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Month: July 2025

Construct Executive Director Jane Ralph to Step Down

By
Daily News

GREAT BARRINGTON — After nearly a decade of leadership, Jane Ralph will step down as executive director of Construct effective Aug. 29.

“This was not an easy decision,” she said. “My partner and I have called Berkshire County home for years now, and I am so proud of our work at Construct. However, the past year has been a time of reflection for us. After facing some family health challenges, and looking at where things stand in the world, we have decided that being close to relatives should be our main priority, so we are relocating to Madison, Wisconsin.”

Since assuming the role in 2016, Ralph has led significant growth in Construct’s services, including support to help people remain in their homes, temporary housing for families, the development of new affordable housing at Forest Springs in Great Barrington, and the county’s first co-living workforce housing at the Windflower in Egremont. Under her leadership, Construct has also expanded its housing navigation services for individuals and families facing housing insecurity.

“We’re all grateful for Jane’s leadership over the past nine years,” said Betty Farbman, board president. “She’s led with a lot of heart and a strong commitment to our community. Thanks to her, Construct is in a great place. We have a clear vision, a strong team, and a solid foundation to build on.”

Ralph will work closely with the executive committee in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition of leadership and to ease the staff and board into the next phase. The board of directors has formed a search committee for a new leader and will soon post the position for potential candidates to apply.

“I have full confidence that Construct will continue to thrive after my departure,” Ralph said, “and I am so grateful to all who have supported our work during my time here. Your support has truly made all the difference in our ability to provide affordable housing and housing support to our South Berkshire neighbors.”

An event will be held to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Ralph and her team over the past nine years. The event will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 11 a.m. at Construct’s main office, located at 316A State Road, Great Barrington. Community members and partners are invited to attend. To RSVP, or for more information about Construct and the upcoming leadership transition, visit www.constructberkshire.org.

Ventfort Hall Reclaims Historic Gardener’s Cottage

By
Daily News

LENOX — Ventfort Hall Gilded Age Mansion and Museum announced the acquisition of the original Gardener’s Cottage, known as the Huss House, once the residence of Gilded Age landscape architect John Huss. For the first time since the 1950s, the property is returning to the Ventfort Hall estate, restoring a vital piece of its original legacy.

In June, Ventfort Hall was granted the right of first refusal for the off-market sale of the cottage, located on Walker Street just a short walk from the main mansion. The board of directors and staff acted swiftly to secure the property, with the official signing taking place on July 29.

“This is more than a property acquisition — it’s the return of a lost chapter of our estate’s history,” said Wendy Healey, executive director of Ventfort Hall. “Reuniting the Huss House with the main estate is a powerful moment for all of us who cherish this place and its stories. It feels nothing short of miraculous.”

Ventfort Hall has developed a multi-phase plan for the restoration, maintenance, and reintegration of the Huss House into its operations. The vision includes transforming the property into a short-term vacation rental, allowing it to generate revenue for its own preservation while offering visitors an immersive, historically resonant experience.

“The Huss House adds a new dimension to our mission to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the Gilded Age,” Healey said. “We’re incredibly grateful for the board’s leadership and the passion of our supporters, without whom this wouldn’t be possible.”

Bay Path Names Megan Trinkle-Knotts Program Director for MS in Genetic Counseling

By
Daily News

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University announced the appointment of Megan Trinkle-Knotts as the new program director of the master of science in genetic counseling program, effective immediately.

Trinkle-Knotts brings nearly 20 years of experience in clinical genetics and genetic counseling education to the role. She began her career at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, where she worked in both prenatal and pediatric practice for nearly a decade. During her tenure, she helped develop a statewide Perinatal Loss Evaluation Program, which provided customized evaluation services for families experiencing stillbirth, and she co-led a Cord Blood Collection/Genetics Consultation Initiative aimed at avoiding missed diagnostic opportunities in newborns with anomalies or life-threatening conditions.

In 2015, she joined the Center for Genomic Advocacy at Indiana State University, where she played a foundational role in launching a new master’s in genetic counseling program and a Genetic Counseling Clinic focused on oncology and psychiatric genetics. In 2021, she joined Bay Path as assistant director and fieldwork coordinator, where she oversaw the development of clinical and fieldwork experiences for students nationwide.

“Megan’s background combines clinical excellence with a deep commitment to education and program development,” said Terry DeVito, dean of the School of Health & Natural Sciences at Bay Path. “We are thrilled to bring her experience and perspective to shape the program’s next era and continue to build upon our success.”

Trinkle-Knotts is an active contributor to the field through research, publications, and national leadership. She is involved with several professional organizations, including the Indiana Network of Genetic Counselors, the Genetic Counselor Educators Assoc., the National Society of Genetic Counselors, and the Indiana Maternal Mortality Review Committee. She earned her bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Indiana University and her master’s degree in genetic counseling from the Indiana School of Medicine.

Bay Path’s master of science in genetic counseling is part of the School of Health and Natural Sciences. As one of the largest genetic counseling programs in the country, enrollment is limited to 20 highly qualified students each year. With approximately 120 applicants annually, admission is both competitive and selective.

American International College to Host Registration Rush on Aug. 4

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) will host Registration Rush 2025 on Monday, Aug. 4, offering prospective students an opportunity to complete the enrollment process for the fall 2025 semester in one day.

From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., AIC’s Shea Memorial Library at 1000 State St. in Springfield will serve as a one-stop shop for prospective students. During the event, participants can receive an on-the-spot application review, meet one-on-one with an admissions counselor, receive assistance with completing the FAFSA, and register for fall classes.

Whether students have already been accepted to AIC but have not yet committed, or have not yet applied, Registration Rush is designed to help them take the next step toward beginning their college journey. Attendees may even leave the event with a completed class schedule.

“Registration Rush is about removing barriers and making the college enrollment process more accessible,” said Matthew Sykes, director of Admissions at AIC. “Whether a student is navigating financial aid or still deciding where to attend, we meet them where they are and help them take the next step. It’s all about providing real support, right when it’s needed most.”

Fall semester classes at AIC begin on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Participants are encouraged to pre-register for Registration Rush online at go.aic.edu/register/registrationrush2025. For more information, contact the AIC Admissions Office at (413) 205-3201 or [email protected].

Leadership, Commitment Mark Holyoke Schools’ Emergence from Receivership

By
Anthony Soto, interim school superintendent and former receiver in Holyoke.
Cover Story

Taking Back Control

Anthony Soto, interim school superintendent and former receiver in Holyoke.

Anthony Soto, interim school superintendent and former receiver in Holyoke.

As he talked about the Holyoke Public Schools’ emergence from a decade of receivership last month, Anthony Soto said that accomplishment results from several factors, but the overriding dynamic has been leadership.

That applies to the receiver’s office, the commissioner of Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE), Holyoke’s School Committee, the mayor’s office, and within the ranks of the city’s teachers, principals, and other administrators, said Soto, who has been the receiver for the past five years and is now interim superintendent in Holyoke, adding quickly that leadership will ultimately determine how this district performs moving forward.

And on that front, there are some question marks, he said, noting everything from the upcoming election this fall, at which every seat on the School Committee will be contested, to the superintendent’s office (a nationwide search will soon commence, and Soto declined comment on whether he will be a candidate) to the ongoing challenge of retaining teachers and principals everywhere, but especially in Holyoke.

Indeed, when asked if he was worried about backsliding from the systemic changes and resulting progress that enabled Holyoke to emerge from receivership, Soto said, “not with the leaders we have in place.”

He added, “I would worry if we suddenly had seven principals leave and three or four district leaders leave — then I would be very concerned. I’m confident with the School Committee that we have, but the unknown is what worries me.”

While there are questions about the future and what will happen with this school district, Soto and Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia certainly wanted to take a moment and reflect on Holyoke’s ability to emerge from receivership — something the two other districts placed in that same state (Lawrence and Southbridge) have yet to do.

“This had never been done before; there was no blueprint for this, and I believe that Holyoke has perhaps created a blueprint,” said Garcia, who made emergence from receivership a campaign pledge when he first ran for the office more than three years ago. “This is a big win for Holyoke; we’ve proven to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that we’re capable of self-managing our public schools.”

Soto agreed and said this return to local control is an accomplishment marked by dramatic improvement in the graduation rate — 52% to 77% — and progress on other fronts ranging from early literacy to reduced suspension rates; from restructuring of the schools in a middle-school model to the building of a new middle school, the city’s first new school construction in nearly 40 years.

MAYOR JOSHUA GARCIA

Mayor Joshua Garcia

“There’s a commitment from the district to continue our turn-around plan so that we don’t untangle any of the work over the past 10 years and go backward.”

That project was achieved despite the extreme challenge of a global pandemic that arrived as progress was building, isolating students and setting the district back several years, in Soto’s estimate, as it went about the work of transforming its schools, while also exacerbating a laundry list of stern societal challenges that have historically taxed students, families, teachers, and administrators alike.

“In a community like Holyoke, the pandemic just hits much harder,” he explained. “This community is already plagued with a high percentage of families living in transition or that are housing-displaced. We have a community living in poverty and with a high level of drug addiction … the things that our students have to go through in the community definitely have an impact when they walk through our doors. It’s hard; this isn’t a walk in the park.”

Garcia agreed, noting that, beyond the accomplishments in the classroom — where there is certainly still room for considerable improvement — Holyoke emerged from receivership by showing it has the commitment and leadership to manage its own schools and not slide back to the conditions that resulted in the state taking control.

“There’s a commitment from the district to continue our turn-around plan so that we don’t untangle any of the work over the past 10 years and go backward, and there’s a commitment from our committee to make sure we stay the course on that turnaround plan and continue the strategies that have achieved the progress we’ve seen,” he said, adding that these factors have enabled the city to earn the state’s trust when it comes to managing its schools.

“The Commonwealth can say, ‘the changes were made, they’re on a good path, they’re showing notable gain, there’s some strong leadership in their form of government,’” he went on. “Those buckets are what allowed the Commonwealth to say, ‘it’s time to transition to local control.’”

“When I first got here, there were 150 kids at Dean, and it was a dumping ground and at risk of closing. We have since invested in Dean and completely brought it to life; we now have over 400 kids attending, with more than 100 on the waitlist.”

For this issue and its focus on education, BusinessWest takes an in-depth look at how the Holyoke school system fell into receivership, how it emerged, and what happens next.

 

School of Thought

Soto was certainly familiar with Holyoke’s schools when he became the third receiver to oversee the system.

Indeed, he grew up in the city and graduated from Dean Tech High School. After working in Springfield Public Schools for several years, he became the chief of Finance and Operations for the Holyoke schools in 2016, soon after the system went into receivership.

When the first receiver left after more than five years in that role to take a position closer to home in the eastern part of the state, Soto was asked to take on that role, but declined, saying he didn’t think he was ready. But when the second receiver lasted only seven months, he was again asked to step in, and this time accepted the challenge.

And a stern challenge it was. Indeed, Holyoke met the basic criteria for entering receivership — chronic underperformance and not showing any improvement over time — and had the lowest graduation rate in the state and one of the highest drop-out rates.

“The state conducted reviews and determined that there needed to be some serious intervention to fix the systems and make sure there’s a foundation for high-quality instruction and to give our kids a shot,” said Soto, adding that he was working in Springfield when the Holyoke schools went into receivership, but was well aware of the factors that led to that decision.

With receivership, the receiver essentially takes on the duties of both the superintendent and school board, said Soto, which eliminates bureaucracy and politics, but places an enormous amount of power in the hands of one person, which may or may not work out depending on how committed that individual is and how much leadership that office provides.

How Holyoke emerged from receivership a decade later is an intriguing story, one that involves what both Garcia and Soto called a true partnership with the state, and especially with Russell Johnston, the former interim commissioner of ESE, to create a blueprint where none had existed before — and, even more importantly, to follow that blueprint.

“He came to every meeting of the local control subcommittee of the school board to map out a plan, and once we mapped out a plan with clear benchmarks, we executed,” Garcia explained, adding that this execution prompted the state to remove a provisional transition to local control this spring and make it permanent. “We hit our benchmarks, and we did what we said we were going to do.”

That sentiment applies to everything from progress in the classrooms to a capacity-building plan that would assure a smooth transition to local control and enable the city to hit the ground running on July 1, to a commitment to strong, local governance that would hopefully prevent a return to the conditions that put Holyoke in receivership.

As he talked about those improvements registered in the classroom, Soto said there have been many, including curriculum changes, a sharp reduction in drop-out rates, and improvement in graduation rates, attributable to creative efforts to keep students from falling through the cracks.

“Overall, we have shifted our mindset as a district that we are not giving up on our kids and doing everything we can to re-engage them when they are at risk of dropping out,” he said, citing initiatives such as the Opportunity Academy. This is designed for students who are “over-aged and under-credited,” said Soto, adding that, in the past, these students would just drop out, but now they can re-engage through a more personalized path that enables them to attain credits and graduate.

There has also been what he called a revival at his alma mater, Dean Tech. “When I first got here, there were 150 kids at Dean, and it was a dumping ground and at risk of closing,” he told BusinessWest. “We have since invested in Dean and completely brought it to life; we now have over 400 kids attending, with more than 100 on the waitlist.”

Another dramatic change was the restructuring of the city’s schools (accompanied by rezoning), moving away from the long-entrenched K-8 model to a middle-school model, punctuated by the building of the new William R. Peck Middle School, which will serve 550 students across grades 6-8.

 

Grade Expectations

As he offered BusinessWest a tour of the new facility, where construction crews were working on the finishing touches, Soto said there were certainly some growing pains with the restructuring and rezoning, but those changes are starting to pay dividends.

Garcia agreed, and said the building of Peck, as well as other investments made in city schools, represent a change of tone within Holyoke and provide more evidence that the city is ready, willing, and able to manage its schools.

“The fact that we got unanimous support from the City Council for that project … that never happened before,” he said. “I was on the school board when I was 23, 24 years old. The amount of investment we’re doing in our public school buildings, including building the new middle school, was never done before; it was always ‘let’s kick the can down the road.’ It wasn’t prioritized.”

There are many new priorities, said Soto, citing, among them, professional development and other measures to attract and retain teachers and principals and maintain the strong levels of leadership that helped enable the city’s schools to emerge from receivership.

“One of my theories of action is that, if you have a strong principal and you give them the tools and resources, they need to improve the quality of instruction, which will have an impact on student achievement,” he explained. “We’ve invested heavily in developing our leaders.”

These investments, as well as curriculum changes and other steps, have helped create the “Holyoke way of doing things,” as Soto put it.

“This is how we’re going to get out instruction, these are the teaching strategies we want teachers to use, and when we walk through classrooms, this is what we expect to see,” he explained. “Our leaders have been doing a very good job implementing those practices.”

“One of my theories of action is that, if you have a strong principal and you give them the tools and resources, they need to improve the quality of instruction, which will have an impact on student achievement.”

Looking ahead, Soto and Garcia said the plan is to … well, keep following the blueprint, stay on the path that led to the return of local control, build on what’s been accomplished, and address areas where progress has been elusive, such as MCAS scores.

“We’re starting to hit our stride now,” Soto said. “With students, we have a strong focus on early literacy, our graduation rate is up to 77%, we have strong strategies in place … we’ve invested well over $130 million in our schools. We’ve been working on all those things over the past three years, and we’re finally starting to see some promising data.”

Garcia agreed. “Are we where we want to be right now as far as performance? No, but have we shown incremental gain and progress? Yes,” said the mayor, adding that the right systems and leadership are in place for continued improvement.

Meanwhile, Holyoke’s progress over the past several years, and its eventual emergence from receivership, has caught the attention of the other two school systems still under state control, Garcia said, adding that the School Committee continued to meet every month for 10 years, despite the presence of a receiver, and it also met regularly with the various receivers.

This commitment and level of collaboration does not exist in Lawrence and Southbridge to his knowledge, the mayor noted, adding that this page is one of many that those communities could, and should, take from Holyoke’s playbook.

Or its blueprint. As he said, there wasn’t one for a community emerging from receivership. But now, Holyoke has created one.

Senior Planning Guide 2025

By
Senior Planning Special Coverage Special Publications

When BusinessWest and the Healthcare News first started publishing an annual Senior Planning Guide, the idea wasn’t to create a roadmap to the end of life, though it could, in some sense, be described as such. Along with information about financial planning, care options, and family conversations, the idea was also to express that the retirement years should be a rich, rewarding, and robust time. It’s a topic of interest for an increasing number of individuals and families. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Americans age 65 and older — which was 35 million in 2000, just 12% of the population — will reach 74 million by 2030, or 21% of U.S. residents. That’s a lot of people. And a lot of planning. And a lot of living left to enjoy. In this year’s guide, we bring you perspectives on everything from Medicare plans, food insecurity, and important health issues, like stroke, to local options for in-home care, adult day programs, and more, as well as why it’s so imortant to stay active and have fun well into the retirement years. In short, stories about the questions families are grappling with every day. After all, these years should be an enjoyable time, highlighted by special moments with family and friends, the freedom to engage in a range of activities, maybe even a chance to develop new interests and hobbies. Hopefully, the 2025 Senior Planning Guide will be a helpful resource in that process.    

 

Go HERE to view the Digital Interactive 2025 Senior Planning Guide

 

The Serious Business of Joy

Why Having Fun Is Essential to Healthy Aging >> Read More

 

A Shared Responsibility

Let’s Work Together to Address Senior Food Insecurity   >> Read More

 

Decisions, Decisions

What to Look for in Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans  >> Read More

  

Having the Talk

Ten Tips on How to Approach a Difficult Topic  >> Read More

 

Opening Hearts and Homes

Adult Family Care Offers Numerous Benefits  >>  Read More

 

Benefits of In-home Care

How It Supports Independence for Older Adults  >> Read More

 

Keeping the Pace

Mercy LIFE Aims to Improve Seniors’ Overall Wellness  >>  Read More

 

All About Stroke

The Medical Emergency That Doesn’t Discriminate  >> Read More

 

The Basics of IRMAA

How Does This Surcharge Impact Your Medicare?  >> Read More

 

Senior Resources

These Nonprofits Can Help Families with Care Planning  >> Read More

 

Linda Dulye Envisions Harmony Between Technology, Human Connection

By
Features Special Coverage

The Blended Workplace

As companies grapple with the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) and other disruptive technologies, the conversations tend to focus on productivity and efficiency.

Linda Dulye wants companies to think about something else: the human element.

“I’ve seen it in my clients; there’s this rush, this FOMO — ‘we’ve got to get this injection of AI,’” she told BusinessWest, using the popular acronym for ‘fear of missing out.’ “This reminds me a lot of when I was working with General Electric and also AlliedSignal — when Lean and Six Sigma were unfolding, we were on the front end of it; we were the pioneers. And there was this rush.”

And her current concern surrounding AI is the same concern she had then — and has expressed with clients over the years when discussing those efficiency models — which is whether the human element is being squeezed out of the discussion.

“You can come in with all the tools, all the technology that is going to improve processes, and we’re going to take what was 10 steps down to three steps, but that can be daunting and scary for many people. So you still have to have a degree of human connection, collaboration, and communication.

“A lot of my work has been centered on, how do we get people to understand the new technology that’s coming in? Automatically there’s a barrier — ‘we’ve been doing this for 10 years; what do you mean I have to change?’”

Dulye — who launched her management consultancy, Dulye & Co., in 1998 to help business leaders and their organizations cultivate cultures where people want to stay and grow — has turned her thoughts on the coming AI revolution into a concept called the Blended Workplace, which she calls a “human-centered approach that harmonizes the benefits of advanced technology with the in-the-moment power of digital minimalism.”

In short, she said a technology-first, people-second mindset is costing companies dearly and pulling leaders away from making critical investments in human connection and communication.

“You can come in with all the tools, all the technology that is going to improve processes, and we’re going to take what was 10 steps down to three steps, but that can be daunting and scary for many people.”

“AI is essential for business success — so is human interaction,” Dulye notes on her website. “The current AI surge feels eerily similar to the Lean and Six Sigma boom. Back then, companies realized that even the most powerful productivity tools couldn’t succeed without real, person-to-person communication. The same holds true today: when workplace connections erode, so do trust and teamwork.”

In a wide-ranging conversation with BusinessWest recently, she explained that people love new bells and whistles in, say, their cars, but not so much at work.

“That’s kind of scary for many people. So that’s why I developed this concept of the Blended Workplace — it’s helping organizations understand they’ve got to devote time with human beings, helping them understanding why we’re doing this, showing them how this augments their skills and doesn’t make them obsolete.”

Linda Dulye

Linda Dulye says any process improvement has to be accompanied by human connection, collaboration, and communication.

On the contrary, the goal is to show team members how to adapt to new technology and new models and make themselves even more valuable to the company.

“That’s ultimately what we’d love to have people do. But we all don’t operate the same,” Dulye went on. “It’s not like flicking a switch and saying, ‘OK, on Monday, we’re going to be utilizing this new AI technology,’ and you’re like, ‘wait, what? What’s going on?’ We want to help people understand why we’re doing it, what it means to them in their job, and how to get comfortable with it. You have to help people.”

 

Change Agent

The Blended Workplace fits well with the overarching philosophy of Dulye & Co., a concept (and movement) known as the Spectator-Free Workplace, which emphasizes investments in human connection and communication in the workplace — in short, being engaged at work and not just a spectator.

Dulye’s new message with the Blended Workforce concept is underscored by a few insights:

• Employee fatigue is real. Endless screen time and nonstop notifications are burning employees out. Her company’s research shows employee engagement is steadily declining, echoing Gallup’s report of a 10-year low in 2024. Making matters worse, only 56% of employees believe their leaders genuinely care about their well-being, according to a Deloitte survey.

• Gen Z, in particular, is unplugging. The rising generation of professionals values authenticity and meaningful relationships over algorithms. CNBC reports that Gen Z craves in-person interaction — especially new graduates, who’d rather learn company norms from colleagues than scroll TikTok.

• Connection drives performance. Whether in person or with cameras on, face-to-face interaction builds trust, ignites creativity, and strengthens accountability.

