Unleash the Power of The Press

admin

From Blank Wall to Work of Art – Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café Seeks Artists for Store Mural

Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café, a fast-casual dining establishment with four locations in Connecticut, is offering an opportunity to local artists to turn a prominent wall at their renovated Manchester café into a work of art.

After a complete remodel earlier this year, Between Rounds Manchester café, located at 1540A Pleasant Valley Road, has a whole new look and feel. Now, the store’s founders would like to put the finishing touches on their interior design with a breathtaking mural depicting historical buildings, monuments, landscapes, events and more – relevant to the town of Manchester.

The mural wall in the café measures approximately 10’ high by 20’ long. Artist(s) credit will be featured on the wall. Between Rounds will cover the cost of supplies for the mural.

Local artists and art students from Manchester Community College or any of the town’s high schools are encouraged to submit a quality rendering of their vision for the mural, along with details about the medium to be used (oil, acrylic paint, etc.). The mural may be completed by an individual artist or collectively, for example, by a class of art students.

“This is an opportunity for local artists to showcase their talent on a very large canvas, and be seen by patrons from the Manchester community and beyond,” explained Jerry Puiia, co-founder of Between Rounds.

As an example, Between Rounds has a beautiful mural menu in their South Windsor café.

Individuals and groups may submit a sketch for consideration or obtain more information by emailing jerry@betweenroundsbagels.com or calling (860) 291-0323.

About Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café

Founded in 1990, Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café is a unique bakery café and bagel shop renowned for their fresh, baked-on site bagels and baked goods as well sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, specialty coffees and a unique line of giftware.  Between Rounds offers patrons an upscale, fast-casual dining experience with free Wi-Fi.

Between Rounds is also a wholesale bagel supplier to many independent grocers throughout the region. Between Rounds signature bagels are delivered to grocers fully baked so no additional labor is required of the bakery department.

Between Rounds locations include South Windsor, Vernon, Manchester and Tolland and franchise opportunities are available. Corporate headquarters are located at 19A John Fitch Blvd, Route 5 in South Windsor, CT. For more information about grocer partnership or their unique franchise offerings, contact (860) 291-0323 or visit www.betweenroundsbagels.com.

From Blank Wall to Work of Art – Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café Seeks Artists for Store MuralRead More

Improve your newsletter’s open rates by five to 20 percent

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash of people reading computer screenIf you regularly send out an e-newsletter, it stands to reason the more people who open it the better. So, when your open rates remain about the same, it’s time to think about what you could or should be doing differently.

Better subject lines?

Perhaps video?

Maybe sending the newsletter out on a different day of the week?

These are all great ideas and should be explored. Yet you might first want to try re-sending your e-mail to those who did not open the first go around.

That’s right. Send it again.

If you think that’s being a little pushy, think about your own e-mail habits. How often do you receive an e-mail you want to read but can’t at that moment? So, you leave it in your in box and probably never open it, right? Happens all the time, right?

You think that might happen to other folks as well? You know it does.

So, re-send your e-mail. Preferably three or four days after the initial mailing so it won’t seem like you’re being too pushy.

Most e-newsletter services have reports available where you can download those who did not open your e-mail and create a new list for the re-send. It’s a little bit of work and requires you to remember to do it, but it can be done.

Or, you can use Constant Contact.

Constant Contact’s new templates offer a re-send option where your e-mail is automatically sent to non-openers at a time period you designate. It can be as soon as three days after the initial mailing. The best part is you can set the re-send option when you schedule the initial e-mail. Then you can forget about it.

Actually, the best part is it gives you the option to alter the subject line a bit so that your e-mail stands out.

So, you’re thinking, “it’s easy, but does it work?” Does it ever.

To date, in using this for clients and our own newsletter, the re-send option has improved open rate percentages by a minimum of five percent and a maximum of 25 percent. The minimums were on lists of 2,000 or more. In several cases it meant more than 100 additional opens per mailing. For the client who saw a 25 percent improvement, they have a mailing list of more than 1000.

Again, this is something you can do with many e-mail newsletter providers. As a Constant Contact reseller, we prefer their re-send option for its simplicity.

If you would like some help in getting your enewsletter off the ground or getting a better open rate, drop us a line.

