Sproutman launches new product line tomorrow
Great Barrington—Ari and Noah Meyerowitz, principals of Sproutman based in Great Barrington, have announced the introduction of Superfood Sprout Powders, which they plan to bring to market on Tuesday, February 28. Three innovative sprout powder blends are infused with thoughtfully selected superfoods and research-backed adaptogens, specially formulated to be added to plant-based lattes, smoothies, water and even foods like oatmeal. These benefit-based powders—Blue Glow, Green Fuel, and Chai Balance—represent a delicious and easy way for people to discover and enjoy the benefits of sprouts
Building on the original grassroots business started by their father, they have developed a web-based enterprise that offers at-home sprouting kits and helpful resources so anyone, anywhere can grow their own organic sprouts. With sustainability at their core, they also strive to lovingly ship all their “good for you” products in a way that’s light on the planet.
Sproutman, a second-generation small family business, is committed to changing the world—with spouts. Because research shows that one in six Americans struggle with food insecurity or live in a “food desert” (a place with limited access to fresh healthy produce), the Meyerowitz brothers want to help solve this issue with sprouts—one of the most accessible, easy to ship, and affordable fresh food solutions on the planet. Sproutman donates sprouting kits to local food banks and intends to increase the reach of their charitable distributions in years to come. They believe that sprouts are the future.
Sproutman is also eligible to win a “People’s Choice” grant, sponsored by FedEx, which is currently open to public voting.
Click here to view the video they created for their FedEx entry.
And click here to “like this entry.”
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Berkshire Opera Festival elects new Chair and President
Pittsfield— The Board of Directors of Berkshire Opera Festival has elected Peter Graber-Lipperman as Chair of the Board, as well as Berkshire Opera Festival’s Executive Director, Abigail Rollins, as President of the Board.
Peter Graber-Lipperman practiced corporate law for 30 years before retiring in 2020 to focus on nonprofit and community work. Peter has a long history with the Berkshires, and has lived in Otis part-time since 2011.
Abigail Rollins joined Berkshire Opera Festival as Executive Director in September 2019. Abi has undergraduate degrees in Dance and Psychology from Kenyon College and a Master of Arts Administration for Boston University. Abi previously was the Managing Director of the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company in Boston, which underwent a period of tremendous growth and expansion under her leadership.
Berkshire Opera Festival is a summer opera festival, first started in 2016 by Jonathon Loy and Brian Garman, with the goal to entertain and enrich the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds by offering accessible operas of the highest standard. Each summer Berkshire Opera Festival offers a broad range of operas, recitals, and other musical events, at affordable prices.
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Greylock Federal Credit Union promotes Devan Gardner
Pittsfield— Greylock has announced the promotion of Devan Gardner to Assistant Vice President, Lending Systems & Project Manager.
In his new role, Gardner will serve as project manager, supporting lending initiatives and new facility development. He will act as primary liaison between various Greylock departments, IT and vendors. He is also a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor with Greylock, which means he may provide financial coaching on a variety of topic from budgeting to navigating financial hardship.
Gardner joined the credit union in 2013 and was most recently serving as the Lending System and Project Manager. He is currently earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Project Management from Southern New Hampshire University.
Gardner lives in Pittsfield with his wife Brittany and children, Elliott and Emily. He enjoys playing guitar with a couple local bands and sings with the Berkshire Lyric Choir.
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Berkshire Humane Society opens a wellness clinic for underserved pets
Pittsfield— Berkshire Humane Society is taking appointments immediately for a wellness clinic the nonprofit organization is operating for underserved pets out of the former Allen Heights Veterinary Hospital at 298 Dalton Avenue in Pittsfield. Comprehensive health exams, vaccines and parasite monitoring and control services will be offered by appointment only. Berkshire County dog and cat owners can call 413-203-4330 now to schedule an appointment.
Fees for the clinic will be on a variable scale based on need. John Perreault, Executive Director of Berkshire Humane Society says he consulted with local veterinarians before proposing the wellness clinic initiative.
