Last year, as family and friends sat down on the lawn at Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, a group of full-time residents were our immediate neighbors. As luck would have it, my attention was called to a wonderful patriotic cake, baked with the help of mom, Tracy Seckler, and designed by her son Charley and his younger sister, Maisy. That wonderful dessert adorns Edible Berkshire’s front cover.

As the 17,000 or so visitors settled into their encampments to hear James Taylor and his namesake Taylor Swift ring in July Fourth, a conversation took place regarding the wonderful accomplishment it was for Charley and his family to have created this cake. In 2004 Charley was diagnosed with a genetic disease called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). It is a rapidly progressive form of muscular dystrophy that occurs primarily in boys. There is no known cure, but they were a family full of hope.

Tracy and husband, Benjamin, created Charley’s Fund. The purpose was to fund research for a cure.

The effort over the past eight years has paid off. Under the direction of five hospitals, including Johns Hopkins, a clinical trial is now underway across the country. Charley has been selected to participate and will begin this summer.

This year, on June 30, Berkshire Bike & Board of Great Barrington will again be the sponsoring host of “Charley Ride,” to benefit Charley’s Fund. It promises to be a funfilled day of bike rides and discovery for the whole family. Learn more at facebook.com/ CharleysFund. We hope to see you at this important summer event.

And just as one family’s work is making a difference for their son and others like him, our focus on buying and enjoying local, fresh food supports our farmers and the sustainability of our region. This summer as always, the Berkshires are teeming with local food. Your visits to farmers markets, local stores and restaurants, enjoying the bounty our region has to offer, makes a difference as well. And it’s a great way to enjoy the summer