Improve your newsletter’s open rates by five to 20 percentRead More

Blood Drive at Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield on September 21st

The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield will host a Blood Drive for the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital on-site at 37 Proprietors Drive in Marshfield on Friday, September 21, 2018.

Blood donations may be made from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. aboard the Dana Farber Cancer Institute/Brigham and Women’s Hospital Blood Mobile. Appointments are recommended, although walk-ins will be taken as time allows.  To register to donate, simply sign up online at tinyurl.com/marbgSept2018

Please note that a photo ID is required for new donors. It is also recommended that anyone donating should drink extra water and eat before donating.

As a special thank you, donors will receive a Kraft Family Blood Donor Center Lantern.

For questions about donation eligibility, email blooddonor@partners.org or call 617-632-3206.

About Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield

The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield (the Club) is a youth development organization providing programs and services to children and families throughout the greater South Shore community. The Club’s mission is to enable and inspire all young people to realize their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens as well as become tomorrow’s capable leaders. The Club provides programming opportunities in Boys & Girls Club of America’s (BGCA) five core areas including leadership, education, health, arts, and fitness.

Currently, the Club serves hundreds of families with children ranging in age from 6 to 18 years old, providing afterschool, vacation week and summer programs, as well as youth athletics, teen, social recreational and leadership opportunities. For more information, visit their website  http://marshfieldbgc.com or call 781-834-2582.

 

Blood Drive at Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield on September 21stRead More

Anna Dunbar Named New Executive Director at Talking Information Center

Anna Dunbar

Talking Information Center (TIC), the non-profit reading service broadcasting 24-hours a day to thousands of visually impaired and otherwise print impaired listeners throughout the state, has named Anna Dunbar as Executive Director. She is a resident of Rockland, MA.

Dunbar joined TIC in 2016 as the Assistant Executive Director to oversee TIC’s financial operations, development and marketing. Over the years, she held several key positions previous to TIC, including that of Financial Manager at Gateway Arts in Brookline, and as Director of Operations at Galerie d’Orsay in Boston.

In June, Dunbar stepped into the role of Acting Executive Director. Last week, TIC’s nine-member Board of Directors appointed her as Executive Director.

“Anna has already shown TIC’s Board of Directors, staff and volunteers, the kind of innovative and forward thinking to move TIC ahead in the coming years,” said Christine James, Managing Editor/Anchor at WATD-FM and TIC Board Chair. “What is also key, is that Anna knows how important the human connection is in all the ways that TIC reaches out to our 30-thousand plus listeners, and that helps us to maintain our unique relationship with them. We are delighted and proud that Anna is at the helm of TIC.”

“I have the great fortune of working with such a wonderful team of staff, volunteers and board members who wholeheartedly support TIC’s mission,” said Dunbar.

Under Dunbar’s leadership, TIC has taken on an ambitious “351 Initiative”, broadcasting the reading of every newspaper in every town in Massachusetts. As of September 17, 2018, there will be a total of 255 unique programs in-house every week, with NO reruns, and that includes the hours between midnight and 6 a.m.

“We are committed to broadcasting only new content every single day,” explained Dunbar. “All programming is done by more than 200 dedicated volunteers each week. We are constantly adding content such as our Radio and Podcast Players live drama productions, live concerts and symphonies, and most recently, the addition of eight more daily newspapers to the 13 we already broadcast every day.”

Since 2016, TIC has experienced significant growth in listenership, number of volunteers, and collaborations. For example, their collaboration with Plymouth Area Community Television (PACTV) means that TIC’s feed is broadcast to PACTV’s channels, which reach more than 100,000 viewers. TIC will also continue their collaboration with the Marshfield Council on Aging, Duxbury Senior Center, Kingston Council on Aging, and the Plymouth Center for Active Living, and host the South Shore Low Vision Group, a support group that meets on a bimonthly basis.

“TIC works with a variety of partners and collaboratives to provide internship, volunteer or employment opportunities. Over the past year, TIC has had the pleasure of working with individuals from Mass Commission for the Blind, South Shore Education Collaborative, LIFE (Living Independently Forever), Best Buddies and North River Collaborative,” noted Dunbar.

Dunbar will focus her efforts on TIC’s continued financial stability, while further enhancing the impact and mission of its program. This year, TIC celebrates their 40th anniversary and a gala will be held on Thursday, November 1, 2018. The 40th Anniversary Gala is TIC’s major fundraiser for the year and all proceeds directly benefit TIC, which serves the listening needs of thousands of visually impaired and otherwise disabled listeners throughout Massachusetts.

