May 14, 2009

Dear BerkShares Businesses,

The historic Red Lion Inn (www.redlioninn.com) played a role in
revolutionary activities – in 1774, a group of nascent revolutionaries
gathered at the Inn to protest Britain’s intolerable acts. The Inn is
pleased to be part of another revolutionary movement: BerkShares! The Red
Lion is offering an incentive to travelers to use our local Berkshire
currency... Guests who reserve a room at The Red Lion Inn are encouraged to
pay for their stay with BerkShares – and the Inn will give the guest a
locally-made gift purchased with BerkShares.

In related news, Nancy Fitzpatrick, the owner of the Red Lion, will be the
next guest on Local Biz, the monthly radio show hosted by Sharon Palma and
Steffen Root on 860 AM and 94.1 FM WSBS in Great Barrington, the fourth
Wednesday of every month at 9:00am. Sharon and Steffen speak with local
business owners and discuss some of the ways they use BerkShares.

We’re also excited to announce the launch of the Local Biz Blog, where you
can read about the guests on the show and listen to podcasts of shows you
may have missed. Already posted are previous interviews with Lester
Blumenthal of Route 7 Grill and Robin Curletti of Fuel Coffee Shop. You can
visit the Blog here:

http://berkshirelocalbiz.blogspot.com/

Speaking of visits, the BerkShares website averaged an astounding 43,000
hits per day in April, due to intense media coverage and inquiries from
communities nationwide. While we welcome the increased interest and
visibility, we also feel that the press and media attention we’ve received
has come three years too early, as BerkShares is still at an early stage in
its research and development.

BerkShares is an experiment and learning process for and thanks to the whole
community. The blueprint for the BerkShares model is being created out of
the experience of the founders and stakeholders in the program, so it’s not
just one singular local currency program that’s being quietly initiated here
in the Berkshires. Rather, it’s the inception and evolution of a
revolutionary model to be replicated and used by communities all over.

We’re always looking for more ways to make BerkShares businesses shine as
the heart and center of the program’s success. Please send us photos of your
business and we’ll include them in the website’s BerkShares Business Photo
Gallery.

Thank you for your continued participation and commitment to this vision,

The BerkShares Team

BerkShares, Inc.
P.O. Box 125
Great Barrington, MA 01230
(413) 528-1737
info@berkshares.org
www.berkshares.org

***New BerkShares Businesses***

Christina Freund Holistic Health Counselor
553 West Road, Sheffield, MA 01257
(413) 446-8782
christinafrend@hotmail.com
We use food to heal the body and re-balance the mind, creating well-being
and vibrant health.