Hancock Shaker Village refocuses on gardens, farm; adds virtual programs during closure
Pittsfield — Hancock Shaker Village is both a museum and the oldest working farm in the Berkshires. Though the museum is closed — and, like every other business in the country closed due to the pandemic, doesn’t know when it will reopen — HSV made the decision to plant its gardens.
In addition to a working farm with livestock including pigs, goats, cows and sheep, HSV gardens more than 5 acres. Ten years ago, HSV introduced a community-supported agriculture plan that allows the public to buy produce and meat directly from the farm.
“Hancock Shaker Village’s farm and CSA are an essential part of the agricultural landscape of the Berkshires,” Said head gardener Lauren Piotrowski. “We believe it’s vitally important that regional food systems remain intact and strong in the face of the challenges the world is facing today. This is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to local, sustainable food production.”
Typically, most of the garden costs are financed by ticket sales generated by admissions to HSV. With the loss of revenues from coronavirus lockdown orders, HSV is also funding farm operations through creative revenue streams such as Baby Animals Zoom meetings. Sharing the farm and baby animals with the public has prompted HSV to introduce a new, free Facebook livestream called Virtual Farm Friends, which streams from the Shaker barn every Wednesday at 11 a.m.
–E.E.
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1Berkshire to offer virtual presentation on ‘Banking During COVID-19’
Pittsfield — 1Berkshire will hold its second Virtual Town Hall, “Banking During COVD-19,” Friday, May 1, at 10 a.m. Moderated by 1Berkshire president and CEO Jonathan Butler, the panel will include Robert Fraser, president and CEO at MountainOne; Jodi Rathbun-Briggs, senior vice president and chief lending officer at Greylock Federal Credit Union; Gary Moynihan, managing director of Adelson & Company PC; and Dennis Egan, partner at Cohen Kinne Valicenti & Cook.
The panel will share information about the variety of services and support they are providing and the ways in which businesses can prepare and apply for the available resource pools. “With the breadth of partial and, in some cases, incorrect information being spread online, this panel will provide a grounded, factual and intimate look into how businesses across the Berkshires can work with financial institutions to improve their own outlook and bolster their ability to maintain continuity through the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Butler.
The event is free and open to the public but registration is required. For more information or to register, see the Berkshire Edge calendar, or contact 1Berkshire at (413) 499-1600 or info@1berkshire.com.
–E.E.
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CHP Barrington OB/GYN adds certified nurse-midwife to practice
Great Barrington — Community Health Programs’ Barrington OB/GYN has welcomed Gretchen Chase-Rey, CNM, to its practice.
Chase-Rey has worked since 2015 as a certified nurse-midwife, practicing at a federally qualified health center in Flint, Michigan, and at a hospital-based medical practice in that area. Prior to becoming a certified nurse-midwife, she worked as a registered nurse at a Michigan hospital, focusing on labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum care. She also worked for many years as a licensed practical nurse in various health care settings. In an earlier career, she worked as an exercise physiologist in a Kentucky-based Toyota plant’s wellness center.
Chase-Rey earned her master’s degree in nursing from the Frontier Nursing University in 2014; she earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing at Indiana State University in 2009. She holds a Bachelor of Science in education from Ferris State University and a practical nursing diploma from Central Lakes College in Minnesota.
–E.E.
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Flying Cloud leverages PPP, Greylock to maintain virtual education
Great Barrington — Flying Cloud Institute and Greylock Federal Credit Union teamed up this week to keep virtual science and art programming flowing to Berkshire County families, children and teachers by submitting paperwork to the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program.
PPP initially made $349 billion available for forgivable loans on a first-come, first-serve basis. That funding was exhausted within two weeks. Congress is expected to pass another coronavirus package that includes an additional $320 billion for PPP. Flying Cloud Institute is one of the first nonprofits in Berkshire County to receive its two months of funding this week.
Said Flying Cloud executive director Maria Rundle: “We are delighted that with this loan we are able to maintain our entire team on staff. When one of our educators heard the loan was approved, she said, ‘I feel like I can breathe again.’ We can continue to provide STEAM programs that connect with the young scientists and artists in our community via the live, virtual classroom.”
–E.E.
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Salisbury Bank announces employee awards
Lakeville, Conn. — Salisbury Bank has given awards to four of its employees for their contributions to the company during the 2019.
Earlier this year, Salisbury Bank employees selected Cindy Bradley as the 2019 Employee of the Year for her strong leadership and willingness to work side-by-side with her staff. Bradley joined the bank in 2009 as vice president, loan operations and was promoted to senior vice president, loan administration in May 2012.
Two employees were chosen for the 2019 Rookie of the Year Award. The first recipient, Kassidy Baker, was hired as a customer associate in the deposit operations department in July 2019, without any prior banking experience. She has been described as humble, enthusiastic and someone who likes to have fun. The second recipient, Margaret Ham, joined the bank in June 2019 as a customer associate in the Great Barrington, Massachusetts, office. Her colleagues have described her as a quick and eager learner who takes on new assignments with determination and focus.
The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes Amanda Goewey, who volunteered for five bank-sponsored events during 2019. In addition to volunteering for the bank, she coaches youth softball for Undermountain Elementary School, participates on Community Health Programs’ Children’s Attic committee, and is a board member of the Eagle Fund and Undermountain Youth Athletic Association. Goewey has nearly 15 years of banking experience, having worked in various positions including teller; loan coordinator; mortgage advisor; and assistant vice president, branch manager. In 2018, Goewey was promoted to vice president, Berkshire regional branch manager.
The President’s Award was presented to the entire team for their efforts during 2019.
–E.E.
