Welcome To Crossroads Events!
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The Baker-Polito Administration has announced a four-phase plan for reopening for business which includes new mandatory workplace safety standards. You can read the details of the reopening plan below. The state's Reopening Advisory Board provides its full report to the Governor on Monday, May 18th, so stay tuned. Phase 1 may begin as early as next week.
We heartily applaud our heroes at Harrington Hospital and all of those on the front lines striving to keep us well and safe, and we deeply appreciate your patience and your efforts to protect all of our neighbors and friends. We will get through this together and we are chomping at the bit to reopen and reconnect with you!
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Webinar: Social Media Video for COVID-19 Recovery:
Best Practices Detailed for Each CMS Local Business
Tuesday, May 19, 12:00PM-1:00PM
The Chamber of Central Mass South invites you to a webinar on how to make more effective use of video in your business’s social media. Chamber of Central Mass South’s Venly Fellow
Hannah London
will take you through best practices for your particular business that you will want to incorporate as part of your COVID-19 Recovery. Hannah will detail an assessment for how each of our member businesses benchmark on best practices individually and by market category.
WE WILL CONFIRM AND SEND YOU A LINK TO JOIN THE WEBINAR THROUGH WEBEX.
About Venly
Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts,
Venly
is a for-profit social enterprise that provides a one-year Fellowship to train local business leaders on social media and other technology-enabled best practices. Venly Fellows are recent graduates and returning veterans who are certified as trainers in partnership with local chambers of commerce and other hubs for community commerce innovation. Venly’s mission is to help local businesses grow, create jobs, and strengthen each community Venly serves. Venly Fellows deliver their field-based training through Venly Institute’s distributed systems for benchmarking, certification, and access to industry-specific capabilities and services.
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Baker-Polito Administration Announces Four-Phase Approach to Reopening
and Publishes Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards
New standards will apply to all workplaces when phased reopening begins
BOSTON - MAY 11, 2020
— Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a four-phase approach to reopening the Massachusetts economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and published Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards that will apply across all sectors and industries once reopening begins.
The goal of the phased reopening, based on public health guidance, is to methodically allow certain businesses, services, and activities to resume, while protecting public health and limiting a resurgence of new COVID-19 cases.
- Phase 1 will be “Start:” limited industries resume operations with severe restrictions
- Phase 2 will be “Cautious:” additional industries resume operations with restrictions and capacity limits
- Phase 3 will be “Vigilant:” additional industries resume operations with guidance
- Phase 4 will be the “New Normal:” development of vaccine and/or therapy enables resumption of new normal
Businesses and activities that provided “COVID-19 Essential Services,” per Governor Baker’s March 23
rd
order, will continue to operate. Certain businesses and activities with a lower risk of COVID-19 transmission will open in earlier phases. Decisions and timing will be influenced by public health metrics for when the first phase of reopening begins, as well as when it is safe to move into concurrent phases.
CLICK HERE
for more information about the four-phased reopening approach.
Additionally, the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the COVID-19 Command Center, in consultation with the Reopening Advisory Board and based on feedback from industry, labor, and community coalitions, has developed Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission as employees and customers begin to return to workplaces during the first phase of reopening. These Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards are applicable to all sectors and industries that will be open in phase one, and create new workplace requirements for social distancing, hygiene, staffing and operations, and cleaning. These standards are being released to give workplaces time to plan and prepare for reopening.
For social distancing:
- All persons, including employees, customers, and vendors should remain at least six feet apart to the greatest extent possible, both inside and outside workplaces
- Establish protocols to ensure that employees can practice adequate social distancing
- Provide signage for safe social distancing
- Require face coverings or masks for all employees
For hygiene:
- Provide hand washing capabilities throughout the workplace
- Ensure frequent hand washing by employees and adequate supplies to do so
- Provide regular sanitization of high touch areas, such as workstations, equipment, screens, doorknobs, restrooms throughout work site
For staffing and operations:
- Provide training for employees regarding the social distancing and hygiene protocols
- Employees who are displaying COVID19-like symptoms do not report to work
- Establish a plan for employees getting ill from COVID-19 at work, and a return-to-work plan
For cleaning and disinfecting:
- Establish and maintain cleaning protocols specific to the business
- When an active employee is diagnosed with COVID-19, cleaning and disinfecting must be performed
- Disinfection of all common surfaces must take place at intervals appropriate to said workplace
CLICK HERE
for more information about the Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards.
