You will find this issue packed with important news from our Members and friends, including all the details of our SHOP LOCAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND WIN CONTEST which begins on Sunday. We are looking forward to networking around the bonfire at Salem Cross Inn on the 5th. The weather looks good, so give us a ring to reserve your spot! Events in this issue include Second Chance's DinnerLESS Auction, Venture Community Services Virtual Raffle and New Hope's Highlights of Hope Breakfast.

Crossroads is our Members' platform to share their latest news with fellow Chamber Members and our community. Enter your upcoming happenings on our Events calendar and email us your press releases, links and photos for inclusion in the next issue!

The Chamber is proud to announce our SHOP LOCAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS Campaign and Contest which kicks off on November 1 and runs through December 15, 2020. We will be encouraging folks to SHOP, DINE, & PURCHASE EXPERIENCES AND SERVICES at designated CMS Chamber Member businesses and incentivizing them to KEEP IT LOCAL with cash and prizes. Here's how it will work:

A Dexter-Russell Gift Basket donated by Dexter-Russell

A $100 Table 3 Restaurant Gift Card donated by Webster First Federal Credit Union

A Gift Basket donated by the Harrington Auxiliary Gift Shop

A Bottle of Wine and $70 Gift Certificate to Brush-It-Off donated by Brush-It-Off Paint & Sip Bar

A $25 Gift Card to Kid Power Gymnastics donated by Kid Power Gymnastics

A Gift Card to Michael L. Wales Painting Company donated by Michael Wales

A Gift Card to Klem's donated by Klem's

A Wrapping Sterling Silver Bracelet donated by Lake Road Living

1) Shop at any six Chamber businesses between Nov. 1, 2020-Dec. 15, 2020

2) Mark each business you shop and note the date/amount you spent (gift certificates included) on the entry form.

3) You must shop at 6 different businesses per entry

4) Take a photo of you shopping at at least one of the businesses you marked and include with entry form for our use

5) Email a completed entry form and photo to info@cmschamber.org or drop off at the CMS Chamber office

NETWORKING • CASH BAR • PASSED LIGHT HORS D'OEUVRES

Meet us by the fire pit for a networking bonfire at the historic Salem Cross Inn

on the first Thursday after Daylight Savings Time ends!

Members, bring your own chair. You may also bring a small side table if you desire.

We will need to remain seated as standing and mingling is prohibited due to Covid.

Chairs can be placed 6 feet or more apart near the bonfire or in small groups.

Masks must be worn.

Park in the field near the fire pit.

Give a call to reserve at 508-867-2345.

Give us a shout to reserve your spot at our November Networking Bonfire at the historic Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield!

Call 508-347-2761 or email info@cmschamber.org

BOSTON — Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced a $774 million comprehensive plan to stabilize and grow the Massachusetts economy. The plan focuses on getting people back to work, supporting small businesses, fostering innovation, revitalizing downtowns and ensuring housing stability. Partnerships for Recovery begins today by directing $115 million in new funding to small businesses and Main Streets hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and for workforce training efforts. Additionally, the Administration is aligning multiple funding sources, both existing and proposed, to appropriately respond to the crisis.

“This plan represents a comprehensive strategy to get people back to work and to support the small businesses hit the hardest by the pandemic, putting the Commonwealth on a path to recovery,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “By leveraging existing tools and programs and implementing new ones this plan will allow us to make critical resources and assistance to those who need it most available now.” 

“While we continue to combat this pandemic, this plan takes an approach that addresses key needs of the businesses in downtowns and main streets, provides housing support for vulnerable families, and opens new doors for people seeking to return to work,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “While we acknowledge we still have a ways to go, this plan will help to jumpstart our innovation economy and position Massachusetts to be on a path for success.”

"These funds will provide critical re-employment services to our workforce, helping people make the transition from unemployment benefits to good paying jobs in some of the Commonwealth's key long term job growth sectors," said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Rosalin Acosta.

