Home Posts tagged Western Mass. (Page 11)
Tourism & Hospitality

 

They plan to call it the “Immigration Experience Room.”

And that’s exactly what it will relate, said Megan Seiler, director of the Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke, adding that this permanent new exhibit, set to open this summer, will give participants a glimpse into everything from the questions asked immigrants arriving at Ellis Island — thousands of whom found their way to Holyoke — to what they would pack in the one suitcase they would bring to this country.

“You come in, and you’ll take the steps that someone immigrating to this country would have taken, from the medical exam to other questions they would be asked,” she said, adding that this will be a hands-on family activity, complete with a passport that can be stamped and a map so visitors can pinpoint where they’re from.

The Immigration Experience is just one example of how Wistariahurst, the estate built by silk magnate William Skinner, is much more than a house museum; indeed, provides educational experiences involving all of Holyoke and much more. One upcoming exhibit is called “Prison Reimagined,” featuring visual art and poetry created by people who are currently incarcerated.

Meanwhile, it has become an event venue, hosting everything from weddings and retirement parties to art exhibits and book discussions.

The home, like Skinner’s silk mill, was originally in Williamsburg, and moved to Holyoke after the great flood of 1874. The buildings and grounds were owned continually by the Skinner family until 1859, when Katherine Skinner Kilbourne, the youngest child of William and Sarah Skinner, and her heirs gave Wistariahurst to the city of Holyoke.

It has become what Katherine Skinner intended it to be — a center for cultural and educational purposes.

Its grounds are open to the public dawn to dusk, Seiler noted. “We get people coming throughout the day, especially when things are in bloom. We get people doing yoga on their lunch break, we get the YMCA preschool … people love the grounds.”

There are also house tours and, as noted, a wide variety of programs, many of them focused on Holyoke and the people who have come here since it became a planned industrial city in 1873. In addition to “The Immigrant Experience,” there’s also a planned permanent exhibit on migrants who came to Holyoke from the South, Puerto Rico, and elsewhere.

In short, while the landmark tells the story of the Skinners, it really tells the story of Holyoke and all who have called it home. Learn more at www.wistariahurst.org.

—George O’Brien

Tourism & Hospitality

 

Students. Star Wars fans. Dog lovers (both kinds).

There’s something for just about everyone this year as the Westfield Starfires open up their seventh season of play in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League.

“We’re actually opening the season with a few games that are baseball and education day games,” team co-owner Chris Thompson said, noting that these are school field trips, with first pitch at 10:30 a.m., that blend game action with lessons about the regions the players hail from, statistics, and sabermetrics.

Other promotions include a Star Wars night to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters, fireworks presented by Westfield Gas & Electric, Mental Health Awareness Day, team poster and baseball card giveaways, a dollar dog night, and — speaking of dogs — a Bark in the Park night, where patrons can take in a game with their furry friends.

But the biggest draw is still the team itself, which lost in the league championship game last year and returns a solid group from Clemson, Georgia Tech, Louisiana Tech, Ohio, and a host of other schools, including UConn, Boston College, and others from around New England. Prior to last season, the Starfires extended their lease with the city to keep playing at Bullens Field at least until 2034.

“Mayor [Michael] McCabe sees it as an attraction, with people coming to visit from outside of Westfield, and we also have a ton of local partners,” Thompson said. For example, North Elm Butcher Block, a 90-year staple in downtown Westfield, will be dishing out barbecue fare like pulled pork sandwiches, brisket, burnt ends, and mac and cheese balls, while Amherst Brewing Co. is returning for the seventh year with its Starfire IPA.

And for the third year, the team will present the Starfires Summer Classic in June at Forest Park in Springfield. “We go out and do some brand building, build some awareness of who we are, and hopefully the families will come back to the ballpark at Bullens Field. We partner with a lot of regional schools, too, and hope they also might come back with their family.”

There’s also a Father’s Day promotion that culminates with a game of catch between fathers and sons on the field after the game.

“It’s a great family day at the ballpark,” Thompson said. “The goal for us is to try to increase our in-game fan experience, including the between-innings portion. We’re really thrilled by what we’ve been able to do over the last couple years.”

The 2025 season runs from May 28 to Aug. 9. Learn more at www.westfieldstarfires.com.

—Joseph Bednar

Tourism & Hospitality

 

It was just over a half-century ago that the Springfield Armory — the facility that gave the community its heritage of precision manufacturing and even its legacy as the City of Homes — was designated as a national historic site.

And those at the Armory, which now shares its home with Springfield Technical Community College, are celebrating that milestone in many different ways — from merchandise including clothing, pins, and a commemorative passport stamp to a celebration weekend slated for this fall.

But the 50th anniversary is just part of a loaded schedule of programs at the armory this year. There are also events to mark the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, as well as programming that speaks to Springfield’s designation as an American World War II Heritage City by the National Park Service, the only one in the Commonwealth, said Susan Ashman, lead park ranger and historic weapons supervisor at the Armory.

It was during World War II that production at the Armory was at its peak, with more than 14,000 people working there producing weapons such as the legendary M1 Garand, said Ashman, adding that this indelible impact on the war, and the region, are big reasons why the Armory, the site for which was chosen by George Washington, was designated as a national historic site.

Today, as throughout its 50-year history, the Armory is a museum, visited by people from across the region and around the world, where visitors can see displays featuring everything from the Blanchard lathe — a turning point, literally and figuratively, when it comes to mass production — to weapons from several eras, to images of the men and women who worked there.

But it’s also the site of special programs, from recreations of historic battles to public talks, like the ones slated for later this year by several World War II-focused writers, including Alex Kershaw, author of The Bedford Boys, First Wave, and Liberator.

Then there’s the annual big-band show, slated this year for Saturday, July 19, which commemorates Benny Goodman’s band’s performance at the Armory in 1943.

As for that weekend celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the Armory becoming a national historic site, it’s slated for Aug. 16-17, said Ashman, adding that there will be bands, presentations, hands-on demonstrations, and much more. In short, it will celebrate all that the Armory has meant to Springfield, the region, and the country.

The Springfield Armory is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn more at www.nps.gov/spar/index.htm.

—George O’Brien

Tourism & Hospitality

Kate Craven says the 2025 season amounts to a “rebirth” for the Robert E. Barrett Fishway.

Indeed, it’s been a strange and difficult stretch for the Holyoke attraction, which did not open in 2020, 2021, or 2022 because of COVID, reopened in 2023, and then closed again to the public last year as the Holyoke Gas & Electric (HG&E), which operates the facility, undertook extensive upgrades to one of the hydroelectric units at the Hadley Falls station.

So this spring will bring a return to normalcy, if you will, meaning another 500,000 fish covering dozens of different species will be carried over HG&E’s Holyoke Dam by two large elevators — and some 10,000 visitors (that’s the annual average) will be able to take it all in.

That spectrum includes schoolchildren — third- and fourth-graders comprise the sweet spot — on field trips, college students, area families, and visitors to Western Mass. looking for a different kind of getaway.

“People can see where hydropower production, environmental stewardship, and fish passage all come together in a very powerful way,” said Craven, the HG&E’s director of Marketing and Communications, noting that, aside from 2023, many traditions have unfortunately been paused at the fishway, named after Robert Barrett, the former director of the Holyoke Water Power Co., who became consumed with finding a way to help fish — returning to freshwater steams to spawn — find their way over the dam.

They will resume starting May 7 with the opening of the fishway, said Craven, noting that one such tradition comes on Mother’s Day (May 11), when mothers visiting the facility — and many do — are given a carnation.

As noted earlier, visitors to the fishway can see many different species carried over the dam, from American shad, the most populous species, to blueback herring, sea lamprey, and the occasional shortnose sturgeon, a species protected by the federal government.

“We’re hoping to get a lot of school groups and visitors to the fishway this spring,” said Craven, adding that there will be some pent-up demand as well as the usual fascination with seeing ingenuity assist these species of fish with their annual migration to spawn.

The fishway will be open from May 7 to June 15, Wednesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour with a fishway guide or explore the facility at their own pace with a self-guided walk-through. Learn more at www.hged.com/community-environment/barrett-fishway/default.aspx.

—George O’Brien

Tourism & Hospitality

The Quabbin Reservoir is the main drinking water supply for more than 3 million people in the Commonwealth.

It is also an engineering marvel, home to wildlife ranging from eagles to mountain lions to porcupines, the site of dozens of hiking trails, and sits on the site of four small towns that were taken by the state, later disincorporated, and now covered by some 412 billion gallons of water more than 50 feet deep in places.

So there’s history, engineering, nature, recreation, fishing, and education into how this water supply was created and how it operates today. And all of that and more can be taken in with a visit to the reservoir and the Les and Terry Campbell Quabbin Visitor Center in Belchertown, said Maria Beiter-Tucker, Interpretive Services supervisor for the Quabbin.

She handles public programing and educational programming, and quite a bit falls into those two categories.

Starting with the visitor center, located on the first floor of the Quabbin Administration Building at 100 Windsor Dam Road in Belchertown. There, visitors can learn about the history of the Swift River Valley and those aforementioned towns — Dana, Enfield, Greenwich, and Prescott — and also about why and how the reservoir was constructed and how it is managed today, she said.

There’s also a considerable amount of information about the wildlife that calls the Quabbin home, she said, adding that there are educational programs for visitors and groups, including many school field trips, as well as self-guided tours of the area.

These public programs include hikes of Quabbin Park and Quabbin Reservation, including hikes focused on various habitats. There’s also a hike to Dana Common, where some of the foundations to buildings in that community can still be seen.

Overall, there are dozens of hiking trails, including the Bald Mountain Hill Trail, the Goodnough Dike Vista Trail, the Old Stone Trail, and the Quabbin Park Cemetery tour, which takes visitors to the cemetery created for the relocation of graves from the Swift River Valley.

No dogs are allowed at the Quabbin to keep that drinking supply safe from contamination, but two-legged visitors are more than welcome, and, as mentioned earlier, there is much to see, learn, and experience at this regional gem.

The Quabbin Visitor Center is open every day except Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Learn more at www.mass.gov/locations/quabbin-reservoir.

—George O’Brien

Tourism & Hospitality

It’s called “Illustrators of Light.”

One of the current exhibititions at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, it’s a collection of advertisements created by Rockwell, and several of his notable peers in the world of 1920s illustration, for Edison Mazda Lamps, a division of General Electric.

“These amazing, large-scale paintings were done as advertisements, and now they’re being put on view to the public for the first time,” said Stephanie Plunkett, the museum’s chief curator, adding that “we constantly change our collections to highlight the influence that illustration has had across time and how Rockwell is a part of that great tradition that continues today.”

While the museum houses the world’s largest collection of art by Rockwell (998 original paintings and drawings in all), many other exhibitions rotate through, including, currently, “All for Laughs: the Artists of the Famous Cartoonist Course,” which was a popular 1950s correspondence course designed to teach artists to be funny; and “Original Sisters: Portraits of Tenacity and Courage,” a series of portraits by Anita Kunz that honor the contributions of history-making women.

Starting in June is “I Spy! Walter Wick’s Hidden Wonders,” showcasing Wick’s iconic photographic creations, and opening in November is “Jazz Age Illustration,” which explores popular illustration during the 1920s and 1930s and the cultural impact of that work,

Many visitors are surprised at the variety of exhibitions, Plunkett said.

“It’s a very mixed audience. Some people grew up with Rockwell’s illustrations; their families may have received the Saturday Evening Post or the Ladies’ Home Journal, and they have a real familiarity with his work. But we’re getting people across the age spectrum, lots of families with children and young adults. We had a Mad magazine exhibition that brought in an audience interested in comics and cartoons and satire. In addition, we have people who are travelers, people who may view us as a destination location.”

During the warm months, visitors can also visit the actual studio where Rockwell — who lived in Stockbridge for the last 25 years of his life — worked. The building was originally located in the backyard of his home on South Street and moved to the museum grounds in 1986. “It’s fun for people to experience Rockwell’s workspace,” Plunkett said.

The Norman Rockwell Museum is open every day except Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Learn more at www.nrm.org.

—Joseph Bednar

Tourism & Hospitality

You’re never too old for the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

“I tell everyone who’s been here before, when their kids were little, to bring them back when they’re older because there’s always something new to see,” said Rebecca Miller Goggins, director of Development. “Our ever-changing art galleries are sophisticated, beautiful, and inspirational for everyone. Our mission is to elevate the art of the picture book.”

The museum features a hallway dedicated to the life of Carle and the iconic children’s books he created (most notably The Very Hungry Caterpillar), but there are three other galleries of works by other artists that change twice yearly, a daily film in the auditorium, regular story times in the reading library, and hands-on activities in the art studio that change every six weeks or so.

“We may coordinate with something going on in the galleries; like, if there’s a watercolor artist, we’ll do watercolors in the art studio,” Goggins explained. “It’s an incredible creative space, and it’s a great place for families with young kids who don’t want to make a mess in their own house — they can come to the Carle and make a mess in our studio. And adults really enjoy making art in the studio as well.”

The museum’s expansive, award-winning bookshop typically carries every book in print by any author featured in a current exhibition, and authors and artists often come in for readings, lectures, and book signings.

Current exhibitions include Jerry Pinkney’s The Lion & the Mouse, featuring the cover art and more than 32 pieces from that book; a 50-year commemoration of Free to Be You and Me; “Created in Color: The Picture Book Art of Raúl Colón”; and an exhibit of work by Margaret Wise Brown, author of Goodnight Moon, and artists she has inspired.

There are also plenty of activities pitched at adults, from lectures and gallery tours to art-making programs, Goggins said, and plenty of reasons to come back, between the rotating exhibits and more than 10,000 pieces in the permanent collection.

And people do come back; the museum attracts more than 40,000 visitors annually and has welcomed more than 1 million since its opening in 2002.

“It’s a remarkable place,” she added. “Picture book art is not just for children; it’s for everyone. It’s ageless and evergreen. So come visit again, and be newly inspired.”

The museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Learn more at www.carlemuseum.org.

—Joseph Bednar

Tourism & Hospitality

Many museums tout themselves as a chance to go back time, but few actually ‘go’ anywhere. For that, one might consider taking a ride at the Connecticut Trolley Museum.

“We’re a historic trolley and transportation museum, and we mostly see families with young children, but we get everyone, including a lot of visitors who are interested in railroad history,” Executive Director Gina Alimberti said.

“We have a large visitor center packed with trolleys. You can go on and view them and take in our exhibits and history,” she added. “We also have some trolleys outside. We have a full fire-truck museum on the same property, with 20 to 30 old trucks you can view.”

In all, the museum houses more than 70 pieces of rail equipment dating as far back as 1869, not only from Connecticut, but from cities across the U.S. and around the world. But the highlight of the visit for most is taking a ride on an historic streetcar.

“You feel like you’re riding back in time because you would never see yourself riding on these cars,” Alimberti said. “It’s a cool experience, and we try to keep it alive. We don’t want that history to go away. A lot of seniors remember from back in the day, whether it was downtown Springfield or downtown Hartford; they remember it, and they get to experience it again, which is really cool.”

Meanwhile, she added, kids tend to know very little about trolleys, so the museum teaches them that slice of history, and hopefully gains clientele who will keep coming back when they’re older.

Speaking of kids, many events at the Connecticut Trolley Museum are geared toward the younger set and their families, from the current season’s Easter Eggspress days, featuring Easter-themed crafts, exhibits, and movies, as well as a visit from the Easter bunny; the Dino Trolley in July, with dinosaur-themed activities; the Pumpkin Patch Trolley in the fall; and the evening Winterfest and Tunnel of Lights between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The events are a big draw, and they’re critical to museum operations, Alimberti said. “We’re a nonprofit, and the only way we stay afloat are our events. It’s a big revenue maker for us to keep the museum and trolleys maintained.”

The Connecticut Trolley Museum is open weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in April, May, June, and September; every day except Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in July and August; and for special events later in the year. Learn more at www.ct-trolley.org.

—Joseph Bednar

Picture This

Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected]

 

Driving for the Cure

The 16th annual Tom Cosenzi Driving for the Cure Charity Golf Tournament, held on Sept. 26, 2024 at Twin Hills Country Club, exceeded all expectations by raising $176,500, the largest amount ever raised in the tournament’s 16-year history. This brings the total raised over the years to more than $1.8 million, all in support of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s neuro-oncology research.

Pictured, from left: Tommy Cosenzi and Carla Cosenzi, co-founders of the Tom Cosenzi Driving For The Cure Charity Golf Tournament, and Dr. Patrick Wen, director of the Center for Neuro-Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Pictured, from left: Tommy Cosenzi and Carla Cosenzi, co-founders of the Tom Cosenzi Driving For The Cure Charity Golf Tournament, and Dr. Patrick Wen, director of the Center for Neuro-Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

 

Attitude of Gratitude

Pioneer Valley Financial Group (PV Financial) announced a partnership with Baystate Health in recognition of the care provided by the Davis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit staff. PV Financial was inspired to collaborate with the Baystate Health Foundation after Andrea Lebeau, a member of the PV Financial team, experienced an emergency early delivery of her daughter, Blake, who required a 102-day stay in Baystate Health’s NICU. PV Financial has made a $5,000 donation to support the Davis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and its staff also volunteered at the Baystate Health Foundation’s annual radiothon, held in partnership with WMAS 94.7.

Pictured: Lebeau with her husband, Shawn, and daughter Blake.

Pictured: Lebeau with her husband, Shawn, and daughter Blake.

 

Being a Blessing

Allied Flooring, Paint & Design and Budget Cabinets recently donated $1,213.98, along with three boxes of life essentials, to Jenna’s Blessing Bags, a nonprofit dedicated to providing backpacks filled with necessities for those in need. The donation was the result of a successful holiday collection drive. The funds and donated supplies will go toward helping individuals experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Pictured: Kevin Montemagni, board member of Jenna’s Blessing Bags, and Becky Tedeschi, president of Allied Flooring, Paint & Design.

Pictured: Kevin Montemagni, board member of Jenna’s Blessing Bags, and Becky Tedeschi, president of Allied Flooring, Paint & Design.

Agenda

Women’s Leadership Conference

April 3: Bay Path University announced that award-winning journalist, author, and television personality Hoda Kotb will be the keynote speaker at the 28th Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC), taking place in Springfield. Most well-known as the former co-anchor of NBC News’ Today and co-host of Today with Hoda & Jenna, Kotb joined Today as a co-host of the fourth hour in 2008, alongside Kathie Lee Gifford, and recently retired from the show after 17 years, during which time she received several Emmy Awards for her work. A New York Times bestselling author, Kotb has written eight books and continues to host the popular podcast “Making Space with Hoda Kotb.” The WLC will also feature lunchtime speaker Amelia Rose Earhart, a pilot, author, and reporter who, inspired by her namesake, circumnavigated the globe in a single-engine aircraft. Earhart has 15 years of experience as a helicopter and breaking-news reporter in Denver and Los Angeles, has sent numerous teenage girls to flight school during her 10-year tenure as president of the Fly with Amelia Foundation, and hosts a tech podcast focused on the future of AI in business. This year’s conference will also feature breakout sessions led by business experts and coaches, including Shira Abel, a lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley, who taps into her experience working with companies such as Siemens, Samsung, AXA, and Allianz to speak about navigating the complexities of modern business and the impact biases and expectations have on success. In addition, the WLC will welcome Jackie Glenn, former chief diversity officer at Fortune 500 EMC Corp. and founder and CEO of Glenn Solutions, where she partners with executives to reimagine organizational practices and implement strategies such as cultural assessments, executive coaching, and advisory services to foster thriving, innovative workplaces. An instructor at Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education, Glenn continues her mission to equip leaders with the tools to succeed through her work in the school’s Women Leaders: Advancing Together program. For further information on the conference, sponsorship opportunities, and ticket sales, visit baypath.edu/wlc.

 

Sip, Bid & Boogie

April 3: The WillPower Foundation, a source of support for Western Mass. individuals and families with different abilities, announced its new spring fundraiser, Sip, Bid & Boogie. This event will take place at the Jupiter Club in Easthampton mill building, offering an evening of entertainment, community, and philanthropy. Sip, Bid & Boogie will be a swanky soirée featuring handcrafted cocktails from the Jupiter Club, elevated bites by Blue Door Gatherings, live music by Mister Brilliant, and a silent art auction showcasing a diverse collection of artwork from artists of all abilities. The event will be emceed by the legal duo Ryan Alekman and Rob DiTusa, corporate donors who have supported WillPower since its inception. They will guide guests through an evening of fun, surprises, and a celebration of community. The art auction is a reflection of the WillPower Foundation’s mission to celebrate unique talents and different abilities. The collection will feature paintings, sculptures, digital art, mixed media, and more. Tickets cost $60 per person, $100 for two tickets, or $400 for a party pack of eight. Sponsorship opportunities range from $250 to $15,000, offering local businesses the opportunity to align their brand with a nonprofit making a tangible impact. Additionally, the WillPower Foundation is accepting donations of artwork for the silent auction. To purchase tickets, donate art, or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willpowerfoundation.org or email [email protected].

 

‘An Evening Under the Stars’

April 4: Tapestry Health announced “An Evening Under the Stars,” its 2025 gala, set to take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. This inspiring evening will bring together community leaders, supporters, and advocates to celebrate and raise critical funds for Tapestry Health’s life-saving healthcare services. Guests will enjoy a night of dining, entertainment, and a silent auction, all in support of Tapestry Health’s mission to provide accessible sexual and reproductive healthcare, harm-reduction services, and WIC nutrition programs to residents across all four counties of Western Mass. For more information or to reserve a spot, visit onecau.se/tapestrygala or email [email protected].

 

‘Get Unstuck and Start Moving Forward’

April 7: Got goals? Lost momentum? Get unstuck with the help of an accountability partner by attending the Dulye Leadership Experience (DLE) in-person meetup in downtown Pittsfield. “Get Unstuck and Start Moving Forward” is the theme of this interactive program, which will help attendees gain new perspectives and approaches to identify what’s stopping them from achieving an important goal; take small, actionable steps to make changes; and keep progress going. There is no fee to attend, but registration is required by visiting www.surveymonkey.com/r/hjhlmdh. The program runs from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. at the DLE office, 100 North St., Suite 402, Pittsfield. DLE meetups are designed to grow who and what attendees know in a fun and supportive environment. The program features breakouts and group discussions for meeting professionals from diverse companies and organizations.

 

WTrades Career Expo

April 9: River East School to Career will present WTrades, Your Present is Your Future, a skilled trades career-exploration day, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. Students in grades 9-12 from school districts in the Greater Springfield and Greater Palmer areas are invited to attend. This program aims to showcase strategic, exploratory resources and hands-on opportunities to about 200 student attendees to enrich their knowledge about prospects for future employment and how to achieve a skilled trades career. River East is seeking skilled trade exhibitors, including those with heavy machinery, to participate in the WTrades career fair. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to speak directly with students, sharing insights about their careers and the skills required to succeed in their industries. By attending WTrades, exhibitors will connect directly with students to inform them about job opportunities and training programs that can lead to fulfilling careers. The skilled trades industry offers a broad range of career opportunities, from construction, mechanical, and industrial to healthcare, technical, and advanced manufacturing trades. However, many students are unaware of these possibilities or the training and/or educational paths available, such as apprenticeships, community colleges, technical institutes, vocational programs, and online training. For more information on the event, visit rivereaststc.org/wtrades or call Amy Scribner, partnership director, at (413) 283-5051 or [email protected].

 

Difference Makers Gala

April 9: Tickets are now on sale for BusinessWest’s 17th annual Difference Makers awards gala at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The class of 2025, profiled in the Feb. 17 issue of BusinessWest and at businesswest.com, are Jennie Adamczyk, executive director of Providence Ministries; Sheryl Blancato, CEO of Second Chance Animal Services; Andrea Bordenca, managing partner of Generative Leadership Consulting; Mychal Connolly, CEO of Stand Out Truck; John Delaney, director of Ride to Remember; John Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; the Michael J. Dias Foundation; and Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. Tickets cost $95 per person, and tables of 10 are available. They can be purchased at businesswest.com/eventcalendar/difference-makers-tickets. The 17th annual Difference Makers program is sponsored by Burkhart Pizzanelli, the Royal Law Firm, TommyCar Auto Group, and Westfield Bank.

 

Bowl for Kids’ Sake

April 19, 26; May 3: The youth empowerment nonprofit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Massachusetts (BBBSWM) invites the public to help fund programs that support kids in Berkshire, Franklin, and Hampden counties through the annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake (BFKS) fundraiser. Each of the three events will run from 10 a.m. to noon on the following Saturdays: April 19 K&M Bowling in Pittsfield, April 26 at Shaker Bowl in East Longmeadow, and May 3 at French King Bowling in Erving. Those interested in supporting BBBSWM’s mission can visit secure.qgiv.com/event/bbbswm2025bfks to register their team and get tips on how to engage their own networks to join in supporting their bowling team. BBBS creates connections between children (‘littles’) with qualified and vetted mentors (‘bigs’) in the community to create fulfilling relationships.

 

Technology Recycling Drive

April 22: For individuals and companies looking to get rid of their old computer equipment and do some good, Paragus IT is hosting a technology recycling drive to promote sustainability on Earth Day to benefit Dakin Humane Society. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., those looking to recycle old, unwanted computers, laptops, printers, and other equipment can drop them off at Paragus, 122 Russell St., Hadley. Paragus will prepare them for reuse or make sure they’re properly disposed of. In exchange, they will collect $5 per piece of equipment, all of which will benefit Dakin Humane Society. Some items may have additional fees. More details about those items — and other information about the recycling drive — can be found at paragusit.com/earthday.

 

UMass 5K Dash & Dine

April 26: UMass Dining Services invites the community to participate in its 14th annual UMass 5K Dash & Dine, with the goal to promote health and wellness at UMass Amherst while raising funds for the Amherst Survival Center. UMass Dining’s focus is on quality ingredients and meals, customer service, student health and wellness, customization options, and appreciation of global influences. Over the past 13 years, UMass Dining has raised more than $50,000 that has been donated to the Amherst Survival Center. Check-in at the Southwest Horseshoe will begin at 9 a.m. At 10 a.m., a free Fun Run begins for children 8 years old and under. At 11 a.m., the race begins, followed by an awards ceremony at 11:30 a.m. and lunch at noon in the Berkshire Dining Commons. The race fee is $15 for all Five College students, $25 for UMass Amherst faculty and staff, and $30 for the general public. Children 8 and under may participate free of charge. The race fee includes registration and lunch. Donations can be made and participants can register at runumass.com/about. Online registration will end April 24. Walk-up registration will be available on race day.

 

Feast in the East

April 29: The ERC5 announced that Feast in the East 2025 will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Starting Gate at Great Horse, 128 Wilbraham Road, Hampden. This event will bring together more than 40 local vendors, including restaurateurs, confectioners, breweries, and wineries, creating an atmosphere for networking and community engagement. Attendees can indulge in diverse culinary experiences while enjoying the view overlooking the Pioneer Valley. PeoplesBank is the premier sponsor for this event, and Square One is the spotlighted nonprofit organization for this year’s Feast in the East. In an effort to be more impactful and mindful, event organizers have also welcomed back Rachel’s Table, which will ensure that food not served during the event will be collected and distributed to local organizations and shelters. For more information, to purchase tickets, or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.erc5.com.

 

Link to Libraries Gala

May 8: Link to Libraries announce its biennial gala, an evening that celebrates the organization’s transformative impact in the community while raising vital funds to ensure children have access to the books and programming they deserve. This year’s gala, taking place at the Basketball Hall of Fame, will feature a Swifty-themed evening inspired by Taylor Swift’s celebrated Eras Tour. Guests will enjoy an elegant night filled with cocktails, dinner, an auction, and the opportunity to connect with others passionate about the power of reading to transform lives. All proceeds from the gala go directly to Link to Libraries, a nonprofit committed to fostering literacy by providing books and programming for children in underserved communities. Tickets cost $90 per person, or $250 for VIP tickets that include a pre-gala VIP cocktail reception. Tickets are available at www.linktolibraries.org.

 

‘The Journey’

May 10: Graduate Women in Business, in collaboration with the UMass Fine Arts Center, will present “The Journey,” a charity gala at the UMass Campus Center Auditorium that celebrates the talent, transitions, and triumphs of women. The evening will be filled with music, dance, an auction benefiting Girls Inc. of the Valley and the Care Center in Holyoke, and thought-provoking panel discussions with influential women who have made significant impacts in their fields, as well as a motivating, empowering keynote address. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For details, contact Melisha Williams at [email protected] or [email protected].

 

Hooplandia 2025

June 20-22: Registration is now open for Hooplandia, the third annual 3-on-3 basketball tourney and festival, at hooplandia.com. The event will take place at Eastern States Exposition (ESE) and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Games will be played at the ESE complex, with special games held at the Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2024, 75 basketball courts allowed accommodation for more than 650 games played by approximately 2,100 participants of all ages. Diverse divisions include young girls and boys, women, men, high-school ages, college level, OGs, veterans, and more. Fees range according to age. Players in the Special Olympics and Unified division can look forward to free registration, and those in the Hoops & Heroes division, such as active and retired first responders and military personnel, have access to discounted registration. Players are invited to build teams of four, create their own unique team name, design their uniforms, and register at hooplandia.com.

People on the Move

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. (MBK) recently announced 11 promotions.

Chelsea Russell

Chelsea Russell

Chelsea Russell has been promoted to Audit & Accounting senior manager. She began her career with MBK as an intern in 2015 and has been working full-time in the Audit and Accounting department since June 2016. In her role as manager, she primarily focuses on not-for-profit, commercial, and employee benefit plan engagements. She is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Russell received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Westfield State University and a master’s degree in accounting from Bay Path University. She is licensed as a certified public accountant in Massachusetts and also co-leads the firm’s community-outreach program.

Ryan Sabin

Ryan Sabin

Ryan Sabin has been promoted to Tax senior manager. He has been in public accounting since 2009, with a specialty in commercial audit and review engagements for private companies, 401(k) plans, and corporate, partnership, individual, and private foundation tax returns with a keen expertise in multi-state tax issues. He received his bachelor’s degree in business management with an accounting concentration, bachelor’s degree in economics, and master of accountancy degree from Westfield State University. He is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

Mallory Beauregard

Mallory Beauregard

Mallory Beauregard has been promoted to Audit & Accounting supervisor. She began her career with MBK as an intern and has been a valuable member of the team since. She works on a diverse range of engagements, including not-for-profit, commercial audit, review, and compilation engagements. She received a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting from UMass Amherst and her MBA at UMass Lowell. She is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

Briana Doyle

Briana Doyle

Briana Doyle has been promoted to Audit & Accounting supervisor. She serves as a supervisor in the Audit and Accounting department. She holds a bachelor of business administration degree and a master’s degree in accounting from Nichols College. She is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

Chris Soderberg

Chris Soderberg

Chris Soderberg has been promoted to Audit & Accounting supervisor. He is well-versed in the diverse niches that MBK offers, particularly in audit areas, where he leads pension, nonprofit, and commercial engagements. He is also skilled in managing complex individual tax returns. He graduated from Elms College with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and management and an MBA with a concentration in financial planning. He is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

Peter Kravetz

Peter Kravetz

Peter Kravetz has been promoted to Tax supervisor. He has been a dedicated practitioner of public accounting since 2007. He received his bachelor’s degree in business from UMass Amherst and his master’s degree in accounting from Western New England University. He is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

Francine Murphy

Francine Murphy

Francine Murphy has been promoted to Tax supervisor. She joined MBK in 2013, with significant tax-preparation experience and a special focus in tax preparation for not-for-profit organizations and individuals. She will be taking on a larger leadership role with the firm’s tax-exempt clients, preparing larger 990 returns and reviewing smaller tax-exempt clients. She holds an associate degree in accounting from Holyoke Community College and recently completed her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Westfield State University. She is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

Samantha Calvao

Samantha Calvao

Samantha Calvao has been promoted to Tax senior associate. She began her career in public accounting in 2021 in Springfield. She specializes in taxation, audit, and assurance, with a particular focus on taxation and bookkeeping. She holds an associate degree in accounting from Holyoke Community College, a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Southern New Hampshire, and an MBA from Fitchburg State University. She is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

Andrea Latour

Andrea Latour

Andrea Latour has been promoted to Tax senior associate. Her main focus lies in client bookkeeping and write-up tasks, encompassing monthly reconciliations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, quarterly payroll returns, and tax filings (including meals and sales tax). She obtained her associate degree from the certified paralegal program at Becker College. She is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

Jonathan Lemoine

Jonathan Lemoine

Jonathan Lemoine has been promoted to Audit & Accounting senior associate. He began his career in public accounting in 2019. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management with a concentration in accounting and a master’s degree in accounting from Westfield State University. He is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

Nicholas Mishol

Nicholas Mishol

Nicholas Mishol has been promoted to Audit & Accounting senior associate. He holds an associate degree in business administration from Holyoke Community College and his bachelor of business administration degree from UMass Amherst. He is also a member of AICPA and MSCPA.

•••••

Tech Foundry, the regional leader in IT workforce development and training, announced the hiring of three new staff members as well as promotions of existing staff to support the organization’s growing operations. Marie-Ange Delimon, Tech Foundry’s Community Impact manager, was recently promoted to Community Impact director. She graduated from Tech Foundry’s IT support training program in June 2021 and was quickly hired as the organization’s Workforce Development manager. In her three and a half years at Tech Foundry, she has substantially grown the organization’s employer and community partner network, streamlined the recruitment process of its IT support training, and upgraded internship and job-placement procedures. Lian Duan joined the Tech Foundry leadership team as the new director of Strategic Initiatives, where she will oversee the exploration, development, launch, management, and evaluation of new projects as well as spearheading review and continuous improvement of current initiatives. She has more than a decade of experience in STEM education and several years in management at an international education company. She holds a master of education degree in math, science, and learning technology from UMass Amherst and is currently pursuing a doctorate in the same program. Juan Torres was promoted to technical manager for the new Tech Hub in Springfield, where he will oversee daily operations. He was an essential member of the first Tech Hub team in Holyoke, where he helped support the launch of digital-literacy training, technical-support services, community workshops, and device distribution. He is also a graduate of the Tech Foundry IT Support training program, completing the program in the fall of 2023. Iman Zafar joined the Tech Foundry team as the organization’s new office manager. She graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and women, gender, and sexuality studies. She has worked as a research assistant in the Political Science department at GW, collecting data on government elections for gerrymandering research. She previously interned for the United Nations Assoc. of Greater Boston, helping facilitate its Model UN program and conferences. Floyd Zamarripa, a recent Tech Foundry graduate, was hired as the organization’s new Career Services coordinator. In this role, he will oversee all aspects of employer engagement and job and internship placement. He is an experienced IT professional, writer, movie-theater operator, and marketing director who recently moved to Western Mass. from Springfield, Mo. with his family.

