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Marketing Tips Uncategorized

Courtesy of WordStream.com

You own a small auto shop in Worcester, MA. Things are going well, but you can’t shake the feeling that you could be growing fasterReferral marketing isn’t bringing you as much business as it used to, and you don’t have the time or the resources to run a commercial on local TV.

So, you decide that it’s time to get serious about digital marketing. To get a high-level sense of where you currently stand, you do a quick Google search for your shop’s name. Much to your chagrin, you find this on the search results page:

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Bacon Wilson announced that, in honor of its 125th anniversary year, the firm will donate $25,000 to various community organizations throughout the Pioneer Valley. Bacon Wilson will make five contributions of $1,250 for each quarter of 2020.

Originally founded in 1895, Bacon Wilson’s community involvement and connections stretch back over a century. As the firm worked on a plan for the 2020 milestone, there was no question that contributing to the community would be the most important element of the anniversary celebrations. The only question was how.

The answer became clear after the firm’s managing partner, Kenneth Albano, attended a fundraiser for Michael’s House, a sober-living group home in Ludlow. As he later reported back to his colleagues, Albano found himself moved by the work of the volunteers and residents at Michael’s House, and steered the firm toward the notion of giving to organizations that had not formerly been on Bacon Wilson’s radar for the firm’s regular annual contributions.

After gathering suggestions from members of the firm, first-quarter contributions of $1,250 were awarded to:

• Michael J. Dias Foundation, which provides aid and education for individuals and families on substance abuse, and help for those battling the disease of addiction;

• All Out Adventures, which promotes health, community, and independence for people with disabilities, seniors, veterans, and their families and friends through outdoor recreation;

• Amherst Survival Center, which connects people to food, clothing, healthcare, wellness, and community, primarily through volunteer efforts;

• Our Community Table: Westfield Soup Kitchen, a 100% volunteer organization dependent upon donations to provide a clean and safe environment to serve those in need; and

• Treehouse Foundation, an intergenerational community neighborhood where adoptive families and their children, older youth, and elders invest in one another’s health, dreams, and futures.

Bacon Wilson will be announcing recipients for the firm’s remaining quarterly giving in June, September, and December.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) named Thomas Robitaille an instructor in Mechanical Engineering Technology.

Robitaille is the third generation in his family to join this field after his father and grandfather. A STCC graduate with an associate degree in mechanical engineering technology, he has been working as a CNC machinist and programmer at MTG Inc. in Westfield since October 2016.

While at STCC, he was a peer tutor for mechanical engineering technology. He also taught a fall 2017 lecture and lab course in the program, which prepared him for this teaching position.

Prior to coming to STCC, Robitaille was a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps Infantry from 2009 to 2014, stationed out of Camp Lejeune, N.C. While enlisted, he served two combat tours in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Daily News

GREENFIELD — Grab your bell bottoms, spritz your beehive, and get ready to groove as you slide back to the ’60s at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

Bowl for Kids’ Sake will take place on Friday March 27 at Shelburne Falls Bowling Alley and Saturday, March 28 at French King Bowling Center in Erving. This year’s theme, “Slide Back to the 60’s,” will feature a life-size plinko game, 60’s dance instruction, a newlywed-themed photo booth, era-themed music, costume contests, bowling, and much more.

“This event is so important to our agency,” said Ericka Almeida, Development director for Big Brothers Big Sisters. “We started 2020 off with more youth on our waitlist than ever, despite making and supporting a record number of mentoring matches in 2019. The need for mentors is great in this community and continues to grow.”

There is no cost to attend the event, but fundraising is strongly encouraged. “We have a goal to raise $45,000 over the two-day event, which will help get some of the 76 kids off our waitlist and into caring relationships with adult mentors,” Almeida said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters programs are provided at no cost to the children or children’s families, nor to the volunteer mentors. It is a 100% donor supported nonprofit that has been serving the youth of Franklin County for 53 years.

For more information about the event or to register to attend, visit www.bbbs-fc.org or call (413) 772-0915.

Daily News HCN News & Notes

LONGMEADOW — Today, March 5, Sara Kendall and Kim Lee of the Mental Health Association Inc. (MHA) will be on the Bay Path University campus at 7 p.m. to talk about how to ask for help around mental health, and also how to support others who may need help, but aren’t asking for it.

Their simple approach of ‘ask, support, and recommend’ is geared towards individuals who want to be able to reach out and support others, but aren’t trained counselors and may not feel prepared to do so.

This event, which is free and open to the public, will take place in Breck Suite in Wright Hall at Bay Path University, 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow.

HCN News & Notes

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders, and Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Commissioner Jane Ryder joined advocates, legislators, and family members of individuals with developmental disabilities yesterday for a ceremonial signing of An Act to Protect Persons with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities from Abuse, also known as Nicky’s Law.

Administration officials were joined by Nancy Alterio, director of the Disabled Persons Protection Commission; Leo Sarkissian, executive director of the Arc of Massachusett; family members of the law’s namesake, Nicky Chan; and other advocates and legislators to celebrate the enactment of the law, which establishes a new abuse registry of caregivers in Massachusetts.

The registry will be administered by the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC), the agency tasked with protecting adults with disabilities from the abusive acts or omissions of their caregivers, which will maintain the registry’s list of any providers or caregivers with histories of substantiated abuse. Effective Jan. 31, 2021, any individual listed on the registry cannot be hired or work for DDS or any of its licensed or funded providers throughout the state.

“Protecting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is vitally important, and I want to thank the family members, advocates, and our legislative colleagues for their work to pass this bill,” Baker said. “The new registry established in Nicky’s Law will provide an additional safeguard against abuse and further improve the safety and quality of services provided to some of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents.”

Currently, candidates who apply to DDS or one of its licensed providers must undergo a criminal offender record information (CORI) and national background check screening before they can be hired. The creation of this registry will provide an additional resource against which DDS and its providers must conduct comprehensive background checks on candidates interested in working with those served by the department.

“The safety and well-being of those we serve is paramount across health and human services,” Sudders said. “We will continue to work with DPPC and the many advocates like the Arc of Massachusetts, who were instrumental in passing this bill, to keep identifying ways we can protect and safeguard individuals from harm or neglect.”

DPPC will maintain the registry and oversee all functions, including notification, decision appeals, and requests to remove a name from the registry. The law takes effect on Jan. 31, 2021, and will include only the names of individuals with substantiated cases of abuse after that date.

HCN News & Notes

SPRINGFIELD — Benchmark Senior Living will host a CEU breakfast presentation on Tuesday, March 24 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at La Quinta Inn & Suites, 100 Congress St., Springfield.

Caroline Bixby, a social worker with Bill Johnson Staffing and Consulting, will present “Managing Difficult Behaviors: an Integrative Approach.” All behaviors have meaning, but what is the individual trying to say? And how do healthcare staff manage those behaviors while providing treatment and care? Bixby will review behavior-management principles and techniques for working with problematic behaviors in healthcare settings in the context of regulatory compliance.

Social workers and nurses will receive one CEU for attending. This free event is open to the public, and breakfast will be provided. Individuals interested in attending must RSVP no later than Wednesday, March 11 to Allison Baker at (781) 530-7850 or [email protected].

Marketing Tips

Courtesy Customer Contact Advisor

Email marketing is generally considered one of the most effective advertising strategies for businesses, but did you know that around 77% of consumers prefer receiving emails as well? In Sarah Cloutier’s “119 Facts You Don’t Know About Email Marketing,” the article’s infographic lays out statistics on everything from the open rate of personalized emails to the reasons why consumers choose to unsubscribe.

Read more

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) has again been named a Military Friendly School.

VIQTORY, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects the military community to civilian employment and educational and entrepreneurial opportunities, has released the 2020-21 Military Friendly​​ Schools list, providing a comprehensive guide for veterans and their families using data sources from federal agencies, veteran students, and proprietary survey information from participating organizations in order to help them select the best college, university, or trade school to receive the education and training needed to pursue a civilian career.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly​ School designation are evaluated using both public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey completed by the school. This year, fewer than 800 schools nationwide earned this prestigious designation.

“American International College is proud to be recognized as an institution that assists men and women who serve our country,” President Vince Maniaci said. “The college appreciates the value of the many educational and leadership experiences that occur in the Armed Forces and the excellent foundation that military experience provides. In turn, we give veteran students transfer credits for service in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard, helping service members and veterans get a head start on earning their degrees.”

Methodology and criteria were determined by VIQTORY with input from the Military Friendly​ ​Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher-education and military-recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the individual institution’s survey scores with the assessment of its ability to meet thresholds for student retention, graduation, job placement, loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer), and loan default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.

The entire 2020-21 Military Friendly Schools list is available online at militaryfriendly.com. More information about AIC’s commitment to attracting and supporting military students can be found online at aic.edu.

Daily News

WESTFIELD — World-renowned political activist, professor, and author Cornel West will speak today, March 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Westfield State University’s Woodward Center. His talk, “The Power of Deep Education,” is expected to challenge audience members to explore humanity as a point of departure for thinking about the context of race, citizenship, love, and leadership.

A professor at Harvard University’s Divinity School who has also taught at Princeton, Yale, and New York universities, West will speak to how “servant leadership” and “deep education” are needed for “self-interrogation and social transformation at the heart of service.” The talk is free and open to the public.

“Dr. West brings a lifetime of scholarship, public discourse, and activism to the goals of the Anti-Racism Education (ARE) Project in Westfield State University’s Education Department,” said Andrew Habana Hafner, associate professor of Education. “The ARE Project aims to introduce a critical, multi-cultural perspective for the WSU Education Department community that is rooted in the intentional aim of dismantling racism, and its role in intersectional forms of oppressions.

A social critic and intellectual, West’s work focuses on the role of race, gender, and class in American society and the means by which people act and react to their “radical conditionedness.” He frequently appears on television shows (such as The Colbert Report and Real Time with Bill Maher) and has been featured in more than 25 documentaries and movies. He has recorded three spoken-word albums, collaborating with Prince, Jill Scott, Andre 3000, Talib Kweli, KRS-One, and Gerald Levert. He has a passion to communicate to a variety of people to keep alive Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of telling the truth and bearing witness to love and justice.

West has written many books, including the influential Race Matters (1993) and Democracy Matters (2004). He will sign his books tonight after his talk and question-and-answer period. Books will be available for purchase.

To reserve a seat, click here.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Bulkley Richardson announced that Betsey Quick, executive director, was named the “Excellence in the Law” honoree for Firm Administration and Operations by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.

Quick joined the firm in September 2017 and, during her short tenure in this role, has made a significant impact, including increasing the firm’s productivity, implementing policies, and advancing the overall mission of the firm.

Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly honors individuals in the categories of Firm Administration and Operations, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Marketing, Paralegal Work, Pro Bono, and Up & Coming Lawyers. Quick will be recognized at a reception on Thursday, April 30 at the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel in Boston.

Daily News

EAST WINDSOR, Conn. — The Collins Companies, one of the largest industrial distributors of pipe, valves, and fittings and engineered specialties serving the Northeast, announced a change in executive management roles. Owner and President Brian Tuohey has assumed the role of CEO and has promoted Vice President of Sales Paul Andruszkiewicz to President.

“My decision was prompted by how quickly things are changing today, in both our world and our industry,” Tuohey said. “It has become clear to me that we have to be aggressively embracing and pursuing the changes that are occurring every day in our industry while still running a highly successful day-to-day business. Paul has over 30 years of service with Collins and truly understands what it takes to run a successful business day in and day out. This will free me up to be able to think big and pursue larger initiatives that will propel our business into the next decade.”

Added Andruszkiewicz, “I am honored to be trusted with the role as president and look forward to the challenges ahead. We have always been lucky to have high employee retention, which only means that I have an amazingly talented team of professionals to help me.”

In addition to these changes, Dave Shepard, branch manager of the Haverhill sales office, will lead the Collins sales team as director of Sales. He has more than 25 years of experience in the industry, first purchasing for Atwood and Morrill and then in sales for Power House Supply before Collins acquired Power House in 2015.

Headquartered in East Windsor, Conn., the Collins Companies is comprised of Collins Pipe & Supply Co., Collins Controls, Niagara Controls, Collins Niagara, Power House Supply Co., and International Valve and Instrument, with nine locations throughout New England and Upstate New York.

HCN News & Notes

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) announced that Dr. James Lederer Jr. has been appointed to the position of chief medical officer/chief quality officer (CMO/CQO).

“Dr. Lederer has over 20 years of experience in leading innovative, patient-focused, high-quality care initiatives in settings spanning acute-care hospitals, health systems, and physician practices,” said David Phelps, BHS president and CEO. “He has shown to be a proven leader and will help our team to further advance the patient safety and quality initiatives that have placed us among the national leaders in patient care.”

Lederer most recently served as vice president for Clinical Excellence at Allspire Health Partners in Conshohocken, Pa., where he was responsible for setting clinical priorities and establishing best practices for member organizations. Prior to that, he was the CMO/CQO and vice president for Quality and Safety at Saint Alphonsus Health System in Boise, Idaho, where he coordinated all clinical and safety efforts, including graduate medical education, population health, clinical-improvement activities, and physician-leadership programs.

His previous senior leadership roles were at Novant Health in Winston Salem, N.C., including vice president of Clinical Improvement, medical director of Novant Health Corporate, and senior vice president for Medical Affairs at Novant’s Forsyth Medical Center.

Lederer is board-certified in internal medicine and adult infectious diseases. He received his medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill and completed his residency in combined medicine/pediatrics at the University of Tennessee, as well as a fellowship in infectious diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

HCN News & Notes

LONGMEADOW — Willie Ross School for the Deaf announced the appointment of Joel Skelton to the newly created position of coordinator of Community Engagement at the school.

A native of Dallas, Skelton is a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology, earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical communication and a master’s degree in communication and media technologies.

In his new position, Skelton will be responsible for creating greater awareness of the school and its brand through various forms of outreach, including a greater presence on social media. He will also handle fundraising and development, grants, and event planning.

Skelton, who has a central auditory processing disorder, was denied access to deaf-education resources when in school. He later received the appropriate deaf services and the use of an interpreter, which helped him to excel academically. That experience helped prepare him to promote the philosophy of Willie Ross School for the Deaf.

