Today Simonds International and Burton Saw. announced the merger of the companies in a transaction that will create the leading producer and marketer of cutting tools and related equipment for the primary wood fiber industry. The combined entity, Wood Fiber Holdings, Inc., will continue to operate in the United States and Canada with 12 facilities located in the major wood fiber regions of North America. All products and customers segments currently served by Burton, Simonds and B.G.R. Saws will continue uninterrupted during the integration process and thereafter.
Ray Martino, President and Chief Executive Officer of Simonds said: “This merger will combine the two leading companies in our industry with a deep history of product innovation, quality products and customer focused organizations providing value added services to our customers. The cultures of the two companies are similar and will strengthen our service to the industry. The Burton, Simonds and B.G.R. brands are prominent in the industry and will remain a core part of the combined company in the future.”

Craig Tompkins, President and CEO of Burton Saw said: “The merger brings together the strengths of two great companies with a common goal, efficient and innovative solutions to the industry we serve. The products and services offered by the merger will enable both companies to go beyond current offerings and bring a complete solution through products, services and equipment that reflect the needs of the marketplace.”

About Simonds International
Simonds International, founded in 1832, is a leading supplier and marketer of cutting tools and related products to the wood, pulp, paper and tree care industries. B.G.R. Saws was established in 1968, through almost 50 years of history the company developed into a sawmill source for their saw needs as well as innovative line of filing room equipment. Simonds and B.G.R. merged in May of 2017. For more information, call (800) 343- 1616 or visit www.simondsint.com.

About Burton
Burton Saw and Supply, founded in Vancouver, BC in 1903, originally sold only saw manufacturer supplies to the mills of Western Canada. In 1927, The Burton Saw Company moved to Eugene, Oregon and transformed itself into the leading provider of products, equipment and technical solutions to the saw filing and knife grinding rooms, as the company expanded throughout North America. For more information visit our website at www.burtonsaw.com.

Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism collaborates with the Massachusetts Ski Areas Association for Advertising Campaign on TripAdvisor

The Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) and the Massachusetts Ski Areas Association have collaborated to produce an online advertising campaign on TripAdvisor to promote learning to ski or snowboard at one of the Commonwealth’s 12 alpine ski areas.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the Massachusetts Ski Areas Association and TripAdvisor to highlight our spectacular winter activities and experiences across the state,” said Francois L. Nivaud, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. “We invite visitors to take a fresh look at Massachusetts snow sports, with plenty to offer beginners and advanced skiers and snowboarders. Beginners can master the art of skiing or snowboarding on pristine slopes and manageable trails, and enjoy all the comforts of cozy and family friendly lodges.”

MOTT and the MA Ski Areas Association are partnering with Massachusetts-based travel website TripAdvisor for a two-month long digital advertising campaign to drive winter sports enthusiasts to http://www.massvacation.com/skima/. The campaign launched January 5^th and will continue through March 5^th, targeting travelers interested in exploring wintertime New England outdoor activities. Promoting Massachusetts as a great destination for learning to ski or snowboard, the campaign will also encourage active skiers and snowboarders to invite a friend to join them on the slopes. This local effort coincides with National Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month in January, and will target snow enthusiasts in New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island, in addition to Massachusetts residents.

“MOTT has been a great partner in increasing the exposure of our ski areas with this effort,” said Paul Maloney, President of the Massachusetts Ski Areas Association and General Manager of Jiminy Peak Resort. “Skiing plays an important role in the state’s overall winter tourism, especially in the western part of Massachusetts.”

The Massachusetts ski areas will support January’s National Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month with special learn to ski or snowboard packages. Governor Baker and Lieutenant Governor Polito recently declared Friday, January 5^th as “Massachusetts Learn to Ski & Snowboard Day” to bring extra attention to the sport and encourage more people to give it a try.

For more information on the ski areas or direct links to their websites, visit www.massvacation.com.

The North Central Career Center is pleased once again to partner with the Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce on the Nashoba Valley Job Fair.  This event continually proves itself to be one of the best ways for employers to connect with job seekers.  You will be met by several hundred candidates with a multitude of work experiences.

