Home 2023 (Page 13)

Year: 2023

Emerging Leader: Ellen Ingraham-Shaw

By
Ellen Ingraham-Shaw
Healthcare Heroes

Pediatric Emergency Nurse, Baystate Medical Center

Her Passion for Behavioral Health Has Enhanced Care Across an Entire ER

Ellen Ingraham-Shaw

 

Ellen Ingraham-Shaw just couldn’t get away from children — even when she thought she wanted to.

And thanks to her leadership and innovative thinking, a lot of kids are better for it today.

“I actually started my career as a kindergarten teacher,” she said, before jumping back in time a little to when her interest in working with children really began.

“Growing up, I was a horseback rider, and I got into teaching younger kids how to horseback ride; that’s how I started working with children and adolescents, including working summer camps when I was in college,” she recalled.

Then she studied early childhood education and psychology at Mount Holyoke College before spending the first five years of her career as a kindergarten teacher.

There, Ingraham-Shaw saw needs that can’t always be addressed in the classroom.

“I worked in Chicopee, and in my classroom, I had a lot of homeless students,” she said. “So I started getting really interested in the socioeconomic status of kids and all the barriers that can really get in the way of how kids learn.

“I was happy, but I didn’t see myself doing it forever,” she continued, “so I went back to school for a second bachelor’s in nursing at UMass Amherst. After that program, I started working at Baystate Medical Center on one of the adult floors. And I just thought I didn’t want to work with kids anymore after feeling kind of burnt out.”

“Especially during the pandemic, the behavioral-health population just kind exploded in our ER. And I just got really passionate about it.”

So when friends asked her whether she wanted to enter pediatrics, she said no — but that feeling eventually thawed, and she applied for a position in Baystate’s pediatric ER. And she fell in love with it, calling it a well-run unit that, she realized early on, had an openness to new ideas and a focus on behavioral health that she would eventually expand in a number of ways.

“Especially during the pandemic, the behavioral-health population just kind exploded in our ER. And I just got really passionate about it,” she said. “And I’m lucky that my managers and my educators on my unit really support us working toward the things we’re interested in. If you want to seek out opportunities to do your own education, they give you opportunity to research.”

Thus began a fruitful career in pediatric emergency care with a focus creating more education and resources around behavioral health.

“I’ve been able to do education on de-escalating patients, just helping with the safety of the staff and the patients. And I think our physical restraint numbers have decreased; we have seen a decrease in having to resort to a restrictive environment with the kids.”

Ingraham-Shaw also worked closely with Pediatric ER Manager Jenn Do Carmo on Narcan take-home kits for the Pediatric Emergency Department. They were talking one day about how Baystate’s adult ED provides take-home kits to their substance-misuse population, but the Pediatric ED had no such process. So they decided to change that. Ingraham-Shaw created an education flier for nurses and doctors, made sure the kits were stocked, and educated every nurse on how to educate patients and families in their use.

“I did some education with our staff on how to identify patients that might be at higher risk,” she explained. “These are patients who come in with an overdose or, unfortunately, we’re seeing a lot of adolescents these days with suicide attempts and self-harm; sometimes they could be opioid-related, sometimes not. But if someone has a past overdose attempt, they’re at a higher risk of potentially overdosing on opioids in the future.

Ellen Ingraham-Shaw

Ellen Ingraham-Shaw says pediatric emergency nurses bring not only care, but large doses of compassion and education to parents.

“So we’re making sure we have Narcan out in the community,” she added. “The nursing job is to help identify the patients that could be at risk, then working with the providers to make sure Narcan gets prescribed.”

Do Carmo, who nominated Ingraham-Shaw, said this program has the potential to save the lives of pediatric patients who overdose on opioids in the community. “Ellen is also going into the community and teaching local schools about the process of administering Narcan,” she wrote. “Ellen is a strong advocate for her patients and is a Healthcare Hero.”

 

Knowledge Is Power

As another example of thinking — and leading — outside the box, Do Carmo noted that Ingraham-Shaw noticed a gap in education on the care of LGBTQ and transgender patients, and took it upon herself to create educational materials and a PowerPoint presentation on how to care for and support these individuals.

“The entire Emergency Department now provides her representation on transgender education in nursing orientation,” Do Carmo wrote. “This presentation provides a clear understanding of a population in dire need of support and words and ways that help support the care of this population.”

Ingraham-Shaw told BusinessWest that she developed that education on LGBTQ and transgender health for a staff meeting, and the educators in the ED now utilize it as a required part of onboarding training for all emergency-medicine staff at Baystate, not just in the Pediatric ED. “So all of our staff has some level of training in how to be respectful and understanding of patients in our community.”

That aspect of education can be lacking in the training and college programs medical professionals experience entering their careers, she added. “So I think our people are definitely able to support those patients a lot better.”

Providing care that’s not sensitive to that population typically isn’t a problem of malice, but ignorance, she was quick to add. “It’s just people not knowing. And now my unit especially has at least a little baseline of how to be more respectful and understanding of patients.”

Of course, sensitivity to what patients are experiencing comes naturally in a pediatric ER, where the days can be challenging and the situations dire.

“I did some education with our staff on how to identify patients that might be at higher risk. These are patients who come in with an overdose or, unfortunately, we’re seeing a lot of adolescents these days with suicide attempts and self-harm; sometimes they could be opioid-related, sometimes not.”

“One thing I do like about it is that every day is completely different. I think it’s gotten a little bit harder now that I just had my own baby; I’m still adjusting to that,” she said of the toughest cases. “But the majority of what we see is more urgent care, or things likely to be seen in a primary-care setting. Those usually have a happy ending — you help educate the family, you make sure the child is safe, is eating, drinking, breathing, and then they usually get discharged home.”

At the same time, “unfortunately, we do see some really devastating new cancer diagnoses, we see some car accidents, so it’s definitely emotional. I think my co-workers do a really good job of supporting each other through those difficult times. Healthcare can be sad, and I think it’s especially sad when you know something bad happens to a child. And we do a lot of compassion with the families as well; we take care of the whole family, not just the child.”

Again, she comes back to the education aspect of her work, even for things families don’t specifically bring in their kids for, like properly installing car seats.

“When we’re at the triage desk, we first bring the kid in, we make sure they’re safe, and then that’s another point where we can just educate them and do that community health and make sure everyone’s safe by teaching families simple things like car seats.”

Going beyond the basics is how Ingraham-Shaw has really made a difference, though, implementing new ideas in an organization she says is very interested in hearing them.

“My management team is just really open. We have a lot of freedom to do things,” she said, before giving another example in the behavioral-health realm.

“One of my co-workers and I, a few years ago, started a behavioral-health committee. We try to meet monthly, just to talk about what’s going on with the unit, trying to work on different projects,” she explained. “One thing we did was make an informational pamphlet for the families and the patients that come in for behavioral-health issues because the way we treat them is much different than other patients. And sometimes they’re there for a really long time. So we want to do what we can just to support the families a little bit more.”

Do Carmo praised Ingraham-Shaw for identifying barriers in communication and creating a tool that has improved communication between nurses and patients. “Ellen works very closely with the behavioral-health team to ensure the behavioral-health population receives the needed care plans and treatments.”

 

Long-time Passion

Ingraham-Shaw’s interest in mental health was clear when she first studied psychology in college, but at the time, she couldn’t have predicted how it would become an important aspect of her career.

“When I was looking for jobs, if I didn’t find a teaching job, I was looking for other psychology-related jobs,” she said, adding that she’s in graduate school now, working on her doctor of nursing practice degree (DNP) to be a psychiatric nurse practitioner.

“I always thought that was a possibility, but I didn’t think this was the route I’d take,” she said. “For nurse practitioners, at least, the education track is different. So you’re a nurse first, so you get that compassionate care and bedside manner down first. And then you start learning the more advanced things.”

Once she has her DNP, she said she’d like to stay in the pediatric arena, although she’s hoping to gain a wide range of experience through her clinical rotations.

“Baystate in general is very supportive of education,” she added, noting the system’s tuition-reimbursement and loan-forgiveness programs, in addition to its affiliation with UMass Medical School’s Springfield campus, which is where she’s taking her graduate track.

“One of the reasons why I chose that school is because they have a focus on diversity and behavioral health,” she noted. “So I’ve been working hard, but I have also been lucky to find myself in places, and around people, that are supportive and inspirational, and I’ve been given a lot of opportunities to focus on the things that I want to do.”

As part of her graduate education, Ingraham-Shaw is hoping to focus on opioid and overdose education in her scholarly project. “It’s something I’m passionate about, and I’ve done a lot of my own learning. So I’m hoping to do some more research and actually implement some projects with that.”

For her work creating and cultivating a handful of truly impactful projects at Baystate already, but especially for the promise of what she and her colleagues have yet to come up with, Ingraham-Shaw is certainly an emerging leader in her field, and a Healthcare Hero. n

Emerging Leader: Ashley LeBlanc

By
Ashley LeBlanc
Healthcare Heroes

Practice Manager of Thoracic Surgery, Nursing Director of the Lung Screening Program, Mercy Medical Center

She Has a Proven Ability to Take the Bull by the Horns

Ashley LeBlanc

 

It’s been seven years now, but Ashley LeBlanc clearly remembers the day Dr. Laki Rousou and Dr. Neal Chuang asked her to consider becoming the nurse navigator for their thoracic surgery practice at Mercy Medical Center.

She also clearly remembers her initial response to their invite: “absolutely not.”

She was working days in critical care at the hospital at the time, and liked both the work and the schedule: three days on, four days off, she told BusinessWest, adding that it takes a while for a new position like this to get approved and posted, for interviews to take place, and more — and the doctors used the following weeks to make additional entreaties, with reminders that she wouldn’t have to work any weekends or holidays.

But the answer was still ‘no’ until roughly six months after that initial invite, when she had one particularly challenging day on the floor with a very sick patient. Challenging enough that, when Rousou tried one more time that afternoon, ‘no’ became “I’ll update my résumé and hear you out.”

“He got me at a weak moment, and it was the best decision I ever made, because they have been amazing mentors, and they’ve opened my mind up to this whole other world,” she said, adding that her career underwent a profound and meaningful course change, one that led her to being named a Healthcare Hero for 2023 in the Emerging Leader category.

Indeed, during those seven years, LeBlanc has emerged as a true leader, both in that thoracic surgery practice, which she now manages, and in efforts to promote awareness and screening for lung cancer — one of the deadliest cancers, and one she can certainly relate to personally. Indeed, she has lost several family members to the disease, many of whom would have qualified for screening had it been available at the time of their diagnosis.

“He got me at a weak moment, and it was the best decision I ever made, because they have been amazing mentors, and they’ve opened my mind up to this whole other world.”

In many respects, and in many ways, she has become a fierce advocate for patients related to lung cancer screening, treatment, and research, and concentrates her efforts on ways to decrease the mortality rate of lung cancer and break down the stigma of that disease by educating the community, connecting them to resources, and, in many respects, guiding them on their journey as they fight lung cancer.

When the screening program was launched, those involved didn’t really know what to expect, LeBlanc said, adding that, in the beginning, maybe a handful of people were being screened each month. Now, that number exceeds 250 a month, and while only a small percentage of those who are screened have lung cancer, she said, each detected case is important because, while this cancer is deadly, early detection often leads to a better outcome.

This is turning out to be a big year for LeBlanc, at least when it comes to awards from BusinessWest. In the spring, she suitably impressed a panel of judges and became part of the 40 Under Forty Class of 2023. And in late October, she’ll accept the Healthcare Heroes award for Emerging Leader.

The plaques on her desk — or soon to be on it — speak to many qualities, but especially an ability to work with others to set, achieve, and, in many cases, exceed goals, not only with lung cancer screening, but other initiatives as well.

Dr. Laki Rousou never stopped trying to recruit Ashely LeBlanc

Dr. Laki Rousou never stopped trying to recruit Ashely LeBlanc to manage the thoracic-surgery practice at Mercy Medical Center, and he — and many others — are glad he didn’t.
Staff Photo

Rousou put LeBlanc’s many talents in their proper perspective.

“Before we even had the formal program, I would say something sort of off the cuff, like, ‘I wish we could do this’ … and the next week, I would have the answer, or it would be done,” he said. “Then it turned into ‘OK, let’s try and do this,’ and in the next week or two weeks, it would be done. And then it turned into a situation where she would have an idea and we would talk periodically, but she would take the bull by the horns and just do things that were best for thoracic surgery, but also the screening program.”

This ability to take the bull by the horns, and many other endearing and enduring qualities, explains why LeBlanc is a true Healthcare Hero.

 

The Big Screen

There’s a small whiteboard to the right of LeBlanc’s desk. Written at the top are the words ‘World Conquering Plans.’

This is an ambitious to-do list, or work-in-progress board, with lines referencing everything from a cancer screening program for firefighters to something called a Center for Healthy Lungs, which would be … well, just what it sounds like. “That’s a bit of a pipe dream,” she said. “We’re going to need our own building.”

While it might seem like a pipe dream, if it’s on LeBlanc’s list of things to get done … it will probably get done. That has been her MO since joining the thoracic surgery practice, and long before that, going back, for example, to the days when she worked the overnight shift as a unit extender at Mercy until 7, then drive to Springfield Technical Community College for nursing classes that began at 8.

“Sometimes, I would snooze in the car for 15 or 20 minutes,” she recalled, adding that she wasn’t getting much sleep at that time in her life. “You just do what you have to do to make it happen.”

Initially, she thought what she wanted to make happen was a career in law enforcement — her father was a police officer in Northampton — but her first stint as a unit extender at Mercy, while she was attending Holyoke Community College, convinced her she was more suited to healthcare.

But plans to enter that field were put on ice (sort of, and pun intended) when her fiancé, a Coast Guardsman, was stationed in Sitka, Alaska.

She spent three years there, taking in winters not as bad as most people would think, and summers not as warm as they are here, but still quite nice. And also working for the Department of Homeland Security as a federal security agent for National Transportation Safety Board at Sitka’s tiny airport.

“The evidence is staggering concerning the number of people who have a scan done, and they have an incidental finding, and there is no follow-up for that incidental finding.”

LeBlanc and her husband eventually returned to Western Mass. after a stint on the Cape, and she essentially picked up where she left off, working as a unit extender at Mercy.

“It was five years later, and it felt like I never left,” she said, adding that she soon enrolled in the Nursing program at STCC and, upon graduation, took a job on the Intermediate Care floor, which brings us back to the point where she kept saying ‘no’ and eventually said ‘yes’ to Rousou and Chuang (who is no longer with the practice).

Rousou told BusinessWest they recruited her heavily because they knew she would be perfect for the role they had carved out — and they were right.

Over the past seven years, LeBlanc has put a number of line items on the ‘World Conquering Plans’ list, and made most of them reality, especially a lung cancer screening program, which wasn’t even on her radar screen when she finally agreed to interview for the job.

Indeed, she was prepared to talk about patient education and how to improve it and make it more comprehensive when Rousou and Chuang changed things up and focused on a screening program.

 

Thinking Big

Once she got the job, she focused on both, with some dramatic and far-reaching results.

As for the screening program, she said such initiatives were new at the time because the Centers for Medicare Services had only recently approved insurance coverage for such screenings. At Mercy, with Rousou, Chuang, and, increasingly, LeBlanc charting a course, extensive research was undertaken with the goal of incorporating best practices from existing programs into Mercy’s initiative.

“We had no idea what our expectations should be or how it would be received in the community — it was a very new thing,” she recalled. “That first month in 2017, we did seven scans; then we did 29, and by the end of the year, it was over 50 scans a month. A year after we started, it was over 100.”

Now, that number is more than 250, she said, adding that such screenings are important because, while lung cancer is the deadliest of cancers, there are usually no visible signs of it — such as unexplained weight loss, coughing up blood, or pneumonia — until its later stages.

“When patients are diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, the treatment is, by and large, palliative, not curative,” she explained, “which makes it extra important to try to diagnose these people with lung cancer at an earlier stage.”

In addition to her work coordinating the screening program, LeBlanc also handles work implied by her initial title — nurse navigator.

This is work to help the patient understand and prepare for the procedure they are facing, such as removal of a portion of their lung, and answer any questions they may have.

“When the surgeon leaves the room … that’s when a patient will take that deep breath and say, ‘I have so many questions,’” she told BusinessWest. “It can be overwhelming, and this gives me an opportunity to answer those questions, which can involve anything from the seriousness of the procedure to where to park or what to bring to the hospital with them.”

Meanwhile, she has taken a lead role in efforts to build a strong culture within the thoracic surgery and cancer screening programs, where 14 people now work, and make it an enjoyable workplace, where birthdays and National Popcorn Day are celebrated, and teamwork is fostered.

“I think it’s important to enjoy where you work, and when we’re happy, I think that carries over to patients, and they feel that,” she said. “At Easter, we have an Easter egg hunt, with grown, professional adults running around the office looking for Easter eggs. It seems silly, but it’s wonderful at the same time.”

Then, there’s that ‘World Conquering Plans’ board next to her desk. LeBlanc said she and the team at the practice have made considerable progress with many of the items on that list, including plans to expand the office into vacated space next door with an interventional pulmonary department and an ‘incidental nodule’ program.

The interventional pulmonary program is a relatively new specialty that focuses on diagnosis of lung disease, she said, adding that an interventional pulmonologist has been hired, facilities have been created, and patients have been scheduled starting early this month.

Progress is also being made on the incidental nodule program, which, as that name implies, is a safety-net initiative focused on following up on the small, incidental nodules on the lungs that show up on scans other than lung cancer screenings and are often overlooked.