•••••

Heather Zielenski

Heather Zielenski

James Hagan, president and CEO of Westfield Bank, announce the promotion of Heather Zielenski to vice president, branch manager, and the promotion of Nicole Kirk to assistant vice president, Deposit Operations manager. Zielenski, who joined Westfield Bank 26 years ago and has served in many different roles, will continue to oversee customer service, retail and business product sales, business development, and community outreach, as well as managing general operations and employee development within the branch. She is a graduate of American International College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. In the community, she serves as a member of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield, the West of the River Chamber of Commerce education committee, and the West of the River Chamber foundation, and also volunteers with Action Centered Tutor Services (ACTS) in Springfield. Kirk will continue to be responsible for managing her department and external vendors to ensure compliance and quality control. She joined Westfield Bank in 2010 as a part-time teller in the Park Street branch, working her way up to head teller and later to Better Banking specialist. In 2021, she transitioned into the main office Operations department as the Deposit Operations manager. Kirk obtained an accredited ACH professional certification from Nacha, recognizing her advanced knowledge of all ACH systems and processes.

•••••

Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy

Bryan Murphy, an attorney in estate, trust, and tax planning and administration, has joined Berkshire Law Group of Lenox as a senior associate attorney. Prior to returning to the Berkshires, Murphy worked for nearly a decade as an attorney for two Greater Boston law firms — most recently, DesRosiers & Tierney, LLC in Beverly, and, previous to that, Cushing and Dolan, P.C. in Waltham — specializing in elder law as well as estate, trust, and tax planning and administration. Murphy earned his juris doctorate as well as his master of law degree in taxation from Suffolk University Law School in Boston. He also has a bachelor’s degree in history from Western New England University, where he graduated magna cum laude.

•••••

KB Accounting announced the appointment of Timothy Brelsford as the new director of Operations. With an extensive background in financial management and operational strategy, Brelsford is set to play a pivotal role in driving the company’s growth and innovation in the accounting industry. Brelsford brings more than 30 years of experience in the human-services and operations sectors. His expertise in streamlining processes and implementing forward-thinking solutions aligns perfectly with KB Accounting’s commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. In his new role, he will oversee daily operational activities, spearhead process-improvement initiatives, and collaborate with other department heads to ensure the company continues to meet the evolving needs of its diverse clientele.

•••••

Norell Ferguson

Norell Ferguson

Ethan Cattanach

Ethan Cattanach

Maryam Javanmard

Maryam Javanmard

Dietz & Company Architects Inc. announced the recent addition of three new employees to the firm. Norell Ferguson has joined Dietz & Company as an interior designer and is excited to explore hospitality design and dive deeper into housing and community-based projects. She comes to Dietz with more than 10 years of experience in interior design and urban planning and policy from her work at architecture firms and with local and regional governments. In addition, Ferguson is an adjunct professor at the University of Hartford and University of New Haven, where she teaches architecture, lighting, and interior-design courses. She holds a master’s degree in interior architecture from Philadelphia University and a bachelor’s degree in art history with a minor in architecture from the University of Hartford. She also earned a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Connecticut. Ethan Cattanach joins the firm in the role of architectural staff. He specializes in utilizing BIM programs and their integration into the project workflow and most recently used those skills while working for another local architecture firm with a focus on commercial manufacturing and retail. In his role at Dietz, he will be helping to manage local projects and developing project documents and detailed 3D models. Cattanach holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from UMass Amherst and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in architecture at the Boston Architectural College. Maryam Javanmard also joins the firm in the role of architectural staff, bringing more than 15 years of experience as an architect and construction manager and specializing in sustainability and regenerative design. At Dietz, she will be assisting on projects throughout all phases of design. She has an impressive academic background, with two PhDs in architecture and a master’s degree in structural engineering from universities in Italy and Iran. A certified architect in Iran, she is currently pursuing professional architecture licensure in the U.S. In addition to her work as an architect, Javanmard worked as a professor, teaching courses in architecture, sustainable design, and visual arts at Zarand Industrial and Mining College and the University of Applied Science and Technology in Iran. Most recently, she worked for a Boston architecture firm and continued to expand her expertise in life-cycle assessment and sustainable design as a Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellow at Northeastern University. She is also currently a lecturer at Roxbury Community College, teaching classes on architecture and sustainability.

•••••

Nicole Baltazar

Nicole Baltazar

Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JAWM) recently welcomed Nicole Baltazar as its new Education Pathways director. In this role, she will be overseeing traditional, experiential, and entrepreneurial learning experiences, guiding their alignment with JAWM’s mission and objectives to meet the needs of the community. Baltazar’s responsibilities will include a particular emphasis on stakeholder engagement, especially coordinating volunteer and educational partners. This will involve recruiting, training, supporting, and recognizing these contributors. She will also manage administrative programming procedures to uphold quality standards for the organization, ensuring adherence to program models and evaluating impact to deliver high-quality educational experiences. Baltazar is director I and II qualified through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. She holds a bachelor’s degree from UMass Amherst’s University Without Walls Program, with a concentration in early education and administration. In her previous role, she served as center director for Valley Opportunity Council in partnership with Holyoke Public Schools’ Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative.

•••••

The Hampden District Attorney’s Office announced the hiring of Payton North as its Communications director. North previously worked as executive editor of Reminder Publishing and brings eight years of media and communication experience to her new position. While at Reminder Publishing, North rose from the role of staff writer through the ranks to executive editor, overseeing the company’s news production. Over the course of her tenure, she garnered many accolades, such as BusinessWest’s 40 Under Forty class of 2024, the 2024 Western New England Young Alumni Achievement Award, the 2024 Assoc. of Community Publishers Rising Star award, and recognition among the 2023 Editor & Publisher’s 25 Under 35. North holds a master’s degree in public relations, advertising, and applied communication from Western New England University, where she also attained bachelor’s degree in journalism. In addition, she received an associate of arts and sciences degree from Holyoke Community College. She serves as a board of directors member for both the YWCA and the Spirit of Springfield.

•••••

Nathan Boucher

Nathan Boucher

James Hagan, president and CEO of Westfield Bank, announced the promotion of Nathan Boucher to commercial loan officer. He is responsible for processing and closing approved loans, while also working with the middle-market lending team on business development in the Western Mass. and Northern Conn. territories. Boucher joined Westfield Bank in 2021 as an intern in the main office and joined full-time as a data management specialist once his internship concluded. He later joined the bank’s Commercial Lending department as a commercial loan admin in 2024. He graduated from Western New England University in 2022 with a bachelor of business administration degree in finance, graduating with honors. Outside of work, Boucher coaches Westfield Youth Hockey and the Western Mass Wizards.

•••••

Stephen Duval, a private wealth advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, has qualified for the company’s Circle of Success annual recognition program and will be honored for this achievement in 2025. To earn this achievement, Duval established himself as one of the company’s top advisors. Only a select number of high-performing advisors earn this distinction. Duval has more than 30 years of experience with Ameriprise Financial. As a private wealth advisor, he provides financial advice that is anchored in a solid understanding of client needs and expectations and provided in one-on-one relationships with his clients.

•••••

Jessica Andrews

Jessica Andrews

MountainOne announced that Jessica Andrews, assistant vice president, Deposit Compliance officer, and Fraud Administration officer, has earned the Certified Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Fraud Professional (CAFP) certification from the American Bankers Assoc. (ABA). This achievement highlights Andrews’ commitment to professional development. She successfully completed the required continuing education and passed a challenging qualifying exam. The ABA’s CAFP certification is a respected benchmark of excellence, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated advanced proficiency in combating money laundering and fraud. It ensures that certified professionals are equipped to meet the industry’s highest standards for preventing financial crimes.

•••••

BFAIR (Berkshire Family and Individual Resources) announced the appointment of Ethel Altiery as iterim CEO, effective March 28. Altiery, who has served BFAIR for 25 years, brings extensive leadership experience and a deep commitment to the organization’s mission. She has played a pivotal role in BFAIR’s operations, most recently as chief operating officer. Her longstanding dedication to the organization, along with her comprehensive understanding of BFAIR’s programs and services, make her an ideal leader to guide the agency through this transition period. BFAIR also announced the promotion of Katrina Cardillo to senior director of Marketing and Public Relations. In her new role, she will not only continue to lead marketing and PR initiatives, but also play an important role in advancing BFAIR’s fundraising activities. Cardillo brings a wealth of experience in marketing, management, and community engagement to her expanded responsibilities. Since joining BFAIR, she has been instrumental in amplifying the organization’s mission to support individuals with developmental disabilities, acquired brain injuries, and autism.

Company Notebook

Urban Co-Works Expands to Holyoke with New Facility

HOLYOKE — Urban Co-Works, a co-working space provider, announced the opening of its newest location at 98 Lower Westfield Road in Holyoke. This expansion marks the third location for Urban Co-Works, which began in 2017 in Schenectady, N.Y., and opened its second location in downtown Scranton, Penn., in 2023. The new Holyoke facility offers a state-of-the-art co-working environment featuring 55 private offices, three meeting rooms, an expansive event area with a fully equipped kitchen, and a co-working section with 20 workstations. Members will enjoy 24/7 access with a keyless entry system, free onsite parking, printing services, and complimentary beverages including coffee and tea. Conveniently located near shopping and dining options, the space is designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.

 

Big Y Donates $75,000 to California Wildfire Relief

SPRINGFIELD — Big Y collected donations from customers and employees from Jan. 17 to Jan. 31 through its registers, online, and the myExpress mobile checkout app for California wildfire relief. Community and employee contributions, along with additional support from Big Y, resulted in a total of $75,000 donated to the American Red Cross network response to provide humanitarian relief to people affected by wildfires in California. D’Amour added that Big Y, along with its customers and employees, have a strong history of coming together to support those in need through the American Red Cross.

 

Whittlesey Named Regional Leader, Firm to Watch by Accounting Today

HARTFORD, Conn. — Whittlesey, the largest Connecticut-based accounting firm, has been named a 2025 Regional Leader in New England and a Firm to Watch by Accounting Today. With $40.2 million in revenue, three offices, and a team of 175 professionals, Whittlesey continues to provide assurance, advisory, tax, and technology services to businesses and individuals across the region. Accounting Today’s annual rankings highlight firms demonstrating strong financial performance, industry leadership, and forward-thinking strategies. As the only Connecticut-based firm named to the Firms to Watch list, Whittlesey remains dedicated to helping businesses and individuals navigate complex financial challenges with expertise, innovation, and personalized service.

 

General Cleaners of Holyoke Completes Coat Drive

HOLYOKE — General Cleaners of Holyoke announced the culmination of its New Year coat drive with the delivery of coats to the Salvation Army in Holyoke on Feb. 28. This initiative has been a heartfelt effort to support those in need during the winter months, with contributions from the community and local partners making it a resounding success. The drive included a collection event during the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce’s Power Hour on Feb. 15. Attendees brought gently used coats as their admission, adding to the impactful donations. Additionally, Access Care Partners (formerly WestMass ElderCare) played a key role by collecting coats at its Mill Road location. All coats collected during the drive have been professionally cleaned by General Cleaners of Holyoke, ensuring they are ready to provide warmth and comfort to those who need them.

 

HCC Foundation Campaign Raises More Than $181,000

HOLYOKE — The Holyoke Community College Foundation raised more than $181,000 for scholarships and student-support programs during its “Together HCC” one-day giving campaign on March 4. The fifth annual “Together HCC: Drive to Change Lives” campaign exceeded its goal of 500 donors, receiving donations worth $181,285 from 504 alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of the college during the 24-hour fundraising drive. All of the money raised goes directly to six areas that support HCC students: academic excellence and innovation, scholarships, the Thrive Student Resource Center and Food Pantry, the President’s Student Emergency Fund, the President’s Fund for Opportunity, and the HCC Foundation’s general, unrestricted fund. HCC alumni made up the majority of donors at 37%, followed by 30% from HCC faculty and staff, 19% from friends of the college, 5% from parents, and 5% from students. Together, they unlocked $130,000 in challenge pledges, including $5,000 from campaign partner Gary Rome, owner of Gary Rome Hyundai in Holyoke and a member of the HCC Foundation board of directors.

 

JP’s Restaurant Wins Battle of the Bars

HOLYOKE — On Feb. 28, the St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke held the fifth annual Battle of the Bars bartending event at the Holyoke Knight of Columbus Council 90 to raise funds for the committee. Bartenders from six local bars competed for tips to determine a winner. Facing off in teams of two, round one was taken by Donovan’s Irish Pub, represented by Trista Kasperowski, raising $5,997, against Pic’s Pub & Pizzeria, represented by Matt Dulude, who raised $1,639. Round two was captured by JP’s Restaurant, represented by Mary Kate Glasheen, with $9,416, against Halfway House Lounge, represented by Colleen Flanagan, who raised $7,639. Round three was taken by Griffin’s Cafe, represented by Ashleigh McNulty, raising $1,122, against Francie’s Tavern, represented by Chy Clemens, who raised $779. In the end, JP’s Restaurant came out on top with $9,416 raised, and the entire night’s fundraiser brought in more than $26,500, a record total for the event. All money raised went toward the St. Patrick’s Committee of Holyoke’s Marching Forward fundraising campaign to present the 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Parade weekend and to preserve the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Road Race tradition for generations to come.

Real Estate

The following real estate transactions (latest available) were compiled by Banker & Tradesman and are published as they were received. Only transactions exceeding $115,000 are listed. Buyer and seller fields contain only the first name listed on the deed.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

CHARLEMONT

32 Heath Stage Ter.
Charlemont, MA 01370
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Madison M. Gorrell
Seller: Donna J. Ardine
Date: 02/27/25

CONWAY

77 Elmer Corner Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Ryan S. Frizzell
Seller: Smith Int.
Date: 02/26/25

288 Truce Road
Conway, MA 01341
Amount: $335,045
Buyer: Noelle Sevoian
Seller: Secretary Of Housing & Urban Development
Date: 02/28/25

DEERFIELD

4 Pine St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Mark J. Kulas
Seller: Thomas V. Nartowicz
Date: 02/18/25

38 Thayer St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: Kathryn E. Cooper
Seller: Matthew F. Woods
Date: 02/21/25

54-A Whately Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: 1xp LLC
Seller: Manon Pilon
Date: 02/21/25

ERVING

78 High St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Julie Bourbeau
Seller: Audericio A. DeBarros
Date: 02/27/25

GREENFIELD

124 Davis St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Benegan 2 LLC
Seller: 124 Davis St. RT
Date: 02/26/25

208 Federal St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $635,000
Buyer: Riddell LLC
Seller: Bankesb
Date: 02/27/25

201 Main St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Eriken Industries Inc.
Seller: K&C Real LLC
Date: 02/20/25

56 Pleasant St.
Greenfield, MA 01376
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Benegan 2 LLC
Seller: Zyx RT
Date: 02/26/25

65 Vernon St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Vldimir Agapov
Seller: Korzon, Ronald, (Estate)
Date: 02/26/25

83 Vernon St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Matthew F. Jakutowicz
Seller: Stone, Rosamond M, (Estate)
Date: 02/28/25

36 West St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $163,812
Buyer: Amerihome Mtg. Com. LLC
Seller: Clayton J. Goodrow
Date: 02/18/25

HEATH

24 Chippewa Dr.
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Mark Bird
Seller: Ronald Champagne
Date: 02/28/25

26 Chippewa Dr.
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Mark Bird
Seller: Ronald Champagne
Date: 02/28/25

28 Chippewa Dr.
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Mark Bird
Seller: Ronald Champagne
Date: 02/28/25

LEVERETT

5 Montague Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $457,000
Buyer: Georgia Stuart
Seller: Barbara V. Alfange
Date: 02/20/25

MONTAGUE

9 Stevens St.
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Brendan Robinson
Seller: Matthew J. Kerivan
Date: 02/28/25

208 Turners Falls Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $496,750
Buyer: Michael Pydych
Seller: Mark R. Bernier
Date: 02/28/25

NEW SALEM

48 North Main St.
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $230,321
Buyer: Arpc LLC
Seller: Helena Brophy
Date: 02/24/25

NORTHFIELD

54 Winchester Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Thomas Aquinas College
Seller: Mnorthfield1 LLC
Date: 02/19/25

58 Winchester Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Thomas Aquinas College
Seller: Mnorthfield1 LLC
Date: 02/19/25

ORANGE

249 Brookside Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $399,000
Buyer: Cassandra M. Koranda
Seller: Poitier Wright
Date: 02/19/25

184 East Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Edith Morrison
Seller: Charles R. Habershaw
Date: 02/28/25

107 Mechanic St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Archer Acquisitions LLC
Seller: Casey Bashaw
Date: 02/25/25

44 Moss Brook Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $216,500
Buyer: Trevor D. Richard
Seller: Robert T. Reed
Date: 02/27/25

58 Walnut Hill Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $281,500
Buyer: Malanie A. Farr
Seller: Christal L. Cutler
Date: 02/21/25

19 West Myrtle St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Walter M. Flores
Seller: Morin Ft
Date: 02/26/25

ROWE

Davis Mine Road
Rowe, MA 01367
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Allen D. Harvell
Seller: Robert A. Silva
Date: 02/24/25

SHUTESBURY

20 Great Pines Dr.
Shutesbury, MA 01072
Amount: $349,000
Buyer: Randall P. Smith
Seller: Todd Tietchen
Date: 02/21/25

SUNDERLAND

81 South Plain Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Brian Wood
Seller: Sean T. Randall
Date: 02/24/25

WARWICK

856 Wendell Road
Warwick, MA 01378
Amount: $229,646
Buyer: Justin Pratt
Seller: Teresa M. Bolton
Date: 02/28/25

WHATELY

32 Swamp Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Robert Beede
Seller: Robin L. Glenn
Date: 02/18/25

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

62 Annable St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $311,000
Buyer: Matthew B. Wurster
Seller: Tara A. Rosenbaum
Date: 02/25/25

81 Florida Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Wendy Hughes
Seller: Mhi Properties LLC
Date: 02/21/25

50 Roberta Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Paul S. Marques
Seller: Golba, Christopher J., (Estate)
Date: 02/28/25

25 Silver St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $401,000
Buyer: Samantha Rudd
Seller: Betsy Zielinski
Date: 02/28/25

22 Simpson Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $121,000
Buyer: Stephen Buynicki
Seller: Jennifer L. Graveline
Date: 02/27/25

671 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $685,000
Buyer: Jlx 3 Properties LLC
Seller: Pcr Agawam LLC
Date: 02/28/25

BLANDFORD

28 Blair Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $213,457
Buyer: Freedom Mortgage Corp.
Seller: Mia Hanlon
Date: 02/20/25

42 Hiram Blair Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Patricia L. Wise
Seller: Kay B. Wise
Date: 02/20/25

BRIMFIELD

15 Apple Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $899,000
Buyer: George Lattouf
Seller: Cheney FT
Date: 02/18/25

17 Apple Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $900,000
Buyer: George Lattouf
Seller: David Cheney RET
Date: 02/18/25

Brookfield Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $900,000
Buyer: George Lattouf
Seller: David Cheney RET
Date: 02/18/25

CHICOPEE

75 Academy St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Hunter C. Davis
Seller: Polak FT
Date: 02/18/25

15 Beaumont Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $487,000
Buyer: Jonathan Rodriguez
Seller: Dcl General Construction LLC
Date: 02/26/25

186 Bostwick Lane
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Amanda R. Dion
Seller: Arthur J. Berube
Date: 02/19/25

15 Brandon Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Charles W. Baranowski
Seller: Nathan J. Skiba
Date: 02/28/25

732 Britton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $222,000
Buyer: James Buckley
Seller: Nancy L. Roy
Date: 02/28/25

1130 Burnett Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $199,500
Buyer: NZ Property LLC
Seller: Jacques J. Poudrier
Date: 02/26/25

145 Clarendon Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Juan M. Cortes-Ramos
Seller: Top Notch Transitional
Date: 02/19/25

29 Cochran St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Zachary Grimaldi
Seller: Linda Woods
Date: 02/26/25

91 Dixie Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Dominic Demarinis
Seller: Glen D. Demers
Date: 02/28/25

19 Dresser Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Shin G. Safi
Seller: Ahmed Aljanabi
Date: 02/28/25

25 Emerald St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Pavel Banaru
Seller: WMass Residential LLC
Date: 02/28/25

27 Emerald St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Pavel Banaru
Seller: WMass Residential LLC
Date: 02/28/25

253 Fairview Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $370,500
Buyer: Jose O. Suarez-Cruz
Seller: Ismael D. Arroyo
Date: 02/28/25

1201 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $329,000
Buyer: Mohamad A. Baki
Seller: Vaycheslav Foksha
Date: 02/18/25

1201 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Mohamad A. Baki
Seller: Vaycheslav Foksha
Date: 02/20/25

143 Hampden St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $373,000
Buyer: Jennifer Quinones
Seller: Ion Barbaneagra
Date: 02/25/25

94 Jacob St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $327,000
Buyer: Kristina Acevedo
Seller: Albert T. Gay
Date: 02/28/25

50 Jones Ferry Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Roberto Camacho
Seller: Anthony A. Roldan
Date: 02/26/25

13 Laramee St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Leslie E. Atwood
Seller: Fab Holdings LLC
Date: 02/28/25

97 Meadow St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $351,750
Buyer: Jbj LLC
Seller: Jolan R. Martori
Date: 02/28/25

23 Nash St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Christine A. Hester
Seller: Natasha Rodriguez
Date: 02/26/25

26 Olivine St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Kmak LLC
Seller: Eich Inc. (Estate)
Date: 02/21/25

15 Page Court
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Zachary W. Beswick
Seller: Evan A. Hebert
Date: 02/27/25

150 Pendleton Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Tiana Riopelle
Seller: Robert T. Riopelle
Date: 02/28/25

19 Reed Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Luis Meono
Seller: Yekaterina Alekseyeva
Date: 02/28/25

28 Robert St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Lisa Raymond
Seller: Jason Cervonayco
Date: 02/25/25

183 Rolf Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $227,000
Buyer: Serhii Usach
Seller: Kmak LLC
Date: 02/27/25

42 Simone Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $353,000
Buyer: Alex Joyce
Seller: Cameron C. Lewis
Date: 02/28/25

145 Springfield St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Christopher M. Ortega
Seller: Sybel Gonzalez
Date: 02/24/25

513 Springfield St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $289,900
Buyer: Jackson M. Monsee
Seller: Penny M. Belisle
Date: 02/24/25

11 Sullivan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Samaliel Chaez
Date: 02/28/25

22 Wells Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $155,500
Buyer: Marc Dulaimy
Seller: Gsamp T2006-HE3
Date: 02/28/25

EAST LONGMEADOW

119 Allen St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: Steven Mills
Seller: Charles D. Kuszinna
Date: 02/28/25

144 Chestnut St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Michael P. Aubrey
Seller: Joy A. Roman
Date: 02/21/25

46 Holland Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Elite Home Creation LLC
Seller: Vrmtg Asset TR
Date: 02/28/25

12 Melody Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: On The Mark LLC
Seller: Philbin, Sean M., (Estate)
Date: 02/28/25

3 North St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $275,500
Buyer: Targaryen RT
Seller: Roy M. Syriac
Date: 02/28/25

311 Shaker Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $1,100,000
Buyer: Hl Commercial Group LLC
Seller: Springfield Spring Corp.
Date: 02/28/25

25 Stonehill Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $630,000
Buyer: David Henry
Seller: Gaudet Jr., George, (Estate)
Date: 02/27/25

GRANVILLE

27 Beech Hill Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Kari S. Lucaj
Seller: Julia Shia
Date: 02/27/25

998 Main Road
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $399,900
Buyer: Town Of Granville
Seller: Peter B. Crowley
Date: 02/20/25

96 Silver St.
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Michael J. Dennis
Seller: Aga Brothers LLC
Date: 02/28/25

South Lane
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Mark G. Lavoie
Seller: William Jarvis
Date: 02/19/25

HAMPDEN

93 Chapin Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $679,000
Buyer: Kaleigh S. Demartino
Seller: Cumberland Blues RT
Date: 02/19/25

HOLLAND

2 Fenton St.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Dominick P. Daponte
Seller: 2 Fenton St. RT
Date: 02/28/25

27 Lee Ave.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $640,000
Buyer: Patrick O’Neil
Seller: Mark S. Yaglowski
Date: 02/19/25

290 Mashapaug Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: 290 Mashapaug Road LLC
Seller: Ronald J. Sullivan
Date: 02/18/25

63 South Cottage Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Erika Bagwell
Seller: Kepler Despeines
Date: 02/24/25

HOLYOKE

73 Beverly St.
Holyoke, MA 01013
Amount: $244,900
Buyer: Emilia Cruz
Seller: 73 Beverly IRT
Date: 02/28/25

223 Elm St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Magana Properties Inc.
Seller: Nationwide Community Revitalization
Date: 02/25/25

284 Hillside Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $419,000
Buyer: Michael Drain
Seller: Hector Torres-Velez
Date: 02/28/25

63 Lynch Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Joel Maldonado
Seller: Michael J. McLaughlin
Date: 02/27/25

97 Martin St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Isaac S. Wilner
Seller: Laura E. Matta
Date: 02/28/25

10 Montgomery Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Zachary M. Donah
Seller: Bronson, Doris E., (Estate)
Date: 02/24/25

74-76 Newton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Ortins Capital Partners Group
Seller: 117 All Gas NO Breakz LLC
Date: 02/18/25

76 Pine St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $208,000
Buyer: Arleen Mendez-Figueroa
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 02/19/25

102 Pine St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Farscena Enterprises LLC
Seller: Everett J. Sexton
Date: 02/25/25

116 Race St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Thomas 1944 LLC
Seller: Russell-Hall Inc.
Date: 02/20/25

95 Ridgewood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Suzanne Tiranno
Seller: Roberto F. Deza
Date: 02/19/25

46 Saint James Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Winston D. Haas
Seller: Mary K. Farley
Date: 02/28/25

268-270 Sargeant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Stephen Sheldon
Seller: Federal National Mortgage Assn.
Date: 02/28/25

403 Southampton Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Bryan D. Gaughan
Seller: Huard, Norman P., (Estate)
Date: 02/28/25

17 Temple St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Jeremy Beauchemin
Seller: Michael A. Freitas
Date: 02/27/25

194-196 West Franklin St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $326,000
Buyer: Martine Ambroise
Seller: Joseph G. Dumont
Date: 02/28/25

203 West Franklin St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $229,500
Buyer: Christian C. Guzman
Seller: Daniel Whalen
Date: 02/21/25

1 Williams St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $416,000
Buyer: Christopher B. Abild
Seller: Peter F. Dellert
Date: 02/24/25

LONGMEADOW

67 Birchwood Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: Nicholas Quinn
Seller: Timothy Mulcahy
Date: 02/28/25

37 Lincoln Park
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Peter Kennedy
Seller: Paula Desroberts RET
Date: 02/26/25

207 Lynnwood Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: Lawrence Lipke
Seller: Donald J. Collins
Date: 02/25/25

33 Meadowbrook Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $740,000
Buyer: Michael R. Chunyk
Seller: Doris M. Egan
Date: 02/21/25

7 Robin Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $511,723
Buyer: Samuel S. Wenninger
Seller: Corey C. Neal
Date: 02/28/25

LUDLOW

Balsam Hill Road, Lot 77
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Mhi Builders LLC
Seller: Milet Inc.
Date: 02/27/25

16 Bristol St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $224,400
Buyer: Omar Loaiza
Seller: Maria Baltazar
Date: 02/18/25

85 Pine Knoll Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $438,500
Buyer: Patrick A. Morais
Seller: Joseph J. Banas
Date: 02/25/25

45 Tower Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Cameron C. Lewis
Seller: Ma Home Buyers LLC
Date: 02/28/25

284 Westerly Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $680,000
Buyer: Brandon M. Quiterio
Seller: Thomas P. Gajda
Date: 02/18/25

186 Winsor St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $261,850
Buyer: 186 Winsor Street LLC
Seller: Celeste Surreira
Date: 02/28/25

MONSON

12 Bumstead Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Piper Lowe Real Estate Group LLC
Seller: Desiree G. Dewey
Date: 02/27/25

85 Bumstead Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Nicholas M. Sauve
Seller: Daniel C. Alfano
Date: 02/28/25

12 Cote Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Allison C. Dubanoski
Seller: Brian Shuron
Date: 02/21/25

30 Green St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Shannon E. Leland
Seller: Hawkins, Gloria Jean, (Estate)
Date: 02/27/25

17 King Ave.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Laurie A. Peterson
Seller: Patrick Jessop
Date: 02/28/25

1 Lincoln Place
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $224,000
Buyer: Marcio A. Silva
Seller: Christina Shea
Date: 02/18/25

MONTGOMERY

10 Avery Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $322,000
Buyer: Devin M. Dupuis
Seller: Alex W. Halford
Date: 02/21/25

292 Main Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $580,000
Buyer: Alex W. Halford
Seller: David R. Champiney
Date: 02/21/25

54 New State Road
Montgomery, MA 01085
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Jason Cervonayco
Seller: Linda M. Torrey
Date: 02/25/25

PALMER

241 Boston Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Brian Kelly
Seller: Anouk RT
Date: 02/24/25

246 Breckenridge St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $350,500
Buyer: Colin Paleologopoulos
Seller: Cash Solution LLC
Date: 02/26/25

1 Lariviere Ave.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $7,275,000
Buyer: Palmer Gardens LLC
Seller: Palmer Nbm LLC
Date: 02/28/25

2173 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Ray L. Parker
Seller: A&T Properties LLC
Date: 02/28/25

22-30 North St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Jose M. Gonzalez
Seller: Garry Welch
Date: 02/25/25

1 Park Ave.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Philip Stockton
Seller: Miroslav Hytych
Date: 02/24/25

275 State St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Cascade Funding Mtg.
Seller: Richard D. Stred
Date: 02/26/25

SPRINGFIELD

2-4 2nd St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Victor Acevedo
Seller: Timothy V. Flouton
Date: 02/24/25

70-72 Abbe Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $407,000
Buyer: Thomas Mejia
Seller: Maria M. Cruz
Date: 02/18/25

64 Acrebrook Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Zachary Nunnally
Seller: Douglas Dichard
Date: 02/21/25

214 Acrebrook Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $296,000
Buyer: Elliot Scibelli
Seller: Patrick J. Keough
Date: 02/28/25

59-61 Algonquin Place
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $308,750
Buyer: Leocadio Diaz
Seller: Hector Zavala
Date: 02/19/25

156 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Penolopi C. Williams
Seller: Moncrieffe, Elvis C., (Estate)
Date: 02/21/25

822 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Ahmad Sahar
Seller: 3 Pointer LLC
Date: 02/18/25

836 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Ahmad Sahar
Seller: 3 Pointer LLC
Date: 02/18/25

974 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $237,000
Buyer: Jariksa Delgado
Seller: Shannon Shainwald
Date: 02/27/25

62-64 Bristol St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: P. & R. Investments LLC
Seller: Leisha Long
Date: 02/19/25

96 Campechi St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: R. & R. Home Improvement
Seller: Mackie, Andrew H., (Estate)
Date: 02/24/25

31 Chase Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $396,000
Buyer: Ramon Reyes
Seller: Dominic Demarinis
Date: 02/20/25

73 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $615,000
Buyer: 73 Chestnut Realty LLC
Seller: Gleason Johndrow Properties LLC
Date: 02/27/25

25 Chipmunk Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Jean-Charles
Seller: Brendan W. O’Halloran
Date: 02/24/25

21 Clifton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Xiongyun Zhou
Seller: Cvc TR
Date: 02/26/25

30 Clifton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $252,000
Buyer: Hbk RT
Seller: Springfield Ventures RT
Date: 02/19/25

12 Conklin St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Monica Maitin
Seller: Lumturi RT
Date: 02/28/25

93 Cooper St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $193,383
Buyer: Carrington Mtg. Services LLC
Seller: Christopher A. Kuhn
Date: 02/28/25

96 Decatur St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Jon Baston
Seller: Jesus Oquendo
Date: 02/28/25

63-65 East Bay Path Ter.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $358,000
Buyer: Kwadwo A. Mireku
Seller: Phantom Holdings LLC
Date: 02/28/25

55 Earl St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Kelver R. Morales
Seller: Joseph Dumpson
Date: 02/27/25

232 East St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $239,900
Buyer: Allan Egan
Seller: Bailey Brunelle
Date: 02/28/25

50 Emerson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $294,900
Buyer: Stephen Agin
Seller: Geigel, Eugene W., (Estate)
Date: 02/26/25

45-47 Forest Park Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Milton Simancas
Seller: Cherialy Colon
Date: 02/21/25

78 Gilman St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Jaydis J. Alvarado-Lugo
Seller: Jmb Property Mgmt. LLC
Date: 02/27/25

22 Gladstone St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Tahndrea Carter
Seller: DB Investments & Properties LLC
Date: 02/21/25

40 Glendell Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $353,000
Buyer: David Dosreis
Seller: Magnolia XM LLC
Date: 02/21/25

118 Grover St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $311,000
Buyer: Nickesha James
Seller: Charles A. Elfman
Date: 02/27/25

26 Haskin St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Samuel N. Stratton
Seller: Wilfredo Hernandez
Date: 02/28/25

11 Indian Leap St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $341,600
Buyer: Jason Warner
Seller: Luis M. Pedro
Date: 02/28/25

25 Ivan St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: John Valin
Seller: Kyle Menard
Date: 02/18/25

81 James St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Marienetta Scott
Seller: JT Realty Associates Inc.
Date: 02/28/25

