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MWCC Ready to Assist Displaced ITT Technical Institute Students
In response to the sudden closing of all 137 campuses of the ITT Technical Institute, including two in Massachusetts, Mount Wachusett Community College is working with the Massachusetts Community Colleges Executive Office and other state and federal agencies to assist affected students with their academic pursuits.
The community colleges are also ready to partner with the U.S. Department of Education, the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office to assist these former ITT students, the MCCEO has affirmed.
The abrupt closure of the schools has affected more than 35,000 students nationally, including approximately 500 students in Massachusetts at campuses in Wilmington and Norwood. More than 100 of the Massachusetts students are veterans. The vocational institute closed Sept. 7, following an Aug. 25 decision by the U.S. Department of Education the for-profit college chain could no longer enroll students that receive federal financial aid.
“These students have had their hopes and dreams dashed just as the new academic year begins,” said Mount Wachusett Community College President Daniel M. Asquino. “MWCC and our sister colleges throughout the Commonwealth are ready to help these students get back on track with their educational goals.”
MWCC welcomes ITT Technical Institute students to enroll in academic programs and courses at our campuses in Gardner, Leominster and Devens, as well our many online academic programs,” said President Daniel M. Asquino. MWCC is recognized as a state and national model for its wrap-around support services for student veterans, available through its Center for Excellence for Veteran Student Success.
Mount Wachusett Community College is encouraging ITT students to meet with an admissions counselor at the Gardner campus, as credits may be earned for college-level learning through alternative educational experiences such as ITT. MWCC offers more than 70 academic degree and certificate programs as well as advanced manufacturing and workforce training options.
More information about this process can be found in the admissions office, where representatives are committed to assisting ITT students with the enrollment process at Mount Wachusett Community College. For more information, contact Admissions at 978-630-9110 or .
For general inquiries and help with federal student loans, please reach out to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office at 1-888-830-6277. The Massachusetts Community Colleges Executive Office (MCCEO) works on behalf of the presidents and trustees of the fifteen Community Colleges in Massachusetts – currently representing more than 184,000 students across every region of the Commonwealth. For more information on the 15 community colleges across Massachusetts, visit www.masscc.org/ourcampuses or call 617-542-2911.
North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce to Host Legislative and Candidates Reception
The North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce will host its Legislative and Candidates Reception on September 22, 2016 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Chocksett Inn on 59 Laurelwood Road in Sterling, MA. The event is intended to offer the region with an upscale networking event that connects business and community leaders with the region’s elected officials, as well as those seeking public office.
“This is a great opportunity for our business and community leaders, as well as our public officials to gather for an evening of networking and collegial discussion,” said Roy Nascimento, President and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to joining our legislators at a unique venue like the Chocksett Inn.”
The Legislative and Candidates Reception is one of the Chamber’s premier events of the season, with over 125 federal, state, and local elected officials invited. Mount Wachusett Community College joined the event as premier sponsor. “Connecting our community and those in a position to effect change is important to Mount Wachusett Community College,” said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. “We are delighted to support this opportunity for engaged business leaders, legislators, and policy-makers to meet and network in our region.”
“Gaining access to legislators and those who seek public office is just as important for small business owners as it is for CEO’s in the region,” said Ken Gurge, Esq., Chamber Board Member and Chair of the Government Affairs Committee. “This will be a tremendous opportunity for anyone with passion for North Central Massachusetts.”
Tara Williams, the Chamber’s young professionals committee Chairwoman and Assistant Branch Manager at Worker’s Credit Union, takes an active role in the Chamber’s various events. “As a young professional, it’s important for me to get to know my legislators and make changes in my community. I look forward to discussing how we can work together for the future of North Central with them at the Legislative and Candidates Reception.”
