AMHERST — The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce will fete the winners of its A+ Awards at the chamber’s annual dinner on Thursday, Oct. 5 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the UMass Center Ballroom.

This year’s awards winners are the UMass Police/Amherst Police CPTED Team (Community Service Award), Jim Brassord (Community Service Award), Tom Crossman (MVP Award
), Curt Shumway (Lifetime Achievement Award), and Lindsay Barron (Young Professional Award).

For more information and to register, visit amherstarea.com.

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced the launch of a new, statewide public-information campaign to raise awareness among parents about what they can do to protect their middle- and high-school-aged kids from prescription-drug misuse and addiction.

“Parents play an important role in protecting their kids from opioid and substance misuse, and our administration is supporting another tool to begin that conversation and to keep talking — because kids will listen,” said Gov. Charlie Baker. “This public-information campaign adds to our strong foundation of prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery in ending the opioid crisis that has impacted too many families throughout the Commonwealth.”

The prevention campaign, launched with funding from the DPH Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, is titled “Stop Addiction Before It Starts,” and encourages parents to talk early and often with their children about the dangers of misusing prescription pain medications. Four out of five people who use heroin began by misusing prescription pain medications, and one in four teens report they’ve misused or abused a prescription drug at least once. According to the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, kids whose parents talked with them about prescription pain medications were 42% less likely to misuse these drugs than those whose parents didn’t.

“We’ve heard a lot of heartbreaking stories from parents that their kids were introduced to opioids either at parties or through friends, or were prescribed them after a sports-related injury or medical procedure. We want parents to know just how strong their influence is when it comes to helping their kids understand the dangers of prescription-medication misuse,” said state Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “There’s no better time for this message than now, as we head into another school year and another season of school sports.”

The campaign will appear across the state on TV and on digital and paid social-media platforms. Viewers will be directed to mass.gov/stopaddiction for additional information about the importance of talking with teens about opioid misuse, tips on how to start the conversation, further information about opioids including the safe disposal of unused prescription pain pills, and resources for treatment and recovery.

“When we spoke with parents in preparation for this campaign, they told us they understood the dangers of opioid addiction, but some weren’t sure how to start an ongoing conversation with their kids about those dangers,” said state Public Health Commissioner Dr. Monica Bharel. “This campaign is designed to educate and empower parents with the facts about opioid misuse and to provide them with real-life tips on how to talk to their kids.”

In the coming months, a new phase of the “Stop Addiction Before It Starts” campaign will focus specifically on reaching parents of Hispanic middle- and high-school-age kids. According to the most recent DPH data report, while the majority of opioid-related deaths continue to occur among white residents (82% of deaths), there is a rising burden of opioid-related deaths among Hispanic residents.

Parents can find information about treatment for opioid-use disorder by calling the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline at (800) 327-5050 or by visiting www.helplinema.org.

SPRINGFIELD — The Chicopee Savings Bank Charitable Foundation recently presented Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts with a donation of $1,000 to support its boutique operations.

“Dress for Success provides a tremendous service to women in our community who are working toward achieving financial independence,” said William Wagner, president of Chicopee Savings Bank Charitable Foundation. “We are very pleased to offer our support to this important work.”

Located at the Eastfield Mall in Springfield, the Dress for Success boutique outfits women who are referred by social-service agencies and other organizations, as they prepare for job interviews and career enhancement opportunities.

“If our community is to achieve true economic success, we need a workforce that is prepared in every way,” said Dawn Creighton, president of Dress for Success. “We couldn’t be more grateful for the support of organizations like the Chicopee Savings Bank Charitable Foundation who understand and appreciate the need for our programs and services.”

CHICOPEE — Elms College will host a screening and discussion of the documentary Alzheimer’s: Every Minute Counts on Thursday, Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. in the Library Theater. The public is invited to attend. A reception will precede the screening at 6:30 p.m.