In addition to these Mandatory Standards which apply to all workplaces, the Reopening Advisory Board is developing Sector Specific Safety Protocols and Best Practices that will detail how particular industries should operate upon reopening.
The Reopening Advisory Board is scheduled to provide its full report to Governor Baker on Monday, May 18th.
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Who is Open? Restaurant, Retail and Services
View and download the updated lists of
Member Restaurants
offering delivery,
curbside pickup and/or takeout, and
Retail Shops and Services
.
Thank you for Supporting Local!
KEEP US POSTED!
Contact Jack
to update us on your status for inclusion on these lists.
Thank you!
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Massachusetts Clarifies Rules for Nonessential Businesses, Allows Some Remote Sales Staff
The Baker-Polito administration updated its guidance on Monday (May 11) to allow
certain nonessential retail businesses,
from flower shops to car dealerships, to bring back employees for
remote sales only
.
In addition, the new guidance opens the door for book shops, jewelers, sporting goods stores, video game stores, and other shuttered retailers to bring back between three and seven employees depending on the size of their facility, as long as they adhere to certain social distancing and sanitation rules.
While the essential services list has not changed since March 31, the administration has updated its Frequently Asked Questions page to make additional clarifications.
VIEW FAQs
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Harrington HealthCare System Ramps up Return to Normal Services
with Coronavirus Protection Measures in Place
As the number of new coronavirus cases in Massachusetts begins to decline, Harrington HealthCare System (HHS) is encouraging patients to return for care at service locations across its system, with additional new infection prevention measures designed specifically to protect against the COVID-19 virus now in place.
“Patient safety is always our first priority and it will continue to be as we return to a pre-pandemic level of services in our outpatient and ancillary service centers as well as all Harrington Physician Services offices over the next several weeks,” said HHS President and CEO Ed Moore.
“We want our patients to know that we’ve put extra measures in place to protect them so that they feel safe in receiving the routine, preventive and ongoing care that they need,” Moore said. “Temporary restrictions and suspension of some non-essential services was necessary at the start of the pandemic, but now that the spread of the virus is slowing and protocols have been developed that are effective in protecting patients, it’s important that people resume normal healthcare activities, especially those with chronic conditions.”
Moore says the healthcare system has implemented the latest COVID-19 cleaning and disinfecting protocols, meeting and even exceeding the guidelines published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), across all of its facilities.
Those protocols include increased environmental services staffing, more frequent cleaning of high traffic areas such as elevators, registration areas and waiting rooms, and increased detailed cleaning of all exam rooms and inpatient rooms with hospital-grade, CDC-approved disinfectants.
Specialized disinfection technology including the use of UV light sterilizers, air scrubbers and disinfectant fogger devices is also in use, providing efficient and effective disinfection while posing no harm to the environment, staff, patients or the public.
Moore says that in addition to these additional disinfection measures; routine screening for COVID-19 symptoms is being performed at all outpatient care locations and Harrington Physician Services offices. Patients who have non-emergent symptoms that suggest possible infection with COVID-19 will be instructed to stay home and take advantage of Harrington’s new Telehealth service to receive care from home, when possible.
At both the Southbridge and Webster Emergency Departments of Harrington Hospital, additional protocols are in place to safely care for all patients, including those with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection.
