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Big Y Completes LED Lighting Retrofit
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y Foods and Groom Energy recently announced the completion of a significant LED lighting retrofit at Big Y’s distribution facility in Springfield. The energy-efficiency upgrade is part of a broader scope of sustainability-oriented investments in its operation that will reduce the company’s environmental impact. The newly implemented LED lighting system applies the latest lighting and networking technologies, bringing better illumination, operating efficiency, and energy-savings monitoring to the Springfield distribution center. The upgrade replaced existing T5- and T8-based fluorescent lighting systems, both within the dry and cooled areas, and will reduce annual energy consumption by more than 521,833 kilowatt hours. This initiative will eliminate more than 4,000 pounds of carbon annually. Groom Energy worked closely with the Big Y energy-management team to design, test, and install the upgrade. The system is based on LED products from Digital Lumens, a Boston-based LED-systems manufacturer. The project was supported by financial incentives from Western Massachusetts Electric Co., which regularly supports energy-savings upgrades by its commercial and industrial customers. “We’re very pleased with the results of our lighting-upgrade project,” said Gary Kuchyt, manager of the Energy and Sustainability Department at Big Y Foods. “It has been a successful collaboration from the onset and will help us to dramatically reduce our energy costs — a great outcome for our company and our customers.”

INK Products Supports Square One
CHICOPEE — INK Products, an office-products, printing, and promotional-products supplier, is teaming up with local businesses in an effort to raise funds for Square One. Tom Guertin, founder of INK Products at 25 Grove St., noted that Square One will receive a percentage of a business’ purchases as a donation direct from INK Products. “This is another way local businesses, including mine, can give something extra to Square One,” he said. For more information on the promotion, contact Guertin at (413) 594-7533.

Hampden Bank
Charitable Giving
Tops $716,000 in 2011
SPRINGFIELD — The Hampden Bank Charitable Foundation Inc.’s charitable giving topped $716,000 in 2011, according to Glenn Welch, president and COO of Hampden Bank. “In addition to our foundation grants, the bank also provided significant financial support to area communities in excess of $116,000 through our marketing and human-resources departments’ community-relations activities,” noted Welch. He added that much of the funding was allocated to youth development, school enrichment, and Little League programs throughout Hampden County. “As we prepare to celebrate our 160th anniversary on April 13, I can think of no better way to mark the occasion than by recommitting ourselves to our long history of community service and support as we move through the 21st century,” he said. Community organizations receiving grants included the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, DevelopSpringfield, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Friends of the Soldiers Home of Holyoke, Square One, and Rebuild Together.

Three Companies Join to Create Red Thread
BOSTON — Three New England businesses have joined forces to become Red Thread, according to Jenny Niemann, chairman of the company. The newly combined regional enterprise connects work, workers, and the workplace as the authorized Steelcase dealer in New England. Red Thread is comprised of three companies that previously operated under the names of Office Environments of New England, bkm Total Office, and Business Interiors. “When we initially brought these three companies together, we knew they were three strong brands, each with its own brand equity in its own territory,” said Niemann in a statement. “An ancient legend describes a red thread as an unbreakable link between those meant to be together. Rebranding under Red Thread enables us to express to our customers the connection we see between our culture, values, and business mission.” Niemann added that the name also “articulates our aspiration to help our customers identify their own common threads — the way their brand, culture, and promise can be effectively expressed through their environments’ furniture, technology, architectural systems, and audio-visual solutions.” For more information, visit www.red-thread.com.

Monson Savings Reports ‘Outstanding Results’
MONSON — Monson Savings Bank President Steve Lowell recently announced that the bank’s 2011 results surpassed national and statewide benchmarks for growth and profitability while posting a record year for giving back to the community. During the bank’s annual meeting, Lowell noted that deposits grew in 2011, predominantly in core deposits, by 11%. Also, Monson Savings achieved a return on assets of 0.66%, which ranked first among peer banks throughout Massachusetts, according to Lowell. “The bank also announced outstanding results for its Financial Advisory Services division and compared these results to the 172 other banks that partner with Infinex Financial Group throughout the East Coast,” he said. “Specifically, Monson Savings ranked second of the 50 peer banks and 24th out of all Infinex partners.” He also noted that the bank gave back a record $142,000 to the community in charitable donations. “What I am most proud of is that we were able to give back so much to our community last year,” said Lowell, “while at the same time keeping our institution growing and financially healthy. We had an outstanding year, and I can’t thank our customers, staff, board, and corporators enough for their contributions.”

Open Square Welcomes Brave One Agency
HOLYOKE — Brave One, an agency specializing in corporate social responsibility and sustainability communications, recently selected Open Square for its new location. The agency plans to grow considerably in the coming year, and Brave One founders Lukas Snelling and Jesse Mayhew feel the building will allow them to grow while staying true to its commitment to sustainability. “We are really excited to be in Holyoke and participate in the Paper City’s digital revival,” said Snelling. “We think this city provides a great platform for us to do business, and we look forward to the possibility of expanding even further here.” Mayhew echoed the sentiments of Snelling. “Open Square seemed like a natural fit,” he said. “Not only are they reusing beautiful mill space, but they are generating their own renewable energy to power our office. We couldn’t be happier to be part of such an amazing and growing community.” Both founders hope their growth “will be a contributing force in Holyoke’s continued revitalization.” Brave One’s new office is located at 4 Open Square Way, Suite 219. For more information, visit www.braveoneagency.com.

Easthampton Savings Launches eBranch
EASTHAMPTON — Easthampton Savings Bank has introduced a new eBranch that will be replacing its Web site at bankesb.com, according to William Hogan, president and CEO. “Our goal was to mirror what a typical experience would be for one of our customers visiting a branch and to bring it to our virtual site,” Hogan said. “This will allow greater online functionality and resources for our customers, making the entire site more convenient and easier to use.” The new eBranch will offer site search, online account opening, loan applications, and customer service along with fun and useful tools such as interactive calculators and an educational-resource center. To celebrate the launch, the bank is offering a CD and auto-loan special online. For more information, call (413) 527-1111.

JN Phillips Auto Glass Expands Service
CHICOPEE — JN Phillips Auto Glass recently opened a 7,500-square-foot distribution center in the city, and also added a Springfield service center and relocated its Northampton service center to 144 King St. “Combined with its service centers in Chicopee and Pittsfield, JN Phillips has increased the company’s ability to provide Western Mass. customers even faster, more convenient auto-glass replacements and repairs while ensuring the highest safety standards possible,” said Robert Rosenfield, CEO. Rosenfield also noted that the company has begun offering windshield recycling. “It took some time, almost two years, and a financial commitment to figure out how to do it, but it was worth it, and our customers really appreciate knowing that, when they have us replace their windshields, the damaged ones don’t end up in landfills,” said Rosenfield. “For all of us in this beautiful Pioneer Valley, preserving our environment is paramount.” In related news, Dan and Matt Bean, former operators of Bean’s Auto Glass, a locally owned family business for more than two decades, have joined JN Phillips Auto Glass. “We are very proud to be part of JN Phillips Auto Glass now,” said Dan Bean. “This is another family-owned business that puts customer service and community values first. The company’s commitment to safety, convenience, and expertise leads our industry.”

United Bank Foundation Awards $34,500
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The United Bank Foundation recently awarded $34,500 in grants to community initiatives in the Springfield area during the organization’s most recent round of funding, according to Dena Hall, president. Womanshelter/Companeras, a Holyoke-based nonprofit dedicated to assisting victims and survivors of domestic violence, received $5,000 in support from the foundation. In Springfield, students will benefit from the foundation’s $5,000 grant to Springfield School Volunteers to support the Science, Math, and Reading Tutoring (SMART) program. Also, a $5,000 grant will provide support to the Enchanted Circle Theater, an educational theater company based in Holyoke that inspires learning through the arts. The foundation awarded grants of $4,000 each to the Community Adolescent Resource and Education (CARE) Center in Holyoke, to fund a portion of the teen Rowing Strong, Rowing Together program; to Noble Hospital in Westfield, to purchase recliners for psychiatric patients in the Emergency Department; and to Springfield College, to fund the East Campus renovation project. Additional grants included $3,000 to the Carson Center for Human Services in Westfield, to fund a fully accessible spray park for Kamp for Kids; and $2,500 to Valley Community Development Corp., to support a foreclosure-prevention counseling program for Hampshire County residents. Grants of $1,000 each went to Domus Inc. to support the community youth and adult basic-education program in Greater Westfield; and to the Northampton Center for the Arts, to support Northampton Draws, a free community art festival and workshop. The United Bank Foundation has awarded more than $1.4 million in grants since it was established in 2005 as a permanent source of funding to benefit communities in United Bank’s market area.

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First Niagara Invests $50,000 to Support
At-risk Teens
SPRINGFIELD — The YMCA of Greater Springfield and the YMCA of Greater Hartford have received $50,000 grants from First Niagara Bank to support their Y-AIM Programs. Y-AIM (Achieve academically; Inspire to attend college; Move toward personal, family, and community advancement) works to provide talented, underachieving at-risk youths entering the ninth grade with a solid support system throughout all four years of high school. The YMCAs are taking a regional approach to overcoming the obstacles young people face on the path to success. “Business partners in our region have long supported the mission of the YMCA — particularly our work with teens,” said Kirk Smith, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Springfield. “First Niagara and its employees have given thousands of volunteer service hours to young people throughout the Northeast, and they are making the Hartford/Springfield region a better place for kids and families. We are grateful for their forward-thinking approach of addressing these vital needs on a regional basis.”

Hampden Bancorp Feted by Boston Club for Women on Board of Directors
SPRINGFIELD — Hampden Bancorp, the parent company of Hampden Bank, was recently recognized by the Boston Club as one of the leading New England companies having two or more women serving on its board of directors. This recognition, reserved for those organizations dedicated to the advancement of women to top leadership positions, was presented at the club’s annual Corporate Salute in Marblehead. “We are especially proud of this recognition in that it confirms what we have always believed — that leadership is leadership regardless of gender,” said Glenn Welch, president and COO of Hampden Bank and board member of Hampden Bancorp Inc. “We are also extremely proud of the women who serve in key leadership positions, including our senior management team and throughout our entire organization.” Hampden Bancorp has 11 members on its board of directors, including Judith Kennedy; Kathleen O’Brien Moore; Arlene Putnam; Mary Ellen Scott; Linda Silva Thompson; Thomas Burton, vice chair; Richard Kos; Stanley Kowalski Jr.; Richard Suski; Welch; and Stuart Young Jr., chairman of the board. The Boston Club is one of the largest communities of women executives and professional leaders in the Northeast. Its goal is to impel the advancement of women to top leadership positions.

Link to Libraries
Receives Award from Monson Savings
MONSON — Link to Libraries was among the top 10 organizations recently recognized by Monson Savings Bank through its community-giving program. More than 65 organizations doing community-service work participated in the voting, and Link to Libraries came in as one of the top 10 organizations honored by public vote. “It is an honor to be recognized for work we do in the community and to be recognized by both Monson Savings Bank and the public,” said Susan Jaye-Kaplan, Link to Libraries co-founder. “We truly feel privileged to do the work we do and thank Steven Lowell and the Monson Savings Bank community.” Lowell, president of Monson Savings Bank, made the recent presentation to Jaye-Kaplan. Link to Libraries is a local, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to donate books to underserved youth in public elementary schools and nonprofit organizations in Western Mass. and Connecticut. For more information, visit www.linktolibraries.org or call (413) 224-1031.

Stevens 470 Updates Marketing Strategies
for Arbors Kids
WESTFIELD — Stevens 470 recently developed advertising and marketing materials for the Arbors Kids, a family-owned business that offers child-care services, summer camps, and before- and afterschool programs. The Arbors Kids also recently opened an additional child-care center in East Longmeadow. The project also included a brand update, with new collateral and information sheets for every Arbors Kids location. Stevens 470 also designed and built a new Web site that reflects the wide range of child-care services offered by the Arbors Kids. The new Web site is easy to navigate and built on a content-management system that allows the Arbors Kids to edit and create its own content, as well as update and manage pages. The Web site also features responsive design that will change in appearance to fit the viewer’s screen size (computer, tablet, or smartphone) for maximum readability. For more information on the Arbors Kids, visit www.arborskids.com.

Students Plan
Globetrotting Excursions During Spring Vacation
WILBRAHAM — Many students at Wilbraham & Monson Academy will travel the globe on school-sponsored trips that include India, England, and Italy during the school’s March vacation. Trips are offered to provide students with a deeper understanding of the places, people, and cultures they study at the academy. Students traveling to India will spend the school’s traditional spring vacation learning about the economic shifts within the world’s largest democracy and the diversity of religions that coexist in the subcontinent. Students traveling to England will be housed at Plymouth College, a boarding school where they will be immersed in British boarding-school life. Additionally, the group will spend time visiting historical sites in the south of England as well as London. In Italy, students will explore some of the most remarkable contributions to Western art and design from Italian culture, ranging from the ancient Romans to modern designers. Before each trip, students are given selected readings that will prepare them for the sites they will visit and give them appropriate cultural, historic, and political information about the country.

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PeoplesBank Passes $1M Giving Threshold
HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank recently announced a historic milestone for the 127-year-old institution: for the first time in its history, the bank contributed more than $1 million to local charitable and civic causes. “We are focused on the possible,” said President and CEO Douglas A. Bowen in making the announcement. “We feel it is possible to create a better community through our charitable giving and volunteer efforts. It is something that we are very passionate about, and it is this passion that makes us who we are.” In a year marked by the widespread devastation caused by the June tornadoes, the bulk of the bank’s charitable giving went toward human services. PeoplesBank committed $200,000 for tornado-relief efforts in the aftermath of the storm. Keeping to its track record of supporting environmentally friendly initiatives, $80,000 of that commitment was spent on regreening five of the impacted communities, including $40,000 for Springfield to help it return to its former status of ‘Tree City USA.’ The bank also made substantial contributions to education, including a greenhouse for students of the Leverett Elementary School. “We had been looking around for different ways to try and raise enough money to build a greenhouse, which is a fairly large expenditure,” said Suzie Chang, a volunteer and parent at the school. “So we were especially excited and thrilled that PeoplesBank decided to make a leadership gift of this size, because it enabled us to just go ahead and do the entire project.” According to Bowen, direct financial contributions are not the only way the bank is making a difference in Western Mass. “Writing a check is not the whole story. At PeoplesBank, we are actively encouraging and facilitating volunteerism. Our employees want to have a direct hand in helping the community. In fact, they were ranked third in the state for most-generous employees, and fourth for volunteer hours donated.”

Hampden Bancorp Reports 19% Increase in Net Income
SPRINGFIELD — Hampden Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Hampden Bank, recently announced net income for the three months ended Dec. 31, 2011 of $694,000 or $0.12 per fully diluted share, as compared to $491,000, or $0.18 per fully diluted share, for the same period in 2010. The company had an increase in net-interest income of $197,000 for the three months ended Dec. 31, compared to the same period in 2010. There was a decrease in interest and dividend income, including fees, of $362,000, or 5.6%, for the three months ended Dec. 31 compared to the three months ended Dec. 31, 2010. This decrease in interest income was mainly due to a decrease in loan income of $257,000 and a decrease in debt-securities income of $100,000. For the three-month period ended Dec. 31, interest expense decreased by $559,000, or 28.7%, compared to the three-month period ended Dec. 31, 2010. The company had net income for the six months ended Dec. 31, 2011 of $1.2 million, or $0.20 per fully diluted share, as compared to $1.0 million, or $0.16 per fully diluted share, for the same period in 2010. The organization’s total assets decreased $5.1 million, or 0.9%, from $573.3 million at June 30, 2011 to $568.2 million at Dec. 31, 2011. Net loans, including loans held for sale, increased $1.7 million, or 0.4%, to $399.8 million at Dec. 31, 2011. Securities decreased $5.8 million, or 5.2%, to $106.1 million as of Dec. 31, 2011 compared to June 30, 2011, and cash and cash equivalents decreased $6.2 million, or 19.9%, to $24.9 million at Dec. 31, 2011. The board of directors declared and increased the quarterly cash dividend to $0.04 per common share, payable on Feb. 28 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Feb. 14.

Dressbarn Plans Donation Drive
WESTFIELD — Dressbarn is teaming up with the nonprofit organization Dress for Success to gather more than 60,000 articles of clothing as part of its S.O.S. ­— Send One Suit — weekend donation drive on March 1-4. This year’s clothing drive marks the 10th consecutive year Dressbarn and Dress for Success have partnered to help women in need receive professional business attire. All 825 Dressbarn stores across the country, including the shop in Westfield, will serve as dropoff sites for new or gently used professional attire including suits, dress shirts, blazers, pants, dresses, and shoes that will be used to benefit women seeking to transition into the workforce. All of the collected professional items will be given to Dress for Success, which will then distribute the articles to women looking to gain a job or trying to re-enter the workforce.

Baystate Medical Center Plans Healing Garden
SPRINGFIELD — Patients, visitors, and staff at Baystate Medical Center will benefit from the therapeutic qualities provided by a new healing garden that will serve as the centerpiece of its Hospital of the Future, which opens its doors on March 2. Recognizing the importance of a holistic approach to medicine and the health benefits that gardens provide, Charles and Elizabeth D’Amour and Big Y have provided funding for the new healing garden, whose fountain, labyrinth, numerous plants, benches, and more will serve as a respite for those visiting Baystate. In recognition of the D’Amour family’s longstanding commitment to Baystate Medical Center and to create a healthy community, Mark R. Tolosky, president and CEO of Baystate Health, announced the official name of the garden as the D’Amour Family Healing Garden. “We are humbled and privileged to be able to honor our entire Big Y family of employees and customers by contributing to Baystate Health’s Hospital of the Future,” said Charles L. D’Amour, Big Y president and CEO. “Elizabeth and I are particularly proud to lend our efforts to support Baystate’s mission to improve the health of our neighbors, friends, and people in our communities, and we hope that this healing garden will provide comfort, support, and healing for all.” Tolosky noted that the hospital is grateful for the ongoing support of the D’Amour family over the years. “Their philanthropic support has been instrumental in helping us to carry out our mission of providing quality patient care and clinical excellence in a setting close to home, where residents throughout Western Mass. can benefit from the latest technology and specialized care,” he said. Tolosky added that studies have shown that access to an outdoor garden where patients and their families can relax in a beautiful, natural environment can have a positive effect on their physical and mental well-being. “The D’Amours’ latest gift to the hospital now makes this possible, not only for our patients and visitors, but for our health care staff who also need a place to get away and enjoy a moment for themselves,” he added. Located off the hospital’s main lobby, the garden is easily accessible to patients, staff, and anyone visiting the hospital.

MassMutual Retirement Services Records Third Year of Record Sales
SPRINGFIELD — MassMutual Retirement Services’ 2011 sales results mark the highest in the division’s 65-year history, surpassing its record-breaking sales performance of 2010. Written sales for 2011 exceeded $6 billion, representing a 13% increase over 2010. Assets under management in retirement plans administered by MassMutual also reached a new record of $55 billion at year end 2011, a 7% increase over the same period last year. The division also enjoyed record net cash flow in 2011, surpassing $3.5 billion for the first time in division history. “MassMutual’s strong sponsor retention rate of 95%, along with the sustained sales momentum in the company’s retirement plan business, have directly contributed to our 2011 record results,” said Elaine Sarsynski, executive vice president of MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division and chairman and CEO of MassMutual International LLC. “In addition to growing our core retirement-plan business in the corporate segment, MassMutual’s success in the nonprofit market was exceptional, with a 29% increase in sales vs. 2010.” Sarsynski added that MassMutual’s stable value/investment only and professional employer organization markets also enjoyed strong growth. “Our broad capabilities make MassMutual a provider of choice in the industry — one that delivers high-value, high-touch service,” she added.

Maybury Material Handling Receives Industry Award
EAST LONGMEADOW — Maybury Material Handling has been awarded MVP (Most Valuable Partner) status for 2011 in a new program from the industry’s trade association, the Material Handling Equipment Distributors Assoc. To earn the award, the company demonstrated a commitment to business excellence, professionalism, and good stewardship. MVP status requires a company to provide evidence of their commitment to their partners in business, including their customers, employees, and suppliers. Companies must satisfy criteria in industry relations, customer relations, peer-to-peer networking, training for employees, and business best practices. Brian Boals, UNARCO’s director of distributor sales, recommended Maybury for the honor, noting that “Maybury’s partnership with UNARCO is exemplary of the model to which we would like all dealer partners to aspire.” John Maybury, president of Maybury Material Handling, noted, that “our business success is dependent on forming partnerships with top-rated industrial suppliers like UNARCO and in hiring and developing associates that consistently display our values of integrity, teamwork, ongoing improvement, and customer-service excellence. They deserve every bit of this recognition.”

Berkshire Bank Receives National Recognition for Community Commitment
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank has received national recognition for its contributions to the community from the American Bankers Assoc. (ABA) through the organization’s Community Bank Award Program. Berkshire Bank was one of more than 200 entrants to be awarded a certificate of recognition for its ‘outstanding work’ in the community through the efforts of its Employee Volunteer Program. “We are extremely honored to receive this recognition from the ABA, and take great pride in the contributions that we make to the community through our Employee Volunteer Program, as well as through the financial support we are able to provide to nonprofit organizations doing important work,” said Sean Gray, executive vice president of retail banking. “At Berkshire Bank, community involvement is ingrained in our culture. Our team members are always eager to give back in a variety of ways, including company-wide projects and individual initiatives such as board service.” In 2011, Berkshire Bank employees donated 26,620 hours of community service through both individual employee efforts and company-sponsored projects. Through the bank’s corporate employee-volunteer program, employees completed 67 projects last year in which more than 50% of the bank’s 800 employees participated. These projects included a company-wide food drive to support local food pantries, a care-package drive for soldiers serving overseas, assistance with tornado-relief efforts, mentoring efforts in local schools, winter coat collection, and various work projects throughout the bank’s service area. Gray noted that, of the 7,363 federally insured banks currently operating in the U.S., fewer than 1% were honored in 2011 with the ABA award for work in the community.

Synergy Physical Therapy Opens in Northampton
NORTHAMPTON — Physical therapists Jim Lyons and Bill Hogan recently opened a clinic, Synergy Physical Therapy, behind the Northampton Athletic Club on Carlon Drive. Lyons noted that the goal of the clinic is to “create the best physical-therapy clinic in the region and merge it with the health and fitness goals that Northampton Athletic Club has achieved, giving patients the best continuum of care on their wellness journey.” Hogan added that their commitment to patients is to “help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disability.” Lyons is a graduate of Springfield College and American International College and is currently pursuing his doctorate in Physical Therapy with a concentration in manual therapy from the University of St. Augustine. He has experience working with a variety of orthopedic and neurologic conditions in all age groups, as well as pre- and post-surgical patients. Hogan started his career as an athletic trainer working with high-school, college, professional, and recreational athletes and broadened his scope of practice by acquiring a master’s degree in Physical Therapy. He has worked with geriatric and spinal rehabilitations, and his specialties are sports medicine, orthopedics, and manual therapy.

Monson Savings Involves Community in Giving
MONSON — For the second year, Monson Savings Bank asked the community to help plan the bank’s giving activities by inviting area residents to vote for the organizations they would like the bank to support during 2012. Hundreds of people weighed in and voted for more than 65 organizations doing community service work in Monson, Hampden, and Wilbraham, according to Steven Lowell, bank president. “Charitable giving is absolutely part of the fabric of this bank,” he said. “In 2011, we made more than $134,000 in contributions to local and regional causes, which were in part guided by the input we received through this process last year. We feel it is important to engage our communities like this and are pleased that so many people responded to our request for input.” The top vote getters are Greene Room Productions, Link to Libraries, Monson Bellman Antique Fire Apparatus Club/Museum, Opacum Land Trust, Monson Tornado Volunteers, Quaboag Highlanders Pipes and Drums, Trees Bring Hope, Monson Free Library, Wilbraham Soccer Club, and the Replanting Monson Tree Committee. Four of the 10 organizations were new to the top 10 list this year. “The fact that the list changes somewhat from year to year demonstrates the value of our reaching out to ask people for their input,” said Lowell, adding that “we are very pleased to be part of a community that is so committed to helping people, to volunteerism, and to great causes.”

