Profile information
Host is looking for help immediately
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
5 Mar 2026
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
21
ID verified
Email verified
Badges (5)
Details
Description
I’m a family oriented person who loves to create community and bring people together. I retired from a 35-year career as an educator and school leader in late 2022. In June of 2023, I moved to a beautiful home in a culturally rich and historic area of the Western Berkshires (NY/Mass border). I lived abroad for eight years (during the 1980s and 90s) and speak English, French and Italian. I have had great success finding help and creating community with Workaway since the summer of 2023. For me, it is greatly enriching and a lot of fun to get to know so many wonderful people through Workaway.
My home is large and well kept and accommodations are very comfortable. Food is predominantly organic, healthy and plentiful. My home is gluten-free friendly and vegetarian & vegan friendly. We share shopping, cooking and cleanup responsibilities. I have a fire pit and a wood burning stove fireplace that we love to sit around in the evening. I have connections with several nonprofits in the area (including an animal sanctuary), so there is a lot of community to be part of as well as other workawayers to get to know. My interests include organic gardening, permaculture, yoga, environmental stewardship, alternative healing and mindful living. As someone who has spent much time abroad, I especially enjoy the reciprocal sharing of language, culture and cooking with people from all over the world (and the U.S.). Hope to hear from you soon :).
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Art & design
Outdoor activities
LGBTQ
Sustainability
Self development
Politics / Social justice
Farming
Events & social
Culture
Charity work
Writing
Plant care
Photography
Music
Languages
History
Drawing & painting
Gardening
Cooking & food
Books
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Beach
Cycling
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Workawayers will be able to learn about the history of our area, well known for its Shaker heritage and the unique living conditions that an 18th century utopian community developed. Additionally, I can help you plan trips to New York City, Boston and other attractions (as well as help you find accommodations). I enjoy showing my guests around the local area, taking in live music, theatre, museums, parks and beautiful historic towns. There are many beautiful hiking trails nearby and I have good bicycles that workawayers can use. The area is culturally rich and near three ski resorts as well as music venues, theaters, museums, interesting and beautiful historic towns, etc.
Help
I have a fairly large vegetable and herb garden and lots of blueberry bushes to maintain. I have been working on rose and other perennial flower gardens. In spring and summer, we will be doing ongoing gardening and landscaping projects (including plantings) and maintenance, including preparation for a permaculture installation. Cooking, cleaning (indoors and out) and housekeeping help, etc. are always needed (nothing heavy-duty). I work alongside you on these tasks, sharing skills and expertise and hope to learn from you as well! Local tradespeople are hired for big jobs.
I am laid-back, friendly, accommodating and not overly demanding. I have lots of friends (of all ages) and participate in and host social activities.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Italian: Intermediate
Spanish: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I would love to improve my French and Italian and I taught English for five years and ran an adult ESOL program (at a community college) for three years. I would also like to improve my (low level) Spanish :).
Accommodation
Very comfortable private or shared room (depending on the number of workaways), shared bathroom and kitchen. Food will be provided and workawayers will share cooking and prep responsibilities (those who love to cook and want to teach others are highly sought after). On most days we cook and eat lunch and dinner together.
What else ...
The area is fairly rural with little public transportation. The Amtrak train, Greyhound and Peter Pan bus are 15 (Pittsfield) , 45 (Albany), or 50 (Hudson) minutes away, but I’ve been able to make it work for those without cars. Albany (ALB) is the closest airport, but many workawayers fly to NYC (JFK) or Boston's Logan airport and take the train or bus here. I pick up and drop off workawayers at the local airport, bus and train stations.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have excellent wired Internet and Wi-Fi and lots of quiet spaces to work in.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
Small and medium dogs who are completely house trained and don't shed or bark often may be considered.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (10)
From the moment I arrived, Lori welcomed me with so much warmth and genuine care the kind of welcome that makes you instantly feel comfortable and at home.
Lori is such a thoughtful,… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(5.0)
From the moment I arrived, Lori welcomed me with so much warmth and genuine care the kind of welcome that makes you instantly feel comfortable and at home.
Lori is such a thoughtful,… read more
Lori has a beautiful house with an incredible view, and it was a pleasure to stay here and spend time in the garden with the different tasks to do (now, I’m an expert at weeding and picking blueberries!).
I’m so glad I met Lori, she is wonderful, full of amazing energy… read more
If you are looking for a super friendly, open minded, relaxed host living in an amazing house in the country side, then this is for you!!!
Lori is a wonderful and generous host. The kitchen is full of delicious, healthy organic food. Before volunteering with her I had not been a great fan of gardening. Her enthusiasm for gardening, however, is… read more
I had everything I could ever want and more, I met so many people, and I learned so much!
The house was always filled with people and I made a lot of friends. I got to go to the inn (another local workaway where I met fellow travelers!) and the animal sanctuary (there are yaks?! It was awesome).… read more
