July 2023 - Page 2 of 4

Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament Slated for Sept. 26

By BusinessWest Staff July 20, 2023

Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — The fifteenth annual Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at Twin Hills Country Club in Longmeadow.

Tom Cosenzi, successful businessman and father of four, succumbed to brain cancer in 2009 at the early age of 52. His vision was that no other family would experience the pain that he and his family endured. It was his wish that his family and friends continue to raise money for neuro-oncology research so the burden of cancer can be eliminated for patients and their families. In his memory, the Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament was formed.

All money raised will go directly to benefit the work of Dr. Patrick Wen and his team of researchers in the Center for Neuro-Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in search for a cure. The tournament has raised more than $1,458,135 in its 14-year history.

Visit www.tomcosenzidrivingforthecure.com for registration, sponsorship opportunities, and more information. Questions may be directed to (413) 341-1917 or [email protected].

Glendale Ridge Vineyard Matures into a True Destination

By George O'Brien July 20, 2023

Cover Story

Vintage Years

Mary and Ed Hamel

Ed Hamel acknowledged that, while all entrepreneurial ventures start with an idea, most then follow a business plan that details how to take that idea and transform it into a successful, profitable operation.

It is with a large dose of … well, let’s call it pride, because that’s what it sounds like, that Hamel says he and his wife, Mary, essentially skipped that business-plan part.

“We’re just following where this thing takes us, and we’re having a lot of fun doing it,” he said, adding that this ‘thing’ is the Glendale Ridge Vineyard in Southampton, a concept that has grown into an intriguing and, yes, successful business.

Actually, three businesses, as Mary likes to say.

There’s the vineyard, where, at present, six main varieties of grapes are grown, from Reisling to Chardonnay to Cabernet Franc. There’s also a winery, where a broad mix of labels are made and bottled. And there’s a tasting room and what could be called an events division.

Indeed, the vineyard has been the site of a few weddings and regularly hosts retirement and birthday parties and many other types of functions, as well as concerts large and small — there’s an ABBA tribute band scheduled to play on Aug. 4, and Mary is expecting north of 400 people (much more on all that later).

All three of these businesses involved steep learning curves, said both Ed and Mary, who, in previous lives, worked as a general contractor and dental hygienist, respectively, before they purchased the Sankey dairy farm in 1992 with only some vague ideas about what they might do with it. And the learning process continues — on everything from which grapes to grow (and how) to which wines makes the best blends, to what kinds of music to book for the weekly Sunset Series, which is just what it sounds like: concerts as the sun goes down, with some drop-dead gorgeous views of the Holyoke Range and Mount Tom thrown in free of charge.

“We’re just following where this thing takes us, and we’re having a lot of fun doing it.”

Like the wines they make, the business itself has developed and matured, said the Hamels, noting that each aspect of the operation is growing and, by all accounts, improving and becoming more smooth and even bold, to borrow some terms from the industry.

There is a wine club that now boasts more than 350 members, the vineyard’s wines are now available in several area retail outlets and restaurants, and the farm itself has become a destination — for wine enthusiasts, music lovers, visitors from across the country who focus their travels on winery tours, a growing number of volunteers who help pick grapes each October, and more.

Moving forward, Mary and Ed say their obvious goal is to grow each of the three businesses within the operation, which currently relies on a small core of employees, as well as that growing army of volunteers who pick grapes.

And to keep having fun.

“People tend to think it’s a great job to have a vineyard, and it is, but let me tell you, it’s a lot of hard work,” Ed said. “It’s farming — I don’t need to say anything else — but there’s a lot of joy in it, too.”

This aerial view reveals the deep beauty of Glendale Ridge Vineyard and the surrounding mountains. Photo by Glenn T. Labay, Aerial Camera Services LLC

For this issue, we learned a little about how to grow grapes, make wine, and fill a summer concert series. We learned a lot more about how a couple with an idea but no business plan — he says they still don’t have one; she believes they do — have shaped a dream into a growing business, in every sense of that phrase.

Grape Expectations

Ed told BusinessWest that Glendale Ridge grows only about a third of the grapes needed for its growing portfolio of wines. The rest are bought from other vineyards, mostly in Long Island and the Finger Lakes region of New York.

Each fall, he’ll rent a large truck and go on grape-buying treks, which, in the case of those Long Island vineyards, from which he’ll come back with three to six tons of product, can be a bit of an adventure. At least they were early on.

“People tend to think it’s a great job to have a vineyard, and it is, but let me tell you, it’s a lot of hard work. It’s farming — I don’t need to say anything else — but there’s a lot of joy in it, too.”

“Have you ever driven a large Penske truck onto the ferry?” Ed asked rhetorically, referring to the way most people get to Long Island. “It’s fun. It’s a little nerve-wracking at first; you see other large trucks, so you know it can be done, but it will test your nerves. Now, it’s old hat; I don’t think too much of it.”

Mastering the art of driving such a large vehicle onto the ferry serves as an effective metaphor for this operation, which, for the most part, has involved a whole lot of learning by doing and simply becoming better at … well, whatever it is you’re doing over time.

Our story begins in 1992, when Ed and Mary purchased the Sankey Farm with the goal of preserving the land through an active farming project.

Glendale Ridge now offers 18 different wines, and the portfolio continues to grow.

“I’ve always had this thought that I wanted to grow something,” said Ed, adding that his maternal grandfather operated a small farm in Vermont, where he spent a good deal of time in his youth. “Once we were on this farm, I thought we would do the organic thing — carrots, lettuce, tomatoes — but I couldn’t wrap my head around that.

“I started looking at value-added products, and grapes came onto the scene,” he went on, adding that the couple started in 2010 with 110 vines that were planted in what has come to be called the west block. They started with a trial vineyard with rows of Reisling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and more. The initial thought was that they would make wine for themselves.

“People tend to think it’s a great job to have a vineyard, and it is, but let me tell you, it’s a lot of hard work. It’s farming — I don’t need to say anything else — but there’s a lot of joy in it, too.”

Initially, the Hamels partnered in this venture with Ian and Michelle Kersberger, who later started Black Birch Vineyard in Hatfield, a similar operation in many respects.

Today, there are three blocks and more than 3,000 vines at Glendale Ridge. The east block contains an acre of Cabernet Franc, while the Nonotuck block comprises three acres, with an acre each of Vidal, Traminette, and Corot Noir.

As he talked about growing grapes, Ed said there is lot of research and constant learning that goes into the equation, and plenty of information out there from others in the business who are willing to share what they know.

“People who are in this business are very cooperative; they’ll answer your questions honestly and give you advice,” he told BusinessWest, adding that there are a few vineyard operations in this region and many more in the winery regions of New York.

Tim Beaudry, wine steward at Glendale Ridge, in his ‘office.’

Meanwhile, Cornell University has a strong viticulture and enology program that publishes a large amount of information, he noted, adding that it has become a great resource for him over the years.

The Cornell program has been involved in the creation of hybrid grapes, which is mostly what is grown at Glendale Ridge, he said, adding that current varieties — which involve mixes of “old-world European varieties” and grapes grown in the U.S. — include Vidal, Traminette, Carot Noir, Itasca, Cabernet Franc, and Aromella.

Harvest time is in October, he said, with the Cabernet Franc, a red grape, the last one to be picked.

“We like to let that hang as possible — typically, we’ll go to October 25 or October 28, depending on what the weather is like, before we pick those,” he explained, adding that harvesting time has become an intriguing tradition at the vineyard, one that attracts growing numbers of volunteers.

“It’s the most fun thing we do,” Mary said. “People do love it — we’ll get 35 people here.”

Heard It Through the Grapevine

These grapes and those sourced from other vineyards wind up on a crush pad, where they start to get processed into either crushed grapes, which go into red wine, or juice, which makes white wine.

There are a number of both among a growing number of labels, now featured in a retail area just off the tasting room. There is a solid mix of reds, whites, rosés, and dessert wines, everything from dry and medium-dry Rieslings to a Sauvignon Blanc; from a Merlot and a Malbec to a Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Glendale Ridge website includes colorful descriptions of each label, such as this one for a 2019 Malbec: “the nose is of dark fruit with a little smoke. Black cherry, strawberry, and cedar flavors shine with a beautiful acidity on the finish.” And this one for the 2021 Sauvignon Blanc: “You’ll find enticing scents of new-mown hay, elderflower, and honeysuckle. The palate offers assertive acidity and minerality with white grapefruit.”

Over the years, the number of individual labels has grown, and new offerings, such as a Traminette that has become a popular seller, are added regularly.

And while the vineyard and winery operations continue to grow and evolve, so too does the events and tasting-room side of the equation, said Mary, who leads that aspect of the operation.

In the tasting room, patrons can enjoy wine ‘flights,’ with three pours of wine, as well as wine for sale by the glass and the bottle, she said, adding that the vineyard has become a popular place to stop and unwind or pick up a bottle of wine or two.

The picking of grapes has become an event at Glendale Ridge, one that draws a growing number of eager volunteers.

“People enjoy coming here and sitting and relaxing,” she said, noting that the vineyard, open Thursday through Sunday, sees a steady stream of visitors.

As for events, she noted that there are several weddings, small and large, at the vineyard each year, as well as many other types of events, from wedding and baby showers to rehearsal dinners and company outings; from family reunions to companies’ customer-appreciation gatherings.

“People enjoy each other’s company — and the wine,” she said.

On the Friday afternoon that BusinessWest visited earlier this month, preparations were being made for a surprise 60th birthday party and a retirement party, as well as the Sunset Series, all starting at 5 p.m.

“We have a lot going on Fridays,” Mary said, adding that, among her many responsibilities, she is charged with filling the calendar with events and gatherings, starting around Valentine’s Day and ending on New Year’s Day.

In addition to these private events, the vineyard now hosts a number of concerts, including the popular Sunset Series, which runs most Friday and Sunday evenings.

July’s series offerings are typical, Mary said, adding that a mix of music genres is preferred. On July 7, the Buddy McEarns Duo, described as ‘blue roots rock ‘n’ roll,’ and a regular at Glendale Ridge, performed. On July 9, guitarist and vocalist Dan Goldwaite visited the vineyard, and on July 14, the OverEast Jazz Band took the stage.

Beyond the Sunset Series, the vineyard hosts a number of larger concerts as well, Mary said, noting that, in addition to the ABBA tribute band, called Dancing Dream, the Wild Heart Tribute to Stevie Nicks & Fleetwood Mac is scheduled for September. She added that the vineyard, which many have praised not only only for its setting but its acoustics, has been described by some as a ‘mini-Tanglewood.’

In addition, the vineyard hosts food trucks a few days a week on average, as well as programs such as a bouquet class with Finch Flower Company and restorative yoga with the Traveling Yoga Company. Meanwhile, Tim Beaudry, the wine steward at Glenridge, will host programs on the various types of wines, what goes into making them, and how to pair them with food.

The vineyard is located near Northampton, Holyoke, Westfield, and Easthampton, Mary noted, making it central location in the region. Meanwhile, wine adds a different and appealing element to many different types of over-21 gatherings.

Vine and Dandy

“Every bottle tells a story.” That’s the marketing slogan for Glendale Ridge, or one of them, anyway.

Actually, each bottle tells several stories, but especially the one about the couple that skipped the business-plan part of the entrepreneurship process and, as Ed said, are “following where this thing takes us.”

It’s taken them in many different directions, but mostly, Glendale Ridge has become a true destination — a place where passions collide and you can view something special, no matter which way you happen to be looking.

Banks Fight Upstream from Domino Effect of Higher Interest Rates

By George O'Brien July 20, 2023

An Uphill Climb

Dan Moriarty was among the participants in the recent IRONMAN competition that wound its way through many Western Mass. communities.

The president and CEO of Monson Savings bank, Moriarty is also an avid biker, and decided to take things up a notch — or two, or three — with the IRONMAN, which featured a mile swim, downstream, in the Connecticut River; a 56-mile bike trek; and a half-marathon (13 miles and change).

Moriarty said his time — and he doesn’t like to talk about time — was roughly seven hours, and joked that that he believes he met what was his primary goal: “I wanted to come in first among all the local bank presidents.”

As things are turning out, the IRONMAN isn’t the only test of endurance he will face this year and next (yes, he’s already scheduled to take part again in 2024). He and all other banking leaders are facing another stern challenge, and where they finish on this one … well, there are several factors that will ultimately determine that, as we’ll see.

Indeed, the past year or so has been a long, mostly uphill, upstream stretch for banks, which are being severely tested by unprecedented interest rates hikes implemented by the Fed, which have a domino effect on banks — and their customers. For banks, these moves are squeezing margins that were already tight, with some margins off 50 basis points or more from last year. And for public banks, their stocks have, for the most part, been hammered.

This domino effect involves everything from the huge increase in interest paid to customers on their deposits to the manner in which those interest-rate hikes have brought the home-mortgage business to a virtual standstill.

To quantify that increase in interest paid to consumers, Tom Senecal, president and CEO of PeoplesBank, recalled a quote he read from the president of a large national bank that put things in their proper perspective.

“I won’t even call this a short-term problem anymore when it comes to profitability. It’s a medium-term problem that we’re all having to adjust to.”

“He said, ‘my raw-material costs have increased 600%,’” Senecal noted. “His raw materials are the funding for deposits for his wholesale assets, which have literally gone up 600%. If you look at any business and their profit margins — our raw materials have gone up 600%, so that squeezes our margins.”

Meanwhile, with interest rates more than double what they were a year or so ago, the refi market has obviously disappeared, said Kevin O’Connor, executive vice president of Westfield Bank, adding that, with home sales, those who might be thinking about trading up wouldn’t want to trade a 2% or 3% mortgage for one closer to 7% mortgage, so they’re taking what could be called a pause.

As is the Fed, which is taking a close look at the impact of its interest-rate hikes before deciding what to do next, although most experts expect at least one more rate hike this year.

And that will keep banks on this current treadmill, said Jeff Sullivan, president and CEO of Springfield-based New Valley Bank, adding that, while there has been talk that rates might start coming down this year, that likely won’t happen until at least early next year.

By then, the country may well be in recession, adding new levels of intrigue, said Moriarty, noting that the yield curve is currently inverted, a historically accurate predictor of recession.

“We’re going to eventually get into a recession in the third or fourth quarter of this year,” he said. “We were anticipating it might happen a little earlier with hopes that the Fed would have cut rates before of 2023, but now, we’re guessing that interest rates are going to be elevated another year out until they start cutting.”

Tom Senecal says unprecedented interest-rate hikes have put a great deal of pressure on banks large and small.

Overall, banks’ fortunes are tied, ironically enough, to how well the economy is doing, and they are in the unusual position of hoping that things cool off a little, said O’Connor, adding that, like the Fed itself, banks don’t want to see efforts to curb inflation throw the economy into reverse.

The biggest question, among many others, concerns when the pendulum might start swinging in the other direction and things will improve for banks. There is no consensus there — not with the economy still doing well, a presidential election looming in 2024, and other factors.

But the general feeling is that the uphill portion of this trek won’t be over soon.

“I won’t even call this a short-term problem anymore when it comes to profitability,” Sullivan said. “It’s a medium-term problem that we’re all having to adjust to.”

Moriarty agreed, noting that, while the first two quarters of 2023 has been a difficult year for most banks, the rest of this year and 2024 might be an even more of an uphill climb.

Points of Interest

Senecal told BusinessWest that, as he was heading home for the first weekend in March, he planned to take a break from his phone and spend a few days unplugged.

And he did … until news broke that Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) in California had failed after a bank run on its deposits.

So he started looking at his phone again. And he kept looking at it.

“The weekend that SVB failed, the four largest banks in the country took in roughly $140 billion in new deposits, and community banks, in general, lost $130 million in deposits. There was a huge move to larger institutions out of fear.”

Indeed, there were many discussions with other leaders of the bank about how to communicate with customers and convince them that their deposits were safe.

“That whole weekend, myself and our commercial team and our retail people were on the phone explaining what was going on, answering their questions, and putting their minds at ease,” he recalled. “And I talked to a number of my competitors, and they were doing the same thing.”

Such discussions were necessary, he said, because even though those deposits were becoming far more burdensome, cost-wise, as he noted earlier, all banks need them to have the money to grow their loans, and consumers were getting skittish.

Despite the interest-rate hikes, the economy is still humming in many respects, Jeff Sullivan says, meaning the Fed may still have some work to do to slow it down.

“The weekend that SVB failed, the four largest banks in the country took in roughly $140 billion in new deposits, and community banks, in general, lost $130 million in deposits,” he said, citing a combination of concern fueled by social media and the ease with which consumers can now move money electronically as the dominant causes. “There was a huge move to larger institutions out of fear.”

Overall, there was less fallout in this region, said O’Connor, another of those banking leaders who was the phone to customers assuring them that their assets were safe, adding that the failure of SVB and a few other banks this spring, and the resulting fallout from depositors, were just one of the many speedbumps encountered by banks in 2023.

Indeed, this was a year the industry knew would be challenging — or more challenging — going in, especially with regard to rising interest rates. Just not this challenging.

“Just a year ago, rates were quite low, and everyone thought rates were going up a point and a half, maybe 2%, something in that ballpark — that was the consensus prior to August of last year, when Chairman [Jerome] Powell said, ‘no, we’re really going to stomp on the brakes,’” Sullivan said. “Up to that point, we thought that rates would go up slightly, and we were modeling our projections on that; I don’t think there’s anyone who projected that rates would go up 5% in seven months — that’s unprecedented territory, and that’s what is causing the squeeze.”

O’Connor agreed. A year or so, banks were paying maybe a half-percent interest on deposits, he recalled, adding that most new CD products being advertised are featuring rates in the 4.5% to 4.9% range on the higher end, while rates on money-market accounts are coming up as well, numbers that reflect both the need to garner new deposits and growing competion for those assets.

“You have competition from other banks, internet-only banks, the security brokers — everyone is clamoring for those deposits,” O’Connor said. “And that certainly puts pressure on all banks, including community banks.”

Institutions are adjusting to this landscape, said those we spoke with, but it’s going to take some time to fully adjust because the rate hikes came so quickly and profoundly.

And such adjustments take several forms, they said, including efforts to trade fixed-rate assets for variable-rate assets, initiatives that take time and come with their own set of risks — indeed, rates could, that’s could, go down quickly.

Dan Moriarty says many ominous signs point toward a recession, which could bring more challenges for banks and their customers.

On the mortgage side of the equation, there aren’t many options. Senecal said PeoplesBank has been working to acquire mortgages written in areas that are still relatively hot, such as Cape Cod. Meanwhile, O’Connor said Westfield Bank and institutions like it are pushing home-equity loans, and there is a good market for them as homeowners look to take that equity and put it back into their homes or make other large purchases.

