American International College’s Old Science Building will receive laboratory upgrades through a $375,000 Massachusetts Life Sciences Center grant, supporting enhanced learning opportunities for students in life sciences programs.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Students at American International College (AIC) will have expanded opportunities for hands-on learning, skill development, and career preparation in the Commonwealth's growing life sciences industry thanks to a $375,000 grant from the Massachusetts Life
American International College Provost Michael Dodge, EdD (right), accepts an inaugural Commonwealth Pride Award from State Representative Patricia Duffy (left) during a ceremony hosted by the Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus at the Massachusetts State House on June 17, 2026.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — American International College (AIC) celebrates Provost Michael Dodge, EdD, who received an inaugural Commonwealth Pride Award from the Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus during a ceremony at the For Immediate ReleaseMedia Contact:Alison Skratt, Corporate CommunicationsCommunications@BeaconBank.com413.769.6007
SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts, July 30, 2026 — Beacon Bank and the bank’s foundation invested more than $600,000 in its communities through charitable giving to over 180 nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont from April to June.
“Our commitment is to support the organizations making a difference where we live and work,” said Jim Left to Right: Monson Savings Bank President & CEO Dan Moriarty; Brian Feeley, Board President of Miracle League of Western Massachusetts; Sue-Ann Hilton, Miracle League of Western Massachusetts Board of Directors and Media Relations; and Monson Savings Bank Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Michael Rouette.
Monson, MA – Demonstrating its ongoing commitment to supporting organizations that strengthen local communities, Monson Savings Bank recently donated $1,000 to the Miracle League of Monson Savings Bank representatives, Corinne Sawyer, Vice President & Business Development Officer (far left); Kandy Tranghese, Senior Vice President & CFO (center); and Aimee Kohn, Business Development Officer (far right), proudly presented the local high school recipients with their scholarships.
Monson, MA – Monson Savings Bank continues its longstanding commitment to supporting education and investing in the future of the communities it serves. This year, the Bank proudly awarded $30,000 in July 27, 2026 - Country Bank has been named to the Forbes list of America’s Best-In-State Banks 2026, ranking in first place in Massachusetts. This prestigious recognition is presented in partnership with Statista, a leading global provider of market data and industry rankings.
The America’s Best-In-State Banks 2026 ranking is based on an independent survey of thousands of U.S. consumers, as well as publicly available reviews. To be eligible, banks and credit unions must have received a minimum Chicopee, MA – Polish National Credit Union (PNCU) proudly welcomes Julianna Johnson as Marketing Specialist. Johnson brings a strong background in digital marketing, content creation, community engagement, and data-driven campaign strategy. Her diverse professional experience and passion for building meaningful relationships will help support PNCU's continued growth and community-focused mission.Johnson has built a diverse career focused on creating connections through strategic communication and Left to right: Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank President & CEO; Shannon Ortona, Monson Savings Bank Ware Branch Manager; Kate Blackwell, Monson Savings Bank Ware Assistant Branch Manager; and Melissa Fales, Executive Director of Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation (QVCDC), during a check presentation at Monson Savings Bank’s Ware branch in support of the 2026 Harrison and Diane Quirk Learn & Save Program.
Monson, MA – Monson Savings Bank is proud to continue its ongoing support of the BOSTON, MA — Today, State Senator Jake Oliveira (D-Ludlow) announced that he successfully secured $5 million to advance the future Palmer Passenger Rail Stop, marking one of the most significant milestones to date for the project and the Commonwealth's West-East Rail initiative. The funding was secured after the Massachusetts Senate adopted Oliveira's amendment to the Senate's $325 million Economic Development Bill (S.3178), An Act relative to economic development in the Commonwealth, passed earlier
Monson Savings Bank’s Kylie LaPlante, Deposit Operations Officer (far left), and Dan Moriarty, President & CEO (far right), proudly present a $10,000 donation to Revitalize CDC representatives, Colleen Shanley-Loveless, President & CEO (center left), and Ethel Griffin, Vice President, Community Engagement (center right).
Monson, MA – Continuing its longstanding commitment to strengthening local communities, Monson Savings Bank proudly donated $10,000 to Revitalize Community Development Corporation
East Longmeadow, MA - ArchitectureEL (AEL) is proud to celebrate Allison Lapierre-Houle’s remarkable milestone of 10 years of service with the firm. Since joining ArchitectureEL on May 31, 2016, Allison has played an integral role in the company's growth, success, and commitment to delivering exceptional service to clients and supporting team members.
