Month: January 2015
SPRINGFIELD — Coming off a record haul of nominations last year, BusinessWest expects the momentum to continue as its 40 Under Forty program enters its ninth year. The magazine launched the program in 2007 as a way to spotlight the accomplishments of younger professionals throughout Western Mass. — not only their on-the-job achievements, but their often-extensive volunteer work with organizations that benefit their communities.
To nominate an individual, visit businesswest.com. Nominations will be accepted through the end of the business day (5 p.m.) on Friday, Feb. 6. Five judges will then score those nominations, and the winners will be profiled in the April 20 issue.
There were many motivations for creating the program, said BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien, listing everything from a desire to identify rising stars to encouraging individuals to get involved in the community and, in short, do the things needed to become a 40 Under Forty winner. “In eight short years, 40 Under Forty has become a brand, as well as a goal for many young people in the business community, nonprofit sector, and public-service realm,” said O’Brien. “It’s become a benchmark, if you will, a symbol of excellence that, above all, identifies someone as a leader.”
Over the years, the program has highlighted individuals from a wide range of businesses and industries, including nonprofits. In addition, a healthy number of honorees each year are true entrepreneurs, individuals who have taken risks, developed their own business plans, and built companies that in turn create jobs.
Kate Campiti, BusinessWest’s associate publisher, said a compelling nomination “needs to be complete, it needs to be thorough, and it needs to essentially answer the question, ‘why is this individual worthy of a 40 Under Forty plaque?’” The nomination form requests basic information and can be supported with other material, such as a résumé, testimonials, and even press clippings highlighting an individual’s achievements in their profession or service to their community.
The class of 2015 will be toasted at the annual gala reception on June 18 at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke. “The gala has become a happening, a not-to-be missed gathering that is also the year’s best networking opportunity,” said Campiti.
LUDLOW — The Westmass Area Development Corp. announced that it will begin Phase I of its riverwalk project this month, part of the approved Ludlow Mills Preservation and Redevelopment Comprehensive Master Plan.
Westmass will begin construction on the riverwalk with a planned completion of Phase I this July. The initial phase of construction will cost $600,000 and is being funded through a partnership between HealthSouth and Westmass.
The riverwalk is one of the early commitments that Westmass made to the town of Ludlow and its residents to promote public health and recreation along the river. The riverwalk will offer public space for pedestrian use and passive recreation, opening up the Chicopee River to the Ludlow Mills businesses and to residents of the community.
Westmass has selected a local contractor, Gomes Construction Co., for this phase of the project. Phase I will feature a loop design and will start near Center Street, just east of the Town Common, run along the river toward the new HealthSouth Hospital, and then return through the proposed future park and reconnect with the recently installed municipal sidewalk system on State Street.
The length of this phase of the riverwalk will span 3,575 feet and will incorporate the use of recycled brick materials, historic timeline markers and river observation areas along the walk. Together, the proposed riverwalk and future public park will cover approximately 52 acres, or nearly one-third of the Ludlow Mills site.
Westmass seeks to convey that open space to the town so that it will remain in protected public use. The open space is intended to integrate the Ludlow Mills project into the neighborhood and community as well as support the many existing and new businesses that are attracted by the revived vibrancy of the Ludlow Mills.
SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Children’s Hospital and 94.7 WMAS are looking for ‘Change Heroes’ to help kick off fund-raising efforts in advance of this year’s 14th annual 94.7 WMAS Radiothon, which will be broadcast live from the Children’s Hospital Play Deck on March 5-7.
Change Heroes — individuals, families, schools, businesses, or community groups — can raise funds in two ways: collecting spare coins and dollar bills or checks from others to be placed in their official Change Hero bank, or creating an online virtual bank and soliciting credit-card donations through a personal or team fund-raising page. Registration details are available at www.baystatehealth.org/radiothon.
Individual Change Heroes who raise $100 will have their name placed into a drawing to win a prize. In addition, Pioneer Valley Credit Union (PVCU) is again hosting the Change Hero School Challenge, where the top-fund-raising Western Mass. school will win $1,000 for supplies from PVCU and a special celebration with the 94.7 WMAS Kellogg Krew. To qualify, individual and school Change Heroes must have all online fund-raising received by noon on March 31, and also submit any collected offline funds (if applicable) by March 31 to the Change Heroes Program, Baystate Health Foundation, 280 Chestnut St., 6th Floor, Springfield, MA 01199.
New this year, the Springfield Falcons have partnered with the Change Hero program and will host a game supporting Baystate Children’s Hospital on Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Fans are invited to bring a donation of $5 or more to the game and drop it off at the Pioneer Valley Credit Union coin-machine station located on the MassMutual Center concourse. Those who drop off a donation greater than $5 will receive one ticket courtesy of Pioneer Valley Credit Union to the following week’s game against the Albany Devils.
Dollars raised through the Change Heroes program set the pace for fund-raising during the actual 94.7 WMAS Radiothon on March 5-7. WMAS has been a longtime supporter of Baystate Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
“The community is fortunate to have a one-of-a-kind resource such as Baystate Children’s Hospital close to home when a child needs medical care,” said Craig Swimm, general manager of WMAS Radio. “Our own employees’ families have benefited from the expert care provided at Baystate Children’s Hospital, and your support through the Radiothon will help ensure that the thousands of children and their families treated there will receive the best pediatric care in Western Massachusetts.”
The presenting sponsor for this year’s Radiothon is Health New England. The Change Hero program sponsor is Pioneer Valley Credit Union. For more information on the Radiothon, visit www.baystatehealth.org/radiothon or call (413) 794-1486.
MONSON — For the fifth year in a row, Monson Savings Bank asked the community to help plan the bank’s community-giving activities by inviting people to vote for the organizations they would like the bank to support during 2015.
“We received an incredible 4,356 votes for more than 200 different organizations doing community service work in Monson, Hampden, Wilbraham, and Ware,” said Steve Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank. “We were thrilled to hear from so many people. It really shows that we live in a community of concerned and committed citizens, and that feels great.”
The top vote getters are the Monson Lions Club, Shriners Hospital for Children, Link to Libraries, River East School-to-Career, the Western MA Council of Boy Scouts of America, Monson Bellman, Scantic Valley YMCA, Wilbraham United Players, Friends of Hampden Senior Citizens, and Monson Free Library.
The organizations have been notified of the good news and will be receiving checks from the bank in the next few weeks. According to Lowell, “3,400 more votes were cast and 140 more organizations were involved in the voting than last year. That reinforces our decision to reach out to ask people for their input. We think that’s part of being a community bank.”
NORTHAMPTON — Dr. Holly Michaelson of Cooley Dickinson Medical Group General Surgical Care was among 1,640 initiates from around the world who recently became fellows of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).
Michaelson received a medical doctorate from Temple University Medical School and completed a general surgical residency at Drexel University College of Medicine. She earned board certification from the American Board of Surgery in 2005, and is the director of minimally invasive and robotic surgery at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.
Michaelson has a strong professional interest in advanced minimally invasive procedures, particularly surgeries of the colon and gastrointestinal tract as well as breast surgery. She holds membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.
The American College of Surgeons honored new initiates during its convocation ceremony at the college’s 2014 annual Clinical Congress in San Francisco. By meeting the college’s stringent membership requirements, fellows of the college earn the right to use the designation FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) after their names.
An applicant for fellowship must be a graduate of an approved medical school; must have completed advanced training in one of the 14 surgical specialties recognized by the college; must possess certification by an American surgical specialty board or its Canadian equivalent; and must have been in practice for at least one year at the time of his or her application. Before admission into fellowship, the surgeon must further demonstrate ethical fitness and professional proficiency, and his or her acceptance as a fellow of the college must be approved by three-fourths of its board of regents.