45 Jonquil Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $327,000
Buyer: Tyler Sakowicz
Seller: Sean Kelleher
Date: 02/27/25

157 Kensington Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Onstar Properties AA LLC
Seller: Kelnate Realty LLC
Date: 02/28/25

29 King St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $244,000
Buyer: Mint Realty Group LLC
Seller: REO T2017-Rpl1
Date: 02/27/25

46 Knollwood St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: R. & R. Home Improvement
Seller: Cruz Carmen, Maria, (Estate)
Date: 02/24/25

71 Lancashire Road
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Cottages By Lorraine LLC
Seller: Eric C. Cassidy
Date: 02/28/25

114 Lois St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Sandra L. Royer
Seller: Mcclendon, Carolyn J., (Estate)
Date: 02/20/25

75 Lumae St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Joseph Dumpson
Seller: Travis Jr., Arthur A., (Estate)
Date: 02/27/25

550 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Better Healthcare Solutions LLC
Seller: Syed Iqbal
Date: 02/27/25

2345 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Jose M. Acero
Seller: Feld Capital LLC
Date: 02/21/25

55 Massachusetts Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $207,000
Buyer: Wicked Deals LLC
Seller: Ralford Morris
Date: 02/26/25

91 Mulberry St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $311,139
Buyer: Athene Annuity & Life Co.
Seller: Alycar Investment LLC
Date: 02/26/25

11-15 Oakwood Ter.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $376,200
Buyer: Isaiah Headley
Seller: Keith Headley
Date: 02/27/25

41-43 Ozark St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $372,000
Buyer: Peter Barclay
Seller: Diep Lam
Date: 02/19/25

428 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Caleb Russell
Seller: William Delgado
Date: 02/21/25

57 Pearl St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Northeast Asset Development LLC
Seller: Sjc LLC
Date: 02/21/25

131 Phoenix Ter.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Anthony Lopez
Seller: Douglas Dichard
Date: 02/24/25

30 Pine Street Court
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $209,000
Buyer: Sha-Vaughn Watkins
Seller: Jonathon B. Murphy
Date: 02/19/25

75-77 Pinevale St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Mysean Haines
Seller: David D. Morais
Date: 02/21/25

35 Pinta Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: 35 Pinta Circle RT
Seller: George E. Golderesi
Date: 02/21/25

1098 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Elizabeth M. Sylvester
Seller: Elisa Cortez
Date: 02/28/25

45 Pocantico Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Dominic Seng
Seller: Dnepro Properties LLC
Date: 02/21/25

62 Sycamore St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: Martin Vasquez
Seller: William Nichols
Date: 02/25/25

81 Thorndyke St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Chelsea Lindblad
Seller: Amber Cox
Date: 02/28/25

39 Undine Circle
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $254,000
Buyer: Aaron St. Louis
Seller: Value Properties LLC
Date: 02/19/25

51 Whittier St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Robert Cruz
Seller: Yadira J. Jimenez-Tejada
Date: 02/25/25

1786 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Sareen Properties LLC
Seller: Courniotes, 2nd James, (Estate)
Date: 02/26/25

195 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Katy M. Carpio
Seller: William Clarke
Date: 02/28/25

71 Wollaston St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Ghadeer Mazloum
Seller: Yousif Saleh
Date: 02/24/25

775-R Worthington St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $346,494
Buyer: FOH 775 Worthington LLC
Seller: Clinical & Support Option
Date: 02/20/25

780-800 Worthington St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $346,494
Buyer: FOH 775 Worthington LLC
Seller: Clinical & Support Option
Date: 02/20/25

SOUTHWICK

College Hwy., Lot 1
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Mcg Southwick LLC
Seller: Depalma Realty Inc.
Date: 02/18/25

74 College Hwy.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Southwick Historical Society
Seller: Calyx & Pistils Inc.
Date: 02/19/25

40 Lexington Circle
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $710,000
Buyer: Erica Johnson
Seller: Matthew W. Secovich
Date: 02/19/25

136 South Longyard Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Megan Williamson
Seller: Eric W. Leavitt
Date: 02/28/25

25 South Loomis St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $312,500
Buyer: Vincent Pagano
Seller: Michael A. Pagano
Date: 02/28/25

WALES

67 Main St.
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Dipika R. Patel
Seller: Robert K. Marchand
Date: 02/28/25

WEST SPRINGFIELD

101 Garden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Peter L. Latham
Seller: Okabbs Properties LLC
Date: 02/28/25

29 Healy St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $212,000
Buyer: Malia Homebuyers LLC
Seller: Laura H. Gronski
Date: 02/28/25

36 Houston Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Renee Bouldin
Seller: Samantha Velluti-Fry
Date: 02/19/25

Hyde Road, Lot 3
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Peter Novik
Seller: John G. Kudlic
Date: 02/21/25

126 Larivee Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $495,000
Buyer: Paula Kengott 2018 TR
Seller: Carolyn E. Apps
Date: 02/21/25

356 Sibley Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: John R. Colbert
Seller: Jorge G. Fonseca
Date: 02/21/25

36 Wilder Ter.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Prem Bhujel
Seller: Philip K. Bitzas
Date: 02/20/25

WESTFIELD

2 Birch Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: MarcAnthony Marcello
Seller: Ryan M. Lukomski
Date: 02/28/25

70 Court St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: HD Management LLC
Seller: Briarwood Ten LLC
Date: 02/28/25

1 Crown St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Timothy S. Diaz
Seller: Eric Breault
Date: 02/28/25

3 Ellsworth St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: New Beginning Home Solutions LLC
Seller: Robert W. Bekech
Date: 02/20/25

141 Falcon Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Megan K. Carter
Seller: Skyspec LLC
Date: 02/28/25

28 Glenn Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $399,900
Buyer: Oliver H. Layne
Seller: 28 Glenn Drive Realty NT
Date: 02/18/25

23 Leonard Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $301,000
Buyer: Shahzaman Khan
Seller: Amenadiel RT
Date: 02/26/25

17 Montgomery St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $222,000
Buyer: Fumi Realty Inc.
Seller: Stephen M. Oddi
Date: 02/28/25

62 Notre Dame St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Thomas Young
Seller: Gary Young
Date: 02/28/25

56 Pine St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Christopher Ward
Seller: Malia Homebuyers LLC
Date: 02/25/25

299 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Gabriel Serrano
Seller: Kaben RT
Date: 02/21/25

12 Woodland Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $379,000
Buyer: A. Shore LLC
Seller: Minghua Zhao
Date: 02/24/25

WILBRAHAM

9 Brookmont Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $491,500
Buyer: Lisa S. Mastrangelo
Seller: Ronald N. Rauscher
Date: 02/27/25

7 Pomeroy St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $479,000
Buyer: Amanda Ohalloran
Seller: Ckj Realty LLC
Date: 02/24/25

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

34 Baker St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Christian Liverman
Seller: Michael R. Chunyk
Date: 02/21/25

95 Columbia Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Ann R. Silverstein
Seller: Doron Pely
Date: 02/27/25

88 Eames Ave.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Heather D. Henlotter
Seller: Bho Realty LLC
Date: 02/19/25

40 Farview Way
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $620,000
Buyer: Aaron A. Demaio
Seller: Carpenter Int.
Date: 02/21/25

26 Hitching Post Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Chaoran Lin
Seller: Sarah E. Owens
Date: 02/27/25

19 Jason Court
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $618,500
Buyer: George J. Greene
Seller: Alejandro H. Morales
Date: 02/26/25

24 McClellan St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: James L. Beadle
Seller: Michael D. Fay LT
Date: 02/28/25

63-71 South Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $2,850,000
Buyer: Grand Block LLC
Seller: Brode Block LLC
Date: 02/21/25

BELCHERTOWN

103 Daniel Shays Hwy.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Joseph Zahn
Seller: G&H Development LLC
Date: 02/18/25

17 Eugene Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Krystal Morace
Seller: Jill M. Chaban
Date: 02/28/25

72 Jackson St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Laura McLaughlin
Seller: Maureen A. Neville RET
Date: 02/28/25

60 Rural St., Lot A
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Eric Nacsin
Seller: M&G Land Development, LLC
Date: 02/21/25

148 South Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Alexander Scalfano
Seller: Todd A. Sussman
Date: 02/21/25

CUMMINGTON

442 West Cummington Road
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Wagner
Seller: Erik O. Cubi
Date: 02/24/25

EASTHAMPTON

33 Campbell Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $361,500
Buyer: Roque Sanchez
Seller: Christine M. Jones
Date: 02/20/25

48 Maple St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: W. Marek Inc.
Seller: Richard P. Potasky
Date: 02/19/25

35 Pleasant St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $825,000
Buyer: Ctw Enterprises Inc.
Seller: Roman Catholic Bishop
Date: 02/28/25

21 Sheldon Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $429,000
Buyer: Doherty-Jagiello FT
Seller: Davies, Peter, (Estate)
Date: 02/28/25

GRANBY

109 Pleasant St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Christopher H. Newman
Seller: Michelle L. Walkowiak
Date: 02/26/25

HADLEY

122 Bay Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $670,000
Buyer: Mills FT
Seller: Isman-Hollister Real Estate IR
Date: 02/28/25

8 Colony Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $1,220,000
Buyer: Susan E. Targove RET
Seller: Bercume Construction LLC
Date: 02/28/25

114 North Maple St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $1,000,000
Buyer: 114 N. Maple St LLC
Seller: Joel Greenbaum
Date: 02/25/25

10 Rocky Hill Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $187,950
Buyer: Zephyr Rugs LLC
Seller: Shannon M. Rice-Nichols
Date: 02/20/25

HATFIELD

21 Bridge St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $342,000
Buyer: Tiffany Intravaia
Seller: James F. Pitchko
Date: 02/19/25

HUNTINGTON

6 Goss Hill Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Michelle Dame
Seller: Benjamin A. Kolodziej
Date: 02/25/25

4 Sampson Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Benjamin Kolodziej
Seller: Lunping Wang
Date: 02/25/25

NORTHAMPTON

74 Conz St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: Nolava LLC
Seller: Brown, Stephen A., (Estate)
Date: 02/27/25

65 Hastings Heights
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $676,000
Buyer: Christine Roberts
Seller: Meredith R. Bertrand
Date: 02/28/25

41 Hatfield St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: O. Didkovskyi-Sarapulova
Seller: Christopher V. Karney
Date: 02/28/25

PLAINFIELD

14 Union St.
Plainfield, MA 01070
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: L. Hiebert & P. Treuer LT
Seller: Judith Ferber
Date: 02/28/25

SOUTH HADLEY

42 Amherst Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Stephen C. Bryant
Seller: Angelo A. Guarino
Date: 02/28/25

48 Judd Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Patricia McKenna
Seller: Craig A. Laroche
Date: 02/21/25

26 Midway St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Christy Castro
Seller: Haczunski, Lee Ann, (Estate)
Date: 02/28/25

130 Woodbridge St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $403,000
Buyer: Wayne Saari
Seller: Christine Roy
Date: 02/28/25

SOUTHAMPTON

16 East St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $622,000
Buyer: Sara Frankel
Seller: Anthony Wheelor Construction LLC
Date: 02/27/25

125 Russellville Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $452,500
Buyer: 0 County Road RET
Seller: Parent, Marie T., (Estate)
Date: 02/28/25

WARE

9 Beach Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Kaitlin E. Young
Seller: Richard S. Green
Date: 02/20/25

38 Cummings Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Gary Sheppard
Seller: Bertnell Realty Inc.
Date: 02/21/25

20-22 Dale St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $239,900
Buyer: Thays M. Ferreira
Seller: Jessica F. King-Green
Date: 02/28/25

23 Prospect St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Matthew C. Wood
Seller: Matahari RT
Date: 02/28/25

14-16 Vigeant St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $457,000
Buyer: Ebony Owens
Seller: Chenevert Properties LLC
Date: 02/20/25

WILLIAMSBURG

36 Briar Hill Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $436,000
Buyer: Alan W. Fortescue
Seller: Elais Derby
Date: 02/28/25

53 Chesterfield Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Meghan F. Zahniser
Seller: Lacasse, Esther B., (Estate)
Date: 02/21/25

Women in Businesss

Something to Celebrate

Emma deVillier says the small details of an event add up to big impact.

Emma deVillier says the small details of an event add up to big impact.

Emma deVillier has been around the hospitality industry for a long time, starting at age 14 working at a country club, first busing tables, then as a beer-cart girl, then as a waitress.

“I was always learning the steps of hospitality, treating people how they should be treated. The service industry is a tough industry, but I always loved it,” she told BusinessWest.

“I grew up in a family with my mom setting up all of our birthday parties at home, and I always added my two cents: ‘no, we’re going to set up this way.’ I grew up going to my grandma’s house and seeing her set up the tables, and they looked like they were coming from Homes & Gardens magazine. So setting up was always super important to me.

“Then, as I evolved and started doing more banquets and weddings at the country club where I worked, I was always trying to add my two cents and my touches, and the members there started recognizing my talents,” she went on. “I never thought I was that good, but one day, a member asked me to plan her daughter’s baby shower.”

“My number-one goal is to make sure that my clients are creating memories and feeling that all their needs are being taken care of, and that, at the end of the day, every guest involved is going to enjoy their time and look back on it and say, ‘wow, that was amazing.’”

Not long after, she was opening her own business, called deVillier Designs.

“My company specializes in creating memorable experiences,” she said. “It doesn’t really matter how big or small the event — my number-one goal is to make sure that my clients are creating memories and feeling that all their needs are being taken care of, and that, at the end of the day, every guest involved is going to enjoy their time and look back on it and say, ‘wow, that was amazing.’”

In the six years since deVillier launched the company at age 19, she has grown it into a well-known name on Greater Springfield’s event-planning scene, not just for private clients planning weddings and showers, but some major companies as well.

For example, a few years ago, she planned the Howdy Awards at the MassMutual Center, an event presented by the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau to recognize top performers in the hospitality sector.

“That was a huge opportunity for me because not only am I in the hospitality industry, but I was also recognizing all of the top people in the hospitality industry,” she said. “Since it was the 25th anniversary, they gave me a little bit of leniency with running with my own ideas. So we did a Great Gatsby theme, which was so much fun. It was a lot of work, but looking back, that was probably one of my favorite events, just because it was a whole different kind of event for me to plan.”

She also handles all events for MGM Springfield; has planned corporate events at Springfield Country Club, the MassMutual Center, and a host of other major area venues; and has a long-running relationship with Naples Realty Group.

“They plan a corporate event every single year, and it’s gotten bigger and bigger every year,” deVillier explained. “They call it their Naples Summit, and that recognizes not only their successes, but other Realtors in the area, and just brings everyone together. They’re one of my favorite companies to work with. That event is always so much fun to plan.”

Emma deVillier has handled events for many notable businesses, including this one for Naples Realty Group.

Emma deVillier has handled events for many notable businesses, including this one for Naples Realty Group.

Whatever the event, she added, “the goal has always been to do things the right way the first time. That’s the mantra I live by, and I make sure my clients are always feeling that way.”

 

All in the Details

The first meeting with a client, either in person or over Zoom, typically hashes out big-picture details like budget, venue, and type of event.

“If they don’t have a theme or specific ideas in mind or don’t even know what goes into planning an event, I’ll walk them through all of those steps,” deVillier said. “People think an event is pretty simple to put together, but it’s not. Obviously, there are many, many factors that come into play, so I’ll help them through picking out all of those factors, and then I’ll create a custom vision board with them, just to pull everything together.

“Sometimes I feel like I’m almost too much for my clients because I love to be so involved with them,” she added, “but I want them to always feel that I’m going to hold their hand through the entire process, and they’re never going to be alone.”

That hand-holding especially applies when a client gets anxious about some detail — not an uncommon occurrence.

“A minor thing can come up, and it kind of triggers them a little bit, but it’s my job, at the end of the day, to be like, ‘listen, it’s going to be OK.’ Like the weather, for example. I’ve had several close calls with clients, and it’s like, ‘listen, you can’t control the weather, you can’t control the little things, you can only control the bigger picture.’ It’s my job, obviously, to help them get through that.”

That doesn’t mean she’s not human, of course. “Deep down, I’m thinking, ‘oh God, what are we going to do?’ But I can never show that because my client trusted me and hired me, so I need to be there to make sure that everything goes off without a hitch.”

“There’s no better feeling than taking a step back right before the event’s about to start, and you’re just like, ‘wow, we did this.’”

Sometimes a client will come in with a distinct vision, and other times deVillier will have more leeway in guiding the process.

“Some come to me, and they’re like, ‘listen, I want a baby shower. You figure out a theme and run with it.’ Those are really fun because I get to use my creative ideas,” she said. “But then I obviously love the clients that have a strong vision because we can collaborate and work together. That’s the best of both worlds. I love both parts of it, but at the end of the day, I’m always going to put my creative spin on it to make it better than they could have thought.”

A successful event is all in the details, she added.

“With an event, you have the theme, and that’s great, but you have to master and bring in every component of the event to make it make sense. For example, dessert tables are my favorite thing to set up at an event. And those are colored — they’re themed to the overall aesthetic. My cocktail napkins match the aesthetic. I think it’s the little details that make people say, ‘wow, I never would have thought to do that,’ but it makes everything make more sense.”

deVillier calls herself a perfectionist, which can be personally challenging when she has to let go and let her team take charge, especially as she expands her footprint to the Boston, Cape Cod, and Newport, R.I. areas.

“Some days, I have events where one’s in Boston and one’s in Springfield. And I can’t spread myself too thin, so I have to trust my team back home and be like, ‘listen, you have to handle this. I’m just a phone call away.’ That’s probably my biggest challenge, just because I have a hard time letting go.”

 

Positive Influences

deVillier isn’t surprised she wound up succeeding in a competitive event-planning industry, considering all her influences and how far back they go.

“I admire so many people in this industry. When I was a little girl, I would watch Martha Stewart, and I would watch all the wedding shows. I’ve always been super into it, and I’ve just admired people who do this work,” she said. “There are so many talented people that I look up to, and I’ve studied their work, and I’m like, ‘OK, how can I do better?’

“It is very challenging, but I think, in this area, I’ve made a name for myself, not just through my work, but also how I present myself. I think you have to be a good person. At the end of the day, your clients always must come first. So I think having those core values not only makes my company stronger, but also gives my clients trust in me, which I think is super important in owning a company.”

She also appreciates how every day is different, and that she gets to meet many different vendors and clients.

“Overall, it’s a very happy industry to be in. We’re celebrating life’s most precious moments, whether it be a wedding or a company success or a new baby on the way. It’s just a very happy company, which makes my life a lot better.

“I’m very lucky to have flourished into where I am now, but there’s always room for growth,” deVillier said, adding that there’s also room for gratitude. “There’s no better feeling than taking a step back right before the event’s about to start, and you’re just like, ‘wow, we did this.’”

Special Coverage Women in Businesss

Beyond the Courtroom

Tanzi Cannon

Tanzi Cannon

Tanzi Cannon knows litigation. And she enjoys litigation.

But there’s something she found she likes even more, which is why she built a law practice around it.

Backing up a bit, in her previous role, Cannon was the chief litigation officer at the Royal Law Firm. “We were obviously heavy on litigation, but we also did a lot of advice and counsel,” she recalled. “Litigation is strategic, and there’s competition, and every case is different, and I’m a certified investigator, so I got to use those investigation skills.

“But I found that the enjoyable part was actually when the litigation was over and I could go back to the business and say, OK, ‘here are the things that could have prevented litigation for you. Here are some things that we can do to improve this department.’ I’m a business person, so I also had some business advice,” she added.

Unfortunately, once litigation was over, clients were typically tired of talking about legal matters — and tired of spending money on them. “Consequently, those preventive conversations were the short conversations, and I really wanted those to be the long conversations.”

That’s why she decided to leave Royal and launch her own firm, General Counsel by Cannon, which specializes in business law for small businesses — focusing not on litigation, though she will handle that if need be, but on the nuts and bolts of helping businesses avoid the courtroom and create healthier, safer, more successful companies.

“ I found that the enjoyable part was actually when the litigation was over and I could go back to the business and say, OK, ‘here are the things that could have prevented litigation for you.’”

“When I left the firm, it was to start this model of business advice and counsel — that’s why it’s General Counsel by Cannon, a fractional general-counsel law firm,” Cannon told BusinessWest. “I felt like I wanted to not only do litigation, but to focus on prevention, and also be able to add some of that business advice in there as well.”

Many clients, she explained, have business contracts that need be renegotiated, reviewed, or drafted anew, or need assistance with human-resources law. She also assists with organizational development, succession planning, change management, and writing a company’s standard operating procedures.

“Having a fractional general counsel is kind of a one-stop shop for many legal issues that impact businesses,” she said. “I want to be the go-to person for my clients — if they even think they may have a concern, I want them to call me without having to watch the clock because they are concerned about the billables. I want to be the person they trust. I want to be a part of the team without adding a full-time employee.”

Tanzi Cannon stands in the brewery she co-owns with her husband, Joe Eckerle

Tanzi Cannon stands in the brewery she co-owns with her husband, Joe Eckerle, which shares a building with General Counsel by Cannon.

The reason they don’t have to worry about cost is the model Cannon has put in place, charging a monthly fee — there are different subscription levels — that clients pay for whatever services they might need, including advice and counsel, regulatory audits, training … essentially, whatever issues are within the scope of their service contract.

“Essentially, they have a general counsel on call without having to hire an attorney every time they need something, and it also costs less than hiring an attorney to be on staff,” she explained. “What I have found is that it allows me to better defend people when they do get audited or they get a case because I have become familiar with the business. Because they just pay that monthly fee, they’re not really worried about how often I call them.”

They’re also not concerned with how often she stops by and spends time with the staff, as it’s all in the service of preventing problems down the road.

“I help people grow and become better businesses and prevent a lot of litigation. One of my clients actually told me that, since I did training for them, their litigation has gone down by 90%.”.”

“I become a part of their team, kind of. They see me, and I know a lot about the business. So when I do have to defend them, I already know that stuff. I already know who the managers are, what they do, I’ve probably seen the complainant, and I can see red flags when not all the managers are seeing those red flags — and I can train to those red flags.”

In short, Cannon said she and her clients are both gratified by this work.

“The pivot was just natural. And it makes me happy. I help people grow and become better businesses and prevent a lot of litigation. One of my clients actually told me that, since I did training for them, their litigation has gone down by 90%.”

 

Brewing Up Solutions

Cannon noted that Western Mass. is home to many labor and employment law firms, but she aims to stand out from them through her focused service model.

“They’re really good, but it’s mostly litigation. Then, if they’ve got a long-standing client, they’re going to call and get some advice and counsel. I’m hoping to flip that model; I’ll do litigation if my clients want me to, but I really want them to call me before that happens.”

For example, she noted, “I have the ability to understand when someone might need an ADA accommodation. I can walk into a place and see a management practice or a business practice that might not be good, like inconsistent application of the rules or blatant safety concerns.

“If it’s a sales floor and there’s a chair that’s in the way of the fire extinguisher or if there’s a mat in front of the door that’s getting stuck and nobody knows anything about it, that tells me they probably need some OSHA training because those are safety issues, and they don’t know that it’s not OK for that to happen, or they don’t realize it’s their responsibility,” she elaborated. “Lots of managers don’t realize that they could be on the hook and be sued personally for the conduct of the people they’re supervising. And when I tell them that, their ears perk up.”

“Sometimes, when you have small businesses, especially in family businesses, it’s so close and they’re so friendly that it’s difficult to draw boundaries and set the expectations and hold people accountable. And that is a recipe for disaster.”

Relationships in the workplace can be another red flag, and sometimes those become evident when Cannon visits a site.

“Sometimes there’s a lot of resistance about what it’s OK to say, or there being too close of a relationship between an owner and a manager. Not that it’s a sexual relationship or any sort of love relationship, but I think sometimes, when you have small businesses, especially in family businesses, it’s so close and they’re so friendly that it’s difficult to draw boundaries and set the expectations and hold people accountable. And that is a recipe for disaster.”

Cannon’s knowhow in maintaining a healthy workplace comes not just from her law experience, but from working in a broad variety of jobs in her life. She’s waited tables, cleaned hotel rooms, flipped burgers, owned an apartment building, and owned a cleaning service, as well as working at a golf course, in event planning, at a marketing firm, at a financial brokerage firm, as an HR director, and as an internal investigator.

“I’ve done so many jobs, I know what it takes to start a business. I know what it takes to keep a business going,” she said, and all that certainly applies to her current side business, Brew Practitioners, a brewery she and her husband, Joe Eckerle, have owned for the past decade.

After he took up craft brewing, the couple embarked on an educational brewery tour in Germany, and Cannon took a course at the Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago, which is a brewing school.

“By the time we got back here, I was like, ‘you know what? We have so much beer, and we’re just giving it away; we might as well start a business.’ So we did — we started it in Florence, and then moved here after COVID,” she said of the East Longmeadow property that houses both Brew Practitioners and General Counsel by Cannon, as well as a small library she uses as a meeting and community space.

“We have remained small. We’re self-funded,” she said. “We haven’t grown bigger, but we’ve maintained a profitable business for going on 10 years now. And we love it. It’s our happy space.”

Putting her law hat back on, she added, “because I’m an entrepreneur, I understand where the needs are, and I understand the pain points. Especially in the brewery industry, I understand that there’s the feds, there’s the state, there’s the local licensing, and I know how much time these things take. So I can walk the walk with my brewery clients. I know exactly what they’re going through. I know that, if I’ve dealt with something in my business, the rest of these breweries are dealing with this too; let me see if I can help them. And wineries and distilleries are similar.”

 

Constant Learning

Cannon emphasized more than once that, while litigation is exciting, challenging and all-consuming, so, too is being a fractional general counsel.

“I have a growth mindset,” she said. “I spend a good deal of time on continuing education and keeping apprised of new trends and issues in the corporate world. I have to be on top of all the legislation, all the regulations, all the cases that come out, in addition to new business endeavors and new trends.”

As one example, she is now taking a 12-week leadership class at Western New England University where she’s learning about AI and how businesses should strategically manage that trend. “My clients need that information; my knowledge is for their use.”

Because she represents only corporations and businesses, not individuals, Cannon sometimes refers business to colleagues at other firms. That narrower focus keeps her busy as a solo practitioner, though she’s looking to hire an attorney or two in the coming year.

One example of what keeps her on her toes is the changing regulatory environment brought on by a new federal administration — especially one so aggressive about changing workplace rules and guidance.

“Regulations, by definition, are supposed to be purposeful and narrowly tailored to meet that purpose. I will say over the years that ‘narrowly tailored to meet that purpose’ has been broadened, very much so. So, I agree with regulations if they are purposeful, and if that purpose is a sound purpose. That has gone to the wayside for years, and I think we’ve all just gotten used to it.

“Now, I do believe that there will be some narrowing. I think they’re doing it with a sledgehammer, and it shouldn’t be done that way, but I do think some of the fallout will lessen. And what remains will get built back up when it needs to be.”

That said, some of the regulations that could be loosened are safety regulations, which were put in place to create better workplaces.

“If you’re a good business and you have best practices, you’re not doing it just because the regulators tell you to,” Cannon noted. “You’re doing it because it’s a good way to do business. If some of these regulations go by the wayside, but it’s going to hurt your business, or it’s just not a good ethical way to do business, then I’m going to counsel you to continue on with this.”

One major discussion in HR and employment-law circles is the topic of civility in a fiercely divided political climate.

“I do train for that as well. How do we maintain our authentic selves but still be civil to other people, to someone who may not have your same belief set?” she said. “I tell people all the time, ‘I can’t control how you feel inside.’ However, when you walk into the workplace, I can set the expectation of what is appropriate conduct and what’s acceptable and what we expect here at our company and the vision and the mission that we have.

“You bring your true self to work. And we want you to bring your true self, your authentic self, to work. That’s why they hired you,” she went on. “But you need to be civil with everyone else’s true self, too.”

 

Playing the Long Game

Speaking of unpleasant interactions, Cannon also counsels employers on how to discipline and, if necessary, terminate difficult employees.

“Many employers are walking on eggshells around their employees; they are afraid to say or do anything to upset them out of fear that they will get sued, even if the employee is a toxic employee. But it doesn’t have to be that way,” she explained. “You can’t control who goes down to the courthouse to sue, but if you do it right, set the stage for a proper defense, you don’t have to tiptoe.

“When you’re managing employees, you must play the long game,” she added. “You must be consistent with the application of company rules and policies and provide continuous training, especially manager trainings. I can assist with that. I can team up with an employer to implement a strategy over the long haul that will benefit the company and keep their staff happy, too. That is what I do. It’s what I love to do.”

Picture This

Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected]

 

Girls Week

Girls Inc. of the Valley hosted Girl Day 2025 on Feb. 20 at Holyoke City Hall as part of Engineer Week celebrations. This event aimed to inspire and empower girls to explore STEM careers through engaging activities, mentorship, and educational experiences. Girl Day aligns with DiscoverE’s nationwide initiative to spark interest in engineering and encourage girls to imagine their futures in these fields. 

 

Girls Inc. of the Valley participants and staff come together in the City Council chambers.

Girls Inc. of the Valley participants and staff come together in the City Council chambers. (Photos by Hilary Lynn Photography)

 

Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia and Suzanne Parker, executive director of Girls Inc. of the Valley, unveil the Girl Day flag

Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia and Suzanne Parker, executive director of Girls Inc. of the Valley, unveil the Girl Day flag. (Photos by Hilary Lynn Photography)

 

 

 

Power of Play

Wellpoint and Playworks New England hosted a lively recess event on Feb. 24. Teachers at White Street School in Springfield engaged in an interactive recess session for their students led by Playworks professionals, highlighting the profound benefits of quality recess on children’s development.

Pictured, from left: David Morales, general manager of Wellpoint; Miranda Foisy, assistant principal of White Street School; Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno; Max Fripp and Murat Emmanuel, executive director and site coordinator, respectively, at Playworks New England; and White Street School teachers Tommy Hyjek and Lisa Rahilly.

Pictured, from left: David Morales, general manager of Wellpoint; Miranda Foisy, assistant principal of White Street School; Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno; Max Fripp and Murat Emmanuel, executive director and site coordinator, respectively, at Playworks New England; and White Street School teachers Tommy Hyjek and Lisa Rahilly.

 

Promoting Financial Empowerment

Greenfield Cooperative Bank announced its continued partnership with Community Action of Pioneer Valley to support the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, which provides free tax-preparation services to individuals and families with low to moderate incomes. Several bank employees attended the VITA kickoff event at Greenfield Community College on Jan. 31, highlighting the bank’s commitment to financial empowerment and community support.

Pictured, from left: Mary Rawls, Siobhan Tripp, Jackie Charron, Clare Higgins, Jess Thompson, Sweeney, and Alyssa Ranker.

Pictured, from left: Mary Rawls, Siobhan Tripp, Jackie Charron, Clare Higgins, Jess Thompson, Sweeney, and Alyssa Ranker.

Agenda

For more events, or to submit your upcoming events, visit BusinessWest’s event calendar online: https://businesswest.com/eventcalendar

 

Bingo Night Fundraiser

March 21: The Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce announced its Handbag & Hand Tool Bingo Night fundraiser will take place at 6:30 p.m. at AMVETS Post 74 in Three Rivers. Doors open at 6 p.m. The chamber will produce 10 bingo rounds, each with a grand prize featuring one of seven designer handbags or one of three premium tools up for grabs. Tickets can be purchased on qhma.com. The registration fee is $40 per person and includes 10 bingo cards, a bingo dauber, snack platters, a bonus raffle ticket, and a cash bar. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce and its ongoing mission to assist its more than 200 member businesses succeed and grow with programs and initiatives throughout the year.

 

Second Chance Auction Gala

March 29: Second Chance Animal Services will host its 26th annual Auction Gala at the AC Marriott in Worcester. This is Second Chance’s most important fundraiser of the year, raising critical funds to help provide life-saving services to more than 56,000 pets in need. The evening will feature hundreds of silent auction items, raffles, and a small but exclusive live auction offering one-of-a-kind experiences. With a relaxed cocktail and dressy-casual dress code, the event is designed to be an enjoyable evening for all, combining great company with opportunities to make a meaningful impact. All proceeds will support Second Chance’s mission to transform the lives of pets by providing affordable veterinary care, keeping pets with their families, and finding loving homes for animals in need. Tickets are on sale now, and seating is limited, so early reservations are encouraged. Businesses and individuals can also support the event by sponsoring, which includes recognition in event materials, highlighting their commitment to supporting pets in need. Donations to the auction are another way to get involved, with unique goods, services, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences being especially popular. To purchase tickets, become a sponsor, or donate auction items, visit www.secondchanceanimals.org/dinner-auction or email [email protected].

 

Women’s Leadership Conference

April 3: Bay Path University announced that award-winning journalist, author, and television personality Hoda Kotb will be the keynote speaker at the 28th Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC), taking place in Springfield. Most well-known as the former co-anchor of NBC News’ Today and co-host of Today with Hoda & Jenna, Kotb joined Today as a co-host of the fourth hour in 2008, alongside Kathie Lee Gifford, and recently retired from the show after 17 years, during which time she received several Emmy Awards for her work. A New York Times bestselling author, Kotb has written eight books and continues to host the popular podcast “Making Space with Hoda Kotb.” The WLC will also feature lunchtime speaker Amelia Rose Earhart, a pilot, author, and reporter who, inspired by her namesake, circumnavigated the globe in a single-engine aircraft. Earhart has 15 years of experience as a helicopter and breaking-news reporter in Denver and Los Angeles, has sent numerous teenage girls to flight school during her 10-year tenure as president of the Fly with Amelia Foundation, and hosts a tech podcast focused on the future of AI in business. This year’s conference will also feature breakout sessions led by business experts and coaches, including Shira Abel, a lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley, who taps into her experience working with companies such as Siemens, Samsung, AXA, and Allianz to speak about navigating the complexities of modern business and the impact biases and expectations have on success. In addition, the WLC will welcome Jackie Glenn, former chief diversity officer at Fortune 500 EMC Corp. and founder and CEO of Glenn Solutions, where she partners with executives to reimagine organizational practices and implement strategies such as cultural assessments, executive coaching, and advisory services to foster thriving, innovative workplaces. An instructor at Harvard’s Division of Continuing Education, Glenn continues her mission to equip leaders with the tools to succeed through her work in the school’s Women Leaders: Advancing Together program. For further information on the conference, sponsorship opportunities, and ticket sales, visit baypath.edu/wlc.

