Jack Miller Contractors hires new construction team members
Williamstown— Jack Miller Contractors welcomes several new team members to support additional services in their organization – Mike Minnich as senior carpenter, John Kelly as carpenter and Jarod Serwecki as assistant carpenter. Jack Miller Contractors currently employs 25 professionals in the community.
As a senior carpenter, Mike Minnich brings a variety of carpentry and organizational skills and a little Yankee ingenuity to the job. He has ten-plus years’ experience with a small sawmill building modified pole barns, post-and-beam homes and custom projects plus seven years working with a crew of Danish master carpenters building imported zero-energy Trelleborg homes.
John Kelly has been working in the carpentry trade for more than 17 years on new construction and remodels. Promoted from team carpenter to supervisor at B&B Micro Manufacturing in Adams, Mass., he worked in collaboration with their team to build 1,000-plus tiny homes. As project manager at Woodland Properties, John managed remodeling and property management for four years. He’s had his real estate license since 2016 and his construction supervisor license since 2018.
Hired as a carpenter apprentice, Jarod Serwecki likes building and working with his hands and has been with JMC since October 2022. While not a complete novice to woodworking, he is new to construction. Jarod typically spends work days performing basic tasks such as blocking between studs, cutting wood and material for others and anything else required.
Jack Miller Contractors has current openings for superintendent, carpenter and apprentice carpenter. To learn more, visit jackmillercontractors.com or call 413.884.6124 or 802.440.8144.
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Berkshire Food Co-op opens new kitchen and home goods store
Great Barrington— Above the Berkshire Food Co-op, a new sustainable kitchen and home goods shop opens in The Attic.
The Attic is a new retail store operated by Berkshire Food Co-op. They focus on non-plastic and reusable solutions to common kitchen and home needs. Though their focus is on green kitchen wares and household items, the shop also sells handmade goods, bags & wearables, and a variety of gifts. They welcome a range of shoppers with a variety of needs, and definitely don’t take theirselves too seriously.
Opening day is April 5th, but they invite the public to a preview party the evening before, with refreshments, music, and a sneak peek on Tuesday, April 4th, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Check out their new website, here: https://www.theattic.coop/
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Berkshire Camino announces their 2023 Programming Calendar of walks and hikes
Pittsfield— Berkshire Camino LLC, has announced plans for their biggest season since operations began in June 2020. From May-October eight multi-day hiking journeys and over two hundred day-hike tours utilizing thirteen curated routes across the Berkshires are open to the general public. Berkshire Camino removes several barriers for residents and visitors to the Berkshires accessing nature by curating walking and hiking routes, providing trail navigation and facilitation by expert, local guides, and shuttling guests to trailheads. Their goal is to make it easy, safe, and engaging for casual hikers to explore the Berkshires on foot.
In 2023 there are two multi-day tours; the Southern Berkshires Town-to-Town Journey and the Central/Northern Berkshires Woodland Journey. Cultural and historical venues are creatively woven into the hiking routes. Thirteen curated day-hike tours are positioned across the Berkshires. Most hikes are on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Several Berkshire Camino day-hike tours are family-friendly, welcoming children age 10 and up when accompanied by an adult.
For more information, prices, and booking, visit www.BerkshireCamino.com
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LaundryLand community laundromat to open this spring in Great Barrington
Great Barrington— Paula Kohler of Sandisfield, Mass. has worked to bring a laundromat to Great Barrington at 11 School Street.
Over the last 53 weeks she has met with setbacks and frustrations but found much support. Kohler looked at multiple places – she inquired about and researched nearly 20 possibilities. She said, “Finally, all the stars aligned, and we now have the best location!”
LaundryLand fills a vital service need in Great Barrington. Kohler, who has two children, Harlan, 9, and Haley, 17, understands how important a laundromat is for local and visiting families alike. She plans to offer a wash and fold service, as well as a self-serve washer and dryer option.
Plans are underway currently for cosmetic and equipment updates to her new building. LaundryLand will occupy the same building as Individual Laundry, previously operated by Cathy and Vicki Torrico. Kohler is delighted to continue a woman-owned business tradition.
LaundryLand could open as soon as late May. Follow LaundryLand on Facebook and Instagram for updates. For information, write to paula@laundrylandgb.com with questions about LaundryLand’s services.
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Barrington Stage Company hires Meredith Lynsey Schade as its Managing Director
Pittsfield— The Board of Trustees of Barrington Stage Company (Alan Paul, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce that Meredith Lynsey Schade has joined BSC as its Managing Director. Schade comes to BSC after most recently serving as Producing Director of HERE Arts Center in New York City.
Meredith Lynsey Schade is an award-winning non-profit and commercial theatre executive, producer and consultant with over two decades of continuous success in the theatre industry. Most recently she spent four years as the Producing Director of HERE Arts Center in New York City, following three years as its General Manager. While at HERE she produced the world premiere of Taylor Mac and Matt Ray’s “The Hang”, which was nominated for two Drama Desk Awards, and was hailed as one of the top ten theater productions in New York City in 2022. In addition to her work with HERE, Meredith has served as the Producing Executive Director of ArtWallah in Los Angeles and founded the e-play periodical StageReads. She has also worked in various capacities with Classic Stage Company, Ars Nova, Dee Gee Theatricals, the Center for New Performance, and Connecticut Repertory Theatre.
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Greylock Federal Credit Union grows in Lee
Pittsfield— Greylock Federal Credit Union is investing $2.2 million to purchase and renovate 43 Park Street in Lee to support its growing Membership. Greylock’s approach to financial equity is drawing record numbers of new Members and the Credit Union needs a more roomy, welcoming and functional space. Membership in the Lee branch has nearly doubled over the last decade.
In 2022, Greylock worked with more home buyers than any other bank or credit union in western Massachusetts, providing 31 percent of the mortgages issued in the region. Similarly, Greylock helped over 1/3 of all local car buyers who took out a loan to pay for their vehicle. According to Greylock’s president John Bissell, this is a direct result of Greylock’s commitment to partner with its Members and give them the support and tools they need to succeed. Greylock’s team of 31 Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors provided over 1,200 free coaching sessions in 2022. “Financial empowerment through education is a vital part of what sets Greylock apart,” said Bissell.
The soon to be remodeled branch is expected to open in late 2023 and will be fully accessible and include multiple teller stations, ample parking, drive-up and video tellers, private offices as well as a community space to host Greylock’s signature education, coaching, and community activities.