Many communities have seen their Main Streets and downtown districts hit particularly hard by the pandemic, and new funding aims to help cities and towns plan for short-term innovations and long-term recovery. A new $10 million round of the Shared Streets and Spaces Grant Program will continue to help cities and towns quickly implement or expand improvements to sidewalks, curbs, streets, on-street parking spaces and off-street parking lots in support of public health, safe mobility, and renewed commerce in their communities. Separately, local recovery planning grants will soon be available to cities and towns to assist with long-term planning for their business districts. A total of $10 million is available for this program.

“Our current circumstances call for a plan with the size and scope to match the urgency we need to address the most pressing challenges we now face,” said Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Mike Kennealy. “By targeting vital resources toward these key areas, this strategy will allow us to lay a solid foundation for our path to recovery.”

“During this unprecedented public health emergency, the Baker-Polito Administration is continuing to invest significant resources to support recovery and growth initiatives for small businesses and Main Streets across Massachusetts,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Michael J. Heffernan. “Through close coordination with federal, state, and local partners – including our Legislative colleagues – we are proud to put forth a plan that thoughtfully invests funds from multiple sources to equip employers with the tools, resources, and supports to help navigate the new COVID-19 landscape.”

“We greatly appreciate Governor Baker’s sense of urgency to move these grant dollars now, while also working with the Legislature to secure additional funds in the state budget and the economic development bill,” said Joseph Kriesberg, President of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations and Board Member of the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation. “Small business owners have sacrificed to help keep all of us safe and healthy. This initiative is our opportunity to have their back.”

Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) is administering the Small Business Grants program, with $50.8 million available beginning today. Grant awards range between $25,000 – $75,000, and eligibility criteria and applications are available here.

The program has two distinct funding “doors” based on business size, with different eligibility criteria, which is available online. Applicants must review the information to determine which program to proceed with applying.

Starting this week, MOTT has changed the campaign website URL to lovemylocalMA.com to reflect the next phase of the campaign, supporting engagement as we move from “find” to “love.” All traffic automatically redirects from the prior site.

Our Partnerships page has been updated to include over 350 listings.

Local business radio opportunities: Starting this week, local businesses can participate in a value-added-value opportunity through iHeart Radio stations. Businesses can visit supportlocalinmass.com to submit a recording for their chance to be featured on a local station this November or December. 2,380 promotional spots are available!

Campaign video shoots: Last week MOTT captured behind-the-scenes footage and the power of community connections when they filmed spots at 11 locally owned businesses across the state. These video advertisements will air on television and online starting in late November.

The workshop will provide an overview of the statewide campaign, and provide detailed examples for local involvement, focusing on hyperlocal personalization using the lovemylocalMA.com website and toolkit materials.

Please register in advance for this meeting at

17th Annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fundraiser

Oxford, Massachusetts, October 16, 2020 – Robert J. Morton, president and CEO of bankHometown, announced the November 1 start of the bank’s annual Neighbors Helping Neighbors fundraising drive for 2020 to help support local food pantries.

“Neighbors Helping Neighbors is a terrific example of how communities come together to help others in need,” said Morton. “bankHometown is proud to lead this annual giving tradition and thankful to our valued customers and employees who selflessly give each year.”

Founded in 1889, bankHometown is headquartered in Oxford, Massachusetts, and has $1.2 billion in assets and 15 branches located throughout central Massachusetts and northeastern Connecticut. Through its sponsorship and charitable giving program, bankHometown and the Hometown Bank Community Foundation support non-profit organizations and causes throughout Worcester and Windham Counties. In 2019, the bank and foundation donated more than $328,000 to nearly 270 organizations. Over the last four years, the program has donated more than $1.1 million. For more information, visit bankhometown.com.