One Dulye & Co. client boosted engagement and productivity by more than 50% in less than a year simply by transforming team meetings with no-frills fixes like employees helping to set agendas, tackling tough issues head-on, and recognizing peer contributions, she noted.

“We want to help people understand why we’re doing it, what it means to them in their job, and how to get comfortable with it. You have to help people.”

Meanwhile, Dulye told BusinessWest, workers from different generations have different responses to — and tolerances of — major change, especially technological change, in the workplace.

“There’s always a new wave. Do you remember when computers happened? I’m old enough to remember the pink slip. I came in my office — I was a reporter then — and saw who called, and now I had to return a call. Well, the person who wrote that doesn’t exist anymore. And neither does the pink slip.”

The idea, she went on, is that change of any kind is constant in the workplace, and in the rush to apply new tools and technologies to be more efficient, companies aren’t spending enough time on the people side to help everyone navigate change — especially dramatic change like AI, which is much more disruptive than ditching written phone messages.

“These tools are only effective when people are working collaboratively, when they understand them together,” she explained. “We all are gaining efficiencies with these new tools that help us work better together collectively, not just individually. So you’ve got to spend time as a team really figuring out, how do we work these tools into our own practices? And that involves communication between team members.”

Moreover, Dulye added, “we’ve got to understand all the different nuances that affect learning it, applying it, and feeling comfortable enough that I want to advance this; you’re going to have different roadblocks than me, just because of our experiences. But that’s the kind of discussion a team needs to do together. Leaders need to spend time helping their organizations know why we are doing this.”

Dulye said there’s an opportunity to promote this kind of conversation with Gen Z, whom many people assume want to live behind screens — a stereotype she said isn’t true. “I feel bad for this generation because they actually want more connections than maybe Boomers do or or some of Gen X.”

But connections are harder in general during the new age of remote and (more commonly) hybrid schedules, which make it more of a challenge for leaders to promote communication in the office. But she said hybrid arrangements are a net positive in many ways.

“I think the flexibility factor is strong. Unless you do a lot of work in manufacturing, or have a job where you have to physically be there — like hospitality — I think you have to have a hybrid schedule. I see models where having an in-person requirement on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday is very effective.

“It’s not just getting people to come in, but being very deliberate and intentional about what we are doing to create more team-based experiences.”

“But here’s the thing,” she went on. “Just because we’re coming in doesn’t mean we’re working more collaboratively together. Just coming in doesn’t mean you and I will cross paths. So it’s not just getting people to come in, but being very deliberate and intentional about what we are doing to create more team-based experiences.”

That goes back to Dulye’s original business concept, the Spectator-Free Workplace.

“People want experiences at work that make them feel, one, I’m valued; two, I really like the team I’m with; and three, I really do like the company I work for. But it takes an experience. If you’re still operating on routines that you’ve been doing the last five years, that’s building a spectator-filled workplace. And it’s not beneficial. It’s just people coming into work, showing their faces, and really not interacting. So I’m all for the hybrid workplace — with very intentional team experiences.”

 

Beyond Meetings

Dulye concedes, of course, that hybrid schedules create a more challenging environment for business leaders when it comes to in-office interaction, but that it’s still possible to create a healthy, connected workplace even if employees are at home part of the time.

One strategy are team meetings where everyone is expected to contribute.

“It’s not OK to have a team meeting where three people out of 20 are talking, and everyone else just sits there doing something else, and says, ‘yeah, pass, I have nothing going on.’ Really? If you’re paying me and one week has gone by and I have no new information to contribute to my team, there’s something wrong. That’s not acceptable,” she said.

“If you’re getting together as a team once a week for 30 minutes, everyone’s got to bring something they learned, maybe something they didn’t expect that happened, maybe even just a recognition of a team member, but everyone has to contribute. You don’t get a pass.”

Getting back to communication around AI, she said some employees are worried about the implications on job security, but those concerns existed when Lean and Six Sigma came into being as well.

“People were all concerned about, ‘well, if we take 10 steps and go to five, how many jobs is that?’ So this is not new. I think people need to understand this is not a new phenomenon. People have always been fearful that technology can reduce jobs when it makes work more efficient.

“Again, it’s how do you see yourself being able to utilize that technology in a role that you still want? Or, maybe you want to think about a new role that requires skill sets you have and want to grow, but maybe isn’t as affected by AI. I mean, AI won’t affect us all at the same rate. It affects us all, but by different degrees.”

Walt Tomala Helps Students Discover Passion for Construction

By
Walt Tomala (center) with apprentices Ben Harrington (left) and Matt Ganhao.
Construction Special Coverage

Spark of Youth

Walt Tomala (center) with apprentices Ben Harrington (left) and Matt Ganhao.

Walt Tomala (center) with apprentices Ben Harrington (left) and Matt Ganhao.

 

While he was already interested in the construction field, Matt Ganhao had never actually been on a job site before starting a co-op with TNT General Contracting in Westfield, which he procured through the Lower Pioneer Valley Career Technical Education Center, or CTEC.

“I was really excited — it was a new experience for me,” he told BusinessWest. “Once I finally got to work out in the field and actually get to see what goes into building a deck or building stairs, doing a roof, whatever, it really sparked something in my mind that maybe this is something that I want to do. And then, as I kept working my co-op apprenticeship, I decided I want to go full-time.”

That’s music to the ears of Walt Tomala, president of TNT, who has brought a number of teenagers onto job sites for lengthy co-op experiences in order to introduce them to a career path that, both locally and nationally, is in desperate need of young talent, as retirements continue to outpace new workers.

Tomala understands a youthful passion for this work; he started his company right out of high school and has done everything from changing screen doors to large remodels, additions, new homes, and even two Extreme Makeover builds.

“We’ve tried different strategies and different business models,” he explained. “And one that I just kept coming back to is working with our youth. Someone put some time and energy into me and helped me along the way, and if I didn’t have that, I don’t know that I’d be here and still loving the industry the way I do, or as passionate about it.”

“Once I finally got to work out in the field and actually get to see what goes into building a deck or building stairs, doing a roof, whatever, it really sparked something in my mind that maybe this is something that I want to do.”

Ben Harrington will be entering his junior year at Westfield Technical Academy this fall and already has real-world construction experience outside the shop environment at school.

“I just like being out here, working on different things, learning new skills — and I feel like being in this trade is very good for me,” he said, adding that it’s beneficial to learn from both teachers in school and construction professionals on job sites. “It’s good to know multiple people’s ways. If I ask Walt questions, he’ll give me different answers than somebody else, but if I listen to both answers, it helps me a lot. And it feels good knowing I’m doing something right for Walt.”

And that’s one thing Tomala emphasizes with his apprentices — the gratification of a job well done and understanding the why as much as the how.

“We do certain things all day, every day, and it can feel like the same thing over and over. But we take the time and make it our mission to make sure everybody understands why we’re doing this and why it’s so important,” he explained.

“They have to understand the passion that we have,” he went on. “No employee is ever going to be as passionate as you are about your business, but they can be as passionate about the industry. And it may mean they move on and start their own company or become a subcontractor. Or it may mean they just really embrace our beliefs and passions and then stay with us for as long as they choose to. There’s plenty of room for growth.”

Ganhao, who graduated from both West Springfield-based CTEC and Ludlow High School this past spring, is already convinced.

“I don’t really want to go to school and learn a different trade; I did decide that I want to go full-time,” he said. “It’s a new experience, and it’s something that not everyone’s going to like. But if you’re interested in the industry, this is something you should try out.”

Walt Tomala gives some instruction to Ben Harrington on a job site in Westfield.

Walt Tomala gives some instruction to Ben Harrington on a job site in Westfield.

When he was 16, Tomala said, he didn’t know if this was the industry for him; he needed exposure and experience.

“These young people should have an opportunity to really learn, and not just be kind of barked orders at. They’re full employees, on payroll, and we also teach them the whole finance component — how to open up checking accounts, getting direct deposits. So we’re preparing them for the real world, no matter what they choose to do. And hopefully, it’s construction.”

 

Desire to Inspire

Tomala has served in leadership with local, state, and national trade organizations, with the overall goal of “just kind of making sure that we’re all doing things the right way, the proper way.”

And building things to code is only the bare minimum, he added. “It’s like graduating with a D. You still pass, but did you do a great job? Our focus is showing everybody that it doesn’t have to be difficult — that it really can be an easy transition to just doing things better. It’s about collaborating with the right manufacturers and the right products and finding the systems that really work for you.”

That philosophy carries over to the way he mentors young people in the field. “I think my message to other builders out there is, take the time; put the energy in. Don’t show them just how to dig a hole, but why we dig that hole and, better yet, the importance of doing it right before we have to dig a hole. Make sure the foundation’s sealed correctly; make sure the roof is put on with all the right underlayments; make sure the windows are taped and sealed.

“Someone put some time and energy into me and helped me along the way, and if I didn’t have that, I don’t know that I’d be here and still loving the industry the way I do, or as passionate about it.”

“I’ve found, throughout my years, that a lot of times, we get some older people in the industry who just wanted to do a job. They didn’t want to learn how. So I sit on the board for three trade schools [Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy in Springfield is the third] because I want these young folks while they’re fresh, while they’re still excited. And the program we implement is, ‘hey, come on board. Come on for the summer; see if you like it. You’re in a trade school right now, but you might not know if this is the industry for you.’”

The backdrop to all these efforts, of course, is a persistent shortage of construction talent, which is why Tomala values apprenticeship.

“It’s not just important; it’s critical. I think we’ve been talking about this as an industry for 15 years,” he said, noting that Fine Homebuilding magazine has a program called Keep the Craft Alive, through which contractors donate funds to help support trade schools and improve their offerings.

“We’re now at a point where most of my subcontractors are going to age out and retire, and we just don’t have enough of the youth understanding how important this industry is, how rewarding it is, and how you can make an extremely good living here,” he said.

Matt Ganhao checks out a residential basement crack.

Matt Ganhao checks out a residential basement crack.

“It’s not like, ‘oh, you’re a roofer, so you’re only going to get paid so much,’” he went on. “No, there’s a really, really good paycheck at the end of the day, especially when you know what you’re doing and you deliver on the expectations. And that’s why it’s so important to know what the client wants and to be able to deliver on that. I’m not saying it’s the right fit for everybody, but I want to remind the world that the are companies out here taking the reins and giving these young folks an opportunity.”

 

World of Experience

Tomala said his influence on local young people interested in construction started with visits to the trade schools.

“They wanted someone to come in and talk, to just inspire students overall. And that worked out pretty nicely. I’d spend two hours with the students, and I enjoyed it,” he recalled. “But it wasn’t until after COVID that I was like, you know what? I get to see these kids for a day, but there should be more of a connection, and there should be more of an avenue for them to get to us.

“So I sat down with a lot of the teachers and said, ‘this is what I want to do, this is what I want my business model to be, and is there an opportunity for us to collaborate and to bring students on?’” I also said, ‘I don’t want to stop them from going to other places as well, but I’d like them to have an opportunity to interview with me, to just sit down to see if we’re a good fit or not.’”

“There’s a really, really good paycheck at the end of the day, especially when you know what you’re doing and you deliver on the expectations. And that’s why it’s so important to know what the client wants and to be able to deliver on that.”

He had nothing but praise for the teachers and programs in those schools. “Students are coming out with real knowledge. They’ve got some really great, committed teachers who are getting that curriculum going and inspiring the youth coming through that program.”

Ganhao said his classmates in Ludlow have been curious about his real-world experience.

“I’ve been asked questions like, ‘is that something you’re going to do for the rest of your life? Are you just doing it just for the heck of it? What’s up with that?’ And I feel like kids are missing out on the opportunities,” he said. “I feel like it should be more publicized because a lot of kids do want to try out a trade.”

Tomala it’s easy to become passionate about construction on actual job sites, finishing real projects. He was working with Ganhao and Harrington on a home in Westfield the day they spoke with BusinessWest, repairing a basement leak and replacing windows and shutters; a third apprentice, also from Westfield Technical Academy, wasn’t on the job that day.

“I think it’s rewarding for them to be able to start something and finish it and see that completed project because, often in the school system, they don’t get to complete a project in full,” Tomala noted. “And they’re learning how to work with each other in different skill sets and different personalities. They’re all having such a good time doing it, and it’s just such a good experience overall.

“I want them to form relationships and friendships and to just understand that the client is a human being — everything we do, whether it’s a deck or a whole house, is for somebody else,” he added. “It might be a small project to us, but it’s their entire world at one point in time. So they get that feeling of satisfaction and camaraderie, understanding how important it is to the client.”

And, hopefully, they find a passion they can turn into a career, in a field where young talent remains elusive.

“Just being able to see the customer at the end, satisfied with our work,” Ganhao added, “it’s something else.”

Easthampton Grapples with Growing Pains

By
Burns Maxey in the balcony of the second-floor performance space.
Community Spotlight Special Coverage

Community Spotlight

Burns Maxey in the balcony of the second-floor performance space.

Burns Maxey in the balcony of the second-floor performance space.

An architect’s rendering of the new entrance and elevator at Old Town Hall, home to CitySpace.

An architect’s rendering of the new entrance and elevator at Old Town Hall, home to CitySpace.

Salem Derby says he certainly didn’t see this coming.

Easthampton’s City Council President was at a meeting with Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, executive assistant Lindsi Sekula, and City Solicitor Mark Tanner, expecting conversation about municipal matters, when LaChapelle informed him that she would leaving to become the state’s Conservation and Recreation commissioner. And he would be serving as interim mayor.

“It was a complete surprise, and it was really quick — she said she’d be leaving in six days,” said Derby, an elementary school teacher, adding that he plans to be in City Hall something approaching full time this summer, but will maneuver around his classroom schedule once school starts, working afternoons, weekends, and in the morning if needed.

He’ll only be in the corner office until the November election (he won’t be a candidate for the job), and over the next four and a half months, he plans to provide stability, keep things running “as drama-free and interference-free as possible,” and, well, keep the ball rolling, if you will.

Indeed, Easthampton is a community in demand, and it has been this way for a while now, a pattern that brings with it some opportunities, but also stern challenges, as Derby, who has been on the council for more than 20 years, well knows.

“Housing is huge — the ability for people to find affordable housing is something I’ve been focused on the entire time I’ve been on the council,” he said, adding that the challenge extends across the housing spectrum, from potential homebuyers facing spiraling prices and limited inventory to renters in some of the bigger complexes — many of which have been sold to larger corporations — encountering increases that are pretty significant.

“There was a large group of renters and tenants outside of City Hall yesterday; they had a meeting and a little bit of a rally,” he explained. “There’s a push for the council to help the Legislature push for rent control.”

This housing crunch, and LaChapelle’s exit for the State House, are just two of the many converging story lines in Easthampton. Others include:

• Several projects in various stages of development to bring more housing on the market. These include, as we’ll see, everything from conversion of three closed elementary schools to the reimagining of more former mills;

• The start of redevelopment of the Tasty Top site on Route 10, a highly anticipated and somewhat controversial project that begins with a new Greenfield Savings Bank branch and also includes a gymnastics center, a daycare facility, retail, and a large residential component;

• The start of the second phase of redevelopment of the old Town Hall into CitySpace, what its leaders call a “thriving arts ecosystem.” This phase includes a new entranceway and elevator that will open the door, quite literally, to phase 3, renovations to the second-floor auditorium for concerts and other performances and events;

• New leadership at the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce. Jon Kostek took the helm almost two months ago, and has established goals to continue growing membership; bring more users to WorkHub on Union, a co-working space at the chamber offices that opened roughly a year ago; and make more and better use of digital platforms to promote the chamber and its services, and, hopefully, engage more young business owners;

• Zoning changes to accommodate short-term rentals, a move that brings the community in line with what most other cities and towns have done and helps meet recognized need; and

• Plans for a new music performance venue at the site of a former massage school, an undertaking being spearheaded by the Heavy Culture Cooperative, a project that will, with the nearby CitySpace, create more vibrancy in the downtown area and serve to connect the downtown with the neighboring mills and the cultural activities taking place there.

For this latest installment of its Community Spotlight series, BusinessWest takes an in-depth look at Easthampton and how it continues to be in demand and cope with its growing pains.

 

Supply and Demand

Allyson Manuel was drawn to Easthampton by its many selling points — a vibrant arts community, an increasingly eclectic downtown area, a small-city feel, recreation, and more.

Formerly town planner in West Springfield, she and her husband settled here five years ago after considering several potential landing spots, and she became the city’s director of Planning and Community Development last December.

She can attest to spiraling home prices and a shortage of inventory, and how this surge is creating challenges.

“There’s a lot of demand. A lot of people want to be here, which is wonderful; it’s clearly indicative of a good quality of life and quality of place,” she told BusinessWest. “But it does come with challenges. Affordability is an issue for anyone looking to buy a house anywhere right now, but especially in Easthampton and Hampshire County.

“So, we’re reckoning with that and also with making sure we’re not pricing out residents that have been here for many, many years,” she went on. “And for the rental market, there’s been quite a pinch.”

“There’s a lot of demand. A lot of people want to be here, which is wonderful; it’s clearly indicative of a good quality of life and quality of place. But it does come with challenges. Affordability is an issue for anyone looking to buy a house anywhere right now, but especially in Easthampton and Hampshire County.”

Indeed, the housing market in the community is exceedingly tight across the board, and both Manuel and Derby hope and expect that the many projects promising to bring a mix of housing will serve to loosen things up a little.

Projects in various stages of development include Growing Green, a rural project just off Main Street, an initiative slowed by an appeal filed by neighbors but still progressing, with the number of planned units reduced from 87 to the mid-60s, said Manuel, adding that another project involves development of more property within the massive Ferry Street complex, specifically Building 11, where 96 units of housing are planned.

An architect’s rendering of the residential component slated to be built on the site of the former Tasty Top on Route 10.

An architect’s rendering of the residential component slated to be built on the site of the former Tasty Top on Route 10.

Another initiative involves redevelopment of the former Notre Dame Church and surrounding properties on Pleasant Street into approximately 42 ‘townhouse’ units, said Manuel, adding that several of these units will be in the church itself.

“I think those will be really cool units when they’re done,” she said, adding that other structures on the property will be razed to make way for new construction.

At the 34-acre Tasty Top site, housing (more than 200 planned apartments, a mix of market rate and affordable) is one of many components to a project being undertaken by developer Frank DeMarinis, said Derby, adding that more than 100 units are expected to be created through redevelopment of the three shuttered elementary schools.

These projects and other smaller initiatives are expected to make a real dent in overall need, he went on, and relieve pressure on existing inventory.

“Once all these are completed, I think the amount of housing in Easthampton will increase so significantly that I’m hoping it will make a real impact on affordability and access to quality housing,” the interim mayor said. “I’m hoping this can potentially be a catalyst for people who need affordable housing and maybe take a little pressure of some of the other units in Easthampton.”

Manuel agreed. “We have some challenges ahead of us, absolutely, but we also have a strong foundation that not all communities have to work from,” she said. “We have a lot of social capital — people that live in the city are very involved, they care about their neighbors, they care about the well-being of the city at large. And that goes a long way toward solving these types of problems. I don’t think it will happen overnight, but the fact that people care enough is a really valuable tool to have in the toolbox.”

 

Art and Soul

As she walked with BusinessWest up to the balcony of the auditorium in the old Town Hall, Burns Maxey gestured with her hand to the space below.

“You can imagine the possibilities,” she said of this space, which has sat idle for the better part of a decade and a half now.

The key to unlocking its full potential as a resource for the community is accessibility, said Maxey, who was honored by BusinessWest with its Difference Makers award in 2023 for her efforts to transform the landmark, opened in 1869, into CitySpace, adding that such access is at the heart of phase 2 of the ongoing project.

Designed by Amherst-based Kuhn Riddle Architects and construction work being handled by West Springfield-based Keiter, the $3.9 million project to build a new entrance and elevator is expected to take about 18 months, said Maxey, adding that, as this initiative is undertaken, a capital campaign continues to raise funds for the third phase.

Jon Kostek

Jon Kostek says one of his goals for the Greater Easthampton Chamber is growth of its WorkHub on Union.

Backing up a little, she said phase 1 included infrastructure work and conversion of the ground floor into an arts hub, with performance space (an area called the Blue Room) and several tenants, including Big Red Frame, a gallery, and Easthampton City Arts, the arts organization within the city’s Planning Department.

Phase 2 has been in the planning stages for several years and was delayed somewhat by bids for construction that came in higher than originally anticipated. With additional support in the form of an underutilized properties grant from MassDevelopment, the agency went out to bid again, with Keiter prevailing.

Easthampton at a Glance

Year Incorporated: 1785
Population: 16,211
Area: 13.6 square miles
County: Hampshire
Residential Tax Rate: $13.67
Commercial Tax Rate: $13.67
Median Household Income: $45,185
Median Family Income: $54,312
Type of Government: Mayor, City Council
Largest Employers: Berry Plastics Corp., INSA, Williston Northampton School, National Nonwovens Co.

The new entranceway and elevator have been designed to provide access, but also preserve the architectural and historic integrity of the building, said Maxey, including the staircases at the front of the structure, which is similar in many ways to Chicopee’s City Hall and designed by the same architect, Charles Parker.

As for phase 3, the projected cost is expected to approach $7 million, said Maxey, adding that work covers a wide spectrum, including the ceiling, lighting, sound baffling, asbestos remediation, sprinkler and fire suppression systems, bathroom renovations, creation of a green room and offices, and more.

Fundraising continues, and the stated goal is certainly a challenge, but Maxey is confident that the community will continue to support the initiative.

“We have a ways to go — we’re about halfway there,” she conceded, adding that the overall price tag for the project has soared from roughly $6 million to more than $11 million, mostly due to inflation and rising construction costs.

Once funding is secured, she believes phase 3 can be completed in perhaps 18 months, ushering in the next chapter in the story of CitySpace.

 

Making Connections

As for next chapters, the Easthampton chamber is writing itself, with Kostek taking the helm after long-time executive director Moe Belliveau stepped down earlier this year.