Although the turnkey veterinary facility will be open to the public by appointment for non-surgical services, Berkshire Humane Society will use the facility for in-house spaying and neutering of their shelter animals, reducing stress associated with time animals wait in the shelter for a spay or neuter appointment.
Berkshire Humane Society is leasing the facility from the former owners of Allen Heights Veterinary Hospital for a year, with an option to buy the building or renew the lease at the end of the lease.
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Nick Matthew joins Berkshire School as Director of Squash
Sheffield— Former World No. 1 ranked squash player Nick Matthew is expanding his role at Berkshire School. Matthew, who retired from the professional squash circuit in 2018, recently signed a three-year contract extension with the private school located in Sheffield. After joining Berkshire School in the summer of 2018 as the School’s Squash Ambassador, Matthew made an immediate impact by hosting a summer camp and working one-on-one with Berkshire School’s squash teams during the winter season, both virtually and in-person. In his new role as the School’s Director of Squash, Matthew hopes to expand his impact.
Matthew visits campus regularly through the winter to work closely with Berkshire School’s squash athletes– from experienced players to beginners– as well as the program’s coaches to provide high level training techniques, physical fitness methods, and even in-game advice. He’s also partnered with brands like Dunlop and SquashSkills– a squash training platform– to bring a higher level of competition to the program. Additionally, Matthew works closely with the School’s admission team on player recruitment, as well as Berkshire’s college office on player placement at the collegiate level.
For more information about the Berkshire School’s squash program visit https://www.berkshireschool.org/athletics
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Barr Foundation offering grants for high school leaders
Boston— Now that many pandemic restrictions have been lifted, schools are aiming to return to the way things were before COVID-19. High school and system leaders face a tough decision: seize the opportunity to make changes that will lead to more equitable outcomes for students or return to the status quo.
Barr Foundation, a nonprofit focused on helping all students thrive in and beyond high school, is seeking up to 10 grantees for “Meeting the Moment: Transforming the High School Experience.” High school and system leaders from all over New England are invited to submit a proposal for up to $100,000 to support internal learning and planning, stakeholder engagement, and project management from July 2023-July 2024.
Grantees will receive financial support and will participate in a community of practice that allows them to develop both a vision of excellence and an implementation strategy to make that vision a reality. The work will have three phases with aligned supports from national experts, at no cost to the grantees: Learn, Dream, and Plan.
For more information or to apply for the program, visit their website or email EducationRFP@barrfoundation.org. Applications will be open through March 15 at 5pm.
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The Guild of Berkshire Artists offers class taught by Chris Morel
West Stockbridge— The Guild of Berkshire Artists is hosting two spring workshops by award-winning artist Chris Morel June 13-15. The workshop is for all skill levels. Class will be outside amongst the local Berkshire scenery and architecture. Participants will be working with oil and acrylic paints.
Price of admission is $550 for members, and $625 for non-members. For more info and to sign up go to the guild website at www.berkshireartists.org
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1Berkshire is accepting applications for downtown artwork in vacant buildings
Pittsfield— 1Berkshire, thanks to a one-time grant award, has announced the launch of applications for a new pilot program to support the installation of printed vinyl artwork in vacant downtown buildings in Berkshire communities.
This program aims to provide up to three (3) municipalities/organizations with sub-award grants of up to $5,000 in order to support them in the selection, commissioning, and installation of printed works of art in vacant downtown storefronts for the summer of 2023. This effort is meant to both contribute to the aesthetic beauty of our downtown business districts, while also drawing attention to the opportunities that these vacant spaces offer to potential new small businesses and organizations looking for a physical location to move into.
Only one grant will be awarded to implement this effort in any given municipality. Applicants may be municipalities themselves, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, or non-organization individuals with a proven track record of similar project execution. Applications are open now and will close on March 3rd, 2023. Selected applicants must complete all related work by June 30th, 2023.
To learn more and apply, please visit: https://forms.gle/PaGryhVE3TM37sP38