Southbridge: Thursday morning the United Way of South Central Massachusetts (UWSCM) kicked off its annual appeal campaign via a virtual Zoom event. “Usually we hold a breakfast and invite our workplace campaign managers, corporate partners, member agencies and individual donors to a breakfast event to introduce the new campaign theme and video and to learn more about our programs. But due to Covid-19 restrictions, we all have to do things differently this year,” stated UWSCM Executive Director Mary O’Coin. The United Way of Webster & Dudley merged with the United Way of Southbridge, Sturbridge and Charlton in April creating the United Way of South Central Massachusetts. By combining the two regions, resources and programs were combined. The funds raised in the 2020 We are Stronger Together campaign will support the $435,000 in grants awarded to 28 local non-profit programs through the UWSCM Community Impact Fund. In addition, UWSCM has raised and distributed more than $15,000 in grants to help local food pantries impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, bringing its total recent grant awards and distributions to $450,000.

The UWSCM Community Impact Fund makes grants annually to programs that address the region’s most critical needs in the areas of health, education, and financial stability. The recent round of grants will support a wide variety of programs that provide services including housing and shelter, food and nutrition, early literacy resources, and youth engagement.

“We are honored to support these dedicated and mission-driven organizations, as the need for these critical services has never been greater,” says 2020 Campaign Chairman Jim Croteau. “We look forward to working together to strengthen our community during this unprecedented time.”

Several non-profits have received Community Impact Fund grants for multiple years, enabling them to build long-term partnerships with UWSCM. For example, both the Boys and Girls Club of Webster-Dudley and YMCA of Central MA Tri-Community Family Branch in Southbridge continued to receive funding for their services for families and children experiencing both daily and afterschool childcare needs.

“There is the rich history of support and partnership between the Tri-Community YMCA and the United Way of South Central MA,” says Christina Hadis-Blackwell, Branch Director of Tri-Community YMCA. “From childcare to teen programs, summer camp to family programming, the United Way and the YMCA Tri-Community Family Branch are committed to working together to make our community a place for families to learn, grow and thrive. We look forward to continuing our work together and ensuring the success of the region.”

The United Way of South Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Charlton, Dudley, Southbridge, Sturbridge and Charlton. To learn more about programs, view the new United Way video and donating to the United Way visit www.uwscm.org .

North Brookfield, MA – North Brookfield Savings Bank is proud to announce the recent promotion of Bank employees, Meagan Brousseau, Joseph Ribeiro, Jessica Shimansky, Hayley Sprague, and Kyle Leonard, who have continuously displayed their commitment to the customers, communities, and the overall success of the Bank.

“We are so happy to announce these well-deserved promotions and to have Meagan, Joseph, Jessica, Hayley, and Kyle, as a part of the North Brookfield Savings Bank team,” said North Brookfield Savings Bank President and CEO Donna Boulanger. “I know that as they continue to grow within the Bank their support and commitment to our communities and values shall continue as well.”

Meagan Brousseau, of East Brookfield, has been promoted to Branch Manager and will be based out of the Bank’s West Brookfield Branch location at 128 West Main Street. She previously held the role of Assistant Branch Manager with the Bank.

In her new role, Brousseau will be responsible for managing the day to day operations of the branch, overseeing the teller line, scheduling, account openings, and inputting loan applications. She has worked in banking for over 19 years and brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to customer service into her new position. Brousseau enjoys volunteering at many community events such as, are the Asparagus Festival in West Brookfield, the Apple Country Fair in Brookfield, and the East Brookfield Fire Department Meat Raffle.

“I am excited to continue building relationships with the wonderful customers that come to the West Brookfield branch,” said North Brookfield Savings Bank Branch Manager Meagan Brousseau, “I look forward to being able to continue to provide the best customer service possible for our customers and to continue to offer support to the local communities.”