 

Sip, Bid & Boogie

April 3: The WillPower Foundation, a source of support for Western Mass. individuals and families with different abilities, announced its new spring fundraiser, Sip, Bid & Boogie. This event will take place at the Jupiter Club in Easthampton mill building, offering an evening of entertainment, community, and philanthropy. Sip, Bid & Boogie will be a swanky soirée featuring handcrafted cocktails from the Jupiter Club, elevated bites by Blue Door Gatherings, live music by Mister Brilliant, and a silent art auction showcasing a diverse collection of artwork from artists of all abilities. The event will be emceed by the legal duo Ryan Alekman and Rob DiTusa, corporate donors who have supported WillPower since its inception. They will guide guests through an evening of fun, surprises, and a celebration of community. The art auction is a reflection of the WillPower Foundation’s mission to celebrate unique talents and different abilities. The collection will feature paintings, sculptures, digital art, mixed media, and more. Tickets cost $60 per person, $100 for two tickets, or $400 for a party pack of eight. Sponsorship opportunities range from $250 to $15,000, offering local businesses the opportunity to align their brand with a nonprofit making a tangible impact.. To purchase tickets, donate art, or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willpowerfoundation.org or email [email protected].

 

WTrades Career Expo

April 9: River East School to Career will present WTrades, Your Present is Your Future, a skilled trades career-exploration day, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. Students in grades 9-12 from school districts in the Greater Springfield and Greater Palmer areas are invited to attend. This program aims to showcase strategic, exploratory resources and hands-on opportunities to about 200 student attendees to enrich their knowledge about prospects for future employment and how to achieve a skilled trades career. River East is seeking skilled trade exhibitors, including those with heavy machinery, to participate in the WTrades career fair. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to speak directly with students, sharing insights about their careers and the skills required to succeed in their industries. By attending WTrades, exhibitors will connect directly with students to inform them about job opportunities and training programs that can lead to fulfilling careers. For more information on the event, visit rivereaststc.org/wtrades or call Amy Scribner, partnership director, at (413) 283-5051 or [email protected].

 

Difference Makers Gala

April 9: Tickets are now on sale for BusinessWest’s 17th annual Difference Makers awards gala at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The class of 2025, profiled in the Feb. 17 issue of BusinessWest and at businesswest.com, are Jennie Adamczyk, executive director of Providence Ministries; Sheryl Blancato, CEO of Second Chance Animal Services; Andrea Bordenca, managing partner of Generative Leadership Consulting; Mychal Connolly, CEO of Stand Out Truck; John Delaney, director of Ride to Remember; John Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; the Michael J. Dias Foundation; and Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. Tickets cost $95 per person, and tables of 10 are available. They can be purchased at businesswest.com/eventcalendar/difference-makers-tickets. The 17th annual Difference Makers program is sponsored by Burkhart Pizzanelli, the Royal Law Firm, TommyCar Auto Group, and Westfield Bank.

 

UMass 5K Dash & Dine

April 26: UMass Dining Services invites the community to participate in its 14th annual UMass 5K Dash & Dine, with the goal to promote health and wellness at UMass Amherst while raising funds for the Amherst Survival Center. UMass Dining’s focus is on quality ingredients and meals, customer service, student health and wellness, customization options, and appreciation of global influences. Over the past 13 years, UMass Dining has raised more than $50,000 that has been donated to the Amherst Survival Center. Check-in at the Southwest Horseshoe will begin at 9 a.m. At 10 a.m., a free Fun Run begins for children 8 years old and under. At 11 a.m., the race begins, followed by an awards ceremony at 11:30 a.m. and lunch at noon in the Berkshire Dining Commons. The race fee is $15 for all Five College students, $25 for UMass Amherst faculty and staff, and $30 for the general public. Children 8 and under may participate free of charge. The race fee includes registration and lunch. Donations can be made and participants can register at runumass.com/about. Online registration will end April 24. Walk-up registration will be available on race day.

 

Link to Libraries Gala

May 8: Link to Libraries announce its biennial gala, an evening that celebrates the organization’s transformative impact in the community while raising vital funds to ensure children have access to the books and programming they deserve. This year’s gala, taking place at the Basketball Hall of Fame, will feature a Swifty-themed evening inspired by Taylor Swift’s celebrated Eras Tour. Guests will enjoy an elegant night filled with cocktails, dinner, an auction, and the opportunity to connect with others passionate about the power of reading to transform lives. All proceeds from the gala go directly to Link to Libraries, a nonprofit committed to fostering literacy by providing books and programming for children in underserved communities. Tickets cost $90 per person, or $250 for VIP tickets that include a pre-gala VIP cocktail reception. Tickets are available at www.linktolibraries.org.

 

 

People on the Move
Ariana Williams

Ariana Williams

Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services Inc. (MLKFS) announced the appointment of Ariana Williams as the organization’s first-ever chief of Public Health Strategy and Innovation. Williams’s journey with MLK Family Services began in 2018 as a part-time community health worker after earning her bachelor’s degree in public health from American International College (AIC). Within nine months, she was promoted to director of Public Health, spending three years leading initiatives that strengthened community health, public-health programming, and youth development. After a brief period away, she returned in February 2023 as a grants consultant. In her new position, Williams will integrate public-health strategies into the organization’s core mission, develop new community-driven initiatives, and strengthen strategic partnerships that advance health equity. A Springfield native, she is also the CEO and founder of Catalyst for Equity Consulting, where she helps nonprofits strengthen their position in the public-health ecosystem by aligning with public-health funding, developing evidence-based programs, and driving systemic change. She has led community-based initiatives in problem-gambling prevention, gun-violence prevention, food insecurity and nutrition, and mental-health advocacy. In 2019, she led a cohort of junior community health workers, whose advocacy efforts played an instrumental role in raising the tobacco-purchase age from 18 to 21 in Springfield. Their work later contributed to the movement to eliminate flavored tobacco products, a tactic used by the tobacco industry to target youth. In 2020, she co-led Springfield’s first-ever youth mental-health advisory board, Beat the Odds, creating a safe space and platform for young people to support one another, share lived experiences, and influence mental-health policies and resources. Williams earned her master of public administration degree from Westfield State University in 2024. She is also an adjunct professor at AIC, teaching in the same public health program she graduated from. Additionally, she serves on the board of the Rise LEAP & Achieve Foundation Inc. and the board of Anti-Racism Community Organizers.

•••••

James Hagan, president and CEO of Westfield Bank, announced the promotions of Tom Donnelly, Colin Dunn, and Craig Lacey to assistant vice president, commercial loan officer. They will continue to be responsible for managing middle-market commercial loan portfolios and driving new business-development opportunities in Western Mass. and Northern Conn. Donnelly joined Westfield Bank in 2020 as a commercial loan administrator with 10 years of experience with business development and account management. He graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree, followed by completing his master’s degree in management at Springfield College in 2013. He serves as a member of the Economic Development Council and St. Joseph Society. Outside of work, he volunteers by coaching youth sports. Dunn joined Westfield Bank in 2019 as a commercial loan administrator and quickly worked his way up to commercial loan officer. He graduated from Westfield State University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He also completed a credit analyst apprenticeship with the Massachusetts Bankers Assoc. in 2022. Outside of work, he serves as a member of the Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield and the Western Massachusetts Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Assoc. Lacey joined Westfield Bank in 2019 as a commercial loan administrator and was then promoted to commercial loan officer. He graduated from Bryant University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in finance. Outside of work, he serves as an ambassador for the Office of Manufacturing for Connecticut along with being a member of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce.

•••••

The W.E.B. Du Bois Center for Freedom & Democracy announced the appointment of John Lloyd as its interim director. A seasoned executive with more than two decades of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, Lloyd brings a wealth of expertise in organizational strategy, financial management, and community engagement to this role. As interim director, he will oversee the center’s strategic initiatives, strengthen partnerships, and continue to advance the legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois by promoting scholarship, civic engagement, and social-justice advocacy. Lloyd is the principal of Agile Consulting Group, a management consulting practice specializing in nonprofit strategy, financial management, board development, and executive-transition services. Throughout his career, he has successfully guided numerous organizations through periods of transformation, stabilizing leadership teams and fostering sustainable growth. His interim leadership roles at organizations such as Community Healing Network, InReach, and Domestic Violence Ended have showcased his ability to enhance operational efficiency and advance mission-driven objectives. His leadership approach is deeply rooted in fostering collaboration, driving mission-driven impact, and enhancing operational efficiency to support long-term organizational success. A Massachusetts native, Lloyd holds a doctorate in organizational learning and development from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from Bentley University, and a bachelor’s degree from Plymouth State University. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Bentley, where he teaches strategic management and human dynamics in organizations. His commitment to education and leadership development is further reflected in his extensive experience in training and facilitation for nonprofit boards and executives.

•••••

Kevin Engel

Kevin Engel

Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury and Murphy, P.C. announced that the firm has hired a new attorney, Kevin Engel, to serve as an associate in the business practice. Engel joined the firm in October after graduating from the University of Maine School of Law, and is admitted to the Bar of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Bar of the State of Maine. He is also a member of the Hampden County Bar Assoc. and the Massachusetts Bar Assoc. Engel’s law practice includes general business and corporate law, business formation and planning, financing, mergers and acquisitions, and a variety of other business and real-estate matters. While in law school, he worked at Jackson and MacNichol, a law firm in South Portland, Maine, with a main practice in veterans’ disability law. Prior to law school, he attended Syracuse University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sports management. While at Syracuse, he worked for a soccer team in the United Soccer League in business development.

•••••

Elizabeth Román has been promoted to executive editor for NEPM News. Román joined New England Public Media (NEPM) as managing editor in 2022 after reporting for nearly two decades at the Republican. In her new role, she will oversee NEPM’s award-winning local newsroom, ascertaining community needs, setting editorial priorities, and supervising journalists, local program hosts, freelancers, and interns. Sam Hudzik, who has led the NEPM newsroom for over a decade, will leave NEPM and the world of public media for a position in housing law in March. As executive editor for news, Román will assume oversight of the newsroom, reporting to NEPM’s vice president for content and audience strategy. Román is a graduate of Holyoke Community College and UMass Amherst. In recent years, she has also edited El Pueblo Latino, co-founded Colectivo de Medios Latinos, and appeared as a panelist on NEPM’s “The Fabulous 413” and “The Rundown with Carrie Saldo.”

•••••

Olivia O’Connor

Olivia O’Connor

Monson Savings Bank recently announced the promotion of Olivia O’Connor to assistant Monson branch manager. In that role, she will provide support to her entire team and be the ‘encyclopedia’ of the Monson branch. She will also be responsible for assisting customers with banking transactions, including account and HELOC openings. O’Connor has worked in customer service for more than eight years. Prior to joining Monson Savings Bank a little more than three years ago, she worked at Rice Fruit Farm and Springfield Technical Community College as a tutor. O’Connor holds an associate degree in general studies from Springfield Technical Community college, where she earned a near-perfect grade point average. Her career in banking began in 2021 when she was hired as a customer service associate at the bank’s Hampden Branch. From there, she quickly proved herself to be a trusted and capable team member. She excelled in the bank’s branches and was promoted to CSA supervisor, then briefly served as the East Longmeadow branch’s assistant branch manager before her most recent role.

•••••

The Big Y board of directors announced the appointment of Michael Pashko as director of Pharmacy. As director, he will be responsible for setting overall direction and goals for the Pharmacy division and the development and execution of programs, promotions, services, and operational excellence for Big Y’s 33 in-store pharmacies. He reports to Nicole D’Amour Schneider, senior vice president of Retail Operations and Customer Experience. Pashko was born into the profession of pharmacy as the son of a pharmacist, spending many days during his childhood in independent pharmacies. He was introduced to drugstore and retail operations in 2002 as a service clerk for Walgreens and, two years later, moved into pharmacy operations as a pharmacy technician. After graduating from pharmacy school in 2012, he had a strong desire to learn more about business growth and moved into pharmacy and field management. In 2022, he was promoted to director of Pharmacy and Retail Operations for 84 Walgreens locations in Massachusetts. Pashko earned a doctor of pharmacy degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston in 2012. He is a registered pharmacist in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Illinois, along with being a certified immunizer since 2012.

Company Notebook

UMass Amherst Maintains Top Research Status

AMHERST — UMass Amherst has maintained its designation as a R1 research institution, a top-tier national ranking by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education that recognizes universities with the highest level of research activity and doctorates awarded. As an R1 institution, UMass Amherst is among colleges and universities that spend an average of at least $50 million on research and development and award at least 70 research doctorates per year. UMass Amherst’s research covers a wide range of disciplines and areas of expertise, including outstanding contributions to food science and agriculture, the study of human diseases and interventions to improve human health, issues of justice and public policy, and computational sciences and engineering. According to data collected by the American Council on Education, in FY 2023, UMass Amherst research expenditures were $268.6 million, and it awarded approximately 300 research doctorates from 2020 to 2023. In FY 2024, UMass Amherst was the recipient of $251.3 million in research awards and placed top in New England for public universities in awards from the National Science Foundation.

 

Country Bank Celebrates 175 Years Serving Region

WARE — Country Bank is marking a milestone of 175 years of service to its communities. Since its founding in 1850, the bank has grown from a small local institution into a regional financial leader. To commemorate this milestone, Country Bank is launching an anniversary celebration to give back to the communities that have contributed to its success. The campaign will include 175 gifts to community members and initiatives designed to champion local businesses and nonprofits throughout the region. The campaign will also highlight inspiring customer stories, showcase the bank’s community contributions, and reaffirm its commitment to excellence. Country Bank invites everyone to join the celebration, share their experiences, and participate in unique giveaways and community events throughout the year, ensuring that this milestone is shared with those who have made it possible.

 

Delaney’s Market Opens Store in West Springfield

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The fifth Delaney’s Market store opened located at 334 Park St. in West Springfield on Feb. 25. Delaney’s Market is an independent company offering fresh, local, chef-made, heat-and-serve meals for individuals or families who want to eat a quality lunch or dinner at their home or office without the hassle of long prep times and high costs. It is the latest venture of Peter Rosskothen, former owner of the Log Cabin and Delaney House. The original Delaney’s Market, located at the Longmeadow Shops, has been open since 2016. Wilbraham and Westfield locations opened in 2019, and a South Hadley location, which features the chef’s kitchen, opened in 2023.

 

Common Capital Receives Two Awards from SBA

SPRINGFIELD — Common Capital was recently recognized as the 2024 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Community Advantage Lender of the Year for Massachusetts, and the Highest Dollar Value Lender in Massachusetts for the SBA Microloan program. SBA Community Advantage loans provide funding for almost any business need, including startup costs, working capital, equipment purchases, and more. Loans can be up to $300,000 and are designed to support businesses operating in underserved areas, such as rural or low-income communities. In the last fiscal year, ending June 30, 2024, Common Capital worked with nine borrowers to lend more than $1 million to help finance their business’s growth and success. Participants included Carefree Cakery, Rozki Rides, and Bridge2Homecare, among others.

 

bankESB Donates $50,000 to United Way

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB and its employees recently made donations of $50,000 to the United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region. Employees pledged more than $15,000 of their own funds in the bank’s United Way workplace campaign. Combined with the bank’s dollar-for-dollar match and additional corporate contribution, the campaign total of $50,000 will be donated to the United Way of the Franklin and Hampshire Region. The campaign lets employees donate and direct funds, advocating for causes that are most important to them. As a long-time contributor, the bank and its employees have donated more than $740,000 to United Way organizations in Western Mass. in the last 13 years. The United Way is a volunteer-driven organization that serves residents through its own programs and services as well as those of its partner agencies. The organization works to advance the common good by focusing on the building blocks for a good life: education, financial stability, health, and basic needs.

 

Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative Receives Grant

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative (BFMC) has been awarded a $9,000 operating grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. The funding will help the Western Mass. nonprofit strengthen its operations, expand programming, build new partnerships, and continue to support the growing film and media industry in Western New England. In addition, Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative has moved its offices into 1Berkshires’ new space in the Crawford Square Building at 137 North St., Suite 200, Pittsfield.

 

Rocky’s Round Up for Kids Fundraiser Brings in $91,687

SPRINGFIELD — Rocky’s Ace Hardware, one of the country’s largest family-owned Ace Hardware dealers with 50 locations in nine states, raised a grand total of $91,687.19 with its Round Up for Kids fundraiser. During two periods in 2024, one in the spring and another in November and December, customers rounded up their purchase totals to the next dollar. The difference was donated to the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) hospital nearest to each store. Baystate Children’s Hospital received $18,130.83 through the campaigns in 2024. Local participating Rocky’s locations include the eight stores in Western Mass, with 100% of the money raised in those locations benefiting Baystate Children’s Hospital. Since 1983, CMN hospitals have helped fill funding gaps by raising more than $9 billion. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible.

 

Bradley Introduces Two New Non-stop Routes

HARTFORD, Conn. — Low-fare carrier Frontier Airlines has launched non-stop service from Bradley International Airport to Miami International Airport. The service, operating twice per week, brings the airline to five destinations served non-stop from Bradley. To celebrate, the airline is offering fares as low as $49. Meawhile, Breeze Airways is adding a new summer seasonal route from Bradley to Greensboro-Winston-Salem, N.C., starting June 6. The flight will operate twice a week on Mondays and Fridays.

 

Andrew Associates Marks 40 Years in Business

ENFIELD, Conn. — Andrew Associates, a certified woman-owned direct-marketing company, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this quarter. Founded in 1985 by Judith Knapp in Wilbraham, the company started in a garage with just one employee. Today, Andrew Associates has grown into a respected leader in the direct-marketing industry, partnering with Fortune 100 companies, nonprofit organizations, higher-education institutions, and government agencies. From its state-of-the-art, 45,000 square-foot sustainable facility in Enfield, Conn., Andrew Associates employs 45 dedicated professionals who provide clients with a full suite of services, including data management, modeling and analytics, direct mail, printing, fulfillment, and creative marketing solutions. In 2008, recognizing the unique needs of nonprofit organizations and educational institutions, Andrew Associates launched a specialized nonprofit division focused on enhancing fundraising and communication efforts. This division has since helped local, regional, and national nonprofits improve their donor database management, annual giving campaigns, planned giving initiatives, and capital campaigns.

 

Excel Dryer Wins Two Sustainability Awards

EAST LONGMEADOW — Excel Dryer Inc. was recently recognized as a double winner in the 2024 Sustainability Awards, hosted by Business Intelligence Group, which honors organizations worldwide that make sustainability a core part of their business practices. The D|VERSE Sink System featuring the XLERATORsync hand dryer was recognized as a Sustainability Product of the Year, and Excel Dryer’s Healthy Office Oasis received the Sustainability Initiative of the Year award. Excel’s ThinAir hand dryer with electrostatic HEPA (eHEPA) filtration was also selected as a finalist in the Sustainability Product of the Year category. The D|VERSE Sink System featuring the XLERATORsync hand dryer with eHEPA is a collaboration between commercial product designer D|13 Group and Excel Dryer, integrating the elements of proper hand washing and drying in a cohesive, 30-inch unit.

DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the month of February 2025.

AMHERST

Adventure Trips
6 Cranberry Lane
Alberto Ortiz

Alléchant Macarons
121 North Pleasant St.
Taylor Lapatofsky

Compassion Speech-Language Pathology
44D Southpoint Dr.
Melanie Bitely

Facetrace
21 Hallock St., Apt. 17
Kevin Gomez

F.L. Roberts
399 Northampton St.
Tony El-Nemr

Fresh Side
39 South Pleasant St.
Xiaojia Huang

J Cori Chandler, LMHC
48 North Pleasant St., Suite 201
Jennifer Chandler

Little Light Farm
132 Pelham Road
Emily Smela

Spend Time with Caren
409 Main St., Unit 115
Caren Figliolini

Wheelhouse Farm LLC
383 Main St.
William VanHeuvelen, Jake Mazar

EASTHAMPTON

Bethlehem House Inc.
33 Knipfer Ave.
Pamela Hibbard

Evergreen Hair Co.
122 Pleasant St., Suite 130
Michelle Denis

Finality Undivided LLC
40 Maine Ave.
Filene Bedrick

Kim O’Leary Photography
28 Holly Circle
Kim O’Leary

GREAT BARRINGTON

Berkshire Baby
8 Stockbridge Road
Andrea Lysy

Berkshire Corporate Retreats
7 Meadow Lane
Sabrina Jaffe

 

Chelsea & Co. Antiques and Decorative Arts
434B Stockbridge Road
Katherine Hold

Christina Lane Photography
12 Barrington Place
Christina Lane

Community Busk Inc.
6 Knob Hill Road
Eugene Carr

Divining Beauty
7 Forest Row
Mary Campbell

Dunkin’ Donuts
494 Main St.
David Cafua

Gallery SGD
198 Main St., Unit 1
Stephen Donaldson

The Glass Shop
968 Main St.
Brendan Toole

Great Barrington Dispensary
454 Main St.
Krishna Ganghi

Home Love
7 Railroad St.
Emily Irwin

Honey Sharp Garden Design
296 Division St.
Honey Sharp Lippman

Karen Allen Fiber Arts
8 Railroad St.
Karen Allen

KMF Books
19 Lewis Ave.
Kathleen Favaloro

Mattress Firm Inc. #181006
336 Stockbridge Road
Mattress Firm Inc.

Moho Designs
13 Lake Ave.
Molly Howitt de St. Andre

North Plain Farm LLC
343 North Plain Road
Sean Stanton

One Sacred Space
8 Stanley Dr.
Sherri Waggoner

Roger Trucking
11 Roger Road
Roger Brownson

Stanton Home
205 North Plain Road
Peter Stanton

Timberlyn Heights Nursing & Rehabilitation
320 Maple Ave.
Thomas Doyle II

Universal Supply Group
20 Maple Ave.
Daikin Comfort Technologies Northeast Inc.

Vitaly Chiropractic
204 East St.
Kristine Olsen

HOLYOKE

Bermudez Tax Services
619 South Summer St.
Maria Bermudez

Complex Painting Services
24 Labrie Lane
Paul Whelihan

De la Luz
92 Race St.
Lighthouse Personalized Education for Teens

Fairfield Inn & Suites
229 Whiting Farms Road
66 Holyoke LLC

Hawk Renovations
12 Lorraine St.
Linee Perroncel

J & Sons Holdings
15 Longwood Ave.
Jason Gerace

Tina Studio
171 High St.
Cristina Caez

T-Mobile Northeast LLC
50 Holyoke St., Unit D263
T-Mobile USA Inc.

Valley Mart
4 North Bridge St.
Andrea Stanley, Christian Stanley

PITTSFIELD

All Berkshire Insulation
100 Richard Dr.
Jason Arseneau

Angel Black Hypnotherapy
222 South St.
Angelica Black

Audi Pittsfield
600 Merrill Road
Sean and Michael Berkshires AV LLC

Berkshire BMW
600 Merrill Road
Sean and Michael Berkshires AV LLC

Berkshire VNA
165 Tor Court
Berkshire Medical Center Inc.

C:\\Studios
82 Wendell Ave.
Richard Shepardson

CCLI
82 Wendell Ave.
CC Legacy Investments

Creative Minds Bookkeeping Services LLC
72 Reuter Ave.
Wendy Calkins

DLGNT HND
82 Wendell Ave.
Kyrylo Necheporenko

Domino’s Pizza
321 Elm St.
Pittsfield Pie Inc.

Domino’s Pizza
1229 North St.
North Pittsfield Pie Inc.

Eastern Body Works and Reflexology
765 Tyler St.
Su Yan

Embodied Strengths
99 Wendell Ave.
Christopher Temkin

Figgy Tree Engraving
28 Highland Ave.
Ian Tyrell

Flynn’s Pharmacy & Home Medical
173 Elm St.
T&C Flynn’s Pharmacy Inc.

FSI Logistics Inc.
82 Wendell Ave.
FSI Logistics Inc.

Home Staging Associates
75 Appleton Ave.
Ingred Lewis, Guy Lewis

I’m Meraki
135 Chapel St.
Claudia Ocampo Villamil

Inquisivis Research
82 Wendell Ave.
Parker Visual LLC

IZTAC
156 North St.
Columna LLC

JJ Lock
758 Tyler St.
Todd Most

Kay Creative Solutions
61 Hull Ave.
Kaustub Prajapati

Little Flower Wellness
71 Maplewood Ave.
Victoria Fiorini

Lulu’s Tony Grocery
137 North St.
Somalupe LLC

Manifest Medical MA PLLC
5 Meadow Ridge Dr.
Manifest Medical MA PLLC

Meyers Exterior Services & Junk Removal
161 Newell St.
Jacob Meyers

nailsxamandaa
337 Elm St.
Amanda Lamberti

OpenField Organizing
82 Wendell Ave.
OpenField Co

PHS Latin Club
300 East St.
PHS Latin Club

Q Mortgage
82 Wendell Ave.
Quintessential Mortgage Group LLC

R&T Roofing
30 Putman Ave.
Robert Turner

Roach
850 Tamarack Road
Hayden Burke

Salvo Creative
288 Tyler St.
Salvo Creative LLC

Sanctuary
5 Cheshire Road
Laura Harbin-Waters

SCJ Commercial Financial Services
82 Wendell Ave.
Red Target LLC

Tyler St Arcade
214 Tyler St.
Robert Williams

Volkswagen Pittsfield
600 Merrill Road
Sean and Michael Berkshires AV LLC

WGI Consulting Inc.
82 Wendell Ave.
WGI Inc.

SOUTHWICK

Andrew’s Sports Cards
8 Harvest Lane
Andrew Morris

Best Auto Service
582 College Highway
Lynn Grant, Russell Grant

Calabrese Farms
249 Feeding Hills Road
Thomas Calabrese

Consolini Plumbing & Heating
41 Reservoir Road
Mark Consolini

Jeffrey M. Hathaway
61 Granville Road
Jeffrey Hathaway

John LaBelle Plumbing & Heating
17 Kimberly Dr.
John LaBelle

Lakeview Tavern
141 Congamond Road
Demyam Volkov

Melloni Construction
822 College Highway
Jeremy Melloni

Responsible and Compliant Southwick
681 College Highway
Mark Dupuis

Serenity Anesthesia Services Inc.
6 Pearl Brook Road
Julia Millay

Uplifting Art
627 College Highway
Tracey Miller

William Gore Wood Crafts
27 South Longyard Road
William Gore

Zuber Landscaping
642 College Highway
Jonathan Zuber

WESTFIELD

Andrii Sereda
27 Montgomery St.
Andrii Sereda

Becky’s Beauty Salon
345 Birch Bluff Dr.
Becky Bannish

Blue Chip Branding & Design
20 Rachael Ter.
Nicholas Bacopoulos

CJR Home Improvement
15 Cranston St.
Christopher Roit

Danny Captures Photography
19 Oakdale St.
Danny Nesen

DJ’s Productions
83 Court St.
Douglas Sweeney

HTM Energy
135 Eastwood Dr.
Howard McClure

J.A.N. Woodworks & Renovations
61 Bowdoin St.
Joseph Muto

Jeff Lynch Music
12 Oak Ave.
Jeffrey Lynch

Kamyk Engraving
9 Grandview Dr.
Steven Kamyk

Lacross Exteriors
24 Cranston St.
Kathleen Lacross

Newnova Media Group
665 Montgomery Road
Alexander Barouxis-Kroll

Profound Home Improvement LLC
183 Main St.
Ilya Katykhin

Susan’s Dog Services
50 Fairfield Ave.
Susan Childers

Trademark Construction
125 Feeding Hills Road
Travis McIntire

True Craft Construction
34 Dickinson Place
David Lepak

Bankruptcies

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

Arillotta, Dominic L.
a/k/a Arillotta, Nick L.
63 West Crystal Brook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118-0000
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/31/2025

Arooth, Jill M.
95 Upper Palmer Road
Monson, MA 01057-0000
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/13/2025

Barrett, Andrew C.
58 Vail St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/04/2025

Bedore, Amy L.
37 Endicott St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/13/2025

Breault, Kenneth J.
36 Bluebird Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/03/2025

Chipman, Matthew Robert
34A Wildwood Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/03/2025

Chloe’s Petals
Radle, Clement J.
Radle, Judith M.
288 Russellville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/12/2025

Ciprian, Arsenia Suero
32 Ruskin St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/07/2025

Coolong, Allan M.
a/k/a Coolong, Mark
155 South Monson Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/05/2025

Diaz, Enid S.
45 Ardmore St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/11/2025

Figueiredo, Celso T.
Figueiredo, Soledade L.
50 Pond St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/11/2025

Figuero, Ivonne Hernandez
Caez, Ivonne, M.
215 Fort Pleasant Ave., Apt. E9
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/14/2025

Frodema, Mark D.
42 Rita St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/04/2025

Gonzalez, Roberto Ricardo
88 Waldo St., Apt. 1-A
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/13/2025

Kadlewicz, Kelly M.
618 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/11/2025

Kai, Andari
a/k/a Kochaniec, Anna
a/k/a Gardner, Anna
866 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/12/2025

Kelley, Donna
82 North Washington St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/11/2025

Miner, JoEllen
P.O. Box 481
South Deerfield, MA 01373
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/10/2025

Montague, Susan
33 Gunn Road
Southampton, MA 01072
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/12/2025

Mulero, William Cotto
70 Nassau Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/14/2025

Mulford, Ward T.
281 Chauncey Walker St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/14/2025

Nuno’s Trucking, LLC
Machado, Nuno
15 Bellevue Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/03/2025

O’Neill, David C.
O’Neill, Maria L.
15 Overhill Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/31/2025

Patterson, Emma F.
51 Cherrelyn St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/06/2025

Pineda, Yasser Emilio
140 Acrebrook Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/08/2025

Porter, Joseph A.
7 Sibley Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/04/2025

Pouliot, Anna P.
204 South St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/05/2025

Ray, Marlaina
269 Stoney Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Date: 02/07/2025

Rosemond, Joel D.
36 Stratford Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/14/2025

Sena, Rebecca J.
a/k/a Racine, Rebecca J.
345 New Boston Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 13
Date: 02/05/2025

Wright, Gary L.
Wright, Gary Lee Adolphe
6 Kimberly Circle
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/31/2025

Real Estate

The following real estate transactions (latest available) were compiled by Banker & Tradesman and are published as they were received. Only transactions exceeding $115,000 are listed. Buyer and seller fields contain only the first name listed on the deed.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

ASHFIELD

229 Creamery Road
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Brianna Dupree
Seller: Stuart Harris
Date: 02/04/25

BERNARDSTON

12 Harwood Dr.
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $294,900
Buyer: Kellyanne L. Adams
Seller: Carrie E. Graham-Ellis
Date: 02/07/25

Merrifield Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $1,600,000
Buyer: Town Of Bernardston
Seller: Christopher Raymond
Date: 02/06/25

167 Northfield Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $1,600,000
Buyer: Town Of Bernardston
Seller: Christopher Raymond
Date: 02/06/25

ERVING

5 Goodell Place
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Accurate Property Investments LLC
Seller: Niedzwiedz, Sandra J., (Estate)
Date: 02/07/25

GILL

479 Main Road
Gill, MA 01354
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Alec Goodwin
Seller: Lea Banks
Date: 02/07/25

GREENFIELD

316 Davis St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Adam J. Provost
Seller: Bond Int.
Date: 02/07/25

116-120 Elm St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Nh Jjc 2024 LLC
Seller: Terry H. Veber
Date: 02/03/25

15 Knapp Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $292,000
Buyer: Veteran Stan LLC
Seller: Heidi Gidius
Date: 02/12/25

105 Laurel St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Joseph Zeni
Seller: Troy Santerre
Date: 02/14/25

32 Peabody Lane
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Michael Reed
Seller: Walter K. Boas
Date: 02/11/25

51-53 Place Ter.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Emerson Properties LLC
Seller: Alycar Investments LLC
Date: 02/07/25

198 Plain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $321,000
Buyer: Mary H. Kratt
Seller: Barbara A. Kievenaar
Date: 02/07/25

HEATH

51 Bray Road
Heath, MA 01346
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Jay A. Ouellette
Seller: Union Evangelical Church
Date: 02/03/25

MONTAGUE

7 Avenue C
Montague, MA 01376
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Abraham Klein
Seller: Eds Enterprises LLC
Date: 02/10/25

9 Union Ave.
Montague, MA 01347
Amount: $236,775
Buyer: Sierra Dickey
Seller: Enoch O. Jensen
Date: 02/14/25

NORTHFIELD

15 North Lane
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Douglas J. Mahon
Seller: Bedard Int.
Date: 02/05/25

ORANGE

28 Daniel Shays Hwy.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $291,400
Buyer: Steven Wazal
Seller: Francis D. Hickey
Date: 02/06/25

66 Marjorie St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $383,900
Buyer: Samantha Bridgman
Seller: Barkley Enterprises LLC
Date: 02/03/25

SUNDERLAND

243 North Main St.
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Keith L. Berman
Seller: Harlin S. Hegeler
Date: 02/12/25

North Plain Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Loretta Laurenitis
Seller: Veronica Laurenitis
Date: 02/07/25

Plumtree Road (off)
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Loretta Laurenitis
Seller: Veronica Laurenitis
Date: 02/07/25

WHATELY

346 Haydenville Road
Whately, MA 01093
Amount: $219,900
Buyer: Gitsit Real Property
Seller: Virginia C. Allis
Date: 02/03/25

261 River Road
Whately, MA 01373
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Cynthia J. Tonucci RET
Seller: Olszewski Realty LLC
Date: 02/10/25

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

231 Adams St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Artem Mosiichuk
Seller: Charlotte C. Venturini
Date: 02/14/25

48 Carmen Ave.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Siarhei Vashchylka
Seller: David Vilkhovoy
Date: 02/14/25

56 Edward St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Jennifer Epaul
Seller: Nicole E. Rosario
Date: 02/13/25

28 Florida Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $319,900
Buyer: Steven Lemoine
Seller: Sareen Properties LLC
Date: 02/07/25

