Company Notebook
Monson Savings Bank Announces $25,000 in Community Donations
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank announced 11 receipients of its 2026 Community Giving Initiative. This was the 16th year Monson Savings Bank ran its Community Giving Initiative poll. This year, more than 5,200 votes were received — a record-breaking response. By inviting public votes, the bank ensures that its charitable contributions reflect the community’s values and priorities, fostering a shared commitment to enhancing the well-being of the neighborhoods it serves. Now that the votes have been counted, Monson Savings Bank is planning to donate $25,000 among this year’s top 11 vote recipients. Traditionally, 10 recipients are selected, but due to a tie, 11 organizations will be honored this year. The recipients include I Found Light Against All Odds, Springfield; Magic for Maddie, Southampton; Friends of Hampden Seniors, Hampden; South End Community Center, Springfield; Springfield Ballers, Springfield; YWCA of Western Massachusetts, Springfield; Monson Free Library, Monson; Springfield Jewish Community Center, Springfield; CLUBOH, Springfield; Aida’s Food Truck, Palmer; and Miracle League of Western Massachusetts, Holyoke.
Greenfield Cooperative Bank Reopens Northfield Branch
GREENFIELD — On Feb. 6, Greenfield Cooperative Bank hosted a grand reopening and ribbon cutting at its newly remodeled Northfield branch office, located at 144 Main St.. The branch officially opened its renovated lobby to customers and the community on Feb. 2 for full banking services. In addition to a fresh interior, the branch now offers two drive-up lanes and a new, 24-hour drive-up ATM. The branch also offers expanded hours, including earlier weekday openings and Saturday hours.
Ooh La La Lingerie Shop Changes Ownership
NORTHAMPTON — Ooh La La, a lingerie shop in Thornes Marketplace with items that range from the traditional to the risqué, has changed hands, and the new owner — a loyal customer — took the lead on Jan. 1. Monica Fogg purchased the three-year-old business from founder Ali Ingellis of Amherst in a sale that was finalized on Dec. 10. Ingellis works full-time at Mount Holyoke College and recently received a promotion that took her time away from the business. Fogg holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and art history from the University of Delaware and began her work in the hospitality industry at 13 as a self-described peppy coat-check girl at a high-end restaurant in Delaware. She has worked for Nickelodeon in its book publishing division, and most recently at IBM as a product marketing manager. After 17 years in sales and marketing, Fogg took time off in 2023 to focus on a long-term eating disorder and her struggles with body size. She came to the Valley soon after and, with her sister, became an Ooh La La customer. In September, she began work at the store part-time. Now, she plans to blend her marketing experience with her personal learnings to connect with customers, diversify the price range, and expand product lines and size options.
Elms College Partners with State University of Haiti
CHICOPEE — Elms College ratified a new partnership agreement with the State University of Haiti to create a continuing education program. A signing ceremony took place on Feb. 17 at Elms College. This agreement builds upon Elms College’s other university partnerships in Haiti. In 2019, a partnership was established between the Elms College School of Nursing and the Episcopal University of Haiti School of Nursing. That partnership, now the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Haiti Nursing Continuing Education Program, brings together nurse faculty from across Haiti and uses a train-the-trainer approach, with nursing faculty from the Elms College School of Nursing training nursing faculty from across Haiti in leading-edge nursing skills that they bring to their own students. The overall goal is to improve the health of the Haitian people. At the signing event, Elms College welcomed leaders from the State University of Haiti, including Rector Dieuseul Predelus, Professor Ricot Pierre-Louis, and Professor Marie Chantal Dumay.
UMass Amherst Recognized by Fulbright Scholar Program
AMHERST — UMass Amherst has been named a Fulbright Top Producing Institution for the fifth time, a designation awarded to an elite group of U.S. universities with the most faculty researchers and administrators selected for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program in 2025-26. UMass Amherst faculty members representing the Riccio College of Engineering (Emily Kumpel and Nick Tooker), the College of Humanities and Fine Arts (Margaret Vickery and Christine Ho), the College of Natural Sciences (Panayotis Kevrekidis), and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Ina Ganguli) were selected last fall to receive Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards. They have since been conducting and sharing research with partner institutions in Africa, Asia, India, and Europe. UMass Amherst is among 25 institutions — and one of only two in New England — named as Fulbright U.S. Scholar Top Producers for 2025-26, the fifth time the university has been recognized among doctorate-awarding, top-tier research universities under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. UMass Amherst Fulbright Scholars join the national Fulbright alumni network dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities and the world. The network includes 44 heads of state or government, 63 Nobel laureates, 93 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 83 MacArthur fellows.
Smith College Named a Top Fulbright Producer
NORTHAMPTON — Smith College has once again been named among the nation’s top producers of Fulbright U.S. Student Program award recipients, continuing a long-standing record of preparing graduates for global engagement and impact. Smith is one of only five baccalaureate institutions that can claim being a Top Producer of Fulbright Students every year since the designation began in the 2009-10 academic year. The 2025-26 recognition marks Smith’s 17th consecutive year on the list. This year, the college ranks 12th among top Fulbright-producing institutions nationwide. The Fulbright Program, established in 1946, is the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange initiative, supporting study, research, and teaching abroad. For the third consecutive year, 10 Smith students and recent alums have been selected for Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards. Smith recipients will teach, conduct research, and pursue advanced study in Taiwan, Sweden, South Korea, Germany, Spain, Japan, and Italy. Smith’s sustained success as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution reflects the college’s interdisciplinary approach to learning, where faculty mentorship and student scholarship combine to address complex global challenges.
