WEST SPRINGFIELD — In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Lexington Group will host an Aeron chair hockey tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 2 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at its showroom located at 380 Union St., West Springfield.

For this first-of-its-kind event in New England, Lexington Group has invited players, and their administrative staff, from elite area hockey teams — American International College and UMass Amherst — to battle it out in a friendly competition on the ‘ice.’ The winning team from the first round will play against members of the Springfield Thunderbirds. The tournament will be incorporated into an After 5 networking event, with about 300 business and community professionals expected to attend. West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt will serve as referee of the tournament. Pat Kelley of Lazer 99.3 will emcee and provide entertainment. Complimentary refreshments will be provided by Log Rolling.

The event will help raise funds and awareness for the Foundation for TJO Animals. Founded in 2007, the Foundation for TJO Animals is dedicated to raising much-needed funds to help the local, homeless animals at the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, which serves the cities of Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee. With a focus on providing financial assistance and grants for veterinary care, the foundation has had a direct impact on saving the lives of animals at the shelter.

“We hope you will join us as a spectator or as a sponsor to ensure that we raise much-needed funds for Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center,” said Mark Proshan, president of Lexington Group.

Admission to the event is complimentary, but registration is required and can be made at lexington-aeronhockey.eventbrite.com. Donations to the Foundation for TJO Animals are appreciated and can be made in advance directly through the foundation’s website, www.tjofoundation.org, or may be made at the event.

The event is currently sponsored by MP CPAs, St. Germaine Investments, Sitterly Movers, and Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel (cup sponsors); bankESB, Behavioral Health Network, Complete Payroll Solutions, Dietz & Co. Architects, Fire Service Group, HUB International New England, Massachusetts Fire Technologies, Mercier Carpet, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, and New England Promotional Marketing (chair sponsors); AIS, Baystate Ob/Gyn, Contract Sources, Excel Dryer, Lexington Group, KI, Paragus IT, People’s United Bank, the Republican, and Westfield Bank (rink sponsors); Go Graphix and Herman Miller (goods sponsors), and BusinessWest, ERC5, and West of the River Chamber of Commerce (event partners).

CHICOPEE — Elms College is taking a big step forward to improve the number and diversity of qualified teachers in Chicopee, Holyoke, and Springfield.

A new program called the Center for Equity in Urban Education (CEUE) was officially launched on Sept. 24, and supporters, trustees, donors, and members of the community gathered to celebrate the launch.

The program gives paraprofessionals the opportunity to earn their degrees and also provides in-service training to teachers working in schools throughout the area.

Representatives of Chicopee Public Schools, Holyoke Public Schools, Springfield Public Schools, the Catholic Schools Office from the Diocese of Springfield, Libertas Academy Charter School, Phoenix Charter Academy Network, and Veritas Preparatory Charter School signed agreements to participate in the program with Elms.

“We are really overwhelmed by the response we have this afternoon for the launch of the program,” said Elms College President Harry Dumay. “The superintendents of public schools, Catholic schools, and heads of charter schools have all expressed with great eloquence their aspiration for a diverse, well-trained body of educators and leaders who are committed to Western Massachusetts learners.”

The CEUE intends to bridge the 800-teacher annual gap across K-12 schools in the region, especially in the areas of special education, English-language learners, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programs.

“I think we will be successful when we can say that the number and quality of educators in our schools matches the demand,” said Anthony Klemmer, acting director for the CEUE. “We’ll be successful when we can say that our educators truly reflect the communities and students that they serve.”

While Dumay said the program has been in the works for almost 18 months, this summer, the CEUE was strengthened and nourished by funders including the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation and Cynthia and William Lyons of Wilbraham.

“We are here first and foremost because we believe. We believe in the power that education had in shaping the stories of our own lives,” Dumay said. “We know this opportunity should not stop with us. We believe that this gift of a great education should also be afforded to all children and young people in Western Massachusetts, regardless of their zip code or the type of schools that they attend.”

CHICOPEE — Westmass Area Development Corp. named Jeff Daley CEO of the private, nonprofit development entity. Daley, who was chosen as the result of a search process conducted by the Westmass board, has more than 15 years of experience in the real-estate development arena.

Daley is the former executive director of the Westfield Redevelopment Authority and most recently served as the principal of CJC Development Advisors LLC, which he founded in 2016. Daley’s portfolio includes overseeing $60 million in commercial and industrial development and managing $34 million in public development projects.

As CEO, Daley will be responsible for management of Westmass, including negotiating corporate acquisitions, land sales, leases, and incentive proposals; grant applications; and marketing resources and development services to organizations and businesses considering investment in the region. Daley will also enhance Westmass offerings regarding development services to communities throughout the region to assist with economic development and real-estate development opportunities.

Daley will also evaluate opportunities for new industrial-park development and land acquisition and coordinate federal, state, and local economic-development grants and resources. Daley replaces interim CEO Bryan Nicholas, who served after the sudden passing of former CEO Eric Nelson, who was appointed in 2016.

Carol Campbell, president of Chicopee Industrial Contractors Inc. and chair of the Westmass board, said, “I know I speak on behalf of the search committee and the Westmass board of directors in saying we are very pleased to have Jeff join our team. He possesses the skills we need at this time to continue to advance the organization. Jeff brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in real estate and development and will complement the services and resources offered by the Westmass team. I also want to extend my thanks to Bryan Nicholas, who steered the organization as interim CEO following the passing of our former CEO Eric Nelson.”

