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Pitching In for the Red Cross

In response to the storms and tornadoes that caused massive destruction in Western Mass. on June 1, Big Y World Class Markets responded by hosting a donation program in all 58 Massachusetts and Connecticut stores. Big Y World Class Markets collected donations from customers and employees resulting in a grand total of $141,882.64 for American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Funds were raised through a special in-store customer/employee donation program and from employees in all other Big Y locations, from the Store Support Center to distribution centers. This gift includes a matching gift of $50,000 provided by Big Y Foods, with $10,000 each from Donald and Michele D’Amour and Charles and Elizabeth D’Amour. The community and employee donations along with the personal contributions by the D’Amour family will be utilized in support of the ongoing local relief efforts in these devastated communities and the many people affected by the natural disaster. A formal check presentation to the American Red Cross of Pioneer Valley was held on July 28. From left are Donald and Michele D’Amour; Rick Lee, executive director for the Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter; and Elizabeth and Charles D’Amour.

A ‘Green’ Grand Opening

As part of the grand-opening celebration of PeoplesBank’s new LEED-registered branch in West Springfield, Douglas Bowen, president and CEO of PeoplesBank, cuts the ribbon to officially open the office. On hand are, from left, Sheila Goodwin, Barbara Bernard, West Springfield Mayor Ed Gibson, Bowen, Melissa Richter, and Stacy Sutton. Also, more than 100 children participated in the PeoplesBank free child ID event at the grand opening. Below, Yahaira Guzman (left), head teller from the bank’s St. James office, and Maggie Serrano, PeoplesBank teller supervisor, help collect information from the children to complete their Child ID Kit.








Getting a Good Read

In June, Susan Jaye-Kaplan, co-founder and president of Link to Libraries, was one of five individuals from across New England recognized as a New England Patriots 2011 Community MVP Award winner. She was honored for her work with Link to Libraries, which has, since its creation, collected and distributed more than 27,000 books to area nonprofits and public elementary schools in underserved communities in Western Mass. and Connecticut. To commemorate that achievement, former Patriots running back Patrick Pass visited the Springfield Boys & Girls Club on July 19 to read to a group of 35 third- and fourth-grade students (some of which are enrolled in the Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative), and present Kaplan with a check to Link to Libraries for $10,000 to further the work of that organization.

Lymtech Cuts the Ribbon

On July 15, The John R. Lyman Co. staged an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for its Lymtech Scientific division at its new location on Westover Road in Chicopee. Elected officials, local business leaders, and company employees were all on hand to participate in the ceremony. Third-generation owner Bill Wright said, “I am delighted to continue our commitment to Chicopee and to our local workforce. We have been manufacturing in this area for 105 years and hope to continue for many generations to come.” The family company boasts several second-generation employees on its payroll and even some third-generation workers as well. From left are: Gail Sherman, director of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce; Michael Burzynski of Lymtech; Mike Ciolek, president of Associated Builders; Dawn Creighton, representing Associated Industries of Mass.; Anita Wright of Lymtech; state Rep. Joe Wagner; Wright; Chicopee Mayor Michael Bissonnette; state Sen. Mike Knapik; and state Rep. James Welch.

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Hoop City Jazz & Art Festival

Large crowds descended on Court Square July 9-11 for the Hampden Bank Hoop City Jazz & Art Festival (HCJAF). The annual event featured a number of jazz performers, art vendors, an array of fine food, and general merriment.
Photography by Ed Cohen

Hoop City 1

From left, Kari Njiiri of WFCR; Adrienne Osborn, director of Artist Relations for the HCJAF; Ron Ancrum, president of the Community Foundation of Western Mass. and advisory board member for the HCJAF; John Osborn, president and founder of the festival; Amy Scribner, assistant vice president and associate director of Marketing for Hampden Bank; Richard DeBonis, senior vice president and director of Marketing for Hampden Bank; and Evan Plotkin, president of NAI Plotkin.



Hoop City 2The scene in Court Square.







Hoop City 3Vincent Ingala lights things up on his saxophone.



Hoop City 4Pancho Sanchez performs with his Latin Jazz Band.







Hoop City 5Hampden Bank employees John Mirkin, Amy Scribner, Donna Abelli, Cindy Bartels, and Debbie Andrews.






Hoop City 6The scene on Friday night.





Hoop City 7The scene in front of the stage.




Hoop City 8Dawn Creighton, with her daughters, Caleigh (left) and Mackenzie.






Big Band Celebration

Hundreds of area residents flocked to the green at Springfield Technical Community College on July 9 for what was called a “Poppin’ Big Band Celebration.” The evening of music and dance was a salute to Benny Goodman’s 1943 concert at the Springfield Armory, much of which was later transformed into STCC after the facility closed in 1966. The event featured the Memories Big Band Sound, a USO Retro Show featuring two dance troupes, Jitterbug Dancers of Chicopee, and Small Planet Dancers of Westfield, and a performance by the U.S. Northeast Navy Pops Band.
Photography by Jim Langone

Big Band Celebration

Big Band Celebration

The scene from the audience, with the Armory Museum in the background.







Big Band Celebration 3The Memories Big Band Sound performs.






Big Band Celeb 2The Small Planet Dancers mug for the camera.






Big Band Celeb 1Audience members take to the dance floor.

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Lucky 13th

Joe-and-Carm-ManziBrothers Joe (left) and Carmino Manzi, co-owners of Villa Napoletana restaurant in East Longmeadow, recently celebrated their 13th anniversary in business with a party at the restaurant on North Main Street. They’re standing in front of a Sunoco modified racecar they sponsor that is driven by John Catania at Thompson Speedway in Connecticut in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.