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S.; this currently incurable disease devastates the 5.2 million Americans living with the disease, as well as their friends and families. Alzheimer’s: Every Minute Counts illuminates the social and economic consequences that will face the country unless a medical breakthrough is discovered.

“The screening will be a nice kickoff to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” said Associate Professor of Nursing Janet Moore, who, along with nursing student Molly Sullivan, is co-captaining the Elms Memory Walk Team. That walk will be held on Sunday, Sept. 17 at Holyoke Community College. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and a ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m. The walk will begin at 10 a.m.

Organizing this team is a passion project for Sullivan. “During my time at the Elms, I have been motivated to find ways that allow me to live out the core values of the college and participate in causes I am passionate about,” she said. “Everyone either knows someone or cares for someone living with Alzheimer’s. I have witnessed the impact of this disease from different perspectives, as a nursing student and as the granddaughter of someone who suffered from Alzheimer’s. It is devastating to watch someone you love gradually succumb to this horrible disease.”

She added that “the walk helps to raise awareness about the devastating disease, and money raised helps to fund the search for a cure. More importantly, the walk brings the community together in the fight to end Alzheimer’s and lets those affected know that they are not alone.”

The Elms team’s goal is to raise at least $1,500 to benefit the Alzheimer’s Assoc. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni are invited to walk with the college team. For more information about the walk or to join the team, contact Moore at [email protected] or Sullivan at [email protected].

To register for the film screening, call the Alzheimer’s Assoc. at (800) 272-3900. Those who cannot attend the walk or the screening but would still like to help the cause may make a tax-deductible donation to the team at act.alz.org/goto/elmscollege.

AGAWAM — The West of the River Chamber of Commerce’s annual September Business Breakfast will feature an Agawam mayoral business debate. The breakfast event is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 13 at Chez Josef from 7 to 9 a.m.

West Springfield Mayor Will Reichelt will emcee the event and give an economic-development update for the town of West Springfield. The focus of the debate will be on the business platforms each candidate is promoting for the town of Agawam. The first half of the debate will be business-related questions submitted from the public and various chamber members. The second half of the debate will be Lincoln-Douglas style. Each candidate will be able to give brief opening and closing remarks.

Tickets for the breakfast are $35 for chamber members and $45 for non-members. For more information or to register, visit www.westoftheriverchamber.com. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

SPRINGFIELD — Finding the next big thing or a historic old thing is now easier than ever. The Springfield Central Cultural District (SCCD) has launched an app version of its Cultural Walking Tour.

The walking tour, first introduced in the summer of 2015, is a tool designed to be used by visitors or residents to learn more about the city’s architectural, historic, and cultural highlights. Printed maps are available at attractions and the visitor’s center, and a video map is hosted on springfieldculture.org, but until now, it wasn’t possible to access easily on your phone.

Easily found by searching ‘Springfield Cultural Tour’ in the App Store or Google Play, visitors and residents alike can learn something new about the Cultural District and its assets. Public art; attractions like the Armory, Springfield Museums, and Basketball Hall of Fame; and architectural and historic points of interest have background information and video that are accessible from the app, which is based in Google Maps. Users can choose what they’re interested in and sort points of interest.

“As people walk around, they can see themselves moving through the app. What we couldn’t do before this existed was point out the HH Richardson Courthouse or the Sol Lewitt mural without being on site with a visitor. Now they can see it in real time, and navigate directly there on their own schedule,” said Morgan Drewniany, SCCD director.

The app was designed to not only engage a changing demographic in and around Springfield to appreciate their surroundings, but to help shed light on little-known assets within the downtown and orient visitors not familiar with the area. Paper maps will continue to be available alongside the app.

The project was funded by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Additional support was provided by the city of Springfield, the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and the Springfield Business Improvement District.

AGAWAM — Survivor Journeys is seeking licensed facilitators for two blood-cancer support groups, a breast-cancer group, and an all-cancers group. Plans are also in the works to start a caregiver support group and a young-adult group. Groups typically meet once a month in the evening at various locations in Western Mass. and Northern Conn. Ideas for other support groups are welcome as well.