Originally hired with the expectation of working 15–20 hours per week, Allison's role quickly evolved as her talents, dedication, and leadership became Left to right: Aimee Kohn, Business Development Officer at Monson Savings Bank; Dan Moriarty, President & CEO of Monson Savings Bank; Greg Schmidt, Co-founder of Magic for Maddie; Nora Schmidt, Co-founder of Magic for Maddie; Michael Rouette, Monson Savings Bank’s Executive Vice President & COO; and Paul Sheparson, Assistant Vice President Digital Systems Officer at Monson Savings Bank.Monson, MA – Monson Savings Bank is proud to support Magic for Maddie with a $3,000 donation as part of its 2026 Community Springfield, Mass. – Live entertainment takes center stage at 52 Sumner as Springfield Performing Arts Ventures, Inc. announces an exciting lineup of concerts, festivals, theatrical productions, and immersive experiences scheduled throughout the summer and fall. From nationally acclaimed musicians and regional music festivals to family-friendly theater and tribute performances, audiences can enjoy a diverse calendar of events designed to bring people together through the arts.Upcoming performances SPRINGFIELD, MA — Kind Hands Adult Social Day Program invites the community to Raise a Glass for Kind Hands, a celebrity bartending fundraiser supporting individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s, dementia, and related cognitive impairments. The event will be held on Thursday, September 24, from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Nathan Bill’s Bar & Restaurant, 110 Island Pond Road in Springfield.
Hosted in partnership with Nathan Bill’s, the evening will bring neighbors, friends, local leaders, and supporters Monson, MA – Monson Savings Bank is proud to announce the promotions of Aimee E. Kohn, Dorian Guidi, and Kylie E. LaPlante, recognizing their dedication, leadership, and commitment to delivering exceptional service to customers and communities throughout the region.Aimee E. Kohn Promoted to Business Development OfficerMonson Savings Bank has promoted Aimee E. Kohn of Belchertown to Business Development Officer.In her role, Kohn works directly with business and municipal customers, supporting all aspects of SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Amie Miarecki, president of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts (JAWM), has been named a finalist for the prestigious Karl Flemke Pioneer Achievement Award for 2026. This distinguished national honor recognizes first-time Junior Achievement presidents who demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation and impact within their local organizations and the broader JA network.
The award will be presented at the Junior Achievement USA® NEXT National Leadership Conference, taking Springfield, MA – Holyoke, Chicopee, Springfield Head Start (HCS Head Start) is investing in the future of early childhood education through Tomorrow's Teachers, a paid internship program designed to introduce individuals to careers in early childhood education while helping address the growing need for qualified educators across the region.Managed by HCS Head Start's Sara Korte-Popp, Tomorrow's Teachers provides participants with hands-on experience in early childhood classrooms while offering mentorship,
Dan Moriarty, Monson Savings Bank’s President and CEO (center), welcomed Kashawn Sanders, President and CEO of Follow My Steps Foundation (left), and Mickey Harris, Executive Director/CEO of Springfield Partners for Community Action (right), to Monson Savings Bank’s Loan and Operations Center. Monson, MA – Monson Savings Bank is proud to announce that two organizations it nominated for the Massachusetts Bankers Association Charitable Foundation's 2025 Community Grants Program—Follow My Steps Foundation
Pioneer Valley Financial Charitable Fund Donates $10,000 to Support TJO Animal Shelter's Response to Parvovirus and Panleukopenia
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The Foundation for TJO Animals is pleased to announce a generous $10,000 donation from Pioneer Valley Financial Charitable Fund to support the Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center (TJO) as it responds to recent cases of parvovirus and panleukopenia that temporarily disrupted shelter operations.