Daley will also be responsible for the continued development of one of Westmass Development’s signature projects, the Ludlow Mills complex. Most recently, Westmass announced the addition of Commonwealth funding secured by state Rep. Thomas Petrolati and an Economic Development Administration Grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce supported by U.S. Rep. Richard Neal. Those funds will be utilized for the construction of Riverside Drive at the rear of the complex, making the development accessible to substantially more development. The site includes 75 Winn Development apartments in Mill 10 for those over age 55 and is host to the Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts.

SPRINGFIELD — Bacon Wilson announced that attorney Rebecca Mercieri Rivaux has joined the firm. Mercieri Rivaux is an associate and a member of Bacon Wilson’s bankruptcy and business/corporate practice groups.

Prior to joining Bacon Wilson, Mercieri Rivaux attended Western New England University School of Law, graduating magna cum laude in 2019. She also obtained her bachelor’s degree from Western New England University, graduating summa cum laude in 2015.

EAST LONGMEADOW — In celebration of Latinx History Month, Bay Path University, in partnership with Eastern Connecticut State University, announced its 2019 Latinx Symposium, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28 from 2 to 8 p.m. at Bay Path’s Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center, 1 Denslow Road, East Longmeadow.

With more than 43% of Springfield’s population identifying as Hispanic or Latinx, and more than 37% of Bay Path’s traditional undergraduate students identifying as a person of color, Bay Path’s Diversity and Inclusion Council is excited to host a celebration that honors so many members of the community.

“The Latinx Symposium provides an opportunity to reflect on our narratives and to learn and celebrate our diverse identities,” said Elizabeth Cardona, Bay Path’s executive director of Multicultural Affairs and International Student Life and assistant to the provost for Diversity and Inclusion. “It is important for our students and partners in higher education to gain perspective while having the space to analyze, become critical thinkers, and to be empowered to serve this growing demographic.”

Featured special guests will include keynote speaker Yvette Modestin, founder and executive director of Encuentro Diaspora Afro, and musician and social-justice leader Heshima Moja. The event includes traditional dances led by instructor Teresa Catano, interactive workshops, and a poster gallery highlighting the experiences, identities, and current issues in the Latinx community. An authentic Latin dinner will be served.

Anyone interested in Latinx culture is invited to attend. This event is free and open to the public, with activities scheduled throughout the duration of the event. Guests are welcome to attend anytime between 2 and 8 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD — Sheila Stamm has joined American International College (AIC) as dean of the School of Education. Stamm is the president of S. Wright & Associates, providing consulting support to academic leaders and faculty in higher education and community sectors. She has an extensive background in higher education, including serving as dean of the School of Education for Cambridge College and Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn.

Stamm previously served as commissioner of Higher Education for the state of Minnesota, where she managed the agency with a budget of $350 million that included programs for student loans and college readiness; data collection, assessment, and tracking systems for policy analysis and decisions specific to higher education; and state approvals for the registration, licensing, and regulation of private, independent colleges and universities.

Prior to transitioning to administrative roles in higher education, Stamm was a tenured professor at Hamline University and an associate professor at Saint Xavier University in Chicago.

Throughout her career, Stamm has been dedicated to community service, with affiliations including the Ramsey County Blue Ribbon Commission on Economic Disparities, the Minnesota Chicano Latino Affairs Council Committee on Educational Disparities, the education workgroup of the African American Leadership Forum, the West Suburban College of Nursing board of trustees, the leadership council of Chicago-Area Deans, and the Urban Teacher Education Program, among numerous other affiliations.

“We are pleased to have an individual with such experience, dedication, and stature lead the School of Education at American International College,” said Mika Nash, AIC’s executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “Dr. Stamm’s career has been mission-driven, and her educational philosophy blends well with our commitment to provide access and opportunity for students in a diverse and inclusive setting as they pursue undergraduate and advanced degrees to help them meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.”

In addition to her teaching and administrative experience, Stamm has written grants ranging from several hundred to 7 million dollars, and served on dozens of committees at the colleges where she was a member of the administration or faculty. She has extensive publications and presentations to her credit, with a focus on higher education, diversity, inclusion, hiring, teaching, innovation, leadership, and learning.

SPRINGFIELD — The United Way of Pioneer Valley announced the expansion of its successful Thrive Financial Success Centers with Thrive to Go!, a mobile version of the same one-on-one financial coaching that has been available in Holyoke, Westfield, and Springfield. This free program served 585 low- to moderate-income residents of Hampden County last year and, with Thrive to Go!, aims to reach even more residents in a wider area within the United Way service footprint.

At Thrive, the client works one-on-one with a financial coach, who offers assistance with setting financial goals, opening bank accounts, budgeting, building credit and credit repair, reviewing credit reports, debt reduction, building assets, referrals to social services, and assistance with income-support applications. Thrive provides services in a bundled, sequential manner so that clients can build on their knowledge for their future successes and goal completion.

“United Way of Pioneer Valley is proud to provide free and confidential financial coaching through our Thrive program,” said Paul Mina, president and CEO of the United Way of Pioneer Valley. “Individuals seeking an appointment may call our Thrive Centers directly, while businesses who would like to partner with us can call our main office. Our highly trained financial coaches are ready to help clients build a solid foundation for themselves and their families, at no cost to them. This undoubtedly creates a positive ripple effect throughout our entire community, one that serves everyone.”