Kostek said he was looking for a new challenge after his position with the United States Tennis Assoc. New England was eliminated.

He said his work at the USTA, much of it focused program development for young people, is similar to his new role at the chamber in that they both involve relationship building.

“One of the things I liked most about my work with USTA was meeting people and developing relationships, and I think a lot of these same things apply here, at the chamber … meeting with members and discussing with them what the chamber offers and what we can do moving forward.”

Kostek said he’s spent much of the time since his arrival getting to know the community, meeting with his members, and gauging what they like, dislike, and want more of.

In that last category are face-to-face networking opportunities, he said, adding that he plans to add such events, including After-5s and more Coffee and Connections events at the WorkHub, to the calendar.

Also on his to-do list is growing overall membership and especially membership for WorkHub on Union. The facility has attracted only a few regular users to date, he said, adding that he plans to more aggressively market it across multiple platforms to get the word out.

“It’s a great space, and I think there is a real need for facilities like this,” he said, noting that there are several workstations, as well as a shared conference room, kitchen, and other facilities. “And it’s open 24/7.”

Senior Resources

By Contributor
Senior Planning

These Nonprofits Can Help Families with Care Planning

These regional and statewide nonprofits can help families make decisions and access resources related to elder care planning.

AARP Massachusetts
1 Beacon St., #2301, Boston, MA 02108
(866) 448-3621;
states.aarp.org/region/massachusetts
Administrator: Mike Festa
Services: AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, social-welfare organization with a membership of nearly 38 million that advocates for the issues that matter to families, such as healthcare, employment and income security, and protection from financial abuse

Access Care Partners
4 Valley Mill Road, Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 538-9020; www.accesscarepartners.org
Administrator: Roseann Martoccia
Services: Provides an array of in-home and community services to support independent living; interdisciplinary team approach to person-centered care; information, referrals, and options counseling as well as volunteer opportunities available; primary service area includes Holyoke, Chicopee, Granby, South Hadley, Belchertown, Ludlow, and Ware, as well as other surrounding communities

The Conversation Project and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement
53 State St., 19th Floor, Boston, MA 02109
(617) 301-4800; www.theconversationproject.org
Administrator: Kate DeBartolo
Services: The Conversation Project is dedicated to helping people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care; its team includes five seasoned law, journalism, and media professionals who are working pro bono alongside professional staff from the Instititute for Healthcare Improvement

Elder Services of Berkshire County Inc.
877 South St., Suite 4E, Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 499-0524; www.esbci.org
Administrator: Christopher McLaughlin
Services: Identifies and addresses priority needs of Berkshire County seniors; services include information and referral, care management, respite care, homemaker and home health assistance, healthy-aging programs, and MassHealth nursing home pre-screening; agency also offers housing options, adult family care, group adult foster care, long-term-care ombudsman, and money management, and oversees the Senior Community Service Aide Employment Program

Estate Planning Council of Hampden County
www.estateplan-hc.org
Administrator: Christopher McLaughlin
Services: Provides a forum for current, accurate, and authoritative information with regard to estate and financial planning; council members are life-insurance professionals, bankers, fiduciaries, lawyers, accountants, planned-giving professionals, and other financial-service providers engaged in the planning, settlement, and management of estates

Greater Springfield Senior Services Inc.
66 Industry Ave., Suite 9,
Springfield, MA 01104
(413) 781-8800; www.gsssi.org
Administrator: Jill Keough
Services: Private, nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining quality of life for older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities, through programs and services that foster independence, dignity, safety, and peace of mind; services include case management, home care, home-delivered meals, senior community dining, money management, congregate housing, and adult day care

Highland Valley Elder Services
320 Riverside Dr.,
Florence, MA 01062
(413) 586-2000;
www.highlandvalley.org
Administrator: Allan Ouimet
Services: Services include care management, information/referral services, family caregiver program, personal emergency-response service, protective Services, home-health services, chore Services, nursing-home ombudsman Services, adult day programs, elder-care advice, bill-payer services, options counseling, respite Services, representative payee services, local dining centers, personal-care and homemaker Services, and home-delivered meals

LifePath
101 Munson St., Suite 201, Greenfield, MA 01301
(413) 773-5555; www.lifepathma.org
Administrator: Gary Yuhas
Services: LifePath, formerly Franklin County Home Care Corp., an area agency on aging, is a private, nonprofit corporation that develops, provides, and coordinates a range of services to support the independent living of elders and people with disabilities with a goal of independence; it also supports caregivers, including grandparents raising grandchildren

Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs
1 Ashburton Place, Unit 517,
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 727-7750;
www.mass.gov/elders
Administrator: Robin Lipson
Services: Connects seniors and families with a range of services, including senior centers, councils on aging, nutrition programs such as Meals on Wheels, exercise, health coaching, and more; supports older adults who may be somewhat frail through programs in nursing homes, such as the ombudsman program, volunteers who visit residents, and quality-improvement initiatives in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities; caregiver programs offer support to people with mild Alzheimer’s disease or those caring for someone with more advanced Alzheimer’s

MassOptions
(844) 422-6277;
www.massoptions.org
Administrator: Dr. Kiame Mahaniah
Services: A service of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services, MassOptions connects elders, individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers with agencies and organizations that can best meet their needs; staff can also assist with determining eligibility for and applying to MassHealth

VA Central and Western Massachusetts Healthcare System
421 North Main St., Leeds, MA 01053
(413) 584-4040;
www.centralwesternmass.va.gov
Administrator: Jonathan Kerr
Services: Provides primary, specialty, and mental-health care, including psychiatric, substance-abuse, and PTSD Services, to a veteran population in Central and Western Massachusetts of more than 120,000 men and women

How Does This Surcharge Impact Your Medicare?

By Contributor
Senior Planning

The Basics of IRMAA

By Erica Beaudry

 

I’ve previously written articles about some of the basics of Medicare, like “Navigating the Medicare Maze,” in which I introduced the concept of working with an independent broker such as myself to help guide you through the enrollment process, or “Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage: What’s the Big Deal?” which looked at how both Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans can be fortification tools that help limit the liabilities one is exposed to when covered by Original Medicare (the red, white, and blue card) alone.

Erica Beaudry

Erica Beaudry

“The Social Security Administration determines you owe an income-related monthly adjustment amount, it will send you a notice for the amount of your new premium and the reason for its determination.”

Today, we break down IRMAA, or the income-related monthly adjustment amount, which some folks pay for their Medicare Parts B & D coverage.

IRMAA is a surcharge that is determined by the Social Security Administration and is based on income reported two years prior. The amount is calculated annually, so if your income changes, so might your IRMAA.

The base rate for Medicare Part B in 2025 is $185. Depending on your modified adjusted gross income as reported on your IRS tax return from two years ago, you may have to pay the standard Part B premium and an income-related monthly adjustment amount.

 

If the Social Security Administration determines you owe an income-related monthly adjustment amount, it will send you a notice for the amount of your new premium and the reason for its determination. If you disagree with that determination, you have 60 days from the date of notice to appeal. Life changing events such as loss of income, death of a spouse, marriage, or divorce could be grounds for a redetermination, as well as inaccurate or outdated tax information.

IRMAA also comes into play with your Part D, or drug coverage. The same set of parameters are used to calculate the surcharge for Part D. The important part to remember is that the Part D IRMAA is in addition to any premiums associated with your Part D coverage, but is paid directly to the Social Security Administration the same way you pay for your Part B premiums.

 

A couple of scenarios worth mentioning that can affect your income-related monthly adjustment amount are the sale of a primary real estate property or winning the lottery. Both life events will increase your income for the year they occur in and may therefore result in an IRMAA surcharge two years later. Both life events are generally not appealable, meaning that you are more likely to lose an appeal filed on the grounds that your income increased in any given year due to these events occurring. With real estate properties, some exceptions are made when the property has been income-producing.

If your head feels like it is spinning after reading this, don’t worry. Take the headache out of understanding Medicare by working with a professional such as myself who will help you sift through all the details that come with enrollment and coverage.

Independent Medicare specialists do not work for the insurance carriers. Instead, we provide an independent, unbiased view of insurance options available to seniors and Medicare recipients at no cost to the people we serve. We focus on Medigap, Medicare Advantage, and prescription drug plans.

Our service to you doesn’t end when you enroll in a plan. We live in your community and are here to answer your questions on bills, drug plans, provider services, extra benefits, and much, much more year-round. 

 

Erica Beaudry is a local, licensed, independent insurance broker with EA Financial Solutions, focusing on Medicare. She does not work for and is not affiliated with Medicare. She can be reached at [email protected] or (413) 626-9906.

All About Stroke

By Contributor
Senior Planning

The Medical Emergency That Doesn’t Discriminate

By Mary Orr

 

Stroke is a disease that affects the arteries leading to and within the brain. It occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or ruptures. When that happens, part of the brain is deprived of the blood and oxygen it needs, causing brain cells to die.

“Affecting people of all ages, stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. And while you cannot predict if you will suffer a stroke, there are things you can do to increase your odds of preventing one.”

Affecting people of all ages, stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. And while you cannot predict if you will suffer a stroke, there are things you can do to increase your odds of preventing one, such as maintaining a healthy weight; eating fresh, unprocessed food; committing to a regular exercise schedule; limiting your intake of alcohol; and stopping smoking. And if you’re on medication, it’s vital to take it as prescribed.

If you do suffer a stroke, every minute counts. In fact, brain cells begin to die after a few minutes without oxygen. That’s why it is so important to recognize the first signs of a stroke and act quickly. The acronym BE FAST provides a helpful reminder:

B: balance issues

E: eye changes

F: facial drooping

A: arm weakness

S: speech difficulty

T: time to call 911

If you or a loved one have any of these symptoms, quick action in calling for an ambulance is essential. EMS crews pre-notify hospitals while en route with stroke patient information and arrival time. This allows for necessary teams to prepare to receive the patient, provide the quickest evaluation, and administer eligible acute treatments in the emergency department. In the event of a stroke, time is of the essence in determining the patient’s most effective course of treatment.

For more information on Stroke and Neurology services at Trinity Health Of New England, visit trinityhealthofne.org/stroke. n

 

Mary Orr is Communications and Media specialist for Trinity Health Of New England.

Keeping the Pace

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Mercy LIFE Aims to Improve Seniors’ Overall Wellness

By Mercy LIFE

 

Mercy LIFE is a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). We meet you where you are and help you feel better, live safer, and stay connected to what you love.

When you join Mercy LIFE, we know our participants by name; you are more than a number. Our team of healthcare providers will meet with you to discover your goals and create an individualized care plan, keeping you at the center of your healthcare decisions.

“The program does for me what I can no longer do for myself. It helps me to remain independent.”

What Makes Mercy LIFE Different?

The wrap-around care allows you and your loved ones to rest easy and experience peace of mind. A driver from our team is available to help participants get to and from our center and other medical appointments. Our center serves as a one-stop shop, with physical and occupational therapists, skilled nurses, primary care, nutritional planning with dietitians, and fun activities with our recreation therapy department. You can receive all your care under one roof.

Our team might decide home care visits are best for you. In addition to our medical and social support services, home care can help with daily tasks such as bathing, getting dressed, and light housekeeping. Our goal is to keep you living at home as long as possible, while helping you maintain your independence.

 

What Do Seniors and Caregivers Say About Mercy LIFE?

“I love, most of all, when I am not feeling good, I can call them, and they will set up time for me to come into the clinic. They don’t make you wait long — sometimes they can get me in the same day or the very next day. They find out what is going on, and if they can’t help me, they will send me to a doctor who can help. It makes me feel good I can get the help I need.” —Carolyn M.

“We have hospitals and all the doctors, but it’s different when you have one number to call, and they help you make decisions on what to do next.” —Lisa D.

“I have seen a lift in my husband’s spirits and in improvement in his health. I would recommend it to other people. He can do a few things they have taught him to do on his own, and it’s helpful to me, giving me a break as a caregiver.” —Margaret K.

“The program does for me what I can no longer do for myself. It helps me to remain independent. I can’t come and go as I used to. The program comes, they bring my medications, they pick me up at the door, they bring me into the center. I’m never lonely anymore.” —Sandra G.

 

How Can Mercy LIFE Improve Mental or Spiritual Health?

As seniors age, isolation and loneliness can cause concern, not only for mental health, but also physical health. Mercy LIFE understands social connection is a priority for wellness. When participants visit our center, they have access to primary care and rehabilitative therapies, as well as engaging recreational therapy activities like chair yoga, pet therapy, and crafts.

Our care model treats the whole person — in mind, body, and spirit. Participants have access to spiritual care, designed to honor your values, preferences, and cultural traditions. We prioritize making sure participants know we care about them as individuals and ensure they are treated with dignity and reverence.

The most important thing is that our colleagues are fully present with every interaction and open to receive what you want to share, whether that’s celebrating a milestone or companionship in times of loss or grief.

Social workers will work with you to help make decisions and connect you to resources like counseling services, caregiver education, or access to legal support. If a senior is eligible for housing assistance, our team will work closely with participants to ensure they have a safe, accessible place.

Our team is committed to going beyond treating your physical health, and we are dedicated to your overall wellness. Leading with compassion and healing with heart, we treat the whole person.

Learn more about the comprehensive care at Mercy LIFE by calling (413) 827-4238 or visiting mymercylife.com. 

Benefits of In-home Care

By Contributor
Senior Planning

How It Supports Independence for Older Adults

By Access Care Partners

 

In-home care is a lifeline for countless older adults and individuals with disabilities, offering a vital alternative to long-term care facilities. As the population ages and the desire for aging in place grows, in-home care has emerged as a cornerstone of support for maintaining independence, dignity, and quality of life.

 

Personalized Care Tailored to Individual Needs

One of the greatest advantages of in-home care is its ability to cater to the unique needs of each individual. Unlike the one-size-fits-all approach often found in institutional settings, in-home care plans are designed with the individual’s preferences, health conditions, and goals in mind. Caregivers provide assistance with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and medication management, ensuring that each person receives the support they need while maintaining their autonomy.

 

Familiar Surroundings Enhance Well-being

Remaining in the comfort of one’s home can significantly impact mental and emotional well-being. Familiar surroundings, cherished routines, and the proximity of loved ones create a sense of security and normalcy. For individuals with cognitive challenges like dementia, staying in a known environment can reduce confusion and anxiety, contributing to a better quality of life.

 

Cost-effective Alternative to Facility Care

In-home care often proves to be a more affordable solution compared to long-term care facilities. Families can choose the level of care needed, whether it’s a few hours a week or round-the-clock assistance, allowing for flexibility in managing costs. Additionally, many programs and services exist to help offset the expenses of in-home care, making it an accessible option for those with limited resources.

 

Promotes Independence and Empowerment

In-home care empowers individuals to retain control over their lives. By supporting activities of daily living and encouraging participation in decision making, caregivers foster a sense of independence. This autonomy helps to preserve dignity and self-worth, essential elements for a fulfilling life.

 

Reduces Hospital Readmissions and Improves Health Outcomes

With the personalized attention provided by in-home caregivers, health conditions are often better managed, reducing the likelihood of hospital readmissions. Caregivers can monitor symptoms, ensure medication adherence, and assist with mobility, all of which contribute to improved overall health outcomes.

 

A Holistic Approach to Care

In-home care goes beyond physical assistance; it also addresses social and emotional needs. Companionship is a key component, alleviating feelings of loneliness and isolation that can negatively impact health. Caregivers often become trusted allies, fostering connections that enhance emotional well-being.

 

Who We Are and What We Do

At Access Care Partners, we are proud to continue the work we have done for decades under our previous name, WestMass ElderCare — helping people remain independent in their homes. Our new name reflects our commitment to the broad range of individuals we serve, from age 3 and up. Whether it’s a child, an adult with a disability, or an older individual, we are here to provide the support and resources they need. Our mission remains steadfast: to help people live with dignity and independence. 

If you or a loved one could benefit from in-home care services, call Access Care Partners at (413) 538-9020 or visit accesscarepartners.org to learn more about how we can support your journey toward independence. No matter your needs, our dedicated team is here to help you live life on your terms, in the comfort and familiarity of your own home.

Opening Hearts and Homes

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Adult Family Care Offers Numerous Benefits

By Kayla Brown-Wood

 

In today’s fast-paced world, where independence is highly valued yet often difficult to maintain for individuals with medical or cognitive challenges, Adult Family Care (AFC) services offer a dignified solution.

Grounded in respect, care, and a sense of community, AFC enables individuals who need assistance with daily living to thrive in a safe and supportive home environment. At the same time, it empowers caregivers, who are often family members or trusted individuals, with the support and resources to provide care in a sustainable and fulfilling way.

Whether you’re a potential caregiver exploring meaningful ways to help a loved one or a family member seeking the best quality of life for someone in need, understanding Adult Family Care can open the door to a life-changing journey for both the caregiver and the member.

Kayla Brown-Wood

Kayla Brown-Wood

“Adult Family Care is a community-based residential care option designed for adults who cannot live safely on their own due to age, physical disability, chronic illness, or cognitive impairment.”

What Is Adult Family Care?

Adult Family Care is a community-based residential care option designed for adults who cannot live safely on their own due to age, physical disability, chronic illness, or cognitive impairment. Unlike nursing homes or assisted living facilities, AFC allows individuals to remain in a home environment where they receive individualized care according to their needs.

At its core, AFC matches a qualified caregiver with a member who needs daily support in the form of supervision and cueing or hands-on physical assistance throughout an activity of daily living. Such support may include help with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and medication management. A care team consisting of a registered nurse and case manager conducts monthly home visits and provides support and training to ensure everyone involved is set up for success.

 

The Benefit to the Member

For the individual receiving care, known as the ‘member,’ AFC is more than just a service; it’s a lifeline. One of the most profound benefits of AFC is the opportunity to remain in a home setting rather than being placed in an institutional environment. This can mean waking up in a familiar room decorated to their liking, eating preferred meals at the kitchen table, and receiving care from someone they know, trust, and can rely on.

While members may need help with daily tasks, they are still encouraged to participate in decision making and maintain as much independence as possible. This balance of support and self-determination lies at the heart of our mission, empowering individuals to live with dignity, purpose, and a true sense of belonging.

 

The Benefit to the Caregiver

AFC caregivers are truly the heart of the program. Whether a caregiver is a devoted family member or someone drawn to the role out of compassion and a drive to make a difference, the rewards of caregiving through AFC are both practical and deeply fulfilling. Providing care in an AFC setting isn’t just a job; it’s a vocation and heartfelt calling rooted in kindness, patience, and a deep commitment to supporting another person’s well-being.

To recognize the significant responsibility of caregiving, the AFC program provides a tax-free stipend to caregivers. Additionally, caregivers are also entitled to a room and board payment, which is provided through a portion of the member’s monthly entitlements. The program includes clinical support from a registered nurse and case manager, who visit at least monthly to assess the member’s health, provide training, and troubleshoot any challenges. This support network is invaluable, ensuring caregivers are never left to navigate the journey alone.

 

A Bridge to Support

Importantly, AFC also serves families. For those who have been caring informally for a loved one with increasing needs, the program can be a much-needed bridge. It allows family members to formalize the care they are already providing, gain financial support, and receive guidance from a qualified team. It removes the isolation that can often accompany family caregiving and replaces it with partnership and a sense of relief.

If you or someone you know could benefit from AFC, whether as a caregiver or a member, reaching out is the first step. You may find that what begins as a caregiving arrangement becomes something even more profound: a shared life, filled with care and compassion. With the right support, care can happen right where it matters most, in the place you both call home.

 

Member and Caregiver Eligibility

To qualify as a member for Adult Family Care, the individual must be age 16 or older, have MassHealth (Medicaid), or be enrolled in another qualifying health insurance plan. They must also be unable to live alone due to a chronic medical, cognitive, or physical condition and require daily assistance, supervision, or cueing with at least one activity of daily living. AFC services must be ordered by a physician, and the member must live in the same home as the caregiver.

To qualify as an Adult Family Care caregiver, the individual must be at least 18 years old and may not be the legal guardian or spouse of the member. The caregiver must reside with the member, be physically capable of providing hands-on assistance, and successfully complete all required screening and training processes. Caregivers don’t need a professional healthcare license, just a genuine heart for helping others and a strong commitment to providing meaningful, quality care.

For more information on the Adult Family Care program at BFAIR, call (413) 664-9382 or visit bfair.org. 

 

Kayla Brown-Wood is director of Community Services at BFAIR.

Having the Talk

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Ten Tips on How to Approach a Difficult Topic

By the AARP Foundation

The reality is that some conversations are just plain difficult — even with the people to whom you feel the closest. When preparing to discuss a difficult topic like senior care needs, it helps to follow the ground rules below to ensure that everyone’s feelings are respected and viewpoints are heard. To help make the conversation as productive and positive as possible:

1. Try not to approach the conversation with preconceived ideas about what your loved ones might say or how they might react. “Dad, I just wanted to have a talk about what you want. Let’s just start with what is important to you.”

2. Approach the conversation with an attitude of listening, not telling. “Dad, have you thought about what you want to do if you needed more help?” — as opposed to “we really need to talk about a plan if you get sick.”

3. Make references to yourself and your own thoughts about what you want for the future. Let them know they are not alone, that everyone will have to make these decisions. “Look, I know this isn’t fun to think about or talk about, but I really want to know what’s important to you. I’m going to do the same thing for myself.”

“Make references to yourself and your own thoughts about what you want for the future. Let them know they are not alone, that everyone will have to make these decisions.”

4. Be very straightforward with the facts. Do not hide negative information, but also be sure to acknowledge and build on family strengths. “As time goes on, it might be difficult to stay in this house because of all the stairs, but you have other options. Let’s talk about what those might be.”

5. Phrase your concerns as questions, letting your loved ones draw conclusions and make the choices. “Mom, do you think you might want a hand with some of the housekeeping or shopping?”

6. Give your loved ones room to get angry or upset, but address these feelings calmly. “I understand all this is really hard to talk about. It is upsetting for me, too. But it’s important for all of us to discuss.”