“The evidence is staggering concerning the number of people who have a scan done, and they have an incidental finding, and there is no follow-up for that incidental finding,” she explained, adding that such findings often get buried or lost in reports. “When patients come to Dr. Rousou, they’ll often say, ‘I’ve had a scan every year for the last so many years; how come no one saw this until now?’”

 

Breathing Easier

As for the Center for Healthy Lungs … that is a very ambitious plan, she said, one that exists mainly in dreams right now.

But, as noted earlier, LeBlanc has become proficient in making dreams reality and in drawing lines through items on her whiteboard.

That’s what Rousou and Chuang saw when they recruited LeBlanc — and kept on recruiting her after she kept saying ‘no.’

They could see that she was an emerging leader — and a Healthcare Hero. n

Community Health: Cindy Senk

By
Cindy Senk
Healthcare Heroes

Personal Trainer and Owner, Movement for All

She Inspires Others to Improve Their Mobility — and Quality of Life

Cindy Senk

One of Cindy Senk’s first experiences with yoga wasn’t a positive one.

Her back was very painful on the right side. “The yoga teacher came up in my face and said, ‘you can do better, you can do better’” — but not in an encouraging way, she recalled.

“It was almost hostile — this in-my-face attitude,” she went on. “I was really taken aback by that. I felt like, you don’t know me; you don’t know my health history; you don’t know what I’m feeling. I wanted to say, ‘get out of my face,’ but I didn’t — I just stepped back, and I never went back to that yoga studio.”

The experience drove her when she launched her own fitness and training practice, Movement for All, 20 years ago.

“I decided I would never be that teacher. I would never put someone in that particular place,” Senk told BusinessWest. “My philosophy as a teacher is to educate and empower my students, my clients, to make the choices that feel right because they feel it in their body. They know how they feel.”

That philosophy has led her not only to success with Movement for All, but 40 years of successes with specific populations, like people with arthritis, older individuals, and clients with cognitive challenges — because she understands that everyone, no matter their challenges, can thrive when they’re not treated in a cookie-cutter way.

Kelly Gilmore understands this. One of three clients who nominated Senk as a Healthcare Hero, Gilmore, a department chair at West Springfield High School, was hospitalized with a condition that diminished her mobility, stamina, and overall physical and mental state so severely that she couldn’t return to her teaching position.

“None of the numerous medical specialists that I continued to see regularly could offer a path toward improvement, beyond pain relief,” she wrote. “I set out to find a healthcare/fitness professional that was committed to helping me restore my health, strength, and mobility. Cindy offered exactly that. She met me where I was and created a personalized plan to move me to where I needed to be. She empowered me to take charge of my healing, unlocking the power inside of me, one step at a time.”

Starting a yoga regimen sitting in a chair, rather than on a mat on the floor, Gilmore began, within the next few months, to move freely, climb stairs, and go on walks. “Most importantly, I was in charge of my classroom again, offering my students the energy and vitality they deserve from their teacher.”

That’s real impact on clients with real problems. Multiplied over four decades, it’s a collective impact on the community, especially populations not always served well, and it certainly makes Senk deserving of being called a Healthcare Hero.

 

Brotherly Inspiration

Senk traces her passion for helping people to her childhood — in particular, her experiences with her younger brother, Bobby, who was born with cerebral palsy in 1955, long before the Americans with Disabilities Act codified many accessibility measures.

But Bobby had his family.

“My mother was a real advocate for him,” Senk recalled. “And we grew up in this environment in Forest Park where Bobby was one of the gang. We would accommodate him if he had trouble keeping up because of his crutches; we would just get him in a wagon and drag him around the neighborhood. He was always just part of the group. There was no, ‘well, Bobby can’t do that, so we can’t do it.’ It was never like that. It was always, ‘how can we creatively include him?’ And I think that’s really where this passion of mine comes from.”

Senk has had her own share of physical challenges as well; she was diagnosed with spinal issues at age 18 — issues that led to a lifetime of arthritis and have given her unique insight into people with similar problems, and led her into decades of advocacy in the broader arthritis community.

She’s never been free from arthritis; in fact, the day she spoke with BusinessWest at her home, Senk said she woke up with a lot of pain.

“My philosophy as a teacher is to educate and empower my students, my clients, to make the choices that feel right because they feel it in their body. They know how they feel.”

“It was just one of those days, you know?” she said. “So I started my gentle yoga I do every morning, I got in the shower, I was moving around my house, I had a class online that I teach, and then I had a client. And now I feel 1,000% better from when I woke up at 5:30 because I’ve been moving for six hours.

“It comes down to wanting to help people be functional, be fit, and have tools they can use to help themselves with whatever challenges they’re facing. And I think my passion for that came from a young age. Everything kind of flowed from all that: discovering how movement helps me and sharing that with others. Because I know how much movement helps me.”

Senk started her career with group exercise like step aerobics and regular low-impact aerobics, and later started practicing yoga to help her back — her main arthritic trouble spot. That was 35 years ago, and yoga has been an important part of her practice ever since.

the heart of my in-person classes on Tuesday nights

Cindy Senk calls these women “the heart of my in-person classes on Tuesday nights.”

“I have my basic certification, but then I have specialties in yoga for arthritis, accessible yoga, subtle yoga, and I use all of those to put together whatever program I need for this particular client in this particular class. I feel lucky to have a lot of tools in my toolbox.”

It’s been gratifying, she said, to help clients discover those tools, especially those who didn’t think they could achieve pain relief and mobility.

“A lot of times, in the beginning, people that are in chronic pain are very tentative about movement because they think they’re going to hurt worse,” she said, adding that she draws on her experience as a volunteer and teacher trainer with the Arthritis Foundation — and her own experience with arthritis, of course — to help them understand the potential of yoga and other forms of exercise.

“It’s the idea of the pain cycle, where we think, ‘oh I can’t; it hurts,’ so we move less, and then we hurt more,” she explained. “The idea of movement breaks that pain cycle. You’re giving the power to the client through movement. It’s a journey that I’m on with them.”

It’s a good idea, Senk said, for people in pain to first see their primary-care doctor or a specialist to find out exactly what’s wrong and what their options are, whether that’s yoga, an aquatic program, a walking program, or another activity that can keep them mobile.

“She met me where I was and created a personalized plan to move me to where I needed to be. She empowered me to take charge of my healing, unlocking the power inside of me, one step at a time.”

“There are more than 60 million of us in this country who have arthritis — and that’s doctor-diagnosed, so a lot of people probably have arthritis and are not doctor-diagnosed. And it’s not just older people; it’s kids as well. It’s very pervasive, unfortunately. So you need to get the knowledge first, and then, if you want to move and exercise or whatever it may be, you need to find a professional who knows what they’re doing.”

 

Living Her Passion

Senk’s four-decade career as a fitness professional has brought her to commercial fitness settings, hospitals, senior-living communities, corporate environments, and the studio she runs out of her own home. She has also taught as an adjunct professor at Holyoke Community College, Springfield College, and Manchester Community College, in addition to 25 years of volunteerism with the Arthritis Foundation and her role chairing of the Western Massachusetts Walk to Cure Arthritis for the past three years.

That’s a lot of passion poured into what essentially boils down to helping people enjoy life again.

“The bottom line for me is to just encourage people to find things that are helping them stay functional, whether it’s a gym they love to go to or a more private type of setting like I offer here,” she said, noting that her home studio also includes outdoor activities and virtual classes.

“I think it’s important for people to find where they fit, where they’re comfortable. And if they go to a gym or they go to a yoga studio and it’s not their fit, just keep looking. Find your people. Find the people that really speak to you and that will support you and not judge you and not put you down because maybe you can’t bend as much.”

She said she loves hearing clients say they were able to take a vacation and hike without falling down, ride a paddleboard, even reach up into the cabinets at their cabin.

Cindy Senk

Cindy Senk demonstrates some of the simple tools of her trade.

“I live for stuff like that. As somebody who has arthritis and chronic pain, I know it can be very easy to get in the bubble of your own head and say, ‘I can’t move today … right?’ But when I’m having my class here and I’m focusing on them, that takes a whole other attitude. It takes me out of my own pain space, if you will, and helping other people uplifts me. It just brings me joy and helps me feel better. It really does.”

It certainly has helped Lisa Borlen, a teacher at Valley View School in North Brookfield, one of Senk’s nominators, who shared how working with her has given both her and her mother a new outlook on life. Looking back to her recovery from surgery in 2021, she emphasized how Senk makes everyone feel welcome.

“I was still in a sling when I returned to yoga, and Cindy offered suggestions for poses from seated in a chair to standing against a wall,” she recalled. “My safety was her utmost concern. As I grew stronger, she made adjustments to the practice. I could continue to practice yoga with my class and I always felt supported. My physical therapist and surgeon were pleased with my progress and thought that the yoga classes were instrumental in my recovery.”

Susan Restivo, a retired Springfield teacher who also nominated Senk, joined Gilmore and Borlen in stressing that Senk is not only a teacher, but a lifelong learner, and that informs her work in the community.

“She is doing what she wants — what she started doing as a big sister, never knowing that helping her brother would be the start of her journey of serving others,” Restivo wrote. “Way back then, there was no equipment or an understanding of services for those that needed a Cindy Senk.”

That equipment and understanding are available now, though. So is Senk, and a lot of people are living more active, more pain-free, and happier lives because of the way she lives her passion.

“People say, ‘oh, you’re 70, you should retire, you should slow down,’” she said. “But I still feel like I have things to offer. I really do. I feel like I have people to help, ways to be of service, and I still have a lot of energy to do it. So that’s what I do.”

Lifetime Achievement: Jody O’Brien

By
Jody O’Brien
Healthcare Heroes

Nurse, Urology Group of Western New England

During Her Long Career, She Has Made a World of Difference

Jody O’Brien

Now 87, almost 88, Joanne (Jody) O’Brien is two decades and change past what the Social Security Administration considers ‘full retirement age.’

But she is still working — two days a week as a triage nurse for the Urology Group of Western New England (UGWNE), in its Northampton office. She’s doing plenty of other things to keep busy, which we’ll get to, but for now, let’s focus on her day job — and the fact that she still has one.

When asked why, her face curves into a huge smile — it seems to be almost permanently like that — and she offers a simple and direct explanation.

“I love nursing,” she told BusinessWest with a voice that would imply this would be obvious if she’s been doing it for more than 67 years. But she wanted to elaborate, and did.

“I lucked out picking nursing as a profession coming out of high school because it’s just been the most rewarding career I could possibly imagine,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed it so much that I don’t want it to end. As long as someone keeps me employed, I’ll keep coming to work.

“I absolutely love what I do — I can’t say enough about how great nursing has been for me,” she went on. “It’s a wonderful career to have. I’ve tried so many different aspects of it, and I’ve loved them all. So I figured there’s no sense packing it in if you love what you’re doing.”

Her career has placed her in many settings — from a hospital ship that was part of Project Hope in the early ’60s to Western New England College, where she was director of Health Services; from an eye-surgery office in Hawaii to the Hampden County Jail and House of Correction, where she was a per-diem nurse and, later, director of nurses, with many other stops as well.

“I lucked out picking nursing as a profession coming out of high school because it’s just been the most rewarding career I could possibly imagine. I’ve enjoyed it so much that I don’t want it to end. As long as someone keeps me employed, I’ll keep coming to work.”

But longevity and this variety of professional settings only begins to explain why O’Brien has been chosen as a Healthcare Hero for 2023 in the Lifetime Achievement category. Beyond her various day (and night) jobs, she has undertaken a number of service and volunteer assignments — from reading at Valley Eye Radio to taking care of orphans in Romania; from teaching English to nursing students in China to tagging sharks in Belize; from restoring and protecting turtle habitats in Costa Rica to working at Whispering Horse Therapeutic Riding, supporting riders with disabilities.

All this suggests she could easily have been nominated in several, if not all, the categories of Healthcare Heroes. Because of the length, variety, and broad impact of her work, she is being honored in the Lifetime Achievement category, one that has traditionally been dominated by administrators. In this case, though, it is going to a provider. A provider of care. A provider of hope. A provider of inspiration.

Jody O’Brien with staff members

Jody O’Brien with staff members at the Urology Group of Western New England’s Springfield office.
Staff Photo

Through her 87 years, 67 of them as a nurse, she has seen just about everything, including a global pandemic. Summing it all up, she said her passion for helping others hasn’t dimmed — and has probably only grown stronger — nearly 70 years after she entered nursing school.

This enthusiasm and energy was conveyed by Dr. Donald Sonn, a physician with UGWNE, who was among those who hired her 18 years ago.

“When we first interviewed her, we were struck by how positive and effervescent she was, and how energetic she was,” he recalled. “I’m constantly amazed by her energy and her positive attitude.”

Calling her an “ombudsman” for the practice’s patients, Sonn said O’Brien consistently draws praise for her calm, steady hand (and voice on the phone) and her desire to assist others.

All of this — and much more — explains why she is a true Healthcare Hero.

 

Riding the Wave

‘Cuba si, Yanquis no.’ That translates to ‘Cuba yes, Yankees no,’ and it’s a phrase, and a song, that O’Brien heard repeatedly as she served aboard the USS Hope, the former Navy hospital ship that was chartered to the People to People Health Foundation in 1960, when it was docked in Trujillo, Peru two years later.

“The people who met us at the dock were Communists, and they did not want us there,” she recalled, adding that the exploits of the USS Hope in Peru later became the subject of the book Yanqui Come Back!

O’Brien spent a year on the Hope, earning a $25 monthly stipend. But as those credit card commercials used to say, it was a learning experience that was priceless.

She worked beside a constantly changing team of doctors that performed surgery on the ship and in hospitals on the mainland, with procedures ranging from plastic surgery for burns to work to address cleft palate and hairlip, to removal of tumors, some of which had grown to enormous sizes because the patients hadn’t seen a healthcare provider in years, if not decades.

Urologist Dr. Donald Sonn

Urologist Dr. Donald Sonn calls Healthcare Hero Jody O’Brien an “ombudsman” for the practice’s patients.
Staff Photo

“People would walk for miles to get to the ship to be treated, and we treated everyone who needed it,” she recalled. “It was such a learning experience for me working with all these doctors.
“I was still young and adventurous,” she went on as she talked about how she paused her career, sort of, to serve on the ship, adding that she has remained young at heart and has always, in her recollection, been adventurous.

Indeed, the book on her life and career has many intriguing chapters, some of which are still being written. In literary circles, they would call this a ‘page turner.’

Our story starts in Iowa, where O’Brien was born and raised, and where she decided she wanted to be a nurse. She attended nursing school in Davenport — a three-year diploma program that cost $500.

Upon graduation, she took a job in Davenport, but soon thereafter, she went to Hawaii to stay with a friend who had recently had a baby and wanted her company while her husband was deployed.

It was in Hawaii that O’Brien became acquainted with Project Hope. She visited the ship when it was docked and became intrigued with its mission. After returning to Iowa, she filled out an application to serve in Project Hope as an operating room nurse, and in 1962, she was approved for service.

During her year on the USS Hope, she met a volunteer named Ed O’Brien, from Holyoke. Upon returning to Iowa, she would drive to the Paper City to renew acquaintances. They would marry in 1963 and eventually settle in East Longmeadow.

Thus would commence a series of assignments in the 413, but also well beyond it.

 

Care Package

These included a lengthy stint at what was then Wesson Women’s Hospital, working in labor and delivery, and another as a nurse practitioner in an ob/gyn office.

From 1983 to 1988, she served as director of Health Services at Western New England College, handling the needs of 6,000 students, and also as a per diem nurse at the Hampden County Jail and House of Correction.

She then accepted a travel nurse assignment at Castle Hospital in Kailua, Hawaii. She stayed in Hawaii for a dozen years, also serving as nurse manager of an eye-surgery center and as branch director of Nursefinders of Hawaii. And while in the Aloha State, she earned a master’s degree from Central Michigan University.

“She would go on a trip every three or four months, and it was always something really fascinating — volunteering in some third-world country or teaching children or reading to the blind. She has a tremendous record of service.”

She returned to Western Mass. in 2000 and took a job as area director of Nursefinders of Eastern Massachusetts, and soon thereafter became a flex team manager at Baystate Medical Center, managing 60 RNs, 25 technical assistants, 45 constant companions, and the ‘lift team.’

At the Urology Group of New England, which she joined 18 years ago, she works two days a week — Monday and Wednesday. The former is generally the busiest and perhaps the most difficult of the days of the week, but that’s when the group needs the help, so that’s when she works.

O’Brien’s whole career has been like that, in many respects — showing up when and where the help is most needed.

That’s true professionally, but also in her work as a volunteer, with work that is wide-ranging, to say the least.

Indeed, during the three days she’s not working at the Urology Group — and all through her life, for that matter — she has found no shortage of ways to give back and be there, for both people and animals.

Among them is her work with Valley Eye Radio, where she reads the local newspaper for the benefit of those who can’t read it themselves.

“It makes you feel good to know that, for people who cannot read or have difficulty reading, we can share what’s going on today in Springfield or the United States or the world,” she said. “We can share that information with them.”

Meanwhile, she also volunteers with Greater Springfield Senior Services, helping individuals who can no longer handle their own finances with bill paying and other responsibilities, and with Whispering Horse Therapeutic Riding, a nonprofit that, among other things, brings horses to nursing homes, where residents can feed and pet the animals.

“The way they light up when they see these horses … it’s so gratifying,” she told BusinessWest, adding that she and a colleague will visit facilities regularly — sometimes weekly, other times monthly.

