SPRINGFIELD — The second installment of the BusinessWest lecture series Future Tense, titled “What Got You Here Might Not Get You There: Mistakes Business Owners Make Before and After Retirement,” will take place on Thursday, May 17 from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Tech Foundry, 1391 Main St., ninth floor, Springfield.

The lecture, open exclusively to CEOs and business owners, will be delivered by Amy Jamrog, wealth management advisor with the Jamrog Group. The cost is a $25 donation to Tech Foundry. Event sponsors include Paragus IT, the Jamrog Group, and Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C.

Do you feel like you’re doing a good job running your company, but wonder if you should be doing more? Are you as prepared as you could be for the eventual sale of the business? Are you willing to delay some tax gratification now for a more efficient retirement later? Are you focused on accumulation, but forgetting about the equally important decumulation strategy when it comes to your wealth? How do you take care of yourself, impact your community, and provide legacy for the family — and is it possible to do it all? Hear about proactive strategies to align your team of advisors and get you best equipped for your future.

Metered street parking is available near the venue, and there are several parking-garage options nearby as well. To register, visit businesswest.com/lecture-series.

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Community College (HCC) is co-sponsoring a community arts celebration at the Race Street Gallery in downtown Holyoke on Saturday, May 5 from 2 to 7 p.m., featuring the artwork of Holyoke youths alongside that of nationally known ceramic artists and printmakers. The event, titled “Celebrate Arts and Community,” will include demonstrations, hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and food.

“We really want it to be a community celebration,” said HCC ceramics instructor Adero Willard, one of the event organizers. “It’s really about creating a connection between HCC and the Holyoke community through the arts.”

Arts instructors and students from HCC have been working with groups of girls from Girls Inc. of Holyoke to create ceramic sculptures for the event based on the themes of immigration and migration. Artists Daniel Ricardo Teran and Ahrong Kim from Philadelphia, Salvador Jimenez-Flores and Nora Valdez from Boston, and Cynthia Consentino, an adjunct professor at HCC, will be in the gallery to display and discuss their work.

“We chose these people because their work all deals with some kind of cultural exploration, cultural identity, or personal narrative,” Willard said.

Jimenez-Flores will be leading a printmaking workshop using a modified tortilla press from 3 to 5 p.m. And visitors can sit at a spinning wheel and try their hand at making their own ceramic bowl through the Pots on Wheels truck, which will be parked outside the gallery on Race Street.

The event is being co-sponsored by Florence-based Plunge Arts, Pots on Wheels, Girls Inc., and HCC, with a grant from Mass Humanities.

AGAWAM — The Local Farmer Awards, funded by a group of philanthropic leaders and businesses, recently gave $135,000 in awards to 59 farmers operating in Western Mass. to fund infrastructure improvements on their farms. Each award winner received up to $2,500 through a competitive application process for projects that will help them expand their businesses, compete in the marketplace, and continue providing the health and environmental benefits of local farming.

Now in its fourth year, the awards have increased the number of farmers supported, from 33 in the first year to 59 this year, thanks to 10 funders, including Big Y and the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, along with a team of sponsors: HP Hood LLC, Friendly’s, PeoplesBank, Springfield Sheraton Monarch Place, Ann and Steve Davis, Baystate Health, Farm Credit East, and Florence Bank.

More than half of the award winners have been in business no more than 10 years. “Western Massachusetts’ agricultural roots run deep, and we have long been known as one of the primary growing regions in New Englandm” said Charlie D’Amour, president and chief operating officer of Big Y. “Today, alongside families who have been farming for generations, a new crop of young farming families and entrepreneurs are continuing this fine tradition. At Big Y, we are pleased to continue our own 80-plus year tradition of supporting these farmer families by joining with the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation and other sponsors to provide grants and opportunities for this important part of our region’s economy and culture.”

Matthew Bannister, first vice president for marketing and innovation at PeoplesBank, a new sponsor for 2018, added that “PeoplesBank is proud to support our local farmers and their innovative ideas. We congratulate the awardees and thank the entire local farming community for their efforts.”

The four counties of Western Massachusetts feature an abundance of farms; more than 800 farms in the region have sales greater than $10,000 — a requirement for the award application.

Recognizing that agriculture is such a strong regional force, Harold Grinspoon founded the Local Farmer Awards four years ago. “I have so much enjoyed being part of the Local Farmer Awards program,” he said. “Farmers are amazing — so hardworking and industrious. It is an absolute pleasure to get to know them.”

Berkshire Grown and Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, advocates for farming and agriculture in the region, have provided advice and support for this program since its inception. A farmer appreciation event will be held in late fall 2018 to recognize all applicants and promote the importance of local agriculture. For a list of the award winners with their project titles, click here.