The Thrive to Go! financial coach is now scheduling appointments at local businesses and nonprofits that would like to provide free financial coaching on a monthly basis for their employees or clients. Contact the United Way office for more details.

To book an appointment at a Thrive office in Holyoke, Westfield, or Springfield, contact the Thrive coach directly to schedule. For more information about Thrive to Go!, contact Jennifer Moulton, Digital Communications and Special Events manager, at (413) 693-0236 or [email protected].

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University’s seventh annual Cybersecurity Summit will be held on Friday, Oct. 4 in the Blake Student Commons on the Longmeadow campus. Networking will begin at 7:30 a.m., with presentations starting at 8 a.m., followed by a question-and-answer session.

This year’s event features Capt. Stephanie Helm, director of the MassCyberCenter at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, and Kim Casci Palangio, program manager for the Cybercrime Support Network (CSN) of Rhode Island.

A career naval officer, Helm brings to the role deep expertise developed in her senior leadership roles during her nearly 30-year career as a cryptologic/information-warfare officer. Prior to joining Mass Tech in September 2018, she served as a consultant with the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I., providing subject-matter expertise in the areas of cyberspace, space, and information operations.

Helm’s presentation will include an overview of the MassCyberCenter and its current projects, including the Cyber Resilient Massachusetts Working Group, and the need for more strictly regulated and enforced cybersecurity measures in both the public and private sectors, among other topics.

Palangio has been in her role since January 2019. Rhode Island was the pilot program for the Michigan-based CSN, and it was the first state in the nation to offer cybercrime services partnering with the United Way through the 211 phone system. By using the network, citizens in Rhode Island will now be able to report and find resources for battling identity theft, financial fraud, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and other cybercrimes.

Palangio’s talk will focus on how CSN and CSN of Rhode Island are on the front lines of cybercrimes and CSN’s current efforts with states to launch hotlines, with a company goal to be in all 50 states within three years. In 2018 alone, there were over 350,000 complaints from individuals and small businesses filed with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center for monetary losses of over $2.7 billion.

The seventh annual Cybersecurity Summit is sponsored by Bay Path’s Cybersecurity/Computer Science department, offering undergraduate degrees in computer science, computer security, digital forensics, and information assurance, as well as a master of science degree in cybersecurity management; and by the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts.

This event is free and open to the public, with handicap accessibility. To register or for more information, visit baypath.edu/cybersummit.

SPRINGFIELD — Thousands of visitors to Six Flags New England entered the park last weekend carrying boxes of diapers for Square One. In exchange, Six Flags rewarded them with a free ticket to enjoy the park.

The annual drive to support the children served by Square One was once again an overwhelming success — so much that Square One and Six Flags had to enlist the help of another community partner to help.

“Anytime our friends at Six Flags arrange an event for us, we know to expect big things,” said Kristine Allard, chief Development & Communications officer for Square One. “But the response this weekend was beyond overwhelming. Within the first few hours of the drive, we had exceeded our goal of 600 boxes. By the end of the weekend, the tally reached over 1,000 boxes of diapers. It was amazing.”

Given the abundance of donations, Square One called up the team at ProShred in Wilbraham to enlist their help. They eagerly offered up a box truck and palette jack to help get the diapers delivered to Square One’s offices. More than 1,000 boxes of donated diapers will be delivered to Square One today, Sept. 24, around 3:30 p.m.

“Without any hesitation, our friends at ProShred offered their help,” Allard said. “How fortunate this community is to have so many caring and supportive individuals and businesses, like Six Flags and ProShred, who will do everything they can to lend support.”

SPRINGFIELD — Chef Paul Wahlberg, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, MGM Springfield President Michael Mathis, and Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chairwoman Cathy Judd-Stein broke ground on Friday on the newest Wahlburgers location in Springfield. After the groundbreaking, Wahlburgers hosted a food-truck pop-up for the public to celebrate the occasion.

“We are so excited to bring Wahlburgers to Springfield,” Wahlberg said. “It’s been great to work with the team at MGM Springfield, and we feel so welcomed. It’s an honor to open another Wahlburgers in our home state and know that this location will be another amazing addition to the family.”

Located at the corner of Union and Main streets, Wahlburgers at MGM Springfield will be a casual-dining eatery, featuring its signature burgers and full bar. Founded by brothers Mark, Donnie, and Chef Paul Wahlberg, Wahlburgers will be filled with photos and memories celebrating the brothers’ life journeys from Dorchester neighborhood kids to rising chef and international celebrities. Menu items will include fresh ground-beef burgers and Wahlberg family favorites, including sloppy Joes, tater tots, and frappes, based on the same recipes Paul and his eight siblings devoured as kids.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with the Wahlberg family to bring this fun destination to our property,” Mathis said. “Wahlburgers is a staple in the Massachusetts community and the ideal addition to our resort.”

The 4,400-square-foot space, set to open in 2020, will provide 120 jobs to the community.

“We are thrilled that Wahlburgers chose to come to Springfield,” Sarno said. “We look forward to welcoming Wahlburgers to our city.”

WEST SPRINGFIELD — In the wake of a record number of new homes being built, Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH) recently welcomed new staff to assist with furthering the agency’s mission.

Jason Montgomery joins GSHFH as its Donor Relations manager. He comes to GSHFH with more than 10 years of experience in nonprofit/human-services work and has strong ties in the local community. He has previously served with Habitat for Humanity in Hartford and locally with Way Finders.

Also joining the team, Sarah Tanner is now on board for a short term as interim executive director. Tanner is a principal with Financial Development Agency and brings more than 20 years of local nonprofit experience to the affiliate.

