Thursday, February 13, 2025

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BUSINESS BRIEFS: WAM names Sabine Denise Jacques BIPOC Advocate; Normal Rockwell Museum hires curators; Greylock appoints Joseph R. Baker; Supreme Soft Serve opens second truck; MountainOne to launch children’s book; Fairview Hospital awarded

“It’s beautiful to be a part of a theater community that is taking the steps necessary to be proactive in their efforts to create spaces of belonging, and interrogate our own processes that are rooted in white supremacy characteristics,” said Sabina Denise Jacques.

WAM welcomes Sabine Denise Jacques into the role of BIPOC Advocate

Lenox— WAM welcomes Sabine Denise Jacques into the role of BIPOC Advocate.

Sabine Denise Jacques is a Massachusetts-based actor, facilitator, educator, and theater practitioner whose work is at the intersections of theater, education, and dialogue. She holds a B.A. in African-American Studies, M.Ed in International Education, a certificate in Multicultural Theater, along with social justice facilitation training from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Jacques will apply her expertise in social justice facilitation and multicultural theater at the intersections of culture and accountability to ensure WAM continues to be a community that is welcoming, centers the safety of artists/designers/staff, and empowering for BIPOC apprentices, mentors, and artists.

Sabine Denise Jacques, WAM BIPOC Advocate.

“I am so pleased to be working with WAM Theatre in this endeavor to proactively create an anti-racist environment where black artists and designers can thrive and not merely survive. Creating an intentional space and initiative for BIPOC artists and designers to come together in predominantly white spaces says I see you, I value your time and presence, and you belong here. It’s beautiful to be a part of a theater community that is taking the steps necessary to be proactive in their efforts to create spaces of belonging, and interrogate our own processes that are rooted in white supremacy characteristics,” said Sabina Denise Jacques.

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Norman Rockwell Museum announces curatorial hires

Stockbridge— Norman Rockwell Museum has added two highly experienced museum professionals to its curatorial team. These new curatorial leaders will help further grow and innovate the Museum’s exhibitions and collections mission, as well as returning the Museum’s curatorial staff to pre-pandemic levels and managing the relaunch of its successful traveling exhibitions program.

Seth Fogelman, NRM Chief of Curatorial Affairs.

Seth Fogelman, formerly the Senior Exhibitions Manager and Registrar at the Whitney Museum of American Art, joins Norman Rockwell Museum as Chief of Curatorial Affairs. In this newly created position, Fogelman will advance the administration of exhibitions, collections, traveling exhibitions, collections management, space planning, and digital collections management for the future needs of the Museum.

Jane Dini, PhD, NRM Curator of Exhibitions.

Jane Dini, PhD, most recently the Andrew W. Mellon Senior Curator, American Art, at the Brooklyn Museum, assumes the role of Curator of Exhibitions. Dini will focus on curating exhibitions for Norman Rockwell Museum, as well as contributing to the development of collections and scholarship in close collaboration with the curatorial team.

“We are delighted to welcome Seth and Jane to Norman Rockwell Museum as inspiring curatorial leaders. These outstanding museum professionals bring the credentials, kindness, and experiences that will add strength to our excellent and dedicated curatorial team, which has been led by and grown over many years by Stephanie Plunkett,” said Director/CEO Laurie Norton Moffatt.

Norman Rockwell Museum Chief Curator Stephanie Haboush Plunkett continues in her accomplished curatorial role. She will concentrate on curating exhibitions, developing the collections, writing, speaking, and conducting research and scholarship in her expanded role as Rockwell Center for American Visual Studies director and illustration scholar.

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Greylock appoints Joseph R. Baker to supervisory committee

Pittsfield— Greylock Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce the appointment of Joseph Baker to Greylock’s volunteer supervisory committee.

Joseph Baker, Greylock volunteer supervisory committee member.

Baker is Vice President of Finance and Administration with Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, where he oversees finances, investments, human resources and operations. He has worked in the community foundation field for nearly 20 years and brings a background in nonprofit finance, development and community initiatives. He previously worked for Fairfield County’s Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for Greater New Britain. He earned his MBA from the Yale School of Management and a Bachelor of Arts in economics and Spanish from Colby College. Baker serves as treasurer of the Financial and Administrators Officers Group, and the Association of Community Foundations Finance Professionals.