Animals have always been a big part of her life — and her strong track record of giving back. In addition to tagging sharks and restoring turtle habitats, she has also volunteered at animal sanctuaries in Australia to care for koalas, often taking her grandchildren with her on such service trips, introducing them to the many rewards that come with such work.

“At this age, you know you don’t have many more days to fill, so you fill each one of them,” she said, but concedes that she’s always wanted to stay busy.

“She’s done so much in her life … I’ve always looked forward to listening to her talk about trips, her escapades,” said Sonn, choosing that word carefully. “She would go on a trip every three or four months, and it was always something really fascinating — volunteering in some third-world country or teaching children or reading to the blind. She has a tremendous record of service.”

In both aspects of her life — as a nurse and as a volunteer — the common thread has been a desire to help those in need, and this explains why she has been chosen as a Healthcare Hero for 2023.

“I loved working at Western New England; the college kids were a joy to work with,” she said, adding that each stop in her career has been different — and enjoyable. “There’s something about taking care of people and helping them deal with mental and physical problems and seeing what you can do to help them in their lives.”

 

Still Making a Difference

There are many people who have worked well into their 80s in healthcare. And there are many people who have put dozens of lines on a résumé detailing a lengthy list of career stops.

But there are few who have the passion, dedication, and resolve to use their talents and their love for helping others to make a world of difference, in every aspect of that phrase.

Jody O’Brien is such an individual. That commitment has helped her stand out in this field for seven decades. It makes her a Healthcare Hero. n

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Justin Hurst to Face Off in Nov. 7 Election

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and City Councilor Justin Hurst emerged from a preliminary mayoral election on Tuesday as the top two vote getters and will advance to the Nov. 7 final election.

Sarno received nearly 48% of the votes (7,120), while Hurst picked up nearly 29% (4,292), easily outpacing the other candidates: state Rep. Orlando Ramos (2,032), City Councilor Jesse Lederman (1,344), and therapist David Ciampi (93).

Also on Tuesday, 10 candidates (from a field of 21) advanced to the Nov. 7 election for five Springfield City Council at-large seats: Juan Caraballo III, Nicole Coakley, Sean Curran, Jose Delgado, Juan Francisco Latorre III, Gerry Martin, Willie Naylor, Brian Santaniello, Kateri Walsh, and Tracye Whitfield.

Holyoke Community College Launching Wine-tasting Classes

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) is launching a series of wine-tasting classes this month for would-be connoisseurs who want to explore the vast complexities of wine while sampling select foods.

Starting Sept. 28, classes meet monthly on Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute, 164 Race St., Holyoke. All are taught by gastronomy professional Hannah Morrow, a travel food educator and cheese specialist at Formaggio Kitchen in Boston.

Each wine-tasting class has a different theme and food pairing: “Biodynamic Wines” (cheese and charcuterie) on Sept. 28, “Oaked Wines” (BBQ) on Oct. 19, “Skin Contact: Maceration and Beyond” (Thanksgiving and chocolate) on Nov. 16, and “Table Wines” (holiday leftovers and hand pies) on Dec. 14.

The cost for each session is $59. Seats are limited. To register, visit hcc.edu/cookingfa23 or call (413) 552-2500.

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank Hires New Chief Technology Officer

By
Daily News

PITTSFIELD — Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced the hiring of Eric Padelford as senior vice president and chief technology officer. In this role, he will oversee the Information Technology department and work closely with leadership on modernizing technology and platforms to increase efficiency and better serve the institution’s customers.

Padelford joins the bank after serving as vice president, integration architect, and developer at Berkshire Bank for the last six years. He has more than 22 years of systems-architecture and development expertise, serving in IT and development roles at McGlinchey Stafford and Tech Valley DataPro LLC.

“The Pittsfield Cooperative Bank is delighted to welcome Eric to our team,” said J. Jay Anderson, the bank’s president and CEO. “Eric brings years of IT experience aligning business and technology, with much of it rooted in the financial industry.”

Padelford received his associate of applied science degree from Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y. and a bachelor’s degree in IT from SUNY Empire State College in Saratoga, N.Y.

TommyCar Collision Center Transforms Jeep Wrangler for Hampshire County TRIAD

By
Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — TommyCar Collision Center announced a collaboration with Hampshire County TRIAD seniors and law enforcement to provide a customized Jeep Wrangler for the organization’s community-outreach efforts.

TRIAD is dedicated to improving  quality of life for seniors in Hampshire County by fostering collaboration between law-enforcement agencies and senior organizations. This unique partnership ensures that senior citizens are safe, engaged, and well-informed about issues affecting their well-being.

Recognizing the significance of this collaboration, TommyCar Collision Center performed expert bodywork and skillfully applied graphics to transform the Jeep Wrangler into a visually striking vehicle that embodies the TRIAD mission. More than just a symbol, this Jeep will serve as a valuable asset for TRIAD’s outreach endeavors.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this meaningful project in collaboration with Hampshire County TRIAD,” said Carla Cosenzi, president of TommyCar Collision Center. “Our team worked diligently to ensure that the Jeep Wrangler becomes a visible and impactful symbol in the community.”

Picture This

By
Pictured, from left: Balise Auto Group President Jeb Balise, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Balise Auto Group Chief Operating Officer Ben Sullivan, and Jack Dill, president and CEO of Colebrook Realty Services, which owns the TD Bank tower.
Picture This

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

 

Pulling Up to a New Home

 

Last week, Balise Auto Group detailed plans to move its corporate headquarters from West Springfield to the third floor of the TD Bank building at 1441 Main St. in Springfield. The move is expected to bring more than 50 jobs to downtown Springfield at first, with more to come.

Pictured, from left: Balise Auto Group President Jeb Balise, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Balise Auto Group Chief Operating Officer Ben Sullivan, and Jack Dill, president and CEO of Colebrook Realty Services, which owns the TD Bank tower.

Pictured, from left: Balise Auto Group President Jeb Balise, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Balise Auto Group Chief Operating Officer Ben Sullivan, and Jack Dill, president and CEO of Colebrook Realty Services, which owns the TD Bank tower.

 

Community Support

 

Last month, Monson Savings Bank made a $1,000 donation to Springfield’s Hispanic-American Library in support of its newly established event, the New England Latino Festival, which took place at Riverfront Park in Springfield on Aug. 25-26. The first-time festival celebrated New England’s vibrant Latino community through food, music, and more, bringing together thousands of individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Pictured: Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty (left) and Hispanic-American Library Executive Director Juan Falcon.

Pictured: Monson Savings Bank President and CEO Dan Moriarty (left) and Hispanic-American Library Executive Director Juan Falcon.

 

Helping to Meet a Need

 

J. Jay Anderson (left), president and CEO of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, recently presented a $1,000 donation from the bank to the People’s Pantry in Great Barrington. The People’s Pantry, located at Saint James Place, is a local nonprofit offering locally sourced food and other resources to clients experiencing food insecurity. “We are extremely grateful and appreciative,” said Beth Moser (second from left), president of the People’s Pantry. “We rely on our donors’ generous support to help reduce food-supply costs so that we can keep serving our community.”

J. Jay Anderson (left), president and CEO of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, recently presented a $1,000 donation from the bank to the People’s Pantry in Great Barrington

J. Jay Anderson (left), president and CEO of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, recently presented a $1,000 donation from the bank to the People’s Pantry in Great Barrington

Court Dockets

By
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.

 

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT

 

Western Mass Demolition Corp. v. Ohio Concrete Inc.

Allegation: Breach of contract: $53,017.25

Filed: 7/19/23

 

NC Inc. AMN f/k/a the Nunes Cos. Inc. v. Latour and Sons Trucking Inc.

Allegation: Negligence causing personal injury and property damage: $90,000

Filed: 7/20/23

 

Ruth Christianson v. Big Y Foods Inc.

Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing personal injury: $51,000

Filed: 7/26/23

 

James M. Bruderman v. Mercury Public Affairs

Allegation: Defamation: $1,000,000

Filed: 7/27/23

 

Rene Pomales and Rosalee Pomales v. OM SAI Racingmart LLC

Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing personal injury: $14,497.18

Filed: 7/31/23

 

Kimberly Thayer v. Mr. Stax Inc. and Gabi Pancakes Inc.

Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing personal injury: $425,000

Filed: 8/2/23

 

Arcbest Inc. v. East Baking Co.

Allegation: Money owed for transportation services: $67,301

Filed: 8/3/23

 

Parisi Management Group LLC v. Blue Lotus Group LLC et al

Allegation: Breach of contract, unjust enrichment: $350,060.65

Filed: 8/9/23

 

Laurel Stanislas v. Edward Wall

Allegation: Negligence causing personal injury: $75,000

Filed: 8/9/23

 

Agenda

By
Agenda

Estate-planning Courses

Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 30: Attorney Karen Jackson of Jackson Law in Holyoke will lead three estate-planning workshops at Holyoke Community College. An elder-law and estate-planning attorney, Jackson will present these sessions:

• “Core Estate Planning,” Thursday, Sept. 21, 6-7 p.m. Jackson recommends that everyone should have what she calls a ‘core estate plan,’ with a will, power of attorney, and healthcare proxy. She will explain the value of each document.

• “De-mystifying Trusts,” Thursday, Oct. 19, 6-7 p.m. Jackson will explain what a trust is, review the different types of trusts, and outline who needs a trust and in what situations.

• “Saving Your Home from the Nursing Home Bill,” Thursday, Nov. 30, 6-7 p.m. Jackson will explain the use of an irrevocable income-only trust to save one’s home when nursing care becomes problematic. She will explain MassHealth rules and provide tips and traps to avoid.

Each class costs $39. To register, call (413) 552-2320.

 

Source to Sea Cleanup

Sept. 22-23: Connecticut River Conservancy’s (CRC) 27th annual Source to Sea Cleanup is back, with opportunities for individual groups to set their own specific cleanup days around this time. The objective is to safely collect as much trash as possible to reduce the impact of pollution across all four states of the 410-mile Connecticut River basin, including the tributaries that feed the main river in those four states. Volunteers are organized into groups, with group leaders coordinating details at different trash sites. Trash tallies are also gathered after each cleanup, contributing to CRC’s long-standing database, which is used to inform the nonprofit’s work in advocacy to reduce future pollution, support river restoration, and inform the public and policymakers of issues affecting the environment. In last year’s cleanup, more than 1,300 volunteers reported hauling 37 tons of trash from riverbanks and waterways across the four watershed states. Volunteers removed everything from recyclable bottles and cans to fishing equipment, food packaging, tires, televisions, and refrigerators. More than 12,000 beverage containers were tallied in 2022 alone. Registration is now open for both group leaders and volunteers to participate. Businesses and community groups are also encouraged to register, and entities able to support cleanup efforts through in-kind or monetary donations are appreciated. Visit secure.qgiv.com/event/source2seacleanup2023 to sign up as a volunteer or group leader.

 

Cruise for Critters

Sept. 23: The countdown has begun for the much-anticipated Cruise for Critters to Westview Farms Creamery. Now in its 11th year, this car show, sponsored by Service Connection of Monson, is set to once again make a meaningful impact on the lives of pets in need at Second Chance Animal Services. This year’s Cruise for Critters promises an array of fall-themed activities for attendees of all ages. A vendor fair will offer a treasure trove of unique finds and is expected to be the largest Cruise for Critters vendor fair to date. The much-loved Halloween Barktacular kids’ games will be back thanks to Second Chance volunteers who are gearing up to provide an unforgettable experience for children and families alike. The festivities are set to kick off at 10 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m., encompassing food and ice cream along with an assortment of fall-inspired attractions for which Westview Farms Creamery is known, from pumpkin picking to navigating through a corn maze. Live music by Spare Parts will provide a soundtrack to the day, while raffle prizes beckon attendees to try their luck. Organizers extend an invitation to local businesses and vendors, calling upon them to unite in support of pets in need. Information on sponsorship opportunities and becoming a vendor can be found at secondchanceanimals.org/events/cruise. The event will welcome spectators free of charge. Car enthusiasts are encouraged to take part in the show by contributing a $20 entry fee per vehicle, with every dollar earmarked for the betterment of pets’ lives. A rain date has been set for Saturday, Sept. 30.

 

Free Shred Days

Sept. 23, Oct. 14: bankESB invites customers and members of the community to two free Shred Days at local offices. Events will be held from 9 to 11:00 a.m. (on until the truck is full) on Saturday, Sept. 23 at the 241 Northampton St., Easthampton office; and Saturday, Oct. 14 at the 40 State St., Belchertown office. No appointment is necessary. Local residents can reduce their risk of identity theft by bringing old mail, receipts, statements or bills, canceled checks, pay stubs, medical records, or any other unwanted paper documents containing personal or confidential information and having them shredded safely and securely for free. A professional document-destruction company will be on site in the bank’s parking lot and can accept up to two boxes of documents per person.

 

Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament

Sept. 26: The fifteenth annual Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament will be held 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. Volkswagen of America has has signed on as the event’s 2023 presenting sponsor. Visit www.tomcosenzidrivingforthecure.com for registration, sponsorship opportunities, and more information. Questions may be directed to (413) 341-1917 or [email protected].

 

‘Transforming Stress’

Oct. 11: Berkshire-based stress expert Julie Haagenson will lead a virtual Dulye Leadership Experience wellness workshop called “Transforming Stress: An Interactive Workshop for Improving Your Well-being and Mental Fitness.” This one-hour, interactive session, which begins at 5:15 p.m., will deliver valuable insights into the physiological and psychological aspects of stress. Haagenson has more than two decades of experience as a counselor, facilitator, educator, consultant, and coach. As the founder of New Pathways Coaching & Consulting, she will provide tools and strategies to increase well-being and improve performance. Through the underwriting of the Dulye & Co. management consultancy, there is no fee to attend. Advance registration is required. To ensure an intimate and interactive learning experience, only 45 spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit www.dle.dulye.com/upcoming-events to reserve a virtual seat.

 

Dragon Boat Festival

Oct. 14: A new date for the ninth annual Dragon Boat Festival has been set. The event will feature dragon-boat races, food trucks, and Asian-themed entertainment from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at North Riverfront Park, 121 West St., Springfield. The festival was originally scheduled for July 29 but postponed due to unsafe water conditions resulting from recent flooding. Admission to the festival is free for spectators. Twenty-four teams from throughout New England are registered to participate in this year’s dragon-boat races. Community teams include Behavioral Health Network, CRRC-MA, as well as the defending champions, Springfield Pharmacy First Responders. With the new date set, registration will be reopened at www.pvriverfront.org for additional teams to sign up to race on Oct. 14. The Springfield Dragon Boat Festival, which has been hosted by the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club (PVRC) since 2013, attracts hundreds of participants and spectators to the banks of the Connecticut River for a day of competition, festivity, and community support. The festival is an important fundraiser in support of breast-cancer survivors and community programming at the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club. Free parking is available nearby at 77 West St. or along Avocado Street and on property abutting and behind the new Starbucks store adjacent to the Riverfront Club. The festival can also be reached by the Connecticut Riverwalk Bikeway. More information can be found at www.pvriverfront.org or by calling (413) 736-1322.

 

Healthcare Heroes

Oct. 26: BusinessWest and the Healthcare News will honor nine individuals as 2023 Healthcare Heroes at a celebration dinner at Marriott Springfield Downtown. The Healthcare Heroes class of 2023 will be announced and profiled in the Sept. 18 issue of BusinessWest. Tickets will be on sale beginning Friday, Sept. 15. Tickets cost $90 per person, and reserved tables of 10 are available. Current event sponsors include presenting sponsors Elms College and Baystate Health/Health New England, and partner sponsors Holyoke Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health, and the Elaine Marieb Center for Nursing and Engineering Innovation and the Institute for Applied Life Sciences at UMass Amherst. Congratulatory advertisements and additional event sponsorships are available.  For more information, call (413) 781-8600 or visit businesswest.com/healthcareheroes.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Jean Deliso

Jean Deliso

Jean Deliso, CFP, from the Connecticut Valley General Office of New York Life, has been listed on the 2023 Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals Best-in-State list. A New York Life agent for 28 years, Deliso is president and owner of Deliso Financial and Insurance Services, a firm focusing on comprehensive financial strategies that help position clients for a solid financial future. She has been working in the financial field for more than 30 years, her first seven in public accounting and the balance working in the financial-services industry. She has developed an expertise in helping business owners and individuals protect and secure their own and their family’s future. Deliso is a Nautilus Group member agent, an advanced-planning resource for estate-conservation and business-continuation strategies. A graduate of Bentley College, she has also been a member of New York Life Chairman’s Council since 2012 and a qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table since 1999. Members of the elite Chairman’s Council rank in the top 3% of New York Life’s sales force of more than 12,000 licensed agents in sales achievement. Active in her community, Deliso currently serves on and is immediate past chairman of the board of the Baystate Health Foundation. She also serves on and is past chairman of the board of the Community Music School of Springfield, and is also a past board member of Pioneer Valley Refrigerated Warehouse.

•••••

Bay Path University announced that Anna Zendell has been named program director of the university’s master of healthcare management program. Zendell brings more than three decades of experience as an educator, researcher, and social-welfare advocate to her role. She was most recently the senior faculty program director of the School of Health Sciences and the School of Graduate Studies at Excelsior University, where she oversaw master’s-degree programs in health sciences, healthcare administration, and public administration, in addition to graduate certificates in public-health equity, nutrition, and informatics. Zendell has been a practitioner, educator, administrator, and caregiver, and throughout her career, she has applied that experience to the development of curriculum and teaching methods focused on population health, healthcare systems, screening, and research to practice. She has published research looking at aging, the roles of sibling caregivers, and the impact of regular physical activity on health. Her recent work focuses on collaborative teaching, experiential learning, and working with adult learners.

