St. Stanislaus School benefit, 9 to 4 in Kolbe Hall, Adams. Bake sale, snack bar, games, Chinese auctions, money raffle, crafts, and pierogi.
Blackinton Union Church, 1373 Massachusetts Ave., North Adams; 10 to 2. Crafts table, bake sale, Chinese auction, the Christmas table, and kid's grab bag. Lunch $4, $2 kids.
First Congregational Church, North Adams, 9-2.
Nov. 28 Becket Federated Church, Route 8, holiday bazaar from 9-3. Lunch, crafts, baked goods, holiday and other items. Information: Mary Peltier, Parish House, 413-623-5217.
Dec. 5
Holiday Fair at First Congregational Church, 25 Park Place, Lee, from 10 to 3; handcrafted items, raffles, children's shop, bake sale, cut Christmas trees and lunch from 11 to 1. Includes angel-themed goods from SERRV. Information, 413-243-1033 or www.ucc-lee.org.
Dec. 12-13
North Adams Country Club, crafts 9-4; food from That's a Wrap from 11-2. Information: Sheryl Morehouse at 413-822-3329.
Planning a bazaar this season? Submit information to info@iberkshires.com to have it listed here.
We're trying out blogs to offer shorter, easy-to-find news. Let us know what you think.
Send press releases and announcements to info@iberkshires.com. Need to contact someone at iBerkshires? Here's how.
Mammography Dispute The government's issued controversial new guidelines stating that women shouldn't get annual mammograms until age 50, rather than age 40.
iBerkshires will be meeting with local medical experts Monday. Have a question you'd like answered on this issue? Send it info@iberkshires.com with "mammogram" in the subject line.
North Adams - Seven employees have been promoted to new positions at MountainOne Financial Partners, MHC and its subsidiary companies, according to an announcement by Stephen Crowe, President and Chief Executive Officer. MountainOne Financial Partners includes Hoosac Bank; South Coastal Bank; Williamstown Savings Bank; Coakley, Pierpan, Dolan & Collins; and True North.
According to Crowe, "MountainOne is pleased to be able to retain our dedicated and talented employees and promote from within our organization. These associates exemplify the commitment we have to serving our local communities and customers. I'm proud of them all."
Richard Alcombright has been named Senior Vice President of Retail Banking for Hoosac Bank and Williamstown Savings Bank. In this position, Alcombright oversees the branch office network and manages the development of new products and delivery channels. He is also responsible for sales, service, and internal referral results at both banks. During his more than 35 years of service, Alcombright has served as Vice President of Retail Banking, Assistant Vice President, Assistant Treasurer, Assistant Mortgage Officer and Teller. Alcombright holds an Associates Degree in Accounting from Southern Vermont College, and is a graduate of the National School of Savings Banking at Fairfield University. In the community, Alcombright is a member of the North Adams City Council, the McCann Technical School Committee, the YMCA Board of Directors, the Tri-Parish Finance Council, and the Holy Family Terrace Board. He is currently the Campaign Chairman for the Northern Berkshire United Way and is a Corporator for North Adams Regional Hospital. He resides in North Adams with his wife, Michelle, and has four children.
Liz Bissell has been named Vice President of Marketing. Prior to this, she served as Assistant Vice President of Marketing, and held a similar position at Legacy Banks before joining MountainOne. As Vice President of Marketing, Bissell handles all marketing, advertising, communications and public relations activities for the MountainOne companies. Bissell holds a Masters Degree in Business Management from Cambridge College. She also holds a diploma from the American Bankers Association Graduate School of Bank Marketing. She is a veteran, and served as a medic in the US Army. Bissell is a member of the American Bankers Association Marketing Network, the New England Chapter of the Bank Marketing Association, the Pittsfield public schools councils, and the McCann Technical School council. She is a co-founder of Berkshire Young Professionals and is a graduate and former steering committee member for the Berkshire Leadership Program. She also serves as a Fresh Air Fund host family, and volunteers with United Way and the Dollar Diva program at Miss Halls School. Bissell lives in Pittsfield with her daughter.