Link to Libraries

Link to LibrariesGeorge Burtch, vice president for Global Integration at Hasbro, is seen with fourth-grade students at the Center for Excellence School in Holyoke, where he is participating in the Link to Libraries nonprofit celebrity read-aloud program. The Link to Libraries program offers youth in underserved communities reading programs, new books, and opportunities to meet area business executives who often mentor area youth. For more information on Link to Libraries, go to www.linktolibraries.org.


NCCJ Honorees

NCCJThe National Conference for Community and Justice staged its annual Human Relations Award Banquet on June 14 at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. The agency, founded in 1927 as the National Conference for Christians and Jews, is a human-relations organization dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry, and racism in America.  Honored with
NCCJ Human Relations Awards for 2001 are, from left, Dr. Saleem Bajwa, Thomas Burton, youth award recipient Rosaline Abraham, James O’S. Morton, and Hyman Darling.


Read-aloud Event

Read-aloud Event 1Read-aloud Event 2Read-aloud Event 3Read-aloud Event 4The United Way of Pioneer Valley and BusinessWest’s Difference Makers collaborated to present a special read-aloud session at the Holyoke Public Library that was part of the Connect to Reading Book Drive staged to collect books for the Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative. From top, BusinessWest Senior Writer Joe Bednar engages a pair of young people in a reading exercise; BusinessWest Advertising Consultant Gwen Burke has one of the young people read to her; dozens of young people and their parents take part in the reading initiative; BusinessWest Advertising Consultant Tina Kuselias reads to a group of young students.

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Woman of the Year

WomensChamber1WomensChamber2The Professional Women’s Chamber (PWC) honored Kate Kane, managing director with the Springfield Group of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network in Springfield, with its annual Woman of the Year Award at a dinner on May 18 at the Springfield Sheraton. Kane was honored for her outstanding leadership, professional accomplishments, and service to the community. In accepting her award, Kane said, “I have learned more of value in my volunteer work than I have ever given back to the organizations I serve, and I want to thank all the community organizations and their amazing and dedicated staffs for offering me the chance to help.” Top left, Kane and her husband, Craig Knowlton. At left, Kane greets some of the many guests.





Grand Opening

HampdenBankGrandOpenHampden Bank opened its 10th office at 977 Boston Road on May 24, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Seen here, from left, are Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno; state Rep. Angelo Puppolo, with a proclamation from the House; Thomas Burton, president and CEO of Hampden Bank; and Peg Daoust, retail banking manager of the Boston Road office.


Legislative Outlook

ScottBrownScottBrownChamberThe East of the River 5 Town Chamber of Commerce (ERC5) and the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS) staged their first mid-year legislative outlook luncheon on May 27 at the Country Club of Wilbraham. The keynote speaker for the luncheon was U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, who spoke about the economy, the federal budget, health care, and small business. Brown spent about an hour at the luncheon, meeting local residents, signing copies of his book, answering questions, and offering his comments. During the event, Wilbraham Selectman Pat Brady spoke about issues impacting municipal government and the people it serves. Tom Creed, a past chairman of the ACCGS Legislative Steering Committee, provided an update on legislative issues at the state level that are impacting member businesses. Left, Brown poses with members of  ERC5 Board of Directors, as well as staff from the ACCGS. At below left, Brown, spends time greeting guests, including ERC5 board members, from left, Carmina Fernandes of the Law Offices of Carmina Fernandes, and Gloria Faria and Cidalia Inacio, both of Chicopee Savings Bank.


YMCA Campaign Breakfast

YMCA 1YMCA 2
YMCA 3YMCA 4The YMCA of Greater Springfield staged its 2011 Annual Campaign Breakfast on May 20 at Springfield. The keynote speaker was Carlton Fisk, who regaled attendees with stories of his playing days with the Red Sox. The event itself raised more than $120,000, and the campaign has netted more than $325,000. Left from top, YMCA Board Chairman Sam Hanmer (left), CEO of FieldEddy Inc., bids on one of the many auction items signed by Fisk (Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno is at his right); participants in the Y-TIP (YMCA-Teen Incentive Program) take a bow after performing for the audience; ‘Pudge’ Fisk accentuates one of his comments with a finger point; Karen Mercier, accounting manager for the Y, holds up a Fisk bat while Robin Olejarz, CFO, watches for new bidders.

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Reading Aloud

Reading1Kensington Elementary School in Springfield recently hosted two guest readers as part of Link to Libraries’ ongoing read-aloud Program. At left top, BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien is seen with his fourth-grade class, while left below, Peter Rosskothen, co-owner of the Delaney House and Log Cabin, and a regular participant in the program, reads to another fourth-grade class.
Reading2The read-aloud program is presented six times a year by the nonprofit Link to Libraries, which brings in area business people to read to students in Springfield and Holyoke public schools. Students each receive a book and book bag to begin their own home library, and the school library receives between 175 and 200 new books.








Branching Out

PNCUThe Polish National Credit Union (PNCU) staged a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 5 to celebrate the grand opening of its new full-service branch location at 25 East Longmeadow Road in Hampden. From left are: Jeffrey Ciuffreda, executive director of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield; PNCU President James Kelly; and state Rep. Brian Ashe, D-Longmeadow.