Confirmed elected officials and candidates scheduled to attend as of August 22, 2016 are: Attorney General Maura Healey; Worcester County Sherriff Lewis Evangelidis; State Senator James Eldridge; State Senator Jennifer Flanagan; State Representative Jennifer Benson; State Representative Kim Ferguson; State Representative Stephan Hay; State Representative Susannah Whipps Lee; State Representative Jon Zlotnik; Fitchburg Mayor Stephen DiNatale; Gardner Mayor Mark Hawke; Leominster Mayor Dean Mazzarella; Fitchburg City Councilor Jeffrey Bean; Fitchburg City Councilor Angelo Bisol; Leominster City Councilor Sue Chalifoux Zephir; Groton Selectman Peter Cunningham; Leominster City Councilor John Dombrowski; Leominster City Councilor Gail Feckley; Lancaster Selectman Mark Grasson; Fitchburg City Councilor Amy Green; Fitchburg City Council President Michael Kushmerek; Leominster City Councilor James Lanciani; Leominster City Councilor & Candidate for State Representative Rick Marchand; Lancaster Selectman Stanley Starr; Fitchburg City Councilor Dean Tran; and Candidate for State Representative Thomas “Frank” Ardinger.
Government affairs and public policy advocacy is a key component to the Chamber’s efforts to promoting a healthy and active business climate throughout the region. Recognizing that the business community and legislators are partners in economic vitality and growth, events like these align well with the Chamber’s mission.
Sponsored by Mount Wachusett Community College, the event will feature an open bar and gourmet appetizers and hors d’oeuvres. Cost for members is $20 and non-members is $30. Registration is available online at www.northcentralmass.com. Please contact Maria McCaffrey at 978.353.7600 ext. 235 or
for more details.
Leominster Credit Union to hold Annual Fall Shred-A-Thon
Leominster Credit Union will hold a Shred-A-Thon at its 910 West Boylston Street, Worcester, MA location on Saturday, October 1, 2016 from 9:00AM – Noon.
Members and non-members can get rid of old, sensitive documents by shredding and recycling them at the Shred-A-Thon. All items will be shred on site by a secure shredding service, New England Security Shredders.
Members of the community can bring up to three legal size file boxes or three 13-gallon kitchen trash bags to be shred for free. However we will be accepting donations to Habitat for Humanity during the event. The Shred-A-Thon helps raise awareness about recycling and of course the importance of shredding personal documents to protect against identity theft.
Important documents to bring to the Shred-A-Thon include bank statements, tax returns, medical bills, credit card statements and other personal documents.
For more information contact Joanne Lattanzi, Marketing Manager 978-466-7240 or
Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending and other financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU is proud to claim nearly 50,000 members and more than $600 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Worcester (2), Clinton, Holden, Sterling and North Leominster with ATM services at all branch locations. LCU also provides 24 hour banking via Mobile and Online services. Visit leominstercu.com or call 800-649-4646.
The 5th Annual Appleseed Country Fair Ushers in Fall Season in Big Way!
It was a jovial atmosphere this Labor Day weekend in Phillipson, MA at the 5th Annual Appleseed Country Fair. People from all over New England gathered at the Red Apple Farm for a taste of real New England culture. With over 13,500 people in attendance, this year marks our largest fair to date!
Those who attended were enthralled with a great variety of entertainment including live music, the 3rd Annual Fiddlefest, and the debut of the John Deere Tractor Pull Challenge. The fair also featured some of the best crafted ales from local breweries and delicious local foods that only the Appleseed Country Fair can bring. The family friendly event also included hay rides, face painting, pumpkin decorating, farm animals and much more.
“The Appleseed Country Fair was a great way to kick off the fall season and promote some of the great things that North Central Massachusetts has to offer,” said Diane Burnette, Manager of the Johnny Appleseed Visitors’ Center and spokesperson for the event. “It was great to see a record number of families out this Labor Day weekend enjoying some of the local flavor that North Central Massachusetts offers.
