Member News/Community Events

Members are welcome to submit news for inclusion on this page. Member News includes such items as...special events, personal accomplishments or recognition, relocation information, change of position information, etc. Please email text version to . We hope to hear from you in the near future.

Tickets are now on sale for the 3rd season of the Neponset Valley Philharmonic Orchestra. The NVPO was formed in 2007 to enhance the musical life of the Neponset Valley through a rich variety of orchestral and chamber music offerings. The next concert is on October 3rd at Westwood High School (Click here for details). - for information on high visibility sponsorship opportunities, contact Beth Holub at .

ESOL Registration will be held at the NVCC office on Tuesday, Sept. 7 or Wednesday, Sept. 8th from 9:30am to 12:30pm. Classes begin the week of September 14th. For information go to www.norwoodesol.org or call 781-769-5848 after 9/7/10 between 9:30am and 12:30pm.

Tuesday, September 7th 2:00-7:00PM The American Red Cross and The Arbors at Stoughton are holding a blood drive to support the community blood supply for patients in need. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood, and every pint donated could save up to three lives. The Red Cross is urging the public to make an appointment to donate blood by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or logging on to RedCrossBlood.org. The American Red Cross Bus at Arbors at Stoughton, 2121 Central Street, Stoughton, MA - All presenting donors receive a Coupon for $7 off Jiffy Lube Signature Oil Change

HESSCO Elder Services is continuing its tradition of offering caregivers a day of Resources and Relaxation. This year the program will be on September 15th at the Four Points by Sheraton in Norwood from 8:30AM to 2:30PM. For more information, you can call the Family Caregiver Specialist at HESSCO, Sheryl Leary, at 781-784-4944. You can also learn more at our website: www.HESSCO.org Throughout the event, many professional organizations and service providers will have tables with information and resources. Caregivers will also receive a buffet lunch provided by Four Points by Sheraton. In an effort to keep this affordable to caregivers, the cost has been kept the same as in past years with only a $10.00 fee to attend.

On Saturday, September 11th 9:00AM - 2PM. Golden LivingCenter-Norwood is hosting a Fun Fair for all ages. Great Food, Face Painting, Bouncy Castle, Vendors, Music, Balloons, etc. All proceeds benefit the resident's activity fund at Golden Living. This fund provides additional entertainment for our seniors. Table space is available at a cost of $20, with setup from 8:00 to 8:45AM. For more information, please contact Debroah Kerr at or 781-769-2200.

Walpole Farmers Market Opening June 16th 3:00 to 8:00PM and every Wednesday through October, located in the municipal parking lot (across from Stone Field). Enjoy the chance to buy high quality, fresh and nutritious produce and local baked goods; and shop for other tastefully made gifts and products. The possibilities are endless as the offerings will change throughout the season as the market grows, so visit often! Freshly harvested fruits and vegetables, local artisan baked goods, teas, fresh flowers, plants and herbs, arts and crafts. If you are interested in participating as a vendor in the 2010 Market season please contact Stephanie Mercandetti at (508) 660-7352 or via email at

Calling all runners and walkers! Bring family and friends for a healthy, fun start to the day at the 8th Annual Norwood Hospital 4-Mile Road Race and Walk, Saturday, September 11, 2010. This year cash awards will be offered to the top three male and female finishers overall.Registration is 7-8:30 a.m. at the front of the hospital, 800 Washington Street, Norwood. The adult race starts at 9 a.m. and runs over a fun, residential course. Adult entry fee is $20 before Sept. 3 and $25 after. Registration forms are available by email at and the day of the race or by calling 781-278-6004.

September 27, 2010 7:00-8:30PM Foot and Ankle Conditions: Prevention and Treatment presented by Dr. Christopher Chiodo and Dr. Richard DeAsla Brigham and Women's/Mass General Health Care Center at Patriot Place, Foxboro. This class is co-sponsored by the Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce's Eldercare Alliance and HESSCO Elder Services. Call 1-866-378-9164 to register.

Thursday, September 23rd 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM Hope with Style Fall Fashion Event - Master of Ceremonies, Randy Price, WCVB-TV News Anchor. Sponsored by The Friends of Hope, a unique group of volunteers who organize programs and events to support patients and families struggling with the demands of cancer treatment. Tickets $50pp - For more information, contact Gail Bork at (781) 624-8194 or .