The flyer gives details about the time, place and how to register as an employer.  The event will take place March 6th, 9:30AM-12:30PM at the Devens Common Center in  Devens, MA.  To register as an employer, so please use this link – http://www.nvcoc.com

The cost to participate is as follows:

NVChamber of Commerce Members:  Vendor: $79 (6’ table with 2 chairs)

Non Members: Vendor: $129 (6’ table with 2 chairs)

Habitat for Humanity North Central MA has partnered with 6 Bridges Gallery for the annual Home is Where the Art Is Art Show and Online Auction.  The Opening Reception for the show is at 6 Bridges Gallery on January 12, 2018 from 4:00 – 7:00pm.  The Reception kicks off the month-long exhibit and online auction.  The gallery is located at 77 Main Street in Maynard.  Middlesex Bank has signed on to sponsor the fundraising Art Show.

The public is invited to view the exhibit and to bid online on pieces to purchase from January 12 through February 3, 2018.  6 Bridges Gallery will also host the Closing Reception on February 3^rd.  Funds raised from the sale and auction of the artworks will support Habitat home construction in Stow and Acton as well as critical home repairs in the 25 towns served by Habitat NCM.

The artists’ receptions and Art Show are free for attendees to view the art and meet the artists.  Light refreshments will be served.  All art features “reclaimed” and “repurposed” objects, many purchased from the Habitat NCM ReStore in Leominster, transformed into unique art pieces by local artists.

Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts is a non-profit housing ministry that builds and repairs simple, decent houses with people in need. It is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, serving 25 towns and cities in north central Massachusetts, including Acton, Ashburnham, Ashby, Ayer, Berlin, Bolton, Boxborough, Clinton, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hudson, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Leominster, Maynard, Pepperell, Princeton, Shirley, Sterling, Stow, Townsend, and Westminster.  Habitat NCM also operates the Leominster ReStore which raises funds through the sale of discounted or recycled materials and furniture.

As ski areas across the state prepare to kick off the important Christmas Holiday Week, Governor Charles D. Baker has just announced a proclamation declaring January 5, 2018 as Massachusetts Learn to Ski or Snowboard Day.

This marks the first time that such an official proclamation has been made recognizing the state’s 12 alpine ski areas.  January is also National Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month across the United States which is also strongly supported by the Massachusetts Ski Areas.  The Official Proclamation reads:

• Whereas The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has 12 alpine ski areas spread throughout the state offering a variety of terrain for all ability levels, and
• Whereas Massachusetts Ski Areas offer skiing and snowboarding for all ages with excellent instructional programs and rental equipment, and
• Whereas skiing and snowboarding provide healthy, family-oriented, outdoor, life-long physical activities, and
• Whereas Massachusetts ski areas generate more than 1.5 million skier visits annually and are a major contributor to the state’s tourism economy during the winter, and
• Whereas introducing new kids and adults to learn to ski or snowboard through the ski areas’ numerous instructional programs is important to inspire families to learn the sport and engage in new experiences together to share adventures that will last a lifetime; and
• Whereas this year, we celebrate more than 75 years of skiing in the Commonwealth from small hills near Boston to the mountains in the Berkshires, our ski area partners throughout the state who help us promote these recreational resources of our Commonwealth, and
• Whereas We invite every Massachusetts resident, whether a kid or kid at heart, to learn to ski or snowboard and share your adventures @MassLearntoSkiDay, @MassLearntoSnowboardDay, #skiMA to inspire others to experience our incredibly diverse ski areas and to continue a rich legacy of this New England wintertime sport for recreation “close to home” for the benefit and well-being of the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and

Now, Therefore, I, Charles D. Baker, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim January 5, 2018 to be MASSACHUSETTS LEARN TO SKI OR SNOWBOARD DAY  and urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

The Massachusetts Ski Areas Association and Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism have also teamed up for a unique digital advertising campaign launching January 5^th on TripAdvisor promoting learning to ski or snowboard at one of the state’s 12 ski areas. The theme of the campaign is to remind travelers that Massachusetts ski areas are an ideal place to learn to ski or snowboard.  Ski areas throughout Massachusetts offer learn to ski packages which included beginner lessons, rental equipment and beginner lift tickets.

For a complete list of Massachusetts ski areas visit https://www.massvacation.com/skima/.   For more information on National Learn to Ski & Snowboard Month visit www.skiandsnowboardmonth.org/.