“It certainly doesn’t make up for what we’re losing in mortgages and refis, but it does help,” O’Connor said. “We’re seeing a lot of interest in home-equity loans.”

No Margin for Error

While banks cope with the present, there is just as much discussion, if not more, concerning what will happen next and when conditions will improve for this sector.

And most of that discussion obviously involves the Fed and what will happen with interest rates, because it’s these rates that determine what happens with all those dominoes.

There is some general uncertainty about what the Fed will do, said those we spoke with, because the jury is still out, in some respects and at least in some quarters, on whether it has accomplished its mission when it comes to slowing down the economy and curbing inflation. This uncertainty led to intense discussion at the most recent Fed board meeting, Senecal said.

“There are two schools of thought on this. One is, ‘let’s wait and see what our rate increases are doing to the economy, because it’s like steering a battleship — it doesn’t happen right away,’” he told BusinessWest. “So the Fed took this pause trying to gauge what happened, and what happened? Inflation came down little bit; it was up to 6 or 7%, and now it’s 3.5% or 4%. But their goal is to get it to 2%. So do they continue to raise rates and wait to pause, or do they raise and do a long pause to see if inflation comes down to their target level of 2%?”

“I don’t think there’s anyone who projected that rates would go up 5% in seven months — that’s unprecedented territory, and that’s what is causing the squeeze.”

While inflation slowed in June — the consumer price index rose 0.2% last month and was up 3% from a year ago, the lowest level since March 2021 — core inflation is still running well above the Fed’s 2% target. And Moriarty is among those saying there is ample evidence that the Fed still has work to do to slow the economy and further decrease inflation.

“Employment numbers are surging, and that’s an indication the economy is still moving fast and hot,” he said. “My uneducated crystal ball is telling me we might see a few more interest-rate moves, which means it’s going to be more difficult for the economy to continue on this path.”

Many are saying that the probable course will be another rate increase and then that pause, he went on, adding that there is more conjecture about what will then happen. Will rates stay where they are, or will they start to come down and perhaps reverse the trends seen over the past year or so?

Kevin O’Connor says rising interest rates have slowed the mortgage business — and destroyed the refi business.

“The consensus is that the economy is starting to slow down — not quickly, but it’s starting to slow down — and that rate cuts will probably start to happen in 2024 because inflation and economic growth both show signs of slowing down,” Sullivan said. “When that happens, we can start to price the deposit costs down.

“We’re probably not going back to where we were before,” he went on, meaning rates near zero. “We’re going back to normal, or what could be a new normal — deposit rates in the 3% range. They’re not going to be zero, and they’re not going to be 5%; they’re probably going to be somewhere in the middle once all this settles out.”

When things will settle down is another question that is difficult to answer because the economy is still chugging along, and, with the notable exception of the mortgage market, consumers are still borrowing money.

“Borrowers have gotten used to paying loan rates in the 6s and 7s — they’re not happy about it, but it doesn’t seem to be stopping anyone’s appetite for acquiring assets and borrowing money,” Sullivan said. “There’s still plenty of business out there, and that would support what Powell has been saying — that they haven’t really slowed the economy yet; in fact, it’s pretty darned good. We’re taking applications every day, and we’re writing loans every day; we’re running our business as usual.”

Taking Account

Well … not quite usual at most institutions, especially with regard to mortgages and refis, a huge part of the success formula for the region’s community banks and credit unions.

In this environment, O’Connor said, Westfield Bank and institutions like it are putting even more emphasis on customer service, attracting new customers and retaining existing customers.

“We have to make sure that we’re the bank of choice and remain that,” he said. “We work hard at the commercial relationships, the consumer relationships … our branch teams, our cash-management teams, our lenders, everyone is out there being very available to our customers and working hard to attract new customers from other banks.”

Banks are always working hard on attracting and retaining customers, he said in conclusion, but this year, and in this climate, there is even more emphasis on such initiatives.

It’s all part of a broad response to something that is a little more than your typical economic cycle. It’s somewhat unprecedented, in fact … and certainly a long, uphill climb for most banks.

Double Edge Theatre Reflects a Holistic View of the World

By Joseph Bednar July 20, 2023

Creative Economy Special Coverage

Art and Soul

Double Edge Theatre isn’t the easiest organization to describe.

Or, perhaps more accurately, it’s not an entity that lends itself to one obvious description. And that’s a positive thing, said Adam Bright, the company’s producing executive director.

“If you ask a different Double Edge ensemble member or anyone who works here, they’ll have a slightly different answer, I would imagine,” Bright said. “But for me, it’s simply that we’re trying to live together with an understanding, with certain agreements, about how we want to leave the world after we’ve stepped through it.”

That said, “we’re definitely an arts organization first, and everybody here is extremely creatively minded,” he noted. “We all come from different educational backgrounds, different parts of the world, we all grew up in different places, but we’ve all been magnetized to this strange little place.

“Everything you’ll see here comes from that seed of creative thinking,” Bright went on. “The way we’ve renovated the buildings that could no longer be used for dairy farming and were repurposed. The way we create theater and art, and how we integrate that with our work with conservationists, the Native peoples of this area, and how they approach the land. It’s a holistic way of thinking and being.”

Double Edge was born in Boston in 1982 but moved to Ashfield, a bucolic Franklin County community, in 1997, repurposing, as Bright noted, a former dairy farm into a theater company that stages performances, including ‘spectacles’ the audience follows across the grounds (more on those later), but also hosts training programs, workshops, and much more.

It does so while centered on values that are painted in large letters on one of the property’s buildings.

“We’re trying to live together with an understanding, with certain agreements, about how we want to leave the world after we’ve stepped through it.”

“Our vision is to prioritize imagination in times of creative, emotional, spiritual, and political uncertainty,” the message reads. “Our mission is to pursue authenticity, interaction, and identity with whomever is seeking creative, emotional, spiritual, and political clarity. Our art is grounded in a rigorous ensemble aesthetic unfolded in dream, imagery, metaphor, mystery, and symbolism. Our work is created and sustained within an open, honest, meaningful, relevant shared experience. We call this ‘living culture.’”

And then: “Our dedication is to face isolation and erasure, to face despair and pain that can translate into personal incapacity and political paralysis. To uplift. We call this ‘art justice.’”

It’s a mouthful, and Bright knows it. But at its core is a reflection of life that many people in this modern world — especially post-pandemic — have gotten away from.

“I think we’ve isolated ourselves more and more. Even in neighborhoods that seem great, everyone goes to their little boxes, and then they’re isolated,” he explained. “I think what we’re creating here — or recreating, let’s say — is something closer to a village, and that feels healthy. On any given day, there will be 70 people working here, ages 18 to 70-something, from all over the world: different languages, different cultures, different music, all of these things in this little place.”

Adam Bright says Double Edge is an arts organization first, but one that is always considering how it interacts with and impacts its community and its world.

As part of that philosophy, Double Edge has taken a keen interest over the years in the Indigenous history of Ashfield and its environs, specifically the Nipmuc Tribal Nation, which traces its lineage in the region back 12,000 years. The theater company has partnered with the Ohketeau Cultural Center in efforts to bring awareness to this heritage and support Native priorities today.

“Our interactions introduced us to the Indigenous peoples who still inhabit this land after millennia, even though their presence has been rendered invisible on the land we now occupy,” Double Edge notes in its literature. “Ashfield may never be ‘diverse’ within the currently circumscribed and restrictive use of the term. However, the mission, values, vision, and work of Double Edge will always reflect the larger population of our region, our state, and our country.”

Making a Spectacle of Themselves

Amid its cultural passions, this is, as Bright noted, primarily an arts organization, and its performances — both on site and touring — have become widely noted for their unique, eclectic, and interactive nature.

“The art is predominantly theater, although we touch all the mediums of art,” Bright said, noting that company members — some live on the grounds for extended stretches, while others commute — not only write and perform works, but build and paint sets; create costumes; handle lighting, sound, rigging, and other production aspects; and more,

The summer performances are called ‘spectacles,’ and it’s an apt term. “They move around this farm, so the whole farm turns into a theatrical stage, essentially,” Bright said. “We really interact with the outside world; there are giant puppets and fire.”

“Even in neighborhoods that seem great, everyone goes to their little boxes, and then they’re isolated. I think what we’re creating here — or recreating, let’s say — is something closer to a village, and that feels healthy.”

The audience — which is capped at 80 to 90 per night — follows the performance across the grounds, both inside and outside its buildings, and are often timed to begin in sunlight and end with dark skies, beside a small lagoon lit by fire and stage lights, lined with platforms in the trees, a trapeze, a trampoline, and more. It’s … well, a spectacle.

“We essentially guide everything, from parking the car through the final hurrah,” Bright explained. “There’s a whole journey that the audience follows, and whether you’re at the front or the back, you’ll experience the whole thing. You won’t miss out on anything, although each audience member experiences it differently.”

Double Edge creates ‘spectacles’ that move around the farm, so the whole property turns into a theatrical stage.
Photo by David Weiland

The spectacles have been a staple of Double Edge’s offerings for a couple decades. “Lots of people are involved; it could be painting giant murals or doing puppets, making costumes,” he said. “We also work with a bunch of contractors that come in to help us with some heavy lifting, certain set pieces. So, really, lots of people are involved before we even open the performance.”

The current spectacle, directed by Double Edge founder and Artistic Director Stacy Klein, is called The Hidden Territories of the Bacchae, and is “our response to Euripides’ Bacchae, in which women’s rites are no longer in hidden territories and women are freely able to express their deeply held desires,” according to the company’s description. It runs from July 19 through Aug. 6, and tickets are available at doubleedgetheatre.org.

“Then, other times of the year, we make other works that can go into regular-type theatres, and we tour,” Bright said. “We just got back from Europe for a couple of tours there. It’s still large-scale, but it becomes a little bit more intimate, and you can control more in the theatrical setting than outdoors. There are different limitations, I would say. But it’s still visually stunning, very physical, poetic … it’s definitely not your average Shakespeare recital.”

Meanwhile, Double Edge offers residencies and other cooperative oppportunities to like-minded companies across the U.S., he noted. “We come together once or twice a year, and we train together, and sometimes we present each other’s work. So it’s really a cool thing.”

Hannah Rechtschaffen, director of Greenfield Business Assoc., who recently came on board Double Edge as its team and relationships manager, called the organization one of the most well-organized and communicative companies she’s ever worked for.

The concepts of ‘living culture’ and ‘art justice’ are integral to the training and performance work going on at Double Edge.

“You don’t find that in a lot of arts organizations. Sometimes the art is taking over so much that the business side lacks a little, and I think one of the real strengths of Double Edge, and one of the reasons that we rise as a real leader and attract people from many sectors, not just the art sector, is because, though our message is really complex, it’s also very clear because it’s being rolled out in a way that a lot of different people can relate to.”

Living History

Klein founded Double Edge in 1982 as a feminist ensemble collective alongside co-founder and emerita ensemble member Carroll Durand and several other women, performing in six-week rentals of various Boston theaters.

In 1985, the ensemble located a parish hall in Allston, a long-unused building at the Episcopal Church of Saints Luke and Margaret. Following renovations, this was its home for the next 12 years. In 1994, the company located a new home in Ashfield, precipitated by the economic impossibility of paying exorbitant rent in the Boston area, and by the desire to house overseas guest artists for long periods.

After driving back and forth for a couple years, the Double Edge team opened their first performance space in Ashfield — in a converted barn — in 1997.

In addition to its spectacles, which launched in 2002, Klein and her team have created seven performance cycles, or series of plays, that have toured around the world, including:

• The Garden of Intimacy and Desire (2002-08), a cycle exploring distinctive visions of magic realism in Jewish and Hispanic culture;

• The Chagall Cycle (2010-15), which was imagined entirely from the visual art of Marc Chagall;

• The Latin American Cycle (2015-18), which began as an effort to come to artistic terms with Co-Artistic Director Carlos Uriona’s sociocultural and personal background; and

• The Surrealist Cycle (2017-present) three performances, loosely woven together, relating to the Latin American Cycle and research into surrealism.

In addition, the Ashfield Town Spectacle & Culture Fair (May 2017) and We the People (summer 2017 and 2018) were a duet and ode to the history of Ashfield and the surrounding hilltowns of Western Mass. Eighty local artists and groups participated in each two-day event, which took place throughout the entire town of Ashfield, ending in a 700-person parade and an aerial flight over the Ashfield Lake.

“There’s a whole journey that the audience follows, and whether you’re at the front or the back, you’ll experience the whole thing. You won’t miss out on anything, although each audience member experiences it differently.”

Clearly, a sense of place and culture is a constant theme here, and Double Edge itself is a model for a living community. About 10 years ago, the ensemble started thinking about ‘greening’ and the necessity of moving off the grid, “not only as giveback for what we receive from nature, but also as a model for theaters around the country and other organizations who are themselves modeling unsustainable building and operating practices,” the organization notes.

With that in mind, single-use plastic was banned from the farm for our students, audiences, and daily living, and the property has also started using solar energy and wants to replace all its heating systems, with the dream of building a solar farm and multi-acre apiary and wildflower sanctuary.

So, yes — this is a theater company with a lot on its mind, one that takes a holistic approach to art and life, striving to find the critical connections that often get lost in today’s world.

“I’m always in the intersection of economic development and the creative arts, and how those things come together,” Rechtschaffen said. “It’s a constant process of figuring out how to communicate that in a way that every sector can understand. I think that’s something that we do incredibly well and have an opportunity to do even more — to figure out how to grow that impact.”

Goodless Electric Charges Ahead in Its Eighth Decade

By Joseph Bednar July 20, 2023

Building Trades Special Coverage

Current Events

President Jeff Goodless

Early on, Jeff Goodless knew life wasn’t easy in the world of electrical contracting.

But he also knew his family had built a strong reputation in the field since 1945, so it was always on his mind to one day enter the family business.

“I went to Northeastern University for five years,” he said, studying electrical engineering and business management there in the 1970s and taking advantage of NU’s well-known co-op work programs. “Everybody said, ‘why did you go to the co-op school?’ But I wanted to go through the experience of actually working and doing real interviews, knowing I was coming here, just to have that experience.

“I came back here and thought I was going to take a month off, and my father said, ‘you can have a day off,’” he went on. “So I came right to work, right out of college.”

He knew that was a good decision and knows it even more now, almost a half-century later, with Goodless Electric marking 78 years in business, still serving clients in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, just like his father, Leon Goodless, and uncle, Irving Goodless, did from the start.

Irving launched the business behind his parents’ home in Springfield, and his brother Leon joined in 1957, when the firm took the name Goodless Brothers Electric Co.

They did quite a bit of moving in the first few decades, Jeff said, to Riverdale Road in West Springfield, Worthington Street and then Winter Street in Springfield, then to the current location at 100 Memorial Ave. in West Springfield, alongside the Route 5 rotary at the Memorial Bridge. Irving retired in 1977, Irving retired in 1977, around the time his nephew came on board part-time. Jeff moved into a full-time role around 1982 and eventually took over the firm’s leadership.

“Everybody went into computer technology. That’s really what happened; they all went into IT, computer technology, and they weren’t going through the electrical programs. But now, I think the classrooms are filling up again.”

“Believe it or not, the type of work has stayed the same, although maybe on a larger scale later,” Jeff told BusinessWest. “But even way back when, they always did residential, industrial, and commercial work. They ran maybe three, four, six guys.”

At its heyday, Goodless said, the company was running about 90 workers, where now, it boasts about 20, keeping them busy with projects ranging from parking-lot maintenance and upgrades, generator services, and fire-alarm systems to lighting retrofits, swimming pools and hot tubs, and residential and commercial service upgrades, just to name a few.

“There’s a lot of jobs with UMass Amherst, a lot of state work, some city work, fire stations, DPW facilities, a little bit of everything. A lot of work for the housing authorities throughout the years, too,” he said. “We don’t do new homes, but I do additions and a lot of repair work. Out of our service department, we run about four vans, and we roll basically 24 hours a day.”

Goodless Electric celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2020, a major milestone for any company.

As the firm celebrated 75 years in business in 2020, an emerging pandemic posed serious challenges, especially since it was performing work at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, where COVID killed 84 residents.

“I couldn’t get my people to go up there, and I couldn’t really blame them,” Goodless recalled. “People didn’t want to work; people were scared. I had an outbreak in my office. It was challenging.”

What made a difference, he said, was the federal Paycheck Protection Program, which poured funds into businesses to keep their teams employed. “We took advantage of that; it was so helpful. We used it right. We used it responsibly. We kept guys going. In fact, we didn’t have to let anybody go through the pandemic at all.”

“I tell them, ‘if you work hard, if you work diligently, you can have anything you want. The sky’s the limit if you want to work.”

The economic ripple effects from the pandemic — particularly higher costs and supply-chain issues — still resonate, however. Goodless was able to stock up on things like 100-amp and 200-amp panels to keep housing projects moving, but said customers are still shocked to hear it might take nine to 10 months to get switchgear in.

“We say it over and over again: we’re not the chef; we’re the waiter. We don’t make the stuff,” he said. “It’s still a very difficult message to get through, though.”

The Next Generation

Goodless said the company’s reputation for fast response and competitive bids has helped it earn multiple awards for customer service.

At the same time, though, growth is challenging at a time when building trades of all kinds are beset with a talent drain.

“The workforce situation is awful,” he said. “You can get people, but it’s very hard to get good people in. But I’ve been pretty fortunate; I’ve been able to pick up a few people along the way during the past couple of years, and I’m working on a third one right now.”

Part of the issue has been the pipeline of new, young talent not keeping up with the pace of retirements, but Goodless said that might be changing.

This wall represents some of Jeff Goodless’ first projects for clients in the late ‘70s.

“Over the years, we noticed a huge decline in the electrical trade,” he said, referring to the programs young people were choosing to study. “Everybody went into computer technology. That’s really what happened; they all went into IT, computer technology, and they weren’t going through the electrical programs. But now, I think the classrooms are filling up again.”

He’s gleaned as much through conversations with teachers at the trade schools in Springfield, Westfield, Holyoke, and others, who say students are more serious than before about entering the electrical field and other trades. Part of the reason may be the talk of graduates of four-year colleges entering the workforce with six-figure debt and a cloudy career path.

“A kid in a trade, they’ll pay their dues and go through the program, and at the end, you can make well over 100 grand a year. And you’re going to do your side jobs like everyone does and make another 25 grand,” he said. “I tell them, ‘if you work hard, if you work diligently, you can have anything you want. The sky’s the limit if you want to work.’”

And work hard Goodless has over the past four-plus decades, outlasting many former clients whose companies are no longer in business. And it’s work he relishes.