“What appealed to me about joining the Willie Ross School is its commitment to its total-communication model of educating deaf and hard-of-hearing students, which emphasizes a range of communication methods that are best suited for each child that might include oral communication and sign language,” Skelton said. “My own story of being denied access to appropriate deaf-education resources has made me aware of the need for schools for the deaf, like Willie Ross, and the importance of having the resources to appropriately meet students’ needs.”

Added President and CEO Bert Carter, “we welcome Joel to our staff in this new position as a way to share the message about Willie Ross and the work we do more broadly through events, social media, and grant requests. Joel’s experience and background make him uniquely qualified to raise our profile and help us engage current and new audiences around the important work we do with students.”

HCN News & Notes

PALMER — Baystate Health’s Senior Class will hold a free seminar on Thursday, March 26 titled “Abdominal Pain, Gallbladder, or Hernia.” The event will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Snow Conference Room at Baystate Wing Hospital, 40 Wright St., Palmer.

Baystate Wing Hospital Surgeon Dr. Zeling Chau will lead the discussion, which will focus on causes and symptoms of abdominal pain.

“Just about everyone at one time or another will get a bellyache,” Chau said. “Most symptoms of abdominal pain will resolve fairly quickly, often without any treatment at all. However, in some cases, chronic or severe abdominal-pain symptoms can be an indicator of a more serious underlying health problem that requires medical attention.”

Susan Fontaine, senior coordinator of Loyalty Programs at Baystate Health, added that “many people suffer from various types of abdominal pains they think are diet- or stress-related when, in fact, it could be a hernia or gallbladder problem that is easily treated. Dr. Chau will explain the early warning signs you should know to prevent a simple hernia or gallbladder issue from becoming a more critical health risk. And there will be plenty of time for questions and answers.”

Baystate Health Senior Class is a free loyalty program dedicated to health and wellness, offered exclusively for men and women ages 55 and over.

The “Abdominal Pain, Gallbladder, or Hernia” seminar is offered at no cost, and a light dinner will be served. Registration is required by calling (413) 794-5200 or visiting abdominalpain.eventbrite.com.

For more information on Baystate’s Loyalty Programs, including Baystate Health Every Woman and Senior Class, visit baystatehealth.org/loyalty.

Daily News

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center’s leadership team, recognizing the increased need for behavioral-health inpatient beds in Western Mass., has been planning for approximately one year to identify a way to address this need. This process has produced a proposal for a new, state-of-the-art, standalone inpatient facility.

In addition, in September, 2019, Holyoke Medical Center partnered with Signet Health Corp. to assist the hospital in the delivery of behavioral-health services by providing high-quality management and consulting services.

The current inpatient behavioral-health unit at Holyoke Medical Center has a capacity of 20 beds. The proposed new facility would have approximately 100 beds, including the 20 existing beds currently on the fifth floor of the main hospital building. It is designed to provide best-in-class care in a purpose-built facility specifically tailored to accommodate the needs of behavioral-health patients with all of the modern requirements, including secure outdoor space.

A letter of intent has been signed with the Leo Brown Group, a full-service healthcare real-estate development and solutions company, to design and build the facility. Holyoke Medical Center has identified a suitable location on the main hospital campus for the proposed building. In addition, the hospital will continue to work with Signet Health for management services within the proposed facility.

The conversations with appropriate stakeholders, including the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Public Health, and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, will begin shortly and will continue in the following weeks as the hospital seeks to obtain local and state approval to move forward with the project.

“Holyoke Medical Center is eager to have conversations at the state level to expand the much-needed behavioral-health bed capacity in Western Massachusetts. This proposal is fully in line with the Commonwealth’s goal to increase investment in behavioral-health services,” said Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems.

It is estimated that, once approved, the new facility will take 18 months to complete and become operational.

For the past six years, Holyoke Medical Center has been growing and expanding services through recruitment and retention of doctors and advanced-practice providers, Hatiras noted, and the proposed project is aligned with the mission of the health system.

Daily News

HOLYOKE — Girls Inc. of the Valley announced plans for major expansion and the launch of its new campaign. The organization is in the early stages of an ambitious, comprehensive campaign, “Her Future, Our Future,” with three primary goals: to develop a permanent Girls Inc. home in downtown Holyoke; to expand school-based programming in Holyoke, Chicopee, and Springfield; and to extend the Eureka! STEM education program.

To that end, it has received $500,000 in support from the Kendeda Fund, a private grantmaker based in Atlanta. This transformative gift will support the expansion of Girls Inc. of the Valley’s programs and create a stronger network that encourages girls to achieve. Girls Inc. of the Valley is launching this campaign to offer more girls fundamental support and research-based programming. These programs are designed to empower girls and present them with opportunities to navigate barriers they face in school and beyond. More than 85% of the girls who participate in Girls Inc. of the Valley’s programs say they view their future positively and plan to go to college; most will be the first in their families to do so. Girls Inc. hopes the positive and lasting effects of its programs on girls who participate will grow substantially.

A rigorous, comparative study by the American Institutes for Research found that Girls Inc. girls have an advantage over their peers in more than 20 key areas. The findings demonstrate that girls not only thrive at Girls Inc. of the Valley, but they are also more likely than other girls to see themselves as leaders, with the skills and capabilities of influencing and improving their local communities.

While there are more women today in key leadership positions than ever before, there is still a pervasive gender gap in top leadership. The need for qualified science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) professionals in the workforce continues to grow, and women — particularly women of color — continue to be underrepresented in these fields. At the heart of Girls Inc. of the Valley is a comprehensive approach to whole-girl development that equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers and grow up healthy, educated, and independent. The “Her Future, Our Future” campaign is a bold initiative designed to positively influence generational change and provide tangible opportunities for girls in the region to achieve academic and personal success.

“We are so appreciative for the Kendeda Fund’s belief in the importance of girls’ growth and development,” said Suzanne Parker, executive director of Girls Inc. of the Valley. “Simply put, we couldn’t have made this happen without an incredible, devoted team of volunteers and staff. This gift has fueled all of us in the early stages of our campaign.”

When the campaign is complete, Girls Inc. of the Valley will serve more than 1,000 girls per year — nearly 5% of the combined female population of the Holyoke, Chicopee, and Springfield public school systems — and be positioned to advance policy initiatives, structures, and best practices to address the unique challenges that await girls, equipping them with the skills and tools to achieve their goals and take charge of their futures.

Daily News

BOSTON — The University of Massachusetts President’s Office recently announced the launch of its Unified Procurement Services Team, a shared-services project expected to save UMass more than $16 million in administrative costs over the first 12 to 18 months.

The newly established Unified Procurement Services Team (UPST) is the most recent step in the university’s ongoing efficiency and effectiveness (E&E) program that is allowing the university to direct more funds to student financial aid, academic programming, and deferred maintenance. The E&E program was first launched in 2012 to improve services while reducing overall costs. Not including the UPST initiative, the E&E program is projected to save $124 million through 2024.

“The savings realized through this program will allow us to continue making targeted, high-impact investments in the programs and facilities that benefit our students, and ultimately the Commonwealth,” UMass President Marty Meehan said. “This work is always critical, but especially so during a time of disruption across the higher-education landscape. As we ask families, the Commonwealth, Congress, and donors to do their part in supporting UMass, we have an obligation to do ours through innovative and collaborative management.”

The UPST consolidates multiple procurement operations into one single unit, reducing administrative payroll and leveraging the university’s purchasing power while increasing collaboration across the Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, Lowell, and UMass Medical School campuses and improving service delivery.

The UPST is being led by David Cho, the university’s new chief Procurement officer, who joined UMass last fall after serving as chief Procurement officer of BlackRock, one of the world’s largest asset-management firms.

The savings realized through the E&E program are achieved through a combination of cost-reduction and cost-avoidance strategies. Since 2012, UMass has initiated 145 projects that are projected to result in more than $124 million in avoided and reduced costs by 2024, not including the projected $16 million in savings from the launch of the UPST.

For example, in 2019, UMass completed a comprehensive review and evaluation of the system’s banking services, resulting in annual savings of approximately $300,000, with a cumulative five-year savings of approximately $1.5 million. UMass also awarded and implemented a new janitorial-supply contract estimated at $3.5 million annually, a projected cost reduction of $580,000. In addition, energy-supply costs have declined, as have related carbon emissions per student and building square footage.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The Hampden County Bar Assoc. is apologizing to those who attempted to call the Legal Help Hotline that was scheduled for Feb. 27. Due to technical difficulties, the phones were not working properly and did not ring. The Hampden County Bar Assoc. and Western New England University School of Law have rescheduled the Legal Help Hotline to Thursday, March 12 from 4 to 7 p.m.

The volunteers will provide legal advice on a variety of topics, including divorce and family law, bankruptcy, business, landlord/tenant, and real estate. Individuals needing advice should call (413) 796-2057 to speak to a volunteer.

HCN News & Notes

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center’s leadership team, recognizing the increased need for behavioral-health inpatient beds in Western Mass., has been planning for approximately one year to identify a way to address this need. This process has produced a proposal for a new, state-of-the-art, standalone inpatient facility.

In addition, in September, 2019, Holyoke Medical Center partnered with Signet Health Corp. to assist the hospital in the delivery of behavioral-health services by providing high-quality management and consulting services.

The current inpatient behavioral-health unit at Holyoke Medical Center has a capacity of 20 beds. The proposed new facility would have approximately 100 beds, including the 20 existing beds currently on the fifth floor of the main hospital building. It is designed to provide best-in-class care in a purpose-built facility specifically tailored to accommodate the needs of behavioral-health patients with all of the modern requirements, including secure outdoor space.

A letter of intent has been signed with the Leo Brown Group, a full-service healthcare real-estate development and solutions company, to design and build the facility. Holyoke Medical Center has identified a suitable location on the main hospital campus for the proposed building. In addition, the hospital will continue to work with Signet Health for management services within the proposed facility.

The conversations with appropriate stakeholders, including the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Public Health, and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, will begin shortly and will continue in the following weeks as the hospital seeks to obtain local and state approval to move forward with the project.

“Holyoke Medical Center is eager to have conversations at the state level to expand the much-needed behavioral-health bed capacity in Western Massachusetts. This proposal is fully in line with the Commonwealth’s goal to increase investment in behavioral-health services,” said Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems.

It is estimated that, once approved, the new facility will take 18 months to complete and become operational.

For the past six years, Holyoke Medical Center has been growing and expanding services through recruitment and retention of doctors and advanced-practice providers, Hatiras noted, and the proposed project is aligned with the mission of the health system.

HCN News & Notes

SPRINGFIELD — Mercy Medical Center’s fourth annual Caritas Gala will be held on Saturday, March 21 at MGM Springfield. The gala, with its theme of “A Magical Night in Monte Carlo,” will raise funds to benefit the greatest needs of Mercy Medical Center. These areas include the Pathway to Care initiative addressing the opioid crisis, the new Mandell Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Center, as well as improvements to the Emergency Department.

Honorary chairpersons for the event include Daniel and Jill Keenan and Dr. Robert and Heather Roose. The annual Caritas Awards will honor Nicholas Cocchi, Hampden County sheriff, and Anthony Gulluni, Hampden County district attorney. A posthumous Caritas Award will also be given to the family of Carolyn Meuse, who was Complex Care coordinator at Mercy Medical Center.

The Caritas Gala will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception, live entertainment, dinner, silent auction, a Hannoush Jewelry drawing, and dancing. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to purchase tickets to the gala, visit www.mercycares.com/caritasgala.

HCN News & Notes

SPRINGFIELD — Health New England is launching its “Where Health Matters” grant program as part of its Community Benefits Program for the third year in a row. The grant application process runs through April 27.

The “Where Health Matters” grant program is designed to advance the health and well-being of vulnerable population groups living in Central and Western Mass. Health New England will award five $50,000 grants to community nonprofit organizations, for an annual total of $250,000. The grant program focuses on three areas of health and social factors that influence health: built environment (such as access to healthy foods and places to exercise), transportation, and care coordination.

“We are pleased to continue our grant program in 2020 and acknowledge the importance of giving back to the community to help support the health needs of our most vulnerable community members,” said Marion McGowan, president and CEO of Health New England. “We look forward to partnering with five local organizations that have strong community relationships and are committed to improving the health outcomes of our at-risk residents.”

The grant program will award both one-year and multi-year grants to eligible non-profit organizations, with current IRS-designated 501(c)(3) status, that manage innovative, community-based programs benefiting underserved residents of Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, or Worcester counties of Massachusetts, with a particular focus on Greater Springfield. Preference will be given to programs that focus on mental health, substance use, chronic health conditions (obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, cancer), and the need for increased physical activity and healthy diet.

Health New England’s “Where Health Matters” Grant application process begins with a letter of intent. Organizations meeting the request for proposal (RFP) criteria are encouraged to submit a letter of intent online by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23. Complete grant RFP applications are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 27. For additional information, visit healthnewengland.org/community/grantprogram.

Picture This Uncategorized

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


A Visit from the First Lady

On Feb. 21, Massachusetts First Lady Lauren Baker paid a visit to Square One’s Tommie Johnson Child & Family Center, where she spent the afternoon learning about Square One’s work with children and families in the region. She was greeted by Square One educators, therapists, and children, who welcomed her with songs and gifts for the children Baker engages with in her work with the Wonderfund of Massachusetts.

 


Advocating for Community Colleges

James Lombella (left), North-West regional president of Connecticut Community Colleges, and Eileen Peltier (right), dean of Workforce Development and Continuing Education for Asnuntuck, Northwestern Connecticut, and Tunxis community colleges, traveled to Hartford in February to represent the 12 Connecticut community colleges as part of a 2020 Skills Summit organized by the National Skills Coalition. Lombella and Peltier met with staff from the office of state Sen. Richard Blumenthal and state Rep. Joe Courtney (center) to provide updates on the community colleges and seek support for Pell grants for students in non-credit programs that provide industry licensure and credentials.


Grand Opening

Brenda Cuoco & Associates Real Estate Brokerage celebrated its grand-opening ceremony on Feb. 8. The office opened for business in Wilbraham in November. State Rep. Angelo Puppolo presented Cuoco, who has been a real-estate agent for 15 years, with a House of Representatives citation.