The American College of Surgeons is a scientific and educational organization of surgeons that was founded in 1913 to raise the standards of surgical practice and to improve the quality of care for the surgical patient.
BusinessWest Top Entrepreneurs since 1996
• 2014: Delcie Bean, president of Paragus Strategic IT
• 2013: Tim Van Epps, president and CEO of Sandri LLC
• 2012: Rick Crews and Jim Brennan, franchisees of Doctors Express
• 2011: Heriberto Flores, director of the New England Farm Workers’ Council and Partners for Community
• 2010: Bob Bolduc, founder and CEO of Pride
• 2009: Holyoke Gas & Electric
• 2008: Arlene Kelly and Kim Sanborn, founders of Human Resource Solutions and Convergent Solutions Inc.
• 2007: John Maybury, president of Maybury Material Handling
• 2006: Rocco, Jim, and Jayson Falcone, principals of Rocky’s Hardware Stores and Falcone Retail Properties
• 2005: James (Jeb) Balise, president of Balise Motor Sales
• 2004: Craig Melin, then-president and CEO of Cooley Dickinson Hospital
• 2003: Tony Dolphin, president of Springboard Technologies
• 2002: Timm Tobin, then-president of Tobin Systems Inc.
• 2001: Dan Kelley, then-president of Equal Access Partners
• 2000: Jim Ross, Doug Brown, and Richard DiGeronimo, then-principals of Concourse Communications
• 1999: Andrew Scibelli, then-president of Springfield Technical Community College
• 1998: Eric Suher, president of E.S. Sports
• 1997: Peter Rosskothen and Larry Perreault, then-co-owners of the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House
• 1996: David Epstein, president and co-founder of JavaNet and the JavaNet Café
BOSTON — The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development reported that preliminary estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show Massachusetts added 10,900 jobs in December for a total preliminary estimate of 3,447,600. The December total unemployment rate was 5.5%, down 0.3% over the month.
Since December 2013, Massachusetts has added a net of 60,900 jobs, with 58,400 jobs added in the private sector. The total unemployment rate for the year is down 1.6% from the December 2013 rate of 7.1%.
BLS also revised its November job estimate to an 11,700-job gain from the 13,500-job gain previously reported for the month. The December 2014 estimates show 3,371,500 Massachusetts residents were employed and 194,900 were unemployed, for a total labor force of 3,566,400.
WESTFIELD — The Community Education Department at Westfield State University is offering a Human Resource Certification Preparation Program beginning Thursday, Feb. 26. This course is offered in partnership with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
An intensive, 36-hour course, the Human Resource Certification Preparation Program is designed primarily for those seeking certification as a certified professional (CP) or senior certified professional (SCP). It is also beneficial for those wanting to broaden their knowledge of human resources as part of their continuing professional development. The course relies on the SHRM Learning System, which offers the most up-to-date HR content aligned with the HR Certification Institute body of knowledge.
Program content is updated annually to reflect legislative changes and new HR developments. As a result, SHRM Learning System participants consistently beat the national pass rate on certification exams. The Learning System has helped more than 30,000 HR professionals earn their PHR or SPHR certification. This course will prepare students to take the SHRM Certified Professional and SHRM Senior Certified Professional exams.
The instructor of the program, Karen Smith, is currently vice president of Human Resources at Square One, a nonprofit that provides a range of family-friendly education and support services. She received her bachelor’s degree in human resources and labor relations from Ohio State University and earned a juris doctor from the Western New England University School of Law. She has been SPHR-certified since 2002 and has taught SPHR classes for 10 years. She effectively leverages her extensive background in HR consulting and training to provide a relevant and engaging classroom experience.
The cost of this course is $1,200. The course will meet on Thursday evenings, Feb. 26 through May 14, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Springfield. For more information about this course or to register, contact Community Education at (413) 572-8033 or [email protected].
SPRINGFIELD — Western New England University School of Law and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will present a cutting-edge program highlighting current legal issues in privacy, data security, and cybersecurity law on Tuesday, Feb. 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Blake Law Center, 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield. The program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided.
The panel will explore current and evolving legal, insurance, and regulatory trends affecting this rapidly changing and growing area of law. The speakers will identify emerging issues to prepare for in 2015 and beyond, and will discuss legal concerns that keep them awake at night.
For law students and practitioners who are not yet involved in this area of law, the speakers will also share how they came to practice in this field, and offer suggestions on how to gain experience and pursue a career in privacy, data security, and cybersecurity. As part of this discussion, the panel will note available training and certification programs at the International Assoc. of Privacy Professionals to increase one’s profile and build knowledge.
The presenters include Kathleen Porter, partner, Robinson & Cole LLP, CIPP/US (program chair); Elena Gervin, vice president, Claim Legal and Specialized Services, Travelers; Andrew Levchuk, counsel, Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas, CISSP; and Richard Reynolds, privacy counsel, Boston Scientific Corp., CIPP/US.
SPRINGFIELD — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union introduced its newest branch location at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield.
As of January, the Credit Union of the Providence System (CUPS) has formally merged with UMassFive College Federal Credit Union, and has transitioned former CUPS members to be UMassFive members. With this merger, current employees of the Sisters of Providence Health Systems and their immediate family members are now eligible for UMassFive membership.
Along with this merger, there is a new location for this credit-union branch at the Weldon Rehabilitation Hospital at Mercy, 233 Carew St., in Room 110. This space has been completely renovated to provide members with an efficient place to do their banking and gives access to all credit-union products and services, including checking, auto loans, home-equity loans, mortgages, credit cards, and investment guidance. As with other branch locations, members at this new branch will have access to free financial workshops on topics such as budgeting essentials, home buying, identity theft, and paying down debt.
The branch design has a modern and inviting feel and allows flexibility of use for both members and staff. Rather than a traditional teller line, the credit union has introduced teller pods, which both take up less space and increase the ability of tellers to move throughout the area, assisting members wherever they are in the branch. A touchscreen kiosk will provide online information about UMassFive.
The hours for this new branch are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
UMassFive College Federal Credit Union was established in 1967 and serves the University of Massachusetts as well as the Five College System and other select employee groups. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, earnings go back to members in the form of better rates, improved services, and lower fees. For more information about UMassFive College Federal Credit Union, visit www.umassfive.coop.
LONGMEADOW — Jewish Geriatric Services has named Anne Thomas vice president of Residential Services and Administrator of the Leavitt Family Jewish Home.
Thomas brings more than 25 years of diverse experience in elder healthcare to this position. She will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Joint Commission-accredited, 200-bed, long-term-care and short-term-rehabilitation facility located in Longmeadow, and will also oversee management at Ruth’s House Assisted Living and Genesis House.
Before joining the nursing home, Thomas served as the executive director and administrator of Hebrew Senior Life in Dedham, the largest provider of elder care in the Boston metropolitan area. In this role, she oversaw the day-to-day operations of more than 500 employees and 268 residents and their families, and was responsible for all aspects of financial and clinical outcomes. She also spearheaded the opening of a state-of-the-art healthcare center in the small-house model of care, which honors resident choice and quality of life.
Prior to this, Thomas served as vice president/assistant administrator of Schervier Nursing Care Center, a member of the Bon Secours Health Care system, in Riverdale, N.Y.; and director of Chelsea Adult Day Health Care Center in New York City.
“Anne brings to Jewish Geriatric Services a wealth of administrative and clinical experience across a full spectrum of elder-care services,” said Martin Baicker, president and CEO of JGS. “Her experience in implementing innovative, person-centered care will be invaluable as we expand and enhance services through Project Transformation, our program to bring the small-house model of care here.”