“Everybody will have something different to say,” he noted when asked what he enjoys about running this 78-year-old business. “I love going after a bid, going over the numbers, and winning the bid. That gives me a thrill. My second-biggest thrill is going out and doing the buys.”

He’s also got his eye on making sure Goodless Electric continues to be a force for many years to come, even after it moves past family ownership.

“I always think about what I’m going to do with this business as I’m getting older. My ultimate goal is to turn it over to the employees, or half to the employees and maybe sell the other half, something of that nature,” he said. “I just want to keep the business going, keep the name going.”

Retreating Cannabis Sector Changes Real-estate Landscape in Holyoke

By George O'Brien July 20, 2023

Commercial Real Estate Special Coverage

Building Anxiety

Trulieve will soon be leaving the Massachusetts market, and its property on Canal Street in Holyoke, leaving questions about the site’s future.

Aaron Vega calls it the ‘year of reckoning.’

And he’s not the only one who uses such language when talking about 2023 and the cannabis industry.

This has been a year when a confluence of forces has brought stern challenges to a sector that got off to a fast and hot start in this region. These forces, including mounting competition and falling prices, have prompted some players to exit the market — Truelieve was the latest to make that decision — and others to delay or cancel entry into it.

The impact of these rather sudden changes in the fortunes of the cannabis industry has changed the landscape in many different ways and in many different communities. But perhaps the greatest impact has been on the commercial real-estate market in the city that has most aggressively pursued this sector: Holyoke.

Indeed, a market that was once white-hot as Holyoke officials, led by former Mayor Alex Morse, rolled out the red carpet for cannabis has cooled off substantially, said Vega, director of the city’s Office of Planning and Economic Development, adding that this trend will likely continue as the cannabis sector continues adjusting and responding to the changing climate.

“We’re wondering … how does that property move? What does that company want to sell it for, and what is the acquisition cost going to be? It comes currently with a $300,000 tax bill; that’s a lot of money to keep a building empty. We’re hoping they’re able to move it or work with the city to find a public solution.”

A number of properties have been purchased or leased, and at prices that could not have imagined a decade ago. And as some cannabis businesses close or leave the market and others delay their plans to start, questions mount about all that real estate and what will happen with it.

“A lot of the buildings were locked up because they were purchased at a much higher price than they were probably worth, and now those companies are not going forward, or their timelines are stretched out,” he said. “Are they going to sell these buildings? Are they going to be able to maintain these buildings? They come with tax bills, and they come with maintenance; if you don’t have anything going on inside that you’re making money with, it becomes more of a struggle.”

The most visible manifestation of this changing landscape is the property at 56 Canal St., home (but not for much longer) to Trulieve’s 126,000-square-foot growing, processing, and testing facility, the former Conklin Office Furniture building. Truelieve poured tens of millions into purchasing, renovating, and retrofitting the former mill for cannabis-related uses, said Vega, who wondered out loud how the company could possibly recover that kind of investment given the current fortunes of the cannabis industry.

“We’re wondering … how does that property move? What does that company want to sell it for, and what is the acquisition cost going to be?” he asked. “It comes currently with a $300,000 tax bill; that’s a lot of money to keep a building empty. We’re hoping they’re able to move it or work with the city to find a public solution.”

While some ventures are slated to open in the coming weeks and months, Vega said, there are at least 20 properties for which special permits have been approved — for one or more of the several types of cannabis-related businesses — but where there has been little movement, if any, on site toward opening those businesses.

Vega said he was only half-kidding when he suggested that Trulieve donate its Canal Street property to the city and its redevelopment authority, which could then try to attract more and different kinds of indoor agriculture businesses. Among other things, the transformation of old mills across the city for cannabis-related uses has shown what can be done with those properties, he noted, adding that indoor agriculture could be a growth industry for the city — literally and figuratively — moving forward.

Meanwhile, another emerging model for these mills could be an incubator-like facility, such as the one taking shape at 1 Cabot St., another old mill, the former Riverside Paper Co. building, purchased by Tom and Karen Cusano in 2018.

Tom Cusano says the property at 1 Cabot St. will become an incubator of sorts for several small, cannabis-related businesses, a model he believes has a great deal of promise.

There, several smaller companies, many of them social-equity ventures, are moving forward with plans, Tom said, adding that this is a different kind of model, and one he believes has some staying power.

“We have one operating tenant and four tenants who are in the licensing process, and we’re building out their space — they should be operational within 90 to 120 days,” he said, adding that this model calls for reasonable lease rates, most buildout handled by the owner, and opportunities to grow if and when the businesses do.

For this issue and its focus on commercial real estate, we take a look at what’s happening in Holyoke — and not happening, as the case may be — and what it all means moving forward.

Pot Luck

Vega told BusinessWest that the cannabis experience — and it is ongoing — has benefited Holyoke in a number of ways.

Beyond the hundreds of thousands of square feet of old mill space that has been absorbed and the jobs created, the arrival of this industry has given the city a tremendous amount of exposure locally, regionally, and even nationally and internationally, he said, adding that many people in business who didn’t know about the city’s assets and benefits, from available real estate to green, comparatively inexpensive energy, now do. And this bodes well moving forward.

For the immediate future, though, the relative strength and resilience of the local cannabis industry is the primary topic of conversation in this year of reckoning. At the very least, there are now real questions about whether this sector has already peaked, and if not, how much more it can grow.

To quantify and qualify the changes that have taken place, Vega talked about phone-call volume — as in calls from cannabis companies calling with questions about the city and opportunities to land there — and his overall workload when it comes to handling license applications and related matters.

“When I started in this job two and a half years ago, we were talking to companies once a week, and we had that peak of having 70 host agreements,” he noted. “Working with the City Council, we got 38 special permits approved; that’s a lot of work on a lot of people’s part.

“But now, I think we had two host-community agreements in the last three months, and two projects in front of the City Council and other departments for review,” he went on. “In two years, it’s changed quite a bit.”

Elaborating, he said many of the major players and ‘funders’ in this industry have already moved on to the next emerging markets in this industry, such as Connecticut and New York, with their attention also focused on federal legislation to legalize cannabis.

“With the cannabis industry, it was kind of predatory; everyone looked at it like it was the golden goose. If you had a building, you asked for four times what it was worth, and if you had space to lease, you asked the tenant to spend millions of dollars to fix up your run-down building.”

All of this is reflected in the commercial real-estate market, he said, referencing the large question marks now hanging over several of the properties acquired or leased — at high prices — with cannabis businesses in mind.

Cusano, who purchased his property not long after cannabis was legalized in this state, summed up the market frenzy, if that’s the right term, this way:

“With the cannabis industry, it was kind of predatory; everyone looked at it like it was the golden goose. If you had a building, you asked for four times what it was worth, and if you had space to lease, you asked the tenant to spend millions of dollars to fix up your run-down building. And, quite honestly, very few people could afford that.

“Some of the big, multi-state operators came in with deep pockets and dumped tons of money,” he went on. “And as we can see with Trulieve, that doesn’t seem to work.”

He’s taking a different approach, one he thinks will generate some long-term success.

Indeed, at the Cabot Street property, he’s drawing on 20 years of experience with renovating and then leasing out a former mill building to emerging small businesses in New Hampshire.

“We’re trying to help these small businesses get started; we’re doing the lion’s share of the renovation work and essentially giving them a turnkey operation except for fixtures and whatever they need to run their business, whether they’re doing cultivation, manufacturing, or processing,” he said. “We’ve talked with multiple tenants; we’ll have a retail dispensary in the front of the building that we’re working on.”

Elaborating, he said he and Karen purchased the building “for a song” and have invested far more than $1 million in it thus far. He said he’s had some experience with the cannabis industry in New Hampshire and Maine and understands its potential, both as a source of tenants and its importance to the community in question.

At present, there is one business operating at the property on Cabot Street, Mill Town, a cultivation and light-manufacturing operation, Cusano said, adding that several more are in the pipeline, ventures that will occupy 10,000- to 35,000-square-foot spaces.

He believes this model will fare better than some of the other strategies that have been tried — mostly companies overpaying to purchase or lease property, a situation that adds another layer of challenge to their ability to remain competitive in a rapidly changing market.

“People were overpaying, dumping a ton of money into these properties, and then the market collapsed because of oversupply, and they were upside-down,” he said. “We have a saying in the retail business — you can sell below cost and make up the difference with volume. But not for long.”

Bottom Line

Returning to his thoughts about indoor farming and how properties like the Trulieve facility might be turned over to such uses, Vega said such prospects represent just one of the ways the changing real-estate climate in Holyoke represents both challenge and opportunity.

“Let’s keep the cannabis industry, but let’s also help the local food economy,” he said. “Someone growing lettuce and micrograins can’t afford a $40 million building, but if the redevelopment authority can gain control of that building or sell it without needing to make a profit, and we can get a whole industry or a bunch of small businesses going, we can create a food economy, and that would be huge.”

He acknowledged, without actually saying so, that such plans represent a real long shot. The reality is that, rather than solutions, there might be more question marks for the buildings bought with designs on entering what looked at the time to be a lucrative cannabis sector.

And if things break the wrong way, Holyoke may wind up with what it had before it rolled out the red carpet for this industry — a large number of vacant and underutilized properties.

Florence Bank Welcomes Ryan Hess as Vice President, Commercial Team Leader

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2023

Daily News

FLORENCE — Florence Bank announced that Ryan Hess has joined the staff as vice president and commercial team leader.

Hired in June, Hess has more than 11 years of experience in banking, serving in roles from credit analyst and portfolio manager to leadership in commercial lending. He most recently served as chief lending officer for a locally based startup bank and played a key role in its founding.

Hess came to Florence Bank for its reputation as a community partner, noting that “it’s an effective bank that’s never strayed away from community involvement and serving the community. In his work as a lender, he enjoys delivering solutions to business customers. “It’s very rewarding. These are peoples’ livelihoods. There’s an impact and story there.”

He said his first few months have solidified his perspective on Florence Bank. “It’s been evident from the first minute I was in the office that Florence has a great corporate culture.”

Hess holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Stonehill College. He serves as co-chair of the Ronald McDonald House golf committee, a member of the Make-A-Wish golf committee, and vice chair of the Springfield Zoning Board of Appeals.

Gary Rome Hyundai to Host Awards Presentation on July 27

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2023

Daily News

HOLYOKE — Executives from Hyundai Motor America will visit Gary Rome Hyundai and present two prestigious awards given only to top dealers. On Thursday, July 27 at 4 p.m., Hyundai will present Gary Rome with the 2022 Hyundai Board of Excellence Award as well as the Global Dealer Award. The presentation will take place at the Gary Rome Hyundai Showroom, located at 150 Whiting Farms Road in Holyoke.

Gary’s awards will be presented by the following Hyundai Motor America Executives:

The Hyundai Board of Excellence Award is given only to a small number of dealers each year. This national recognition program rewards top-performing dealerships for sales and service excellence.

The Global Dealer Award incorporates sales, service, customer satisfaction, and facility KPIs for all dealers globally. Only 100 dealers receive this award globally, and Gary Rome Hyundai is one of the 19 in the U.S.

New England Financial Marketing Assoc. Welcomes Jamie Conaghan as President

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2023

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The New England Financial Marketing Assoc. (NEFMA) recently welcomed Jamie Conaghan as its new president. With 15 years of experience in the financial and marketing industry, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role. She has previously served as NEFMA’s vice president and currently serves as the senior vice president of Marketing & Digital at Main Street Bank, based in Marlborough, where she oversees the marketing department and shapes the bank’s digital experience, ensuring a customer-centric approach.

“I’m honored to step into the role of president for NEFMA,” Conaghan said. “This organization has welcomed me with open arms since the start, and I deeply value the camaraderie and expertise of our ever-growing members. I am excited and committed to continuing to deliver excellent content and connections.”

Conaghan is passionate about striking a balance between personal service and technology to deliver exceptional customer experiences. Her commitment to enhancing financial literacy is evident through her involvement in various community organizations. In addition to her new role as NEFMA president, she also serves as vice chair of the board of directors for the Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce, actively contributing to the growth and development of the business community.

Furthermore, Conaghan’s dedication to financial education is showcased through her volunteer work as a mentor and facilitator for the Dollar $cholar program. By empowering girls and promoting positive change through philanthropy and women’s leadership, she is making a tangible impact on the lives of individuals and the community at large.

Monson Savings Bank Donates $2,250 to Shriners Children’s New England

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2023

Daily News

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty recently presented a $2,250 donation to Stacey Perlmutter, director of Development for Shriners Children’s New England.

The donation was made as a part of the 2023 Monson Savings Bank Community Giving Initiative, in which the public was given the opportunity to cast their votes to support their favorite local charitable organizations.

“Monson Savings Bank is proud to make this contribution to the Shriners Children’s New England. Our donation will support the patient care, medical research, and education that directly benefits children living in our local communities,” Moriarty said. “It is remarkable that we have this amazing clinic that parents and guardians can turn to when their child needs specialty care right in our community.”

Shriners Children’s New England is a local clinic providing specialty orthopedic, neuromuscular, cleft lip and palate, and urologic care exclusively to children.

“We are thankful to Monson Savings for their continued support of the Shriners Children’s New England,” Perlmutter said. “Monson Savings Bank’s loyalty over the years has contributed to our patients having the best quality care, which improves their quality of life. The Springfield community is so fortunate to have a local bank like Monson Savings.”

Picture This

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2023

Picture This

Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected]

Planting Seeds

Greenfield Cooperative Bank (GCB) recently announced a $25,000 donation to the Franklin County Community Development Corp. (FCCDC). GCB President and CEO Tony Worden called the donation “a way of expressing our gratitude and appreciation for their work, and our commitment to the local economy and community.” FCCDC Executive Director John Waite said the funds will be directed to giving all types of businesses, at all stages, assistance and resources to start or grow their ventures.

Pictured, from left: FCCDC Communications Director Kate Lawless, Waite, and Worden.

Inspiring Artwork

On June 29, Baystate Health dedicated a massive mosaic to its employees across the health system as a recognition of their courage and compassion during the COVID-19 pandemic. Made of hand-carved sculptural tiles by New England artist Natalie Blake, the artwork hangs in the Daly Lobby of Baystate Medical Center. The mosaic incorporates the seven chakras, or energy centers, of the human body and uses the earth’s elements to draw parallels between the chakras and the many teams that collaborate to deliver care. A smaller rendering of “Seven Chakra Earth Mandala” will be installed at other Baystate Health sites.

Jennifer Faulkner, Baystate’s vice president of Team Member Experience and Talent Management, led the ceremony.

Common Knowledge

Located in the heart of downtown Greenfield, a newly installed business directory and community-information kiosk will serve as a year-round hub for Greenfield residents and visitors to discover the breadth of businesses, restaurants, and events featured throughout the city. The kiosk debuted on June 23, at the Greenfield City Common. The kiosk project was initiated last year when the city received a $47,500 grant from the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council.

Located in the heart of downtown Greenfield, a newly installed business directory and community-information kiosk

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2023

Court Dockets

The following is a compilation of recent lawsuits involving area businesses and organizations. These are strictly allegations that have yet to be proven in a court of law. Readers are advised to contact the parties listed, or the court, for more information concerning the individual claims.

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT

INSA Inc. v. Harmony of Massachusetts Inc.

Allegation: Money owed for goods sold and delivered: $8,758.36

Filed: 5/26/23

INSA Inc. v. Heka Inc.

Allegation: Money owed for goods sold and delivered: $20,595.30

Filed: 5/26/23

Carmen Sierra v. Anthony Munoz and Atlantic Courier Service LLC

Allegation: Motor-vehicle negligence causing personal injury, negligent entrustment: $41,863.83+

Filed: 6/9/23

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2023

Agenda

Healthcare Heroes Nominations

Through Jul. 29: In the spring of 2017, BusinessWest and its sister publication, the Healthcare News, created a new and exciting recognition program called Healthcare Heroes. It was launched with the theory that there are heroes working all across this region’s wide, deep, and all-important healthcare sector, and that there was no shortage of fascinating stories to tell and individuals and groups to honor. That theory has certainly been validated. But there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of heroes whose stories we still need to tell. And that’s where you come in. Nominations for the class of 2023 are due Saturday, July 29, and we encourage you to get involved and help recognize someone you consider to be a hero in the community we call Western Mass. in one (or more) of these seven categories: Patient/Resident/Client Care Provider; Health/Wellness Administrator/Administration; Emerging Leader; Community Health; Innovation in Health/Wellness; Collaboration in Health/Wellness; and Lifetime Achievement. Nominations can be submitted at businesswest.com/healthcare-heroes/nominations. For more information, contact Melissa Hallock at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or [email protected].

MOSSO Chamber Concert

Aug. 3: MOSSO (Musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra) will present a chamber-music concert on the lawn at the Longmeadow Adult Center, 211 Maple Road, Longmeadow at 6 p.m. The Keep It Fresh Quartet, an ensemble including MOSSO musicians Beth Welty, violin; Dani Rimoni, viola; Joel Wolfe, cello; and Jill Dreeben, flute, will perform a program that includes Gordon Jacob’s Four Fancies for Flute, Violin, Viola, and Cello; Mozart’s Duo for Violin and Viola in G, K. 423; Reger’s Serenade for Flute, Violin, and Viola, Op 141a; selected movements from Mozart’s Divertimento for Violin, Viola, and Cello, K. 563; Mozart’s Quartet in D for Flute, Violin, Viola, and Cello; and additional pieces to be announced from the stage. The concert will be performed rain or shine, and will be moved indoors at the Adult Center if there is inclement weather. Tickets are free, but advance reservations are required. For details, call (413) 565-4150 (option 1), or visit www.longmeadowma.gov/149/adult-center.

Zonta Palooza

Aug. 6: The Zonta Club of Northampton will host Zonta Palooza, a STEM scholarship music fundraiser at Northampton Center for the Arts, 33 Hawley St., in memory of Lynn Goodhue, a STEM pioneer who served with distinction at all levels of Zonta International. According to Zonta Northampton Club President Seren Derin, the event emcee will be Judith Fine, former owner of Gazebo in Northampton. The music lineup will include a mix of swing, blues, folk, and soul from Blackbird & Applegate, Louise Mosrie Coombe, and the O-Tones Trio, local musicians with a significant following. There will be refreshments and raffle prizes, from a quilt created by a friend of Zonta to gift certificates donated by local businesses. Visit northampton.zontadistrict1.org/zonta-palooza to register. Suggested donations are $20 to $100, payable by Venmo @zontaclubnoho; by check payable to Zonta Northampton, P.O. Box 1034, Belchertown, MA 01007; or by cash to a Zonta member before the event or at the door. The event committee hopes sponsors will help cover expenses so that all donations can be used to fund the scholarship in Goodhue’s name for a local woman pursuing a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degree program at an accredited university, college, or other institution.