7. Leave the conversation open. It’s OK to continue the conversation at another time. “Dad, it’s OK if we talk about this more later. I just wanted you to start thinking about how you would handle some of these things.”

8. Make sure everyone is heard — especially those family members who might be afraid to tell you what they think. “Susan, I know this is really hard for you. What do you think about what we are suggesting?”

9. End the conversation on a positive note. “This is a hard conversation for both of us, but I really appreciate you having it.”

10. Plan something relaxing or fun after the conversation to remind everyone why you enjoy being a family. Go out to dinner, attend services together, or watch a favorite TV program.

These are just a few suggestions of things you, your loved ones, and other family members can do to unwind after a difficult conversation. 

Decisions, Decisions

By Contributor
Senior Planning

What to Look for in Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans

By Sarah Fernandes

 

Each year, people who are 65 or older make decisions about their Medicare and Medicare Advantage coverage during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (also known as Open Enrollment) from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Before choosing their plans, Medicare beneficiaries should consider a few things.

 

Is All Medicare Coverage the Same?

While Original Medicare (Parts A and B), the plan provided by the federal government, covers hospitalizations and most doctors’ services, coverage for other services — like outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive health care (Parts C and D) — can vary widely. Part C, otherwise known as Medicare Advantage, and Part D (prescription drug coverage) are offered through private insurers, such as Health New England and others.

Sarah Fernandes

Sarah Fernandes

“By focusing on prevention, any potential health issues can be identified early, and you can work to maintain optimal health and prioritize your well-being.”

What Is Medicare Advantage (Part C)?

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans cover everything Original Medicare (Parts A and B) would cover, but offer additional benefits and services beyond Original Medicare. These added benefits can include prescription drug coverage, vision care, dental services, hearing aids, wellness programs, and more. Medicare Advantage plans provide greater opportunities for beneficiaries to engage in preventive services, such as regular check-ups, screenings, vaccinations, and health education.

By focusing on prevention, any potential health issues can be identified early, and you can work to maintain optimal health and prioritize your well-being. If you do have a chronic condition, a coordinated approach from your Medicare Advantage plan and your providers ensures that you receive the necessary support, education, and interventions to manage your condition effectively, leading to improved quality of life and health outcomes.

 

How Do I Decide?

To decide what plan is right for you, be sure to review the features of the plan. For instance:

• Make a list of your preferred healthcare providers and see if they are considered in network or out of network for each plan you are considering. Some plans do not cover out-of-network services at all, while some cover them partially.

• Similarly, make a list of your medications and see if they will be covered and how much, if anything, you will need to pay out of pocket (your co-pay).

• If you travel or spend time in other areas of the country, check if the plan allows you to use any Medicare-accepting doctor anywhere in the U.S.

• See if the plan covers dental, vision care, hearing services, and prescription drugs.

• Ask if the plan offers additional healthy benefits such as gym memberships, coverage for acupuncture, activity trackers, and weight management programs.

 

How Do I Learn More?

Health New England’s Medicare Advantage plans are a popular option for people age 65 and older who are looking to tailor their healthcare coverage to their personal needs. Health New England has many high-quality providers in our network across Western Mass., and we have plans that cover you anywhere you travel in the U.S.

To learn more about choosing the right Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan, you can attend Health New England’s live information sessions, which you can find and register for at healthnewengland.org/medicare/sessions, or visit healthnewengland.org/medicare for details about all we offer. You can also call Health New England at (877) 443-3314 (TTY: 711).

Other resources include SHINE, Massachusetts’ free Medicare advice service; visit online at mass.gov/health-insurance-counseling or call (800) 243-4636. Meawhile, the Medicare website is medicare.gov. n

 

Sarah Fernandes is the Medicare sales manager at Health New England and been with Health New England for more than 25 years. She and her team spend countless hours educating Medicare beneficiaries in Western Mass. on their Medicare options.

A Shared Responsibility

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Let’s Work Together to Address Senior Food Insecurity

By Jodi Falk

 

Food insecurity affects millions of Americans, but one of the most overlooked groups struggling with hunger is our aging population. According to Feeding America, nearly 5.5 million seniors in the U.S. faced food insecurity in 2021, a number expected to grow as the population ages and inflation continues to rise.

In Western Mass., tight budgets, limited transportation, and social isolation increase the vulnerability of seniors who may already be choosing between medication and meals. Proposed changes to SNAP and other federal food assistance programs could further strain seniors’ ability to access affordable, nutritious food. This is not the fault of individuals — it’s a systemic issue that impacts us all, and one we can work together to solve.

Jodi Falk

Jodi Falk

“In Western Mass., tight budgets, limited transportation, and social isolation increase the vulnerability of seniors who may already be choosing between medication and meals.”

How Seniors Can Get Support Now

If you’re a senior facing food insecurity or know someone who is, here are three meaningful steps to take:

1. Access Local Food Pantries and Delivery Services. Many organizations, including those to whom Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts (RTWM) delivers, provide direct food access through rescued and purchased food programs. Visit 413cares.org for information on where to find a pantry or meal site near you.

2. Enroll in SNAP and HIP. Whereas the requirements for these programs may be changing, they offer financial assistance for groceries, and HIP allows for extra benefits when purchasing fresh produce from local farmers. There may be a Mobile Market in your neighborhood. Visit mass.gov for more information.

3. Join a Community Garden Program. Opportunities like RTWM’s Growing Gardens allow seniors to grow their own food, build community, and improve physical and mental well-being. There are many community gardens in our area; check with your town or city to get connected.

 

Four Ways Rachel’s Table Fights Senior Hunger

RTWM addresses food insecurity through four core programs: Rescue, Purchase, Glean, and Grow. Every initiative is community-led and rooted in dignity, sustainability, and empowerment. Every program feeds and nourishes all generations. You can explore each in detail at feedwma.org, but one program especially stands out for seniors: Growing Gardens.

Currently partnering with two agencies that serve only senior residents and several others that serve seniors alongside people of all life stages, RTWM’s garden program provides education, supplies, mentorship, and community-building opportunities tailored to older adults. Through this initiative, dozens of seniors have regained access to culturally meaningful, fresh food, right from their own garden beds. For many, it’s more than just food — it’s connection. It’s confidence. It’s healing.

RTWM provides materials and mentoring to agency sites that encourage senior residents or constituents to plan, plant, and harvest their own food. Many seniors participate in community workshops with recipes from the garden — sofrito, pico de gallo, and many more. Seniors have said, “we are able to access a taste of home, of our history.”

Become a Tend-A-Garden Sponsor and Grow More Than Food

Businesses, organizations, and families can deepen their impact by becoming a Growing Gardens Tend-A-Garden sponsor. With three tiered levels of support, sponsors can contribute not just funding, but also their time, talents, and services to help these gardens — and the communities they nourish — thrive.

• Seed Starter ($5,000):

– Logo on RTWM’s website

– Acknowledgment in quarterly newsletters

– One aligned social media shout-out

• Seed Saver ($7,500):

– All Seed Starter benefits

– Garden signage

– Sponsor spotlight in newsletter

– Three robust social media features

– Employee recognition during gleaning events

• Seed Sustainer ($10,000+):

– All previous benefits

– Exclusive sponsor gleaning day for your team

– Inclusion in press and media outreach

– Co-branded local media and educational materials

 

Food for Thought

Whether it’s watering a garden on your morning commute, donating compost, or teaching a financial literacy workshop, your involvement matters. And your partnership will directly support seniors and others experiencing food insecurity in our region.

To learn more or arrange a visit to one of our gardens, visit feedwma.org/growing-gardens. n

 

Jodi Falk is executive director of Rachel’s Table of Western Massachusetts.

The Serious Business of Joy

By Contributor
Senior Planning

Why Having Fun Is Essential to Healthy Aging

By Kathy Martin

 

Getting older comes with a full plate of responsibilities. From managing health concerns and financial planning to navigating family dynamics and estate matters, the list of ‘serious stuff’ seems to grow longer with each passing year. Whether you’re still working or enjoying retirement, it’s easy to let the weight of these obligations crowd out something just as vital to your well-being: fun.

Yes, fun. Joy. Laughter. Play. These aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re essential ingredients for a long, healthy, and fulfilling life.

 

Kathy Martin

Kathy Martin

“Why does laughter matter? Because it’s healthy for the mind, body, and soul.”

 

The Science of Laughter

In the mid-1990s, Dr. Madan Kataria, a physician in Mumbai, India, sparked a global movement by tapping into the healing power of laughter. He founded the first Laughing Club, blending intentional laughter with deep breathing and stretching. This evolved into what we now know as laughter yoga, a playful, social, and surprisingly effective wellness practice.

Why does laughter matter? Because it’s healthy for the mind, body, and soul. Here’s what a good laugh can do:

• Lift your mood by increasing oxygen intake and reducing cortisol, the stress hormone.

• Strengthen social bonds and reduce feelings of isolation.

• Boost brain health by improving blood flow, memory, and focus.

• Build resilience by helping you cope with stress more effectively.

• Defuse tension and lighten difficult conversations.

• Support your immune system and improve sleep quality.

In short, laughter isn’t just contagious — it’s therapeutic.

 

Making Joy a Priority

The real challenge — and opportunity — is to make fun a deliberate part of your life. That means holding space for the things that bring you joy and being open to discovering new ones. Here are some ideas to spark your imagination:

• Love music? Attend a summer concert series or open mic night. Dust off that guitar or take up a new instrument. Or sign up for vocal lessons — singing is great for your lungs and your spirit.

• Feeling crafty? Join a local art class for jewelry making, watercolor, calligraphy and more. Explore DIY projects or creative workshops at your local senior center.

• Want to get your game on? Move beyond solo apps like Wordle and join a Scrabble or Mahjong group. Or host a game night with friends — puzzles, chess, bridge, or Bananagrams.

• Want to give back? Volunteer with a nonprofit that aligns with your passions, mentor younger generations, or help out at local events.

• Feeling competitive? Join a golf or pickleball league, or learn to play for the first time. Walk with a neighbor, cycle with friends, or try a new fitness class.

• Hungry for knowledge? Start or join a book club. Take a class, attend a lecture, or learn a new language. Visit museums or historical sites in your area.

• Craving adventure? Plan a trip, near or far. Try an improv class or attend a live theater performance. Explore new hiking trails or attend a local sports game.

• Foodie at heart? Take a cooking class or try a new cuisine. Visit a winery, brewery, or food festival. Or host a themed dinner night with friends.

 

Your Community Is a Playground

Many towns offer vibrant programs for older adults through senior centers, libraries, and parks and recreation departments. These hubs of activity are goldmines for connection, learning, and fun. Group travel for older adults is also on the rise, perfect for those who want to explore with like-minded adventurers.

 

A Silver Spoon Reminder

Years ago, a dear friend gave me a sterling silver ice cream scoop engraved with the words: “Life is short; eat dessert first.” It’s a sweet reminder that joy isn’t something to save for later. It’s something to savor now.

So yes, keep managing your health, finances, and responsibilities. But don’t forget to laugh, play, and explore. Fun isn’t a distraction from healthy aging — it’s a cornerstone of it. And we are fortunate to live in a region that is rich with options.

Who knows? Maybe you’ll be the one to start a laughter yoga class right here in Western Mass. If you do, count me in! n

 

Kathy Martin is president and CEO of Glenmeadow, a life plan retirement community in Longmeadow.

Tech Foundry Announces Hirings of Keshia Maxwell, Noella Moshi

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Tech Foundry, the regional leader in IT workforce development, training, and digital literacy, announced the hiring of two new staff members, Keshia Maxwell and Noella Moshi.

Keshia Maxwell

Maxwell is serving as director of Tech Foundry’s new Tech Bridge program. She will develop and implement all facets of the project, including management of staff, daily operations, program design, and activities.

Tech Bridge will serve recent graduates from the Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee public high schools who are not immediately enrolling in college. This scholarship-based program focuses on tech training, professional development, work experience, college exploration, and team-building, to bridge the gap between high school and future pathways. The Tech Bridge curriculum will prepare participants for sustainable, skill-based employment in sectors such as low-voltage systems, IT, and advanced manufacturing; enrollment in college; or both.

Maxwell brings nearly 10 years of experience as an educator, including several years as an elementary school math teacher. She is passionate about education and finds joy in helping students realize their true potential. She also brings 14 years of military service, including international humanitarian program management in Dakar, Senegal, where she served as a U.S. Army Bilateral Affairs officer. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Japanese language/literature and English from UMass Amherst, and a master’s degree in education from Springfield College.

Noella Moshi

Moshi was hired as Tech Foundry’s new director of Engagement. She will spearhead new donor development in addition to amplifying donor, funder, and partner engagement. She has a professional background in strategy and program design. Born in Tanzania and having lived in eight countries, she brings a global perspective to her career in workforce development, including roles as an executive director and head of programs across multiple countries.

Moshi holds a master’s degree in clinical science and immunology from the University of Cape Town and has completed a course in exponential fundraising at the Harvard Kennedy School. She speaks English and Swahili and serves on several boards she cares deeply about, including West Africa Vocational Education and the Livelihood Impact Fund.

“We are thrilled to have Keshia and Noella join the Tech Foundry team,” said Tricia Canavan, CEO of Tech Foundry. “They both bring an incredibly diverse set of work and life experiences to our organization, which will further enhance our programs and community impact.”

New Valley Bank Welcomes Lori Stickles

By
Daily News

Lori Stickles

SPRINGFIELD — New Valley Bank & Trust announced the addition of Lori Stickles as vice president, Business Development and branch manager at the West Springfield office. She brings more than 30 years of banking experience, with a proven track record in retail banking, business development, and marketing leadership.

Throughout her career, Stickles has led high-performing teams at several regional institutions, including United Bank, PeoplesBank, and Westfield Bank. She is widely recognized for her exceptional customer service, dedication to mentorship, and deep commitment to building lasting client relationships.

She is also an active and engaged member of the community. Her current and past civic roles include trustee for the Eastern States Exposition, commissioner and chair of the Agawam Housing Authority, member of the Agawam Community Preservation Committee, and past commander of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary.

“I’m thrilled to join New Valley Bank and bring my Westside roots to this exciting new chapter,” Stickles said. “I look forward to reconnecting with customers and making a positive impact in the community I care so deeply about.”

West Springfield Announces Inaugural Food Truck Friday Series

By
Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The town of West Springfield announced the launch of its inaugural Food Truck Friday series, inviting the entire community to the town common for food, local crafts, and family fun throughout August. This event series aims to bring residents together and support local businesses.

“We are so excited to launch this new event series for our community,” Mayor William Reichelt said. “Food Truck Fridays are all about creating a vibrant, central gathering space where neighbors can connect, support local businesses, and enjoy some fantastic food.”

Food Truck Friday will take place on the West Springfield town common on Park Street from 4 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 8, 15, 22, and 29. The series is sponsored by Titan Fence. Attendees can expect a diverse lineup of food and craft vendors. Parking will be available at the West Springfield Council on Aging.

Confirmed participating trucks include Aqui Me Quedo, Macken’s Sliders, and Holyoke Ice Cream on Aug. 8; West Side Creamy Cones, the Saucy Mama, and Holyoke Ice Cream on Aug. 15; Macho Taco, Macken’s Sliders, and Holyoke Ice Cream on Aug. 22; and Macken’s Sliders, Lattitude 850 Degrees Artisan Wood Fired Pizza Truck, and Holyoke Ice Cream on Aug. 29.

In addition to the vendors, various town departments will be present, including representatives from the Police Department, Fire Department, Veteran Services, Whip City Fiber, and more, offering an opportunity for community outreach and engagement. A handful of local craft vendors will also be featured on each date.

HCC to Hold Registration Express on Aug. 2

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) will hold a Registration Express event for fall 2025 classes on Saturday, Aug. 2, when prospective students can apply for admission, take the college placement test, meet with an academic adviser, register for classes, and set up financial aid, all in one day.

HCC’s Registration Express event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first floor of the Campus Center at 303 Homestead Ave. in Holyoke, as well as virtually over Zoom. Fall 2025 classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 2. HCC also has Flex Start dates on Sept. 15 and Oct. 27.

Registration Express will also be an opportunity for prospective students to learn about MassEducate and MassReconnect, the state’s programs for free community college.

“Registration Express at Holyoke Community College provides an opportunity for students to complete the admissions and registration process all in one day and all in one place,” said Mark Hudgik, director of Admissions and Onboarding. “Admissions, financial aid, and advising counselors will be available to help students get ready for both summer and fall.”

Those who can’t make it in person can still participate on those days virtually through the Advising Center Zoom link, which can be accessed through a link on the Registration Express page at hcc.edu/regexpress.

For more information, contact HCC Admissions at (413) 552-2321 or [email protected], or take the next step at hcc.edu/sign-up-for-classes.

Picture This

By
Michael Rouette (pictured at right), executive vice president and chief operating officer of Monson Savings Bank, recently presented a $2,000 donation to Robin (center) and Kerry Plourde, co-founders of Whip City Animal Sanctuary, on behalf of the bank.
Picture This

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

 

Community Support

Michael Rouette (pictured at right), executive vice president and chief operating officer of Monson Savings Bank, recently presented a $2,000 donation to Robin (center) and Kerry Plourde, co-founders of Whip City Animal Sanctuary, on behalf of the bank. Whip City Animal Sanctuary was selected as a recipient of a donation from Monson Savings Bank after securing a spot in the top 10 of the bank’s 2025 Community Giving Initiative. The Westfield-based nonprofit was established in 2020 to provide long-term care for surrendered, neglected, and abused farm animals.

Michael Rouette (pictured at right), executive vice president and chief operating officer of Monson Savings Bank, recently presented a $2,000 donation to Robin (center) and Kerry Plourde, co-founders of Whip City Animal Sanctuary, on behalf of the bank.

Michael Rouette (pictured at right), executive vice president and chief operating officer of Monson Savings Bank, recently presented a $2,000 donation to Robin (center) and Kerry Plourde, co-founders of Whip City Animal Sanctuary, on behalf of the bank.

 

 

‘Echoes of Heritage’

Rocky’s Ace Hardware recently helped bring to life a vibrant new mural supporting cultural pride in downtown Springfield. “Echoes of Heritage,” a celebration of Latino culture and community, was created on June 28 on the side of Downtown Supermarket at 121 Spring St. Led by Dominican artist Pedro Veras and organized by the 7 Arts Latino Foundation, the mural was a one-day collaboration involving local students, families, and community sponsors. 

Pictured, from left: Veras; Cheyenne Protz of Rocky’s Ace Hardware; Jorge Martínez, president and executive director of the 7 Arts Latino Foundation; and Luis Pedro of Rocky’s Ace Hardware.

Pictured, from left: Veras; Cheyenne Protz of Rocky’s Ace Hardware; Jorge Martínez, president and executive director of the 7 Arts Latino Foundation; and Luis Pedro of Rocky’s Ace Hardware.

 

Driving Food Security

Representatives from Hyundai Motor America recently visited Holyoke Community College (HCC) to deliver a $5,000 check to benefit the college’s food pantry. This is the fifth consecutive year Hyundai Motor America has donated to the HCC food pantry, bringing its total donations to $32,150. This is in addition to donations made by Gary Rome, owner of Gary Rome Hyundai and a member of the HCC Foundation board of directors, who brought the college’s Thrive Center and its food pantry to the attention of the Hyundai corporate offices in California.

Representatives from Hyundai Motor America recently visited Holyoke Community College (HCC) to deliver a $5,000 check to benefit the college’s food pantry.

Representatives from Hyundai Motor America recently visited Holyoke Community College (HCC) to deliver a $5,000 check to benefit the college’s food pantry.

People on the Move

By
People on the Move

Alissa Fuller

Alissa Fuller

Florence Bank announced it recently presented its 2025 Community Support Award to Alissa Fuller, a Compliance and Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) officer since 2022. The Community Support Award was established by the bank in 1997 as a means of formally recognizing team members who are active in the community and give their personal and professional time to local nonprofit organizations. Each year, the award recipient selects an organization of his or her choice, and the bank donates $500 to that organization on the recipient’s behalf. Fuller chose to support the Care Center in Holyoke because she applauds its mission. She supports many other nonprofits in the region with her time, serving on the advisory council for the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield and as a volunteer for the Amherst Survival Center, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and Community Action Pioneer Valley, where she assists with tax preparation. Fuller has 25 years of banking experience and has served in other roles, including Loan Operations manager. She oversees Florence Bank’s overall compliance program and ensures adherence to federal and state regulations as well as the CRA regulation, which requires the bank to meet the credit needs within the communities it serves, particularly in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. She has an associate degree in business administration from New England College of Business and Finance. In 2022, she obtained fair lending expert certification from Tuscan Club University.

•••••

Julie Quink

Julie Quink

Forbes has produced its inaugural America’s Best-in-State CPAs list, a compilation of the finest CPAs active in public practice. Those nominated were rated on a range of weighted criteria, including expertise, innovation, thought leadership, experience, and service to the community and to their profession. In the inaugural edition, there were 18 CPAs chosen in Massachusetts, with Julie Quink as one of those identified in the Western Mass. region. Quink is the managing principal of Burkhart Pizzanelli. She joined the firm in 2011 and has more than 34 years of experience in public accounting and three years of private corporate accounting experience. She is involved in the accounting and consulting aspects of the practice and manages engagements of various sizes and complexities. She also performs services related to forensic and fraud-related engagements. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Assoc. of Certified Fraud Examiners. She is licensed to practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a certified fraud examiner. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Elms College. Quink serves as a member of the Baystate Health board of trustees, treasurer of the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce, treasurer of Square One, chairperson of the school committee of Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School, a member of the finance committee of the East Quabbin Land Trust, chairperson of the board of directors for Greater Springfield Senior Services Inc., treasurer of Hardwick Rescue & Emergency Squad Inc., and treasurer of the Estate Planning Council of Hampden County. She is an adjunct faculty member in the MBA accounting program at Elms College and also serves as a trustee of Monson Savings Bank.