Check Presentation

GraingerGrainger Co. staff present a $5,000 check from the Grainger Foundation to STCC Student Activities Director Andrea Tarpey and STCC Foundation Director William Kwolek. The Grainger Foundation also presented $5,000, in checks of $1,000, to five local food pantries. More than 1,400 food items donated by the STCC community were divided among the food pantries.





Howdy Awards

gscvbThe 2011 Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence, which honor frontline hospitality employees in the Pioneer Valley, were presented at ceremonies at the Log Cabin on May 10. At left, the winners are (from left) Amanda Malone of Chandler’s Restaurant at Yankee Candle Flagship in South Deerfield (Food category); Khia Eagan of the 7-Eleven store in Sunderland (Retail/Business category); Bob Aubrey of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield (Attractions category); Elise Wright of the Belchertown United Church of Christ (Public Service category); Melanie Smith of Six Flags New England in Agawam (Howdy Spotlight Award winner); Mary Mercier of the Yardhouse in South Hadley (Beverage category); Tony Rogers of the Comfort Inn & Suites in Ludlow (Accommodations category); Jason Guzman of Valet Park of America in Springfield (Transportation category); and Judy Brinn of Peter Pan Bus Lines in Springfield (Unseen Hero category). gscvb1At below left, Melanie Smith, national tour and travel representative at Six Flags, is seen after receiving the Howdy Spotlight Award with Greg Chiecko of Eastern States Exposition (left) and Peter Rosskothen of the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House and the Delaney House. Smith was honored with the Spotlight Award for her ongoing efforts on behalf of the Pioneer Valley hospitality and tourism business. She also serves currently as chairman of the group tour committee for the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, a position previously held by Chiecko and Rosskothen.


Parking Lot Party

1
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3The East of the River 5 Town Chamber of Commerce (ERC5) welcomed more than 100 people from the business community to a unique networking event, held in the parking lot of the Eastwood Shops in Wilbraham on May 12. The event, the ERC5 Parking Lot Party, was organized based on the belief that all the best business happens in the parking lot, after the official meeting has ended. The party included food, music, a mobile video-game unit, classic cars, a cyber café, and, of course, networking opportunities. From left top: Jocelyn Walker (left) of Turley Publications, Cheri Mills (center) of Webster Bank, and Maureen Turmel of the Gaudreau Group promote the Boston Road Business Assoc., an event sponsor; Eric Rackliffe of AT&T Mobility helps Barbara Kolosowski, from the Springfield Boys & Girls Club, check in on Facebook; Ed Nunez of Freedom Credit Union gears up for a round of Guitar Hero. Games2U served as the Game Time sponsor for the event.











Springfield’s 375th Birthday Bash

Pancake
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Pancake4The City of Homes celebrated its 375th birthday in style on May 14 with a variety of events and activities, ranging from the annual pancake breakfast — still the world’s largest — to a parade that drew more than 1,500 marchers; from musical performances to Civil War re-enactments at the Springfield Armory; from fireworks to ceremonies involving the Massachusetts Army National Guard, which was also celebrating its 375th anniversary. Scenes from the day included, left from top, a look down Main Street as the pancake breakfast commences; Springfield High School of Science and Technology Director of Bands Gary Bernice, far right, who received a commemorative plate for his many contributions to the event, is seen with, from left, Brigadier General Paul Smith, assistant adjutant general of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, U.S. Rep. and former Springfield Mayor Richard Neal, and current Mayor Domenic Sarno; the contingent from Baystate Health makes its way down the parade route; Neal is seen with several graduates of Elms College, which staged commencement exercises at the MassMutual Center that morning.
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More scenes from Springfield’s 375th birthday celebration: left, Donald D’Amour, chairman and CEO of Big Y World Class Markets, receives an honorary key to the city from Mayor Sarno (Big Y, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, sponsored the fireworks display); below, the contingent from ABC 40/Fox 6 makes its way down the parade route; at bottom, re-enactors prepare to shoot a cannon as part of the ceremonies at the Armory.

Photos from The Spirit of Springfield

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The Power of Choice

Women’s Leadership Conference 1
Bay Path College staged its 16th annual Women’s Leadership Conference on April 29 at the MassMutual Center. More than 1,000 attendees took in the day-long event, which took the theme ‘The Power of Choice,’ and featured keynoters Wes Moore, a youth advocate, Army veteran, business leader, and author of The Other Wes Moore; Alison Levine, team captain of the first American women’s Everest expedition; and Victoria Kennedy, attorney and advocate for health care reform and women’s issues.
Women’s Leadership ConferenceAt above left, Levine (center) talks with Bay Path President Carol Leary and her husband, Noel. Bottom left, the large crowd mingles in the concourse area.











Coming Together

Elms College and Springfield Technical Community CollegeElms College and Springfield Technical Community College recently announced a new partnership through which classes in an Elms bachelor’s degree completion program in social work will be held at STCC. The program will benefit STCC students and alumni, as well as area residents with associate’s degrees, who are interested in a career in social work. Seen at the announcement are, left to right: Richard Parkin, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs, STCC; Walter Breau, vice president for Academic Affairs, Elms College; Ira Rubenzahl, President, STCC; and Sr. Mary Reap, Ph.D., President, Elms College.