33 Forest Ridge Lane
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: Heather A. Zielenski
Seller: Ashlee N. Montessi
Date: 02/13/25

14 Leonard St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Brian R. Gaouette
Seller: Wissam Tarek
Date: 02/12/25

118 Moore St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: John Martin
Seller: William M. Cavanaugh
Date: 02/10/25

325 North St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $364,000
Buyer: Adianeris P. Rolon
Seller: Richard H. Sanderson
Date: 02/10/25

654 North St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Lindrit Bajrami
Seller: Timothy C. Stowers
Date: 02/07/25

1022 North St. Ext.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Gerard Clark
Seller: Edward J. Drowns
Date: 02/05/25

209 Silver Lake Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Brian McCabe
Seller: Jeffrey Neilsen
Date: 02/13/25

890 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Patricia M. Hebert
Seller: Christine G. Gendron
Date: 02/10/25

BLANDFORD

14 Russell Stage Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $132,459
Buyer: Ronnie Armany
Seller: Secretary Of Housing & Urban Development
Date: 02/04/25

BRIMFIELD

22 Hollow Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $480,000
Buyer: Matthew F. Landry
Seller: Yawen Hin
Date: 02/13/25

CHICOPEE

109 9th Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $223,000
Buyer: Roberto R. Negron
Seller: Federal National Mortgage Assoc.
Date: 02/12/25

29 Albert St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $166,000
Buyer: Christian Wiernasz
Seller: Dan J. Lagasse
Date: 02/04/25

54 Ames Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Dieusauveur Mathieu
Seller: Walter J. Palasz
Date: 02/07/25

184 Asselin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Harry B. Ingles
Seller: Kenneson Jr., Vinal W., (Estate)
Date: 02/12/25

67 Beaudry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $328,000
Buyer: Rayan C. Abdulbaki
Seller: Joshua L. Gray
Date: 02/06/25

14 Dorothy Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $269,500
Buyer: Marguerite I. Catuogno
Seller: Methuselah RT
Date: 02/11/25

Empire St., Lot 3
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: Denys Smyrnov
Seller: Chicopee Property Management LLC
Date: 02/10/25

43 Falmouth Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Christian R. Pagan
Seller: Castle Bay Holdings LLC
Date: 02/10/25

320 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: TM Realty II LLC
Seller: Kemm LLC
Date: 02/05/25

135 Joy St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Kathryn Loranger
Seller: Michael J. Redmond
Date: 02/10/25

131 McCarthy Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $287,500
Buyer: Justin J. Sicard
Seller: Lafleur FT
Date: 02/03/25

206 Newbury St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: As2a Holdings Inc.
Seller: Pma Real Estate Management LLC
Date: 02/07/25

206 Newbury St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Riyyaan II LLC
Seller: As2a Holdings Inc.
Date: 02/07/25

63 Olea St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Philip Stockton
Seller: R Squared Realty LLC
Date: 02/13/25

99 Orchard St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Cassandra Guild
Seller: Woishnis FT
Date: 02/05/25

845 Sheridan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $262,000
Buyer: Jjn Realty LLC
Seller: Chester Szetela
Date: 02/14/25

14 Wiley Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Sara Boron
Seller: Timothy D. Zantrofski
Date: 02/03/25

EAST LONGMEADOW

8 Kibbe Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Courtney Reyes
Seller: Brian Goldrick
Date: 02/06/25

71 Somers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Christopher Rattray
Seller: Kennedy Acquisitions LLC
Date: 02/03/25

HAMPDEN

8 Andrew Circle
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $805,000
Buyer: Victor Martins
Seller: Martin R. Wright
Date: 02/06/25

HOLLAND

10 Pine Tree Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $227,620
Buyer: JP Morgan Chase Bank
Seller: Hollie L. Flannery
Date: 02/05/25

HOLYOKE

46 Davis St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $394,500
Buyer: Charlotte E. Pascal
Seller: Federal National Mortgage Assn.
Date: 02/14/25

233 Easthampton Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $2,660,000
Buyer: Wyckoff Estates LLC
Seller: Arment & Vanzandt Realty Inc.
Date: 02/14/25

14 Field St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Daniel R. Babcock
Seller: Christopher S. Savino
Date: 02/07/25

148-154 High St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: June Ventures Inc.
Seller: Aad LLC
Date: 02/12/25

58 Longwood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $317,000
Buyer: Hector R. Burgos
Seller: Hector R. Rosado
Date: 02/12/25

636 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $863,000
Buyer: As2a Holdings Inc.
Seller: Pma Real Estate Management LLC
Date: 02/07/25

636 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $800,000
Buyer: Riyyaan I LLC
Seller: As2a Holdings Inc.
Date: 02/07/25

7 McLellan Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Zachary Laroche
Seller: Sandra L. Fitzgerald
Date: 02/07/25

54 Meadowview Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Timothy Zantrofski
Seller: Harry S. Vulopas
Date: 02/03/25

1177 Northampton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $308,500
Buyer: Margaret Dixon
Seller: Gail M. Cauley
Date: 02/14/25

47 Ridgewood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Joseph A. Tirrell
Seller: Jessica M. Ryan
Date: 02/05/25

31 Sherwood Ter.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $309,500
Buyer: Jessica Marrero
Seller: Weary Travelers LLC
Date: 02/14/25

311 Walnut St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Virgilio Property Mgmt. Inc.
Date: 02/13/25

645 West Cherry St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $486,000
Buyer: Laura M. Buchanan
Seller: Maureen E. Moriarty
Date: 02/03/25

LONGMEADOW

Barrington Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: H&F Properties Inc.
Seller: Quercus Properties LLC
Date: 02/14/25

237 Concord Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $474,000
Buyer: Tarun K. Ohri
Seller: Brian S. Weinberg
Date: 02/03/25

52 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Paula Desroberts RET
Seller: Krista Murphy
Date: 02/12/25

LUDLOW

Balsam Hill Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Konstantin Gut
Seller: Brandon M. Quiterio
Date: 02/06/25

88 Barna St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Alexander Nelson
Seller: Mhi Properties LLC
Date: 02/11/25

12 Cady St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $1,300,000
Buyer: Raval LLC
Seller: Idalina C. Rodrigues
Date: 02/07/25

Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $122,000
Buyer: Fernanda Gomes
Seller: Halama FT
Date: 02/07/25

106 Erin Lane
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $301,000
Buyer: R. M. Blerman LLC
Seller: Diane P. Adams
Date: 02/11/25

73 McKinley Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $239,000
Buyer: Kmak LLC
Seller: Evelyn H. Cote
Date: 02/14/25

623 Miller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Shelida B. Pinto
Seller: Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC
Date: 02/06/25

MONSON

12 Homer Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $297,500
Buyer: Joshua J. Beardsley
Seller: Congamond Management LLC
Date: 02/07/25

287 Wilbraham Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $529,000
Buyer: Michael A. Chamberlain
Seller: Antonio Carvalho
Date: 02/11/25

PALMER

2112 Baptist Hill Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Chance J. Plant
Seller: Samuel A. Baral
Date: 02/03/25

1018 High St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Zachary T. Pacunas
Seller: Jeffrey Comeau
Date: 02/04/25

2041-2043 High St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: 2041 High Street LLC
Seller: Asw Fund 1 LP
Date: 02/13/25

39 Knox St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Cristian J. Jara
Seller: Jinxiang Ren
Date: 02/13/25

1313 Park St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Ams Realty LLC
Seller: Stephen Stathis
Date: 02/07/25

231 River St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Cody A. Crossman
Seller: Ronald M. Ziemba
Date: 02/11/25

RUSSELL

Blandford Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Nexamp Free Holdings LLC
Seller: Anthony J. Scapin
Date: 02/07/25

434 Blandford Road
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Carla Boyd
Seller: Saje Home Services LLC
Date: 02/11/25

SPRINGFIELD

123 Ambrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Anthoney Lomax
Seller: William Raleigh
Date: 02/07/25

141 Arvilla St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Anthony A. Dimaio
Seller: Loryanna Dimaio
Date: 02/11/25

63 Atwater Road
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Hadley Pellegrino
Seller: Joseph Pellegrino
Date: 02/06/25

47 Bangor St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Jeff Jean-Baptiste
Seller: Kelly Grennan
Date: 02/12/25

1424 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $246,500
Buyer: Melissa Ruffin
Seller: Wicked Deals LLC
Date: 02/05/25

165 Birchland Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Deborah Belsinger
Seller: Isaac Gomez
Date: 02/06/25

171 Boston Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: William Rivera
Seller: Gerald F. Lewis
Date: 02/05/25

62-64 Bryant St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $341,000
Buyer: Ryan Deland
Seller: Harrington Investments RT
Date: 02/13/25

230-232 Centre St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Jane Vernalia
Seller: Brvs LLC
Date: 02/10/25

122-124 Clifton Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Anthony J. Kinney
Seller: Cvc TR
Date: 02/06/25

47 Eckington St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Sydney Harrison
Seller: Stephanie H. Moore
Date: 02/05/25

100 Crystal Brook Dr.
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $612,500
Buyer: Judith Moskal-Kanz
Seller: Grahams Construction Inc.
Date: 02/12/25

367-369 East Columbus Ave.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Pierre B. Fleurant
Seller: Jose A. Lopez
Date: 02/14/25

229 East St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Anyira A. De Jesus
Seller: William Soto
Date: 02/10/25

411 Forest Hills Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Christine S. Humel
Seller: Couchiaftis, George J., (Estate)
Date: 02/13/25

17 George St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $317,000
Buyer: Eliane Niyonkuru
Seller: Isidoro Sanchez
Date: 02/10/25

11 Hanson Dr.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Kmak LLC
Seller: Rodriguez, Sandra L., (Estate)
Date: 02/07/25

80 Jeffrey Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Kristin A. Lynch
Seller: Mark R. Spengler
Date: 02/03/25

206 King St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $257,000
Buyer: Shavonne Morris
Seller: Emtay Inc.
Date: 02/13/25

11-13 Longview St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Polonia M. Ogando
Seller: Michael A. Glenn
Date: 02/07/25

212 Marsden St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $136,000
Buyer: Saje Home Services LLC
Seller: Azusa RT
Date: 02/13/25

20 Montrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: J&R Homes Corp.
Seller: Cascade Funding Mortgage TR
Date: 02/03/25

69 Notre Dame St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Sudan A. Curiel
Seller: Freedom Mortgage Corp.
Date: 02/14/25

114-116 Phillips Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Shakenna Williams
Seller: Shaneeta Cathey
Date: 02/05/25

4 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Kok-Kin Properties LLC
Seller: Shre Holding Co. LLC
Date: 02/11/25

74 Price St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $165,000
Buyer: Olmstead RT
Seller: James W. Fiore
Date: 02/07/25

34-36 Ruskin St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $417,500
Buyer: Chribs Home Improvement
Seller: Steven Hayes
Date: 02/04/25

Saint George Road
Springfield, MA 01101
Amount: $2,400,000
Buyer: AG-AF Pioneer Springfield
Seller: Arhc Pssgdma01 LLC
Date: 02/05/25

1250 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $5,000,000
Buyer: Onyx Springfield Cinema LLC
Seller: Albany Road – St.James Ave. LLC
Date: 02/06/25

102 Saint Lawrence Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Jose G. Pacheco
Seller: Lyon, Maureen A., (Estate)
Date: 02/06/25

11 Sherbrooke St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $208,359
Buyer: John J. Baker
Seller: B. T. & Doreen B. Baker TR
Date: 02/05/25

1240 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $1,276,000
Buyer: Arrha Credit Union
Seller: PeoplesBank
Date: 02/13/25

79 Talbot Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Kenny Nguyen
Seller: Susan A. Albrecht
Date: 02/10/25

125 Verge St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $272,000
Buyer: Angel R. Rodriguez
Seller: Courageous Lion LLC
Date: 02/03/25

70 Westford Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $282,500
Buyer: Caroline Torres
Seller: Johnny A. Perez-Mendez
Date: 02/13/25

42 Wilton St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $429,895
Buyer: Leslie Ly
Seller: Bretta Construction LLC
Date: 02/14/25

156 Woodland Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Cynthia Baral
Seller: Brian P. Kapinos
Date: 02/03/25

8 Woodstock St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Emid Properties LLC
Seller: Woodstock Street RT
Date: 02/13/25

WALES

10 Ainsworth Hill Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $311,000
Buyer: Robert Luby
Seller: Michelle M. Dionne
Date: 02/03/25

WEST SPRINGFIELD

47 Apple Ridge Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $501,700
Buyer: Edward Santaniello
Seller: Daniella Tirone
Date: 02/13/25

67 Bliss St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Valiantsin Zhmaidziak
Date: 02/04/25

110 Circle Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $312,000
Buyer: Sergey Shalypin
Seller: Alvin Weaver
Date: 02/14/25

92 Grove St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $222,500
Buyer: Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC
Seller: Anthony T. Bushey
Date: 02/04/25

120 Hampden St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $254,625
Buyer: Aaia Rml LLC
Seller: Alycar Investments LLC
Date: 02/10/25

444 Hillcrest Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $427,500
Buyer: Mason Jacoby
Seller: Argiro, Bernadette P., (Estate)
Date: 02/13/25

874 Memorial Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $1,561,000
Buyer: Pingree 2000 Real Estate Holdings LLC
Seller: Rindels Realty LLC
Date: 02/10/25

132 Nelson St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Aem Property Investments LLC
Seller: Susan C. Dibble
Date: 02/06/25

43 Pebble Path Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $392,000
Buyer: Ryan T. Eldridge
Seller: Edward Santaniello
Date: 02/13/25

73 Rogers Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $410,000
Buyer: Adam Jaber
Seller: Donald C. Pinkerman
Date: 02/07/25

81 Rogers Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Win L. Bo
Seller: No Limit Assets LLC
Date: 02/10/25

72-74 Summit St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Gerard S. Filip
Seller: Jenna Rosado
Date: 02/14/25

Western Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $6,100,000
Buyer: Ag-Af Pioneer West Springfield
Seller: Arhc Pswsgma01 LLC
Date: 02/05/25

 

 

WESTFIELD

9 Bartlett St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Knox Trail Properties LLC
Seller: J. & F. Management LLP
Date: 02/11/25

62 City View Blvd.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Allan W. Freeman RET
Seller: Renee A. Sanders
Date: 02/06/25

103 Court St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $1,550,000
Buyer: Knox Trail Properties LLC
Seller: J. & F. Management LLP
Date: 02/11/25

241 Elm St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Knox Trail Properties LLC
Seller: John P. Morizio
Date: 02/11/25

83-1/2 Franklin St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Knox Trail Properties LLC
Seller: J. & F. Management LLP
Date: 02/11/25

89 Franklin St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Knox Trail Properties LLC
Seller: John P. Morizio
Date: 02/11/25

9 Glenwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Bal Darjee
Seller: Foucher, Homer Joseph, (Estate)
Date: 02/07/25

162 Joseph Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $228,500
Buyer: Rga Properties LLC
Seller: Lagoditz FT
Date: 02/05/25

5 Leonard Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Alex Delgado
Seller: Christopher M. Robare
Date: 02/14/25

288 Russell Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Collin Williams
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 02/03/25

47 Saint Dennis St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $244,000
Buyer: Philip L. Arendt
Seller: Gregory Foulkes
Date: 02/07/25

20 Sherwood Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $234,200
Buyer: Carlos Suarez
Seller: 20 Sherwood Avenue Land TR
Date: 02/12/25

383 Southampton Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: 383 Southampton Road LLC
Seller: Gerald A. Bovat
Date: 02/06/25

44 Stuart Place
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $381,000
Buyer: Colin M. Berry
Seller: Keith Watson
Date: 02/14/25

WILBRAHAM

2703 Boston Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Pietras Group Inc.
Seller: Kevin J. Czaplicki
Date: 02/06/25

11 Brookside Circle
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Gail E. Healy
Seller: Prartt FT
Date: 02/07/25

5 Brookside Circle
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $515,000
Buyer: Michael J. Sarage
Seller: Ckj Realty LLC
Date: 02/07/25

9 Primrose Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Rachel M. Wolfe
Seller: Sheila M. Commisso
Date: 02/14/25

80 Soule Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Daniel A. Minahan
Seller: M. Roncarati-Fortin RET
Date: 02/14/25

106 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $246,000
Buyer: Paulo Villegas
Seller: Barbara L. Lyons
Date: 02/11/25

19 Westernview Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: 19 Western View RT
Seller: Kathleen A. Czupryna TR
Date: 02/07/25

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

20 McClellan St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $535,000
Buyer: Douglas A. Evans
Seller: Simon P. Alciere
Date: 02/03/25

373-375 Montague Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Junior Henriquez
Seller: Junaid Ijaz
Date: 02/04/25

Odd Meadow St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: Peter Laznicka
Seller: Stone Free LLC
Date: 02/12/25

BELCHERTOWN

425 Bardwell St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Pacheco Property Holdings LLC
Seller: Debra Cole
Date: 02/05/25

245 Cold Spring Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Alexander C. Alvarado
Seller: Helen O. McConnell
Date: 02/14/25

38 Cordner Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Stephanie Moore
Seller: Ronald R. Beaver
Date: 02/05/25

468 Federal St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: James E. Mileski
Seller: Sandra A. Tolpa IRT
Date: 02/07/25

CHESTERFIELD

Bissell Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Stuart Brisson
Seller: Charles Valencik
Date: 02/06/25

Sugar Hill Road
Chesterfield, MA 01012
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Stuart Brisson
Seller: Charles Valencik
Date: 02/06/25

EASTHAMPTON

6 Boylston St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $175,000
Buyer: Valery Raymond
Seller: Joseph E. Reopel
Date: 02/13/25

5 Carol Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Roland L. Thomas
Seller: Alexander J. Pompei
Date: 02/06/25

26-28 Exeter St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Jahmai Hill
Seller: Raymond W. Sliz
Date: 02/07/25

48 Oliver St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $339,000
Buyer: Carrie A. Laird
Seller: Hildegard Sauter
Date: 02/07/25

10 Pine St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $435,000
Buyer: Joanne Winsor
Seller: Violet Clark
Date: 02/05/25

HATFIELD

Depot Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Ian Lauder
Seller: Stephen J. Herbert
Date: 02/07/25

HUNTINGTON

40 Allen Coit Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Peyton O’Connor
Seller: Shelley A. Wilton
Date: 02/07/25

MIDDLEFIELD

266 Skyline Trail
Middlefield, MA 01011
Amount: $164,500
Buyer: Noel W. Keeney
Seller: Kozynoski, Jonn J., (Estate)
Date: 02/14/25

NORTHAMPTON

43 Bates St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: BAZ-4 Properties LLC
Seller: Harris, Judith A., (Estate)
Date: 02/05/25

554 Elm St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Joejoe Properties LLC
Seller: Tina M. Thornton
Date: 02/07/25

76 Marian St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $1,025,000
Buyer: Jonathan Moosekian
Seller: Gail L. Perlman
Date: 02/14/25

766 North King St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $3,500,000
Buyer: Ag-Af Pioneer Northampton
Seller: Arhc Psnhtma01 LLC
Date: 02/05/25

352 Spring St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Lior Alon
Seller: Christopher B. Kent
Date: 02/03/25

PELHAM

24 Gulf Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $657,500
Buyer: Karleen Vollherbst
Seller: Mill River Renovations LLC
Date: 02/12/25

SOUTH HADLEY

8 Carew St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Deer Run Realty LLC
Seller: Marc A. St.Pierre
Date: 02/06/25

94 Charon Ter.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $356,700
Buyer: Jacob Poirier
Seller: Miele, Teresa M., (Estate)
Date: 02/03/25

124 College St., Lot E3
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $313,500
Buyer: Adam J. Tocci
Seller: Lee A. Pellegrini RET
Date: 02/13/25

136 East St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: 136 East St. LLC
Seller: Celeste A. Pelissier
Date: 01/02/25

250 East St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Elijah Charteris
Seller: Garrett Postema
Date: 02/06/25

9 Hollywood St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $297,500
Buyer: Larissa Schwartz
Seller: Elaine R. Savard
Date: 02/12/25

132 Lathrop St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $338,000
Buyer: Kmak LLC
Seller: Krystyna Sulek
Date: 02/13/25

33 Pershing Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $287,500
Buyer: Lcr Builders LLC
Seller: Natiostar Mortgage LLC
Date: 02/12/25

36 Red Ledge Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $766,000
Buyer: Anne Meijers
Seller: Declaration Of Trust
Date: 02/07/25

SOUTHAMPTON

3 Sophie Circle
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Lindsay N. Mounce
Seller: Patrice Mackey
Date: 02/13/25

WARE

75 East St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: As2a Holdings Inc.
Seller: PMA Real Estate Management LLC
Date: 02/07/25

75 East St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Riyyaan III LLC
Seller: As2a Holdings Inc.
Date: 02/07/25

32 Highland St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: Benjamin J. Koziol
Seller: William W. Gravel
Date: 02/12/25

95 Maple St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $419,000
Buyer: Brendan A. Shunaman
Seller: Rafaat A. Geres
Date: 02/11/25

14-18 Park St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Park Otis LLC
Seller: Joel Pentlarge
Date: 02/11/25

8-10 Prospect St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Park Otis LLC
Seller: Joel Pentlarge
Date: 02/11/25

12 Richfield Ave.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $239,900
Buyer: Megean L. Weidman
Seller: Heidi L. Ploskonka
Date: 02/06/25

32-34 South St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: CC REIT SUB II LLC
Seller: Adc100 LLC
Date: 02/11/25

WILLIAMSBURG

14 Goshen Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Allison Cwalinski
Seller: Dwight V. Badhdoyan
Date: 02/13/25

22 South Main St.
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Edward A. Anderson
Seller: Marianne Watling
Date: 02/07/25

WORTHINGTON

14 Harvey Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Courtney Stutz
Seller: Robert N. Brodrick
Date: 02/13/25

74 Thrasher Hill Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $727,000
Buyer: Allen Barstow
Seller: Evelyn Voorhees
Date: 02/14/25

 

Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of February 2025.

CHICOPEE

City of Chicopee
110 Church St.
$180,000 — AT&T to co-locate nine antennas, 12 radios, two surge arrestors, one antenna mount, two fiber lines, and five DC cables on existing monopole tower; one walk-up cabinet and one propane generator within existing compound

Isabel Donuts LLC
820 Memorial Dr.
$165,000 — Remodel Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant interior, including ceilings, floors, and walls

Kaali Huang LLC
1979 Memorial Dr.
$65,000 — Interior demolition; existing space to be turned into ice-cream parlor with seating

RT Commercials LLC
185 Grove St.
$4,000 — Erect wall

EASTHAMPTON

Jo Roesseler
84½ Cottage St.
$2,500 — Replace existing basement stairs

HADLEY

Joseph Boisvert
8 Stockwell Road
N/A — Mechanical for HVAC

Pearson Hadley LLC
380 Russell St.
N/A — Alter existing plaza ground sign

Valley Building Co. Inc.
101 East St.
N/A — Build new commercial building

Valley Werks Realty LLC
173 Russell St.
N/A — Build out sushi-bar-style hut

W/S Hadley Properties II LLC
355 Russell St., Suite 10
N/A — Retail fit-out for J.Crew Factory store

LEE

David DelGrende, Anne DelGrande
135 Housatonic St.
$2,000 — Vinyl picture window with double-hung flankers

LENOX

Chabad of Berkshire County Inc.
17 West St.
$3,000 — Install pre-engineered commercial kitchen hood fire-suppression TANK system

Chucky’s LLC
90 Main St.
$3,848 — Install new fire warning system

David Joseph, Molly Joseph
80 Church St.
$19,500 — New stairs, second-floor framing, update finishes

Lenox Club
111 Yokun Ave.
$14,765.63 — Install fireplace liner and two dampers

MRG CRW Holdings LLC
55 Lee Road
$196,700 — Roofing

PITTSFIELD

CW Acquisitions LLC
1685 West Housatonic St.
$11,330 — Install fire warning system

Light Holdings LLC
12 Betnr Industrial Dr.
$158,998 — Remove three existing interior walls, relocate bathroom doors, remove one closet

The Salvation Army of Massachusetts Inc.
298 West St.
$787,000 — Renovate existing building; renovate toilet rooms, replace fixtures, replace all lighting fixtures and ceiling tiles, replace portions of interior doors, new finishes and flooring

SPRINGFIELD

276 Bridge LLC
270 Bridge St.
$151,600 — Interior fit-out for new office area on second floor

1277 Liberty St LLC
1377 Liberty St.
$30,000 — Verizon Wireless to remove 15 roof-mounted cellular panel antennas and install 12 new roof-mounted cellular panel antennas

Behavioral Health Network Inc.
5 Madison Ave.
$23,500 — Build handicap ramp to existing front porch

Behavioral Health Network Inc.
385 Maple St.
$18,800 — Build handicap ramp to existing front porch

Belmont Burlington LLC
481 Belmont Ave.
$20,000 — Upgrade and install fire-alarm system

East Springfield Industrial Buildings Co.
211 Carando Dr.
$40,500 — Alter lower-level basement area of Crocker Building for office use

Fontaine Investment Corp.
504 Cottage St.
$606,371 — Alter interior office space at Stratum Dermatology for use as medical office suite

Gogri Bros. LLC
572 St. James Ave.
$65,000 — Alter interior space for mercantile use as liquor store

Greater Springfield Senior Services
66 Industry Ave.
$14,000 — Install fire-alarm system

HR Twenty Corp.
1387 Boston Road
$934,777 — Alter interior space, add canopy to left side of building for drive-up teller, add ATM, and install new windows and doors for Community Bank

Jewish Community Center
1160 Dickinson St.
$12,000 — Install fire alarm

M&A Circle LLC
9 Rimmon Ave.
$4,400 — Attic insulation at City Line Cafe

Mittas Holdings LLC, DGP Properties LLC
1550 Main St.
$45,000 — Alter interior tenant office space on fifth floor

NHP Springfield Business Trust
215 Bicentennial Highway
$29,000 — Verizon Wireless to remove and replace 12 roof-mounted cellular antennas, remote radio heads, surge suppressors, and hybrid cables

Onyx Springfield Crossing LLC
1655 Boston Road
$2,482,886 — Interior fit-out of retail tenant space in Unit 820 for PetSmart

Razzak Building LLC
39 Mulberry St.
$8,000 — Alter first floor and basement into after-school program

The Salvation Army of Massachusetts Inc.
170 Pearl St.
$841,625 — Renovate interior space

Springfield Investors LLC
1105 Boston Road
$30,400 — Modify existing fire-alarm system and install new devices at Walmart

Springfield Partners for Community Action Inc.
721 State St.
$100,000 — Install three or four partition walls to existing rooms, install eight doors, and remodel bathroom at Playful Minds

State 305 LLC
305 State St.
$55,094 — Bathroom renovation

Wesley Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church
741 State St.
$21,502 — Attic insulation at Wesley United Methodist Church

Opinion

Editorial

While extolling the benefits of Amherst Cinema in this issue’s lead feature story, Executive Director Yasmin Chin Eisenhauer didn’t mince words when it came to the challenges faced by the facility and other independent, nonprofit moviehouses like it.

One is the fact that ticket sales have never totally recovered from the COVID years. That’s true across the industry, but in the case of Amherst Cinema, while the 84,260 tickets sold in 2024 represented the continuation of a strong recovery from 21,150 in 2020, it was still only about 80% of the 108,000 sold in the average pre-pandemic year.

At least the facility survived; many theaters did not. The National Cinema Foundation reported that there were more than 39,000 movie screens in the U.S. in 2022, down from 41,000 in 2019, and more screens have been lost since then.

The main problem may be that more content is available to stream at home. The Atlantic reported last month that the average adult sees three films at the movie theater per year but consumes nearly 19 hours of television — the rough equivalent of eight movies — on a weekly basis.

“Combined with significant industry disruption and rising costs, the cinema has experienced three years of financial losses,” Eisenhauer told BusinessWest. “This is an unsustainable trend.”

Which is why Amherst Cinema is implementing measures to reduce costs as part of a broader, organization-wide sustainability plan, directing resources where they can have the greatest impact and safeguarding the nonprofit’s ability to deliver on its mission. (These decisions were finalized in the days following our interview with Eisenhauer, and related to us just before we went to press with this issue.)

Specifically, the facility has discontinued some of its least-attended showtimes (Sundays at 9 p.m. and Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and 9 p.m.). In mid-May, it will permanently shutter its Studio Theater, a space it leases rather than owns; after significant cost-benefit analysis, Eisenhauer said, reducing operations from four to three screens is the most sustainable path forward. Unfortunately, these measures will also necessitate a reduction in staff.

“That said, two things can be true at once,” she told BusinessWest. “While we’re experiencing the impacts of a disrupted film exhibition landscape, our commitment to advancing film arts and culture has never been stronger. We will continue to program critically acclaimed films and artfully created and educational film experiences. As we like to say, there is something for everyone at Amherst Cinema.”

As the article on page 4 makes clear, this is very true. From classic kids’ films to Friday-night cult films; from indie films difficult to find on other big screens to movies paired with lectures by filmmakers and topical experts, Amherst Cinema has certainly created and deepened a niche over the past two decades of, as Eisenhauer put it, catalyzing community. And, as we would put it, being an essential part of this region’s cultural landscape.

Which is why we encourage everyone to check out a movie — or many — there, and to consider becoming a member. Not every region has a resource like this one, offering an experience you just can’t find on a living-room couch: real community connection. It’s an institution worth supporting.

Picture This

Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected]

Community Impact

Greenfield Savings Bank announced it invested more than $1 million in local communities in 2024 through donations, event sponsorships, and underwriting. The bank supported more than 275 nonprofits, including the Treehouse Foundation Runway 5K (pictured), Cancer Connection, Community Action Pioneer Valley, Hampshire and Franklin County YMCAs, and United Way of the Franklin Hampshire Region. In addition, the bank’s employees dedicated more than 3,650 volunteer hours for nonprofits like Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity (pictured at bottom), mobile food banks, financial-literacy workshops, community clean-ups, and youth mentorship.

Treehouse Foundation Runway 5K

Treehouse Foundation Runway 5K

 

Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity

Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity

 

 

Adopt-a-Classroom

Leaders from Berkshire Bank — including Jim Hickson, Pioneer Valley regional president, and Lori Kiely, managing director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation — recently joined Square One staff and preschool children to announce the renewal of the foundation’s Adopt-a-Classroom sponsorship. This $5,000 gift supports Square One’s commitment to early education and care by helping to offset the costs of classroom supplies, technology, and professional development, enhancing every child’s early-learning experience.

Leaders from Berkshire Bank — including Jim Hickson, Pioneer Valley regional president, and Lori Kiely, managing director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation — recently joined Square One staff and preschool children to announce the renewal of the foundation’s Adopt-a-Classroom sponsorship

Leaders from Berkshire Bank — including Jim Hickson, Pioneer Valley regional president, and Lori Kiely, managing director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation — recently joined Square One staff and preschool children to announce the renewal of the foundation’s Adopt-a-Classroom sponsorship

 

No Shave November

This past November, the TommyCar Auto Group team rallied together alongside the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office to raise awareness for cancer research and show support for those affected by cancer. No Shave November serves as a powerful reminder of how simple acts, like growing a beard and donating, can make a big difference, and November’s efforts at TommyCar raised more than $7,843.66 for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Pictured, from left: Carla Cosenzi, president of TommyCar Auto Group, and Hampshire County Sheriff Patrick Cahillane.

Pictured, from left: Carla Cosenzi, president of TommyCar Auto Group, and Hampshire County Sheriff Patrick Cahillane.

Agenda

For more events, or to submit your upcoming events, visit BusinessWest’s event calendar online: https://businesswest.com/eventcalendar

 

94.7 WMAS Radiothon for Baystate Children’s Hospital

March 4-5: The public is invited to join in the fun at the 24th annual 94.7 WMAS Radiothon for Baystate Children’s Hospital at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on March 4 and 5, between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Broadcasting live from the 94.7 WMAS studios, the Kellogg Krew will connect listeners with stories from patients, team members, and community members that are filled with hope, miracles, and the impact of Baystate Children’s Hospital. Among the many stories shared will be that of Emilia Cecchetelli, the 2025 Children’s Miracle Network ambassador for Baystate Children’s Hospital. Four-year-old Emilia was born at 26 weeks and spent 143 days in the Davis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit fighting chronic lung disease and craniosynostis, a condition that causes problems with normal brain and skull growth. Listeners will hear how she’s doing today and how the care at Baystate Children’s Hospital played a critical role in her life. Attendees of the Radiothon will be able to have their photo taken on the red carpet, make a donation, and get a sneak peek of the Kellogg Krew broadcasting live. There are many ways to donate. Listeners can visit wmaskids.com, text WMASKIDS to 51555, or call the Lia Auto Group Phone Bank at (413) 794-1111 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on March 4 and 5.

 

Bingo Night Fundraiser

March 21: The Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce announced its Handbag & Hand Tool Bingo Night fundraiser will take place at 6:30 p.m. at AMVETS Post 74 in Three Rivers. Doors open at 6 p.m. The chamber will produce 10 bingo rounds, each with a grand prize featuring one of seven designer handbags or one of three premium tools up for grabs. Tickets can be purchased on qhma.com. The registration fee is $40 per person and includes 10 bingo cards, a bingo dauber, snack platters, a bonus raffle ticket, and a cash bar. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce and its ongoing mission to assist its more than 200 member businesses succeed and grow with programs and initiatives throughout the year.

 

Second Chance Auction Gala

March 29: Second Chance Animal Services will host its 26th annual Auction Gala at the AC Marriott in Worcester. This is Second Chance’s most important fundraiser of the year, raising critical funds to help provide life-saving services to more than 56,000 pets in need. The evening will feature hundreds of silent auction items, raffles, and a small but exclusive live auction offering one-of-a-kind experiences. All proceeds will support Second Chance’s mission to transform the lives of pets by providing affordable veterinary care, keeping pets with their families, and finding loving homes for animals in need. Tickets are on sale now, and seating is limited, so early reservations are encouraged. Businesses and individuals can also support the event by sponsoring, which includes recognition in event materials, highlighting their commitment to supporting pets in need. Donations to the auction are another way to get involved. To purchase tickets, become a sponsor, or donate auction items, visit www.secondchanceanimals.org/dinner-auction or email [email protected].

