News from our members

The Law Office of David R. Rocheford, Jr., P.C. Inducts Kenneth C. Robinson as New Attorney

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kenn-robinsonThe Law Office of David R. Rocheford, Jr., P.C. welcomes new Associate Attorney Kenneth C. Robinson Esq. to the team. The Law Office of David R. Rocheford, Jr., P.C. is renowned for its expertise and professionalism in real estate closing services and feels that attorney Kenneth Robinson makes an excellent addition.

The Law Office of David R. Rocheford, Jr., P.C. is pleased to announce the addition of legal expert and Associate Attorney, Kenneth C. Robinson, to its team.

Kenneth Robinson is an experienced attorney in legal real estate and has an extensive background of education, as well. He graduated with honors from the Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania where he received his Bachelor degree. He went on to make the Honors list and Dean’s list at the Widener University School of Law in Pennsylvania where he obtained his Doctorate. Robinson previously worked at a law firm as an Associate where he represented clients in real estate cases and handled real estate closings.

A key reason Robinson was chosen to join the established team at The Law Office of David R. Rocheford, Jr., P.C. is because of his drive, integrity, and unwavering commitment to his clients. His ambition for staying up-to-date on the best legal practices, along with his talent for representing institutional and individual clients, only add to his vast legal experience in real estate.

The Law Office of David R. Rocheford, Jr., P.C. has been offering real estate legal services to clients in Massachusetts and the surrounding areas since 2000. Robinson’s addition to the team is an added testament to the firm’s dedication to its clients, which include mortgage lenders and banks, as well as buyers and sellers.

About The Law Office of David R. Rocheford, Jr., P.C.

Established in 2000 by Managing Attorney David Rocheford, The Law Office of David R. Rocheford, Jr., P.C. is a premier real estate law office in Leominster, Massachusetts. Specializing in title, settlement, and escrow services, the firm is known for its quality services and friendly staff, and has proven why it is a top choice for mortgage lenders, banks, and financial institutions. The law office also represents buyers and sellers with their transactions in an efficient and professional manner, guaranteeing customer satisfaction and uncompromised integrity. Please visit www.thebestclosings.com for more information.

Habitat for Humanity NCM Launches $25K In 25 Days Campaign to Lay Foundation for Henry Street Build in Fitchburg

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50-henry-streetHabitat for Humanity North Central MA announced the launch of its “$25K in 25 Days” campaign with funds raised going toward its latest building project at 50 Henry Street, Fitchburg.  The funds raised during this targeted campaign will be used to install the foundation at the build site before the winter season.

Habitat NCM Executive Director Carolyn Read added that this event is critical to the success of the Henry Street build and that the organization has been promised a matching gift of $10,000 from an anonymous donor, to go toward the campaign goal, once the first $15,000 in donations and gifts has been raised.

Information meetings have begun for the home, and families from the North Central MA region are beginning the application process for the Henry Street property.  Partner homeowner families are required to invest sweat equity of 200 hours for a one-adult household or 350 hours for a two-adult household.  Partner families usually exceed the sweat equity requirement and oftentimes put in upwards of 400+ volunteer hours with Habitat while working on their homes.

The $25K in 25 Days campaign is an integral part of Habitat for Humanity North Central MA’s strategic fundraising plan and a major component of its End-of-Year development plan.  The organization encourages local businesses and banks in its 25-town service area to participate in this important fundraising event.  To learn more about the $25K in 25 Days campaign, please contact Carolyn Read, Executive Director at (978) 348-2749, ext. 206.  To learn more about Habitat for Humanity North Central MA, please visit the organization’s web site at ncmhabitat.org.

Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts is a non-profit housing ministry that builds 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.

Leominster Credit Union Supports Clinton Fire Department’s Training Efforts

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Leominster Credit Union (LCU) donated $500 to the Clinton Fire Department to assemble a structure used for training exercises.  A roof piece reproduction will be designed off an existing wall behind the fire department, approximately the height of a two story house, where newer firefighters can practice ventilating rooftops. clintonfd_0916165_f

Fire Chief John McLaughlin was presented with the check from Mary Boodie, Clinton Branch Manager and Carol Perron, SVP/Retail Leominster Credit Union.