Celebrating Entrepreneurship

Harold Grinspoon1
Harold Grinspoon2
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Harold Grinspoon4The Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation Entrepreneurship Initiative Awards Ceremony and Banquet was staged April 27 at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke. The event featured an Elevator Pitch Competition featuring representatives of all the area colleges and universities. From top left: Lindsay Weaver, winner of the Elevator Pitch Competition, shares her idea for a business called Polar-EYES (a soft contact lens that provides outdoor UV protection, the power of polarization, and can transition from dark to light as traditional sunglasses do); Harold Grinspoon (light jacket) and keynote speaker Johnny (Earle) Cupcakes (center, front) are joined by the spirit winners from area colleges; Nate Lare, a student entrepreneur whose company, RDS Enterprise, provides a self-contained, semi-permanent disaster-relief housing kit, was the runner-up in the Elevator Pitch Competition; Adena Lavin (right), a student entrepreneur from Mt. Holyoke College, is seen at her exhibit of kale snacks. Her business is called ‘Pow! Chow,’ and she’s assisted by Lauren Palulis. Their exhibit was was one of 35 at the awards ceremony.
Photos by Shana Sureck

















Not Just Business as Usual

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Not Just Business as Usual2
Not Just Business as Usual3Al Verrecchia, retired CEO and chairman of the board of Hasbro, was the keynote speaker for a program titled Not Just Business as Usual, presented by the Springfield Technical Community College Foundation on April 26. Event organizers also honored two area companies, Balise Motor Sales and Smith & Wesson, for their continued success and contributions to the local community. From top, STCC President Ira Rubenzahl (right) with Smith & Wesson CEO Michael Golden, and Rubenzahl with Balise President Jeb Balise. Emcee Frank Quigley (left), president of F.D. Quigley & Associates, a member of the STCC Foundation Board, and vice president of the STCC Alumni Advisory Board, with Michael Oleksak, executive vice president of Berkshire Bank and president of the STCC Foundation Board.

















Royal LLP Open House

Royal LLPThe law firm Royal LLP staged an elaborate open house on April 14 at its new location at 270 Pleasant St. in Northampton. Here, Principal Amy Royal, left, with Anne Weiss, owner of Weiss Consulting.

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Foundation Awards

Foundation AwardsPeople’s United Community Foundation recently announced that it awarded $30,000 in grants to nonprofit agencies in Western Mass. Six organizations received funding in support of their programs. Here, Tim Crimmins Jr., (fourth from left), officer of People’s United Community Foundation and Massachusetts President of People’s United Bank, presents award checks to, from left: Donna Barbieri, vice president of Business Banking for People’s United Bank, representing Gray House; Lynn Cantell, growth manager and senior vice president of People’s United Bank, representing Top Floor Learning Inc.; Jane Lennox, chief development officer for the Clarke School for the Deaf; Michael Abbate, director of Finance and Administration for the Western Mass. Enterprise Fund; Monica Borgatti, Resource Development and Communications director for Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity; Sandy Belkin, president of the Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors; Ron Willoughby, Springfield Rescue Mission executive director; and Joe Manna, development director for the Springfield Rescue Mission.

Transactional Law Meet

Transactional Law MeetWestern New England College School of Law students Isaac Mass and Julie McKenna (left), topped a field of 30 teams in the national Transactional Law Meet held in Philadelphia. Mass and McKenna received their first place award from judges (from left), Joan  Schwartz, associate general counsel of Airgas Inc.; Kenneth Young, partner at Dechert LLP; Jason Koenig, principal at Hale Capital Partners; and Charles Middleton, senior vice president and tax counsel at Oxbow Corp.

Send photos with a caption and contact information to: ‘Picture This’ c/o BusinessWest Magazine, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103 or to [email protected]

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ICNE Open House

Insurance Center of New England staged an open house and ribbon-cutting on March 31 at its new headquarters building on Suffield Street in Agawam, the former home of the Oaks banquet facility. At left below, doing the honors are, from left: Bill Trudeau, COO of ICNE; state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga; David Florian, CFO of ICNE; Dean Florian, president of ICNE; and Agawam Mayor Richard Cohen. At left top, Dean Florian chats with Ted Hebert, owner of Teddy Bear Pools & Spas. 








Link to Libraries

Link to LibrariesThe Hampden Savings Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Hampden Bank, announced recently that it has awarded $1,500 to Link to Libraries Inc. Here, Gayle Rediker, CFO of Rediker Software and a Hampden Bank and Link to Libraries Advisory Board member, accepts a check from Hampden Bank Vice President/Retail Sales Director Hector Toledo. Celebrating its third anniversary this May, Link to Libraries has donated more than 26,000 to area schools and nonprofits in Western Mass. and Northern Conn.








NASA Downlink

NASA downlinkArea sixth-grade students had a chance to talk directly with an astronaut on March 29, as Dr. Cady Coleman ‘visited’ Springfield Technical Community College via a NASA downlink from the International Space Station. The event was made possible through a partnership with UMass Amherst. Students from three schools — Springfield’s STEM Middle Academy and the Lt. Elmer J. McMahon and Dr. Marcella R. Kelly schools in Holyoke — participated in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) activities led by UMass graduate students prior to the downlink.

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Hometown Heroes

Hometown Hero Nate Lare

Hometown Hero Sirdeaner Walker

Stephen Bryant, president of Columbia Gas

The American Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter held its ninth annual Hometown Heroes breakfast at the MassMutual Center earlier this month, honoring nine local residents who acted selflessly to change (and sometimes save) the lives of others. At top, Hometown Hero Nate Lare, who alerted residents when a fire gutted their apartment complex, shares a moment with his mother, Roberta Garabedian, after receiving his award. Middle, Hometown Hero Sirdeaner Walker, an advocate for safe schools who has become an effective anti-bullying voice in the wake of her son’s suicide, is presented with her award by Earlon Seeley of Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan & Blakesley, P.C., another event sponsor. At bottom, Stephen Bryant, president of Columbia Gas, the event’s presenting sponsor, addresses the audience at the MassMutual Center.

