Month: June 2017

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Central Cultural District (SCCD) has launched its second district-wide public art program, following the success of last summer’s utility-box mural program. Three painted pianos have been installed in the metro center of Springfield, with the mission of activating space, encouraging pedestrian activity, and providing artist income.

This program of public pianos is linked to the international street-pianos movement, with participating cities including London, Paris, and Sydney. Info on the global project can be found at streetpianos.com.

On Monday, June 12, a small celebration and ribbon cutting will be held at 2 p.m. at the Market Place Shops, located behind 1341 Main St., to both showcase one of the works of art and bring light to the project. Two other pianos are also located in the district, at 1350 Main St. and 1550 Main St.

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank announced that Sharon Blanchette, first vice president, BSA/AML officer, moderated the cybersecurity panel at the Assoc. of Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS) Connecticut chapter’s third annual conference on May 19.

This year’s ACAMS conference focused on the theme “Anti Money Laundering in a Changing World,” which took place at Mohegan Sun. Blanchette attended this event, moderating the cybersecurity panel for the audience and serving as a panelist on the Bank Secrecy Act audit panel.

“Cybersecurity is an important and ever-growing topic of discussion in the financial industry, particularly as we continuously adhere to the Bank Secrecy Act,” said Blanchette. “We are constantly defining and redefining compliance and regulations to stay current in a technologically advanced world, so to be able to serve on a panel to discuss this topic and bring further awareness to our community was an exciting opportunity.”

WARE — Officials at Country Bank are pleased to announce the presentation of 15 scholarships in the amount of $2,000 each, to area high-school seniors.

Country Bank scholarships were offered to graduating students within the region. The applicants needed to demonstrate a commitment to their communities through volunteerism and leadership by submitting an essay outlining their experiences along with recommendations from their guidance counselors or teachers. A committee of five Country Bank staff selected the recipients after reading more than 100 submissions.

“We are so pleased with the response we received,” said Shelley Regin, senior vice president, Marketing at Country Bank. “Each applicant had a unique perspective on their involvement in helping others, from becoming an Eagle Scout, feeding the homeless, working with the Special Olympics, and developing a community service club at their school. We were so inspired by the great work that these students are doing in their communities and how they are making a difference in the lives of others.”

Recipients include Cameron Wright, Belchertown High School; Alysse Carpenter, Leicester High School; Fiona Marie O’Sullivan, Ludlow High School; Jordan Baker, Minnechaug Regional High School; Ashley Gurney, Minnechaug Regional High School; Patricia Murphy, Minnechaug Regional High School; Timothy Canning, Palmer High School; Matthew Remillard, Palmer High School; Cise Nur Balik, Quabbin Regional High School; Kerri Stolberg, St. Peter Marian High School; Jessica Rousakos, Shepherd Hill Regional High School; Delaney Giguere, Tantasqua Regional High School; Rachael Farley, Wachusett Regional High School; Julie Anne Goldberg, Wachusett Regional High School; and Makaela Flamand, Ware High School.

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) graduate Rebecca Gray, class of 2017, won first place and a $500 cash prize at Springfield Technical Community College’s (STCC) recent Shark Tank competition. Gray delivered one of seven two-minute pitches to a panel of four judges from the local business community.

Gray’s idea for her company, Coastline Industries, focuses on efficient, eco-friendly, and renewable energy in the form of underwater turbines. “Solar energy loses 7% of its efficiency in the first year and, if not maintained, can lose up to 40% efficiency in that first year,” she noted. “Wind turbines add to an increase in noise and stress level of birds and interrupt their migration patterns, all contributing to a high environmental impact.”

Gray’s proposed underwater turbines would be built 500 yards from the shoreline in New Hampshire and 100 yards below sea level, producing low environmental impact with little disruption to marine life.

“The judges provided five minutes of feedback and very intense questioning about the contestants’ business proposals,” Gray said.

While Gray’s idea is not a new one — Scotland already uses underwater turbines and is on track to build the world’s largest field this fall with 270 turbines — it is a new concept for the U.S., Gray said. “The United States is far behind in introducing renewable energy due to bureaucracy and other considerations. Eight turbines could power 5,200 homes, and 39% of the nation’s homes are within a thousand-mile reach of a shoreline.”

As part of the competition, presenters had to develop a business model, including startup costs. “While the initial project for Coastline Industries will cost approximately $23.6 million to complete, this venture is eligible for $7 million in federal grants and up to $15 million in low-interest federal loans,” Gray said. “The venture seeks $1.6 million in private funding. The starting energy mill of eight turbines, powering 5,200 homes, would bring in $5.72 million in revenue the first year alone. The entire investment will be made back within five years.”

Gray’s idea resonated with the panel, and she was granted the top prize of $500. “They said I did a really good job of answering questions on the spot, had confidence in my answers, and knew what I was talking about.”

The newly minted AIC graduate, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, is a New Hampshire native who now resides in Springfield. She will begin a full-time job in finance this July with plans to enter a master’s program in the fall.

SPRINGFIELD — On Thursday, June 29, the Basketball Hall of Fame will turn Columbus Avenue into Hollywood Boulevard for a premiere of Grey Lady, a new film by Springfield resident John Shea. This is a one-time, exclusive event, and Shea hopes to reconnect with local luminaries and old friends.

Shea will be present at 6 p.m. for a benefit cocktail party before the audience moves into the theater at 6:45 p.m. He will also host an exclusive party after the film, and will take questions from the audience. Shea wrote and directed the film, and also plays a small role as an island police chief. This event is sponsored by Florence Bank. The bank’s president, John Heaps, has known Shea since the third grade at Holy Cross School.

