Willie Ross School Undergoing Enhancements
LONGMEADOW — The Willie Ross School for the Deaf is undergoing major enhancements on campus that will include $125,000 in new computers and related technology for its classrooms, the installation of energy-efficient windows, and new playground equipment. School administrators are also in negotiations to purchase approximately 37,000 square feet of land behind its campus, which would be used as an educational tool for students. Louis E. Abbate, executive director, noted that the entire project should be completed by 2010, and notes that the school anticipates raising most of the money needed on its own.
Florence Savings Reaches $1 Billion in Assets
FLORENCE — John F. Heaps Jr., president of Florence Savings Bank, recently reported that the bank has reached a milestone, surpassing $1 billion in assets for the first time in its 135-year history. The bank’s total assets on June 30 stood at $1.1 billion, up $120 million or 12.4% from the corresponding period last year. The asset growth was the result of continued growth in the bank’s loan portfolio. Additionally, total loans ended the quarter at $671.1 million, up $62 million or 10.2% from June 2007 levels. The loan growth was spurred by residential mortgage loans which increased $48.5 million or 12.2%, and commercial loans that grew $16.7 million or 13.0% in the year-to-year comparison, according to Heaps. Total deposits were $742 million at the end of June, up $71.5 million or 10.7% from June 2007 levels. Heaps credits the deposit growth to the success of its Rewards Checking program, which accounted for $63.2 million of the deposit growth. Since its inception in March 2007, the bank has paid $4.5 million in interest to its Rewards Checking customers.
The Nut Lady Opens Store
AGAWAM — Joanne Attardi, founder and CEO of the Nut Lady, LLC, recently moved her business to a large commercial facility at 303 Springfield St. The store is open Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m. Attardi founded her company in 1997 from one of her grandmother’s old recipes, and today she has expanded her offerings to include sugar and salt-free nuts. Attardi also notes that all of her products are gluten-free. For more information, contact Attardi at (413) 335-0126 or [email protected], or check out her vendor space at the upcoming Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield.
Burlington Coat Factory Partners with Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
SPRINGFIELD — Employees of the Burlington Coat Factory in the city are joining with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in a company-wide initiative to help raise money for the organization that promotes blood-cancer research and awareness. The initiative, Light the Night Walk, runs through Nov. 28, and encourages shoppers to purchase a balloon icon to support the cause, according to Regina Nyman, store manager of the Burlington Coat Factory at 390 Cooley St. In addition, the store’s employees and local members of the community will be invited to join the Burlington Coat Factory team in a local Light the Night community walk. The balloon icons cost a minimum of $1 each. For more information about the company’s fund-raising efforts, contact Nyman at (413) 426-9327.
Century Center Is Putting on a Fresh Look
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Century Shopping Center has launched a comprehensive facelift project that includes façade and signage renovations to the 285,000-square-foot retail site. The project was undertaken to keep the site looking “fresh and up-to-date,” according to Century owner Andrew M. Cohen. He noted that the last renovation to the retail site was in 1988. Century tenants include T.J. Maxx, Modell’s Sporting Goods, Big Y, CVS, McDonald’s, Pet Supplies Plus, Bank of America, AutoZone, Party Warehouse, Casual Male, Rainbow Shops, Dot’s, and Payless Shoe. Cohen added that the renovations “will keep us at the top of our game in the face of the economic challenges now confronting the national economy.” The entire project, which will be completed in stages, is expected to take 90 days.
Big Y Opens in Wilbraham
SPRINGFIELD — A Big Y World Class Market opened June 26 at 2035 Boston Road in Wilbraham. New England Retail Properties Inc. of Wethersfield, Conn., is leasing the 63,850-square-foot site to Big Y. In this transaction, Matthew Halprin of New England Retail Properties, Inc. was the sole broker. Based in Springfield, Big Y employs more than 9,800 people in its stores, warehouses, and support centers.