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Breaking New Ground

Breaking New GroundOfficials broke ground March 3 on Boltwood Place, a 12-unit market-rate housing project in downtown Amherst, behind Judie’s restaurant. The project, praised by officials as a way to bring more professionals, and even more vitality, into downtown Amherst, is slated to be ready for occupancy later this year. From left are: Jonathan Tucker, Amherst planning director; John Musante, Amherst town manager; Katie Day Eagan, Dave Williams, and Judie Terapulsky, owners of Boltwood Place; Stephanie O’Keefe, chair of the Amherst Select Board; and Kyle Wilson, principal, along with Williams, of Archipelago Investments, which is spearheading the project.

Link to Libraries

Link to LibrariesThe Monson Savings Bank Foundation recently announced that Link to Libraries of East Longmeadow is one of the recipients of the bank’s foundation awards for 2011. Seen here are, from left: Dodie Carpentier, Hampden branch manager; Susan Jaye-Kaplan, president, Link to Libraries; Monson Savings Bank President Roland Desrochers; Lynn Weiner, Link to Libraries Advisory Committee member; and Link to Libraries co-founder Janet Crimmins.

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Mary Ellen Scott, president of United Personnel

Mary Ellen Scott, president of United Personnel

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal

U.S. Rep. Richard Neal

Russell Denver

Russell Denver, right, with PeoplesBank President and CEO Doug Bowen


Outlook 2011
The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield staged Outlook 2011 on Feb. 11. The event featured an address from Gov. Deval Patrick, at right, and remarks from U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (top right, with Patrick and Health New England President Peter Straley at the head table). HNE was the presenting sponsor. At top left, Mary Ellen Scott, president of United Personnel, presents the chamber’s legislative agenda. Above, Russell Denver (right, with PeoplesBank President and CEO Doug Bowen) is saluted as he winds up more than 15 years as ACCGS president.

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Cones for Kids

Cones for Kids

Cones for Kids

Andrea McKenna, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Friendly’s, shows off a T-shirt presented to her by Easter Seals Camp Friendly’s counselor Flemmings Beaubrun (far right). Pictured with McKenna are Jim Williams, president and CEO of Easter Seals (center), and staff from Easter Seals’ National Office in Chicago. The group visited Friendly’s last month to mark the start of the company’s 30th annual Cones for Kids fund-raiser to help kids with disabilities go to summer camp.

Photo by Dennis Vandal, Vandal Photo

Cutting the Ribbon

Cutting the Ribbon

Cutting the Ribbon

Alliance Medical Gas, an engineering firm that designs, sells, services, and installs medical gas systems for health care providers, has become a new tenant in the Scibelli Enterprise Center in the Technology Park at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC). On hand for the official ribbon-cutting at the announcement of the move are, from left: Marla Michel, director of the SEC and executive director of Economic Development Strategies at UMass Amherst; Linda Crouse, director of Marketing for Alliance; Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno; Chester Wojcik, president of Alliance; Michael Suzor, assistant to the president at STCC; Glenn Welch, executive vice president of Hampden Bank and chairman of the SEC Advisory Board; and Robert Greeley, president of the R.J. Greeley Co., leasing agent for the tech park.

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Business Expo

The Professional Women’s Chamber (PWC) staged its 13th Annual Business Expo on Jan. 19, 2011 at the MassMutual Room at the Basketball Hall of Fame. Nearly 50 exhibitors from a variety of business sectors participated in the tabletop event. Attendees found information on business and personal banking, finances, insurance, graduate schools, beauty products, and nonprofit organizations. Each year, the PWC conducts the expo to give its members an opportunity to showcase their business or organization and to give attendees a chance to network with other women executives. Proceeds from the expo go to support the PWC Scholarship Fund, which helps women in transition returning to the workforce. Top left, members of the PWC Board of Directors, from left, Ellen Albano, Ellen Desmarais, Lisa Lemon, Janet Casey, and Tony Scibaldi (president), with Jeannie Filomeno, a representative of Marcotte Ford. Left, representatives of Loomis Communities await visitors to their booth.

Top of the City

The Springfield Technical Community College Foundation recently staged its annual Top of the City event in Scibelli Hall. The networking event doubles as a fun-raiser, with proceeds from a giant raffle going to the foundation and its many endeavors. Below (from left): Ellen W. Freyman, Esq., of Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., and a member of the STCC Foundation Board of Directors; Ron Ancrum, president of the Community Foundation of Western Mass.; and Jane Roulier. Bottom (from left): William Bennett; Debra A. Kaylor, CPA, of Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C., and an STCC trustee; Hector F. Toledo, chairman of the STCC Board of Trustees and vice president of Retail Sales at Hampden Bank; and Myra D. Smith, STCC vice president for Human Resources and Multicultural Affairs.

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Grainger

Tools for Tomorrow

Two students in the Energy Systems Technology program at Springfield Technical Community College were recently awarded $2,000 scholarships from W.W. Grainger. In addition to the Grainger Tools for Tomorrow scholarship, the students will each receive a customized professional Westward toolkit, valued at $1,000, upon graduation. From left, STCC Energy Systems Technology Department Chair Bob Bujak; scholarship winners Brian Patterson and Luke Hardy; John Duffy, branch manager of the W.W. Grainger Springfield office; and Energy Systems Professor Michael Siciliano.

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Future Writers

BusinessWest Editor George O’Brien reads to students at Springfield’s Dorman School as part of the Link to Libraries read-aloud program. The students were given a book to take home, as well as a Link to Libraries book bag.