To learn more about TIC’s programming and events, or to sponsor or purchase tickets for the 40th Anniversary Gala, visit www.ticnetwork.org.

The Hub of the Massachusetts Reading Network

Based in Marshfield, MA, TIC is a proud member of the International Association of Audible Information Services (IAAIS), and is the hub of the Massachusetts Reading Network, broadcasting to all of Massachusetts as well as southern New Hampshire and Connecticut. The non-profit reading service operates with the help of more than 500 volunteers statewide, broadcasting newspapers, magazines, books, special consumer information, medical and stock market updates, jobs, sports, supermarket specials, voting guides, community newspapers, and television programs. TIC also offers cultural programming such as old-time radio drama, theater, and poetry. TIC’s newest programming includes the Radio and Podcast Players and Veterans Voice.

TIC programming may be accessed several ways: via live audio stream at http://www.ticnetwork.org; by utilizing a specially tuned radio receiver; through AudioNow by calling 712-832-7025 from a home or cell phone; or by smartphone app. Listeners with smartphones may download the free TIC app by typing “Talking Information Center” in Apple or in the Google Play store for Android devices.

In 1977, Ed Perry, the founder of radio station WATD-FM in Marshfield, MA, donated his Subsidiary Carrier Authorization signal for use as the first radio reading service in New England. Operating similarly to other broadcast networks, TIC has affiliates throughout the state of Massachusetts that provide inserts of local news and information that is of interest to listeners in their area. The Executive Office of Elder Affairs oversees TIC, which is located at 130 Enterprise Drive, Marshfield, MA 02050. For more information visit www.ticnetwork.org or call (781) 834-4400.

Anna Dunbar Named New Executive Director at Talking Information CenterRead More

Pedaling for a Cure. Downey Rides for Pan-Mass Challenge. Team Raises $125K

Chris Downey, president of Braintree-based Harbor Mortgage successfully navigated a somewhat stormy ride with his team in the 39th Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) on August 4 and 5, 2018. Team Willett Power raised $125,000 in donations to PMC, which raises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

For the second year, Downey and the 12-member team rode 163 miles from Wellesley to Provincetown in the PMC annual bike-a-thon fundraiser. Many members of Team Willett Power have had personal experience with cancer in some manner. For Downey, it was his wife who had breast cancer. She recently celebrated her 10th year of remission. Team Willett Power’s captain Bruce McCutcheon lost his first wife to ovarian cancer.

“The weekend brings a lot of great stories as well as very sad stories and inspirational stories,” explained Downey. “We met some incredible people, including our ‘Pedal Partner’ Charlie, a four-year-old boy with Leukemia who is currently going through chemotherapy, who was with his parents at one of the food/water stops on Day One. On Day Two, we rode past a woman sitting along a very barren stretch of route 6A with a sign that read ‘I’m a Survivor, thank you for saving my life.’ It gets your priorities in order very quickly.”

Last year, the team raised over $150,000 and they continue to strive to meet that same goal this year. Donations to Team Willett Power may be made online through the end of September at http://pmc.org/egifts/CD0269

About the PMC

In 2017, there were 6,200 riders and the PMC gave a record gift of $51 million to Dana-Farber. The PMC donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. For more information about PMC, visit https://www.pmc.org

Harbor Mortgage Solutions, Inc. is a family-owned, residential mortgage company serving Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Recognized as a leading housing wealth management authority, Harbor Mortgage is dedicated to serving the unique home financing and often complex needs of senior homeowners, while also promoting those needs among consumers, professional advisors, state legislators and industry regulators.

Harbor Mortgage (NMLS #2846, MA-MB2846, and RI 20041821LB) is located in Braintree, MA. For more information, contact 781-843-5553 or visit HarborMortgage.com.

Pedaling for a Cure. Downey Rides for Pan-Mass Challenge. Team Raises $125KRead More

Free Seminar – Aging in Place. Helping mom remain in the family home.

Seniors FirstThe comfort, familiarity, security and community support of the family home is central to the wellbeing of seniors. According to a recent article in published by the AARP, 87 percent of adults age 65+ want to stay in their current home and community as they age. Among people age 50 to 64, 71 percent of people want to age in place.