•••••

After five years of service, Roberta Wilmore has resigned from her role as executive director of Make-It Springfield. Wilmore joined Make-It as its first executive director in the spring of 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. She led the organization through an uncertain and challenging time and played a key role in overseeing the expansion to a new home on Bridge Street. To support the organization during this period of transition, the board has engaged Julien Abramson, an experienced organizational consultant, to provide interim support and assist Make-It in preparing for its next phase of leadership. Make-It Springfield is a community-focused art and creative center and collaborative maker space located at 286 Bridge St. in downtown Springfield. It is dedicated to providing a supportive environment that fosters creativity, innovation, and hands-on community collaboration.

•••••

Katherine von Haefen

Katherine von Haefen

The Berkshire United Way (BUW) board of directors has appointed Katherine von Haefen, the organization’s director of Community Impact, as interim president and CEO. Von Haefen, who assumes this position following the departure of Tom Bernard, will retain her current responsibilities. The appointment is effective immediately and will continue to be interim while the board assesses the ongoing needs of the organization. von Haefen joined BUW as director of Community Impact in October 2021. In this role, she develops and leads region-wide convenings on topics including early childcare and early childhood education, food security, and more. She also leads BUW’s $1 million annual investment strategy for Berkshire nonprofits and played an integral role in developing the organization’s current strategic plan. She serves on the city of Pittsfield’s Preschool Partnership Leadership Committee, the Massachusetts Early Childhood Funder Collaborative steering committee, and the Berkshire Area Health Education Center board. von Haefen brings a wealth of relevant experience to the job and provides important continuity to the organization’s current efforts. She came to BUW following a 20-plus-year career at United Way of Greater Houston (UWGH), where she served as mission and strategy manager. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College and a master’s in social work from the University of Houston.

•••••

Judy Taylor

Judy Taylor

bankESB recently promoted Judy Taylor to commercial credit analyst officer, based at its 241 Northampton St., Easthampton office. Taylor has 14 years of banking experience. She joined bankESB in 2021 as a commercial credit analyst II and was promoted to commercial credit analyst III in 2024. Before joining the bank, she was a KPMG auditor, worked at State Street Bank as an accounting officer, and worked at Bank of America (formerly Fleet Bank) as a manager in the Financial Analysis and Reporting department. She was also employed for 20 years in various roles by the Holyoke Public Schools, with her most recent title being the district’s Communications director. In her new role, she will be underwriting bankESB’s most complex commercial loan requests, mentoring other analysts, and ensuring overall safety and soundness of the commercial portfolio. Taylor earned a bachelor’s degree in business management with a focus in accounting from Westfield State University and a master’s degree from Lesley University. She also holds a CPA license and attended the Massachusetts Bankers School of Commercial Lending, earning a certificate in credit analysis. She is a longtime volunteer for the Our Lady of the Valley weekend meals program and a member of the Southampton Cultural Council.

•••••

Xiomara Albán DeLobato

Xiomara Albán DeLobato

Xiomara Albán DeLobato has been elected to the board of directors of New England Public Media (NEPM). As vice president and chief of staff for the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council, Albán DeLobato is instrumental in facilitating the growth and development of the region’s economy, focusing on the industry sector and workforce development. She has held leadership roles at UMass Amherst, Elms College, Springfield College, and the University of New Hampshire, and has worked with the offices of Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and U.S. Rep. Richard Neal. In addition to her work with NEPM, Albán DeLobato will continue to serve on various boards and committees throughout Western Mass., including the UMass Amherst campus council, Girls Inc. of the Valley, Veritas Prep Charter School in Springfield, Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District’s diversity, equity, and inclusion committee, and the Wilbraham Finance Committee. She is also a governor-appointed board member of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority and board member of the Supplier Diversity Office. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and Spanish from the University of New Hampshire and a MBA from Elms College.

•••••

Dr. Scott Lichtenberger

Dr. Scott Lichtenberger

Baystate Health announced the appointment of Dr. Scott Lichtenberger as its new chief operating officer. He started in that role on July 14. As COO, Lichtenberger is responsible for overseeing health system operations across Baystate Health, with direct accountability for hospital operations, nursing leadership, quality, patient safety, and systemwide operational performance. He will partner closely with senior leaders to guide operational discipline, promote a strong culture of engagement, and ensure high-quality, financially sustainable care across the organization. Lichtenberger joins Baystate Health with more than 20 years of experience in healthcare leadership. Most recently, he served as a principal in EY-Parthenon’s healthcare practice, where he led enterprise-level integration and redesign initiatives for academic medical centers and large regional health systems. His work focused on developing scalable and sustainable operational models that improved care delivery, enhanced efficiency, and drove organizational growth. Previously, Lichtenberger held senior leadership roles at Centura Health, including chief transformation officer and president of the Physician Enterprise. He has also served as partner at McKinsey & Company and chief strategy officer at University of Colorado Health. He earned his doctor of medicine degree from Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, followed by a fellowship in gastroenterology at Yale University. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Northwestern University.

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook

Arrha Credit Union to Merge with BrightBridge Credit Union

SPRINGFIELD — Arrha Credit Union and BrightBridge Credit Union announced their intent to merge. BrightBridge will be the continuing credit union following the merger. This strategic partnership is based on a mutual commitment to people-first values, competitive financial offerings, and community engagement, credit unions stated. With this merger, BrightBridge will expand its field of membership to include Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties in Massachusetts, and Hartford and Tolland counties in Connecticut. Pending regulatory and member approvals, the combined credit union will operate 23 branches across Southern New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Eastern Connecticut, and provide access to shared branching nationwide. Together, they will serve approximately 125,000 members and manage nearly $2.4 billion in assets.

 

Eastern States Exposition Reports Economic Impact

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Eastern States Exposition (ESE) attracts about 3 million people to its grounds in West Springfield annually, across its bustling calendar of more than 120 year-round events. This count includes the 1.6 million fairgoers that attend the Big E, the fourth-largest fair in North America. ESE is a not-for-profit organization committed to providing patrons with quality entertainment and preserving the agriculture and culture of the region. A study conducted by Regional Economic Models Inc. (REMI) of Amherst found that ESE’s economic impact on Hampden County was $235 million in gross regional product (GRP), and its larger footprint across New England and New York equaled a record-breaking $1.167 billion in 2024. The study revealed that ESE creates 8,085 jobs across New England and New York; 60.8% of all jobs created went to individuals without a college degree, 5,646 jobs were filled by individuals in the bottom 20% of income earners, and 1,310 jobs created across the region supported Hispanic employment. Employment growth was observed across all races, income levels, and education groups. Since 1995, when the Big E first expanded from 12 to 17 days, ESE has donated 1% of its annual gross revenue to the town of West Springfield each year to build and bolster the Eastern States Exposition-West Springfield Trust. Local organizations are welcome to apply for grants through the trust for community betterment and enrichment efforts. In 2024, 26 groups benefited from the trust, including sports teams, food rescues, and cultural centers. ESE’s overall contributions, including a sizable donation of $370,970 made on June 12 of this year, now total $5,425,220. ESE receives no state or federal tax revenue to support its operations and relies upon the support of its visitors.

 

Country Bank Opens New Branch in Longmeadow

LONGMEADOW — Country Bank opened its newest banking center, located at 919 Shaker Road in Longmeadow, on July 28, with grand opening festivities planned for the week of Sept. 8. Melissa Stefanowich, assistant vice president and Retail Banking officer, will oversee the new branch. To kick off the opening of the bank’s 15th location, customers and community members visiting the Longmeadow banking center between July 28 and Aug. 15 can enter a drawing to win four field box tickets to the Red Sox game on Saturday, Aug. 30 at Fenway Park. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 11 a.m.

 

T-Birds Recognized with Award for Digital Media

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Thunderbirds received more recognition during the American Hockey League’s 2025 Awards Gala on Jul. 10 in Hilton Head Island, S.C. After previously capturing league honors for the Marketing Department of the Year and Most Unique Social Media Content, the Thunderbirds’ digital media team was recognized as the Eastern Conference Award of Excellence recipient for Digital Media. The department has excelled with a fully in-house strategy blending creativity, consistency, and a strong brand identity. Each of the team’s 36 home games features a unique campaign built around a cohesive, season-long look, incorporating bold visuals and local imagery, with efforts spanning digital, print, radio, billboards, and social media. The team also unveiled a new-look website and mobile app to their fans during the 2024-25 season. The Thunderbirds’ Social Media department also earned leaguewide recognition during the 2024-25 season, most noticeably by winning the award for Most Unique Social Media Content. The honor stemmed from the team’s inventive response to a shipping mishap that sent their Teddy Bear Toss jerseys to Germany by mistake. Turning an unfortunate situation into an opportunity, the social media team showcased that agility and creativity are sometimes the most powerful tools in a successful strategy.

 

AIC Designated Early College Program with Duggan, SEZP

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC), in partnership with the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership (SEZP), has been designated as a Massachusetts Early College Program by the state’s joint Early College Committee. The AIC-SEZP partnership is one of 18 new Early College programs announced by the Healey-Driscoll administration. AIC is the only private college west of Worcester to receive this designation. Beginning this fall, the program will launch in partnership with Duggan Academy in Springfield with a wall-to-wall model in which every student participates. Students will have the opportunity to earn up to 60 college credits at no cost before graduating from high school. Courses will include MassTransfer-eligible credits and focus on high-growth, high-wage fields such as health sciences, education, and criminal justice. Early College programs are a central element of the administration’s Reimagining High School initiative to prepare students for college or careers and expand access for those historically underrepresented in higher education. The new AIC-Duggan Academy program builds on a long-standing partnership between the two institutions. Through earlier collaborations, Duggan students have already earned AIC college credits with strong pass rates, and college matriculation among participants has continued to grow. The new program is designed to build on that success and help even more students access college by removing common barriers. Key program features include personalized support, including small cohorts, academic coaching, and dedicated advisors for multi-lingual and exceptional learners; advising to promote executive functioning and college readiness; culturally responsive teaching and staffing to reflect and support the student population; and universal access, with 100% of Duggan students participating regardless of prior academic performance.

 

WNE Awarded Grant to Help

Families Reduce Energy Costs

SPRINGFIELD — West Springfield families will benefit from a new partnership between Western New England University (WNE) College of Engineering and Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH) that uses drone and AI technology to identify heat loss and implement energy-saving home retrofits — at no cost to qualifying residents. This partnership is possible thanks to a $149,700 EmPower Massachusetts grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. Through this initiative, the team will conduct thermographic assessments to detect heat loss in the homes of low-income families in West Springfield. Principal investigator (PI) Yu Hou and co-PI Steven Li will lead efforts using drones equipped with thermal cameras to create thermographic models. They will apply artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to analyze and quantify heat loss, simulate building energy consumption, and generate automated retrofitting plans. WNE will work with GSHFH to implement these plans for selected families. Students can use local homes as case studies, integrating building energy simulation and tools like building information modeling into their coursework.

 

Bulkley Richardson

Named a Legacy Law Firm

SPRINGFIELD — Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly released its inaugural list of Legacy Law Firms, spotlighting firms that have not merely survived but thrived for 25 years or more years. According to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, “Firms range in size from three lawyers to hundreds of attorneys, but all have weathered economic shifts, technological transformations, and an evolving legal landscape while maintaining a core commitment to client service.” Bulkley Richardson’s profile, as prepared by a Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly staff writer, noted the firm’s size (39 attorneys) and commitment to talent acquisition, workplace culture, and commitment to the local community. The publication also praised the firm’s longevity and strategic positioning, delivering service quality comparable to major national practices, but also the personalized attention and long-term relationships characteristic of boutique practices.

 

HCC Awarded $423,190 for

TRIO Student Support Program

HOLYOKE — The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Holyoke Community College (HCC) a TRIO Student Support Services grant of $423,190 to improve college retention and graduation rates among low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities. This award, which runs through June 2026, marks the continuation of more than 30 years of TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) services at HCC. Since 1993, the program has served thousands of HCC students, helping them stay in school, earn degrees, and build meaningful careers. SSS is one of eight federal TRIO programs funded under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to remove social, academic, and cultural barriers to higher education. Since its inception in 1968, TRIO SSS has helped millions of low-income, first-generation students graduate from college and contribute to their communities and the economy. Through individualized services including academic tutoring, financial aid, scholarship guidance, career exploration, personal and academic counseling, and mentoring, TRIO SSS empowers students to overcome barriers to success. These comprehensive supports make it significantly more likely that students will complete their degrees or successfully transfer with the lowest possible debt. Nationally, the TRIO SSS program has a proven track record. According to a 2019 evaluation by the U.S. Department of Education, students in TRIO SSS at two-year institutions were 48% more likely to earn an associate degree or transfer to a four-year school, and students at four-year institutions were 18% more likely to earn a bachelor’s degree compared to similar peers not in the program.

 

Yonder Community Toy Shop

Opens in Easthampton

EASTHAMPTON — For Danielle Curry’s vision of a child-centered, sensory-inspired, and creative art studio comes alive at Yonder Community Toy Shop and Rec Room, where she offers enriching toys, puzzles, and treasures to purchase and test in a drop-in play studio. The studio can be booked for celebrations, creative workshops, play therapy, homeschool groups, and more. Curry, who brought her idea of a toy store and drop-in play studio to the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce’s Co.Starters entrepreneur program in 2024, spent nine weeks honing her business model among like-minded peers. The program, brought to the city by Mayor Nicole LaChapelle and the Chamber of Commerce, takes individuals interested in starting their own businesses from idea generation to ready-to-market skills. The program is supported by local professionals, lending institutions, and program graduates. Yonder Toy Shop Play & Party Studio, located at 186 Northampton St., Unit E, is open for drop-in play and reservations. Call (413) 203-1168 or visit www.yondertoyshop.com for more information.

 

DPI ‘Hey Neighbor!’ Campaign

Announces 10 Awardees

PITTSFIELD — Downtown Pittsfield Inc. (DPI), with funding from MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Initiative (TDI), has launched a “Hey Neighbor!” marketing campaign to spotlight and support downtown storefront businesses through social media and coordinated cinema and radio marketing campaigns. This grant-funded program awarded marketing grants to 10 for-profit businesses in downtown Pittsfield. There were four awards for businesses with one to three employees, three awards for businesses with four to nine employees, and three awards for businesses with 10 or more employees. The businesses awarded marketing grants are Brazzucas Market, Berkshire Nautilus, Espetinho Carioca, Hot Plate Brewing Co., Marie’s North Street Eatery and Gallery, Methuselah Bar and Lounge, McNinch Restaurant Group, Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort, Thistle ’n Thorn Floral, and WANDER Berkshires. These grantees will receive custom video ads displayed before films at the Beacon Cinema and radio advertisements aired on WUPE/WBEC FM. The “Hey Neighbor!” marketing campaign aims to drive foot traffic, build community awareness, and showcase the diverse stories of Pittsfield’s small business community.

 

Hometown Mortgage Secures

Nearly $1.5 Million in Grants

EASTHAMPTON — Hometown Mortgage recently announced it had helped more than 50 low- and moderate-income families across Massachusetts and neighboring states buy homes through securing nearly $1.5 million in grants from homeownership programs in 2025. Hometown Mortgage helped borrowers secure more than $1 million in grants from three programs funded by FHLBank Boston. The Equity Builder, Housing Our Workforce, and Lift Up Homeownership programs provided grants of $25,000 to $50,000 to qualifying borrowers to help with down payments, closing costs, or home improvements once purchased. In addition, Hometown Mortgage set aside $200,000 for its own Special Purpose Credit grant program, providing grants of up to $10,000 to income-eligible borrowers purchasing homes in select areas of Springfield, Holyoke, and Worcester.

 

Holyoke Art Joins Art Pharmacy

to Provide Mental Health Support

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Art has officially joined Art Pharmacy, a groundbreaking arts and healthcare initiative designed to improve mental health and emotional well-being through non-clinical, creative experiences. As a new regional provider in this statewide network, Holyoke Art will offer referred patients joyful, expressive sessions like paint flinging in the Splatery and guided art classes, all at no cost to participants. Art Pharmacy, launched in Georgia in 2022 and now expanded to Massachusetts through a partnership with the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Mass General Brigham, allows healthcare professionals to prescribe up to 12 creative experiences per year to patients experiencing anxiety, depression, loneliness, or chronic stress. Participants are supported by a trained care navigator who helps tailor their experiences and tracks progress using tools like the PHQ-9 and WHO Well-being Index. At Holyoke Art, that prescription may look like an unstructured session of color chaos in the Splatery, a space where participants throw paint at canvases, walls, and each other, or a welcoming art class designed to foster connection, confidence, and play. Patients are referred by a healthcare provider, social worker, or mental health counselor. A care navigator follows up to ensure consistency, accessibility, and trackable outcomes. There’s no cost to the participant. Holyoke Art will begin hosting referred sessions this summer. Interested providers or organizations can contact Art Pharmacy at [email protected] to learn how to participate.

Incorporations

By
Incorporations

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

AGAWAM

UKW Consulting Inc., 267 Rowley St., Agawam, MA 01001. Uhia Willis, same. Business consulting to individuals and businesses.

BELCHERTOWN

Advanced Mechanical Services Inc., 388 Rockrimmon St., Belchertown, MA 01007. Sergio Laneiro, 388 Rockrimmon St., Belchertown, MA 01007. Heating, air conditioning, general contracting, and related services.

CHICOPEE

Everything Window Tint Inc., 450B New Ludlow Road, Chicopee, MA 01020. Victor Delgado, same. Automotive, commercial, and residential window tint and vinyl wrap.

Tony’s Ice Cream Inc., 456 Front St., Chicopee, MA 01013. Youssef Abdelhalim, 36 Chestnut Court, Amherst, MA 01002. Ice cream shop.

EAST BROOKFIELD

Ram Associates Corp., 103 Lakeview Ave., East Brookfield, MA 01515. Roland Messier III, same. Business of insurance loss estimating, consulting, and adjusting.

EASTHAMPTON

Unreconciled Project Inc., 14 Garfield Ave., Easthampton, MA 01027. Jay Sefton, same. Facilitates storytelling workshops, peer support groups, and public forums with leading experts on the issue of childhood sexual abuse.

EAST LONGMEADOW

The Proper Stagg Environmental Group, 75 North Main St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Joseph Croteau, 94 Meadowbrook Road, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Utilizes special decomposition technology in furtherance of decarbonization, including waste reduction, and implements environmentally friendly fertilization processes to produce clean, renewable energy, while working with rehabilitative incarceration and other programs to provide job opportunities.

GREAT BARRINGTON

Pryjma Petals Inc., 301 Monument Valley Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Britta Schellenberg, same. Functions as a flower farm and offers gardening services to private clients and corporations.

HOLYOKE

Racing Mart TJ Inc., 181 West Franklin St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Tejas Patel, 77 Grover St., Springfield, MA 01104. Gas station and convenience store.

LONGMEADOW

C4 Thrive Real Estate Advisory Corp., 24 Greenwich Road, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Jessica Cullinan, 817 Williams St., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Provides property management services and expert consulting to landlords and groups of landlords who lack the resources to hire professional management, and offers guidance for individuals seeking to purchase or manage real estate.

Valley River Anesthesia Inc., 91 Knollwood Circle, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Ashley Weiss, same. Nursing and anesthesia services.

NORTHAMPTON

George Gyro Corp., 80 Main St., Northampton, MA 01060. Aycan Guzel, same. Restaurant and food service.

PITTSFIELD

Chelten Benefits Group Agency Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. John Kelly, same. Insurance sales.

Joseph’s Paintworks Inc., 79 Maplewood Ave., Apt. 2, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Joseph Buffoni, same. Provides services and materials as a painting contractor for residential and commercial projects.

Linate Coffee Enterprises Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Nathaniel Cox, 130 Mill Lane, York, ME 03909. Retail coffee shop specializing in the preparation and sale of coffee, tea, specialty beverages, baked goods, and light food items.

Plum Identity Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Jon Coss, same. Software as a service.

Searle & Co. Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Robert Searle, same. Investment advisory services.

Waltham Pride Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Nicholas Hammond, 210 Lake St., Waltham, MA 02451. Organizes and hosts LGBTQ+ pride events in Waltham.

SOUTHWICK

The Episcopal Community Church in Southwick, 488 College Highway, Southwick, MA 01077. Susan Porter, 9 Falmouth Road, Southwick, MA 01077. Public place of worship.

SPRINGFIELD

Natalie Express Inc., 23 Powell Ave., Springfield, MA 01118. Ruslan Yuzik, same. Trucking services.

Spark Trading LB Inc., 235 Chestnut St., Unit 15, Springfield, MA 01103. Abdillahi Hussein, same. Auto parts sales.

Tienda Guatemala el Quetzal Inc., 2625B Main St., Springfield, MA 01107. Elvia Morales, same. Convenience store.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Homehaven Renovation Inc., 15 Oleander St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Oleksandr Pasichnyi, same. Residential renovations.

WILBRAHAM

Falcon Exterior Cleaning Inc., 50 Decorie Dr., Wilbraham, MA 01095. Robert McDonald, same. Power washing of homes and businesses.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the month of July 2025.

