The Federal Restaurant Temporarily Closing

By
Daily News

AGAWAM — The Federal Restaurant announced it will temporarily close, effective Saturday, Feb. 24. The team will be focusing on building improvements and updates, as well as on opening Lola’s, its newest restaurant in Longmeadow.

“The Federal has proven to be a staple of the Western Massachusetts community and beyond, as well as a top fine dining restaurant, for many years,” said Michael Presnal, executive chef and co-owner of the Federal. “We have made small updates to the restaurant since opening 22 years ago, but we are at a point where we’d like to reimagine the physical and operational aspects of the Federal Restaurant.”

The Federal is one of four in a family of restaurants, which also include Posto by the Federal in Longmeadow, Vinted Wine Bar & Kitchen in West Hartford, Conn., and the latest, Lola’s in Longmeadow.

“We would like to thank everyone for the continued support with all of our endeavors and look forward to welcoming you into Posto, Vinted, and, very soon, Lola’s, for the same great food and service that you’re used to,” co-owner Ralph Santaniello said.

Bay Path President’s Gala on March 23 to Focus on Healthcare Education

By
Daily News

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University announced its fifth President’s Gala, themed “Breaking Through,” will be held on Saturday, March 23 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

The evening will begin with a 5:30 p.m. VIP reception, followed by dinner, program presentations, and dancing. Tickets can be purchased by visiting baypath.edu/gala or calling (413) 565-1063.

The gala will focus on supporting learners enrolled in healthcare degree programs, recognizing their resilience and dedication.

Like many regions across the country, Western Mass. faces shortages in many healthcare professions, including primary-care physicians, nurses, and mental-health providers. Through its more than 20 undergraduate and graduate healthcare degrees, Bay Path is educating and training future healthcare workers to be on the front line of helping to keep communities safe and healthy.

“We are thrilled to host the fifth President’s Gala with a theme that encapsulates the essence of our learners’ journey: ‘Breaking Through.’ Through incredibly personal and moving stories, we will be celebrating the accomplishments of our learners and healthcare alumni and the impact they have in our communities,” Bay Path President Sandra Doran said.

Proceeds from the gala will directly contribute to scholarships, resources, and initiatives that benefit learners pursuing healthcare degrees, reinforcing Bay Path University’s commitment to fostering excellence in the healthcare field, she added.

“Support of the gala will provide scholarships and needed financial support for our learners to ensure they will have the opportunities that will make an impact on their lives and the lives of patients.”

Both healthcare policy and advocacy play crucial roles in shaping the healthcare landscape in Western Mass. To that end, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and Sr. Mary Caritas, SP will be honorary chairs for this event.

“As a learning institution with a long history of uplifting a diverse student body, creating opportunities for first-generation college students, this year’s theme, ‘Breaking Through,’ epitomizes the role Bay Path plays in our community,” Neal said. “Supporting educational initiatives, especially in the healthcare field, is vital for the progress of our region. I am honored to be part of an event that empowers students and champions the future leaders of the healthcare industry.”

Added Sr. Caritas, the former president of Mercy Medical Center, “as someone dedicated to healthcare and education, I am delighted to support Bay Path University’s efforts in empowering learners to make a positive impact in the healthcare sector.”

To view a full list of gala committee members, sponsors, and additional event details, visit baypath.edu/gala.

Grammy-winning Pianist to Be Featured Artist for 25th HCC Jazz Festival

By
Daily News

HOLYOKE — Hot off a win for Best Latin Jazz Album at the 66th annual Grammy Awards, pianist, composer, and band leader Luis Perdomo will be the featured guest artist at the 25th annual Holyoke Community College (HCC) Jazz Festival on March 1-2.

The two-day festival opens on Friday, March 1 with an 8 p.m. concert with Perdomo performing with the Amherst Jazz Orchestra under the direction of David Sporny on the stage of the Leslie Phillips Theater in the HCC Fine & Performing Arts building. The Friday night concert is free for HCC students, faculty, and staff, and $10 for the general public.

“Luis is a great musician, a great teacher, and a great guy,” festival organizer and HCC Music Professor Bob Ferrier said. “I know him from the Jazz in July program at UMass, where we teach together. He just won a Grammy for the number-one Latin jazz album, so that’s special. We’re very happy to have him here at HCC for our 25th-anniversary festival.”

The festival will continue on Saturday, March 2 in the Leslie Phillips Theater with jazz combo performances. Jazz clinics, workshops, and jam sessions will be held throughout the day in the HCC Recital Hall (FPA building, Room 137). Perdomo will conduct two music clinics, one at 11 a.m. and another at 1 p.m. A concluding concert will be held in the theater Saturday afternoon featuring Perdomo with HCC students and festival faculty.

In addition to his work as a performer, Perdomo is a composer, bandleader, and teacher. He began performing in his native Venezuela as a teenager and now makes his home in New York City. He is also an associate professor of Music at Berklee College of Music in Boston.

A prolific sideman, he has appeared on more than 200 records, playing with the likes of artists such as David Sanchez and David Gilmore as well as recording seven albums as a bandleader. He was a member of Ravi Coltrane’s Quartet for 10 years and is a founding member of the Miguel Zenon Quartet.

This year, Perdomo and Zenon, a Puerto Rican saxophone player, received the Grammy award for Best Latin Jazz Album for their 2023 release, El Arte del Bolero Vol. 2.

The Amherst Jazz Orchestra, led by trombonist David Sporny, has been a mainstay of the HCC Jazz Festival since the first one in 1998. The HCC Jazz Festival has been held every year except for 2020 and 2021, when it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Margaret Tantillo Named Executive Director of O’Dell Women’s Center

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The O’Dell Women’s Center, Springfield’s first nonprofit women’s center, appointed Margaret Tantillo as its executive director. The O’Dell Women’s Center, dedicated to helping low-income women secure educational and career opportunities, is a philanthropic initiative founded in 2023 and located at 45 Lyman St.

In her previous position as executive director of Dress for Success Western Massachusetts, Tantillo directed five distinct programs designed specifically for low-income women that resulted in hundreds of women finding gainful employment. These programs included workforce development, mentorship programming, and trainings in financial literacy, digital literacy, and dressing for the workplace.

Toward the end of her tenure, she relocated Dress for Success Western Massachusetts to 45 Lyman St. as the anchor institution of the O’Dell Women’s Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that offers low- and no-cost residency spaces to nonprofits that support its mission.

Tantillo started her career working for the Girl Scouts. During her 13-year career with that organization, she rose through the ranks, started the first Girl Scout Advocacy Day at the Capitol in Hartford, Conn., and served in a senior leadership position, transitioning five independent nonprofits into one statewide organization with more than 65,000 members.

“Margaret’s effective and passionate advocacy for low-income Western Massachusetts women aligns perfectly with our mission,” said Keely Krantz, founder of the O’Dell Women’s Center. “With Margaret’s leadership, I am confident the O’Dell Women’s Center will become an integral part of the Springfield community devoted to economic upward mobility for women.”

Tantillo’s volunteer leadership roles in Springfield include serving on the core economic mobility hub of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts and the coordinating committee of the Alliance for Digital Equity, and as a member of the core partners of Springfield WORKS. She earned her undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo and her master’s degree from Springfield College.

Picture This

By
Trees of Hope
Picture This

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

 

Trees of Hope

On Feb. 1, Gary Rome Hyundai and Ronald McDonald House of Springfield announced that together they raised $180,333.05 for the Springfield nonprofit at the third annual Trees of Hope event in November. The organizations will partner again in 2024 to host Trees of Hope at the dealership.

Trees of Hope

Pictured, from left: Brittany Zabielski of Gary Rome Hyundai; Emily Brady and Rosemarie Zello of Ronald McDonald House; Gary Rome, president and CEO of Gary Rome Hyundai; Michelle D’Amore, executive director of Ronald McDonald House; and Dara Davignon, Lori Chatel, Cathy Riley, and Brianna Zemrock of Gary Rome Hyundai.

 

 

Helping Students Succeed

On Jan. 31, Holyoke Community College (HCC) opened its new Scholarship Resource Center, the first of its kind among community colleges in Massachusetts. Its purpose is to make it easier for students to apply for scholarships available through the HCC Foundation. Located on the first floor of the Donahue Building, the center is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each year, the HCC Foundation awards about $350,000 in scholarships.

Helping Students Succeed

Pictured: Laura Freeman, HCC manager of Stewardship and Donor Relations, and HCC President George Timmons join students in cutting the ribbon for the new center.

 

Fighting Food Insecurity

bankESB announced that its third annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraising drive raised $35,000 for local food pantries, bringing the program’s three-year total to nearly $110,000. Fourteen participating food pantries received $2,500 each. The appeal is part of bankESB’s charitable giving program, the Giving Tree, which reflects the bank’s commitment to making a difference in the neighborhoods it serves.

Fighting Food Insecurity

Pictured: Tenaya Reade, assistant branch manager of bankESB’s Sargeant Street, Holyoke office, presents a $2,500 check to Brenda Lamagdeleine, manager of Margaret’s Pantry in Holyoke.

 

 

Agenda

By
Agenda

Western Mass Runners Hall of Fame Induction

March 8: The Western Mass Runners Hall of Fame (WMRHoF) board of directors announced the inductees of the third class. Since its inception, the WMRHoF has celebrated outstanding contributors to the running community, with its first class inducted in 2020 and the second in 2022. The third class inductees are Ric Bourie, Mary Cobb, Howard Drew, Sue Haryasz, Rich Larsen, Nicole McGilpin, Bob Neil, Bill Romito, Ed Sandifer, and John Stifler. In addition to these distinguished individuals, the charity organization Griffin’s Friends, which has supported children with cancer and their families for decades in the Springfield area by running and raising funds, will be inducted. Also, Neal Lamberton, a runner who has volunteered his time to the running community for years, will receive the Brian Goddu Volunteer of the Year Award, founded in memory of Goddu, a founding board member of the Western Mass Runners Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. at the Holyoke Elks Lodge. The guest speaker will be Bob Hodge, third-place finisher in the 1979 Boston Marathon, multiple Mount Washington Road Race champion, 40-year course record holder on the DH Jones/Amherst 10 Mile Course, and author of Tale of the Times. Tickets for the dinner and ceremony are priced at $20 and are available for purchase at www.runreg.com/w-mass-runners-hall-of-fame-induction-banquet. For those unable to attend but wishing to support the WMRHoF mission, donations are welcome via the RunReg website.

 

Second Chance Dinner Auction

March 23: Tickets for the 25th annual Second Chance Dinner Auction are now available for purchase. This significant fundraising event marks the kickoff of Second Chance Animal Services’ year-long 25th-anniversary celebration, promising an evening of philanthropy and joy to benefit homeless shelter pets in need of veterinary care. The event will take place at the La Salle Reception Center in Southbridge. The evening will commence with a cocktail hour at 4 p.m., giving attendees the opportunity to peruse and bid on myriad silent-auction items and try their luck with raffle prizes. The main event unfolds with dinner at 6 p.m., followed by the highlight of the night, the auction. Tickets are $55 per person with the option to reserve a table of nine for $495. The success of the event relies on the generosity of sponsors and item donors. Second Chance encourages businesses and individuals to consider lending their support by becoming a sponsor or contributing items. As noted, the event features both a silent and live auction featuring hundreds of items ranging from gift certificates for local businesses and restaurants to gift baskets and everything in between. To enhance the auction experience, a selection of gift cards and small, easy-to-ship items will be available for advance online bidding March 14-21. For those interested in sponsoring, donating items, or attending the event, complete information and tickets can be found at www.secondchanceanimals.org/dinner-auction.

 

Women’s Leadership Conference

April 4: Bay Path University announced that real-estate legend, investor, best-selling author, entrepreneur, producer, and Shark Tank shark Barbara Corcoran will be the keynote speaker at the 27th Women’s Leadership Conference (WLC), taking place at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. Corcoran has been an investor/shark on ABC’s four-time Emmy award-winning show Shark Tank for 10 seasons, investing in more than 80 businesses to date. She chronicled her rise from waiting tables in a New York diner to heading a $5 billion real-estate company in her bestselling book, Shark Tales: How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business! She’ll bring her personal brand of no-nonsense wisdom and supportive advice to the more than 1,600 attendees who are expected to attend this year’s WLC. The WLC will also feature lunchtime speaker Amy Purdy, a three-time Paralympic medalist in snowboarding for Team USA. Throughout her life, Purdy has taken on obstacles and broken through, making her way into the upper echelons of athletics, onto the dance floor of Dancing with the Stars, and onto the New York Times bestseller list as the author of On My Own Two Feet: From Losing My Legs to Learning the Dance of Life. She co-founded Adaptive Action Sports for athletes with disabilities and is the host of the critically acclaimed podcast Bouncing Forward! Her work has led her to be labeled a “hero” by Oprah Winfrey and has made her one of the most in-demand motivational and corporate speakers on the globe. This year’s conference will also feature breakout sessions led by business experts and authors, including Yvonne Camus, the former COO of SPINCO, Canada’s largest indoor cycling brand and the only female to outperform the Navy Seals in the multi-terrain adventure race known as Eco-Challenge. In addition, the WLC will welcome Sylvia Baffour, an author, podcast host, and emotional-intelligence coach recently ranked by HubSpot among the top 15 female motivational speakers. Additional keynote and breakout session speakers will be announced soon. For further information on the 2024 conference, sponsorship information, and ticket sales, visit baypath.edu/wlc.

 

Difference Makers 

April 10: The 16th annual Difference Makers Gala will be held at the Log Cabin in Holyoke. Since 2009, BusinessWest has been recognizing the work of individuals, groups, businesses, and institutions through this recognition program. The 2024 Difference Makers — profiled in this issue of BusinessWest and at businesswest.com — are Matt Bannister, senior vice president, Marketing and Corporate Responsibility, PeoplesBank; Delcie Bean, CEO, Paragus Strategic I.T.; Linda Dunlavy, executive director, Franklin Regional Council of Governments; Dr. Fred and Mary Kay Kadushin, co-founders, Feed the Kids; Scott Keiter, CEO, Keiter; the staff of Rock 102; Shannon Rudder, president and CEO, Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services; and Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Springfield Chamber Players. Tickets cost $95 each, with reserved tables of 10-12 available and available now through March 29. Sponsors for the 2024 Difference Makers include Burkhart, Pizzanelli, P.C., Keiter, Mercy Medical Center/Trinity Health, the Royal Law Firm, and TommyCar Auto Group. For more event details and to reserve tickets, visit businesswest.com/difference-makers/difference-makers-tickets.

