The North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation (NCMDC) granted a micro-loan to Angelica Jimenez for $25,000 to assist the purchase of equipment and the costs associated with starting Angel Salon and Spa in Leominster. Angelica has over 15 years of experience in the industry. Angel Salon is a professional salon and spa offering services to men, women and families conveniently located at Twin City Plaza, 875 Merriam Ave. in Leominster.
This loan was a gap loan in partnership with Fidelity Bank. NewVue Communities assisted the new owner with a business plan and financial package. For more information please visit www.angelsalonandspa.com/.
As a microloan lender, NCMDC can provide loans to small businesses up to $150,000 for working capital, equipment, inventory, expansion and working with our banking partners to provide gap financing for the final piece of a project.
The new Elect North Central Coalition will host a debate for the candidates vying to represent the 3rd Congressional District at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18 on the Fitchburg State University campus.
Democratic candidate Lori Trahan, Republican candidate Rick Green and Independent candidate Mike Mullen have been invited to debate at Fitchburg State’s Kent Recital Hall in the Conlon Fine Arts Building, 367 North St. Admission is free and open to the public.
Elect North Central is a coalition of organizations dedicated to making the democratic process accessible and assuring that local and regional issues are examined and addressed by candidates running for office.
“The members of Elect North Central represent a broad cross-section of leaders in media, education, community, and business organizations, and was formed to provide residents an opportunity to hear the candidates on issues affecting them and the region,” said North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce President Roy Nascimento, the chair of Elect North Central. “The coalition members plan to continue collaborating on projects that will engage candidates and voters, and provide a platform for the voices of our region to be heard.”
Charles St. Amand, practitioner in residence in the Communication and Journalism Department at Suffolk University, will moderate the debate.
Panelists will include:
– Cassparina Carlson, student representative, Mount Wachusett Community College
– Sherman Whitman, radio host, WPKZ 105.3 FM and AM 1280
– Gary Hutner, general manager, Gardner News and Clinton Item
– Cliff Clark, city editor, Sentinel & Enterprise
– Irene Hernandez, president, Minority Coalition of North Central Massachusetts
The organizers will also solicit questions from the public in advance for possible inclusion in the debate.
The Elect North Central Coalition includes Fitchburg Access Television, Fitchburg State University, Gardner News, The Item, Leominster Champion, Lowell Sun, Minority Coalition, Mount Wachusett Community College, NewVue Communities, North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, Sentinel & Enterprise, Spanish American Center, Suffolk University, Telegram & Gazette, Three Pyramids, United Hmong of Massachusetts, Worcester Business Journal and WPKZ Radio.
Interior Effects: Furniture in Contemporary Art pays tribute to New England’s history of furniture manufacturing
through an exploration of the unique capacity of interior furnishings to embody cultural traditions and to shape
the spaces within which we live and work. From studio furniture to artworks ranging from sculpture to video,
Interior Effects centers on furniture and its design as psychologically charged metaphors.
The exhibition combines the work of 10 New England artists who collectively explore themes including tradition,
community, gender, and the emotional impact of design. Tracie Pouliot’s oral histories and Liz Shepherd’s new
installation directly link to two furniture companies that were based in Gardner, Massachusetts—The Chair City.
Pouliot’s books record the stories of former Nichols & Stone employees, while Shepherd’s installation uses midcentury
designs produced by Heywood-Wakefield to examine these objects as iconic, regional, and gendered.
The furniture of Judy Kensley McKie, Yuri Kobayashi, and Leah K. Woods exemplify the booming studio furniture
movement in New England, which has applied extremely high technical and aesthetic standards to the creation of
one-of-a-kind furnishings. The designs of these three female furniture makers each distinctly play with traditions
and the symbolic potential of form.
In other works, furniture is used to explore institutional ethos or personal character. Celeste Roberge’s Miniature Stacks
are mini-chair monuments to artists such as Joseph Beuys and Meret Oppenheim. Katarina Burin pays homage to Fran
Hosken—one of the first women to graduate from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design—and her furniture designs.