•••••

Greg Sanocki

Greg Sanocki

Eastern States Exposition (ESE) announced that Greg Sanocki has joined the organization’s Marketing Department as communications & social media specialist. Sanocki completed his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in marketing from Western New England University in December 2014. Shortly following his collegiate career, he joined Westfield State University’s Marketing Department as social media and digital content specialist. In that role for nearly seven years, Sanocki was responsible for developing and administering the university’s official social-media presence, producing video content, and serving as a social-media expert for the campus community. In his new role as communications & social media specialist, Sanocki will be responsible for overseeing ESE’s digital and social-media marketing initiatives, collaborating with departments to ensure seamless digital communication, and creating and producing effective marketing and public-relations communications.

•••••

Bulkley Richardson announced that both Stephen Holstrom and Lauren Ostberg have been included in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. Holstrom, counsel at Bulkley Richardson, was recognized for his work in both professional malpractice law and education law. Ostberg, an associate in the Litigation department and co-chair of the Cybersecurity practice, was recognized in the area of commercial litigation. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America recognizes lawyers relatively early in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the U.S.

•••••

Florence Bank recently presented its 2023 President’s Award to three staff members for exceptional service. Established in 1995, the President’s Award recognizes outstanding performance, customer service, and overall contribution to Florence Bank. Awardees are nominated by their colleagues at the bank. This year’s award recognizes Calli Paulin, a teller at the bank since 2021; Aaron Bonneau, an IT administrator who has worked at the bank since 2019; and David Lipson, a marketing research analyst who came on board in 2018. Paulin attended Bay Path University in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity. Bonneau holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from UMass Amherst. Lipson holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business management from Western New England University.

•••••

Michael Dodge

Michael Dodge

American International College (AIC) announced that Michael Dodge has been named executive vice president for Academic Affairs. He has been serving in this role on an interim basis since March 2022. In this position, Dodge serves as AIC’s chief academic officer and is responsible for the academic operations of the college, including strategic planning for, and day-to-day operations of, the schools of Business, Arts & Sciences; Education; and Health Sciences. He represents the Office of Academic Affairs to internal and external constituencies and is responsible for developing and overseeing comprehensive and integrative structures and processes to support teaching and learning, student success, retention, and graduation. In addition, he oversees the institution’s accreditation and academic-assessment processes and supports the development of meaningful and measurable institution, program, and course student-learning outcomes. Upon his arrival in 2018, Dodge served as dean of Student Success and Opportunity. He additionally served as the principal investigator for the U.S. Department of Education Title III Grant program. He was promoted to associate vice president for Academic Affairs in January 2022. Before joining AIC, Dodge worked for more than a decade at UMass Amherst in a variety of teaching and administrative roles. He earned his doctorate in educational policy, leadership, and administration at UMass Amherst after earning his master’s degree in student affairs from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his bachelor’s degree in secondary education and English from the State University of New York Oswego.

•••••

Country Bank announced that Mary McGovern, executive vice president and chief financial and operating officer, successfully completed the inaugural American Bankers Assoc. (ABA) Wharton Leadership Lab at the University of Pennsylvania last week. She earned an ABA Wharton Executive Leadership Certificate, a prestigious credential that demonstrates her excellence in leadership and strategic planning. The ABA Wharton Leadership Lab is a rigorous, immersive program that challenges executive bankers on the reality of leadership in today’s world at an Ivy League level. The program, which included 42 students, covers topics such as creating and sharing a vision, goal setting, managing talent, driving innovation, and sustaining meaningful relationships. McGovern is an influential executive leader with more than 30 years of experience in the financial-services industry. Her leadership has contributed to the bank’s continued success for the past 12 years. Her participation in the ABA Wharton Leadership Lab reflects her commitment to continuous learning and professional development at a critical time in the industry as regulations, technologies, and the workforce continue to rapidly evolve.

•••••

Samantha Graves

Samantha Graves

Samantha Graves recently joined the Royal Law Firm team. She advises clients on various matters involving allegations of discrimination, harassment, wrongful terminations, and violations of FMLA. Her preventive work also includes drafting a variety of employment-related manuals and contracts, such as executive agreements, compensation and commission agreements, and severance and settlement agreements. Graves graduated cum laude from Worcester State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in business administration. She obtained her juris doctorate from Western New England University School of Law.

•••••

Bacon Wilson, P.C. announced that six lawyers from the firm were recently recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for 2024, and two were included in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. Along with the year they were first recognized in Best Lawyers in any practice area, they are: Gary Breton (2018), banking and finance law and business organizations (including LLCS and partnerships); Michael Katz (2016), bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law; Kenneth Albano (2020), business organizations (including LLCS and partnerships); Gina Barry (2018), elder law; Hyman Darling (2020), elder law; Peter MacConnell (2021), real-estate law; Daniel McKellick (2023), Ones to Watch in real-estate law; and Tyler Humphrey (2021), Ones to Watch in banking and finance law.

•••••

Northampton Dollars for Scholars announced the appointment of three community members to its board of directors. Anna Zadworny is assistant vice president and Employee Development manager for Greenfield Savings Bank. She has an associate degree in business management from Holyoke Community College and completed Babson College Financial Studies. Valerie Harlow is a learning advisor and facilitator for the Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Westfield State University and a master’s degree in training and development from Lesley University. Patricia Mahar works as an area manager in Dining Services at Smith College. She is a graduate of the University of Saint Joseph.

 

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook

Food Bank Sells Facility to Myers Produce

HATFIELD — The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts announced the successful sale of its Hatfield building and property to Myers Produce, a woman-owned regional produce distributor and trucking company offering farmer-focused distribution, freight, and warehousing services. The strategic decision to sell the building marks a significant milestone for both businesses. The Food Bank moved to its new location at 25 Carew St., Chicopee, during the last week of August, and Myers Produce will move into its new Hatfield facility in October. Myers Produce has a long-standing commitment to bolster access to regionally grown food and to support farmers in Western Mass. and Vermont. With this strategic move, Myers Produce is taking a significant step to expand the purchasing of food from local growers and producers and transporting and reselling it to food retailers throughout the region and beyond. Moving to Hatfield will generate employment opportunities and place Myers Produce close to farmlands, near highways, and at a central crossroads for serving growers, customers, and fellow distributors in Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Maine. Both the Food Bank and Myers Produce are looking forward to sharing resources at their respective new facilities, including cross docking and temporary storage. This arrangement will facilitate Food Bank deliveries to its member food pantries and meal sites in Hampshire and Franklin counties. For Myers Produce, this arrangement will contribute to its current ‘donation transportation’ program, facilitating the free transportation of donated food to the Food Bank for distribution to the local community. Foreseeing it was running out of space many years ago, the Food Bank purchased 16.5 acres of vacant land in the Chicopee River Business Park in 2020. In 2021, it launched a successful, $26 million capital campaign to raise funds to build a larger facility, with support from individual and business donors, state and federal governments, and volunteers. In 2022, construction began on its new distribution center and headquarters, which is nearing completion.

 

AIC Introduces Division of Arts, Media, and Design

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) has made a significant advance toward meeting the evolving demands of the workforce with the introduction of a new Division of Arts, Media, and Design within the School of Business, Arts, and Sciences. This division encompasses redesigned undergraduate programming in the bachelor of arts and bachelor of science curricula, launching with the upcoming fall 2023 semester. This new division will introduce four undergraduate majors, each crafted to provide students with a comprehensive foundation. The offerings include public relations & social media administration, digital media production, arts and entertainment management, and graphic arts and design. Moreover, AIC unveiled six new undergraduate minors that complement these majors. The minors include public relations and social media administration, digital media production, arts & entertainment management, graphic arts and design, fashion design and merchandising, and music technology & production.

MCLA’s LEAD Academy Expands with Support from Greylock Federal Credit Union

NORTH ADAMS — LEAD Academy, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts’ (MCLA) almost two-decade-old program to help new students integrate into college life, is getting a huge boost thanks to Greylock Federal Credit Union. Greylock pledged $100,000 to support a reimagined Greylock LEAD Academy, allowing the program to grow from around 30 MCLA students each year to this fall’s cohort of 200 participants. Thanks to Greylock’s generosity, LEAD is now available to all MCLA first-year students at no cost. LEAD, which stands for Leadership, Education, Action, and Development, is a college success, leadership, and civic-engagement program designed to help students develop leadership skills and the skills necessary for college preparation, which they can immediately apply. Beginning Aug. 26, this year’s LEAD students will participate in a holistic onboarding experience before the start of fall classes. The first five days will provide a signature experience focusing on leadership development, team building, community building, and workshops conducted by student leaders.

 

Community Music School Receives $10,000 Grant from New York Life

SPRINGFIELD — Community Music School of Springfield (CMSS), which provides accessible, affordable music education, has been awarded a $10,000 Community Impact Grant from New York Life. The grant will support the Adaptive Music Program (AMP), which connects music education and special education to improve students’ lives, impacting their social/emotional, academic, and artistic development. “We are grateful for New York Life’s investment in AMP, which will change many lives for the better,” said Jean Deliso, CFP, an agent with New York Life’s Connecticut Valley General Office and CMSS board member. “We are pleased that our partnership will have a long-lasting impact on CMSS and the population they serve.” The Community Impact Grant program awards grants of up to $25,000 to local nonprofit organizations, which are championed by New York Life agents and employees. Since the program’s inception in 2008, nearly 800 grants totaling more than $10 million have been awarded to nonprofits across the country. “With this generous support from New York Life, this year, AMP will be able to work with over 800 students at more than 15 Springfield public schools, providing critical skill building, including receptive and expressive language, motor skills, and building social relationships, helping these vulnerable children build their foundation for future success in all types of academic and personal areas,” said Eileen McCaffery, executive director of CMSS.

 

Maybury Material Handling, Community Action Pioneer Valley Win HNE Well Worth It Award

SPRINGFIELD — Health New England has awarded Maybury Material Handling of East Longmeadow and Community Action Pioneer Valley of Greenfield its Well Worth It Award, Gold designation, for outstanding employee-wellness programs. Maybury Material Handling provides industrial products and services to manufacturing, distribution, and warehousing customers. Community Action Pioneer Valley is a not-for-profit that helps those with low incomes achieve economic stability and security, and works to build communities in which all people can thrive. Both employers demonstrated their responsibility to the health and well-being of their employees by encouraging them to use Health New England’s suite of health and wellness services. These include its Healthy Choices Rewards Program that offers monetary rewards for healthy activities, such as joining a gym, nutrition counseling, smoking cessation, and more. Health New England also awarded Well Worth It Awards in the Silver designation to Scantic Valley Regional Health Trust and PeoplesBank, and in the Bronze designation to Springfield Area Transit Co. Inc./Pioneer Valley Transit Authority. Well Worth It Award winners will be honored at a luncheon on Oct. 5 at the Sheraton Springfield.

 

Country Bank, WooSox Foundation Announce 2023 WooStars

WARE — Country Bank and the Worcester Red Sox Foundation recently announced the 2023 WooStars, a program that supports nonprofit leaders throughout the region. Country Bank recently recognized nine local WooStars and the nonprofits they are affiliated with at Polar Park, including Mari Gonzalez of El Buen Samaritano Food Program Inc., Jenna Rahkonen of HomeFront Strong, Brian Feeley of Miracle League of Western Massachusetts, Todd Stewart of Camp Putnam, Sharon MacDonald of Guild of St. Agnes of Worcester Inc., Anna Rice of Dismas House, Gina and John Connolly of Lou Gehrig Little League, and Joseph Kenadek of Jack Barry Little League. Each nonprofit was presented with a $5,000 donation. In the past three years, 27 WooStars have been awarded a total of $135,000 in donations.

 

The Stubblebine Co., JLL Announce Sale of Property

WESTFIELD — The Stubblebine Co./CORFAC International and JLL announced the sale of 323 Lockhouse Road, Westfield to ERD Metal Inc. for $14.5 million. The property consists of a 229,867-square-foot industrial building on 26.09 acres. Situated two miles from I-90 and seven miles from I-91, the property is located adjacent to Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport. Erdoganlar Aluminum (ERD Metal Inc.) was established in 1987 in Istanbul, Turkey as a family-owned aluminum-extrusion company. Its vision is to fulfill the needs of its partners by offering a wide range of products and services, including custom fabrications, plastic injection, aluminum casting, custom aluminum extrusions, custom packaging, and more. Established in 1987, the Stubblebine Co./COFAC International specializes in selling and leasing large industrial investment properties and adaptive reuse sites throughout New England.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the month of August 2023.

DEERFIELD

Brian Zamojski Plumbing and Heating
797 River Road
Brian Zamojski

Craftsman Residential Services
9 Conway St.
William Dziura

Intuitive Wellness, Training & Coaching
89 North Hillside Road
Kimberly Keefe Swasey

Lichocki Design
10 Crestview Dr.
Edward Lichocki

Michaela Battistoni
8B Elm St.
Michaela Battistoni

USASA Massachusetts Snowboard and Freeski Competition Series
15 Wells St.
John Friends

GRANBY

Brie’s Balloons
5 Lakeview Ave.
Brie’s Balloons

Colonial Apartments
8 West St.
Colonial Apartments

Five Corner Cuts
5 Lakeview Ave.
Five Corner Cuts

HaasNetworks
5 Griswold Circle
Timothy Haas

Happy Days Mini Golf & Driving Range
172 West State St.
Happy Days Mini Golf & Driving Range

Hawthorn Hills Property Solutions
65 West St.
Hawthorn Hills Property Solutions

Kruisin’ Café
172 West State St.
Kruisin’ Café

SLG Photography
18 Pinebrook Circle
SLG Photography

HADLEY

Countryside Farm
199 Russell St.
Alex Rytuba

Great Spirits Tattoo of Greenfield LLC
216B Russell St.
Vincent Pernice

Warvik Enterprises LLC
134 Rocky Hill Road
Christian Rahn

LEE

Keenan Construction
65 Franklin St.
Jeffrey Keenan

Main Street Comics, Toys & More
74 Main St.
Ryan Davis

Vuolo Renovations
75 Prospect St.
Andrew Vuolo

PITTSFIELD

2nd Chance Landscaping
555 Hubbard Ave.
Chauncey Dozier

Abbey’s Home Store LLC
82 Wendell Ave.
Winifred Abbey

Alliance Building Automation
82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100
Alliance Mechanical Inc.

Belle Isle Consulting
2 Cobblestone Cove
Thomas Meyer

Berkshire Elegance
945 West St.
John O’Brien

Brush Masters
11 Jayne Ave.
Vicente Rodriguez

Hilltop Farm Gardens & Landscaping
195 Wendell Ave.
Joanna Sokolsky

Law Office of Ahmed B. Ismail
8 Bank Row
Ahmed Ismail

Lefebvre Auto Repair
1500 East St.
Eric Lefebvre

Mega Power Performance
48 Dalton Ave.
Dany Argueta

Ritz Business Tutoring
82 Wendell Ave.
Rostock Inc.

RP Trucking
104 Orlando Ave.
William Fiske Jr.

Simply Boutique
253 South St.
Daniel Zocchi, Dinah Luczynski

Thriving Aura Wellness LLC
42 Summer St.
Thriving Aura Wellness LLC

WTPI Services LLC
P.O. Box 1146
Norman Lee

SOUTH HADLEY

Bodies in Motion
200 Old Lyman Road
BIM Dance LLC

Castle Halls Family Travel LLC
14 Apple Road
Kristin Browning Hall

Daydreaming in Canvas
11 Brigham Road
Jonathan Nunez-Olivieri

ERA M. Connie Laplante Real Estate
2 Lyman St.
M. Connie Laplante Real Estate Inc.

Everest Chiropractic Associates
601 Newton St.
Everest Chiropractic

Happy Valley Handywoman
4 South Sycamore Knolls
Laurie Nichols

Ideaworx
317 East St.
Kiersten Asbek

Living Waters Pool & Spa Service
249 East St.
Catherine Foxwell

MK Galaxy Gutters
20 New Ludlow Road
Mark Krasnowski

Ochoa Salon & Spa
15 College St.
Ochoa Salon & Spa

South Hadley Players
34 Pine Hill Road
Cynthia Strycharz, Daniel Mashia

This Red Rock Entertainment Inc.
12 Jewett Lane
This Red Rock Entertainment Inc.