Joseph Ribeiro, of Ludlow, has been promoted to the role of Assistant Branch Manager, IRA Specialist & Bank Security Officer. He will be primarily based out of the Bank’s North Brookfield branch at 9 Gilbert Street. He previously held the role of Supervisor, IRA Specialist & Bank Security Officer. Where his responsibilities included overseeing all of the Bank’s IRA accounts and any transactions processed through them, as well as opening and closing the branch, overseeing tellers and their work, and serving with customers on a day to day basis.

In his new role, Ribeiro will be responsible for all of his previous duties as well as processing account openings and assisting Branch Management. Ribeiro holds a Fundamentals of Banking Certificate from the New England College of Business and has extensive experience in customer-facing positions that included the handling and processing of monetary transactions in addition to his 3 years with the Bank.

“The biggest thing I am looking forward to is the experience and knowledge I will gain from my new responsibilities. The knowledge and experience will help me grow in my current position as well as any other positions I pursue,” said North Brookfield Savings Bank Assistant Branch Manager Joseph Ribeiro, “My main goals for this new position are to work toward becoming a Branch Manager, as well as, continuing to expand my knowledge regarding my IRA Specialist and Bank Security Officer roles.”

Jessica Shimansky, of Brookfield, has been promoted to the role of Assistant Branch Manager. She will primarily be based out of the Bank’s East Brookfield Branch at 100 West Main Street. She previously held the role of Supervisor where she was responsible for resetting online banking, customer check ordering, opening accounts, and opening or closing the branch.

In her new role, Shimansky will continue to be responsible for all of her previous duties as well as, assisting customers with any issues in banking, managing the branches daily needs, opening consumer and business accounts, reviewing business account folders for proper documentation, loan applications, and producing instant issue debit cards. Shimansky has over a decade of strong experience in customer service and administration in addition to her 5 years with the Bank.

“I am looking forward to continuing to grow and increase my knowledge of the banking field,” said North Brookfield Savings Bank Assistant Branch Manager Jessica Shimansky, “As I do, I hope to take on more loans that come into the branch and be able to better serves our customers. I am also eager to volunteer more in the community when we are able to do so again.”

Hayley Sprague, of Three Rivers, has been promoted to the role of Loan Servicing Representative. She previously held the role of Supervisor where she was responsible for ensuring excellent customer service with all transactions and working with customers to resolve any issues that may have come up in their banking experiences. She was also responsible in conjunction with the branch manager, for daily ATM and Vault balancing, cash ordering, and taking on consumer loans.

In her new role, Sprague will be responsible for the servicing loans in both filing hard copies and maintaining the files electronically, as well as, providing excellent customer service and embodying NBSB’s core values. Sprague holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Education from UMASS Amherst.

“I am excited to learn how everything works behind the scenes in the back office after being on the teller lines for the last year and a half as well as gaining a better understanding on the workings of servicing loans.,” said North Brookfield Savings Bank Loan Servicing Representative Hayley Sprague. “My new goals for this position are to learn as much as possible through trainings and my loan team members while providing excellent customer service for our customers.”

Kyle Leonard, of Spencer, has been promoted to the role of Assistant IT Manager. He previously held the role of IT Security Analyst I where he was responsible for Administering user access changes, security controls, configurations and providing user assistance with any login or password issue. As well as, reviewing daily security reports and findings and providing appropriate documentation on any reported issues or configuration changes.

In his new role, Leonard will be responsible for vulnerability and risk management, vendor management, quarterly access reviews, security awareness training, in addition to all of previous responsibilities. Leonard is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Information technology with a focus in IT Management and is expecting to graduate in December 2021. He has 5 years of previous experience in IT security and support with the U.S. Army and BJ’s Wholesale Club.

“I am looking forward to the new challenges and opportunities I am able to take on, looking for any way I can increase my current responsibilities to better help the IT department and the Bank as a whole,” said North Brookfield Savings Bank Assistant IT Manager Kyle Leonard, “A continuous goal for myself is to continue to adapt to the constant changes the IT field brings and allow myself to be an channel for those outside the department to help them understand a problem that may require ITs involvement. Another goal of mine is to become an educator of IT. I hope to provide great information in easy terms of understanding that non-IT members comprehend so they can learn from IT issues and help to prevent any issues in the future by being prepared.”