The color saturated scenes in Sarah Malakoff’s photographs of interior spaces make the viewer aware of furniture as far
more than a benign, functional object in a domestic setting. Sandra Erbacher’s pairings of office furniture examine the
way design reflects a corporate philosophy. And Samantha
Fields’s cast porcelain chair legs animate stitched sculptures
that humorously invite feminist consideration of class, the female body, and domesticity.
Interior Effects is the second in a series of FAM exhibitions that link contemporary art practice to our region’s industrial
heritage. In 2016, FAM presented Plastic Imagination, and in 2020, will organize a show on the theme of paper.
This exhibition will be organized by Curator Lisa Crossman and Terrana Curatorial Fellow Candice Bancheri. It will be
accompanied by a Learning Lounge that will provide historical examples of furniture produced in Gardner thanks to the
Gardner Museum.
Opening Reception
Sunday, September 23, 2–4pm
Lost Manufacturing, Found Art
Saturday, November 3, 1:30–2:45 pm
A panel discussion on the effects of deindustrialization, as it relates to the region’s rich history of furniture making.
Panelists include UMass Lowell Professor Robert Forrant, artist Tracie Pouliot, and former Nichols & Stone employees,
followed by a talk by artist Liz Shepherd.
Behind the Scenes: A Closing Tour with Terrana Curatorial Fellow, Candice Bancheri
Sunday, January 13, 2pm
Please join us and bring a new, unwrapped toy or stuffed animal
for our annual toy box raffle!
Thursday, October 25, 2018
5-7pm
110 Grill
207 Mill Street, Leominster, MA
Light appetizers provided
$25 per person
Guild members bring a friend and they can join the Guild for free!
Proceeds from this event will go toward the purchase of exercise
pedals for our Home Health & Hospice patients.
Please RSVP to Kathy Boudreau, 978-466-4516 by Oct. 19
Today Simonds International and US Blades announced the merger of the companies in a transaction that will create the leading producer and marketer of cutting tools and the leading cutting tool service company in the primary wood fiber industry. The combined entity, Simonds International Inc., will continue to operate in the United States and Canada with 17 facilities located in the major wood fiber regions of North America. All products and customers segments currently served by Simonds and US Blades will continue uninterrupted during the integration process and thereafter.
Ray Martino, President and Chief Executive Officer of Simonds said: “This merger will combine two of the 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 Simonds and US Blades brands are prominent in the industry and will remain a core part of the combined company in the future.”
John Tyner, President & CEO of US Blades said: “Over the last 14 years, US Blades has become the largest service provider in the industry and with the Simonds merger we will now have the infrastructure to reach our goal of “total customer commitment”. The merging of manufacturing and service together will allow our customers to have the latest technologies.”
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. For more information, call (800) 426-6226 or visit www.simondsint.com.
About US Blades
US Blades was founded in 2004 as a cutting tool service company servicing the southeastern United States wood fiber markets. Since its founding, the company has expanded to cover the entire eastern U.S. market. For more information visit our website www.usblades.net.
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the addition of AIS Inc., the largest office furniture manufacturing firm in the Northeast, as its newest Leadership Level member.
AIS, Inc. based in Leominster, is one of an elite group of prominent businesses and organizations to hold the prestigious position of Leadership Level member. Leadership level members make a vital commitment to the economic development of the region through their enhanced investment in the Chamber. They also serve as key advisors and maintain a close relationship to the organization. Their support helps shape the future of North Central Massachusetts by providing resources and the benefits of their advice and wisdom.
“We are very excited to welcome AIS as our newest Leadership Level member,” said Roy M. Nascimento, CCE, IOM, President & CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “We greatly appreciate their confidence and commitment in the Chamber and we look forward to working with their leadership in our collective efforts to advance North Central Massachusetts.”
Bruce Platzman, President and CEO of AIS, Inc., explained, “The North Central Massachusetts Chamber is an outstanding organization with a clear record of advancing economic opportunity in the region. We like their consistent advocacy for all businesses in North Central Massachusetts. And, in particular, the Chamber’s recognition of the key role manufacturing plays in our local economy is very appealing. AIS is pleased to partner with them and help further their mission.”