Thomas is a member of Leading Age Massachusetts, the American College of Nursing Home Administrators, and the Assoc. of Health Care Executives. She holds a master’s degree in social work from Hunter College in New York, and a bachelor’s degree in social work from Providence College in Rhode Island. She is licensed as a nursing-home administrator and social worker, and is certified as a yoga instructor.
WORCESTER — Lisa Clark has joined AdCare Hospital as vice president of Marketing and Business Development.
The retiring James McKenna has turned over the reins to a former member of his team after many years of service. Clark, a former AdCare community-service representative, returns to AdCare with experience gained in senior positions in state government relations and business and market development in the treatment and pharmaceutical industries. Most recently, she was clinical director of the Treatment Helpline, a division of Sunspire Health. She served as a senior market development director at Cephalon & Alkermes with the Vivitrol business unit, and in multiple roles at Reckitt Benckiser — clinical liaison, managed care, and state government relations.
Clark has held state and national business development and outreach positions in addictions treatment and in buprenorphine-safety programming (CRC Health Group, Treatment Solutions) and consulted with a variety of clients, including NIATx. As vice president, Clark oversees marketing and development and community services for AdCare Hospital in Worcester, AdCare’s six outpatient offices throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and AdCare’s newly acquired residential treatment center in North Kingston, R.I.
HADLEY — Westmass Area Development Corp. announced that American River Nutrition, founded by former UMass Amherst Professor of Food Science and Nutrition Barrie Tan, has begun construction of a 25,000-square-foot office and manufacturing building at the Hadley University Business Park. With the coordinated permitting efforts of the Hadley Planning Board and Conservation Commission, construction is able to commence.
American River Nutrition manufactures vitamin E, a dietary supplement, from plant material through a proprietary distillation process that produces no toxic or harmful byproducts. Its vitamin E product is known as DeltaGold. The company is also involved in research that may lead to the introduction of pharmaceutical versions of its products. The company was launched in 1998 in Hadley in response to the market need for innovative products that are natural, have little to no known side effects, and positively affect conditions associated with age-related and/or degenerative disease states.
Many people take vitamin E in the rapidly-growing vitamin and supplement industry in hopes that the vitamin’s antioxidant properties will help to prevent diseases and build a strong immune system. American River Nutrition has also recently qualified its vitamin E product as a food supplement, opening new avenues for this growing company. American River Nutrition currently employs nine people, and, according to Tan, up to 20 people will be employed when the company opens its new manufacturing operation later this year on its 16-acre site at Hadley University Business Park.
“We are happy to be able to bring our manufacturing operations to Hadley, where our home office has been located since we began the company,” said Tan. “And we look forward to a continuing role as a strong member of the local business community.”
According to Westmass President Kenn Delude, “Westmass is pleased to make this announcement today. We believe that American River Nutrition is on an exceptional growth track and is exactly the type of innovative company that our region needs to support and retain. It is the combination of the quality job growth that the company offers coupled with the extraordinary focus and purpose of their efforts to promote good health that makes Westmass proud they chose the Hadley University Business Park for their new facility.”
Delude said one site remains available for new development in the Hadley Park. The remaining site can accommodate a 20,000- to 25,000-square-foot building on a 3.5-acre, developable parcel. Westmass is seeking interested businesses for that parcel. In addition to Hadley University Business Park, Westmass is developing available business sites at Chicopee River Business Park, Deer Park Industrial Center in East Longmeadow, and its latest development at the Ludlow Mills.
HOLYOKE — The American Assoc. of Community Colleges has selected HCC professor emerita, alumna, and major donor Elaine Marieb for its 2015 Outstanding Alumni awards.
Marieb taught anatomy and physiology at Holyoke Community College for 25 years after receiving her Ph.D. in zoology from UMass. While teaching, she enrolled in HCC’s Registered Nursing program, earning her associate degree. Her teaching and education led her to write a series of anatomy and physiology textbooks that have gone on to become international bestsellers.
Last year, Marieb donated $1 million toward HCC’s Building Healthy Communities fund-raising campaign, which is supporting two building projects at the college, a new Center for Health Education on Jarvis Avenue, and the Center for Life Sciences on campus. The AACC award recognizes community-college alumni for their career achievements, philanthropic contributions, and inspirational impact.
“We are incredibly grateful and fortunate not only to have Elaine Marieb as an alum but as a professor emeritus,” said Erica Broman, vice president of Institutional Development. “Her work in the classroom was exemplary, and she has continued to foster a relationship with students at the college, where she has been enormously generous with both her time and resources. She certainly deserves this recognition.”
Marieb grew up in Northampton and now lives in Sarasota, Fla. She will receive her award at the AACC’s annual convention in San Antonio, Texas, on April 21.
When it opens for the fall 2015 semester, the Center for Health Education will be the new home of HCC’s Nursing and Radiologic Technology programs. After that project is complete, HCC will begin construction on the Center for Life Sciences, which will be located on the first floor of the school’s main science building, the Marieb Building, which was named for Elaine Marieb, who over the years has been one of the school’s most significant benefactors.
Marieb’s financial support led to the creation of HCC’s Marieb Chair for Teaching Excellence, which is awarded annually to one member of the HCC faculty. Through the HCC Foundation, she has endowed numerous scholarships for students in HCC’s Nursing and New Directions programs. The study lounge used by the HCC Pathways program was named the Marieb Center in recognition of her support.
Last March, Marieb issued a challenge gift as a way to spur participation in the HCC Foundation’s Building Healthy Communities campaign: if 1,000 donors contributed gifts of any amount by Dec. 31, Marieb said she would donate $1 million. Thanks to that incentive, dubbed “Mission: Marieb,” the campaign had exceeded its $5.3 million goal by June, raising a total of $5.5 million — the most successful fund-raising effort in HCC history.
SPRINGFIELD — The Gray House inducted Teresa Spaziani to a three-year term on its board of directors at its January board meeting. Also elected were four new officers for one-year terms: Michael Walsh, president; David Chase, vice president; Paul Mitus, treasurer; and Candace Pereira, secretary.
Spaziani is a quality-assurance manager at the Children’s Study Home in Springfield. She has held that position since February 2014. Previously, she was its community relations and outreach manager. Spaziani holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Western New England University, graduating magna cum laude in 2012.
Walsh was the current board president and was re-elected for another one-year term. He is an adjunct instructor in Political Science at Westfield State University and a consultant and legal advisor at MIRA Associates.
Chase has more than 20 years of banking experience. He is a vice president and commercial lender at Hampden Bank in Springfield.
Mitus previously served as vice president. He has 25 years of banking experience and is currently a portfolio manager at Hampden Bank.
Pereira has more than 10 years of banking experience. She is a commercial-portfolio loan officer for Farmington Bank in West Springfield.
The Gray House is a small, neighborhood human-service agency located at 22 Sheldon St. in the North End of Springfield. Its mission is to help neighbors facing hardships to meet their immediate and transitional needs by providing food, clothing, and educational services in a safe, positive environment.
SPRINGFIELD — On Thursday, Feb. 5 from 5 to 8 p.m., the Springfield Museums will present its next Culture & Cocktails event of the season, “Indulgence: An Evening of Wine and Chocolate.” The event will take place at the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, and is sponsored by FieldEddy Inc.
The event has become an annual favorite because the admission includes the chance to taste a variety of wines and enjoy chocolate samples. As an added treat, artist Gloria Garfinkel will be on hand to discuss her exhibit, Origami Interpretations, which is currently on display at the GWV Smith Museum. The exhibit has received positive reviews from the Hartford Courant and the Huffington Post. The Ross Novgrad Jazz Trio will also provide live jazz for the event.
Catering at all eight Culture & Cocktails events this year is by Log Rolling Catering, with hors d’ouevres and other treats at chef-attended stations included with admission. There will also be a cash bar and additional food options available for purchase from the deluxe Log Rolling Food Truck.
