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Lenox Chamber LENOX — The Lenox Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business After Hours meeting at Ventfort Hall Museum of the Gilded Age, Walker Street, on May 13, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The networking event will offer a high tea, wine and cheese and a talk by local historian Cornelia Brooke Gilder on the history of Lenox Town Hall, a Gilded Age landmark. It will also offer an opportunity to view the newly arrived portrait of Sarah Spencer Morgan, the original owner of Ventfort Hall, donated by her granddaughter, Mrs. Margaret C. Morgan. Ventfort Hall, an 1893 Elizabethan Revival mansion built by George and Sarah Morgan as their summer cottage, was slated for demolition as part of the construction of a modern nursing home in 1991. The derelict house was purchased in 1997 by the Ventfort Hall Association, formed by Lenox residents dedicated to its restoration. After three years of structural and decorative restoration work, Ventfort was open to the public in 2001. Its restoration continues, and a series of tours, lectures, exhibits and performance programs attract visitors. Gilder, a Tyringham resident, is co-author of "A History of Ventfort Hall" and is a member of the Lenox Historical Society. The meeting is free to Chamber members and their associates. Reservations may be made by today [May 6] at 637-3646. Gramercy brunch NORTH ADAMS — Gramercy Bistro on Marshall Street, a member of the Berkshire Grown Network, has introduced a new Sunday brunch menu to replace its weekend breakfast service, in an effort to capture the growing “Slow Food” movement in the Berkshires. “Slow Food” is an organization determined to save regional foods and small producers from extinction and to revive and celebrate taste and the senses. “We wanted to create a comfortable atmosphere so that patrons can enjoy a creative, leisurely brunch on Sundays,” said Alexander “Sandy” Smith, chef-owner, in a news release. “We converted our breakfast menu to a more elaborate brunch service because we believe that the weekends should begin with a relaxing experience. Gramercy Bistro serves creative American cuisine with a focus on local, farm-fresh ingredients. The menu changes seasonally and features a wine list with more than 100 wines from around the world. The new menu includes several versions of eggs Benedict that use such ingredients as salsa, guacamole, spinach or smoked trout. Bistro favorites include Mexican French toast with Kahlua syrup and such classics as corned beef hash and eggs, and buttermilk pancakes with fresh fruit. Gramercy serves dinner from Wednesday through Monday, beginning at 5 p.m., and brunch from 10 to 2 on Sundays. The restaurant is located across from the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, at 24 Marshall St., and is closed on Tuesdays. Information: 663-5300 or www.gramercybistro.com . Leadership program PITTSFIELD — Applications are being accepted for the 2004 Berkshire Leadership Program, sponsored by the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. Now in its eighth year, the program seeks, prepares, involves and sustains leaders from diverse backgrounds to address community challenges and improve the quality of life in the Berkshires. Nearly 200 individuals have graduated from the program since 1997. The program begins with a two-day retreat that includes training in leadership, problem-solving techniques and networking. The retreat is followed by nine weekly four-hour evening sessions on specific topic areas, such as government, environment, economic development, media, education and healthcare. Each year, up to 30 candidates are selected to participate in the program, with selection based on a written application, due by June 7, and written references. The cost to participate is $595 and includes all meals and overnight accommodations at Jiminy Peak during the retreat. Limited financial assistance is available. Information: 499-4000, ext. 18, or www.berkshirechamber.com . Lawyer appointed PITTSFIELD — The law offices of Sherwood Guernsey, P.C., has announced that Matthew J. McDonough has joined the firm as an associate, adding new and varied experience to the firm. McDonough, a former editor of the Suffolk University Law Review, brings with him several years’ experience in commercial and civil litigation, business development and real estate. After graduating from Suffolk, he began his legal career in Boston with Cornell and Gollub, P.C. He has relocated to North Adams, where he lives with his wife, Joelle, and their son, “Matt is a strong litigator, and his breadth of experience will allow us to continue our tradition of thorough and responsive service to our clients” Guernsey said in a news release. Deisel tractors ADAMS — Maple Grove Equipment has announced that it has been appointed an authorized dealer for Massey-Ferguson four-wheel drive diesel tractors. Additionally it will carry the full line of Massey-Ferguson farm and construction implements, including loaders, backhoes, augers, mowers and spare parts. The Adams supplier of Toro, EFCO and Wheelhorse outdoor power equipment is at 8 Leonard St., where it has operated since 1947. The company is also the only authorized distributor of Fisher snowplows and sanders in Berkshire County, according to a news release. An additional service and storage facility is located on Savoy Road in neighboring Cheshire. The shop and store are open from 8 to 6 Monday through Friday and 8 to 5 on Saturday. The telephone number is 743-2118. Maples Grove’s president, Peter Levesque, is a native of Adams, who has been engaged in the truck and tractor field for 35 years. He has restructured the company’s product line, expanded its facilities and added personnel to support growth in sales and service. He and his wife, Jean, live in Adams and operate High Meadow Ranch off East Road. Massey-Ferguson, founded in 1957 by Harry Ferguson, inventor of the three-point hydraulic hitch, merged with AGCO Inc. of Duluth, Ga., in 1990. A global manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment implements and related replacement parts, AGCO offers a full line of tractors and other implements through more than 7,000 independent dealers around the world. With sales of over $3 billion in annual sales its