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Cutting the Ribbon

WNEC Campus

WNEC Campus

Western New England College celebrated the latest addition to its campus last month, the new, $40 million Center for the Sciences and Pharmacy designed to support learning and research. College President Anthony Caprio joined with hundreds of faculty, staff, students, and community leaders to mark the grand opening of the 127,000-square-foot facility. Caprio hailed the new center an exceptional learning environment that reflects WNEC’s growth and a greater emphasis on research by both faculty and students. “It is because of our entire community of talented and committed faculty, staff, students, trustees, alums, and friends that our university will continue to transform itself and the thousands of students we have incorporated into our dynamic journey,” he said. Below, Caprio and Board of Trustees Chair Kevin Delbridge, surrounded by faculty and staff, trustees, and local business and political leaders, cut the ceremonial ribbon.
WNWC staff

Caprio and Board of Trustees Chair Kevin Delbridge, surrounded by faculty and staff

The Pajama Project

Pajama Project

Pajama Project

Collecting clean, new sleepwear to benefit homeless children and families for the Pajama Project are (from left) Anthony Cignoli, president of A.L. Cignoli; Fr. Brennan, co-director at St. Francis Chapel; Don Anderson, owner of the Cruise Store; Aida Claudio, volunteer at St. Francis Chapel; and Mary Fallon, media director at Garvey Communication Associates Inc. Donations can also be dropped off at any Pride Station and Store. The collection runs through Jan 7.

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Art & Soles
Picture This 1Organizers of the Art & Soles project, which brought colorful, five-foot-high sneakers to downtown Springfield, staged the official gallery opening for the celebrated footwear on Dec. 13 at 1351 Main St. Many of the artists were in attendance, as well as project coordinators and friends of the arts. At left, Evan Plotkin, president of NAI Plotkin, and Maryann Lombardi, director of Creative Economy at UMass Amherst and a program organizer, admire the works of art. Picture this 2Below left, Nancy Urbschat, left, owner of TSM Design and a project organizer, admires some of the sneakers along with Sue Bader, a life insurance consultant with Epstein Financial. Picture This 3Below, artist Misha Epstein with her sneaker, a tribute to the historic homes in the McKnight section of Springfield. A resident of that area, she called her sneaker “In My Neighborhood,” and along the bottom, the word ‘home’ appears in 23 languages.

After 5
Picture 4The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield staged their annual holiday After 5 event in Tower Square on Dec. 8. The event was held outside the Festival of Trees, giving attendees a chance to see this year’s collection and enter the raffle to win one of the dozens of entries. Picture 5Far left, a visitor admires one of the trees. At left, Courtney Merrill greets visitors to the booth of Robert Charles Photography, one of the event’s sponsors.

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Festival of Trees


The Festival of Trees, the annual fundraiser to benefit the Springfield Boys & Girls Club, will continue through Dec. 12 in the meeting room on the second level of Tower Square. More than 100 trees, donated and decorated by businesses, civic and social organizations, schools, hospitals, families, and individuals, are now on display for this, the 10th annual festival. Visitors can purchase raffle tickets for chances to win a tree. Below, Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Gary McCarthy and Barbara Kolosowski, the agency’s director of Development, stand in front of a section set aside for those businesses and groups that have been part of the festival all 10 years.

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Giving Tree


Children from Greater Springfield recently helped launch the 26th Hasbro Children’s Giving Tree program at Eastfield Mall. Through the program, toys and games are donated by Hasbro Inc. and distributed to underprivileged children by the United Way of Pioneer Valley; food is collected by the community and distributed to families in need by the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts; and community members sprinkle the region with ‘Acts of Kindness.’ At left, at the kickoff event, Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno connects with area children on their level. At right, Gabriel Marchetti, 9, of Warner Elementary School of Springfield, hangs his ‘Act of Kindness’ message on the tree.

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Business Award Winners

The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce staged its annual meeting last month at Tekoa Country Club, an event that featured a presentation from Mayor Daniel Knapik about the future of the city, an introduction of the new 2011 chamber officers and board members, and the 2010 Business Awards presentation. Clockwise from above left: incoming Board Chairman Bill Parks, left, and outgoing Chair Kathleen Witalisz congratulate Jim Kaufman, president of Jenn-Coat, the 2010 Business of the Year; Burke and Witalisz congratulate Sean Hogan, president of Hogan Communications, the Business Man of the Year for 2010; members of the design team at Stevens 470, the 2010 Small Business of the Year, from left, Robert Burch, Web developer; Tina Stevens, principal and creative director; Kathleen Doe, senior graphic designer and studio director; Allison Gray, graphic designer; and Justin Friend, senior Web developer.

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Art Auction

The Balise Lexus Art Auction to Benefit Autism Speaks was held Nov. 19 at the Balise Lexus in West Springfield. At left, Balise Vice President Mike Balise and event organizer Crystal Childs auction off an authentic, autographed photo of Ted Williams. At right, attendees admire the various works of art.

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Pynchon Awards

The Ad Club of Western Mass. inducted three individuals into the Order of William Pynchon at its 96th annual Pynchon Awards on Nov. 18. The honor is bestowed to people who have demonstrated exceptional community service with compassion, humility, and grace. At right, 2010 Pynchon Medalists, from left, Barbara Bernard, York Mayo, and Mary Reardon Johnson. Above, past Pynchon medalists Anne Cooley, left, and Judge Sidney Cooley congratulate Bernard.