Tickets cost $15 for non-members and $5 for members. Due to the popularity of the event in the past, purchasing advance tickets is strongly encouraged. Tickets may be purchased at the Welcome Center or visiting www.springfieldmuseums.org and clicking on the February Culture & Cocktails listing under “Featured Events.” All attendees must be at least 21 years old.
Culture & Cocktails are monthly after-5 events held at one of the four museums on the Quadrangle campus. Each month’s theme is inspired by the Springfield Museums’ extensive collections, special exhibits, and holiday celebrations. The series continues with “Above The Fold: New Expressions in Origami” at the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts on Thursday, March 5. More event information is available at springfieldmuseums.org and facebook.com/culturecocktails.
AMHERST — The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art announced that Ellen Keiter has joined the staff this month as the museum’s new chief curator. Keiter is replacing H. Nichols Clark, the museum’s founding director and chief curator. Clark, who retired in December after more than 13 years with the Carle, will continue in an emeritus role as a visiting lecturer and guest curator for the museum.
Keiter brings to the Carle more than 20 years of professional museum experience. Most recently, she was the director of exhibitions at the Katonah Museum of Art in Katonah, N.Y., specializing in contemporary art. Among the many exhibitions she curated are “Jasper Johns & John Lund: Masters in the Print Studio,” “Eye to I: 3,000 Years of Portraits,” and “Shattering Glass: New Perspectives.”
During her 13 years at Katonah, she also met and worked with numerous children’s-book illustrators through the museum’s Children’s Learning Center, which is dedicated to the display and celebration of original picture book art. Prior to her work at Katonah, Keiter was the curator of exhibitions at the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, N.Y. She has a bachelor’s degree in art history from Muhlenberg College and a master’s degree in art history from American University.
“Ellen brings tremendous energy, warmth, and experience to this important role and will be an exceptional leader for our growing exhibition program and collection,” said museum Executive Director Alexandra Kennedy. “She has a great interest in collaboration and partnership. She will work closely with the board and both the collections and education teams to continue the tradition of quality and innovation that Nick began.”
As chief curator, Keiter will oversee all aspects of the Carle’s exhibition program, including the acquisition, care, research, and interpretation of the museum’s art collections and special-exhibitions program. She will also manage staff and work regularly with the public, donors, artists, students, and professional colleagues to expand the audience for the Carle and for the larger field of picture-book art.
“I am honored to join the talented team at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art,” said Keiter. “I’m eager to extend the reach of the museum through a robust travel program, while continuing to celebrate picture books with our local, national, and international audience. Just as I vividly recall Robert McCloskey’s Time of Wonder from my childhood, the Carle creates meaningful connections between art and stories that resonate for a lifetime. I am indebted to Nick Clark for his groundbreaking scholarship in the field and for assembling a world-class art collection. He has adeptly built the solid foundation from which the Carle now soars.”
SPRINGFIELD — Robinson Donovan, P.C., announced the promotion of two attorneys to partner: Jeffrey Trapani, Esq. and Michael Simolo, Esq.
Trapani concentrates in civil litigation, including insurance defense, employment law, municipal liability, business litigation, and professional malpractice. He also represents landlords in summary-process actions and housing-discrimination claims, and insurance companies in unfair-settlement claims and coverage issues.
“Jeff is highly deserving of this designation,” said Nancy Pelletier, Esq., head of the Litigation Department at Robinson Donovan. “His expertise in civil litigation — both in the courtroom as well as in mediations and arbitrations — is a true asset to our firm.”
Simolo, who specializes in corporate and business counseling, estate planning, and litigation, plays a number of roles at Robinson Donovan, including supervising the organized transfer of wealth from clients to their beneficiaries.
“Michael has deep knowledge of our shared practice areas and is a constant source of insight,” said Jeffrey Roberts, Esq., managing partner at Robinson Donovan. “He forms great relationships with his clients, getting to know their circumstances and helping them develop the kind of foresight that is beneficial for them in the long run.”
Simolo joined the firm in 2009, and Trapani in 2007.
SPRINGFIELD — MGM Resorts International announced that Seth Stratton has been named vice president and general counsel of MGM Springfield. Stratton, a Springfield native and Longmeadow resident, will be responsible for overseeing legal affairs and government relations at the casino resort.
“From day one as one of our local counsel, Seth has been a steady sounding board for the entire MGM Springfield team,” said Michael Mathis, MGM Springfield president. “At MGM, we feel fortunate that he is not only a respected lawyer but also cares deeply about the future of this area and the city of Springfield. His advice is always informed by his concern for local issues. I am thrilled he will be with us to provide his valuable counsel during the next important phases of this project and beyond.”
Added Stratton, “I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to play a part in Springfield’s comeback story working with a company like MGM. I am constantly impressed by the professionalism and dedication MGM has shown throughout this process and am honored to join the team. To be able to support the team at MGM Resorts on legal issues in a new area of the law, all while working on an important project that allows me to help build the future of my hometown, is a remarkable opportunity. I take this responsibility seriously and look forward to the work ahead.”
Stratton has worked on MGM Springfield for almost three years, negotiating agreements with the city of Springfield and surrounding communities as well as advising on permitting and real-estate acquisitions. He has become a familiar face at the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, as he regularly presents on legal issues relevant to MGM Springfield.
Stratton most recently worked at Fitzgerald Attorneys at Law, P.C. in East Longmeadow, where he maintained a diverse litigation and dispute-resolution practice focusing on a wide range of corporate, commercial, and personal disputes. Prior to that, he held a counsel position in the Financial Institutions Litigation Group at Bingham McCutchen LLP in Hartford. Before joining Bingham, he served as a litigation associate at Brown Rudnick LLP in Boston.
Stratton holds a law degree from Suffolk University Law School, a master’s degree in public affairs from UMass Boston, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Colgate University. He is admitted to the state and federal bars of Massachusetts and Connecticut. He is a member of the Hampden County Bar Assoc., the Massachusetts Bar Assoc., and the Connecticut Bar Assoc.
SPRINGFIELD — Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., an employment law firm serving employers in the Greater Springfield area, today announced an upcoming “Lunch ‘n Learn” program, focused on the new Massachusetts sick leave initiative. The event will take place Jan. 28 in the Dodge Room of the Flynn Campus Union at Springfield College (263 Alden St., Springfield) from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Partner Timothy F. Murphy will co-host the event with the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS). Murphy is a member of the Executive Committee of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce, the former chair of the ACCGS Legislative Steering Committee, and the chamber’s leading resource on the issue of mandated sick leave. The new Massachusetts law regarding sick leave entitles all employees to accrue up to 40 hours of sick time each year; for businesses with 11 or more employees, this sick leave is paid leave. The state’s attorney general is expected to announce interpretations of the law before it takes effect. Skoler, Abbott and Presser is available as a resource for employers to stay abreast of interpretations. “Voters spoke this past November and passed the ballot question approving mandated sick leave,” said Murphy. “Massachusetts is only the third state in the nation to guarantee sick days for workers, so there is a lot of confusion about what employers are legally responsible for when the law takes effect July 15. I look forward to clarifying nuances within the law and setting employers up for success.”
At the Lunch ‘n Learn Program, Murphy will address core concepts including:
• Who is eligible for sick time and who is not;
• What the new law means for the workforce; and
• The subtle nuances of the law
Attendees must register in advance for the event, admission fees include lunch. ACCGS members are eligible for a reduced admission fee of $25, but the event is open to the public with a general admission fee of $35. Register online at myonlinechamber.com or contact Sarah Mazzaferro at (413) 755-1313 or [email protected].
