Health Together Wins Berkshire Health Technology Challenge

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A panel of expert judges declared Health Together the winner of Lever's Berkshire Health Technology Challenge. 
 
The company, co-founded by Nicolas Boillot and Diedre Tomlinson, will use the $25,000 Challenge award to continue working on its innovative online health platform. 
 
This is Lever's third BHTC, which focuses on health technology companies with fundable and scalable business models. 
 
Finalists spent the past few months working with the Lever team, refining their pitches, learning from Lever's network of mentors, and deepening their entrepreneurship skills through Lever's Challenge program. 
 
"Past BHTC winners and finalists have gone on to make their mark on the health care industry, not only in the Berkshire region, but worldwide," said Brent Filson, Lever's head of innovation. "This year's finalists were an impressive group with innovations that impact everything from testing to patient quality of life. I look forward to seeing how they will continue to build on these ideas." 
 
BHTC Finalists
 
CathWear 
 
CathWear is medical underwear designed for patients struggling with wearing leg bags. CathWear significantly improves the patient's quality of life by removing unsanitary leg straps and increasing accessibility. CathWear was founded by Brian Mohika, BSN, RN, Hector Arce Jr., LT, NC, USN, and Edwin Alvarez, MBA.
 
Health Together
 
Health Together is a moderated, online peer health community sold to employers who want to reduce health care costs and increase well-being by giving employees and family members a way to find support and coaching. Based in Williamsburg, Mass., Health Together was founded by Nicolas Boillot and Deirdre Tomlinson.
 
Open Standard Industries
 
The OSR-M1 is a reusable, non-valved, elastomeric respirator that provides bidirectional filtration at 99% efficiency and is made using local supply chains. Open Standard Industries is based in Holyoke, Mass., and led by Dr. Matt Carney, Aaron Cantrell, Jake Horsey, Mike Stone, and Dr. Philip Brown.

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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