The brokerage team, from left, Amy Beaulieu, MaryKate Caron, Paula Lynch, Alyssa Stout, Brenda Cuoco, Tammy Sandomierski, Kathleen Brenner, Paige Belcastro, and Cori Bessette

 

From left: Puppolo, David Cuoco, Brenda Cuoco, Marco Cuoco, and Antonio Cuoco

 


Giving Back to the Community

Community Bank N.A. announced that its annual charitable giving reached more than $2.6 million in 2019 through sponsorships, donations, and grants, with its branches across Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont donating to more than 2,500 local organizations. In Massachusetts, it supported a variety of organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Springfield, the YMCA of Greater Springfield, Springfield Rescue Mission, Open Pantry Community Services, Way Finders, Gardening the Community, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County, and (pictured) the Western Regional Office of the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center (MSBDC).

From left: Community Bank N.A. Springfield Branch Manager Gilbert Nieves, Commercial Banking Team Leader Keith Nesbitt, MSBDC Regional Director Samalid Hogan, MSBDC Client Services Coordinator and Office Manager Lynn Shedd, and MSBDC Senior Business Advisor Anita Elisaon.

 

 


Art History

Tower Square unveiled a James Kitchen sculpture in its Center Court on Feb. 26. The 11-foot-high sculpture, titled “Tower Squares,” is comprised of intricate, stacked blocks, a la Dr. Seuss, filled with parts and pieces recycled from Springfield’s past. Visitors will discover a 1940s Indian motorcycle seat, pipe wrenches invented by Solymon Merrick in 1835, a clip-on ice skate patented by Everett Barney in the 1800s, a basketball hoop, ice tongs, hammers, gears that turn, doorbells that ring, faucets, and much more. The entire installation is interactive, inviting children and adults to explore its components. The statue will be a permanent feature of the building.

 

 


 

Court Dockets

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

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT

Tareka Leialoha v. Bel-White Trust

Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing personal injury: $43,112.42

Filed: 1/7/20

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT

Debra Gagnon as personal representative of the estate of Jean v. Schouler v. New England Health Center, LLC; Synergy Health Center, LLC; and Next Step Healthcare, LLC

Allegation: Malpractice, nursing-home negligence causing injury: $123,113

Filed: 2/13/20

HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT COURT

Manuel Batson Jr. v. Nini’s Italian Cuisine and Lounge Inc. and Nini’s Real Estate, LLC

Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing personal injury: $7,157,57

Filed: 2/13/20

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT

Vanessa Brower v. Amherst Nursing Home Inc. d/b/a Center for Extended Care at Amherst

Allegation: Wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, interference: $25,000+

Filed: 2/5/20

Rosemary Eads v. Echo Hill Townhouse Condominium Trust and Structural Preservation Systems, LLC

Allegation: Negligence; slip and fall causing personal injury: $36,174.22

Filed: 2/3/20

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Richard Sabonis v. Bedard Sheet Metal Co. Inc.

Allegation: Negligence; multiple dog bites causing injury

Filed: 1/30/20

F. Michael Joseph, Esq. v. Michael B’Shara a/k/a Michael D. B’Shara and Michael’s Pasta-in-the-Pan Inc.

Allegation: Unpaid attorney services: $10,375

Filed: 2/11/20

Agenda

On the Move Forum

March 4: In honor of Women’s History Month, Bay Path University, Springfield Museums, and the Springfield Women’s Commission will present the fourth annual On the Move Forum from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield.cThis year’s theme, “Generation Equality: Stand Up, Stand Out, RISE,” offers attendees an inter-generational, cross-cultural, gender-inclusive conversation focused on women’s rights, civic engagement, career opportunities, and wealth. Now in its fourth year, the forum explores women’s history and the advancement of women. The On the Move Forum will engage attendees in an interactive conversation about the gaps, gains, and opportunities to advance women, empower young professionals, and inspire students. Kamilah A’vant, director of Diversity Programs for Color magazine, will be the event’s keynote speaker. The forum will also include a panel discussion, where attendees will have the opportunity to have their questions addressed by community, business, and academic leaders. This event is free and open to the public, and is hosted in collaboration with the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, Girls Inc. of the Valley, Arise for Social Justice, the African American Female Professors Assoc., NAMIC New England, the Rhode Island Black Film Festival, and others. Registration is required. For more information and to register, visit onthemoveforum2020.eventbrite.com.

Florence Bank Customers’ Choice Community Grants

March 10: Florence Bank will present awards to 57 area nonprofits at its annual Customers’ Choice Community Grants Program, to be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Garden House at Look Park in Northampton. The program is an annual offering founded in 2002, through which Florence Bank customers are invited to vote for their favorite local nonprofit in hopes it will receive a share of grant funding. To qualify for a community grant, organizations must receive at least 50 votes. In the 18 years of the program, the bank has given away more than $1.2 million. At this year’s event, 10 organizations that received between 40 and 49 votes are also invited to attend to be in a drawing for one additional $500 award.

Difference Makers Gala

March 19: The 12th annual Difference Makers gala will take place at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. BusinessWest launched its Difference Makers program in 2009 to celebrate individuals, groups, organizations, and families that are positively impacting the Pioneer Valley and are, as the name suggests, making a difference in this region. The class of 2020 will be revealed in the Feb. 3 issue of BusinessWest. Tickets cost $75. To reserve spot, e-mail [email protected] or HERE. Difference Makers is sponsored by Burkhart Pizzanelli, Royal, P.C., Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health Of New England, and TommyCar Auto Group, and the Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournement, MHA, and United Way of Pioneer Valley are partners. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.

Women’s Leadership Conference

March 27: Bay Path University’s division of Strategic Alliances announced that producer, author, entrepreneur, educator, and, of course, top model Tyra Banks will bring her bold attitude, unique style, and well-honed business acumen to Springfield as the keynote speaker at the 25th annual Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC). This year’s theme, “Own Your Now,” will encourage conference guests to examine the forces that have shaped their careers, relationships, and aspirations; recognize what drives them and what holds them back; and empower them to confidently move forward. Suzy Batiz, who will deliver the morning address to open the conference, earned a place on Forbes’ list of most successful self-made women — and an estimated net worth of $260 million — by creating of a suite of eco-minded household products, including Poo-Pourri, a toilet spray she developed to combat bathroom odors. Patrice Banks (no relation to Tyra) will address the audience at lunchtime. She is the owner of the Girls Auto Clinic and Clutch Beauty Bar, an auto mechanic shop and beauty bar staffed by women. She is also the founder of the SheCANics movement, which looks to demystify car repair and engage more women in the automotive industry. Breakout sessions — focused on navigating the complicated relationships, personalities, and dynamics of the workplace and the impact those have on our careers and opportunities — will be led by four bestselling authors and researchers. For further information on the conference and to register, visit www.baypathconference.com.

Women’s Leadership Luncheon Series

March 27, April 10, May 8, June 19: Women leaders of prominent area institutions will be the featured presenters at the spring 2020 Women’s Leadership Luncheon Series hosted by Holyoke Community College and the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute. During the four-part, monthly “Leadership in Your Future 2020” series, each of four presenters will sit at a different table each week and speak on a subject of their choosing. Over the course of the four-session series, they will rotate among the tables so guests have the opportunity to hear all the presentations. The four presenters are Theresa Cooper-Gordon, commissioner, Holyoke Housing Authority (“Self-Determination”); Priscilla Kane Hellweg, executive/artistic director, Enchanted Circle Theater (“In it for the Long Haul”); Jody Kasper, chief of Police, city of Northampton (“Rising to the Top”); and Christina Royal, president, Holyoke Community College (“Leading Through Change”). The luncheons run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute, 164 Race St. Lunch will be prepared and served by students in the HCC Culinary Arts program. The series will provide an opportunity to learn from women leaders of area institutions and a chance for participants to network with their peers and gain insights on building their own careers. The cost is $150 for all four sessions. Seating is limited. For more information or to reserve a seat, contact Valentyna Semyrog at (413) 552-2123 or [email protected].

Unify Against Bullying Cut-a-Thon

April 4: Hair-salon owners and their teams are being asked to make a difference in the fight against bullying. Unify Against Bullying is looking for local and regional salons to participate in a one-day Cut-a-Thon, donating proceeds from haircuts, blowouts, and styling to the anti-bullying organization. Some salons will also offer temporary pink hair color — the signature color of Unify Against Bullying. In addition, each salon will add its own fun activities and promotions for the event. Although the main event is being held on April 4, some salon owners can choose the option to hold the fundraiser for the whole month to make it easier on their team. This year, Basia Belz, a Unify Against Bullying board member and owner of Vivid Hair Salon, located at 99 Elm St., Westfield, will chair the event. Salon owners who wish to participate can contact Belz at (413) 564-0062 or [email protected].

Elms College Executive Leadership Breakfast

April 9: Elms College will host its third annual Executive Leadership Breakfast for the region’s business executives, state and local legislators, and community leaders. The keynote speaker for the event is U.S. Rep. Richard Neal. His talk, “Leadership in Turbulent Times,” will examine how our congressional delegation is providing leadership on issues that could impact the economy of the Western Mass. region. Neal was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1988. He currently serves as chair of the powerful tax-writing Ways and Means Committee. This annual event features talks by the region’s leaders on topics of relevance that impact all sectors of business and the economy in Western Mass. Corporate sponsorships are available for this event, and an invitation is required to attend. For more information on the various sponsorship opportunities or to request an invitation, call the Elms College Office of Institutional Advancement at (413) 265-2448.

Knights of Columbus Golf Tournament

May 22: The Greenfield Knights of Columbus, Council #133, will host its seventh annual charity golf tournament at the Crumpin-Fox Club in Bernardston. This year, the Greenfield Council #133 recognizes the United Arc as its tournament partner. The event will be an 18-hole, four-person scramble with tee advantages for senior golfers. The entry fee of $125 per person includes greens fees, carts, lunch and dinner, and prizes for the winners. Those less inclined to tee off and who would rather enjoy the views of the 18th green while supporting a good cause can take in a meal at Zeke’s Grill. Dinner-only tickets are available for $30. Raffles and a silent auction will feature lottery tickets, gift cards, a three-day Cape Cod vacation, Crumpin-Fox and Hopyard golf certificates, a mystery box, and more. There will also be a hole-in-one contest for a chance to win a new car. The United Arc supports people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities in achieving the universal goals of inclusion, choice, and independence. Every year the organization provides services to individuals and their families in Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, and Worcester counties. In addition to the United Arc, proceeds from the event will be used to fund a number of Council #133’s worthy causes in Greenfield and Franklin County, including the Pan Mass Challenge, Baystate Hospital Wheeling for Healing, Farren Hospital Gift of Light, the Greenfield Homeless Shelter, monthly community meals, honoring veterans by placing flags on graves for Memorial Day and Wreaths Across America wreaths placed on graves at Christmas, several youth sports programs, and more. To sign up or to get more information, call Lou Grader at (413) 774-2848, Dan Arsenault at (413) 774-5258, Bob Wanczyk at (413) 774-2465, Paul Doran at (413) 774-2801, or Joe Ruscio at (413) 768-9876.

Chamber Corners

AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.amherstarea.com

(413) 253-0700

• March 4: Driven By Community, 5-7 p.m., a multi-chamber event at Mercedes-Benz of Springfield with the Amherst Area Chamber, East of the River Chamber, Greater Northampton Chamber, West of the River Chamber, Hampshire County Young Professionals, and Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield. Sample food, drink, and learn something about area nonprofits. Meet someone new and learn more about businesses in your community. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members.

• March 11: March After 5, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Pulse Café, Hadley. Our monthly networking event with a focus on healthy living and eating. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members.

• April 2: Margarita Madness, 5-7:30 p.m., hosted by Insterskate 91 at Hampshire Mall. Presented by Steve Lewis Subaru. Mix, mingle, and network at our largest signature event of the year. Enjoy an evening of tasty margaritas and vote for your favorite. Local restaurants will showcase their fare, and dozens of raffles prizes will be donated by Amherst Area Chamber members. Cost: $35 pre-registered, $45 at the door.

• April 15: April After 5, 5-7 p.m., sponsored by Paciorek Electric at its DiamondBack Properties, LLC Building, 65D Elm St., Hatfield, with food and drink catered by Grill N’ Chill. Enjoy this night of networking with people from across the Valley. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members.

 

GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.easthamptonchamber.org

(413) 527-9414

• March 4, 11, 18, 25; April 1: Her Place at the Table, 7:45-9 a.m., hosted by the chamber office, 33 Union St., Easthampton. A five-part series designed to help women increase confidence and build leadership skills to be wildly successful and take their place at the table. Cost for all five sessions: $99 per person for members, $129 for future members. Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, visit www.easthamptonchamber.org or call the chamber at (413) 527-9414.

• March 13: St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon, noon to 2 p.m., hosted by Summit View Banquet House, 555 Northampton St., Holyoke. Join us as we salute Greater Easthampton St. Patrick’s Day Committee award winners and enjoy a traditional corned-beef lunch. Cost: $25 for members, $35 for future members. Pre-registration is required; there will be no registrations at the door. For more information and to register, visit www.easthamptonchamber.org or call the chamber at (413) 527-9414.

• March 19: Books & Joe with Moe, 8:30 a.m., hosted by the chamber office, 33 Union St., Easthampton. The second meeting of the Chamber Book Club. For more information and to register, visit www.easthamptonchamber.org or call the chamber at (413) 527-9414.

• March 24: Speed Networking Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., hosted by Summit View Banquet House, 555 Northampton St., Holyoke. We are partnering with the Springfield Regional Chamber for another fun-filled networking event. Kick-start your day and join us for breakfast. Cost: $20 for members, $30 for walk-ins. To register, visit www.springfieldregionalchamber.com, e-mail [email protected], or call (413) 755-1310.

GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.explorenorthampton.com

(413) 584-1900

• March 4: March Arrive @5: Multi Chamber Networking Event, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Mercedes-Benz of Springfield, 295 Burnett Road, Chicopee. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Register at northampton.chambermaster.com/events/details/2020-arrive-5-march-4-3807.