Tigerweb LLC
22 South Sycamore Knolls
Thomas Moore

Valedictorian Tutoring
25 Highland Ave.
Gregory Shenk

WARE

Gail Marie’s Gourmet Popcorn LLC
91 Main St.
Gail Craig

Guy with Glasses Design
271 Palmer Road
G. John Devanski

Kal-Dogs
25C Church St.
Kalzamah McCoy

KJB Bookkeeping
12 Millers Road
Kathleen Bourcier

TCF Enterprise LLC
91 Main St.
Gail Craig

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

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

Ayala, Janessa I.
79 Franklin St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/08/2023

Chistolini, Samantha L.
52 Weston St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/09/2023

Eastern Suffolk Counseling, LCSW PLLC
Girard-Domena, Richard Frederick
a/k/a Girard, RichardFrederick
47 Round Hill Road, #13
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/03/2023

Forbes, David M.
Forbes, Laura J.
a/k/a Kaniecki, Laura Jean
359 East Mountain Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/12/2023

Kane, Sarah R.
468 Springfield St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/10/2023

King, Nancy I.
27 Stillwater Road
South Deerfield, MA 01373
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/04/2023

LaChance, Ernest Joseph
185 South St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/01/2023

Lawson, Ryan A.
230 Szetela Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/31/2023

Leary, Katie Jane
31 Armand St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/31/2023

McCollum, Turian A.
a/k/a McCollum, Turian L.
64 Hill St., Fl. 3
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/15/2023

Moreau, Matthew Paul Dennis
a/k/a Moreau, Matthew P.
258 Winsor St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/09/2023

Pelletier, Shane Edward
Enloe-Pelletier, Sarah Josephine
23 Corey Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/14/2023

Rivera, Jessika M.
227 Beech St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/09/2023

Roissing, Jennifer A.
22 Regal St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/08/2023

Rzeznik, Martin K.
63 Parker St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/01/2023

Sena, Joseph M.
345 New Boston Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/09/2023

Smith, Allen F.
314 North Caldwell Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/10/2023

Smith, Denise J.
14 Meadowbrook Manor
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/02/2023

Thornton, Kellie J.
115 Haven Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/31/2023

Yilmaz, Oytun
63 Musante Dr., Apt. D
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Date: 07/31/2023

Real Estate Transactions

By
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

19 Bailey Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Jennifer L. Crabbe
Seller: E. M. Davis
Date: 08/16/23

199-J Stonewall Dr.
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $715,000
Buyer: David Falk
Seller: Scott B. Johnson
Date: 08/11/23

BERNARDSTON

315 Martindale Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Ryan Maxfield
Seller: William E. Meese
Date: 08/08/23

BUCKLAND

120 Bray Road
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: William Jacobson
Seller: Sarah Davenport
Date: 08/16/23

30 School St.
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Anne-Liesl H. Swogger
Seller: Alexander D. Meade
Date: 08/18/23

49 School St.
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Bettie L. Nolan
Seller: Edward A. Reagey
Date: 08/10/23

CHARLEMONT

91 East Hawley Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Kenan T. Lavelle
Seller: James P. Whitney
Date: 08/16/23

447 Legate Hill Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Brian P. Anton
Seller: Sally B. Sampley
Date: 08/07/23

CONWAY

583 Williamsburg Road
Conway, MA 01096
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Brianna McMillan
Seller: Spencer FT
Date: 08/16/23

ERVING

17 Central St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $203,500
Buyer: Chelsea Diaz
Seller: Broughan, Sharon K. (Estate)
Date: 08/14/23

GREENFIELD

603 Barton Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Ann Bronner
Seller: Douglas J. Depault
Date: 08/18/23

382 Deerfield St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Jimbob Realty LLC
Seller: Greenfield & Montague
Date: 08/17/23

131 Verde Dr.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $574,500
Buyer: Jason Kopec
Seller: Greenfield KMW LLC
Date: 08/16/23

LEVERETT

258 Pratt Corner Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $585,000
Buyer: Ryan Gwyther
Seller: Chelsea S. Voake
Date: 08/10/23

MONTAGUE

84 2nd St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $302,500
Buyer: Tatjana Diaz
Seller: Michael L. Dibari
Date: 08/11/23

96 3rd St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Alycar Investments LLC
Seller: James L. Mayrand
Date: 08/16/23

88 South Prospect St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $269,900
Buyer: Kenneth J. Kuklewicz
Seller: Robert J. Croteau
Date: 08/16/23

ORANGE

212 Holtshire Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Virginia Realty Inc.
Seller: Jonathan P. Gleason
Date: 08/16/23

178 North Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Robert Ellin
Seller: Ryan Smith
Date: 08/18/23

41 Putnam St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Crystal Harvey
Seller: Bonnie C. Frank
Date: 08/16/23

SHUTESBURY

244 Baker Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Branden Eugenio
Seller: Ethan Todras-Whitehill
Date: 08/15/23

218 Baker Road
Shutesbury, MA 01002
Amount: $696,900
Buyer: Janet N. Hampton
Seller: Ethan Todras-Whitehill
Date: 08/10/23

SUNDERLAND

230 Plumtree Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $630,000
Buyer: Adam J. Dahl
Seller: Alyssa E. Crockett
Date: 08/18/23

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

17 Cambridge St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: James C. Carr
Seller: Douglas Dichard
Date: 08/15/23

22 Hunting Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Youssef Abdelhalim
Seller: Lessard, Kenneth E. (Estate)
Date: 08/11/23

34 James St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Adam J. Shea
Seller: Mark E. Morris
Date: 08/10/23

35 Lealand Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $309,500
Buyer: Andrew J. Colson
Seller: Dola T. Tayeh
Date: 08/15/23

1108 Main St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: James Thompson
Seller: Dorothea M. Aull
Date: 08/10/23

34 Mooreland St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: JLX 2 Properties LLC
Seller: Chenevert Properties LLC
Date: 08/16/23

523 North Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Brian Holmes
Seller: Susan M. Smith-Malecky
Date: 08/17/23

627 North Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $392,000
Buyer: Laure Moyse
Seller: Kathleen Devins
Date: 08/11/23

120 Oak Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Seller: Wisen, Linda A. (Estate)
Date: 08/10/23

11 Pleasant Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Christopher A. Jamgochian
Seller: Heather M. Taupier
Date: 08/11/23

101 Ramah Circle, South
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Matthew Desrosiers
Seller: Gary E. Moren
Date: 08/10/23

248 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Larisa Nakhabenko
Seller: Kusmierz, Robert F. (Estate)
Date: 08/10/23

47-49 Royal St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Ferris R. Fleming
Seller: Silver Snake Properties LLC
Date: 08/07/23

240 South St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Lucas Giusto
Seller: Robert A. Frasco
Date: 08/14/23

130 South Park Ter.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Maria Rodrigues
Seller: Vitaliy Dzhenzherukha
Date: 08/08/23

497 South Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $2,200,000
Buyer: Bretta Construction LLC
Seller: Ralph Depalma
Date: 08/08/23

138 Suffield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Monique L. Malvezzi
Seller: Jared M. Hamre
Date: 08/18/23

BLANDFORD

41 North Blandford Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Chris Anciello
Seller: Eric B. McVey
Date: 08/11/23

BRIMFIELD

5 Sutcliffe Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $312,000
Buyer: Kristopher Bishop
Seller: Peter D. Puzio
Date: 08/07/23

144 Washington Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Sandy L. Wrona
Seller: North, Kent D. (Estate)
Date: 08/07/23

124 Washington Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $252,000
Buyer: Tony R. Roberts
Seller: Roberts FT
Date: 08/17/23

 

CHESTER

601 East River Road
Chester, MA 01050
Amount: $790,000
Buyer: 601 East River Road RT
Seller: John M. McGinn
Date: 08/18/23

171 Route 20
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Andrea J. Plankey
Seller: Terry L. Murphy RET
Date: 08/16/23

523 Skyline Trail
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Donna L. Sweetman
Seller: Joyce A. Maruca-Kantor
Date: 08/10/23

CHICOPEE

85 Barbara St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: David A. Carlos
Seller: Matthew J. Blanchard
Date: 08/09/23

127 Blanan Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Axelice G. Vazquez
Seller: Ian K. Handfield
Date: 08/10/23

664 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Eduardo Quinteros
Seller: Robert N. Rouleau
Date: 08/18/23

98 Clairmont Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $286,000
Buyer: Lisa A. Mindell
Seller: Mary E. Goulette
Date: 08/17/23

15 Conrad St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Kelly Mortimer
Seller: Sherry C. Jarvis
Date: 08/18/23

36 Coolidge Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Jimmy L. Remillard
Seller: Kerrie Dumas
Date: 08/08/23

350 East Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Ghaith S. Jaafar
Seller: Phoenix Development Inc.
Date: 08/11/23

29 Emmett St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Austin Tyrell
Seller: John F. Ptaszek. Jr. TR
Date: 08/11/23

23 Fay St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Tara K. Harrell
Seller: Donovan A. Neiford
Date: 08/11/23

333 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $860,000
Buyer: 4front Ventures LLC
Seller: Bogdan Konarzewski
Date: 08/14/23

606 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: 606 Front Sreet Realty LLC
Seller: Edward Juchno
Date: 08/17/23

28 Grape St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $860,000
Buyer: 4Front Ventures LLC
Seller: Bogdan Konarzewski
Date: 08/14/23

61 Kimball St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Joe Joe Properties LLC
Seller: Maurice N. Lacasse
Date: 08/18/23

8 Leclair Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Maria V. Olivo
Seller: Revampit Holdings LLC
Date: 08/11/23

1517 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Westover LLC
Seller: L. & R. Properties LLC
Date: 08/08/23

1517-1/2 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Westover LLC
Seller: L. & R. Properties LLC
Date: 08/08/23

1519 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Westover LLC
Seller: L. & R. Properties LLC
Date: 08/08/23

1523 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Westover LLC
Seller: L. & R. Properties LLC
Date: 08/08/23

1525 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Westover LLC
Seller: L. & R. Properties LLC
Date: 08/08/23

2017 Memorial Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $1,327,065
Buyer: Car Properties LLC
Seller: Spinelli Realty LLP
Date: 08/09/23

10 Parshley St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $860,000
Buyer: 4front Ventures LLC
Seller: Bogdan Konarzewski
Date: 08/14/23

793 Pendleton Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Susanne M. Romani
Seller: Gerard Roy
Date: 08/15/23

17 Peter St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Ellen E. Ransow
Seller: Michael A. Nallen
Date: 08/11/23

75 Roy St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Justin Camp
Seller: Emily R. Boronski
Date: 08/09/23

58 Silvin Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Andrew Black
Seller: Natanael Crespo
Date: 08/09/23

40 Sunnymeade Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $222,000
Buyer: Wicked Deals LLC
Seller: Darlene A. Leblanc
Date: 08/14/23

68 Trilby Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Kyle Laplante
Seller: Avail I. LLC
Date: 08/18/23

27 Warwick Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Tiffany B. Bogart
Seller: M. T. IRT
Date: 08/09/23

EAST LONGMEADOW

63 Greenwich Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: David Santos
Seller: Benjamin F. Turnberg
Date: 08/16/23

36 Lee St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Hazel Zebian
Seller: Mark J. Masi
Date: 08/16/23

304 Millbrook Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $640,000
Buyer: Matthew Catacchio
Seller: Nicholas R. Kososki
Date: 08/16/23

47 Newbury Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $312,000
Buyer: Keshav Joshi
Seller: Beverly L. Carrington
Date: 08/15/23

64 Oak Brook Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Mwathi Gatonye
Seller: James R. Shuttleworth
Date: 08/08/23

115 Old Farm Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $910,000
Buyer: Nicholas R. Kososki
Seller: Larry A. Litscher
Date: 08/17/23

390 Somers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Jonathan Kuivinen
Seller: Robert Potvin
Date: 08/15/23

21 White Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $376,000
Buyer: Timothy Theriaque
Seller: Patrick J. Lynch
Date: 08/17/23

GRANVILLE

44 Granby Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Joshua Fuller
Seller: Darcy M. Grimaldi
Date: 08/15/23

HAMPDEN

381 Allen St.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $339,900
Buyer: Samantha P. Dionne
Seller: Roseann Bonatakis
Date: 08/18/23

8 Echo Valley Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Scott A. Thomas
Seller: Ruth F. Lewenczuk
Date: 08/10/23

59 Greenleaf Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: John T. Quackenbush
Seller: 59 Greenleaf Drive LLC
Date: 08/15/23

17 Kibbe Lane
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $620,000
Buyer: Nicholas Boissonneault
Seller: Michael D. Goldberg
Date: 08/18/23

20 Martin Farms Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Natalia J. Skoczylas
Seller: Trevor T. Howell
Date: 08/16/23

271 North Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $281,000
Buyer: Cooper Leardi
Seller: Johnson, Kelley C. (Estate)
Date: 08/11/23

13 Sessions Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Nicole Morales
Seller: Taran A. Savoie
Date: 08/18/23

57 Woodland Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Albana Deda
Seller: David M. Syrek
Date: 08/16/23

HOLLAND

6 Craig Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $281,000
Buyer: Jay Milner
Seller: Gerald C. Nadeau
Date: 08/07/23

36 Massaconnic Trail
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Paul Ware
Seller: Ann B. Gagnon IRT
Date: 08/11/23

1 Shore Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Susan Olson
Seller: Olson Jr., Arthur W. (Estate)
Date: 08/09/23

HOLYOKE

16 Brightwood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Drew Nalewanski
Seller: Josue Lopez
Date: 08/15/23

32 Clark St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $251,000
Buyer: Robert L. Hodgkins
Seller: Pueschel, Gloria J. (Estate)
Date: 08/17/23

1047-1049 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Jose A. Ramos
Seller: Four Harps LLC
Date: 08/09/23

828 Homestead Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Jennifer Moynihan
Seller: Richard Turek
Date: 08/09/23

1767 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $630,000
Buyer: Gallagher Properties LLC
Seller: 1767 Realty LLC
Date: 08/09/23

75-77 Longwood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $399,900
Buyer: Taylor Robbins
Seller: Christopher Thompson
Date: 08/16/23

6-8 Portland St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: L. & B. Greenvale Home Improvements LLC
Seller: Rafael Santos
Date: 08/14/23

55 Portland St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Robert C. Budynkiewicz
Seller: Johanna Torres
Date: 08/07/23

60-62 Shawmut Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Seller: Alfred J. Robarge
Date: 08/11/23

LONGMEADOW

36 Belleclaire Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $287,700
Buyer: Custom Home Development Group LLC
Seller: Asset Mortgage Investment II
Date: 08/17/23

209 Birch Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: MD M. Reza
Seller: Jackie Tang
Date: 08/11/23

212 Burbank Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Jenna Goldman
Seller: Ruth Kurniawati
Date: 08/11/23

95 Dover Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Peter H. Carlson
Seller: James V. Barilaro
Date: 08/11/23

15 Durham Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: David G. Kayiatos
Seller: David J. Martel
Date: 08/08/23

159 Ellington Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $785,000
Buyer: Kevin Morine
Seller: Irina U. O’Hara
Date: 08/14/23

304 Farmington Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Kristan Xanders
Seller: Barbara S. Verrilli TR
Date: 08/15/23

94 Wheel Meadow Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $580,000
Buyer: Vincent C. Bucklen
Seller: Ilkwon Kim
Date: 08/17/23

76 Woodland Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $452,000
Buyer: Adam W. Metzger
Seller: Joshua Warren
Date: 08/16/23

LUDLOW

70 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Daniel J. Whalen
Seller: F. E. Farrar-Gorcynski
Date: 08/09/23

11 Greenwich St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Christopher A. Rodriguez
Seller: Peter A. Morales
Date: 08/16/23

36-38 Hubbard St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Regina Modzelewski
Seller: Susan A. Jeanroy
Date: 08/09/23

190 Moody St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $1,880,000
Buyer: Boomerang Realty LLC
Seller: H. P. Rum LLC
Date: 08/16/23

73 Pine Knoll Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $146,777
Buyer: Brian F. Fish
Seller: Wroblewski 2010 IRT
Date: 08/09/23

38 Robin Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Lianne E. Azevedo
Seller: Laurenio S. Azevedo
Date: 08/17/23

Sunset Ridge, Lot 10
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Muhammad A. Saleem
Seller: Baystate Developers Inc.
Date: 08/11/23

865 West St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Scott Osbourne
Seller: Cheryl King
Date: 08/07/23

44 Wilson St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $274,999
Buyer: Germano A. Andre
Seller: Kusek, Marion (Estate)
Date: 08/11/23

28 Yale St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Robert T. Silva
Seller: Helen B. Waz
Date: 08/08/23

MONSON

1 Lakeshore Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Timothy Marquis
Seller: Jason R. Voyik
Date: 08/10/23

82 Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: James Joinville
Seller: Daniel J. Nolan
Date: 08/11/23

66 Palmer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $316,000
Buyer: Jeffrey A. Shaw
Seller: Gary D. Stewart
Date: 08/18/23

MONTGOMERY

86 Pineridge Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $475,100
Buyer: Jacob Gonska
Seller: Mark A. Nelson
Date: 08/15/23

PALMER

2098 Calkins Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Citadel Projects LLC
Seller: Daniel J. Dupuis
Date: 08/15/23

56 Laurel Road
Palmer, MA 01095
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Alysia Mercado
Seller: Butcher Jr., John R. (Estate)
Date: 08/07/23

2340 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Ian Curtiss
Seller: Mia L. Griffin
Date: 08/18/23

1115 Overlook Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Prime Partners LLC
Seller: Michael J. Cwiok
Date: 08/08/23

52 Pinney St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Kendrick J. Dempsey
Seller: Donald H. Labare
Date: 08/18/23

 

RUSSELL

118 Main St.
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Andri Pomazniuk
Seller: Fitzgerald Home Solutions
Date: 08/09/23

SPRINGFIELD

384 Abbott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Samuel I. Polep
Seller: Luke M. Hollwedel
Date: 08/11/23

36-38 Ashmont St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Sandra M. Valentin
Seller: Robert J. Pelzek
Date: 08/18/23

80 Baird Terrace
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $352,000
Buyer: Jasmin S. Powers
Seller: Giovanni Cardaropli
Date: 08/15/23

1104 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Bay Street RT
Seller: Markdon Realty LLC
Date: 08/10/23

1192 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $180,625
Buyer: Barbara J. Williams
Seller: NSP Residential LLC
Date: 08/18/23

1192 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: NSP Residential LLC
Seller: Federal National Mortgage Association
Date: 08/18/23

15-17 Biltmore St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Onyx Investments LLC
Seller: Maria Diaz
Date: 08/11/23

153 Brandon Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $183,000
Buyer: Christopher Fairbanks
Seller: Joann L. Gagne
Date: 08/18/23