Walking is healthful and fun, and when you walk with Sinai on Sunday, September 26, 2010 you will be helping to support seniors and joining many others who want to do the same. The Stepping Up Walkathon 5K (3.2 miles) begins and ends at the Striar YMCA at 445 Central Street in Stoughton. The walk begins at 9:30 am; registration is at 8:30 am. Proceeds raised will fund scholarships to Sinai's Adult Day Health Program, which has been providing safe and attentive care since 1983. These vital scholarships are awarded to qualified seniors from Stoughton and 19 surrounding communities. Business/Corporate sponsors can contact Sinai Foundation Executive Director, Bettyann McKenzie at 781-297-1328 or . or call (781) 297-1153 for more information.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010 HR Boot Camp - Produced by Clark & Lavey Benefits Solutions, Inc. We'll show you how to handle the obstacles you encounter in the course of your day, including ever-changing regulations, talent gaps, productivity challenges, growth, health care reform, economic impacts, and more. HR Boot Camp is designed to help you sharpen skills and increase your value by implementing strategic HR practices that help your organization reach its goals. See more at www.clarklavey.com or call 603-883-3773

November 5, 2010 Reducing Holiday Stress presented by Dr. Norman Tabroff, Chief of Psychiatry and Dr. Terri Spencer, Geriatrician and Hospitalist 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Abraham-Sieracki Conference Room, Norwood Hospital. FREE parking and FREE refreshments. RSVP by calling Caritas DoctorFinder at 1-800-488-5959. Sponsored by Norwood Hospital and the Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce's Eldercare Alliance.

NSTAR would like to offer you $50, and help you save an additional $150 dollars a year! Our Appliance Recycling Program offers NSTAR Electric customers $50 and free pick up and removal of second fridges and freezers in your basement or garage. The program is a great way to remove your appliances safely and appropriately. Chances are, the older second refrigerator or freezer in your basement or garage is costing you up to $150 a year to run. Instead, recycle it, reduce your energy use and keep harmful materials out of landfills. We'll pick it up free and you'll pick up $50. To sign up for a free pickup, call 877-545-4113 or visit www.MassSave.com/recycle for more information and program requirements.

The Home & Leisure Show is coming to the Emerald Square Mall in North Attleboro, MA, on October 23-24, 2010. This show will feature close to 100 home-related and local businesses and will take place right at the start of the Holiday shopping season. There will be educational displays and free kid's activities, plus a Mall-wide raffle that all exhibitors may participate in. If your business would like to exhibit, there are three booth sizes to choose from, with a 10% discount offered to NVCC Chamber members. Tabletop booths start at just $595, but if you reserve your space by August 1, 2010, you can save an additional $100! See www.HomeAndLeisureShow.com for more details and an order form. For further information, contact Allen Nitschelm, , or call (800) 941-9907 x11. This show is produced by The Homesteader, and Homesteader advertisers who exhibit get a free Show Sponsorship package!

Kimberly L. Cohen recently joined the audit and accounting department of G.T. Reilly & Company in Milton, Mass. as an entry-level Staff Accountant.

Jerald S. Savage, CPA of Stoughton, has been appointed Treasurer and Finance Committee Chairman of the Board of Directors for New England Sinai Hospital. He has served on the Board for the past decade, lending his expertise in business, community relations and development. "As Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair he will play a key role in helping guide Sinai's financial future," said Sinai President & CEO Judith C. Waterston. The appointment was approved by Hospital Board Members at New England Sinai Hospital's annual Board Meeting and Dinner, held June 24, 2010 at the Hospital's main campus in Stoughton.

Sherry Alpert, Principal of Sherry Alpert Corporate Communications of Canton, won a prestigious Bell Ringer Award from the Publicity Club of New England for "Product Service Publicity: Consumer campaign". She launched a national public relations campaign, on behalf of RR Auction, for the online auction of the $10.50 check that astronaut Neil Armstrong signed hours before going to the moon. More than 1,300 media outlets ran the story. The awards recognize excellence in communications and public relations.

Norwood Hospital 33rd Annual Golf Classic Raises $91,000 for Defibrillators. The sold-out event held June 7 at Walpole Country Club, drew 144 golfers, along with the support of local business and friends of the hospital. The Classic capped off the fundraiser with live and silent auctions and grossed more than $91,000 to help purchase new defibrillators for the hospital's inpatient units. Winners of the Classic were Kevin Malloy of Newton and Douglas Morgan, David Porter and Lorne Giroux, all of Westwood. Special thanks to Larry Pitman, Norwood Bank vice president, for serving as chairperson once again, and to the golf committee and numerous volunteers, who made the day a success.