Whittlesey Wins ClearlyRated Best of Accounting Award
HARTFORD, Conn. — Whittlesey, the largest Connecticut-based CPA and consulting firm, announced it has received the 2026 ClearlyRated Best of Accounting Award for superior client service. ClearlyRated’s Best of Accounting Award recognizes industry leaders in service quality, based solely on client ratings. In the 2025 survey, clients of award winners were 70% more likely to be satisfied than those working with non-winning firms. Whittlesey received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 out of 10 from 79.8% of its clients, well above the industry average of 48%. “Service excellence isn’t a one-time achievement — it’s a daily commitment,” said Drew Andrews, managing partner and CEO of Whittlesey. “This award reflects the trust our clients place in us and the dedication our team brings to every engagement. As we move into 2026, we remain focused on listening closely, innovating thoughtfully, and delivering meaningful results that help our clients thrive.”
Chic Salon Beauty Bar Celebrates New Location
HOLYOKE — Chic Salon Beauty Bar Inc., led by husband-and-husband team José Ocaña and Josh Esteva, announced the opening of their newest upscale salon concept at 250 Westfield Road, Suite 3, Holyoke. This latest chapter builds on the company’s legacy as an inclusive beauty leader, following its success in Chicopee. Before launching their first collaborative salon in 2018, Ocaña honed his craft at a former salon in Holyoke, making this return a meaningful homecoming for both owners. Designed as a refuge where every guest feels at home, Chic Salon Beauty Bar Inc. offers a quiet, comfortable environment welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community, trans clientele, and individuals on the autism spectrum. Ocaña, a 20-year expert hairstylist, renowned platform artist, and international educator, partners with Esteva, a six-year esthetician whose experience spans medical technology, HIV counseling, and administrative work at CEPA. Together, they deliver a full suite of treatments — expert hair styling, vibrant coloring, waxing, intense pulsed light therapy, and signature transformations for milestone occasions like quinceañeras and weddings.
Big Y Donates 1 Million Meals to Local Food Banks
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y’s annual Sack Hunger campaign once again delivered a powerful show of community support, providing 1 million meals to food banks serving families across Massachusetts and Connecticut. The milestone reflects the collective generosity of customers, employees, and partners who stepped up during the critical holiday season to help address food insecurity close to home. Through Sack Hunger, every $5 customer donation helps deliver 10 meals to neighbors in need. This impact is amplified by Big Y’s additional contributions, including designated proceeds from the Produce, Floral, and Meat departments, along with a portion of sales from Big Y’s family of private label brands. Since its launch in 2010, Sack Hunger has continued to grow in reach and impact. What began as a modest effort has evolved into a cornerstone of Big Y’s year-round commitment to fighting hunger, complemented by near-daily donations of fresh meat, produce, bakery items, and other essential groceries. The funds raised through Sack Hunger directly support four regional food banks: Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Worcester County Food Bank, Greater Boston Food Bank, and Connecticut Foodshare, which together serve nearly 1,500 local agencies working on the front lines of hunger relief.
ILI Receives 50 Chromebooks for Free English Program
NORTHAMPTON — The International Language Institute of Massachusetts (ILI) announced the receipt of 50 Chromebooks destined for students in its free English program. This donation is a key component of a statewide initiative spearheaded by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants, and MassTech. The program is strategically designed to ensure equitable digital access for adult learners across the Commonwealth, providing the essential tools required for success in English for speakers of other languages and literacy courses. The timing of this contribution is critical as immigrants and refugees face heightened challenges navigating shifting federal policies and economic barriers. For many students, these devices represent more than just hardware — they are a gateway to essential services and educational continuity. As a recipient of this gift, ILI continues its 40-year mission of empowering newcomers through language and literacy. This partnership highlights a robust collective effort between state agencies and local nonprofits to build a more inclusive and digitally connected Massachusetts.
GCC Announces Early Retirement Incentive Program
GREENFIELD — Greenfield Community College (GCC) announced plans to offer an early retirement incentive program to eligible employees represented by AFSME and MCCC, as well as non-union employees, as an initial cost-saving measure in response to a projected budget shortfall. Like many community colleges across Massachusetts and the nation, GCC is navigating an increasingly challenging financial environment shaped by rising operational costs and broader economic pressures affecting public higher education. The early retirement incentive program is intended to reduce personnel costs while minimizing disruption to students and college operations. Participation in the program is voluntary, and the college will assess its financial impact in determining what additional cost-saving measures are necessary. The college will evaluate the results of the early retirement incentive program along with other actions. Any additional cost-saving approaches, if needed, will be informed by the outcomes of this effort and guided by GCC’s commitment to student success, access, and educational quality. GCC will continue to work collaboratively with employee unions and campus stakeholders as the process moves forward and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Rocky’s Ace Hardware Customers Round Up for Kids
SPRINGFIELD — A few cents at the register turned into a powerful show of community support as Rocky’s Ace Hardware customers once again stepped up for children’s health. This year’s Round Up for Kids campaign raised $113,930 across Rocky’s locations, directing critical funding to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals serving the communities where customers live and shop. The fundraiser ran during two high-traffic periods, one in the spring and another during the late fall and holiday season, giving customers multiple opportunities to round their purchase totals up to the nearest dollar. Those small contributions added up quickly, with Baystate Children’s Hospital receiving more than $23,925 from participating Rocky’s stores in Western Mass. Eight Rocky’s locations in Western Mass. took part in the campaign. One hundred percent of the funds raised at those locations were directed to Baystate Children’s Hospital to support pediatric care, medical innovation. and family-centered services.