We are finalizing implementation plans for curbside triage at the Southbridge Emergency Department, in an effort to avoid patient interaction in the waiting room. Negative air pressure rooms are in place throughout the hospital to remove airborne particles from COVID positive patient rooms via air ducts. In addition, staff will continues to adhere to heightened and stringent protocols for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
“Even as cases of coronavirus decline, we want our patients to know that our vigilance in protecting them from the virus at our facilities will not,” Moore said. “Our goal is to assure our patients that they can safely return to receiving all the care they need from us moving forward. We certainly do not want our patients to become more ill, or have a chronic condition exacerbated, as a result of delaying care for fear of contracting the virus. We have always been here to keep you safe and healthy, that has not, and will not, change no matter what comes our way.”
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UNITED WAY OF SOUTHBRIDGE, STURBRIDGE AND CHARLTON
ANNOUNCES MERGER WITH UNITED WAY OF WEBSTER-DUDLEY
The United Way of Southbridge, Sturbridge and Charlton announces its merger with the United Way of Webster and Dudley. In a joint decision between the local chapters’ Board of Directors, the new local chapter will continue to provide services for all five towns from one location, with efforts focused on growing potential opportunities to connect communities with access to support services.
The merger formally went into effect on April 16, and will allow the sharing of local resources to create a stronger network of partners and agencies. The newly-formed
United Way of South Central Massachusetts (UWSCM) will operate out of office space at 176 Main Street, Southbridge, led by Executive Director Mary O’Coin and a team of 32 Board members comprised from both entities.
“We are eager to help our communities by continuing to create a positive quality of life for families surrounding the organization,” said O’Coin. “We have endless growth potential which we will be working toward through fundraising and volunteer work.”
During the 2018–2019 campaign year, the two chapters raised a combined $582,000 and distributed 42 different grants supporting community programs at 22 local agencies. The 2019–2020 campaign has raised a total $443,000 so far; UWSCM will continue fundraising efforts over the next few months.
Newly elected Board President Bill Keefe of Webster stated, “It is a historical time that this merger is taking place. With the coronavirus pandemic and the need to stay home with only essential employees working, it is even more important that the organizations and programs supported by United Way remain available to those in need. By combining these two local chapters, we hope to continue pursuing vibrant campaigns, encouraging more local giving from residents and businesses in the future, so we can continue to help those who need it the most.”
About United Way of South Central Massachusetts (UWSCM)
UWSCM functions as part of United Way Worldwide. United Way Worldwide is engaged in nearly 1,800 communities across more than 40 countries and territories around the world. United Way works with companies, governments, non-profits and other establishments to address complex challenges to help build stronger communities. The organization is focused on creating community-based and community-led solutions that strengthen the cornerstones for a good quality of life: education, financial stability and health.
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The Official Brimfield Live Online May 2020!
The Brimfield Shows are going on now through 4:00pm on Saturday as a virtual event streaming from the fields.
Scroll down to SEE DISCUSSION to view videos and live streams from a plethora of dealers!
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TLGV Announces Pay-What-You-Can Memberships
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The Last Green Valley, Inc. (TLGV) understands these are challenging times for many of our members and supporters. At TLGV we want to help make some things easier by launching a new pay-what-you-can membership. Anyone who wants to join TLGV to care for, enjoy and pass on The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor can do so for free or make a donation of any size that is comfortable for them. You can sign up at
thelastgreenvalley.org
.
“For the last 25 years we’ve built our work around partnerships and community,” said Lois Bruinooge, executive director of TLGV. “This pandemic shows us all how important working together is, even when we have to do it from a distance. By changing our memberships we want to build on those partnerships and sense of community to strengthen the National Heritage Corridor and ensure it is here for future generations.”
TLGV is the 501(c)(3) entrusted with stewardship of The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor. Donations help the organization fund its many programs and events designed to educate and advocate for the region. Now more than ever, we understand how crucial The Last Green Valley’s open spaces, trails and locally grown foods are to our health and well-being.
TLGV members get all TLGV publications, such as the Explore Guide, Walktober Calendar and In Touch magazine mailed directly to their homes, invitations and discounts to TLGV programs and events, including exclusive member-only programs, and more.