 

Hooplandia

June 21-23: Registration is now open for Hooplandia, the second annual 3×3 basketball tournament and festival, at www.hooplandia.com. The three-day event includes levels of play for all ages and divisions. Hooplandia launched in 2023. Taking place in the heart of Greater Springfield, the birthplace of basketball, the event is hosted by Eastern States Exposition (ESE) in West Springfield and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. Most games will be played on the ESE grounds, with special games held at the Hall of Fame. Seventy-five basketball courts will be set up to accommodate more than 650 games played by approximately 2,100 participants of all ages. Divisions of play have been created to provide an all-inclusive environment for players of all ages and playing abilities. The diverse divisions include young girls, boys, women, men, high-school-level, college-level, OGs, veterans, and more. Players are invited to build teams of four, create their own unique team name and uniforms, and register at www.hooplandia.com. Team fees range according to age, and children in the under-8 category are free of charge. Hooplandia will once again partner with Boys and Girls Clubs throughout the region as its designated philanthropic partner, providing $10 from every paid team registration to support the mission and programs of the clubs. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For inquiries, email [email protected].

People on the Move

By
People on the Move
Claudia Pazmany

Claudia Pazmany

The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce announced the resignation of Executive Director Claudia Pazmany, effective Feb. 28. Pazmany has led the chamber for the past five and a half years, growing it to over 400 members while leading it through the pandemic. The chamber will launch a search for its next executive director immediately. With Pazmany’s help, the Amherst Area Chamber has built a strong foundation with deeply rooted partnerships year after year and a dedicated staff focused on meeting the needs of its members and the business community. The chamber has hosted valuable events for members and the broader community to network, enjoy locations in the Greater Amherst area, and meet new people. Events such as Margarita Madness, the annual golf tournament, and the A+ Awards have all grown in recent years. Under her leadership, the chamber also established a diversity, equity, and inclusion task force and has advocated with local town governments on items of interest to its members. The chamber has continued its outreach to members in an effort to promote their businesses through workshops and monthly Arrive at 5 networking events. In 2023, Pazmany and Gabriele Gould from the Amherst Business Improvement District were recognized by BusinessWest as Difference Makers for their joint work on pandemic relief for small businesses.

•••••

Liz Larson, currently director of Operations at the Amherst Business Improvement District (BID), has been named interim executive director, effective Feb. 26. Larson has been with the BID for six years and has worked closely with departing Executive Director Gabrielle Gould, creating events for the community, revitalizing downtown, and ensuring the health of the BID’s finances. She is the creative force behind the Makers’ Market at the annual Sip and Shop Stroll and the recently launched “Take a Dino to Dinner” campaign. With a background in arts administration and nonprofit management, Larson moved to Amherst with her family in 2007 and has been active in the community, serving on several boards and committees, including professional growth objectives for the public schools and the city’s Participatory Budgeting Commission. She is currently a trustee and board treasurer for the Amherst Historical Society. Prior to moving to Amherst, she spent 20 years in New York and Tokyo.

•••••

Mary McGovern

The board of trustees of Country Bank announced the appointment of Mary McGovern as president and chief operating officer, effective April 1. She will oversee the bank’s operations and drive its strategic growth initiatives. Paul Scully, who has been the president and chief executive officer, will remain the CEO. McGovern brings more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry, making her a valuable asset to Country Bank. She holds degrees from Emmanuel College and Babson College, and her extensive knowledge and expertise have been instrumental in the bank’s success. Mary joined Country Bank in 2011 as its chief financial officer and has since been an esteemed member of the bank’s Leadership Group. McGovern recently attended the American Bankers Assoc. (ABA) Wharton Leadership Lab at the University of Pennsylvania, earning an ABA Wharton Leadership Certificate. This accomplishment further solidifies her commitment to excellence and continuous professional development.

•••••

Emily Maher

MCLA Physics Professor Emily Maher, one of 65 scientists in the MINERvA collaboration at Fermi National Accelerator Lab (Fermilab), has published work that has been chosen as one of the “Top 10 Physics Breakthroughs of 2023” in Physics World. Over a 10-year span, the MINERvA detector recorded the interactions of neutrinos and antineutrinos, the antimatter partners of the neutrino. The physicists working on the MINERvA experiment used the data to make a groundbreaking new measurement, which was published last February in Nature. The study, led by Tejin Cai at the University of Rochester in the U.S. and Canada’s York University, shows how information about the internal structure of a proton can be gleaned from neutrinos scattering from a plastic target. The team focused on isolating the signal from neutrinos scattered off lone protons within the background of those scattered off protons bound in carbon nuclei. Their innovative approach involved simulating and subtracting the carbon-scattered signal from experimental data. This provides insights into proton structure and enhances the understanding of how neutrinos interact with matter.

•••••

Holyoke Community College (HCC) recently welcomed Elizabeth Ollson as its manager of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. Ollson is a 2018 graduate of HCC and also holds a bachelor’s degree in women, gender, and sexuality studies from UMass Amherst. She joined HCC’s division of Institutional Advancement in November. She came to HCC from Boston College, where she was the senior associate director of Annual Giving Programs. Prior to that, she worked at Amherst College as the Amherst Fund coordinator.

•••••

Lisa Zarcone

Lisa Zarcone

Lisa Zarcone, an author, speaker, and child mental-health advocate honored in December as one of BusinessWest’s Women of Impact for 2023, has released her second book, titled The Book of Joann: A Novel Based on Her Life Story, and the Lifetime Battle She Endured with Mental Illness and published by Joshua Tree Publishing of Chicago. “The Book of Joann is a powerful story of darkness and light, defeat and victory, hope and faith,” said Zarcone, whose first book, The Unspoken Truth, is a memoir of her experiences with — and overcoming — years of abuse. Zarcone is currently the Massachusetts National Ambassador for the National Assoc. of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse. She is dedicated to spreading awareness of child safety/abuse, as well as mental illness and the stigma that surrounds it. She is committed to educating people and promoting change in a flawed system as too many children continue to fall through the cracks. She is also a public speaker, radio personality, social-media influencer, and blogger on her own website, lisazarcone.net. The Book of Joann can be found at both Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

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Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee Co. announced that its CEO, Beth Spong, has been appointed to serve on the board of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA), a global organization dedicated to empowering women in the coffee industry, fostering gender equality, and promoting the inclusion of women at all levels of the coffee supply chain. Now in its 20th year, IWCA is committed to creating an equitable coffee industry by empowering women in chapters serving 33 countries around the world through leadership development, strategic partnership, and amplified market visibility. Spong brings a wealth of experience with nonprofit boards and a passion for promoting equity to her new role. Under her guidance, Dean’s Beans continues to be at the forefront of advocating for fair-trade practices, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility within the specialty coffee industry. As a board member, she will contribute her expertise to further IWCA’s mission and initiatives supporting women coffee farmers, exporters, importers, roasters, and entrepreneurs.

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Amara Barbiero

Amara Barbiero

The law firm of Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan & Blakesley (PSRB) announced the appointment of Amara Barbiero as an associate attorney. Barbiero graduated from Quinnipiac University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting prior to obtaining her juris doctorate from Western New England University (WNE) School of Law. As a law student, she was awarded the prestigious CALI Award in Workers’ Compensation, given to the highest-scoring student in each law-school class. She also worked as a clinician for the WNE Small Business Clinic in Springfield. Barbiero spent four years working as a legal assistant in Connecticut before joining PSRB as a law clerk in 2021. That immersion into the practice of law has helped her develop an experience-based sensitivity to issues of equity and justice across diverse communities. She is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts and awaits her admission to the bars of Connecticut and New Jersey.

•••••

New England Public Media (NEPM) promoted Elizabeth Román into the role of managing editor – daily and digital news. Although her title did not dramatically change, her responsibilities have evolved, and she will now take the lead on delivering daily news programming on the radio, NEPM’s website, and social-media channels. Román is continuing to focus on expanding the diversity of sources in news coverage and opportunities to create more Spanish-language news content. As the daughter of Puerto Rican parents who migrated to Massachusetts more than 40 years ago, she has intended throughout her career as a journalist to provide accurate representation of communities of color in Western Mass. She has felt empowered to do this at NEPM, and in this new role, with the addition of supervisory responsibilities, she looks forward to sharing her expertise with other journalists. Román is a graduate of Holyoke Community College and UMass Amherst. Prior to working at NEPM, she was a reporter at the Republican for almost two decades, edited El Pueblo Latino, co-founded Colectivo de Medios Latinos, and appeared as a panelist on NEPM’s “The Short List” and “Connecting Point.” She joined NEPM in 2022.

•••••

Friends of Children Inc. (FOC) announced it has appointed new leadership at the organization. Debi Belkin, MSW, LICSW and Sarah Segura, MSW, LCSW are the new co-executive directors of the nonprofit organization that works to support children and young adults whose lives have been affected by the child-welfare system. Belkin and Segura are both current employees of the organization. Belkin has more than 40 years of experience advocating for court-involved children and adolescents in Massachusetts, including more than 30 years as a supervisor at the Department of Children and Families. She has most recently been the director of Programs at FOC. Segura has been with FOC since 2021, sharing her experience in advocacy, case management, and program development, as well as a passion for working with individuals and families of diverse cultural backgrounds. She has most recently been the CASA program manager at FOC. This new co-directorship comes after the organization’s founder, Jane Lyons, retired in July 2023.

•••••

Jack Antkowiak

Jack Antkowiak

Paige Auger

Market Mentors, LLC, a fully integrated marketing, advertising, and public-relations agency, recently added two new specialists to its multi-disciplinary team. Jack Antkowiak joined the agency as a digital marketing specialist, and Paige Auger started her role as a financial administrator. As a digital marketing specialist, Antkowiak manages, reports on, and optimizes paid digital ads and SEO campaigns. This involves taking deep dives into ad performance and website analytics data to uncover actionable insights and trends that can be used to improve both campaign performance and the overall user/customer journey. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Antkowiak combines tried-and-true best practices with a deep understanding of the target audience to build engaging and impactful campaigns. With a degree in business administration as well as management experience in accounting, Auger joined the Market Mentors finance team to handle accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, reconciliation, and 1099 reporting. She collaborates across departments to ensure accuracy in data input and is skilled at summarizing large amounts of data and presenting meaningful information for review. A graduate of Western New England University, she received the 2017 Lawrence H. Nath Management Award.

•••••

Following an extensive and thorough search process, Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts announced the appointment of Theresa Lynn as its new CEO. Lynn brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership, having most recently served as senior vice president of the United Way of Central Massachusetts, where she focused on fundraising, communications, and some large grant-making opportunities. Her dedication to community engagement is evident through her roles as executive director for Back on My Feet, addressing homelessness and job insecurity in Boston, and executive director for ReadBoston for 14 years. She currently serves as a board member for the Worcester Education Collaborative and BioBuilder Education Foundation. Lynn holds a master of public administration degree from the Harvard Kennedy School, an MBA from Boston University, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of Holy Cross. Her contributions in the community have been recognized by the Boston Celtics, who presented her with a Heroes Among Us award, and by the Boston Business Journal, which acknowledged her as a Top 40 Under 40 leader in Boston.

•••••

Bill Mertz has been appointed Tighe & Bond’s next Transportation Business Line leader. Mertz joined the firm in 2023 with the acquisition of WorldTech Engineering. He has nearly 30 years of experience on a wide variety of roadway, bridge, transportation, and utility infrastructure projects. Throughout his career, he has overseen the financial performance, project management, and technical delivery of transportation and infrastructure projects. Additionally, he has worked on notable projects for state agencies, including the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and MassDOT, as well as local communities throughout New England. Mertz is based out of Tighe & Bond’s Woburn office. Outside of work, he serves as a member of the American Public Works Assoc. and the American Society of Civil Engineers, as well as local boards.

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook

The Markens Group Certified by Great Place to Work

SPRINGFIELD — The Markens Group Inc. (TMG) has been certfied by Great Place to Work for the ninth consecutive year. The award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at TMG. This year, 95% of employees said it’s a great place to work — 50% higher than the average U.S. company. Great Place to Work is a global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention, and increased innovation. According to Great Place to Work research, job seekers are four and a half times more likely to find a great boss at a certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company’s profits, and have a fair chance at promotion. According to the Trust Index survey taken by the staff, many noted the company ‘fundamentals’ — a set of valued behaviors within TMG — are one of the biggest reasons employees enjoy working at the Markens Group.

 

Bay Path Recognized Among Top Online Women’s Colleges

LONGMEADOW — The American Women’s College (TAWC), Bay Path University’s online college for adult women, has been recognized by the business-media outlet Forbes as one of the top three online women’s colleges in the nation. The ranking cited TAWC’s strong retention rate and called out Bay Path’s WELL (We Empower Learners and Leaders) program, a three-course leadership curriculum unique to the college, designed to equip women with the leadership skills and experience to excel in any career path. Forbes uses 16 data points to evaluate colleges in the categories of credibility, affordability, student outcomes, student experience, and application process. Bay Path, along with Simmons College and Brenau University, made the top three.

 

Rotary Club Supports Revitalize CDC Project

SPRINGFIELD — Revitalize Community Development Corp. (CDC) announced it has received a $2,000 grant from the Springfield Rotary Club to support development of a new warehouse and distribution center at its 240 Cadwell Dr., Springfield location, where it moved in early 2023. Springfield Rotary Club funding will be allocated toward construction supplies for the warehouse and distribution center. The center is essential to supporting Revitalize CDC’s program expansion so it may meet the growing demand for healthier, safer homes and neighborhoods for low-income residents throughout the Greater Springfield area. The 3,200-square-foot center will have two bays for vehicles and provide sufficient space to store program materials and supplies and refrigerated units to store food for Revitalize CDC’s Nutrition Rx program that provides nutrition and diabetes education and helps to address food insecurity. LaPlante Construction of East Longmeadow is the contractor for the project, expected to be completed by Dec. 31. Since 1992, Revitalize CDC has repaired and rehabilitated more than 1,500 homes in Greater Springfield with the help of 10,000 volunteers, investing $54 million into Western Mass. In 2022-23, Revitalize CDC served 826 households (more than 2,300 individuals) consisting of low-income families with children, older adults, military veterans, and individuals living with disabilities.