With that in mind, Seniors First, a collaborative of vetted professionals serving the senior community, are offering an educational and objective panel discussion entitled “Aging in Place. Helping mom remain in the family home.”  The dynamic, interactive discussion will be held Thursday, September 27, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Bulfinch Group, 160 Gould Street, Suite 310, Needham, MA  02494. Complimentary light refreshments will be served.

Topics will include financial planning for retirement, home care assistance to augment activities of daily living, prudent health care choices including complicated Medicare options and leveraging housing wealth.

The discussion will be led by George Downey, Housing Wealth Management Advisor, Harbor Mortgage Solutions, Inc., Braintree, MA.  Panelists will include Dick Howell, Wealth Management Advisor, Bulfinch Group, Needham, MA; Lori Howell, Howell Medicare Advisors, Foxboro, MA; Steve Stern, FirstLight Home Care of West Suburban Boston, Needham, MA; and Brett Kirkpatrick, Housing Wealth Management Advisors, Harbor Mortgage Solutions, Inc., Braintree, MA.

Seniors First offers educational and objective seminars to Councils on Aging, senior organizations, fraternal organizations, labor unions, college staff and faculty, human resources departments and business groups throughout Eastern Massachusetts. The seminars are presented in moderated panel discussions including experienced professionals expert on the subject matter.

Seminar topics range on timely and important senior topics, including:

Aging in Place – From Cash Flow to Home Modifications and More
In-Home Care – What You Need to Know and Avoid
Successfully Surviving Death and Divorce
Protecting and Managing Your Housing and Financial Wealth
About the Kids – What You Need and What They Really Want
Planning Ahead – What to Do and How to Do It Right
How To Avoid Outliving Your Savings
Navigating Social Security and Medicare
Legacy Planning – Being the Author of your Life and End of Life Plan

Seating is limited. Reservations are required.   To RSVP, contact Seniors First, George Downey, Harbor Mortgage Solutions, Inc., 100 Grandview Road, Suite 105, Braintree, MA 02184.  Phone: (781) 843-5553, or Email: GDowney@HarborMortgage.com

Free Seminar – Aging in Place. Helping mom remain in the family home.Read More

Old Colony Elder Services is Growing. Agency Seeks Nurses to Meet Demand

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, has experienced significant growth and is hiring RNs for their nursing team.

The agency, which has offices in Brockton and Plymouth, employs more than 240 and recently celebrated their 44th anniversary.  Currently, OCES has a team of 20 nurses on staff who work diligently every day to help older adults age in place in a supported way, through comprehensive programs such as nutrition, personal care and money management. The agency is in need of additional nurses to meet increased demand for services from a fast-growing aging population.

For the OCES nurse, the process of helping a client starts with a referral and assessment. Once the level of care needed is determined, the nurse works with an OCES Care Manager and a plan is put into place. Arrangements can then be made for a variety of services, such as a home health aide. OCES works with agencies that provide these services, and also monitors the delivery of those services to ensure quality control.

“What is wonderful about my work is that I can take a holistic approach; a teaching approach, and be a strong advocate for my patients,” says Brenda Bernard, nurse and Home Care Services Manager at OCES. “I have the ability to spend more time with them than I might be able to do in a hospital setting. I get to know my patients and tell their compelling story through my reports. In this way, others will know my patients as well and help me to create a better, more comfortable, and healthier environment for them.”

OCES offers their staff opportunities for development and advancement, and places an emphasis on work/life balance. They also offer a generous benefits package which includes medical, dental, life and disability insurances, a 401(k) plan, and an innovative Employee Wellness Program, which encourages and supports employees in healthy lifestyle choices.

According to Nicole Long, CEO of OCES, “An OCES nurse makes the difference in the lives of older adults and individuals with disabilities every day. OCES is continuously looking for talented individuals who support our core values to join our nursing team.”

For more information on becoming part of the OCES team and making a difference in the lives of older adults and people with disabilities, contact OCES’ Human Resources department at 508-584-1561 or visit ocesma.org.  Job opportunities are also posted on Indeed.com.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

Old Colony Elder Services is Growing. Agency Seeks Nurses to Meet DemandRead More

Massachusetts-Based Apollo Safety Expands Relationship with Industrial Scientific

Apollo Safety, Inc., providers of gas detection products and services for hospitals, universities, government operations, public utilities, manufacturing, Biotech and other organizations, is expanding their relationship with Industrial Scientific and undergoing certification to become an Authorized Service Center (ASC). The company will be one of only a few in the country to attain this significant milestone.