2018 HUNGER RUN 5K
SAVE THE DATE
for Nashoba Valley Medical Center’s
2018 Hunger Run 5K
to benefit Loaves and Fishes.
Activities, food and fun for the whole family. Register at active.com
Saturday, October 13, 2018
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Nashoba Valley Medical Center
200 Groton Road, Ayer, MA
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce is hosting a New Member Campaign from September 24 through October 26, 2018. This awareness campaign will include direct outreach to prospective members and a referral promotion to existing members.
The Chamber is the leading business and economic development organization in North Central Massachusetts and provides numerous services for members, including networking, professional development, low cost marketing, health and dental insurance, as well as government affairs and economic development programs to encourage a positive business climate for the region. Among its many honors, in 2017 the Chamber was recognized for its work by being the first Chamber from New England to be named a finalist for the prestigious ACCE National Chamber of the Year Award. The Chamber also achieved four-star accreditation in 2018, an honor achieved by only 204 of the 7,022 chambers in the country.
“The Chamber is an important element in the fabric of the community and has a tremendous impact supporting the local business community,” said Stephen Mullaney, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “This is a great opportunity to tell our story and give the Chamber’s financial and membership efforts a solid boost.”
The campaign will feature several “Join Now” incentives for businesses and organizations that enroll with the Chamber, including digital, print, and TV advertising, website listings, admission to Chamber networking programs and more.
Highlighting the campaign will be a referral effort among existing members. Each member referral can potentially earn the referring member a $50 Gift Local gift card that can be used at many of the finest restaurants, shops and attractions in the region. There is no limit to the number of referrals someone can make.
At the end of the campaign, we will also have a drawing for referring members with a chance to win the Grand Prize of a $500 Gift Local Gift Card.
Membership in the Chamber is a great way to become involved with the business community, support the North Central Massachusetts region and help your organization grow and save money. The Chamber supports member businesses of all sizes and industries through leadership in public advocacy, economic development, education, technical assistance, discount programs, networking opportunities and more. Our member benefits are diverse and extensive.
‘Rite of Passage for Children’ Was One of Fitchburg’s Favorite Entertainments
ElFitchburg Historical Society will premiere a new film by director Judith Lindstedt on Tuesday, October 2 at 6:00 p.m. Lindstedt’s 2018 release is Circus Lives On!, a 90-minute documentary on the history of the circus that was inspired by the sudden closure of the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus in May 2017.
“The circus is a magical, marvelous place. Ringling Brothers Circus has been around since before Coca-Cola,” says Lindstedt. “It’s a legacy brand that’s been a constant in the social contract of America. This documentary film is being produced because I feel the sadness and shock of the news of the closing of the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus.”
The film features interviews with historians, collectors and circus performers from both the United States and European circuses. Judith Lindstedt has produced hundreds of video programs for Massachusetts public community television.
Lindstedt also had an international career as a jazz dancer; in Beirut, Lebanon, she became acquainted with Sacha Houcke, whose family had performed with animals in European circuses for seven generations. One of his relatives, Gilbert Houcke, performed with Bengal tigers while dressed only in a loincloth. He was known as “The Swedish Tarzan.” Sacha Houcke is interviewed in the film, along with other performers and musicians.
In Fitchburg’s early years, circus was one of the few entertainments favored by pious New Englanders. The circus parade into town was a highlight of the city’s entertainment year as early as the 1830’s. It continued to be popular through most of the 20ta century. Many Fitchburg residents remember watching the circus elephants and lions parading down Main Street.
Founded by James F.D. Garfield in 1892, the Fitchburg Historical Society is an independent non-profit that was created to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of Fitchburg. Now located in an historic H.M. Francis-designed building on Main Street, the Society hosts lectures, exhibitions and annual events relating to the city’s history.