Brew at the Zoo

Aug. 5: The Zoo in Forest Park will host its fifth annual Brew at The Zoo fundraising event from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event is ideal for both beer fanatics and animal lovers, combining craft-beer samples from local breweries with animal interactions. Attendees can also vote for their favorite home brews in a home-brew competition, listen to live music, play games, and enjoy food from various food trucks. VIP tickets are available for guests wanting an extra hour of sampling and more interactive encounters with animal ambassadors. The VIP hour runs from noon to 1 p.m. The zoo is focused on education, conservation, and rehabilitation and provides homes to animals that may not otherwise survive in the wild. All money raised goes toward the daily care of the 225-plus animals that call the Zoo their home. The zoo will be closed to the public on Aug. 5. Advanced tickets are required, and IDs will be checked at the door. Limited tickets are available. For a list of participating breweries and to purchase tickets, visit www.forestparkzoo.org/brew.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2023

People on the Move

Andrea O’Connor

Christina Turgeon

Fitzgerald Law named attorney Andrea O’Connor a shareholder and announced that attorney Christina Turgeon has joined the firm. O’Connor counsels corporate and consumer clients in all aspects of insolvency law, primarily including bankruptcy, asset protection, taxation, real estate, and commercial matters. Her experience representing debtors and creditors in all types of matters, from complex Chapter 11 cases to adversary proceeding litigation, as well as serving as a Chapter 7 trustee for the District of Connecticut, allows her to analyze problems from all angles and develop creative solutions. She has 13 years of legal experience, including a clerkship for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts. She earned a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from the University of Connecticut, and graduated magna cum laude from Western New England University School of Law. Turgeon has more than 21 years of practice experience and is primarily engaged in business litigation and counseling services, including reviewing and preparing discovery and trial strategies in Fitzgerald Law’s Litigation Department. In addition, her concentrations include bankruptcy law representing debtors and trustees before the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts in Massachusetts and Connecticut; commercial evictions; real-estate law representing buyers, sellers, and financial institutions in real-estate transactions; and general civil litigation representing plaintiffs and defendants in district and Superior courts. She earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in English literature from Western New England University and is also a graduate of Western New England University School of Law.

•••••

Jim Hickey

Florence Bank announced that Jim Hickey, vice president and director of Marketing Operations, has been promoted to lead the bank’s marketing efforts as senior vice president and director of Marketing. Hickey replaces Monica Curhan, who retired on April 7 after serving as senior vice president and director of Marketing for nearly 10 years. Hickey was hired in November 2021 as director of Marketing Operations with the explicit plan to one day take the helm as director of Marketing. He has 25 years of strategic marketing experience and holds a bachelor’s degree in English from UMass Amherst. He has experience in areas that include account management, creative development, media plan execution, and media buying. Before joining Florence Bank, he was vice president of Account Service at Communicators Group, a marketing communications firm in Keene, N.H. He has also served as vice president and director of Marketing for Westbank, a financial institution formerly based in West Springfield. Active in the community, he sits on the board for the Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity.

•••••

Country Bank announced that Crystal Mansfield, Customer Experience and Sales Support specialist, is the recipient of the 2023 President’s Platinum Award. The Bank’s recognition program, Above and Beyond, encourages team members to look for co-workers who embody the bank’s corporate values of integrity, service, teamwork, excellence, and prosperity (iSTEP). Within this program, members can receive different levels of recognition: Silver Spotlight, Gold Star, and the President’s Platinum. “Crystal embodies the bank’s corporate values in every interaction she has,” Country Bank President and CEO Paul Scully said. “Her nominator recognized her contributions to the organization, customers, and co-workers.”

•••••

Martha Page

Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (BAV), a growing nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local agriculture and a resilient regional food system, announced the appointment of Martha Page to its board of directors. With her extensive experience in nonprofit, government, and private-sector management, Page brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to further strengthen BAV’s mission and impact across the Berkshire-Taconic region. Page joins the board following her successful tenure as executive director of Hartford Food System Inc., where she spearheaded innovative initiatives to address food security, promote equitable access to nutritious food, and foster community development. Her deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the food system will be invaluable in helping guide BAV’s strategic vision. Throughout her career, Page has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to collaborative problem solving. Her multi-disciplinary background has allowed her to navigate complex landscapes and build strong partnerships across sectors that will play a vital role in helping to shape BAV’s initiatives.

•••••

ISO New England, the operator of the region’s bulk power system and wholesale electricity marketplace, announced the election of its 2023 board of directors slate. The slate includes new member Craig Ivey, retired president of Consolidated Edison Co. of New York Inc., who brings three decades of experience in the electricity industry. His three-year term will begin on Oct. 1. Current board members Brook Colangelo and Mark Vannoy have been reelected to their third and second terms, respectively. Roberto Denis will retire from the board this fall. Ivey served as president of Consolidated Edison Co. of New York Inc. for nine years, retiring in 2017. While in this role, he was responsible for all aspects of the electric system that serves more than 9 million New Yorkers. He previously spent 25 years at Dominion Energy, rising through the ranks from a part-time position during his college years to become senior vice president of Transmission and Distribution. Ivey serves on the board for Ameren Corp., as well as the Fresh Air Fund, a nonprofit serving children in low-income communities in New York City. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from North Carolina State University and has completed executive-education programs at the University of Michigan and Harvard University. Colangelo, elected to his third and final term, is vice president and chief information officer for Waters Corp. Earlier in his career, he served as chief information officer of the White House under President Obama. He holds a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University. Vannoy joined the ISO board in 2020 and was re-elected to a second term. He is currently president of Maine Water and previously served as the chairperson of the Maine Public Utilities Commission. He is a retired U.S. Navy officer, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, and holds a master’s degree from Cornell University.

•••••

Greg LaCasse

Whittlesey, a leading tax and advisory services provider, announced the promotion of Greg LaCasse, CPA to partner. LaCasse joined the firm in 2017 and has 30 years of experience in public and private accounting, including roles with the Big 4, as well as serving as chief financial officer for an international IT consulting firm. He is an active member of Whittlesey’s real-estate, construction, and manufacturing niche and specializes in providing tax and advisory services to both businesses and individuals, with a focus on working with clients in the professional service, medical, real-estate, retail, wholesale, and manufacturing and distribution industries. LaCasse holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Central Connecticut State University and a master’s degree in taxation from the University of Hartford. He also pursues continuing professional education in taxation and business-advisory services. He is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants.

•••••

Nonotuck Resource Associates Inc. announced the recent hiring of Gretchen Parker as Human Resources director. Parker comes to Nonotuck with 20 years of experience in human resources, as well as a career spent working with nonprofits. At Nonotuck, she will lead the HR team and tackle new initiatives, such as performance management and coordinating trainings for supervisors across the agency. Parker most recently worked as associate director of Human Resources for Highland Valley Elder Services and also worked for LifePath, UMass Amherst, and Franklin Regional Council of Governments. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College and master’s degree from Fitchburg State University.

•••••

Tim Czerniejewski

bankESB recently promoted Tim Czerniejewski to assistant vice president, commercial lending. Czerniejewski has 16 years of experience in banking. He joined bankESB in 2016 as a credit analyst and was promoted in 2018 to assistant vice president, portfolio manager. In his new role, he will be responsible for developing, structuring, and closing commercial loans, as well as maintaining and servicing existing accounts. Before joining bankESB, he was a risk analyst and credit analyst at TD Bank. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Western New England University and an associate degree in accounting from Springfield Technical Community College, and is a graduate of the Springfield Leadership Institute.

•••••

Dhaval Patel has been selected for the 2023 class of 30 Under 30, highlighting his remarkable accomplishments and the impact he has made throughout his career. Dhaval, 27, of Rovi Homes, was selected by REALTOR Magazine, which recognizes members of the National Assoc. of Realtors (NAR) under age 30 who have demonstrated exceptional skills in areas such as sales, marketing, entrepreneurship, technology, association leadership, and community involvement.

•••••

Anthony Worden, president and CEO of Greenfield Cooperative Bank and its parent company, Greenfield Bancorp MHC, announced that the following actions were taken at the company’s 118th annual meeting on June 20. Darci Brown and Jeffrey Collura were re-elected as corporators of Greenfield Bancorp MHC, while new candidates Khama Ennis, Jennifer Ewers, Matthew Sheehy, Terri Mitchell, and Brandon Lively were elected as corporators of Greenfield Bancorp MHC. Nancy Fournier, JoAnne Finck, and Peter Whalen were re-elected to three year terms as directors of the bank and Greenfield Bancorp MHC, while Catherine Coleman was elected to a three-year term as a director of the bank and Greenfield Bancorp MHC.

•••••

Linda Thompson, President of Westfield State University, has joined the board of trustees at Goddard House Assisted Living in Brookline. Prior to her role as president of Westfield State University, Thompson held the role of dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at UMass Boston. She has an extensive background in healthcare leadership and public policy. In Baltimore City, Md., she served as director of Occupational Medicine and Safety and developed programs and policies to promote the health of the city workforce, including the implementation of policies for HIV prevention and substance use and abuse. At the state level in Maryland, she served as special secretary of Children, Youth and Families, where she developed programs and policies to improve quality of care for vulnerable populations of children.

Company Notebook

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2023

Company Notebook

Thunderbirds Recognized for Record-setting Season

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Thunderbirds were recognized for hitting milestone thresholds across a variety of business categories during the American Hockey League’s team business meetings in Tucson, Ariz. The annual event features representatives from all 32 member clubs for sessions discussing best practices and innovative ideas across multiple departments. On the heels of another record-setting year for the Thunderbirds business that saw new regular-season records in attendance per game (6,162), sellout games (15, including every Saturday from Dec. 30 onward), season-ticket members, and group-sales revenue, the team’s ticket sales department achieved a number of milestones for a second straight season. Among them were 600 new full-season equivalents (FSE), a metric that tracks full-season and partial-season ticket sales. The department also saw a greater than 85% renewal rate among its full-season ticket members. Individual game ticket sales also provided the Thunderbirds with two more threshold recognitions, as the business saw a greater than 15% increase in both FSE revenue per game and group ticket revenue per game. In what was also a record-setting year for the club’s corporate sales department, that area of the business was recognized for also seeing a greater than 85% renewal rate in corporate cash accounts en route to a single-season record in corporate revenue. The Thunderbirds also had a prolific season in the Springfield community, with more than 250 appearances by mascot Boomer and team players combined, ranging from youth hockey practice sessions to charitable affairs like the Rays of Hope walk, annual Teddy Bear Toss deliveries, and corporate partnership events.

National Grid Awards $800,000 to Eight Chambers of Commerce

NORTHAMPTON — National Grid announced it will donate $800,000 to eight chambers of commerce in Massachusetts to support local small businesses. The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce has been named one of the recipients of a $100,000 award. Other chambers receiving the funds include the Cape Cod Chamber, Merrimack Valley Chamber, North Central Chamber of Leominster, North Shore Chamber, OneSouthCoast Chamber, South Shore Chamber, and Waltham Chamber. Each chamber will receive $100,000, which they will then distribute in grants of $1,000 to National Grid small-business customers with fewer than 150 employees. The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce looks forward to distributing these grant awards to give local small business community a boost during the coming months. This pledge follows a similar donation by National Grid in January, when the company distributed $1 million to four small-business organizations to help with energy bills. The Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, the Retailers Assoc. of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Restaurant Assoc., and the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce each received $250,000 to distribute to their small business members.

Lee Bank Foundation Distributes $50,000 in Grant Funding Round

LEE — Lee Bank Foundation awarded $50,000 to 12 Berkshire area organizations for its second round of 2023 community funding. Recipients were awarded grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support their local programming. The following organizations received funding from Lee Bank Foundation: Becket Athenaeum, Berkshire Bounty, Berkshire Center for Justice, Berkshire Children’s Chorus, Berkshire Community Diaper Project, Berkshire County Arc, Berkshire South Regional Community Center, Community Access to the Arts, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Greenagers, Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley, and Roots Rising. The deadline to apply for the next round of 2023 foundation funding is Sept. 1. To be considered for grant awards, applicants must be a (501)(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The foundation is focused on funding programs that work to bridge income and opportunity gaps in the region. Funding requests should reflect one or more of Lee Bank Foundation’s primary focus areas: education and literacy; food security and nutrition; economic growth and development; health and human services; or mentorship, internship, and school-to-work initiatives.

Mandati Jewelers Opens at Holyoke Mall

HOLYOKE — Family-owned Mandati Jewelers celebrated its grand opening at Holyoke Mall on June 28 on the shopping center’s lower level near Center Court. The 2,423-square-foot space is the custom jeweler’s first Massachusetts location. Mandati specializes in certified diamonds, watch and timepiece brands, necklaces, charms, and other fine jewelry. The store is offering 30% to 50% off gold and diamonds and 25% off watches through July 31. The New York jeweler’s custom jewelry clientele includes Buffalo Bills defensive end Carlos “Boogie” Basham Jr. and rappers Conway the Machine, Westside Gunn, and Benny the Butcher. Holyoke Mall is Mandati’s fourth store and joins locations in Albany, Buffalo, and Syracuse.

The Dowd Agencies Supports Area Charities as Part of 125th-anniversary Celebration

HOLYOKE — The Dowd Insurance Agencies, LLC, a leading insurance provider serving New England since 1898, has donated a total of $3,250 to five charities since the beginning of the year as it celebrates its 125th anniversary. Charities were determined by polling employees. So far in 2023, the Dowd Agencies donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes for children diagnosed with critical illnesses; Community Music School of Springfield, which provides arts education to local students; Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Holyoke, which provides horseback riding to children and adults with disabilities; Shriners Children’s, which provides critical medical care to children; and Homework House Inc., in Holyoke, which provides free tutoring and mentoring for children living in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The Dowd Agencies will continue to donate to charities selected by its employees throughout the remainder of the year.

Liberty Bank Supports Nonprofits

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — David Glidden, president and CEO of Liberty Bank and president of the Liberty Bank Foundation, announced that the foundation recently awarded five nonprofits with $5,000 each in recognition of the bank’s 198th birthday. As part of Liberty’s birthday celebration on May 4, the team came up with a creative idea to provide ‘birthday gifts’ in the aggregate amount of $25,000 to five community organizations on behalf of the Liberty Bank Foundation. Liberty teammates had the opportunity to vote on their favorite charity from a list of three nonprofits in each of the regions the bank serves: Central North, Central South, Eastern, Western, and Massachusetts. Based on the final vote count, the following five nonprofits received a $5,000 donation from the Liberty Bank Foundation: House of Heroes (Hamden, Conn.), the Boys and Girls Club of Lower Naugatuck Valley, Middlesex Habitat for Humanity, New London Community Meal Center, and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

Smith Brothers Insurance Acquires Rawson & Sons

NORTHAMPTON — Smith Brothers Insurance, with an office on Main Street in Northampton, has acquired Rawson & Sons Insurance Group, an independent insurance agency located in Worcester. The acquisition expands the Smith Brothers Insurance footprint in Massachusetts, with Rawson & Sons maintaining a local presence while leveraging the resources of Smith Brothers Insurance, one of the nation’s top 100 independent brokers. Rich Rawson, founder of Rawson & Sons, will stay fully engaged in business development, sales, and client service, alongside the same team of insurance professionals. All Rawson & Sons team members will be joining Smith Brothers. Smith Brothers Insurance has more than 200 team members in locations across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.

Incorporations

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2023

Incorporations

The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.

AMHERST

Diversify Medicine Inc., 26 South Prospect St., #7, Amherst, MA 01002. Khama Ennis, 154 Lincoln Ave., Amherst, MA 01002. Charitable organization established to improve health equity by increasing diversity among healthcare providers.

CHICOPEE

Elite Haulers Inc., 53 Empire St., Apt C, Chicopee, MA 01013. Imran Akram, same. Trucking services.

Haydocy Service Station Inc., 58 Harrington Road, Chicopee, MA 01020. Eric Haydocy, same. Full-service gas station.

EASTHAMPTON

KPM Operations Inc., 250 Hendrick St., Easthampton, MA 01027. Jodi Koomen-Bias, same. Home renovation and related contractor services.

HADLEY

Togood Services Inc., 10 South Maple St., Hadley, MA 01035. Toprak Can Toprak, same. Wholesale grocery and retail.

LONGMEADOW

Do or Die Inc., 335 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Alex Seid, 154 Skyline Trail, Middlefield, MA 01243. Programs to assist and support individuals seeking to recover from addiction.

MONSON

Camelot Kennels Inc., 40 Ely Road, Monson, MA 01057. Jennifer Garman, same. Pet boarding, training, day care, and grooming services.

PITTSFIELD

Arav & Jay Corp., 421 North St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Dilipkumar Patel, same. Tobacco and retail product sales.

Corpwell Foundation Co., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Nicolette Asselin, same. Community-assistance programing.

Give with Love Corp., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Maria Rodriguez, 14 Plumtree Way, Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Nonprofit organization providing services to families and individuals who are in need of meeting their basic needs.

SOUTHWICK

A-Z Exterior Repairs Inc., 258 Hillside Road, Southwick, MA 01077. Maksim Vovk, 121 Turkey Hills Road, East Granby, CT 06026.

SPRINGFIELD

Iglesia de Dios la Restauracion, 649 State St., Springfield, MA 01109. Reynaldo Vargas, 89 Southwick St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Church.

Peking House Chen Inc., 844-846 Liberty St., Springfield, MA 01104. Rikeng Chen, 154 Carriage Dr., Irwin, PA 15642. Takeout restaurant.

WESTFIELD

The Plug Energy Corp., 109 North Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Brian Hayes, same. Real-estate development.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Da Heat Station Ltd., 865 Memorial Ave., Unit C, West Springfield, MA 01089. Gail English, same. Retail apparel.

WILBRAHAM

Om Valley Farm Inc., 5 Patriot Ridge Lane, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Falguniben Patel, same. Convenience and package store.

Doing Business as Certificates

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2023

DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the months of June and July 2023.

