Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
15 Mar 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 6 days
Feedback
8
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Email verified
Badges (5)
Details
Description
I’m a family oriented person who loves to create community and bring people together. I have recently retired from a 35-year career as an educator and school leader/administrator. I moved to a beautiful home in a culturally rich and historic area of the Western Berkshires (NY/Mass border) in June of 2023. I lived abroad for eight years and speak English, French and Italian. I have local friends who have had great success finding help and creating community with Workaway. Last summer, I hosted two young French men and it went extremely well. In October and November I hosted a young woman from the NYC suburbs and a young man from Maryland and I hosted a few workaways this past fall and recently, in June. Hosting workaways has exceeded my expectations and I would like to continue to do so.
Our home is large and well kept and accommodations are very comfortable. Food is predominantly organic, healthy and plentiful. Our home is gluten-free friendly and vegetarian & vegan friendly. We share cooking, shopping and cleanup responsibilities. We have a fire pit and a wood burning stove fireplace that we love to sit around in the evening. We are associated with several nonprofits in the area so there is a lot of community to be part of. We are into permaculture, yoga, environmental stewardship, alternative healing and mindful living. Hope to hear from you soon :).
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
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, we can plan trips to New York City, Boston and other nearby attractions. The area is fairly rural with little public transportation (the Amtrak train and Greyhound bus are 45 minutes away), but we’ve been able to make it work for those without their own cars.
Help
We have been carrying out home maintenance, renovations and painting. The winter was quiet and we are now doing tasks in our vegetable and flower gardens. As the weather warms up, we will be doing lots of gardening and landscaping tasks and maintenance, potentially including preparation for a permaculture installation. Cooking, cleaning (indoors and out) and housekeeping help, etc. are always needed (nothing heavy-duty). I help alongside you on these projects, sharing skills and expertise. Local tradespeople will be hired for big jobs.
We are very laid-back, friendly, accommodating and not overly demanding. We have lots of friends (of all ages) and participate in and host social activities.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Italian: IntermediateThis 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).
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 responsibilities (those who love to cook are highly sought after). We aim to have group meals at least twice a week.
What else ...
We live in a rural area, so we are better suited for volunteers who have their own transportation. There are many beautiful hiking trails nearby and we have good bicycles that workawayers can use. The area is culturally rich and near three ski resorts as well as music venues, theaters, museums, cute New England towns, etc.
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 much or bark often may be considered.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (3)
Photos
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:
(4.7)
Communication:
(5.0)
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