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest is looking for nominees for its fourth Continued Excellence Award, and will accept nominations through Monday, May 14. The winner of the award will be unveiled at the magazine’s 40 Under Forty gala on Thursday, June 21.

Three years ago, BusinessWest inaugurated the award to recognize past 40 Under Forty honorees who had significantly built on their achievements since they were honored. The first two winners were Delcie Bean, president of Paragus Strategic IT, and Dr. Jonathan Bayuk, president of Allergy and Immunology Associates of Western Mass. and chief of Allergy and Immunology at Baystate Medical Center. Both were originally named to the 40 Under Forty class of 2008. Last year, the judges chose two winners: Scott Foster, an attorney with Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas (40 Under Forty class of 2011); and Nicole Griffin, owner of Griffin Staffing Network (class of 2014).

“So many 40 Under Forty honorees have refused to rest on their laurels,” said Kate Campiti, associate publisher of BusinessWest. “Once again, we want to honor those who continue to build upon their strong records of service in business, within the community, and as regional leaders.”

Candidates must hail from 40 Under Forty classes prior to the year of the award — in this case, classes 2007-17 — and will be judged on qualities including outstanding leadership, dedicated community involvement, professional achievement, and ability to inspire. The award’s presenting sponsor is Northwestern Mutual.

The nomination form is available at businesswest.com/40-under-forty-continued-excellence-award. For your convenience, a list of the past 11 40 Under Forty classes may be found at businesswest.com/40-under-forty/40-under-forty-past-honorees.

SPRINGFIELD — A May Day Celebration, a community event to promote the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts’ Valley Gives and programs and services provided by Dress for Success Western Massachusetts, will be held on Tuesday, May 1.

This event, set to take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine, at One Financial Plaza in downtown Springfield, is a way for people to learn more about Dress for Success and contribute to the organization on Valley Gives Day (www.valley-gives.org).

The community is invited to come out and participate. All first-time donors to Dress for Success Western Massachusetts on Valley Gives Day will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $1,000, thanks to donation from Northwestern Mutual. In addition, the first 20 people will receive a May Day basket.

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) will offer a 10-week course this summer for students who want to start a career as a sterile processing technician.

The Sterile Process Technician credit certification course, which runs June 4 to Aug. 8, will be taught Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m. on the STCC campus, Building 20, Room 334.

The course teaches students vital infection-control techniques to keep hospitals and other medical facilities, as well as surgical instruments, safe and free from the spread of diseases, said Christopher Scott, dean of the School of Health and Patient Simulation.

Subjects covered will include the latest advancements in sterilization processes and anatomy, physiology, microbiology, instrumentation, decontamination, and infection control. Instructors will demonstrate different forms of sterilization. In addition, the training will include a clinical practicum to help students get actual experience in the field.

The six-credit course will prepare students to sit for the SPD Technician Certification Exam and can assist students in getting qualifications to work in a hospital, clinic, or other type of medical center.

For more information about the course and how to get started, e-mail the School of Health & Patient Simulation at [email protected] or call (413) 755-7477. To register for this course, contact the Registrar’s Office at (413) 755-4321 or visit Building 15, first floor.

AMHERST — Today, April 26, from 5 to 7 p.m., the Offshore Wind Energy Program annual student poster session will take place in the Hadley Room, 10th Floor, Campus Center, at UMass Amherst.

The 21 posters this year represent an interdisciplinary look at the engineering, environmental, and policy aspects of offshore wind energy, said Jody Lally, program manager. Student research topics include an ultrasonic whistle for use as a bat deterrent on wind turbines, for example, and a model of breeding bald eagles in Maine.

Other posters discuss such factors as what the public thinks about offshore wind energy, design of floating offshore wind farms, overcoming environmental permitting obstacles, offshore energy storage, and the response of juvenile lemon sharks to electric fields produced by a power cable across a tidal mangrove creek.

There will be light refreshments, a cash bar, and the opportunity to speak informally with students and faculty about their wind-energy research.

SPRINGFIELD — Expanding its presence on the East Coast, MGM Resorts International will open the doors to MGM Springfield, New England’s first integrated luxury resort and entertainment destination, on Friday, Aug. 24, the company reported.

“A testament to a decade of collaboration between the city of Springfield and MGM Resorts, MGM Springfield will pay tribute to the city’s legacy and celebrate its bright future, while introducing a stellar array of hospitality and entertainment experiences that will attract guests from New England and beyond,” said Michael Mathis, president of MGM Springfield. “We are incredibly proud to debut what we believe will become the region’s premier entertainment destination and play a role in an exciting renaissance for Springfield.”

Added Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, “I look forward to working with MGM Springfield for many years to come. They’re a world-class company and an outstanding corporate citizen. I deeply appreciate their belief and investment in our Springfield. I wish them continued success as we create another Springfield first.”