We are disappointed we won’t be able to see you in person at our popular Wine & Beer Tasting event this year, so in lieu of the live event, we will be hosting a virtual raffle so you can still:

Thank you for your continued support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Our agency and staff continue to adapt to the ever-changing situation and ensure all in our care are safe, healthy and engaged.

We have some great prizes available and you can take a chance to win by donating online: (3) for $25 or $10 each. Enter as many times as you would like!

Worcester, MA— Cornerstone Bank is pleased to announce its recent donation of $2,500 to support the Charlton Public Safety Building Campaign.

The proposed Charlton Public Safety Building, to be built on Masonic Home Road next to the current police station, will become the headquarters for the police and the fire departments. The new building will provide Charlton with a 911 communications center for coordinated emergency response, emergency responder training, and the storage space for town-owned emergency and firefighting equipment.

“We are proud to support the town of Charlton,” stated Cornerstone Bank President & Treasurer and Chairman of the Bank’s Charitable Donations Committee Todd M. Tallman. “In an emergency, every second counts, and our community must have access to modern safety facilities to keep up with increasing calls for service.”

To learn more about the Charlton Public Safety Building Campaign, please visit: https://www.townofcharlton.net/.

Cornerstone Bank is an independent, mutual savings bank serving the residents, businesses, and communities throughout Central Massachusetts from offices in Charlton, Holden, Leicester, Rutland, Southbridge, Spencer, Sturbridge, Warren, Webster, and Worcester along with a Loan Center in Westborough. Deposits are insured in full by a combination of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Depositors Insurance Fund. The Bank is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Equal Housing Lender, and SBA Preferred Lender. For more information, visit online at cornerstonebank.com, on Facebook, or call 800-939-9103.

North Brookfield, MA – North Brookfield Savings Bank is proud to announce the recent hiring of Jeffry Kerr as Vice President, Marketing Director for North Brookfield Savings Bank.

Jeffry Kerr, Vice President, Marketing Director, can be reached directly by calling 508-637-7444 or by emailing jkerr@BankNBSB.com. For more information, contact the North Brookfield Savings Bank Business Center at 508-637-7500 or visit NorthBrookfieldSavingsBank.com.

ABOUT NORTH BROOKFIELD SAVINGS BANK

North Brookfield Savings Bank is a mutual savings bank with full-service branches in North Brookfield, East Brookfield, West Brookfield, Ware, Belchertown, Palmer, and Three Rivers Village of Palmer. NBSB offers a wide variety of deposit and loan products for individuals and businesses throughout Central and Western Massachusetts and has been a steadfast supporter of the communities in which it serves since 1854. North Brookfield Savings Bank is a 2018 Banking Choice 1st place award recipient in all categories including Overall Quality, Customer Service, Technology and Tools, and Community Contribution and 2019 for Community Contribution. All deposits are insured by the FDIC and the Depositors Insurance Fund. For additional information, please call 1-866-711-6272 or visit us online at www.NorthBrookfieldSavingsBank.com.

Worcester, MA—Effective January 1, 2021, Cornerstone Bank President and Treasurer Todd Tallman will be appointed the Bank’s CEO. Tallman steps into the role as a banking veteran with over 20 years of experience.

A Certified Public Accountant, Tallman began his career as an Audit Manager at KPMG. After joining Southbridge Savings Bank in 1998 as Chief Financial Officer, he served in increasingly senior positions until his promotion to President/CEO in 2014. Subsequently, in 2016, when Southbridge Savings Bank and SpencerBANK created a merger of equals to form Cornerstone Bank with assets totaling $1.3 billion, Tallman was named President and Treasurer.   