The gift will provide critical funding to Please join us in welcoming Joe Varnauskas to the Allied Flooring, Paint & Design and Budget Cabinets team!Joe joins us as our new Sales Manager - Outside Sales, where he'll lead our Outside Sales Road Teams, including the Property Management divisions for both Allied Flooring and Budget Cabinets.With more than 25 years of flooring sales management experience, Joe brings a wealth of industry knowledge and leadership to our organization. Throughout his career, he's worked with both residential and commercial Country Bank Honors Dale Mazanec with 2026 President's Platinum Award
Country Bank’s highest employee honor recognizes exceptional leadership, service, and commitment to its core values.July 8, 2026 – Mary McGovern, President and CEO of Country Bank is pleased to announce that Dale Mazanec, First Vice President, Asset Mitigation, has received the 2026 President's Platinum Award, the Bank's highest employee recognition, presented through its Above and Beyond Recognition Same-day WiFi available to Xfinity homes and apartmentsInstant mobile connectivity with millions of WiFi hotspots and 5G accessStream thousands of shows and movies on day one, no equipment required
Moving is one of life’s biggest transitions with equal parts excitement and complexity. Connectivity shouldn’t be another source of stress during a move. Xfinity has some new features focused on getting customers connected quickly so they can get back to what matters most, with their devices and entertainment Xfinity Mobile Launches Mobile Plus and Mobile Select,Redefining Premium Wireless with Lifetime Device Protection Included Premium Mobile Plus Plan Includes Lifetime Device Protection for Any Phone, Tablet, and Smartwatch, Device Upgrades Anytime and Global Travel Pass – In One Simple Industry-Leading Plan Customers Cut Their Mobile Bill in Half When They Switch from the Big Three All Plans Deliver Speeds Up to 1 Gig When Connected to Xfinity WiFi with WiFi PowerBoost and Run on America’s Most Reliable 5G
Most small businesses in the East of the River Five Town communities don't have a large agency retainer to call on. Industry research shows that 71% of businesses with annual revenue under $500,000 spend under $500 monthly on branding — confirming that a meaningful refresh has to fit the reality of lean operations. The good news: the highest-impact moves often cost nothing.The Myth of the Big Marketing Budget
If you've been putting off a brand refresh because it seems expensive, that assumption is When Smart Isn’t Enough — Why Risk Still Rules
Even the sharpest founders can lose their footing when uncertainty strikes. Markets pivot. Regulations tighten. A key employee vanishes just before launch. Risk management isn’t about paranoia—it’s about precision. It’s the discipline of knowing what could go wrong and ensuring it doesn’t derail what’s going right.Snapshot
If you only read this part, remember this: smart founders manage risk through structure, not instinct. The most resilient businesses do
In the relentless pace of today’s business world, the ability to refine and enhance workflows is not just beneficial—it’s essential. Businesses that prioritize strategic workflow improvements can achieve remarkable gains in productivity and growth. By integrating advanced tools and methodologies, companies can streamline operations, reduce inefficiencies, and empower their teams to focus on high-impact tasks. Below, this article delves into innovative strategies that can transform your business processes,
MLSC Continues Investment in Life Sciences at AIC. The $375,000 award builds on a 2024 grant to transform laboratory space and advance life sciences education
AIC Provost Michael Dodge of Holyoke Receives Inaugural Commonwealth Pride Award
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Beacon Bank invests more than $600,000 in local nonprofits
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Monson Savings Bank Donates $1,000 to Miracle League of Western Massachusetts
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Monson Savings Bank Awards $30,000 in Scholarships to Local High School Graduates
Country Bank ranked #1 on Forbes’ Best-In-State Banks
News Release: 7/27/2026
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Monson Savings Bank Donates $5,000 to Quaboag Valley Community Development Corporation Learn & Save Program
Senator Jake Oliveira Secures $5 Million in Funding to Build Palmer Station, Advancing West-East Rail
Monson Savings Bank Donates $10,000 to Revitalize Community Development Corporation
ArchitectureEL Honors a Decade of Dedication, Growth, and Leadership
Monson Savings Bank Donates $3,000 to Magic for Maddie Through Community Giving Initiative
From Ska to Blues to Broadway Favorites: 52 Sumner Unveils Packed Late Summer and Fall Lineup
Raise a Glass for Kind Hands: Community Fundraiser to Support Families Living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Monson Savings Bank Announces the Promotions of Aimee E. Kohn, Dorian Guidi, & Kylie E. LaPlante
President of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts named finalist for the prestigious Karl Flemke Pioneer Achievement Award
HCS Head Start Launches Tomorrow's Teachers Program to Build the Next Generation of Early Childhood Educators
Monson Savings Bank-Nominated Organizations Receive $5,000 Grants Through Massachusetts Bankers Association Charitable Foundation
Pioneer Valley Financial Charitable Fund Donates $10,000 to Support TJO Animal Shelter's Response to Parvovirus and Panleukopenia
Allied Flooring, Paint & Design and Budget Cabinets Welcomes Joe Varnauskas to the Team!
Country Bank Honors Dale Mazanec with 2026 President's Platinum Award
Moving Season Made Easier: How Xfinity Helps You Stay Seamlessly Connected
Xfinity Mobile Launches Mobile Plus and Mobile Select, Redefining Premium Wireless with Lifetime Device Protection Included
Brand Refresh on a Budget: What Actually Works for Small Businesses in Western Massachusetts
Resilient by Design: Practical Risk Management for Small Business Owners
Drive Growth with These Intelligent Workflow Adjustments
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