 

Women’s Leadership Conference

April 3: Bay Path University announced that award-winning journalist, author, and television personality Hoda Kotb will be the keynote speaker at the 28th Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC), taking place in Springfield. Most well-known as the former co-anchor of NBC News’ Today and co-host of Today with Hoda & Jenna, Kotb joined Today as a co-host of the fourth hour in 2008, alongside Kathie Lee Gifford, and recently retired from the show after 17 years, during which time she received several Emmy Awards for her work. A New York Times bestselling author, Kotb has written eight books and continues to host the popular podcast “Making Space with Hoda Kotb.” The WLC will also feature lunchtime speaker Amelia Rose Earhart, a pilot, author, and reporter who, inspired by her namesake, circumnavigated the globe in a single-engine aircraft. Earhart has 15 years of experience as a helicopter and breaking-news reporter in Denver and Los Angeles, has sent numerous teenage girls to flight school during her 10-year tenure as president of the Fly with Amelia Foundation, and hosts a tech podcast focused on the future of AI in business. This year’s conference will also feature breakout sessions led by business experts and coaches, including Shira Abel, a lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley, who taps into her experience working with companies such as Siemens, Samsung, AXA, and Allianz to speak about navigating the complexities of modern business and the impact biases and expectations have on success. In addition, the WLC will welcome Jackie Glenn, former chief diversity officer at Fortune 500 EMC Corp. and founder and CEO of Glenn Solutions, where she partners with executives to reimagine organizational practices and implement strategies such as cultural assessments, executive coaching, and advisory services to foster thriving, innovative workplaces. For further information on the conference, sponsorship opportunities, and ticket sales, visit baypath.edu/wlc.

 

Difference Makers Gala

April 9: Tickets are now on sale for BusinessWest’s 17th annual Difference Makers awards gala at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The class of 2025, profiled in this issue of BusinessWest and at businesswest.com, are Jennie Adamczyk, executive director of Providence Ministries; Sheryl Blancato, CEO of Second Chance Animal Services; Andrea Bordenca, managing partner of Generative Leadership Consulting; Mychal Connolly, CEO of Stand Out Truck; John Delaney, director of Ride to Remember; John Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; the Michael J. Dias Foundation; and Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. Tickets cost $95 per person, and tables of 10 are available. They can be purchased at businesswest.com/eventcalendar/difference-makers-tickets. The 17th annual Difference Makers program is sponsored by Burkhart Pizzanelli, the Royal Law Firm, TommyCar Auto Group, and Westfield Bank.

 

Link to Libraries Gala

May 8: Link to Libraries announce its biennial gala, an evening that celebrates the organization’s transformative impact in the community while raising vital funds to ensure children have access to the books and programming they deserve. This year’s gala, taking place at the Basketball Hall of Fame, will feature a Swifty-themed evening inspired by Taylor Swift’s celebrated Eras Tour. Guests will enjoy an elegant night filled with cocktails, dinner, an auction, and the opportunity to connect with others passionate about the power of reading to transform lives. All proceeds from the gala go directly to Link to Libraries, a nonprofit committed to fostering literacy by providing books and programming for children in underserved communities. Tickets cost $90 per person, or $250 for VIP tickets that include a pre-gala VIP cocktail reception. Tickets are available at www.linktolibraries.org.

 

People on the Move
Marylou Fabbo

Marylou Fabbo

Skoler Abbott attorney Marylou Fabbo has been selected as one of Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly’s Go-To Employment Lawyers for 2025. This program recognizes top lawyers across the Commonwealth who are leaders in employment law and have a history of successful representation. Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly has a long tradition of recognizing accomplished lawyers in different areas of the law. For more than 60 years, Skoler Abbott has solely represented employers and management in employment and labor matters. Fabbo has been with Skoler Abbott for 30 years. In 2000, she was named a partner, and she heads the firm’s litigation team. She has successfully represented the firm’s clients in state and federal courts and agencies in all areas of employment law. She is also the firm’s immigration expert. Fabbo has also been recognized by Boston Magazine as a Super Lawyer and has been designated as one of the Top Women in Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.

•••••

Christopher Walker

Christopher Walker

LaPier, Dillon & Associates, P.C. announced the recent hiring of Christopher Walker as tax supervisor. Walker has been working in public accounting since 2013 and brings extensive experience to the firm, especially in partnerships, corporations, trusts, and not-for-profit taxation. Walker is a certified public accountant licensed in Massachusetts. He received his bachelor’s degree with a concentration in accounting and a minor in economics at Westfield State University, and went on to achieve his master’s degree in business analytics at Bentley University. He is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants. LaPier, Dillon & Associates, P.C. also welcomes Kara Stevens as an audit manager. She is the founding director of the master of science in accounting program at Bay Path University, where she is also still working as an educator. Prior to becoming a professor, she had worked in public accounting as an audit manager. She has extensive auditing knowledge serving clients in manufacturing, not-for-profit, and private sectors that require annual audits. Stevens is a certified public accountant licensed in Massachusetts. She received both her BBA and MBA in accounting at the University of Massachusetts, and received a doctorate with a concentration in finance at Pace University. She is a member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of CPAs, and the American Accounting Assoc.

•••••

Berkshire Money Management (BMM), a financial and retirement-planning firm with offices in Dalton and Great Barrington, announced two new additions to its operations team: Sarah Curtiss and Jacqueline Ferry. As front office coordinator at BMM’s Great Barrington office, Curtiss strives to create a friendly, welcoming, and helpful atmosphere for visitors and callers alike. She brings to the team 22 years of experience in multi-tasking, customer service, and office administration developed while onboarding Snowsports instructors and managing the Reservations department at Ski Butternut. She earned her bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries biology at the University of Vermont. As operations support partner, Ferry supports day-to-day operations and compliance efforts while providing key support to BMM’s chief operating officer. Before joining Berkshire Money Management, she honed her affinity for data analysis and sharp attention to detail during a seven-year tenure in program support and case management at Berkshire Health Systems. She earned master’s degrees in criminal justice and forensic psychology from Arizona State University.

•••••

Reed Whitman

Reed Whitman

Hometown Financial Group, parent company of bankESB; bankHometown; North Shore Bank; Abington Bank, a division of North Shore Bank; and Hometown Mortgage, hired Reed Whitman as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Whitman joins Hometown Financial from Brookline Bancorp Inc., where he most recently was treasurer of the $11.5 billion holding company. Whitman brings specific expertise in community banking organizations that operate within the multi-bank holding-company structure, as well as more than two decades of experience that includes leading transformational mergers and acquisitions, balance-sheet restructuring, new business pitches, and process redesign and execution. Whitman assumed the position earlier this month, ahead of the retirement of Gilbert Ehmke, who served as Hometown Financial Group’s senior executive vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer for nearly 10 years.

•••••

Mary Mazza

Mary Mazza

Elizabeth Norris Neu

Elizabeth Norris Neu

American International College (AIC) appointed Mary Mazza vice president for Human Resources. In this role, she will oversee all aspects of HR operations, focusing on strategies that enhance workplace culture and support employee engagement. With more than 25 years of experience in human-resources leadership, she brings a wealth of expertise to AIC. Before joining AIC, Mazza served as senior vice president for Human Resources at Farm Credit Financial Partners, where she led HR initiatives and was a member of the executive leadership team. Before that, she spent 17 years as Human Resources director for HealthSouth, now Encompass Health. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in communications from Westfield State University. AIC also appointed Elizabeth Norris Neu vice president for Finance. With more than 15 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit and education sectors, Neu brings a forward-thinking approach to financial management that aligns with AIC’s mission of access and opportunity. In her new role, Neu will focus on strengthening the college’s financial position by enhancing financial controls, processes, and efficiencies. Her efforts will ensure that AIC maximizes its resources in support of students while maintaining long-term fiscal stability. Neu most recently served as chief financial officer at Project Adventure Inc., where she played a pivotal role in stabilizing the organization’s finances and achieving break-even performance. She was also part of the team that led the organization to year-end surpluses. She also held positions as director of Development and director of Finance at Project Adventure and previously worked as a middle- and high-school science and math teacher. She holds an MBA, a master’s degree in information systems, and a certificate in nonprofit management from Boston University Questrom School of Business. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Brown University and holds a Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

•••••

The Amherst Business Improvement District (BID) recently introduced Robert Allingham as the new Marketing & Communications manager. With a strong background in community engagement and business development, he brings a passion for fostering connections and creating marketing strategies aimed at elevating Amherst’s downtown. Allingham has spent the past few years working closely with Amherst-area businesses, supporting their growth through strategic marketing, social media, and outreach efforts. His expertise spans hospitality, education, and nonprofit sectors, all with a focus on strengthening local businesses. With an MBA from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn., he has learned to blend creative marketing with strong business strategy to drive meaningful impact. At the BID, Allingham will focus on enhancing outreach, strengthening partnerships, and promoting Amherst as a premier destination to live, work, visit, and explore. From special events to digital storytelling, he is eager to collaborate with local businesses, cultural partners, and community members to create impactful initiatives.

•••••

Wanda Mooney

Wanda Mooney

Wanda Mooney, a real-estate professional with Coldwell Banker Community REALTORS with 30 years of real-estate experience, has completed the Luxury Home Marketing training offered by the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. This independent authority provides training and designation for real-estate agents specializing in the upper-end residential market. By completing this training, Mooney has also earned membership in the Institute, granting her access to exclusive resources and benefits that enhance her ability to market upscale residential listings. This membership allows her to connect with qualified buyers seeking properties. In addition to this achievement, Mooney is a Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Home Specialist, adding another level of premier marketing to showcase her clients’ properties at the highest level.

•••••

Springfield Partners for Community Action, an anti-poverty agency, announced the hiring of Ramona Matos as SNAP Outreach and Enrollment coordinator. She will provide outreach services to recruit, enroll, and assist clients in recertifying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Additionally, she will build relationships with external agencies and establish connections within the community to promote Springfield Partners’ services. Prior to joining Springfield Partners, Matos was a senior clerk for Springfield Public Schools, providing daily data entry and customer service, while assisting with any school-related issues. Prior to that, she was an outreach worker for the city’s Department of Elder Affairs, offering support and outreach services such as wellness calls and assistance with benefits. She received her associate degree in science from Holyoke Community College.

•••••

Vincent Gaffney

Vincent Gaffney

Greenfield Savings Bank (GSB) announced the addition of Vincent Gaffney as vice president, senior trust officer within the bank’s Wealth Management & Trust Services division. With more than 12 years of experience in banking and trust services, Gaffney brings a deep understanding of wealth management, trust administration, and estate settlement. Prior to joining GSB, he served as vice president, trust officer at Two Rivers Bank & Trust and Hills Bank and Trust Co. He holds a juris doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law and has built a strong career helping individuals and families navigate complex financial and estate-planning needs. In his new role at GSB, Gaffney will focus on serving customers across the region, guiding clients through estate planning, investment management, and trust administration.

•••••

Kuhn Riddle Architects and Designers announced that three of its architects have achieved the prestigious designation of PHIUS certified passive house consultant, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to sustainable and energy-efficient design. Thom Barry, Brad Hutchinson, and Ruoqi Zhong recently completed the rigorous training and certification process required by the Passive House Institute United States (PHIUS). Passive house design principles focus on dramatically reducing energy consumption while maximizing indoor comfort and air quality. These high-performance buildings will also meet the Massachusetts stretch and opt-in energy codes. By integrating passive house principles into residential, commercial, and institutional projects, Kuhn Riddle is at the forefront of designing cutting-edge, high-performance buildings that are both environmentally responsible and cost-effective in the long term.

•••••

L. Alexandra Hogan

L. Alexandra Hogan

Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury and Murphy, P.C. (DWPM) announced that the firm has elected L. Alexandra Hogan as a new shareholder. Hogan, who was previously a partner with Sabella Hogan, P.C. in Springfield, became a firm shareholder as of Jan. 1. She brings extensive experience in representing businesses, receivers, insurance companies, and individuals across a variety of legal disciplines. With a strong background in business law, civil litigation, and commercial real estate, she has built a reputation providing strategic, results-oriented advice in complex legal matters. Hogan’s practice includes civil litigation, such as shareholder disputes, derivate claims, contract enforcement, employment claims, land disputes, commercial evictions, bankruptcy contested and adversary proceedings, federal and state receiverships, will contests, and fiduciary disputes. Her general business practice includes formation, contract negotiations, leases, licensing, financing, and real-estate transactions. Hogan earned her juris doctorate from Western New England University School of Law in 2008 and her bachelor’s degree in legal studies from Bay Path University. She is licensed to practice in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

•••••

1Berkshire announced its 2025 slate of newly re-elected board members and officers, as well as the addition of new board members.These individuals will each help support the work of 1Berkshire as the region’s marketing and economic-development organization. The officers include Lori Gazzillo Kiely (chair), vice president and director of Berkshire Bank Foundation; Jonathan Butler (president), president and CEO of 1Berkshire; Colleen Taylor (vice chair), partner at Bay State Hospitality Group; Peter Stasiowski (vice chair), director of Communications at Interprint Inc.; Margaret Keller (treasurer), executive director of Community Access to the Arts; and Jesse Cook-Dubin (clerk), partner at Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook. New board of directors members include Cook-Dubin; Ellen Kennedy, president of Berkshire Community College; Harry Monti, president of Berkshire Life Insurance Co. (Guardian); Yina Moore, founder and artistic director of Adams Theater LLC; and Gina Puc, special assistant to the president at Williams College.

•••••

Clare Higgins

Clare Higgins

Clare Higgins will retire in the summer of 2025 after nearly 14 years as executive director of Community Action Pioneer Valley (CAPV). Higgins assumed directorship of CAPV, the region’s federally designated anti-poverty agency, in September 2011 after serving six terms as mayor of Northampton. Higgins’s first job with a Community Action agency was as a teacher in a preschool classroom; from there, she became a staff representative for a daycare and human-services union. After that, she was the childcare teacher director for Sojourn Inc., a teen parent childcare program. There, she got her first major taste of budget management and grant and proposal writing. CAPV offers nearly 40 different programs to support individuals and families across Franklin and Hampshire counties. In 2023, the agency served more than 28,000 people in the Pioneer Valley.

•••••

Bulkley Richardson recently welcomed Bridget Harrington to the firm as a litigation associate. Harrington earned a juris doctorate from Suffolk University Law School in 2023, where she was a content editor of the Journal of High Technology Law. She also earned a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from UMass Dartmouth with a double major in finance and accounting. Prior to joining Bulkley Richardson, she worked as a law clerk at a litigation firm outside Boston.

Company Notebook

Holyoke Mall Releases Community Impact Report

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Mall released its 2024 Community Impact Report, highlighting the results of the center’s collaboration with Western Mass. nonprofit community organizations over the past year. In 2024, the Holyoke Mall hosted almost 200 nonprofit events and partnered with more than 30 local organizations that utilized the center for meeting space, fundraising, and awareness campaigns. In addition to the record number of events, the mall also welcomed an increase in visits for 2024, at 7.9 million. Guests traveled from all over New England, the Northeast, and even from Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, and Arizona. The mall welcomes not-for-profit organizations looking to benefit from the center, whether for a tabling opportunity, for fundraising and awareness campaigns, or to host a large event in the common area. Event space and tabling are free for nonprofit use. Groups are asked to fill out and submit the required paperwork at www.holyokemall.com/community.

 

UMass Downtown Opens in Amherst

AMHERST — UMass Downtown, a multi-purpose retail, event, and meeting satellite space in downtown Amherst, opened on Feb. 11 at 108 North Pleasant St., in the town’s central business district. The welcome center for prospective UMass Amherst students and their families will serve as a boutique retail satellite and campus information center during regular business hours and a hub for town-gown interaction with community members. In the evenings, the space will regularly host small lectures, readings, and workshops. Micah Ariel James has been appointed director of UMass Downtown, which is managed by the Office of Community Relations and University Events in partnership with UMass Auxiliary Enterprises. A recent transplant to the Pioneer Valley, James most recently served as the inaugural Outreach and Equity coordinator for the city of North Liberty, Iowa, from 2021 to 2024.

 

Liberty Bank Announces 2024 Community Impact

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — David Glidden, president and CEO of Middletown-based Liberty Bank and president of the Liberty Bank Foundation, announced that the bank and its charitable foundation achieved another record year, with $4.8 million in corporate sponsorships and grant awards, as well as teammate volunteerism. Liberty Bank invested approximately $2.7 million in corporate sponsorships, donations, and other initiatives to more than 400 community organizations in Connecticut and Massachusetts. This includes their strong and ongoing community partnerships with the American Cancer Society, YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, cultural and arts groups, business and industry organizations, and professional sports teams. The Liberty Bank Foundation awarded 141 grants totaling nearly $2.1 million, investing in programs and services that assist thousands of lower- to moderate-income children and families in the areas of education and training, affordable housing, and food security. This was Liberty’s highest dollar amount awarded in a single year. Liberty Bank teammates logged 15,928 hours in volunteerism in 2024 with 631 organizations. One hundred percent of Liberty teammates participated in some kind of community volunteer activity in 2024. The bank invested $15.5 million in the development of various affordable-housing projects and solar-energy projects, and provided capacity building to several community-development financial institutions; invested $46.8 million in lending to a variety of affordable-housing developments; took part in 313 community-outreach activities covering various aspects of financial education; and offered 90 Academy of Small Business classes for first-time entrepreneurs.

 

PeoplesBank, Cornerstone Bank Merge Holding Companies

HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank and Cornerstone Bank announced they have completed the merger of their holding companies and will now operate under PeoplesBancorp, MHC. The holding company will have more than $6 billion in assets. However, PeoplesBank and Cornerstone Bank will continue to operate independently under their own names and brands, and there will be no changes from a customer perspective. Both banks are adding new branches. Cornerstone Bank added a new branch in 2024 and expects to add another in the second quarter of 2025. PeoplesBank is opening two new banking centers in January and February. With the completion of the merger, PeoplesBank Chairman and CEO Tom Senecal remains chairman and CEO, Cornerstone Bank CEO Todd Tallman has become president, and Brian Canina has become chief operating officer of PeoplesBancorp, MHC, and will remain president of PeoplesBank. Both banks’ customer account information, branch banking, and digital access remain the same.

 

Country Bank Donations Top $900,000 in 2024

WARE — Country Bank, a full-service financial institution serving Central and Western Mass., reported more than $900,000 in donations for 2024. The bank’s philanthropic efforts supported local nonprofits across its communities, with 462 organizations receiving grants throughout the year. In addition to financial contributions, Country Bank team members dedicated 1,958 hours of volunteer service, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to giving back. Furthermore, 39 team members served on 95 nonprofit boards and committees, actively contributing their time and expertise to advance these organizations’ missions. Recognizing the importance of financial literacy, Country Bank hosted seven Credit for Life Fairs for more than 2,000 high-school seniors, educating them on credit, budgeting, and the long-term impact of financial decisions. Additional classes were conducted at various schools across the region and Christina’s House, a home for women and children who are homeless or near homelessness. As part of its annual Season of Difference campaign, Country Bank partnered with the WonderFund to support those involved with the Department of Children and Families system throughout Central and Western Mass. Through this collaboration, the bank contributed more than $20,000, reinforcing its commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families. Among the organizations receiving support were Junior Achievement, EcoTarium, Main South CDC, Venture Community Services, Why Me/Sherry’s House, Boys & Girls Clubs, Behavioral Health Network, Way Finders, HomeFront Strong, United Way of Pioneer Valley and Central Massachusetts, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Worcester County Food Bank, Juniper Outreach, Square One, Friends of the Homeless, along with 22 senior centers and 23 food pantries across the region.

 

Freedom Credit Union Gives More Than $194,000 in 2024

SPRINGFIELD — Throughout 2024, Freedom Credit Union contributed financial support to dozens of local charitable organizations throughout the four counties of Western Mass., donating more than $194,000. Additionally, Freedom employees recorded more than 600 hours of volunteer time in 2024. The 2024 total donated includes more than $130,000 through corporate giving initiatives, more than $11,000 in member and employee donations through Freedom’s Month of Giving campaigns, and more than $53,000 through local branch and department discretionary fund donations. Supported organizations include Alzheimer’s Assoc.; Baystate Foundation – Rays of Hope; Baystate Health; Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicopee, Ludlow, and Springfield; Children’s Advocacy Centers – Franklin County and Hampden County; Clinical Support Options (Friends of the Homeless); Cooley Dickinson Hospital; Elms College; Food Bank of Western Massachusetts; Gándara Center; Gray House; Greater Springfield and Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity; Greenfield Community College; Make-A-Wish; Miracle League of Western Massachusetts; National MS Society; New North Citizens Council; Ronald McDonald House; Shriners Children’s New England; Spirit of Springfield; Springfield Jazz Fest; Springfield Museums; Springfield School Volunteers; Stanley Park of Westfield; Town of Ludlow 250th celebration; Town of West Springfield 250th celebration; Western New England University; Westover Galaxy Community Council; and YMCAs in Springfield and Greenfield.

 

Community Bank Reports Charitable Giving for 2024

DEWITT, N.Y. — Community Bank announced that its charitable giving, in conjunction with its parent company and affiliated subsidiaries, totaled more than $3.9 million in 2024. More than 2,200 nonprofit organizations that provide essential services to the communities the company serves received support through sponsorships and donations. The bank’s parent company, Community Financial System Inc., includes the companies OneGroup Insurance, Benefit Plans Administrators, and Community Bank Wealth Management. Among last year’s charitable-giving efforts, more than $200,000 was given to United Way agencies across the company’s footprint through a combination of corporate contributions and employee payroll deductions. Beyond financial support, Community Bank branches often host charitable drives and events as a way for employees, customers, and community members to participate in charitable-giving efforts. Employees across Community Financial System Inc. also volunteer their time to a variety of local nonprofits, including cultural, civic, economic-development, and social-service organizations and charities. In 2024, the organization’s team members committed more than 17,800 hours to volunteer initiatives to give back to their communities, and more than 405 team members served on not-for-profit boards and committees.

Incorporations

The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.

ADAMS

Adams Pie Inc., 80 Summer St., Adams, MA 01220. Celal Fatih Gokdag, 162 Weston St., Waltham, MA 02453. Pizza delivery and takeout restaurant.

BELCHERTOWN

Belchertown Wrestling Booster Club Inc., 24 Westview Dr., Belchertown, MA 01007. Kevin McNeill, same. Nonprofit organization established to raise funds and purchase property and services to be used by students and faculty of Belchertown Wrestling Booster Club.

CHICOPEE

Mr. Kraken Inc., 6 Bush Ave., Chicopee, MA 01013. Oleksii Kryvykh, same. Trucking company.

 

EASTHAMPTON

CTW Enterprises Inc., 17 East St., Easthampton, MA 01027. Volkan Polatol, 5 Nicholas Lane, Southampton, MA 01073. Real estate.

FEEDING HILLS

Purevac Air Duct Cleaning Inc., 198 North Westfield St., Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Illya Domin, 52 Taylor Ave., Westfield, MA 01085. Air-duct cleaning.

GREENFIELD

Terralink Brokers Inc., 324 Main St., # 2, Greenfield, MA, 01301. Noah Smith, 25 Main St., Montague, MA 01351.

INDIAN ORCHARD

Casa Restauracion del Alfarero Inc., 34 Oak Ridge St., Indian Orchard, MA 01151. Freight broker.

LONGMEADOW

Ana Bella Wellness Center Corp., 66 Dwight Road, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Janice Yanni, same. Med spa and wellness center.

 

NORTH ADAMS

Adanali Inc., 315 Ashland St., North Adams, MA 01247. Saime Ozkan, same. Pizza restaurant.

NORTHAMPTON

Sukhmani’s Inc., 440 Rocky Hill Road, Northampton, MA 01060. Amrik Singh, same. Merchandising.

PITTSFIELD

Cap Design Group Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Jason Kahan, same. Engineering design services specializing in life safety, fire protection, civil, and MEP design.

Exouza Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Teddy White, 1660 International Dr., Suite 600, McLean, VA 22102. Pharmacy benefit manager.

Pittsfield Dental Center, P.C., 188 East St., Unit 202, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Nayaki Gaddapati, 1651 Bridge St., Dracut, MA 01826. Dental practice.

Suncheck Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Tuo Li, same. E-learning and e-commerce platform for residential solar and storage installation.

SHELBURNE FALLS

Mental Wellness for All Inc., 280 Colrain Shelburne Road, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370. Kathryn Suzanne Krase, 128 8th St., Brooklyn, NY 11215. Nonprofit organization providing group and private mental wellness online sessions to individuals, families, teens, and couples seeking mental-health guidance, support, and education.

SOUTH HADLEY

Sunny Acres Inc., 1 Alvord St., South Hadley, MA 01075. Madeleine Brunelle, 7 Alvord St., South Hadley, MA 01075. Franchise agreements and floor-plan financing.

SPRINGFIELD

First Cities Ministries Inc., 182 Merrimac Ave., Springfield, MA 01104. Dennis King, same. Church exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes.

International Central Gospel Church, 235 Chestnut St., Unit B01, Springfield, MA 01103. Mensa Otabil, same. House of God through development of model New Testament Christians and churches, committed to training and equipping God’s people.

Northeast Environmental Inc., 165 St James Ave., Apt. 2, Springfield, MA 01109. Christian Avila, same. Business of environmental remediation, demolition (both interior and exterior), and commercial and residential construction.

Ready Set Burn Inc., 118 Thompson St., Springfield, MA 01109. Robert Kelly, same. Courier service for retail establishments.

WESTFIELD

CAP Transmissions Inc., 247 Elm St., Westfield, MA 01085. Christopher Provencher, 234 Holyoke Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Automobile mechanic (transmissions), own and lease residential and commercial real estate.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Oliveira Drywall Corp., 1207 Morgan Road, West Springfield, MA 01089. Werley Teixeira de Oliveira, same. Home improvement and remodeling.

WILBRAHAM

Quindici Holdings Inc., 5 Old Carriage Dr., Wilbraham, MA 01095. Jeffrey Hannon, same. Holding company.

DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the months of January and February 2025.

AMHERST

253 Farmacy
328 College St.
Christopher Gallant

Amel Energy
240 Thatcher Road
Derrick Maxwell

Iya Sushi & Noodle Kitchen
One East Pleasant St., Suite 2
Edison Yee, Nicholas Yee

Johnny’s Tavern
30 Boltwood Walk
Edison Yee, Nicholas Yee

Laughing Dog Bicycles
63 South Pleasant St.
Brian Boyajian

Lime Red Teahouse
50 Main St.
Joe Deng

Oriental Flavor
25 South Pleasant St.
Jian Wei Gao

PGP
101 East Hadley Road
Pavlos Goulas

Q.M. Zhang | MemoryWorks
305 Strong St.
Kimberly Chang

Taproot Family Child Care
77 Eames Ave.
Huey Wu

EASTHAMPTON

50 Arrow Gallery
116 Pleasant St., Suite 136
Jason Montgomery, Chelvanaya Gabriel

Connection Birth Doula Services
15 Ballard St., Apt. F
Theanna Hernandez-Tiedemann

Door Systems Easthampton
30 Lyman St.
Lars Niit

Easthampton Athletic Massage
384 Main St.
Joseph Cyr Jr.

Elite Home Care Agency
184 Northampton St.
Maureen Cote

K Hall Consulting
94 Holyoke St.
Kelsey Hall

Printed Mass
116 Pleasant St., Suite 116
Drew Romeo

Remax Construction
42 Ward Ave., Apt. 1
Maksym Dudiak

Ritual Hair & Wellness
123 Union St., Suite 101, #13
Michelle Gagnon

Smart Newsletter and Conferences
39 Ward Ave., Apt. 2
Neil Brick

Stephanie Lynn Massage
247 Northampton St.
Stephanie Ardoulos

HADLEY

Elaine Center at Hadley
20 North Maple St.
SunBridge Health LLC

Heart of Gold Home Care
245 Russell St., #12D
Heart of Gold Home Care

Nail Pro & Spa
331 Russell St.
Hong Nguyen, Huynh Do

Northwest Auto Sales II
117 Russell St.
Jim Boyle

Outline Sour Candy
103 Russell St.
Team Morrison/SAD

Pioneer Valley Hyperbaric
8 River Dr.
Bruce Goderez

Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters
227 Russell St.
Sam’s Department Stores of Massachusetts

Shaolin Kung Fu Center
37 Lawrence Plain Road
Jessica Grasmere

Spruce Hill Motors
235 Russell St.
Randall Izer

Stockbridge Farm
113 Stockbridge St.
Stockbridge Farm LLC

Ulta Beauty
351B Russell St.
Ulta Beauty Credit Services

Zgrodnik Farm
12 Knightly Road
Joe Zgrodnik
HOLYOKE

Burlington
39 Holyoke St.
Burlington Coat Factory of Texas Inc.

Children’s House
513 Beech St.
Sandip Patel

Custom Tailor Holyoke
60 Westfield Road
Mustafa Ibic

Ingleside Therapeutic Massage & Yoga
415 Ingleside St.
John McCann

Jaffe & Thurston
158 Morgan St.
Diane Thurston, Arnold Jaffe

Jenni’s Kitchen Bistro 27
223 Maple St.
Jennifer Rivera

Madley in Love Apothecary
1597R Northampton St.
Amber Mihalak

Main St. Market
433 Main St.
Carmelo Hernandez

Milan Men’s Wear
50 Holyoke St.
A&H LLC

S&R Auto Detailing
555 South Canal St.
David Sanchez

Sempervivum Gardens
581 Pleasant St., Apt. 4R
Nicole Trano

Uncle Clo’s Fish & Chips
50 Holyoke St.
Clo’s Fish & Chips Inc.

WESTFIELD

Bill’s Repair Service Inc.
530 Pochassic Road
Bill’s Repair Service Inc.

Boho Hair Studio
36 School St.
Tristin Denton

Double Eagle Home Improvement
141 Wyben Road
Peter Smidy

Edward D. Jones & Co. LP
20 Elm St., Suite A
EDJ Holding Co.

The Empire Spa
77 Mill St., #211
Emily Sanchez

Gabe’s 252
252 Elm St.
Krause LLC

Jasmeine Moonsong
598 Granville Road
Brandy Latshaw

Kirby Productions
77 Mill St., Suite 011
Alexander Liptak

Level One Services
16 School St.
Joseph Caracciolo, Zachary Blood

Main Street Hair Co.
32 Main St.
Megan Clauson

Seamless Gutters by Supreme
37 South Meadow Road
Supreme Gutters LLC

Valvoline Instant Oil Change
310 East Main St.
Metrolube Enterprises

WeHaul & Dumpster Rental
49 Little River Road
Gennadiy Lisitsin

The Whip
287 North Elm St.
Whip City Patriot Inc.

Whip City Jerky
271 Elm St.
Jeff the Butcher Company

Witts End Enterprises
23 Toledo Ave.
William Wittmer

YFC Construction
19 Forest Ave.
Yuriy Gavrilov, Matthew Gavrilov, Daniel Gavrilov

Yola’s Caring Touch Massage
10C Union Ave.
Jolanta Abramczyk

WEST SPRINGFIELD

ATC Group Services LLC
73 William Franks Dr.
Atlas Technical Consultants LLC

Bear Mountain at West Springfield
42 Prospect Ave.
Bear Mountain Healthcare LLC

Da Money Pit LLC
2011 Riverdale St.
Da Money Pit LLC

Emmanuel Appliances
150 Front St.
Emmanuel Appliances

Expert Car Rental
1800 Riverdale St.
Balise CRC Inc.

Family Beer & Wine
529 Union St.
Family Beer & Wine

Friendly Fuel
75 Union St.
Super Petro Inc.