 

Rotary Club Awards Grant to the Zoo in Forest Park

SPRINGFIELD — The Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center has received a $3,000 community grant from the Springfield Rotary Club to upgrade its website. While the new website will include advanced booking capabilities, more intuitive registration forms, and the addition of an online store, the upgrade is also designed to enhance the guest experience at the zoo. With the money awarded through the community grant, the zoo plans to expand the educational material available on its website through the addition of interactive webpages for each animal. QR codes will be available at each exhibit, linking guests to a corresponding page for the animal they are viewing. Visitors will have access to photos and videos as well as more in-depth information about the species, including its conservation status, threats in the wild, and coexistence efforts.

The Zoo in Forest Park has been a part of the Springfield community for 130 years. With 225 animals in its care, it is dedicated to inspiring the community to respect and value the natural world through education, conservation, and rehabilitation.

 

Eversource Submits Roadmap to Achieve Clean-energy Goals

SPRINGFIELD — With a focus on energy equity, environmental-justice communities, and transparency, Eversource submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) its final Electric Sector Modernization Plan (ESMP) to modernize the electric distribution system and help meet the Commonwealth’s decarbonization goals after incorporating feedback from the Grid Mod Advisory Council (GMAC) and dozens of stakeholders. The energy company’s ESMP is a comprehensive roadmap to transform the region’s power grid, enhance its resiliency, and strengthen reliability for customers by increasing renewable-energy production and electrifying the heating and transportation sectors. Focused on achieving both equity and clean-energy objectives, the ESMP also establishes a Community Engagement Stakeholder Advisory Group (CESAG) and expands efforts for proposed clean-energy infrastructure projects to engage all potentially impacted stakeholders. Eversource’s 10-year plan helps meet the Commonwealth’s decarbonization milestones through 2040 by achieving a 180% increase in electrification hosting capacity, which will provide additional capacity to enable 2.5 million electric vehicles statewide, 1 million residential heat pumps within the company’s territory, and an incremental 2.2 GW of additional solar hosting capacity, bringing the total distributed energy resource hosting capacity systemwide to 5.8 GW.

 

Berkshire Bank Foundation Reports on 2023 Philanthropy

BOSTON — Berkshire Bank announced that nearly $2.5 million in philanthropic investments were provided from its foundation in 2023 to support more than 500 nonprofit organizations. During the fourth quarter, more than $642,000 in grants and scholarships were awarded to foster upward economic mobility, support overall well-being, and enhance opportunities for individual success in the communities the bank serves. During 2023, more than 500 local nonprofits received grants to assist with a range of critical projects in the areas of health and wellness, housing, food insecurity, and economic enrichment. The Berkshire Bank Foundation is committed to supporting programs that work toward providing equitable opportunities for economic prosperity. In addition, it supports programs that align with Berkshire Bank’s Center for Women, Wellness, and Wealth.

 

MassDevelopment Issues Bond for MHA Headquarters Project

CHICOPEE — MassDevelopment has issued a $6,543,000 tax-exempt bond on behalf of Mental Health Assoc. Inc. (MHA), which will use the proceeds to buy and renovate a 78,378-square-foot building at 350 Memorial Dr. in Chicopee, where it will relocate its headquarters from Springfield and house its mental-health programs and residential and support services. The building originally housed the Charles River West Psychiatric Hospital and most recently served as the MassMutual Learning and Conference Center. The move will allow MHA to keep pace with growth and locate its staff in one office. Renovations to the building will include interior wall reconfiguration, office construction, HVAC and sprinkler-system updates, added reception-area security, and painting, flooring, and information systems improvements. Construction began in November and is expected to be complete by February 2024. MHA expects to create 45 full-time jobs and 20 part-time jobs over the next three years. Florence Bank purchased the tax-exempt bond, which helped MHA achieve a lower cost of capital. Founded in 1960, MHA provides access to therapies for emotional health and wellness; services for substance use recovery, developmental disabilities, and acquired brain injury; services for housing and residential programming; and more. MHA serves more than 3,000 people, from ages 5 to 90, each year.

Incorporations

By
Incorporations

The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.

BELCHERTOWN

Belchertown Eye Care and Sunglass Shop Inc., 142 North Main St., Belchertown, MA 01007. Eye care and glasses.
Charissa C. Brown, 140 Oakridge Dr., Belchertown, MA 01007. Sales of eye and sun glasses.

CHICOPEE

Pole Position Petroleum Inc., 1869 Memorial Dr., Chicopee, MA 01020. Mohammed Mehdi, 125 Cambridge Park Dr., Suite 301, Cambridge, MA 02140. Marketing and distribution of petroleum products.

EAST OTIS

Knox Trail Bar & Grill Corp., 1898 East Otis Road, East Otis, MA 01029. Brook Tame, 24 Brookman Dr., Blandford, MA 01008. Restaurant.

FLORENCE

Aikido of Northampton Inc., 30 North Maple St., Florence, MA 01062. Ellen Wallin, same. To teach, spread, and perpetuate the fundamental philosophy, principles, and techniques of aikido as established by its founder, Master Morihei Ueshiba.

HAMPDEN

Loomis and Loomis, P.C., 235 Ames Road, Hampden, MA 01036. John Drost, Jr., 46 Center Square, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Engineering services.

LONGMEADOW

Blackwood Vascular Inc., 103 Woodside Dr., Longmeadow, MA 01106. Stuart Blackwood, same. Staffing agency offering healthcare solutions for hospitals in need of vascular surgeons and other vascular-surgery personnel.

NORTH BROOKFIELD

Mile 61 Tavern Inc., 30 Gilbert St., North Brookfield, MA 01535. Jason Pietrzak, same. Bar and restaurant.

PALMER

Finesse Garage and Fabrication Inc., 1652 North Main St., Palmer, MA 01069. Jason Methe, same. Auto-body shop.

PITTSFIELD

Home Care Advantage Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Michael Gehosky, 929 Two Gates Circle, Chesapeake, VA 23322. Temporary staffing services.

Plainid Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Oren Harel, same. Information-security solutions.

Verbal Fabrik Inc., 82 Wendell Ave., Suite 100, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Cornelius Poole, same. A nonprofit organization seeking to empower, educate, and preserve the heritage of the hip-hop culture and its forefathers, and dedicated to fostering positive change by providing innovative programs and resources that cultivate artistic excellence, cultural understanding, and community engagement.

SPRINGFIELD

Apkin, Inc., 115 Stevens St., Springfield, MA 01104. Joseph Apkin, 611 North State Road, Cheshire, MA 01225. Scrap-metal recycling.

Learning Friends Inc., 366 White St., Springfield, MA 01108. Jennifer Godin, same. Nonprofit organization formed to provide financial distributions to organizations that qualify as tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations and provide a supportive and enriching educational environment for homeschooling families through collaborative teaching, shared resources, and engaging activities.

Omnipoint Technology Digital Equity Inc., 1666 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103. Rev. Timothy Paul-Baymon, same. To pursue broadband and digital economic-development initiatives that will help close the digital divide; increase access to digital education for those who have been traditionally shut out or limited in their access to quality education; create job opportunities for those who have traditionally been unemployable or underemployed; establish ventures that will generate wealth that will be used for the pursuit of the foregoing objectives; support such efforts of others, especially as pursued by nonprofits and faith-based organizations; and engage in other charitable or educational activities.

WESTFIELD

Priority Billing Partners Inc., 64 Pineridge Dr., Westfield, MA 01085. Michelle Dugre, same. Billing services.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Nazar Corp., 884 Westfield St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Okan Bozbas, same. Gas station and convenience store.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates

The following business certificates and/or trade names were issued or renewed during the month of January 2024.

AMHERST

Alice Briggs Illustration
18 Birchcroff Lane
Alice Briggs

Alpine Commons
133 Belchertown Road
Mass Alpine Commons LLC

Amherst Chinese Medicine
409 Main St., #111
Xiaoqiang Zhao

Amherst Welding Inc.
330 Harkness Road
Darrin Brown

Canterbury Farms Assoc.
839 Bay Road
Samantha Burns

CoQuest
528 Pine St.
Michael Howard

Joshua Hornick Coaching
94 Summer St.
Joshua Hornick

Mei Jiang
17 Shumway St.
Mei Jiang

My Focused Mind
16 Alpine Dr.
Alicia Kuzia

The Next Street
6 University Dr., Suite 200
Garrett Waldron

Norwottuck Chamber Concerts
366 Station Road
Ernest May Sr.

Oscar’s Odd-jobs
346 North Pleasant St., #1
Oscar Saravia

Pioneer Ed Strategies
11 Amity Place
Gregory Runyan

Rafah Jewelry
29A Montague Road
Riswan Raufdeen

Thrym & Ellen
106 North Whitney St.
Marian Walker

Wagner Wood
305 North East St.
James Wagner, Joseph Wagner

BELCHERTOWN

GDM
80 Oakridge Dr.
William DeSantis

Ginnybrook Farm
226 Turkey Hill Road
Ken Hislop

KDT Assoc.
243 Green Ave.
Kevin Magill

The Prime Food Store
235B Amherst Road
Juan Carlos Vasquez Carmona

Uncommon Cuts
7 Brandywine Dr.
Grete McGinnis

GRANBY

Brier Farm
83 East St.
Brier Farm

Discover You Travel
55 Pleasant St., #12
Discover You Travel

Dollar General Store #20007
180 West State St.
Dollar General Store

Halo K9 Services
174 Batchelor St.
Halo K9 Services

Houle Property Services
20 Trompke Ave.
Houle Property Services

Smith Brothers Carpentry
175 South St.
Smith Brothers Carpentry

Regal Virtual Tours
16 Griswold Circle
Regal Virtual Tours

GREAT BARRINGTON

Anthony’s and Cary’s Barbershop
611 Main St.
Rosa Chica

Aroma Bar and Grill
485 Main St.
Barinder

Berkshire Hearth Realty
50 Dresser Ave.
Marguerite DeSantis

Canary Blomstrom Insurance Agency
333 Main St.
Douglas Goudey

Jamie McDermott Training and Coaching
168 Main St.
Jamie McDermott

Jess Cooney Interiors Inc.
2 State Road
Jessie Cooney

JRC Remodeling
195 Main St.
Joseph Roth

JWS Art Supplies
38 Railroad St.
Tom Levin

Kairos Psychotherapy LLC
291 Main St.
Lisa Solomon

Larkin LTD Enterprises LLC
974 Main St., Suite 1
Ryan Larkin

Larkin Racing
974 Main St., Suite 1
Ryan Larkin

The Lighthouse
10 Beacon Hill
Carol McGlinchey

Maiden Flower Farm
304 North Plain Road
Georgene Poliak, David Long

Naji’s Catering
401 Stockbridge Road, Suite 2
Naji Nejaime

Norbert’s Locksmith Service
138 Bridge St.
Norbert Ruthel

Paul Kleinwald Art & Antiques
578 Main St.
Paul Kleinwald

Rebel Town Productions
North Plain Road
John Segella

Sweet Tree Service LLC
65 Seekonk Road
Christopher Sweet

Tanveer Ahmed, MD, PLLC
168 Main St., Suite 3
Tanveer Ahmed

Tight Lines
214 Highland St.
Christopher Windram

Vault Gallery
322 Main St.
Marilyn Kalish, Alan Kalish

Windy Hill Farm Inc.
686 Stockbridge Road
Judith Mareb

SOUTH HADLEY

Airsoft Outlier
130 Main St., Unit 2
Ryan Dion

Centerfold Anthony’s
500 New Ludlow Road
Anthony’s Dance Club

Evolve Medical Aesthetics
439 Granby Road
Shannon Kurzeski

Howls & Happy Tails
276 Hadley St.
Ashley Miller

Human Agenda Theater
540 Granby Road, Unit 63
Kevin Van Develde

ING Design & Consulting
40 Ashton Lane
William Ingham

Janjua Beer & Wine
19 Bridge St.
K2K Corp.