With a passion for supporting communities and enriching the lives of others, Tallman serves on the Boards of several nonprofit organizations—including Big Brothers Big Sisters of America—and is past President of the United Way of Southbridge, Sturbridge and Charlton.

You can read the latest digital issue of Vocero Hispano on the News Posts Feed on the Chamber website. ISSUE 1597 - Digital Version - Free For Members

Reach the Hispanic Market directly with the #1 Statewide Hispanic Newspaper in Massachusetts. Email advertising@vocerohispano.com to get started.

Are you offering online learning opportunities, webinars, or podcasts? Please add your happenings, online or in-person, indoors or out, to our calendar or email Jack the pertinent info and we will be happy to share in the next CROSSROADS!

Building a strong personal brand can have many benefits including career advancement, increased sales, enhanced networking and various other opportunities. As a brand ambassador for your company, a strong personal brand can also help drive new business for your organization by retaining customers, improving your ability attract new hires and deepening brand awareness.

During this hands-on session, we will dig deep into the most popular channel for personal business branding – LinkedIn. Attendees should come ready to work with a laptop, tablet or mobile device and be logged into their active LinkedIn profile.

Are you a business owner who was already thinking of retirement when Covid-19 hit? Or are you thinking of making a partial or full transition out of your business for the first time now, due to retirement, the pandemic, or other reasons?

This one-day leadership development forum is presented by the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and features amazing keynote speakers, a variety of educational workshops, and a virtual marketplace. Now in its 11th year, the conference has grown to attract more than 800 attendees, exhibitors, and expert speakers on issues that most impact women, such as business empowerment and entrepreneurship, work/life balance, and career advancement. VISIT THE CONFERENCE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS & REGISTRATION

SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals. Since 1964, SCORE has provided education and mentorship to more than 11 million entrepreneurs. Click on the program titles for more info and registration.

In this webinar, learners will discover how to create a search-friendly website that drives user action and supports their goals. Whether launching a new website or sprucing up an old one, this workshop will help.

If your business isn’t on Instagram then you’re missing out on great marketing opportunities. On Instagram mobility is king. Join this 101 Instagram webinar and discover the simple steps to getting up and running quickly. Dale Shadbegian is leading a webinar that will help you to get started using Instagram for your business. You will get tips on what works for your profile, tips on how to build your strategy, how to keep track of what’s working, and much more.

Are you considering entrepreneurship as a career option but want a proven business model to get to your goals more quickly and safer? Would you like to run a business of your own that will provide greater autonomy and independence, but are not sure how to find, or choose, the right business for you?

Developing strategies to coordinate E-Commerce with your website and social media platforms. Create marketing programs to drive clients from marketing channels to your E-Commerce platform for sales conversion.

Putting it all together. Learn how to collect data from your social media platforms and develop an overall strategy to drive clients to your website.

Negotiation is a "must have" business skill. Join this important two-session webinar and discover the Keys to becoming a more successful negotiator while building better business relationships.

This workshop first addresses how to accomplish your goals using distance meeting technology. This workshop explores ways to foster audience interaction: encouraging and using participation and minimizing potential problems such as audience involvement, crowd control, and time management.

Learn some of the basics of using QuickBooks Online. A sample business will be used to give instruction. Open the sample and follow along with the instructor

View Previously Recorded SCORE Webinars Here.

Nov 2 Basics of Starting Your Business (webinar)

Nov 2 Using Data to Drive Growth (Marketing Toolbox) (webinar)

Nov 3-5 QuickBooks Desktop for Beginners (webinar)

Nov 4 How to Become a Women-Owned Certified Business with SBA (webinar)

Nov 5 Global Marketing and Sales Series: Drive Inbound Global Sales (webinar)

Nov 5 E-Commerce Advanced (Marketing Toolbox) (webinar)

Nov 5 Basic Entrepreneurial Workshop: Business Fundamentals (webinar)

Nov 9 Attracting Clients to Your Website (Marketing Toolbox) (webinar)

Nov 10 Massachusetts Food Trust Program Information Session (webinar)

Nov 12 Global Marketing and Sales Series: Reach Global Markets Through Social Media and Creative Content Development (webinar)

Nov 12 Basic Entrepreneurial Workshop: Understanding Business Financials (webinar)

Visit the online calendar for more info and to register for these and many more.