• April 1: April Arrive@5 netWORK, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Smith Vocational School, 80 Locust St., Northampton. Our netWORK Arrive@5 series will feature a nonprofit in the Greater Northampton Community and invite guests to participate in a project to benefit that organization. Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Register at northampton.chambermaster.com/events/details/2020-arrive-5-network-april-1-3808.

GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.westfieldbiz.org

(413) 568-1618

• March 13: St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast, 7-9 a.m., hosted by Westfield State University, Scanlon Hall, 577 Western Ave., Westfield. Platinum sponsor: Westfield State University; coffee bar sponsor: Westfield Starfires; in-kind sponsor: Flowers by Webster. Join us for our annual St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast as we honor our 2020 Sons of Erin Colleen, Brigid Mary Moriarty, and her court; Irish Woman of the Year, Beth Burns; Irish Man of the Year, Mark Hanrahan; Parade Marshal, Packie Smith; and Billy Buzzee St. Pat on the Back, Jim Hogan. The guest speaker is Associate Justice Edward McDonough Jr. of the Massachusetts Appeals Court. The chief greeter is Chuck Kelly. Platinum sponsor: Westfield State University; coffee bar sponsor: Westfield Starfires; bronze sponsor: Armbrook Village; in-kind sponsor: Flowers by Webster. Cost: $28 for members, $43 for non-members. For more information and to register, visit www.westfieldbiz.org/events or contact the chamber at (413) 568-1618.

• March 23: Block Party, 4-6 p.m. It’s time to rock the block in Southwick. The Block Party is co-hosted by Your CBD Store, 549 College Highway, and New England Chimney Sweeps & Masonry Inc., 535 College Highway. Join us for an open house to meet the hosts and chamber businesses for drinks, appetizers, networking, and more. Chamber members are welcome. Southwick businesses are encouraged to join the chamber by March 23 for 10% off their membership rate. For more information and to register, e-mail [email protected] or call (413) 568-1618.

SPRINGFIELD REGIONAL CHAMBER

www.springfieldregionalchamber.com

(413) 787-1555

• March 6: Outlook 2020 hosted by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., hosted by MassMutual Center, 1277 Main St., Springfield. Cost: $60 for members in advance, $80 general admission. Tables of 10 available. Reservation deadline: Feb. 26. No walk-ins will be accepted.

• March 24: Multi-chamber Speed Networking in partnership with the Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce, 7:15-9 a.m., hosted by Summit View Meeting House, 555 Northampton St., Holyoke. Cost: $20 for members in advance ($30 at the door), $30 general admission in advance ($40 at the door).

• April 7: Mayors Forum featuring Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt, and others, 7:15-9 a.m., hosted by the Delaney House, 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke. Cost: $30 for members in advance ($35 at the door), $40 general admission ($45 at the door).

• April 29: Beacon Hill Summit, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. A day at the State House in Boston, hosted by state Sen. James Welch and state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez. An opportunity to spend a day with members of the Baker-Polito administration. Includes lunch and reception. Cost: $180 for members, $225 general admission.

To register for any chamber event, visit www.springfieldregionalchamber.com, e-mail [email protected], or call (413) 755-1310.

WEST OF THE RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.ourwrc.com

(413) 426-3880

• March 4: Driven by Community, a multi-chamber networking event, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Mercedes-Benz of Springfield in Chicopee. Join us as we network with some of the region’s chambers and organizations. Fun, food, and friends. Register online at www.westoftheriverchamber.com.

• March 19: Mayoral Breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m., hosted by Storrowton Tavern & Carriage House, West Springfield. Presenting Sponsor: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. Join us for an informative discussion with our mayors, who will update guests on all that is going on in our towns individually and collaboratively. To register or sponsor, visit www.westoftheriverchamber.com.

• April 16: Networking Lunch, noon to 1:30 p.m., hosted by Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Riverdale Street, West Springfield. Enjoy a sit-down lunch while networking with fellow chamber members. Each attendee will get a chance to offer a brief intro and company overview. You must be a member or guest of a member to attend. Cost: free for members (plus lunch), $10 for non-members (plus lunch). Attendees will order off the menu and pay separately that day. Register online at www.westoftheriverchamber.com.

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD

springfieldyps.com

• March 19: YPS Third Thursday Networking Night, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Trinity Pub at the Irish Cultural Center. Enjoy free appetizers, a cash bar, and live Irish music. Cost: free for YPS members, $10 for non-members. Register at springfieldyps.com.

• April 16: YPS Third Thursday Networking Night, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Towne Taproom. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. Cost: free for YPS members, $10 for non-members. Register at springfieldyps.com.

Company Notebook

Bay Path University Names Sandra Doran Its Sixth President

Sandra Doran

LONGMEADOW — The Bay Path University board of trustees announced today that Sandra Doran has been selected by unanimous vote to become the sixth president of Bay Path effective June 30. She will succeed Carol Leary, who retires in June following her 25-year presidency of Bay Path. Doran’s appointment is the culmination of a comprehensive, 10-month, national search process. “Sandy Doran is a charismatic leader who cares deeply about women’s education and is passionate about access to education and student success,” said Jonathan Besse, board chair. “She has an impressive and broad background in a variety of complex organizations, all of which flourished greatly under her leadership.” Doran is currently president of Salem Academy and College in Winston-Salem, N.C. As president, she led an inclusive and aggressive strategic planning process that resulted in a transformation of the college as evidenced by unprecedented growth in enrollment and fundraising. “I am humbled by the trust the board has placed in me to continue the spirit of innovation here at Bay Path,” Doran said. “The visionary nature of President Leary is inspiring and unprecedented in higher education, and I look forward to working with the Bay Path faculty and staff to build on her legacy. Serving our students, and providing them with a superior learning experience, gives us all great joy. I look forward to engaging with all members of our community, students, faculty, staff, alumni, trustees, and our business and philanthropic partners.” Doran holds a juris doctor degree from the Syracuse University College of Law and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Southern Methodist University. Before serving at Salem, Doran was CEO at Castle Point Learning Systems (CPLS), a company that develops innovative teaching and learning technologies incorporating artificial intelligence and adaptive learning algorithms to provide better student outcomes in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Prior to her position at CPLS, she was president of the American College of Education in Indianapolis, where she grew the organization into the fifth-largest graduate school of education in the country, serving more than 5,000 adult and non-traditional students. Her professional experience also includes positions at Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey as an entrepreneur-in-residence, as well as at the New England Board of Higher Education as national policy director. Early in her legal career, she transitioned into higher education, joining Lesley University in Cambridge in 2004 as chief of staff, vice president, and general counsel. Doran currently serves as chair of the board for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation and on the board of the Online Learning Consortium. She was named the Triad Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO, and Power Player of 2019.

AIC to Offer Graduate Program in Cannabis Science and Commerce

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) will offer a master of science program in cannabis science and commerce beginning in the fall of 2020, the first of its kind in this region. The 30-credit, hybrid graduate program is designed for individuals interested in a career in the cannabis industry and will provide students with an understanding of the science, business, and legal issues associated with the cannabis industry. The program offers education in the areas of basic science, including chemistry, horticulture, cultivation, uses, and delivery systems; business management, marketing, and operations; and federal and state laws and policies. According to a March 2020 jobs report issued by Leafly, the world’s largest cannabis website, over the past four years, legal cannabis has supported nearly a quarter of a million jobs. That equates to a 15% annual uptick in employment. For more information regarding the AIC’s master of science program in cannabis science and commerce, visit www.aic.edu/cannabis.

MGM Springfield Revenues Rebound in January

SPRINGFIELD — The Massachusetts Gaming Commission reported that gross gaming revenue (GGR) at MGM Springfield totaled $20.6 million in January, up from $18.9 million in December, which was its worst-ever full month. Meanwhile, the Encore Boston Harbor casino recorded $48.6 million in GGR in January, down from $54 million in December, while Plainridge Park Casino posted $11.1 million in January, an almost $900,000 increase from December and its first monthly uptick since last spring. MGM Springfield’s January GGR totaled included $14.9 million from slot machines and $5.7 million from from table games. The facility named a new president and chief operating officer following December’s poor numbers, replacing Michael Mathis with Chris Kelley.

Country Bank Donates More Than $900,000 in 2019

WARE — Country Bank reported its donations to area nonprofits totaled $905,049 last year. Throughout 2019, more than 500 organizations in the communities the bank serves received donations, including the Children’s Trust, Ludlow Community Center Boys and Girls Club, Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, Project Bread, and the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, among many others. Recognizing the importance and overwhelming need to help organizations that address hunger, Country Bank provided monetary donations exceeding $100,000 to food programs throughout the region. The recipients of these funds included Friends of the Homeless, Springfield Rescue Mission, and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, as well as many local food pantries. In addition, Country Bank’s employee charitable giving program raised more than $30,000 in 2019 through events such as jeans days, bake sales, and raffles, and employees volunteered more than 1,000 hours of personal time at various events within the bank’s communities.

Bank of America Entrusts More Than $22 Million to Community Foundation

SPRINGFIELD — After collaborating with the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts (CFWM) for 29 years, the Bank of America in May transferred three trusts totaling more than $22 million to the Valley-wide grant funder. The move brings CFWM’s total earned assets from roughly $153 million to $175 million and bolsters its role as an enduring philanthropic leader in the Pioneer Valley. Founded in 1990, CFWM administers a charitable endowment consisting of more than 600 separately identified funds totaling approximately $175 million. Some of these charitable assets are unrestricted and used to meet emerging and changing needs in the region. Others support named nonprofit organizations or provide financial support to college-bound students. Still others are donor-advised, offering flexibility to donors in timing, amount, and beneficiary of their giving. Last year, CFWM awarded $7.3 million in grants to nonprofits and $2.2 million in scholarships and interest-free loans to more than 770 area students. The Bank of America funds will continue to support a wide variety of organizations for generations to come, from grassroots community food pantries to region-spanning arts programs — and will preserve the original donors’ wishes to support their communities in perpetuity. The three trusts transferred from the bank to the foundation are the Eugene A. Dexter Charitable Fund, established in 1944; the Nan and Matilda Heydt Fund, established in 1960; and the Valley Charitable Trust Fund, established in 1960. All three were originally created to support and serve charitable organizations and interests with a focus on Springfield and Hampden County.

Eversource Earns Award for Using Smart Technology to Reduce Peak Energy Usage

BOSTON — An Eversource program that pays customers to use less electricity during high-demand periods has received an award for Outstanding Achievement in Residential Program Design & Implementation by the Assoc. of Energy Services Professionals. The award recognizes the company’s ConnectedSolutions demand-response program, which leverages customer-owned devices, such as wireless thermostats, battery storage, and electric-vehicle chargers, to reduce electric use during peak periods, when the cost and greenhouse-gas emissions of electricity in New England are at their highest. More than 9,000 customers have enrolled in the volunteer demand-response program in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Customers allow their devices to automatically communicate with Eversource during regional peak energy periods, resulting in a short reduction of power or, in the case of batteries, a reduction of the stored energy. Residential customers with eligible connected wireless thermostats, battery storage, or electric-vehicle chargers can participate and earn incentives ranging from $20 to more than $1,000 a year. The energy company anticipates that, at full enrollment, the collective ability to call on these customers during high-demand periods could have the environmental equivalent effect of taking 20,000 homes off the grid.

EforAll Holyoke Seeks Mentors for Summer Business Accelerator

HOLYOKE — EforAll Holyoke is actively seeking both English- and Spanish-speaking volunteers to participate as mentors in the summer 2020 business accelerator program. Accelerator mentors come from a variety of backgrounds and use their business and leadership experience to guide new entrepreneurs through the process of turning their idea into a growing business. Mentors work in teams of three and are matched with an entrepreneur based on schedule availability and the desire to work together. The team meets as a group to help reaffirm topics and themes raised during classes, while also strategizing with the entrepreneur on how to reach their specific goals during the program. This is a high-touch, year-long commitment. Mentor teams have 90-minute, in-person meetings for three months and then meet once a month for the following nine months. Anyone interested can e-mail [email protected] for more information.

Incorporations

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

CHICOPEE

Rob Campbell Inc., 36 Mercedes St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Robin Campbell, same. Sales/service of home equipment and furnishings.

DEERFIELD

Suns Mass Inc., 198 Mill Village Road, Deerfield, MA 01342. Steven White, 627 South 48th St., Suite 100, Tempe, AZ 85281. Cultivate, manufacture, market, promote, sell, and distribute medicinal cannabis and products.

EASTHAMPTON

Procedural Writing Associates Inc., 205 Hendricks St., Easthampton, MA 01027. Devin D. Hague, same. Technical writing, documentation, training.

FLORENCE

Taba Inc., 2 Juniper St., Florence, MA 01062. Maya Tal-Baker, same. Real estate.

HAYDENVILLE

New England Support Team Inc., 4 South Main St., Haydenville, MA 01039. George D’Asous, 254 Bryant St., Chesterfield, MA 01012. Nonprofit organization pooling together contractors from all over country; organizing regional support teams of licensed professionals in localities where disaster has struck.

HOLYOKE

Premier Growers Inc., 5A Appleton St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Norman Robert Betournaym 24 Shore Rd, Southwick, MA 01077. Agriculture.

Searles Automation Corp., 110 Northbridge St., Holyoke, MA 01040. William K. Searles, same. Corporation service company.

MONSON

Patriot Riders of America Chapter 6 WMass, Corp., 306 Main St. Monson, MA 01057. Floyd Fairbanks, same. Membership organization made up of volunteers whose sole intention is to help out our Veterans & local communities.

PITTSFIELD

Starbp Athletics Inc., 82 Wendell Ave. Ste 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Jianrong Zheng, 167 North 3rd Ave., Suite H, Upland, CA 91786. Trading.

SOUTH DEERFIELD

Nova Leap Health Ma III Inc., 235 Greenfield Road #6, South Deerfield, MA 01373. Christopher Dobbin, 4-37 Wentworht St., Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. Provide personal care services, homemaking, and non-medical companion care.

SPRINGFIELD

Sabuska Corporation, 305 State St., Suite C2, Springfield, MA 01105. Veerjinder Singh, same. Business management services.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Springfield Motor Freight Inc., 11 Haywood Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089. Mickeal J. Wilson, same. Trucking/transportation.