It was Shea’s idea to bring his film home to Springfield (he is a Cathedral High School graduate) and donate the proceeds to local charities. Tickets to the benefit are $100, and proceeds will go to Gray House, the Bing Arts Center, and the Community Foundation’s Dr. John V. Shea Scholarship Fund. Party entertainment will be provided by the Eric Bascom Trio.

“The reason I’m doing this is to return as much as I can to the town where I grew up. I’m looking forward to renewing relationships with many of my Springfield friends,” said Shea, who calls Los Angeles home today. He has returned many times; he helped with the campaign to establish the new Dr. Seuss museum, has been a marshal in Holyoke’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and sang with the Springfield Symphony.

Tickets are available online at the Bing Arts Center at www.bingartscenter.org. For mail orders, send a check to Keith Sikes, 61 Texel Dr., Springfield, MA 01108. Checks should be made out to the Bing Arts Center. The Bing Arts Center box office will also be open Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD — With more than 19 years of community and economic-development experience in Western Mass., Mike Vedovelli joined Eversource as its newest community relations specialist.

Vedovelli will serve as the company’s liaison for communities in Hampden and Hampshire counties. His focus is supporting Eversource’s electric service business. He is a past board member of DevelopSpringfield and the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, and a graduate of St. Anselm College.

Most recently, Vedovelli served as Chicopee’s director of Community and Economic Development. Prior to that, he served more than seven years as the senior regional director for the Massachusetts Office of Business Development. He’s successfully worked on a number of projects involving site location, expansion and technical assistance generating private investment, economic opportunities, and jobs. He has worked with all of the Western Mass. communities and has strong relationships with municipal officials and business leaders.

SPRINGFIELD — On Saturday, June 3, the giant Cat in the Hat Balloon and a Cavalcade of Conveyances paraded down the famed Mulberry Street to kick off the grand opening of the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum with fanfare. Parade dignitaries included Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. The parade participants flowed onto the Quadrangle to enjoy performances by the SHOW Circus of Easthampton and students from the Community Music School of Springfield.

The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum officially opened at 10 a.m. as the Cat in the Hat himself threw open the door and beckoned the crowd to join him in his new home, a museum dedicated to Springfield native and Cat in the Hat creator Theodor Geisel, a/k/a Dr. Seuss. The first-day crowd was 3,000 strong. A regular Saturday will attract a fraction of that number, said Welcome Center Supervisor Sharon Ferrara.

Many kids gave thumbs up when asked if they were having fun. One dad pointed to his son playing in the bakery meant to represent Ted Geisel’s grandparent’s bakery and said, “he doesn’t want to leave.”

Self-proclaimed Seuss fanatics said they were happy to see his personal items, such as his drawing desk and red rotary phone. “There is lots of history; I love that,” said Efrain Bermeo, who carried his 1-year-old son.

Exiting the museum with his family, Ja-Quan Gray, 11, noted, “out of 10, I give this museum a 1,000.”

The McElligot’s Pool exhibit caught the attention of Jacob Jackson, 8. “You can make your own fish,” he said with a laugh and a fist pump.

Many people responded to the abundance of murals recreated from Dr. Seuss books by John Simpson, project and artistic director, and his team of assistants from the UMass Amherst Commonwealth College. “It’s like walking right into a Dr. Seuss book,” Sarno said.

One mom approached Springfield Museums President Kay Simpson with two children in tow. “What you did in there is magical,” she said. “Thank you.”

Two young women from Springfield were impressed by the impact their city had on Geisel. “I had no idea how much Springfield was part of Dr. Seuss,” said Anna Zenno. Her friend Sphoorti Umarjee agreed, adding, “it was nice to see our childhood memories recreated so beautifully.”

Charlie Castillo and Joanna Aveles also commented on how seeing all the murals and exhibits brought back wonderful childhood memories.

And now it is time to make new memories. Bermeo shifted his son on his knee while sitting outside the museum under a tree. “I’m just starting with touch and texture for this guy right now,” he said. “My 4-year-old, though, he’s still in there with his mom.”

CHICOPEE — Thirty-one men and women recently celebrated the charter night of the Chicopee Centennial Lions Club at the Collegian Court.

During the ceremonies, Lions District Governor Linda Carr presented the members of the new club with their official charter. Members of the Chicopee Centennial Lions Club, who sponsored the formation of the Huntington Lions Club, will also be on hand to congratulate members of the new club.

“I am proud to welcome these men and women into Lions. Chicopee will be proud to have such a fine group serving their community,” Carr said.

The Chicopee Centennial Lions Club plans to become involved with many community activities. Lions clubs are groups of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill them. For more information or to get involved with the Chicopee Centennial Lions Club, e-mail Urszula Kulig at [email protected].

AGAWAM — This weekend, DockDogs, one of America’s fastest-growing sports for dogs, is being held at Dave’s Soda and Pet City, 151 Springfield St., Agawam. The event is slated for Friday, June 2 from noon to 5 p.m.; Saturday, June 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Some of the nation’s top canine competitors will leap into thrill-packed action for the public. The DockDogs will show off their jumping ability by diving into a four-foot-deep, 40-foot-long pool of water after sprinting down a 40-foot dock — both for length in the ‘Big Air’ category and for height in the ‘Extreme Vertical’ competition. Each dog’s trainer throws a toy into the water, and the dog has 90 seconds to run down the dock and launch himself after it.

In the past 18 months, more than 7,800 teams have signed on to compete in this booming sport. The DockDogs concept originated when men working on the docks waged bets with each other to see how far their dogs could jump in the water. For more information on the sport, visit www.dockdogs.com.