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Falcons will honor the 40th anniversary of the 1974-75 Springfield Indians Calder Cup team when the Falcons host the Providence Bruins on Jan. 24 at the MassMutual Center at 7 p.m. presented by Boston Medical Center. The Falcons will honor the team with a pre-game introduction and ceremonial puck drop. Returning Indians players include captain Mark Heaslip, assistant captain Jimmy Peters, Jim Witherspoon and Lorne Stamler along with the family of Steve Rexe, General Manager Eddie “Ted” Shore Jr. and equipment manager Ralph Calvanese. Additionally, the 1974-75 team photo will be given to the first 2,500 fans, courtesy of the Springfield Hockey Heritage Society. While on their way to claiming the 1975 Calder Cup, this team set a new American Hockey League record, while tying two other marks, which have since been surpassed. With 72 goals, the Indians set a record for the most goals scored by a team in one playoff. The Indians also tied the record for the most games won by the champion with 12, while becoming only the second fourth place team to claim the Cup. In addition to honoring the 1974-75 team, the Jan. 24 game will be highlighted with a national anthem performance by TD Garden legend Rene Rancourt. Boston Medical Center and Springfield College will be holding concussion safety demonstrations on the concourse throughout the game, as well. The contest will also feature a t-shirt toss, courtesy of King Ward.
LONGMEADOW — Maestro Kevin Rhodes, Springfield Symphony Orchestra director and conductor, will lead an informal discussion about classical music, composer’s inspiration and some favorite moments of his acclaimed career on Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. at the Leavitt Family Jewish Home’s Gloth Family Auditorium. The program is open to residents, families, and staff at the Jewish Home and Ruth’s House. Rhodes has been music director and conductor of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra for 13 seasons. During that time he’s created world-class performances that have brought internationally acclaimed soloists to the stage at Symphony Hall, and has entertained and educated adults and children from across the Pioneer Valley and beyond. Rhodes has had an exceptionally varied career spanning concerts, opera and ballet across the globe, and having conducted in 15 different countries with approximately 50 different orchestras. He is one of the most sought-after conductors by the world’s major ballet companies and their orchestras. During his presentation at JGS, Rhodes will share highlights of his career, and classical musical experience.
SPRINGFIELD —Springfield College and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame recently presented the third annual Hoophall Classic Leadership Award to Springfield College sport management students Eric Pouliot and Emily Vance. Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame President and Chief Executive Officer John Doleva made the formal presentation during the 2015 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena. Both Pouliot and Vance served as head supervisors for the 2015 Hoophall Classic, the leading high school basketball tournament in the country showcasing the nation’s top recruits. As part of their responsibilities, Pouliot and Vance created and developed work schedules for more than 75 student event staff workers and more than 30 student liaisons; created and conducted training sessions for volunteers of the event; collaborated with Springfield College Office of Conferences & Special Events, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and ESPN to ensure schedules of events; and supervised all event operations during the five-day tournament. Pouliot is a member of the Springfield College Sport Management Club. In 2014, he worked as a supervisor during the Hoophall Classic, helping to direct in-game operations and operational procedures. Along with working toward a degree in sport management, Pouliot also has a double minor in business management and economics. He is a member of the Springfield College Business Club, and also works on the campus as a student assistant for the Springfield College Office of Conferences & Special Events. Currently a dean’s list student, Pouliot continues to volunteer for the Special Olympics assisting basketball teams with scheduling and coaching. Vance is the president of the Springfield College Sport Management Club. She recently served as the club’s director of social media and marketing preparing agendas for all executive board meetings, and ensuring that on-campus events were being promoted using all social media outlets. In 2014, Vance worked as a supervisor for the Hoophall Classic, and served as head supervisor for the Junior Hoophall Classic. Currently a dean’s list student, Vance remains an office assistant in the Sport Management and Recreation Department, assisting faculty members with marketing tools for prospective students. Vance maintains a minor in business management and has volunteered at events for the Special Olympics and the Doug Flutie Foundation. The Hoophall Classic Leadership Award is presented annually to both a male and female junior majoring in sport management who has demonstrated a combination of service to Springfield College, the Hoophall Classic, and who has maintained a successful grade point average. Each recipient is awarded a $2,500 scholarship to be used during their senior year at Springfield College.
GREENFIELD — The Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC) is one of seven partners receiving a $10 million federal grant funded through USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program. This new project brings together seven partners to improve the health of Long Island Sound. The funding will be matched dollar for dollar by other local, state, and private funding sources.
Excess nutrients have been identified as the primary driver of hypoxic conditions (lack of oxygen) in Long Island Sound and are also impacting upland water resources within the watershed, which encompasses areas of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. This project will develop a comprehensive, whole-farm, management-certainty program for farmers in the area and use both working lands and easement programs to improve soil health and nutrient management, establish community resiliency areas with a focus on enhancing riparian areas, and institute a land-protection program to protect agricultural and forestry areas.
“The council is very pleased to be one of the many partners on this important project to improve the health of both the Connecticut River basin and Long Island Sound,” said CRWC Executive Director Andrew Fisk. “Funding will allow CRWC to continue working with landowners on restoration projects on their land that will improve our rivers and protect their investment in productive farm and forest land.”
The Connecticut River contributes more than 70% of the freshwater to Long Island Sound and plays an important role in the health of the sound.
“We are proud to be working with landowners to help them do their part to restore and protect the public’s water,” noted Fisk. “Many individuals working together across the entire watershed will have a great impact to improve the health of our rivers and Long Island Sound.”
The Connecticut River Watershed Council works to protect the watershed from source to sea. To learn more, visit www.ctriver.org.
SPRINGFIELD — Dawn Henry of has been installed as president of the 1,700-member Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley at the organization’s 100th annual installation ceremony held Jan. 15 at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow.
Henry, a Realtor since 2001, represents Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Longmeadow. As association president, she will oversee activities and operations including meetings of the board of directors, and act as a liaison to the association’s various committees. She is the official spokesperson of the association on issues related to the real-estate industry and the regional housing market.
The other 2015 officers include Lou Mayo, president-elect; Richard Sawicki, treasurer; Janise Fitzpatrick, secretary; and Patrick Nolan, immediate past president. Directors include Elias Acuna, Edward Alford, Kelly Bowman, Shawn Bowman, Suzi Buzzee, Susan Drumm, Susan Rheaume, and Russell Sabadosa.
SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) is embarking on an $8 million renovation of its dining commons.
The new, state-of-the-art facility will occupy the existing dining-commons space and include a building expansion, a wider variety of seating, and a more abundant variety of food options and services, including customized food preparation, an exhibition kitchen featuring hands-on cooking classes, a wood-fired oven, and more, presented in a contemporary, dynamic, and open setting.
Construction is expected to be completed in time for the beginning of the fall semester. In the interim, the existing dining commons will be closed for the spring semester, and transitional dining has been set up in the Schwartz Campus Center. Chartwells, AIC’s dining-services vendor, will continue to provide the same quality of food and service throughout the process. AIC will provide additional benefits and flexibility to those students with current all-access meal plans that will allow them to expand food venues and options to include the Hive and the Yellow Jackets Express food truck in addition to the transitional dining commons.
While there was a cosmetic remodel of the dining room in 2007, the last complete renovation of the dining commons took place in 1966, nearly 50 years ago. The new facility will be a place for students to come together in a much more comfortable and modern setting. A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for early spring.
SPRINGFIELD — Garvey Communication Associates Inc. (GCAi) announced the appointment of Darcy Fortune as SEO PR analyst and David Bohl and Peter Spotts as digital marketing assistants. GCAi is increasing its digital marketing staff after landing a leading medical specialty practice in Connecticut and a global precision-manufacturing client in Kansas in 2014.