“We are honored to have Joseph join the committee,” said committee chair Bryan House. “His professional experience and personal priorities will strengthen this committee even further. Greylock is grateful for his dedication and shared commitment to the community.”

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Supreme Soft Serve announces opening of second soft serve truck in Hudson

Hudson, N.Y.— Supreme Soft Serve, the beloved purveyor of luxurious soft-serve treats, is thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of its second soft serve truck. Starting in April, the new soft serve truck will be stationed at Upper Depot Brewing Co. in Hudson, bringing the joy of Supreme Soft Serve to even more ice cream enthusiasts in the community.

Supreme Soft Serve, Hudson, N.Y.

The new location will feature regularly scheduled hours, ensuring that residents and visitors alike can indulge in Supreme Soft Serve’s signature soft-serve creations at their convenience. Whether you’re craving a classic cone or eager to try one of Supreme Soft Serve’s innovative seasonal flavors, the new truck promises to be a delightful destination for all frozen treat aficionados.

Upper Depot Brewing Co., Hudson, N.Y.

Upper Depot is located in a recently renovated historic train station. Locally owned and operated, their taproom features up to 12 craft beers rotating seasonally and made fresh in house by head brewer, Aaron Maas. With a wraparound deck reminiscent of a train platform, there’s plenty of room for outdoor seating. Upper Depot is a NYS Farm Brewery, and Craft Malt Certified. They use NYS ingredients in most of their beers, including grain grown less than 15 miles away in Germantown, N.Y.

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MountainOne to launch children’s book featuring Mo the Spokesgoat

Berkshire— MountainOne is excited to announce the launch of its new children’s book, “How to Climb a Mountain,” featuring Mo, the MountainOne Spokesgoat.

Written by Doug Murphy and illustrated by Laura Salafia, “How to Climb a Mountain” will be the first in a series of books seeking to promote positive life lessons, literacy, and financial education for MountainOne’s youngest customers and community members. 

Mo, the MountainOne Spokesgoat.

MountainOne plans to introduce Mo and his adventures to young students through local libraries and elementary schools and will supply fun worksheets and activities to help prepare them for their financial future. They will also host book readings at MountainOne locations that will include giveaways and chances to win a Mo plushy.

“Mo has become a very recognizable and beloved character in our local communities. He epitomizes the thoughtful, ambitious, and self-assured nature that lives within all of us, big and small, that enables us to face challenges with confidence,” said Robert Fraser, president and chief executive officer, noting that MountainOne is committed to education and service for all its customers, including (human) kids.

MountainOne employees, board members, corporators, and nonprofit partners will be the first to receive the 24-page illustrated book at MountainOne’s 175th Annual Meeting on April 10th.

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Healthgrades names Fairview Hospital an Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ Recipient for the 12th Consecutive Year

Great Barrington— Fairview Hospital announced that for the 12th consecutive year it has been recognized as a 2024 Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ recipient by Healthgrades, the leading resource consumers use to find a hospital or doctor. This achievement reflects Fairview Hospital’s commitment to providing an exceptional care experience for patients and their loved ones.

To identify the top hospitals for patient experience, Healthgrades applies a scoring methodology to ten patient experience measures using Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey data submitted by the hospital’s own patients. For this annual analysis, Healthgrades evaluated more than 2,500 hospitals that submitted at least 100 patient experience surveys to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), covering admissions from January 2022 to December 2022. Of those hospitals evaluated, Fairview Hospital outperformed its peers–based on feedback from their own patients–to achieve this award.

President and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems Darlene Rodowicz.

“For 12 years running, the south Berkshire community has given Fairview Hospital the highest marks for patient care, and this is a testament to the dedication the Fairview team has for only providing the best care possible,” said Darlene Rodowicz, President and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. “Every member of the Fairview team should be justifiably proud of this incredible achievement.”

“We commend Fairview Hospital for going above and beyond to provide a best-in-class care experience for patients during their hospital stay,” said Brad Bowman, MD, chief medical officer and head of data sciences at Healthgrades. “Fairview Hospital’s dedication to superior patient care is particularly impressive given recent declines in patient satisfaction scores across the country. We look forward to their continued leadership and commitment to ensuring the health and wellness of all patients.”

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