Picture This
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Back to Square One
On Sept. 27, MassMutual Foundation President Dennis Duquette announced a $1 million gift to the “Back to Square One” capital campaign to support the construction of a $15.5 million center at the location where Square One’s building was destroyed by a tornado in 2011. Slated to open next spring, the 26,000-square-foot facility will include four preschool classrooms, an outdoor learning and play area, a full-service family-support center, and administrative offices.
Pictured, from left: Duquette, Square One CEO Dawn DiStefano, and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno.
Growing Challenges for Cannabis
Attorney Elaine Reall, chief legal officer at the Royal Law Firm, spoke at the annual meeting of the National Assoc. of Women & Minority Owned Law Firms in Atlanta on Sept. 15-18. Reall (right), along with Radhi Shah of Zuber Lawler LLP and Lucia de Vernai of Trulieve Inc., discussed the ethics and legalities surrounding the growing cannabis industry. Reall provided insight into product liability and consumer misrepresentation in the industry, as well as strategies for mitigating risks related to evolving state laws, the FDA’s stance, CBD uncertainties, vaping concerns, and guidelines for how business stakeholders should navigate legal risks effectively.
Reall (right), along with Radhi Shah of Zuber Lawler LLP and Lucia de Vernai of Trulieve Inc.
Getting a Head Start
On Sept. 23, Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) and Holyoke Chicopee Springfield (HCS) Head Start announced the opening of an HCS early-childhood program on the STCC campus. The opening of the facility will provide affordable childcare for qualifying families in the region, as well as learning and training opportunities for STCC students.
Pictured: Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and HCS Head Start CEO Nicole Blais cut a ribbon to mark the opening of program, alongside elected officials and leaders from STCC and HCS Head Start.
Class Act
Country Bank President and CEO Mary McGovern recently announced that the bank donated its 191 Sykes St. location in Palmer to Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School. The property, valued at $500,000, will facilitate Pathfinder Tech’s expansion of adult evening education programs and provide additional office space, as well as hosting classes.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 13 was attended by local dignitaries, including state Sen. Jacob Oliveira, state Reps. Todd Smola and Aaron Saunders, and others.
Recognizing Quick Response
Mercy Medical Center has been recognized for the delivery of quality stroke care by the Massachusetts Paul Coverdell Stroke Systems of Care Collaborative at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Thanks to the diligent work of the Mercy Stroke Team, Mercy Medical Center has received Coverdell awards for the quick administration of a CT for suspected stroke patients and for dysphagia screening protocols. Data from January 2023 through December 2023 were analyzed for these awards.
the Mercy Stroke Team
Igniting Workforce Success
Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently received the Igniting Workforce Success award from the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) for a cybersecurity training program it runs in partnership with the agency, which recently changed its name to MassAbility.
Pictured: Kermit Dunkelberg (center), HCC vice president for Adult Basic Education and Workforce Development, accepts the award from MassAbility Commissioner Toni Walsh (right), alongside Salvador Pina, dean of Workforce and Business Development at Roxbury Community College.