Survivor Journeys provides social and emotional support services to cancer survivors, their families, and caregivers. Services are built on collaboration with local providers and cancer survivors, along with regional and nationally recognized cancer organizations. The organization was founded by Dr. Jay Burton, medical director and founder of the Primary Care Cancer Survivor Program of Western New England.

For more information or to volunteer, visit www.survivorjourneys.org, e-mail [email protected], or call (413) 276-6100.

LONGMEADOW — Bay Path University’s master’s of science degree in applied data science was ranked 12th in a list of the top 50 data-science programs nationwide by www.onlinecoursereport.com. Rankings were based on a combination of affordability, flexibility, and student support services.

The article highlights the low student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1 at Bay Path. It also makes reference to the university’s WiSH (Women in STEM Honors) program, which offers a four-year curriculum consisting of integrated and advanced study and research for women at the undergraduate level dedicated to becoming scientists. The university is also home to the Center of Excellence for Women in STEM, providing professional development, networking, and mentorship opportunities for students and professional women in STEM fields.

The MS in Applied Data Science is fully online and open to both women and men. The 36-credit program teaches the fundamental principles, platforms, and toolsets of the data-science profession in an accelerated format that can be completed in as little as one year. This rapidly growing career field is well suited to professionals with backgrounds in mathematics, statistics, and business analysis, with graduates achieving such career outcomes as data scientist, data engineer, and more.

GREENFIELD — Michael Tucker, president and CEO of Greenfield Co-operative Bank, announced the promotions of Jessica Laporte to administrative officer and Anthony Worden to senior vice president, commercial loans.

Laporte has been with the bank since 2013, and in her new role, she is primarily responsible for directing Bank Secrecy Act and fraud-monitoring efforts. She has more than 16 years of banking experience and is currently completing her bachelor’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University. She is based in the bank’s King Street, Northampton office.

Worden has been with Greenfield Co-operative Bank since 2009. He will be primarily responsible for the management of the bank’s commercial-lending efforts. He has more than 18 years of commercial-lending and credit-analysis experience. He received his bachelor’s and MBA degrees from UMass Amherst and is a graduate of the Banking School at the Wharton School of Business.

NORTH ADAMS — BFAIR (Berkshire Family & Individual Resources) announced the appointment of Michelle Baity as director of Human Resources. A key member of the senior leadership team at BFAIR, Michelle brings significant experience and knowledge to the organization.

Prior to joining BFAIR, Baity’s human-resource experience includes the past 16 years at Berkshire County ARC, most recently serving as assistant director of Human Resources. During her tenure at Berkshire County ARC, she worked in all capacities within the human-resource field, gaining new responsibilities and skills throughout the years. Prior to her work in human resources, her career was dedicated to the field of human services.

“With a strong background in human resources, Michelle will be an asset to the organization,” said Rich Weisenflue, executive director of BFAIR. “In the past several years, BFAIR has seen tremendous growth in programs and employee base. We are looking forward to having Michelle continue to build upon our current employee policies and maintain standards, while evaluating procedure and supporting BFAIR’s continued growth throughout the Berkshires and into the Pioneer Valley.”

Baity holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. She is a 2004 graduate of the Berkshire Leadership Program. She volunteers for the Berkshire Place as a member of its personnel committee, is the past president of the Reid Middle School PTO, and worked on the city of Pittsfield’s Winter Carnival.

PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank announced the addition of a new personalized-image feature on debit cards for customers. All Berkshire Bank consumer and business debit-card customers now have the option to visit the Berkshire Bank website and upload their own photo images — family, friends, pets, or a favorite picture — or choose from a gallery of images to be printed on their card. Business clients have the option of customizing their debit card with their company logo.

