Day: November 9, 2018

HOLYOKE — Leah Martin Photography announced that a grand-opening celebration at its Holyoke studio, sponsored in part by Lisa Scheff Designs, will take place Thursday, Nov. 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. at 4 Open Square Way, Studio 213.

The celebration will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. and will continue with studio tours; a chance to meet the artists; pop-up surprises, including a pop-up boutique from Sara Anderson of the Humble Fox in Somers, Conn.; refreshments catered by Chez Josef; and giveaways.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming past clients and members of the community to the studio as a way to kick off the newest chapter of Leah Martin Photography,” said Leah Zaskey, owner of Leah Martin Photography. 

The studio was designed by the WBENC-certified Lisa Scheff Designs’ interior design team and built by LAKAY Building and Remodeling Inc., owned by Jason Pecoy. Lisa Scheff Designs focused on using Zaskey’s brand colors in a fresh and innovative way to create a warm and welcoming studio for her clients. 

“First impressions are important in a small business office, and we wanted Leah’s clients first impressions to be ‘wow,’” said design firm owner Lisa Scheff, who will be available during the open house to talk about the design and inspiration.

NORTHAMPTON — With many Massachusetts employment laws going into effect this year, now is a good time for employers to look at their employee handbooks to see if any revisions may be necessary.

Daniel Carr, an attorney with Royal, P.C., will conduct a seminar on employee handbooks on Thursday, Dec. 6 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at 270 Pleasant St., Northampton. He will discuss what should be included, as well as some of the newer laws and amendments that have been implemented recently in Massachusetts, including the new Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which took effect on April 1; amendments to the Massachusetts Equal Pay Act, which came into effect on July 1; and the ‘grand bargain’ bill, which was signed into law in August.

Because the law is continually changing in numerous ways, it is advisable that employers set aside a time, at least once per year, to review and update their handbook. 

The cost to attend is $30 per person. Registration is limited, so call Heather Loges, practice manager, at (413) 586-2288 to register or if you have any questions.

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University announced that Cheryl Sheils has been named program director for its new doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree program. 

Sheils comes to the university from Elms College, where she taught in the Nursing program for nearly 30 years at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. She was a founding member and nurse manager for 20 years at Pioneer Valley Free Health Service in East Longmeadow. She has also been project director for an HRSA Health Workforce Diversity Grant and has travelled to Jamaica with nursing students on medical missions for the past several years. She has presented at numerous conferences, and her articles have been published in industry journals and other publications.

“I am excited about welcoming nursing graduates of Bay Path’s RN to BSN program back to the university to pursue the doctor of nursing practice, as well as graduates from other colleges and universities who seek top-quality online education,” Sheils said. 

The DNP program, set to begin in spring 2019, will be offered 100% online, ensuring flexibility for nurses who wish to obtain the skills to become advanced nurse practitioners with a specialization in family practice (FNP).

“Bay Path’s doctor of nursing practice program is one of only five fully online programs of its kind in the country,” Sheils said. “The online format allows working RNs to further their professional development and careers without having to leave their living and workplace environments. Bay Path University has been a leader in providing online education in several fields and provides first-rate support for online learners.”

The DNP prepares students with the critical skills needed to translate evidence-based care into practice, improve systems of care, and measure outcomes of patients and communities. The program was designed for graduates to become strong, effective nurse leaders who will transform today’s healthcare system and advance the profession of nursing.

HOLYOKE — Margaret’s Pantry, a program of Providence Ministries, is a full-service food pantry that provides food to residents of the Greater Holyoke area. Currently there is not enough food to last through the end of the month.

“In my 12 years here, I’ve never seen the shelves so empty,” said Program Manager Brenda Lamagdeleine. “While we never would turn anyone away, the amount we are able to give is less and less.”

Serving an average of 1,100 individuals a month requires 80,000 pounds of food. Unfortunately, the supplies right now are a fraction of that. In the past, food donations made over the summer months provided enough food to last through November. However, this year, those summer donations did not come in at an amount to meet the current need.  

In addition to donations of food, Providence Ministries is seeking donations of warm clothes, especially winter coats, hats, and gloves.

“We need the public’s help. Margaret’s Pantry might not have enough food to make it through the end of the month, and the closets at St. Jude’s Clothing Center need to be filled with winter wear to keep our neighbors warm,” said Executive Director Shannon Rudder. “The ever-increasing demand, combined with dwindling supplies, have left our shelves bare. We are asking for donations of gently used warm clothing, and non-perishable food, in any amount.”

Donations can be dropped off at the following Holyoke locations: Margaret’s Pantry, 56 Cabot St., Holyoke City Hall, 536 Dwight St.; Holyoke Police Department, 138 Appleton St.; and any fire station throughout the city. Anyone who would like to host a food or clothing drive at their place of business is asked to call Rory Casey at (413) 536-9109 to make arrangements.

Another way to give is by attending Providence Ministries’ Retro Game Night at the Log Cabin on Friday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. This fun-filled event features a game-show showdown between teams like city of Holyoke versus Holyoke School Committee, Marcotte Ford versus Gary Rome Hyundai, Holyoke Police versus Holyoke Fire, and more. Tickets include retro food stations put together by the chefs at the Log Cabin, and a chance to win prizes. Proceeds will directly benefit the programs of Providence Ministries, including Margaret’s Pantry and St. Jude’s Clothing Center.

For more information about how to make a donation, or Retro Game Night, visit www.provministries.org.

SPRINGFIELD — CBS Xerox, an integrated provider of office-productivity systems, organized a donation drive to benefit Good to Go, a new initiative of MHA to supply every individual who arrives for emergency respite care with basic personal-care items, such as soap, shampoo, a toothbrush, toothpaste, undergarments, and socks.

“People who arrive for emergency respite are intellectually or developmentally disabled, challenged by mental-health problems, new in their recovery from addiction, or chronically homeless,” said Kimberley Lee, vice president of Resource Development and Branding. “I have seen the condition in which so many of these folks arrive at MHA. They need assistance, and quickly. By collecting and donating personal care items for Good to Go, the generous folks at CBS Xerox are helping to support our participants who are truly in need of a soft landing.”

According to Patrick Roberts, nonprofit specialist and GEM representative for CBS Xerox, his company had been working with MHA as a business partner for about a year when the opportunity to do more presented itself.

“We handle their printers and copiers and developed a way to manage that part of their business,” Roberts explained. “In coming up with the solution, we met a lot of their staff, and every time we had an interaction with someone at MHA, it was so positive. They invited us to their annual meeting, and I heard this incredible story from a client who at one time felt suicidal, but through counseling and the efforts of MHA, this person now feels like they are worth something. Now this person is doing so well. What a story. The experience cemented our desire to do more for MHA, and organizing a Good to Go drive was a good place to start.”

The 25 staff members at the CBS Xerox office in West Springfield were joined by 100 staff at the company’s headquarters in Wethersfield, Conn., to collect donations. A truck with donations from Wethersfield drove to West Springfield to pick up donations collected there, then delivered it all to MHA in Springfield.