30 Burton St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $262,000
Buyer: Gloria McCutchen
Seller: Nicole L. Morales
Date: 08/18/23

137 Chalmers St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Erin K. Coughlin
Seller: Kenneth R. Barba
Date: 08/07/23

142 Cloran St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Ashley Brennan
Seller: Skyspec LLC
Date: 08/08/23

34 Crystal Brook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $371,000
Buyer: Esther Durance
Seller: Kristina E. Tenggren
Date: 08/16/23

35-39 Darling St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $471,000
Buyer: Nevaeh Price
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 08/18/23

76 Darling St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Arlennis Segura
Seller: Gary A. Daula
Date: 08/15/23

91 Deepfield Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $268,000
Buyer: Claudia Quintero
Seller: LSF9 Master Part TR
Date: 08/10/23

105 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $338,000
Buyer: Ramon Torres
Seller: Julissa Ramirez
Date: 08/10/23

40 Dennis St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Theresa Harrington
Seller: James Coombs
Date: 08/18/23

52-54 Draper St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Eyea Darwulo
Seller: Jjj17 LLC
Date: 08/14/23

1571 Dwight St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Abigail E. Vazquez-Berduo
Seller: TKJM LLC
Date: 08/07/23

64 Ellendale Circle
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Lee M. Kowarsky
Date: 08/07/23

49 Fitzgerald Road
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $269,000
Buyer: Teri L. Meigs
Seller: Henry E. Yergeau
Date: 08/11/23

27 Forest Park Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $253,800
Buyer: Carlos A. Contreras
Seller: Joe H. Liang
Date: 08/11/23

153 Gillette Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Steven A. Aquino
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 08/17/23

26 Grandview St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $160,770
Buyer: Morgan Stanley IT 2007-H
Seller: Thomas P. Welch
Date: 08/16/23

108 Jerilis Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $296,500
Buyer: Kyaw Kyaw
Seller: Sunny Kim
Date: 08/11/23

80-84 Keith St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Chaz Williams
Seller: Elving L. Rosado
Date: 08/17/23

146 Kensington Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $535,000
Buyer: Onstar Properties AA LLC
Seller: Winners O. LLC
Date: 08/10/23

412 Kent Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Eileen Hernandez
Seller: Alfred J. Albano
Date: 08/18/23

86 Linnell St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Isabel Pellot
Seller: John R. King
Date: 08/18/23

282-294 Locust St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: C. & C. Auto Industries LLC
Seller: Victor S. Jimenez
Date: 08/11/23

28 Longview St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Justin C. Ching
Seller: Tm Properties Inc.
Date: 08/18/23

30 Lynwood Ter.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Edward Kenney
Seller: Jose R. Rolon
Date: 08/09/23

18 Mark St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $191,000
Buyer: Cornerstone Homebuying LLC
Seller: Sharon R. Kosinski
Date: 08/18/23

162 Marmon St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $203,775
Buyer: Dorcas RT
Seller: Karen L. Hansen
Date: 08/11/23

42 Melrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Giselle Collazo
Seller: Courageous Lion LLC
Date: 08/18/23

79 Oak St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Areid Estate LLC
Seller: Jesus M. Roman-Diaz
Date: 08/15/23

83 Oak St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Rejuvenate Re LLC
Seller: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Date: 08/17/23

108 Odion St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Brian Mass
Seller: Nolava LLC
Date: 08/07/23

785 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Thi Tai Realty LLC
Seller: Penelope LLC
Date: 08/11/23

1154-1156 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Posiadlosc LLC
Seller: Steven E. Zeimbekakis
Date: 08/11/23

211 Pasco Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $285,500
Buyer: Maurice L. Thomas
Seller: Luis Cortes
Date: 08/10/23

174 Pineywoods Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $279,253
Buyer: Accredited Mortgage Loan TR
Seller: Michael S. Farrier
Date: 08/11/23

122 Prentice St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Naomi L. Deslongchamps
Seller: Stephanie J. Smith
Date: 08/18/23

19 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Ashok K. Mizar
Seller: Mintueman Property & Acquisitions
Date: 08/11/23

532 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Shawn Knight
Seller: Kelly A. Thistle
Date: 08/17/23

260 Roy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Real Estate Victory LLC
Seller: Tyler M. Feinstein
Date: 08/18/23

73 Sawmill Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Lilynilka Morales
Seller: Tiara J. Chatman
Date: 08/18/23

6 Sorrento St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: BRVS LLC
Seller: Ajn Rentals LLC
Date: 08/17/23

31 Starling Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Bryan Zatorski
Seller: John T. Kukowski
Date: 08/16/23

912 State St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Mass. Postal Holdings LLC
Seller: Raymond Rivard
Date: 08/14/23

79 Strong St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Miguel A. Velazquez
Seller: Gina M. Pericolosi
Date: 08/09/23

35-37 Suffolk St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Marco Z. Martinez
Seller: Ericka G. Carrillo
Date: 08/10/23

68-70 Suffolk St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Addis J. Moran
Seller: Brvsa Associates LLC
Date: 08/09/23

44 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $900,000
Buyer: Milestone Funeral Services
Seller: Ascher Zimmerman Funeral
Date: 08/14/23

150-152 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Exandieu Arelus
Seller: Edurd Shvetsov
Date: 08/16/23

201 Westford Circle
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $189,000
Buyer: Pellisas Construction Inc.
Seller: Regina V. Jackson
Date: 08/15/23

131-133 Wellington St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Donald Maxwell
Seller: James Alberici
Date: 08/10/23

28 Wilmont St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Vivian J. Pagan
Seller: K. J. Valentin-Gonzalez
Date: 08/10/23

85-87 Windemere St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Johnathan Salas-Delgado
Seller: Jessenia Robles
Date: 08/18/23

168 Winton St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $287,300
Buyer: Kody L. Crosby
Seller: Erica Bridge
Date: 08/07/23

1207-1209 Worcester St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: 1207 Worcester Street LLC
Seller: Dilar Partynski
Date: 08/10/23

SOUTHWICK

54 Berkshire Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Russell H. Varney
Seller: Amanda B. Evans
Date: 08/11/23

10 Great Brook Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Laura M. Richter-Austin
Seller: Marcel J. Grondin
Date: 08/15/23

204 Hillside Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Rebekah Diamond
Seller: Melissa Morrow
Date: 08/18/23

30 Lakeview St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Kevin C. Turcotte
Seller: Ronald P. Croteau
Date: 08/08/23

7 Reservoir Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $630,000
Buyer: Thomas M. Rice
Seller: Miroslav Tkach
Date: 08/15/23

17 White St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Mark Merrow
Seller: David S. Bunten
Date: 08/16/23

WEST SPRINGFIELD

55 Church St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Lilian Ayala
Seller: Danny M. Devlin
Date: 08/18/23

190 Heywood Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Michael Patenaude
Seller: Bryan A. Cote
Date: 08/15/23

75 Lewis Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Hiram Rodriguez
Seller: Dorothy M. Harris
Date: 08/14/23

44 Partridge Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $448,500
Buyer: Long Ly
Seller: Brian T. Davignon
Date: 08/11/23

2045 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Mayur Solanki
Seller: Pravinbhai C. Patel
Date: 08/07/23

WESTFIELD

63 Barbara St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $457,500
Buyer: James J. Mathieson
Seller: Joseph D. Noblit
Date: 08/10/23

29 Berkshire Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Erika Csekovsky
Seller: Jacob N. Lennen
Date: 08/16/23

23 Day Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Ramon M. Batista
Seller: John D. Sullivan
Date: 08/15/23

85 Dartmouth St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Molly Witkus
Seller: Megan O’Brien
Date: 08/07/23

856 East Mountain Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Tyler D. Spath
Seller: Jeffrey M. Beebe
Date: 08/17/23

1331 East Mountain Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Suzanne M. Pelott
Seller: Joanne L. Drozdowski
Date: 08/14/23

133 Feeding Hills Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Robert J. Hall
Seller: Steven Gardner
Date: 08/10/23

60 Franklin St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $2,300,000
Buyer: Starlight Realty LLC
Seller: HP Rum LLC
Date: 08/07/23

237 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $266,000
Buyer: Sean M. Crawford
Seller: Gene P. Bressette
Date: 08/11/23

50 Montgomery St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Andreana T. Nop
Seller: Jon Kozak
Date: 08/09/23

120 Mullen Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Dana B. Potter
Seller: Victor Kondratyev
Date: 08/09/23

287 North Elm St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Francis T. Tangredi
Seller: Tankash Inc.
Date: 08/08/23

57 Orange St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: TGC Investments LLC
Seller: Aleksandr Katykhin
Date: 08/07/23

20 Pilgrim Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $381,000
Buyer: Kimberly Santiago
Seller: Maryanne E. Carter
Date: 08/15/23

39 Pochassic St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Josue Rodriguez
Seller: Elizabeth E. Champagne
Date: 08/18/23

986 Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Joshua P. Stebbins
Seller: William E. Miner
Date: 08/16/23

Russellville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $168,000
Buyer: Angela Hollis
Seller: Steven H. Horkun
Date: 08/18/23

259 Steiger Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Kathryn L. Buttrick RET
Seller: Julie A. Sillesky
Date: 08/17/23

WILBRAHAM

17 Bittersweet Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Patrick J. Lynch
Seller: Michael D. Marceau
Date: 08/18/23

3085 Boston Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Kyle D. Jamison
Seller: LRD Realty Properties Inc.
Date: 08/18/23

8 Dalton St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Freedom Mortgage Corp.
Seller: Timothy M. Cosenzi
Date: 08/11/23

7 Decorie Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $328,000
Buyer: Alyn Coler
Seller: Daniel J. Hamel
Date: 08/15/23

488 Dipping Hole Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Nathan Teri-Savage
Seller: Mary H. Polom
Date: 08/15/23

21 Millbrook Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Jennifer Leydon
Seller: James C. Thompson
Date: 08/10/23

46 Monson Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Melissa Morrow
Seller: Jeffrey M. Lotterer
Date: 08/18/23

444 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Hilary J. Abigana
Seller: Erica M. Kanzinger
Date: 08/11/23

1076 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Macdonald
Seller: Ryan Westbrooks
Date: 08/14/23

2 Sylvan Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Lyria Unsderfer
Seller: ARF LLC
Date: 08/16/23

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

3 Evergreen Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $563,000
Buyer: Subhransu Maji
Seller: James J. Rutter
Date: 08/17/23

255 Market Hill Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Jennifer Gephart
Seller: Hazel V. Cardozo RET
Date: 08/18/23

15 Sherry Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $1,825,000
Buyer: Julie Silberstein
Seller: B&r Ft
Date: 08/15/23

826 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $815,000
Buyer: Lauren E. Collier
Seller: Abraham Marder
Date: 08/10/23

2 Wintergreen Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Olufunmilayo A. Adeoyin
Seller: Natalie McKeon IRT
Date: 08/14/23

BELCHERTOWN

32 Brandywine Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Sean Lioyd
Seller: Robert Gaudette
Date: 08/07/23

152 Old Bay Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $645,000
Buyer: Matthew W. Deady
Seller: Michelle D. Staudinger
Date: 08/16/23

10 Old Sawmill Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $620,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Luce
Seller: Mingxu You
Date: 08/17/23

14 Prescott Hill
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Ancel Romero
Seller: Weichert Workforce Mobility
Date: 08/08/23

14 Prescott Hill
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Weichert Workforce Mobility
Seller: Noah Pefaur
Date: 08/08/23

11 Rainbow Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: Brita A. Riley
Seller: Douglas G. West
Date: 08/15/23

EASTHAMPTON

80 Clark St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Manuel A. Zaruma
Seller: Joseph M. Kaminski
Date: 08/10/23

198 Park St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $147,500
Buyer: John M. Doll
Seller: Williston Northampton School
Date: 08/18/23

8-10 Spring St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Carole A. Andrus
Seller: David W. Curtin
Date: 08/15/23

16 Truehart Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Lura Elderkin-Rouleau
Seller: Linda M. Lococo
Date: 08/15/23

GOSHEN

87 Lake Dr.
Goshen, MA 01096
Amount: $608,500
Buyer: Gould RET
Seller: Yvonne Ting
Date: 08/15/23

GRANBY

11 Meadow Glen Dr.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $308,000
Buyer: Robert J. Embury
Seller: Chrystal Petersen
Date: 08/16/23

105 North St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Wicked Deals LLC
Seller: Marc Loverly
Date: 08/09/23

252 Taylor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Christopher Gallant
Seller: Donald A. Tremblay
Date: 08/15/23

HADLEY

22 Farm Lane
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $650,222
Buyer: Christopher Coyle
Seller: Jason E. Kopec
Date: 08/16/23

37 Shattuck Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $690,000
Buyer: Kamyar Vahdat
Seller: Ellen Woolford
Date: 08/17/23

HATFIELD

70 Depot Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $880,000
Buyer: Heather K. Tauck
Seller: CTNA Construction LLC
Date: 08/07/23

59 Dwight St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $4,408,183
Buyer: 59 Dwight LLC
Seller: Turf Care Supply LLC
Date: 08/10/23

55 North St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Bethany M. Accipiter
Seller: Michael S. Smith
Date: 08/15/23

HUNTINGTON

2 Stanton Ave.
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Megan Ottens-Sargent
Seller: Joanne J. Smith RET
Date: 08/07/23

NORTHAMPTON

128 Acrebrook Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $352,000
Buyer: Ryan F. McCarthy
Seller: Janet M. Turdryn
Date: 08/10/23

40 Berkshire Ter.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $740,000
Buyer: Kevin Parent
Seller: Mark W. Erba
Date: 08/08/23

33 Chapel St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $442,500
Buyer: Janet L. Kelly
Seller: Sunwood Development Corp.
Date: 08/08/23

Chesterfield Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Nancy J. Bals
Seller: Joan C. Sarafib
Date: 08/09/23

120 Emerson Way
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $775,000
Buyer: Nishkruth Munshi
Seller: Donna M. Sugrue
Date: 08/10/23

48 Hickory Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $292,000
Buyer: Spencer FT
Seller: Deturck, Henry Michael (Estate)
Date: 08/16/23

125 Nonotuck St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $612,000
Buyer: Emily T. Hamilton
Seller: Brian Michaud
Date: 08/18/23

7 Rust Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Sinead A. Keogh
Seller: Patrick A. Fleming
Date: 08/08/23

220 Spring Grove Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Kristin F. McCue
Seller: Nicole A. Fritz
Date: 08/11/23

1388 Westhampton Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Nicole C. Wofford
Seller: Elizabeth I. McCormick
Date: 08/16/23

81 Williams St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Ruth Francis
Seller: Heard, Erich E. (Estate)
Date: 08/18/23

85 Woodlawn Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $866,000
Buyer: Lucas Thatcher
Seller: Lori L. Paporello TR
Date: 08/18/23

PLAINFIELD

118 South St.
Plainfield, MA 01026
Amount: $759,500
Buyer: Ivan P. Zlatev
Seller: Marcelo Suarez-Orozco
Date: 08/11/23

37 South Union St.
Plainfield, MA 01070
Amount: $301,000
Buyer: Ry M. Patton
Seller: Martha J. Lynch
Date: 08/17/23

SOUTH HADLEY

32 Carriage Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $565,000
Buyer: Pawlowski IRT
Seller: Mark A. Roberts
Date: 08/14/23

2 Chatham Way
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $725,000
Buyer: Nicholas Provost
Seller: Ann M. Talarico
Date: 08/10/23

42 Doane Ter.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Sokharun Yim
Seller: Roger T. Duval
Date: 08/09/23

249 East St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Jason A. Foxwell
Seller: Tracy A. Sawyer
Date: 08/15/23

161 Granby Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Maksim Grachev
Seller: Robert F. Moineau
Date: 08/15/23

20 Highland Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: James W. Foley
Seller: Christopher R. Woloszyn
Date: 08/18/23

35 Lorraine Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Vanessa Magagnoli
Seller: Dean M. Rankin
Date: 08/08/23

120 Morgan St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Timothy Dietrick
Seller: Ryan M. Lewis
Date: 08/15/23

6 Pheasant Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Charles Q. Maney
Seller: Vincent A. Ferraro
Date: 08/15/23

Route 202
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Maksim Grachev
Seller: Robert F. Moineau
Date: 08/15/23

12 San Souci Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $740,000
Buyer: Dakota J. Hebert
Seller: Michael S. Lussier
Date: 08/15/23

8 Skyline Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Adam Miklius
Seller: Lawrence J. Sullivan
Date: 08/15/23

3 Valley View Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Karen A. Lindsay
Seller: Lucid Development Inc.
Date: 08/14/23

SOUTHAMPTON

193 Brickyard Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Jacob N. Lennen
Seller: Kathryn L. Buttrick RET
Date: 08/16/23

154 County Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $158,000
Buyer: Foley Capital LLC
Seller: Martin P. Lusczynski
Date: 08/18/23

154 County Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Aleksandr Chuduk
Seller: Foley Capital LLC
Date: 08/18/23

WARE

8 Dugan Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Kara K. Bigda
Seller: John A. Kozlowski
Date: 08/11/23

WESTHAMPTON

82 Laurel Hill Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Noel Cody
Seller: Linnea O. Lagerstrom
Date: 08/17/23

56 Southampton Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Michael Canzoniero
Seller: Thomas Rice
Date: 08/15/23

86 Southampton Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Jovita B. Netto
Seller: Angela T. Derouin
Date: 08/07/23

WORTHINGTON

229 Cummington Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: I. M. Maurice LLC
Seller: Robert J. Wolff 2010 RET
Date: 08/11/23

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of August 2023.