Fortune comes to GCAi with experience as an assignment desk editor, production assistant, video reporter, and producer, having worked previously at WGGB and MPACT-TV. In her new position, she will supervise the production of SEO PR projects and related social-media dissemination. Fortune is a cum laude graduate of Westfield State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communication.
Bohl already had a start in communications before arriving at GCAi. He previously worked at Baystate Health in Health Information Management and served as a social-media marketing intern at Western New England University. At GCAi, Bohl will serve as a digital marketing assistant – platforms, and will distill and analyze web and social-media data as well as coordinate e-mail marketing campaigns for GCAi and clients. He will also assist in social-media marketing campaigns. Bohl will graduate in May from Western New England University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations. He is a member of the Lambda Pi Eta Honors Society and the Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society.
Spotts is an experienced freelance reporter and has covered stories for some of the area’s largest publications, including the Republican, MassLive, and Reminder Publications. He has also written for his hometown newspaper, the Belchertown Sentinel, a Turley publication, and served as a marketing journalist intern at Western New England University and WAMC Northeast Public Radio. At GCAi, Spotts will serve as a digital marketing assistant – content, conducting PR research, creating organic content, and assisting with the planning and implementation of content-marketing campaigns. He will graduate from Western New England University in May with a bachelor’s degree in communications. Spotts has also started work in the MBA program, which he expects to complete in 2016.
SPRINGFIELD — Applications are now being accepted for the 2015 session of Leadership Institute, Rethinking Leadership: Sharpening Skills for Organization and Community Service, sponsored by MassMutual Financial Group with scholarship support from the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation.
The Leadership Institute is a unique collaboration between the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS) and Western New England University (WNEU) aimed at teaching mid- and upper-level managers the crucial thinking and problem-solving skills needed to enable them to be effective leaders in service to the community and in their workplaces, and designed to develop high-energy and high-involvement leadership.
“As a CEO, I know that I need to engage my team and energize their strategic thinking,” said John Weiss, a 2014 graduate and president of Ormsby Insurance Agency. “Leadership 2014 provided me with the invaluable opportunity to not only continue on my own personal path of learning, but to learn from some of the most respected faculty in the region and learn from my colleagues in the program; gain new ideas, new perspectives, and new experiences; and be able to bring it all back to my team, my business, and my clients.”
Since 1982, the program has developed members of the business community for volunteer service to community organizations. Institute alumni represent many accomplished and distinguished leaders in business, education, government, and nonprofit communities, including U.S. Rep. Richard Neal; former state Sen. and Hampden County Clerk of Courts Brian Lees; Henry Thomas, president and CEO of the Urban League of Springfield; and MassMutual Financial Group Vice President Carol Demas and Community Responsibility Consultant Glenn Davis.
Directed by WNEU Dean of the College of Business Julie Siciliano and Executive-in-residence Jack Greeley, Leadership 2015 will challenge participants to think in new ways and to analyze their own strengths and organizational challenges within a dynamic economy. Taught by Western New England faculty, participants will focus on problem solving, learning to ask the right questions, and implementing creative solutions for both nonprofit and for-profit organizations.
Participants will actively explore best practices of leaders; analyze their own leadership, learning, and problem-solving styles; and experience the synergies that come from high-performing teams. Emphasis will be on experiential activities that identify, develop, and refine skill sets for effective leadership.
“By exposing me to the faculty local experts in their field and providing the opportunity to spend time with such a diverse group of fellow students, Leadership Institute has given me information and contacts that might otherwise have taken years of networking to accumulate,” said 2014 graduate Nicole Sweeney, marketing manager for Eastfield Mall. “Each class leads to valuable introspection, which, with the help of suggested follow-up materials by each instructor, I will be able to build upon for years to come.”
The Leadership Institute runs for seven consecutive Thursdays from 1 to 4:30 p.m., Feb. 12 through March 26. The Feb. 12 opening session will be held at the Sheraton Springfield, One Monarch Place, Springfield, with the remaining sessions held at the TD Bank Conference Center, 1441 Main St., Springfield. The program culminates in April with the ACCGS Beacon Hill Summit, the chamber’s annual trip to Beacon Hill, and a graduation ceremony and dinner.
Tuition is $885 per participant and includes all materials, several learning and personality inventory tools, the summit, and the graduation ceremony and dinner. Not-for-profit organizations interested in participating may apply for scholarship funding provided by the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation.
Interested participants must complete an application, obtain a letter from a sponsor supporting the application, and provide a written letter of interest with background. Information and applications are available by contacting Kara Cavanaugh at the ACCGS at (413) 755-1310 or [email protected]. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, Feb. 4.
HOLYOKE — With sales at an all-time high, a modern headquarters, and a new, national business alliance focused on IT network infrastructure and unified communications, VertitechIT is celebrating with the launch of its new, interactive website, www.vertitechit.com. The site uses humorous, black-and-white photography and poignant headlines to draw in visitors, poking light fun at what can be a very staid and highly technical profession.
“IT industry websites tend to be rather formulaic,” said VertitechIT Principal Partner Greg Pellerin. “It was important for our new site to reflect our corporate culture, one that promotes fun and creativity along with cutting-edge technical expertise.”
The privately held company, which caters to the business and healthcare industries, just concluded its most successful year ever and recently moved into its new national headquarters in a converted 19th-century paper mill in Holyoke.
“We’re a different breed of IT infrastructure consultant,” said Vice President of Marketing Steve Shaw, who oversaw the website redesign. “We have a unique understanding of how IT has a bottom-line financial impact on a business or healthcare institution, and that knowledge and approach, combined with a little personality, hopefully comes through in our new site and marketing materials, separating us from our competitors.”
VertitechIT also recently announced the formation of a national IT-solutions coalition with Microsoft platform provider Software Logic and unified communications expert Partner Consulting. The new Stability Alliance (www.stabilityalliance.com) is focused on building IT network infrastructures that allow businesses and healthcare systems to increase capacity, reduce costs, and improve efficiency.
STOCKBRIDGE — Main Street Hospitality Group has announced a new addition to its management team, appointing sommelier Dan Thomas to the position of wine and bar director.
Main Street Hospitality Group is a hospitality-management company based out of Stockbridge. The group owns and manages the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, where Thomas has held the role of sommelier since 2007.
Over his seven years at the inn, Thomas has expanded the wine list to include more than 400 selections and 50 half-bottle selections, with a focus on international artisan producers and local and regional wines. The Red Lion Inn was awarded the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for the 16th consecutive year in 2014.
Thomas possesses an extensive knowledge of oenology and has completed the first level of the Court of Master Sommeliers. Inspired by advancements in food and wine over the last decade, he is passionate about introducing guests to new wines, beers, cocktails, and unexpected combinations.
“Dan has been an integral part of the food and beverage operation at the Red Lion Inn since his start. He is a great fit for Main Street Hospitality Group. We’re excited about his expanded role,” said Main Street Hospitality Group CEO Sarah Eustis.
In this new role, Thomas will oversee all Main Street Hospitality Group wine and bar programs, working directly with wineries, breweries, and distilleries. He will also search for new products and collaborate with local producers on fresh libation projects.
“Dan’s knowledge of all things bar and wine is a great compliment to the MSHG food philosophy. I’ve enjoyed seeing Dan grow the Red Lion Inn beverage program over the past seven years and look forward to working with him on future food and beverage projects,” said Brian Alberg, Red Lion Inn’s executive chef and Main Street Hospitality Group’s vice president of Food and Beverage Operations.
In addition to the Red Lion Inn, Main Street Hospitality Group manages the Porches Inn at MASS MoCA in North Adams and the Williams Inn in Williamstown. The group will manage a Pittsfield property, Hotel on North, upon its opening this spring.
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield JCC Kehillah Special Needs Department’s Fitness Buddies Program is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut & Western Mass. for a wellness project that will significantly improve quality of life for young people with special needs.