GSHFH also announced internal promotions and realignments to maximize the agency’s resources. In response to a capacity grant received by Habitat for Humanity International, Jeff Lomma has been named Marketing & Communications manager, with an emphasis on promoting the value of Habitat programming throughout the community. Meanwhile, Mary Olmsted has transitioned from serving as an Americorps volunteer to full-time staff as Volunteer Services coordinator.

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) is launching a new round of cooking and baking classes this fall geared toward home chefs.

“Cooking Confidently with Chef Tracy Carter,” a twice-monthly series of Friday-night, non-credit classes, kicks off Sept. 27 with “A Stroll Through the Markets of the Middle East,” during which Carter, a professional chef and HCC Culinary Arts instructor, will teach participants to prepare falafel, tahini, tabouli salad, and crispy phyllo dough with nuts and honey for dessert.

Each single-session, hands-on class has a unique culinary theme. Participants will learn how to prepare appetizers, salads, sauces, entrees, and desserts, then dine on their creations, leaving with leftovers and the knowledge and skills to replicate those recipes at home.

“My goal is to give the beginner home cook the confidence to take on any recipe in the kitchen,” Carter said. “I believe that mastering a few basic skills can provide anyone with confidence to expand their culinary repertoire.”

The series continues with “Clean Eating: Light & Healthy” on Oct. 11, “Crowd-pleasing Weekend Brunch” on Oct. 25, “On the Spice Trail of India” on Nov. 8, “Chef Tracy’s Twist on Steakhouse Classics” on Nov. 22, “Noni’s Italian Kitchen” on Dec. 6, and “Tis the Season: Chef Tracy’s Holiday Sides” on Dec. 13.

Also, Chef Maureen Benton will conduct two baking classes this fall: “Petit Fours, Glaces & European Macaroons” on Friday, Oct. 25, and “Torte & Pie: the Linzertorte & Chocolate Silk Pie,” on Friday, Nov. 22.

All the classes meet from 6 to 9 p.m. at the HCC MGM Culinary Arts Institute at 164 Race St. in downtown Holyoke. “Cooking Confidently” classes cost $79 each, while baking classes cost $64. Space is limited.

Full descriptions of each class and registration information are available at www.hcc.edu/bce. Call (413) 552-2500 for more information.

BOSTON — The state’s total unemployment rate remained at 2.9% in August, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development announced Friday.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) preliminary job estimates indicate Massachusetts gained 7,100 jobs in August. Over the month, the private sector added 6,700 jobs as gains occurred in professional, scientific, and business services; construction; information; financial activities; and other services. The manufacturing jobs level remained unchanged over the month. Government added 400 jobs over the month.

From August 2018 to August 2019, BLS estimates Massachusetts added 43,600 jobs. The August unemployment rate was eight-tenths of a percentage point lower than the national rate of 3.7% reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“Massachusetts continues to experience strong job growth with an unemployment rate which has been at or below 3% for seven consecutive months,” Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Rosalin Acosta said. “Job gains have been concentrated in key economic areas like education and health services, which added 12,600 over the year, and professional, scientific, and business services, which has added 8,900 jobs during that timeframe.”

The labor force increased by 3,300 from 3,834,100 in July, as 3,800 more residents were employed and 500 fewer residents were unemployed over the month.

Over the year, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped four-tenths of a percentage point.

The state’s labor-force participation rate — the total number of residents 16 or older who worked or were unemployed and actively sought work in the last four weeks — remained at 67.6%. Compared to August 2018, the labor-force participation rate is down two-tenths of a percentage point.

The largest private-sector percentage job gains over the year were in other services; education and health services; information; and professional, scientific, and business services.

PIONEER VALLEY — Today, Sept. 20, marks United Way of Pioneer Valley’s 25th annual  Day of Caring, as about 250 volunteers will roll up their sleeves and render volunteer service to dozens of local nonprofit agencies.

This year, 25 nonprofit agencies are participating in Day of Caring, and more than 30 unique projects that will take place. The United Way of Pioneer Valley Day of Caring is the largest volunteer day of service in Western Mass., bringing together local businesses and nonprofit agencies to accomplish meaningful work in the community.

Day of Caring is an ideal team-building opportunity for employees and an opportunity for a nonprofit agency to accomplish tasks and projects it otherwise would not have the capacity to complete.

As examples of just a few of today’s projects, a group of 15 from Berkshire Bank will volunteer with Birthday Wishes in Holyoke, wrapping birthday gifts for children who are homeless; a group of  20 from Mestek Inc. will complete cleaning and landscaping projects at Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke; a group of 15 from Harry Grodsky and Co. will tackle painting projects at the Salvation Army in Springfield; a group of 20 from Baystate Health and Excel Dryer will volunteer at Stanley Park in Westfield, completing a variety of landscaping and painting projects; a group of eight from Collins Pipe will help with outside projects at the Gray House in Springfield; and several groups from Baystate Health, Westfield Bank, and Health New England will help with painting and beautification projects at multiple Westfield public schools.

PITTSFIELD — Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) Berkshire County is officially launching on Monday, Oct. 7 with a Berkshire County Caravan, bringing community leaders, volunteers, and would-be entrepreneurs together for free introductory events all day, starting at 8:30 a.m. in Great Barrington, 11:30 a.m. in Pittsfield, and 5 p.m. in North Adams. Details and registration for the caravan are available on the EforAll website, eforall.org/ma/berkshire-county.