GREENFIELD — Baystate Franklin Medical Center announced that two interim leaders have accepted permanent positions at the community hospital.

Ron Bryant has been named president, Baystate Franklin Medical Center/Northern Region, in addition to his continued role as president, Baystate Noble Hospital. Deb Provost has been named chief nursing officer and chief administrative officer, Baystate Franklin Medical Center/Northern Region, in addition to her continued role as chief regulatory officer, Baystate Health. Both have been serving in these roles in an interim capacity.

Since Bryant’s interim appointment in January, he has held many open forums focusing on employee engagement and the need for a strong collaborative culture, advancing system integration and re-emphasizing the health system’s mission from a patient and employee perspective.

“I am thrilled to be part of Baystate Franklin Medical Center and the Franklin County community,” he said. “I have spent my career in community hospitals, and I look forward to advancing the initiative of this organization.”

Provost has been serving in the interim role of vice president of Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer at Baystate Franklin since November. Since her appointment, she has worked collaboratively with Baystate Franklin Medical Center’s leaders and team members to help ensure safe, high-quality care to the residents of Franklin County. Provost has been with Baystate Health for 41 years and has served as vice president, Surgery and Anesthesia and as interim chief nursing officer at Baystate Medical Center.

Nancy Shendell-Falik, president of Baystate Medical Center and senior vice president for Hospital Operations, Baystate Health, said that “Ron’s many years of experience leading community hospitals, combined with Deb’s longstanding dedication to our employees, will provide Baystate Franklin Medical Center with leadership who are committed to supporting our employees, patients, and community.”

WESTFIELD — Westfield Technical Academy students, along with United Way of Pioneer Valley’s (UWPV) Youth Generate program, have organized a blood drive with the Red Cross on Thursday, April 26, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Westfield Technical Academy.

Youth Generate challenges young people across the region to imagine what they can do as volunteers to help their neighbors and improve their communities. The Westfield vocational students’ solution was to host this blood drive, at a time when blood supplies are critically low. For other groups of young people, projects have included park cleanups, senior-citizen services, and donation drives for underprivileged youths.

Youth Generate student volunteers are managing the event and registering donors. The general public is invited to donate in order to increase the preparedness of local hospitals.

UWPV has sponsored the spring blood drive (one of two biannual blood drives) for the past five years, as part of its general mission to secure the basic needs of the community and promote youth volunteerism.

“This event is always a great success in the community,” said volunteer coordinator Chris Woods. “In the past, blood that’s been donated from this event has been used to save approximately 130 lives.”

To learn more about Youth Generate or other UWPV volunteer opportunities, visit uwpv.org/volunteer.

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) has once again earned an ‘A’ from the Leapfrog Group for its efforts in protecting patients from harm and meeting the highest safety standards in the U.S.

The Leapfrog Group, a Washington D.C.-based organization aiming to improve healthcare quality and safety for consumers and purchasers, released the new Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, which assign an A, B, C, D, or F grade to hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, infections, and other harms among patients in their care. Holyoke Medical Center was one of 750 awarded an ‘A’ for its commitment to keeping patients safe.

“This is the fifth consecutive ‘A’ grade Holyoke Medical Center has received from the Leapfrog Group. Our commitment to patient safety and providing the highest quality of care is unwavering. This recognition is in large part due to our exemplary team of professionals, who provide excellent care every day to every patient,” said Spiros Hatiras, president and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems Inc.

Developed under the guidance of an expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to approximately 2,500 U.S. hospitals twice per year. The data is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public.

SPRINGFIELD — BusinessWest is looking for nominees for its fourth Continued Excellence Award, and will accept nominations through Monday, May 14. The winner of the award will be unveiled at the magazine’s 40 Under Forty gala on Thursday, June 21.

Three years ago, BusinessWest inaugurated the award to recognize past 40 Under Forty honorees who had significantly built on their achievements since they were honored. The first two winners were Delcie Bean, president of Paragus Strategic IT, and Dr. Jonathan Bayuk, president of Allergy and Immunology Associates of Western Mass. and chief of Allergy and Immunology at Baystate Medical Center. Both were originally named to the 40 Under Forty class of 2008. Last year, the judges chose two winners: Scott Foster, an attorney with Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas (40 Under Forty class of 2011); and Nicole Griffin, owner of Griffin Staffing Network (class of 2014).

“So many 40 Under Forty honorees have refused to rest on their laurels,” said Kate Campiti, associate publisher of BusinessWest. “Once again, we want to honor those who continue to build upon their strong records of service in business, within the community, and as regional leaders.”

Candidates must hail from 40 Under Forty classes prior to the year of the award — in this case, classes 2007-17 — and will be judged on qualities including outstanding leadership, dedicated community involvement, professional achievement, and ability to inspire. The award’s presenting sponsor is Northwestern Mutual.