“The TLGV Board of Directors has always been representative of the community we serve,” said Board Chairman Mike Nelson. “To change the way we offer memberships makes sense to us so we can continue to support the community and together we can continue to keep The Last Green Valley a special place.”
The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor is the last stretch of dark night sky in the coastal sprawl between Boston and Washington, D.C. The Last Green Valley, Inc. is a member-supported, non-profit organization working for you in the National Heritage Corridor. Together we can care for, enjoy and pass on The Last Green Valley!
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WE ARE OPEN!
COME AND PLAY A ROUND!
Spend some time on the course and enjoy the great outdoors!
We are
open for play
and would love to see you out on the course soon.
Walking only
Book Tee Times and Pay Online
COVID 19 Course Procedures
To do our part in preventing the spread of COVID-19, we are taking the following steps to ensure golfer safety at our course:
• Tee times must be prepaid online or over the phone.
• Please do not touch the flagsticks. Observe the "gimme" rule when putting to avoid needing to take out the flagstick.
• Do not use water coolers or ball washers on the course.
• Practice social distancing while on the course. Please allow at minimum 6ft of space between your playing partners, other golfers and staff while on the course.
To ensure the most up-to-date information before your round, please give us a call. 508-248-5111
Click below to book your tee time easily online.
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Harrington HealthCare Urges Public Not to Delay Urgent Care Needs Due to Coronavirus Fears
SOUTHBRIDGE, MA, May 1, 2020 – Harrington HealthCare System (HHS) officials report that they’ve seen a significant decline in the number of emergency department and urgent care visits since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic and are urging the public not to delay seeking care out of fear that they may contract the COVID-19 virus at a healthcare facility.
“What we’re seeing in our emergency department and urgent care center right now is consistent with trends observed at other healthcare organizations across the country,” said HHS Chief Medical Officer Dr. Frank Powers. “People are choosing not to seek care for conditions that require timely treatment because they’re more afraid of picking up the COVID-19 virus than they are of the condition they already have. Unfortunately, they are much more likely to suffer negative or even grave consequences by not getting the care they need than they are of contracting the coronavirus in a hospital emergency department or urgent care center.”
“We’ve already seen that play out for some patients who delayed care until their condition was much more critical, and they have suffered greatly in some cases as a result. We don’t want to see that for any of our patients, especially when there’s no need to be afraid to seek care immediately,” Dr. Powers said.
HHS officials are urging the public not to forego needed care at this time, saying that extensive infection control measures have always been in place at HHS healthcare facilities and that additional measures aimed specifically at preventing the spread of COVID-19 have also been in place since early March. These measures can be found on the health system’s website at
harringtonhospital.org/coronavirus
.
“One of the newest measures we’re putting in place is designed to ease one of the biggest concerns that patients have, which is the fear of sitting in an Emergency Department waiting room,” Dr. Powers said. “To address that concern, by mid-May we’ll be implementing an Emergency Department Curbside Triage Assessment. The goal is to allow patients to be screened by a nurse in their car, and then to be taken to a private exam room as soon as one is available. If there isn’t a room available immediately and the condition doesn’t require immediate care, the patient can wait right there in their car, rather than sitting in a waiting room. We believe this will help to ease fears about coming into the ED.
Dr. Powers says that anyone with serious or life-threatening injuries or symptoms that would normally warrant a trip to the emergency department should continue to seek emergency care there immediately. For less serious injuries and illnesses, immediate care is available at the Harrington Urgent Care Express in Oxford. Patients can also continue to schedule annual physicals and receive care for non-urgent conditions through Harrington’s new Telehealth service.
“Telehealth appointments are available for a wide range of services, from primary care and specialty care services to behavioral health. This new technology allows doctors and patients to connect via video chat or telephone so that care can be provided virtually from home and with no risk at all of exposure to COVID-19,” Dr. Powers said.
Dr. Powers says that Harrington will continue to monitor the incidence of COVID-19 in the region over the coming weeks. If cases continue to decline, he said, the healthcare system will begin to evaluate reopening other services that have been shut down during the pandemic, in keeping with directives and guidelines provided by Governor Baker and the Massachusetts Department of Health.