Recognizing the need in the Greater Springfield area for a fitness center with adapted equipment for teens with special needs, the JCC established a Fitness Buddies program with seed money from the Doug Flutie Foundation in 2013. As the popularity of the program increased, additional specialized equipment was needed to accommodate individuals with Down syndrome, Williams syndrome, and autism-spectrum disorders.
Ronald McDonald House Charities stepped in to underwrite the cost of two Expresso S3Y youth bikes, which are safer than a conventional treadmill or elliptical machine. This type of bike is also being used in a pilot program with Harvard School of Public Health. Adding modified equipment puts special-needs individuals on a par with their friends and gives them access to aerobic and fitness equipment that otherwise would be excluded from their workout.
“Innovations such as these accessible bikes for teens and young adults with special needs opens up yet another opportunity for profound self-development — in this case, exercising in a typical fitness center,” said Stocky Clark, executive director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Connecticut & Western Mass. “RMHC is honored to partner with the JCC to bring this innovation to individuals with a range of special needs participating in the Kehillah Special Needs Department of the JCC.”
Increased social interaction between the special-needs community and general members helps create healthy relationships and empowers individuals with special needs. Best Buddies matches teens and young adults who have social challenges with teens and adults in the community. Together, they work out at the Springfield JCC, and participants make new friends while learning healthy habits.
Research shows that exercise yields a range of physical and mental-health benefits for children. The Springfield JCC serves the Greater Springfield and Northern Conn. communities, offering hundreds of programs for all ages with a strong commitment to individuals with special needs.
WESTFIELD — Noble Hospital is the major sponsor the Springfield Falcons’ “Pink in the Rink” event on Feb. 21 against the Portland Pirates. This annual event helps to raise funds for and awareness of breast cancer.
Falcons players wear special pink jerseys that will be autographed and auctioned off after the event. Visit www.ebay.com/usr/springfieldfalcons to bid on the pink jerseys after the game. In addition to the hockey game, breast-cancer survivors will be honored, there will be giveaways and raffles, and Noble Hospital will provide an information booth. Members of a support group, the Pink WAY, will also attend.
Noble Hospital’s Center for Comprehensive Breast Health, under the direction of Dr. Steven Schonholz, provides a wide range of options and services in a single location. Pink bracelets will be available for donations at the Noble table; funds raised will go towards Noble’s breast-cancer awareness programs and to help local patients going through treatments.
Area residents can support Noble Hospital by purchasing tickets to the game at give.noblehospital.org/pinkintherink. For more information, contact the hospital’s Community Development Office at [email protected] or (413) 568-2811, ext. 5520.
Noble Hospital’s Center for Comprehensive Breast Health encompasses aspects of women’s health from mammograms and bone-density testing to lumpectomies and cancer treatments. The center features a complimentary-medicine therapy room offering massage, Reiki, and other alternative treatments for those going through cancer treatments and recovery. In a new partnership with the YMCA of Greater Westfield, the center also offers a healthy-living and exercise program.
In addition, Noble Hospital has a partnership with Hartford Hospital to treat early breast cancer quickly with a procedure called accelerated partial breast irradiation, which takes a period of five days instead of many weeks. Money raised at the Falcons fund-raiser may help patients in any of these programs receive the treatment they need but may not be able to afford.
SPRINGFIELD — The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced that MassMutual has been named a community partner for the 2015 Spalding Hoophall Classic. The high-school basketball tournament, now in its 14th year, will feature 52 local and national teams at Springfield College’s Blake Arena on Jan. 15-19.
Other supporting sponsors for the Spalding Hoophall Classic include Nike, Gatorade, Springfield College, the U.S. Marines, Florence Bank, MassLive, and the Republican.
“MassMutual has always shown a great commitment to our community, and we are extremely pleased to have them on board for such a tremendous youth event,” said John Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “This year’s Spalding Hoophall Classic will make an impact on hundreds of aspiring basketball players from near and far.”
Eight Massachusetts teams will face off at the Hoophall Classic on Thursday for a day of local hoops presented by MassMutal. After each matchup, the MassMutual Most Outstanding Player of the Game will be awarded. Tickets for the Thursday games will be available for purchase on site at Springfield College for $10.
The Jan. 15 local games presented by MassMutual are:
• 4 p.m.: Cathedral High School vs. Pittsfield High School;
• 5:30 p.m.: Chicopee High School vs. Northampton High School;
• 7 p.m.: Sabis Charter School vs. Longmeadow High School; and
• 8:30 p.m.: Springfield Central High School vs. Putnam High School.
In addition to the local games, this year’s Hoophall Classic will feature a number of elite matchups from schools across the country. A total of 34 players out of the ESPNU Top 100 class of 2015 will participate, including six of the top 10 seniors. For more information, visit the official website at www.thehoophallclassic.com.
SPRINGFIELD — On Monday, Jan. 26, Chef Hubert Gottschlicht of the Munich Haus will conduct a cooking class and demonstration to benefit the Gray House. The event will take place at the Munich Haus from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets cost $50 and can be purchased through PayPal at bit.ly/1AciOLh. Tickets must be purchased in advance, as seats are limited.
“This is a great way to enjoy a night out with friends and eat some fabulous food, all while benefiting a good cause,” said Dena Calvanese, executive director of the Gray House. “We’re planning on holding these events on a monthly basis, if possible, with different area restaurants. We held our first chef fund-raiser in November with Samuel’s Sports Bar at the Hall of Fame, which was a success and sold out quickly.”
Participants can watch the master chef prepare several German delicacies and join in or sit back and enjoy the presentation. A light buffet will be provided in addition to a cash bar.
The Gray House is a small, neighborhood human-service agency located at 22 Sheldon St. in the North End of Springfield. The Gray House mission is to help its neighbors facing hardships to meet their immediate and transitional needs by providing food, clothing, and educational services in a safe, positive environment. For more information about the chef fund-raiser, visit www.facebook.com/thegrayhouseinc or call Calvanese at (413) 734-6696, ext. 100.
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank has announced it will honor 30 high-school seniors in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont through its annual scholarship awards program.
The bank will award $45,000 in total scholarship dollars to students who have demonstrated community service through their volunteer efforts, have been successful academically, and demonstrate a financial need. Additionally, students must attend a high school that is located in a community with a Berkshire Bank office or in a community primarily served by Berkshire Bank.
Lori Gazzillo, director of Berkshire Bank Foundation, said the scholarship program has grown in popularity each year. “We believe that one of life’s most exciting moments is going to college, and Berkshire Bank wants to do our part to help make college more affordable for students in need. This program exemplifies our support of education and commitment to promoting volunteerism in our communities. Each year, our employees rally around this program, volunteering their time to review the hundreds of applications to help select the recipients.”
Through the program, 30 $1,500 scholarships will be awarded to high-school seniors who will be attending a two- or four-year college in the fall. Applications are evaluated based on their record of volunteerism in the community, academic standing, and financial need. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of a 3.0 and a family household income under $75,000 to be eligible to apply. Students must apply online by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25.
An independent team of bank employee volunteers will review all applications and select this year’s winners. Scholarships will be awarded in the regions where Berkshire Bank branches are located, with 14 available in Massachusetts, 11 in New York, two in Connecticut, and three in Vermont.
Students can apply online at www.berkshirebank.com/scholarships. Additional information about this year’s program can be obtained on the bank’s website or by contacting the Berkshire Bank Foundation at [email protected].
WORCESTER — Doctors Express, the largest independent urgent-care provider in the Commonwealth, announced a partnership with one of the largest independent cooperative physician groups, the Central Massachusetts Independent Physicians Assoc. (CMIPA). This first-of-its-kind partnership will offer more resources for patients, better communication between providers and patients, as well as continuity of care.