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NEPA to Manage
Life Laboratories
SPRINGFIELD — The Sisters of Providence Health System has announced a collaboration with New England Pathology Associates (NEPA) to manage Life Laboratories. Dr. Scott Wolf, senior vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at Mercy Medical Center, noted that the collaboration will make Life Laboratories the first and only physician-led and physician-managed clinical laboratory in the region. Dr. Lanu Stoddart will serve as the pathologist administrator, directing the operation and growth of Life Laboratories. A member of NEPA since November 2009, Stoddart has extensive experience in clinical pathology laboratory operations, serving in the past as medical director of S.E.D. Medical Laboratories in New Mexico and currently as chief of pathology at Harrington Memorial Hospital in Southbridge. Dr. Krystyna Sikorska will continue in her role as medical director of Life Laboratories. The innovative management relationship has already been recognized nationally, with NEPA invited to formally present its concept at the 2012 G2 Intelligence Pathology Institute Conference in Florida, according to Wolf. “For patients, the change at Life Laboratories will be transparent,” he said. “Likewise, daily operations of Life Laboratories will remain essentially unchanged. For physicians and their practices, however, direct access to physician managers will provide a unique feature and benefit.” Life Laboratories is a full-service medical diagnostic laboratory that conducts approximately 4 million tests per year for three hospitals, physician group practices, mental-health facilities, dozens of long-term care facilities, and hundreds of physicians.

Berkshire Hills Reports
Fourth-quarter Growth
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. recently reported fourth-quarter 2011 core earnings per share totaling $0.44, increasing by 57% compared to $0.28 in the fourth quarter of 2010. This increase resulted from ongoing organic growth together with the benefit of the acquisitions of Rome Bancorp and Legacy Bancorp, according to a statement by Berkshire President and CEO Michael Daly. Fourth-quarter GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) net income included merger-related expenses, together with income from discontinued operations. These non-core items together equated to a net charge of $0.04 per share and resulted in GAAP net income of $0.40 per share, compared to $0.26 per share in the fourth quarter of 2010. For the full year, core earnings per share increased by 53% to $1.56 in 2011, compared to $1.02 in 2010. GAAP net earnings per share totaled $0.98 for 2011 compared to $1.00 in 2010. “Our merger integrations are now completed, allowing us to focus on revenue enhancements going forward,” said Daly.

MMWEC Refunding
Saves Utilities $16.8M
LUDLOW — A refunding bond issue recently closed by the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. (MMWEC) will save $16.8 million for 28 state municipal utilities, strengthening their ability to secure stable and reliable power resources for the future, according to MMWEC CEO Ronald DeCurzio. In favorable market conditions, MMWEC issued $164.8 million in tax-exempt revenue bonds with a total interest cost of 1.2%. Proceeds from the bond issue and other available funds will be used to refund and retire approximately $214 million in higher-interest bonds issued by MMWEC in 2001. The refunding savings will be realized over the life of the bonds, which mature between 2012 and 2016. “This refunding will certainly give the municipal light departments greater flexibility to position their energy portfolios in pursuing physical assets for the longer term, from 2016 and beyond,” said DeCurzio. The 2012 MMWEC bonds are rated A+ by Fitch Ratings and have A ratings from Standard & Poor’s, all with a stable outlook, added DeCurzio. The underwriting team included Morgan Stanley, lead manager, and BMO Capital Markets. PFM Financial Management Inc. served as MMWEC’s financial advisor, with Nixon Peabody LLP acting as bond counsel. MMWEC is a nonprofit, public corporation and political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that provides a variety of power-supply, financial, risk-management, and other services to the state’s consumer-owned municipal utilities.

Columbia Gas Announces Reduction in Winter Costs
WESTBOROUGH — Effective Feb. 1, the winter rates for natural gas will reduce a typical residential customer’s total heating bill over the next three months by nearly 11%, according to Steve Bryant, president of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts. The reduction is a result of lower natural-gas commodity costs. Natural gas is sold in a unit measurement called a ‘therm,’ equivalent to 100,000 British thermal units (BTU) of energy. The rate reduction of $0.1378 per therm would save a natural-gas heating customer $22 in February, if using 160 therms of gas. “Lower gas bills in the middle of the winter is great news for the many families who are struggling to make ends meet,” said Bryant. “Natural-gas prices have remained stable for the last few years, and today’s cost to customers is as low as nearly 10 years ago. That is a claim we are proud to announce to our customers.” Bryant added that help is available for customers struggling to cope with household finances and winter heating bills. For more information, call (800) 882-5454 or visit www.columbiagasma.com.

Couple Chooses New Career Path Together
NORTHAMPTON and WESTWOOD — The Honorable E. Chouteau Levine, a retired Massachusetts Probate and Family Court judge, and William Levine, a veteran divorce lawyer and mediator, recently launched Levine Dispute Resolution Center, LLC (LDRC). The new firm provides private and cost-effective dispute-resolution services such as mediation, arbitration, and related impartial professional services. The Levines resolve all manner of family law and probate matters, and will also address elder, small-business, and other kinds of disputes in their Greater Boston (Westwood) and Western Mass. (Northampton) offices. LDRC is described as a first-of-its-kind venture in that, while there are many mediators in the market, there is no other partnership operating as a team with the probate and family-law experience of the Levines, according to the couple. The Levines both believe strongly that most family disputes can and should be resolved by facilitated negotiation rather than by legal confrontation, and they are launching LDRC to provide a non-threatening way for parties in dispute to do so. For more information on their services, visit www.levinedisputeresolution.com.

Colony Hills Capital Closes on Alabama Property
WILBRAHAM — Colony Hills Capital (CHC) recently announced the closing of its $28 million purchase of a multifamily housing property in the growing Alabama suburb of Hoover. The garden-style apartment property, occupying more than 45 acres, is the first to be purchased by the privately held real-estate investment group since its formation in 2008, according to Glenn Hanson, principal director and founder of CHC. “It is a momentous occasion for us to report the successful closing on our first property as a significant acquisition,” he said. “Riverchase Landing is a wonderful community that is well-located, and it holds tremendous promise for our investors.” The Hoover property is a suburb outside Birmingham. Hanson noted that the property was built in three phases, consists of 468 units, and has approximately 740,000 square feet. Colony Hills Capital is a Massachusetts limited-liability company with an express investment focus on multi-family rental properties falling within specific demographic, socioeconomic, and real-estate markets that are cash-flow-positive on acquisition, generating outsized investor returns, according to Hanson.

ESB Announces
Fourth-quarter Results
EASTHAMPTON — William Hogan Jr., president and CEO of Easthampton Savings Bank, reported to the directors at the quarterly meeting that the bank experienced exceptional growth in assets, deposits, loans, and capital in the fourth quarter. The bank’s total assets have grown to almost $942 million. Bozena Dabek, senior vice president and CFO, further reported that the bank’s total assets increased almost $56 million over last year. “That’s an increase of 6%,” she noted. “Our capital ratio ended the year at 12.06%; we continue to be one of the best-capitalized banks in the area.” Denise Laizer, senior vice president and chief lending officer, noted that, over the past year, total loans increased 10% or almost $61 million, an increase of almost $13 million over the last quarter. Total loans now stand at $648 million. Thomas Brown, senior vice president of Retail Banking, reported on the bank’s unprecedented deposit growth, which was up more than $52 million for the year. That’s an increase of 7%, and total deposits now stand at almost $756 million.

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Tighe & Bond Launches New Web Site
WESTFIELD — Tighe & Bond recently launched a new Web site aimed at making information on the engineering firm’s core services easier to find and more comprehensive, according to David Pinsky, president. “Part of being a progressive engineering firm that is client-focused means keeping up with technology and making it easier for our clients and others to readily find the information they seek on our Web site,” said Pinsky. He added that the firm wanted to “bring elements of our core business into greater focus and create a fresh design.” Beyond the firm’s traditional core business — civil engineering, water, wastewater, and environmental consulting — the Web site highlights newer areas of expertise. These areas include renewable energy, as well as the latest 3D modeling and GIS technologies. In addition, the Web site offers interactive features such as the ability to ask a question on each Web site page, review current projects that are out to bid, and request a host of technical papers authored by Tighe & Bond staff. The Web site also features a revitalized section on career opportunities and information on the company’s culture. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn are also integrated to keep followers up to date on the latest news. Lastly, the Web site spotlights the firm’s commitment to sustainability, documents the firm’s history, and provides a link to the online commemorative book, Engineering a Century of Progress: The Evolution of Tighe & Bond.

NUVO Bank Unveils No-Catch Checking
SPRINGFIELD — NUVO Bank & Trust Co. is now offering No-Catch Checking, a free account with no hidden requirements, according to M. Dale Janes, CEO. Customers may open a No-Catch Checking account with a deposit of $10; going forward, there is no minimum balance to maintain. Customers will have the benefits of no direct-deposit requirements, no monthly maintenance or activity charges, no service charges, no hidden fees, and no ATM fees. “We simply adjusted the requirements of our original two checking-account options,” said Janes. “We listened to what is going on regionally and nationally and heard consumers demanding simplicity in banking, with no games or hoops to jump through.”

Cooley Dickinson Named High-performing Hospital
NORTHAMPTON — Two independent rating organizations have verified that patients who choose Cooley Dickinson Hospital (CDH) for their health needs receive better quality and safer outcomes, even as the hospital has reduced the cost of care, according to Dr. Mark Novotny, chief medical officer. The hospital is among the 2011 Top Performing Hospitals in the Premier health care alliance’s national QUEST collaborative. In the delivery of evidence-based care, CDH ranked 10 percentage points above the top-performing hospitals’ score of 84%, and its cost per adjusted admission was $780 lower than that of other community hospitals in its size group. This is the first year CDH placed among the top-performing QUEST hospitals. “Being a QUEST member means redesigning the way we provide care so that patients receive reliable, safe, and efficient health care every time they visit Cooley Dickinson,” added Novotny. QUEST, the most comprehensive hospital collaborative (300 hospitals) in the nation, measures, compares, and scales solutions for the complex task of caring for patients. In related news, the Leapfrog Group reported that CDH ranked in the top 10% on overall value, a measure that takes into account the quality of care hospitals provide. This is the second consecutive year that CDH has ranked in Leapfrog’s top 10%. “Achieving high overall value is the key success factor for health systems,” said Novotny. “More than ever, employers and patients expect superb outcomes at low cost.” Among the Leapfrog database of 1,066 hospitals from 43 states, CDH earned roll-up scores of 81 on quality and 88 on resource use in Leapfrog’s 2011 Hospital Survey. The value score combines the quality and resource scores, with quality weighted most. The hospital’s 83 for value is 11 points above the 72 score needed to rank in the top 10%. Leapfrog’s quality score is based on a hospital’s performance on more than 20 national quality standards. The standards measured include care provided for common conditions such as pneumonia and normal deliveries of babies, intensive-care unit physician staffing levels, and performance on preventing conditions such as pressure ulcers and central-line-associated bloodstream infections.

Lord Jeffery Inn Reopens in Downtown Amherst
AMHERST — The transformation of the Lord Jeffery Inn is complete, according to the Amherst Inn Co., an affiliate of Amherst College and owner of the inn. The downtown property features 49 state-of-the-art guestrooms, including three king, three queen, and two double/double suites. The inn has added a 2,360-square-foot ballroom along with a tented garden area that can accommodate up to a 40’ x 80’ tent. The project also included upgrading the 46,000-square-foot building’s internal systems, adding 20 parking spaces, and creating a new restaurant. The renovation and expansion also included significant energy-efficiency improvements that make it one of the greenest inns in the Pioneer Valley, according to Amherst College President Biddy Martin. “The absence of the Lord Jeff over the past few years has shown how important the inn is to the vibrancy of the college and the community,” said Martin. “The Lord Jeff has long served as a beacon, welcoming visitors to the town of Amherst and to Amherst College. We are thrilled that the magnificently renovated inn and restaurant is open to guests once again.” Last June, the Mass. Historical Commission announced that it had voted and approved the expansion of the boundaries of the Amherst Central Historic Business District to allow for the inclusion of the Lord Jeffery Inn. The vote was the first step in recognizing the historical significance of the inn, which is now included on the National Historic Registry along with such notable community landmarks as the Emily Dickinson Homestead, the Evergreens, the Strong House, and the West Cemetery. “The new inn was given a fresh contemporary update representing the spirit of a new generation of modern comfort,” added Rob Winchester, president and COO of Waterford Hotel Group Inc., the inn’s management company. “This renovation addresses the evolving needs of today’s traveler, offering a more contemporary style and the latest technology. We are thrilled to reintroduce the Lord Jeffery Inn to the community as the premier destination for lodging, dining, corporate meetings, and social events.”

Holyoke Community College Going Smoke-free
HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College will become an entirely smoke-free campus on Aug. 13, college President William Messner announced recently. On that day, smoking will no longer be permitted in any building or outdoor area on the 135-acre HCC campus. Smoking is now allowed only outdoors outside 20-foot buffer zones around entryways. “The decision to establish a smoke-free campus reflects HCC’s commitment to provide an accessible, safe, and healthy environment in which to learn and work,” Messner said in a message sent out today to the HCC community. “It is also a result of the efforts of HCC students and the staff members of the HCC Smoke-Free Committee, who urged us to join the hundreds of other colleges and universities that have already made smoke-free a reality.” The full text of Messner’s statement is available on the HCC Web site at www.hcc.edu/smokefree, along with resources and links for people who want to quit smoking. Counseling and nicotine patches are also being made available through HCC Health Services. “We understand that overcoming the addiction to tobacco is a great challenge,” Messner said. “For students and staff who wish to quit smoking or find ways to manage their cravings on campus, HCC will provide a variety of resources.” HCC will also be holding events throughout the spring semester to raise awareness about the new smoking policy and the health benefits of quitting. Testimonials from people who quit smoking will be going up soon in the main lobby of HCC’s Frost Building. “As with any change, it will take time to adjust,” Messner said. “During the transition to a smoke-free campus, all members of the HCC community must share the responsibility of self-enforcement and of creating an environment that is respectful and cooperative.”

United Bank Supports Several United Ways
WEST SPRINGFIELD — United Bank’s employees and its United Bank Foundation recently contributed a combined totaled of $97,643 in support of the United Ways of Pioneer Valley, Hampshire County, and Central Mass. United’s employee campaign totaled more than $58,000, surpassing last year’s level of giving, according to Richard Collins, president and CEO. In addition, the bank’s foundation contributed $39,000 to the three United Ways. “The participation of our employees is also a reflection of United Bank’s commitment to the communities where we live and work,” said Collins. “It’s particularly meaningful in today’s trying economic times. Our neighbors need our help; our employees stepped up to provide that help.”

First Niagara Donates
$50,000 to Mass Mentoring Partnership
BOSTON – Mass Mentoring Partnership (MMP), a Boston-based nonprofit that is an umbrella organization for youth mentoring statewide, recently announced that First Niagara Bank will donate $50,000 to support the organization’s mentoring efforts, with a focus on initiatives in Western Mass. During Mass Mentoring’s annual Youth Mentoring Forum at State Street, which was held recently at State Street Financial Center, MMP Chief Program Officer Marty Martinez thanked representatives from First Niagara for signing on as the Western Mass. sponsor of National Mentoring Month (January) and for its support of the annual Champions of Mentoring fund-raising event with the Boston Red Sox, which will be held June 7 at Fenway Park. “National Mentoring Month is a time when mentoring organizations across the country come together with a focus on raising awareness of the importance of mentors, acknowledging and appreciating current mentors, and positioning our organizations for future success,” said Martinez. “We’re thrilled to partner with First Niagara to promote National Mentoring Month and expand quality mentoring in Western Mass.” During January, First Niagara supported MMP’s efforts to promote the importance of mentoring through a multi-faceted marketing campaign with a focus on Western Mass. Throughout National Mentoring Month, MMP aims to help Massachusetts mentoring programs celebrate the everyday people who are making a difference for young people in their communities.

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TommyCar Corp. Adds Northampton Volkswagen
NORTHAMPTON — Carla Cosenzi and Thomas Cosenzi are continuing the legacy of their father, Thomas Cosenzi, by adding Northampton Volkswagen to the family-owned company, TommyCar Corp. The dealership, which will add approximately 25 to 30 new jobs in the Northampton area, is located at 48 Damon Road. “We want to strengthen the Volkswagen brand in the Pioneer Valley,” said Carla Cosenzi, president. “It is the leading company in diesel-engine technology, and the cars are an excellent value for the money. We believe we are exactly the right company to build excitement for this line of great cars.” Northampton Volkswagen will offer all models in Volkswagen’s line, including the Jetta, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Touareg, Golf, GTI, Golf R, Jetta SportWagen, Routan, Eos, and Beetle. The dealership will include a service department that offers full service, parts, and repairs for all Volkswagen models.

United Bank Foundation Awards $62,400
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Ten not-for-profit organizations recently received grants from the United Bank Foundation totaling $62,400 that serve individuals and families in the Springfield area and Worcester. The grants included $34,000 to United Way of Pioneer Valley, $2,000 to the Hampshire Community United Way, and $2,500 to United Way of Central Massachusetts. In addition, $6,900 was awarded to the Boys and Girls Club of West Springfield to replace game-room equipment destroyed by water damage as a result of the June 1 tornado. Also, Junior Achievement of Western Mass. received $5,000 from the foundation to support financial-literacy, work-readiness, and entrepreneurial programs for youths in kindergarten through grade 12, while Western New England University was granted $4,000 to purchase equipment for its School of Pharmacy. A $1,000 grant to ServiceNet in Northampton will provide program support for the Fit Together wellness center, which meets the needs of individuals with developmental and emotional challenges. The Worcester Education Collaborative received a $3,000 grant to help ensure that all Worcester public-school students have equal access to excellence in education, and a $3,000 award to the Worcester Youth Center will support the Leap to College program for urban youth. Dress for Success Worcester, which provides business attire for disadvantaged women seeking employment, was awarded $1,000 for operating funds. The foundation’s four primary funding areas of interest are education, health and human services, youth development, and cultural programs. Foundation guidelines can be found by logging onto www.bankatunited.com.

Firm Achieves LEED Gold Certification
SPRINGFIELD — Dietz & Co. Architects Inc. has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for the recently completed units at the YWCA’s Campus of Hope. The new units provide housing that serves to transition women from domestic-violence shelters to longer-term living facilities. The 32,000-square-foot project is made up of 20 apartments and eight congregate housing units within its walls. The project was part of the larger Campus of Hope initiative that was started more than 10 years ago for which Dietz & Co. was the master planner. The firm also designed the first phase of the campus, a 60,000-square-foot building that includes administrative offices, meeting and classroom space, as well as an on-site shelter. The YWCA project was originally designed to achieve the LEED for Homes Silver certification level, but exceeded that level by achieving Gold certification. Several factors that supported the Gold certification include super-insulated walls and airtight construction, efficient mechanical systems that include roof-mounted photovoltaic panels for electricity, sustainable site design, and the use of green construction materials. A healthy indoor environment, pollution reduction, and lower utility and maintenance costs are also key elements of the certification. The efficient building is expected to reduce water and energy consumption by 20% to 30% over typical code-compliant construction. NL Construction was the general contractor for the project, and the units were supported by the LEED for Homes Provider, CET. The LEED Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.

Amherst Media Offers Animation Workshops
AMHERST — Amherst Media, an Apple-authorized training center, recently added a Winter Break Animation Workshop to its course offerings. Professional illustrator Gregory Miller, who has worked at Cartoon Network, is the instructor for the four-day course. Also, a Final Cut Pro X class will be offered Jan. 16-18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition, a host of training sessions are available for cameras and field equipment, editing, studio use, and numerous software applications, including Final Cut Pro and Photoshop. For more information on all of the available programs, visit www.amherstmedia.org.

Nicolai Law Group Named to U.S. News Ranking
SPRINGFIELD — For the fifth year in a row, Paul Nicolai has been named one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in commercial litigation. His firm, Nicolai Law Group, P.C., also ranked among the “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report in Springfield’s Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation and Tier 2 for Arbitration, and for Litigation-Eminent Domain and Condemnation. More than 3 million confidential evaluations by 39,000 of the country’s leading attorneys help formulate the lists for the “Best Lawyers in America.” Now in its 18th edition, the reference work is considered a definitive guide to legal excellence in North America, according to Nicolai. The U.S. News ranking took the evaluation process a step further, asking thousands of clients as well as legal peers for feedback on those law firms with “Best Lawyers” on their staff. The publication’s rigorous evaluation process also included information submitted by more than 10,000 U.S. law firms. The guide, in its second year, is intended to help refer lawyers and clients to appropriate sources of legal advice for their needs. The Nicolai Law Group represents businesses and their owners in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, and Washington, D.C.

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Hampden Bank Donates $150,000 to Develop Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — The Hampden Bank Charitable Foundation recently granted $150,000 to support the plans and objectives of DevelopSpringfield. “We not only see this as an opportunity to help build a better, more vibrant community, but, as a corporate citizen and a purpose-driven organization headquartered in Springfield since 1852, we also consider this is a major responsibility,” said Thomas Burton, president and CEO of the bank. “We are proud to be part of this significant effort to move Springfield forward.” DevelopSpringfield is a private Massachusetts nonprofit 501(c)(3) formed in 2008 to advance development and redevelopment of commercial real-estate projects, stimulate and support economic growth, and expedite the revitalization process within the City of Springfield. In recent months, Mayor Domenic Sarno requested that DevelopSpringfield, in partnership with the Springfield Redevelopment Authority, expand its role to lead the city’s multi-year planning and redevelopment activities for areas impacted by the tornado of June 1. “Throughout the years, and regardless of the challenges facing our community, we have always been able to count on Hampden Bank to support important community needs in Springfield,” said Nicholas Fyntrilakis of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., and chair of DevelopSpringfield’s 14-member board. “Supporting DevelopSpringfield is the latest example of their commitment to our community.”

United Bank Named Top SBA Lender to Women
WEST SPRINGFIELD — United Bank was recently named the state’s #1 Lender to Women in fiscal 2011 by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). United Bank approved the highest percentage of total loans to women of all participating SBA lenders. Joanne Sheedy, RCA portfolio manager, accepted the award on behalf of United Bank at a recent meeting of SBA participating lenders in Boston. Robert Nelson, Massachusetts district director, applauded lenders for supporting SBA loan programs, which he called a “tremendous benefit to our businesses and economic recovery in Massachusetts.”

WMECo Completes Largest Solar Facility in Region
SPRINGFIELD — Western Massachusetts Electric Co. (WMECo) celebrated the completion of its second large-scale solar-energy facility on Dec. 21 in the Indian Orchard section of the city. The facility features 8,200 solar panels and produces 2.3 megawatts (MW) of electricity. WMECo representatives joined local and state officials in celebrating the transformation of the former foundry site into a clean, renewable energy facility. The Indian Orchard facility joins WMECo’s Silver Lake Solar facility in Pittsfield as one of the largest in the Northeast region, and is the largest in New England. The project brought nearly $12 million of new construction to the region and will contribute $400,000 of annual property tax revenue to the City of Homes. Springfield is one of the two Gateway Communities in WMECo’s service territory, and is home to approximately 65,000 WMECo customers. The Commonwealth has a goal to install 250 MW of solar generation by 2017. Under the landmark Green Communities Act, each Massachusetts electric utility may own up to 50 MW of solar, subject to approval by the Department of Public Utilities.

Bay Path Receives
$25,000 Award
LONGMEADOW — Bay Path College recently received a $25,000 scholarship award from the Petit Family Foundation during its first Evening Honoring Women in Science event at the Connecticut Science Center. The award will be used to provide financial support for students who are pursuing careers in the sciences. Bay Path currently offers undergraduate majors in biology, biotechnology, and forensic science, and will be introducing programs in biochemistry and neuroscience in the fall of 2012. The Petit Family Foundation honors the memories of Jennifer Hawke-Petit, Hayley Elizabeth Petit, and Michaela Rose Petit by continuing the kindness, idealism, and activism that defined their lives. The foundation’s funds are given to foster the education of young people, especially women in the sciences, to improve the lives of those affected by chronic illnesses, and to support efforts to protect and help those affected by violence. “On behalf of the college, I wish to express my profound gratitude to the Petit Family Foundation,” said Bay Path President Carol Leary. “With this scholarship award, our students will have the opportunity to study and excel in the sciences, pursuing meaningful and rewarding careers.”

CHD Elder Care Program Receives $10,000
SPRINGFIELD — The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) recently awarded the Center for Human Development’s Hawthorn Elder Care program a $10,000 grant to fund performances of Talking with Dolores, a one-act play that takes a serious look at depression and suicide among the elderly. The award is part of NEA’s Challenge America Fast Track program, which supports extending the arts to underserved audiences. The funding targets elder Latino audiences in Massachusetts and Connecticut. CHD is one of 162 organizations nationwide to receive this award. “We’re thrilled about the grant award because we will be able to reach more people with an important message,” said Jim Callahan, vice president of CHD Hawthorn Elder Care, in a statement. “The play tackles serious issues, but it does so in a very creative way. More than anything, it’s an effective way to get the community at large to talk about issues that are often times uncomfortable to discuss.” The NEA grant also enables Hawthorn to fund Hablando con Dolores, a Spanish-language production of the play.

