Wheeler & Taylor Adds Insurance Agencies

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Mirick Insurance Agency of Shelburne Falls and Albert B. Allen Insurance Agency of Greenfield each recently entered a partnership with Wheeler & Taylor Insurance, a large insurance agency in Berkshire County.

 
The two long-established insurance agencies joined Wheeler & Taylor, Great Barrington, to broaden their insurance offerings locally, regionally and nationally. Both firms retain their name, staff, location, and management.    
 
"With this new arrangement, we can provide additional insurance products, offer specialized expertise and represent more insurance companies," Mirick president Patrick Shippee said.
 
Brock A. Hines, president of Albert B. Allen, said, "The partnership gives us a national reach and lets us write home, auto and business insurance throughout the country. We will always offer the same personal hometown service."
 
The move is a win for all parties, said Wheeler & Taylor President J. Scott Rote. 
 
"By partnering with Wheeler & Taylor, both agencies can do even more for their personal and business customers," he said. "Local decision-making combined with national resources creates a unique opportunity for agencies like them to preserve their heritage and commitment to the local community while at the same time significantly expanding their access to a broadened marketplace of insurance carriers, knowledge to insure nationwide, and commercial expertise allowing for expanded product offerings."
 
Albert B. Allen Insurance Agency has been serving Franklin County since 1925. 
 
It is located at 277 Federal Street, Greenfield, and online at albertallen.com.
 
Founded in 1980, Mirick Insurance Agency uses the latest in technology to maintain a constant link between its customers and insurance companies. 
 
Mirick is located at 28 Bridge Street, Shelburne Falls, and is online at www.mirickins.com.
 
Founded in 1871, Wheeler & Taylor, Inc. is one of America's oldest continuously operated financial companies. Operating full-service insurance and real estate brokerage operations from its headquarters in Great Barrington, Mass., it has a network of offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, California, and Nevada. Web: www.wheelertaylor.com.
 
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Lee Elementary Students Channel their Ninja Spirit

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
 

The American Ninja Warrior was at the school to talk about confidence and plans for a NinjaFit playground in Lee. 
LEE, Mass. — Students at Lee Elementary School discovered how to channel their ninja spirit both inside and outside the classroom during a Neighborhood Ninjas presentation on Friday.
 
The motivational assembly explored how to not fear failure, overcome negative thoughts, be confident in your abilities, and not let other peoples thoughts defer you from your goals. 
 
We are so quick to doubt our ability; rather focus on the process. Ability will come from focusing on the process, Neighborhood Ninjas Executive Director Alex Katz said. 
 
Individuals have to decide that even if others do not believe in them or see their vision, they have to believe in themselves, she said. "It's not about never failing; it's about getting back up, trying again, and learning from each attempt."
 
Katz showed students her journey of overcoming her fear of heights, which inspired her to take up the ninja warrior sport, in which athletes run a timed course of physical challenges. The entertainment/reality competition originated in Japan and is probably best known here as "American Ninja Warrior."
 
On the big white screen, she projected her numerous attempts to lache — swinging from one bar to another — until she succeeded the 17th time and attributed her previous failures to fear. 
 
"I am a big fan of doing stuff that scares you safely. That means we practice it. A lot of people think ninjas don’t get scared. We hear things like 'ninjas are just fearless'... but we do get scared," Katz told the students. 
 
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