It all leads up to bringing the All Ideas Pitch Contest to the Pittsfield area for the first time ever on Tuesday, Oct. 22. The program will be held at the Berkshire Museum, 39 South St., Pittsfield, from 6 to 8 p.m. Sometimes described as ‘Shark Tank without the teeth,’ the friendly, free event features seven pre-selected contestants and an eighth that will be added by audience vote on the night of the event.

Each participant is given two and a half minutes to pitch a business or nonprofit idea to a panel of judges and the audience. At the end of it, EforAll will give away $2,750 in seed money to help launch these ideas. The first place finisher wins $1,000, second place $750, third place $500, and audience favorite $500. The event is an example of EforAll’s mission of using innovative means to foster entrepreneurial growth throughout Berkshire County. Applications and audience registration are both available online at eforall.org/ma/berkshire-county.

Business startups (whether or not they participate in the Pitch Contest) are encouraged to apply for Berkshire County’s Winter 2020 Accelerator, which will begin in Pittsfield in January. This free, 12-week, intensive training program is taught by community mentors and volunteers who lend their expertise and experience to these budding entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurship for All is a nonprofit organization that partners with communities nationwide to help under-resourced individuals successfully start and grow a business through intensive business training, mentorship, and an extended professional support network.

HADLEY — Last spring, Bay Path University and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts teamed with Paragus IT to offer state-subsidized, low-cost audits to aid in cybersecurity efforts for local businesses. A $250,000 grant from the Commonwealth gives Bay Path students an opportunity to gain on-the-job experience helping small businesses protect their data and secure their networks. The first semester of the program was a success, and organizers are now recruiting businesses for the next round.

As the first women’s college in the country to offer a master’s-degree program in cybersecurity management, Bay Path is on the leading edge of a rapidly growing field. Cybersecurity experts are in high demand at major companies around the world, and programs such as this go a long way toward preparing students to be competitive in a thriving job market.

Bay Path student Lauren Mendoza was a participant in the program and got a taste of what it’s really like to be out in the field. “People doing the hiring today want to see that you have experience as well as education,” she said. “Over the course of this program, we’ve not only become more knowledgeable about cybersecurity, but also gained confidence in real-life work situations such as on-site client interaction and the ability to prioritize and tackle each client’s unique needs.”

Julia Miller, student team leader, added that “it’s personally been helpful to put what I’m learning in my online classes into real-life situations. I’m grateful for the opportunity to take part in the program. It’s a win-win for students and the local business community.”

A cybersecurity expert at Paragus helps supervise 30 students as they conduct a series of security audits for 45 small-business clients. The students work with state-of-the-art software and help businesses understand cybersecurity risks and how to prevent and defend themselves against future attacks.

Westfield-based manufacturer Peerless Precision was one of the first businesses to take part in the program. “Working with Paragus IT and Bay Path was extremely beneficial,” said Kristin Carlson, president of Peerless Precision. “It opened our eyes to where we stand and gave us a clear path forward on how to better protect both our sensitive customer data and our business as a whole. The process went very smoothly and did not interrupt our daily operations.”

The Markens Group, based in Springfield, also took part in the program. “As an association management company, our systems must meet the highest standards for data security, for internal use as well as for our clients,” said Lou Kornet, chief operating officer of the Markens Group. “This independent assessment provided us with assurances in our current practices as well as worthwhile recommendations on best practices. Given the current environment, this is a program small to medium-sized businesses need to take advantage of.”

Paragus CEO Delcie Bean said he is “very excited to team up with the Bay Path and the Commonwealth on this important issue. These days, many analysts believe that cyberattacks represent the single greatest external threat to small-business owners. This opportunity provided by the Commonwealth allows students to get experience in the field, and small businesses only pay $500 for a service that normally costs thousands of dollars.”

Local businesses interested in taking part in the program should visit www.paragusit.com/cyber for more information.

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) will offer a professional craft brewing certificate class that blends online studies with hands-on laboratory work, with a focus on science and technology.

The Workforce Development Center at STCC has designed the hybrid class for anyone who wants to brew beer at home or would like a career in the fast-growing craft-beer industry.

Students will learn about the brewing process as well as quality control and the science behind the brewing process. The class has five modules that can be taken individually or as a discounted bundle: introduction to craft brewing, craft-brewing operations with two labs, raw materials in craft brewing, quality control, and an overview of the craft-beer business

The class will be taught by Michael Bernier, who has more than 17 years of experience as a craft brewer and chemist. In addition, Bernier has performed lab work, recipe formulations, and equipment troubleshooting for breweries for many years.

The fully bundled program runs Oct. 15 to March 6. Individual classes have different starting times this fall and spring. Prices on individual classes start at $175.

For complete information, or to register for a class or the entire series, visit the STCC Workforce Development Center Website at www.stcc.edu/wdc/craft-beer-brewing or call (413) 755-4225.

WILBRAHAM — The third Delaney’s Market store opened on Tuesday at 2030 Boston Road, Wilbraham.

“I love this amazing community of Western Mass., but I am especially grateful for the support we have gotten over the years,” owner Peter Rosskothen said. “We live in a great place with great people.”

Delaney’s Market is a retail store that features chef-inspired meals that are fresh and ready to serve with little effort. It also features a selection of wine and craft beers. Delaney’s Market strives to assist the busy individual or family that wants to eat a quality lunch or dinner at their home or office without the hassle of long prep times and/or high costs.