Big Y Adds 38th Pharmacy
GUILFORD, CT — Big Y Foods Inc. recently opened its 38th pharmacy in a World Class Market in Guilford. Paul Dimmock, R.Ph., is the pharmacy manager, assisted by Robert Frye, R.Ph., and Jane Gray, R.Ph. Big Y pharmacies also conduct special wellness events throughout the year, including flu shots and cholesterol, osteoporosis, and blood-pressure screenings.

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Big Y Sponsors
Sack Hunger Program
SPRINGFIELD — In a chain-wide effort to help the hungry within their local communities, all Big Ys are participating in Sack Hunger, which utilizes large, green, reusable grocery bags filled with staple, non-perishable food items selected by the food banks. The sacks include corn flakes, instant rice, elbow macaroni, kidney beans, peanut butter, cut green beans, sweet peas, whole kernel corn, chunk light tuna, and quick oats. Customers purchase a pre-assembled bag of groceries for $10, and then Big Y distributes the bags to that region’s local food bank. In turn, the food banks distribute the filled sacks to area soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, day care centers, as well as many of their other member agencies. All the donated sacks will be distributed within the supermarket’s marketing area so every donation stays within the local community. Big Y’s Sack Hunger campaign began in November and runs through December.

UMass, State Open
Marine Research Station
AMHERST — UMass Amherst and the Mass. Division of Marine Fisheries recently celebrated the opening of a shared marine-science research center following a $400,000 renovation. The station investment, located on an Atlantic Ocean cove in Gloucester, seeks to promote sustainable fisheries and economic development. The research station assesses the behavior of fish and the size and health of fisheries, which are vital to the state’s economy. In 2010, the commercial Massachusetts fishing industry landed 282 million pounds of seafood valued at $470 million.

AIC Breaks Ground for Eastern Gateway Project
SPRINGFIELD — The first phase of the city’s Eastern Gateway project was launched recently with a groundbreaking ceremony in front of 1168 State St. The Eastern Gateway represents a joint venture between American International College (AIC) and DevelopSpringfield, the city’s nonprofit, 501(c)(3) economic-development corporation. The project seeks to create a mixed-use development that will include appropriate institutional, retail, and commercial uses; offer a pedestrian environment at the entrance of AIC’s athletic field complex, and serve both the college and the neighborhood. Also, by revitalizing the underdeveloped section between Austin Street and Roosevelt Avenue, the project aligns with the city’s efforts to continue strengthening the State Street corridor. The redevelopment program resulted from a study commissioned in 2008 by the State Street Alliance, an affiliation of more than 60 businesses, educational institutions, neighborhood councils, faith-based organizations, and nonprofits. The study identified near-term development opportunities for revitalizing the 3.2-mile-long corridor, and recommended several projects, including a supermarket to serve the Mason Square community and market-rate residential housing at 195 State St. — a project that is underway. Eastern Gateway is a multi-phase effort; phase 1 includes acquisition, remediation, and greening of the area, and phase 2 includes refinement of a site development plan, construction, and work to transform a marginal pedestrian environment into a vibrant, contemporary urban district.

Law Firm Earns
Top Ranking
SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. has recently been named in the 2011-12 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers as one of the “Best Law Firms” in America. The firm received Metropolitan First Tier Ranking for Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Corporate Law, Elder Law, Real Estate Law, and Tax Law. “While we very much value our clients, and our commitment to them is paramount, it is a thrill to have been recognized as one of the best law firms in America by our peers,” noted Gary Fentin, partner. “We have a very dedicated and talented team, and it is because of their hard work that we have been given, and accepted, this tribute.” Currently, the firm has 13 attorneys. Best Lawyers compiles lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers, according to Fentin.

Comcast Launches Xfinity Phone Service in Granby
GRANBY — Comcast recently announced that residents and businesses in town now have access to innovative and reliable voice service, according to Mary McLaughlin, senior vice president of Comcast’s Western New England region. Comcast’s Xfinity Voice and Business Class Voice services for homes and businesses, respectively, are now available and can be combined for ‘triple-play’ packages that include cable television, Internet services, and phone services. McLaughlin noted that residents and businesses can switch to Comcast without changing their current phone numbers. “We’re excited to provide Granby with access to our full product suite and to also provide a new choice in quality phone service,” she added.

Bank Celebrates Customer Appreciation Week
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank celebrated its partnership with Legacy Banks during Customer Appreciation Week on Dec. 12-16. The weeklong celebration included a variety of special events and promotions, including an Android smartphone giveaway program. Additionally, members of the community were asked to vote for their favorite nonprofit organization to win a $1,000 grant from the Berkshire Bank Foundation –Legacy Region. A total of $11,000 will be provided to 11 community organizations as part of the initiative.

Big Y Again Will Sponsor Spalding Hoophall Classic
SPRINGFIELD — The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame recently announced that Big Y World Class Markets will continue its partnership as the presenting sponsor of the 2012 Spalding Hoophall Classic. The high-school basketball tournament is in its 11th year and has expanded to five days with 46 teams at Springfield College’s Blake Arena on Jan. 12-16. Seven of the nation’s top nine teams from the ESPN FAB 50 rankings will be participating. “We are extremely grateful for Big Y’s commitment to the Hall of Fame and the Spalding Hoophall Classic,” said John L. Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “Big Y has been a major participant in the Springfield community, and their support will continue to make an impact on hundreds of aspiring basketball players from New England and around the country.” Tickets are on sale at the Basketball Hall of Fame for $15 for adults and $10 for youths/students (18 and under). All patrons who present a Big Y World Class Market Savings Card will receive a $1 discount on each ticket purchased. For more information on the event, visit www.thehoophallclassic.com.

Northeast Realty Chooses Egan, Flanagan and Cohen
SPRINGFIELD — Northeast Realty Associates LLC, owner of a 152-acre parcel of land in Palmer where Mohegan Sun is proposing to develop a destination resort casino, has retained the law firm Egan, Flanagan and Cohen, P.C. The firm will offer a range of services for Northeast Realty, with attorney Stephen E. Spelman serving as lead counsel relating to the Palmer project. Spelman previously served as an assistant district attorney at the Hampden County District Attorney’s office, and has also worked for Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York City.

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Easthampton Savings Bank Surpasses $936M in Assets
EASTHAMPTON — At the end of the third quarter, Easthampton Savings Bank had total assets of $936 million, according to William S. Hogan, Jr., president and CEO. Assets were up more than $86 million from a year ago, an increase of 10%. Also, over the past year, total loans increased 8% or almost $49 million, an increase of almost $18 million over the last quarter. Total loans now stand at $635 million. Hogan noted that the bank’s deposit growth was more than $87 million or 13% from a year ago. Deposits were up almost $11 million for the quarter. Total deposits now stand at $755 million. “This past quarter has been another successful one,” said Hogan in a statement. “We achieve this level of success with exceptional employees and support from all of the communities we call home.” Hogan added that bank officials look forward to completing the year on an “up note” with strong performance.

Big Y Foods Opens
Store in Lee
LEE — Big Y Foods opened a 45,900-square-foot World Class Market at 10 Pleasant St. on Nov. 3, at the site of the former truck stop Diesel Dan’s. The new Big Y reflects today’s modern supermarket standards along with an in-store pharmacy, prepared meals section and eat-in cafe, according to store director Steve Gigliotti. Additionally, there is 5,000 square feet of retail space that is available for a future tenant. Cocca Development of Boardman, Ohio, served as general contractor for the expansion in conjunction with several local subcontractors for the completion of the $15 million development. Gigliotti and his team has hired approximately 150 employees to operate the store. The hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Big Y’s pharmacy will accept most major insurance plans and will be managed by Darice Taxter, R.Ph., along with John Graham, R.Ph. Wellness services include flu shots, total cholesterol and blood pressure, glucose and body fat and osteo with blood pressure. Pharmacy hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays. As part of Big Y’s grand opening celebration, the four schools in Lee each received $500 as part of the company’s longstanding commitment to education.

MassMutual Plans $1.33B Dividend Payout for Policyholders
SPRINGFIELD — Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) recently announced it has approved payment of an estimated $1.33 billion in dividends to eligible participating policyholders in 2012, an increase of $105.5 million over the prior year, representing an 8.6% increase. The annual dividend, which MassMutual has paid to policyholders consistently since the 1860s, is one of the key benefits of purchasing a participating policy from a mutual company that is operated for the benefit of its policyholders, according to Roger Crandall, chairman, president and CEO, MassMutual. “The value of doing business with a mutual company has never been more abundantly clear, and MassMutual is proud to deliver on that enduring value by continuing our legacy of strong dividend payouts,” said Crandall in a statement. “Our increased dividend payout in 2012 demonstrates our longstanding commitment to mutuality, financial strength, and those who matter most to us, our policyholders.” The total dividends for 2012, approved by MassMutual’s Board of Directors, include a dividend interest rate of 7.0% on all eligible participating life insurance policies. This announcement comes at a time when MassMutual maintains among the highest financial strength ratings in its industry and is reporting record levels of surplus ($11.2 billion as of Sept. 30) and total adjusted capital ($13.4 billion as of Sept. 30), which are key indicators of the company’s overall financial strength, added Crandall.

Carrazza Financial Merges with St. Germain Investment Management
SPRINGFIELD — Michael R. Matty, CFA, CFP president, of St. Germain Investment Management announced the merger of his company with Frank Carrazza Financial Planning. Frank A. Carrazza Jr. assumes the position of director of Financial Planning for the firm. He will oversee the financial planning services of St. Germain while continuing his responsibilities of managing client assets and providing financial and insurance planning advice to individuals and small business owners. Carrazza brings a broad range of knowledge and experience in areas of investments, income and capital preservation.  Since 1976, he has been an independent professional since leaving a senior position at IBM in Boston. As a financial advisor, he offered securities through Commonwealth Financial Network, a broker/dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. He has served as president of the Estate Planning Council of Hampden County as well as president of the Western Mass Chapter of Financial Service Professionals. Because of his expertise in financial planning, business succession planning, insurance and estate planning, Carrazza holds the following certifications: certified financial planner [CFP], chartered life underwriter [CLU], chartered financial consultant [ChFCA], accredited investment fiduciary [AIF] and registered investment advisor [RIA]. St. Germain is a privately held company specializing in investment management for individuals and institutions. Founded in 1924, St. Germain services national and international clients from two offices, one in Springfield,  the other in Hartford.

UMass Amherst Police Have New Station
AMHERST — The UMass Amherst Police Department recently conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new building at 585 East Pleasant St. At the ceremony, speakers included Robert C. Holub, UMass Amherst chancellor, Henry Thomas III, UMass trustee from Springfield, who represented the UMass Board of Trustees and the UMass Building Authority, and Johnny C. Whitehead, UMass Amherst police chief. During the festivities, the department opened the building for tours and had specialty units, including the police horses and motorcycle officers, available. The $12.5 million facility is located at the intersection with Tillson Farm Road, across from the Amherst Fire Department’s North Fire Station. The department began full-time use of the new building in April. The building, designed by the firm Caolo & Bieniek Associates, is also the first new construction on campus to meet leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) certification standards. Whitehead noted in a statement that the new station provides the department with all of the tools that a highly professional police force needs.

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Mercy Joins HNE’s Medicare Advantage Provider Network
SPRINGFIELD — Health New England (HNE) recently announced that Mercy Medical Center has become a part of its Medicare Advantage provider network. Any HNE member, regardless of product, can now access the services available at Mercy Medical Center. The hospital and physicians of the Sisters of Providence Health System (SPHS), which Mercy is a part of, have been in HNE’s commercial and Mass Health product networks for several years, and HNE is the health-insurance provider for the employees of SPHS. “HNE is excited about the extension of our partnership with SPHS,” said Peter Straley, HNE president and CEO. “We know that one of the most important components of any health-insurance product is the network of hospitals and physicians available to the members. This addition to our Medicare Advantage provider network enables us to be a viable option for all Medicare beneficiaries in our region.” Daniel Moen, SPHS president and CEO, echoed those sentiments. “Mercy Medical Center welcomes this opportunity to further our relationship with HNE,” he said. “Mercy’s participation as a member of the HNE Medicare Advantage provider network ensures that Medicare beneficiaries in our region are able to access the high-quality, high-value care at Mercy, no matter which Medicare plan they choose for health care coverage.”

Hampden Bank Offers Second Chance Mortgage
SPRINGFIELD — Hampden Bank has announced the availability of a new mortgage product specifically designed for those whose credit has been adversely affected by the recession. Robert Michel, senior vice president of retail lending, noted that the Second Chance Mortgage is a viable solution for those deemed ‘not bankable’ during these difficult economic times but who are working conscientiously to rebuild their credit. “Whether it’s directly due to the recession, job loss, bankruptcy, reduction of income, or other life events, such as divorce or illness, we know there are many good, hardworking people out there who, for one reason or another, have taken a serious hit in recent times,” he said. “We also know that many of these same people have been working hard to re-establish their credit, and we feel they at least deserve a second look and perhaps a second chance.” Michel added that the Second Chance Mortgage “could be the solution to get them back into home ownership.” Specific underwriting criteria must be met, and qualification will be determined on a case-by-case basis, with previous strong credit history and current ability to repay being major considerations.

Monson Savings Bank Wins SBA Award
MONSON — The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced that Monson Savings Bank has won the Lender of the Quarter Award for the third quarter of fiscal year 2011. The award was given to the bank in recognition of its “excellent” SBA activity for the quarter, according to Steven Lowell, president of Monson Savings. The bank had six SBA loan approvals from April 1 through June 30, which ranked it in the ‘Top 15 SBA Lenders in the State’ category. Additionally, the bank tripled its overall SBA activity since 2010 with 18 loans through the first three quarters of the SBA fiscal year. “We are very pleased to be able to help so many customers by leveraging the SBA lending programs,” said Lowell. “I’m not surprised we are ahead of so many larger banks statewide in this arena, because we specialize in working with small and mid-sized businesses.”

Companies Partner to Provide Cobiax Product for Miami Art Museum
LUDLOW — Meredith-Springfield Associates Inc. recently announced its partnership with Barker Steel, LLC to provide high-tech materials for the new, $220 million Miami Art Museum (MAM). Meredith-Springfield is a plastic-extrusion blow-molding manufacturing and engineering company that manufactured thousands of spheres from recycled plastic which were set into steel wire cages for Barker Steel, the licensed distributor for the Cobiax voided concrete system, headquartered in Milford. The wire cages and spheres were shipped in tower-crane-ready bundles for use in concrete slabs in the construction of the MAM. With Cobiax building units, the building slabs are up to 35% lighter than solid flat concrete slabs, and present up to 15% less load on foundations, which allows increased freedom for structural conception. “This type of building system also allows for up to 20-meter spans with no obstructing beams, which amounts to 40% fewer columns,” said Mel O’Leary, president and CEO of Meredith-Springfield. “By using spherical-resin products, strategically encased in concrete with reinforcing steel, one can leave out as much concrete as possible while maintaining the full flexural strength of the slab and allowing a biaxial load transfer. The result is overall weight reduction, increased seismic performance, cost reduction, and environmental sustainability.” The MAM design involves large spans of floor and ceiling without the typical number of columns so that the view from sea to land or vice versa is not completely obstructed. The museum building itself, totaling 120,000 square feet at the core, includes a wide stair connecting the platform to the sea and a promenade. The hanging gardens from ceiling to floor are not interrupted by numerous columns, and the building becomes part of the shoreline and helps visitors gradually transition from Miami’s tropical climate to the museum’s more regulated interior.

Study Rates MassMutual #1in Satisfaction
SPRINGFIELD — In Boston Research Group’s 2011 Defined Contribution Plan (DCP) Retirement Advisor Satisfaction and Loyalty Study, MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division earned the number-one overall satisfaction rating from retirement-plan advisors among all 17 record keepers in the study. MassMutual scored 13 points higher than its nearest competitor and 28 points above the industry average overall. MassMutual placed in the top quartile in every category ranking and garnered the most number-one ratings among all record keepers in the study, clinching the top rating in each of the following: overall satisfaction, wholesaler accessibility/availability, wholesaler expertise in the retirement services industry, thought leader in the 401(k) industry, partners with you (advisor) for success, marketing assistance (proposals, presentations, seminars), internal wholesaler ability to resolve problems, and making it easy to do business with them. The nationwide survey of retirement advisors was conducted from February to April 2011, and the results of the recordkeeping portion represent 17 leading defined-contribution retirement-plan providers. Findings are based on the percentage of advisors who were ‘very satisfied’ with the record keeper.

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Girls Inc. Benefits From Comedy Night
HOLYOKE — The Women Business Owners Alliance of the Pioneer Valley (WBOA) recently presented Girls Inc. of Holyoke with a check for $2,950, proceeds from a Women’s Night of Comedy. The spring fund-raiser featured comediennes Tina Giorgi, Julie Barr, and Jenny Zigrino. “We are delighted to receive this gift,” said Suzanne Parker, executive director of Girls Inc. “In addition to the generous donation from the WBOA, some members of our board of directors were so inspired at the check presentation that they made additional gifts of their own as well. These donations will help us to continue to offer the cutting-edge, educational, and fun programs that inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold.”

United Bank Aids
Tornado Relief
WEST SPRINGFIELD — With its partnership in the ABC40/FOX6 Tornado Relief Fund as well as grants awarded by its foundation, United Bank recently announced that a total of $89,500 in donations has supported local tornado relief and recovery efforts. The amount is in addition to the bank’s earlier gift of $25,000 to the Red Cross immediately following the June 1 tornado. The ABC40/FOX6 fund raised $40,000. Individual grants of $10,000 each were awarded to the American Red Cross, Pioneer Valley Chapter; the Salvation Army, Springfield Corps; the Community Foundation of Western MA Tornado Relief Fund; and United Way of Pioneer Valley Tornado Recovery Fund. Also, the United Bank Foundation awarded $49,500 to nine organizations that were impacted by the tornado and those providing immediate relief to the community. The recipients were: Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, $2,000; DevelopSpringfield Corp., $10,000; Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start, $4,000; Pioneer Valley Montessori School, $2,500; Rebuilding Together Springfield, $10,000; South End Community Center, $2,500; Springfield Rescue Mission, $2,000; Square One, $12,500; and Westfield Public Schools, $4,000.

Johnson & Hill Donates to Link to Libraries
PIONEER VALLEY — Johnson & Hill Staffing Services and Link to Libraries Inc., have joined forces for its inaugural Welcome to Kindergarten “Read Together” Literacy Bag Project. The newest initiative for Link to Libraries is the donation of more than 2,000 literacy kits to children entering kindergarten in Springfield and Holyoke public schools. The literacy bags include new bilingual books, bookbags, bookmarks, and parent educational materials supplied by the Irene and George Davis Foundation. “It is most important that our local children have the tools they need to start the school year on the right foot and to help them achieve their intellectual potential,” said Susan Jaye-Kaplan, co-founder of Link to Libraries. “We hope that these literacy kits will stimulate interest in reading and provide books to begin their own home library. We greatly appreciate the support of Andrea Hill-Cataldo and the staff of Johnson & Hill Staffing. It is community partners like this that help us reach our goals.”

Big Y to Eliminate
Self-checkouts
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y Foods Inc. has announced it will eliminate all self-checkout lanes in all its stores by the end of the year. Big Y first implemented self-checkout lanes in 2003. After extensive research, Big Y noted that the self-checkout lanes not only do not save customers time, but usually take them even longer to check out than customers in standard checkout lanes. Big Y concluded that the self-checkout technology could neither improve nor replace the value of a friendly cashier who is able to personally help each customer in their lane, according to Michael Tami, vice president for information resources and technologies. “Our self-checkout technology could not deliver on the service needs of our customers,” he said. “In short, we were not able to provide the exceptional customer service through them that has made Big Y what it is today.”

ACC Bistro Open for Cooking Classes
ENFIELD, Conn. — Hands-on cooking experiences are available to students this fall at Asnuntuck Community College (ACC), led by chef Bill Collins. Collins, a personal chef in Western Mass. and a professional chef for more than 18 years, provides a variety of course options to students looking to enhance their culinary prowess at ACC’s Bistro. Experience in the kitchen is not a prerequisite for the classes. The only requirements are that students bring a chef’s knife, a paring knife, a dish towel, and storage containers to bring home leftovers. All classes will include copies of the recipes Collins will be teaching. Classes are being offered at a variety of lengths ranging from one to four evenings. For more information on classes, visit www.acc.commnet.edu or call (860) 253-3034.

TNR Global to Attend UMass Career Fair
AMHERST — Karen Lynn, director of business development, and Natasha Goncharova, co-founder and managing director of TNR Global, will be representing the firm at UMass Amherst’s Career Fair for Engineering, Natural Sciences & Technology students on Sept. 28. “The University of Massachusetts offers a comprehensive computer science program where students emerge strong candidates for the kind of technical work required of TNR software developers,” said Michael McIntosh, vice president of search technologies. TNR Global is a systems design and integration company focused on enterprise-search and cloud-computing solutions for publishing companies, news sites, Web directories, academia, enterprise, and SaaS companies.

Banks Announce
Merger Plans
ADAMS — Adams Co-Operative Bank and South Adams Savings Bank, both headquartered in town, have agreed to combine their two institutions to form a new community bank serving Berkshire County. A joint announcement of the plan was made recently by Joseph Truskowski Jr., president and CEO of Adams Co-Operative Bank, and Charles O’Brien, president and CEO of South Adams Savings Bank. The combined bank will consist of seven full-service offices located in Adams, Cheshire, Lanesboro, Lee, Williamstown, and North Adams. Truskowski and O’Brien emphasized that both banks are committed to creating jobs in Berkshire County, and no jobs will be eliminated as a result of the merger. The two bank headquarters, which bookend downtown Adams, will also remain fully used. The new bank will be formed under a Massachusetts savings bank charter, with Truskowski serving as president and O’Brien as CEO. The managing boards of the two banks will be merged to create a new board of trustees. In addition, all deposits will continue to be insured in full at the new bank through a combination of coverage from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Depositors Insurance Fund of Massachusetts. The merger is subject to approval by the depositors of Adams Co-Operative Bank, corporators of South Adams Savings Bank, and regulatory agencies. The merger is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2012.

United Rentals Supports Extreme Makeover
SPRINGFIELD — United Rentals in Ludlow worked around the clock in early September providing construction equipment and services to the latest project in Springfield chosen by the ABC show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (see related story, page 36). The build benefits Sirdeaner Walker, who has become a national voice against bullying in schools after surviving the loss of her son. The build is also part of United Rentals’ fifth year of partnership with the award-winning television show, which has relied on the company for equipment and volunteers on more than 80 new-home constructions. “Over 80 projects and more than 5,000 pieces of equipment, United Rentals has come through for us every time,” said Diane Korman, senior producer of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. “Even in remote locations, United Rentals always has a branch close enough to arrange all the equipment we need, ensure its reliability, and deliver it within a three-hour window. Most importantly, they share our ‘safety first’ philosophy.” The episode featuring the Walker family will air on ABC on a date to be announced.

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Paul Robbins Associates Wins International Award
WILBRAHAM — Paul Robbins, owner of Paul Robbins Associates, took home a Silver Award in the 2011 Summit Creative Award competition for his documentary-style video titled Housing First, produced for the Western MA Network to End Homelessness. Robbins previously won a Summit Creative Award in 2008 and again in 2009 for videos he produced for HAP Housing, the region’s housing partnership. The video tells the story of the Housing First initiative in Western Mass., which is designed to help families and individuals avoid homelessness by providing housing and support services, through the eyes of four people helped by the initiative in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties. The video can be viewed on the network’s blog, westernmasshousingfirst.org. This year’s panel of international judges included a host of creative directors from design agencies around the world, including Brazil, Kuwait, Australia, Denmark, Dubai, Malaysia, Canada, and the U.S.  Entries in 23 creative categories are judged against a stringent set of standards. During the blind judging events (entering company names are withheld), judges search for innovative and creative concepts, strong execution, and the ability to communicate and persuade. This year’s creative competition included entries from companies in 22 countries, including Austria, China, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands and the U.S. Paul Robbins Associates is a strategic-communications consultancy providing public-relations and marketing planning, design, and execution; crisis communication services; compelling video presentations; Web site design; and blog creation and content management for companies, nonprofit organizations, and policy initiatives.

Bacon Wilson Blog Earns Recognition
SPRINGFIELD — Bacon Wilson, P.C.’s blog, Employment Law Bits, has been nominated as a Top 25 Employment Law Blog by LexisNexis. Employment Law Bits was launched in June 2005, and since then has supplied readers with weekly posts regarding legal issues facing both employees and employers in both text and video format. “We are very pleased to have our work singled out in a sea of about 2 million employment-law blogs,” noted Employment Law Department Chairman Paul Rothschild, Esq. “Our blog demonstrates a six-year commitment to informing employees, employers, and HR managers of changes within the law that affect them, and we intend to continue putting out such information that helps our constituency.” Employment Law Bits can be found at bwlaw.blogs.com. Bacon Wilson has offices in Springfield, Westfield, Northampton, and Amherst, and employs 43 attorneys and 65 paralegals, secretaries, and support staff..