BELCHERTOWN

Arbour Home Solutions
121 Stebbins St.
David Arbour

Avis Realty
31 Pondview Circle
Elizabeth Davis

Kelly Kreative Designs
175 Warner St.
Deborah Kelly

NORTHAMPTON

All About You a Salon
72 Dunphy Dr.
Ann Michon

Baer-Leighton
123 Meadow St.
Jacqueline Leighton

Be Free Acupuncture
17 New South St., Suite 108
Raili Raud

Care Grieve Heal
50 Laurel Park
Kathryn Nebel Murri

Classic Colonial Homes Inc.
123 Meadow St.
Jacqueline Leighton

Cochrane Dental Associates LLC
264 Elm St., Suite 11
Dr. Rebecca Cochrane

CopyCat
241 King St.
Amanda Shafii

Custom Metal Fabrication
40 Audubon Road
Mark Day

English on the Mind
11 Munroe St., Apt. B
Christina Lorimer

Firestone Complete Auto Care
327 King St.
Mark Loftis

Fresh Paint Co.
56 Crestview Dr.
Stephen Drenen

Gentle Bee Veterinary Acupuncture
34 Rustlewood Ridge
Christina White

Inti Spaces
62 Middle St.
Stefan Fabry

Jersey Mike’s #16058
303 King St., Suite A
Christina Troche

Jewish Online Counseling
10 Bancroft Road
Shmuel Kravitsky

Jonathan Dubinsky Handyman Services
496 Elm St.
Jonathan Dubinsky

Mochi Noho
96 Main St.
Xinwen Chen

One, Two, Tug!
266 Grove St., Apt. 22
Eli upcich

Pangaea Sushi
330 North King St.
Su Su Min Aung

Piccolo Stitchworks
82 Maple St.
Nicole Newell

The Pudgy Blue Pig
221 Pine St., Studio 461
Dorin Rufer, Antonia Rufer

Reed Sparrow
35 Clark St.
Angela Arahood

Scrappy Do Excavating
284 Sylvester Road
Michael Samson

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

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

Bayar, Michael Y.
51 Craig Dr., Apt. V-1
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/24/2025

Beth, Gassnola Marie
a/k/a Gassnola, Beth M.
15 Ashmont St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/30/2025

Bibeau, Scott R.
PO Box 124
Gilbertville, MA 01031
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/20/2025

Cruz, Maria J.
64 Cleveland St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/30/2025

Davis, Javone Markis
60 Cedar St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/20/2025

Davis, Leyasia T.
94 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/26/2025

Delgado, Carmen I.
19 Beacon Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/16/2025

Di Liddo, Darin Kent
327 South St.
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/25/2025

Dickinson, Vera Elaine
141 Meeting House Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/25/2025

Esteves, Jessica A.
193 East Road
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/26/2025

Estrella-Vega, Luis
141 Shawmut St.
Springfield, MA 01108-2964
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/17/2025

Gonzalez Aponte, Sonia E.
175 Laurelton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/30/2025

Gonzalez, Jadeline
30 Lowell St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/25/2025

Hill, Wilda-Gene
17 Morin Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/17/2025

Howe, Tiffani M.
33 Kimberly Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/18/2025

J & M All Season Work
Mikalunas, John Richard
31 Maine Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/25/2025

Marcinczyk, David Peter
P.O. Box 4
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/23/2025

Mason, Warren W.
Mason, Lacie L.
379A White Oaks Road
Williamstown, MA 01267
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/16/2025

Molinary, Ricardo E.
51 Van Deene Ave., Apt D4
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/30/2025

Moriarty, Alessandra E.
64 Hillside Village
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/30/2025

O’Brien, Michael R.
77 Loomis Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/16/2025

Perri, Dominic J.
Perri, Brandi L.
a/k/a Wagner, Brandi L.
142 Michigan Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/30/2025

Pueschel, Joshua Richard
30 Clark St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/17/2025

Rice, Kathleen M.
13 Crestview Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/27/2025

Rivera, Damon Jonathan
a/k/a Damon J. Rivera
58 Woodcrest Court
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/30/2025

Ryan, Lester A.
77 West Bay Path Ter.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/25/2025

Scirocco, Alessandro
140 Union St., Apt. 37
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Date: 06/27/2025

Segarra, Harry L.
a/k/a Segarra Suarez, Harry L.
Lezama Gomez, Norma
27 North East St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/30/2025

Smith, Randy J.
Smith, Judith
139 Connecticut Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/20/2025

Steppic, Jon P.
4 Old Mashapaug Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/26/2025

Swan, Fred A.
137 Bellevue Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/17/2025

Tejeda, Victor Raul
32 Pear St.
Springfield, MA 01109-1341
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/26/2025

Torres, Meghan Ann
a/k/a Chiusano, Meghan Ann
70 John St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Date: 06/26/2025

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

BERNARDSTON

186 Bald Mountain Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Arthur L. Morgan
Seller: Zain Naveed
Date: 06/30/25

BUCKLAND

92 Clesson Brook Road
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Andrew Calhoun
Seller: Barry J. Scott
Date: 06/27/25

CHARLEMONT

Avery Brook Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Piti Theatre Co. Inc.
Seller: Jacob W. Rheinheimer
Date: 06/24/25

COLRAIN

41 Coombs Hill Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $472,000
Buyer: Caroline Bruno
Seller: Stephen C. Wheeler
Date: 06/27/25

9 Dunnell Dr.
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: William Jackson
Seller: Rudel LT
Date: 06/30/25

543 Williamsburg Road
Conway, MA 01330
Amount: $585,000
Buyer: Linda K. Strom
Seller: Aaron R. Grinstein
Date: 06/25/25

DEERFIELD

30 Lee Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Peris Line Inc.
Seller: David E. Breuer
Date: 06/26/25

74 North Main St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Jean Callahan
Seller: Melissa H. Perot LT
Date: 06/23/25

GILL

35 Riverview Dr.
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $389,000
Buyer: Denise Delsignore
Seller: Salim Adboo
Date: 06/27/25

GREENFIELD

1 Barber Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $214,000
Buyer: Eds Enterprises LLC
Seller: Patricia A. Hertzfeld
Date: 06/25/25

300 Davis St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Robby A. Avery
Seller: Thomas W. Conway
Date: 07/01/25

29-31 Phillips St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Pioneer Valley Redevelopment LLC
Seller: Jems RT
Date: 06/24/25

311 Plain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $620,000
Buyer: Samantha C. Clay
Seller: Lindsay V. Gardner
Date: 06/27/25

15 Pond St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Eds Enterprises LLC
Seller: Timothy R. Bernard
Date: 06/24/25

21 Raingley Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $392,000
Buyer: Corinne A. Fitzgerald
Seller: Heather M. Terry
Date: 06/27/25

133 School St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $377,000
Buyer: Tiana Jones-Pendergrass
Seller: Donna V. Manuel
Date: 06/27/25

107 Shelburne Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $367,500
Buyer: Sandy Altucher
Seller: Derek D. Payton
Date: 06/30/25

16 Vermont St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Nathan A. Tomlinson
Seller: James A. Turner
Date: 06/27/25

95 Washington St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Andrew Hernandez
Seller: Timothy Tierney
Date: 07/02/25

151 Wells St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Todd Sullivan
Seller: Karen Calderon
Date: 07/01/25

LEVERETT

32 Cave Hill Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $925,000
Buyer: Seth Amsden
Seller: Daniel Emery
Date: 06/30/25

11 Shutesbury Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Donald M. Towse
Seller: Seth W. Donahue
Date: 06/24/25

LEYDEN

25 Stephen Lane
Leyden, MA 01301
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Jane F. Alexander
Seller: Elizabeth A. Walz
Date: 06/23/25

MONTAGUE

48 Broadway
Montague, MA 01347
Amount: $186,000
Buyer: Louise K. Emond
Seller: Maireen B. Mooney
Date: 07/02/25

5 Highland St.
Montague, MA 01349
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Brian M. Chyz
Seller: Brick Jr., Stephen E., (Estate)
Date: 06/26/25

134 Montague City Road
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Miriam Cady
Seller: Kelsey A. Naughton
Date: 06/26/25

9 Norman Circle
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Bianca Martha
Seller: Patricia A. Kostanski
Date: 07/02/25

137 Old Sunderland Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $463,000
Buyer: Carolyn L. Harris
Seller: Hansen INT
Date: 07/01/25

32 Randall Wood Dr.
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $412,000
Buyer: Debera L. Lewis
Seller: Robert H. Fisher
Date: 07/02/25

10 Station St.
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: William C. Quale
Seller: Gregory J. Precourt
Date: 06/27/25

NEW SALEM

134 Fay Road
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $597,000
Buyer: Brian K. Vaidulas
Seller: Leclerc NT
Date: 06/30/25

48 North Main St.
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: George M. Davis
Seller: Arpc LLC
Date: 06/24/25

NORTHFIELD

619 Millers Falls Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $309,000
Buyer: Carlton M. Brown
Seller: Carlton M. Brown
Date: 06/24/25

ORANGE

23 East Myrtle St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Ahmed Autmessaoud
Seller: Jesse Beauchesne
Date: 07/03/25

22 Fountain St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $347,500
Buyer: Jennifer Larkin
Seller: Matthew D. Tarlin
Date: 06/30/25

146 Horton Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: John B. Gemborys
Seller: Amy J. Rae
Date: 06/30/25

141 Mechanic St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $259,900
Buyer: Peder N. Gentry
Seller: Kevin Price
Date: 06/30/25

SHELBURNE

65 Main St.
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $356,300
Buyer: Antonio Velez
Seller: Nancy M. Hazen
Date: 07/02/25

SHUTESBURY

18 Lake Dr.
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Simmons Rental Properties LLC
Seller: Denis B. Poirier RET
Date: 06/25/25

288 Leverett Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: MF Properties LLC
Seller: Elizabeth S. Dichter
Date: 07/01/25

Montague Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Kestrel Land Trust Inc.
Seller: Forest Rothchild
Date: 06/27/25

SUNDERLAND

105 Falls Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $730,000
Buyer: Stephen J. Grader
Seller: Bonnie M. Weiss
Date: 07/01/25

WENDELL

30 Lockes Village Road
Wendell, MA 01379
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Zachary Greninger
Seller: Blc Real Estate Holdings LLC
Date: 06/25/25

197 Wendell Depot Road
Wendell, MA 01380
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Jonathan M. Levin
Seller: Debera L. Lewis
Date: 07/02/25

WHATELY

47 Claverack Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $332,000
Buyer: Nicole Kapise-Perkins
Seller: Pamela Berube
Date: 06/30/25

Haydenville Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Flora J. Chamlin
Seller: Indenture Of Trust
Date: 07/02/25

346 Haydenville Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $219,900
Buyer: Gitsit Real Property LLC
Seller: Virginia C. Allis
Date: 07/02/25

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

116 Anthony St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Nicholas W. Hatton
Seller: Steven D. Costa
Date: 07/02/25

35 Farmington Circle
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Joseph F. Dempsey
Seller: Kantor, Simon W., (Estate)
Date: 06/27/25

152 Glendale Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Jonathan J. Nardi
Seller: Robert A. Pereira
Date: 06/27/25

7 Marla Place
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $481,250
Buyer: Ryan P. Brown
Seller: Ashley D. Hartt
Date: 06/27/25

107 Parker St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Jeremy Dunn
Seller: William B. Leonard 1996 TR
Date: 06/27/25

55 Porter Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Nancy C. Fields
Seller: Bruce K. Cobleigh
Date: 06/30/25

465 River Road
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $437,000
Buyer: Fatoumata Samura
Seller: Koral Arzate
Date: 06/26/25

41 Ruth Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Donald Tilley
Seller: Brian D. Hill
Date: 06/30/25

10 Silver Lake Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $526,000
Buyer: Frederick J. Steinman
Seller: John F. Palazzi
Date: 06/30/25

130 South Westfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Giuseppe Tirone
Seller: Stephen M. Nacewicz
Date: 06/30/25

72 Vassar Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: David M. Sheehan
Seller: Nancy M. Robinson
Date: 06/25/25

BRIMFIELD

44 1st St.
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Ingrid K. Flory
Seller: James O. Lacey
Date: 06/27/25

81 5 Bridge Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $740,000
Buyer: David Harris
Seller: Charles Sayer
Date: 06/26/25

9 5th St.
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $874,500
Buyer: James Lacey
Seller: Denise J. Thompson
Date: 06/30/25

17 Little Alum Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $388,000
Buyer: Denise J. Thompson
Seller: Tyler Reilly
Date: 06/30/25

50 Little Alum Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Charles Sayer
Seller: Justin Liberman
Date: 06/27/25

97 Monson Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $685,000
Buyer: Michael G. Sciaraffa
Seller: Hadank RET TR 2016
Date: 06/26/25

31 Sturbridge Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Michael Siemaszko
Seller: JP Morgan Chase Bank
Date: 06/30/25

CHESTER

1 Crane Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $511,195
Buyer: Rcf 2 Acquisition TR
Seller: Witman Properties Inc.
Date: 06/30/25

266 Goss Hill Road, Lot 1
Chester, MA 01050
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Tyler Pease
Seller: Hewes 2022 Irt
Date: 06/27/25

266 Goss Hill Road, Lot 2
Chester, MA 01050
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Tyler Pease
Seller: Hewes 2022 IRT
Date: 06/27/25

CHICOPEE

19 Arnold St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $352,000
Buyer: Carly Goldenberg
Seller: Chelsea D. Lovley
Date: 06/27/25

429 Broadway St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $528,000
Buyer: Flavia F. Marques
Seller: Fab Holdings LLC
Date: 06/27/25

Burnett Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: SalMar Realty LLC
Seller: Rlb Management LLC
Date: 06/25/25

1774 Carew St.
Chicopee, MA 01104
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: Nhat X. Do
Seller: Machowski RET
Date: 06/24/25

445 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Shayne Fleming-Pancione
Seller: Chicopee Property Management LLC
Date: 06/30/25

153 Clarendon Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Israel Reyes
Seller: Lavalley, Paula M., (Estate)
Date: 06/30/25

203 Crestwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $309,900
Buyer: Deon Goines
Seller: Janice M. Wheeler
Date: 06/24/25

12 Edward St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $407,500
Buyer: Ronaldo E. Ramos-Garcia
Seller: Victoria A. Engel
Date: 06/27/25

80 Empire St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $319,000
Buyer: Victoria A. Johnston
Seller: David S. Kida
Date: 06/23/25

315 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $411,000
Buyer: Darwin Deavens
Seller: Pah DE1 LLC
Date: 07/02/25

460 James St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Liam Paulhus
Seller: Carl F. Rickis
Date: 06/26/25

183 Langevin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Marcus Morales
Seller: Lotus & Hawk Properties LLC
Date: 06/27/25

14 Lawrence Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $261,000
Buyer: Lisa A. Merkel
Seller: Cartier, Teresa, (Estate)
Date: 07/03/25

16 Lincoln St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $333,000
Buyer: Snatch Block Properties LLC
Seller: Jacob E. Tompkins
Date: 07/01/25

83 Mayflower Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Nayza M. Figueroa
Seller: Lukasik FT
Date: 06/27/25

135 Meeting House Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Ashly M. Figueroa-Rosado
Seller: Doris D. Ruiz
Date: 06/30/25

331 Montgomery St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Andy Ho
Seller: Radoslaw Bralski
Date: 06/23/25

78 Providence St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Carmen Acevedo
Seller: Daniel J. Donoghue
Date: 06/27/25

54 Stewart St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Maribel Camacho
Seller: Annette A. Robinson
Date: 06/30/25

98 Trilby Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Dennis M. Benoit
Seller: Randy J. Hevey
Date: 06/25/25

50 Van Horn St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $289,973
Buyer: Pennymac Loan Services LLC
Seller: Lyle C. Clark
Date: 06/23/25

78 Wheatland Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Bruno Bator
Seller: Stefan Kowal
Date: 06/27/25

EAST LONGMEADOW

22 Bettswood Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: William E. Britton
Seller: Christopher R. Monette
Date: 06/30/25

169 Braeburn Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Rosa B. Difiore
Seller: Yagul Ganendran
Date: 07/02/25

10 Callender Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Zhanaya M. Auston
Seller: Juliana M. Evans
Date: 06/26/25

12 Edwill Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: M. & Patricia Anderson RET
Date: 06/27/25

97 Lee St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $919,000
Buyer: Angela K. O’Brien
Seller: Chaffee, Nancy J., (Estate)
Date: 06/24/25

47 Nottingham Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $785,000
Buyer: Suneel Veerwani
Seller: Christopher Macinnis
Date: 07/02/25

90 Pilgrim Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $362,500
Buyer: Robert B. Hawley
Seller: R. & Catherine Stevens FT
Date: 06/26/25

23 Rogers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Diep Huynh
Seller: Jeffrey Brennan
Date: 06/26/25

84 Rogers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Gioio Scibelli
Seller: Noreen, Mary T., (Estate)
Date: 06/30/25

48 Schuyler Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $359,000
Buyer: Jennifer Talbert
Seller: Monica D. Schroeder
Date: 06/25/25

94 Tanglewood Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $640,000
Buyer: Mary B. Tsutsumi
Seller: Robert R. Martin
Date: 06/30/25

37 White Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $353,000
Buyer: Maria M. Boucher
Seller: Stanley P. Garstka
Date: 06/30/25

151 Windham Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $653,900
Buyer: Nicholas Stafford
Seller: Vito Gramarossa
Date: 06/30/25

12 Winding Brook Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Jeffrey M. Becker
Seller: Thomas E. Brown
Date: 06/27/25

GRANVILLE

53 Granby Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Pietro Abruzzo
Seller: Jennifer Kinsman
Date: 06/30/25

HAMPDEN

48 Ames Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Michael London
Seller: Eric C. Jacobson
Date: 06/23/25

9 Andrew Circle
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Sarah Miller
Seller: Anna U. Pham
Date: 07/02/25

272 Bennett Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Kent E. Slabotsky
Seller: Eric Shimits
Date: 06/23/25

90 Colony Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Joshua Bailey
Seller: Daniel K. Armstrong
Date: 06/23/25

58 Oak Knoll Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Zachary Handzel
Seller: George M. Sanford
Date: 06/30/25

45 River Park Dr.
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Sean M. Callahan
Seller: Joseph Sullivan
Date: 06/26/25

198 Stafford Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $588,500
Buyer: Kyle Bergmann
Seller: Rhonda Black
Date: 06/23/25

HOLLAND

8 Julia Ann Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Johnny East LLC
Seller: Keith R. Bazinet RET
Date: 06/23/25

64 South Cottage Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Alexander Tuohy
Seller: Veteran Stan LLC
Date: 07/02/25

172 Stafford Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $445,000
Buyer: Dennis E. Curboy
Seller: Horton, Karen E., (Estate)
Date: 06/30/25

143 Vinton Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: John Kennedy
Seller: Maple Ledge Assocs. Inc.
Date: 06/30/25

HOLYOKE

32 Arden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $361,000
Buyer: Eleanor D. Barr
Seller: Naples Home Buyers TR
Date: 07/03/25

1014 Hampden St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Kelly Raila
Seller: Marisol Rodriguez
Date: 07/03/25

275 High St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: 275 High St. Holyoke LLC
Seller: Chelten Avenue Assocs. LLC
Date: 06/25/25

14 Ladd St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Cassandra Gonzalez
Seller: Richard F. Lukas
Date: 07/01/25

48 Lexington Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Kathleen R. Sabourin
Seller: Kane Jr., Robert F., (Estate)
Date: 06/27/25

58 Longfellow Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Ann Rasmussen
Seller: Kelly Raila
Date: 07/03/25

1-3 Monroe St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Melissa B. Caraballo-Roman
Seller: Jjj17 LLC
Date: 06/27/25

70-72 North East St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Kimberly S. Rivera
Seller: Jorge L. Sanabria
Date: 06/25/25

461 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $266,000
Buyer: R. & R. Home Improvement
Seller: Federal National Mortgage Assn.
Date: 07/01/25

16 Old Ferry Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $115,655
Buyer: Frank A. Demarinis
Seller: Carl E. Longley
Date: 07/02/25

8 Quirk Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Ruthann P. Persaud
Seller: Dan J. Pan
Date: 06/27/25

86 Sycamore St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $266,000
Buyer: Matthew A. O’Brien
Seller: Robert J. Schroeter
Date: 06/26/25

2 Sylvia Lane
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Miriam S. Lexie
Seller: Elizabeth M. Persch
Date: 06/23/25

279 Whitney Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Arnold H. Brigham
Seller: Alfred J. Albano
Date: 06/27/25

14 Woodbridge St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Stephen W. Oparowski
Seller: Stein, Bonnie M., (Estate)
Date: 06/30/25

LONGMEADOW

63 Bel Air Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Matthew J. Albano
Seller: Adam J. Moses
Date: 06/23/25

249 Concord Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $730,000
Buyer: Brian J. McGann
Seller: Robert Reggiannini
Date: 06/26/25

26 Edgewood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Mary Sheridan
Seller: Simone R. Enright
Date: 06/27/25

109 Hillcrest Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Jeffrey I. Fialky
Seller: Michael W. Smith
Date: 06/24/25

242 Kenmore Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $551,000
Buyer: Kenneth Shusterman
Seller: Elaine B. Horowitz
Date: 06/23/25

99 Knollwood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $545,000
Buyer: Paul Madaj
Seller: Charlotte H. Beers
Date: 07/02/25

68 Normandy Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $900,000
Buyer: Andrew Malloy
Seller: Sharon F. Dickerman
Date: 06/30/25

210 Park Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $1,110,000
Buyer: Joseph Harasymiak
Seller: Joseph H. Sklar
Date: 06/27/25

20 Pleasantview Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Sunit Jain
Seller: Keith R. Belloff
Date: 06/27/25

24 Vanguard Lane
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Brendan S. Hartt
Seller: Mario Rodrigues
Date: 06/27/25

LUDLOW

599 Alden St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $342,000
Buyer: Jacob R. Breton
Seller: Austin Berneche
Date: 06/23/25

762 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $389,900
Buyer: Aszia Perrin
Seller: Louis Bonavita
Date: 06/25/25

601 Chapin St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $275,500
Buyer: Paola N. Ramos
Seller: George Maksymiw
Date: 06/30/25

12 Duke St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $266,000
Buyer: Marissa Fabbo
Seller: Antonio M. Alves
Date: 07/01/25

81 Erin Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Christian Beseinere
Seller: Michael R. White
Date: 06/27/25

Fuller St., Lot 0
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Zero Fuller Street LLC
Seller: Banas Properties LLC
Date: 06/27/25

168 Lockland Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $628,000
Buyer: Qianzhu Li
Seller: John A. Portelada
Date: 07/02/25

512 Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Ashley Hendricks
Seller: Donald W. Wojcik
Date: 06/27/25

185 West St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Katharine J. Laflamme
Seller: Partyka Partners LP
Date: 06/27/25

749 West St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $580,000
Buyer: Lynn M. Gray
Seller: 749 West Street LLC
Date: 07/03/25

MONSON

28 Ayers Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Jared J. Menard
Seller: Christopher Fontaine
Date: 07/02/25

26 Cushman St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Kim K. Pascale
Seller: Pamela N. Williams
Date: 06/30/25

91 Fenton Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $595,000
Buyer: Jack Paine
Seller: William Griggs
Date: 06/24/25