Change is in the air! What would you like to change? Now taking in office clients as well as virtual. Call 508-579-6314.

To join Deb K Hypnosis private Facebook group for support and resources click here:

COGGNO is the Chamber's 24/7 Training platform. Low cost and even free online courses are available for CMS Chamber Members.

Dates and Times: Friday, 10/30: 11:00 am, Friday, 11/13: 11:00 am, Friday, 11/13: 2:00 pm

Having a satisfying and healthy retirement is a case study in resilience. This course looks at the six basic life areas and offers resilience-based strategies that make for retirement well-being. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

Dates and Times: Saturday, 10/31: 11:00 am, Wednesday, 11/11: 11:00 am, Wednesday, 11/11: 7:30 pm, Thursday, 12/10: 3:00 pm

Time management is a big concern. Our work life and home life is filled with more and more duties and obligations and less and less time to get it all done. An effective time management strategy can help you stay on task, accomplish your work, reduce stress, and gain more time for yourself. In this 60-minute LIVE program you will learn practical strategies, tools, and techniques you can put into action immediately! MORE DETAILS AND REGISTRATION

Dates and Times: Wednesday, 11/4: 11:00 am, Wednesday, 11/4: 7:30 pm, Monday, 11/16: 11:00 am, Monday, 11/16: 7:30 pm

Investment: $59.95

Habits shape our lives far more than we realize— they are so strong, in fact, that they cause our brains to cling to them at the exclusion of all else, including common sense. And along the way we develop what I call Habitudes -- those persistent ways of thinking and acting that shape your personal narrative. The good news? Habitudes can be changed, if we understand how they work. So how do we change these habits that do not serve us? How do we make the shift towards positive thoughts and actions? By exploring, breaking down, and understanding the Habitude process. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

Dates and Times: Thursday, 11/5: 11:00 am, Thursday, 11/5: 7:30 pm, Saturday, 11/7: 11:00 am, Monday, 11/23: 11:00 am,

Monday, 11/23: 7:30 pm

All human motivation can be understood as a desire to fill a basic human need. So if we want to direct our lives, we must understand what and how our basic human needs drive our thoughts and behavior. Yes, environment and events play a major role our mental and emotional development. And, as we learn in Habitudes I, habits shape our lives far more than we realize. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

Dates and times: Tuesday, 11/10: 11:00 am, Tuesday, 11/10: 7:30 pm

Accepting and embracing change allows us to adapt and become more flexible, more resilient. And it is our capacity for resilience that enables us to deal with life's difficulties. Change can be transformative, allowing us to see what we are truly capable of doing and being. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

Dates and Times: Thursday, 11/12; 7:30 pm, Saturday 11/14; 11:00 am

When I was young, I had no idea what forgiveness was truly about. Truth be told, I didn’t have any real clue about true forgiveness until I was in my early 50s, when I began writing the story about my father. Forgiveness is a gift that we give to ourselves. And now, in the LIVE online program, I want to share all that I learned with you. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

Visit Online: www.ritaschiano.com

VISIT MASS.GOV TO VIEW A SAMPLE BALLOT,

Come paint this image in about 2 1/2 hours with step-by-step instruction along with our professional artist at Brush It Off. Original painting by Brush It Off LLC. 10" X 20" Canvas.

Price per seat: $35 includes 1 beverage.

Gals night out, family gatherings, partners, whatever your reason to get out for some fun, with easy painting techniques our professional artists will teach you while having a GREAT time! You might want to wear something you don't mind getting paint on (should it happen).