MassMutual Offers New TPA Business Implementation Kit
SPRINGFIELD — MassMutual Retirement Services recently launched its latest version of the Third-Party Administrator (TPA) New Business Implementation Kit, further streamlining the plan installation process and increasing ease of use. The kit provides TPAs with all necessary documents to complete the plan installation process, facilitating each retirement plan’s smooth transition to MassMutual Retirement Services. The enhanced version has been recognized to increase ease of use, by simplifying and grouping related questions and incorporating funding and Web site applications. The incorporation of these applications reduced, on average, four signature requirements, according to Gary Stamborski, vice president of TPA and new business operations. “MassMutual is committed to providing TPAs, advisors, and sponsors with the best plan installation service in the marketplace today,” said Stamborski. “The new kit is one way we are striving to exceed the expectations of everyone involved throughout the plan installation experience.” Stamborski noted that the kit will continue to undergo an annual review to incorporate industry best practices and efficiencies as well as valuable feedback from TPAs, advisors, and sponsors.

Six Flags to Add
Goliath Coaster
AGAWAM — Six Flags New England  announced the addition of Goliath, a suspended, looping, boomerang coaster. New England’s newest coaster will reside in the Crack Axle Canyon section of the park and will make its debut in late spring of 2012. The ride experience will begin when guests are strapped into chairs suspended from the track above; then Goliath sends riders dangling face-down out of the station and up the first tower. Once riders reach the top of the tower, they are dropped into a complete vertical 18-story freefall, reaching speeds of 65 mph before racing head over heels on the outside of a 102-foot-tall vertical loop, followed by a 110-foot-tall butterfly turn before rocketing up the second 19-story tower. “Six Flags New England is thrilled to announce the addition of Goliath to our already-amazing arsenal of rides,” said Jason Freeman, Six Flags New England park president. “This ride delivers pure adrenaline from start to finish and solidifies our commitment to adding high-volume fun for the entire family.” Goliath joins a large lineup of coasters, including Cyclone, Batman the Dark Knight, Mind Eraser, and Bizarro

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HNE Files for Decrease in Premium Rates
SPRINGFIELD — Health New England (HNE) recently filed for a decrease in rates effective Oct. 1, 2011. HNE is the only plan in the state to have filed for a decrease. Juan Campbell, vice president of sales, noted in a statement that, over the past 16 months, HNE has experienced a “slowing in the rate of increase in costs and lower utilization of services which has lowered the overall medical trend.” Campbell added that medical trends drive approximately 90% of costs, while 10% covers administrative costs. “We are pleased to be in a position to pass on a reduction to individuals and employers,” he said. HNE, a provider-sponsored plan, is majority-owned by Baystate Health (approximately 97%), and the remaining 3% is held by independent practicing physicians in Western Mass. “We believe that to be successful in controlling health care costs requires a partnership between the health plan, the health care delivery system, and engagement with the member/patient,” added Peter Straley, HNE president and CEO.

Mercy Medical Center Scores High in Two National Rankings of Hospitals
SPRINGFIELD — Mercy Medical Center has been ranked in U.S. News Media & World Report’s “Best Hospitals” rankings, available online at www.usnews.com/besthospitals. The rankings, annually published by U.S. News for the past 22 years, will also be featured in the U.S. News Best Hospitals guidebook, which will go on sale August 30. The latest rankings showcase 720 hospitals out of about 5,000 hospitals nationwide. Each is ranked among the country’s top hospitals in at least one medical specialty. Mercy ranked as high-performing in urology. “At Mercy Medical Center, we continuously strive for clinical excellence through the delivery of high-quality care. The U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of Mercy Medical Center among the nation’s best hospitals provides additional validation of our team’s success in providing the highest quality of patient care,” said Daniel Moen, president and CEO of the Sisters of Providence Health System. In other news, Mercy Medical Center has once again been recognized as a Top 100 Community Value hospital by Cleverley + Associates of Columbus, Ohio, a leading health care financial consulting firm specializing in operational benchmarking and performance-enhancement strategies. Mercy’s designation  is noted in the independent organization’s recent publication, State of the Hospital Industry — 2011 Edition. “The concept of health care value has become increasing important to payers, employers, and individuals, not just here in Massachusetts, but also across the country,” said Moen. “Mercy Medical Center’s reputation for providing high quality care at a reasonable cost has again been independently validated by the presentation of both the Community Value 100 and Community Value Five Star Awards. At  Mercy Medical Center, we believe that providing high-quality care is the right thing to do for our patients. As experts in medical economics have demonstrated, high-quality care actually costs less.”

Baystate Medical Center Recognized as a ‘High-performing Hospital’ in Report
SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Medical Center is recognized as Massachusetts’ top hospital outside of Boston based on the most high-performing specialties, according to the latest edition of the U.S. News Media & World Reports 2011-12 Best Hospitals rankings. The rankings, annually published by U.S. News for the past 22 years, listed Baystate Medical Center as “high-performing” in the following specialties: cardiology and heart surgery, diabetes and endocrinology, gastroenterology, geriatrics, gynecology, nephrology, orthopedics, pulmonology, urology, and ear, nose, and throat. The latest rankings showcase 720 hospitals out of about 5,000 hospitals nationwide. Each is ranked among the country’s top hospitals in at least one medical specialty and/or ranked among the best hospitals in its metro area. “We are proud to be recognized by U.S. News and World Report for the quality of care we provide to patients right here in Western Mass. Baystate Medical Center has invested significantly in our quality and safety programs, and we are gratified by this recognition,” said Dr. Evan Benjamin, the hospital’s senior vice president of Healthcare Quality.

Big Y Opens New Store in Meriden
SPRINGFIELD —  State and community officials attended a cake-cutting ceremony Aug. 25 as Big Y Foods opened its newest World Class Market at 533 South Broad St. in Meriden, Conn. The 55,500-square-foot market was completely refurbished after being vacated by its former operator. The new Big Y reflects today’s modern supermarket standards along with an in-store pharmacy, prepared meals section, and eat-in café. Bowdoin Construction of Needham served as general contractor for this expansion in conjunction with several local subcontractors for the completion of the $3 million project. As part of Big Y’s grand reopening celebration, 15 schools in Meriden will each receive a check for $500 as part of the company’s longstanding commitment to education.

WMECo, Employees Assist Tornado Victims
SPRINGFIELD — Western Massachusetts Electric Co. (WMECo) and its employees recently contributed $28,600 to the American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter and the Salvation Army to assist victims of the severe storms and tornado that struck Western Mass. on June 1, and for future disaster relief initiatives. “Many of our customers experienced unprecedented losses and disruptions to their lives,” said Peter Clarke, WMECo president and CEO. “We’re privileged to be able to help those organizations that are providing such essential services to the residents of the affected communities.” A check for $13,600 will be presented to the Red Cross, and $15,000 will be donated to the Salvation Army. The contributions are from WMECo employees; members of the Greater Springfield Reliability Project team, including its contractor, Burns & McDonnell; and corporate donations.

Chicopee Savings Bank Awards Scholarships
CHICOPEE — The Chicopee Savings Bank Charitable Foundation recently awarded six scholarships, each for $3,000, to eligible high-school students attending one of eight participating high schools within the market area. Scholarships were awarded to Amanda Pierce, graduate of Ware Jr./Sr. High School; Allison O’Shea, Chicopee High School; Kyle Benoit, Ludlow High School; Kaitlyn Baranowski, South Hadley High School; Trent Domingos, Chicopee Comprehensive High School; and Alyssa Sawyer, West Springfield High School. For the fifth year, this program replaced the Chicopee Savings Bank Medallion Scholarship Program, which was established in 1976 in conjunction with the nation’s bicentennial celebration. After 30 years in existence, an estimated $80,000 was awarded to high-school students residing in Chicopee.

Credit Union, CES Create Partnership to Assist Students
AMHERST — The UMass Five College Credit Union and the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) have formed a unique partnership to provide loans to eligible students enrolled in the CES educator licensure and graduate programs. The collaborative offers programs leading to initial licensure in a wide variety of subjects, including high-need areas such as special education, English as a second language, science, and math. The loan offers a variable interest rate and terms up to seven years. Payment deferments are also available. The maximum loan amount is $20,000. Students enrolled in any CES program are eligible to join the credit union and apply for the financing opportunity. “Over the next few years, many teachers who are Baby Boomers are going to retire, opening up a lot of jobs in the educational field,” said Phyllis White, director of programs for the Franklin Hampshire Career Center. “With the new loan program, students enrolled in the collaborative’s licensure programs can get the financial help they need to enter teaching or school administration careers.” For more information on the loan program, visit www.umassfive.org/ces_student_loan. For more about the CES licensure program, visit www.techinmass.org.

MassMutual Webcast Attendance Up
SPRINGFIELD — More than 800 retirement-plan advisors and sponsors attended the recent “Plan Health and Retirement Readiness” webcast hosted by PLANSPONSOR magazine and sponsored by MassMutual Retirement Services. The informational webcast addressed two key challenges facing the retirement industry today — the importance of measuring plan health and helping plan participants prepare for retirement. Presenters reviewed the critical characteristics of the new retirement plan and discussed ways that plan advisors and sponsors can help improve overall plan health, prepare participants for retirement, and fulfill their fiduciary responsibilities. An integral part of this framework, the MassMutual PlanSmart Analysis report, allows advisors and sponsors to gauge the health of a plan by assessing the percentage of employees likely to have enough income in retirement. And for participants, the RetireSmart Ready tool provides a simple way to assess their personal level of retirement readiness. “The outstanding attendance of this webcast signifies how important the topics of plan health and retirement readiness are to the retirement services industry today,” said Elaine Sarsynski, executive vice president of MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division and chairman and CEO of MassMutual International LLC.

Central Scores High in Ranking of High Schools
SPRINGFIELD — The Washington Post recently recognized Springfield Central High School among the top of all academic high schools in the United States, citing the school’s strong commitment to preparing students for college as a key factor in its rating. Principal Thaddeus Tokarz said the school is elated by the good news. “This is a huge accomplishment and a testament to all of the tireless hours our students and staff put in every day,” said Tokarz, adding that the ranking places Central in the nation’s top 5% of high schools. “It affirms we are on the right track toward our goal to be one of the top high schools in the country by 2015. This is a terrific step along the way.” The ranking by the Post places the school as one of the top 1,900 academic high schools in the country, and identifies the school as a national leader in college preparation. Over the past five years, the number of Central High School students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses more than doubled going from 222 to 517. And Central High School students’ performance on Advanced Placement examinations outpaces the national average. Advanced Placement classes are college-level courses that earn high school students college credit upon successful completion.

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Elms, HCC Launch Joint Programs
CHICOPEE — Elms College will launch two new accelerated degree-completion programs for Holyoke Community College (HCC) alumni and students beginning in August. Classes will be taught on the weekends by Elms faculty on the HCC campus, earning students bachelor’s degrees within 20 months. The Health Services Administration program will prepare students to serve in management positions in the health care industry. The Early Childhood Leadership program will provide students with a background in human resources, staff development, fiscal accountability, and legal issues necessary for assuming leadership roles in the field. This program is designed for experienced early-childhood educators who are not seeking PreK-2 licensure in Massachusetts. The new programs augment the existing degree offerings, which currently include accounting and information systems, business management, and psychology. “This joint program is faster and less expensive than the traditional route, enabling students to quickly see the rewards of higher education realized in their careers,” said Betty Hukowicz, associate academic dean of the Division of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education at Elms. For more information, call the Elms at (413) 265-2490.

Big Y Donates $100,000 to Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief
SPRINGFIELD — In response to community interest in helping the millions of people affected by the Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami, Big Y World Class Markets recently hosted a customer donation program in all of its 58 Massachusetts and Connecticut stores. For four weeks following the March earthquake and tsunami, Big Y collected donations from customers and employees, resulting in a total of $100,000 for the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami Relief Fund. Funds were raised through a special in-store customer/employee donation program and through employees in all other Big Y locations from the Store Support Center to distribution centers. A formal check presentation to the American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter was staged May 25. Big Y President and COO Charles D’Amour, along with Jeff Hamel, store director for the Cooley Street Big Y, presented the contribution to Paige Thayer, deputy director of chapter support for the Pioneer Valley Chapter. Big Y customers and employees have a strong tradition of supporting those in need, according to D’Amour.  Past initiatives include campaigns to support relief efforts following both international and domestic disasters such as the 2004 tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and more. Following the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Big Y World Class Markets collected donations from customers and employees, resulting in a total of $108,277.32 for the American Red Cross International Response Fund.

Tighe & Bond Rated a Top National Design Firm
WESTFIELD — The Engineering News-Record (ENR) has again ranked Tighe & Bond among the top 500 design firms in the nation. ENR ranks companies on the previous year’s gross revenue for providing design services to domestic and international markets. The firm ranked 309th in ENR’s 2011 report, a reflection of its 2010 annual gross revenue of $32 million. “Although the recession in the engineering and construction industry seems to have bottomed out and the market is turning around slowly, the market is still soft, and that means competition remains tough,” said David Pinsky, president, in a statement. “However, as this rating suggests, our firm has more than held its own in these economically challenging times. In fact, this year marks our 100th anniversary. We owe our longevity and success, at least in part, to our careful strategic planning and our commitment to deliver the highest-quality services to our clients on time and within budget.” In other company news, the Boston Business Journal ranked Tighe & Bond as one of the largest engineering firms in Massachusetts. In its 2011 Book of Lists, the magazine ranked Tighe & Bond 15th among 25 top-billing firms.

Winstanley Partners
Wins ADDYs
LENOX — Winstanley Partners recently walked away with two gold ADDY awards. The agency was lauded for two entries created for its client, Smith & Wesson, based in Springfield. The first, a trade-show display for Walther America, a line of firearms imported by Smith & Wesson, won in the sales promotion category. The display featured photographed products on clean white backgrounds to portray a sense of high-tech, high-quality German engineering. The second entry won in the consumer or trade publication category, and highlighted the agency’s work with a Smith & Wesson company, Thompson/Center. A product promotion of the T/C Venture firearm included a bold headline, denoting anything “less” as a ridiculous proposition. Ralph Frisina, creative director for Winstanley Partners, noted in a statement that both executions were recognized for breathing new life into a category that has suffered in the past from a lack of sophisticated approaches and design. “Winning at the regional ADDYs this year was particularly rewarding because, for the first time, the participants included some of Boston’s largest ad agencies,” said Frisina. The annual ADDY competition is presented by the American Advertising Federation and locally by the Advertising Club of Western Mass. to honor exceptional work in advertising and marketing.

Hampden Bank Opens 10th Office
SPRINGFIELD — Hampden Bank opened its 10th office at 977 Boston Road on May 24, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and Thomas Burton, president and CEO of Hampden Bank. William Marsh III, senior vice president/division executive, and Peg Daoust, manager of the Boston Road office, were also on hand for the festivities. Lobby hours are Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The bank features a drive-up window and SUM ATMs.

Entrepreneur Recognized for Performance
HOLYOKE — Rick Frasier, owner of the Sears Hearing Aid Center at Holyoke Mall at Ingleside and Eastfield Mall in Springfield, recently earned the prestigious 2010 Platinum Club Award from the Miracle-Ear franchise organization. Miracle-Ear presents the award to the top franchisees in their network for achievements in adhering to compliance standards and excelling in four weighted sales-performance categories. “It’s an honor for Frasier to be recognized amongst peers for this award,” said Diana Beaufils, senior vice president of franchise operations of Miracle-Ear. “This annual competition drives all of our franchisees to do their best in a friendly battle to deliver great service and the latest in hearing-aid technology to their customers.” The Platinum Club Award is Miracle-Ear’s longest-running contest among franchisees. This year’s winners earned a trip for two to the Netherlands Antilles. “Our Platinum Club winners represent the best of the best in an organization that prides itself on delivering world-class quality and service,” added Beaufils.

Comcast Introduces Xfinity Signature Support
BOSTON — Comcast Corp. recently launched a 24/7 technical-support and equipment-protection program for 1.8 million Comcast subscribers in Eastern
Mass., Southern N.H., and Maine, for the growing number of home-electronics devices — like laptops, home networking equipment, gaming consoles, wi-fi-enabled smartphones, and tablets — people are using to connect to Comcast’s services. Called Xfinity Signature Support, this service offers customers a single source for troubleshooting and support for their computers, home networks, and many other devices and is another step in the company’s focus on delivering an end-to-end exceptional customer experience backed by the Comcast Customer Guarantee. Comcast expects to offer the service in Western Mass. later this year, as well as to the rest of the U.S. not currently receiving the service. The new offering enables customers to select an enhanced level of technical support with monthly subscription plans and one-time support options, and is offered in addition to the 24/7 support Comcast already provides for its video, high-speed Internet, and phone services.

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Elms, STCC Offering Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program
CHICOPEE — Elms College and Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) recently announced a memorandum of understanding between the two institutions that will enable STCC graduates to complete their bachelor’s degree from Elms by taking courses on the STCC campus. The new program is now accepting applicants, and will begin in September. Initially, a bachelor of science degree will be offered in social work. The partnership honors the mission of each college to serve those in need. Through the initiative, Elms and STCC faculty will teach designated courses on the STCC campus, making it convenient for students and alumni of STCC as well as others from the community with associate’s degrees. Students with associate’s degrees will be able to substantially improve their employment and graduate-school opportunities in their chosen field in an accelerated time frame, completing their bachelor’s degree in 10 eight-week sessions, or 20 months. Under the degree-completion program, 120 credits will be needed for the degree, with a minimum of 42 Elms credits; all Elms core and program requirements must be met, and program models are based on students having at least 60 credits from their associate’s degree. Also, students can transfer in a maximum of 78 credits. Classes will be offered on Saturdays, and classes will be offered by major in a flexible cohort model of 20 to 25 students. STCC graduates who have earned an associate’s degree are eligible to apply to this program. Elms will provide a part-time program coordinator to facilitate academic advising, course registration, and orientation on the STCC campus. For more information, call (413) 265-2490 or e-mail [email protected].

Link to Libraries Receives Grant
EAST LONGMEADOW — The Rockville Bank Foundation has given a grant of $1,000 to Link to Libraries to help promote literacy and donate books to public elementary schools and nonprofit organizations in Western Mass., and also in Northern and Central Conn. The funds will be used to purchase new books and develop a read-aloud story hour for children at more than 40 of the sites. Laurie A. Rosner, senior vice president of marketing and administrative services for Rockville Bank, noted in a statement that the foundation is “proud to support the Link to Libraries program, which will enhance language and literacy skills of children of all cultural backgrounds and enable them to learn about the world through reading.” Rosner added that part of the foundation’s mission is “to make a positive difference in the lives of others.”

Organization Receives National Award
SPRINGFIELD — A 2010 Gold Standard Award has been received by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The prestigious award, which will be presented at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America national conference in Dallas in June, is given to the top agencies nationally in recognition of strong financial and programmatic growth and top-quality service delivery, according to Joel Morse, director of partnership development. The Springfield organization is one of 18 Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies to achieve Gold Standard status in 2010. The award letter to Beth Russell, executive director, notes that “meeting these standards means you and your agency have exhibited qualities that make your work among the top in the field.”

Yankee Mattress Factory Moves to Larger Space
SPRINGFIELD — Yankee Mattress Factory moved to a larger space in Haymarket Square in April, which will allow more space for growth, according to owner Joseph D. Noblit. Noblit noted in a statement that the move allowed the company to make some manufacturing adjustments for mattress-production innovations, as well as streamlined the process to keep offering a quality product at an affordable price. Noblit added that every mattress is assembled with “painstaking attention to detail,” and unlike big factories that make hundreds of mattresses each day, “Yankee Mattress can take the necessary time needed to make each mattress perfect.” Yankee Mattress offers “luxurious,” handcrafted sleep sets in ultra-plush, luxury-firm, and three levels of super-firm mattresses, according to Noblit. Noblit manages three locations: a manufacturing and retail store at 314 Springfield St. in Agawam, another at 104 Damon Road in Northampton, and the expanded store in Haymarket Square at 1704 Boston Road. For more information, visit www.yankeemattressfactory.com.

Bradley Receives Award for Snow Removal
WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — Acting State Transportation Commissioner James P. Redeker recently announced that Bradley International Airport has received the 2010-2011 Balchen/Post Award, an international honor presented to the snow crews of the airports in the Snow Belt. Bradley was competing against 60 airports throughout the world that were nominated for various awards at the recent 45th annual International Aviation Snow Symposium in Buffalo, N.Y. The Balchen/Post Award recognized the Bradley Team, comprised of airport operations and maintenance staff, for their dedicated efforts in maintaining the airport in safe and operational status during the past winter season. Bradley had previously won the award 28 years ago after the winter of 1982-83. Other Northeastern award-winning airports at the recent symposium were LaGuardia, Logan International, Niagara International, and Bangor International. Bradley is the second-largest airport in New England and serves an extensive geographic area, covering the entire Northeast, including New York and New Jersey.

Office Environments of N.E., BKM Merge

BOSTON and EAST HARTFORD — Office Environments of New England, LLC (OENE) and bkm Total Office (BKM), authorized Steelcase dealers, recently announced that they have combined to create a regional enterprise supporting workplace needs that will offer a broadened portfolio of products and services and expanded geographic coverage in New England. OENE has purchased substantially all of BKM’s assets. Each business will continue to operate under its individual name. By leveraging BKM’s and OENE’s combined resources and capabilities, the enterprise will provide customers with expanded audiovisual, architectural systems, floor covering and technology solutions, as well as the most comprehensive offering of contract furniture and services available in New England. “This is truly meaningful for our customers, who depend on us to help them create innovative and harder working spaces that inspire, foster collaboration, and optimize their real estate footprint,” said Robert Kelly, president of OENE. Don Griesdorn, chairman of BKM, has owned the company since 1977. He will be retiring and transitioning ownership. “I’ve had a long-standing vision of creating a stronger presence in the New England marketplace,” he said. “I’m excited to see that vision come to life as these two great organizations come together. I would like to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to our loyal customers and dedicated employees.” Effective immediately, Larry Levine joins the company as president of BKM, with more than 25 years of contract furniture experience. Robert Kelly will continue to lead OENE as President. Orlando Corsi, CFO and COO of OENE, will expand his role across the entire enterprise. Dan Sabia, formerly BKM president, will assume a new role as executive business consultant.

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Tighe & Bond Plans ‘Centennial Project’
WESTFIELD — As part of its 100th-anniversary celebration in 2011, Tighe & Bond is lining up a series of events to give back to its communities, recognize its clients, appreciate its employees, and publish a book on the firm’s history. As part of the firm’s “Centennial Project,” two worthy projects for nonprofit agencies that are in need of Tighe & Bond’s services will each receive $50,000 worth of pro bono engineering services, according to Fran Hoey, senior vice president, who is overseeing the project. To identify potential projects for these services, Tighe & Bond has developed a request for proposals that nonprofit organizations can complete if they are interested. Tighe & Bond will be considering projects in the primary regions that it serves — Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. Preferably these will be projects that are in the planning stages and have a targeted construction date. “Tighe & Bond is looking forward to giving back to the community at large in a significant and meaningful way,” said Hoey in a statement. “We have a passionate and generous staff that believes strongly in helping others in need, so this is only natural.” For more information on the nonprofit project, visit centennialproject.tighebond.com. Submittals are due by April 29.

Hampden Savings Bank Foundation Donates to Link to Libraries
The Hampden Savings Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Hampden Bank, announced recently that it has awarded $1,500 to Link to Libraries Inc. Celebrating its third anniversary this May, Link to Libraries has thus far donated more than 26,000 books to area schools and nonprofits in Western Mass. and Northern Conn. Link to Libraries’ newest initiatives include the Link Senior Project with Loomis Communities and the Welcome to Kindergarten Project, which will supply Link to Libraries literacy packets (a book and bookbags) to 1,200 kindergarten children entering Springfield Public Schools this August on screening and testing day. “We are deeply grateful to Hampden Savings Foundation for their support to our mission.” said Susan Jaye-Kaplan, president and co-founder of Link to Libraries. “We are delighted this much needed assistance to our Read Aloud Programs is being made possible through the generosity of Hampden Bank.” Link to Libraries is a not-for-profit organization based in Western Mass. Its mission is to collect and distribute to public elementary schools and nonprofit organizations throughout Western Mass. and Northern Conn. new books to enhance reading, literacy, and language skills for children of all cultures.

Mahoney Place Construction Underway
HOLYOKE — A construction kick-off was held April 7 by Cunningham Equities, LLC for the development of Class A medical offices for the Sisters of Providence Prenatal Clinic and Tapestry Health at the former home of Charles Koegels & Sons Co. The manufacturing facility at 306 Race St. will be renovated to a first-class office building, with the first tenant, Sisters of Providence Prenatal Clinic, expected to take possession in June.