Liquor Town
506 Granby Road
Amherst Market TK

Olde Towne Entertainment
103 Mountainview St.
Olde Towne Entertainment

Pioneer Valley Lifestyle Management
45 Ludlow Road
Theresa Isenhart

Walz Realty
58 Old Lyman Road
Timothy Walz

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies

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

Asher, Jeffrey
48 Taylor St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/05/2024

Barnard, Patricia A.
39 Hopkins Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 12/31/2023

Barrows, Debra K.
45 Willow St., Apt. 434
Springfield, MA 01103
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/03/2024

Brown, Melissa Ann
2 Culdaff St., Apt. D
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/10/2024

Cameron, Lucretia
48 Champlain St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/12/2024

Collazo, William
58 Gold St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/02/2024

Deprey, Olivia J.
a/k/a Deprey-Allen, Olivia
22 New Ludlow Road
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/12/2024

Dubois, Philip J.
55 Walnut St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/02/2024

Innis, Gideon
Capital One Building Services
47 Grande St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/08/2024

Jordan, Patrick
137 Shawmut St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/09/2024

Meriyem’s LLC
Yetts, Caleb J.
Yetts, Rania
a/k/a Rhaddaoui, Rania
43 Cherry Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/10/2024

Monette, Kelsea J.
127 Wheeler Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/05/2024

Snow, Darin Mark
123 Glendale Circle
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/10/2024

Speenburgh, Robert J.
3118 South Main St.
Bondsville, MA 01009
Chapter: 7
Date: 01/04/2024

Wilcox, Ashley R.
24 Crystal St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Date: 01/03/2024

Real Estate Transactions

By
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

BUCKLAND

13 Bray Road
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Sarah Davenport
Seller: Janice E. Morin
Date: 01/19/24

43 Hog Hollow Road
Buckland, MA 01370
Amount: $798,500
Buyer: Lauren D. Few
Seller: Brian C. Rose
Date: 01/09/24

Hog Hollow Road (off)
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $798,500
Buyer: Lauren D. Few
Seller: Brian C. Rose
Date: 01/09/24

14 Upper St.
Buckland, MA 01338
Amount: $500,000
Buyer: Stephen Gang
Seller: Bruce Lessles
Date: 01/17/24

COLRAIN

45 Dwight Cross Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $123,700
Buyer: Federal National Mortgage Assn.
Seller: Paul G. Grechel
Date: 01/11/24

15 Griswoldville St.
Colrain, MA 01340
Amount: $206,718
Buyer: Mortgage Equity Conversion TR
Seller: Lucille V. Johnson
Date: 01/17/24

DEERFIELD

564 Greenfield Road
Deerfield, MA 01342
Amount: $361,000
Buyer: Michael B. Antonellis
Seller: Ciesluk, Maryanne, (Estate)
Date: 01/19/24

34 Mathews Road
Deerfield, MA 01341
Amount: $413,590
Buyer: John McAvene
Seller: Jaime R. Jackman
Date: 01/08/24

39 Sawmill Plain Road
Deerfield, MA 01373
Amount: $417,000
Buyer: Meagan Murphy
Seller: Danyluk RT
Date: 01/12/24

ERVING

10 Ridge Road
Erving, MA 01344
Amount: $395,000
Buyer: Emily E. Malsch
Seller: Shane M. Linscott
Date: 01/18/24

GREENFIELD

108 James St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Parody Builders LLC
Seller: Sara C. Fishbur
Date: 01/12/24

15 Maple St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $214,000
Buyer: Vladimir Agapov
Seller: Scott A. Landry
Date: 01/17/24

49 Oak Hill Acres
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Kevin J. O’Neil
Seller: Bridgitte R. Cochran
Date: 01/12/24

51 Orchard St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $370,000
Buyer: Steven Lanciani
Seller: C. S. Maniatty RET
Date: 01/12/24

54 Riddell St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $286,900
Buyer: Cody S. Reynolds
Seller: Chandra Sanchez
Date: 01/17/24

13 Wisdom Place
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Christopher Gordon
Seller: JCT Corp.
Date: 01/19/24

Wisdom Way
Greenfield, MA 01301
Amount: $125,000
Buyer: Nstar Electric
Seller: Brenda L. Ament
Date: 01/17/24

LEVERETT

187 Long Plain Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Sofia Buford
Seller: Dixon, Wendy Ann, (Estate)
Date: 01/16/24

18 Montague Road
Leverett, MA 01054
Amount: $545,000
Buyer: Sophia Normark
Seller: Sofia I. Buford
Date: 01/16/24

MONTAGUE

51 Swamp Road
Montague, MA 01351
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Christopher T. Goldhill
Seller: Robert L. Boulanger
Date: 01/08/24

NEW SALEM

178 West St.
New Salem, MA 01355
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Joseph D. West
Seller: Mark Svetaka
Date: 01/11/24

NORTHFIELD

20 Riverview Dr.
Northfield, MA 01360
Amount: $341,000
Buyer: David R. Byron
Seller: John Kalas
Date: 01/12/24

ORANGE

50 Clifton St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Cory Rathier
Seller: Bessie A. Stowell IRT
Date: 01/12/24

3 McCarthy Lane
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $198,000
Buyer: Russell J. Wheeler
Seller: Hurtle, Donald, (Estate)
Date: 01/18/24

Royalston Road, Lot 1
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Tedesco FT
Seller: Fred L. Heyes
Date: 01/12/24

222 West River St.
Orange, MA 01364
Amount: $273,000
Buyer: Marwa Al-Rebaueei
Seller: Austin Mercier
Date: 01/10/24

WENDELL

55 Plain Road
Wendell, MA 01379
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: John T. Fountain
Seller: Justin Fellows
Date: 01/11/24

HAMPDEN COUNTY

AGAWAM

106-108 Silver St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $180,000
Buyer: Chenevert Properties LLC
Seller: Michelle A. Rosa
Date: 01/17/24

283 Meadow St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Diane I. Habekost
Seller: Robert B. Toriani
Date: 01/09/24

63 Tina Lane
Agawam, MA 01030
Amount: $315,000
Buyer: Beatriz S. Rosario
Seller: Juan E. Lopez
Date: 01/19/24

BRIMFIELD

87 Lyman Barnes Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Amount: $252,000
Buyer: Fredap RT
Seller: Paul L. Dirosario
Date: 01/16/24

CHESTER

309 Route 20
Chester, MA 01011
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Apif-Massachusetts LLC
Seller: Dennis Forgea
Date: 01/10/24

CHICOPEE

49 Beverly St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Hector Y. Ortiz
Seller: Daniel J. Durand
Date: 01/19/24

9 Canal St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Daviau & Robert Properties LLC
Seller: You & Me Investment LLC
Date: 01/08/24

169 Casey Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Michelle A. Rosa
Seller: Martin J. Iwasinski
Date: 01/17/24

106 Clark St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $287,000
Buyer: Francisco J. Rosario
Seller: Rebecca A. Kessler
Date: 01/12/24

55 Columba St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $215,000
Buyer: Skyspec Holdings LLC
Seller: Victoria C. Daborowski
Date: 01/18/24

180 Crestwood St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $164,000
Buyer: Malia Homebuyers LLC
Seller: Odette A. Greenberg
Date: 01/12/24

4-6 Dale St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $525,000
Buyer: Ishika LLC
Seller: Helenes Variety Inc.
Date: 01/16/24

325 Dale St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Melanie Gray
Seller: Jeffrey Flowers
Date: 01/09/24

93 Davenport St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Zannie D. Mann
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 01/17/24

62 Dayton St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Matthew T. Baran
Seller: Roland A. Lavallee
Date: 01/12/24

68 Dunn St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $342,000
Buyer: Leyna Boucher
Seller: Christos Tsandilas
Date: 01/09/24

13 Dwight Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Cheryl Moore
Seller: Joanne M. Cebula
Date: 01/18/24

23 Frontenac St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Cooper Dalton
Seller: Caplette, Donald B., (Estate)
Date: 01/11/24

1360 Granby Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $205,000
Buyer: Congamond Management LLC
Seller: Daniel R. Laflamme
Date: 01/17/24

64 Hampshire St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Moreau Real Investments Inc.
Seller: Burton B. Burger
Date: 01/17/24

46 Lachine St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $342,000
Buyer: Daniel A. Rodriguez
Seller: Sean M. Livingstone
Date: 01/12/24

21 Leslie St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $366,000
Buyer: Cristal Rodriguez
Seller: Goulding-Huang Properties LP
Date: 01/16/24

51 Meeting House Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Angela Cole
Seller: Duval, Rosalie C., (Estate)
Date: 01/09/24

104 Newbury St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $168,750
Buyer: Marcel R. Lapierre
Seller: Marcel Lapierre
Date: 01/10/24

69 Polaski Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Christy A. Davis
Seller: Carolyn Wojcik
Date: 01/09/24

119 Prospect St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $367,500
Buyer: Dhaval Patel
Seller: Macmar LLC
Date: 01/17/24

5 Ridgewood Road
Chicopee, MA 01013
Amount: $228,000
Buyer: Raasean L. Antoine
Seller: Francis M. Disanti
Date: 01/16/24

148 Woodcrest Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Jeffrey Flowers
Seller: Donald L. Robitaille
Date: 01/09/24

EAST LONGMEADOW

13 Holy Cross Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Linda M. Shea
Seller: Niznik, Ann Marie, (Estate)
Date: 01/17/24

11 Meadow Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Tavernier Investments LLC
Seller: Blomfield, Jean, (Estate)
Date: 01/12/24

519 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Amount: $264,999
Buyer: Phan010314 LLC
Seller: Pozos, Dolores, (Estate)
Date: 01/19/24

HAMPDEN

66 Chapin Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $250,100
Buyer: Elaina M. Pos
Seller: Patricia L. Williford
Date: 01/08/24

386 Glendale Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $700,000
Buyer: Freddy Roy
Seller: Brian M. Webster
Date: 01/17/24

27 Kibbe Lane
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Gregory D. Hanson
Seller: Custom Home Development Group LLC
Date: 01/09/24

Wilbraham Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Bay Street LLC
Seller: Casey, Edith J., (Estate)
Date: 01/18/24

152 Wilbraham Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Bay Street LLC
Seller: Casey, Edith J., (Estate)
Date: 01/18/24

HOLLAND

77 Vinton Road
Holland, MA 01521
Amount: $267,000
Buyer: Dan Mason
Seller: Kuzmeski, David C., (Estate)
Date: 01/11/24

HOLYOKE

11 Anderson Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Jack M. Burch
Seller: Rachel M. Davini
Date: 01/19/24

384 High St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: WF Real Estate Holdings LLC
Seller: Msns Limited Co. LLC
Date: 01/17/24

324 Hillside Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $159,000
Buyer: Pah Properties LLC
Seller: Sonia E. Negroni
Date: 01/12/24

346-350 Maple St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Xiaoqian Gong
Seller: John Tansey
Date: 01/10/24

98 Lyman St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Andrea G. Plazas
Seller: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Date: 01/19/24

65 Norwood Ter.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $200,000
Buyer: Thomas E. Casartello
Seller: John J. Presto
Date: 01/12/24

257 Pleasant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $357,500
Buyer: Gregorio Y. Chimbo
Seller: Behnam Roohi
Date: 01/10/24

204-206 Sargeant St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Kelley Properties LLC
Seller: Foxy Properties LLC
Date: 01/17/24

60-62 Shawmut Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Liam O’Brien
Seller: Plata O. Plomo Inc.
Date: 01/10/24

135 Sheehan Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: James M. Kennedy
Seller: Brittany Wajda
Date: 01/19/24

64 Waldo St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Casey Curtis
Seller: Feng Gao
Date: 01/17/24

187-189 West Franklin St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Jeremy M. Dejesus
Seller: Frankstone Group LLC
Date: 01/10/24

LONGMEADOW

159 Bliss Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $263,653
Buyer: Mortgage Equity Conversion TR
Seller: Arlene D. Weitz
Date: 01/19/24

362 Converse St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Andrew J. Wise
Seller: Hang Lui
Date: 01/12/24

28 Hawthorne St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Vanessa Raster
Seller: Marilyn P. Pinto
Date: 01/12/24

110 Hopkins Place
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Chelsea E. Ferguson
Seller: Christen L. Brownlee
Date: 01/19/24

103 Laurel St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Connor C. Ostrander
Seller: Kelly Freeman
Date: 01/12/24

127 Nevins Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $335,000
Buyer: Joe Hawley
Seller: Linda M. Shea
Date: 01/17/24

16 Roseland Ter.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Amount: $248,000
Buyer: 620 Parker Street LLC
Seller: Richard A. Serafino
Date: 01/12/24

LUDLOW

51 Center St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $202,220
Buyer: Cathedral Of Life Inc.
Seller: Union Church Of Christ
Date: 01/16/24

150 Edgewood Road
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $152,000
Buyer: Allison M. Acerra
Seller: Meuse, Richard Michael, (Estate)
Date: 01/17/24

68 Letendre Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Jennifer Wright
Seller: Donald C. Snyder
Date: 01/11/24

Turning Leaf Road, Lot 96
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $178,000
Buyer: Tomasz Karas
Seller: Whitetail Wreks LLC
Date: 01/18/24

173 West Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Amount: $265,000
Buyer: Owen M. Burke
Seller: Joseph S. Lyons
Date: 01/16/24

MONSON

30 Cedarhurst Dr.
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Kyle Garron
Seller: Hewinson, Bruce Earle, (Estate)
Date: 01/12/24

14 Hampden Court
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Franklin A. Centeno-Medina
Seller: Larry Desreuisseau
Date: 01/19/24

174 Palmer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Patrick Donovan
Seller: Frank Hull
Date: 01/18/24

PALMER

1026 Chestnut St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $190,000
Buyer: Hayley M. Lawrence
Seller: Laurie A. Bessette
Date: 01/16/24

174 Chudy St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Janice M. Skura
Seller: Jessica Walker
Date: 01/16/24

5 Countryside Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Jeremy S. Hill
Seller: Luis A. Maldonado
Date: 01/17/24

1089 Pleasant St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: House Hack Helpers LLC
Seller: Wicked Deals LLC
Date: 01/17/24

410 Springfield St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Amount: $400,000
Buyer: Phillip C. Andlauer
Seller: Anthony M. Shea
Date: 01/16/24

SPRINGFIELD

44-46 Algonquin Place
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $309,000
Buyer: Elizabeth G. Hernandez
Seller: Loraine Sopena
Date: 01/12/24

540 Armory St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $167,000
Buyer: Kyara E. Linares
Seller: Amat Victoria Curam LLC
Date: 01/12/24

4 Ashbrook St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $249,900
Buyer: Justine Aljoe
Seller: Mathew A. Hathaway
Date: 01/19/24

1226 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Lavienjha Grier
Seller: Flebotte, Dorothy G., (Estate)
Date: 01/12/24

174-176 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $270,000
Buyer: Presley Williams
Seller: Christopher A. Serra
Date: 01/10/24

60 Braddock St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Stephen Eaton
Seller: Olga Bauman
Date: 01/11/24

43 Brookline Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Jaidys L. Troncoso
Seller: Michael Simmonds
Date: 01/16/24

25-27 Calhoun St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $120,000
Buyer: Dealexcell LLC
Seller: Chenevert Properties LLC
Date: 01/09/24

169 Carver St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: SH Properties LLC
Seller: Rocca, Roger Hugo, (Estate)
Date: 01/19/24

74-76 Clantoy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $469,000
Buyer: Massiel Rodriguez
Seller: Marcelo P. De Aguiar-Silva
Date: 01/10/24

89 Cliftwood St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $355,000
Buyer: Wicked Deals LLC
Seller: Spring Forth Properties LLC
Date: 01/19/24