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One Book at a Time


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Program participants engaged in a number of learning activities with youngsters there

As part of a program called “Putting the Accent on Literacy, One Book at a Time,” BusinessWest and its Difference Makers from 2009 and 2010 coordinated a book drive in conjunction with the Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative, which links young people with books during the summer months, when they are away from. On August 13, more than 500 books were delivered to the Dunbar Community Center in Springfield, where program participants engaged in a number of learning activities with youngsters there, including book readings, games, and even a play (at left) involving Rosa Parks and her famous decision not to ride in the back of the bus.


Sally Fuller, project director for the Cherish Every Child

Sally Fuller, project director for the Cherish Every Child

Sally Fuller, project director for the Cherish Every Child initiative for the Davis Foundation, one of the Difference Makers for 2010, listens intently as one of the young students reads Where the Fern Grows.

Gwen Burke, left, and Nikia Davis

BusinessWest advertising consultant Gwen Burke, left, and Nikia Davis, the magazine’s senior designer

BusinessWest advertising consultant Gwen Burke, left, and Nikia Davis, the magazine’s senior designer, engage several students in a game of Scrabble Junior.

Maura Geary, project coordinator for the Regional Employment Board and one of the architects of the literacy program, gets to know several of the students involved with the summer reading initiative.

‘Nathanial’ proudly displays the book

‘Nathanial’ proudly displays the book

‘Nathanial’ proudly displays the book he chose to read to BusinessWest staff writer Joe Bednar. Each child was given a book to take home.

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Hanging with Wally


Joseph Bott, territory sales manager at the Hanover Insurance Group (left), Janet Steigmeyer, director of Human Resources for the Holyoke Chicopee Springfield (HCS) Head Start Inc., and Timm Marini, president of the FieldEddy Insurance Network, pose with Wally, the official mascot of the Boston Red Sox. The FieldEddy Insurance Network, in cooperation with the Hanover Insurance Group, sponsored Wally’s visit with the children enrolled in HCS Head Start. Head Start’s mission is to improve the lives of low-income children by providing quality, comprehensive child-development services focusing on education, health, nutrition, and mental health.

Getting a Lift

From left, Mary Meehan and Marian Poe-Heineman, both first vice president of commercial lending at PeoplesBank, join Mary Reardon Johnson, executive director of the Young Women’s Club of Western Mass., in celebrating the club’s new 2011 Kia Sedona. The van was purchased with a $21,813 donation from PeoplesBank, and will be assigned to the club’s Teen Transitional Living Program (TTLP). The TTLP serves at-risk teen mothers who cannot return to live with their families due to domestic violence, neglect, poor living conditions, or other extraordinary circumstances. The van will improve TTLP daily operations by providing residents and staff with safe and reliable transportation to and from doctor’s appointments and job training, as well as many other services critical to the success of the young mothers enrolled in the program.

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Arts & Soles

A flatbed truck carrying 20 six-foot-high fiberglass sneakers rolled into Springfield on July 8. Later in the day, an elaborate press event was staged to announce Arts & Soles, the community project involving the sneakers and the artists who will paint them in ways to answer the question, “what makes Springfield Great?” The footwear will be ready in time for the Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in August, and will be displayed in various locations downtown. Above, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno addresses those assembled for the media event. Behind him are, from left, Maryann Lombardi, director of creative economy for UMass Amherst, a partner in the project; Nancy Urbschat, president of TSM Design, one of the organizers; and John Judge, Springfield’s chief development officer. At left, Don Courtemanche, executive director of the Springfield Business Improvement District, one of the organizers, stands by one of the giant sneakers.

Comcast Digital Connectors

The Urban League of Springfield, Comcast, and One Economy held a special graduation ceremony at the Urban League of Springfield recently to honor a group of Springfield youths who have completed the Comcast Digital Connectors program. A total of 26 students completed the vigorous program, a year-long technology learning and service initiative that teaches teens and young adults from diverse, low-income backgrounds how to use broadband technologies and how to put that knowledge to work in their communities. At the event, several students shared the experiences they gained from the program. Each of the students was also presented with their own personal NetBook laptop, courtesy of Comcast, and the announcement was made that the Comcast Digital Connectors program will continue in Springfield next year. From left, Henry Thomas, president and CEO of the Urban League of Springfield, and Doug Guthrie, Comcast senior vice president for the Western New England Region, hand out NetBook laptops to the graduating Comcast Digital Connectors.

All That Jazz

More than 12,000 people turned out in downtown Springfield for the 4th Annual Hoop City Jazz and Art Festival, staged July 9-11. The event featured a number of regional and national entertainers, arts, crafts, a variety of food, and much more. Clockwise, from above, KASIF gets the audience hopping; Greg Caputo’s big band Velocity performs; members of Terrance Blanchard belt out another tune; trumpeter Cindy Bradley performs with Zoe; and employees and friends of event sponsor Hampden Bank, from left: Nancy Mirkin; Shana Hendrikse; Carolyn Ware; Bank President Tom Burton and his wife, Kathy; Nancy and Glenn McCarthy; John Osborn, president of the Hood City Jazz & Art Festival; Deb and Rick DeBonis; and Debbie Andrews.