United Bank Foundation Pledges $83,500
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The United Bank Foundation recently awarded $83,500 to organizations and initiatives designed to benefit children, families, students, and schools in the Greater Springfield and Worcester regions, according to Dena Hall, foundation president. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County Inc. received a grant for $10,000 to support Chicopee youth in the community-based Mentoring Expansion Project. Also, a $25,000 grant was made to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield for its Raise the Roof Capital Campaign building expansion plans. Families will benefit from the foundation’s $4,500 award to the Community Music School of Springfield for a family concert Series. A grant of $10,000 to the Holyoke Community College Foundation will support the Community Technology Center located at the new Holyoke Transportation Center. In Ludlow, the Boys & Girls Club was awarded $5,000 to be used for scholarships and to provide access to subsidized child care for before- and after-school programs and summer camp for qualified families. Rebuilding Together Springfield was awarded a grant of $10,000 to support home repairs, modifications, and rehabilitations for low-income Springfield homeowners. The Western Mass. Council Inc., Boy Scouts of America received $5,000 for its Scoutreach Initiative for involving low-income urban youth in scouting. The YWCA of Western Massachusetts was awarded $5,000 to support renovations and the construction of additional rooms at its Clough Street facility. Also, Westfield Public Schools received a $2,000 grant. A $1,000 grant from the foundation to the Springfield Vietnamese American Citizens Assoc. will help the Family Empowerment Program provide educational support to Vietnamese students and families in Greater Springfield. With its $1,000 grant from the Foundation, Links to Libraries will provide new books to area preschools and elementary schools to promote language and reading skills. In Worcester, the foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to University of Massachusetts Medical School to support the UMass Labs Program for Worcester high school students. The foundation has awarded nearly $1.4 million in grants since it was established in 2005 as a permanent source of funding to benefit communities in United Bank’s market area.

Stitches & Ink Makes a Home at Fran Johnson’s Golf & Tennis
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Starting with embroidered hats and shirts, Tim and Rae Crary have built an apparel business into a growing offshoot of TC Sales. Calling on customers as a print broker, Tim Crary responded to customer requests to provide decorated apparel, and as the business grew, a decision was made to find a retail location. An open house was recently celebrated for Stitches & Ink at Fran Johnson’s Golf & Tennis on Riverdale Street. The new showroom includes two Brother 9100 embroidery machines, a Brother 782 digital garment printer, and a Logo Jet printer. Cindy Johnson, owner of Fran Johnson’s, noted that the opportunity for customers to get decorated apparel adds to the services already available at her store. “Customers can now get just about anything printed with their name, picture, or business,” said Johnson. “This now makes shopping for golf tournaments or special events even easier, and the no-minimum [policy] is significant.”

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Bank Employees Collect Items for Soldiers
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank conducted a company-wide care-package drive in mid-February through its employee-volunteer program to raise awareness of soldiers’ needs and show troops the support they have throughout Berkshire County, the Pioneer Valley, Eastern New York, and Southern Vermont. Bank officials partnered with local, service-connected organizations to distribute the care packages to soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Customers and the public were invited to participate in the care package drive by donating non-perishable foods, travel-sized toiletries, games, and certain clothing items. Peter Lafayette, Berkshire Bank Foundation’s executive director, noted in a statement that the bank was “very proud” to again sponsor the drive to benefit soldiers from the region. Organizations partnering on the project with the bank were the USO of the Pioneer Valley and Blue Star Mothers of the Capital District.

Springfield Partners for Community Action Relocates Offices
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Partners for Community Action’s main office at 619 State St. and its weatherization office at 284 Main St., Indian Orchard, were moved the week of Feb. 14. Staff moved into renovated office space on the second floor of 721 State St., which houses Springfield Partners New Beginnings Childcare Center on its first floor. The main office phone number, (413) 263-6500, and staff extensions will not change. Weatherization staff can also be reached at this number. Visitors to the second floor of 721 State St. should park in the lot behind the building, which can be accessed from Monroe Street. For more information, visit www.springfieldpartnersinc.com.

Big Y Plans Store in Connecticut
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y Foods Inc. recently announced plans to open a World Class Market in Meriden, Conn. The company’s proposed 55,000-square-foot supermarket will be located in the 125,000-square-foot Townline Square shopping center on North Colony Road at its intersection with South Broad Street. Big Y intends to renovate the location vacated by ShopRite when it relocated to Wallingford in 2010. The Meriden Big Y will employ between 150 and 175 people. In other news, a Big Y World Class Market is under construction in Lee, and one in Franklin is scheduled to start construction later this year. Big Y has also announced plans to develop a Big Y World Class Market in the Foxfield Plaza in Foxborough. Big Y operates markets in Massachusetts and Connecticut. The Meriden market will represent Big Y’s investment of approximately $5 million into the community. In addition, the project will provide construction opportunities for local contractors during the renovation process. A late-spring opening is planned.

Authority Approves Baystate’s New ED Plan
SPRINGFIELD — The Massachusetts Public Health Council recently approved Baystate Medical Center’s request to meet urgent community needs by expediting construction of a new emergency department as part of Baystate’s Hospital of the Future project now underway. The council of the Mass. Department of Public Health considers and approves or denies determination-of-need applications for health care building projects such as Baystate’s. The new ED, 70,000 square feet, nearly doubles the number of treatment areas, including a separate pediatric triage and treatment area, an urgent care center, eight rooms specifically designed for behavioral-health services, and an adjacent space for diagnostic imaging such as X-ray scanning. The new ED is scheduled to open by early fall of 2012, just a few months after the March 2012 opening of the first phase of the building project. For more information, visit www.baystatehealth.org/hospitalofthefuture.

UMass Spending on Financial Aid Rises to $130.5M
BOSTON — Illustrating its commitment to affordability, the University of Massachusetts is directing $130.5 million of its own funds to student financial aid this year, according to a recent report to the UMass Board of Trustees Committee on Administration and Finance. During the past eight years, UMass spending on financial aid has risen from $35.6 million to $130.5 million, an increase of 267%. In a statement, UMass President Jack Wilson noted that “we understand that higher education is the path to a better life for students and is critical to our future as a Commonwealth, and therefore the University of Massachusetts is doing everything it can to maintain access and affordability.” According to the report, 25,681, or 61%, of the university’s 41,947 in-state undergraduate students are receiving some amount of need-based financial aid this year.

Kindred Hospital Has Deficiency-free Survey
SPRINGFIELD — Kindred Hospital officials recently announced that its survey for Park View Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, a specialty neurobehavioral unit, was deficiency-free. The center, located within the hospital, provides services to individuals with acquired brain injuries, neuropsychiatric disorders, and other neurological/behavioral disorders. Massachusetts conducts on-site inspections that determine whether its nursing homes meet the minimum Medicare and Medicaid quality and performance standards. During the nursing-home inspection, a team evaluates whether the facility is meeting residents’ needs. Marcia B. Zimmer, executive director of the center, noted in a statement that she was “proud of the team of caregivers.” Zimmer added, “it’s an honor to have a deficiency-free survey, and I would like to thank the staff for their hard work in providing the quality care our residents deserve and expect.”

Baystate Home Infusion Opens Branch at Hospital
WARE — Baystate Home Infusion & Respiratory Services (BHI&RS) recently opened a second store at Baystate Mary Lane Hospital. Located on the first floor of the hospital, the firm offers a wide selection of medical equipment and is staffed by trained advisors. “A great advantage to the retail showroom is that customers can view many different personal-care items and also try out a wide range of medical products such as canes, walkers, crutches, hospital beds, wheelchairs, rollators, and transport chairs,” said Gisele Livingstone, customer service coordinator, in a statement. With trained Sigvaris fitters on staff, the store also offers a wide range of medically approved Sigvaris compression stockings, socks, and hosiery. The firm accepts most major insurances, and staff can work directly with customers to obtain coverage for products and services that qualify.

Easthampton Savings to Open New Loan Center
EASTHAMPTON — William Hogan Jr., president and CEO of Easthampton Savings Bank, announced that the bank will submit building plans to the city of Easthampton to construct a 28,000-square-foot loan center with a banking office at the corner of Northampton and O’Neill streets in town. This facility, which will be called the Easthampton Savings Bank Loan Center, will house the entire lending team and operations departments, as well as provide banking services with a new branch office. Thanks to the recent zone change by the city, there will be a drive-up window and a drive-up ATM at this location. The bank’s current drive-up ATM will be temporarily relocated across the street during construction. “With our expansion into this facility, we will be adding 14 new jobs in the community as well as generating approximately $60,000 annually in new tax revenue to the city,” Hogan said. “We will be constructing this building as green as possible and are currently exploring the feasibility of solar power. We will also provide bike racks to encourage customers to visit the bank from the nearby bike path.” The bank hopes to break ground this summer and be open for business in the spring of 2012. The bank’s main office is located at 36 Main St. in Easthampton.

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Vann Group Launches Simply Booked
SPRINGFIELD — The Vann Group recently launched Simply Booked, an affordable, easy-to-use, outsourced bookkeeping service that combines the benefits of an online service with the expertise of a dedicated accountant. The firm has two locations, on Worcester Street in Springfield and at 10 Post Office Square in Boston. For more information, visit www.simply-booked.com.

Gravity Switch Develops iBracket for iPad
NORTHAMPTON — Gravity Switch, a Web, iPhone, and iPad development firm, has developed the first wall bracket for the iPad, the iBracket. The iBracket fills the need for a wall-mounting system for Apple’s iPad and doubles as a means for a cost-effective Internet-enabled kiosk. The firm has worked closely with LB Manufacturing in Chesterfield from the beginning to produce the iBracket, which comes in a variety of colors and finishes and offers various features. The iBracket is being built to order and takes approximately two weeks from order to delivery. Customers have already included Powerhouse Entertainment, the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Conn., and the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, Calif., which are showcasing the iBracket/iPad combination. For more information, visit www.gravityswitch.com.

Berkshire Hills Reports Solid Fourth Quarter
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. recently reported another solid quarter of earnings growth and strong asset-quality metrics, according to a statement by Michael Daly, president and CEO. Core earnings per share reached $0.28 in the fourth quarter of 2010, representing growth of 12% over third-quarter results. Asset-quality trends continued to improve, and the loan-loss provision covered net charge-offs. For the quarter, GAAP earnings per share were $0.26, which included approximately $0.4 million in non-core charges relating to bank acquisitions. Core and GAAP earnings for the fourth quarter were $3.9 million and $3.6 million, respectively. For the year in 2010, core earnings per share were $1.01, while GAAP earnings per share were $0.99. The board of directors maintained the cash dividend on Berkshire’s common stock, declaring a dividend of $0.16 per share to stockholders of record at the close of business on Feb. 10, 2011, payable on Feb. 24, 2011. The $0.64 full-year dividend in 2010 provided a 3.3% yield based on the average closing price of Berkshire’s common stock in 2010.
Colebrook Brokers Lease Renewal to HNE
SPRINGFIELD — Colebrook Realty Services Inc. recently brokered the long-term lease renewal of tenant Health New England Inc. (HNE) at One Monarch Place. HNE leased in excess of 51,000 square feet on three floors of the Class A office tower. Prior to the extension, HNE had been a tenant of One Monarch Place for 17 years. Colebrook principals B. John Dill and Mitch Bolotin represented HNE in the transaction. Headquartered in the city, HNE is a health maintenance organization serving select counties in Western Mass. Robert Kosior, vice president and chief financial officer of HNE, said the firm wanted to stay in its current space “because we are committed to supporting the downtown area.” He noted that Colebrook was instrumental in negotiating a cost-effective lease for HNE.

Lowell Named President
of Monson Savings
MONSON — Steven Lowell has been selected by the board of trustees of Monson Savings Bank to succeed as bank president Roland Desrochers, who announced his intentions to retire in mid-2011. Lowell has served as executive vice president and chief operating officer for Cape Cod Cooperative Bank for 10 years. He has been with Cape Cod Cooperative Bank for 15 years and has more than 30 years of banking experience. Lowell was chosen for the new post based on his “outstanding leadership, strategic planning, team building, and sales-management skills,” according to a statement by Desrochers. While at Cape Cod Cooperative Bank, Lowell oversaw planned deposit growth from $145 million to more than $400 million and helped to grow assets from $150 million to $580 million. The Monson Savings Bank trustees were also impressed by Lowell’s strong community commitment and long list of charitable and volunteer engagements, as community involvement is an important part of the bank’s core values. Lowell will join Monson Savings on Feb. 14 and will be elected president in March. At that time, Desrochers will become CEO and will oversee the transition and work full-time in an advisory capacity through June. During Desrochers’ tenure at Monson Savings, the bank opened branches in Hampden and Wilbraham, added a Loan Center, built a commercial-lending operation, added financial-advisory services, increased community giving, and grew from $80 million to $236 million in assets while at the same time improving its capital position and financial stability.
O’Connell Care at Home Opens Hadley Office
HADLEY — O’Connell Care at Home and Healthcare Staffing, based in Holyoke, has opened a satellite office at Hadley Crossing Plaza. The new office will provide the residents and business community of Hampshire County with better access to the company’s services, according to Fran O’Connell, president and founder. O’Connell noted that the company’s goal has always been to help ensure that elders can live in comfort and dignity in their home. O’Connell added that the team focuses on the complete needs of the individual, be they physical, mental, or spiritual. O’Connell’s offers skilled nursing and rehab services; personal-care, homemaker, and companion services; geriatric care management; and transportation. In addition, the company offers area health care providers with staffing services, including temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct hire. For more information, visit www.opns.com.

WMA Launches Tuition Affordability Initiative
WILBRAHAM — Wilbraham & Monson Academy (WMA) recently announced an ‘affordability initiative’ for the WMA Middle School, grades 6 through 8, to make private, independent education more accessible to families by saving students and their families up to $11,000 a year in tuition. Current annual tuition for the middle school at WMA is $25,000. Under the new initiative, the school’s new grade 6 tuition would be $14,000 annually, an $11,000 savings. Grade 7 tuition will be reduced to $15,000, a $10,000 savings, and grade 8 tuition will decrease to $16,000, a $9,000 savings. This initiative applies to all current and incoming students. WMA Middle School enrollment is limited to 75, broken down into classes with a maximum of 15 students — one grade 6 class, two in grade 7, and two in grade 8. WMA Head of School Rodney LaBrecque noted in a statement that, “given the importance of education in an increasingly competitive world and the economic pressures many families are facing today, the academy’s board of trustees felt it was timely to launch this initiative and make this scholarship universally available to middle-school students, making our unique education available to more families.” Starting with the 2011-12 academic year, the board will provide support to all middle-school families. For more information about WMA and the admission process, visit www.wma.us and click on the middle-school blog.

Tighe & Bond Survey: Water, Sewer Rates Rising
WESTFIELD — The results from Tighe & Bond’s recently published 2010 water and sewer rate surveys for communities in Massachusetts indicate that residential users pay approximately $470 and $638 annually for water and sewer, respectively. This represents increases of 10.3% and 9.2% above the averages reported in the 2009 surveys. For more than a decade, Tighe & Bond has gathered and reported data on water- and sewer-rate service in the state. Using rate information that survey participants provide, they calculate the annual average homeowner’s cost for water and sewer service based on the consumption of 90,000 gallons or 120 cubic feet of water. The survey, which includes typical annual homeowner water costs for each community in Massachusetts, also provides information regarding rate structures, billing cycles, and seasonal rates. The surveys offer municipalities and private suppliers a benchmarking tool for comparing their rates against other suppliers in the state. The survey results are available to the public online at rates.tighebond.com.

Stevens 470 Develops Brand for Milana Gourmet Collection
WESTFIELD — Rao’s Coffee Roasting Co. recruited Stevens 470 to conduct market research and develop the brand identity for a new food offering, the Milana Gourmet Collection. Rao’s touts its “exceptional coffees and teas” and wanted to create a food collection that met its same high-quality standards. The coffees, teas, syrups, preserves, chocolates, and additional food items were developed to provide a diversified selection to the retail gift market. Stevens 470 designed the retail packaging for more than 70 products and managed the printing of labels and packaging. Wholesale order materials and an e-commerce Web site were also developed for the launch of the new product line. For more information on the products, visit www.milanagourmet.com.

MassMutual, Money Coach Team Up to Motivate Younger Plan Participants
SPRINGFIELD — MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division has joined forces with Farnoosh Torabi, independent Generation Y money coach, to help connect with younger plan participants and inspire them to take a more active role in planning and saving for retirement. While the alliance is meant to benefit participants of all ages in retirement plans administered by MassMutual, the company hopes to motivate Gen Y in particular to understand the value of starting early to plan and save for retirement. Through online seminars, online video, social-media interactions, and live speaking events, Torabi hopes to get participants on a solid path toward retirement readiness. MassMutual created this program to address the findings of its own participant research as well as industry data. A recent industry analysis by Financial Engines, an independent investment adviser, indicates that 53% of retirement-plan participants under age 30 do not save enough to receive the full employer match. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com.

Perigee Launches
Supper Clubs
LEE — In the 1920s and ’30s, supper clubs were destinations that offered dinner, dancing, and entertainment into the wee hours of the night. Perigee Restaurant is honoring the dinner and dancing hotspots of the past with its own rendition this winter. Owner Dawn LaRochelle noted that the evenings will take their cues from the clubs and speakeasies of days gone by. The prix fixe menu will reflect Perigee’s Berkshire Cuisine theme, using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. For more information, visit www.perigee-restaurant.com/dinner-dancing.html.

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Credit Union Unveils
New Brand ID
CHICOPEE — Alden Credit Union, formerly Aldenville Credit Union, has adopted a new brand identity and completed a major renovation of its main office. The credit union’s image makeover includes a new logo, new slogan — Banking. No Boundaries — and a new Web site. Although Alden’s core services and mission are not changing, the credit union has a renewed commitment to growing and serving an increasing number of members in Hampden and Hampshire counties, according to Alden President Adam Corcoran. He noted in a statement that the credit union remains an independent, nonprofit financial cooperative, owned and governed by its members. Corcoran added that the board of directors sought to modernize the credit union’s look and achieve differentiation from other area financial institutions. Alden’s main office, at 710 Grattan St., has been extensively renovated consistent with the new name and brand identity. Jos. Chapdelaine & Sons of East Longmeadow oversaw the renovation project. For more information on Alden Credit Union, visit
www.aldencu.com.

Columbia Gas Initiates Environmental Program; Partners with West Side on Project
WESTBOROUGH — Columbia Gas of Massachusetts recently announced an environmental initiative with the Nature Conservancy to support local projects. For each customer who enrolls in the Columbia Gas free direct e-bill paperless billing service between now and April 1, the company will contribute $10 to help the Nature Conservancy restore rivers for migratory fish in Southeastern Mass., and more natural water flows along the dammed waterways of the Connecticut River in Western Massachusetts. A check for the company’s contribution based on enrollment in the paperless billing service will be presented to the Massachusetts chapter of the Nature Conservancy on or before Earth Day, April 22. For more information, visit www.columbiagasma.com. In other company news, Columbia Gas recently announced its partnership with the city of West Springfield to look at energy-saving opportunities, particularly at West Springfield High School. The recently completed project invested in new, high-efficiency natural-gas boilers to replace the old, inefficient boilers. The new boilers are projected to significantly lower heating costs while maintaining a comfortable educational environment for the students, according to West Springfield Mayor Ed Gibson. Gibson noted in a statement that the project is estimated to save approximately $33,700 each year for the city, which represents an approximate savings of 27,000 therms annually. The annual energy saved from the single project is enough to heat approximately 33 homes for one year, added Gibson. Building on the success of the first project, Gibson and the city of West Springfield are working with TRANE (an energy-service company) to complete four additional school-building projects and a municipal office-building project. All five buildings are eligible to receive additional Columbia Gas incentives.

Elms Offers Sport Management Major
CHICOPEE — Beginning in the fall, Elms College will offer sport management as a full major. The revised program takes an interdisciplinary approach, combining coursework from accounting, management, marketing, law, coaching, psychology, and sociology with sports-management classes to deliver a unique and comprehensive curriculum. The blend of existing and new courses, and the inclusion of coaching courses in particular, set the program apart from its competitors, according to Elms College President Mary Reap, IHM, Ph.D., in a statement. The major also requires an internship. While the emphasis is on sport management, a 38-credit business core still serves as the foundation for the program, ensuring that students become proficient in the different functional areas of business. For more information, call the admission office at (413) 592-3189 or visit www.elms.edu/sportmanagement.

95,000 Pounds of Food Donated Through Big Y Program
SPRINGFIELD — In a chain-wide effort to help the hungry within their local communities, all Big Y Supermarkets initiated a Sack Hunger campaign during the holidays, which netted 95,000 pounds of food. More than 8,000 Big Y bags of food were recently distributed to area soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, day-care centers and other agencies, according to Big Y President and COO Charles D’Amour. The program consisted of a large, green, reusable grocery bag filled with staple non-perishable food items selected by local food banks. The sacks included corn flakes, long-grain rice, elbow macaroni, kidney beans, peanut butter, cut green beans, sweet peas, whole-kernel corn, chunk light tuna, and quick oats. Big Y customers purchased the pre-assembled bags for $10 each, and then Big Y distributed the bags to each region’s local food bank for distribution to those in need. The campaign began Nov. 1 and ran through the end of 2010.

Holyoke Blue Sox Choose Design Group
HOLYOKE — The Wild Apple Design Group has been contracted by NECBL’s Holyoke Blue Sox to serve as its sales agency for all team promotional opportunities, according to Blue Sox owner Barry Wadsworth. The partnership will offer all-new, “exciting offerings” to businesses and fans, added Wadsworth. The Blue Sox will welcome fans to MacKenzie Stadium for a fourth season, playing 25 games in June and July. A not-for-profit team partially funded by Major League Baseball (MLB), the Blue Sox conduct educational school tours that promote great work ethics, fitness, and team play. Drawn from the top college programs in the country, many Blue Sox players are drafted into MLB teams, including the Red Sox, White Sox, Brewers, Nationals, Braves, Blue Jays, Tigers, Angels, and Mariners. Wild Apple Design Group is marketer and publisher of Town Planner, Your Community Calendar, which marks its 25th anniversary this year.

Amherst Firm Receives Honor Award
AMHERST — Kuhn Riddle Architects (KRA) has received the 2010 Honor Award from the Western Massachusetts American Institute of Architects for its ‘Meadow House.’ The award recognizes excellence in design and considers submissions by architects throughout Western Mass. Meadow House is a design for a group of sustainable homes on a rural site in Hadley. The single-story houses are 2,000 square feet with three bedrooms and an open floor plan. Jurors called the project “beautifully restrained,” noting that it revealed a “clarity, simplicity, and depth of understanding of the space.” The project’s site strategy was praised for “claiming the site without dominating it.” Two other KRA projects were recognized at the awards ceremony in December. KRA’s ‘Stanley Street Houses,’ which are featured in a recently published book on pro-bono projects, received a Special Mention Award. Jurors praised the way the project challenged the idea of what a Habitat for Humanity house can be while maintaining a clear connection to vernacular references. Also, the Ken Burns Wing of the Jerome Liebling Center was one of three projects recognized as a finalist. Jurors noted the successful way that the new addition both harmonizes and contrasts with the existing building.

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Law Firm Named to ‘Top Tier’ List
SPRINGFIELD — Sullivan Hayes & Quinn was recently named a Top Tier Employment Management Firm by Best Lawyers and U.S. News and World Report. Managing partner Meghan Sullivan noted that the law firm was among 8,782 firms from across the country to be recognized. The local law firm specializes in employment-management issues, including labor relations, risk avoidance, workplace regulation, and employment litigation.

Appledore Engineering Joins Tighe & Bond
WESTFIELD — A New Hampshire civil-engineering firm has joined forces with Tighe & Bond, a engineering and environmental consulting service in the city. The move will enable Appledore Engineering to expand its service offerings and will also provide Tighe & Bond more opportunities for expansion into the New Hampshire and Maine markets. Appledore Engineering will remain at its Portsmouth location and do business as Appledore Engineering, a division of Tighe & Bond.