DEERFIELD

Blonde by Emma
8B Elm St.
Emma Poulin

East Berkshire LLC
75 Stillwater Road
Chad Gaughan

Team Gramps
8B Sugarloaf St.
Danil Beglov

Zack’s BBQ
20 Elm St.
Peter Langlois

EASTHAMPTON

18HidenSneakz
102 Cottage St.
Israel Blanco

Aurora Jewelers
106 Union St.
James Murning III

Barclay Genealogical Research & Consulting
9 Holyoke St.
Thomas Malsbury

Deborah Berkman, Ph.D.
311 East St.
Deborah Berkman

DWE Landscaping
17 Park St.
Donald Eggleston

EJ Cuts
121 Main St.
Elijah Boivin

James Hurley Construction
51 West St.
James Hurley II

Mosaic Eco-Solutions LLC
11 Olympia St.
Nathaniel Gosselin

Nauti Dogs
21 McKinley Ave.
Sarah Caplan

New England Saddlery
30 Florence Road
Lise Krieger

Raisincakes Retro
1 Cottage St., Suite 510
Jacque St. James-Wong

Sisu Wellness Center
247 Northampton St., Suites 1-3
Barbara Nichols, Natasha Perrone

Sonny Selects
83 Main St.
Roy Syriac

Source
83 Main St.
Vuk Whallon

Starbucks Coffee #68682
109 Northampton St.
Julie Wieting

Washing Well
94 Union St.
James McIntosh, Tod LaMotte

EAST LONGMEADOW

Belle Bleu
30 Judy Lane
Chelsie Raleigh

Fazio’s Ristorante & Pizzeria
162 Shaker Road
Aldo Fazio

Kristin Mittler
8-10 Center Square
Kristin Mittler

LaGlam Consignment Boutique
54 Shaker Road
Latina Duncanson

Obsessions
8-10 Center Square
Obsessions

Unusual Machines Inc.
54 Hampden Road
Mark Callahan

GREAT BARRINGTON

Charles Haddad
33 Silver St.
Charles Haddad

Common or Garden Pub
425 Park St.
Kristen Williams

Greenriver Massage
610 South Main St.
SarahJane Hebler

A Little TLC Home Repairs
276 Park St.
Terry Wallace

Money Oasis ATMs
2 Walnut St.
Michael Brenes

Nicolas M. Pacella Architect
17 Blue Hill Road
Nicolas Pacella

POSY Vintage and Craft
34 Rosseter St., #1
Regina Rosario

Sea Jay’s
29 Hart St.
Carole Randorf

Taylor and Miller Industries
5 Seekonk Road
Jeffrey Taylor

Treyson Racin’ Powersports
955 Main St.
Trevor Cobb

Wildflowers
620 Main St.
Heidi Johnson

HADLEY

Aspen Dental
344 Russell St., #21
Aspen Dental Associates of New England

Beyond Happiness
1 Goffe St.
Aaron Andrews

Winterpills
113 Middle St.
Florence Reed

HOLYOKE

Aunty’s Market
539 Pleasant St.
Baljit Shamar

Divine Restoration Behavioral Health
98 Lower Westfield Road, Suite 101
Amdonne Mbouadeu

Ergonomic Collaboration Group
337 High St.
Martin Rodgers, John Maslar

Frank Storage
19 St. James Ave.
Francisco Marrero

Holyoke Tax Service
295 High St.
David Yos

Legendary Who’s Next Barber Shop
323 Main St.
Omar Peralta

MO’s the Clean Freak Services
31 Beacon Ave.
Monica Goucher

Paper City Car Wash
990 Main St.
Michael Marcotte, Michael Filomeno

Pleasant Auto Sales
170 Main St.
William Johnson

Route 22 Liquors
518 Westfield Road
Vimal Patel, Shivani Patel

Stacy Wright, Therapist
164 Rock Valley Road
Stacy Wright

T&D Nail Salon
98 Lower Westfield Road
Kham Hoang Do

Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital
45 Lower Westfield Road
Western Massachusetts Behavioral Health Hospital

WB Forever
353 Chestnut St.
Kelly Maher

LONGMEADOW

Bonheur LLC
803 Williams St.
Anna Whitton

Creative Edge Hair & Nail Salon
7 Edgewood Ave.
Cynthia Bixby

Wernick Adult Day Health Care Center
770 Converse St.
Jewish Nursing Home of Western Mass. Inc.

McNally Brothers
123 Dwight Road
Anthony Laudano, Christopher DeSesa

WARE

Eric Aubin Electrician
36 Anderson Road
Eric Aubin

Firesafe Chimney Services Inc.
277 Palmer Road, Unit 2C
James Walling Jr.

Front Yard Farm
16 Gilbertville Road
Kelly Wheeler

Quabbin Valley Junk Removal & Recycling
164 Church St.
Daniel Osborn

Sweet Temptations Bake Shoppe
97 Fisherdick Road
Celeste Noad

Talk of the Town
85 Main St.
Keith Chouinard

Tanglewood Marionettes
108 Church St.
Peter Schaefer

WESTFIELD

Avp Transport
1000 Russell Road
Andrii Ptytsia

Beer with Beards
78 South Maple St.
Michael Adams

Camp K-9
202 Union St.
Alessandra Connor

Cloot’s Auto Body Inc.
825 North Road
Gary Cloutier

Floppy Ears Pet Care Services
47 Stephanie Lane
Rosaelena Sutton

Hampton Ponds Market
1029 North Road
All in One Shop Inc.

Humble Remodeling
30 Taylor Ave.
Luis Santos

Laramee Masonry
306 Montgomery Road
Arthur Laramee

Socially Elite Media
77 Mill St., #120C
Madeline Leblanc

True Force Power Washing
115 Sandy Hill Road
Jalen Bodendorf

Westfield Homeless Cat Project
1124 East Mountain Road
Denise Sinico

Bankruptcies

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2023

Bankruptcies

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

Adams, Jonisha M.
a/k/a Coston, Jonisha Adams
15 Linvale Ter.
Mattapan, MA 02126
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/05/2023

Almeyda, Samuel
a/k/a Almeyda Cruz, Samuel
427 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/13/2023

Apraham, Jacob J.
15 King St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/02/2023

Barwick, Michael W.
183 Peekskill Ave.
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/02/2023

Call, Glenn R.
29 Chestnut Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/06/2023

Campbell, Catherine Lee
717 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/13/2023

Cuevas, Gloryvee
a/k/a Torres, Gloryvee
36 Battery St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/02/2023

DeAngelis, Jeannine M.
71 Verde Dr.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/05/2023

Familia, Leonor A.
299 Eastern Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/08/2023

Gaudette, Steven L.
21 Almon Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/13/2023

Gray, Terrance Michael
242 Brattle St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/15/2023

LaCrosse, Isabell D.
1532 Main Road
Granville, MA 01034
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/07/2023

Ledoux, Ellen
38 Central Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/09/2023

Martinez, Helio
Martinez, Elisa Y.
501 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/14/2023

Munroe, Ronald G.
5 Whittier Circle
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/06/2023

Parks, Lee Truesdell
108 Old Mill Road
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/07/2023

Pedraza, Yari L.
54 Byers St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/07/2023

Ramirez, Paula
314 South Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/06/2023
Snow, Darin Mark
123 Glendale Circle
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/08/2023

Streeter, Sonja A.
6 Bridge St., Apt. 1
Hatfield, MA 01038
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/15/2023

Toromino, Peter J.
Toromino, Deborah M.
15 Warren St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/15/2023

White, Vaughn C.
13 Pigeon Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/14/2023

Real Estate Transactions

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2023

Real Estate

The following real estate transactions (latest available) were compiled by Banker & Tradesman and are published as they were received. Only transactions exceeding $115,000 are listed. Buyer and seller fields contain only the first name listed on the deed.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

ASHFIELD

127 Ludwig Branch Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Christopher M. Noble
Seller: A-O-K RT
Date: 06/23/23

DEERFIELD

14 Kelleher Dr.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Christian W. Newland
Seller: Carolyn G. Swinerton
Date: 06/16/23

31 Settright Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $539,900
Buyer: Jonathan K. Talbot
Seller: Sharon L. Byrnes
Date: 06/15/23

ERVING

6 Prospect Heights Lane
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $337,500
Buyer: Catherine P. Glennon
Seller: Cordery, Catherine (Estate)
Date: 06/22/23

GILL

109 Barney Hale Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Nancy H. Ames TR
Seller: Sharon Kemp
Date: 06/14/23

GREENFIELD

363 Davis St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Green
Seller: James A. Worden
Date: 06/22/23

233 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Robert S. Lambert
Seller: Kristin A. Peterson
Date: 06/20/23

8 Lillian St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $326,900
Buyer: Franklin J. Gibbons
Seller: Brennan N. McQuane
Date: 06/16/23

4-6 Long Farm Ter.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $406,200
Buyer: Bruce A. Mainville
Seller: Long Farm RET
Date: 06/16/23

53 Shattuck St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Paul Schueler
Seller: Rachel A. Hoogstraten
Date: 06/21/23

LEVERETT

Depot Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Kestrel Land Trust Inc.
Seller: Phyllis R. Heronemus TR
Date: 06/16/23

32 Laurel Hill Dr.
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $976,500
Buyer: Joshua S. Goldstein
Seller: Amanda L. Woerman
Date: 06/16/23

Long Hill Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $162,000
Buyer: Kestrel Land Trust Inc.
Seller: Phyllis R. Heronemus TR
Date: 06/16/23

LEYDEN

106 Wilson Road
Leyden, MA 01337
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Alternative Loan TR
Seller: Audrey Michienzi
Date: 06/20/23

MONTAGUE

125-131 Avenue A
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $432,500
Buyer: Millers Falls Realty LLC
Seller: Sunrise Ventures LLC
Date: 06/22/23

39 Grove St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $317,774
Buyer: Lakeview Loan Servicing
Seller: David M. Shea
Date: 06/16/23

4 James Ave.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: Max A. Paronich
Seller: Brian M. O’Leary
Date: 06/16/23

1 Montague City Road
Montague, MA 01301
Amount: $262,500
Buyer: Liam Lane Holdings LLC
Seller: William J. Doyle
Date: 06/14/23

148 Montague City Road
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Vaishnavi Nandi
Seller: J. L. Kidder
Date: 06/23/23

5 Norman Circle
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $274,000
Buyer: Barbara J. Delaney RET
Seller: Andrea L. Slongwhite
Date: 06/23/23

NORTHFIELD

238 Warwick Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $286,000
Buyer: Kim R. Shillieto
Seller: Harry J. Larocque
Date: 06/16/23

ORANGE

250 Brookside Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Cameron D. Fisher
Seller: Greggory H. Kimball
Date: 06/20/23

17 East Myrtle St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Ryan J. Johnson
Seller: Stanley R. Smith
Date: 06/14/23

20-A Eagleville Road
Orange, MA 10364
Amount: $263,000
Buyer: Robin Gregory
Seller: Danielle L. Wentworth
Date: 06/15/23

24 Maple St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Danyelle M. Bushee
Seller: Jacques Du Preez
Date: 06/22/23

69 Prospect St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Darren Dowers
Seller: John Boudreau TR
Date: 06/16/23

198 South Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: David J. Gambone
Seller: Timothy Allen
Date: 06/20/23

158 West Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Natalia Suazo
Seller: Shawnice R. Hines
Date: 06/15/23

56 Wheeler Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Marcus Guerreiro
Seller: Freedom Mortgage Corp.
Date: 06/15/23

272 Wheeler Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Scott Wilson
Seller: Joseph H. McDaneld
Date: 06/15/23

SHUTESBURY

81 January Hills Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: J. B. Arsenault
Seller: 10 Pine NT
Date: 06/20/23

SUNDERLAND

11 Garage Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $170,500
Buyer: Rene E. Pellissier
Seller: Donald J. Kuzmeskus
Date: 06/22/23

WHATELY

17 Eastwood Lane
Whately, MA 01373
Amount: $729,900
Buyer: Christopher Smerz
Seller: James P. Tudryn
Date: 06/16/23

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

33 Chestnut Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Nicole L. Sarno
Seller: Suzanne M. Gravel
Date: 06/23/23

17 Cleveland St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $241,000
Buyer: Siena Tansey
Seller: Scafuri, Nicholas J. (Estate)
Date: 06/15/23

64 Clover Hill Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Regina M. Labounty
Seller: J. & Edna Miodonka FT
Date: 06/22/23

14 Dover St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Anthony F. Saccomani
Seller: Manchester Ent. LLC
Date: 06/16/23

997 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Luke Pelton
Seller: Anthony Liquori
Date: 06/16/23

168 Maynard St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Gabriel Degray
Seller: Olson RT
Date: 06/16/23

140 Nicole Ter.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $577,900
Buyer: Campbell Drive LLC
Seller: Hillside Development Corp.
Date: 06/14/23

222 North Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Sean M. Casey
Seller: Theresa L. Taylor
Date: 06/23/23

121 Paul Revere Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Robert D. Wagner
Seller: Plato O. Plomo Inc.
Date: 06/22/23

174 Roosevelt Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $489,000
Buyer: Ian McCormick
Seller: Brian T. Dudek
Date: 06/23/23

56 South Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Williams Eight RE LLC
Seller: Michael F. Chmielewski
Date: 06/16/23

60 South Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Williams Eight RE LLC
Seller: Michael F. Chmielewski
Date: 06/16/23

657-659 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $211,528
Buyer: Cascade Funding Mortgage Trust
Seller: Thalia L. Sherman
Date: 06/23/23

138 Suffield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Jared M. Hamre
Seller: Sheryl A. Whitehead
Date: 06/16/23

BLANDFORD

46 Russell Stage Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Andrew Seeberg
Seller: Reynolds, Linda Marie (Estate)
Date: 06/23/23

BRIMFIELD

29 Paige Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $715,000
Buyer: Snehal A. Patel
Seller: Eric C. Dithrich
Date: 06/23/23

CHICOPEE

28 Adams St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Musah J. Kalule
Seller: Mint Realty Group LLC
Date: 06/12/23

120 Boulay Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Nathaniel Provost
Seller: Joseph F. Hamelin
Date: 06/23/23

26 Bromont St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $422,000
Buyer: Abraham Cherenfant
Seller: DGL Properties LLC
Date: 06/21/23

340 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Rolando S. Ayala
Seller: Tergan NT
Date: 06/23/23

12 Longwood Court
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Melro Associates Inc.
Seller: Lan A. Perez
Date: 06/22/23

193 Loomis Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $287,000
Buyer: Ilida Nagimova-Siryk
Seller: Jennifer L. Fortuna
Date: 06/16/23

819 McKinstry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Mary C. Mudachi
Seller: Gary N. Desmarais
Date: 06/15/23

348 Montcalm St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Rodrigo R. De Araujo
Seller: Gary A. Bourque
Date: 06/12/23

354 Montcalm St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Rodrigo R. De Araujo
Seller: Gary A. Bourque
Date: 06/12/23

36 Nora St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Foley
Seller: Austin A. O’Shea
Date: 06/22/23

36 Northwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Edgardo Vega
Seller: Smith FT
Date: 06/20/23

67 Richelieu St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Jerry Saintilus
Seller: Andrew J. Bower 2016 RET
Date: 06/13/23

65 Savory Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Marrow FT
Seller: Helena N. Ferreira
Date: 06/15/23

58 Shepherd St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $307,000
Buyer: Rebecca M. Torres
Seller: Jeffrey J. Wojcik
Date: 06/14/23

20 Sullivan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: Joseph Duensing
Seller: Luc A. Roux
Date: 06/21/23

108 West St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $382,888
Buyer: Uya Investment LLC
Seller: Zhen Y. Dong
Date: 06/22/23

65 Woodcrest Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $301,500
Buyer: Sean B. Courchesne
Seller: Marilyn R. Friedrich
Date: 06/12/23

EAST LONGMEADOW

239 Elm St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $283,000
Buyer: Francisco Martinez-Garcia
Seller: Shelby Gray
Date: 06/20/23

75 Hampden Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $552,000
Buyer: Jeffrey J. Wojcik
Seller: Moltenbrey Builders LLC
Date: 06/14/23

224 Maple St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Justin M. Stacy
Seller: William B. Degiulio
Date: 06/14/23

182 North Main St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Vincenzo Amore
Seller: 182 North Main Street LLC
Date: 06/15/23

12 Overlook Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $772,000
Buyer: Marylee R. Diamond
Seller: Timothy P. Garstka
Date: 06/23/23

83 Pease Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $577,100
Buyer: Leslie R. Morrison
Seller: Darrell F. McCarthy
Date: 06/15/23

14 Rockingham Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: Thomas Cressotti
Seller: Roger M. Roberge
Date: 06/12/23

72 Tanglewood Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Stephan Cheatham
Seller: Phillip Vivenzio
Date: 06/13/23

HAMPDEN

73 Allen St.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $266,000
Buyer: Tommy O. Real Estate LLC
Seller: Giggle Gardens Inc.
Date: 06/16/23

Chapin Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Mass. Audubon Society Inc.
Seller: Cumberland Blues RT
Date: 06/21/23

32 Edward St.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Alaina K. Butler
Seller: Hodgdon FT
Date: 06/23/23

70 Genevieve Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $517,500
Buyer: Jeffrey R. Netherwood
Seller: James P. Acciardo
Date: 06/13/23

24 Kibbe Lane
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $618,000
Buyer: Crystal D. Chambers
Seller: Scott A. Perrier
Date: 06/23/23

45 Scantic Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $451,000
Buyer: Eric Rodriguez
Seller: Mark A. Willcutt
Date: 06/16/23

HOLLAND

14 Fenton St.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Kathryn Desroches
Seller: Lycaste LLC
Date: 06/16/23

HOLYOKE

54-56 Brown Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Maria M. Namina-Auqui
Seller: Juan A. Velez
Date: 06/15/23

93-95 Hitchcock St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $307,000
Buyer: Elery Vasquez
Seller: David Goodwin
Date: 06/15/23

16 Laura Lane
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Ian T. Mellor
Seller: KMAK LLC
Date: 06/14/23

65 Lenox Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $278,750
Buyer: Brian R. Brown
Seller: Ian McCormick
Date: 06/23/23

137 North East St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Guarionis Arroyo
Seller: Nasir I. Haider
Date: 06/12/23

1339 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $301,000
Buyer: Congregation Sisters
Seller: Society of Daughters
Date: 06/22/23

539 Pleasant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $565,000
Buyer: Ganga T
Seller: Singh Corp.
Date: 06/16/23

LONGMEADOW

99 Deepwoods Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $860,000
Buyer: Elyse Linson
Seller: Rick G. Cianfaglione
Date: 06/20/23

Dennis Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $283,500
Buyer: Fabricio Ochoa
Seller: Edward R. Robbins
Date: 06/12/23

27 Edgewood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Jason Balut
Seller: Gina M. Francis-Wilson
Date: 06/20/23

50 Elmwood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Donaldsons Development TR
Seller: Charles Richard
Date: 06/20/23

172 Greenacre Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Cong Liu
Seller: Joseph J. Cervasio
Date: 06/16/23

109 Hillcrest Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $364,000
Buyer: Michael W. Smith
Seller: Buzzards Bay LNM LLC
Date: 06/23/23

104 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $484,000
Buyer: Michael M. Tyburski
Seller: Peter J. Novotney
Date: 06/16/23