For your enjoyment, we offer a nice selection of wines, local cold beers, snacks and non- alcoholic beverages.

We are following all the Covid-19 regulations specified for our industry based on restaurants and running air purifiers.

Visit the website: www.brush-it-off.com.

Click here to reserve some FUN: brush-it-off.com/studio-calendar/

Please join us for New Hope’s Virtual Highlights of Hope Breakfast on Tuesday, November 10th from 8:00 am to 9:30 am.

This year the event will be live streamed on Zoom.

Highlights of Hope is a wonderful opportunity for the community to join our efforts in raising awareness and creating lives free of violence and exploitation. The breakfast, normally held in May, will recognize community and business partners who have been integral to our past year’s work. We will present several awards, including our “Edith Palmer Award,” named after our founder, to a person who represents the spirit of Ms. Palmer.

Edith Palmer Award: Jasmine Rivas

Community Partner: Trinity Catholic Academy

Business Partner: Spier Family Foundation

Volunteer of the Year: Personal Best Karate

President's Award: Representative Elizabeth Poirier

RSVP by emailing development@new-hope.org or call 508-226-4015 ext. 2106.

To become a sponsor of this event, please contact development@newhope.org

If you'd like to make a donation, please visit www.new-hope.org/donate-today

New Hope has been providing services in our community for 40 years, and in the last year supported over 7,000 survivors and provided Prevention Education and Outreach to over 32,000 folks.

Times: The Village is open from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

Cost: All active, veteran and retired members of the military and their families* receive free admission on Veterans Day. (*up to 6 people); For non-military guests, Veterans Day activities are included with standard daytime admission or Village membership; Please make sure to reserve/purchase tickets before arriving! See details below.

To celebrate Veterans Day, Old Sturbridge Village will present special activities celebrating the nation’s military history. Listen to fife and drum music, watch musket and cannon demonstrations, and see how American military uniforms have changed over the past 200 years.

Weather conditions could impact where and how certain activities take place.

Remember: Active duty military and veterans, and their families (up to 6 people) receive complimentary standard daytime admission, with an additional 25% off for others in the party! Those who wish to take advantage of this discount will need to email visitorcenter@osv.org or call 508-347-0213 in advance to reserve your entry with a Visitor Center staff member. Proof of eligibility must be presented upon arrival at the Visitor Center.

Open Friday – Sunday | 9:30 am to 4:00 pm

Registration fee through 11/13: $20

Race logo winter hats can be purchased without race registration: $12

Register, purchase a winter knit hat, or donate at: www.lightboxreg.com

Search: Home of the Brave 5k

Facebook: Sturbridge Home of the Brave 5K Run/Walk

Email Questions To: sturbridgehomeofthebrave5k@gmail.com

On the road to saving more lives! Be sure to stop by and say hi to some of the sweet dogs & cats looking for a new home!

Let adoption help you find your next best friend.

A well-trained team is more engaged and more productive... leading to better, smarter results for your business.

The shift to remote working has been a learning experience for many of us. We had to change the way we communicate, work, present, meet and more. Chances are, you (and your staff) may need a little help to master them. The Direct Access Grant is for businesses with 100 or fewer employees that would like to learn new skills and run more efficiently. Many courses are based around the virtual work environment.

Businesses approved for this grant can take advantage of these workshops and many more! Here are some examples.

How to Apply:

Christine McNally, cmcnally@qcc.mass.edu

Eileen Morgan, emorgan@qcc.mass.edu

Please Review Official Contest Rules and Get the Entry Form Online here.

 WANTED 

*WE ARE NOW OFFERING REVERSE MORTGAGE LENDING*

This is not an offer to make a loan or to make a loan or any particular terms. All loan applicants must qualify under underwriting requirements and satisfy all contingencies of loan approval. Rates and terms subject to change without notice. NMLS ID #71655 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)