CHD, Cancer House of Hope Announce Merger
SPRINGFIELD — The Center for Human Development (CHD) and Cancer House of Hope recently announced a merger between the two nonprofit agencies. The CHD Board of Directors and Cancer House of Hope Board of Trustees both approved the merger late last year. It became effective Jan. 1. Cancer House of Hope operates two houses, one in Westfield and one in Springfield, that offer free support groups, workshops, and classes to adults with cancer and their family members and friends. Cancer House of Hope is now a program of CHD in its Community Resources division. Cancer House of Hope’s events, activities, and services will continue without interruption, and the agency’s two full-time and one part-time employee are now employees of CHD. Cheryl Gorski, executive director of Cancer House of Hope, noted in a statement that, “given the economy, it was getting more and more difficult to keep things running.” Gorski will continue to manage the program as its director. Gorski added that “merging with CHD will give us access to more resources for development, marketing, and support.” Founded in 1997, Cancer House of Hope has an annual operating budget of about $235,000, all of it coming from donations, grants, and fund-raising events, such as its upcoming, third annual Cheeseburger in Paradise Bar-B-Que at the Cedars in Springfield Feb. 19. Cancer House of Hope serves approximately 260 people a month at its two locations: 86 Court St., Westfield, and 946 Plumtree Road, Springfield. In addition to its three staff, Cancer House of Hope also contracts for services with 12 per-diem counselors and depends on about 50 volunteers, who help run the homes and activities. Gorski said she reached out to CHD President and CEO Jim Goodwin last August about the possibility of a merger. Gorski noted, “It made sense to help us get to the next level of what we can offer our members. I’m very enthusiastic about it. I think it’s a great thing for us.” Goodwin said that merging with a high-quality agency like Cancer House of Hope furthers CHD’s mission of offering community-oriented services in a way that helps protect people’s dignity. Goodwin noted that everyone knows someone who has been touched by cancer. He added that the programs and services Cancer House of Hope offers “are just too important to risk losing.” Those programs and services include yoga, Reiki, wig fittings, and bereavement-support groups, among many others. While the two homes are open to anyone regardless of residency and need, they mostly serve people who live in Hampden County and Northern Conn. For a list of Cancer House of Hope programs and services, visit www.cancerhouseofhope.org. Founded in 1972, CHD is a family of more than 40 programs that deliver a wide range of social services in communities throughout Western Mass. and Northwestern Conn. in areas such as mental health, youth mentoring, family stabilization, foster care, early intervention, elder care, occupational therapy, intellectual and physical disabilities, homelessness prevention, substance abuse, and juvenile justice. CHD’s main office is located at 332 Birnie Ave., Springfield. For a list and description of programs and services, visit www.chd.org.

United Bank Supports United Way Campaigns
WEST SPRINGFIELD — United Bank recently announced its annual United Way employee campaign generated more than $52,000 in contributions to United Way organizations located in the bank’s service area. The bank ran campaigns at all 22 branches located throughout Western and Central Mass. The 2010-11 employee campaign surpassed last year’s level of participation and giving to the United Ways of Pioneer Valley, Hampshire County, and Central Massachusetts. In addition, the United Bank Foundation contributed $36,000 to the campaign for a combined gift of $88,118.

MassMutual Explains Roth Retirement Plan Conversions
SPRINGFIELD — As part of its commitment to educate participants, plan sponsors, and advisers, MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division has published a white paper titled “Roth Retirement Plan Conversions — Questions and Answers.” The document answers the most common questions around converting 401(k), 403(b), and, starting this year, 457(b) governmental plans into Roth accounts. Effective last fall, the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 allows participants who are in a retirement plan that offers Roth accounts the ability to convert or roll over their non-Roth account balances into a Roth source under the same plan, provided the participant has a distributable event (i.e., termination of service or in-service withdrawal provision, excluding hardship). For more information, visit www.massmutual.com.

Agency Offers Mobile Marketing Services
AGAWAM — The Creative Strategy Agency has started offering mobile marketing services including mobile Web sites, short-message service, and tablet and mobile applications for businesses. Alfonso Santaniello, CEO and president, noted in a statement that he wanted to take the agency’s marketing services “to a new and innovative format.” Santaniello added that mobile applications have “grown significantly” in the past year, and that he expects that trend to “continue to grow in the years to come.” For more information, visit www.creativestrategyagency.com.

Big E Plans $2.2M
Equine Arena
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Wayne McCary, president and CEO of the Eastern States Exposition, recently announced that the organization will embark on a $2.2 million construction project to build a covered warm-up arena attached to its C-Barn, the main horse barn used by the ESE Horse Show conducted during the Big E as well as a number of year-round equine events. Exposition officials vowed to continue their commitment to agriculture and the horse show by further developing infrastructure to maintain ESE’s position as New England’s most-sought-after equine destination. McCary noted in a statement, “I am confident that this project will further solidify the exposition’s position as the premier horse show facility in the Northeast. Our commitment to agriculture and our horse show, which began here in 1916, is ongoing.” The Exposition is also home to 12 year-round horse shows as well as a major equine-related trade show, Equine Affaire, held each November. The new arena will match the height of the existing building, and the 66’ x 170’ clear span outdoor roof will be bordered by a four-foot brick perimeter wall with pre-cast concrete upright posts. The exterior of the structure will mirror the north wall of the existing barn, and its walls will consist of a permeable vinyl designed to protect riders and horses from the elements while providing air circulation and ventilation. Each end of the covered arena will feature 20-foot ornamental iron sliding gates. Riders will be cooled by 16’, low-speed, high-volume fans. New lighting will be installed, and the riding arena will have spray irrigation and underground drainage. An existing angled doorway will be enlarged to 12’ x 14’ so riders may enter and exit the ring on horseback, and the immediate exterior area will also be covered. The project is the result of an extensive study of ESE facilities, conducted in 2010 to assess the needs of existing tenants and look toward future year-round growth. The research included a major engineering study of the Coliseum by Populous of Knoxville, Tenn., and a marketing analysis by AECOM of Washington, D.C. The Exposition will assume financial responsibility of the project and will receive no funding from the state. In addition, its 2011 capital budget of more than $1.1 million will include the installation of a new roof and other major improvements to the Coliseum. F-Barn, an auxiliary barn with 100 horse stalls located in the southwest corner of the fairgrounds, will also receive a new, upgraded metal roof. McCary noted, “we are investing in our future to maintain our roots and stay viable in an ever-changing marketplace.” The design architects for the project are Charlie Smith and David Forkner of Populous, in Knoxville. Neffinger Architects, of West Springfield, will serve as the architect of record. This winter, contractors will be selected, and construction will begin at the end of March. The project will be completed in time for the 2011 Big E, planned for Sept. 16 through Oct. 2.

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Berkshire Hills, Legacy Announce Merger
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. and Legacy Bancorp Inc. recently announced a definitive merger agreement under which Berkshire will acquire Legacy and its subsidiary, Legacy Banks, in a transaction valued at approximately $108 million. The merger of Legacy into Berkshire will create a combined institution with $4 billion in assets. This in-market merger will create efficiencies and market-share benefits for the combined banks, which both have branches in Western Mass. and Northeastern New York. Including Berkshire’s pending merger with Rome Bancorp, the combined bank will have more than 60 offices serving Berkshire County, the Pioneer Valley, New York, and Southern Vermont. Legacy has nearly $1 billion in assets and 19 branches, while Berkshire has nearly $3 billion in assets and will have 47 branches, including the Rome branches. Both banks are headquartered in Pittsfield and have histories stretching back more than 150 years serving the Berkshire County market. Michael P. Daly, Berkshire’s president and chief executive officer, noted in a statement, “this in-market combination will create a strong platform headquartered in Berkshire County for further growth of our Northeast regional franchise.”

Tighe & Bond Approved for Fisheries & Wildlife Projects
WESTFIELD — The Mass. Division of Fisheries & Wildlife recently prequalified Tighe & Bond to perform biological surveys, research, and testing at varied sites throughout the state. This approval allows the firm to participate in Fisheries & Wildlife bid opportunities in eight service categories that include: wetland delineation and soil surveys; engineering services; GIS and database projects; road and trail assessment and mapping; property boundary location and marking; natural community, restoration, natural-resource mapping, and management planning; plants and fungi; and reptiles and amphibians. The Division of Fisheries & Wildlife is part of the Mass. Department of Fish and Game, which awarded Tighe & Bond a master service agreement earlier in 2010 for ecological and river restoration through its Division of Ecological Restoration. Tighe & Bond was also recently prequalified for another two years to provide similar services to the Mass. Department of Transportation.

Bay Path Receives InternHero Award
LONGMEADOW — Annually, the Hartford-Springfield Economic Partnership (HSEP) recognizes students and colleges that promote HSEP’s InternHere.com program. This year, HSEP selected Bay Path College as the recipient of the 2010 College InternHero Award for its special support of InternHere and the large number of undergraduates who have benefited from the program. An initiative of HSEP, InternHere assists college students in finding internships. The Web site features more than 1,000 regional businesses and organizations that post internship opportunities. Students can search for internships and apply to opportunities online. Bay Path was recognized at HSEP’s 2010 State of the Region Conference on Dec. 9.

Berkshire Wind Completes $64.7M Financing
BOSTON — The Berkshire Wind Power Cooperative Corp. (BWPCC) recently issued $64,705,000 in tax-exempt revenue bonds to complete the financing for its Berkshire Wind Power Project, the largest wind project to date in Massachusetts. The 10-turbine, 15-megawatt project, located on Brodie Mountain in Hancock, is scheduled to begin operation in mid-February. All 10 turbines are fully erected, and remaining construction work involves completing electrical connections needed to deliver project electricity to the power grid. Proceeds from the 20-year bond issue will be used primarily to repay a $52.5 million, short-term loan taken by BWPCC to finance turbine purchases and preliminary construction activities. The bond issue, rated A by Fitch Ratings and A-minus by Standard & Poors, also will fund additional construction expenses, a debt-service reserve fund, and underwriting costs. The BWPCC is comprised of 14 state municipal utilities and the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. (MMWEC), all nonprofit, public-power entities. Through contracts with BWPCC and MMWEC, the municipal utilities will receive their respective shares of project output and be responsible for their proportionate share of debt service on the bonds. Once it is operational, the project will nearly double the state’s current 18.5 megawatts in windpower resources, which include more than 20 comparatively small projects ranging in size from 100 kilowatts to the 3-megawatt project operated by the Princeton Municipal Light Department, according to the state Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs Web site. Wind speeds atop Brodie Mountain, one of the best inland wind sites in Massachusetts, average about 8 meters per second, making it a Class 6 wind resource on an American Wind Energy Assoc. scale of 1 to 7. The BWPCC project is expected to operate at a capacity factor of approximately 40% and produce more than 52,500 megawatt hours of electricity a year, enough to power approximately 6,000 homes.

Adam Quenneville Receives National Recognition
SOUTH HADLEY — Adam Quenneville Roofing, Siding & Windows has received national recognition in Compass magazine. The magazine delivers monthly columns from the foremost industry experts in the fields of training, marketing, motivation, and more. In addition, Compass highlights the most accomplished contractors in the country and, in the latest issue, featured the local firm as the cover story. Labeled as an “innovator” and “revolutionary roofer,” Quenneville was also recognized for being a green company. Quenneville noted in a statement that “we’ve recycled over 2 million pounds of roofing shingles. One of the company’s goals is to save the planet one roof at a time.” The firm is located at 160 Old Lyman Road.

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International EC Acquires MacDuffie School
SPRINGFIELD — Representatives of the MacDuffie School recently announced the planned sale of all school operations, not including the school’s city real estate, to International EC LLC, the group that acquired the former St. Hyacinth seminary campus in Granby in June. International EC is establishing an independent school in Granby and will absorb MacDuffie’s curriculum, corporate identity, intellectual property, furnishings, computers and business equipment, and faculty as it establishes a school serving grades 6 through 12 beginning next fall. The school, currently in its 120th year of operation, will continue as a day and boarding school. Massachusetts attorney-general approval is needed since the sale involves a nonprofit entity, the MacDuffie School, being acquired by a privately held company. Michael A. Serafino, chairman of MacDuffie’s Board of Trustees, noted in a statement that the acquisition “represents an exciting new chapter in MacDuffie’s history, offering the student body a larger campus with enhanced classroom space, outstanding boarding facilities, state-of-the-art technology, and athletic fields in a college-preparatory environment with high academic standards.” Serafino added that, in the highly competitive academic marketplace for private middle and secondary schools, “this move represents a chance to expand and promote the MacDuffie mission in a way that our current location, with space and infrastructure limitations, would not allow.” The sale of assets does not include the campus on Ames Hill Drive, and a workgroup has been established to ensure that the campus is maintained and secured after the school’s operations move to Granby. Efforts to prepare the campus for sale have started, according to Serafino. International EC, LLC has three managing partners — Craig Brewer, who currently oversees a large private high-school program for international students in the U.S.; Wayne Brewer, who is currently the CEO of International Student Exchange, and Dal Swain, the owner and president of FLS, which has a network of ESL schools for foreign students.

More Than 3,700 Sack Hunger at Big Y
SPRINGFIELD — In a chain-wide effort to help the hungry within their local communities, all Big Ys have initiated this year’s Sack Hunger program. The program consists of a large, green, reusable grocery bag filled with staple non-perishable food items selected by the food banks. Customers purchase a pre-assembled bag for $10, and Big Y then distributes the bags to that region’s local food bank. In turn, the food banks distribute the filled sacks to area soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, day-care centers, as well as many of their other member agencies. All of the donated sacks will be distributed within the supermarket’s marketing area, so every donation stays within the local community. The Sack Hunger Campaign began Nov. 8 and will run through the rest of this year. So far, almost 4,000 bags have been sold. All five food banks within Big Y’s marketing area will be participating in Sack Hunger. These food banks represent more than 2,100 member agencies throughout the region. They are the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, the Greater Boston Food Bank, the Worcester County Food Bank, Foodshare of Greater Hartford, and the Connecticut Food Bank. The sacks include the following non-perishable Big Y items: corn flakes, long-grain rice, elbow macaroni, kidney beans, peanut butter, cut green beans, sweet peas, whole kernel corn, chunk light tuna, and quick oats. Sacks are available at all Big Y Supermarkets and Fresh Acres. Big Y hopes to provide at least 5,000 bags to area food programs by the end of the program.

WMECo Starts Construction on Reliability Project
SPRINGFIELD — Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo) recently broke ground for the Greater Springfield Reliability Project, a $795 million transmission upgrade designed to strengthen the region’s power grid, meet mandatory reliability standards, and allow power to move more freely around the Greater Springfield and North-Central Conn. area. Construction on the project has started at the new Cadwell Switching Station in Springfield and at the existing Agawam Substation. Construction of the overhead transmission line in Massachusetts is expected to begin on existing rights of way in early 2011. The creation of approximately 1,000 jobs is anticipated at the peak of construction, while adding about $11 million in much-needed tax revenues to towns along the project route. The project includes work along 39 miles of an existing transmission right of way between Ludlow and Bloomfield, Conn. The 27-mile portion in Massachusetts includes new 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission lines, new and reconstructed 115-kV lines, two new switching stations, and several substation upgrades. In Connecticut, construction is expected to begin with a substation upgrade in Bloomfield in mid-2011, and construction of the overhead line is expected to begin in late 2011. The project is expected to be in service in 2013. For more information about the initiative, visit www.neewsprojects.com

LENOX Earns OSHA ‘Star’
EAST LONGMEADOW — LENOX has been recertified for an additional five years in the prestigious ‘Star’ Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) of the U.S. Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). LENOX has maintained this elite health-and-safety certification for more than 10 years. OSHA’s verification for the Star certification includes an application review and a rigorous on-site evaluation by a team of OSHA safety and health experts. In 1997, LENOX became the first cutting-tool company in the country to receive this honor. Since then, LENOX has earned recertification in 2000, 2005, and now in 2010. Sites that make the grade must submit annual self-evaluations and undergo periodic onsite re-evaluations to remain in the programs. The plant, which employs 720 workers, manufactures power-tool accessories and blades including band-saw blades, hack saws, hole saws, utility knives, and reciprocating saw blades. The VPP promotes effective worksite-based safety and health, according to Mike Avery, director of safety and security for LENOX.

Langone’s Florist Opens at Tower Square
SPRINGFIELD — Brent Bertelli, owner of Langone’s Florist, recently signed a lease to take the former Longmeadow Flowers space located on the street level of Tower Square. This new endeavor is the second Langone’s Florist operation. The original store, located at 838 Main St., has been family-owned and operated since 1967. Bertelli said he hopes to expand the business and offer more products and services to the downtown clientele through the new location. Langone’s Florist offers custom florals, tropical plants, silk arrangements, seasonal décor, and a diverse collection of gifts.

Fallon Supports
Hunger-relief Programs
WORCESTER — Fallon Community Health Plan recently distributed more than $170,000 to dozens of designated food pantries and hunger-relief programs throughout Massachusetts. The donations represent the total net proceeds from its annual fund-raising event in September. This year’s record-breaking result is due to the participation of 96 organizations that generously contributed to the effort. Organizations specifically recognized for their donations include Booz & Co., CVS Caremark, the Revere Group, Epstein Becker & Green, Fallon Clinic, Acton Medical Associates, Beacon Health Strategies, Income Research & Management, and Protector Group. Fallon will support the following regional hunger-relief programs: Alliance to Develop Power, Springfield; Amherst Survival Center; Berkshire Community Action Council, Pittsfield; Christian Pentecostal Church, Holyoke; Elder Services of Berkshire County Inc., Pittsfield; Gandara Mental Health Center, West Springfield; Jubilee Cupboard, Ware; Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen & Pantry, Chicopee; Open Pantry Community Services Inc., Springfield; Providence Ministries for the Needy Inc., Holyoke; Western MA Labor Action, Pittsfield; and the Westfield Food Pantry. Founded in 1977, Fallon is a national, not-for-profit health-care-services organization.

Baystate Rug and Flooring Receives Honor
CHICOPEE — Baystate Rug and Flooring was recently awarded the honor of being Mohawk Industries’ North American Flooring Store of the Year. Mohawk Industries awarded the firm the prestigious award based on criteria including sales, growth, marketing techniques, product knowledge, community service, and best practices. Baystate Rug competed regionally, winning the title of Northeast Flooring Store of the Year, before winning the national championship for all of Canada and the U.S. Joseph Montemagni, president of Baystate Rug, noted that, in order to qualify, “Mohawk evaluated our store’s business practices, our employees’ training, their product knowledge, and reviewed our commitment and involvement in our community.” Baystate Rug is a family-owned flooring company that specializes in retail and commercial flooring, installation, and decorating services. A diversified product selection includes carpet, ceramics, hardwoods, resilient, laminate, green flooring products, area rugs, and window treatments.

Bradley’s Paradies Shops Receive Awards
WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — Bradley International Airport’s prime retailer, the Paradies Shops, was recently honored with several awards recognizing its top-performing managers and first-class associates at the company’s annual management seminar and vendor show in Georgia. The seminar celebrates the accomplishments of managers and both customer-facing and support-level associates who exemplify the company’s mission statement “to exceed the expectations of the customers and business partners we serve.” The Paradies Shops has operated at Bradley for almost 25 years, serves 78,000 customers per month, and runs six retail stores at the airport. Its team at Bradley, led by General Manager Deb Donahue, received numerous awards, including Best Customer Service, Best 401(k) Participation, and the coveted Public Relations Award. These honors are considered qualifying awards and are the basis for the revered awards that recognize the best of the best within the company. Taking home the top honors as one of four Executives of the Year was Judy Heit, a regional merchandise planner based at Bradley. Additionally, Patty Tucker, also of Bradley International, was selected as one of three Assistant Managers of the Year. The Paradies Shops, a family business established in 1960, operates more than 500 stores in more than 70 markets across the U.S. and Canada.

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Polish National Credit Opens New Office
HAMPDEN — The Polish National Credit Union’s newest office recently opened at 25 East Longmeadow Road. The branch has an in-house mortgage origination office, a drive-thru teller, and drive-up ATM. Carole A. Scott is the branch manager, with Claudine LaValley serving as the assistant branch manager. Tellers are Katie Vient, Sylvia Nadeau-Poole, and Sherry Skinner. Headquartered in Chicopee, the credit union operates full-service branches in Chicopee Center, Granby, Westfield, Southampton, and a stand-alone Mortgage Center on Main Street in Chicopee.

Stony Brook Receives ‘Pacesetter’ Designation
LUDLOW — The Stony Brook power plant, operated and principally owned by the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC), has been named a “Pacesetter Plant” for 2009-10 by the Combined Cycle Journal, an international publication that tracks innovation and advanced technology in combined cycle electric generators. In naming Stony Brook a Pacesetter Plant, the journal cites MMWEC’s role as an industry leader in retaining plant value through technological upgrades and innovative maintenance practices that address changing market conditions. The designation also reflects the successful installation this year of new generator-control systems on four of the plant’s five turbine generators. New controls will be installed on the fifth in the near future. Stony Brook is a nonprofit, public corporation and political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that provides a variety of power-supply, financial, risk-management and other services to the state’s consumer-owned, municipal utilities.

United Bank Provides
Gifts for Children
WEST SPRINGFIELD — United Bank has partnered with the Department of Children and Families in Springfield, Holyoke, and Worcester to provide holiday gifts for local youngsters who might otherwise go without. United’s Foster the Spirit program is in its 13th year in the Springfield area, and will be introduced for the first time this year in the bank’s new Worcester region locations. All United Bank branches are displaying a holiday tree decorated with tags, each representing a child’s wish. Customers, staff, and members of the public are welcome to participate by selecting a tag from the tree and donating that unwrapped gift for the child. Cash donations are used to purchase gift certificates for movies, clothing, and toys. United’s corporate contribution to Foster the Spirit will be supplemented by a special campaign at facebook.com/bankatunited. The bank will donate $1 (up to $1,000) for every visitor to the site who clicks ‘like’ from now until Dec. 17.
Baystate Named
One of Top 50 Hospitals
for Cardiovascular Care
SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Medical Center is one of the nation’s top 50 hospitals for heart and vascular care, according to a new Thomson Reuters study that examined patient outcomes and rated hospitals for their performance in several key areas of cardiovascular treatment. The study, now in its 12th year, examined the performance of 1,022 hospitals by analyzing outcomes for patients with heart failure and heart attacks and for those who received coronary bypass surgery and percutaneous coronary interventions such as angioplasties. Baystate Medical Center is on the Thomson Reuters honor roll for the second consecutive year. The study evaluated general and applicable specialty, short-term, acute-care, non-federal U.S. hospitals treating a broad spectrum of cardiology patients. Baystate was one of 15 teaching hospitals with cardiovascular residency programs named to the list. Thomson Reuters researchers analyzed 2008 and 2009 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review data, Medicare cost reports, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Hospital Compare inpatient data. The researchers scored hospitals in several key performance areas: risk-adjusted mortality, risk-adjusted complications, core measures, percentage of coronary bypass patients with internal mammary artery use, 30-day mortality rates, 30-day readmission rates, severity-adjusted average length of stay, and wage- and severity-adjusted average
cost.

Westfield Chamber Recognizes Businesses
WESTFIELD — Jen-Coat was named 2010 Business of the Year during the annual meeting of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 17. Jen-Coat was chosen for its policies and projects that have had a positive impact on the community, as well as evidence of working together with community organizations and acting as a role model and inspiration to other organizations. The chamber also recognized Stevens 470 as 2010 Small Business of the Year; Sean Hogan, president of Hogan Communications, as 2010 Business Man of the Year; and Kathleen Damon, CEO of the Carson Center for Human Services, as 2010 Business Woman of the Year. Al Ferst, a long-time resident who has generously funded many projects in Westfield for the benefit of children, was named this year’s recipient of the Don Blair Outstanding Community Service Award.

MassMutual Plans RetireSmart Participant Web Site
SPRINGFIELD — Beginning in the first quarter of 2011, MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division will launch phase one of its new RetireSmart participant Web site that promises to be an “engine for action” among participants striving to plan and save for retirement. The new site will capitalize on significant technology investments MassMutual is making to support its simple, action-oriented approach to participant education. The differentiator behind RetireSmart is that it prompts participants to take appropriate steps when it makes the most sense for them — and makes it as easy as possible for participants to do so in the manner they prefer. Highlights of phase one include a video game designed to raise retirement awareness in a fun, engaging way, and shorter, more intuitive menus to help participants find what they need quickly and easily. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com.

Firm Creates Marketing Materials for New
Home Care Agency
WESTFIELD — Stevens 470 recently created brand marketing for Integra Home Health, LLC, a new home health care agency in the Greater Springfield area. Projects for the agency included a logo, brand standards, stationery, a consumer brochure, and an informational Web site. The Web site is built on a content-management system that allows Integra to update the site through an easy-to-use text editor. In addition, Integra can edit and create new content, update, and manage pages on the Web site. Integra’s Web site is www.integrahomehealth.com.

Giving Tree Marks
26th Year
SPRINGFIELD — The 2010 Hasbro Children’s Giving Tree program is now underway and runs through Dec. 17. Hasbro Inc. donates toys and games during the holidays to children in need in the Greater Springfield area while encouraging community members to perform “acts of kindness” and donate nonperishable food items to the program. The acts of kindness slips will be displayed on the giving tree through Dec. 17, the food items collected will be distributed by The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and the toys and games donated by Hasbro will be distributed by the United Way of Pioneer Valley.