20 Regent Circle
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Christina Gerasimchuk
Seller: 20 Regent LLC
Date: 06/20/23

52 Wilkin Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $545,000
Buyer: Hien Truong
Seller: Yatin P. Patil
Date: 06/23/23

LUDLOW

15 Barrett St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Andre M. Queiroga
Seller: Lorraine, Yvonne P. (Estate)
Date: 06/13/23

15 Barrett St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Renee C. Lodi
Seller: Andre M. Queiroga
Date: 06/13/23

44 Briarwood Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Nickolas C. Blanchard
Seller: Linda A. Savoia
Date: 06/16/23

103 Cedar St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Edgar Moratinos
Seller: Dwayne F. Lyons
Date: 06/14/23

19 Daisy Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Alexandra Watts
Seller: 74 Knollwood Road RT
Date: 06/16/23

58 Essex St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Joan Jacques
Seller: Violet Alvarado-Slatis
Date: 06/22/23

657 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Stanley H. Lupa
Seller: Michael H. Spera
Date: 06/14/23

82 Moody St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $252,500
Buyer: Jared Dobiecki
Seller: Kimberly Anderson
Date: 06/12/23

153 Piney Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Swierad, Robert F. (Estate)
Date: 06/12/23

53 Wilson St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Marie A. Regan
Seller: Benjamin E. Fisher
Date: 06/23/23

MONSON

5 Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $253,500
Buyer: Emily M. Rollins
Seller: Robert H. Leverone
Date: 06/15/23

11 Maxwell Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Michael Hines
Seller: Ann M. Craven
Date: 06/15/23

31 Upper Palmer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: James Boucher
Seller: Robin Waddell
Date: 06/15/23

7 Circle Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: James Inch
Seller: FNMA
Date: 06/23/23

11 Homer Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: John A. Sousa
Seller: Nancy S. Parmele
Date: 06/20/23

PALMER

5 Anderson St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Tyler W. Sawicki
Seller: Natasha M. Bell
Date: 06/16/23

18 Country Lane
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Robert Hutchinson
Seller: Lorraine D. Spelko
Date: 06/13/23

289-A Gates St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: David G. Belanger
Seller: Alby H. Ngan
Date: 06/16/23

289-B Gates St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: David G. Belanger
Seller: Alby H. Ngan
Date: 06/16/23

1594-1596 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Keshaun Dancy
Seller: Citadel Projects LLC
Date: 06/20/23

RUSSELL

1104 Huntington Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Montana Martinez
Seller: William F. Barry
Date: 06/15/23

SPRINGFIELD

60-62 Algonquin Place
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Rehab Home Buyers LLC
Seller: Junior Properties LLC
Date: 06/22/23

339-341 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Mindruns Properties LLC
Seller: Nicholas A. Rado
Date: 06/21/23

1962 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Northeast Asset Mgmt. LLC
Seller: Vadnais, Karen L. (Estate)
Date: 06/15/23

284 Ambrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Ashley Martinez
Seller: Michael Corriveau
Date: 06/16/23

48 Anniversary St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Katiria Ortiz
Seller: Miguel Santiago
Date: 06/16/23

339-341 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Mindruns Properties LLC
Seller: Nicholas A. Rado
Date: 06/21/23

35 Arliss St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Hillary Koncal
Seller: Alfred J. Albano
Date: 06/20/23

89-91 Ashley St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Susana Tavarez
Seller: Blas Rosa
Date: 06/21/23

19 Beacon St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Jessica L. Rodriguez
Seller: Malia Homebuyers LLC
Date: 06/16/23

13 Beauregard St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Cielo Martinez
Seller: Eren V. Martinez-Garcia
Date: 06/20/23

97 Belvidere St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Ryan Giles
Seller: Thomas E. Glennon
Date: 06/22/23

115 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Jamera Mccants
Seller: Mahoney, Archibald B. (Estate)
Date: 06/15/23

182 Birchland Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Belbin
Seller: Yessenia Feliciano
Date: 06/15/23

58 Blaine St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Rosa V. Cintron-Rivera
Seller: Equity Trust Co.
Date: 06/16/23

1465 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: Springfield Spartans LLC
Seller: NPN Realty LLC
Date: 06/23/23

98 Briggs St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: P. Morales-Williams
Seller: Damion A. Harper
Date: 06/15/23

14 Burton St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Ana M. Garcia
Seller: Global Homes Properties LLC
Date: 06/15/23

444-446 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: 444-446 Chestnut St. LLC
Seller: Bassam Mawla
Date: 06/16/23

72 Clement St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $172,900
Buyer: MAA Property LLC
Seller: Citizens Bank
Date: 06/20/23

47 Clydesdale Lane
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Johana G. Valerio
Seller: Beacon Home Buyers LLC
Date: 06/15/23

107 College St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Woburn3step LLC
Seller: Lachenauer LLC
Date: 06/23/23

381 Cooley St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $4,700,000
Buyer: Springwal Realty LLC
Seller: Sree Babu LLC
Date: 06/21/23

99 Corcoran Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Alexander L. Freire
Seller: Sierra, Felicita (Estate)
Date: 06/23/23

33 Crest St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: James M. Heroux
Seller: Freedom Foundation Corp.
Date: 06/15/23

57 Dayton St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Christopher Parker
Seller: Sandra J. Parker
Date: 06/12/23

96 Decatur St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Brickhouse Homes LLC
Seller: Patricia A. Hall
Date: 06/14/23

491 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $275,500
Buyer: Orchid Nguyen
Seller: Walker Irt
Date: 06/23/23

112 Duggan Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Lorena K. Rosa-Morales
Seller: Mary E. Zoladz
Date: 06/23/23

128 Duggan Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Javier Alamo
Seller: Tahir M. Graham
Date: 06/22/23

22-24 East Hooker St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Nelson Alcantara
Seller: Ahmads Realty Investments LLC
Date: 06/20/23

423-425 Eastern Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $296,000
Buyer: Brenda L. Gonzalez
Seller: Herminia Rivera
Date: 06/16/23

382 El Paso St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Glorymar C. Colon
Seller: Lisa M. Sanford
Date: 06/16/23

70 Embassy Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Martha Karowa
Seller: Dayne Sewell
Date: 06/12/23

24 Emerson St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Dallas A. Jackson
Seller: Ramesh Adhikari
Date: 06/15/23

30 Endicott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $284,900
Buyer: Charlotte Wells-Griffing
Seller: Margaret W. Crafts IRT
Date: 06/22/23

44 Fairfield St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: John T. Martin
Seller: David Feder
Date: 06/20/23

54-56 Foster St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $271,000
Buyer: Myd Bliss Home LLC
Seller: Deering Rt
Date: 06/20/23

11 Garfield St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Quiana Rodriguez
Seller: John J. Ryan
Date: 06/22/23

41 Garfield St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Jessica R. Pellegrino
Seller: Emmanuel Marte
Date: 06/23/23

335 Gifford St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Victor M. Sanchez
Seller: Paul S. Briggs
Date: 06/13/23

35 Glenwood St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Guillermo J. Davila
Seller: Brown, Arthur Lewis (Estate)
Date: 06/14/23

386 Grayson Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $294,000
Buyer: Monique D. Seabrooks
Seller: Deborah M. Tracy
Date: 06/20/23

159 Hadley St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Catherine H. Ditmore
Seller: Robert J. Krajcik
Date: 06/15/23

66 Harvard St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $177,000
Buyer: Stephen C. Rondepierre
Seller: Nunnally, Joseph J. Est
Date: 06/12/23

82 Hillside Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $267,500
Buyer: Justin J. Reyes
Seller: Mickey L. Banks
Date: 06/20/23

99 Hudson St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Shiann Madison-Wilson
Seller: Teresa M. Kelley-Coffey
Date: 06/23/23

15 Irene St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Digna R. Torres
Seller: Christopher Reeve
Date: 06/23/23

93-95 Johnson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $134,492
Buyer: Lybia P. Cole
Seller: Nikia Brooks
Date: 06/20/23

170-172 Laconia St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Jose A. Feliciano
Seller: Timothy Powis
Date: 06/22/23

197-199 Leyfred Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Faulkner Francois
Seller: Springfield Portfolio Holding
Date: 06/23/23

29 Lillian St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Jose Martinez
Seller: Barbara M. Rosas
Date: 06/14/23

45 Lyman St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: 45 Lyman Investor LLC
Seller: 45 Lyman Street LLC
Date: 06/15/23

108 Manchester Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Femi Stoltz
Seller: Nicole Sarno
Date: 06/23/23

20 Manhattan St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Stacey Wright
Seller: Quanita Stewart
Date: 06/16/23

6 Maplewood Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $397,500
Buyer: Derick P. Guerrier
Seller: Feliciano A. Bonilla
Date: 06/12/23

73 Melville St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Justin Banos
Seller: Francisco A. Giraldi-Pena
Date: 06/23/23

75 Montrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $312,000
Buyer: Elsa Murillo
Seller: Liem Pham
Date: 06/15/23

497-499 Newbury St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Melania Rondon
Seller: Jack Koursaris
Date: 06/23/23

531-533 Newbury St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Saad A. Sabih
Seller: Donald R. Dubuc
Date: 06/15/23

90 Newhouse St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Alex R. Wendzel
Seller: Samantha James
Date: 06/16/23

79 Oak St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Tiwari Brothers LLC
Seller: 79 Oak LLC
Date: 06/20/23

249 Oak Grove Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Genevieve Construction Development Group I
Seller: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Date: 06/16/23

33 Oak Hollow Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Sean Gondarowski
Seller: Brendan Gondarowski
Date: 06/16/23

49 Palmer Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: 49 Palmer Ave. RT
Seller: Celestino Montes
Date: 06/22/23

21 Pasadena St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Franklin A. Gerardo
Seller: Francisco Torres
Date: 06/21/23

91 Pasco Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Javier Vazquez
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 06/14/23

24 Pearl Lane
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $383,500
Buyer: Marshall G. Conklin
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 06/15/23

126 Penrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $303,000
Buyer: Stella Nderitu
Seller: Ismal Ismail
Date: 06/16/23

1548 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Jeffrey B. Masotti
Seller: Chris Montemayor
Date: 06/15/23

Quincy St (NS)
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Tiwari Brothers LLC
Seller: 79 Oak LLC
Date: 06/20/23

171 Rosewell St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: David L. Jackson
Seller: Nelba I. Rivera-Alvarado
Date: 06/23/23

205 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Andrew Larkin
Seller: Bryan McFarland
Date: 06/21/23

87 Saint Lawrence Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Robert Daniels
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 06/23/23

7 Schley St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Bienbenido J. Vazquez
Seller: Richard E. Quinlan
Date: 06/12/23

110-112 Slater Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Jorge Olivieri
Seller: Joseph M. Santaniello
Date: 06/14/23

78 Starling Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $274,000
Buyer: Jessica Luiggi
Seller: Blanca J. Loja
Date: 06/20/23

154 Sunrise Ter.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $197,000
Buyer: Revampit LLC
Seller: Paul J. Chechile
Date: 06/23/23

61 Thompson St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Ana D. Gonzalez
Seller: Anchor Moore Invests LLC
Date: 06/21/23

54 Timothy Cir.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: James Carrie
Seller: Degray, Phillip N. (Estate)
Date: 06/16/23

79-81 Tulsa St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Connor E. Moloney
Seller: Barbara A. Raymond
Date: 06/14/23

160 University St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $264,000
Buyer: Andribeth Rivera
Seller: Lawrence R. Dutton
Date: 06/14/23

21 Wells St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Ismael Toledo
Seller: Aracelis M. Echevarria
Date: 06/12/23

32 West Alvord St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $407,500
Buyer: Dalishia D. Suttles
Seller: Phantom Holdings LLC
Date: 06/21/23

224 Wildwood Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Nathaniel A. Ramirez
Seller: Amanda Vanslyke
Date: 06/23/23

84 Wilton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Andrew S. Edwards
Seller: Manfred Karori
Date: 06/16/23

15-17 Woodlawn St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Natali Ocasio
Seller: Hector N. Martinez
Date: 06/13/23

SOUTHWICK

686 College Hwy.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $2,000,000
Buyer: Whalley Properties Inc.
Seller: Industrial Land Development Mass. LLC
Date: 06/15/23

28 Ed Holcomb Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Stephen Fennington
Seller: Deborah M. Carney
Date: 06/14/23

77 Powder Mill Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $252,000
Buyer: Brent A. Puza
Seller: Robert S. Casseles
Date: 06/21/23

46 Summer Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Douglas G. Brewer
Seller: David N. Goss
Date: 06/21/23

6 Tall Pines Trail
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $635,000
Buyer: Daniel E. Williamson
Seller: Hamelin Framing Inc.
Date: 06/16/23

WALES

31 Union Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Rebekah Sidener
Seller: Kathleen T. Baker
Date: 06/16/23

42 Union Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Rebekah Sidener
Seller: Kathleen T. Baker
Date: 06/16/23

WEST SPRINGFIELD

109 Apple Ridge Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Rishabh D. Rabari
Seller: Mark D. Bergeron
Date: 06/21/23

10 Advent Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $496,000
Buyer: Majed A. Baki
Seller: Nicole A. Mason
Date: 06/16/23

43 Baldwin St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Gregory W. Sickler
Seller: Jennifer B. Wands
Date: 06/15/23

22 Deer Run Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Mark A. Gately
Seller: Frederick J. Wanat
Date: 06/20/23

341 Dewey St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Douglas Daponde
Seller: Shirley A. Dowdall
Date: 06/21/23

131 Ely Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Oleksandr Stepushenko
Seller: Patten, Joan Frances (Estate)
Date: 06/16/23

23 Elm Cir.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $279,000
Buyer: Kiara O’Brien
Seller: Malia Homebuyers LLC
Date: 06/20/23

81 Fairview Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Aga Brothers LLC
Seller: Antonio Sorcinelli
Date: 06/23/23

62 Ohio Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Joseph T. Raschilla
Seller: Adam I. Shalloo
Date: 06/20/23

575 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: Jennifer L. Fortuna
Seller: Robbin Larivee
Date: 06/23/23

719 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Charles R. Nathan
Seller: Karen B. Lapointe
Date: 06/15/23

29 Redden Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $382,500
Buyer: Erik Mengden
Seller: Anthony A. Hannoush
Date: 06/15/23

WESTFIELD

52 Eastwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $457,000
Buyer: William M. Davis
Seller: Amanda R. Raschilla
Date: 06/20/23

103 Mainline Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $116,000
Buyer: 103 Mainline LLC
Seller: Resco Realty Co. Inc.
Date: 06/14/23

14 Mather St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: MJ Real Estate LLC
Seller: Michael E. Shaker
Date: 06/16/23

127 Northridge Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Malia Homebuyers LLC
Seller: Michael J. Keesee
Date: 06/20/23

36 Old Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Reginald Boudreau
Seller: Leonel C. Cansino
Date: 06/20/23

122 Putnam Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Manchester Enterprises LLC
Seller: Sonia T. Kulig
Date: 06/14/23

63 Ridgeview Ter.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Charles F. Bisson
Seller: Eric C. Johns
Date: 06/21/23

267 Sackett Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $419,000
Buyer: Kathleen V. Samora
Seller: Martin E. Newman
Date: 06/15/23

86 Sandy Hill Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Corey C. Lemelin
Seller: Pamela A. Bain
Date: 06/23/23

16 Squawfield Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Pavlo Voytko
Seller: Nadezhda Martynyuk
Date: 06/20/23

WILBRAHAM

36 Brookside Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $452,000
Buyer: Gladys Jimah
Seller: Barry J. Middleton
Date: 06/14/23

19 Devonshire Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Damion Harper
Seller: Judith A. Fitzgerald
Date: 06/15/23

4 Edward St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Gunjan Banga
Seller: Leslie R. Morrison
Date: 06/15/23

36 Linwood Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Keith McInnes
Seller: Veteran Stan LLC
Date: 06/20/23

6 Memory Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $479,000
Buyer: Giuliana Akrouche
Seller: Kim H. Hicks
Date: 06/16/23

675 Tinkham Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Christopher Anciello
Seller: Xi N. Li
Date: 06/13/23

11 Wellfleet Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Hannah Victoria
Seller: Julianna E. Eagles-Fox
Date: 06/12/23

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

186 College St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: James C. McGinn
Seller: Knight Realty Group LLC
Date: 06/12/23

160 Gray St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $765,000
Buyer: Jacob H. Olshansky
Seller: Elaine J. Mange RET
Date: 06/15/23

110-112 Meadow St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Jin B. Nam
Seller: Marc P. Houlihan
Date: 06/22/23

11 Phillips St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $584,000
Buyer: Michael M. Lee
Seller: Knight Realty Group LLC
Date: 06/22/23

78 Northampton Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Trustees Of Amherst College
Seller: East Pleasant St Partners
Date: 06/16/23

297 Shutesbury Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $780,000
Buyer: Emily Mastellone-Snyder
Seller: Bradley R. Brummett
Date: 06/16/23

36 Valley View Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $457,000
Buyer: Aubrey S. Tennant
Seller: Kelly L. Koomler
Date: 06/16/23

BELCHERTOWN

85 Chauncey Walker St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $283,000
Buyer: Thomas B. Duprey
Seller: Daniel J. Perry
Date: 06/23/23

58 Daniel Shays Hwy.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $370,500
Buyer: M&M Next Step Investors LLC
Seller: Frank Sawyer
Date: 06/23/23

33 Depot St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Francis Langan
Seller: Michael W. Berg
Date: 06/23/23

500 Franklin St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Maitland Ishmael
Seller: Heather A. Newman
Date: 06/15/23

50 Westview Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $510,500
Buyer: Christopher D. Cocomazzi
Seller: Kirk P. & Anne E. Grim Jret
Date: 06/12/23

EASTHAMPTON

20 Adams St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $363,000
Buyer: Adam Ruhf
Seller: Dean A. Stoddard
Date: 06/16/23

4 Bernie Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $392,000
Buyer: John Nelson
Seller: Wicked Deals LLC
Date: 06/21/23

7 Cherry St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: David F. Olcott
Seller: Charlene R. Gentes
Date: 06/16/23

5 Ely Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $338,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Burns
Seller: Judith H. March
Date: 06/22/23

2 Little St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $376,252
Buyer: Scout Opatut
Seller: Jean M. Belina
Date: 06/22/23

384 Main St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: 5H Holdings LLC
Seller: Normand L. Jacques NT
Date: 06/23/23

7 Riley St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Matthew Swinton
Seller: Mary J. Kvam
Date: 06/13/23

GOSHEN

16 Lake Dr.
Goshen, MA 01096
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Jon K. Patton
Seller: Robert Aronowitz
Date: 06/22/23

GRANBY

47 West State St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Clifford Laraway
Seller: Patricia Darcy
Date: 06/12/23