WILBRAHAM

Pulse Cellular Inc., 45 Stonegate Circle, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Anthony Orlando Colapietro, same. US national wireless carrier, cellular provider.

WORTHINGTON

Systems Plumbing and Heating Inc., 19 Rida Road, Worthington, MA 01098. Ryan Rida, same. Plumbing.

DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and trade names were issued or renewed during the month of February 2020.

AMHERST

Amherst Chinese Medicine
409 Main St., #111
Xiaoqiang Zhao

Captain’s Quarters Antiques
6 Wildwood Lane
Jeffrey Cobb

Encharter Insurance
25 University Dr.
Encharter Insurance

Moving Mentor Inc.
123 Maplewood Circle
Teresa Bragg

Norwottuck Chamber Concerts
366 Station Road
Ernest May

Stone House Farm Bed and Breakfast
649 East Pleasant St.
Candace Talley

BELCHERTOWN

Cold Spring Country Club
336 Chauncey Walker St.
Fan Du

Cynders Designs
36 Bay Path Road
Cyndy Gillen

Gabby’s Detailing
147 Boardman St.
Gabrielle Contois

GK Forest Products
374 Mill Valley Road
Gregory Krol

Infinity Auto Rental Inc.
248 Barton Ave.
Joseph Gallo, Heidi Gallo

Linden Fawn
71 Pondview Circle
Seasson Kiesari, Oryhn Kiesari

CHICOPEE

Stop and Run
1057 Montgomery St.
Nadir Feroz

Walgreens #17542
1 St. James Ave.
Walgreen Eastern Co. Inc.

DEERFIELD

Amazuu Whole Body Healing
220 North Main St.
Judy Peters

EASTHAMPTON

Cedar Horticultural Services
2 Culdaff St., Apt. M
Zachary Firtion, Stephanie Yarmesky

D & L Cleaning
25 Franklin St., Apt. C
Denial Bond

Ecotek Print Solutions Inc.
123 Union St., Suite 201-5
Abdallah Ghalayini

Flock Consulting
9 Orchard St.
Nicole Desjardins

M & M Auto Repair
19 Parson St.
Efrain Diaz

Mango Fish Inc.
117 Maple St.
Lori Novis

Moove In Self Storage
165 Northampton St.
Investment Real Estate Management, LLC

Tend Bodyworks Inc.
186 Northampton St.
Adam Brady

Walgreens #17980
32 Union St.
Walgreen Eastern Co. Inc.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Enso Martial Arts
80 Denslow Road
Dustin Humphrey

The Glowtique
38 Harkness Ave.
Natalya Czapienski

Reliable Bookkeeping & Tax Services
119 Industrial Dr., #814
Ming Tsang

GREENFIELD

Antique Revival & Collectibles
186 Main St.
Ada-Marie Naser

Barlow Landscaping Excavation Paving and Construction Corp.
77 Davis St.
Scott Barlow

Byrne Racing & Used Autos
86 River St.
James Byrne Jr., Benjamin Byrne

Country Garden Florals and Gifts, LLC
284 High St.
Michele Pratt, Annette McLean

Cowan’s Garage
93 Vernon St.
James Cowan, Alice Cowan

Green Mart Convenience
124 Conway St.
Shahid Habib

Greenfield Self Storage
78 Woodard Road
George Maniatty

Honey Hive
15 Elm St., #2
Diana Van Cott

Kathleen Tomaus Catering
3 Church St.
Kathleen Tomaus

Loopyker Creates
252 Log Plain Road
Kerrie Rusk

Nolan Plumbing & HVAC Inc.
26 Clark St.
Tyler Nolan

Pioneer Valley Garlic
31 River St.
Abigail Nash

Ryan & Casey Inc.
55 Main St.
Peter White, Kristie Faufaw

The Silver Fox Farm
402 Leyden Road
Maeg Yosef, Sarah Yosef

Sumatrae
187 Elm St.
Roy Baltzer

HOLYOKE

Aerie by American Eagle #2745
50 Holyoke St.
AE Outfitters Retail Co.

Dillon’s Package Store
589 High St.
Marek Wieczorek, Janusz Lecko

The Hemp Den
52 Main St.
Tri-Wise, LLC

LONGMEADOW

Aspen Lawn
56 Maplewood St.
Joel Wun, Antonina Ventino

LUDLOW

Austin Auto Body
162 Booth St.
Frank Collins

BAK Precision
71 Highland Ave.
Krzysztof Checiek

Hick-or-Rock Farm
312 Miller St.
Paul Cocchi

Mainely Drafts Horse and Carriage
1361 Lyon St.
Keith Ouellette

Paul’s Tree Service
312 Miller St.
Paul Cocchi

Steve Santos Landscaping Services
16 Palmer St.
Stephen Santos

Tony’s Premier Painting Service
16 Watt Ave.
Anthony Egea

NORTHAMPTON

AJ’s Shop
144 King St.
Andrew Yarns Jr., Justice Kirkland

Bacon Wilson, P.C.
57 Center St.
Bacon Wilson, P.C.

Bacon Wilson, P.C./Morse & Sacks
57 Center St.
Bacon Wilson, P.C.

Creative Therapy
13 Old South St.
Siobhan Silver

Kristy’s Nails
137C Damon Road
Ngoc Vo

The Living Art Studio
219 Main St.
Scot Padgett

Moove In Self Storage
550 Easthampton Road
Investment Real Estate Management, LLC

Moove In Self Storage
600 Easthampton Road
Investment Real Estate Management, LLC

The Research Group
51 Day Ave.
Nancy Mihevc

SPRINGFIELD

2000 Barbershop
563-569 Main St.
Ana Lopez

Alattar Barbershop
886 Sumner Ave.
Odai Alattar

Arron Tree and Landscaping
116 Treetop Ave.
Gary Gaudette

Asian Bazaar
607 Dickinson St.
Purna Ramdam Kami

Azy the Artist
101 Main St.
Azariah Cordona

Dulani Transit
98 David St.
Jean Rosario

Essence Unlimited
126 Caseland St.
Loleta Collins

Flores Cleaning Service
129 Suffolk St.
Neri Flores

Gallery Motor Sport, LLC
879 Boston Road
Damaris Rodriguez

Lancaster Construction Co.
69 Chapin Terrace
Marietta O’Flaherty

Latin Nails by Joana
874 State St.
Joana Marrero

Lavish Entertainment
111 Chestnut St.
Jason Perez

Lexourious Beauty
33 Laurel St.
Lexyani Rivera

Liana Rivera
27 Lynwood Terrace
Liana Rivera

Pub 155
155 Maple St.
Carregan’s Tavern

Salix Investments, LLC
771 Belmont Ave.
Salix Investments, LLC

Samuel Bowles PTA
24 Bowles Park
Donald Dorn Jr.

Shane Suban Studio Inc.
163 Middlesex St.
Shane Suban

X & W Cleaning Services
13 Ruskin St.
Xavier Cuadra

Your Grandfather’s Wine Cellar
148 Carol Ann St.
Edward Pagliaro

WEST SPRINGFIELD

All the Way Graphics
20 River St.
Charissa Majeran

Beauty Gate Salon & Spa
1646 Riverdale St.
Jacek Chmiel

Bernard Welding
70 Morton St.
Barry Bernard

Delta Bulk Transport
66 Western Ave.
Bruce Voight

Enviro Clean Air Duct Cleaning
6 River St.
Ron Rindels

Mylyfe Specialty Pharmacy
111 Elm St.
Adam Oliveri

New World Athletics, LLC
103 Wayside Ave.
Jordon Bradley

Organized Home Spaces
1343 Riverdale St.
Laura Ferguson

Primal Krav Masa
865 Memorial Ave.
William Kravs

WILBRAHAM

The Firefly Creative
348 Stony Hill Road
Brian Tracy

Fitzgerald Capital Group
5 Iriquois Lane
Frank Fitzgerald II

Frankie Bakes
43 Monson Road
Francesca Dias

Ravenwood Solutions, LLC
1083 Glendale Road
David Carver

Real Estate

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

COLRAIN

123 Foundry Village Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Geoffrey W. Roske
Seller: 123 Foundry Road NT
Date: 01/31/20

DEERFIELD

169 North Main St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $228,900
Buyer: Lydia Gardner-Hemphill
Seller: Alycia M. Fabry
Date: 02/05/20

24 Pleasant Ave.
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $149,214
Buyer: Carrington Mortgage Services
Seller: Jennifer L. O’Keefe
Date: 01/29/20

GREENFIELD

111 Burnham Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Adam R. Martin
Seller: Roderique Roberge
Date: 01/30/20

7 Cedar St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $187,000
Buyer: Adam J. Leblanc
Seller: Fisher, Linda A., (Estate)
Date: 02/10/20

93 Franklin St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Lans G. Christenson
Seller: Levesque, Gerard R., (Estate)
Date: 02/04/20

122-1/2 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Leonard Yakir
Seller: El Gold LLC
Date: 02/05/20

127 Homestead Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Alex E. Wenger
Seller: Adam R. Martin
Date: 01/30/20

18 Sunrise Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Andrew M. Leaf
Seller: Karen A. Guthrie
Date: 02/07/20

HEATH

60 Branch Hill Road
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $197,500
Buyer: Amy C. Kelley
Seller: Mark P. Eldred
Date: 02/10/20

LEVERETT

46 Teawaddle Hill Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Arthur G. Inglot
Seller: Katherine A. Sargent
Date: 01/30/20

LEYDEN

72 Eden Trail
Leyden, MA 01337
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Kayla M. Smith
Seller: Matthew J. Muka
Date: 01/31/20

MONTAGUE

15 Dry Hill Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $155,900
Buyer: Charles Tormanen
Seller: Timothy S. Lang
Date: 01/29/20

NEW SALEM

4 Old County Road
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $262,450
Buyer: Nathanial Mizula
Seller: Chris A. Carey
Date: 01/31/20

NORTHFIELD

15 Mountain Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Anthony Marsili
Seller: Frank A. Penny
Date: 01/30/20

ORANGE

30 East Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Huong Le
Seller: TD Bank
Date: 01/31/20

145 Fairman Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $212,500
Buyer: Richard Watson
Seller: Eleanor M. Plant
Date: 02/04/20

72 Mattawa Circle
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $115,000
Buyer: Lisa A. Johannsson
Seller: Henderson, David A., (Estate)
Date: 01/30/20

WHATELY

145 State Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Kyle J. Monahan
Seller: Barbara Tenanes
Date: 02/10/20

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

91 Burlington Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Sergey Kulyak
Seller: Ally Bank
Date: 01/29/20

25 Century St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: RPM Century Street LLC
Seller: Precision Realty LLC
Date: 01/30/20

519 Cooper St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Terrell Carter
Seller: Siarhei Siarheyev
Date: 02/07/20

149 Coyote Circle
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Atu O. White
Seller: Leroy C. Matthews
Date: 02/07/20

28-30 Hunt St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $369,900
Buyer: Muhammad A. Razzaq
Seller: Marina Otero
Date: 01/31/20

221 Lancaster Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $408,000
Buyer: Nicole M. Lissandri
Seller: Christina A. Bode
Date: 02/03/20

23 Mardale Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Sean E. Sullivan
Seller: Anthony G. Circosta
Date: 02/03/20

220 North West St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $249,000
Buyer: Anna Disabito-Rosenthal
Seller: Cornerstone Homebuying
Date: 02/07/20

62 Northwood St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $203,401
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Richard B. Smith
Date: 02/11/20

57 Reed St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $207,400
Buyer: Darwin Gomez
Seller: Toufic Yacteen
Date: 01/31/20

132-134 Sheri Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $372,000
Buyer: Muhammad A. Razzaq
Seller: Janine Pranka
Date: 01/31/20

171 White Fox Road
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Peter Lacamera
Seller: David A. Robinson
Date: 02/03/20

BRIMFIELD

251 Brookfield Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $327,825
Buyer: US Bank
Seller: Richard R. Tilton
Date: 02/10/20

Brookfield Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Alise Messier
Seller: Mary E. Sampson
Date: 02/10/20

48 Saint George Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Lisa B. Palmer-White
Seller: Kimberly S. Donze
Date: 01/31/20

CHESTER

11 Johnson Hill Road
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $587,500
Buyer: Christopher H. Martenson
Seller: James R. Hathaway
Date: 01/29/20

CHICOPEE

69 Billings St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Princess Eckles-Lopez
Seller: Wendy S. Martin
Date: 02/03/20

206 Fairview Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Kamlesh S. Mistri
Seller: CJK Realty LLC
Date: 01/31/20

30 Fairway Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Mary K. Mastalerz
Seller: Servicenet Inc.
Date: 02/11/20

20 Johnson Road
Chicopee, MA 01022
Amount: $8,085,000
Buyer: Hampden Charter School
Seller: RM Acre Chicopee Hampden
Date: 01/29/20

52 Marlborough St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Alzira Costa
Seller: Stanley F. Kozikowski
Date: 01/31/20

57 Marten St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $171,000
Buyer: Nathan W. Garstka-Osley
Seller: Sherry M. Enserro
Date: 01/31/20

26 Muzzy St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Steven J. Tessier
Seller: Denette Properties LLC
Date: 01/31/20

109 Paradise St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Antonio Daniele
Seller: Douglas W. Dolbow
Date: 01/31/20

58 Roberts Pond Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Jeremy M. Guz
Seller: Richard P. Jambora
Date: 01/31/20

54 Shaw Park Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $179,950
Buyer: Alberto S. Diaz
Seller: Rosemary Saccomani
Date: 02/10/20

36 Taylor St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $125,460
Buyer: Midfirst Bank
Seller: Ida B. Smith
Date: 01/31/20

47 Trilby Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Leonard Yakir
Seller: Albert G. Weibel
Date: 02/05/20

EAST LONGMEADOW

112 Braeburn Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Lena Vellturo
Seller: Dasilva, James F., (Estate)
Date: 01/30/20

15 Corning St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01108
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Deborah I. Cubi
Seller: Pamela L. Rutherford
Date: 01/30/20

23 Decelles Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $1,425,000
Buyer: K. Fradet Mass. LLC
Seller: Kelly Fradet Lumber Inc.
Date: 01/30/20