CALLING ALL CHEFS & PROFESSIONAL COOKS!

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guys-groceryGuy’s Grocery Games is looking for chefs in the North Central Mass area to compete for a chance to win up to $20,000!

They are holding a nationwide search looking for professional cooks and highly skilled chefs from all backgrounds for “Guy’s Grocery Games.”

If you are not familiar, each episode four chefs compete in three elimination challenges testing their culinary skills as they make their way through the store’s aisles. Each challenge features a theme and is judged by a rotating list of guest judges who determine which contestant is eliminated. The chef who makes it through all three challenges then has two minutes to go through the aisles collecting items on a shopping list. Each item on the list is worth $2,000 and if the chef gets every item, the $20,000 grand prize is awarded.

Their themes this season are: Throwbacks (New takes on classic dishes), Decadent Guilty Pleasures, Spicy (Think “make the judges cry” kind of spicy), Grill Masters (No slow style BBQ since competition is 30 min dishes and less!), Halloween, Thanksgiving, Rising Stars (Ages 18-22), and SUPER FANS (Super fans of the show!)

 

Stephanie Hyles Joins Leominster Credit Union

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stephanie-hylesLCU announces that Stephanie Hyles has joined the Credit Union as Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer. The CSO is a new position at LCU. Hyles will be responsible for ensuring that the Credit Union provides the optimum products, services, technology and organizational structure to meet its members’ needs. Hyles will report to John O’Brien, President and CEO and will serve as a member of the senior management team.

“As the financial industry continues to evolve, we remain focused on making changes to best serve our members,” O’Brien said. “These changes include new and improved technology and products as well as the right staffing and skill sets to achieve these goals. We have created the role of Chief Strategy Officer to drive these initiatives by focusing on our delivery channels and continuously examining Leominster Credit Union’s mission and vision to address critical business strategies. We are delighted to have someone with Stephanie’s breadth of expertise join LCU in this pivotal position.”

Hyles comes to LCU with more than 30 years of information technology and financial industry experience where she has focused on supporting credit unions to remain relevant and competitive in an evolving and highly competitive industry. Most recently she served as the Vice President of IT at Direct Federal Credit Union.

“LCU is well-known for its high-quality service and products, as well as its commitment to the community. I am excited by the opportunity that this position offers me to direct the management of our Strategic Plan and to ensure that LCU’s vision and promise to our members are at the forefront of all we do,” said Hyles.

Hyles is a long-time resident of Lancaster where she lives with her husband and son. She is an active supporter of the Circle of Learning Program at the Doctor Franklin Perkins School in Lancaster which helps pre-teens and teens with developmental disabilities to gain social skills. She also recently served on the Fiserv Spectrum Client Advisory Board.

Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending, mobile and online financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU is proud to claim more than 50,000 members and more than $600 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Worcester, Clinton, Holden, Sterling and North Leominster with ATM services at all branch locations. Visit www.leominstercu.com or telephone at 800-649-4646.

Join us Sunday for our Final Shirley Show: Den Poitras — Trash to Treasure

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Join us Sunday for our Final Shirley Show:
Den Poitras — Trash to Treasure
Sunday, November 6th from 2-4 PM

This is our final show of 2016 in Shirley, MA:
(And it may be our last in Shirley, TBD)

As usual, we will have refreshments and entertainment. This month show our entertainment will be by Dan and Faith.

Here is the address:
Gallery Sitka East at Sitka Creations
2 Shaker Rd., D101
Shirley, MA 01464

Call if you get lost: 978-425-6290

Join us the following Saturday in Fitchburg for:

Constructions
Castles and Things
by Jeanne Borofsky
Saturday, Nov. 12, from 2 – 4 PM
at 454 Main Street in Fitchburg, MA

The Adjoining East Wall Show will be:
VISIONS OF FITCHBURG:
A Retrospective of the Paint-In from 2007-2011
Brought to us by the Fitchburg Cultural Alliance

Fitchburg Historical Society’s Annual House Tour Celebrates the City’s Architectural Heritage

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The Fitchburg Historical Society will offer its Annual Holiday House Tours on Saturday, December 3, 2016 from 11 am to 4 pm. This fundraiser will welcome visitors into twelve of Fitchburg’s architecturally significant buildings, beautifully decorated for the holidays. The Fitchburg Historical Society House Tour is a popular annual fundraiser that celebrates Fitchburg’s architectural heritage while helping to support the educational and preservation programs of the Fitchburg Historical Society, a 124-year old nonprofit that preserves Fitchburg’s historical treasures.