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Mission: AMICCON

Organizers of an event called AMICCON — the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competition & Conference — staged a press event recently at the New England Air Museum at Bradley Airport to help build awareness of the Sept. 23 conference that will highlight manufacturing in Western Mass. and Connecticut. AMICCON will focus on six key manufacturing niches — plastics and advanced materials, precision machining, paper and packaging, electronics, ‘green’/clean technology, and medical devices — and has been designed to help area manufacturers make connections with one another and become aware of all that is produced in Springfield-Hartford corridor. The conference will take place at the MassMutual Center. For more information or to register, visit www.amiccon.com. Seen here are, from left, Jeff Sattler, president of NUVO Bank, one of the event organizers; Daryl Ott, executive director of the Connecticut Tooling & Machining Assoc. and also membership director of the National Tooling & Machining Assoc.; organizers Eric Hagopian, president of Hoppe Tool in Chicopee, and Ellen Bemben; and Mike Speciale, executive director of the New England Air Museum. Those gathered are standing under a fully rehabbed WWII B-29 bomber.

IBS Celebrates Its 20th

Innovative Business Systems staged a 20th-anniversary party recently at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House. More than 100 clients, friends, and vendor partners attended. From left, Dave Delvecchio, president and owner; Scott Seifel, owner and technician; Bill Tremblay, former owner and president; Tremblay’s wife, Elaine; Ben Scoble, owner and technician; Brian Scanlon, owner, vice president, and treasurer; and Scott Benoit, owner and technician.

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Me Time

Reeds Landing, one of the Loomis Communities, staged an event called Me Time last month to provide “an evening of relaxation and rejuvenation for adult children of aging parents.” The event featured massages, live music, door prizes, and opportunities to connect with other caregivers. Clockwise, from left, Deborah Donaldson, co-owner of Heartfelt Elder Massage, provides a massage to one of the guests; representatives of the Alternative Health booth greet visitors; representatives of Tanya Gets You Fit are pumped up for the event.

Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs

An Evening with John Ratzenberger, hosted by the Western Mass. National Tooling and Machining Assoc. (WMNTMA), was staged May 12 at the Museum of Springfield History. Attendees heard Ratzenberger (‘Cliff’ on the TV show Cheers) talk about Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs, a group he founded to address the urgent need to prepare young people for careers in manufacturing, and also about a summer-camp program designed to introduce middle-school students to such careers. A camp session will be conducted this summer at Springfield Technical Community College. At left, Ratzenber, center, is flanked by Eric Hagopian, left, president of the WMNTMA, and Chris Kielb, vice president of the organization. Above, the wing of a GeeBee aircraft, one of the prominent displays at the history museum, hovers above the gathering.

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Women’s Leadership Conference

More than 1,000 people were in attendance for Bay Path College’s 15th annual Women’s Leadership Conference at the MassMutual Center on April 30. The day-long event featured a number of keynote speakers and panels. Clockwise from left: one of those keynoters, Soledad O’Brien, an anchor and special correspondent for CNN, signs a book for Rhyshia Manga, a student at Bay Path; Vivian Ortiz, left, representing the President’s Office at Mass Bay Community College, visits with Patricia Faginski, vice president of client services at St. Germain Investment Management; Bay Path staff recognize President Carol Leary, center, for 15 successful years overseeing the annual conference.

Business Market Show

The MassMutual Center hosted hundreds of exhibitors at the 2010 Business Market Show on May 5. Clockwise from top left: from Holyoke Gas & Electric, Calvin Ellis (left), marketing coordinator, and Rich Carnall, telecommunications sales representative; from GetSet Marketing in Springfield, from left, Yelena Zinchenko, graphic designer, Michael Herbert, marketing consultant, and Dan Bessette, vice president of marketing and sales; from the Zoo in Forest Park, Emily Bouwer, animal care staffer; and from the Mercy Medical Center Blood Bank, back row, from left, Cindy Brown, medical assistant, Frank Menard, mobile tech, Paulina Tomaszewska, medical assistant, Geri Morris, medical assistant, and (kneeling) Gina Duncan, blood donor recruiter.

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Legislative Breakfast

The annual Higher Education Joint Legislative Breakfast was staged on March 26 at Springfield Technical Community College. Hosting colleges were Greenfield Community College, Holyoke Community College, STCC, and Westfield State College. Also in attendance were the presidents of Berkshire Community College and Mass. College of Liberal Arts, as well as the chancellor of UMass Amherst. At left are state Rep. Cheryl Coakley-Rivera, STCC President Ira Rubenzahl, and Lorenzo Gaines, director of the ACCESS Springfield Promise Program. Above are three area legislators who serve on the Joint Committee on Higher Education: state Rep. Donald Humason; state Sen. Benjamin Downing, acting chair of the committee; and state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli.

The SOS Turns 20

The Spirit of Springfield celebrated its 20th birthday on March 31 with a pizza-and-beer party at the Sheraton Springfield. On hand were dozens of supporters of the SOS and its events — Bright Nights in Forest Park, the annual pancake breakfast, the Big Balloon Parade, the July 4th fireworks, the annual golf tournament, and others. Pictured from left are Judy Matt, director of the Spirit of Springfield; Leslie Bercume of Health New England; Jean Jenks and Florence DeRose, former partners of Design & Advertising Associates; Diane Rodriguez of the Springfield School Department; and Dan Walsh of Columbus Hotels.

Cutting the Ribbon

Balise Honda recently celebrated its official grand opening on March 25 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house, an event attended by local politicians, media, and invited guests. The dealership is located at 400 Riverdale St. in West Springfield, site of the former Yale Genton. Above, Balise President Jeb Balise (second from left) cuts the ceremonial ribbon with, from left, state Sen. Stephen Buoniconti, West Springfield Mayor Edward Gibson, and state Rep. James Welch. Below, the entire Balise Honda staff poses for a picture.