HADLEY

14 Aloha Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Daniel Colleran
Seller: Ashley Hockensmith
Date: 06/16/23

101 East St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $706,000
Buyer: Cyrus Safizadeh
Seller: Hadley Rentals LLC
Date: 06/22/23

HATFIELD

129 Prospect St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $296,000
Buyer: Freedom Mortgage Corp.
Seller: Daniel J. Korpiewski
Date: 06/12/23

NORTHAMPTON

38 Front St.
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $638,000
Buyer: Chandra C. Hartman
Seller: Jon K. Patton
Date: 06/15/23

82 Harrison Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $998,000
Buyer: Jeffrey T. Barton
Seller: Daniel C. Jones
Date: 06/16/23

10 Ladyslipper Lane
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $531,500
Buyer: 3k Real Estate LLC
Seller: Sherr, Claire (Estate)
Date: 06/22/23

15 Lasell Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $555,000
Buyer: Thomas D. Moore
Seller: M. T. Hyland
Date: 06/13/23

57 Middle St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $416,500
Buyer: Eliza R. Fichter
Seller: Maria Hass
Date: 06/23/23

329 Riverside Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Northeast Asset Mgmt. LLC
Seller: Wicked Deals LLC
Date: 06/23/23

303 South St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Graham J. Carlson
Seller: Mary C. King
Date: 06/23/23

120 Woodland Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Ryan Ersland
Seller: Thomas H. Rohlich
Date: 06/21/23

PELHAM

107 Amherst Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Danielle Orchard
Seller: Michael S. Cohen
Date: 06/12/23

57 Buffam Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $910,000
Buyer: Stephen Devries
Seller: Youssef Oulhote
Date: 06/15/23

62 Buffam Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $1,200,000
Buyer: Jonathan Epstein
Seller: Michael S. Schneider
Date: 06/16/23

SOUTH HADLEY

103 Alvord St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Five Sticks LLC
Seller: David B. Henry
Date: 06/15/23

5 Eagle Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $617,000
Buyer: David A. Tetreault
Seller: Gregory R. Dubreuil
Date: 06/12/23

15 Edison Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Timothy C. Relihan
Seller: Colin J. Lacey
Date: 06/16/23

150 Granby Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Christopher Elliott
Seller: Gerald G. Lambert
Date: 06/23/23

21 Hillside Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Dann B. Dodd
Seller: Aubrey R. Whitfield
Date: 06/23/23

5 Karen Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Benjamin E. Fisher
Seller: Premont Jr., Emile J. (Estate)
Date: 06/23/23

24 Lyon Green
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction
Seller: Mountain Brook LLC
Date: 06/23/23

28 Lyon Green
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: J. N. Duquette & Son Construction
Seller: Mountain Brook LLC
Date: 06/23/23

17 McKinley Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $351,000
Buyer: Alexis K. Reed
Seller: Janine R. Knight
Date: 06/12/23

18 Pine Hill Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $344,000
Buyer: David A. Paine
Seller: Wright, Mary A. (Estate)
Date: 06/23/23

17 Susan Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Dana Orsman
Seller: Daniel Nawskon
Date: 06/16/23

10 Sycamore Park
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $850,888
Buyer: Ali Shahrestani
Seller: Jeffrey W. Reinke
Date: 06/15/23

38 Westbrook Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Veteran Stan LLC
Seller: Jody K. Solzak
Date: 06/21/23

SOUTHAMPTON

15 College Hwy.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Rizos Realty Group LLC
Seller: Rizos Realty LLC
Date: 06/16/23

County Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: 0 County Road RET
Seller: Chester Kos
Date: 06/13/23

3 Lynn Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $252,000
Buyer: Pamela Kaniecki
Seller: Charles B. Bruno
Date: 06/14/23

92 Pequot Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Yevgeny Selin
Seller: Judge, Jeanette (Estate)
Date: 06/22/23

133 Pomeroy Meadow Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Shawn Provost
Seller: Wendy J. Allen
Date: 06/20/23

WARE

36 Dunham Ave.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $489,900
Buyer: Jason Malek
Seller: Dolores M. Dowell
Date: 06/22/23

88 North St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Dalila Souza
Seller: Federal National Mortgage Assn.
Date: 06/14/23

2 Sunnyhill Dr.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Ernest A. Flory
Seller: Stewart Terrien
Date: 06/23/23

WILLIAMSBURG

69 Nash Hill Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Lise Marie Lemeland RET
Seller: CE & APA Inc.
Date: 06/14/23

WESTHAMPTON

91 Main Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Vanessa C. Gibbons
Seller: I. H. Ryan Declaration Of Trust
Date: 06/16/23

299 Southampton Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $309,000
Buyer: Michael Prawlucki
Seller: Nicole M. Provost
Date: 06/20/23

Building Permits

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2023

Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the months of June and July 2023.

CHICOPEE

Sonja Stewart
19 Butler Ave.
$1,500 — Remove and replace two posts on second floor, jack third-floor deck

EASTHAMPTON

150 Pleasant LLC
150 Pleasant St.
$120,000 — Retrofit roof

On the Hill LLC
100 Mountain Road
$30,000 — Construct outdoor bar on existing deck

Walter B. Mitchell Trust
15 Park St.
$14,200 — Roofing

HADLEY

American Legion Post
162 Russell St.
N/A — Replace five windows

Real Estate Oil Change LP
347 Russell St.
N/A — Roofing

Vertical Assets LLC
165 Russell St.
N/A — Replace carpeting

W/S Hadley Properties II LLC
327 Russell St.
N/A — Replace door at Whole Foods

LEE

Ronald Halpin
645 Pleasant St.
$13,000 — Roofing

Jedko Properties LLC
40 Franklin St.
$17,500 — Install 32 windows

LENOX

Edwin Barker
8 Spruce Trail
$60,000 — Change bathroom to laundry room, change bedroom to bathroom

Edith Wharton Restorations Inc.
2 Plunkett St.
$2,335 — Replace bookstore door and jamb

Harvey Stoller
260 Pittsfield Road
$2,500 — Install metal handrail outside Building E across two landings outside front doorway

NORTHAMPTON

City of Northampton
80 Locust St.
$800,000 — Build companion animal building at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School

D.A. Sullivan & Sons
84 North St.
$49,000 — Add exercise and bathroom, add elevated deck at rear of building

Florence Congregational Church
130 Pine St.
$175,000 — Sprinkler system in sanctuary, connector, and parish hall; new commercial kitchen

Linda Manor LLC
349 Haydenville Road
$3,861 — Illuminated ground sign

Smith College
16 Paradise Road
$366,000 — Replace elevator

Webber & Grinnell Insurance
8 North King St.
$8,100 — Siding repairs

PITTSFIELD

Cavalier Dartmouth Properties LLC
54 Wellington Ave.
$10,000 — Roofing

Christian Assembly Church Inc.
850 Williams St.
$135,000 — Roofing

The Elizabeth Freeman Center Inc.
43 Francis Ave.
$22,500 — Replace basement egress with new concrete walls, pressure-treated stairs, and new roof system

Passardi Family Holding LLC
160 North St.
$1,278 — Complete new tenant fit-up for SaVida Health

Patriot Suites Inc.
8 Dan Fox Dr.
$2,000 — Adjust and repair fire doors, provide pool-access restrictions for minors, provide fall-prevention devices for windows, make adjustments for accessible unit window locks

Pitex LP
635 Merrill Road
$1,200 — Add two indicating devices to Ready Set Play

Pittsfield Girls Club Inc.
600 Churchill St.
$12,000 — Roofing

Pittsfield Girls Club Inc.
600 Churchill St.
$9,000 — Remove existing deck, jack center of cabin, install helical post to support cabin center, install three helical posts for new deck

Steel Realty Inc.
10 Wendell Ave. Ext.
$65,823 — Roofing

SPRINGFIELD

600 Berkshire Ave LLC
600 Berkshire Ave.
$119,000 — Roofing

City of Springfield
1435 Carew St.
$586,150 — Alter kitchen area and install new walk-in cooler at Mary O. Pottenger Elementary School

DCX Springdale DST
1600 Boston Road
$60,000 — Alter interior space, subdivide storage space, and relocate existing online shopping staging area at Stop & Shop

Holy Name Catholic Assoc.
323 Dickinson St.
$264,800 — Roofing

Hyo Jung Lee
595 Main St.
$10,000 — Interior demolition for tenant fit-out

Len-Steve Realty LLC
977 St. James Ave.
$68,500 — Repair masonry block wall and two windows damaged by automobile at Serv-U

National Assoc. of Government Employees
1299 Page Blvd.
$60,000 — Roofing

Paul Salvage
29 State St.
$19,188 — Roofing

Springfield Hobby Club Housing Inc.
1475 Roosevelt Ave.
$263,404 — Roofing

UH Main 655 LLC
644 Main St.
$35,000 — Install two new kitchen hoods and sink

Western New England University
1215 Wilbraham Road
$650,100 — Roofing

Rest in Peace, Eastfield Mall

By Editorial July 19, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

The Eastfield Mall has officially passed into history.

And this passing certainly prompts some reflection — on what has been and what is to come at the sprawling site on Wilbraham Road.

As for what has been … well, the mall was something of a marvel when it opened back in 1968. This region hadn’t seen anything quite like it. The indoor mall was new and totally captivating.

Someone could park the car once and go shopping, get a meal at one of several restaurants (including the famous Flaming Pit), get a haircut, watch a movie, take a walk, do some people watching … all of that and more.

Before Eastfield, people went downtown to shop, be it in Springfield, Holyoke, Westfield, Chicopee, Amherst, or Northampton, visiting a host of different stores and buildings as they did so. This was a completely different kind of experience, and the mall drew people from all across the region.

Eastfield ceased being a wonder in relatively short order. Other malls, which collectively doomed the region’s downtowns, save for Northampton’s (and even it struggled until the early ’80s) were built in downtown Springfield (Tower Square, then known as Baystate West, was a center for retail), Chicopee, Hadley, and Holyoke. It was the Holyoke Mall, which was much bigger and featured many more stores, that pushed Eastfield to second-tier status.

Still, Eastfield persevered on the strength of its anchors and an eclectic mix of national and local stores and remained a destination.

Until … the retail world started to change dramatically, especially with the advent of online shopping. One by one, the anchors, including Sears and JCPenney, disappeared from Eastfield — and many other sites as well. Then, the theaters closed, and some of the smaller shops did as well. While other malls found new uses for their retail spaces — everything from trampoline parks to bowling alleys — Eastfield struggled to do so.

Eventually, its massive, all-but-empty parking lot became a symbol of a changing retail landscape.

For years, there has been talk about what will come next at the site — a 21st-century facility that will be mixed-use, blending a residential component with retail, hospitality, and support businesses. Work on demolition will begin soon, and construction on what is expected to be a $65 million to $85 million facility will commence soon after.

Meanwhile, most of the 40 or so businesses and nonprofits that were in the mall have found new homes. Many have relocated to other sites in Springfield, but others have put down roots in surrounding communities, including Wilbraham, Ludlow, and Holyoke.

This is a developing story, and an intriguing chapter in the Eastfield story, one in which the businesses that gave the mall its character and charm will live on.

As for the mall itself, it will live on in memories. Like old ballparks, malls (most of them anyway) can’t become something else. They have to be destroyed because their useful life is over.

This was a sad but predictable, and inevitable, end for what had been, and still is in some ways, a landmark.

Rest in peace, Eastfield Mall.

Mural Sparks History to Life

By Editorial July 19, 2023

Opinion

While it might be considered dangerous to get into a discussion concerning the quality and relative merits of a particular piece of art, when it comes to the new mural taking shape at the former Skyplex building off Stearns Square in downtown Springfield, we’ll make an exception.

This is an intriguing and masterful work (and it’s not even done yet) that celebrates the city, its history, its personalities, its landmarks … all of that.

But it does more than that. It activates a space, and it gets people talking. Overall, it takes a nondescript wall on an underutilized building and turns it into a conversation piece and part of a larger effort to bring more vibrancy to that part, and other parts, of Springfield.

It’s a small piece, but an important piece nonetheless.

If there’s anything to complain about with the mural, it’s that there’s too much going on. The entire wall is covered, and with many, if not most, of the ‘characters,’ one needs to ask, ‘who’s that?’ and ‘why is that person on this wall?’

That’s true of Abraham Lincoln and Muhammed Ali (you know who they are), but also Ted Shawn, the dancer and choreographer who created Jacob’s Pillow in Becket (and lived in Springfield for a time), and also June Foray, a Springfield native who became the voice of Rocky the Flying Squirrel, among other notable characters. You might not know who they are.

That’s the beauty of this mural. People get to take in something creative and learn about a city and its history at the same time.

It takes quite some time to take in the entirety of this mural, and another one like it just around the corner on Worthington Street, one that recreates advertising images put on the wall of a former camera store more than 50 years ago. But it’s worth taking the time, because these works tell a story, and they really do link the past, present, and future.

And at the same time, they bring new life to buildings, and an area, that needed a spark.

It is said that art can be captivating, powerful, and, yes, inspirational. This mural is a good example of how it can be all that and more.

Greenfield Savings Bank Promotes Panna Royal to Senior VP, Chief Information Officer

By BusinessWest Staff July 18, 2023

Daily News

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Savings Bank (GSB) promoted Panna Royal to the position of senior vice president and chief information officer. As CIO, she will oversee the operations of the Information Technology (IT) department, including the planning, management, implementation, support, and the security of the bank’s information and computer technologies.

“Technology is essential to the successful operation of the bank,” said Thomas Meshako, President and CEO of Greenfield Savings. “Panna’s experience working in the financial industry and her leadership and project-management skills, combined with her in-depth knowledge of IT, assure that our bank will continue to offer efficient IT services and build a robust long-term strategy.”

Royal joined GSB in November 2019 as senior network administrator with more than 25 years of experience working in IT. In 2020, she was promoted to the position of vice president and senior network administrator in the IT department. In 2022, she became senior technical program and compliance manager in the Operations department, implementing and overseeing the project-management program for the bank.

Royal and her team will support the bank with technology solutions to help the organization continue to provide customers with an outstanding user experience. She will also oversee training programs for upgrades and system changes, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and oversee the hiring and training of the IT department. She will manage the implementation and maintenance of existing information systems and will develop the bank’s information-technology roadmap for the future.

Dress for Success Western Massachusetts Moving to Downtown Springfield

By BusinessWest Staff July 18, 2023

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Dress for Success Western Massachusetts is relocating from the Eastfield Mall to its new location at 45 Lyman St. in downtown Springfield. The new location is ideally situated close to major transportation, including Union Station and the main bus terminal. This will be more accessible for users of public transit and provides Dress for Success Western Massachusetts additional space to provide services and programs to reach more women, transgender, and non-binary people.

“Having a new home with space for offices, a meeting room, and a computer lab will be transformative,” Executive Director Margaret Tantillo said. “Being able to come together in person under one roof will help strengthen and build our already vibrant community.”

This transition to the new space will be performed with minimal interruption of services. The organization’s programs — Foot in the Door, Digital Literacy Coaching, the Margaret Fitzgerald Mentorship Program, and the Professional Women’s Group — are not being affected by the move. Appointments for interview clothing and work apparel are being paused and will resume on or before Aug. 1.

During this transitional period, the organization is unable to accept clothing and accessory donations. As always, financial support is greatly needed and appreciated. Financial donations can be made at www.dfswm.org.

“Every donation provides support to our programming and allows us to reach more marginalized women,” Tantillo said.

Franklin Community Co-op Exceeds $1 Million in Member Loans to Support Expansion

By BusinessWest Staff July 18, 2023

Daily News

GREENFIELD — Franklin Community Co-op’s capital campaign recently exceeded $1 million in member loans to support the expansion and relocation of its Main Street store, Green Fields Market, to the historic Wilson’s building. The food co-op, which operates Green Fields Market in Greenfield and McCusker’s Market in Shelburne Falls, has more than 5,600 member owners.

The capital campaign kicked off in late April with a goal of reaching $1 million by the end of June and a final goal of $1.5 million in member loans by Oct. 1. The minimum loan amount is $2,000, with potential loan interest rates as high as 4%.

The move to Wilson’s will more than double the sales floor and fill a vacant storefront on Main Street that has been empty since late 2019. The co-op employs over 90 people at its two stores and has an annual revenue of $11 million, including $2 million in local sales. In 2022, about 10% of its membership was enrolled in Food for All, a program that provides a 10% discount to eligible members who receive SNAP, HIP, or SSI. Customers do not need to be a member to shop in the stores.

The new store will be located on the first floor of the building and will include larger produce, prepared-foods and bakery departments, as well as an onsite community room with a teaching kitchen. The larger store will enable the co-op to bring in more products at lower prices and serve a more diverse section of the community.

“We are so thankful to our member owners who have invested in the future of our co-op and downtown Greenfield,” said Peter Garbus, capital campaign team lead and member of the board of directors. “The renovation of Wilson’s and expansion of Green Fields Market will help to transform the downtown and provide a full-service grocery store on Main Street. We couldn’t have done this without the help of our deeply committed capital campaign team, our staff, and our members.”

Chikmedia Partners with Dunkin’ to Celebrate 10-year Anniversary

By BusinessWest Staff July 18, 2023

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Chikmedia is celebrating its 10th year in business in August and has partnered with Dunkin’ to host the anniversary party.

Chikmedia, a boutique firm offering strategic marketing planning and creative PR, will host the event on Wednesday, Aug. 9 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at TAP, located at 1 MGM Way, Springfield.

Chikmedia has won awards from the Telly Awards, the Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts, and Cosmopolitan magazine. Its mission has always been to support small, women-led businesses thrive through marketing, public relations, branding, and more. It has helped hundreds of women-owned businesses across the country; provides an annual scholarship called Chiks of the Future for women of color pursuing marketing, PR, and communications degrees; has hosted dozens of networking events over the years to connect female entrepreneurs with one another; and continues to build an influential Chik Community.

“This is such an exciting milestone for us,” said Meghan Rothschild, owner and president of Chikmedia. “If you had asked me 10 years ago about starting my own business, I would have told you ‘not for me.’ I am so happy I decided to make the leap and appreciate the support of our clients and community more than I can even express. We couldn’t have gotten here without you.”

Savor the remaining sips of the season and celebrate Chikmedia’s anniversary with Dunkin’-inspired cocktails, food, giveaways, and more at this upcoming event. Attendees must register, and space is limited. Click here to reserve a spot.

BBEC to Present Minority Business Enterprise Educational Workshop

By BusinessWest Staff July 17, 2023

Daily News

PITTSFIELD — The Berkshire Black Economic Council (BBEC) announced that the Minority Business Enterprise Educational Workshop will take place on Friday, July 21 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Proprietor’s Lodge in Pittsfield.