Hair by Alyssa
33 Westfield St.
Hair by Alyssa

Lizet Land Photography and Design
1346 Elm St.
Lizet Land Photography and Design

Lucky 7 Nail & Spa
1146 Union St. Ext., Unit B
Lucky 7 Nail & Spa

Michelle’s Confections
11 Prospect St.
Michelle’s Confections

Phoenix Staffing Solutions
42 Prospect Ave.
Phoenix Staffing Solutio

Bankruptcies

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

Abreu, Aaron Michael
88 Lancashire Road
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/31/2025
Aquino Padilla, Gloria M.
103 South St., Apt 1
Chicopee, MA 01013-0000
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/30/2025

Askew, Caleb Eric
Askew, Caroline Eleanor
34 Pleasant St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/30/2025

B&C Landscaping
Dupee, Malissa Ann
Dupee, Chad Michael
35 Anthony St.
Adams, MA 01220-0000
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/31/2025

Besancon, Laurie L.
305 State St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/28/2025

Boyer, Susan Anne
519 East River St., Lot 103
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/30/2025

Castillo, Samuel David
58 Cherry St., Apt. 2
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/30/2025

Colon, Johnny Anthony
130 Malden St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/28/2025

Conklin, Jr., George R.
273 Nottingham Court
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/17/2025

Dudunake, Johanna Elizabeth
4 Searle Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/30/2025

Fonseca Flores, Roberto
29 Davis St.
Holyoke, MA 01040-0000
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/30/2025

Golash, Susan E.
100 Chestnut St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/31/2025

Grimes, RoseAnn B.
140 Olander Dr. #304
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/17/2025

Grosse, Danielle L.
29 Lehigh St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/24/2025

Hedstrom, Diane M.
334 Wheelwright Road
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/22/2025
Hill, Margaret
316 Conway Road
South Deerfield, MA 01373
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/28/2025

Howie, Christie Lynn
18 Clinton St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/24/2025

Koerner, Kerry Beth
785 Williams St., #180
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/25/2025

LaBumbard, Daniel C.
3 Pine Hill Road
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/31/2025

Lafond, Henri David
129 Edgewood Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/27/2025

McDonald, Christina
31 Essex St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/31/2025

Mikes Home Improvement
Morrisino, Michael W.
15 Anthony Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/30/2025

Moreira, Sandra I.
a/k/a Moreira Rosario, Sandra I.
30 Craig St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/17/2025

Musiak, Kathleen
49 Pulaski St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/31/2025

Norman’s Burner Service
DeGray, Norman R.
53 Lakeshore Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/21/2025

O’Grady, Caroline V.
2D Hamblin Court
Huntington, MA 01050
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/31/2025

Pease, Sonja M.
29 Williams Way
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/29/2025

Perez, Nikita
100 Brookline Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/28/2025

Renal and Transplant Associates of New England, P.C.
100 Wason Ave., Suite 200
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/24/2025

Rivera Martinez, Angel L.
a/k/a Rivera, Angel L.
582 Pleasant St., Apt 5-O
Holyoke, MA 01040-2352
Chapter: 01/22/2025
Date: 7

Son, Tha
Leang, Va
64 Bonner St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/22/2025

Tobin, Jr., Robert Gene
140 French King Highway
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/28/2025

Todd, Brandon W.
104 Bossidy Dr.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/30/2025

Torna and Associates
Torna, Erik Pedro
30 Plaza Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/23/2025

Torres, Marguerita
a/k/a Torres, Margurita
84 Shamrock St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/31/2025

Walsh, Tammy S.
115 Spencer St.
Agawam, MA 01001-0000
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/30/2025
Willette, Regina M.
57 Weston St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/27/2025

Real Estate

The following real estate transactions (latest available) were compiled by Banker & Tradesman and are published as they were received. Only transactions exceeding $115,000 are listed. Buyer and seller fields contain only the first name listed on the deed.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

ASHFIELD

225 Main St.
Ashfield, MA 01330
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Double Edge Theatre Produ
Seller: Byrnes, Thomas M., (Estate)
Date: 01/31/25

BERNARDSTON

31 Church St.
Bernardston, MA 01337
Amount: $490,000
Buyer: Village View Apt. LLC
Seller: Van Bro Co LLC
Date: 01/22/25

DEERFIELD

23 Lee Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Tracey M. Hebert
Seller: Nicole R. Warren
Date: 01/28/25

7 North Hillside Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Timothy D. Kicza
Seller: Kownacki Int.
Date: 01/22/25

8 North Hillside Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Timothy D. Kicza
Seller: Kownacki Int.
Date: 01/22/25

94 Sugarloaf St.
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $387,000
Buyer: Ginger Lasalle
Seller: Alexis Rodriguez
Date: 01/29/25

242 Upper Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Alexander C. Golec
Seller: Deborah A. Sokoloski
Date: 01/24/25

ERVING

34 High St.
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Nicole Gaspar
Seller: Dean W. Spaulding
Date: 01/24/25

GREENFIELD

44 Allen St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Daniel Gorey
Seller: Jason P. Wallace
Date: 01/31/25

603 Bernardston Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Harry R. Fischer
Seller: Arthur N. Breauer
Date: 01/21/25

83 Davis St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $303,000
Buyer: Casey May
Seller: Jeffrey T. Reynolds
Date: 01/24/25

49 Devens St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Frederick Civian
Seller: Colleen A. Bannister
Date: 01/31/25

14 Locust St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Richard Jones
Seller: Annette M. Chamberlin
Date: 01/23/25

32 Vernon St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $155,400
Buyer: Amanda Shute
Seller: Donaldson Int.
Date: 01/29/25

MONTAGUE

18 Sunderland Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Aline C. Gubrium
Seller: Jason Comtois
Date: 01/21/25

514 Turners Falls Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $235,000
Buyer: Paul-Michael T. McKenna
Seller: Kendrick, Thommas P., (Estate)
Date: 01/29/25

NEW SALEM

27 Lovers Lane
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Shannon Carroll
Seller: Jwke Inc.
Date: 01/21/25

351 Wendell Road
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: George Gay
Seller: John Arsenault
Date: 01/27/25

NORTHFIELD

639 Mount Hermon Station Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Jefferson Wagener
Seller: Jerrold L. Wagener
Date: 01/24/25

ORANGE

81 East River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Franklin County Community Meals
Seller: River St. RT
Date: 01/31/25

56 Pine Hill Road
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Oisin Duggan
Seller: Niles B. Doubleday
Date: 01/28/25

SHELBURNE

486 Little Mohawk Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: John L. Wheeler
Seller: Conrad Long
Date: 01/31/25

127 Main St.
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: David M. Wilson
Seller: Lynn Benander
Date: 01/31/25

188 Skinner Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Amount: $765,000
Buyer: Rebecca Brown
Seller: Joseph A. Poirier
Date: 01/22/25

SUNDERLAND

80 Plumtree Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Amount: $620,000
Buyer: Roxanne Dorrie
Seller: Expedio Group LLC
Date: 01/31/25

WHATELY

121 North St.
Whately, MA 01373
Amount: $416,000
Buyer: Leo Chapman
Seller: Deborah M. Pearson
Date: 01/31/25

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

116 Barbara Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $499,900
Buyer: Joshua Houghton
Seller: Jan Misiak
Date: 01/30/25

66 Fernwood Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Scott Massoia
Seller: Bonnie L. Blair
Date: 01/31/25

188 Line St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $330,900
Buyer: Zaida Nieves
Seller: Equity Trust Co.
Date: 01/24/25

239 Maynard St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Brenden Mahoney
Seller: Wendi L. Sacco
Date: 01/29/25

15 Porter Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Mahmoud J. Al Yasine
Seller: Ann M. Meade
Date: 01/31/25

239 Southwick St.
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Nelly Korniyenko
Seller: James B. Craig
Date: 01/31/25

3 Spring St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Brandon M. Choiniere
Seller: Patriot Living LLC
Date: 11/21/24

164-166 Walnut St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Leonel Rivas
Seller: Yegor Muravskiy
Date: 01/27/25

BLANDFORD

Chester Road
Blandford, MA 01008
Amount: $255,400
Buyer: American Tower
Seller: Sbc Tower Holdings LLC
Date: 01/28/25

BRIMFIELD

92 Allen Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: David P. Brigham
Seller: Gerald R. Knouse
Date: 01/31/25

CHESTER

396 Route 20
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Gary P. Perrier
Seller: Daniel T. Gorey
Date: 01/31/25

CHICOPEE

96 Blanchwood Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Rosalba Sanchez
Seller: Russell R. Tougas
Date: 01/27/25

95 Forest St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Mabel Antwi-Boasiako
Seller: Bak, Bruno M., (Estate)
Date: 01/30/25

825 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Casey Banville
Seller: Brad F. Desmarais
Date: 01/31/25

160 Jacob St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Nicholas Meuse
Seller: Suzanne Valcheva
Date: 01/31/25

25 Kendall St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Maribel Santiago
Seller: Todd Hortie
Date: 01/27/25

921 McKinstry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $268,000
Buyer: Alan Salois
Seller: Castonguay, Carole, (Estate)
Date: 01/24/25

954 McKinstry Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Rosie L. Urbina
Seller: Dejordy, Edward R., (Estate)
Date: 01/30/25

83 Montgomery St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Joaquim C. Martins
Seller: Idalina Ferreira
Date: 01/29/25

7 Munger Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Nicholas Piela
Seller: Fumi Realty Inc.
Date: 01/23/25

38 Nye St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Matthew Richard
Seller: Mark V. Bartosz
Date: 01/31/25

15 Savory Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Jenna Manning
Seller: Shirley A. Leca
Date: 01/22/25

40 Shaban Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Brian Wodecki
Seller: Mohammad Attique
Date: 01/27/25

920 Sheridan St.
Chicopee, MA 01022
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Wrecker LLC
Seller: Union Street Realty NT
Date: 01/31/25

52 Simonich St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Jenny M. Simons
Seller: Robert L. Scribner
Date: 01/22/25

35 Whitin Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Joseph Starkoff
Seller: Andrew J. Wesolowski
Date: 01/30/25

EAST LONGMEADOW

52 Colony Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Samantha Velluti-Fry
Seller: David D. Morais
Date: 01/24/25

7 Day Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $329,000
Buyer: William Gosselin
Seller: Wayne M. Perry
Date: 01/23/25

300 Elm St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Britany Merrill
Seller: Kathleen T. Speight
Date: 01/27/25

9 Farmer Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $199,000
Buyer: Joseph Ngaruiya
Seller: Joseph Ngaruiya
Date: 01/27/25

18 Knollwood Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: James Bedell
Seller: 18 Knollwood Drive LLC
Date: 01/30/25

27 Knollwood Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: West Jam Man LLC
Seller: Edward A. McDonald
Date: 01/24/25

GRANVILLE

308 Crest Lane
Granville, MA 01034
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Kent
Seller: Thomas J. MacDonald
Date: 01/31/25

HAMPDEN

256 North Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Frank W. Kochanowski
Seller: Jillen F. Holmes
Date: 01/31/25

HOLLAND

14 Blodgett Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Camille P. Jolin
Seller: Emery L. Fitts
Date: 01/22/25

28 Forest Dr.
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $384,000
Buyer: Tylor J. Leveillee
Seller: Vanessa Suarez
Date: 01/21/25

HOLYOKE

337 Appleton St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $475,000
Buyer: Tanishika LLC
Seller: Executive Estates LLC
Date: 01/27/25

25 Central Park Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $244,000
Buyer: Tracy A. Alexander
Seller: Tracy A. Caisse
Date: 01/28/25

1412 Dwight St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Legacy Property Investment Group LLC
Seller: Alycar Investments LLC
Date: 01/28/25

215 Lacus Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Bryant O’Connor
Seller: Jesse B. Vanek
Date: 01/23/25

12 Saint James Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Equity Trust Co
Seller: Bank Of America
Date: 01/31/25

109 Waldo St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $295,000
Buyer: Shyam Mupompa
Seller: Winners O. LLC
Date: 01/24/25

LONGMEADOW

500 Bliss Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Mann No Enterprises LLC
Seller: Joan Guernsey
Date: 01/24/25

57 Cooley Dr.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $343,000
Buyer: Peter H. Jones
Seller: Susan S. Alden
Date: 01/31/25

166 Greenacre Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: John Ramsburgh
Seller: Yong-Ju No
Date: 01/22/25

1087 Longmeadow St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $925,000
Buyer: Courtney Birchall
Seller: Ford FT
Date: 01/22/25

5 Pleasantview Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $362,450
Buyer: Fangyu Liu
Seller: Davidson, Carole P., (Estate)
Date: 01/28/25

LUDLOW

Balsam Hill Road, Lot 72
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $177,900
Buyer: Danill Gerasimchuk
Seller: Whitetail Wreks LLC
Date: 01/31/25

Balsam Hill Road, Lot 80
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $169,900
Buyer: Danill Gerasimchuk
Seller: Whitetail Wreks LLC
Date: 01/31/25

1327-1329 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $440,000
Buyer: Jonathan Goyer
Seller: Dennis F. McCarthy
Date: 01/31/25

21 Harding Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Perfect Properties LLC
Seller: Kmac Inc.
Date: 01/31/25

444 Ventura St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Christine Vecchio
Seller: Joejoe Properties LLC
Date: 01/31/25

Willard Ave., Lot 601
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Mark G. Lemelin
Seller: Moltenbrey Builders LLC
Date: 01/21/25

MONSON

30 Silver St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Bruce A. Hunt
Seller: Erick Vasquez
Date: 01/31/25

381 Silver St.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Bruce A. Hunt
Seller: Erick Vasquez
Date: 01/31/25

PALMER

10-12 Belchertown St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Jjb Builders Corp.
Seller: John M. Mowduk
Date: 01/23/25

227 Boston Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Evergrain Orchard LLC
Seller: Mario Morales
Date: 01/23/25

12-16 Commercial St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $349,000
Buyer: Caleb J. Demers
Seller: Roger Parker
Date: 01/27/25

2175-2177 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $342,220
Buyer: Richard K. Kirchner
Seller: Diego V. Calle
Date: 01/31/25

3205-C Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Daniel R. Connelly
Seller: B. & B. Realty Partners LLC
Date: 01/24/25

1501 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Miner Investments LLC
Seller: Lazy River Housing Co. LLC
Date: 01/27/25

751 River St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $158,536
Buyer: Servicenet Inc.
Seller: Venture Community Services Inc.
Date: 01/21/25

87 South High St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $306,000
Buyer: Malinda Manley
Seller: William F. Petrashewicz
Date: 01/31/25

1034 School St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Joshua Heinz
Seller: Robert A. Smigiel
Date: 01/28/25

RUSSELL

42 West Main St.
Russell, MA 01071
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: John L. Ody
Seller: Peyton J. O’Connor
Date: 01/30/25

SPRINGFIELD

116 Amherst St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $262,000
Buyer: Israel Jean
Seller: Bricmore Property Investment LLC
Date: 01/23/25

128 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Wilvladison Decastro
Seller: Springfield 69 Winter Gardens LLC
Date: 01/28/25

53 Bevier St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $299,000
Buyer: Vyacheslav Zhuk
Seller: Crossover Corp. Inc.
Date: 01/21/25

22-24 Chester St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Nilda Ortiz
Seller: Emtay Inc.
Date: 01/24/25

15 Clarendon St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Rogelio Marquez
Seller: Edward A. Kelly
Date: 01/30/25

72-74 Cleveland St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Ruth Rivas
Seller: Milton Santos
Date: 01/24/25

80-82 Corona St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $353,000
Buyer: Yamaris De Leon
Seller: Northeast Capital LLC
Date: 01/27/25

199 Dickinson St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $1,590,000
Buyer: Dickinson Oakland LLC
Seller: Rbt Enterprise LLC
Date: 01/31/25

57-59 Dubois St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $288,000
Buyer: Alexander Adu
Seller: Andrew J. Tenczar
Date: 01/27/25

372 El Paso St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Ihi Wave LLC
Seller: Cynthia A. Pereira
Date: 01/31/25

30 Fayette St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Betsy Y. Medina
Seller: Rosalba Sanchez
Date: 01/27/25

65 Garland St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $240,000
Buyer: Kateryna Godin
Seller: Jason P. Fahey
Date: 01/27/25

191 Gilbert Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Luis B. Lopez
Seller: Genevieve Construction Development Group I
Date: 01/27/25

71 Gilbert Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $279,000
Buyer: Lisa Caron
Seller: Ryan Lau
Date: 01/28/25

136 Gresham St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Nashary Velazquez
Seller: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Date: 01/23/25

184 Hanson Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Devin A. Scheer
Seller: Heather Murray
Date: 01/22/25

18 Huron St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $247,000
Buyer: Shameka Auston
Seller: Theodore E. Denette
Date: 01/22/25

101 Manchester Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $297,500
Buyer: James P. Hickey
Seller: Esther Barker
Date: 01/28/25

36-38 Manhattan St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Eduardo Pagan
Seller: Wealth Builders I&L LLC
Date: 01/28/25

55 Mapledell St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Elendida M. Perez
Seller: Tuo N. Liang
Date: 01/27/25

61 Mary Coburn Road
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Rodelmiro L. Barillas
Seller: Althea R. Haines
Date: 01/23/25

32 Maynard St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Samuel Anderson
Seller: Delise Davis
Date: 01/23/25

81 Methuen St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Jason Beauchamp
Seller: Ernesto Ortiz
Date: 01/30/25

23 Middle St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Siyoum Woldetatios
Seller: Jackie W. Nero
Date: 01/27/25

166 Nottingham St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $156,000
Buyer: Virgilio Santos
Seller: Jason C. Chapdelaine
Date: 01/24/25

176-182 Oakland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $1,590,000
Buyer: Dickinson Oakland LLC
Seller: Rbt Enterprise LLC
Date: 01/31/25

381-383 Oakland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Jean D. Rejouis
Seller: Craig B. Schacher
Date: 01/31/25

97 Parallel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: 194 Holdings LLC
Seller: Mtglq Investors LP
Date: 01/31/25

11-13 Parkside St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Kinan Al Haffar
Seller: Anthony J. Morini
Date: 01/31/25

64-66 Pasadena St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $357,500
Buyer: Alexander Lopez
Seller: Witman Properties Inc.
Date: 01/31/25

239 Pasco Road
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Eduardo Hernandez
Seller: Gabriel Rivers
Date: 01/31/25

79 Perkins St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Cathryn A. Cole
Seller: Arpc LLC
Date: 01/31/25

29 Pilgrim Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Rachelle J. Cherival
Seller: Regina D. Kleiner
Date: 01/30/25

95-97 Pine St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $300,500
Buyer: Jane Vernalia
Seller: Sheng-Shiang Peng
Date: 01/23/25

522 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Melissa Escalante
Seller: Keisha Dejesus
Date: 01/31/25

9 Quebec St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Redempta Agwanda
Seller: Forbes & Forbes Enterprise Inc.
Date: 01/28/25

23 Rachael St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: David A. Barrera
Seller: Thomas W. Leary
Date: 01/24/25

24-26 Sachem St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $342,783
Buyer: Edward Garcia-Baez
Seller: Onassis Martinez
Date: 01/28/25

572 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Gogri Brothers LLC
Seller: 572 St. James Avenue LLC
Date: 01/31/25

576 Saint James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Gogri Brothers LLC
Seller: David P. Cortelli
Date: 01/31/25

119 Slater Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Meredith Rosso
Seller: Luis Alicea
Date: 01/22/25

232 Spikenard Circle
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Brian Dise
Seller: Donna Farnsworth
Date: 01/24/25

408 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: John Lopes
Seller: Tower Realty Parker St. LLC
Date: 01/31/25

917 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $299,900
Buyer: Gelene Meronvil
Seller: Nres LLC
Date: 01/24/25

18 Sumner Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $412,000
Buyer: Ramon G. Morel
Seller: Christopher J. Delviscio
Date: 01/21/25

62 Temple St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Caroline Merck
Seller: Joseph Coat
Date: 01/27/25

15 Vassar St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Ignacio G. Lopez
Seller: Emtay Inc.
Date: 01/24/25

5-7 Ventura St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: David Santos
Seller: Flipflopwws LLC
Date: 01/30/25

26-28 Wendell Place
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Latisha Jackson
Seller: Skyspec LLC
Date: 01/31/25

29 Wendell Place
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Leonel Rivas
Seller: Oscar A. Sola-Aguilar
Date: 01/21/25

115 West Allen Ridge Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $172,500
Buyer: On The Mark LLC
Seller: Naples Home Buyers TR
Date: 01/24/25

4 Wilber St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Milton Santos
Seller: Viktor Savonin
Date: 01/27/25

58 Wilbraham Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Saktah Khan
Seller: Jjj17 LLC
Date: 01/24/25

 

SOUTHWICK

233 College Hwy.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $359,900
Buyer: Zachary Thomas
Seller: Wes Properties LLC
Date: 01/31/25

27 Fred Jackson Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Brian Benson
Seller: Sandra S. Ciarci
Date: 01/30/25

30 South Loomis St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Andrew Keenan
Seller: Martha J. Rodriguez
Date: 01/22/25

WESTFIELD

19 Adams St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Benjamin Corriveau
Seller: Timothy M. Rivers
Date: 01/31/25

18 Atwater St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Gregorio A. Brito
Seller: Round 2 LLC
Date: 01/23/25

18 Glenwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Timothy J. Fitzgerald
Seller: Kmak LLC
Date: 01/27/25

60 Mill St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $355,500
Buyer: Amanda V. Troiano
Seller: Samantha Bernardi
Date: 01/24/25

16 North Elm St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $675,000
Buyer: Tandem Elm St. Prop. LLC
Seller: Tierneys Train Depot LLC
Date: 01/31/25

22 Reed St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Konstantin Belyakov
Seller: Naples Home Buyer TR
Date: 01/30/25

117 Root Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Brianna Fleury
Seller: William S. Keyes
Date: 01/22/25

944 Western Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $320,000
Buyer: Ryan Towle
Seller: Timothy J. Kent
Date: 01/31/25

WILBRAHAM

480 Dipping Hole Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $263,000
Buyer: Douglas Berry
Seller: Irene A. Hopp
Date: 01/24/25

5 Lebel Ave.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $265,500
Buyer: Navy Federal Credit Union
Seller: Richard W. Houghton
Date: 01/22/25

28 Maple St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $394,000
Buyer: Thomas Digiovanni
Seller: Timothy M. Normoyle
Date: 01/24/25

245 Monson Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Neesa Turowsky
Seller: G. & Leonore Daniele RET
Date: 01/22/25

16 Mountainbrook Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Martin S. Kelly
Seller: Catherine Q. Kelly
Date: 01/27/25

6 Parkwood Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Mark O’Neill
Seller: Neesa L. Turowsky
Date: 01/22/25

10 Rice Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $372,300
Buyer: Adina C. Maloni
Seller: Dennis S. Grimard
Date: 01/21/25

10 Russell Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $610,000
Buyer: Timothy Spafford
Seller: Kristin M. Wilson
Date: 01/23/25

75 Springfield St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $465,000
Buyer: Melissa M. Schechterle
Seller: D. & Linda Rooney IRT
Date: 01/24/25

1047 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Anthony Carnevale
Seller: Judith A. Wing
Date: 01/28/25

9 Sunnyside Ter.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $340,000
Buyer: Hrd Holdings LLC
Seller: Carabello, Josephine, (Estate)
Date: 01/31/25

12 Weston St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Numeri Capital Investments LLC
Seller: Frydryk, Robert A., (Estate)
Date: 01/22/25

WEST SPRINGFIELD

636 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: West Co. Investments LLC
Seller: Goldsborough, Bruce A., (Estate)
Date: 01/27/25

211 Bonnie Brae Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Kobbys Place LLC
Seller: Joseph Rocco
Date: 01/29/25

112 Buckingham Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $206,000
Buyer: Brianna Ingham
Seller: Jeremy Page
Date: 01/24/25

42 Exeter St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Jennifer Marcus
Seller: Larkspur LLC
Date: 01/23/25

86 Fairview Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $415,000
Buyer: Jenaya Hall
Seller: Brvs LLC
Date: 01/31/25

546 Kings Hwy.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $298,000
Buyer: Rufaida I. Idris
Seller: Manchester Enterprises LLC
Date: 01/24/25

294 Main St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $470,000
Buyer: Javat Azizov
Seller: Aga Brothers LLC
Date: 01/31/25

333 Massachusetts Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $214,000
Buyer: Cornerstone Homebuying LLC
Seller: H2 Asset Solutions Inc.
Date: 01/28/25

333 Massachusetts Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $172,900
Buyer: H2 Asset Solutions Inc.
Seller: Wiechec, Agnes R., (Estate)
Date: 01/28/25

316 Park St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $535,000
Buyer: Round Two LLC
Seller: Paul Ellsworth Realty LLC
Date: 01/31/25

37 Plateau Circle
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Psalms Properties LLC
Seller: Ellen M. Graves
Date: 01/23/25

31 Railroad St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Krishna Kharel
Seller: Tiago Moreira
Date: 01/24/25

71 Sawmill Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Charles C. Katzer
Seller: Patricia A. Rogers
Date: 01/24/25

24 West School St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $762,500
Buyer: Swostik R. Magar
Seller: Yuriy Surkova
Date: 01/24/25

338 Westfield St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $520,000
Buyer: Fede Properties LLC
Seller: Paul Del Buono
Date: 01/31/25

76 Wolcott Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Equity Trust Co.
Seller: Naples Home Buyers TR
Date: 01/29/25

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

3 Duxbury Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $397,000
Buyer: Katherine Abbott
Seller: James M. Hayes
Date: 01/30/25

2 Dwight Circle
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Kuan Yan
Seller: E. A. Gillat
Date: 01/28/25

22 Iduna Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Peter A. Elsea
Seller: Zide, Michael R., (Estate)
Date: 01/23/25

108 Lessey St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $850,000
Buyer: Lessey Lessee LLC
Seller: Murray M. Schwartz
Date: 01/31/25

239 Pelham Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $455,000
Buyer: Carolina Sopper
Seller: Katerina G. Seligmann
Date: 01/31/25

59 South East St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $930,000
Buyer: U&A LLC
Seller: East Pleasant St Partners
Date: 01/31/25

20 Teaberry Lane
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $799,000
Buyer: Mary E. McInnis
Seller: Karen S. Franklin
Date: 01/21/25

BELCHERTOWN

3 Blacksmith Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $379,900
Buyer: Michael Sittard
Seller: Steven C. Setaro
Date: 01/31/25

41 Dressel Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $245,905
Buyer: Americo Freitas
Seller: Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC
Date: 01/29/25

Jensen St., Lot 27
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: M&G Land Development LLC
Seller: Kenneth I. Hislop
Date: 01/30/25

59 Poole Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Kate Dubois
Seller: Joann O’Brien FT
Date: 01/21/25

Sabin St., Lot 6
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $750,000
Buyer: Brad Richardson
Seller: Valthea McGee Fry RET
Date: 01/31/25

Sabin St., Lot 5
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Charles W. Feldman
Seller: Valthea McGee Fry RET
Date: 01/31/25

285 Ware Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: James H. Shaw
Seller: James H. Shaw
Date: 01/31/25

EASTHAMPTON

47 Ashley Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Scott D. Bergen
Seller: Irene Manning
Date: 01/31/25

18-20 Hampton Ter.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Easthampton Mahadev LLC
Seller: Foxy Properties LLC
Date: 01/31/25

7 Keddy St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Allie R. Zashin-Jacobson
Seller: Yolande J. Korona RET
Date: 01/27/25

HADLEY

50 Moody Bridge Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $539,000
Buyer: Keith Rehbein
Seller: W. R. Jr. & P. E. Handrich FT
Date: 01/29/25

15 Railroad St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $575,000
Buyer: G&M Enterprises Inc.
Seller: Mish Potato & Produce Pac
Date: 01/21/25

HATFIELD

Bashin Road
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Nourse Farms Real Estate Acquisition LLC
Seller: Thomas E. Yagodzinski
Date: 11/18/24

NORTHAMPTON

149 Easthampton Road
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $4,190,000
Buyer: Proviso Real Estate Holdings Mass. LLC
Seller: Phillips Ent. Realty LLC
Date: 01/31/25

90 Fox Farms Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $317,200
Buyer: Sell Realty LLC
Seller: Cascade Funding Mortgage Trust HB7
Date: 01/24/25

30 Grant Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Patricia A. Stacey
Seller: Squires FT
Date: 01/23/25

72 King St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Amount: $775,000
Buyer: Robin Rd Properties LLC
Seller: Ernes T. Booth TR
Date: 01/24/25

125 Riverside Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Jane H. Nadel
Seller: Dorothy Reed
Date: 01/23/25

SOUTH HADLEY

34 Bridge St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $558,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Thomas Spring Builder LLC
Date: 01/31/25

415 Newton St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Raychel Tuburski
Seller: Judy A. Hemingway
Date: 01/23/25

27 North St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $530,464
Buyer: Danielle Civitillo
Seller: Priscilla Peloquin
Date: 01/24/25

52 Washington Ave.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Andrew T. Craig
Seller: Dane Sandquist
Date: 01/23/25

SOUTHAMPTON

14 Bluemer Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Beth A. Huntley
Seller: Timofey Banar
Date: 01/30/25

18 Gunn Road Ext.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Judith Bishop
Seller: Robert C. McKean
Date: 01/21/25

8 Pomeroy Meadow Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $1,070,000
Buyer: Mass. Postal Holdings LLC
Seller: Trpoco Inc.
Date: 01/29/25

12 Susan Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $494,000
Buyer: Felicia M. Colocomber
Seller: Kevin C. Netto
Date: 01/21/25

WARE

52 Anderson Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Joshua A. Lauzier
Seller: Luann Lauzier
Date: 01/24/25

22 Church St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Legacy Prop Investment Group LLC
Seller: Alycar Investments LLC
Date: 01/28/25

149 East St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $705,000
Buyer: Dugas Frostee LLC
Seller: L&R LLC
Date: 01/31/25

8 Gareau Ave.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $305,000
Buyer: Jodi Mariano
Seller: Margaret Haluska
Date: 01/24/25

24 Maple Ave.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $132,000
Buyer: Wicked Deals LLC
Seller: Steven Merrill
Date: 01/29/25

116-118 North St.
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $349,900
Buyer: B&B Investments LLC
Seller: Blackwell Properties LLC
Date: 01/27/25

WILLIAMSBURG

86 Briar Hill Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $314,150
Buyer: Adin Baird
Seller: Krasofski, Stephen F., (Estate)
Date: 01/31/25

Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the months of January and February 2025.

CHICOPEE

Wright Architectural
1380 Sheridan St.
$10,000 — Replace interior doors

EASTHAMPTON

St. John’s Episcopal Church
5 Willow Circle
$36,474 — Install roof-mounted photovoltaic array

HADLEY

E&A/I&G Campus Plaza LP
458 Russell St.
Remove and replace box sign at Peter’s Nails

Richard Niedbala, Marilyn Niedbala
103 Russell St.
Resurface two signs for new business

Sandri Development Inc.
457 Russell St.
Modify coverage to renovated room layout

LEE

Dresser Hull Co.
60 Railroad St.
$12,000 — Roofing

Madison County Properties Corp.
221 Main St.
$189,000 — Install roof-mounted photovoltaic system

Onyx Specialty Papers Inc.
40 Willow St.
$19,026 — Extend fire sprinkler system

St. Mary’s Church Society
115 Orchard St.
$20,000 — Remove two existing doors and glass at southern entrances, supply and install commercial aluminum doors with curtainwall

Town of Lee
100 Main St.
$8,000 — Install six vinyl windows

LENOX

Graysam LLC
55 Crystal St.
$15,500 — Replace ceilings in kitchens

Kohl’s Department Stores
490 Pittsfield Road
$100,000 — Interior renovation within beauty/cosmetic department of sales floor, extend floor power for new fixture layout, replace existing lay-in lighting with track/suspended linear lights, new store fixtures

Lenox Sportsmen’s Club Inc.
258 New Lenox Road
$100,000 — Remove existing decks and rebuild to same parameters

SRLZRS LLC
21 Church St.
$9,875 — Remove and replace platform on front porch with new piers

Toole Properties Inc.
461 Pittsfield Road
$155,620 — Replace finishes in common areas of hotel

NORTHAMPTON

175 Main Street LLC
175 Main St.
$13,000 — Interior renovations and repairs

Alloy LLC
5 Fulton Ave.
$348,961 — Install solar system on roof and parking canopy

Congregation B’nai Israel
253 Prospect St.
$114,500 — Roofing

The Colvest Group Ltd.
325 King St.
$61,000 — Install three antennas, to include platform on ground

Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust St.
$800,886 — Convert existing radiology spaces to allow for fluoroscopy machine

Coolidge Northampton LLC
249 King St.
$3,550 — Construct two feet of wall, prep existing walls with additional sheetrock

Florence Congregational Church
130 Pine St.
$5,000 — Add wall in kitchen area

Lathrop Home
215 South St.
$166,976 — Convert kitchenette, half bath and full bath into two full baths with shower

Mananto Holdings LLP
36 King St.
$95,257 — Restroom upgrades

Mill River Music Inc.
135 King St.
$1,600 — Two wall signs

Pioneer Valley Habitat for Humanity
140 Woodland Dr.
$24,000 — Install roof-mounted solar system

RM Blerman LLC
12 Day Ave.
$17,000 — Roofing

Smith College
131 West St.
$22,721,499 — Alterations to chiller plant

Smith College
106 Lower College Lane
$2,238,428 — HVAC upgrades to Indoor Track and Tennis Complex

Thornes Markeplace LLC
150 Main St.
$47,985 — Install three mini-splits in arcade

PITTSFIELD

City of Pittsfield
233 West Housatonic St.
$24,000 — Machine demolition of Clapp Park Warming House, including slab and foundation, and remove debris

Eco/Pittsfield LLC
500 Hubbard Ave.
$518,000 — Install new monopole within fenced compound

Hinsdale Block LLC
25 Ontario St.
$29,835 — Install roof-mounted solar array

Business Talk Podcast Special Coverage

We are excited to announce that BusinessWest has launched a new podcast series, BusinessTalk. Each episode will feature in-depth interviews and discussions with local industry leaders, providing thoughtful perspectives on the Western Massachuetts economy and the many business ventures that keep it running during these challenging times.

Go HERE to view all episodes

Episode 228: February 17, 2025

Joe Bednar talks to Emma deVillier, owner of deVillier Designs

Emma deVillier was just 19 when she launched her own event-planning business. Today, six years later, she creates both impactful moments and lasting memories with weddings, showers, parties of all kinds, and corporate events, with a growing list of major clients in and well beyond Western Mass. It’s the kind of success story born from being attuned to details small and large, and passionate about the end result. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, deVillier talks with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about the challenges her enterprise, deVillier Designs, has faced along the way, how she continues to evolve the business and its geographic footprint, and more. It’s must listening, so tune into BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest.

Also Available On

Class of 2025 Cover Story

Difference Makers was launched in 2009 to recognize and celebrate the work of individuals, groups, businesses, and institutions that are positively impacting the communities of Western Mass.
As our winners have shown, there are many ways to make a difference within our community.

Meet the class of 2025 and read their stories below.

CELEBRATE THE CLASS OF 2025!

Join Us Wednesday, April 9th at The Log Cabin in Holyoke

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNER SPONSORS!

Jennie Adamczyk

Executive Director, Providence Ministries

Jennie oversees programs that include a soup kitchen, a pantry, sober homes for men, and a warming shelter. She does all this and more with determination, imagination, and a focus on identifying and meeting critical needs.

Sheryl Blancato

CEO, Second Chance Animal Services

Sheryl has built a wide-ranging nonprofit that includes four veterinary hospitals and a range of support services that help more than 56,000 animals each year and, just as important, keep families and their pets together.

Andrea Bordenca

CEO, DESCO Service

Andrea is the leader of a successful healthcare emergency field-service response organization but also the leader of numerous initiatives that bring people together, create dialogue, build community, and help people become the best versions of themselves.

Mychal Connolly

CEO, Stand Out Truck

Mychal is a serial entrepreneur and successful owner of a unique marketing business, but also a mentor, role model, and true inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly young people, helping them get off the ground or to the next level.

John Delaney

Director, Ride to Remember

John helped create what has become one of the region’s premier bicycling events — not a competitive ride, but a communal one that has raised awareness of fallen heroes and money for a host of important charitable causes across the region.

John Doleva

President and CEO, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

John has led the Hall over the past two decades through myriad challenges, while also becoming greatly involved in the Western Mass. community, especially with programs involving young people and sports.

Michael J. Dias Foundation

The Michael J. Dias Foundation has grown out of tragedy — the deaths of several young men due to drug addiction — into a series of sober homes where individuals in recovery can develop resilience, responsibility, accountability, and a chance to move on to a successful life of independence.