Tracy McConnell has been named Assistant Vice President of Business Lending. Prior to this, McConnell served as Business Lending Officer, Business Loan Operations Officer, and Business Loan Administrator. In her new position, McConnell is responsible for developing new business relationships and enhancing existing relationships. She handles every step of the business lending process, including analysis, underwriting, and approval. McConnell has received diplomas from the American Institute of Banking, the Massachusetts Bankers School of Commercial Lending and the Massachusetts Bankers School of Advanced Commercial Lending. In the community, McConnell is Office Technology Chair for the McCann Advisory Committee, a member of the North Adams Rotary Club and the Northern Berkshire United Way Commercial Division. She also serves as Chairman of the Northern Berkshire United Way Financial Services Division. McConnell resides in Williamstown with her husband, John, and their son.
Jean Sherman has been appointed Assistant Vice President of Compliance. Prior to this, Sherman served as Compliance and Bank Secrecy Act Officer and as a Staff Accountant. In her new role, she manages the Compliance and Anti-Money Laundering programs. Sherman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). She is also a graduate of the American Bankers Association National Compliance School and Graduate Compliance School, as well as the Center for Financial Training of Southern New England. Sherman is a Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM) and serves as President of the Western Massachusetts Bank Compliance Association. In the community, Sherman volunteers her time with the Northern Berkshire United Way and is a past President of the Adams Lions Club.
Timothy Shepard has been appointed Information Technology Officer. Before this, he held positions as Director of Information Technologies and Systems Administrator. Prior to joining MountainOne, Shepard was Senior Technician at Innovative Business Systems in Easthampton. As Technology Officer, Shepard is responsible for the administration and maintenance of all MountainOne Financial Partners networks and operating systems. He also oversees security of all data through the use of technical, physical and administrative safeguards. Shepard holds an Associates Degree in Engineering Technology from Berkshire Community College (BCC) and has taken computer-programming courses at MCLA. In the community, Shepard is an active member and volunteers for St. John Bosco Church in Stamford, Vermont, and is a CCD teacher. Shepard resides in Stamford, Vermont.
Myra Wilk has been named Retail Loan Officer. In this position, Wilk originates and approves personal home equity and mortgage loans. She also establishes and maintains relationships with customers, area realtors and attorneys. Previously, she served as a Loan Originator and a Loan Processor. Wilk holds diplomas from the Center for Financial Training of Southern New England in General Financial Services, Advanced Financial Services and Consumer Lending. She has also attended continuing education courses through MCLA and BCC. In the community, Wilk is a member of the Adams Events Committee, the Adams Downtown Development Committee, the Topia Arts Center Advisory Board and is an Adams-Cheshire-Savoy Youth Soccer Coach. She is a former Selectman for the Town of Adams and also serves as Chairman of the Northern Berkshire United Way Government Division. Wilk lives in Adams.
Tyna Senecal has been promoted to Assistant Branch Manager. In this role, she assists with the daily operations of Hoosac Bank's main office and helps personal and business customers with their deposit account and related financial needs. She is also responsible for referring business throughout the MountainOne companies. Prior to this promotion, she was a Customer Service Representative and a Teller. Senecal holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from MCLA. She is also a Justice of the Peace in Stamford, where she lives with her husband.
MountainOne Financial Partners, headquartered in North Adams, has combined assets of nearly $900 million and over 200 employees. Hoosac Bank, Williamstown Savings Bank, and South Coastal Bank provide a broad range of banking services for personal and business customers. Hoosac Bank, established in 1848, has offices in North Adams and Williamstown; Williamstown Savings Bank, founded in 1892, has an office in Williamstown; and, South Coastal Bank, founded in 1868, has offices in Rockland, Braintree, Scituate, and Quincy. Coakley, Pierpan, Dolan & Collins Insurance Agency, founded in 1927 and one of the largest property and casualty insurance agencies in Western Massachusetts, serves personal and business customers through offices in North Adams, Williamstown, and Adams. True North Financial Services, established in 1997, is a registered broker dealer, providing investment, life insurance, retirement planning, and employee benefit services to personal and business customers through offices in North Adams, Williamstown, and Pittsfield.