91 College St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Miguel A. Narvaez
Seller: Yellowbrick Property LLC
Date: 01/19/24

265 Cooper St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Marco R. Papallo
Seller: Maria Papallo
Date: 01/18/24

20 Crosby St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Amount: $253,000
Buyer: Abdi Kabir
Seller: Jjj17 LLC
Date: 01/11/24

77 Derryfield Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Philip M. Kiefer
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 01/19/24

127 Eastern Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Pedro A. Espinal Almonte
Seller: Ernesto Santos
Date: 01/18/24

140 Ellendale Circle
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $245,000
Buyer: Roberto Rivera-Negron
Seller: Joy C. Crenshaw
Date: 01/17/24

144 Fenway Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Nataliya Sevastyanova
Seller: Katherine Felix
Date: 01/16/24

10 Ferncliff Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Joseph M. Santaniello
Seller: Richard D. Liasse
Date: 01/17/24

130 Fieldston St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $238,000
Buyer: Migdalia F. Rosa
Seller: Pah Properties LLC
Date: 01/08/24

31 Fitzgerald Road
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Walter A. Sanchez
Seller: Joshua Flores
Date: 01/10/24

101-103 Fountain St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $251,000
Buyer: Tac Diep
Seller: Wicked Deals LLC
Date: 01/11/24

89 Fox Hill Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Anthony N. Pellegrino
Seller: Eleanor S. Randall
Date: 01/18/24

89 Gatewood Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Jose A. Laboy
Seller: Diaz Properties LLC
Date: 01/08/24

39-41 Genesee St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $195,000
Buyer: Rama Alasmi
Seller: David Maynard
Date: 01/18/24

35 Gladstone St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Patricia A. Davis
Seller: Fu Q. Deng
Date: 01/12/24

17-19 Governor St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Silvia Lopez
Seller: Santana Real Estate Inc.
Date: 01/16/24

121 Hartford Ter.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Daniel Ferguson
Seller: Chelsea E. Ferguson
Date: 01/12/24

58 Kenwood Park
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $330,000
Buyer: Winnie F. Olivo
Seller: Marth-E LLC
Date: 01/12/24

4 Langdon St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $170,000
Buyer: Morgan Stanley
Seller: Pablo J. Paulino
Date: 01/12/24

15 Leete St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Marie-Rose L. Lamour
Seller: Rejuvenate Re LLC
Date: 01/17/24

17-21 Lockwood Ave.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $360,000
Buyer: Luz C. Gonzalez
Seller: Jorge M. Ganhao
Date: 01/18/24

25 Manitoba St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Erica Dachinger
Seller: Campagnari Construction LLC
Date: 01/17/24

11 Mary St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Zuleika M. Figueroa
Seller: Cheryl A. Butler
Date: 01/08/24

14-16 Massachusetts Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Emmanuel Pinywah
Seller: Bert V. Wright
Date: 01/19/24

99 Milford St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Amount: $260,000
Buyer: Samantha A. Genao
Seller: Eich Estates Inc.
Date: 01/12/24

101 Miller St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $495,500
Buyer: Bernard Davis
Seller: Frank C. Salas
Date: 01/10/24

841 Newbury St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Richard J. Brasil
Seller: Mathias T. Anim
Date: 01/12/24

278 Newton Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: Jacqueline Robles
Seller: James Coombs
Date: 01/18/24

344-348 Orange St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Mirzai 171 LLC
Seller: Vivenzio Brothers RT
Date: 01/19/24

63 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01151
Amount: $239,701
Buyer: RCF 2 Acquisition TR
Seller: Martin K. Rzeznik
Date: 01/19/24

1638 Parker St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $308,000
Buyer: Christopher James
Seller: Mayra L. Quinones
Date: 01/19/24

203 Pheland St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: SR Properties LLC
Seller: Clay K. Canning
Date: 01/17/24

278 Pheland St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $135,000
Buyer: James Fiore
Seller: Scavone, Claire M., (Estate)
Date: 01/17/24

35 Pine Hill Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $510,000
Buyer: Adhip Siwa
Seller: Liliya Sadovaya
Date: 01/11/24

945 Roosevelt Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Uvalyn Davis
Seller: Barbara Wright
Date: 01/10/24

114 Shady Brook Lane
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: James P. Murray
Seller: High Ridge Real Estate LLC
Date: 01/16/24

268 Shawmut St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $232,000
Buyer: 268 Shawmut St. RT
Seller: Jamie S. Kulas
Date: 01/11/24

1530-1534 State St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Sherlock Suban
Seller: Ramani Realty LLC
Date: 01/12/24

154 Sunrise Ter.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Eric A. Ruiz
Seller: Revampit LLC
Date: 01/19/24

145 Temby St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Pearwood LLC
Seller: Courageous Lion LLC
Date: 01/12/24

18-20 Wareham St.
Springfield, MA 02136
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Emmanuel Massenat
Seller: Uziel G. Da Silva
Date: 01/19/24

12-14 Waterford Circle
Springfield, MA 01129
Amount: $405,000
Buyer: Veraina Diaz
Seller: TL Bretta Realty LLC
Date: 01/16/24

51 White Oak Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Amount: $290,000
Buyer: Lydia Touchette
Seller: Phuong M. Nguyen
Date: 01/17/24

52 Westbanks Court
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $352,500
Buyer: Jesus R. Hernandez
Seller: Anita S. Ross
Date: 01/10/24

163-171 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $650,000
Buyer: Mirzai 171 LLC
Seller: Vivenzio Brothers RT
Date: 01/19/24

523 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Wendy S. Solano
Seller: Frank Vazquez
Date: 01/08/24

76 Wilshire Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Amount: $281,900
Buyer: Sean Cavanaugh
Seller: Kayla Levreault
Date: 01/16/24

SOUTHWICK

43 College Hwy.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $338,000
Buyer: Bretta Ryan
Seller: Malia Homebuyers LLC
Date: 01/12/24

42 Depot St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Amount: $1,925,000
Buyer: Shri Hari Holdings LLC
Seller: Right Hand Clyde Real Estate LLC
Date: 01/19/24

TOLLAND

207 Lakeside Dr.
Tolland, MA 01034
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Eric D. Salk
Seller: Edwin J. Hudson
Date: 01/10/24

WALES

61 Lake George Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $255,000
Buyer: Nathaniel W. Croke
Seller: Thomas J. Marshall
Date: 01/09/24

48 Main St.
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $308,000
Buyer: Marron W. Smith
Seller: Wicked Deals LLC
Date: 01/10/24

227 Union Road
Wales, MA 01081
Amount: $155,000
Buyer: Jacob Palmer
Seller: David A. Heck
Date: 01/19/24

WESTFIELD

4 Bates St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $140,000
Buyer: Skyspec LLC
Seller: No Limit Assets LLC
Date: 01/19/24

41 Camelot Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $810,000
Buyer: Aytekin Kuruca
Seller: Ronald I. Sullivan
Date: 01/11/24

1102 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $460,000
Buyer: James Currie
Seller: Douglas M. Simone
Date: 01/18/24

39 Hillside Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $148,000
Buyer: Brandon Soto
Seller: Dawn M. Girroir
Date: 01/09/24

16 Malone Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $169,000
Buyer: Flipping Best LLC
Seller: Robert J. Eak
Date: 01/09/24

86 Montgomery St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $150,000
Buyer: Robin R. Sheldon
Seller: Jacqueline M. Coon
Date: 01/17/24

9 North Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Nancy Vander Veen
Seller: Brian E. Fanion
Date: 01/08/24

92 Pequot Point Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $580,000
Buyer: Sergey Stakhnyuk
Seller: Eduard Loboda
Date: 01/12/24

18 Pinehurst St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: John Dean
Seller: Vanessa Couture
Date: 01/17/24

12 Ridgeway Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $225,000
Buyer: Dawn M. Girroir
Seller: Gayle M. Kolodziej
Date: 01/09/24

Russellville Road, Lot 16
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Zack & Sons LLC
Seller: James O. Perry
Date: 01/11/24

Russellville Road, Lot 17
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Zack & Sons LLC
Seller: James O. Perry
Date: 01/11/24

265 Springdale Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $310,000
Buyer: John F. Tuohey
Seller: David Racicot
Date: 01/12/24

64 Wildflower Circle
Westfield, MA 01085
Amount: $560,000
Buyer: Joanne Kennedy
Seller: Robert Levesque
Date: 01/18/24

WILBRAHAM

1 Brookside Circle
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $485,000
Buyer: Mikayla Harris
Seller: Kary Ft
Date: 01/10/24

2 Oakland St.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Portia S. Bonner
Seller: Yaritza L. Robar
Date: 01/19/24

112 Sandalwood Dr., Lot 112
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $489,900
Buyer: Allen Bousquet
Seller: Ac Homebuilding LLC
Date: 11/17/23

7 Stonegate Circle
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $549,900
Buyer: Arnab Saha
Seller: Rosemarie A. Szalai TR
Date: 01/18/24

144 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Amount: $385,000
Buyer: Yrvin Filsaime
Seller: Fyxer Up Properties LLC
Date: 01/09/24

WEST SPRINGFIELD

29 Church St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $220,000
Buyer: Vanessa L. Rodriguez
Seller: Alan N. Sharpe
Date: 01/16/24

52 Heritage Lane
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $308,000
Buyer: Alexander J. Weiss
Seller: John P. Weiss
Date: 01/09/24

179 Nelson St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Kathleen R. Ferguson
Seller: Stephanie Galda
Date: 01/16/24

88 Spring St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $160,000
Buyer: Mhi Properties LLC
Seller: Sonia E. Steele
Date: 01/09/24

83 Upper Beverly Hills
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $430,000
Buyer: Laurel A. Tewes
Seller: David V. Brennan
Date: 01/09/24

65 Van Horn St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $250,000
Buyer: Gladys T. Kazalski
Seller: Michael T. Hahn
Date: 01/16/24

153 Verdugo St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $252,000
Buyer: Matthew C. Hastings
Seller: Judith B. Simpson
Date: 01/16/24

192 Wolcott Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Amount: $300,000
Buyer: Nicolas J. Carrier
Seller: Rice, Virginia I., (Estate)
Date: 01/12/24

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY

AMHERST

1178 North Pleasant St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $730,000
Buyer: Julie A. Green
Seller: Daniel P. Burbine
Date: 01/16/24

221 Northampton Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Amount: $380,000
Buyer: Michael M. Lee
Seller: Good Daves LLC
Date: 01/12/24

BELCHERTOWN

41 Dressel Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $245,905
Buyer: Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC
Seller: Gerard A. Provost
Date: 01/10/24

22 Munsell St., Lot 6
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $482,885
Buyer: Edward J. Cayo
Seller: M&G Land Development LLC
Date: 01/10/24

170 North St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $925,000
Buyer: Linda B. Lastoff
Seller: Jonathan J. Franz
Date: 01/08/24

183 Rhode Island Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $4,600,000
Buyer: Golf Blues LLC
Seller: Assawompsett Golf Company
Date: 01/11/24

11 Sunny Crest Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $550,000
Buyer: Kayla A. Busse
Seller: M&G Property Group LLC
Date: 01/19/24

161 Turkey Hill Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Amount: $285,000
Buyer: Laura I. Bourdeau
Seller: Doryn Kelly FT
Date: 01/19/24

EASTHAMPTON

1 Droy Circle
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $381,900
Buyer: Madison C. Picard
Seller: Dominic O’Connell
Date: 01/19/24

6-12 Irving St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $625,000
Buyer: Christopher Thompson
Seller: Daniel S. Whiteley
Date: 01/12/24

10 Lawndale St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $325,000
Buyer: Hasan Comert
Seller: Carolyn W. Benson
Date: 01/19/24

278 Main St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $230,000
Buyer: Ctna Construction LLC
Seller: Lawler Jr., William P., (Estate)
Date: 01/19/24

21 Paul St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $404,500
Buyer: Salah E. Khelfaoui
Seller: Robin Lariviere
Date: 01/11/24

17 Wright St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Amount: $420,000
Buyer: Emily S. Fuller
Seller: Williston Northampton School
Date: 01/12/24

CUMMINGTON

2 Lilac Ave.
Cummington, MA 01026
Amount: $769,000
Buyer: J. S. Bryant School Inc.
Seller: Jack E. Morse
Date: 01/12/24

GRANBY

147 Carver St.
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $540,000
Buyer: Thomas P. Silva
Seller: Sabino D. Rebelo
Date: 01/12/24

95 Cold Hill Road
Granby, MA 01033
Amount: $350,000
Buyer: Andrew T. Normand
Seller: Philip T. Braese
Date: 01/19/24

HADLEY

38 Huntington Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Amount: $530,000
Buyer: Jodi M. Hoover
Seller: Sharon L. Fetler
Date: 01/08/24

HATFIELD

56 Bridge St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Amount: $425,000
Buyer: Lizard Ii LLC
Seller: Labbee, Paul A., (Estate)
Date: 01/17/24

NORTHAMPTON

47 High St.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $685,000
Buyer: Rachel Mazur
Seller: Healthy Neighborhoods Group LLC
Date: 01/10/24

47 Leonard St.
Northampton, MA 01053
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Shannon L. Ryan
Seller: Joel & Mary Lee Emrick FT
Date: 01/12/24

49 Redford Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $450,000
Buyer: Thomas W. C. MacLachlan TR
Seller: Zoe R. Johnson
Date: 01/17/24

82 Redford Dr.
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $390,000
Buyer: Alison Schoen
Seller: Neal B. Vitalis LT
Date: 01/10/24

567 Sylvester Road
Northampton, MA 01062
Amount: $185,000
Buyer: Background Examine LLC
Seller: Nathan Moczulewski
Date: 01/12/24

PELHAM

179 North Valley Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Amount: $975,000
Buyer: J. & Martin Miller FT
Seller: Graves FT
Date: 01/17/24

PLAINFIELD

19 Broom St.
Plainfield, MA 01070
Amount: $345,000
Buyer: Roberta Wooldridge
Seller: Matthew A. Shippee
Date: 01/16/24

SOUTH HADLEY

299 East St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $365,000
Buyer: Eric Jimmo
Seller: Linda V. Swenson
Date: 01/17/24

Hadley St., Lot 12
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $130,000
Buyer: Philip G. Fortin
Seller: Jonathan P. Lizotte
Date: 01/19/24

41 High St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $280,000
Buyer: Kevin J. Hernandez
Seller: Marissa Montemagni
Date: 01/12/24

22 Jewett Lane
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $232,400
Buyer: Vivlan Ostrowski
Seller: Anne L. Moore
Date: 01/08/24

65 Woodbridge Ter.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Amount: $672,000
Buyer: Linda Ross
Seller: Guy B. Berfield
Date: 01/19/24

SOUTHAMPTON

17 Pequot Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Amount: $375,000
Buyer: Tricia Kiefer
Seller: Rochelle D. Benoit
Date: 01/12/24

WARE

45 Greenwich Plains Road
Ware, MA 01082
Amount: $355,800
Buyer: Debbra S. Hite-Forkey
Seller: John C. Soper
Date: 01/16/24

WESTHAMPTON

230 Northwest Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
Amount: $275,000
Buyer: Christopher P. Rolin
Seller: Fumi Realty Inc.
Date: 01/19/24

WILLIAMSBURG

22 Village Hill Road
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Amount: $711,300
Buyer: Eric G. Driver
Seller: Mary C. Paige
Date: 01/11/24

WORTHINGTON

5 West St.
Worthington, MA 01098
Amount: $210,000
Buyer: Peter N. Donatelli
Seller: Diane J. Bartlett
Date: 01/17/24

Building Permits

By
Building Permits

The following building permits were issued during the month of January 2024.

