MountainOne to Launch Second Children’s Book, 'Something to Save'

Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.— MountainOne, a community-based financial institution, announced it has partnered once again with storybook author Doug Murphy and illustrator Laura Salafia for "Something to Save," the follow-up to MountainOne's debut book, "How to Climb a Mountain." 

MountainOne's second children's book, "Something to Save," featuring Mo, the MountainOne Spokesgoat, was released at the MountainOne Annual Meeting on April 7, 2025.

In this new adventure, Mo and his trusted friend Penny the Chipmunk set out on a journey to understand the value of saving and planning for the future. The book encourages children to understand that starting small—whether by gathering, planning, or setting aside resources—can lead to meaningful and positive outcomes in the future. The story celebrates financial education at an early age, all while remaining fun and relatable for young readers.

"The response to 'How to Climb a Mountain' was fantastic, and we're excited to continue Mo's journey with 'Something to Save,'" said Jill Amato, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Community Banking at MountainOne. "These books promote reading literacy and financial responsibility in a fun and memorable way. We look forward to bringing the storybook experience—with book readings, activities, and even some special appearances—to each of our communities this spring!"

Robert Fraser, President and CEO of MountainOne, emphasized the book's broader impact.

"'Something to Save' is more than just a story—it's a tool to help families start conversations about smart financial habits. We hope it encourages families to think about saving and goal setting from an early age," he said.

MountainOne invites local elementary schools, after-school programs, libraries, and community partners to request free reading events featuring a storytelling experience with Mo the Spokesgoat. Children who attend receive a copy of the book, and activity packets designed to reinforce key financial literacy concepts. Upcoming readings will be announced on MountainOne's social media pages. To learn more, request an event, or explore Mo's storybook adventures, visit mountainone.com/mo-storybook.


Tags: MountainOne,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Letter: CDBG Funding for Housing Fix-Up, Purchase Assistance, and Affordable Housing Trust

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

At the public hearing (03/25/26) on the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Application submitted by North Adams, the presentation indicated that no funding was allocated to assisting residents with housing fix-up and housing purchase.

North Adams remains the only jurisdiction in Berkshire County that does not include these types of programs in their CDBG application. The grant application also misses an opportunity to fund the newly created Affordable Housing Trust which receives CDBG funds in other jurisdictions.

North Adams funded housing fix-up and housing purchase assistance in the past and these programs helped many residents with home upkeep and purchases. The need for these programs has only increased since they were abandoned by North Adams.

For the median income resident of North Adams the median home price is $40,000 more than they can afford. Over 27 percent of homeowners spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing and 12.5 percent of homeowners spend more than 50 percent of their income on housing. Over 20 percent of properties in North Adams are rated as below average condition by the North Adams assessor.

There should be no doubt that North Adams needs both fix-up and home purchase assistance programs and a well supported Affordable Housing Trust. I urge North Adams residents to advocate for funding for these programs during the upcoming budget review meetings.

Virginia Riehl
North Adams, Mass. 

Riehl is co-founder of the North Adams Community Housing Organization (NACHO)

 

 

 

View Full Story

More North Adams Stories