“We found that consumers like the ability to customize their own card with an image they select, as we recognize no two customers are alike. Putting a personalized image on their debit card is a unique way to express individual excitement and creativity,” said Tami Gunsch, executive vice president, Retail Banking for Berkshire Bank.

New and existing Berkshire Bank customers can go to www.berkshirebank.com//pixcard and upload their own photo or choose an image from the gallery. Once the image is approved, a new card will be mailed to the customer.

SPRINGFIELD — Single-family home sales were up 5.3% in the Pioneer Valley in July compared to the same time last year, while the median price dropped 1% to $220,000, according to the Realtor Assoc. of Pioneer Valley.

In Franklin County, sales were up 15.4%, while the median price dropped 11.2% from a year earlier. In Hampden County, sales were up 10%, while the median price was up 7.9%. And in Hampshire County, sales fell 8.4% from July 2016, while the median price was down 1.6%.

Sept. 15 will mark United Way of Pioneer Valley’s 23rd Annual Day of Caring.

Day of Caring is the perfect opportunity to help a nonprofit in need of a few extra hands, and gives companies the chance to give back to their local community. It is the largest day of service in the Pioneer Valley, and the United Way wants you to join them.

Day of Caring not only allows companies to give back to their local communities, but many companies also view this as a team-building opportunity where employees can work together and build moral among their staff.

Volunteers are connected to local non-profit agencies to sign up for tasks such as landscaping, painting, gardening, clerical work, and direct community support. There are still many rewarding projects to sign up for in communities throughout Hampden County.

Companies with individuals who would like to participate in Day of Caring should contact the volunteer coordinator at United Way at (413) 693-0236, or [email protected]

SPRINGFIELD — Western New England University will host a northeast regional college fair sponsored by the New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC), on Sept. 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Alumni Healthful Living Center, 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, MA. Representatives from more than 127 colleges and universities will be available to speak with local high school students and their parents, about their respective institutions and the college admission process.

Prior to the start of the fair, Western New England University will host a free 45-minute College and Financial Aid Awareness workshop beginning at 1 p.m. also in the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

“This workshop will give parents and students a great introduction into the entire college search and financial aid process, a process that can get confusing,” said Bryan Gross, vice president for enrollment management and marketing at Western New England University. No registration is required to attend the free workshop.

High school juniors and seniors are encouraged to attend the largest college fair to be held in Western Mass. this fall. A list of all the colleges that have confirmed attendance at this time can be found at wne.edu/become-a-student/visit/college-fair.

SPRINGFIELD — The Professional Women‘s Chamber of Western Mass. (PWC), a division of The Springfield Regional Chamber, will stage its first luncheon of the 2017-2018 season on Sept. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Munich Haus, 13 Center St., Chicopee. Author Kate Clifford Larson will be the keynote speaker.

Larson is the author of three critically acclaimed biographies: Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter (2015), a New York Times best seller and winner of the 2016 Mass Book Award; Bound for the Promised Land: Harriet Tubman, Portrait of an American Hero (2004), optioned by HBO for an Original Movie; and The Assassin’s Accomplice: Mary Surratt and the Plot to Kill Abraham Lincoln (2008).

After earning two degrees from Simmons College in Boston, and an MBA from Northeastern University, Larson pursued a doctorate in American History at the University of New Hampshire, specializing in 19th and 20th century U.S. Women’s and African American history. Passionate about researching and writing about American women’s lives, Larson enjoys the challenges of teasing out life stories from voices that have long been silenced.

“I feel strongly that we must reconnect with the women who helped build and shape this country,” Larson recently wrote, “and by putting women at the center of the story, the world looks very different — more complex, interesting, and colorful.” Larson will speak on the challenges documenting and interpreting the lives and legacies of this diverse group of women.

Tickets are $35 for PWC members, $40 for general admission, and may be purchased at www.springfieldregionalchamber.com. For more information and for discounted student tickets, e-mail Jessica Hill, [email protected].