136 Munn Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $527,000
Buyer: Jeffrey B. Quigley
Seller: Stephen A. Gasco
Date: 06/27/25

224 Palmer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Janet R. Everett
Seller: Mary L. Lamb
Date: 07/02/25

321 Stafford Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Emery Damours
Seller: Real Estate Homes LLC
Date: 07/03/25

PALMER

4345 High St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $297,500
Buyer: Pamela A. Quirk
Seller: Thomas W. Scharrett
Date: 06/24/25

5-7 Maple Ter.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Carole D. Komguep
Seller: A To Z Property Management
Date: 06/23/25

91 Robinson Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Ismael Vicente
Seller: David A. Partridge
Date: 06/30/25

1240 South Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $301,500
Buyer: Cheata An
Seller: Shannon Brown
Date: 06/27/25

65-67 Summer St.
Palmer, MA 01079
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Dalton L. Siegel
Seller: Michael D. Opielowski
Date: 06/26/25

20 Vicardav Ave.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $364,900
Buyer: Jonathan Clarke
Seller: James E. Farris
Date: 06/26/25

SPRINGFIELD

60-62 Acushnet Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $417,950
Buyer: Bezviner Real Estate Inc.
Seller: 60-62 Acushnet LLC
Date: 07/03/25

93 Alderman St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $496,000
Buyer: Maria M. Hernandez
Seller: Bella L. Cevallos
Date: 06/24/25

1101 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Darlene Kirby
Seller: 1101 Allen 2 TR
Date: 06/30/25

16 Atwater Ter.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $449,500
Buyer: Gilberto Jimenez
Seller: Marguerite Jones
Date: 06/30/25

69 Bassing St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Lauren L. Whalen
Seller: Rhl Properties LLC
Date: 06/24/25

891 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Arismendy F. Salazar
Seller: Nexius LLC
Date: 07/03/25

31 Bryant St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Ortega LLC
Seller: David E. Williams
Date: 07/03/25

27 Bushwick Place
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Roseline Messadouo
Seller: Doraliz Ubeda
Date: 06/30/25

1022 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Hector D. Santos
Seller: Juan A. Rivera
Date: 06/27/25

96 Clearbrook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $416,000
Buyer: Lynn M. Gasco
Seller: Kevin M. Noonan
Date: 06/27/25

230 Connecticut Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $432,000
Buyer: Pedro J. Reyes
Seller: Viktor Savonin
Date: 06/25/25

46-48 Dearborn St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: LP Stewart LLC
Seller: Farfan-Forbes, Carol L., (Estate)
Date: 06/23/25

100 Derryfield Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: William T. Raleigh
Seller: Pennymac Loan Services LLC
Date: 06/23/25

235 Dorset St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Marcelo Costa
Seller: Haagsma, Rudolf W., (Estate)
Date: 06/23/25

31 Duggan Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Elizabeth Torres
Seller: Juan L. Gonzalez
Date: 07/01/25

69 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Karen Redmond
Seller: Deliz Lopez
Date: 06/24/25

50 Feltham Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Angel Candelaria
Seller: Christine M. Ford
Date: 06/25/25

84-86 Forest Park Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Alexander M. Cohen
Seller: Shirley R. Wilson
Date: 07/03/25

158 Fountain St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Nakeisha Roberts
Seller: Melanie Jefferies
Date: 06/24/25

15-17 Francis St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Odalis Feliciano
Seller: Megan A. Russis
Date: 06/23/25

181 Freeman Ter.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $164,900
Buyer: Gitsit Real Property
Seller: Raymond M. Cipriani
Date: 06/30/25

14 Garford St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Emtay Inc.
Seller: Frank R. Caruso
Date: 06/24/25

33 Gillette Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Vicki M. Giuggio
Seller: Samantha Haefner
Date: 06/23/25

58 Gilman St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Orange Park Mgmt. LLC
Seller: Michelle B. Segall-Rainey
Date: 06/23/25

26 Grandview St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Thomas Malek
Seller: Morgan Stanley Abs Capital
Date: 06/30/25

115 Hampden St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Andrzej Lipior
Seller: Naples Home Buyers TR
Date: 06/26/25

3 Hampden St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Handyflippers Inc.
Seller: Maria I. Matos
Date: 07/01/25

51 Hardy St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Fernando C. Vega
Seller: Calvanese, Dennis Lee, (Estate)
Date: 07/03/25

24 Hiawatha St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $474,500
Buyer: Redinson G. Baez
Seller: Colondres & Co. LLC
Date: 06/30/25

49 Hillside Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Elizabeth R. Imelio
Seller: Ethan Goldman
Date: 06/26/25

95 Holly St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Handyflippers Inc.
Seller: Maria I. Matos
Date: 07/01/25

24 Homestead Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $489,000
Buyer: Shanique S. Campbell
Seller: Mamba Capital LLC
Date: 06/30/25

68 Ingersoll Grove
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $392,000
Buyer: Jessica Dillard-Wright
Seller: Stephen Moore
Date: 06/25/25

154 Kimberly Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Diego Mejia
Seller: Mpr Properties LLC
Date: 07/03/25

21 Lawndale St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Troy Dang
Seller: Licenia Cruz
Date: 06/30/25

194 Lexington St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Alexi Velazquez
Seller: Bernardino Fuentes
Date: 06/27/25

24 Lorimer St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $338,000
Buyer: Natasha M. Clarke
Seller: Wicked Deals LLC
Date: 07/02/25

Main St. (rear)
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: North End Housing Initiative
Seller: New England Farm Workers Council
Date: 06/25/25

Main St. (WS)
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: North End Housing Initiative
Seller: New England Farm Workers Council
Date: 06/25/25

79 Marshall St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Alexandra Pascual
Seller: Maria F. Del Rio
Date: 07/01/25

157-159 Massachusetts Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Ach Holdings LLC
Seller: Deon L. Goines
Date: 06/25/25

23 McBride St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Jose M. Rivas
Seller: Daniel Torres
Date: 06/26/25

84 North Brook Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $227,500
Buyer: Naples Home Buyers TR
Seller: Anthony Santos
Date: 06/23/25

Nelson Ave. (ES)
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $534,000
Buyer: Victor Medina
Seller: Brice Contracting Services LLC
Date: 06/24/25

84-86 Oak Grove Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Polina Polkovnikova
Seller: VC Real Estate Inc.
Date: 06/27/25

175 Oak Hollow Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Christopher W. Murphy
Seller: Judi Scavotto
Date: 06/27/25

105-107 Oakwood Ter.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $337,000
Buyer: Kaleighia Green
Seller: 101-111 Oakwood TR
Date: 06/26/25

416 Orange St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Isaura Quezada
Seller: Rosa L. Rivera
Date: 06/24/25

48 Oregon St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Brianna M. Ottomaniello
Seller: Warren R. Tanguay
Date: 06/25/25

64 Overlea Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Edgar J. Rivera
Seller: Steven C. Charette
Date: 07/01/25

41 Parallel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Maria L. Pena
Seller: Natalia B. Rivera
Date: 07/03/25

1037 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Devin J. Markiewicz
Seller: Anzalotti, Carolina, (Estate)
Date: 06/24/25

511 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Tynisa Eddington
Seller: Tok Chang
Date: 07/02/25

716 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: West Jam Man LLC
Seller: Brian J. Bush
Date: 06/27/25

1652 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Kayla I. Luciano
Seller: Kathleen A. Salvador RET
Date: 06/30/25

248 Pheland St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $307,500
Buyer: Alexandria Leske
Seller: Onota Rental LLC
Date: 06/25/25

32 Pine Hill Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Douglas Dichard
Seller: Diane M. Frenier
Date: 06/25/25

590 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Maribel Antigua
Seller: Robert L. Reid
Date: 07/01/25

6-8 Pomona St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Brigida A. Quinonez
Seller: Kevin J. Merlos
Date: 06/24/25

15 Prescott St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Todd W. Downie
Seller: Joanmar Realty LLC
Date: 07/03/25

91 Price St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Farrova Forren Inc.
Seller: John M. Friedson
Date: 06/25/25

243-245 Quincy St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Keyla Diaz
Seller: Northern Flooring & Remodelling
Date: 07/03/25

38 Ramah St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Darryl Best
Seller: 38 Ramah LLC
Date: 06/30/25

78 Randolph St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $501,000
Buyer: Mendez T
Seller: Deidre T. Shea-Tougias
Date: 06/30/25

42 Rosedale Ave.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Janice Desarden
Seller: Barry O. Browning
Date: 06/27/25

246 Rosewell St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $297,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Tousignant
Seller: Jose G. Rivera-Campusano
Date: 06/24/25

53 Ruthven St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Sarah Reilly
Seller: Andrew T. Reilly
Date: 06/26/25

15 Rutledge Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Randy Ampratwum
Seller: Cig4 LLC
Date: 06/27/25

60 Saint Lawrence Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $329,000
Buyer: Robinson Betances
Seller: Brightwood Properties LLC
Date: 06/27/25

4 Seneca St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Jose M. Reyes
Seller: Jjj17 LLC
Date: 06/26/25

Sheldon St. (NS)
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: North End Housing Initiative
Seller: New England Farm Workers Council
Date: 06/25/25

118 Signal Hill Circle
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Warren R. Tanguay
Seller: Alexis C. Perez
Date: 06/25/25

Slater Ave.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Cory J. Mattoon
Seller: Lydia Rivera
Date: 06/27/25

3 Sorrento St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Brinier Zapata
Seller: Zeicha N. Colon
Date: 07/01/25

15 Southern Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Fumi Realty Inc.
Seller: Byrd, Veronica, (Estate)
Date: 06/27/25

151 Springfield St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Affluent Circle LLC
Seller: Gilberto Jimenez
Date: 06/30/25

138 Stapleton Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: Colleen Moynihan
Seller: Malissa Naylor Realty
Date: 06/27/25

264 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Julian Cornejo
Seller: Alan J. Lerman
Date: 06/23/25

43 Sunridge Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Joseph Sullivan
Seller: George S. Parsons
Date: 07/01/25

27 Vail St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $153,000
Buyer: Amanda Parrott
Seller: Gregory C. Parrott
Date: 06/27/25

15 Viola St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Nathan M. Dejesus
Seller: Angel L. Centeno
Date: 06/27/25

76-78 Virginia St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Rafael L. Polanco
Seller: Cig4 LLC
Date: 06/30/25

302 West Allen Ridge Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Franklin Rose
Seller: Debra T. Gralia
Date: 06/30/25

15 Warriner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $359,300
Buyer: Redinson G. Baez
Seller: Visionary Homes LLC
Date: 06/30/25

24 Westbanks Court
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $341,000
Buyer: Ceaiel Parris
Seller: Wendy M. Deboise
Date: 06/27/25

169 Whittum Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Rosanna R. Ruiz
Seller: Alex D. Garcia
Date: 07/01/25

126 Windemere St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $231,400
Buyer: Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC
Seller: Donna J. Moore
Date: 06/26/25

SOUTHWICK

183 Feeding Hills Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Cole Lozinski
Seller: Real Estate Investors Northeast LLC
Date: 06/30/25

71 Powder Mill Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Robert S. Bombard
Seller: Robert S. Bombard
Date: 06/30/25

10 Sawgrass Lane
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $532,000
Buyer: Douglas Dichard
Seller: Charles Lippert
Date: 07/02/25

TOLLAND

15 Thicket Road
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Robert Capaldi
Seller: Jonathan W. Roberts
Date: 06/24/25

WALES

24 Sizer Dr.
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Nancy Yulfo
Seller: Gary Como
Date: 06/30/25

40 Stafford Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $214,000
Buyer: Heather Flannery
Seller: Olon Flannery
Date: 06/30/25

WEST SPRINGFIELD

181 Adrian Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Ryan T. McCarthy
Seller: Daniel Wroth
Date: 06/25/25

726 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Tina Wildhagen
Seller: Dzuyrzynski 2016 Irt
Date: 06/30/25

161 Bear Hole Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $558,000
Buyer: Kulwinder Kaur
Seller: David R. Lapointe
Date: 07/03/25

34 Hale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Purna B. Bhujel
Seller: Krishna Kharel
Date: 07/03/25

69 Lancaster Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Lane Contracting Co. LLC
Seller: Lancaster TR
Date: 06/23/25

56 Northwood Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $406,000
Buyer: William Marx
Seller: Scully, Mary C., (Estate)
Date: 07/03/25

27 Oakland St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Andrew Eaton
Seller: Bianca Lambert
Date: 07/01/25

224 Ohio Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $402,000
Buyer: Ashley Puls
Seller: Michael S. Smith
Date: 06/30/25

16 Pine St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $323,000
Buyer: Evan Cabaniol
Seller: Jacqueline R. White
Date: 07/01/25

353 Piper Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Craig C. Nielsen
Seller: Barry J. Hubbard
Date: 06/25/25

112 Southworth St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $237,500
Buyer: Cheryl L. Shippee-Porter
Seller: Cam M. Alamed
Date: 06/30/25

36 Thomas Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Kemal Cirak
Seller: Cornelius P. Sullivan
Date: 06/25/25

57 Tiara Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $780,000
Buyer: Ilyaz Agayev
Seller: Ryan J. Bradley
Date: 06/23/25

33 Westfield St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $827,000
Buyer: Cdg Westfield Holding LLC
Seller: 33 Westfield LLC
Date: 06/30/25

44 Woodward Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $357,000
Buyer: Charles Newman
Seller: Rita A. Petersen Income On
Date: 07/02/25

WESTFIELD

16 Avery St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $367,340
Buyer: Dacota Durkee
Seller: Avery Street Property LLC
Date: 06/25/25

36 Bennett Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Christine Lupacchino
Seller: Lisa A. Merkel
Date: 07/02/25

8-1/2 Bush St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Tricia Barnard
Seller: Danielle H. Solitario
Date: 07/02/25

34 Caitlin Way
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $620,000
Buyer: Jason Schrecke
Seller: Vijay Patel
Date: 07/03/25

9 Day Lily Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $780,000
Buyer: Philip J. Johnson
Seller: Brendan M. McMahon
Date: 06/30/25

35 East Glen Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: Ilmer Canales
Seller: Keith D. Saltmarsh
Date: 06/27/25

60 East Silver St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $6,250,000
Buyer: Vantage Westfield Realty LLC
Seller: Ohima LLC
Date: 07/01/25

42 Gary Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $790,000
Buyer: Ram Matsa
Seller: Curtis S. Gezotis
Date: 06/30/25

13 Hampden St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Diedenshausen TR
Seller: Pierangelo P. Proietti
Date: 06/26/25

39 Harold Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Tymofiy Malova
Seller: Jean L. Dudas
Date: 06/27/25

132 Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: First Central Bible Church
Seller: Dmitriy Mayboroda
Date: 06/27/25

11 Joseph Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $396,000
Buyer: Louise Scanlon
Seller: Kevin McKenna
Date: 06/25/25

152 Lockhouse Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Zakory Christian
Seller: Kimberly M. Hall
Date: 06/26/25

150 Miller St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Oksana I. Kostoviat
Seller: Kyle J. Killinger
Date: 07/02/25

17 Montgomery St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Nathan Solitario
Seller: Fumi Realty Inc.
Date: 07/02/25

181 Notre Dame St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Prestige Worldwide
Seller: Zap Realty LLC
Date: 07/02/25

60 Pineridge Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Floyd J. Alwon
Seller: Brian O. Richards
Date: 06/24/25

1012 Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $418,000
Buyer: Katie M. Maslak
Seller: Gregory P. Burke
Date: 06/27/25

134 Russellville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: 134 Russellville RT
Seller: Zack & Sons LLC
Date: 06/25/25

37 Salvator Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $627,000
Buyer: Scot Brzoska
Seller: Robert E. Smith
Date: 07/02/25

97 Sandy Hill Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Michael A. Bombard
Seller: Jose L. Quinones
Date: 06/27/25

164 Susan Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: Justin R. Morini
Seller: Richard J. Morini LT
Date: 06/30/25

86 White St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Anthony M. Noto
Seller: Rnegron Home Improvement LLC
Date: 06/25/25

WILBRAHAM

2417 Boston Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $1,250,000
Buyer: PMP Realty LLC
Seller: 2417 Boston Road LLC
Date: 06/27/25

10 Brookmont Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Anthony Carnevale
Seller: Wanda K. Cronin
Date: 06/23/25

32 Decorie Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Serna Panzetti
Seller: David L. Hannon
Date: 06/30/25

15 Deerfield Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $739,000
Buyer: Brendan M. McMahon
Seller: Custom Home Development Group LLC
Date: 06/27/25

5 Gary Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Richard Tomchik
Seller: Adam M. Herder
Date: 06/27/25

7 Joan St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Kim K. Davis
Seller: Aviva N. Berezin
Date: 06/27/25

4 Mark Twain Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $622,000
Buyer: Katelyn Manley
Seller: Nicholas S. Munn
Date: 06/27/25

337 Maynard Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $580,000
Buyer: Anthony Bruso
Seller: Szf Properties LLC
Date: 06/26/25

6 Meeting House Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Carolyn McNulty
Seller: Philip Moraitis
Date: 06/24/25

258 Mountain Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Leslie G. Lindsey
Seller: Matthew N. Karp
Date: 06/26/25

109 Silver St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $835,000
Buyer: Andrew Collins
Seller: Lisa A. Massie
Date: 06/25/25

106 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Jose L. Velazquez
Seller: Paulo Villegas
Date: 06/30/25

14 Sunnyside Ter.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $403,000
Buyer: Mark W. Ryan
Seller: Besko, Mary T., (Estate)
Date: 06/23/25

7 Woodsley Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $655,000
Buyer: Brandon Lafrennie
Seller: Alicia Maher
Date: 06/25/25

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

66 Curtis Place
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Kilerine Properties LLC
Seller: Ryan Bearer
Date: 06/27/25

24 Dennis Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Taylore A. Wilson
Seller: Matthew B. Dalton
Date: 06/27/25

33 Echo Hill Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $643,000
Buyer: Sarah M. Plazza
Seller: Barbara W. Freed RET
Date: 07/02/25

19 Indian Pipe Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $1,021,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Robert
Seller: G. C. Blauvelt
Date: 06/23/25

242 Lincoln Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $1,150,000
Buyer: Seth Shulman
Seller: Charles M. Thompson
Date: 06/26/25

87 Meadow St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $376,000
Buyer: Mac Squared LLC
Seller: Christina Brady
Date: 06/27/25

91 Meadow St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $376,000
Buyer: Mac Squared LLC
Seller: Christina Brady
Date: 06/27/25

321 Middle St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $565,000
Buyer: Katherine E. Moore
Seller: Kristina Engstrom
Date: 07/01/25

394 Middle St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Priscilla A. Whitte
Seller: T. Stuart Bicknell RET
Date: 06/30/25

1136 North Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Stay In Motion LLC
Seller: Watroba, Chester E., (Estate)
Date: 06/27/25

1427 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $490,750
Buyer: William Mair
Seller: David Merck
Date: 06/30/25

14 Smith St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $645,000
Buyer: George Thomas
Seller: Meredith E. Lind
Date: 07/01/25

BELCHERTOWN

47 Allen Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Jeremy Rubock
Seller: Gregory R. Seligman
Date: 06/27/25

50 Boardman St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Grant M. Stebbins
Seller: Kenneth L. Stebbins
Date: 07/01/25

24 Brandywine Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $516,300
Buyer: Lisa States
Seller: Bing Chi
Date: 06/26/25

47 Daniel Square
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: MK TR
Seller: Thomas L. Beaver
Date: 07/03/25

122 Metacomet St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $387,000
Buyer: Phillippe J. Michaud
Seller: Gelineau Filos RET
Date: 06/27/25

50 North Main St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Belchertown North Main LLC
Seller: Sarah Martin
Date: 07/03/25

47 North St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Christopher Wall
Seller: Joseph M. Santaniello
Date: 06/26/25

47 Overlook Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $612,000
Buyer: Michael Rohrbacher
Seller: Francis D. Charron
Date: 06/25/25

68 Pomeroy St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $939,495
Buyer: Rebecca A. Splain
Seller: David A. Hardy Contractor
Date: 06/25/25

42 Sheffield Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Matthew S. Hosen
Seller: Joseph Worthley
Date: 06/30/25

EASTHAMPTON

44 Carillon Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $695,000
Buyer: Michael C. Cooper
Seller: Ann Rasmussen
Date: 07/03/25

13 Everett St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $461,000
Buyer: Mark Leichthammer
Seller: Robin Haueter
Date: 07/01/25

46 Garfield Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Cody Potasky
Seller: Amy Jacobson RET
Date: 07/01/25

6 Hannum Brook Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Padraic Kelly
Seller: Karen A. Volpe
Date: 06/27/25

143 West St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Scott M. Coen
Seller: Caroline E. Foley
Date: 07/01/25

GOSHEN

32 Birch Road
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Christina Sekaer
Seller: Charles S. Hanson
Date: 06/24/25

12 Cherry Road
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $234,500
Buyer: Sarah E. Fresco
Seller: Louise Morse
Date: 06/26/25

23 Hyde Hill Road
Goshen, MA 01032
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Timothy D. Williams
Seller: Lebeau Int.
Date: 06/26/25

GRANBY

116 Aldrich St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $427,500
Buyer: Gina Sousa
Seller: Douglas N. Sousa
Date: 06/26/25

HADLEY

62 Breckenridge Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $503,500
Buyer: Maria Korochenko
Seller: Colin McIntire
Date: 07/02/25

379 River Dr.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: G&B Realty Partners LLC
Seller: Martin, Lillian R., (Estate)
Date: 06/30/25

111 Rocky Hill Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $537,000
Buyer: Urshula K. Wood
Seller: Thomas Quinlan
Date: 07/01/25

120 Rocky Hill Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $603,000
Buyer: Yunrui Sang
Seller: Jason P. Bohonowicz
Date: 07/02/25

299 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $3,500,000
Buyer: Bar Hadley LLC
Seller: 299 Russell Street LLC
Date: 06/25/25

401 Russell St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $5,000,000
Buyer: Lewray LLC
Seller: Amherst Development Assocs. LLC
Date: 06/24/25