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United Personnel Among Top Women-led Businesses
SPRINGFIELD — Mary Ellen Scott, founder of United Personnel, has been recognized again by the Boston Business Journal and the Commonwealth Institute with a Top 100 Women-Led Business Award for 2010. United Personnel is in its 26th year of operation, offering regional companies staffing support with temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct-hire placements. Scott noted that the past two years have been “very challenging” for most small and large businesses. She added that these 100 women have demonstrated they can navigate “difficult waters” with the economy and still create jobs and maintain their commitments to family, philanthropy, and community activities that benefit all of society. Since 1997, the Commonwealth Institute has assisted more than 1,000 women in growing their businesses. The awards ceremony, planned for Dec. 8 at the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston, will celebrate and honor the region’s top women-led businesses. United Personnel has two offices, at 1331 Main St. in Springfield and 250 Northampton St. in Easthampton.

Royal & Klimzcuk Moves to New Location
NORTHAMPTON — The law firm Royal & Klimczuk is relocating its offices to 270 Pleasant St. in Northampton. The firm will be in its new facilities on Nov. 29. Amy Royal, a principal with the firm, said the company needed space to grow, and the new location provides it. The firm, which has seven lawyers working in two locations, represents businesses exclusively in all aspects of labor and employment law, including wage-and-hour matters, discrimination and harassment, disability and leave, labor relations, affirmative action, and many others. The firm’s phone number, (413) 586-2288, will not change.

MMWEC Wins National Communications Award
LUDLOW — The 2009 annual report of the Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company (MMWEC) has earned an award for excellence in communications from the American Public Power Assoc. (APPA), the national organization of consumer-owned utilities. Each year the APPA recognizes “high-quality annual reports that exhibit excellence in writing, design, photography, organization, and creativity” while communicating a utility’s unique message. MMWEC is among 11 utilities nationwide receiving annual-report awards this year from APPA, which serves more than 2,000 public power utilities in the U.S. The theme of MMWEC’s 2009 Annual Report, “Old Fashioned … But Not,” highlights the organization’s commitment to traditional public-power values and its pursuit of innovative solutions to the challenges posed by greener energy policies, wholesale power-market reforms, and increased financial risks. MMWEC is a nonprofit, public corporation and political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that provides a variety of power-supply, financial, risk-management, and other services to the state’s consumer-owned, municipal utilities.

DiGrigoli Salon Honored on Veterans Day
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Professional stylists from the DiGrigoli Salon provided free haircuts to all veterans who attended a veterans’ outreach event in October at the War Memorial building in Holyoke. As a thank-you to the stylists and students, each received certificates of appreciation on Veterans’ Day at the DiGrigoli School of Cosmetology on Riverdale Street from Laurence White, a member of Vietnam Veterans of America, which co-sponsored the outreach event. Six times per year, DiGrigoli School of Cosmetology provides free haircuts to veterans, all under the supervision of licensed instructors. For more information, visit www.digrigoli.com.

Comcast Launches Local Wireless Data Service
SPRINGFIELD — Comcast recently launched its wireless data service in Western Mass., continuing its nationwide rollout of XFINITY Internet 2go. In its initial offering, Comcast’s XFINITY Internet 2go provides nationwide wireless Internet service via a wireless data card, and is being bundled with one or more services including XFINITY TV or XFINITY Voice products. By the end of the year, Comcast will also offer XFINITY Internet 2go as a fourth-generation (or 4G) wireless, high-speed data service via the Clearwire network in Western Mass. Comcast is selling wireless data services following its investment in Clearwire in November 2008. For more information, visit www.comcast.com/2go.

Colebrook Brokers HCPA Lease Expansion
SPRINGFIELD — Colebrook Realty Services Inc. recently brokered the lease expansion of tenant Hampden County Physician Associates, LLC (HCPA) at 354 Birnie Ave. HCPA extended occupancy from 4,400 square feet to more than 15,000 square feet for a term of five years. Colebrook principal Mitch Bolotin represented property owner Klondike Investment Group Inc. The building remains at full occupancy. HCPA, an independent, multi-specialty network of health care professionals, has housed its administrative headquarters at 354 Birnie Ave. since August 2000. The need for a larger space is related to management-team growth and anticipated expansion in directions HCPA believes “will better serve the community,” according to Al Ogoley, director of facilities for HCPA. Ogoley noted that the Birnie Avenue site is “ideally located” to service its 16 locations throughout Western Mass. and beyond. In addition to HCPA, the property’s other occupant is Baystate Medical Center Inc.

Big Y Continues Growth
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y Foods Inc. recently opened the first two of several supermarkets that were acquired from A&P on Nov. 1. The first two Connecticut locations to open are in West Hartford at 772 North Main St. and in Branford at 1060 Main St. All of the former A&P pharmacies have remained open throughout this transition period. The West Hartford and Mystic pharmacies have been converted to Big Y pharmacies, and A&P’s Naugatuck pharmacy has been relocated into the Big Y World Class Market in Naugatuck. Its Middletown pharmacy has been sold to Walgreens there.

Oregon Company Acquired by APT
SPRINGFIELD — Energy Conservation Training Company (ECONTC), a Portland, Ore., startup firm specializing in training contractors and unemployed workers to become home-energy analysts, has been acquired by Applied Proactive Technologies Inc. (APT). Jeff Catlin, ECONTC’s founder and president, will join APT as director of education services. Educating utility customers on how to make their homes more energy-efficient has been a focus of APT’s work from the start, according to Dave Leishman, president of APT. Leishman noted that homeowners are “very motivated” to save money on utility bills, and utility companies are looking for ways to get deeper energy savings through services like duct sealing, insulating, and improving the performance of heating and cooling equipment. Leishman added that acquiring ECONTC and expanding services in the area of whole home performance “was a logical next step.” Leishman predicts that demand for ECONTC’s training services will grow as more consumers and businesses seek to reduce their energy use and realize cost savings.

Springfield Police Select M&P Pistol
SPRINGFIELD — Smith & Wesson Corp. recently announced that the Springfield Police Department has chosen to equip all of its officers with primary-duty sidearms from the Military & Police (M&P) Pistol Series. The M&P40 will be issued to each officer to replace pistols that had previously been in service at the department. The Springfield Police Department has received 580 M&P40 pistols, and is currently in the process of transitioning officers over to the new firearms. The department said that the M&P pistol was well-suited to meet the needs of its diverse officer makeup, noting such features as the firearm’s interchangeable grip sizes and ambidextrous controls. During testing of the new sidearm, the M&P pistol was further recognized for its ease of maintenance, accuracy, and flexibility to adapt to a wide variety of applications in the field. Each pistol will be laser-engraved with ‘Springfield Police Department’ on the side along with a special control number across the top. In addition to the new sidearm, Springfield police are currently using M&P15 tactical rifles as the department’s issued patrol rifles. Throughout their history, Smith & Wesson and the Springfield Police Department have enjoyed a long-standing partnership, according to Leland Nichols, vice president of sales for Smith & Wesson.

MassMutual Adds Lyman Products to Roster
SPRINGFIELD — MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division has been selected by Lyman Products as the new provider for the company’s $6.3 million 401(k) plan. Lyman Products, based in Middletown, Conn., is a manufacturer of products for the shooting and reloading industry with more than 100 employees. Denis LeBlanc, controller at Lyman Products, noted that his firm sought a “financially stable” retirement plan provider that offered high-touch service and strong educational resources for employees. LeBlanc added that MassMutual’s “demonstrated strengths” in these areas were important in its selection as the new retirement plan provider. Smith Brothers Insurance of Glastonbury, Conn. assisted with the search process.

CHD Opens New OT Center
SPRINGFIELD — The Center for Human Development recently opened its new occupational therapy center, the Institute for Dynamic Living, at 342 Birnie Ave. The facility is fully licensed as both an occupational-therapy clinic and behavioral-health clinic, offering a wide range of services for children, adolescents, and adults. Services include individual and group therapy assessments, consultations, educational trainings, and workshops. Tina Champagne is the program director. She holds a doctorate in occupational therapy and is also a registered and licensed occupational therapist. Programs offered include sensory processing, neurofeedback and independent-living skills, free monthly informational sessions for parents, and professional workshops in areas such as clinical aromatherapy, sensory processing, and weighted-blanket training. For more information on the facility, visit www.chd.org/ot.

Fran Johnson’s Adds Golf Simulators
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Fran Johnson’s Golf & Racquet Headquarters has launched a new division of its business called Tee2Green2. It features 3-D, high-definition golf simulators that will enable people to play such classic courses as Pebble Beach, the Blue Monster at Doral, and Casa De Campo without getting on an airplane. The simulators offer a playing experience that includes perfect weather, no lost golf balls, and no slow play. Fran Johnson’s acquired two of the simulators, and is now booking tee times. Golfers of all ages and skill levels can enjoy the simulators, and can book times by calling (413) 734-4444. The average time for a foursome to play 18 holes is 3 to 3 1/2 hours.

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Springfield College President Announces Retirement
SPRINGFIELD — Richard B. Flynn, Springfield College’s 12th president, recently announced plans to retire on Aug. 31, 2011. Flynn has served as president since March 1999. He is credited with developing and implementing a strategic plan for the college which led to transforming the campus through new construction and renovations, increasing enrollment, ensuring financial stability, enhancing academic programming, revitalizing the college’s longstanding partnership with the YMCA, expanding recreational programming, strengthening community and international relationships, and leading the most successful fund-raising campaign in the college’s 125-year history. Flynn called his decision to retire “one of the toughest decisions of my professional life.” He added that he is “deeply grateful” to the students, faculty, staff, members of the leadership team, alumni, trustees, and others who have shared their support, commitment, and dedication to the college over the years. A search firm will be selected soon to replace Flynn, and a presidential search committee will be formed, including representation from the board of trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, and student body. A new president is expected to be identified in the spring of 2011 and to take office at the opening of the 2011 fall semester, according to Sally Griggs, chair of the college’s board of trustees.

Westfield State Expansion Plans Revealed
WESTFIELD — As part of Westfield State University’s 2010 Homecoming Weekend Oktoberfest activities, the dedication of its newest academic space, the Banacos Academic Center, was staged on Oct. 23. The center honors the memory of Westfield State alum Jimmy Banacos, who was an education major and a well-liked, athletically involved student who suffered an injury on the lacrosse field that left him paralyzed from the neck down in 1970. He continued to be active in the college community after his accident and is known for his efforts connecting alumni to the university. In 1982, Banacos was awarded the college’s first honorary bachelor of arts degree. He passed away in 2005. Banacos’ family members and friends are expected to be in attendance for the dedication. The event is open to the community, as are all related Homecoming activities. The center is the home to three academic resource programs, including Westfield State’s Tutoring Center, Disability Services, and the Learning Disabilities Program. In addition to the center opening, college officials also recently announced plans to invest close to $100 million in growth to facilities and services on campus. Growth areas targeted include additional parking, an addition to the dining hall, a new residence hall, and a new classroom building. Trustees will meet in December to discuss the project in more depth. College officials will also present the recommended expansion plans to the Greater Westfield community at a neighborhood meeting as well as with the City Council in the coming weeks.

Firm Establishes Scholarship Fund
SPRINGFIELD — The law firm of Robinson Donovan, P.C. recently made a leadership gift to Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education Inc. (MCLE) in memory of a friend, former partner, and colleague, according to Jeffrey L. McCormick, managing partner of Robinson Donovan. MCLE has established the John C. Sikorski Scholarship Fund in memory of John C. Sikorski, who served Robinson Donovan for 25 years. Sikorski was a senior partner who specialized in labor and employment law. Scholarships from this fund will benefit legal services staff attorneys, private practitioners who accept pro bono cases, and other lawyers who, without financial assistance, would not be able to attend MCLE programs, including those in the areas of labor and employment law and trial advocacy. For more information about MCLE’s scholarships, visit www.mcle.org.

STCC Opens Center
for Veterans and
Service Members
SPRINGFIELD — A new lounge area was recently dedicated at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) for the approximately 250 students who are veterans or service members. The center is furnished with computers and comfortable furniture for studying or relaxing. The furnishings were donated by area businesses, particularly Balise Motor Sales, Hampden Bank, and NewAlliance Bank, as well as faculty and staff. Also available for veterans’ use is an administrative office with additional computers and adaptive technology for use by the visually impaired or hearing-impaired. A counselor is also available to talk with veterans.

Firm Sells Portion of
Wealth-management Arm
FARMINGTON, CT — Kostin, Ruffkess and Co., LLC recently announced the sale of a portion of its wealth-management business to a group of former employees of KR Wealth Management, LLC. KR Wealth Management, LLC is wholly owned by the partners of Kostin, Ruffkess and Co., LLC. Kostin, Ruffkess continues to operate KR Wealth Management, serving high-net-worth individuals, families, and businesses. KR Wealth Management clients will continue to receive the personal attention they are accustomed to and benefit from the CPA-financial advisor team relationship, which is unique to the marketplace, according to Richard Kretz, managing partner of Kostin, Ruffkess & Co.

MassMutual to Be
Honored by BBA
SPRINGFIELD — Highlighting its ongoing commitment to a diverse and inclusive legal profession, the Boston Bar Assoc. (BBA) will honor the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual) with the BBA’s first Beacon Award on Nov. 9 in Boston. The Beacon Award was established to recognize organizations or individuals who have had an exceptional impact in advancing diversity and inclusion in one or more of these areas: legal scholarship, recruitment and retention practices, pro bono representation, community service, legal advocacy, and legislative advocacy. The award recipient must either be located in Massachusetts or have had a significant impact in Massachusetts and/or the Greater Boston community. When the award was established several months ago, an overriding goal was to identify models of excellence to inspire continued innovative programs and initiatives. The award reception is free to members of the legal community.

Berkshire Hills Plans Acquisition
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Hills Bancorp. Inc. recently announced plans to acquire Rome Bancorp Inc. for approximately $74 million in cash and stock. Rome has five branches and, as of June 30, about $330 million in assets. Berkshire has 46 locations in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York, and continues to grow its business in the Utica and Syracuse markets, which have a combined population of about 1 million. Acquisition terms include 70% of the stock to be exchanged for Berkshire shares at a rate of 0.5658 share for each Rome share. The other 30% will be bought for $11.25 each.

Normandeau Communications
Moves to New Location
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Normandeau Communications, a telecommunications-solutions provider, has relocated from Florence to larger quarters at 2097 Riverdale St. in West Springfield. Principals Brett Normandeau and Kim Durand said the move was made to give the company needed room to grow and to enable it to better serve customers across Western Mass. and Northern Conn. The company also announced that it will be adding a Technology Training & Demonstration Center to provide informative seminars on ever-evolving telecommunications technology and how to apply it to help businesses operate more efficiently. The company’s phone number, (413) 584-3131, remains the same.

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WNEC, Big Y Create Wellness Center
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y Foods Inc. and Western New England College School of Pharmacy have partnered to create a faculty pharmacist-run, patient-centered Consultation and Wellness Center at 300 Cooley St. The facility is one of the largest pharmacy consultation and wellness centers in the region and the first to be located in a supermarket. Patients are able to make an appointment with a pharmacist who will work with the individual and their physician to optimize their care. A grand-opening ceremony was staged Sept. 10. Services offered include education and training programs, blood-glucose evaluations, individualized patient care plans, and medication review. The creators of the center note that the services are needed now more than ever given the aging population and the increasing strain on the state’s health care system. Kam Capoccia, clinical associate professor at the School of Pharmacy, will supervise the center. Capoccia notes that collaborative practice models in other states have already demonstrated the ability to improve the health of their patients and save the health care system millions of dollars. Capoccia added that among the goals of the center’s creators are to decrease visits to the emergency room and the number of hospital readmissions by collaborating with physicians on patient care. For more information on the center, call (413) 782-4606 or (413) 796-2000.

Comcast Donates Supplies to Springfield Students
SPRINGFIELD — Comcast recently donated more than 500 backpacks stuffed with classroom essentials to city students from the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services Afterschool Program, in partnership with Cradles to Crayons, a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving children in need the basic essentials they need to be ready to learn. Comcast and Cradles to Crayons also presented the site with a playground bag filled with essentials including bats, balls, and Frisbees.

NewAlliance, First Niagara Create Top-25 U.S. Bank
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The boards of directors of First Niagara Financial Group Inc. and New Haven, Conn.-based NewAlliance Bancshares Inc. recently announced that the companies entered into a merger agreement, valued on a fixed exchange ratio of 1.10 shares of First Niagara stock for each NewAlliance share. The merger of NewAlliance into First Niagara will be a cash-and-stock transaction creating a top-25 U.S. bank, by assets. The combined bank will have more than $29 billion in assets, including more than $14 billion in loans, as well as $18 billion in deposits. NewAlliance’s 88 branches serve eight counties from Greenwich, Conn., to Springfield. Currently, First Niagara serves communities across Upstate New York, Western Penn. including Pittsburgh, and Eastern Penn. from the Philadelphia suburbs to Allentown. NewAlliance’s Church Street headquarters in New Haven, Conn., is slated to become First Niagara’s New England Regional Market Center.

Law Firm Receives Award
SPRINGFIELD — Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., has been selected for the 2010 Best of Worcester Award in the local business category by the U.S. Commerce Assoc. (USCA). The firm has offices in Springfield, Worcester, and Meriden, Conn. The USCA Best of Local Business award program recognizes local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies it believes have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. Winners are determined based on both the information gathered internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

MMWEC Upgrades Energy Conservation Web Site
LUDLOW — The Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. (MMWEC) recently introduced a redesigned Web site for its Home Energy Loss Prevention Services (HELPS) program. HELPS provides energy education, home-energy audits, assistance with home-energy improvements, and ENERGY STAR appliance rebates to municipal utility customers. In addition, HELPS provides customers with a gauge of their home’s solar energy potential as a standard part of every audit, with turnkey services for solar-system installation available through the program. HELPS is the residential component of MMWEC’s energy-conservation and efficiency services, which also include programs for commercial, industrial, and institutional customer classes. The redesigned Web site is located at www.munihelps.org.

MassMutual: Plan Participants Stable
SPRINGFIELD — MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division has released data for the quarter ended June 30 indicating that participants in retirement plans administered by MassMutual showed no signs of panic despite the decline in the S&P 500 index, with 96% of participants either maintaining or increasing their savings rates. This behavior helps explain why, despite the stock market’s sharp decline for the second quarter with the S&P 500 index losing 11.4%, MassMutual’s average participant account balance declined by only 3.26%, beating the S&P 500 index by 8.14%, according to E. Heather Smiley, chief marketing officer for MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division. Smiley noted that the “substantially better” performance for participant accounts is primarily attributable to the benefits of continued ongoing deposits by participants and an increased percentage of assets allocated to stable value and bond investments. Male participants fared slightly better than females for the quarter (–2.7% compared to –5.5%) primarily as a result of the impact of higher average deferral rates. The percentage of participant assets in equity investments declined from 41.1% to 38.4% during the quarter, with stable value increasing from 26.3% to 28.4%, and investment in bonds increasing from 7.6% to 8.6%. The percentage in asset-allocation investments (target date and target risk) was relatively unchanged. MassMutual’s data covers approximately 1 million participants across more than 6,000 plans.

TD Charitable Foundation Boosts Museum Programs
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Museums recently received a $10,000 grant from TD Bank through the TD Charitable Foundation for its Weekend Family Fun series of educational programs. Family programs highlight holidays, special exhibitions, cultures from around the world, and topics including dinosaurs and Dr. Seuss. Each program includes a performance, hands-on demonstrations, science activities, and craft workshops. TD Bank, through its foundation, provides financial assistance for a variety of cultural and community events. Holly Smith-Bové, president of the Springfield Museums, noted that, without support from TD Bank, these popular programs would not be possible.

Bolduc’s Apparel Under New Ownership
AGAWAM — Bolduc’s Apparel, a sports and custom-apparel company, was purchased in August by the firm’s former vice president and general manager, Todd M. Adelson of Longmeadow. The firm specializes in custom business, corporate, and leisure apparel, as well as school-spirit wear and promotional products. Bolduc’s employs more than 20 full-time employees, many of whom have been with the company for 15 or more years. Adelson noted that he is looking forward to continuing the firm’s steady growth through daily attention to customer satisfaction and the quality of the locally produced custom products.

Firm Acquires ADNET Technologies Inc.
SPRINGFIELD — Kostin, Ruffkess and Co., LLC recently acquired ADNET Technologies Inc. of Farmington, Conn., according to Richard V. Kretz, managing member of the local firm. ADNET is an information-technology firm that specializes in developing and implementing IT solutions for its clients, with measurable returns on investment. With the addition of the new members from ADNET, Kretz noted that the firm can better serve clients with an expansive set of resources “unlike any other accounting, business-consulting, or information-technology company in the region.” Kostin, Ruffkess and Co. also has Connecticut offices in Farmington and New London.

Friendly’s Adds Another Express Restaurant
WILBRAHAM — Friendly’s Express, a unit of Friendly’s new fast-casual concept, will open in Methuen on Sept. 28. The newest Friendly’s Express, located at the Loop at 90 Pleasant Valley St., will offer a fast, fun way for people on-the-go to get the food they crave. The short service time will make Friendly’s Express perfect for quick office lunch breaks, and easy for moms running errands with their children. While guests will place orders at the counter, food will be delivered to each guest’s table. When guests are ready for ice cream, they can place a numbered tag on the edge of their table, and a food runner will bring them their desserts. The 2,338-square-foot restaurant seats 60 and includes additional seating on the patio for seasonal outdoor dining. The Friendly’s Express design incorporates the signature Friendly’s red elements throughout, along with bright tiles and custom pop-art of Friendly’s ice-cream creations. The restaurant features a limited menu of Friendly’s favorites, including SuperMelt sandwiches, Friendly’s Big Beef burgers, salads, Fribbles, kids’ meals, and, of course, ice cream desserts.

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Bay Path Receives HSF Business Award

HOLYOKE — Bay Path College recently received the 2010 Human Service Forum Business Award from the Human Service Forum for its commitment to the community and specifically Girls Inc. Girls Inc. of Holyoke nominated Bay Path for its ongoing board involvement, financial support, and expertise in various subject matters, according to Suzanne Parker, executive director of Girls Inc. Parker added that the college provides “transformational opportunities” for Girls Inc. participants. For the past decade, the Human Service Forum has honored area businesses and organizations that have played a significant role in supporting the human services of the Pioneer Valley.

ReStore Expanding in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — Next summer is the target date for the ReStore Home Improvement Center to move into a 32,000-square-foot complex at 83 Warwick St. The warehouse was formerly owned by the Kavanagh Furniture Co. The expanded facility will provide a retail experience featuring sections of recycled appliances and environmentally friendly products for the home, as well as seminar space designed for builders and homeowners. ReStore’s inventory includes used and salvaged materials and surplus stock from the building industry. Items are accepted from homeowners, contractors, manufacturers, retailers, and municipal collection centers. ReStore officials note that, by shopping or donating materials, area residents can save materials from disposal and make home improvement more affordable for more people. With the move, ReStore expects to hire five additional employees, as well as deconstruction crews that would be needed to collect inventory. As part of the overall project, ReStore secured $900,000 in federal stimulus money through the Mass. Department of Energy Resources to make the new building more energy-efficient. ReStore is currently located on Albany Street in the Gasoline Alley complex.

Mercy Recognized as Community Value Provider

SPRINGFIELD — Mercy Medical Center was recently recognized as a top-ranked Community Value Provider by Cleverley + Associates of Columbus, OH. Cleverley + Associates, a health care financial consulting firm specializing in operational benchmarking and performance enhancement strategies, released the findings as part of its new publication, State of the Hospital Industry – 2010 Edition. Dr. William Bithoney, interim president and CEO of the Sisters of Providence Health System and chief operating officer of Mercy Medical Center, said Mercy is proud to be identified as one of the highest-scoring facilities in the country in measures of quality of care and costs. He noted that these awards serve as “independent validation” that Mercy’s quality scores exceed those of its peer hospitals while charges and costs are significantly lower than peer hospitals. Health care value and value-based purchasing of health care services are increasingly important concepts driving health care reform, and Mercy continues to prove that high-quality hospital care can cost less, added Bithoney. The State of the Hospital Industry reports selected measures of hospital financial performance and discusses the critical factors that lie behind them. The publication focuses on the U.S. acute-care hospital industry during a three-year time period (2006-08). For the seventh year, the 2010 State of the Hospital Industry reports an exclusive measure developed by Cleverley + Associates: the Community Value Index (CVI). The CVI is a proprietary index created to offer a measure of the value that a hospital provides to its community. The book outlines the data used to calculate the CVI as well as provides a list of the Top 100 and all Five-Star (top-quintile) hospitals. The Community Value Index was created to provide an assessment of a hospital’s performance in four areas: financial strength and reinvestment, cost of care, pricing, and quality. Fundamentally, the CVI suggests that a hospital provides value to the community when it is financially viable, is appropriately reinvesting back into the facility, maintains a low cost structure, has reasonable charges, and provides high-quality care to patients.