“We expect that this situation will continue to evolve,” Dr. Powers said. “Our goal right now is to assure everyone that they can safely access care for all emergency, urgent and chronic care needs, and to remind them that they should also continue to receive routine care through Telehealth where possible. For those services where Telehealth is not an option, we’ll be working to reopen those as quickly as possible when it’s clear that it is safe to do so.”
The latest information about Harrington HealthCare System COVID-19 care and policies, details about its new Telehealth service, and the availability of other services in the healthcare system are available on Harrington’s website at
harringtonhospital.org
.
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Christopher Heights Celebrates with Style
Webster -
A global pandemic could not stop the parade and pageantry in celebration of mothers this week at Christopher Height Assisted Living of Webster.
The 83-apartment assisted living community in Webster welcomed a Caravan of Caring parade on Sunday that featured 54 cars carrying family members, friends, decorations and well wishes for their loved ones.
“I was wondering what Mother’s Day was going to look like this year when I received a notice from Christopher Heights inviting me to participate in the grand parade,” said Rochelle Webb. “To see the look on my mother’s face was absolutely priceless and it created a real happening that excited us all during this very trying time of social distancing.”
The event was organized by the staff of Christopher Heights who were also grateful to have received a donation of over $4000 worth of beautiful hats earmarked for every resident of the assisted living community from millinery hat purveyor SALMAGUNDI of Boston and the members of the Dudley Woman’s Club, a local non-profit organization committed to the betterment of their community.
“We work hard to assure our residents always experience the quality in their lives every day, no matter what is being thrown at us,” said Gerri Lorusso, Executive Director of Christopher Heights. “The hats were distributed to residents this week before the parade and it was so uplifting to see the joy that was sparked among residents and staff alike. We are grateful to SALMAGUNDI and the Dudley Woman’s Club for truly topping off our week of Mother’s Day festivities and we are elated over the response received by family and friends for the parade. It really provided a great opportunity for the residents and their families to enjoy such a special day.”
Jessen Fitzpatrick and Andria Rapagnola, the husband and wife team who own and operate SALMAGUNDI, were happy to have made this donation possible, alongside the generosity of such a giving and community-minded group of individuals at the Dudley Woman’s Club.
“We know the pandemic has created significant challenges and caused isolation for the senior populations,” said Fitzpatrick and Rapagnola. “This just seemed like such a good way for us to lift some spirits and bring some smiles, it was our way to put a little hug around their heads.”
Judy Joy, an active Board member of the Dudley Woman’s Club whose mother-in-law also resides at Christopher Heights was on hand, with fellow Board members Diane Perry and Deb LaPlaca showing support by holding up a Dudley Woman’s Club banner, as well as, participating with her husband Bruce in the parade where they all witnessed the successful outcome of this tremendous collaboration.
“It was so much fun, and you could feel the heartfelt appreciation from families, staff and residents,” commented Joy. “I am so proud to be a member of the DWC and be a part of this feel-good offering and celebration.”
Christopher Heights Assisted Living
is located at 338 Thompson Road, Webster, Massachusetts, a peaceful and rural setting just above the Connecticut line and right near the shore of Webster’s Lake Chaubunagungamaug. Christopher Heights™ Webster is an 83-apartment housing alternative for seniors, offering an abundance of amenities, in a warm and dignified residential setting. The Christopher Heights assisted living community is designed to help maintain resident independence in home-like private apartments amidst a beautiful environment.
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Harrington Physician Services Welcomes Endocrinologist Dr. Robert Cooper to Sturbridge Practice
Robert Cooper, MD, FACE, FACP has joined Harrington Physician Services’ endocrinology practice in Sturbridge. Dr. Cooper brings more than 20 years of experience to the practice and provides all aspects of endocrinology care, including management of diabetes as well as thyroid, pituitary and adrenal disorders.