CHICOPEE

Anthony Dube
336 Front St.
$33,077.15 — Roofing

Ryan Manning
15 Leonard St.
$7,391 — Replace nine windows

Procon Group LLC
850 Sheridan St.
$1,000 — Install one strobe in each of four new bathrooms

Rjalaa Holdings LLC
1643 Memorial Dr.
$3,967 — Insulation

Dave Vickers
34 Columba St.
$3,603 — Remove and replace four windows

EASTHAMPTON

Alain Benoist
311 East St.
$16,076 — Replace first-floor bathroom tub with shower, inspections for firesafing and/or insulation

City of Easthampton
Daley Field
$936,376.76 — Demolition

George Dion
37-47 Grant St.
$15,733 — Replace 17 windows

HADLEY

Frank Kostek
14 Lawrence Plain Road
N/A — Kitchen renovation

LEE

Open Door Church
87 Summer St.
$20,000 — Demolish old dormitory

NORTHAMPTON

Chen’s Management LLC
16 Crafts Ave.
$5,400 — Interior renovations

City of Northampton
212 Main St.
N/A — Build half-wall, add door

Florence Congregational Church
130 Pine St.
$24,700 — Insulation

Humhum LLC
15 Locust St.
$35,500 — Roofing

Oxbow Professional Park LLC
22 Atwood Dr.
$14,580 — Non-illuminated wall sign

Oxbow Professional Park LLC
22 Atwood Dr.
$5,964 — Illuminated ground sign

Oxbow Professional Park LLC
22 Atwood Dr.
$5,270 — Non-illuminated wall sign

Oxbow Professional Park LLC
22 Atwood Dr.
$2,688 — Illuminated ground sign

Smith College
College Lane
$91,798 — Kitchenette on first floor, new kitchenette and two office nooks on second floor

Smith College
25 Henshaw Ave.
$83,000 — Install backflow preventer with fire sprinkler control valves to supply annex and boiler building

Smith College
25 Henshaw Ave.
$80,512 — ADA/MAAB improvements, phase 1 of bathroom renovations

PITTSFIELD

163 South St. LLC
163 South St.
$30,000 — Rooftop replacement

John Barry
55 Fenn St.
$28,500 — Install vinyl flooring and floor base

Vincent Carchedi Sr., Josephine Carchedi
230 Fourth St.
$28,000 — Roofing

City of Pittsfield
330 North St.
$30,000 — Rooftop HVAC unit replacement

Five Forty Two Tyler St. LLC
534 Tyler St.
$3,880 — Install new fire warning system

Elie Hassoun
881 Dalton Ave.
$2,500 — Repair existing exterior stairs

Samuel Noyes
19 Wilson St.
$30,571 — Roofing

Pittsfield North 157 LLC
155 North St.
$14,000 — Sheetrock ceiling

SPRINGFIELD

575 Union Street LLC
311 Page Blvd.
$8,300 — Roofing

1277 Liberty St. LLC
1287 Liberty St.
$1,000 — Space for Halloween store

Behavioral Health Netwok Inc.
417 Liberty St.
$10,000 — Install new handicap ramp

Car Properties LLC
1130 Boston Road
$53,995 — Roofing

Samuel Castellano
2891 Main St.
$9,000 — Roofing

Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start
33 Wilbraham Road
$850,000 — Roofing

Honore LLC
250 Worthington St.
$2,132,000 — Alterations to exterior storefront and masonry repairs, elevator modernization, rear service area repairs, exterior patio renovations, roof repairs

Mercy Medical Center
271 Carew St.
$1,005,779 — Alter interior space, USP 800 clean rooms, second-floor pharmacy

National Assoc. of Government Employees
1297 Page Blvd.
$60,000 — Roofing

Onyx Springfield Crossing LLC
1655 Boston Road
$350,000 — Partial demolition of portion of former Eastfield Mall used as movie theater

P&M Realty LLC
105 Verge St.
$84,987 — Roofing at Everett J. Prescott Inc.

Paul’s Crane
694 Berkshire Ave.
$29,995 — Roofing

Springfield Lodge 61 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks
440 Tiffany St.
$11,920 — Roofing

Another Step Forward in Springfield

By
Opinion

Opinion

 

While significant progress has been made in downtown Springfield in recent years, several issues and challenges remain, and many of them come together at the corner of State and Main streets and other properties near that intersection.

Indeed, this is the site of several mostly vacant and underutilized buildings in the shadow of MGM Springfield that were a big part of the city’s past, but have become an eyesore in the present and a huge question mark for the future.

Last week, that future became much brighter when the city named a preferred developer for a project to redevelop the so-called Clock Tower Building at State and Main, the Colonial Block just south on Main Street, and a smaller office building on Stockbridge Street.

McCaffery Interests Inc. plans to create more than 90 market-rate apartments in the three buildings, a $68 million project that, if it comes to fruition, could go a long way toward addressing some of those issues alluded to earlier.

One of them is housing.

At the local, state, and federal levels, this is the word you hear most often, and with good reason. There is a huge need for housing, and especially market-rate housing, in almost every community in Western Mass., especially Springfield. And while an additional 90 units won’t solve the problem, they will certainly be a huge step in the right direction.

Meanwhile, this project will bring new life to properties that stand in stark contrast to the gleaming casino across Main Street and to the progress seen at other addresses, especially Court Square, where another huge mixed-use project focused on housing is taking shape.

As mentioned earlier, these properties have played a big role in the city’s past, as home to both residents and businesses of all kinds, but they have been left behind, if you will, by neglect and huge changes in the office market.

Indeed, there is a now what amounts to a glut of office space in Springfield and questions about what will become of that space. McCaffery Interests has put some ambitious plans on the table to answer that question for at least three properties.

While helping to address the housing crisis and bring new life to these once-proud properties, this project will also bring additional momentum to the efforts to revitalize downtown Springfield and likely trigger efforts to redevelop many other vacant or underutilized properties in that area.

As we’ve written many times, there are several ingredients to the success of any downtown. The first is people. The second is businesses to support and serve those people. And one brings more of the other. More people means more restaurants, retail, and other service businesses, and these businesses, in turn, attract more people.

The ambitious project to redevelop these three properties should help generate this kind of chain reaction of progress.

It’s another big step forward for Springfield.

Editorial

By
Opinion

They Help Define ‘Hero’

 

In 2015, BusinessWest and its sister publication, the Healthcare News, established a new recognition program called Healthcare Heroes. It was created to bring much-needed recognition to individuals, groups, and organizations working within the large and vitally important healthcare sector in our region.

There was much discussion then, and it continues today, about just what makes one a ‘hero.’ Clearly, there is not one overriding definition of that word. If we had to try, we would say a hero is someone who inspires us with their actions and their words, compels others to excel, and makes a real difference in the lives of others.

And this year’s class of honorees certainly lives up that definition, as the stories that begin on Page H6 clearly show. Individually and collectively, they stand out for the way that they have dedicated their careers and their lives to helping others and setting an example that others should follow.

Let’s start with Jody O’Brien, a nurse with the Urology Group of Western New England. She’s 87 and still working two days a week and volunteering the other three. But her desire to work well past full retirement age only begins to explain why she is the hero in the Lifetime Achievement category. Through nearly 70 years in nursing, she has been a provider of care, hope, and especially inspiration.

Dr. Mark Kenton, chief of Emergency Medicine at Mercy Medical Center, has been making a difference on many levels — in his ER, on the national stage by bringing to light the staggering cost of EpiPens and the need to do something about it, and, perhaps most importantly, in the lives of individual patients, by utilizing perhaps his best talent: listening.

Cindy Senk, personal trainer and owner of Movement for All, enables individuals to discover the many benefits of yoga. But more importantly, she inspires them to improve their mobility — and their quality of life while doing so. Her philosophy is to not only educate her clients, but empower them.

Gabriel Mokwuah and Joel Brito are patient safety associates (PSAs) at Holyoke Medical Center, and each one has been credited with saving a life in recent months through their quick actions. And while doing so, these heroes have turned a spotlight on the PSA position at HMC, one that takes the traditional ‘sitter’ or ‘patient observer’ position to new dimensions.

Ashley LeBlanc, practice manager of Thoracic Surgery and nursing director of the Lung Screening Program at Mercy Medical Center, is a nurse and administrator with a strong track record for getting things done, especially a program that now screens 250 people for lung cancer each month, and then setting more ambitious goals.

Ellen Ingraham-Shaw, pediatric emergency nurse at Baystate Medical Center, has brought her passions for behavioral healthcare and compassion for children and their families to her work in a busy ER, enhancing care delivery and inspiring others to look at problems as opportunities, not roadblocks.

Julie Lefer Quick, nurse manager of the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, was looking for a career change and found one at the VA, where she devotes herself to the needs of veterans and finding new and innovative ways to care for them.

Finally, Kristina Hallett, a clinical psychologist and associate professor of Graduate Psychology at Bay Path University, has not only helped myriad clients overcome trauma, anxiety, and countless other challenges, but she’s inspiring and helping to cultivate the next generation of behavioral-health professionals.

They’re heroes, every one. We hope you enjoy their stories.

Opinion: Another Step Forward in Springfield

By
Daily News

While significant progress has been made in downtown Springfield in recent years, several issues and challenges remain, and many of them come together at the corner of State and Main streets and other properties near that intersection.

Indeed, this is the site of several mostly vacant and underutilized buildings in the shadow of MGM Springfield that were a big part of the city’s past, but have become an eyesore in the present and a huge question mark for the future.

Last week, that future became much brighter when the city named a preferred developer for a project to redevelop the so-called Clock Tower Building at State and Main, the Colonial Block just south on Main Street, and a smaller office building on Stockbridge Street.

McCaffery Interests Inc. plans to create more than 90 market-rate apartments in the three buildings, a $68 million project that, if it comes to fruition, could go a long way toward addressing some of those issues alluded to earlier.

One of them is housing.

At the local, state, and federal levels, this is the word you hear most often, and with good reason. There is a huge need for housing, and especially market-rate housing, in almost every community in Western Mass., especially Springfield. And while an additional 90 units won’t solve the problem, they will certainly be a huge step in the right direction.

Meanwhile, this project will bring new life to properties that stand in stark contrast to the gleaming casino across Main Street and to the progress seen at other addresses, especially Court Square, where another huge mixed-use project focused on housing is taking shape.

As mentioned earlier, these properties have played a big role in the city’s past, as home to both residents and businesses of all kinds, but they have been left behind, if you will, by neglect and huge changes in the office market.

Indeed, there is a now what amounts to a glut of office space in Springfield and questions about what will become of that space. McCaffery Interests has put some ambitious plans on the table to answer that question for at least three properties.

While helping to address the housing crisis and bring new life to these once-proud properties, this project will also bring additional momentum to the efforts to revitalize downtown Springfield and likely trigger efforts to redevelop many other vacant or underutilized properties in that area.

As we’ve written many times, there are several ingredients to the success of any downtown. The first is people. The second is businesses to support and serve those people. And one brings more of the other. More people means more restaurants, retail, and other service businesses, and these businesses, in turn, attract more people.

The ambitious project to redevelop these three properties should help generate this kind of chain reaction of progress.

It’s another big step forward for Springfield.

MSB Announces $2,000 Sponsorship of Monson Food Truck Festival

By
Daily News

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank announced it will be a $2,000 sponsor for the 2023 Monson Food Truck & Music Festival.

The Monson Food Truck & Music Festival, slated for Saturday, Sept. 16, has become an annual tradition in town. Attractions include food trucks, vendor tents, music, face painting, and more. Live musical acts will include Cooper Jones, Savage Brothers, and Trailer Trash. Proceeds from the event will benefit Dana-Farber Cancer Institute research, the Jimmy Fund, and three local charities. The festival will be held from noon to 10 p.m. at Veteran’s Field in Monson. To learn more, visit www.facebook.com/monsonfoodtruckfestival.

“As a community-focused bank, we are proud to support the festivities happening the town of Monson,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “The Monson Food Truck & Music Festival is always a fun time, and it supports a great cause. We are excited to be a part of the festival again this year.”

Jean Bailey, one of the event’s founders, expressed her gratitude for the community bank’s support. “Monson Savings Bank’s donation has once again touched our hearts. Year after year the bank has stepped up to sponsor the Food Truck & Music Fest. They are a wonderful community partner. We look forward to seeing everyone at the festival.”

Ken Bailey, another founder of the festival, shared his excitement as well. “We are so thankful for the continued support we receive from Monson Savings Bank. I am looking forward to the festival this year; it is always a great time for a great cause. Fighting cancer is a cause near and dear to my family’s heart.”

Jewish Federation of the Berkshires Welcomes Susan Levine

By
Daily News

PITTSFIELD — Jewish Federation of the Berkshires announced the appointment of Susan Levine as the new Food Service director for its Connecting with Community kosher meals program that provides free, nutritious meals for the community (in-person, takeaway, and meals on wheels) year-round.

Levine received a culinary arts degree at Peter Kump’s New York Cooking School in Lower Manhattan before interning at Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Ariz. There, she learned healthy ways of using her culinary skills, which she applied during a long career in catering and corporate dining that included a recent stint working at the Executive Mansion in Albany, N.Y.

A 20-year resident of the Berkshires region, Levine first learned about the federation’s kosher meals program when her parents stayed at her home in New Lebanon, N.Y. and attended federation-sponsored programs and lunches at Knesset Israel in Pittsfield. Now, she is taking over the kosher meals program that was helmed by Cindy Bell-Deane for the past 25 years. “I look forward to working with Jewish Federation of the Berkshires to bring that support and sense of nourishment, both body and soul, my parents received from this community,” Levine said.

Through its kosher meals program, which is run in conjunction with Elder Services of the Berkshires, Jewish Federation of the Berkshires provides more than 3,600 nutritious meals annually. Meals are available for pick-up and also delivered to homebound community members by volunteers. In the summer months, in-person kosher lunches follow the federation’s cultural program, Connecting with Community.

“We are thrilled to welcome Susan to the federation team and pleased to have someone of her experience continue the compassionate work of nourishing our older adults through this important program,” Executive Director Dara Kaufman said. “We look forward to Susan using her skills to continue the creative and healthy meals our older community members and homebound individuals have come to rely on.”

Police vs. Fire Baseball Classic Presented by Country Bank Raises $15,750

By
Daily News

WORCESTER — To launch Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, the second annual Police vs. Fire Baseball Classic, presented by Country Bank at Polar Park on Sunday, Aug. 27, raised $15,750 for Why Me & Sherry’s House, a Worcester nonprofit that provides resources and support to children battling cancer and their families. The Worcester Police Officers defeated the Worcester Firefighters 14-3.

As the home team, the Worcester Fire Department selected Why Me & Sherry’s House to benefit from this year’s event in honor of retired Fire Captain Mark Wyco, who lost his daughter Bridget to childhood cancer in 1996. After the game, the Worcester Red Sox and Country Bank presented the check for $15,750 to Rebecca Kuczarski, executive director of Why Me & Sherry’s House.

“There was an extraordinary feeling at this year’s event,” said Dr. Charles Steinberg, president of the Worcester Red Sox and the WooSox Foundation. “Our first responders are the heart and soul of Worcester, and we believe this friendly but competitive game will continue to grow into a civic treasure. We thank our friends and founding partners at Country Bank for collaborating with us yet again on what has become one of the most fun — and impactful — events of the year.”

BusinessTalk with Gene Cassidy, president and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition

By
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 178: September 11, 2023

BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar talks with Gene Cassidy, president and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition

Staging a 17-day fair on the scale of the Big E is a year-round job, one marked not only by hard work and meticulous planning, but a dose of luck (what’s the weather forecast?). This is an event with plenty of momentum, even after more than a century of bringing food, music, and activities to the masses and raising the profile of the region’s agricultural sector. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Gene Cassidy, president and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition, sits down with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar to talk about last year’s success — five record-setting days! — what’s in store for this year’s edition, which opens Sept. 15; the massive regional economic impact of the Big E; and how to keep things fresh year after year.It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.
 

Sponsored by:

Also Available On

Gary Rome to Host Welcome Reception for New HCC president on Sept. 12

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Gary Rome, owner of Gary Rome Hyundai, will host the first public reception for George Timmons on Tuesday, Sept. 12, welcoming him to the community as the fifth president of Holyoke Community College (HCC).

The reception will be held at Rome’s Holyoke dealership at 150 Whiting Farms Road beginning at 5:30 p.m., following the quarterly meeting of the HCC Foundation board of directors, on which Rome and Timmons both sit.

The reception will also include the presentation of a $5,000 donation check from Rome to the HCC Foundation for the benefit of HCC’s Thrive Student Resource Center and Food Pantry.

“I am passionate about ‘rallying the troops,’ not only to support a cause, but to raise awareness for a cause,” Rome said. “So many people have benefited from HCC in our community, and it is important to ensure that all have access to a truly exceptional yet affordable education.”

In attendance will be members of the 27-member FOUNDATION Board, including Rome, board chair Corey Murphy (president of First American Insurance Agency), and vice chair Susan Goldsmith (president of Marcus Printing). From the HCC board of trustees, chair Bob Gilbert will attend along with incoming vice chair Vanessa Smith, Ted Hebert, Evan Plotkin, Charlie Epstein, Yolanda Johnson, and student trustee Barney Garcia. Timmons and both board chairs are expected to speak at the reception.

“As a business leader in the community, it will be an honor to host President Timmons and introduce him at our dealership,” Rome said. “Together, we can join forces and accomplish great things for the future of HCC.”

Rome has been a frequent donor, vocal advocate for HCC, and a partner for HCC’s annual “Together HCC: Drive to Change Lives” 24-hour fundraising campaign.