The first Delaney’s Markey store opened in 2016 at the Longmeadow Shops in Longmeadow. The Springfield location opened just two months ago downtown on Main Street. One more store will open later this year in Westfield.

SPRINGFIELD — Unify Against Bullying announced it will award $21,000 in microgrants to 22 recipients at its combination grant awards ceremony and all-inclusive fashion show. The event is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 21, during National Bullying Prevention Month, at the Log Cabin in Holyoke.

“Unify is excited to be able to award this amount, which is our largest yet to date,” Executive Director Christine Maiwald said. “We had so many wonderful applications that it was a difficult task for our volunteer grant committee to choose. The committee chose a total of 21 anti-bullying initiatives that were in line with Unify’s mission: to end bullying through the celebration of true diversity.”

Here are some of the 22 grant recipients:

Once again this year, John Paul Mitchell Systems (JPMS) will donate $1,000 to a sixth-grade girl, Arianna Hopkins, who was bullied and decided she didn’t want anyone else to feel the way that she did, so she decided to do something about it. With the grant money, Hopkins will purchase art supplies and engage her peers to make handmade posters and then put them in elementary and middle schools in her community. She will write a script for her and a friend to present to her peers to raise awareness of the effects of bullying and let students know how to stop it. “I definitely choose Arianna to receive our grant because I am so impressed that this young lady wants to change the world,” said JPMS Chairman Michaeline DeJoria Heydari.

The Birchland Park School Student Council in East Longmeadow wants to inspire more young people to break out of their comfort zone and talk to kids they usually wouldn’t talk to. As the Student Council noted, “kids go through all kinds of trials on their own, but sometimes an act of kindness such as a smile or compliment can go a long way. We see the cliques in middle school, but being kind will take you far in life and sometimes can change a life.” The students want to use the grant for schoolwide activities, have a spirit week supporting anti-bullying, create morning announcements with insights on bullying, and make posters for the school that remind students to smile and compliment their peers.

Emily Herring, school counselor at Paul R. Baird Middle School in Ludlow, wants to focus on creating a positive, inclusive, and safe environment for the incoming sixth-grade class. Many students lack the skills needed to handle peer conflict, often resulting in increased anxiety, depression, bullying, school avoidance, and academic struggles. She will teach conflict resolution and a growth mindset, stressing coping skills as well as classroom-based social emotional skills. Herring will create an after-school club for students to meet new peers and provide leadership roles to create an inclusive environment within the school.

Eileen Cavanaugh from the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke will launch the Speak Up Campaign, inviting kids from 5 to 18 years old to create their own public-service announcements in the media room that will focus on bullying. They will then play on a loop on TVs throughout the club, be distributed to the Holyoke Public Schools leadership, and sent out via Constant Contact and other social-media outlets, thereby reaching thousands of youth.

Those who attend the all-inclusive fashion show on Oct. 21 will have an opportunity to meet all 22 grant recipients and talk with each of them about the work they are doing to combat the pervasive bullying issue. To purchase tickets, visit www.unifyagainstbullying.org and go to the events page and click on ‘tickets.’

HADLEY — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union has once again been honored with the title of Best Credit Union in the Valley Advocate’s annual reader voting poll, extending its streak in the number-one position to 13 years in a row. The credit union was also favored in multiple categories in the Hampshire Gazette’s Reader’s Choice poll, where it took home the titles of Best Credit Union for the sixth year in a row, the Best Place to Get an Auto Loan, and Best Financial Planning.

Jon Reske, vice president of Marketing, attributes UMassFive’s success in the polls to a company culture centered on personalized experience that has created a loyal community of members. “We, as an organization, take a lot of pride in knowing that we not only provide competitive products and services to meet our members’ needs and improve their financial lives, but we continue to provide a level of member service that surpasses their expectations.”

AMHERST — The Advanced Digital Design & Fabrication Lab (ADDFab) at UMass Amherst will offer two classes providing hands-on 3D-printing experience from CAD design to finished parts. Attendees will use an EOS P110 selective laser sintering machine in a one-day course, or an EOS M290 direct metal laser sintering printer over two and a half days.

With a maximum of three students per course, participants will get to do the printing and get all their questions about additive manufacturing answered. Two seats are available in the next polymer course, and one seat is available in the upcoming metal course. ADDFab will work with each group to find a date that fits their schedules.
Workshops are held at the ADDFab Lab at UMass Amherst.

The polymer workshop costs $850 per person. The metal workshop is $1,487 per person or $4,460 for a group of up to three participants. To sign up, e-mail [email protected].

All services and workshops are eligible for the Massachusetts Innovation Voucher Subsidy. Companies headquartered in Massachusetts with fewer than 10 employees can receive a 75% subsidy on the cost, and those with fewer than 50 employees receive a 50% subsidy.

HOLYOKE — The Women’s Business Owners Alliance of the Pioneer Valley (WBOA) will hold its 2019 Business Woman of the Year Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at the Delaney House in Holyoke.

Patricia Banas, owner and president of Latka Printing in Westfield, will be named the 2019 Business Woman of the Year, an honor given to a member who has contributed to WBOA in a significant way and is a role model who inspires other women to be successful.

Also during this event, the WBOA will recognize its 2019 Outstanding New Members: Lori Novis, owner of Mango Fish Art in Easthampton, and Andrea Kennedy of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Chicopee.