Dr. Cooper is board certified in endocrinology as well as internal medicine and is a Fellow of the American College of Endocrinology (FACE) and the American College of Physicians (FACP). He received his medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York and completed his medical residency at Long Island Jewish Hospital, also in New York.
In addition to his practice of endocrinology, Dr. Cooper is an assistant professor of medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. He also serves as an editor for the MedStudy Internal Medicine Board Review and on the advisory board of the Cardiometabolic Health Congress, the largest US-based, multidisciplinary conference and educational resource addressing cardiometabolic disease prevention and management.
Dr. Cooper will replace Dr. Rene Umanzor and Nurse Practitioner Jessica Locke at Harrington Physician Services endocrinology practice located at 128 Main Street, Suite 2 in Sturbridge. Patients interested in scheduling an appointment can call (508) 347-7585.
Services provided at the practice include personalized treatment and management of all types of endocrine disorders and illnesses, including: diabetes and obesity; adrenal disorders; thyroid disease; metabolic disease; reproductive endocrinology, including treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome and menopause; hypertension; and nutrition therapy consultations for conditions such as obesity, celiac disease, kidney disease and high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
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Local Food Pantries Receive Donations from NBSB to Help Support Neighbors in Need
North Brookfield, MA –
North Brookfield Savings Bank and its employees have always been deeply connected to their local communities, offering service through various acts of volunteerism and contributions. The Bank and its valued community ambassadors are always striving to find a way to spread hope, kindness and support to those in their communities, whether it be offering an uplifting word to someone who is struggling, making a donation to an important cause, or giving time to make our shared community experience the best it can be. While as of late they have not been able to be out in the community doing what they love most, they have still been suggesting and implementing new ways of showing their care for the communities.
Most recently, in an effort to ease the struggles of community members, North Brookfield Savings Bank made donations to local food pantries to help the remarkable pantry volunteers to stock their shelves and distribute grocery store gift cards to local residents in need.
In a time when many locals are facing hardships because of the pandemic, including job loss and illness, it is an unfortunate reality that some residents are also struggling to put food on the table. It is the Bank’s hope to do their part to ease those struggles.
North Brookfield Savings Bank donated to the following local food pantries supporting the relative communities and the surrounding areas:
First Congregational Church
, 144 North Main Street, North Brookfield
Call for more information: 508-867-8428
St. Joseph's Parish Food Pantry,
296 North Main Street, North Brookfield
Call for more information: 508-867-6811
East Brookfield Baptist Church Food Pantry
, 262 East Main Street, East Brookfield
Call for more information: 508-867-7725
Sharing Cupboard Food Pantry
, 36 North Main Street, West Brookfield
Call for more information: 508-867-7078
Jubilee Cupboard Food Pantry
, 20 Park Street, Ware
Call for more information: 413-967-3274
Food Share, Inc
., 39 Walnut Street, Palmer
Call for more information: 413-283-3614
Belchertown Ecumenical Food Pantry
, 24 Jabish Street, Belchertown
Call for more information: 413-323-6272
Before visiting these food pantries, it is suggested to contact them for their specific hours, ID or paperwork requirements, and policies for pick up during the pandemic.
As a local and dependable bank, North Brookfield Savings Bank has been a part of its communities for over 165 years. It is their commitment to their values of supporting their communities and sharing kindness that drives them and forms the foundation of their business. This has always been their way of doing business, but now more than ever they are working hard to ensure that their community members know NBSB is here to support them. From the creation and distribution of vital and informative resources on their website, through active support of their customers as they adopt unfamiliar but important remote banking options, as they implement innovative ways to continue to offer the same great service through their drive-ups and as they assist businesses as they navigate loans programs, to offering great online and mobile banking options, NBSB is here to help.
“It is an unfortunate reality that these hard and uncertain times can pose great challenges for many individuals. Our local food pantries are great resources that help support our community members in need and it is our honor to help them in their efforts,” said North Brookfield Savings Bank President and CEO Donna Boulanger. “Thank you to the many local volunteers who keep these vital pantries running during these times, when they are needed more than ever.”