25 Decelles Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $1,425,000
Buyer: K. Fradet Mass. LLC
Seller: Kelly Fradet Lumber Inc.
Date: 01/30/20

Dorset St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $1,425,000
Buyer: K. Fradet Mass. LLC
Seller: Kelly Fradet Lumber Inc.
Date: 01/30/20

62 Gerrard Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Damaris Lopez
Seller: CIG 4 LLC
Date: 01/29/20

5 Michel St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $156,601
Buyer: Carrington Mortgage Services
Seller: Shaun M. Thomas
Date: 02/07/20

557 North Main St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $1,425,000
Buyer: K. Fradet Mass. LLC
Seller: Kelly Fradet Lumber Inc.
Date: 01/30/20

587 North Main St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $1,425,000
Buyer: K. Fradet Mass. LLC
Seller: Kelly Fradet Lumber Inc.
Date: 01/30/20

257 Pease Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Bank Of America
Seller: Anthony C. Camerota
Date: 02/05/20

176 Porter Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $236,000
Buyer: Robert L. Carlson
Seller: Carlson, Sally J., (Estate)
Date: 02/10/20

64 Rogers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Harry Barksdale
Seller: Judith Lee-Cox
Date: 02/11/20

29 Sylvester St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: William A. Townsend
Seller: Leslie W. Townsend
Date: 02/06/20

HAMPDEN

186 Bennett Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Natasha Rodriguez
Seller: Richard A. St.Aubin
Date: 01/31/20

291 Scantic Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Michael A. Ciecko
Seller: Michael J. Sicbaldi LLP
Date: 01/31/20

HOLYOKE

140 Essex St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $172,500
Buyer: Sylvia Delgado
Seller: Diana Garcia
Date: 01/30/20

122 Jarvis Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $136,000
Buyer: NRZ REO X. LLC
Seller: US Bank
Date: 02/06/20

339 Jarvis Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Andrea York
Seller: Andrey Bateyko
Date: 02/05/20

445 Mountain Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $204,000
Buyer: Scott L. Cournoyer
Seller: Gabriele T. Brin-Martin
Date: 01/31/20

2199 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,157,500
Buyer: Transform Saleco LLC
Seller: Kmart Corp
Date: 02/07/20

23 Queen St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $203,000
Buyer: Sheila Serrano
Seller: Kathleen M. Brady
Date: 02/07/20

17-19 Royal Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Samantha N. Colon
Seller: Marguerite, Lucille B., (Estate)
Date: 02/06/20

147 Sheehan Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Elizabeth A. Dorrell
Seller: Ellen J. Moriarty
Date: 02/07/20

31 Springdale Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $129,900
Buyer: Jose L. Rivera
Seller: Luis A. Gonzalez
Date: 01/31/20

162 Sycamore St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $188,000
Buyer: Yasmin Thahir
Seller: Philip H. Shute
Date: 02/10/20

2175 Whiting Farms Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $1,157,500
Buyer: Transform Saleco LLC
Seller: Kmart Corp.
Date: 02/07/20

LONGMEADOW

28 Dwight Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $2,240,000
Buyer: Store Master Funding 17
Seller: KC Propco LLC
Date: 01/30/20

309 Frank Smith Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: John A. Tomaszewski
Seller: Shelley Cotton
Date: 01/31/20

80 Hawthorne St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Ehdaa A. Tahoun
Seller: Steven N. Sobel
Date: 01/30/20

35 Herbert St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $168,041
Buyer: Dmitry J. Gulak
Seller: Merullo, Helen C., (Estate)
Date: 01/29/20

689 Laurel St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Donald H. Bolduc
Seller: John T. Kreinest
Date: 01/30/20

Ludlow Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: Inspired By Opportunity
Seller: Bruce F. Zamora
Date: 02/06/20

16 Meadowbrook Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Timothy B. Thompson
Seller: Patricia D. Keady
Date: 02/03/20

LUDLOW

33 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $1,168,939
Buyer: SPP Citizens NLREF 5 LLC
Seller: Vereit Real Estate LP
Date: 01/30/20

488 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Inspired By Opportunity
Seller: Landmark Partners Inc.
Date: 02/06/20

183 Colonial Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $287,000
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: Lee M. Guarda
Date: 02/05/20

13 Nowak Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Dnepro Properties LLC
Seller: Sapphire Property Dev. LLC
Date: 01/31/20

57-59 Oak St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: David C. Bull
Seller: Pelczar, John, (Estate)
Date: 01/29/20

241 Sewall St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $142,000
Buyer: George R. Rogers
Seller: Goncalves, John P., (Estate)
Date: 02/04/20

16 West Belmont St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $128,500
Buyer: Robert Archambault
Seller: Dolores R. Norton
Date: 01/30/20

MONSON

44 Stebbins Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Brandon Mackenzie
Seller: Arnold Construction Inc.
Date: 01/30/20

PALMER

3087 High St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $255,900
Buyer: Stephen J. Devoll
Seller: Seth A. Ciejka
Date: 01/31/20

57 Jim Ash Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Chantel M. Mallalieu
Seller: Brian A. Bachand
Date: 02/03/20

147 Jim Ash Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Yves Lachance
Seller: Adam Lachance
Date: 01/30/20

1061-1063 Pleasant St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Edward J. Walsh
Seller: R2R LLC
Date: 02/10/20

36 Saint John St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $247,500
Buyer: Natan S. Hagopian
Seller: Shirley M. Lamb
Date: 01/31/20

RUSSELL

961 Blandford Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $181,600
Buyer: Newrez LLC
Seller: Marcus Houston
Date: 02/07/20

366 Woodland Way
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $483,500
Buyer: Jennifer Grassy
Seller: Richard S. Lempke
Date: 02/11/20

SPRINGFIELD

22 Albee St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Gifm Holdings TR
Seller: Jose M. Sala-Diaz
Date: 02/04/20

43-45 Algonquin Place
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $157,000
Buyer: Librado Ortiz
Seller: Leonard A. Cowles
Date: 01/31/20

16 Alvin St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Kaylene Negron
Seller: Hector Salgado
Date: 02/03/20

63 Beaumont St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Zuleika M. Figueroa
Seller: Purna Chhetri
Date: 02/11/20

732 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $129,780
Buyer: Anthony Massop
Seller: FNMA
Date: 01/29/20

768 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Wytas Properties LLC
Seller: Peter E. Sares
Date: 02/07/20

69 Bristol St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Beverly B. Bromfield
Seller: Global Homes Properties LLC
Date: 02/10/20

48-50 Clifton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $132,500
Buyer: Marc Rhodes
Seller: Springfield Homes LLC
Date: 01/30/20

23 Denesley Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $219,500
Buyer: Shawn Vance
Seller: Cooper Properties LLC
Date: 02/07/20

23 Enfield St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Thomas W. Cleplik
Date: 02/07/20

98-100 Fenwick St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Astrid N. Soto-Serrano
Seller: Teresa Ayala
Date: 02/06/20

70 Gary Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $139,900
Buyer: Klaudia Z. Czerwinska
Seller: Matusko, James M., (Estate)
Date: 01/30/20

34 Georgetown St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Lamar D. Nash
Seller: Paul G. Allen
Date: 01/31/20

69 Gillette Circle
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $172,000
Buyer: Adam Gauthier
Seller: William J. Borowiec
Date: 01/29/20

63 Glenmore St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $123,000
Buyer: Eddie Lau
Seller: Norman Major
Date: 02/07/20

169 Hampden St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Carlos Mulero
Seller: Properties R. US
Date: 02/04/20

169-171 Hancock St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Koala Properties LLC
Seller: Suk H. Forrester
Date: 01/30/20

123 Hanson Dr.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $139,400
Buyer: PHH Mortgage Corp.
Seller: Corrie L. Ybarra
Date: 01/29/20

23 Irene St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $124,900
Buyer: Parbati Baker
Seller: Garden Park LLC
Date: 02/03/20

90 Jennings St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $334,900
Buyer: Patrick M. Swaby
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 01/31/20

165 Knollwood St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Orlando Quinones
Seller: Tabitha Guess
Date: 02/11/20

7-9 Kosciusko St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $193,000
Buyer: Frances I. Rivera-Reyes
Seller: H. P. Rum LLC
Date: 02/11/20

57 Leatherleaf Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $187,900
Buyer: Brian K. Pickard
Seller: Katharine A. Johnson
Date: 01/31/20

935 Liberty St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: 935 Liberty Street LLC
Seller: Amat Victoria Curam LLC
Date: 02/03/20

88 Lorimer St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $185,500
Buyer: Lee F. Saltmarsh
Seller: Justin C. Tracy
Date: 01/30/20

363 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $1,400,000
Buyer: Om Orchard Main St LLC
Seller: Kayrouz Petroleum LLC
Date: 01/31/20

950 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $701,363
Buyer: SPP Citizens NLREF 5 LLC
Seller: Vereit Real Estate LP
Date: 01/31/20

62 Melba St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $170,157
Buyer: FNMA
Seller: Odessa Wilson
Date: 02/11/20

North Main St.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $1,425,000
Buyer: K. Fradet Mass. LLC
Seller: Kelly Fradet Lumber Inc.
Date: 01/30/20

18 Nagle St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Oscar Vega
Seller: Revampit LLC
Date: 01/31/20

347-349 Newbury St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $199,656
Buyer: Anjeannette M. Dowd
Seller: NSP Residential LLC
Date: 01/30/20

36 O’Connell St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Joycelyn Philp
Seller: Kevin T. Cavanaugh
Date: 01/30/20

52 Orlando St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $181,000
Buyer: Jonathan X. Rodriguez
Seller: Lachenauer LLC
Date: 01/31/20

1286 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $201,000
Buyer: Kyle S. Hadley
Seller: Imran R. Chaudhry
Date: 02/07/20

54 Patton St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $720,000
Buyer: Spectra S1 LLC
Seller: Amrap LLC
Date: 01/29/20

254 Peekskill Ave.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $229,900
Buyer: Francisco J. Perez-Luna
Seller: Manchester Enterprises
Date: 02/07/20

39 Ramblewood Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Zanoris S. Perez
Seller: Long River Partners LLC
Date: 01/31/20

2071-2095 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $4,825,000
Buyer: Friends Of Springfield
Seller: Saremi LLP
Date: 01/29/20

867 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $145,000
Buyer: Deutsche Bank
Seller: Jacqueline J. Naylor
Date: 01/29/20

86 Ruthven St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $176,900
Buyer: Meghan K. Shewchuk
Seller: Joseph C. Ekmalian
Date: 01/31/20

46 South Tallyho Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Richard H. Griffin
Seller: Darlene P. Atkinson
Date: 02/04/20

196 Savoy Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Terry J. Wanzo
Seller: Edna R. Hernandez
Date: 01/31/20

100 Sunridge Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Erin Mullen
Seller: Daniel A. Canuel
Date: 02/07/20

34-36 Sylvan St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $212,500
Buyer: Keron K. Baker
Seller: Morrell P. Thomas
Date: 01/31/20

98-100 Sylvan St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $144,500
Buyer: Travis T. Moran
Seller: US Bank
Date: 01/31/20

39 Tamarack Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $259,000
Buyer: Gannon Longtin
Seller: Efrain Bermeo
Date: 01/31/20

40 Truman Circle
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $147,000
Buyer: Laura Enriquez
Seller: James A. Harpe
Date: 02/04/20

775 Union St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Pablo A. Diaz-Castro
Seller: Makensy Nicolas
Date: 02/03/20

268 Washington Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $268,500
Buyer: Annette M. Pellegrino
Seller: Kenneth M. Scibelli
Date: 01/31/20

26 Wigwam Place
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Pioneer Housing LLC
Seller: Richard A. Femmel
Date: 01/30/20

1590 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Timothy Monson
Seller: Jennifer M. McCarthy
Date: 02/10/20

SOUTHWICK

58 George Loomis Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Allyson R. Crooke
Seller: Swientisky, Eleanor R., (Estate)
Date: 01/30/20

303 North Loomis St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $226,000
Buyer: Amanda Lynch
Seller: David L. Wallis
Date: 02/04/20

399 North Loomis St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: Lani E. Mullen
Date: 02/07/20

20 Vining Hill Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Banks Family Farm LLC
Seller: William H. Strain
Date: 01/31/20

13 Wood St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $174,900
Buyer: Wilmington Savings
Seller: William K. Shoemaker
Date: 02/06/20

TOLLAND

246 Owls Nest Lane
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Michael F. Seaver
Seller: Stanley F. Rosen
Date: 01/31/20

WALES

70 McBride Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Heidi Bara
Seller: Chevers, Margo, (Estate)
Date: 01/29/20

WESTFIELD

48 Breighly Way
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Viktoria Dubovoy
Seller: Edward F. Szuba
Date: 02/04/20

2 Bristol St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $171,000
Buyer: Bank New York Mellon
Seller: Anthony Paroline
Date: 01/31/20

9 Cross St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Krystalee B. Ryan-Krieg
Seller: Kyle G. Beluzo
Date: 01/31/20

27 Hayre St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Ronald I. Haskell
Seller: Lisa I. Schmith
Date: 01/31/20

311 Holyoke Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $272,500
Buyer: Daniel J. Blair
Seller: Christopher Monasterski
Date: 02/07/20

166 Montgomery Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Trevin C. Correia
Seller: Lorraine C. Masciadrelli
Date: 02/05/20

11 Saint Paul St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $179,500
Buyer: Joseph L. Russo
Seller: Chiara Bassett
Date: 01/29/20

13 Stuart Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Bradford W. Kline
Seller: Sherrilynn G. Polson
Date: 01/30/20

126 Western Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Heather M. Siegel
Seller: Barbara D. Ross
Date: 01/31/20

WILBRAHAM

3 Chilson Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $338,000
Buyer: Efrain Bermeo
Seller: Kevin J. Campion
Date: 01/31/20

11 Delmor Circle
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Nicholas M. Brown
Seller: Jay N. Tryon
Date: 01/31/20

23 Devonshire Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Iglesia Pacto Eterno Springfield
Seller: Church Of The Epiphany
Date: 01/29/20

20 Highland Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Iglesia Pacto Eterno Springfield
Seller: Church Of The Epiphany
Date: 01/29/20

23 Hunting Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Haseeb Hafeez
Seller: Ibis Duo Holdings LLC
Date: 01/31/20