CHICOPEE

ARC FECPEMA001 LLC
140 Lonczak Dr.
$100,000 — Install new concrete pavement and dock door

Mark Germain
44 Arlington St.
$30,000 — Siding

Charles Sourmaidis
467 Memorial Dr.
$1,300,000 — Build new Golden Nozzle car wash

EASTHAMPTON

Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
33 Union St.
$398,457.70 — Demolish most interior walls, existing kitchen, bathroom and storage room, existing storefront, acoustic tile ceiling, and finishes; install new interior walls, paint, flooring, bathroom, skylights, facade

Wemelco Development LLC
19 Wemelco Way
$42,000 — Construct wood-framed vault in existing cannabis facility, install sprinklers and cooling system

HADLEY

8 Directions LLC
37 Lawrence Plain Road
N/A — Install roof-mounted photovoltaic system

E&A/I&G Campus Plaza LP
458 Russell St.
N/A — Interior alterations to existing retail space to divide space

Gulmohar Realty Corp.
237 Russell St.
N/A — Provide wet and dry sprinkler riser, backflow

Walter Wanczyk Jr.
180 Russell St.
N/A — Siding

LENOX

MRG CRW Holdings LLC
55 Lee Road
$15,000 — Replace tile for women’s and men’s saunas at Wyndhurst Club

NORTHAMPTON

The Brush Works LLC
221 Pine St.
$9,000 — Renovate Suite 140

Florence Casket Co.
16 Bardwell St.
$65,352 — Insulation and weatherization

Harmonic Rock Realty LLC
125 Pleasant St.
$9,700 — Illuminated roof sign for Notch 8 Grille

LHIC Inc.
34 North Maple St.
$260,000 — Sprinkler system

Matt & Nick LLC
199 Pine St.
$15,500 — Add three entry coverings

New England Remodeling General Contractors Inc.
64 North St.
$31,500 — Renovate rear unit

Nu-Way Homes Inc.
43 Summer St.
$59,000 — Demolish garage

Our Lady of the Hills
173 Main St.
$42,750 — Install ramp

Safe Journeys LLC
32 Vernon St.
$24,473 — Install roof-mounted solar system on house and accessory building with trench

Smith College
94 State St.
N/A — Phase-two renoation to bathrooms, elevator, fire alarm, and electrical

Town of Williamsburg
16 Main St.
$2,000 — Add noise silencer to vehicle exhaust-removal system

PITTSFIELD

Centro Bradley Berkshire Crossing LLC
555 Hubbard Ave., #1
$165,000 — Remove and replace floor slab and floor tile

RKE Realty LLC
100 West St.
$2,427 — Relocate five existing fire sprinklers

Daniel Soldato
73 South Church St.
$56,500 — Construct partition walls and doors to divide single tenant space into two spaces

SPRINGFIELD

401 Liberty Street LLC
165 Stafford St.
$74,500 — Modifications to existing office area for new layout on second floor of McCormick Allum building

Caring Health Center Inc.
1235 Boston Road
$85,000 — Commercial tenant fit-out of vacant interior space

Baystate Medical Center Inc.
759 Chestnut St.
$65,187 — Alter interior office space into new patient toilet room on ground floor of Wesson Building

FNBC Realty Corp., Olympia & York
1350 Main St.
$6,880 — Install egress door

New North Citizens Council Inc.
4 Birnie Ave.
$155,500 — Roofing and insulation

New Trinity Church of God in Christ
209 Quincy St.
$25,545 — Add insulation throughout

Raymond Fontaine, Industry Avenue Holdings LLC
66 Industry Ave.
$110,000 — Alter former storage area into four new offices at Greater Springfield Senior Services

 

Ilyasah Shabazz, Daughter of Malcolm X, to Speak at STCC

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Ilyasah Shabazz, the daughter of the late activists Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz, will speak at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) on Thursday, Feb. 29 at noon as part of the college’s celebration of Black History Month.

Shabazz, an accomplished educator, author, and activist, will share her insights and experiences rooted in the rich legacy of African-American history and culture. She will speak in the auditorium of Scibelli Hall (Building 2) at STCC. The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to pre-register by visiting stcc.io/shabazz.

Shabazz is chairperson of the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center board of trustees. In her work to preserve the legacy of her parents, she has dedicated herself to institution building and intergenerational leadership development with the tenets of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Her books include a memoir, Growing Up X, and a children’s book, Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X.

Shabazz has furthered her community impact with the City University of New York’s Office of Academic Affairs, where she created a curriculum to encourage higher education for underserved, inner-city, and marginalized high-school dropouts.

She has worked with the Office of the Mayor in Mount Vernon as director of Public Affairs & Special Events. She founded and produced a young-adult development program to provide historical context on social justice, encouraging personal empowerment and community service as a way of life.

As president and founder of Ilyasah Shabazz Enterprises, she produces a variety of forums dedicated to power, possibility, and sovereignty.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Shabazz to STCC,” said Kiyota Garcia, assistant vice president of Student Affairs and interim chief Equity officer at STCC. “We want our students, staff, and faculty and the community to prepare to be enlightened and empowered by Dr. Shabazz. She will illuminate the significance of Black history and its enduring impact on society.”

MassMutual Welcomes Cindy Ryan as Head of Human Resources

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — MassMutual announced the appointment of Cindy Ryan to head of Human Resources. Ryan, who has more than two decades of HR leadership experience, will oversee and advance MassMutual’s people strategy, aligned with the company’s purpose, priorities, and aspirations.

In this role, Ryan assumes oversight of MassMutual’s HR organization, which includes talent acquisition and management; total rewards; HR operations; employee relations; learning and development; and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). She will be responsible for continuing to evolve the company’s flexible, inclusive culture, supporting the holistic well-being and growth of MassMutual’s employees and attracting and retaining a talented, diverse workforce.

“Cindy’s passion, expertise, and demonstrated track record of successfully leading global people strategies will be invaluable as we continue to build the dynamic organization needed to succeed in today’s ever-changing world,” said Roger Crandall, chairman, president, and CEO of MassMutual. “I look forward to her dedicated focus on developing and evolving our approach to build a highly engaged and effective workforce that will enable us to deliver on our ambitious strategy and fulfill our long-term commitments to our policy owners and customers.”

Ryan joins MassMutual after spending nearly 25 years in various leadership roles of growing responsibility at Cigna, where she most recently served as the company’s chief Human Resources officer (CHRO). In this role, she led Cigna’s worldwide enterprise talent strategy and pandemic response, built its award-winning DEI approach, and enriched its engaged culture. Prior to her CHRO role, she served as senior vice president of HR for Cigna’s U.S. business lines, where she was responsible for talent-management strategies, employee engagement, and leadership effectiveness for the company’s health, life, and disability services lines as well as serving as the company’s chief talent officer, overseeing recruiting, learning, leadership development, and employee relations worldwide.

“I’m excited to join a company with such a rich history that provides incredibly flexible, holistic programs to support and develop its employees,” Ryan said. “I look forward to building on the strong foundation that is in place to help shape MassMutual’s future workforce strategy.”

Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in management from the State University of New York at Geneseo and a master’s degree in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University.

Phillips Insurance Celebrates 20-year Anniversary of Christopher Rivers

By
Daily News

Christopher Rivers

CHICOPEE — Phillips Insurance Agency Inc. is celebrating the 20th work anniversary of Christopher Rivers, CRIS, senior vice president. Since joining Phillips in 2004, Rivers has been instrumental in growth that has made Phillips Insurance one of the largest writers of insurance and bonds for contractors in the Northeast.

Rivers was recognized in January by Sentry Insurance for his 2023 production and flown to Maui to be an honorary observer at the Sentry Tournament of Champions at the Plantation Course at Kapalua, where he walked ‘inside the ropes’ with Jordan Speith, Scottie Scheffler, and Victor Hovland.

Rivers has coached basketball, soccer, and baseball in Belchertown throughout the years. When he isn’t coaching, he enjoys skiing and golfing. He and his family are strong supporters of St. Jude Hospital.

UMassFive Announces Scholarship Opportunities

By
Daily News

HADLEY — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union announced that the Pioneer Valley chapter of the Massachusetts Cooperative Credit Union Assoc. (CCUA) scholarship program is accepting applicants for eight $2,000 scholarships to be awarded in 2024.

In order to apply, students must be a member of UMassFive or have a parent or guardian who is a member of the credit union. Students must also be high-school seniors who will be enrolled in an undergraduate college degree program during the 2024-25 academic year.

Completed applications must be received or postmarked by March 8. Applications may be dropped off at a UMassFive branch, emailed to [email protected], or mailed to UMassFive College Federal Credit Union, Attn: Cait Murray, P.O. Box 1060, Hadley, MA 01035.

For more details and to access the application instructions and form, visit umassfive.coop/news/2024-scholarships.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Massachusetts Welcomes Chris Thompson

By
Daily News

WEST SPRINGFIELD — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Mass (BBBSWM) announced that Chris Thompson has been selected as the nonprofit’s chief growth officer. In this role, Thompson will be responsible for strengthening the newly merged agency’s relationship with the communities of Berkshire, Franklin, and Hampden Counties.

“We’re thrilled to have Chris’ expertise at this crucial time for our agency,” said David Beturne, executive director of BBBSWM. “He brings a great deal of experience in sales, promotions, and community engagement. That’s what we looked for during this search, someone who was interested in making new relationships in the three counties.”

A Western Mass. native, Thompson was honored with the BusinessWest 40 Under Forty award in 2009 and is active in the local community. He currently sits on the board of Arrha Credit Union and is a former commissioner for the Western Massachusetts Sports Commission and West Springfield’s Parks and Recreation Commission. As co-founder and owner of the Westfield Starfires of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, Thompson brings a wealth of experience to his new role in the areas of advocacy, community outreach, business development, and external relations. He will lead BBBSWM’s growth efforts in Berkshire and Franklin counties.

Previously, Thompson served on the BBBS of Hampden County board of directors between 2014 and 2021. He brings with him more than 20 years of experience developing marketing partnerships and generating revenue for iconic Western Mass. brands, such as the Springfield Falcons hockey team, where he developed a comprehensive corporate partnership program, and where he led the launch of the Springfield Thunderbirds hockey club, serving as senior vice president of Sales & Strategy.

“This is truly a unique opportunity for me — a chance to partner with an organization I have been passionate about for many years, a chance to challenge myself in new areas, and the opportunity to use my experience and perspective to help the agency grow during our rebrand,” Thompson said. “I am thrilled to join David Beturne, as well as the highly dedicated staff of BBBS and our board of directors, to serve in this new role.”

Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services Receives $50,000 Grant

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services (MLFKS) received a $50,000 grant from the MassMutual Foundation as part of MassMutual’s inaugural Economic Equity Grant program, a collaboration of the MassMutual Foundation with MassMutual’s employee business resource groups (BRGs), which serve as an integral component of the organization’s DEI strategy. MLKFS is one of eight organizations to receive a grant.

“We currently operate the fourth-largest food pantry in the region with very little financial support while our community’s needs continue to grow,” said Shannon Rudder, president and CEO of MLKFS. “In addition to addressing food insecurity, we are also dedicated to enhancing our youth STEAM-based educational programs. This grant will assist us in both endeavors; we are extremely grateful to the MassMutual Foundation for their steady support.”

MassMutual’s employee BRGs support initiatives that drive organizational results; increase employee engagement; and foster awareness, respect, and inclusion within the workplace. More than one-third of MassMutual’s employees participate in its eight BRGs, representing Black/African-American, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino/Latinx communities; members of the LGBTQ+ community; individuals with disabilities and their caregivers; members of the armed forces, veterans, and military family members; young professionals; and women.

“We are stronger when we come together as a community. This is true internally as well. Working with our MassMutual BRG colleagues, we selected grant recipients that align the individual BRGs’ philanthropic interests with the MassMutual Foundation’s mission of building financial resiliency,” said Dennis Duquette, head of MassMutual Community Responsibility and president of the MassMutual Foundation. “Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services’ food pantry addresses a critical need for families struggling to make ends meet, and we are proud to help them expand their impact.”

UMass Amherst Ranks Among Top 20 Institutions in Nation for Online Programs

By
Daily News

AMHERST — UMass Amherst’s online education programs have been recognized as among the best in the nation in U.S. News and World Report’s 2024 rankings. Placing second among public and private colleges and universities was the Isenberg School of Management’s online undergraduate program in business.

Overall, UMass Amherst’s online bachelor’s degree programs placed 20th out of 339 public and private colleges and universities and is the only New England institution in the top 20. Among UMass Amherst’s online bachelor’s degree programs represented are business administration, nursing, sociology, sustainable food and farming, hospitality and tourism management, and many programs in the University Without Walls’ Department of Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS).