Babel's Paint and Decorating Stores recently received the Retailer of the Year award from Dan Simon, PDRA Executive Vice President. PDRA presented the 2009 Top-of-the-Line Retailer Awards in Las Vegas at the PDRA Show, part of the National Hardware Show, which took place on May 4-6 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Babel's Paint and Decorating Stores won for promotional innovation of the year and overall excellence in the classification.

Stephen P. Costello, President and CEO of Bank of Canton, is pleased to announce the Bank's recent donation of $1,000 to the Neponset Valley Leadership Institution (NVLI). This contribution helps sponsor NVLI - Summer 2010, a five-day intensive program where local students learn about leadership in many different settings. Students will focus on team building, giving back to the community, making on-site visits to businesses in the private and public sector, and presenting what they have gained from their experiences to parents, business leaders and legislators on the final day of the program. Students are selected regionally from Avon, Blue Hills Technical, Canton, Dedham, Milton, Norwood, Randolph, and Stoughton schools. The students begin and end the program at the offices of the Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce.

NVCC member, Attorney Michael F. ("Mike") Walsh has announced his candidacy for the State Senate seat in the Suffolk/Norfolk District, which includes Boston (ward 20, sixteen precincts of ward 18 and two precincts in ward 19), and the towns of Dedham, Norwood and Westwood.

Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP has been named a winner in the annual Best Places to Work in Rhode Island competition in 2010, sponsored by the Providence Business News and Best Companies Group.

Congratulations to the Bank of Canton for celebrating its 175th anniversary on March 4, 2010. Bank of Canton has been a steward of the financial health and well-being of its customers and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since 1835.

Stephen P. Costello, President and CEO of Bank of Canton, is pleased to announce the Bank has received a commemorative banner celebrating its 175th anniversary from the students at The Blue Hill Montessori School in Canton. Bank representatives visited the school on April 9 and presented the students with Bank of Canton piggy banks and celebratory cupcakes to thank them for their very thoughtful and creative work. Bank of Canton has laminated the banner and plans to display it in their Route 138 branch and post it on their website. Shown above (l-r): Anthony Caruso, Bank of Canton Senior Vice President of Bank Administration and Michelle Taylor, Director at The Blue Hill Montessori School holding banner along with some of the student artists

HESSCO Elder Services announced that Whole Foods Market Dedham recently donated food to make 50 emergency meal packages for frail at risk seniors in South Norfolk County. Walpole High School's Career and Education Program staff and interns were kind enough to take the food items and package them for distribution to seniors.

Rockland Trust Community Development III LLC announced that it has donated $50,000 to the South Eastern Economic Development (SEED) Corporation, to provide business financial counseling and other services to lower income community businesses in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. As part of its $50 million New Markets Tax Credit award received in May 2009, Rockland Trust Community Development III LLC's donation will enable SEED to continue to provide financial counseling targeted to lower income community businesses and residents through group and one-on-one financial counseling workshops and sessions.

The Cooperative Bank is pleased to announce that Michael A. Ferrara, Jr. has joined the bank as Vice President/Commercial Lending Officer. Mr. Ferrara brings over 24 years of commercial banking experience to his new position. He began his career at Shawmut Bank and later held positions at BankBoston, N.A. and Fleet National Bank. Prior to joining The Cooperative Bank, he served as Senior Vice President/Relationship Manager at Sovereign Bank. Mr. Ferrara has extensive experience developing tailored financial solutions for clients across a diverse range of industries.

Rentals Unlimited has been named the winner of the Tabletop Competition at The Special Event Show 2010 in New Orleans, LA. Proud to have been selected as a finalist for the competition, Rentals Unlimited was one of only ten entries selected as finalists from the many submissions received from across the globe.

HESSCO Elder Services is reaching out to you to make a difference in someone;s life by becoming a "Meals-on-Wheels" driver within the town of Norwood. Won't you help to make sure frail, homebound elders in your community receive a hot nutritious meal each day? Drivers spend approximately one hour a week from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30, Monday through Friday, delivering meals. Volunteers choose the day of the week that works best for them. If you are interested, please call Mary Ellen at 781-784-4944, ext. 213. You CAN make the difference!