stock is traded over the NYSC under AGCO. Finn appointment NEW YORK CITY – Alicia Brindisi, a 1999 graduate of Pittsfield High School and graduate of Boston University, has been accepted into the Executive Training Program of Ruder Finn, Inc., New York City’s largest public relations agency. Brindisi was one of approximately 500 applicants and will participate in an 18-week curriculum of training sessions, with an emphasis in health-care practice. She will work on Novartis’ oncology pharmaceutical accounts. Ruder Finn Healthcare also works with Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson and Aventis. It has offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, China and Singapore. Assets grow ADAMS — Charles O’Brien, president and chief executive officer of South Adams Savings Bank, has announced that, according to the bank’s operating results for the year ended Dec. 31, 2003, the bank surpassed projections. Deposits rose to $154 million, loans were $120 million and total assets were up 7.3 percent to $197 million, the bank reported in a news release. Net income was $680,000. Equity capital at year-end was 11.7 percent of total assets, and non-performing loans stood at 0.19 percent of total loans. The bank continued its tradition of donating 10 percent of net income to local charities and civic organizations. It made gifts totaling more than $121,000 to educational endowment funds, scholarship programs and community organizations, an increase of 35 percent over the amount given in 2002. In partnership with school administrators, the bank also instituted the FDIC Money Smart financial literacy course in the Adams-Cheshire Regional School District. Founded in 1869, the bank is a state-chartered, mutual savings bank serving the residents and businesses of northern Berkshire County from offices in Adams, Cheshire and Williamstown. Information: 743-0040 or www.sasavings.com . Moms free HOUSATONIC — Jacks Grill on Main Street will reopen for the season on Sunday, May 9, with an all-day Mother’s Day brunch buffet. In honor of the day, all mothers accompanied by one or more of their offspring can enjoy brunch at no charge. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. and will serve until 7 p.m The buffet menu features an assortment of pastries, salads and hot entrees, including roast beef and turkey breast carving stations throughout the day. Breakfast items, including egg frittata, will be served until 3 p.m., with more substantial entrees available during the late afternoon and early evening. The cost for children under 12 is $9.95. All others are $17.95. Reservations are strongly encouraged and may be made by calling 274-1000. Colt addition PITTSFIELD — Colt Investment Services, a full-service investment and wealth management firm, has announced the addition of Timothy G. Kiely, who will coordinate the business development activities. Prior to joining Colt, Kiely managed two full-service branches for Citizens Bank of Massachusetts in Pittsfield. He is on the Dalton Town Finance Committee, Industrial Development Commission and the Dalton Municipal Internet Site Committee. In addition, he is a committee member of the Berkshire Young Professionals and serves on the Government Relations Committee of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce. He lives in Dalton with his wife and daughter. Colt Investment Services offers access to a complete array of financial products and services, including stocks, bonds, load and no-load mutual funds, annuities, college planning, financial planning, fee-based asset management and retirement plans for small businesses. Breakfast talk PITTSFIELD — Nathan Winstanley, founder, president and creative director of Winstanley Associates and Lenox Softworks, will present "Ten Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before I Got Started in Business" as the guest speaker at the Berkshire Young Professionals Leadership Roundtable Breakfast on Thursday, May 13. The event, sponsored by the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, will be held from 7:45 to 9 a.m. at Berkshire Hills Country Club, 350 Benedict Road. Winstanley Associates is a full-service marketing communications agency, and Lenox Softworks is a new media development firm. Winstanley has extensive experience as a business and economics writer for various corporations and publications. He spent several years as a corporate speechwriter and in public relations, after which he joined GE Plastics and served as a communications manager in Pittsfield and Detroit. He founded Winstanley Associates in 1986. Its clients include Spalding Sports Worldwide, Polar Beverages, Oxford Foods, the Clark Art Institute, Manchester Outlets and Cabot Corp. In 1994, Winstanley founded Lenox Softworks with two top academics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Multimedia Lab to merge their technological expertise with the marketing communications needs of the agency's clients. Leadership Roundtable Breakfasts are a series of early morning discussions with local business and civic leaders regarding their strategies for successful careers, community leadership and professional development. Berkshire Young Professionals' events are open to all professionals and students living and/or working in Berkshire County. The cost is $13 and includes a continental breakfast. Reservations are required: the Chamber, 499-4000, ext. 26, e-mail bquinto@berkshirechamber.com or register online at www.berkshirechamber.com . Business workshop PITTSFIELD — The University of Massachusetts Small Business Development Center will present the workshop, ‘Valuing a Business for Sale or Purchase’ on Wednesday, May 12, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce Conference Room, 75 North St., Suite 360. The workshop will discuss the fundamentals of valuing a business, the valuation process, methodologies and factors influencing the value of a business. Guest speaker will be Sheri Quinn, CPA, a partner at Fenton, Pinsonnault & Quinn PC, with 20 years’ public accounting experience, concentrating in tax service. She has been treasurer for the Berkshire County Children’s Advocacy for the past 12 years. Susan Mongue, senior management counselor for the Mass. Small Business Development Center, will conduct the workshop. It is co-sponsored by the