There were over 50 vendors selling a wide array of products from local produce, to candles and other various arts and crafts. This year’s fair also included an amazing display of WWII memorabilia and military vehicles, and a collection of antique cars and trucks. A special thank you goes out to the following businesses for their fantastic support: Red Apple Farm, Gardner Ale House, CrossFit696, The Padula Brothers, Senior Whole Health, and the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
The 5th Annual Appleseed Country Fair exceeded expectations and was the start of a great fall season!
For more information on the Appleseed Country Fair, or how to get involved for next year, please contact Diane Burnette at 978.534.2928.
Member Spotlight: American Dream Granite
American Dream Granite opened in June at 22 (Rear) Main Street in Leominster. Owners Nina and Jason Gonzalez source material for and install kitchen & bathroom countertops in granite, slate, marble, and soapstone, as well as engineered stones which are made from granite using resins and other materials to improve durability or achieve a unique appearance.
Nina came to the U.S. from Brazil in 2004 and ran her own house-cleaning business for a time, but was drawn to interior design and learned a great deal about the industry from her father, who owns a similar kitchen business in Marshfield. She and Jason, who married last year, have operated American Dream Granite since 2006 on a part-time basis, and are thrilled to finally be able to open their own storefront downtown. Jason has experience in masonry and general contracting.
“I was nervous about opening our own business didn’t know where to begin, this has all come from my wife’s passion and drive”, says Jason. “That is the most important thing, once you get started you will find out along the way what you need to do and where to find the advice and support you need.”
Business has been better than expected. The two are currently working on 4 residential projects, and have just begun a five-month project with a local builder to install stone in 400 apartments along with concierge desks and lobby areas, prompting them to add 2 more work crews to the single crew they started with. Personalized customer service is very important for American Dream Granite – they manage every project themselves without sub-contracting.
Nina takes pride in treating her customers’ homes as she would her own, and says she is often asked for input and even shopping assistance with small finishing touches that aren’t usually her part of the typical installation, such as a back-splash.
We encourage you to visit the American Dream Granite showroom at 22 Main Street (Rear) in Leominster or call (978) 537-3786. You can find a selection of materials to view on www.AmericanDreamGranite.com
9-10: Kellie Weeks at Gallery Sitka in Fitchburg
Kellie Weeks
at Gallery Sitka in Fitchburg
Saturday, September 10
1-4 PM
Join us for welcoming this encaustic artist
to our Show Wall! Music will be on-hand by
John Hanson and snacks for guests.
At the same time will also be hosting a
Flower Photography Show
Photographers include:
Amanda McSweeney, Meredith Ferreira,
Linda Cuccurullo, Rachel Proctor, Lawrence Libby,
Jonathan Route, Daniel Senie, Thomas Reale, and Rennie Shattuck
(5% of Sales will go to Tower Hill Botanic Garden)
Small Business Mentors Available to Local Businesses
Free one-on-one counseling and technical assistance is available to entrepreneurs and existing businesses in North Central Massachusetts through a partnership between the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and the local chapter of SCORE mentors. SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a national nonprofit association supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration that is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. They have a network of 11,000+ volunteer business mentors who provide advice on every aspect of business planning, start-up, management and growth.
SCORE operates a satellite office at the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. SCORE mentors Bob Aspell, Ed Meyer and Ken Simms are available by appointment to meet with any prospective or existing small businesses at the Chamber office. Mr. Aspell’s main mentoring skills are Finance and Accounting, Operations, Product Development, and Supply Chain Management. Mr. Meyer’s main mentoring skills are Finance and Accounting, Operations, HR, and Sales & Marketing. Mr. Simms main mentoring skills are Marketing, Banking, Advertising and Sales.
Services available include assistance with developing business plans, marketing plans, securing financing, cash flow, and other areas critical to ensure a successful venture. Clientele includes start-up, early stage, expanding and troubled businesses. All programs of SCORE are offered to the public at no charge, on a non-discriminatory basis, and are handicapped accessible.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with a SCORE counselor, please contact the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce at (978) 353-7600 ext. 222.