MassMutual Hosts ‘Way to Win’ Conference

SPRINGFIELD — MassMutual’s Retirement Services Division recently hosted a conference titled “Way to Win,” showcasing its commitment to helping its select network of third-party administrators (TPAs) grow their business by leveraging the resources provided by MassMutual to TPAs on behalf of sponsors and participants. MassMutual has been working with TPAs for more than 30 years, according to Hugh O’Toole, senior vice president of sales and client management. O’Toole noted that each TPA channel has unique strengths and resource needs, and each brings a “unique value” to the sponsor and the participant. More than 60 TPAs nationwide attended the conference. O’Toole added that the response from the participants was “phenomenal.” The common view expressed throughout the event was that MassMutual understands the TPA business and the value TPAs bring to plan sponsors and participants, said O’Toole. For more information on MassMutual’s TPA Alliance, call (866) 444-2601.

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Travelers Recognizes Sumner & Toner Agency
LONGMEADOW — The Sumner & Toner Insurance Agency was recently recognized by Travelers as one of 20 agencies in the country to receive its prestigious Insurance Agency of the Year Award. Firms are chosen based on their goals for long-term profitable growth, dedication to high-quality customer service, and commitment to Travelers. “The Sumner & Toner Insurance Agency demonstrates the highest level of motivation and commitment,” said Greg Toczydlowski, president of personal insurance for Travelers, in a prepared statement. Toczydlowski added that Travelers “truly values” the partnership they’ve developed with the local firm. Established in 1933, Sumner & Toner Insurance Agency is an independent provider of comprehensive auto, home, professional liability, and life insurance. In 2008, partners Warren Sumner and Bill Toner created a dual father-and-son family business with sons Bud Sumner and Jack Toner. The next generation of Sumner & Toner, they say, serve as the company’s sales representatives and are helping to lead the company into the 21st century.

MMWEC Redesigns
Public Web Site
LUDLOW — The Mass. Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. (MMWEC) has redesigned its public Web site with the goal of bringing greater efficiency to its Web-site management and improving content to online visitors. The Web site, www.mmwec.org, provides a “fresh and sophisticated look” at MMWEC’s history, programs, and services as well as recent news, financial reports, and information about energy assets and renewable-energy initiatives, according to MMWEC CEO Ronald C. DeCurzio. The site also features improved navigation and a search function, making it simpler for visitors to find specific information that is enhanced with graphic detail. The new site is updated using a customized content-management system, giving authorized individuals the ability to update and publish Web pages as needed from any location with Internet access. In addition, the site is search-engine-optimized to direct more users to the site based on their search-engine queries. MMWEC is a nonprofit, public corporation and political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that provides a variety of power-supply, financial, risk-management, and other services to the state’s consumer-owned, municipal utilities.

STCC, Balise Create Partnership for Students
SPRINGFIELD — Balise Motor Sales recently donated $25,000 toward the purchase of a state-of-the-art Hunter vehicle-alignment lift for the Automotive Technology Department at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). The lift will introduce students to real-world diagnostic equipment to better prepare them for their careers in automotive technology, according to Raymond Sbriscia, chairman of the Automotive Technology Department. Sbriscia noted that the lift will be an integral part of the education and training students receive. The college also has a relationship with the Hunter Engineering Co., the manufacturer of the lift and other automotive-repair equipment. Hunter uses the STCC facility as a training and demonstration center for repair companies throughout the region and neighboring states. In return, STCC receives the latest, highest-quality equipment in the industry. Michael Balise, vice president, noted that Balise Motor Sales is always in need of talented automotive technicians who have computer and electronics training in addition to the traditional mechanical training. During the first year at STCC, students work mostly in the lab, diagnosing and fixing problems. At the end of the first year, students receive a certificate of completion. Students can then either join the workforce or continue on to the second year of study and receive an associate’s degree in automotive technology. Only 22 students are accepted into a new class, so the competition is “fierce,” according to STCC officials.

“Hackman” Retires
after 48 Years
EAST LONGMEADOW — Lee “Hackman” Breton recently retired from LENOX after a 48-year career that started out on the manufacturing floor. In 1962, Breton was credited with manufacturing the first bi-metal reciprocating saw blade entirely by hand. His career took a dramatic change in 1981 when the LENOX sales team asked him if he thought he could cut a car in half with the new Hackmaster hacksaw blades to show off their superior strength and durability. He accepted and met this challenge, which turned out to be the first of hundreds of car cuts — earning him his nickname. From that day forward, being Hackman became his full-time job. Over the years, Breton traveled the world as Hackman, demonstrating the strength and durability of LENOX Tools by cutting more than 500 cars and other items, including an oil tank truck, cargo plane, boxcar, house, armored car, and even a bus at Super Bowl XXXIIII in 1999. Rich Mathews, vice president of marketing and new business for LENOX, noted that Breton exemplified the LENOX brand with his trademark car cuts, and was always willing and able to help out the company with anything and everything. “He will forever be considered a great employee as well as the best ambassador for the LENOX brand that we ever could ask for,” said Mathews. Breton’s last day at LENOX was May 28.
Café Lebanon Celebrates
10 Years in Business
SPRINGFIELD — Nadim Kashouh, owner of Café Lebanon, recently invited customers and friends to a complimentary 10-year celebration extravaganza at the 1390 Main St. restaurant to thank everyone for their patronage over the years. Kashouh serves Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine in what he calls “an elegant, yet relaxed atmosphere.” Café Lebanon also offers catering for weddings; showers; anniversary, birthday, and graduation parties; bereavement gatherings; holiday events; business meetings; and corporate events. Kashouh maintains a second Café Lebanon restaurant in the center of East Longmeadow at 60 Shaker Road.

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Big Y Announces New Store in Eastern Mass.
SPRINGFIELD — Big Y Foods Inc. has announced plans to open a World Class Market in Milford/Hopedale, Mass. The proposed 55,000-square-foot supermarket will be located at South Main Street (Route 140) just south of the Courtland Street intersection. The 25-acre site is partly in the town of Hopedale and partly in Milford, and is scheduled to be the subject of rezoning articles at the annual town meetings in both communities. Topsfield Development Associates will be developing the overall project, including approvals and construction. Other contemplated tenants at the site include a 40,000-square-foot medical building, a 150-seat restaurant, 7,500 square feet of additional retail, and a bank. Milford/
Hopedale will be Big Y’s 59th store and will represent an investment of between $15 and $17 million in the community. An early 2012 opening is expected.

Hampden Bancorp Reports Q3 Results
SPRINGFIELD — Hampden Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Hampden Bank, recently announced the results of operations for the three months and nine months ended March 31, 2010. The company had a net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2010 of $143,000, or $0.02 per basic and fully diluted share, as compared to a net loss of $57,000, or $0.01 per basic and fully diluted share, for the same period in 2009. The decrease in net income was primarily due to an increase in the provision for loan losses of $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2009. The increase in the provision for loan losses is due to increases in loan delinquencies, non-accrual loans, and impaired loans; growth in the loan portfolio; and general economic conditions. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2010, net interest income increased by $521,000 compared to the three-month period ended March 31, 2009. Non-interest income, including net gains on sales of securities and loans, increased by $88,000 compared to the three-month period ended March 31, 2009. For the nine months ended March 31, 2010, the company had a net loss of $975,000, or $0.15 per basic and fully diluted share, as compared to net income of $180,000, or $0.03 per basic and fully diluted share, for the same period in 2009. The decrease in net income was primarily due to an increase in the provision for loan losses of $2.9 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the nine months ended March 31, 2009. The increase in the provision for loan losses is due to increases in loan delinquencies, non-accrual loans, and impaired loans; growth in the loan portfolio; and general economic conditions. There was also an increase in non-interest expense of $995,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2010 compared to the nine months ended March 31, 2009. The company’s total assets increased $10.2 million, or 1.8%, from $567.7 million at June 30, 2009 to $577.8 million at March 31, 2010. Net loans, including loans held for sale, increased $22.5 million, or 5.8%, to $410 million at March 31, 2010, and securities decreased $3 million, or 2.6%, from $116.1 million to $113.1 million as of March 31, 2010. Cash and cash equivalents decreased $10.9 million, or 30%, to $25.4 million at March 31, 2010. Deposits increased $29.9 million, or 7.8%, to $411.4 million at March 31, 2010 from $381.5 million at June 30, 2009. The company also announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.03 per common share, payable on May 28, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 14, 2010.

Wolf & Co. Supports
Big Brothers Big Sisters
SPRINGFIELD — Wolf & Co., P.C. supported Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County again this year by sponsoring the Bowl for Kids’ Sake. Wolf teams comprised of 63 Wolf bowlers, as well as additional employees who participated in other fund-raising activities, raised more than $10,000 to support Big Brothers Big Sisters programs in the Springfield area.

Charter Oak Partners with Whole Children of Hadley
HOLYOKE — Charter Oak Insurance and Financial Services Co. recently announced that it has formed a three-year charitable relationship with Whole Children, a Hadley-based nonprofit that provides recreational, social, and enrichment programs for children and teens of all abilities, and especially those with special needs. In the initial year of the relationship, Charter Oak will give $10,000 to Whole Children in support of a new program that focuses on helping teens with special needs transition to adulthood. The company will also participate in events to raise funds for a wheelchair-accessible van for Whole Children’s students. Financial support from Charter Oak comes from the agency’s charitable arm, the Charter Oak Fund, and is part of a larger community-outreach strategy benefiting children, particularly those with special needs, in the agency’s three major markets of Western Mass., Central/Eastern Conn., and Southern Conn.

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Here’s the Scoop: Rondeau’s Marks 70 Years

PALMER — Alvin Rondeau’s Dairy Bar, a Quaboag region institution, is this month celebrating its 70th birthday. It was on May 18, 1940 that Alvin “Mike” Rondeau opened his ice-cream shop, which has endured and now has fourth and fifth-generation members of the family carrying on the tradition. Indeed, Dick Rondeau, Alvin’s grandson, now works alongside his son, Dick, and grandson, Michael. The establishment, located on Route 32, specializes in hot dogs, hamburgers, fresh seafood, and, of course, ice cream. As in past years, Rondeau’s will mark its birthday celebration with a special. From May 18 to May 20, ice-cream cones, hot dogs, fries, and soda will all be 70 cents each.

Hampden Bank Turns 158, Is Named Sponsor of Jazz & Art Festival

SPRINGFIELD — Hampden Bank recently celebrated its 158th anniversary, an occasion the institution’s president, Tom Burton, marked by looking forward, not back. “Reaching this milestone on my watch is indeed a privilege. I couldn’t be more proud of our people, who we are, and what we’ve accomplished on behalf of those we serve,” he said. “As we move toward the end of the first decade of the 21st century, we will not rest on our laurels; we will continue to vigorously support our communities, and we will work tirelessly to brighten the days of our customers.” In other news, the bank announced that it is the named sponsor of the fourth annual Hoop City Jazz & Art Festival, partnering with presenting sponsor MassMutual and a host of other businesses and organizations. The event, to be staged July 9-11, is being moved to downtown Springfield at Court Square and the City Hall Esplanade.

Tiger Press Adds New Color Production System

NORTHAMPTON — Tiger Press announced that it has installed a new Ricoh C900 color production system at its manufacturing facility in Northampton. The system can produce more than 5,000 color impressions per hour on a variety of coated and uncoated stocks. Digital files are handled using the newest Fiery controller with built-in color calibration and imposition. “This new digital press enables us to offer color reproduction of short-run orders for a fraction of what our competitors are charging,” said Reza Shafii, president of Tiger Press. The C900 has a unique square-saddle-stitch capability that allows a spine for larger books, a special feature for customers in need of high-quality, short-run booklets with limited budget, he continued. In addition, Tiger Press has developed an advanced proofing technique for projects that will be produced on uncoated stock. Printing on recycled, uncoated paper is becoming more popular as companies strive to become more eco-friendly.

Curran & Berger Adds Location in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — Curran & Berger, LLP, the Northampton-based immigration-law firm, has opened a satellite office at 1145 Main St. in Springfield. The new location will provide a convenient meeting space for legal staff to meet with its clients, said partners Joseph Curran and Dan Berger.

Friendly’s Restaurants Introduce New Salads

WILBRAHAM — In response to a desire among many adult Americans to eat healthier, Friendly’s has introduced a new selection of freshly made salads. Beginning in late March, more than 500 Friendly’s restaurants began offering seven new salads, including Southwest Chipotle Chicken Salad, Bleu Moon Sirloin Salad, and Apple Harvest Chicken Salad. In addition, Friendly’s has partnered with Healthy Dining, an organization that recommends dietician-approved menu items at restaurants. As part of the partnership, healthydiningfinder.com will highlight several the healthier options that are available at Friendly’s restaurants. These choices will be highlighted in Friendly’s menus. For more information on the new offerings, visit www.friendlys.com.

Mercy Medical’s EEG Lab Achieves Accreditation

SPRINGFIELD —- The Electroencephalographic (EEG) Lab at Mercy Medical Center has been awarded accreditation by the EEG Laboratory Accreditation Board of the American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologists (ABRET), making it one of only two EEG labs in Massachusetts to achieve that distinction. The ABRET lab-accreditation process involves evaluation of technical standards, the quality of the laboratory’s output, and lab-management issues. According to ABRET, successful accreditation indicates that the EEG lab has met strict standards and is recognized for providing quality diagnostics. “The ABRET accreditation is another example of Mercy Medical Center’s success in providing outstanding patient care throughout our facility, and delivered daily by highly trained professionals using quality diagnostic tools,” said Sharon Adams, RN, vice president of Patient Care Services at Mercy Medical Center. “This independent, objective verification of quality management and policies also allows physicians and patients to choose the EEG Lab at Mercy with the confidence of knowing that they will receive quality diagnostics.” The EEG Lab at Mercy Medical Center provides testing for 540 patients each year, and the ABRET lab accreditation is effective through 2015. EEGs are used diagnostically for many neurological problems, including stroke, seizures, migraine headaches, tumors, headaches, and dizziness. With this accreditation, Mercy joins Children’s Hospital of Boston as one of only two facilities in Massachusetts with EEG labs that meet ABRET standards.

Mont Marie Scores Highest in Region in Survey

HOLYOKE — Family members rated the care that their loved ones receive at the Mont Marie Health Care Center as the best in Western Mass., according to a survey just released by the State Department of Public Health. The Mont Marie Health Care Center, a not-for-profit skilled-nursing facility owned and operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, was among 430 nursing homes surveyed by the state last fall. The center scored 4.79 in overall satisfaction, well above both the statewide average of 4.22 and the Western Mass average of 4.20 (on a scale of 1-5). When asked if they would recommend the Mont Marie Health Care Center to a friend or family member, 98% of the respondents said ‘yes.’ Commenting on the high score, center Administrator Sr. Elizabeth Sullivan said, “the numbers indicate the trust level and credibility that family members have in our staff, who respond to the needs of residents on a daily basis with compassion, respect, and diligence.” The survey collected detailed information about nursing-home staff, physical environment, activities, personal-care services, food and meals, and residents’ personal rights. It also asked respondents to rate overall satisfaction and ability to meet residents’ needs. Surveys were mailed to approximately 34,600 family members of nursing home residents across the state.

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FloDesign Expanding into Waltham

WILBRAHAM — FloDesign Wind Turbine Corp. recently announced plans to expand, which includes a new corporate headquarters and product-development center in the Waltham watch factory. FloDesign officials and Gov. Deval Patrick made the announcement, noting that the Mass. Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) approved a $3 million financing package for the turbine company. Financing includes a five-year, $700,000 forgivable loan that is contingent on FloDesign maintaining its corporate headquarters and primary R&D facility in the state, creating or retaining 150 jobs in the next three years, and maintaining those jobs for an additional two years. The package also includes a $600,000 convertible grant, which gives MassCEC an equity stake in FloDesign if the company receives additional financing, and $1.7 million from MassCEC’s Renewable Energy Trust to defray a portion of the cost of installing the company’s first ‘shrouded’ wind turbines at state or local public entities and nonprofit organizations. FloDesign said it is retaining its research center in Wilbraham. During the press conference, it was announced that the Massachusetts Port Authority will explore the possibility of using FloDesign turbines at Logan International Airport, at least on a pilot basis. FloDesign was founded in 2007 to develop what it calls a wind-turbine design based on jet-engine technology, and promising to deliver more than three times the amount of energy as traditional wind turbines for the same size rotor.

Balise Breaks Ground for Lexus Dealership

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Balise Motor Sales recently broke ground for a new Lexus dealership at 1385 Riverdale St., next to Balise Toyota. The new facility will be more than 27,000 square feet, and its new showroom will be state-of-the-art, including three indoor vehicle-delivery areas. Balise President Jeb Balise noted that the Lexus dealership will be “world class.” He added that the new facility is what “customers deserve and have been waiting for.” The service and parts departments will have air conditioning, and the indoor service drive-in reception area will allow customers to drop off and pick up their vehicles indoors. Customers will enjoy a warm, comfortable service reception and a spacious lounge complete with computer stations for their convenience, according to Balise. Another upgrade will be the expanded number of parking spaces available. With the new Balise Toyota next door, more than 900 parking spaces for new and used cars and trucks will be available. The construction work is being done by Associated Builders. The completion date is late September, with an Oct. 1 grand opening planned.

SC Unveils Naismith Statue

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield College (SC) officials recently unveiled a new, larger-than-life-sized bronze statue of Dr. James Naismith, permanently installed on the plaza in front of the newest building on Naismith Green, the Richard B. Flynn Campus Union. Naismith invented the game of basketball at SC in 1891 when he was an instructor in physical education. The bronze casting depicts Naismith seated upright holding a ball with two peach baskets stacked at his feet. Sculptor Eldon Tefft, a former art professor at Kansas University, spent seven years creating it. Joining SC President Richard Flynn in uncovering the statue was Rachael Naismith, great-granddaughter of James Naismith, who is also the college’s chief research librarian and an editor and authority on her famous ancestor. Other members of the Naismith family were also on hand for the unveiling, as well as Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno. During the ceremony, Flynn noted that basketball was James Naismith’s “gift to humanity.”

Firm Named Among ‘Best Places To Work’

FARMINGTON, Conn. — For the fourth consecutive year, Kostin, Ruffkess & Co., LLC was recognized by the Hartford Business Journal as one of the 2010 “Best Places to Work” in Connecticut. In addition, the firm is the only certified public accounting/business advisory firm named in this year’s list. The statewide survey and awards program were created by the publication to identify, recognize, and honor the best places of employment in Connecticut. The 2010 list is made up of 25 companies, split into two categories — 20 small and medium-sized companies (15-199 employees) and five large companies (more than 200 employees). Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the best places to work. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, and demographics. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process, and also analyzed the data and used its expertise to determine the final rankings. Kostin, Ruffkess & Co. has 140 employees with offices in Farmington and New London, Conn., and in Springfield.

StenTel and NLP International Corp. Announce Partnership

SPRINGFIELD — StenTel has acquired license of NLP International’s MedLEE™ Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology for integration with medical transcription. NLP International has created a universal SaaS portal to give medical-transcription service organizations (MTSOs) and transcription-technology platforms, like StenTel’s application service provider, access to a broad range of applications designed to support automated, low-cost health care solutions for interoperability, EHR adoption, and meaningful use. StenTel plans to jointly advance these applications in cooperation with other MTSOs to widely enable the medical-transcription industry to offer these services to inpatient and outpatient health providers and organizations. The MedLEE NLP engine codifies standard text documents for data extraction, thereby enabling discrete reportable transcription (DRT). MedLEE was developed over the course of 20 years by Columbia University in New York and is a powerful, patented NLP-processing engine that automates analytics, reporting, and alerting for outflows such as core measures, PQRI, patient summary review, coding and billing support, decision support, clinical trials, biological surveillance and more. MedLEE has been successfully tested by large hospital systems and government agencies, including New York Presbyterian Hospital, the National Cancer Institute, and the U.S. Department of Defense, and is considered the gold standard of such technologies. “We are thrilled to bring this technology to health care through the medical-transcription industry, particularly because it is superior to the few competing technologies available,” said George Catuogno, president of StenTel. “Many in the HIT community promote the notion that transcription is no longer valuable or relevant, yet narrative dictation continues to be the preferred method of data capture for physicians because it’s simple, efficient, and supports a thorough and complete record of patient encounters. It’s a pleasure to bring this important technology to all MTSOs through NLP International’s platform-neutral portal. Now, with an example such as the Verizon Medical Data Exchange, we can collaboratively demonstrate how transcription-centric technology is, in fact, a valuable and relevant driver of our national HIT initiatives.”

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V-One Vodka Receives Top Honors in Competition

HADLEY — Valley Vodka Inc.’s V-One Vodka was recently honored with the highest award, the Double Gold Medal, at the World Spirits Competition. The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is a weekend of blind taste tests conducted by an expert panel of judges who award medals based solely on taste. The competition was held at the Nikko Hotel on March 13-14, and included more than 1,050 spirits from 56 countries and six continents, making it the largest competition of its kind. For gaining top honors, V-One Vodka will be featured in the May issue of Tasting Panel magazine. Also, Paul Kozub, owner and founder of V-One, will be traveling with the other Double Gold Medal winners in other categories for a 12-city tour for trade and media promotions. Kozub noted that for V-One Vodka to be rated as the top vodka in the world is “mindblowing.” He is one of the youngest founders of a Double Gold medal-winning vodka. V-One is distributed throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut and is available in more than 1,000 bars, restaurants, and liquor stores.

Pion Family Receives Reprieve from GM

CHICOPEE — Within the next few weeks, Robert Pion and his son, Donald Pion, hope to increase their inventory of new Buicks and GMCs after they learned they had been reinstated as a Buick and GMC dealer by General Motors Corp. During a recent press conference, the Pion family thanked U.S. Rep. Richard Neal for his efforts on their behalf as he met with GM executives to review the car dealer’s sales statistics. The Pions had kept the business going with the service department and bought used cars at auction to sell. In addition to Pion’s dealership, six others have been reinstated across the state following arbitration with GM.

Firms Expand into Brownfield Market

ROBBINSVILLE, N.J. — Sovereign Consulting Inc. has announced a partnership with RE Invest Solutions LLC to offer real-estate developers, corporations, and municipalities creative solutions to finance, remediate, and redevelop distressed and underutilized industrial properties. RE Invest, in partnership with real-estate developers, finances environmental remediation projects in exchange for an equity position in the redevelopment project. RE Invest invests in brownfield properties throughout the U.S., helping corporations and municipalities monetize their surplus fixed assets and transfer environmental liability. Sovereign provides the technical resources and manpower needed to execute the site remediation to regulatory closure.

Don Muller Gallery Attends Exclusive Jewelry Show

NORTHAMPTON — Jewelry showcased at the Centurion Show, an invitation-only trade show in Tucson, Ariz. for prominent retailers, will soon be found in the Don Muller Gallery on Main Street. Retailers shopped with Centurion’s 110-plus award-winning designers and purchased collections in various price ranges. Muller noted that shopping at the Centurion allows him to see the “very best jewelry available.” Muller added that he enjoyed shopping the collections of Todd Reed, Alex Sepkus, and Sethi Couture, which are carried in his store.

Friends of the Homeless Receives Grant

SPRINGFIELD — The TD Charitable Foundation recently awarded a $10,000 grant to Friends of the Homeless (FOH) that will allow the organization to continue working with adults who are homeless in the Greater Springfield area. Bill Miller, executive director of FOH, thanked the TD Charitable Foundation and noted that the funds will provide services that help people access permanent housing.

Impoco’s Poultry Market Celebrates 80 Years

SPRINGFIELD — Impoco’s Poultry Market is celebrating 80 years of providing fresh, all-natural poultry products to the region with a move to a new location on Walnut Street. The new site is operated by Anthony Impoco, the third generation of the Impoco family to continue in the business. He has been involved in the poultry industry for more than 35 years. The company was founded by Joseph Impoco in 1929 at the original Six Corners site of 345 Walnut St., a quarter-mile from the new location. The new retail market offers freshly prepared, all-natural chicken and chicken parts, as well as fresh eggs obtained from local egg farms. In the near future, the company plans to expand the product line to include waterfowl and game birds.

Normandeau Marks 20th Anniversary

FLORENCE — Hard work, honesty and a commitment to others have been the driving forces behind Normandeau Communications, which was founded by Raymond Normandeau and is now run by his son, Brett Normandeau, and daughter, Kim Durand. The family-owned and operated business provides quality cabling services and professional installation of business telephone systems. Durand noted that they “stake their name and reputation” on providing all their customers with the right solutions for their communication needs, taking advantage of new technology and providing true value with continued support.