Paychex Sponsors National Payroll Week
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Paychex Inc., a national provider of payroll and human-resource services with offices in the city, is once again a major sponsor of National Payroll Week, Sept. 1-5. Founded by the American Payroll Assoc., the annual event celebrates the relationship among millions of U.S. workers, their companies, and the payroll professionals who ensure that workers are paid accurately and on time. Paychex is also celebrating 401(k) Day on Sept. 5, which spotlights the importance of employer-sponsored profit-sharing and 401(k) plans.
Foundation Changes Name
SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Home for the Elderly, one of the city’s oldest nonprofits, has changed its name to Mason-Wright Foundation. The donor-supported foundation operates the Mason-Wright Retirement Community, with a mission to serve low-income elderly men and women. The community on Walnut Street supports 118 assisted-living, dementia-care and independent-living units. For information, visit www.masonwrightfoundation.org.
Epstein Financial Moves Offices to Holyoke
HOLYOKE — At Epstein Financial Group, they’re not “fretting” over a short-term economic slowdown, according to Charlie Epstein, CLU, ChFC, AIF. In fact, Epstein notes that the firm is “confident” about what the future holds. Epstein added that the firm is growing and adding new staff, and recently moved to a larger space in the People’s Bank building at 330 Whitney Ave. For more information, visit www.epsteinfinancial.com.
Associates Receive National Awards
EAST LONGMEADOW — The culture at East Village Place centers on creating a community where residents can express themselves to fully experience and celebrate life. Recently, Watermark Retirement Communities recognized five associates from East Village Place, as well as the community itself, with “express your Self” awards, the Director of the Year Award, and the Principle Award, for their dedication, leadership, and creative efforts in fostering this philosophy. Wanda Isales, care attendant, received an award for express your Creativity. Annetta Webley, care attendant, received an award for express your Joy. The new “express” awards are part of Watermark’s express your Self program, which encourages both residents and associates to express their true selves. The awards are presented to associates who, by expressing their passion for creativity, leadership, compassion, and more, are acknowledged for their contribution to the East Village Place community. Bob Sheets, maintenance director, and Jessica Szczepanek, marketing director, received awards for Director of the Year, awarded to the director who has demonstrated leadership excellence by leading his or her community through a successful year. Lastly, Liz Davila, business office manager, has been awarded the Principle Award. The award is given to one individual in the entire Watermark company for his or her “supreme dedication” to upholding the Watermark operating principles.
FamilyFirst Bank Supports EQLT
WARE — FamilyFirst Bank’s community commitment to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston’s special programs for community investment in New England recently resulted in the award of a $1,000 grant to the East Quabbin Land Trust Inc. (EQLT). The program was established to recognize the importance of developing successful community-investment initiatives within partnerships between member institutions and community-based nonprofit organizations, according to FamilyFirst Bank President Michael Audette. Focused on the communities of Barre, Hardwick, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Oakham, Petersham, Ware, and West Brookfield, the EQLT is a local, not-for-profit group that works to permanently protect open space, including farms, fields, woodlands, and riverways, ensuring a high quality of life for generations to come. EQLT Executive Director Cynthia Henshaw said she is grateful for the recognition from FamilyFirst Bank of the important role that land conservation and stewardship play in supporting local communities. “Keeping farmland and forests open are tremendous boosts to our quality of life,” she said.
Southbridge Savings Closes Branches
SOUTHBRIDGE — Southbridge Sav-ings Bank announced recently that it is closing its branches in Amherst and West Springfield as a part of a strategic plan to focus on its core market area in Central Mass. The branch in Amherst is located in the Big Y Supermarket at 175 University Dr., while the West Springfield branch is located in the Big Y at 503 Memorial Ave. The bank’s branch in Palmer will remain open.
Adam Raczkowski of W.F. Young Inc. in East Longmeadow has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Consumer Healthcare Products Assoc. He also holds the positions of Executive Vice President, COO, CFO, and General Manager. 
United Bank announced the following:
Michael D. Ravosa of the Burke Ravosa Group, a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor, has obtained the Certified Financial Planner designation from the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards Inc. 