“Gary’s enthusiasm for our annual ‘Together HCC’ campaign has been amazing,” said Amanda Sbriscia, HCC’s vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the HCC Foundation. “The energy and fun he brings to giving back helps send the message that every gift matters, which is absolutely true. We are fortunate to have his leadership on the HCC Foundation board.”

Greenfield Local Cultural Council Seeks Funding Proposals

By
Daily News

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Local Cultural Council (GLCC) is accepting grant proposals from organizations, schools, and individuals seeking funding to support cultural activities in the community. All submissions are due by Tuesday, Oct. 17. Proposals can be for community-oriented arts, humanities, and science programs.

Greenfield received an allocation of $19,400 for this year’s funding round. The grant portal is now open. Click here to apply.

“Grants from the GLCC support a variety of vital community projects and activities in Greenfield, including exhibits, festivals, field trips, short-term artist residencies, or performances in schools, workshops, and lectures,” said Tim Fisk, GLCC chair.

Greenfield’s funding priorities are to support Greenfield-based artists, performers, and venues, although others may apply. The committee is particularly interested in proposals that include a public art component, that enhance the local economy or add value to existing initiatives, and that reach the broadest possible audience.

The GLCC is part of a network of 329 local cultural councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The program is the nation’s largest grassroots cultural funding network, supporting thousands of community-based arts, sciences, and humanities projects every year. The state Legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency that allocates funds to each community. Click here for more information.

Berkshire Bank Among Most Charitable Companies in Massachusetts for 11th Year

By
Daily News

BOSTON — The Boston Business Journal named Berkshire Bank an honoree at its annual Corporate Citizenship Awards reception in Boston that recognizes the region’s top corporate charitable contributors. The publication annually celebrates companies that promote and prioritize giving back to their communities.

Berkshire Bank was listed 43rd of 100 on the top charitable contributor list with $1,419,322 in 2022 Massachusetts charitable giving.

“For more than 175 years, Berkshire has been a purpose-driven bank and an engine for positive change. We are honored to be recognized with this annual award as a top charitable contributor,” said Lori Gazzillo Kiely, managing director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation. “When people ask what fuels us, we don’t just think about a better bank; we imagine better communities.”

Greenfield Cooperative Bank Donates $5,000 to Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund

By
Daily News

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Cooperative Bank announced a $5,000 donation to the Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund, a partnership between philanthropic organizations and private foundations intended to support Western and Central Mass. farms impacted by recent flooding and rain and to strengthen farm resiliency with an eye toward future climate impacts.

“We are committed to supporting our local farmers and the important work they do to provide our community with fresh, healthy food,” said Tony Worden, president and CEO of Greenfield Cooperative Bank. “The recent flooding was a devastating blow to many farms, and we are proud to do our part to help them recover and rebuild.”

The Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund is administered by the United Way of Central Massachusetts. Click here for more information.

Ashley Kohl to Be Keynote Speaker at Super 60 Lunch

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Ashley Kohl, owner of Ohana School of Performing Arts and an entrepreneur with an inspiring story to tell, will be the keynote speaker at the Springfield Regional Chamber’s Super 60 lunch on Thursday, Nov. 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield.

The Super 60, a program that traces its roots back to the late ’80s, when it was the Fabulous 50 before being expanded, is being revamped for 2023. In addition to the two traditional categories — Total Revenue and Revenue Growth — there will be three new categories recognizing nonprofits, startups, and giving back to the community. There will be 12 winners in each category.

The nomination deadline has been extended to Friday, Sept. 15, and the nomination process has been simplified, with an online form at springfieldregionalchamber.com/super-60-nomination.

Winners and other guests will gather for the traditional Super 60 lunch, which this year will feature Kohl as keynoter. Her story, one of taking on risk in pursuit of a dream, is known to many, and inspiring on many levels.

The one-time host of the TV show Mass Appeal, she left that secure job to fulfill a long-held desire to own her own business, and the journey was marked by personal upheaval, financial challenges, and the sudden uprooting to a new location when the building where she was leasing space was sold and eventually demolished.

“I knew my job with Mass Appeal was secure, but I wanted to chase my dreams of securing a dance studio,” said Kohl, one of BusinessWest’s Forty Under 40 honorees in 2018, two years after she launched her business, noting that, while doing that, she had to essentially “reinvent my life” by moving on from a bad marriage and deep financial problems.

“I almost lost my house … I was not in a place to start a business,” she recalled. “But I took a chance because I wanted to chase my dreams, and I felt so sure of what I wanted to do.”

She will go into much greater detail at the Super 60 lunch, always a well-attended event that celebrates top-performing companies in the region.

Tickets will be available for purchase at the chamber’s website, springfieldregionalchamber.com. For more information on Super 60, the nomination process, or the Nov. 9 lunch, call (413) 787-1555.

Berkshire Bank to Host Xtraordinary Day in Five States on Sept. 12

By
Daily News

BOSTON — Berkshire Bank will host its Xtraordinary Day (X-Day) on Tuesday, Sept. 12 beginning at noon with concurrent day-of-service events. All financial centers and offices across five states — Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island — will harness the collective power of more than 1,000 Berkshire Bank employees to create a positive impact and strengthen the communities the bank serves.

For seven years, Berkshire Bank has closed the company for an afternoon of service events so employees could roll up their sleeves, give back to the community, and work with a variety of nonprofit organizations needing assistance. Traditionally, these X-Day events have been held in person, except during the pandemic, when they were held virtually.

“We are looking forward to this annual community service event as employees team up to make positive contributions within our neighborhoods,” said Lori Gazzillo Kiely, director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation. “We’re proud to dedicate an entire afternoon to lifting up our communities and inspiring our employees to support projects dedicated to helping nonprofits improve the communities in which we live, work, and play.”

Berkshire Bank plans to hold more than 45 volunteer events throughout its footprint. Click here to view the featured list of community events and learn more about X-Day.

Girl Scouts to Welcome Hundreds of Girls to Ninth Annual Geek Is Glam Event

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Hundreds of middle-school girls and dozens of high-school girls will convene at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) on Saturday, Oct. 14 to celebrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts’ Geek Is Glam (GIG) STEM event — and it’s not too late to participate.

The day-long, interactive STEM conference for girls in grades 4-12 is hosted by Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts and WPI along with more than 60 area education and adventure collaborators. Participants will be exposed to some of the area’s top scientific and engineering minds as they engage in the hands-on aspect of exploration and discovery while they build, explore, assemble, and imagine. The day kicks off at 9 a.m. with keynote speakers Daisha Ramos-Ortiz, WPI freshman and five-time Geek Is Glam participant; and Ms. Massachusetts 2023 Chelsea Vuong.

Participants will spend the day in interactive workshops, demonstrations, and hands-on exhibits presented by Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, the Discovery Museums, New England Sci-Tech, UMass Amherst Polymer Science and Engineering, WCVB Channel 5 Boston, Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream, and New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, to name a few. From Mystic Aquarium to Morse Code, from rainbows to robots, girls will be engaged in interactive activities, games, and displays.

For more information and to register, click here or call (413) 584-2602. The fee is $45 per girl in grades 4-8 and $50 per girl in grades 9-12, and includes lunch, snacks, a Geek Is Glam T-shirt, a drawstring backpack, and a Geek Is Glam patch. Financial assistance is available. No previous Girl Scout experience is necessary.

Freedom Credit Union Calls on Public to Support Walk to End Alzheimer’s

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Throughout the month of September, Freedom Credit Union is accepting monetary donations at all its branches to benefit the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, an Alzheimer’s Assoc. event held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide.

According to the Alzheimer’s Assoc., one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, and more than 6 million Americans are living with the disease. This year alone, Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the United States $345 billion — a number projected to rise to nearly $1 trillion in 2050.

“While those statistics demonstrate the tremendous national impact of Alzheimer’s disease, for many of us, this devastating disease is also intensely personal, robbing us and our loved ones of cherished memories and connections,” Freedom Credit Union President Glenn Welch said. “That’s why we’re moved to again support the Alzheimer’s Association in its mission to raise funds and awareness for a breakthrough in the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other forms of dementia.”

The Alzheimer’s Assoc. Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease.

Freedom Credit Union is accepting donations through Saturday, Sept. 30. Local walks in Western Mass. this year will be held in Adams on Saturday, Sept. 30 and Holyoke on Sunday, Oct. 15.

Fierst Bloomberg Ohm LLP Makes Two Appointments

By
Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Fierst Bloomberg Ohm recently announced a promotion and a new hire.

Mae Stiles has become a partner of the firm after joining the firm as of counsel in 2019. A Northampton native, she has more than 15 years of experience and has worked for major New York and San Francisco law firms in complex commercial litigation, including anti-trust and intellectual-property matters, as well as a wide variety of business, corporate, and licensing transactions. She returned to practice law in Northampton in 2017 and is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of Massachusetts, New York, and California.

Sadie Reynolds has joined the firm as a litigation associate. Previously, she was the Legal Clinic director at the Hampden County Bar Assoc., where she assisted pro se litigants in a variety of matters, including housing and civil litigation; represented parties in Western Division Housing Court; created and developed programs to assist the underserved in Western Mass.; and expanded access to justice and legal services. She is a trained mediator with experience assisting litigants in Springfield District Court, mediating small-claim and summary-process matters.

Bulkley Richardson Welcomes Four New Associates

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Bulkley Richardson recently welcomed Sean Buxton, Christa Calabretta, Allison Laughner, and Yevgeniy “Gene” Pilman to the firm.

Buxton will practice in the Litigation department. He earned a juris doctorate (JD), summa cum laude, from Western New England University School of Law in 2022. He also earned a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Princeton University. He spent the last year as a judicial law clerk for Judge Ariane Vuono of the Massachusetts Appeals Court and previously was an intern at the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office and the Superior Court of New Jersey.

Calabretta will focus her practice on Business and Healthcare matters. She is a 2023 graduate of the University of Connecticut School of Law and also earned a bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University and an associate degree from Suffolk County Community College.

Laughner will split her time between the Trusts & Estates and Family Law departments. She graduated from Western New England University School of Law in 2023, where she was on the Law Review staff. She also earned an MBA at Western New England University and a bachelor’s degree from Smith College.

Pilman will practice in both the Business and Real Estate departments. He earned a JD from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 2015, where he was a Cordozo Scholar, and a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from Hunter College City University of New York.

“Bulkley Richardson continues to expand, and attracting talented lawyers has proven to be a key to our success,” Managing Partner Dan Finnegan said. “Adding Gene as a lateral attorney, along with three first-year lawyers who were all graduates of our summer associate training program, strengthens the firm’s infrastructure and allows us to maintain the quality of work that we are able to provide from top to bottom.”

Financial Assistance Available for Farmers Who Suffered Crop Losses This Year

By
Daily News

BOSTON — The application for the Natural Disaster Recovery Program for Agriculture is now open. The program will provide financial assistance to farmers who suffered crop losses as a result of any of three 2023 natural disasters in Massachusetts: the Feb. 3-5 deep freeze that impacted a large amount of peach and stone-fruit production; the May 17-18 frost that impacted a large amount of apple production and vineyards; and the July 9-16 rainfall and flooding that impacted a large amount of vegetable crops, field crops, and hay and forage crops.

Farmers may apply by clicking here, and must provide information concerning the extent of their losses. An informational webinar will be held for interested applicants at on Friday, Sep. 8 at 9 a.m. Click here to register for the webinar. Applications close on Friday, Sept. 29.

“I am tremendously grateful that the Legislature is coming to the aid of our farmers in strong partnership with the Healey-Driscoll administration,” said state Sen. Jo Comerford, assistant vice chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and acting chair of the Joint Committee on Agriculture. “The $20 million in the fiscal year 2023 supplemental budget will support farmers who have experienced massive hardships and losses, from extreme flooding earlier this month to the frosts and freezes earlier this year.”

Bacon Wilson Shareholder Gina Barry Receives Certification in Elder Law

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Earlier this summer, the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), the only organization approved by the American Bar Assoc. to offer certification in elder law, announced that Bacon Wilson, P.C. attorney Gina Barry has successfully completed its examination leading to such certification.

Certification in elder law — one of the fastest-growing fields in the legal profession — will assure the public that the attorney has an in-depth working knowledge of the legal issues that impact the elderly.

Barry is now one of two Bacon Wilson attorneys to pass this certification exam. Attorney Hyman Darling earned his certification in elder law in 2008.

Two-time Academy Award Winner Ruth Carter Visiting Downtown Springfield on Sept. 8

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Art for the Soul Gallery will host a book signing with Springfield native and award-winning costume designer to celebrate the launch of her book, The Art of Ruth E. Carter: Costuming Black History and the Afrofuture, from Do the Right Thing to Black Panther.

The free event will take place on Friday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. at Tower Square, 1500 Main St., in the second-floor food court. Books will be available for purchase at Art for the Soul Gallery. Light refreshments will be provided by Nosh. Parking will be validated if off-street parking is not available. Attendees are invited to come dressed in the attire of one of Carter’s movie costumes.

“I’ve known Ruth for many years,” said Rosemary Tracy Woods, Art for the Soul Gallery executive director. “Her extraordinary talent was always evident. It was only a matter of time before the world would acknowledge her greatness.”

For three decades, Carter has shaped the story of the Black experience on screen, from the ’80s streetwear of Do the Right Thing to the royal regalia of Coming to America. Her work on Marvel’s Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever not only brought Afrofuturism to the mainstream, but also made her the first Black winner of an Oscar in costume design and the first Black woman to win two Academy Awards in any category. In 2021, she became the second-ever costume designer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The book signing will coincide with the completion of the Ruth Carter mural at Rebecca Johnson Elementary School in Mason Square.

This event is made possible with the help of sponsors and community partners including the office of Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, the Springfield Cultural Council, the Springfield Cultural Partnership, the Springfield Department of Health & Human Services, Smokey Joe’s, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Zi Zi Omega Chapter, Olive Tree, Common Wealth Murals, and TSM Design.

Whittlesey Named a 2023 Best of the Best Firm by INSIDE Public Accounting

By
Daily News

HARTFORD, Conn. — Whittlesey, an accounting, advisory, and technology firm, has been named a Best of the Best Firm by INSIDE Public Accounting (IPA), an award‐winning newsletter for the public-accounting profession. Whittlesey is the only Connecticut- and Western Mass.‐based firm to make this list.

“We are honored that IPA has recognized us as one of the Best of the Best Firms for the second consecutive year,” Managing Partner and CEO Drew Andrews said. “This prestigious award is a testament to our team’s pursuit of excellence and commitment to our clients and the trust they put in us each day.”

IPA’s annual Best of the Best list ranks top accounting firms with superior financial and operational performance in the most recent fiscal year. The firms are selected from nearly 600 firms across the U.S. and Canada. Selections for the list are based on more than 50 metrics related to firm growth, productivity, staff development, and more.

Along with being named a Best of the Best Firm, Whittlesey was also named a 2023 Top 200 Accounting Firm in the nation. There are more than 46,000 public accounting firms in the U.S.

Founded in Hartford in 1961, Whittlesey is one of the largest regional CPA and consulting firms in New England. With offices in Connecticut and Massachusetts, it provides a comprehensive array of advisory, assurance, tax, and technology services to a broad range of businesses and individuals.

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank Hires Joseph Maffuccio II as Vice President

By
Daily News

PITTSFIELD — Pittsfield Cooperative Bank recently hired Joseph Maffuccio II as vice president, branch administration.

Maffuccio joins the Co-op after an accomplished 16-year career with Greylock Federal Credit Union. While at Greylock, he held several retail, market, and business-development supervisory and manager positions, most recently as vice president, market manager.

“We are delighted to welcome Joe to our team,” said J. Jay Anderson, president and CEO of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank. “His strong leadership skills, retail knowledge, and regional contacts will certainly make him an asset to the bank.”

Maffuccio received his bachelor’s degree from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams. He is the past president of Tyler Street Business Group and currently coaches Pittsfield youth sports.

Glenmeadow Appoints Kathy Martin President and CEO

By
Daily News

LONGMEADOW — Glenmeadow, a provider of senior retirement lifestyle options, announced the appointment of Kathy Martin to the position of president and CEO, effective Oct. 1. She succeeds Anne Thomas in that role.

“After an extensive national search, the board of directors unanimously agreed that Dr. Martin’s exceptional leadership skills, extensive nonprofit experience, and proven track record of successful strategic planning and execution make her the ideal candidate to lead Glenmeadow’s continued transformative development,” said Amy Santarelli, chair of the Glenmeadow board of directors.

Martin brings to the role more than two decades of nonprofit leadership experience. She is currently assistant provost for Accreditation and Administration at UMass Amherst and previously served Springfield College in several roles, most recently chief of staff. Her experience in higher education includes prior posts at Bay Path University, Susquehanna University, and Bucknell University. Her volunteer leadership experience includes membership on the board of directors of Glenmeadow and Link to Libraries. She is also a corporator of Square One.

“I am deeply honored to have been selected as Glenmeadow’s next president and CEO,” Martin said. “The strengths of the organization are numerous, as are the parallels between higher education and senior living. I am eager to work with the talented staff and committed board to distinguish Glenmeadow as an exemplary community of choice. The future is certainly bright, and this opportunity is a perfect match with my commitment to serving and strengthening mission-driven organizations and communities. Getting to know the residents and their families is a high priority, and I’m looking forward to getting started. We are going to do great work together.”

Martin earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education (sport management) from Keene State College and her master’s degree in physical education (athletics administration) and doctor of physical education degree (with a specialization in sport psychology) from Springfield College.