Dan Moriarty

President and CEO, Monson Savings Bank

Dan likes to use sports metaphors involving the importance of teamwork. But he practices what he preaches and leads by example, and has built a strong team committed to getting involved and giving back to the community.

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNER SPONSORS!

Photo Credit: Bob Zemba, Simple Truth Imaging

Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of January 2025.

CHICOPEE

CHICWC LLC
2189 Westover Road
$5,969,082 — Install storage racking in existing warehouse space

City of Chicopee
274 Front St.
$10,896,658 — Renovations and reconfiguration of building interiors and offices at the Chicopee City Hall main building and annex and associated structural work

Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield
30 College St.
$16,600 — Install smoke sealant over interior masonry walls and install fire-rated ACT and grid

Salmar Realty LLC
246 McKinstry St.
$207,477 — Build new medical office space, including unisex bathroom, waiting and reception area, and multiple offices and exam rooms

Solenis LLC
1111 Grattan St.
$17,648 — Roofing

EASTHAMPTON

Cil Realty of MA Inc.
3 Strong St.
$23,655 — Install new wet fire sprinkler system

John Dunphy
49-53 Union St.
$10,000 — Frame and drywall interior office walls

HADLEY

Russell 116 Partnership
423 Russell St.
N/A — Exterior signage for Courtyard rebrand

W/S Hadley Properties II LLC
355 Russell St., Suite 20
N/A — Modify existing sprinkler system

PITTSFIELD

Berkshire Medical Center Inc.
725 North St.
$9,000 — Replace two exterior doors

Berkshire Medical Center Inc.
725 North St.
$75,385 — Demolish building at 769 North St.

Berkshire Medical Center Inc.
810 North St.
$15,000 — Replace old steel support columns in basement and add additional wood and steel members for support

City of Pittsfield
1 Wendell Ave.
N/A — Install two prefabricated sound-isolation rooms

The Cooper Center LLC
116 North St.
$313,000 — Interior renovation at 1 Fenn St., third floor, including selective demolition, new partition walls, reconfiguration of MEPFP systems, and new finishes

Hillcrest Extended Care Services Inc.
171 Valentine Road
$16,080 — Replace gas-fire RTU on roof of two-story building

One O Three Elm Street LLC
103 Elm St.
$10,000 — Install new vinyl panels on walls

SPRINGFIELD

143 Main Street Realty Corp.
125 Main St.
$40,000 — For change of use throughout Monkey Wrench Building, enclose rear stairs and install new exit doors, reconfigure front stairs and door for Unit 125A, alter hallway to provide access to first-floor bathroom, repair handrails throughout, make required handicap-accessibility repairs

Fontaine Investment Corp.
510 Cottage St.
$950,000 — Alter interior office space and install new windows in main office of Fontaine Brothers

Membos LLC
818 Boston Road
$7,500,000 — Interior demolition for tenant build-out

Membos LLC
818 Boston Road
$200,000 — Alter interior tenant space for Wingstop

Mercy Medical Center
300 Stafford St.
$153,556 — Alter interior office space in Suite 256 of physicians’ office building

MGM Springfield Redevelopment LLC
1 MGM Way
$377,600 — Repair/replace fire-damaged shaft at MGM Springfield casino

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority
665 Cottage St.
$6,323,137.30 — Addition for indoor bus storage and maintenance portion for prep bay; paint booth and storage area; upgrades to fire-protection, mechanical, and electrical systems for electric buses

Springfield Foodservice Corp.
1 Performance Blvd.
$2,366,579 — Install high-pile storage racking system for addition to existing building for expansion of cold-storage warehouse, docks, and office uses for Performance Food Group

Tree House Properties LLC
4 Maple St.
$32,900 — New acoustic ceiling, floor coverings, and interior wall

Worthington Street LLC
80 Worthington St.
$16,000 — Erect gazebo over existing deck in rear patio of the Zone

Picture This

Email ‘Picture This’ photos with a caption and contact information to [email protected]

 

Ice Out Hunger

For the second consecutive year, Florence Bank partnered with UMass Sports Properties and the UMass Amherst hockey team to Ice Out Hunger in the region at a time when food insecurity is at a record high. Since October, the bank has awarded $500 grants to Western Mass. food pantries at each UMass home game, and before the season ends, 19 nonprofits will have benefited. A different food pantry is highlighted during the first intermission of each home game, and a fan is chosen to ride on the Mullins Center’s Zamboni, which has been wrapped with Florence Bank’s branding. Pictured: representatives of Southampton Community Cupboard (left) and Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals (right), two of the 19 organizations that received grants.

representatives of Southampton Community Cupboard

representatives of Southampton Community Cupboard

 

Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals

Friends of Hampshire County Homeless Individuals

 

 

Making a Career of IT

On Jan. 14, Tech Foundry graduated its fall 2024 cohort of students, who dedicated 18 weeks to advancing their technology skills. The event was held at the Community Music School of Springfield. Brandon Garcia and Florentino Zamarripa IV were elected by their classmates to speak about their experiences in the program, and both talked passionately about the community they built during their time at Tech Foundry and the personal obstacles they overcame. State Rep. Carlos González (pictured at left) served as keynote speaker and personally congratulated each graduate, recognizing their dedication and achievements and encouraging them as they entered the tech workforce.

Tech Foundry graduated its fall 2024 cohort of students

Tech Foundry graduated its fall 2024 cohort of students

 

State Rep. Carlos González (pictured at left)

State Rep. Carlos González (pictured at left) served as keynote speaker and personally congratulated each graduate, recognizing their dedication and achievements and encouraging them as they entered the tech workforce

 

Agenda

40 Under Forty Nominations

Through Feb. 27: BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2025. The deadline for nominations is Feb. 27. Launched in 2007, the program recognizes rising stars in the four counties of Western Mass. Nominations, which should be detailed in nature, should list an individual’s accomplishments within their profession as well as their work within the community. Nominations can be completed online at businesswest.com/40-under-forty-nomination-form. Nominations will be weighed by a panel of judges, and the selected individuals will be profiled in the April 28 issue of BusinessWest and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala in June.

 

Young Women in Leadership Award Applications

Through March 1: Applications for the 2025 Young Women in Leadership Award are available from the Zonta Club of Quaboag Valley. A local recipient will receive a $1,000 award, funded by the Zonta Club of the Quaboag Valley, and will be entered for the district award. The district recipient will be eligible for a $5,000 award from Zonta International. According to Zonta Club Scholarship Chair Patricia Pupek, the goal of the Leadership Award is to encourage young women to participate in leadership positions by recognizing a young woman’s commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements, and dedication to building a better world for women and girls. Applications can be obtained from high-school guidance counselors or at zontaqv.org/scholarships and must be submitted electronically with supporting documentation no later than March 1. Applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 19 on April 1, studying at a secondary school, college, or university in a Zonta district. Questions can be directed to [email protected].

 

Chicopee Chamber Shining Stars Gala

Feb. 28: The Chicopee Chamber of Commerce announced the recipients of its 2025 Shining Stars, recognizing individuals whose exceptional contributions strengthen and inspire the community. This year’s honorees are AJ Crane, owner of A. Crane Construction, as Citizen of the Year; Ashley Batlle, owner of Beauty Batlles Lounge, as Volunteer of the Year; the Springfield Thunderbirds as Business of the Year; and Health New England as Nonprofit of the Year. The Chicopee Chamber introduced Shining Stars in 1985 when Ernest Laflamme Jr. was recognized as the first Citizen of the Year. Recipients are selected by a nominating committee chaired by Laflamme and including Carol Campbell of Chicopee Industrial Contractors, Ted Hebert of Teddy Bear Pools, City Treasurer Marie Laflamme, Michael Siddall of Siddall & Siddall, P.C., and Jeffrey Sattler of Liberty Bank. The 40th annual Shining Stars Gala will take place from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at the Castle of Knights at 1599 Memorial Dr. Tickets cost $75 per person. To purchase tickets or inquire about sponsorships, visit www.chicopeechamber.org or call (413) 594-2101.

 

Bingo Night Fundraiser

March 21: The Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce announced its Handbag & Hand Tool Bingo Night fundraiser will take place at 6:30 p.m. at AMVETS Post 74 in Three Rivers. Doors open at 6 p.m. The chamber will produce 10 bingo rounds, each with a grand prize featuring one of seven designer handbags or one of three premium tools up for grabs. Tickets can be purchased on qhma.com. The registration fee is $40 per person and includes 10 bingo cards, a bingo dauber, snack platters, a bonus raffle ticket, and a cash bar. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce and its ongoing mission to assist its more than 200 member businesses succeed and grow with programs and initiatives throughout the year.

 

Second Chance Auction Gala

March 29: Second Chance Animal Services will host its 26th annual Auction Gala at the AC Marriott in Worcester. This is Second Chance’s most important fundraiser of the year, raising critical funds to help provide life-saving services to more than 56,000 pets in need. The evening will feature hundreds of silent auction items, raffles, and a small but exclusive live auction offering one-of-a-kind experiences. With a relaxed cocktail and dressy-casual dress code, the event is designed to be an enjoyable evening for all, combining great company with opportunities to make a meaningful impact. All proceeds will support Second Chance’s mission to transform the lives of pets by providing affordable veterinary care, keeping pets with their families, and finding loving homes for animals in need. Tickets are on sale now, and seating is limited, so early reservations are encouraged. Businesses and individuals can also support the event by sponsoring, which includes recognition in event materials, highlighting their commitment to supporting pets in need. Donations to the auction are another way to get involved, with unique goods, services, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences being especially popular. To purchase tickets, become a sponsor, or donate auction items, visit www.secondchanceanimals.org/dinner-auction or email [email protected].

 

Difference Makers Gala

April 9: Tickets are now on sale for BusinessWest’s 17th annual Difference Makers awards gala at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. The class of 2025, profiled in this issue of BusinessWest and at businesswest.com, are Jennie Adamczyk, executive director of Providence Ministries; Sheryl Blancato, CEO of Second Chance Animal Services; Andrea Bordenca, CEO of DESCO Service; Mychal Connolly, CEO of Stand Out Truck; John Delaney, director of Ride to Remember; John Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; the Michael J. Dias Foundation; and Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. Tickets cost $95 per person, and tables of 10 are available. They can be purchased at businesswest.com/eventcalendar/difference-makers-tickets. The 17th annual Difference Makers program is sponsored by Burkhart Pizzanelli, the Royal Law Firm, TommyCar Auto Group, and Westfield Bank.

 

Link to Libraries Gala

May 8: Link to Libraries announce its biennial gala, an evening that celebrates the organization’s transformative impact in the community while raising vital funds to ensure children have access to the books and programming they deserve. This year’s gala, taking place at the Basketball Hall of Fame, will feature a Swifty-themed evening inspired by Taylor Swift’s celebrated Eras Tour. Guests will enjoy an elegant night filled with cocktails, dinner, an auction, and the opportunity to connect with others passionate about the power of reading to transform lives. All proceeds from the gala go directly to Link to Libraries, a nonprofit committed to fostering literacy by providing books and programming for children in underserved communities. Tickets cost $90 per person, or $250 for VIP tickets that include a pre-gala VIP cocktail reception. Tickets are available at www.linktolibraries.org.

 

Hooplandia 2025

June 20-22: Registration is now open for Hooplandia, the third annual 3-on-3 basketball tourney and festival, at hooplandia.com. The event will take place at Eastern States Exposition (ESE) and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Games will be played at the ESE complex, with special games held at the Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2024, 75 basketball courts allowed accommodation for more than 650 games played by approximately 2,100 participants of all ages. Diverse divisions include young girls and boys, women, men, high-school ages, college level, OGs, veterans, and more. Players in the Special Olympics and Unified division can look forward to free registration, and those in the Hoops & Heroes division, such as active and retired first responders and military personnel, have access to discounted registration. Players are invited to build teams of four, create their own unique team name, design their uniforms, and register at hooplandia.com. Fees range according to age. Those that register before the end of the day on March 10 are treated to the 3 Point Perks package, which grants early teams access to limited-edition goodies. 3 Point Perks are not available after March 10, and registration prices increase after May 26 for late teams.

 

People on the Move
Kevin Whitney

Kevin Whitney

After an extensive national search, Kevin Whitney has been selected as president and chief operating officer for Cooley Dickinson Hospital (CDH), effective March 15. Whitney currently serves as vice president of Community Operations for the Mass General Brigham (MGB) Community Division. In addition, since last May, he has been serving as interim vice president, Patient Care Services (PCS) and chief nursing officer (CNO) for CDH, where he has helped advance quality and safety initiatives, enhanced nurse staffing, and accelerated recruitment and retention efforts. In his new role, he will oversee hospital operations and inpatient and outpatient clinical care, including the VNA and Hospice, budgeting, and operating performance. With more than 34 years of experience in healthcare, Whitney is a seasoned clinician and an enthusiastic, strategic, and innovative leader in both community and academic medical-center settings, with proven quality, operational outcomes, and financial performance. Prior to his current roles, he served for two years as chief operating officer for MGB Healthcare at Home. From 2017 to 2022, he served as senior vice president, PCS and CNO for Newton-Wellesley Hospital, providing strategic and operational leadership for nursing and PCS. From 2011 to 2017, he served as associate chief nurse for Surgical, Orthopedics, and Neurosciences at Massachusetts General Hospital. Prior to joining MGB, he worked at Emerson Hospital for 20 years, serving in clinical and leadership roles, including vice president, PCS and CNO. Whitney earned his doctor of nursing practice, executive leadership degree from the MGH Institute of Health Professions; a master’s degree in health care administration from Framingham State University; a bachelor’s degree in nursing from UMass Lowell; and an associate degree in paramedic technology from Northeastern University.

•••••

Brian Regnier

Brian Regnier

John McMahon

John McMahon

Josh Kelly

Josh Kelly

OMG Roofing announced it has restructured its management team. Brian Regnier has been brought in as the new vice president of Sales and Marketing. He is responsible for developing and executing the division’s overall sales and marketing strategy as well as overseeing the company’s Marketing and Customer Service departments. Regnier joins OMG from Duro-Last, a well-established manufacturer of custom-fabricated thermoplastic single-ply roofing systems, where he was vice president of Sales. Earlier, he managed New England commercial sales for Beacon, the largest publicly traded distributor of roofing, waterproofing, and related exterior products in the U.S. and Canada. John McMahon was promoted to senior vice president and general manager, where he will work with Regnier and Adam Cincotta, vice president of the Adhesives business unit to drive the company’s top-level strategic initiatives. McMahon has been with OMG since 2002 in a variety of leadership roles. He was promoted to vice president of Sales and Marketing for OMG Roofing in early 2024 after spending 22 years with FastenMaster, where he most recently led the Decking business unit. Rounding out the new team is company veteran Josh Kelly, who has been named as senior vice president of the Fastener business unit and Roofing Technical Services. He will oversee the company’s primary roofing-fastener operations, which includes RoofGrip, RhinoBond, PowerGrip, OlyFlow, and the OMG Roofing technical services team. Kelly started with OMG in 1991 as a project coordinator and has held a variety of positions of increasing responsibility since then. He most recently served as senior vice president of Business Development, but has extensive experience with the company in sales, marketing, and product development, including the innovative RhinoBond system.

•••••

Alex Leslie

Alex Leslie

MP CPAs recently announced the promotion of Alex Leslie to tax supervisor with the firm. He provides consulting and tax solutions to a diverse group of clients, including individuals, partnerships, corporations, and trusts. He specializes in working with businesses in many industries, including construction, manufacturing, and wholesale and distribution, among others. Leslie joined the firm in 2016 as an intern and started full-time in 2017. He is a certified public accountant in the state of Massachusetts. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. MP CPAs also announced the promotions of two team members, Kelly Braese and Estefania Cabrera, to senior associates. Braese started with the firm as an intern in January 2022 and transitioned to full-time in June 2022 upon her graduation. She is a graduate of Western New England University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She provides tax and consulting services to a diverse group of clients including individuals, corporations, partnerships, estates, and trusts. She is currently the chairperson of the firm’s marketing and networking committee and also takes an active role in the recruitment of students from local colleges and universities. Cabrera started with the firm as an associate in January 2020. She is a graduate of Bay Path University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting. She provides tax and consulting services to a diverse group of clients, including individuals, corporations, and estate and gift tax returns. She is currently an active participant in the firm’s social action and training committees.

•••••

Vanessa Stratton

Vanessa Stratton

Polish National Credit Union (PNCU) announced that Vanessa Stratton has joined the institution as vice president of Finance. Stratton, a certified public accountant, brings more than a decade of experience in the banking industry. She earned an MBA with a focus in finance and has held several key positions throughout her career, including chief financial officer and treasurer at a community bank. Her areas of expertise include financial analysis and reporting, GAAP compliance, internal control, and investment management. In her role as vice president of Finance, Stratton will oversee PNCU’s financial operations, including financial reporting, budgeting, and cash-flow management. She will also work closely with the executive team to implement strategic financial initiatives and support the credit union’s growth.

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Kuhn Riddle Architects & Designers announced that Lindsay Comeaux Schnarr, AIA has joined its growing architectural team. Her primary architectural interest is in public spaces, and she is pleased that her first project is working on CitySpace in Easthampton, renovating an existing historic building to include a theater space and other community-use areas. Schnarr interned as a student with Kuhn Riddle from 2009 to 2011 and continued after graduation through 2014. She received her bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 2002 from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and graduated in 2011 with her master’s degree in architecture from UMass Amherst. She has been on the Amherst Design Review Board for many years, taught design as an adjunct lecturer at UMass Amherst from 2015 to 2020, co-founded the Emerging Professionals Development Program for the Western Massachusetts American Institute of Architects (WMAIA), and is a member of WMAIA’s Women in Architecture Committee.

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Jonathan Denmark

Jonathan Denmark

MountainOne announced the promotion of Jonathan Denmark to executive vice president of MountainOne Bank. In addition to his new leadership responsibilities, he will continue to serve as president and chief operating officer of MountainOne Insurance Agency. Denmark will celebrate 10 years with MountainOne in March. Early in his tenure as president and COO of MountainOne Insurance, he led the consolidation of MountainOne’s insurance agencies, True North Insurance and Coakley, Pierpan, Dolan, and Collins, and oversaw the rebranding of the combined agencies to MountainOne Insurance. His efforts also established a strong partnership with OneDigital for the agency’s group benefits business line. Under his leadership, MountainOne Insurance has continued to expand, acquiring three agencies, opening a new office in Stockbridge, and expanding the agency’s presence to the Pioneer Valley. Denmark’s growth strategy, coupled with his expertise and dedication, have positioned the agency as a core contributor to MountainOne’s overall success. Denmark recently assumed the role of board chair of the Pittsfield Economic Development Authority (PEDA), which oversees the William Stanley Business Park. The park, home to the MountainOne building at Silver Lake and the Berkshire Innovation Center, is poised for significant development in the coming years. Denmark’s leadership at PEDA will further align economic growth opportunities with community development in Pittsfield and beyond.

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Devan Summers

Devan Summers

LUSO Federal Credit Union announced that Devan Summers has joined the credit union as vice president of Member Services and Community Development. With more than 12 years of experience in the financial-services industry, he brings a wealth of expertise and a strong commitment to member-focused solutions. In his new role, he will oversee member services, foster community partnerships, and lead initiatives aimed at driving growth and enhancing the member experience. “We are excited to welcome Devan to LUSO,” President and CEO Jennifer Calheno said. “His extensive experience in the financial industry and passion for community development align perfectly with our commitment to helping our members achieve their financial goals. I am confident that his leadership will play a pivotal role in our continued growth and success.”

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UMassFive College Federal Credit Union announced three recent management promotions. Brittany Ward has been promoted to senior branch manager of the UMassFive’s Hadley and UMass Amherst branches. She started her career at the credit union 10 years ago as a member service specialist. During the last decade, she has held numerous roles, including Retail Training specialist, video teller supervisor, Contact Center assistant manager, and video teller manager. For the past three years, she has served as branch manager of the Hadley branch. Eurika Boulay has been promoted to senior branch manager of UMassFive’s Northampton and Northampton VA Medical Center branches. She began her career at the credit union nine years ago as a member service specialist. Her roles have since included Northampton branch backup supervisor, Northampton VA Medical Center manager, and, most recently, Northampton branch manager. In her new new role, she will continue to ensure the delivery of high-quality member service, maintain branch compliance, and collaborate with UMassFive’s Community Outreach manager to strengthen the credit union’s presence in the Greater Northampton community. Jamie Paradee has expanded her role as Digital and Payment Services assistant manager. She began her UMassFive career in 2007 as a part-time teller at the Hadley branch before transferring to the Northampton branch as a senior teller. In 2012, she transitioned back to the Hadley branch, where she was promoted to interim branch supervisor, and then took on the role as the credit union’s first Facilities manager. In this role, she oversaw numerous branch remodels, a position that later expanded into Support Operations manager. After a brief time away from UMassFive, she returned in 2024 as a Payment Services specialist before being promoted to her current role.

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Karen Sargent

Karen Sargent

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank announced the hiring of Karen Sargent as the new assistant vice president and branch manager of its Dalton branch location. With an impressive track record in banking and a deep commitment to community engagement, she brings a wealth of experience and leadership to her new role. Sargent joins Pittsfield Cooperative Bank with more than 15 years of experience in the financial-services industry. Her expertise spans branch operations, customer relationship management, business banking, and team leadership at several regional institutions, including Adams Community, Berkshire, Citizens, and NBT banks. In her role as branch manager, she will oversee daily operations, mentor staff, and strive to ensure the delivery of exceptional service to the bank’s customers. A lifelong resident of Berkshire County, Sargent is deeply rooted in the community and has been actively involved in various local organizations. Her commitment to strengthening local ties and supporting community initiatives aligns seamlessly with the bank’s dedication to serving the region.

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Peter Rosskothen

Peter Rosskothen

UMassFive College Federal Credit Union (UMassFive) recently announced the addition of Peter Rosskothen to its board of directors. A seasoned business professional, he brings more than 35 years of business experience to UMassFive. He first became involved with the credit union through utilizing its business banking products and services five years ago. With an educational background in finance from the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, and studies in hotel & restaurant management from UMass Amherst, Rosskothen has demonstrated a wide array of skills in organizational finance, budgeting, branding, marketing, strategic planning, and community relations. Throughout his career, he has also dedicated time to volunteer work, serving as a board member for several organizations, including People’s Savings Bank, the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Springfield Visitors and Convention Bureau.

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Pioneer Valley Financial Group (PV Financial) announced that Meghan Monaghan has successfully passed her Series 66 financial exam, officially earning her the title of financial advisor. Monaghan began her journey with PV Financial in the summer of 2022 as a finance intern, where she was responsible for preparing investment proposals, reports for the Operations department, and data entry. In December 2022, she graduated from Bentley University with a bachelor’s degree in finance, concentrating in financial planning, and a minor in business management. Upon graduation, she was welcomed back to PV as a full-time client relationship manager. In this role, she worked alongside the firm’s advisors to build relationships and provide exceptional customer service to clients. She embarked on her journey of studying and taking securities-industry exams, eventually transitioning to the role of paraplanner earlier in 2024, focusing more on the in-depth planning aspects of financial services. After two years of hard work and successfully passing five exams, Monaghan earned the title of financial advisor, making her the only female financial advisor at PV.

 

Company Notebook

Northfield Mount Hermon Receives $50 Million Bequest

GILL — Northfield Mount Hermon has received its largest-ever gift and one of the largest donations ever to an independent school. The $50 million bequest from the late John Mitchell, who graduated in 1956, will endow need-based scholarships and expand support for faculty, key objectives of the school’s $275 million fundraising campaign. Mitchell arrived at the Mount Hermon School for Boys in 1952 as a scholarship student from an unheated home in a small town in Eastern Mass. Recognized early as academically gifted, he participated in several sports and thrived in his NMH courses, graduating as class valedictorian. Following NMH, he earned degrees from Yale and NYU and went on to a long and distinguished career as president of Global Manufacturing at Pfizer. Mitchell later served on the NMH board of trustees, where he brought a particular focus on finances and campus planning. With characteristic pragmatism and modesty, he made numerous gifts to top off the budget for faculty housing projects, athletics facilities, the early-childhood center, and related campus improvements.

 

Gagne Wealth Management Group Recognized by Forbes

GREENFIELD — Gagne Wealth Management Group has been named to the Forbes 2025 Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams list, a prestigious recognition that highlights the top financial-advisory teams across the country. Since founding the firm 15 years ago, Merrill Gagne has built Gagne Wealth Management Group from the ground up, developing a client-centric approach that emphasizes goal-oriented financial planning, personalized investment strategies, and risk management. The firm is dedicated to creating customized portfolios tailored to each client’s aspirations, ethical values, and risk tolerance, ensuring a financial strategy that is both empowering and educational. Merrill, who now leads a team of financial advisors, has a history of industry accolades, including being named a Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor last year, along with being featured on Forbes’ Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors list. Earlier in his career, he was recognized as a top producer at Northwestern Mutual, achieving #1 in the Platinum category for the Eastern Region.

 

MSB Unveils Recipients of Community Giving Initiative

MONSON — Late last year, Monson Savings Bank asked local community members to cast votes for their local nonprofit of choice. Now, the bank is announcing its 2025 Community Giving Initiative recipients. This was the 15th year Monson Savings Bank ran its Community Giving Initiative poll. The public’s excitement to cast their vote has grown throughout the years. This year, more than 4,100 people submitted a vote, a record-breaking response. Now that the votes have been counted, the bank is planning to donate a total of $25,000 among the top 10 vote recipients. They are: I Found Light Against All Odds (Springfield), Scantic Valley YMCA (Wilbraham), Friends of Hampden Seniors (Hampden), South End Community Center (Springfield), Women’s Empowerment Scholarship (Greater Springfield), Monson Free Library (Monson), Whip City Animal Sanctuary (Westfield), Miracle League of Western Massachusetts (Springfield), the Graceful Swan (Ware), and Springfield Ballers (Springfield).

 

UMass Amherst Ranks in Top 20 for Online Programs

AMHERST — UMass Amherst’s online education programs are recognized among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report’s just-released 2025 rankings. For the fourth consecutive year, the university continues to place in the top 20 public and private colleges and universities for its undergraduate and graduate online degree programs. Three UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management bachelor’s and master’s online business programs placed in the top five in their respective categories, including master’s business programs supporting military veterans and active-duty service members that do not award an MBA. UMass Amherst online bachelor’s degree programs moved up one spot to 19th out of 350 public and private colleges and universities, and the university remains the only New England institution in the top 20. Among UMass Amherst’s online bachelor’s degree programs represented are degree completion through the University Without Walls interdisciplinary studies program, as well as business administration, nursing, sociology, and sustainable food and farming. The Isenberg School of Management bachelor’s degree in business program ranks No. 5 out of 218 institutions and was the only New England university— public or private— to place in the Top 20. In online master’s business programs, UMass Amherst also placed at No. 5 out of 206 institutions. In other graduate degree programs, Isenberg’s MBA program ranks at No. 16, and the university placed No. 13 in MBA general management, a new category this year. UMass Amherst online programs also ranked in the top 15 for their support of veterans and active-duty service members. The non-MBA master’s program improved to second in the nation, and its bachelor’s program climbed two spots to 11th, while the online MBA ranks 14th. Finally, the Elaine Marieb School of Nursing placed 30th, and the master’s education program climbed 12 spots from last year.

 

PeoplesBank Reports on Donations, Volunteer Hours

HOLYOKE — PeoplesBank announced that its community investments have totaled $1.6 million annually for the past three years, and $16,364,028 over the past 12 years. The bank made 557 nonprofit grants in 2024, 14 exceeding $15,000, with the average being $3,500. Further, 208 associates or board members participated in matching gift donations or workplace giving pledges for a total of $55,750. Meanwhile, bank associates volunteered 8,500 hours in the community, and sit on boards of directors and committees for nonprofits. The bank is also committed to three longer-term capital campaigns for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Square One, and Behavioral Health Network, for a total of $550,000.

 

Hot Plate Brewing Co. Recognized by USA Today

PITTSFIELD — Hot Plate Brewing Co., the only Latina-owned brewery in Massachusetts, was recently named a finalist for USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best New Brewery.

Since opening its doors in downtown Pittsfield in February 2023, this mission-driven organization has been garnering attention on a local, regional, and national level, for both its beers and the impact it is making in the community. Sarah Real, owner and head brewer, was also recently elected to the Massachusetts Brewers Guild board of directors as well as the Pink Boots Society board of directors, largely because of the work she has been doing to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in an overwhelmingly male industry. While Hot Plate is garnering attention in the world of craft beer, it has also been awarded for its work by organizations as varied as Mass Econ, National Alliance on Mental Illness Berkshire County, and Berkshire Pride. In 2024, it raised more than $10,000 for a variety of mission-aligned nonprofit organizations, including the Pittsfield Area Council of Congregations, which collectively raised more than $27,000 for this year’s Fuel Fund, which the brewery supported in several ways.

 

Florence Bank Supports Cooley Dickinson Campaign

FLORENCE — Florence Bank has pledged $75,000 to Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s $26 million Transforming Emergency Care Campaign to renovate, expand, and enhance the Emergency Department (ED) and improve the standard of care. Cooley Dickinson broke ground on the extensive project to transform the ED in 2023. Project goals include reducing wait times, increasing patients’ comfort and privacy, enhancing staff communications, and improving the standard of care. The undertaking is one of the largest capital investments in the hospital’s history, and this is the final year of the campaign. Florence Bank is a loyal supporter of Cooley Dickinson and, over the years, has donated to many campaigns, most recently the new Childbirth Center, North Building, and Cancer Center, and has supported many programmatic needs, such as nursing development. Construction in the ED is ongoing, with a new addition in the works and pods being constructed and renovated in phases. Dukette said ED staff have adeptly worked around the construction, reassessing and realigning workflows as necessary.

 

STCC to Replace 164 Windows in Garvey Hall

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) has launched an extensive window-replacement project at Garvey Hall, an historic building on campus, thanks to $792,000 in Fair Share funding from the Healey-Driscoll administration. The window-replacement effort, managed by STCC’s Facilities Department, combines the need for historic preservation with modern energy-efficiency improvements. Facilities and Kuhn Riddle Architects of Amherst worked with the National Park Service to specify a window that met the historic and energy-efficient requirements. The project involves replacing 164 windows on the west side of the building, facing the campus green. Funding for the project comes from the state Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance through the state’s Fair Share Amendment funds. The allocation of these funds specifically supports projects aimed at energy efficiency, making this effort a match for the college’s needs. The phased project began on Dec. 9 and is expected to be completed by early February.

 

Big Y Donates 1 Million Meals to Food Banks

SPRINGFIELD — Big Y’s annual Sack Hunger campaign provides funds for four food banks within its two-state marketing area. In turn, these food banks support local soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, daycare centers, and many others of the 2,100 member agencies they help every day. Their goal is to maximize access to nutritious food and other resources that support food security for those at risk of hunger. Throughout this past holiday season, customers and employees generously supported Sack Hunger at Big Y supermarkets and Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors. Every $5 donation brought 10 meals to those in need of support. Additionally, Big Y added more ways to boost their efforts with specific proceeds from the produce, floral, and meat departments, along with a portion of every one of Big Y’s family of private-label brands. Big Y’s Sack Hunger campaign started in 2010, when 740 meals were donated. With this year’s 1 million meals, the program continues to expand its efforts to support those in need. Big Y’s Sack Hunger donation is part of its ongoing support throughout the year, including almost daily donations of meat, fresh produce, and bakery products, along with grocery, frozen, and dairy items. The four regional food banks are the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, the Worcester County Food Bank, the Greater Boston Food Bank, and Connecticut Foodshare.

 

Berkshire Bank Reports 100% Employee Volunteerism in 2024

BOSTON — Berkshire Bank employees achieved a milestone in 2024: 100% participation in the company’s award-winning volunteer program. In all, employees completed more than 250 company-sponsored projects that totaled more than 11,500 hours of service across Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, Connecticut and Rhode Island, as well as thousands more hours volunteering as individuals in their hometown communities. Named for the X in its logo, Berkshire’s XTEAM employee volunteer and giving program is a central element of its workplace culture, providing employees with an easy way to put the bank’s corporate values into action and help local communities. In addition, the Berkshire Bank Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Berkshire Bank, invested more than $1.7 million in local communities across its five-state footprint in 2024, including more than $450,000 from October to December. For the year, nearly 400 nonprofits benefited from foundation grants and other giving, which included more than 110 nonprofits in the last three months of 2024.

 

Davis Foundation Supports Local Farmer Awards

AGAWAM — The Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation has become the newest lead funding partner with a contribution to the Local Farmer Awards, a program in its 11th year providing annual grants of up to $2,500 to Western Mass. farmers, helping them purchase capital equipment used as an ongoing part of farm operations. Harold Grinspoon — whose foundation, in partnership with Big Y and the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, and in collaboration with 15 other community funders, makes these awards possible — described the Davis Foundation gift as “a pivotal moment in our ability to help more deserving farmers.”

 

Community Bank Reports Charitable Giving for 2024

DEWITT, N.Y. — Community Bank announced that its charitable giving, in conjunction with its parent company and affiliated subsidiaries, totaled more than $3.9 million in 2024. More than 2,200 nonprofit organizations that provide essential services to the communities the company serves received support through sponsorships and donations. The bank’s parent company, Community Financial System Inc., includes the companies OneGroup Insurance, Benefit Plans Administrators, and Community Bank Wealth Management. Among last year’s charitable-giving efforts, more than $200,000 was given to United Way agencies across the company’s footprint through a combination of corporate contributions and employee payroll deductions. Beyond financial support, Community Bank branches often host charitable drives and events as a way for employees, customers, and community members to participate in charitable-giving efforts. Employees across Community Financial System Inc. also volunteer their time to a variety of local nonprofits, including cultural, civic, economic-development, and social-service organizations and charities. In 2024, the organization’s team members committed more than 17,800 hours to volunteer initiatives to give back to their communities, and more than 405 team members served on not-for-profit boards and committees.