Doctors Express operates under parent company Medvest, LLC, which serves as the master developer of the urgent-care franchise throughout Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. In particular, this will be an opportunity for patients in Worcester to find accessible and affordable care. Doctors Express and CMIPA plan to launch their first site in Worcester (115 Stafford St., late spring) and another Worcester location (address and date to be announced shortly).
This announcement comes on the heels of a successful partnership between Doctors Express and the Steward Health Care System, based in the Greater Boston area. Through the partnership, urgent care provided by Doctors Express is now available to all Steward patients. As Doctors Express continues to grow with more locations, affiliations between urgent-care providers and major medical systems is the way of the future, said Jim Brennan and Rick Crews, CEO and president, respectively, of Medvest, LLC.
“Our partnership with CMIPA continues the objective at Medvest to redefine how patient care is delivered,” said Brennan. “We are partnered with Steward Health Care System, the largest fully integrated community care organization and community hospital network in Eastern Massachusetts, and now CMIPA, one of the largest physician cooperative groups in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
Existing urgent-care locations have not completely satisfied the need for affordable and accessible care, said Gail Sillman, CEO of CMIPA. “We thought about setting up our own urgent-care center while evaluating our options. We even hired a consultant and became familiar with all the urgent-care providers nationally and locally.”
With the help of a consultant, Sillman identified Doctors Express as the most viable option. “Together we saw the benefits of a true partnership where other urgent-care providers did not,” she said. “Doctors Express will honor our patient relationships and extend patient care on nights and weekends for a true, mutually beneficial partnership. Furthermore, Doctors Express has the name brand and market recognition that we were looking for, largely due to the quality of their patient care.”
Doctors Express currently has Massachusetts locations in Braintree, Burlington, Dedham, Malden, Marlboro, Natick, North Andover, Saugus, Springfield, Waltham, Watertown, and West Springfield, with several new locations in development. In addition to the two Worcester locations to be opened this year, the company plans to open a location in New Bedford later this month. The Marlboro location is the most recent addition to the Massachusetts-based operations of Doctors Express, having opened on Dec. 5 under the leadership of Managing Director Bing Yeo.
AMHERST — UMass Amherst has contracted with Amazon.com to replace its traditional on-campus textbook store with a virtual bookstore expected to save students about 30% compared with current prices on course materials and provide free, one-day shipping to the campus and nearby communities. This will be Amazon’s first online university store in the Northeast and its third nationwide, with potential annual savings of $380 per student.
“We know students struggle with the high cost of textbooks and other course materials, and they have been moving to online purchasing. We are delighted to help them get the most competitive prices and first-rate service,” said James Sheehan, UMass Amherst’s vice chancellor of administration and finance. “By seamlessly linking our online campus information system to Amazon, we will make it convenient as well as economical for students to get the items they need for their classes, delivered in one day with no shipping charge to campus and nearby addresses.”
Beginning in May, students will be able to order new, used, rental, and digital textbooks and other course materials through Amazon or through personalized links in SPIRE, the university’s online student-information system. To make finding UMass textbooks easier for students, Amazon will integrate relevant course and section information on customized Amazon product pages.
In June, Amazon will also open a staffed customer pick-up and drop-off location in the Lincoln Campus Center. For several years, students have been turning from traditional textbook stores to online sources to save money. The university’s five-year contract with Amazon will accelerate the online-purchasing trend and save UMass Amherst students money, particularly through free shipping either to campus or to addresses in Amherst, Hadley, Northampton, Pelham, South Deerfield, and Sunderland.
UMass Amherst officials said Amazon was chosen from six companies that submitted proposals because of its low prices and its ability to deliver superior customer service. Based on a sample of more than 1,500 course materials used in UMass Amherst classes during the 2014 spring semester, Amazon estimates it can offer UMass students a savings of 31% versus current bookstore prices, or around $1.4 million based on sales of textbooks at the existing UMass Bookstore. The College Board estimates that a student at a four-year state university spends $1,225 per year on textbooks and supplies, but that number varies across courses of study. Based on this rough estimate, UMass Amherst students could save about $380 annually.
“For years, we’ve offered students low prices on everything from textbooks to electronics to dorm essentials on Amazon.com,” said Paul Ryder, vice president of media and student programs for Amazon. “We’re excited to team up with UMass to bring a new bookstore experience to campus that saves students money and makes it more convenient to get the course materials and other school supplies they need.”
SPRINGFIELD — A new exhibit at the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History traces the journey of Big Y Supermarkets from a small neighborhood grocery store to one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England. The exhibit, titled “The Big Y: From Neighborhood Grocer to the Modern Supermarket,” is now on permanent view at the Wood Museum. In close proximity are displays honoring other local success stories like Friendly’s Ice Cream and Smith & Wesson.
The Big Y exhibit details the founding of the company in 1936, when Paul D’Amour, a Wonder Bread salesman, decided to be his own boss. He purchased one of the stores on his route at the intersection of Chicopee and Meadow Streets in Chicopee’s Willimansett Village, known as the ‘Y’ section of town. It was there, at the “Y Cash Market,” that Paul, along with his brother, Gerry, began their legacy.
At that time, orders were taken door-to-door and delivered later that afternoon, usually by bicycle. Using advances in food technology and a drive to exceed expectations, the brothers soon expanded their reach beyond that first location through the development of innovations like prepared and frozen foods, in-store pharmacies, electronic ordering systems, and shopper-friendly store design and services.
Through a combination of photographs and memorabilia, the exhibit helps illustrate the growth of the company from these modest beginnings to a company that now employs more than 10,000 associates at more than 60 stores across Massachusetts and Connecticut. Highlights of the exhibit include a replica of the original storefront at 726½ Chicopee St. along with a vintage shopping cart, delivery bicycle, and grocery items from Big Y’s earliest days.
“We feel confident that our loyal customers and wonderful fellow employees will be rightfully proud of their contribution to the success and growth of this locally owned and family-oriented company, committed to serving the nutritional needs of our communities,” said Donald D’Amour, Big Y chairman.
Added Guy McLain, director of the Wood Museum of Springfield History, “this exhibit helps to underscore the often-overlooked story of how supermarkets like Big Y helped to develop quick and efficient food-delivery systems and refrigeration technology, advances that are such key components of modern life.”
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as one of a select group of colleges and universities throughout the country to earn its community-engagement classification. This classification recognizes Springfield College for its curriculum, which involves students and faculty addressing community needs, as well as outreach and partnerships that benefit the external community and the campus community.
“This classification is highly respected and valued by the higher-education community,” said Springfield College Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Jean Wyld. “The essence of a Springfield College education is preparing students for careers and personal lives that improve the lives of other people, and this classification attests to that mission.”
Springfield College is one of 361 institutions that now hold the community-engagement classification. This honor represents a higher-education institution’s excellent alignment among mission, culture, leadership, resources, and practices that support dynamic and noteworthy community engagement.
There are many examples of community-engagement initiatives sponsored by Springfield College in Springfield on the main campus and at nine regional campuses. One of the largest such efforts in Springfield is the AmeriCorps program, through which students serve as academic coaches for schoolchildren, as well as counselors and health-case managers for community agencies.
The Carnegie Foundation introduced the community-engagement classification in 2006 as part of restructuring the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The basic classifications rely on national data to categorize all U.S. colleges and universities by what they teach, characteristics of their student body, size, and location. It is popularly known as the source of categories in U.S. News & World Report’s annual “America’s Best Colleges” issue.
Unlike the foundation’s basic classifications, the community-engagement classification is elective. Institutions may apply by documenting the nature and extent of their involvement with the community, local or beyond. The category enables the foundation to address characteristics of the institution’s mission and distinctiveness that are not represented in national data.