The nomination form is available at businesswest.com/40-under-forty-continued-excellence-award. For your convenience, a list of the past 11 40 Under Forty classes may be found at businesswest.com/40-under-forty/40-under-forty-past-honorees.

FLORENCE — Florence Bank has promoted three employees to oversee the management of branches within their designated regions. Elissa Langevin has been named vice president and area manager for the bank’s main office in Florence, Lee McCarthy will serve as vice president and area manager for the King Street office in Northampton, and Shelley Daughdrill will hold the role of vice president and area manager for the Belchertown branch.

Langevin is a 10-year employee of Florence Bank. Formerly, she was vice president and branch manager of the main office in Florence. During her tenure at the bank, Langevin has been the recipient of Florence Bank’s Community Service Award, which provides recognition to employees who are actively involved in community organizations. She serves as the current treasurer of the Belchertown Day School and has served as a board member for Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts. She has also served as board member and president of the East of the River Five Town Chamber of Commerce.

McCarthy is a 15-year employee of Florence Bank. Formerly, she was vice president and branch manager of the King Street office. During her tenure at the bank, McCarthy has served as consumer lending officer and branch manager. She is a volunteer for the United Way of Hampshire County and serves on its Community Allocation Committee. In 2015, she was recognized by the United Way as an honoree for the Community Champion Award, presented to a community member who has made a significant contribution to the organization’s mission of creating positive and lasting change in Hampshire County.

Daughdrill is a 12-year employee of Florence Bank. Formerly, she served as vice president and branch manager of the Amherst and Belchertown offices. She has been the recipient of the bank’s President’s Award and Community Service Award. She is a board member, attendance chair, and auction committee member for the Amherst Rotary Club, and she also serves on the development committee for the Amherst Survival Center.

“We are pleased to recognize these dedicated staff members for outstanding performance, reliability, and expert knowledge.” Bank President and CEO John Heaps Jr. said.

NORTHAMPTON — In the past year, millions of people have become more aware of ALS, but did you know ALS robs people of the ability to walk, speak, or even breathe within as little as two to five years?

You can help put a stop to this devastating disease by participating in the ALS Assoc. Massachusetts Chapter Walk to Defeat ALS on Saturday, May 12 at Look Park in Northampton. Registration begins at 9 a.m., followed by the walk at 10:30 a.m. To register, visit walktodefeatals.org.

SPRINGFIELD — Spacelabs Healthcare, a Snoqualmie, Wash.-based medical-equipment manufacturer, recently unveiled a $720,000 investment in the UMass Center at Springfield’s nursing laboratory.

The state-of-the-art Spacelabs equipment includes two Sonicaid fetal/maternal monitors, ambulatory blood-pressure monitors, multiple nursing monitors, and invasive cardiac outputs that will benefit the UMass Amherst College of Nursing’s accelerated bachelor of science in nursing program, which serves as a pipeline for rained nurses into the region’s healthcare sector.

Area public officials, hospital administrators, and UMass alumni joined UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy, Spacelabs President Sujit Kumar, and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno for the grand opening of the newly expanded nursing lab.

The event provided an opportunity to show hospital and community leaders the investment Spacelabs has made in the Springfield and UMass community. The equipment will be primarily used by UMass Amherst nursing students in the accelerated program, which is based in Springfield.

“It’s exciting that Spacelabs understand the benefits of investing in the College of Nursing,” Subbaswamy said. “Nurses are at the frontline of healthcare, using these tools extensively. By providing our students with access to this equipment and fostering faculty research partnerships, Spacelabs has created an opportunity to develop the best possible healthcare-management tools while contributing to our students’ educational experience and job training.”

NORTHAMPTON — The Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce has launched a program that rewards people with merit points for shopping at local businesses. Individuals who sign up for Valley Placemaker online or in person during April are eligible to win one of four $50 Northampton gift cards.

One unique aspect of the Valley Placemaker program allows shoppers to redeem their merits for prizes at any of the roughly 25 participating Valley Placemaker businesses — not necessarily at those in which they shopped.

“It doesn’t take long to earn enough merits to redeem them for really cool stuff,” explained Suzanne Beck, executive director of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce.

Beck said the program is aimed at giving people another reason to shop in their own communities and combating the urge to buy online. “We have a lot of residents in this region who are passionate about our local, independent businesses. We are excited to bring them the opportunity to get rewarded for the loyalty they show as local consumers.”

To create a Valley Placemaker rewards account, shoppers can go to www.valleyplacemaker.com  and follow the simple steps that are outlined. Alternatively, people can sign up in person at Thornes Marketplace on April 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside the front entrance. Volunteers will assist in the sign-up process and provide information about the program. Each week in April, new Valley Placemaker participants will be entered to win a $50 Northampton gift card.

Shoppers will earn 20 merits on their first visit to a participating store.