48 Oakland St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Herminio Rivas
Seller: Russell L. Swift
Date: 01/31/20

7 Pease St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Robert D. Jones
Seller: Nu Way Homes Inc.
Date: 02/10/20

37 Red Bridge Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Michael F. Dolan
Seller: Mark Pessolano
Date: 01/31/20

664 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $133,500
Buyer: 2018 MA-01 LLC
Seller: Flippin Good Home Buyers
Date: 01/31/20

WEST SPRINGFIELD

21 Bramble St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Memorial Avenue RT
Seller: DDS Memorial Partnership
Date: 01/31/20

63 Bridle Path Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Timothy V. Flouton
Seller: David M. Cerpovicz
Date: 02/03/20

17-19 Fox St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Manaf Ali
Seller: Tejash R. Patel
Date: 02/07/20

18 Greenleaf Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Nicholas M. Topjian
Seller: Anthony Heim
Date: 01/29/20

78 Greenleaf Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $277,000
Buyer: One Eyed Cat TR
Seller: MAA Property LLC
Date: 01/31/20

76 Kings Hwy.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $149,350
Buyer: Rachel L. Federico
Seller: Stephanie E. Condino
Date: 01/31/20

21 Lyman St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $122,000
Buyer: Ruby Realty LLC
Seller: Christopher A. Bernardi
Date: 01/31/20

55 Lyman St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: Lee Johnson
Seller: Konstantinos Tsavidis
Date: 01/30/20

1022 Main St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $204,000
Buyer: ALE Ventures LLC
Seller: Invast LLC
Date: 02/06/20

759 Memorial Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Memorial Avenue RT
Seller: DDS Memorial Partnership
Date: 01/31/20

236 Norman St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Zeina O. Awkal
Seller: Imadeddine Awkal
Date: 01/31/20

1095 Westfield St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $6,000,000
Buyer: Stoneridge Realty LLC
Seller: LJCD Associates LLC
Date: 01/31/20

1111 Westfield St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $6,000,000
Buyer: Stoneridge Realty LLC
Seller: LJCD Associates LLC
Date: 01/31/20

1598 Westfield St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Ellie Hyte
Seller: Michael R. Fitzgerald
Date: 02/04/20

196 Wolcott Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $182,500
Buyer: Tyler J. Frederick
Seller: Christy A. Frederick
Date: 01/31/20

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

60 Echo Hill Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: D. Joseph Jerry
Seller: Michael S. Jensen
Date: 01/31/20

29 Hickory Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Beth Shally-Jensen
Seller: Madjid Kemache
Date: 02/07/20

550 West St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $237,500
Buyer: Ellen S. Story
Seller: Patricia J. Bachand RET
Date: 02/04/20

BELCHERTOWN

535 Bardwell St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: David A. Robinson
Seller: Chantel Mallalieu
Date: 02/03/20

110 Daniel Shays Hwy.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Amy Jordan
Seller: Kurtis W. Couture
Date: 02/10/20

801 Franklin St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $204,000
Buyer: Michael Marsden
Seller: Katherine A. Malandrino
Date: 02/07/20

20 Juckett Hill Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $272,500
Buyer: Jacob S. Girard
Seller: Margaret M. Suttenfield
Date: 01/31/20

7 Old Farm Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $127,756
Buyer: Wells Fargo Bank
Seller: James B. Laroche
Date: 02/06/20

33 Trillium Way
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $363,000
Buyer: Michael McMorrow
Seller: Eric J. Watson
Date: 02/05/20

EASTHAMPTON

3 Kimberly Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Nicholas D. Duprey
Seller: Lord, Theresa M., (Estate)
Date: 01/30/20

228 Northampton St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $2,850,000
Buyer: RVC Properties LLC
Seller: Mountain View Investors
Date: 01/31/20

GOSHEN

75 Pond Hill Road
Goshen, MA 01096
Amount: $219,000
Buyer: Michael J. Cesario
Seller: Richardson, Sylvia E., (Estate)
Date: 01/30/20

GOSHEN

14 Sundown Dr.
Goshen, MA 01096
Amount: $258,000
Buyer: Michael J. Kennedy
Seller: Laurie A. Baker
Date: 02/07/20

GRANBY

19 New Ludlow Road
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $214,900
Buyer: Vania M. Guzman
Seller: Michael Bennett
Date: 01/31/20

HADLEY

44 Chmura Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Robert Farr-Bayliss
Seller: Kimberly A. Hughes
Date: 02/07/20

37 Lawrence Plain Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $580,000
Buyer: 8 Directions LLC
Seller: Kiss Realty LLC
Date: 02/03/20

9 Moody Bridge Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Sharon Wachsler
Seller: Hoggman, Walter R., (Estate)
Date: 01/31/20

HATFIELD

8 Elm Court
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $277,500
Buyer: Jenni L. Manfredi
Seller: Angela Greco
Date: 01/31/20

51 North St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $263,000
Buyer: Paula Sayword
Seller: Burda, Ann N., (Estate)
Date: 01/31/20

24 North Hatfield Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $221,000
Buyer: Thomas J. Wickles
Seller: Holhut, Louise E., (Estate)
Date: 02/05/20

26 Pleasant View Dr.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $482,000
Buyer: Chuong Q. Dinh
Seller: Gary R. Hebert
Date: 01/31/20

12 Primrose Path
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Gary R. Hebert
Seller: Osepowicz, Nellie A., (Estate)
Date: 01/31/20

HUNTINGTON

87 Worthington Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Hilltown Sand & Gravel LLC
Seller: Donovan Brothers Inc.
Date: 02/07/20

NORTHAMPTON

235 Crescent St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,200,000
Buyer: Simone Topal
Seller: Jeffrey Caplan
Date: 01/31/20

54 Easthampton Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,400,000
Buyer: Om East Hampton Road LLC
Seller: Trak Petroleum LLC
Date: 01/31/20

5 Garfield Ave.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $137,986
Buyer: Raquel Valentin
Seller: Christopher A. Wolcott
Date: 02/07/20

20 Highland Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $747,900
Buyer: Leonard Yakir
Seller: William Yenner
Date: 02/05/20

642 North Farms Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $477,500
Buyer: Timothy D. Scott
Seller: Pokeladenny Funding TR
Date: 02/06/20

21 Valley St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $218,000
Buyer: Laurie M. Nichols
Seller: Cronkite, Herschell A., (Estate)
Date: 02/07/20

PELHAM

80 Buffam Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Stephanie Nascimento
Seller: Yu, Jeffrey J., (Estate)
Date: 01/31/20

SOUTH HADLEY

8 Blueberry Bend
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Diego Garcia
Seller: Diane Gosselin
Date: 01/31/20

337 East St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: George J. Ladas
Seller: Ladas Funding TR
Date: 02/05/20

25 Edison Dr.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Alan A. Ash
Seller: Revampit LLC
Date: 01/30/20

3 Hickory Place
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Jennifer Vieu
Seller: Thomas E. Butler
Date: 02/07/20

6 Hollywood St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $203,500
Buyer: Irene M. Rule
Seller: Samuel Bruel
Date: 02/03/20

28 Mountain View St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $251,500
Buyer: Linda Sidorsky
Seller: Reardon Kathleen A., (Estate)
Date: 01/30/20

92 Sorbi Circle
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Samuel Bernash
Seller: Daniel W. Kokonowski
Date: 02/07/20

18 Spring Meadows
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Christopher J. Gosselin
Seller: Paula S. Katz
Date: 02/06/20

12 Young Circle
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Revampit LLC
Seller: Szymonik, Vera A., (Estate)
Date: 02/07/20

SOUTHAMPTON

124 Fomer Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $317,500
Buyer: James J. Murning
Seller: Preferred Property Management
Date: 01/29/20

2 Quigley Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $600,000
Buyer: Harold A. Butson
Seller: Pellegrini Development
Date: 02/03/20

5 Thomas Circle
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Kevin E. Balicki
Seller: Zabawa, Victoria P., (Estate)
Date: 01/31/20

WARE

22 Coldbrook Dr.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Donna E. Tarantino
Seller: Sandra Renaud
Date: 01/29/20

398 Palmer Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: James C. Merkel
Seller: T. Rozzen LLC
Date: 02/06/20

29 Sczygiel Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Roger T. Montanez
Seller: Brian Connolly
Date: 01/29/20

WILLIAMSBURG

94-1/2 Old Goshen Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $381,500
Buyer: Christine D. Tronnier
Seller: Mark J. Chereski
Date: 01/31/20

DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and trade names were issued or renewed during the month of February 2020.

AMHERST

Amherst Medical Properties, LLC
31 Hall Dr.
$91,800 — Replace carpet, flooring, and countertops; reinstall existing sink and faucets; three toilets; paint walls

Town of Amherst
4 Boltwood Ave.
$30,000 — Remove front entrance door and surrounding millwork, install temporary wall and door during repairs

CHICOPEE

Chicopee Property
443-445 Chicopee St.
$30,000 — Demolish metal building, open-structure greenhouse, and wooden greenhouse

Mike Laser Enterprises, LLC
675 Fuller Road
$10,000 — Demolish drywall and drop ceiling

Pioneer Valley Concrete
98-102 North Chicopee St.
$40,000 — Demolish all structures on site, remove debris, and level site

EASTHAMPTON

City of Easthampton
200 Park St.
$84,831,000 — New three-story elementary school

ETA BAV Realty Trust
10 East Greene St.
$13,000 — Install vinyl siding

Keystone Enterprises
112 Pleasant St.
$126,000 — Roofing

McDonald’s Corp.
121 Northampton St.
$391,000 — Interior and exterior renovation

North Harlow 3, LLC
2 Culdaff St.
$5,000 — Repair building damaged by tow truck

Williston Northampton School
4 Brewster Ave.
$600,000 — Geothermal HVAC system, piping, and ductwork

Williston Northampton School
37 Park St.
$147,000 — New fire sprinkler system

EAST LONGMEADOW

Multicultural Community Services
191 Vineland Ave.
$15,500 — Remodel bathroom

Peoples United Bank
62 Center Square
$9,000 — Two signs

HADLEY

Hampshire Mosque Inc.
451 Russell St.
$3,755 — Reface existing ground sign for Lara’s Labyrinth

W/S Hadley Properties II, LLC
355 Russell St.
$96,225 — Build out Sports Clip space, including minor upgrade of interior finishes and new hair-wash sinks and partitions

GREENFIELD

Connecticut River Conservancy
15 Bank Row
$4,000 — Cut two openings in wall for louvers

Dunkin’ Donuts
60 Mohawk Trail
$12,300 — Remove and replace two rooftop units

NORTHAMPTON

Black Sheep Development, LLC
227 South St.
$18,000 — Install sprinkler system throughout building

City of Northampton
67 Conz St.
$84,105 — Roof-mounted solar system at Housing Authority housing and Senior Center

Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust St.
$3,200 — Illuminated monument sign

George Danziger
229 Main St.
$6,000 — Repair and reinstall existing awning damaged by vehicle

Kerryman Partnership
48 Damon Road
$2,500 — Flood cuts in offices due to water mitigation

Smith College
23 West St.
$17,000 — Relocate kitchenette at Lilly Hall

SPRINGFIELD

3455 Main Street Associates, LP
3455 Main St.
$73,150 — Alter medical tenant office space for expansion of two treatment rooms in existing dental practice of Dr. Aaron Fox

Center for EcoTechnology
83 Warwick St.
$4,500 — Modifications for signage improvements

Green Village Properties, LLC
42 Ridgewood Terrace
$173,000 — Alter interior space for new use as group residence for Mental Health Associates

Ruth Kimani
246 Breckwood Blvd.
$15,000 — Install rooftop solar system

MassMutual
1295 State St.
$595,000 — Alter second-floor interior space for ELT conference center

Mittas Hospitality, LLC; DD Development, LLC
1500 Main St., Suite 109
$85,000 — Alter tenant space for Skin Catering

Northgate Plaza, LLC
1985 Main St.
$4,000 — Alter fire-alarm system

Pioneer Valley Christian School
965 Plumtree Road
$15,000 — Add insulation to perimeter of building and air seal

Springfield Boys Club
481 Carew St.
$15,000 — Add two antennas to existing monopole tower for Verizon Wireless

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Pasquale Albano
660 Kings Highway
$18,255 — Remove floor tiles, install new tiles, move divided wall, build new bar, patch and repair walls

Amerco Co. – U-Haul
380 Union St.
$19,500 — Erect steel canopy

Ann Gish Inc.
857 Elm St.
$5,000 — Install wall partition at loading dock

Eversource Energy
529 Union St.
$7,000 — Add small cell antenna, radio shroud, radios, and associated equipment to existing utility pole

Koko Holdings, LLC
94 Doty Circle
$21,700 — Install walk-in cooler and freezer

WILBRAHAM

James Krajewski
126V Beebe Road
$1,599,876 — Construct large ground-mount solar-panel system

WILLIAMSBURG

CDM Properties
11 East Main St.
$6,000 — Siding

People on the Move

Kevin Day

Florence Bank’s incoming President and CEO Kevin Day said his 11 years with the bank will allow for a smooth transition for employees, customers, and the community. He stressed that he and the board are committed to keeping the bank independent. “Where the bank is and where it is going will not change. I am 100% committed to the mutual form of ownership,” Day said. “Remaining mutual is what allows our culture to exist. As a mutual bank, we can’t be forced into a sale or merger with another bank. We have the flexibility to do what is right, not just what’s profitable.” Day has 37 years in the banking industry and has been in senior management for 34. He came on board at Florence Bank in 2008 as chief financial officer, responsible for finance, facilities, and risk management. His responsibilities expanded to include compliance in 2013, residential lending in 2014, and retail banking in 2016. When he was promoted to executive vice president, also in 2016, Day was supervising 90% of the bank’s personnel. Immediately after earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration at UMass Amherst, Day worked for five years as a CPA for the accounting firm Arthur Young & Co. In 2016, he graduated from the Executive Development Program at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and he is a 2018 graduate of the ABA Wharton Executive Leadership Program at the University of Pennsylvania. Day became president on Jan. 29, replacing John Heaps Jr., the longest-serving president and CEO of Florence Bank. When Heaps retires on May 1, Day will also become CEO. Active in the community, Day is currently a member of the board of directors and the finance committee for United Way of Hampshire County, a board member for the Springfield Rescue Mission, a member of the finance committee for Westfield Evangelical Free Church, and board president for the Northeast Center for Youth and Families.