The workshop, held in collaboration with MassHire BizWorks and the Supplier Diversity Office of Massachusetts is designed to support Black entrepreneurs in obtaining Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification. Registration is now open for this free event, and all minority business owners are encouraged to attend. Click here to register.

The workshop will feature a seminar and panel discussions led by MBE-certified businesses. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the benefits of MBE certification, including increased access to federal contracts, federal and state tax incentives, and expanded funding opportunities. Breakout groups will provide indepth information on MBE certification requirements, while additional resources for business growth and development will be made available.

“Are you a BIPOC business owner? Let’s unlock the potential of the MBE certification,” said A.J. Enchill, executive director at BBEC. “Come join us for the MBE Educational Workshop to learn how certification can open doors for contracting, incentives, and funding opportunities.”

Bradley International Airport, Paradies Lagardère Partner to Add, Upgrade Concessions

By BusinessWest Staff July 17, 2023

Daily News

WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — The Connecticut Airport Authority announced that its partner and award-winning airport concessionaire Paradies Lagardère will be upgrading its existing establishments at Bradley International Airport and adding two new dining concepts.

Paradies Lagardère currently operates six retail locations at the airport, including two CNBC Stores, two New England Travelmarts, one iStore, and one Avanti Marketplace.

As part of the upcoming upgrades, Paradies Lagardère will be updating all six concepts. Four will be refreshed within their existing brand. Two concepts will reopen under a new name, including CT River Landing and Charter Oak Emporium.

In addition, a Starbucks will be introduced. This will be the airport’s first Starbucks post-TSA screening, located in the food-court area. A sit-down restaurant, called Beercode Kitchen & Bar, is also planned for the Gates 20-30 concourse, which currently does not offer a sit-down option. The restaurant is a gastropub-style concept offering a wide array of cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as an eclectic lineup of local craft beer and other beverages.

“We are truly excited to enhance our successful retail stores as well as add the iconic Starbucks and Beercode restaurants to our overall program at Bradley International Airport,” said Gregg Paradies, president and CEO of Paradies Lagardère. “We appreciate the Connecticut Airport Authority’s partnership over the years and look forward to continually serving their travelers with these exciting new options in the airport.”

Over the next year, passengers will see the locations come to life gradually, with Starbucks opening first at the end of this summer.

“Dining and shopping are an important part of the travel journey, and we are thrilled to be rolling out these exciting, terminal-wide changes in partnership with Paradies Lagardère,” said Kevin Dillon, executive director of the Connecticut Airport Authority. “Paradies Lagardère is a nationally recognized leader in the airport retail and dining arena, and we are confident the forthcoming upgrades will be well-received by our passengers.”

bankESB Commits $5,000 to Belchertown Pickleball Community

By BusinessWest Staff July 17, 2023

Daily News

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently awarded $5,000 to the Belchertown Pickleball Community and the Belchertown Orioles Athletic Assoc. to support the initiative of building two new community pickleball courts at 59 State St. in Belchertown.

The Belchertown Pickleball Community is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organization created to better the pickleball experience in Belchertown. The two new State Street courts recently held a grand opening to celebrate the finished project and partners who helped to make it a reality. The courts are lighted and open to the public until 10 p.m. through Labor Day. For more information about the new courts, visit btownpickleball.org.

The donation was made as part of bankESB’s charitable-giving program, the Giving Tree, which reflects the roots the bank has in its communities, its commitment to making a real difference in the neighborhoods it serves, and the belief that everyone’s quality of life is enhanced by working together to better communities.

Nominations Sought for Healthcare Heroes Class of 2023

By BusinessWest Staff July 17, 2023

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — In the spring of 2017, BusinessWest and its sister publication, the Healthcare News, created a new and exciting recognition program called Healthcare Heroes.

It was launched with the theory that there are heroes working all across this region’s wide, deep, and all-important healthcare sector, and that there was no shortage of fascinating stories to tell and individuals and groups to honor. That theory has certainly been validated.

But there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of heroes whose stories we still need to tell. And that’s where you come in.

Nominations for the class of 2023 are due Saturday, July 29, and we encourage you to get involved and help recognize someone you consider to be a hero in the community we call Western Mass. in one (or more) of these seven categories:

• Patient/Resident/Client Care Provider;
• Health/Wellness Administrator/Administration;
• Emerging Leader;
• Community Health;
• Innovation in Health/Wellness;
• Collaboration in Health/Wellness; and
• Lifetime Achievement.

Nominations can be submitted at businesswest.com/healthcare-heroes/nominations.

For more information, call Melissa Hallock, Marketing and Events Director, at (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or email [email protected].

BusinessTalk with CDH’s president and CEO, Dr. Lynnette Watkins

By BusinessWest Staff July 17, 2023

Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Go HERE to view all episodes

Episode 171: July 17, 2023

BusinessWest contributing writer George O’Brien talks with CDH’s president and CEO, Dr. Lynnette Watkins

This month marks the 10th anniversary of Cooley Dickinson Hospital becoming a member of the Mass General Brigham network of care. It’s been a rich and fulfilling relationship, one that has led to new initiatives and improved the overall quality of care, said CDH’s president and CEO, Dr. Lynnette Watkins. This partnership was one of many topics she discussed with BusinessWest contributing writer George O’Brien on the next installment of BusinessTalk. The two also talked about the latest phase of COVID, groundbreaking for an expansion of CDH’s Emergency Department, and ongoing workforce challenges. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

Sponsored by:

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Bay Path Names Inaugural Dean for School of Education, Psychology & Humanities

By BusinessWest Staff July 14, 2023

Daily News

LONGMEADOW — Following a national search, Bay Path University announced that Ruth Lahti was selected to be the inaugural dean of the School of Education, Psychology & Humanities.

“I am pleased to welcome Dr. Lahti to the Bay Path community,” said Dr. John Caron, interim vice president of Academic Affairs. “Dr. Lahti has vast experience as an educator and administrator and possesses extensive knowledge of online learning platforms and strategies. She is a creative and entrepreneurial, student-focused leader whose background will be integral as the university looks at new ways to expand and deliver our academic portfolio in the School of Education, Psychology & Humanities that benefit both our students and the marketplace.”

In her previous position, Lahti served as the associate vice president of Academics at Southern New Hampshire University, Global Campus Online. In that role, she led a team of 70 full-time administrators and faculty while overseeing 22 online programs; spearheaded the development of a career-oriented master of fine arts program in creative writing that is now the largest MFA program in the country; oversaw DEI strategies that produced positive, measurable results; and implemented data-driven decision making to foster student success, grow online programs in both enrollment and revenue, and launch a suite of career-focused embedded certificates.

“Dr. Lahti clearly shares Bay Path’s values that are reflected in our mission and career-focused education: innovation, diversity, equity, the pursuit of excellence, inclusiveness, collaboration, and social responsibility,” President Sandra Doran said. “As the inaugural dean, she will bring a new vision that will enable the university to expand and evolve our offerings and provide an even richer and more engaging experience for our students.”

As dean of the of the School of Education, Psychology & Humanities, Lahti is responsible for leading and coordinating the operations of department chairs and program directors to support student and faculty success. Through collaboration with cross-university departments, she will be a member of teams that develop strategic external partnerships, implement ongoing processes for the development of and scanning for new curricular ideas and initiatives, and identify and assist in obtaining new revenue streams to support the expansion of school programs and infrastructure.

Lahti earned her Ph.D. and master’s degree in English from UMass Amherst and her bachelor’s degree in English from James Madison University.

Hackworth School of Performing Arts Wins Prestigious Award

By BusinessWest Staff July 14, 2023

Daily News

EASTHAMPTON — Hackworth School of Performing Arts (HSPA) owners Alison Forance and Lisa Anthony announced that they were named Ultimate Studio of the Year by the American Dance Awards on July 9. This honor is given to a dance studio that shows success in training dancers in all age groups in various different styles, including but not limited to ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, acro, and musical theater.

The American Dance Awards values the wide range of quality dance education offered to students and feels it should be rewarded. The nominees for this prestigious award included studios from all over the U.S., Canada, and South Africa.

Hackworth School of Performing Arts strives to create a well-rounded program and is honored to receive this award, Forance said.

“It was a pinnacle moment of immense pride, knowing our grandfather, who started our dance legacy back in 1934, was watching from above, cheering us on, giving us his signature thumbs up, while also knowing how proud and ecstatic our mother would be when hearing this exciting news,” she added. “This tremendous honor is a reflection of each and every HSPA faculty member who has helped our students achieve this goal, from our Tiny Tot teachers who first instilled the love of dance in the very beginning, right up through those working with our advanced teams, along with our inspiring guest teachers and alumni.”

The studio is entering its their 90th season. Families looking to join the HSPA dance family should email [email protected].

Greater Northampton Chamber Seeks Nominations for 2023 Eva Trager Memorial

By BusinessWest Staff July 14, 2023

Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2023 Eva Trager Memorial. First introduced in 2012, the memorial recognizes individuals who made a significant impact on the vitality of downtown Northampton during their lifetimes. Eligible nominees for this year’s memorial are people who have passed away since the event was last held in September 2019. Nominations are due no later than Monday, July 24.

Hailed as the ‘queen of Main Street,’ Trager distinguished herself as a successful businesswoman and cherished champion for downtown for nearly 50 years. Named in her honor, the memorial celebrates the lifetime and exemplary achievements of those who demonstrated a personal commitment and dedication to downtown Northampton and the community.

“The Eva Trager Memorial is a posthumous honor and celebrates those who left a legacy of giving and caring that never went unnoticed,” said Vince Jackson, executive director of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce. “Past inductees embodied a spirit of community that was evident in the impact that they had as business owners, community ambassadors, commercial developers, and highly respected influencers. This is a lifetime achievement and incredible tribute to those who lived with great purpose and steady hope for a vibrant downtown.”

Nominations may be submitted online at evatragermemorial.com. The list of honorees selected this year will be announced by Aug. 4. The Eva Trager Memorial Ceremony will take place on Friday, Sept. 8, in front of the Owl at 157 Main St. in downtown Northampton.

Max Tavern Announces Fourth Max on Monday Networking Event

By BusinessWest Staff July 14, 2023

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Max Tavern at the Basketball Hall of Fame announced its fourth Max on Monday networking event, set for Aug. 7 from 4 to 6 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with other professionals while enjoying complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar will be available for beverages. Max on Monday is an ideal opportunity for those who have been working remotely to reconnect with their colleagues and find inspiration in the company of others.

Each Max on Monday event will feature a selection of local businesses. In August, the sponsored businesses will include M&T Bank, Fitzgerald Law, Conklin Office Furniture, and Hillside Dermatology. Representatives from these businesses will network and share information about their organizations. A local charity is also featured. The Aug. 7 event will spotlight the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The event will also showcase a local artist.

For more information about Max on Monday or to register to attend, RSVP to AnnMarie Harding at (413) 244-4055 or [email protected].

Dietz & Company Welcomes Architectural Associates Laura Mukazhanova, Chen Yu

By BusinessWest Staff July 13, 2023

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Dietz & Company Architects Inc. recently welcomed Laura Mukazhanova and Chen Yu to the firm, both in the role of architectural associate.

Mukazhanova recently received her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University, where she completed her thesis on the effects of architecture on one’s mental and emotional state. She illustrated this with a focus on addressing the issue of burnout in the healthcare industry through the use of visual and sensory perceptions in the workplace. As such, she has a particular interest and curiosity in architecture that has the potential for emotional and aesthetic influence on its occupants.

Chen recently graduated with her master of architecture degree from the University of Virginia. While completing her studies, she interned at architecture firms in Virginia and China. She also had the opportunity to conduct research on-site in Utqiagvik, Alaska regarding the reuse of waste heat. With an interest in public building design, she looks forward to expanding her knowledge on the subject through her project work at Dietz.

Greenfield Public Library Grand-opening Celebration Set for Today

By BusinessWest Staff July 13, 2023

Daily News

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Public Library and the city of Greenfield invite the community to the grand opening of the new Greenfield Public Library today, July 13.

The festivities kick off at 9:30 a.m. with the Greenfield Military Band, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., after which the 26,800-square-foot facility will officially open for a day of discovery and exploration. Participants will include Greenfield Mayor Roxann Wedegartner, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, and other elected officials.

After the library is officially open, attendees will be invited to the community meeting room to enjoy a slice of cake, sign the guest book, and begin exploring the new library. The library will remain open with all-day programming until 5 p.m., including a family story time, arts and crafts activities, and demos in the new makerspace, teen room, and children’s department.

The library, located at 412 Main St., will be open during regular hours on Friday and Saturday, July 14-15, continuing the celebration with special programs, musical guests, and more. Click here for a schedule of the grand-opening events. The festivities, sponsored by Friends of the Greenfield Public Library, are free and open to everyone in the community.

Bacon Wilson Welcomes Four Law Clerks for 2023-24

By BusinessWest Staff July 13, 2023

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that Alexandre Pereira, Allison Hanna, Lauren Rainville, and Emily Gorney have been accepted into its law-clerk program for the 2023-24 school year.

Bacon Wilson created the clerkship program more than 40 years ago to allow law-school students to gain experience and mentoring in the legal profession. The clerks are an integral part of the firm and participate in various firm events during their time at Bacon Wilson.

Pereira joined Bacon Wilson in May 2023. He is a Western New England University School of Law candidate for juris doctor in May 2024. He earned his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in finance from Western New England University (WNE) in 2021. Prior to Bacon Wilson, he was a teaching assistant in the academic success center at WNE. He was also a legal assistant at Marta Law Offices in Ludlow, where he gained experience in estate planning and real-estate law. Currently, he has interests in estate planning and litigation. In addition to his previous work experience, Pereira has volunteered his time at Our Lady of Fatima Parish and was also a Best Buddies International Organization member. He has lived in Western Mass. his entire life and hopes to continue his legal career here after graduation. He is looking forward to using his time at Bacon Wilson to explore many other areas of law.

Hanna is one of two returning law clerks for a second year and has been with Bacon Wilson since September 2022. She is a Western New England University School of Law candidate for juris doctor in May 2024. She earned her bachelor’s degree, summa cum laud, in legal studies from State University of New York in Canton in 2020, and her associate of applied science degree in paralegal studies from Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden, N.Y. in 2018. Hanna competed on the WNE National Moot Court team and served as a student attorney for the WNE Global Justice Clinic. She is the founder and chair of the parents attending law school committee through Western New England, and also worked as a lawyering skills teaching assistant. Before joining Bacon Wilson, she was a law clerk for Riscassi & Davis, P.C. in Hartford, Conn., as well as a paralegal at Morrison Mahoney in Springfield and Newman & Lickstein in Syracuse, N.Y.

Rainville is a returning law clerk who joined Bacon Wilson in May 2022. She is a Western New England University School of Law Candidate for juris doctor in May 2024. She earned her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in business management from Bay Path University in 2016. Her previous experience includes negotiations and settlements with claimants’ attorneys and pro-se claimants on personal and commercial auto damage and injury losses in Connecticut. Rainville has volunteered her time at the Jewish Family Services Legal Immigration Clinic and as an educator at Paulo Freire Social Justice Charter School. She participated in the WNE School of Law’s Real Estate Practicum in the spring of 2023. She is interested in pursuing a career in criminal or civil litigation, and she hopes to build on the network she has formed and practice in the Springfield area.

Gorney joined the firm in May 2023 and will be eligible for her juris doctor in May 2024 from Western New England University School of Law. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international trade and marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She is interested in family law, immigration, and international law. This fall, she will be a judicial intern for the Hartford Immigration Court. She participated in WNE’s Global Justice Clinic last spring, which provided legal aid to families separated at the southern U.S. border. She has also volunteered for the National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project, Jewish Family Services of Western Massachusetts, and Dakin Humane Society. Gorney enjoys the personal and interactive aspects of lawyering and is passionate about advocating for underrepresented communities. She hopes to continue building a professional network in the Western Mass. area and is committed to maintaining involvement in the community.

Bacon Wilson Managing Shareholder Jeffrey Fialky noted that “we are thrilled to have these four exceptional law students continue in Bacon Wilson’s longstanding tradition of law-clerk excellence, and we are very fortunate to have this region’s best and brightest contribute to our work for the benefit of our clients.”

HCC Offering Free Culinary Training for English-language Learners

By BusinessWest Staff July 13, 2023

Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) is offering a free program for English-language learners looking to begin careers in the culinary and hospitality field.

The course, “MassSTEP ESOL Culinary Arts,” begins Monday, July 17 at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute, 164 Race St., Holyoke. It runs Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., through Aug. 25.

The 180-hour training is designed for people learning English who are at an intermediate level. ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) instruction is built into the curriculum. The program is free thanks to a grant from the Adult & Community Learning Services division of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE).

MassSTEP (skills, training, education programs) denotes a statewide network of DESE-funded pathways that prepare adult learners for promising careers with dynamic Massachusetts businesses.

In the HCC class, students will gain skills in knife techniques, cooking methods, culinary math and measurements, workplace etiquette, résumé building, and job searching, and earn workplace certifications including ServSafe manager, food handler, and alcohol. The course incorporates 90 hours of English-language learning and career preparation. The program is open to adult residents of Massachusetts who are learning English.

“This hands-on training is an exciting opportunity for students to begin a new career in culinary and hospitality, advance into higher-level roles, or continue studying culinary and hospitality at the college level,” said Pesha Black, director of ESOL at HCC. “Our alumni have gone on to work in restaurants, food service, hotels, and started their own entrepreneurial ventures. We work with over two dozen local employers eager to hire qualified graduates as food preparers, line cooks, servers, bartenders, hosts and hostesses, and hotel workers.”

For more information or to enroll, contact Moira Lozada at (413) 561-7280 or [email protected].

Julie Dick Named an Emerging Woman Leader in the Law

By BusinessWest Staff July 12, 2023

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Julie Dick, counsel at Bulkley Richardson, has been named one of this year’s Emerging Women Leaders in the Law by the Women’s Bar Assoc. of Massachusetts (WBA).

The WBA’s Emerging Women Leaders in the Law award honors women attorneys who have demonstrated professional excellence or had a significant professional achievement in approximately their first 12 years in the legal profession, and either promote the status of women in the legal profession or contribute meaningfully to the equal participation of women in a just society.

The other honorees are Avana Epperson-Temple of Peabody & Arnold LLP, state Rep. Tram Nguyen, and Whitney Williams of the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office.

“This year’s group of Emerging Women Leaders is an exceptional group of women attorneys whose talent and accomplishments thus far in their careers are commendable. I look forward to their continued good work and celebrating their contributions to the legal profession into the future,” said Jessica Babine, WBA president.

The 2023 awardees will be celebrated at the WBA’s annual gala on Oct. 16 at Marriott Copley Place in Boston.

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