Chamber, Banknorth Massachusetts, Berkshire Bank, Legacy Banks and Hoosac Bank. Since space is limited, advance registration is recommended: 499-0933 or www.msbdc.org/wmass. The fee for the workshop is $25. Checks should be made payable to The University of Massachusetts. Chef honored WILLIAMSTOWN — Master Chef Swen Boehm was awarded the title of “Chef Rôtisseur” by the Albany, N.Y. chapter of the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs recently at a gala dinner held at Glen Sanders Mansion, in Scotia, N.Y. The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is an international gastronomic society committed to promoting the culinary arts, oenology and hospitality. It was founded in Paris in 1950 and has members in more than 70 countries. Based on the traditions and high standards of the medieval French guild of rôtisseurs or "meat roasters," which has been traced back to the year 1248, The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs celebrates the pleasures of the table, encourages the development of young professionals by awarding scholarships and sponsoring competitions, and, as part of an international organization, fosters friendships among members around the world. Boehm heads the culinary team at the award-winning Yasmin’s Restaurant (AAA Four Diamond) of The Orchards Hotel. The 31-year old master chef from Germany specializes in a distinctive international fusion of techniques and ingredients. Yasmin’s includes both a dining room and al fresco in the courtyard garden by the fountains. The Orchards has an extensive collection of wines, housed in a subterranean climate-controlled wine cellar. The Orchards is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and a winner of the International Five Star Diamond Award. Information: www.orchardshotel.com . Best destination LENOX — Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires has been voted Best Destination Spa in the United States and Canada by readers of Departures, a magazine published for American Express Platinum Card and Centurion Card members. The award, published in the May/June 2004 issue, is the second for Canyon Ranch, which received top honors in the "luxury resorts" category in last year’s inaugural Readers' Favorites Survey. This year, "destination spas" was added as a separate category. Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires, at 165 Kemble St., received the highest score of any hotel or resort listed in the survey, 99.9. "These accolades by the sophisticated readers of Departures are a reflection of the superb job done by Canyon Ranch's 735 dedicated staff members, all of whom have contributed greatly to our continued success," said Carl Pratt, managing director, in a news release. Departures received more than 51,000 responses to its annual survey, which also rates favorites in big city hotel, boutique hotel, country hotel, luxury resort, ski lodge, beach hotel, domestic and international airlines and cruise lines. For a complete list of the survey results, see www.departures.com/survey. Mel and Enid Zuckerman founded the original Canyon Ranch Health Resort in Tucson, Ariz., in 1979. Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires Health Resort opened in Lenox in 1989. Since then, additional resorts have been opened in Las Vegas and in Florida. In January, Canyon Ranch debuted its third Canyon Ranch SpaClub on board the Queen Mary 2 ocean liner. Canyon Ranch Living, the company's first healthy living residential community, is scheduled to open in Miami Beach, Fla., next year. Fund-raising effort D’Angelo Sandwich Shops and Papa Gino’s restaurants kicked off their annual coupon campaign to support Easter Seals Massachusetts and The Genesis Fund on May 3. Throughout May, guests visiting any of the more than 400 D’Angelo and Papa Gino’s restaurants throughout New England will have the opportunity to add a $1 donation to their food purchases to support the two nonprofit organizations. As a thank-you, they will receive 12 coupons worth more than $35 in savings on their favorite menu items. The coupons may be redeemed at any D’Angelo or Papa Gino’s restaurant. Over the past 27 years, the coupon campaign has raised more than $3 million for Easter Seals and The Genesis Fund. Donations will be accepted at D’Angelo and Papa Gino’s restaurants through May 30, and coupons may be redeemed up to Aug. 31.
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Dalton Announces New Supplier for Energy Program

DALTON, Mass. – The Town of Dalton has signed a thirty-four month contract with a new supplier, First Point Power.
 
Beginning with the January 2026 meter reads, the Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new rate of $0.13042 per kWh. The Program will also continue to offer an optional 100 percent green product, which is derived from National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), at a rate of $0.13142 per kWh.
 
For Dalton residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town's Program, the current rate of $0.13849 per kWh will expire with the January 2026 meter reads and the new rate of $0.13042 per kWh will take effect. This represents a decrease of $5 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. Additionally, this new rate is 3 percent lower than Eversource's Residential Basic Service rate of $0.13493 per kWh. Residents can expect to see an
average savings of $3 per month for the month of January 2026. Eversource's Basic Service rates
will change on Feb. 1, 2026.
 
Dalton launched its electricity program in January 2015 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable and affordable. From inception through June 2025, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $1.7 million in electricity costs as compared to Eversource Basic Service.
 
It is important to note that no action is required by current participants. This change will be seen on the February 2026 bills. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will remain with their current product offering and see the new rate and First Point Power printed under the "Supplier Services" section of their monthly bill.
 
The Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program has no fees or charges. However, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.
 
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