Some of the homes showcase architecture by Fitchburg’s best known Victorian architect, Henry M. Francis. They date from the years around 1900, and represent such popular architectural styles as Art Nouveau, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival and Victorian Eclecticism.  Many of the building interiors also include extraordinary architectural details, such as grand fireplaces, Arts and Crafts tiles, custom woodwork and stonework. For example, the Beck home features a magnificent stone staircase at its entrance, leading to an elegant wrap-around porch.

In addition to seven private residences, other participating venues include: St. Francis Church, the Boulder Art Gallery, Gerry’s Martel’s Classic Carriages, the Fitchburg Historical Society, and the Fay Club.  The Fay Club is a magnificent mansion designed by American architect Richard Upjohn (famous for the Trinity Church on Wall Street). It will serve as the “Tea Room” for the day, where House Tour participants can stop for tea, coffee and desserts.

Tickets for the December 3, 2016, House Tours are $20.00 each and can be purchased starting on Wednesday, November 2, at Shack’s Clothing, Mill #3, Elliot’s Jewelers, Homestead Primitives, Windmill Florist, the Mayor’s Office at 166 Boulder Drive, DeBonis & Davin Florist, Slattery’s Restaurant and at the Fitchburg Historical Society. Charles Sternaimolo (photographer), Anne Giancola (graphic artist) and to Miles Press (printers) created the posters, brochures, and tickets for the House Tours.

The Fitchburg Historical Society is located at 781 Main Street, Fitchburg in the historic Phoenix building. There is abundant on-street parking near the Historical Society and free parking behind the building. The building is handicapped accessible. For more information, call 978-345-1157, email welcome@fitchburghistoricalsociety.com, visit www.fitchburghistoricalsociety.org or https://www.facebook.com/FitchburgHistoricalSociety.

First Thursday Talk at the Fitchburg Historical Society Focuses on Alvah Crocker and the Engineers Who Built the Hoosac Tunnel

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The Fitchburg Historical Society will present an historical talk on “Alvah Crocker: Spirit Behind the Hoosac Tunnel” by author Cliff Schexnayder on Thursday, November 3, at 5:15 p.m. The talk is free to the public, and will take place in the George R. Wallace Jr. and Alice Wallace Exhibition Hall of the Fitchburg Historical Society, Phoenix Building, 781 Main Street, Fitchburg.

Long-time residents, and many historians, know of Fitchburg’s Alvah Crocker, one of the most successful and influential businessmen in New England during the 1800’s. His businesses, family and legacy shaped central Massachusetts and especially Fitchburg, Massachusetts. It was there that he made his home and based his largest businesses.

A pioneer in Fitchburg’s paper industry, in banking, and in railroad companies, Crocker set himself a nearly impossible task in the building of the Berkshires’ five-mile Hoosac tunnel….which involved cutting (or blasting) a way directly through a mountain for the very first time. When it succeeded, Boston and the rest of Massachusetts were directly connected by rail with the western United States: a prerequisite for the economic growth of northern Massachusetts.

Cliff Schexnayder has a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Purdue University. He has written about construction and is especially interested in understanding major construction projects from the past; for example, he has worked as an engineering consultant for museum exhibitions on historic building methods. His research for his 2015 book on the Hoosac Tunnel, Builders of the Hoosac Tunnel, was supported with a fellowship from Smithsonian Institute Libraries.

The Fitchburg Historical Society is located at 781 Main Street, Fitchburg in the historic Phoenix building. There is abundant on-street parking near the Historical Society and free parking behind the building. The building is handicapped accessible.

For more information, call 978-345-1157, email welcome@fitchburghistoricalsociety.com, visit www.fitchburghistoricalsociety.org or https://www.facebook.com/FitchburgHistoricalSociety.