•••••

Nicole Gagne

Nicole Gagne recently joined the Center for Human Development (CHD) as its new chief operating officer, bringing a wealth of compliance knowledge and a strong history in supervision from both clinical and administrative standpoints. As COO, Gagne will work in partnership with the CEO to support and guide other leaders across the organization in their efforts to launch initiatives and help their respective departments and programs, and thus the agency, continue to move forward. Additionally, Gagne will oversee all of CHD’s compliance efforts. Backed by her extensive experience with compliance work, she will be critical in the creation, strengthening, and revision of organization processes and systems. Most recently, Gagne served as president and CEO of Community Healthlink Inc., a position she held for four of her eight years with the organization. Gagne has also been a consultant for the House of Peace and Education, served in executive roles with Montachusett Opportunity Council and North Central Human Services, and has years of experience as a direct-care worker earlier in her career. She holds a master’s degree from Assumption College in counseling psychology with a concentration in cognitive behavioral therapy with children and families. Gagne has also served as a board member on the Assoc. of Behavioral Health (ABH) and the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. With ABH, she has worked on some of the planning around Massachusetts Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders’ work to revamp ambulatory services.

•••••

Kristin Leutz announced she is leaving Valley Venture Mentors after more than two years as CEO. VVM board member Chris Bignell will step into the role of interim CEO on March 1 as the organization begins the search for a permanent director. Bignell has been a mentor, volunteer, and startup founder, as well as a partner in the Alchemy Fund. Leutz plans to remain engaged with VVM on various projects as she moves on to her next professional role as a consultant and executive director of the Startup Champions Network, a national membership organization supporting entrepreneurship ecosystem builders. This past year marked significant leaps forward for VVM, Leutz said, including opening the Valley Venture Hub, the new co-working space that anchors the Springfield Innovation Center; relaunching a new mentorship program that has engaged more than 40 people in learning and mentorship; graduating 15 high-growth startups in the VVM accelerator; and creating a groundbreaking collegiate summer accelerator for Pioneer Valley students, co-hosted with colleagues at the Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship at UMass Amherst.

•••••

Thomas Maulucci

Thomas Maulucci, professor of History at American International College (AIC), has been named secretary of the board of directors for the Springfield Public Forum. In this role, he is a member of the executive committee. He joined the board in 2012. Maulucci graduated from Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y. with a bachelor’s degree in international relations, economics, and German. He attended Yale University, where he received a master of arts, a master of philosophy, and a doctorate in modern European history. Joining the faculty of AIC in 2006, he first became affiliated with the Springfield Public Forum while arranging events co-sponsored by the college and the Forum.

•••••

Rosemarie Ansel, executive director of River Valley Counseling Center (RVCC), has announced Kelly Gloster as its senior grants director. In this new role, she will oversee all grant programs to ensure the organization’s funded programs are compliant with grant rules and regulations based on the terms and conditions set by each funding organization. Gloster is also the program director for both River Valley Counseling Center’s School-Based Health Centers and HIV/AIDS Project. Prior to joining RVCC, Gloster was an assistant vice president of Grants and Government Relations at Landmark College in Vermont. She brings more than 20 years of grant-writing and grant-administration experience, and owned her own grant consultancy. She maintains a certificate in financial research administration. She also has extensive experience in the nonprofit and mental-health sectors, having worked as a foster-care supervisor, residential case manager, and crisis hotline counselor. Gloster received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UMass Amherst and a master’s degree in social work planning, policy, and administration from Boston College.

•••••

Vonetta Lightfoot

Vonetta Lightfoot, Multicultural Afairs operation manager at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC), will be honored for her contributions to the community at the 100 Women of Color Gala & Awards on Friday, April 3. The event, to be held at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford, Conn., recognizes women of color in business, education, entrepreneurship, entertainment, government, and public service, and their impact on the lives of people in Western Mass. and Connecticut communities. Others at STCC who received the award include Denise Hurst, vice president of Advancement and External Affairs, and Lidya Rivera-Early, director of Community Engagement. In her role as Multicultural Affairs operation manager, Lightfoot brings a diverse range of speakers and performers to the college, from jazz musicians and actors to journalists and acclaimed authors. She said she is proud to expose students and the community in Springfield to the Diversity Series at STCC. Lightfoot took the role of managing the Diversity Speaker and Performance Series after her mother, Myra Smith, retired. The award is presented by Eleven28 Entertainment Group.

•••••

Steve Kaplan was awarded the Paul Harris Award by the Rotary Club of Holyoke on Feb. 18 at the Delaney House in Holyoke. Paul Harris Fellowships are awarded as recognition for donations of $1,000 to the Foundation of Rotary International. The foundation utilizes the funds raised to support Rotary International humanitarian efforts throughout the world. The recognitions are named in honor of Paul Harris, the Chicago businessman and visionary who formed the first Rotary club and began what has become an organization with more than 22,000 clubs and more than 1 million members. Both Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike are eligible to receive Paul Harris Fellowships. While anyone may make a donation and receive a Paul Harris recognition, the Holyoke Rotary Club has chosen to utilize its credits to honor some of its own members for their service to the club and the community. A recipient must be a humanitarian, willingly participate in Rotary Club activities over an extended period of time, be a person whose daily actions personify the Four Way Rotary Test, display initiative, and be a leader. Consideration is given to Rotary activities at the district, national or international level; volunteer participation in civic and/or religious groups; and volunteer service to town, city, state, or federal government.

•••••

John Moore, a Springfield artist, was recently recognized at the Massachusetts State House as the winner of the Assoc. of Developmental Disabilities Providers’ (ADDP) 2020 Legislative Calendar cover contest. Moore is a member of Pyramid, a day habilitation program at Viability in Springfield. He was among 31 artists — all of whom have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, including autism or brain injuries — who submitted their artwork for entry into the contest. The ADDP calendar is an annual project that features compelling stories from its member provider agencies and legislators’ birthdays. It is distributed to both the House of Representatives and Senate, and its association members statewide. As part of his winnings, Moore was recognized in front of approximately 300 people, including state legislators, during ADDP’s Legislative Luncheon, held last month at the Massachusetts State House. ADDP hosts the annual luncheon to outline its budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year and to honor its Legislators of the Year.

Marketing Tips
Courtesy of OutBoundEngine.com
 
If you’re new to digital marketing, let us be the first to welcome you to the stage of the short attention span theater—where every performance is just a click away from being panned or ignored entirely.

It may sound harsh, but it’s true. Promoting your business online isn’t easy. Even if you’re in a niche market, you’re going to be facing some pretty stiff competition. Simple advertisements and promotional emails won’t cut it. If you want to stand out, you need an effective content marketing strategy.

Content Marketing for Small Business

Now some of you may be thinking, “Come on! I’ve created a website. I’ve signed up for social media. I have to create content, too?”

If it sounds like extra work, that’s because it is. But the benefits of content marketing far outweigh the time, money and effort that goes into it. Let’s look at seven benefits you’ll enjoy when you make content the center of your digital marketing strategy.

Read more

Marketing Tips
Courtesy of OutBoundEngine.com

It’s always a good time for business owners to think about the most effective small business marketing ideas. Maybe your messages don’t seem to be landing as they have in the past. Or it could be that business seems to be stagnant. Whether you’ve been in business for 3 months or 30 years, there is always room for improvement. Here is a list of small business marketing ideas and tips to give you a competitive edge.

1. Make Data Cleaning a Routine

Data cleaning shouldn’t be a once-a-year task. If you’ve been neglecting your database, your entire marketing strategy could be off-kilter. In fact, 72 percent of companies feel that data quality issues impact consumer trust and perception.

Why? Because successful marketing relies on data-driven decision making. If your data is inaccurate, your decisions won’t be much better. In the same study, less than half of organizations globally (44%) trust their data to make important business decisions. Talk about opportunity lost!

Read more

Marketing Tips

Courtesy of HubSpot.com 

The marketing world is dynamic and ever-changing — trends, technology, and tactics are never stagnant. That’s why it’s critical that your business stays up to date with new developments in the industry — after all, the last thing you want is for your business to fall behind while your competitors stay ahead of the curve. But how can you be sure you’re keeping up with the times? A great way to remain relevant and keep up with the marketing trends is to keep an eye on marketing statistics. Whether you’re focused on SEO, content marketing, social media, video marketing, email marketing, lead generation, advertising, marketing technology, or sales, we’ve collected a plethora of 2020 statistics to help you connect with your customers, reach your target audience, and boost conversions. 

Read more

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Way Finders Inc. named Laureen Borgatti its new chief operating officer. She has been employed by the organization for 27 years, serving in various administrative capacities, most recently as the organization’s chief of staff and chief administrative officer.

“Laureen has consistently demonstrated extraordinary leadership, and her institutional knowledge after so many years of service to the organization is invaluable as we chart our path for the future,” Way Finders CEO Peter Gagliardi said. “She has a deep understanding of the multitude of programs we administer, our complex staffing structure, and has built strong relationships with our partners and funders. Most recently, Laureen has served as our internal project manager for the construction of our new Housing Center, soon to be completed in April 2020. It has been an honor to work with her throughout the years, and I’m pleased to name her as Way Finders’ COO.”

Added Borgatti, “I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve as Way Finders’ chief operating officer and excited for what the future holds for our organization. It is a privilege to work side by side with our dedicated staff and partners every day and to witness firsthand the positive impact we are able to make in the lives of our clients and in communities throughout Western Massachusetts.”

Borgatti chairs the board of directors of the Human Service Forum, a membership organization that assists members in better addressing the needs of the people they serve throughout the Pioneer Valley. She sits on the board of directors for the new Housing Navigator, an initiative led by the Kuehn Charitable Foundation to develop an online search tool that will give people with low and moderate incomes the ability to quickly find available, affordable rental units anywhere in Massachusetts. She also serves on the board of directors of the Dakin Humane Society.

Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — While apps are nothing new, app marketing is. Most businesses with apps fail to move beyond the launch into actually engaging their customers in the benefits. That’s surprising because the benefits flow both ways — to the customer and to the company.

But there’s more. When the app is combined with a rewards program, things really accelerate. In fact, 80% of travelers purchase tickets through a rewards program. Combined with a travel app, customers gain convenience and benefits that, in this case, include free travel.

Riders on any Peter Pan bus right now will not only view a new app-marketing video but also a new Perks Rewards program video. In between the two marketing videos is a brief welcome message by company Chairman and CEO Peter Picknelly.

Garvey Communication Associates Inc. (GCAi) produced the three videos, which are already being shown on all routes in the Northeast Corridor. Each of them was produced by award-winning video producer Darcy Young, one of the only female video producers in the market. The concepts and scripts were developed by GCAi founder John Garvey.

“These videos always present a creative and production challenge for us,” Young said. “We have to capture the attention of a distracted bus passenger with something exciting, then shift to the sincere and more serious tone of the CEO, and then back to upbeat and engaging. It’s a lot of fun, but a lot of fine-tuning too.”

The app and rewards videos will be disseminated through digital marketing campaigns in specific markets on the East Coast in the near future. These videos are the third in a series of passenger videos produced by GCAi that began when Peter Pan Bus Lines separated from Greyhound Bus Lines in 2017.

The videos can be viewed at gcaionline.com/video.

Daily News

HOLYOKE — The Big Broadcast returns to Mount Holyoke College’s Chapin Auditorium for its 15th edition on Saturday, March 7 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The snow date is Sunday, March 8.

This signature event at Mount Holyoke is created and directed by Mark Gionfriddo, who also stars as ‘Matt Morgan,’ and WWLP-TV22’s Brian Lapis, returning as emcee ‘Fred Kelley.’ Caitlin Jaene Mercer, a founding member of the Jazz Ensembles of Mount Holyoke College, appears with that ensemble in the recreation of a live radio broadcast from 1942. Mercer, a bass player and chanteuse, fronts the band Hippopotamous. For details on her career and links to her YouTube channel, visit www.caitlinjaene.com.

Tickets are available at the door or in advance at the UMass Fine Arts Center box office and the Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley. For details, call (413) 545-2511 or (800) 999-8627, or visit www.fineartscenter.com.

Daily News HCN News & Notes

HOLYOKE — Facing serious psychiatrist shortages that will prevent its future ability to provide safe, quality care, Providence Behavioral Health Hospital, part of Mercy Medical Center, announced it has filed notice with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health of its intent to discontinue inpatient psychiatric services at Providence Hospital in Holyoke on June 30, including adult, geriatric, and pediatric services.

Collaborative planning is underway to help patients access timely psychiatric care and to help affected colleagues transition to new opportunities, including a comprehensive job-placement program.

While licensed for 74 inpatient psychiatry beds, Providence Hospital has regularly operated at fewer than 60 beds over the past two years due to persistent provider shortages that have now become critical.

Substance-use disorder services will continue at Providence Hospital, including the Acute Treatment Service (detoxification), Clinical Stabilization Service (post-detoxification), and outpatient substance-use disorder services, with an intensive outpatient program and a methadone clinic.

After the opening of two new methadone clinics in Springfield, Mercy will also consolidate its methadone clinic on Mill Street in Springfield into its methadone clinic in Holyoke by June 30, as a part of a separate filing. All patients will have individual meetings to ensure a smooth transition of care.

HCN News & Notes

AGAWAM — The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Western Massachusetts will hold its annual meeting on Sunday, March 29 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Chicopee Public Library, 449 Front St., in the Bazan Community Room located downstairs, which has elevator access. Light refreshments will be served.

Because the annual meeting on Jan. 12 did not have a quorum of members, NAMI Western Mass. must have another meeting to vote on a slate of officers and board members. The meeting is open to the public, but only current members are eligible to vote. Individuals whose membership has lapsed need to renew their membership either through the office or at the meeting in order to vote. Member attendance at this meeting is critical to the continuation of the NAMI Western Mass. affiliate.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation’s largest grassroots mental-health organization, providing advocacy, education, support, and public awareness so that individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.

To view the slate of officers, board member information, as well as bylaw proposed changes, visit www.namiwm.org/home or call the office at (413) 786-9139.