To learn more about North Brookfield Savings Bank’s community giving efforts and all of the convenient banking products and services offered, visit
www.NorthBrookfieldSavingsBank.com
.
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Harrington HealthCare System Nationally Recognized with an ‘A’
for the Spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade
“To be recognized as one of the top hospitals in the state to score high marks for hospital safety, and to be the only central Massachusetts hospital to earn 14 A’s since the inception of this program, says a lot about the commitment of our staff to keep patients safe every day within the Harrington HealthCare System,” said President and CEO Ed Moore.
“As the Nation copes with a challenging pandemic, our gratitude extends to hospital leadership and health care workers everywhere for their tremendous dedication,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We hope this ‘A’ helps to thank the people who work and volunteer for Harrington HealthCare System. They are role models in putting patients first, and their service has been extraordinary in our country’s time of need.”
Developed under the guidance of a national Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.
Harrington Hospital was awarded the A on April 30, when Leapfrog updated grades for spring 2020. To see Harrington HealthCare System’s full grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit
hospitalsafetygrade.org
and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook.
About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed decisions. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections.
About Harrington HealthCare System
Harrington HealthCare System is a comprehensive regional healthcare system serving more than 25 communities across south central Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut. The system includes Harrington Hospital in Southbridge, Harrington HealthCare at Webster and three additional major medical office buildings: Harrington HealthCare at Charlton, Harrington HealthCare at 169, also in Charlton, and Harrington HealthCare at Spencer; Harrington Physician Services, our primary care and multi-specialty physician group; UrgentCare Express at Harrington in Charlton and Oxford; The Cancer Center at Harrington in Southbridge, and the region’s largest Behavioral Health programs for mental health and substance use.
www.harringtonhospital.org
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Upcoming Online Opportunities
Check out these options for keeping mentally and physically fit during the shutdown of non-essential businesses. Are you offering online learning opportunities, webinars, or podcasts? Please add them to
our calendar
or email Jack the pertinent info and we will be happy to share!
WORCESTER REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Worcester Chamber offers webinars available to CMS Chamber Members for free or at the Member rate.
FREE Webinar: Seminar Series - Tax Impacts of the COVID-19 Stimulus Bill
Mental Health and COVID-19
How it Affects Your Family, Staff, and You
Wednesday, May 20, 10 am
REGISTRATION OPEN SOON
Managing Your Business' Cash Flow During a Crisis
Tuesday, May 26, 10 am
REGISTRATION OPEN SOON
Resuming Operations: Legal Considerations and Best Practices
Wednesday, May 27, 10 am. REGISTRATION OPEN SOON
DURING THE PANDEMIC, CHAMBER WEBINARS ARE OPEN TO ALL AT NO COST
COGGNO
is the Chamber's 24/7 Training platform. Low cost and even free online courses are available.
FREE ONLINE BUSINESS WORKSHOPS OFFERED BY SCORE WORCESTER
Re-opening – Operational Considerations
Building Block 1
Monday | May 18 | 10 am
As you emerge from the current pandemic, your “world of work” will have to make some fundamental shifts – shifts that address many challenges that require thoughtfulness and planning.
REGISTER
So, You Want To Become a Consultant
Tuesday | May 19 | 10:00 am
Many experienced managers and professionals have an expertise that businesses often seek from consultants. That expertise can be the basis for a solid solo consulting practice, or the foundation for a consulting firm. But if you’re interested in consulting as a career, you need more than a field of expertise — you need clients.
REGISTER
Financial Considerations – Building Block 2
Wednesday | May 20 | 10 am
One of the most important consideration, is asking yourself “How am I really doing financially?”
REGISTER
Leveraging Social Media – Building Block 3
Friday | May 22 | 10 am
How should your social media strategy change? How can social media be a solution for the challenges posed by the crisis?
REGISTER
TRI-COMMUNITY YMCA
DEB K HYPNOSIS
Offers online sessions through Zoom, Skype and Facetime. Call Deb at (508) 579-6314 or
visit online for more.
