes herbal medicine relevant for a healthy lifestyle today?” Authors Brittany Wood Nickerson, Nicole Blum and Jonathan Carr, and Jake Levin will demonstrate cooking techniques ranging from cooking with herbs to making and using cider syrup to sausage making. For fans of fermentation, there will be an introduction to fermented foods, as well as a kombucha-making demonstration and tasting. If honey straight from the hive is your passion, a beginning beekeeping talk (with local honey tasting!) and a documentary on keeping bees in the age of pesticides are a must.
And what would an event about passing down wisdom and skills be without something dedicated to the next generation? Three of Storey’s children’s book authors — Nicole Blum (Stitch Camp), Jonathan Adolph (Mason Jar Science), and Deanna F. Cook (Cooking Class and Baking Class) — will be on hand to teach hands-on, kid-friendly know-how, from crafting to cooking.
Here’s the full line-up and schedule. We hope to see you there! Can’t be there in person? We’ll be streaming the talks via Facebook Live!