Apollo Safety employees, led by company founder and president, John V. Carvalho III, completed training prior to the end of July. The company also had their first inspection. Carvalho expects certification to be awarded in approximately 30 to 60 days.

Once certified, Apollo Safety will be a factory authorized service center for all of Industrial Scientific’s portable gas monitoring systems, as well as wireless gas detection systems. This includes Industrial Scientific’s innovative iNet, a total cost of ownership solution for portable gas detection, which optimizes gas monitoring programs with automated instrument maintenance, recordkeeping and field visibility. It also includes their Lens Wireless solution which allows personal monitors and area monitors to share readings and alarms in a peer connected group along with state-of-the-art Radius BZ1 Area Monitor, Ventis Pro Series Personal Monitors and more.

Apollo Safety provides managed services for gas monitoring, ensuring a 100 percent compliant solution. Their factory-qualified technicians guarantee that all instruments are calibrated and completely compliant with local, federal and manufacturer’s requirements for bump testing, calibration and maintenance. Apollo Safety provides ongoing monitoring and management of the maintenance, usage, and alarm data of gas detection systems, which ensures optimal operation, minimal downtime, and the overall safety of everyone on-site.

Apollo Safety provides on-site installation and training along with 24/7 service and uses only factory-original parts for repairs which are made exactly to client requirements. In addition to factory training and certification, Apollo Safety has their own proprietary training program for their technicians with five levels of certification. To learn more, visit ApolloSafety.com.

About Industrial Scientific

Industrial Scientific is a leading global provider of portable gas detectors and gas detection as a service. For more information, visit http://www.indsci.com

About Apollo Safety

As experts in disaster prevention, Apollo Safety, Inc. has grown to become the leading safety and technical services equipment provider in New England. Providing comprehensive gas/toxic leak prevention and detection products and services, Apollo Safety services include installation, regular maintenance and monitoring of the systems to ensure all systems are continually in optimal working order.

Apollo Safety provides portable, stationary and wireless gas detection systems, sales and support for most major brands of gas detection device manufacturers, as well as service in their state of the art in-house service center. The company also provides on-site support with factory-trained technicians for both portable and stationary gas detection systems.

Apollo Safety is a member of the National Safety Council, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Association (RIAFC) and the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts (FCAM). A Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), Apollo Safety has locations in Boston and Fall River, Massachusetts. For more information, call 800-813-5408 or visit http://www.ApolloSafety.com.

Massachusetts-Based Apollo Safety Expands Relationship with Industrial ScientificRead More

OCES is recruiting volunteers

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, is currently recruiting volunteers at their Plymouth Volunteer Center.

Employees of local businesses seeking outreach opportunities, retirees, students and others are encouraged to consider volunteering at OCES.

OCES offers a variety of volunteer opportunities to match volunteer interests, from supporting the Nutrition Program by delivering Meals on Wheels, and supporting the Money Management Program by helping someone balance their budget and pay their bills on time, to supporting the Music & Memory program by cataloguing and downloading songs to iPods for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia.

The OCES Volunteer Center is located at 204 South Meadow Road in Plymouth. The Center is a designated space for volunteers to work together on specific projects, such as Letter Writing to Troops for National Days of Service and Remembrance. It is also a place for prospective volunteers to talk one-on-one with Volunteer Program staff who can assist them in their search for volunteering opportunities that fit their skills and interests.

For anyone who is 55 and older, OCES can provide information on the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Plymouth County, which is part of the Senior Corps network under the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency for volunteering, service and civic engagement.

OCES recruits people of all ages to volunteer for programs at OCES as well as for other nonprofits, schools and organizations throughout Plymouth County.

For an overview about volunteering at OCES, watch the recent Brockton Community Access Television – Living Out Loud segment on Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/273312031

OCES’ Volunteer Center is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment only on Wednesday and Thursday. For more information about volunteering at OCES, visit https://www.ocesma.org/volunteer/ or contact OCES’ Volunteer Coordinator at 508-584-1561.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 26 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of elders and people with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency offers a number of programs to serve seniors, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

OCES is recruiting volunteersRead More