“Both honorees have shown support to the group and have stepped in to volunteer after only being a member for a short time,” said Carleen Fischer Hoffman, chair of the event. “We are so thrilled to be honoring all three of these women and the contributions they have given to both WBOA and the community.”

The celebration will carry a Roaring Twenties theme and will include live entertainment provided by Steve and Roxann Bailey. The Baileys will offer a dance demonstration and a dance lesson for attendees to learn about styles from the period.

Banas is a second-generation owner of Latka Printing, a certified woman-owned business. Her parents, Joseph and Murielle Banas, bought the business 40 years ago, while Banas was in high school. While studying at Westfield State College, Banas learned the print industry. She enjoys working with government agencies, nonprofits, manufacturers, service industries, small startups, and other customers. She is a member of WBOA, now based in Springfield, and the National Print Owners Alliance, and she is the treasurer of New England Peer Group. She also sits on the Buy Westfield Now Committee and is a former Westfield Rotarian and past board member.

Novis holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and social work from Clemson University and a master’s degree in library science from Rutgers University. She worked as a librarian for many years. While living on an island in Puerto Rico in 2010, she launched a Caribbean jewelry line, and was involved in community activism, launching several nonprofits and also fundraising. She and her husband, Fred Hanselman, owned and managed a year-round guesthouse they called Mango Fish, which survived two major hurricanes. She relocated to Western Mass. in 2016, where she worked in a vocational high school before launching a jewelry and gift business called Mango Fish Art. She offers employment and mentoring to women in the region while designing unique, handcrafted items. Recently, Novis launched a new division of her business, Proud of U, marketing to educational institutions and sororities.

Kennedy’s mother, Lynne Andreen, is a Realtor, which inspired Kennedy to enter the industry. She is a full-time real-estate professional with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage located in Chicopee, serving Hampden and Hampshire counties.

A portion of the proceeds from WBOA’s event will benefit the WBOA Cheryl Reed Loan Fund, which offers low-interest loans to members for seed money, expansion, or other worthy business purposes.

For more information or tickets, visit www.wboa.org or contact Hoffman at (413) 525-7345 or [email protected].

CHICOPEE — First American Insurance Agency, an independent insurance firm, recently donated more than 200 backpacks to local Chicopee elementary schools. Notebooks, pencils, and glue sticks filled each bag along with Kleenex and a bookmark.

“We know there are some kids who need a little help at the start of the school year, and we are happy to provide that help. Giving back to the community has always been important to us and a big part of what we do at First American Insurance Agency,” said Corey Murphy, president.

The schools who received the donations were Barry Elementary School, Belcher Elementary School, Bowe Elementary School, Bowie Memorial School, Fairview Elementary School, Stefanik Elementary School, Lambert-Lavoie Elementary School, Litwin Elementary School, and Streiber Memorial School. The backpacks were delivered after the start of the school year to the front offices, and the administration handed them out to children in need.

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center announced the opening of a new service location at 5 Hospital Dr., which will include the HMC Pulmonology Center, thoracic surgeons, the Lung Cancer Screening Program, and a new Pulmonary Function Testing Lab. The location opened Sept. 9. An open house has been scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 26 from 5 to 7 p.m.

“Over the past six months, we have welcomed three new pulmonology physicians and have renovated the 5 Hospital Drive location to better meet the needs of our pulmonary patients. Bringing the services of pulmonology, thoracic, lung-cancer screening, and pulmonary functions tests together in one space will allow for more collaboration and even better continuity of care,” said Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems. “We are happy to offer an opportunity for the community to come and meet the doctors and see the new space.”

The providers now practicing at this new location include pulmonologists Dr. M. Saleem Bajwa, Dr. Andrey Pavlov, and Dr. Miguel Rodriguez, and thoracic surgeon Dr. Laki Rousou. To schedule an appointment with the HMC Pulmonology Center, call (413) 534-2582. To schedule an appointment with the HMC Thoracic Surgeons or Lung Cancer Screening Program, call (413) 535-4721.

WEST SPRINGFIELD — In celebration of its 30th anniversary, Lexington Group will host an Aeron chair hockey tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 2 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at its showroom located at 380 Union St., West Springfield.

For this first-of-its-kind event in New England, Lexington Group has invited players, and their administrative staff, from elite area hockey teams — American International College and UMass Amherst — to battle it out in a friendly competition on the ‘ice.’ The winning team from the first round will play against members of the Springfield Thunderbirds. The tournament will be incorporated into an After 5 networking event, with about 300 business and community professionals expected to attend. Mayor William Reichelt of West Springfield will serve as referee of the tournament. Pat Kelley of Lazer 99.3 will emcee and provide entertainment. Complimentary refreshments will be provided by Log Rolling.

The event will help raise funds and awareness for the Foundation for TJO Animals. Founded in 2007, the Foundation for TJO Animals is dedicated to raising much-needed funds to help the local, homeless animals at the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, which serves the cities of Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee. With a focus on providing financial assistance and grants for veterinary care, the foundation has had a direct impact on saving the lives of animals at the shelter.

“We hope you will join us as a spectator or as a sponsor to ensure that we raise much-needed funds for Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center,” said Mark Proshan, president of Lexington Group.

Admission to the event is complimentary, but registration is required and can be made at lexington-aeronhockey.eventbrite.com. Donations to the Foundation for TJO Animals are appreciated and can be made in advance directly through the foundation’s website, www.tjofoundation.org, or may be made at the event.