For 2024, U.S. News and World Report assessed more than 1,750 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and ranked 1,680 accredited higher-education institutions. The rankings were released on Feb. 7.

“We’re proud to be among today’s leaders in online education. We will continue to champion innovation in learning by offering personalized, interdisciplinary, student-centric programs for all learners in a very dynamic marketplace,” UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes said. “These latest U.S. News rankings reflect UMass Amherst’s commitment to providing access to our outstanding programs in a flexible manner, meeting students where they are so they can pursue their academic and professional goals.”

The Isenberg School of Management bachelor’s degree in business stepped up one spot from last year to number 2, surpassing Arizona State University, Oregon State University and Pennsylvania State University – World Campus, which all placed in a three-way tie for third.

In master’s business programs, UMass Amherst moved up three spots from last year to number 6, tying with Boston University and Rutgers University, in the survey among non-MBA online business graduate degrees. Isenberg’s MBA program stayed at number 12, a ranking it has held for the past three years.

“It’s wonderful that our groundbreaking online MBA program continues to be a leader in this fast-growing space and provide today’s students with career-building skills and learning experiences,” said Anne Massey, dean of the Isenberg School of Management.

In other U.S. News online graduate program assessments, the Elaine Marieb School of Nursing moved up to number 12 out of 186 ranked programs. Notably, UMass Amherst’s master’s in nursing was also the only Massachusetts program ranked in the top 30.

UMass Amherst’s online programs also ranked in the top 15 for their support of veterans, with the Isenberg master’s in business excluding MBA (fourth), online MBA (11th), and overall bachelor’s degree programs (13th) leading the survey.

Tenth Year of Local Farmer Awards Receives Record Number of Applications

By
Daily News

AGAWAM — Following a year of enormous challenges, a record 199 Western Mass. farmers recently applied for infrastructure-improvement grants from the Local Farmer Awards, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation. This represents a 21% increase in applications from last year.

“Farmers are struggling,” said Harold Grinspoon, founder of the Local Farmer Awards. “They work so hard and never ask for help. These capital improvements for their farms can help them continue to support our economy and food supply.”

Three new funders helped increase the available funding for the projects. Three County Fair, Andrew Associates, and PeoplesBank Workplace Giving Campaign joined the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, Big Y, and the Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture, the program’s partners, along with a team of 15 funders committed to supporting local farms.

“Forty-six of the farms are first-time applicants,” said Cari Carpenter, director of the program. “The project descriptions farmers submitted are excellent. Our reviewers will have their hands full selecting the best among them.”

Carpenter recognizes the challenge ahead to try to find funding to support even more of these projects. She and the Local Farmer Awards team are already reaching out to prospective funders to help close the gap.

The Local Farmer Awards is in its 10th year of helping local farms grow. To date, the program has helped 266 local farms with 572 infrastructure projects totaling $1.28 million invested in the local farming community.

BusinessTalk with Mill Town Capital CEO Tim Burke

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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 200: February 12, 2024

Joe talks with Mill Town Capital CEO Tim Burke

Tim Burke
Real-estate investment with a purpose can be rewarding in more ways than just the bottom line. Just ask the team at Mill Town Capital in Pittsfield, which has invested in a wide array of projects aimed at rejuvenating local businesses, enhancing recreational amenities, and revitalizing key infrastructure. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, Mill Town Capital CEO Tim Burke talks with BusinessWest Editor Joe Bednar about his passion for his corner of the Berkshires and how the firm’s purposeful work is generating new life and new opportunities for businesses and residents alike. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.
 

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UMass Amherst to Launch Academic Center for Reliability and Resilience of Offshore Wind

By
Daily News

AMHERST — UMass Amherst has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to establish and lead the Academic Center for Reliability and Resilience of Offshore Wind (ARROW), a new, multi-million-dollar national center of excellence to accelerate reliable and equitable offshore wind-energy deployment across the nation and produce a well-educated domestic offshore wind workforce.

Led by UMass Amherst with approximately 40 partners, ARROW will receive $4.75 million over five years from the the DOE’s Wind Energy Technologies Office and has also received a matching commitment of $4.75 million from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. The state of Maryland, the second center of gravity of the proposal with participation from Johns Hopkins University and Morgan State University, is contributing $1 million from the Maryland Energy Administration. Other universities are contributing $1.4 million for a total budget of $11.9 million.

Sanjay Arwade, professor of Civil Engineering at UMass Amherst, is director of the new center, with faculty in the university’s Wind Energy Center serving as co-principal investigators and senior personnel of the research team.

“We at UMass Amherst and the Wind Energy Center are honored to be recognized by DOE with this award,” Arwade said. “With the entire extraordinary ARROW team, we’re excited to build upon 50 years of achievement in wind-energy research and education and move the nation toward a clean and renewable energy future.”

The center will be a university-led education, research, and outreach program for offshore wind that prioritizes energy equity and principles of workforce diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. With technical specialization in the reliability and resilience of offshore wind infrastructure, transmission, and supply chain, ARROW has three key goals:

• Empower the next generation of U.S.-based offshore wind professionals. Not only does this include training for offshore wind professionals, but it will also enhance the ability of U.S. institutions to deliver comprehensive offshore wind education and establish global leadership in offshore wind education. The center will advance the education of 1,000 students over the initial five-year life of the center.

• Innovate with impactful research for a reliable and resilient offshore wind system built on rigorous treatment of uncertainty. Research will focus on infrastructure, atmospheric and ocean conditions, and marine and human ecology.

• Engage with communities to get input from the wide diversity of stakeholders who make up the offshore wind ecosystem. This includes wind-energy companies, grid operators, manufacturers, nonprofits, insurance companies, and advanced technology developers in order to arrive at inclusive and just deployment of offshore wind solutions.

This academic and training hub will help drive progress toward the Biden-Harris administration’s national goals of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030, a 100% clean electricity grid by 2035, and net-zero emissions economy-wide by 2050.

“Offshore wind can play a major role in decarbonizing the U.S. electric grid, and meeting its potential will require skilled workers to propel us forward,” said Jeff Marootian, principal deputy assistant secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “This consortium will provide timely and relevant training and education to help foster the domestic offshore wind workforce of tomorrow and secure a clean energy future for all Americans.”

ARROW comprises eight universities, three national laboratories, two state-level energy offices, and many industry and stakeholder groups in other areas of Massachusetts as well as Illinois, Maryland, Washington, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico.

Shakespeare & Company Welcomes Back Ute DeFarlo

By
Daily News

Ute DeFarlo

LENOX — Ute DeFarlo has been appointed director of Development by Shakespeare & Company, a nonprofit theater performance, education, and actor-training organization based in the Berkshires.

In her position, DeFarlo is responsible for supporting Shakespeare & Company’s mission and vision through the development of new and expanded income streams, cultivation of the company’s donors and board of trustees, and various engagements with constituents in the Berkshire County community.

Most recently, she served as director of Development for the Mount, Edith Wharton’s home, in Lenox and as Development officer at the Austen Riggs Center in Stockbridge. Her appointment marks her return to Shakespeare & Company’s Development team, which she first joined in 2004, serving as director from 2009 to 2015.

“I am delighted to return to my Shakespeare & Company home,” DeFarlo said. “I have a great passion for theater, including the Fall Festival and Riotous Youth programs that both of my sons participated in, and I’m dedicated to playing my role in ensuring the company’s continued success.”
DeFarlo holds a master’s degree in English and Russian language interpretation from the University of Mainz, Germany, and attended Georgetown University on a one-year Fulbright scholarship.

Monson Savings Bank Announces $15,000 in Community Giving Initiative Donations

By
Daily News

MONSON — The people have voted, and the results are in. In late 2023, Monson Savings Bank asked community members to cast their votes for their favorite local nonprofits. The bank is now announcing the Monson Savings Bank Community Giving Initiative recipients for 2024.

This was the 14th year Monson Savings Bank has run its Community Giving Initiative poll. The public’s excitement to cast their vote has grown throughout the years. This year, nearly 7,000 votes were received.

“Everyone’s passion for our annual Community Giving Initiative is always so exciting,” said Michael Rouette, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Monson Savings Bank. “As a locally operated bank, Monson Savings has a great desire to support the residents, businesses, and nonprofits of the communities that we work in and live in. Our Community Giving Initiative offers an opportunity for our community members to have their voice heard and decide the nonprofits they would like to us support. Because our neighbors voted for these charities, we know that these charities can make a difference for our neighbors.”

Now that the votes have been calculated, Monson Savings Bank is preparing to donate a total of $15,000 among the top 10 recipients, which include I Found Light Against All Odds (Springfield), Shriners Children’s New England (Springfield), Friends of Hampden Seniors (Hampden), Women’s Empowerment Scholarship (Greater Springfield), Whip City Animal Sanctuary (Westfield), Monson Free Library (Monson), Miracle League of Western Massachusetts (Springfield), Halfway Home Cat Rescue (Chicopee), Scantic Valley YMCA (Wilbraham), and ClubOh! (Springfield).

“These organizations are worthy nonprofits that supply important resources to our communities. It is clear why they were chosen by our community members to receive support from Monson Savings,” said Dan Moriarty, president and CEO of Monson Savings Bank. “On behalf of Monson Savings Bank, I congratulate the top 10 recipients of the 2024 Community Giving Initiative, and I thank you for making Western Mass. a better place to live.”

Big Y Donates 1.5 Million Meals to Food Banks

By
Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Big Y’s annual Sack Hunger campaign provides funds for the four food banks within its two-state marketing area. In turn, these food banks support local soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, day-care centers, and many others of the 2,100-member agencies that 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.

The four regional food banks are the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, the Worcester County Food Bank, the Greater Boston Food Bank, and the Connecticut Foodshare.

For $5, customers supported Sack Hunger at Big Y’s supermarkets or Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors. Every $5 donation brings 10 meals to those in need of support. Additionally, Big Y has added even more ways to boost this year’s efforts, with specific proceeds from produce, floral, Smart Chicken, USDA choice angus beef, along with a portion of every one of Big Y’s family of brands.

Big Y’s Sack Hunger campaign started in 2010, when 740 meals were donated. With this year’s 1.5 million meals, the program continues to grow in support of those in need. Big Y’s Sack Hunger donation is part of its ongoing support of food banks throughout the year, including almost daily donations of meat, fresh produce, and bakery, along with grocery, frozen food, and dairy items.

“Every year, our customers and employees join us in supporting others impacted by food insecurity,” said Charles D’Amour. Big Y’s executive chairman. “Our Sack Hunger program provides an easy way to help families across Massachusetts and Connecticut during the holiday season through the tireless efforts of the local food banks. We are grateful to be able to provide this essential support to our community.”

CEO of Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts to Step Down

By
Daily News

Donna Haghighat

SPRINGFIELD — Donna Haghighat, CEO of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, has announced her plans to retire, effective June 30.

Under Haghighat’s leadership, beginning in 2017, the Women’s Fund developed innovative programs, sought out effective partnerships, increased grantmaking, grew its corporate and individual donations, and focused on racial equity and trust-based philanthropy.

Haghighat was also integral in the launch of the Young Women’s Initiative for girls and young women of color in Springfield and the Greater Springfield Women’s Economic Security Hub.

The Women’s Fund is a leading philanthropic organization that fuels progress toward gender equity and justice, work that has been ongoing since 1997. It has been making grants to change-making organizations in the four counties of Western Mass. for most of its 27-year history.

Today, these grants are larger and more likely to be multi-year in duration. The Women’s Fund has initiated research about the lives and prospects for the region’s women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals, most recently in 2023. An additional focus of the organization is the intersection of race and gender as well as its Young Women’s Initiative.

“It has been an honor to lead an exceptional team and our expansive network of partners, donors, and corporate supporters,” Haghighat said. “Collectively, we have committed ourselves and our work to advancing issues of gender and racial equity in Western Mass. and beyond. Although I am retiring, I will happily remain part of this diverse and vibrant community.”

Haghighat has facilitated the monthly meetings of the Women Heads of Nonprofits group in Western Mass., which the Women’s Fund hosts, and has served on the state’s Community Reinvestment Fund Advisory Board and the advisory board of the Center for Social Justice at Western New England School of Law. She was appointed by Gov. Maura Healey to the Massachusetts Cultural Council this year and is a board member for WAM Theatre in the Berkshires.

Lisa Ranghelli and Arwen Lowbridge, co-presidents of the Women’s Fund’s board of directors, jointly acknowledged the impact of Haghighat’s leadership. “Donna will be a hard act to follow,” Lowbridge said.

Both Ranghelli and Lowbridge said Haghighat has vision and diehard commitment to gender and racial equity. Ranghelli added that “she has propelled the fund and focused the organization on work that will impact those who are most vulnerable and marginalized.”

A succession committee drawn from board membership is charged with searching for the new CEO. The committee’s progress is underway, and information on the search can be found at mywomensfund.org.

MountainOne Insurance Acquires G.W. Morisi Insurance Agency

By
Daily News

LONGMEADOW — MountainOne Insurance Agency, a subsidiary of MountainOne Bank, announced the acquisition of G.W. Morisi Insurance Agency Inc., a third-generation, family-owned agency that has served Longmeadow and neighboring communities for more than 75 years.

The G.W. Morisi staff of four, including President Rory Sullivan, will remain with the agency at its 473 Longmeadow Street location. In time, additional staff will come on board to further support customers’ insurance needs.

G.W. Morisi Insurance Agency will now offer customers many enhanced services, including the addition of group employee benefits, life insurance, long-term-care Insurance, Medicare products, and in-house claims services. Customers also have access to many new insurance carriers, widening their options for coverage at competitive rates.

“We’re delighted to welcome the team at G.W. Morisi and look forward to getting to know and serve their many loyal customers and offering expanded services and products,” said Jonathan Denmark, president and chief operating officer at MountainOne Insurance. “We are also excited and eager to join the Longmeadow community and hope that in short time we will become the same trusted business partner here as we are in the Berkshires.”