16 Shattuck Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $734,000
Buyer: Hadley Jp LLC
Seller: Steven C. Konieczny
Date: 06/27/25

HATFIELD

97 Elm St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Stephanie E. Slysz
Seller: Amy V. Meo
Date: 06/30/25

19 Straits Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $495,000
Buyer: Rebekah F. Kaplan
Seller: Stephanie E. Slysz
Date: 06/30/25

320 West St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $151,500
Buyer: Federal National Mortgage Assn.
Seller: George W. Emeny
Date: 07/01/25

HUNTINGTON

47 Old Chester Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Larry Rich
Seller: Elizabeth Stansky
Date: 06/30/25

NORTHAMPTON

83 Bancroft Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,589,000
Buyer: Christopher Lozo
Seller: Frank G. Allen
Date: 06/25/25

102 Bridge Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Julia N. Giguere
Seller: Jason Allen
Date: 06/30/25

247 Coles Meadow Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Kimberly Jones
Seller: Barker FT
Date: 07/01/25

110 Cooke Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $362,000
Buyer: Gerald N. Baker
Seller: Tharen RET
Date: 06/30/25

17 Harlow Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $693,000
Buyer: Daniel F. Emery
Seller: United Holding TR
Date: 06/30/25

339 Haydenville Road
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $318,000
Buyer: Andrew Placzek
Seller: Margaret M. Ryan
Date: 06/23/25

99 Lake St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $600,001
Buyer: Claudia E. Forrester
Seller: Eugene B. Ferrari
Date: 07/02/25

191 Main St.
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $671,000
Buyer: Natalie Burtzos
Seller: Cynthia A. Roberts
Date: 06/26/25

188 North Maple St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $400,700
Buyer: Catherine Shankweiler
Seller: Azmitia Jr., Harry N., (Estate)
Date: 06/24/25

37 Nutting Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Anna Bergmann
Seller: Matthew Devine
Date: 06/25/25

39 O’Donnell Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $321,000
Buyer: Celeste Wyrosdic
Seller: William R. Gibb
Date: 07/01/25

6 Orchard St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $734,000
Buyer: Gillian A. Callahan
Seller: Donald P. Coffey
Date: 06/30/25

245 South St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Martin Fleming
Seller: Daniel Cavanaugh
Date: 07/01/25

248 Spring Grove Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $493,000
Buyer: Lorin Willett
Seller: Julie Spencer-Robison
Date: 06/30/25

PELHAM

49 Enfield Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $282,000
Buyer: Raphael Elison
Seller: Olit 2024-HB2 Alternative Holdings
Date: 06/23/25

SOUTH HADLEY

8 Birch Hill Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Harold W. Noble
Seller: S.A. & K.L. Schlachter
Date: 06/26/25

3 Camden St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Verena Carvalho
Seller: Joan F. Graney
Date: 06/24/25

52 Charon Ter.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Dominika M. Pindus
Seller: Grant M. Stebbins
Date: 06/30/25

12 Hadley St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Center Redevelopment Corp.
Seller: Ann M. Morin
Date: 07/01/25

132 Lathrop St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Jacob Tetrault
Seller: Kmak LLC
Date: 07/01/25

55 North Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $505,000
Buyer: Nicholas Collins
Seller: Stherlie Petit-Frere
Date: 07/01/25

404 Newton St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $427,500
Buyer: Carlos D. Ozuna
Seller: Tina Wildhagen
Date: 06/26/25

49 Pearl St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Rose Farrell
Seller: Brenda Parrella
Date: 06/30/25

2 Saybrook Circle
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $484,900
Buyer: Mary B. White
Seller: Michael D. Douville
Date: 06/25/25

4 Skinnerwood Way
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Donna M. Wishart
Seller: Alan P. Wishart
Date: 07/02/25

SOUTHAMPTON

127 College Hwy.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $687,000
Buyer: Strawberry Place LLC
Seller: Robert J. Hyjek
Date: 06/25/25

28 Cook Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Thomas M. Bacis
Seller: 28 Cook Road LLC
Date: 07/01/25

8 Fitch Farm Way
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $1,160,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Contos RET
Seller: Brenda D. Fuller
Date: 07/03/25

5 Golden Circle
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $875,000
Buyer: Andrew Knapp
Seller: Peter F. Hanson
Date: 06/25/25

WARE

29 Aspen St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $388,000
Buyer: Ashlyn C. Drost
Seller: Haley Remodeling LLC
Date: 06/24/25

29 Canal St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Rodwilene Abilhomme
Seller: Sean Barry
Date: 07/01/25

64 Eagle St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Zakary A. Delaura
Seller: Niki J. Vaughan
Date: 06/30/25

21 Old Belchertown Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Mark D. Champigny
Seller: All Surface Technology Inc.
Date: 07/03/25

7 Webb Court
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Azusa Realty TR
Seller: Diana A. Peterson
Date: 06/30/25

WILLIAMSBURG

45 Briar Hill Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $710,000
Buyer: Douglas Wright
Seller: Angelina M. Altobellis
Date: 06/26/25

WESTHAMPTON

87 Montague Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: David Lively
Seller: Henry Wheaton
Date: 07/01/25

WORTHINGTON

418 Old North Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: James Foley
Seller: John S. Cote
Date: 06/26/25

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of July 2025.

CHICOPEE

City of Chicopee
1290 Burnett Road
$28,250 — Roofing at golf course clubhouse at Chicopee Country Club

GMS Realty LLP
33 Haynes Circle
$13,000 — Selective interior demolition work

EASTHAMPTON

CitySpace
43 Main St.
$2,202,904 — Phase two of three-phase project, including construction of elevator addition providing accessible access to all floor levels

ST Properties LLC
44 Pleasant St.
$100,000 — Enlarge and update existing bathroom to conform to ADA requirements, repair floor joists, repair drywall, replace rotted exterior wood trim

Western Massachusetts Electric Co.
Phelps Street
$39,840 — Insulation

LEE

360 East Street LLC
360 East St.
$15,000 — Remove existing window and rotted trim, reframe opening, provide new window

LENOX

Electric Power Research Inc.
115 East New Lenox Road
$686,438 — Install new metal building

NORTHAMPTON

The College Church Inc.
58 Pomeroy Ter.
$45,900 — Roofing

Goodmarket Properties LLC
1 Market St.
$4,000 — Non-illuminated projecting sign for Lichter & Levin Delicatessen

Hopkington LNG Corp.
West St.
$14,500 — Demolish one-story utility building, leaving slab in place

Nonotuck Community School Inc.
221 Riverside Dr.
$2,931 — Two replacement windows

P-Tush 2 LLC
30 Williams St.
$43,400 — Convert art studio into two one-bedroom residential units

Smith College
186 Elm St.
$52,104 — Replace two entry doors

Smith College
20 Elm St.
$130,000 — Interior renovation to Brown Fine Arts Center

Trident Realty Corp.
6 Crafts Ave.
$4,000 — Illuminated wall sign for One Day in July

PITTSFIELD

AMC Properties LLC
236 South St.
$5,442 — Attic insulation

Berkshire Medical Center
725 North St.
$15,539 — Extend sprinkler system to protect renovated areas

OBCC Holdings LLC
74 Downing Parkway
$102,800 — Install new automatic sprinkler system in existing building

OBCC Holdings LLC
74 Downing Parkway
$42,855 — Install new fire alarm system

Gas Transmission Co.
1488 East St.
$17,000 — Roofing

A Triumph for Holyoke

By
Opinion

Editorial

 

There have been a lot of good stories to come out of Holyoke in recent years, including a wave of entrepreneurship, an emerging clean-tech sector, a cannabis sector that isn’t what it once was but is still prominent, and a more vibrant downtown.

But there was always a cloud hanging over the city in the form of an school system in receivership, a radical step taken by the state when a system is chronically underperforming, local leadership is ineffective, and there is essentially no hope and few alternatives.

This is where the Holyoke schools were a decade ago, with one of the state’s lowest graduation rates, highest drop-out rates, poor MCAS scores, and leadership that seemed unwilling or unable (actually, a mix of both) to do anything about it.

Receivership, as we noted, is a dramatic step. Only three systems across the state have been put into receivership — Lawrence, Holyoke, and Southbridge. And until July 1, no community had emerged from receivership, until Holyoke managed to achieve that feat.

It did so by achieving progress on many on those aforementioned fronts, including graduation rates that have soared from 52% to 77% — not where anyone wants them, but much better than they were.

But mostly, this was accomplished through a commitment to regaining local control — Mayor Joshua Garcia is firm in his belief that receivership should be temporary and that a community should run its own schools, and he’s right about that — and also through partnering with the state, and, most importantly, showing the kind of leadership that was, quite frankly, missing a decade ago in the years leading up to receivership.

Garcia and Anthony Soto — the interim school superintendent and, now, former receiver — like to say there was no blueprint for coming out of receivership, and that they believe they have created one. Its fine points includes everything from continued strong involvement from the city’s school board (even though it had no real power with a receiver in place); investments in schools, such as the new Peck Middle School; hard but necessary decisions, such as rezoning and restructuring away from the K-8 model; and programs designed to keep students engaged and motivated not to drop out.

And, don’t forget, all this happened with the pandemic serving to stifle momentum, isolate students, and add to an already deep list of societal problems that include poverty, homelessness, and more.

Make no mistake, these problems still exist. They make it difficult for students to focus on learning, and equally difficult to attract and retain the talent needed in the classrooms and administrative offices to provide a quality education. And there is much work still to be done to improve MCAS scores and further improve those graduation rates.

But Holyoke has taken a huge step forward, one that bodes well for the community and its business community. The challenge now is to maintain the current momentum — but the black cloud is gone.

Think Large for Economic Development

By Contributor
Opinion

Opinion

By Peter Abair and Jeff Daley

Massachusetts needs large acreage sites for employment-generating opportunities. This growing need presents an opportunity for Western Mass.

Released earlier this year, “Large Site Demand and Capacity in Massachusetts,” a report published by MassEcon, yielded several significant findings. While several highly desirable industry sectors, such as clean energy, data and AI, and advanced manufacturing, are driving demand for large acreage availabilities around the nation, Massachusetts has a limited number of 100-plus-acre sites available. Many of the large sites in the marketplace here lack sufficient energy, water, and sewer infrastructure. This lack of viable large acreage sites places Massachusetts at a competitive disadvantage in landing significant business prospects.

In a survey of real estate professionals in Massachusetts featured in the report, 80% indicated awareness of large facility requirements that failed to find suitable sites in the Commonwealth. Despite validated demand for such spaces in Massachusetts, the issue of lack of development acreage is under-considered by most municipal and regional planners. This is also troubling, as assembling land and delivering required infrastructure for large acreage sites requires rigorous planning at all levels of government, as well as consensus among host community members for such development.

In total, the report identifies just 12 large sites available in Massachusetts. Of these, the two in Western Mass. are smaller in size, at 70 and 40 acres each. The report identifies two potentially developable sites in the Pioneer Valley, also less than 100 acres in size. Neither site is currently in the commercial real estate marketplace.

So, what is the opportunity for Western Mass.?

• The region is well-located between two major economic powerhouses, Greater Boston and Metropolitan New York.

• It has robust infrastructure, served by two major interstates and rail, and includes several municipal power providers.

• It possesses strong research and educational institutions.

• It has a considerable workforce.

• Its quality of life and relative affordability are notable.

• It also has land.

The MassEcon report identified contiguous land parcels around the state that, theoretically, could be assembled for commercial development, amounting to 1,700 acres. Half of this acreage is found in Western Mass.

If such sites are prepared, will opportunities come to the region? We say the answer is an emphatic yes.

In a global economy in which industries are constantly evolving, often in new directions, at a rapid pace, Massachusetts is involved in a global site location competition. With all the state’s competitive advantages, it is a target for significant investments by employers. To win the competition for the best projects, it will need to have large acreage sites prepared and ready for these opportunities. This requires considerable planning and investment.

While Western Mass. has not always shared in the growth of the state’s most robust industries, there is no reason it can’t become a leader in assembling large sites for new economic development opportunities. For emerging large site requirements, developable acreage and ample infrastructure are the most important facility location determinants.

Massachusetts has a strong history of success in planning economic development in significant spaces. Kendall Square in Cambridge was once a tired landscape of former soap factories. It now reigns supreme in life sciences with more than12 million square feet of lab space. At the time of its base reduction/closure, Devens seemed an isolated site with little economic upside. Today, it stands as one of the greatest military base conversions ever, with more than 6,000 now employed across a spectrum of cutting-edge industries.

The Pioneer Valley is well-suited to host significant-sized new employers. The opportunities are at the region’s doorstep. They need only the space to grow.

 

Peter Abair is executive director of MassEcon, and Jeff Daley is president and CEO of Westmass Area Development Corp.

Synagex Acquires Professional Computer Associates, Expanding Reach

By
Daily News

PITTSFIELD — Synagex, an IT and cybersecurity services company based in Pittsfield, announced the acquisition of Professional Computer Associates (PCA), an established IT services firm out of Red Hook, N.Y. This move marks an important milestone in Synagex’s ongoing effort to “grow smart, stay personal, and expand our ability to serve organizations throughout the Northeast,” ompany President John Sinopoli said.

Founded in 1999, PCA has spent nearly three decades supporting businesses, local governments, and nonprofits across the Hudson Valley and Capital Region of New York. Synagex, launched in 2017, provides IT as a service. Combining strategy, automation, and connection, the company aims to helps clients simplify IT, stay secure, and stay focused on what they do best.

“This partnership felt natural from day one,” Sinopoli said. “PCA shares our values — long-term relationships, technical reliability, and a real commitment to doing right by the client. We’re thrilled to welcome their team and clients.”

For PCA clients, the transition will feel familiar because most things are staying the way they are. The same local team will continue to provide support, now backed by Synagex’s expanded cybersecurity capabilities, compliance expertise, and modern IT delivery model.

“Joining Synagex means our clients get the best of both worlds: the same personalized service they count on, plus a deeper bench and more future-ready tools,” said Bob Shoemaker, president of PCA. “It’s a move that sets everyone up for long-term success.”

Irish Cultural Center of Western New England Announces Board Appointments

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Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Irish Cultural Center of Western New England (ICCWNE) announced several recent appointments to its board of directors to help to expand its programming and outreach in the community. The new board members are Lynn McCarthy, Rose Boyle, Sean Fitzgerald, and John McMahon.

The Irish Cultural Center was established in 1999 to foster an appreciation of Irish culture in Western New England. Located at 429 Morgan Road in West Springfield, ICCWNE aims to cultivate a connection with Ireland through the arts, culture, history, language, and heritage. The nonprofit organization offers opportunities to engage in educational, travel, and social events that promote Irish culture.

McCarthy, Boyle, Fitzgerald, and McMahon are all committed to helping ICCWNE grow as a center of Irish culture and community in Western New England, including the completion of its new Community Performance Center.

Elms College Ranked Highly by Niche.com in Several Categories

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Daily News

CHICOPEE — Elms College received significant recognition across multiple categories in Niche.com’s latest rankings. It has been named among the top colleges nationwide for its exceptional nursing program, strong Catholic identity, and value.

In 21st place, Elms College is among the 25 best colleges in Massachusetts (MIT and Harvard rank first and second, respectively). Furthermore, Elms is ranked among the top 10 Colleges in Massachusetts in three categories: fourth best nursing school, third best Catholic college, and eighth for best value. Elms College leads all other Western Mass. institutions in those three categories.

“It is wonderful to see that Elms College is recognized for our outstanding programs and opportunities for our students,” Elms College President Harry Dumay said. “The faculty and staff of Elms College have historically remained unified and focused on our mission to educate a diverse group of students ready to effect positive change in the world. We are delighted to see that our secret is out.”

Elms College’s strong showing as the fifth-best college in Western Mass. (behind Williams, Amherst, Smith, and Mount Holyoke) exemplifies how the institution lives up to its mission, rooted in the values of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The college fosters a supportive and inclusive community where students are encouraged to grow intellectually, spiritually, and personally. Elms also ranks 49th of the 159 Catholic colleges in the U.S.

The number-four ranking among best colleges for nursing in Massachusetts highlights Elms College’s long-standing reputation for producing highly skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals. The School of Nursing offers state-of-the-art simulation labs and a curriculum designed to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare industry. Elms nursing graduates consistently pass the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX), the standardized test that is required for employment as a licensed nurse. Elms nurses are also highly sought after by healthcare providers in the region.

The recognition for second-best value among colleges in the Springfield area, and eighth in Massachusetts, is particularly meaningful, reflecting on Elms College’s dedication to making a high-quality education accessible and affordable. This ranking showcases the best value for the money based on net price, alumni earnings, and student debt.

Rocky’s Launches Fundraiser to Support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Rocky’s Ace Hardware, one of the country’s largest family-owned Ace Hardware dealers with 50 locations in nine states, is once again rallying communities to support children in need with Ace’s annual Fill the Bucket fundraiser benefiting Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.

From Friday, Aug. 1 through Sunday, Aug. 3, customers who visit participating Rocky’s Ace Hardware stores can donate $5 to receive a limited-edition five-gallon bucket. As a thank you, shoppers will receive 20% off nearly everything they can fit inside the bucket. (Some exclusions apply; see store for details.)

One hundred percent of the $5 donation goes directly to Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, which provide critical care, life-saving treatments, and essential medical services to children in local communities across the country.

“This fundraiser is a fun, tangible way for customers to support local children’s hospitals and families facing some of life’s toughest challenges,” said Rocco Falcone, president of Rocky’s Ace Hardware. “Every dollar makes a difference, and this event is a great example of neighbors helping neighbors.”

Rocky’s Ace Hardware has a longstanding tradition of community giving, and the Fill the Bucket event is one of the most popular ways the company helps raise funds for vital causes.

Christian LaPlante Named Franklin County’s Downtown District Coordinator

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Daily News

Christian LaPlante

GREENFIELD — Earlier this year, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Franklin County Community Development Corp., and Franklin Regional Council of Governments secured funding to lead the Rural Downtown Revitalization Pilot Project, a one-year, first-of-its-kind initiative through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development.

The pilot is designed to strengthen economic and cultural vitality and is grounded in the findings of a 2023-24 study by the BSC Group, which identified a critical need for enhanced coordination and administrative capacity for the downtown areas of Northfield, Turners Falls, and Shelburne Falls.

At the heart of this effort is the new role of downtown district coordinator, a shared position housed under the chamber that brings dedicated, on-the-ground support to all three communities. The hiring committee, representing the participating downtowns, has selected Christian LaPlante to serve as Franklin County’s inaugural downtown district coordinator.

LaPlante brings deep Franklin County roots and a strong background in economic and community development, most recently through his work with the city of Greenfield. In previous roles, he has managed grant programs, led placemaking and signage projects, built downtown marketing campaigns, and worked extensively with small businesses, town boards, and local creatives.

LaPlante officially began his role on July 14. Over the next year, he will work weekly in all three downtowns, engaging with stakeholders and working alongside newly formed downtown working groups comprised of local business owners, town officials, nonprofit leaders, artists, and residents. Together, they’ll identify and implement two or three stakeholder-prioritized projects in each community, while tackling ‘quick wins’ and shaping a long-term vision for shared regional success.

Holyoke’s High Street to Host Storefront Gallery Unveiling, Walking Tour on July 30

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Daily News

HOLYOKE — A new public art initiative aims to transform downtown Holyoke this summer. The Storefront Gallery brings vibrant, artist-designed displays to vacant storefronts along High Street, turning windows into a walkable, outdoor gallery.

The project launches with a public unveiling and artist-led walking tour on Wednesday, July 30 from 4 to 6 p.m., beginning at 289 High St. in front of The ARTery. Community members are invited to attend the event, meet the artists, and explore this unique reimagining of downtown’s visual landscape. Refreshments will be provided by A Good Mix; local maker Nicole Reyes will be on site serving a selection of her signature lemonades.

Through an open call earlier this year, artists were selected to create installations that reflect themes of identity, place, and imagination, showcasing the creative voices rooted in the region. Artists featured in the inaugural installation include Kahli Hernandez, Destiny Santiago, Jankaleishka Cruz, Lora McNeece Barrett, Natasha Colon Ortiz, Robert Markey, Peter Zierlein, Gabriela Sepulveda Ortiz, and Caoin Springer O’Durgy.

The Storefront Gallery is presented by Holyoke Art and made possible with support from the Holyoke Local Cultural Council, Mass Cultural Council, and Holyoke Health.

“This project is about more than filling windows — it’s about opening them,” said Kathy McKean, executive director of Holyoke Art. “It’s a way to see our city differently, to uplift local artists, and to bring people together downtown.”

Greenfield Triathlon Set to Make Waves on Aug. 3

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Daily News

GREENFIELD — The Greenfield Triathlon, New England’s longest-running triathlon, is gearing up for its annual event on Sunday, Aug. 3. Known for its picturesque course and motto — “to finish is to win” — the event promises an exhilarating experience for athletes of all levels.

The triathlon features a scenic route that winds through Greenfield’s back roads, passing the historic Eunice Williams Covered Bridge, and includes a swim in the Green River. Participants can choose between international and sprint distances, available for both individual athletes and two- or three-person teams, making it an ideal challenge for seasoned triathletes and a welcoming introduction for beginners.

“I am thrilled to welcome participants to Greenfield to enjoy a course that blends challenge with scenic beauty,” Greenfield Mayor Ginny Desorgher said. “This long-running event benefits our fantastic Recreation Department, supporting their vital community programming.”

Two roads, Nash’s Mill Road and Eunice Williams Road, will be closed from 8 a.m. to noon to accommodate the triathlon. Road marshals and traffic control officers from the Greenfield Police Department will be at major intersections along the triathlon route. The Recreation Department is actively seeking volunteers to help during the event. Interested individuals can click here to sign up.

“We’re excited to host this year’s triathlon and welcome athletes of all levels to push their limits, embrace the challenge, and celebrate the spirit of endurance,” Greenfield Recreation Department Director Christy Moore said. “This event is more than a race — it’s a community coming together to promote health, determination, and the power of sport.”

The Greenfield Triathlon is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event and partners with the Massachusetts Senior Games.