HITCHCOCK ACADEMY
Remains closed until May 18.
The Farmers' Market will be open every Saturday from 9 am - 2 pm.
Visit the link
.
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Learn online, on your time for FREE, now through July 5th!
A well-trained team is more engaged and more productive... leading to better, smarter results for your business.
Available Now:
- Managing the Virtual Workspace:Tips & Strategies
- Crisis Management
- Employee Accountability
- Skype for Business
- Creating Winning Webinars
- Successfully Managing Change
Coming Soon:
- Microsoft (various levels): Excel 2016, Office 365, Teams
- Soft Skills: Customer Service, Stress Management, Social Selling, Leadership Skills
- Call Center Training
- Building a Brand on Social Media
- Communications for Small Business
- Effective Performance Reviews
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Coloring for Kids (or Adults!)
Do you have kids who enjoy coloring? Or maybe you’re an adult who finds coloring to be a relaxing activity, especially during these uncertain times. Victoria, our Coordinator of Households and Foodways, is also a talented artist! She’s created four coloring pages based on Village scenes that you can download and print from our website!
Visit Virtually!
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50+ Job Seekers Regional Networking Groups
NETWORKING WORKS!
Your AGE really is your EDGE©!
IMPORTANT NOTICE
to All 50+ Job Seekers in Massachusetts
There is no doubt that dealing the current Covid19 Challenge of CDC self-quarantine/social distancing guidance – now extended thru May - has created another major and unprecedented hurdle during the already challenging job search process for the 50+ demographic.
We are so excited to announce that with the overwhelming support and generosity of MCOA, our funding-sponsor, we will now be able to offer the 50+ program in a virtual format using Zoom - beginning on April 6! Please check our web site for the updated schedules for all of our 17 host sites – noting that there may be changes in day or time in order to avoid virtual session overlap.
Not only will this allow us to continue to provide guidance, content, strategies and support to all of you who are currently participants in this program, but now, with this new virtual modality, we will be able to offer this vital and timely program to others in the region who, up until now, may have been geographically challenged to attend one of our 17 host site locations in MA.
If you are new to our program and interested in attending one of our upcoming sessions, you must register on our website in order to start receiving email notifications on upcoming meetings. [If you are already registered for the program, you do not need to register again.]
We will be providing additional information and guidance on our virtual programming in the coming days thru direct email, our LI and FB groups as well as our web site.
For specific information on the program, registering etc. please contact me
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SAVE THE DATE!
CHAMBER of CENTRAL MASS SOUTH
GOLF CLASSIC
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020
9:00am Shotgun Start
Heritage Country Club, Charlton, MA
Benefits The Chamber Scholarships & Charities Fund
STAY TUNED...MORE INFO COMING SOON!
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Executive Committee
Laurie Cashman, Chair
Yellow Iris Farm
Erika Travinski, 1st Vice Chair
The Center of Hope
Jessica Bettencourt, Immediate Past Chair
Klem's
Bruce Watkins, Treasurer
Karl Storz Endovision, Inc.
Board of Directors
Brad Arcoite
Table 3 Restaurant Group
Michael Checkosky
Cornerstone Bank
Angela Chviek
Harrington Hospital
Alycia Dzik
Webster First Federal Credit Union
Rich Eichacker
Vibrance Technology Corp
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Michelle Fanion
ERA Key Realty
Steve Gardiner
Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center
Les Gardner
Les Gardner Photography
Nathan Hardt
Old Sturbridge Village
Leila Hurt
Country Bank
Lynn Mero
Southbridge Credit Union
Rich Suitum
Exsel Advertising Group
Michael Wales
Michael L. Wales Painting Company
James Donahue
Old Sturbridge Village
Honorary Board Member
Counsel
Padgett Berthiaume
Berthiaume & Berthiaume
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46 Hall Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
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Paulette Hughes
Finance & Administration
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Jack Starkey
Communications & Media
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