MountainOne Insurance is born from the combination of several small, family-owned agencies that have served Berkshire communities for generations. The acquisition of the G.W. Morisi marks MountainOne’s first physical office outside of Berkshire County, expanding its footprint into Longmeadow and neighboring communities.

“MountainOne embodies the same values that G.W. Morisi Insurance Agency has exhibited for so many years, including a warm and welcoming culture,” Sullivan said. “We couldn’t be more excited to continue to offer outstanding service, great products, and valuable solutions under the MountainOne brand.”

Florence Bank Promotes Andre Motulski to Vice President, Controller

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Daily News

Andre Motulski

FLORENCE — Florence Bank has promoted Andre Motulski to the role of vice president/controller.

Motulski joined the bank’s team as assistant vice president/controller in September 2019. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Central Connecticut State University and is a Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.-commissioned risk-management examiner.

In his new role, which he assumed in December, Motulski is responsible for managing financial records, ensuring regulatory compliance, and assessing risks associated with lending and investment activities.

Motulski is involved in the community, serving on the finance committee for Hampshire Regional YMCA in Northampton.

“As an evolving leader, Andre can think strategically, delegate, problem-solve, and work effectively across multiple departments, always keeping the customer and his colleagues top of mind,” said Matt Garrity, president and CEO of Florence Bank.

Westfield Bank Donates $12,500 to Shriners Children’s New England

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Daily News

WESTFIELD — Westfield Bank is pleased to announce a $12,500 donation to Shriners Children’s New England in partnership with the Elan Credit Card Charitable Giving Program. Shriners Children’s is dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing high-quality pediatric specialty care for children up to age 18, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status.

“We are proud to continue our support of this wonderful organization,” said James Hagan, president and CEO. “For close to 100 years, Shriners Children’s has done incredible work providing pediatric care, innovative research, and offering educational programs for medical professionals. Westfield Bank is proud to be a long-time partner with Shriners Children’s.”

Time Is Running Out for 40 Under Forty Nominations

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest is currently accepting nominations for the 40 Under Forty class of 2023. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Feb. 16.

Launched in 2007, the program recognizes rising stars in the four counties of Western Mass. Nominations, which should be as detailed and thorough as possible, 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 announced and profiled in the April 29 issue of BusinessWest and honored at the 40 Under Forty Gala in June.

HCC Environmental Science Professor Awarded National Fellowship

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Daily News

Laurel Carpenter

HOLYOKE — Laurel Carpenter, associate professor of Environmental Science at Holyoke Community College (HCC), has been awarded a national fellowship focusing on STEM education at community colleges.

The fellowship, from the Community College Presidents’ Initiative in STEM (CCPI-STEM), is intended for community-college faculty and administrators pursuing graduate degrees and conducting research related to STEM education and workforce development. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math.

Carpenter is part of a cohort of just seven CCPI-STEM fellows for 2024-25 and the only one from a college in the Northeast.

Fellows are selected from a national pool of applicants, who are evaluated based on their education, STEM experience, leadership potential, community engagement, and research.

“I’m very happy for Laurel,” said Elizabeth Breton, interim dean of HCC’s B-STEM division. “She is a gifted instructor and engages the students in community projects. I think she will use this opportunity to benefit not only herself but the college as well.”

A 2012 graduate of HCC, Carpenter is a wildlife biologist, chair of the HCC Environmental Studies department, co-coordinator of the HCC STEM Scholars program, and a graduate student at UMass Amherst, where she is pursuing a doctorate in education.

“My research, very broadly, is looking at the retention of students in STEM programs at community colleges and studying models of retention because most or the retention models are based on four-year college students and their needs and experiences, as opposed to students at community colleges,” Carpenter said.

CCPI-STEM fellows receive a $5,000 honorarium each year for two years to support their graduate studies. They also participate in professional-development activities and are paired with a professional mentor.

“I think what’s most exciting is that this will allow me to network with other educators who are researching similar topics related to community colleges,” she said.

Carpenter started taking classes at HCC in 2002 as a junior at South Hadley High School, but then transferred to Smith College for her bachelor’s degree. From there, she went to UMass, where she earned a master’s degree in wildlife conservation before returning to Smith for a master’s degree in secondary science education.

For more than 10 years, she worked as a wildlife technician, wildlife biologist, lead educator, and environmental interpreter for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. While she was working, she returned to HCC to complete her associate degree in environmental science.

“I started in 2002 and finished in 2012,” she said. “It’s always kind of funny. How do I put that on my résumé? I came back and finished my HCC degree after I had my master’s degree. There were just some classes that I really wanted to take, like Spanish, site assessment, and aquatic ecology. Before I knew it, I only needed one more class, so I finished.”

CCPI-STEM is based at Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Md.

United Way of Pioneer Valley Launches VolunteerConnect

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — The United Way of Pioneer Valley will launch VolunteerConnect, a program of community events, workshops, and services that connect volunteers with opportunities in the Pioneer Valley.

As part of VolunteerConnect, UWPV will share a robust, virtual volunteer platform to match volunteers with open volunteer positions throughout the region. The platform is free to use and can be accessed through United Way’s website at volunteer.uwpv.org.

A VolunteerConnect online learning session will be held today, Feb. 7, from noon to 1 p.m. UWPV will also host a Mix & Mingle today from 5 to 6 p.m. at the United Way Service Center, 1441 Main St., Springfield to celebrate the kickoff of VolunteerConnect, including a live demonstration of the platform.

“Volunteerism is one of the most powerful resources at our disposal,” said Megan Moynihan, UWPV’s interim president and CEO. “We’re excited to leverage technology in the form of a volunteer portal, along with in-person workshops and events, to help area nonprofits connect with those who want to help.”

Registration is free and available through Eventbrite by clicking here.

Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast Announces Leadership Summit

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Daily News

AGAWAM — The Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast will bring back its Leadership Summit on Wednesday, April 10 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

Last year’s event drew more than 500 attendees from organizations across New England to hear keynote presenters and leadership experts provide guidance on the new core competencies for today’s people leaders. This year’s program will feature three keynote presenters, including George Kalogridis, retired president of Walt Disney World Resort, and Daryl Dixon, author and award-winning diversity practitioner.

John Henderson, director of Learning & Development at EANE, believes that “one of the most important things an organization can do today to achieve success is to make an investment in their people leaders. They are critical to employee engagement, productivity, and building a culture that will help deliver optimal customer service. This is not an option. If you want to hit revenue targets and drive innovation, you need to develop your leaders.”

Click here for the full agenda for EANE’s Leadership Summit 2024 and early-bird pricing.

Kitchens by Curio to Celebrate 50 Years in Business on Feb. 14

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — Frank Nataloni, co-owner of Kitchens by Curio, announced that he and his brother, Curio, will be celebrating 50 years in business on Wednesday, Feb. 14. For nearly 40 years of that time, they have been located at their showroom at 1045 Boston Road, Springfield.

Founded on Feb. 14, 1974 by Curio Nataloni, Kitchens by Curio has grown into a multi-generational business, which includes Curio’s brother, Frank, and now Curio’s son, Michael.

During that time, Frank became one of the few designers in the area who is not only a certified kitchen designer (CKD), but also a certified bath designer (CBD). He also taught interior design classes at Bay Path University (then Bay Path College).

Over the years, the duo has won many awards. They are five-time national award winners in the CKD competition, two-time CKD award winners (Maytag & Wilson Art), and recipients of House Beautiful’s Kitchen of the Year accolade.

The brothers were also able to secure a contract to be the only kitchen and bath designer in New England with access to ProKitchen VR Oculus software, with the ability to change cabinet door styles and finishes, flooring, countertops, wall colors and more in virtual-reality glasses.

“A lot has changed over the years,” Frank said. “When my brother founded the company in ’74, he was building cabinets in our parent’s basement part-time. The technology has significantly evolved, particularly with appliances. Styles have changed dozens of times over the years, and some of them are starting to come back again. But the two things that never changed were our dedication to quality and customer service.”

Liz Larson Named Interim Executive Director of Amherst BID

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Daily News

AMHERST — Liz Larson, currently director of Operations at the Amherst Business Improvement District (BID), has been named interim executive director, effective Feb. 26.

Larson has been with the BID for six years and has worked closely with departing Executive Director Gabrielle Gould, creating events for the community, revitalizing downtown, and ensuring the health of the BID’s finances. She is the creative force behind the Makers’ Market at the annual Sip and Shop Stroll and the recently launched “Take a Dino to Dinner” campaign.

“Liz stepping into the interim job is perfect. She has worked with Gabrielle every step of the way and shares her passion and commitment to the downtown, our small businesses, and this community,” Amherst BID President Barry Roberts said. “She is incredibly creative and detail-oriented. We have been lucky to work with her thus far, and we know our immediate future is on solid ground with Liz.”

Gould added that “Liz has been such a great co-worker, co-conspirator, and co-creative. We developed many great concepts over the years. She is launching a new Amherst retail destination campaign soon, among other ideas. I have been so very lucky to work with Liz and could not think of a better person to take the helm. I know I leave the BID in a great place with great leadership on the board of directors and Liz.”

With a background in arts administration and nonprofit management, Larson moved to Amherst with her family in 2007 and has been active in the community, serving on several boards and committees, including professional growth objectives for the public schools and the city’s Participatory Budgeting Commission. She is currently a trustee and board treasurer for the Amherst Historical Society. Prior to moving to Amherst, she spent 20 years in New York and Tokyo.

“It has been such a joy to be part of the BID team, advocating for and creating a downtown that is welcoming and attractive to our entire community,” Larson said. “Plans are already underway for the summer concerts in July and the block party in September. I am also looking forward to continuing to work closely with our partners at the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce and the Visitors’ Information Center.”

AIC Unveils Transformed Saremi Center for Career Development

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Daily News

SPRINGFIELD — K. Kevin Saremi has been a steadfast supporter of American International College (AIC) since his graduation with an MBA in 1983. Saremi and his wife, Deborah, who met as students at AIC, have both expressed appreciation for the support they received from what was then the College’s Placement Center.

In 2010, the Saremis demonstrated their commitment to the college with a substantial gift to create opportunities for future graduates. In recognition of their generosity, AIC renamed its Career Services Center as the Saremi Center for Career Development. The Saremi Center plays a pivotal role in offering guidance, tools, and resources for career success, both during and after a student’s tenure at AIC.

In late 2023, the Saremis reaffirmed their dedication to the college with a generous donation to modernize the Saremi Center. This recent contribution funded a refurbishment of the center’s space as well as supporting program enhancements. As AIC adapts to evolving workforce and student requirements, the Saremis’ benevolence remains a cornerstone of support for student success.

Beyond their philanthropic endeavors, Saremi co-founded and operates the real-estate firm Saremi LLP with his wife. He serves as the president of Future Health, an educational company focused on health and wellness, and holds the position of chairman of the board at Insurance for Students. Additionally, he is the founder and former CEO of Consolidated Health Plans in Springfield.

Having served as a trustee of AIC since 2006, Saremi currently holds key positions, functioning as the vice chair of the board, vice chair of the executive committee, and chair of the finance, pension, and insurance committee.

Friends of Children Inc. Announces New Leadership

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Daily News

NORTHAMPTON — Friends of Children Inc. (FOC) announced it has appointed new leadership at the organization beginning Feb. 1.

Debi Belkin, MSW, LICSW and Sarah Segura, MSW, LCSW will be the new co-executive directors of the nonprofit organization that works to support children and young adults whose lives have been affected by the child-welfare system. Belkin and Segura are both current employees of the organization.

“After a long search process and evaluation of the needs of Friends of Children, the board is very excited to endorse this new leadership model,” said Jo-anne Vanin, president of the board of Friends of Children Inc. “With the appointment of Debi and Sarah, we have the benefits of Debi’s extensive knowledge and professional experience coupled with Sarah’s new perspective, energy, and commitment to serving our children and families.”

Belkin has more than 40 years of experience advocating for court-involved children and adolescents in Massachusetts, including more than 30 years as a supervisor at the Department of Children and Families. She has most recently been the director of Programs at FOC.

Segura has been with FOC since 2021, sharing her experience in advocacy, case management, and program development, as well as a passion for working with individuals and families of diverse cultural backgrounds. She has most recently been the CASA program manager at FOC.

This new co-directorship comes after the organization’s founder, Jane Lyons, retired in July 2023.

Berkshire Bank Foundation Announces Nearly $2.5 Million in Philanthropy in 2023

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Daily News

BOSTON — Berkshire Bank announced that nearly $2.5 million in philanthropic investments were provided from its foundation in 2023 to support more than 500 nonprofit organizations. During the fourth quarter, more than $642,000 in grants and scholarships were awarded to foster upward economic mobility, support overall well-being, and enhance opportunities for individual success in the communities the bank serves.

During 2023, more than 500 local nonprofits received grants to assist with a range of critical projects in the areas of health and wellness, housing, food insecurity, and economic enrichment. The Berkshire Bank Foundation is committed to supporting programs that work toward providing equitable opportunities for economic prosperity. In addition, it supports programs that align with Berkshire Bank’s Center for Women, Wellness, and Wealth.

“The foundation is inspired by many nonprofits making a daily impact,” said Lori Gazzillo Kiely, director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation. “We are proud to contribute to those in need and help organizations providing vital services to the communities that Berkshire Bank serves.”

BusinessTalk with Hayley Dunn, 2024 president of the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Road Race

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Business Talk Podcast

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 199: February 5, 2024

George Interviews Hayley Dunn, 2024 president of the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Road Race

Hayley Dunn

The Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Road Race are traditions in the Paper City and across the 413. They are events, but they are much more than that. They bring families and communities together, and they are economic engines — for Holyoke, but also the entire region. On the next episode of BusinessTalk, contributing writer George O’Brien talks with Hayley Dunn, 2024 president of the parade and road race, about all this and much more. They discuss everything from who’s in charge of the weather — the grand marshal — to having the parade on St. Patrick’s Day itself. But mostly, they talk about all that goes into putting these events on, and how the suspense builds in the weeks and days leading up to March 17. It’s must listening, so tune in to BusinessTalk, a podcast presented by BusinessWest and sponsored by PeoplesBank.

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