The event is currently sponsored by , MP, CPA’s, St. Germaine Investments, Sitterly Movers and Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel (cup sponsor); bankESB, Behavioral Health Network, Complete Payroll Solutions, Dietz & Company Architects, Fire Service Group, HUB International New England, Massachusetts Fire Technologies, Mercier Carpet, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, and New England Promotional Marketing (chair sponsors); AIS, Baystate OB/GYN, Contract Sources, Excel Dryer, Lexington Group, KI, Paragus IT, People’s United Bank, The Republican, and Westfield Bank (rink sponsors); Go Graphix and Herman Miller (goods sponsors), BusinessWest, ERC5, and West of the River Chamber of Commerce (event partners).

LONGMEADOW — How do we identify people? Through their gender? Race? Ethnicity? Skin color? Sexuality? It’s natural to identify people based on their similarities and differences, but what happens when you are identified as the one who is different?

Ellie Krug, the founder of Human Inspiration Works, LLC, will present at Bay Path University on understanding how we automatically label and categorize people who are ‘different.’

This free event, presented by Strategic Alliances at Bay Path University, will be held Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at Mills Theatre in Carr Hall, Bay Path University, 588 Longmeadow St., Longmeadow. The presentation is open to the public.

When Krug transitioned from male to female in 2009, she began to experience what it means to be ‘the other’ as she moved from being seen as a wealthy, white male attorney to being seen as a transgender woman. She now uses her experiences and perspective to model inclusivity and to provide a toolset for how to be more inclusive and welcoming toward anyone who is considered ‘different’ or ‘other.’ Krug is also a well-known author and was recently awarded Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s Business of Pride Career Achievement Award.

In addition to this workshop, Krug will be on the Bay Path campus to deliver inclusion training to staff, faculty, and students, sponsored by the university’s Diversity and Inclusion Initiative. This public workshop is one of the many efforts held by the university in conjunction with its strategic plan for diversity and inclusion.

AMHERST — The Amherst Business Improvement District (BID) recently announced Gabrielle Gould as its new executive director. Gould’s appointment followed a two-month search after the departure in May of long-time Executive Director Sarah la Cour.

A recent Amherst transplant, Gould has extensive executive leadership background in the nonprofit sector with significant fundraising experience and a record of success in building successful organizations. Along with her husband, she has started and operated two successful small businesses on Nantucket and served as vice president for Business Development at Nantucket Bank.

“We are very happy to have Gabrielle join the BID as the new executive director,” said Barry Roberts, board president. “We were drawn to her varied and successful work experience and especially her enthusiasm and can-do spirit. It’s this energy that will help us build on our previous successes and sell our great downtown.”

Added Gould, “I’m absolutely in love with downtown Amherst. There’s such a great history here. It’s very diverse. There’s an eclectic business mix and a wonderful contrast and complement between the architecture and natural beauty.”

Gould and her family moved to Amherst this past January after 20 years as Nantucket residents. Before settling in town, she and her husband conducted “a few years of research and more than a few trips to different locales, but Amherst consistently topped all competitors,” she said. Since moving to Amherst, she has been active on the Jones Library SAMMYs events committee and the Amherst Regional Middle School PGO.

According to Roberts, Gould’s early goals have been to familiarize herself with downtown landlords and businesses, institutional partners at UMass Amherst and Amherst College, and partners in Town Hall and the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. She has also jumped headfirst into helping plan the BID’s fall events, including its annual Celebrate Amherst Block Party scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 19.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to join the BID,” Gould said. “I look forward to working with our current and future businesses, town hall, and our entire community to continue to make Amherst a beautiful year-round home and destination for families, tourists, parents, and students alike.”

AMHERST — Hampshire College announced a major effort to reinvent its pioneering academic program, engaging its campus community and 12,000 alumni in ongoing meetings this fall and promising to publish a plan by November. The initiative, called Hampshire Launch, marks the college’s 50th anniversary next year and the launch of its second half-century.

The effort is led by President Ed Wingenbach and supported by a campus planning group, who are facilitating weekly meetings with students, faculty, and staff, as well as virtual meetings with alumni. The intensive community discussions will lead to board of trustees action on a plan in October.

The college is exploring new academic and financial models as it creates a vision and roadmap for its future, an effort critical to its admissions recruiting and fundraising. The goal is to produce an inspiring, realistic plan, which also exemplifies its identity and reputation as an experimenting college and presents a model for others in higher education. The academic plan will be accompanied by a sustainable financial plan.

Hampshire College was founded more than 50 years ago to offer a major departure from traditional colleges, rejecting passive lectures and exams and academic majors and departments and empowering students to follow their own questions, design their own program guided by faculty, perform serious independent work, and explore freely across disciplines. Hampshire was founded by its partners in the Five College Consortium — Amherst, Smith, and Mount Holyoke colleges and UMass Amherst.

With its new plan, Hampshire has committed to keeping what’s most distinctive about its education, including its student-designed programs, model of faculty co-learning with students, rigorous capstone projects, and values for social justice, diversity, and community engagement.

SPRINGFIELD — American International College (AIC) will host its first information session of the academic year on Saturday, Sept. 21 in the Admissions Office, DAR building on the college campus, located at 1000 State St. in Springfield.

The graduate information session begins at 9 a.m. and will provide insight into the application process, providing prospective students with an opportunity to meet with admissions staff members to learn more about AIC’s 22 graduate programs and counting.

To learn more about graduate degree programs at American International College, visit www.aic.edu or call Hannah Hartzsch, director of Graduate Admissions, at (413) 205-3700.