The Fitchburg Historical Society and Crocker Family Center for the History of Fitchburg is located at 781 Main Street, Fitchburg, in the historic Phoenix building. For more information, call 978-345-1157, write or visit www.fitchburghistoricalsociety.org . There is abundant on-street parking near the Historical Society and free parking behind the building. The building is handicapped accessible.
This program is funded in part by the Fitchburg Cultural Council and the Townsend Cultural Council, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. The film will also screen in Townsend on October 25. For more information on the Mass Cultural Council, visit http://www.massculturalcouncil.org/index.asp.
Chamber to spotlight manufacturers with special events
As part of national manufacturing month, the Chamber and our economic development arm, the North Central Massachusetts Development Corporation will host a series of events and programs to promote manufacturing and highlight the importance of the industry to the economy of the region.
“Manufacturing is alive and well in North Central Massachusetts,” said Roy Nascimento, president and CEO of the Chamber. “Supporting careers in advanced manufacturing and serving as fierce advocates for local manufacturers are a priority for our Chamber.”
The Chamber plans on coordinating tours of local manufacturers as well as highlighting how rewarding careers in manufacturing can be through a social media campaign, showcasing Chamber produced manufacturing videos and hosting special events. The Chamber will be partnering with local manufacturers, Mount Wachusett Community College and
MassHire North Central Workforce Board in these efforts. Stay tuned throughout the
month of October for more information on these events. For more information visit
www.NorthCentralMass.com or contact Sandie Cataldo at .
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. – North Central Massachusetts Manufacturing Bus Tour
Special manufacturing bus tour for Superintendents, legislators and media in the North Central Massachusetts region. The tour will visit and tour several local manufacturers in the region and showcase the region’s advanced manufacturing, high quality workforce, quality of life and opportunities in North Central Massachusetts.
Thursday, October 11, 2018
4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Business After Hours – Fitchburg Art Museum
185 Elm St, Fitchburg, MA
Join us to celebrate the manufacturing industry during a special edition of our Business After Hours series at the Fitchburg Art Museum’s newest exhibit – Furniture. The museum’s newest exhibit pays tribute to region’s industrial heritage of furniture manufacturing and will feature a variety of pieces, both new and antique, that were made locally!
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Manufacturing Tour with Fitchburg and Leominster High School
AIS Inc – 25 Tucker Dr, Leominster, MA
MWCC Devens Campus – 27 Jackson Rd, Devens, MA
Special manufacturing bus tour for students and chaperons of Fitchburg and Leominster High School. The tour will visit local manufacturers in the region and showcase the region’s manufacturing jobs and the options for opportunities in North Central Massachusetts.
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Manufacturing Tour with Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School
Nypro, a Jalib Company – 101 Union St, Clinton, MA
WestRock – 51 Independence Dr, Devens, MA
Special manufacturing bus tour for students and chaperons of Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School. The tour will visit local manufacturers in the region and showcase the region’s manufacturing jobs and the options for opportunities in North Central Massachusetts.
Thursday, October 25, 2018
7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. – CEO Unplugged featuring Ray Martino, President & CEO of Simonds International
The Chamber’s CEO Unplugged series gives young professionals access to local leaders for a chance to connect and learn about their journey to success. Each session provides a chance to meet with a local CEO in their workplace to discuss professional development such as leadership values, entrepreneurship, and investment in community and career paths. In honor of manufacturing month, the October edition features Ray Martino, President & CEO of Simonds International, a global leader in the manufacturing of wood processing equipment and one of the largest manufacturers in Fitchburg. Attendance is open to any young professionals within the Chamber membership. But, seats will be limited to no more than 12 people. The program is free, but pre-registration is required.
Student Manufacturing Tours – Various Dates and Locations
Throughout the month of October, the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce will be partnering with local manufacturers, Mount Wachusett Community College, the MassHire North Central Workforce Board and other partners to host a series of manufacturing tours for local students from various high schools in North Central Massachusetts. These efforts are intended to showcase careers in advanced manufacturing and dispel old, negative myths and stereotypes that exist about manufacturing jobs.
