MountainOne Wins Award for Storybook Program

11:33AM / Sunday, July 27, 2025Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.— MountainOne is the recipient of a Silver Bell Ringer Award, announced during the 57th Annual PR Club Bell Ringer Awards ceremony, held June 3 at the Museum of Science in Boston.

The Bell Ringer Awards recognize public relations and communications work that demonstrates excellence in creative planning and superior execution, stated a press release.

MountainOne earned Silver in the Communications Campaigns – Content Marketing category for its Mo's Storybook Program, a multi-faceted initiative promoting financial literacy and personal growth among children. Central to the program is the original 24-page illustrated book, "How to Climb a Mountain," featuring Mo the MountainOne Spokesgoat. The campaign also included strategic marketing, public relations, and community outreach efforts designed to bring Mo's message to life.

Over the past year, there have been more than 20 live readings across the Berkshires and South Shore, at schools, libraries, and community centers. To date, more than 2,000 copies of "How to Climb a Mountain" have been distributed, earning praise from educators, parents, and young readers alike.

Following the program's initial success, MountainOne recently launched "Something to Save," the second book in the series, continuing its mission to empower kids through storytelling and smart financial habits.

"We're incredibly proud to see Mo's Storybook Program recognized with this Silver Bell Award," said Jill Amato, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Community Banking at MountainOne. "What began as a creative way to promote reading and financial literacy has truly grown into something special. These books help spark meaningful conversations with kids about confidence, goal-setting, and smart saving habits."

MountainOne extended its gratitude to HATCH The Agency, storybook author Doug Murphy, illustrator Laura Salafia, and PRfirst for their integral roles in bringing Mo's storybook to life.

The Bell Ringer Awards ceremony brought together leading PR and marketing professionals from across the region. Founded in 1948, PR Club is one of the nation's oldest nonprofit public relations organizations, committed to advancing excellence in the communications industry.

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Key West Bar Gets Probation in Underage Incident

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
05:54AM / Wednesday, February 11, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Key West is on probation for the next six months after an incident of underage drinking back in November.

The License Commission had continued a hearing on the bar to consult with the city solicitor on whether charges could be brought. The opinion was that it was up to the District Attorney.

Chief Mark Bailey at Tuesday's commission meeting said he did not believe criminal charges applied in this instance because no one at the bar "knowingly or intentionally" supplied the alcoholic beverages.

"I feel that the bartender thought that the person was over 21 so it's not like she knowingly provided alcohol to them, to a person under 21. She just assumed that the person at the door was doing their job," he said. "So I don't feel that we can come after them criminally, or the bartender or the doorman, because the doorman did not give them alcohol."

The incident involved two 20-year-old men who had been found inside the State Street bar after one of the men's mothers had first taken him out of the bar and then called police when he went back inside. Both times, it appeared neither man had been carded despite a bouncer who was supposed to be scanning identification cards.

The men had been drinking beer and doing shots. The chief said the bouncer was caught in a lie because he told the police he didn't recognize the men, but was seen on the bar's video taking their drinks when police showed up.

Commissioner Peter Breen hammered on the point that if the intoxicated men had gotten behind the wheel of their car, a tragedy could have occurred. He referenced several instances of intoxicated driving, including three deaths, over the past 15 years — none of which involved Key West.

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