When you shop in any Shaw's or Star Market in Massachusetts on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, Shaw's will donate 1% of your eligible purchases to HESSCO Elder Services. (Items not eligible for this program include prescriptions, Alcohol, tobacco, stamps, money orders, lottery tickets, gift cards, photo processing, milk and other items prohibited by law.) go to www.shaws.com and click on the "Learn" link (on top right of screen) and select "Community Rewards". click on the "Shoppers Login or Register with your Rewards Card" link Enter your rewards card number and phone number, then click on the "Login" link Click on the "My Account" link. Click on the "Add An Organization link. Enter our organization's Community Rewards identification # 49001018392.

Dedham Institution for Savings Foundation has awarded HESSCO Elder Services $5,000.00. This grant will provide necessary funding to ensure the availability of therapeutic meals to HESSCO's eldest, most critically in need and potentially jeopardized clients without restrictions.

The possibility of significant changes in the tax landscape drew a capacity crowd to the 22nd annual year-end tax seminar hosted by the accounting firm of Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP. The firm hosted two separate seminars, in Westwood and Westborough, MA. Tax partner Michael Koppel, a nationally recognized tax expert, warned the audience of business owners, bankers and accountants that tax rate increases are likely to occur by 2011. Koppel noted that, historically, periods of high federal deficit spending are followed by tax increases. He also discussed the potential ramifications of the pending health care reform legislation on businesses, suggesting that a heavier burden on funding employee health care may fall on business owners. Attendees at the seminar also received a copy of Gray, Gray & Gray's "Personal Estate Inventory," a computer program which is designed to assist with estate and gift tax planning as well as provide a centralized location to keep current financial information. This program may also be downloaded for free on the Gray, Gray & Gray web site. Additional information from the Gray, Gray & Gray tax seminar is available by visiting: http://www.gggcpas.com.

Lisa A. Beauregard, CPA, has joined the accounting firm of Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP. Beauregard will serve in the firm's audit and accounting practice group. She is a former partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, LLP, Boston, MA; and former Vice President of Corporate Financial Planning for Covidien. Beauregard started her accounting career with PriceWaterhouseCoopers in 1990, and was named partner in 2001. She has extensive experience in audit and accounting services for manufacturing, retail, distribution, telecommunications and professional services. Beauregard is a former member of the United States Freestyle Ski Team. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Boston College, and serves as a mentor with the Boston College Council for Women in Accounting and Finance.

Bank of Canton recognized by MassHousing as Top Lender in Massachusetts
After three consecutive years of being recognized as Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency's (MassHousing's) Top Minority Lender, Bank of Canton was also honored today as the Top Producer in the Commonwealth of MassHousing mortgage loans. In addition, MassHousing presented the Bank with the Top Lender to Lower Income Borrowers award at their Annual Award Ceremony at MassHousing's offices at One Beacon Street in Boston. "We're extremely proud to be associated with MassHousing and to receive such prestigious recognition for our commitment to making affordable home mortgages available to Massachusetts residents," said Stephen P. Costello, President and CEO of Bank of Canton. "Congratulations to George DeMello, Senior Vice President of Residential Lending, and his team for their outstanding level of service and outreach to first-time, minority and low-to-moderate income homebuyers throughout the state." For more information regarding the MassHousing mortgage programs or other mortgage products and programs, please visit Bank of Canton's website at www.ibankcanton.com.

Sole Woman One of Nation's First Total Reflexology Graduates
Recently, the Massachusetts Association of Reflexology was honored to have Dr. Martine Faure- Alderson of England, D.O. teaching all three levels of her specialized training, titled "Total Reflexology." Barbara Strassman, known as Sole Woman, has already completed her training with Dr. Martine. She was in the first graduating class, one of thirteen students in the United States, to finish this specialized program last year. This year Barbara attended the advanced level program again to further fine-tune her skills and to assist Dr. Martine. The specialized trainings that Barbara is trained in are: Reflexology for Cancer - Lymphatic Reflexology, Cardiac Reflexology and Cranio Reflexology. In June, Barbara will also be training at Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital in New York, so that her cancer knowledge and techniques may be integrated with the doctor's treatments of different cancers in a hospital setting. If you have any questions about how these treatments may be of value to you or a loved one, please contact Barbara at 781-7841-1955 or