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Vanessa Pollard, PA-C Joins South Shore Skin Center as a Board Certified Physician Assistant

Vanessa Pollard
Vanessa Pollard PA-C

Vanessa Pollard PA-C, a Board Certified Physician Assistant, has recently joined South Shore Skin Center, one of the most progressive dermatology practices in Massachusetts with offices in Cohasset and Plymouth.

In her new role at South Shore Skin Center, Ms. Pollard will care for both general and cosmetic dermatology patients in the new Plymouth office and cosmetic dermatology spa alongside board certified dermatologists Dr. Richard Eisen, Dr. Ramzi Saad, Dr. Katherine Ayers, Dr. Emily Tierney and Dr. William Stocker.

Ms. Pollard holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Boston University and a Master of Medical Science from Yale University School of Medicine. For three years previous to joining South Shore Skin Center, Ms. Pollard was the Physician Assistant at a dermatology office south of Boston as well as an Internal Medicine Physician Assistant at a busy general practice north of Boston.

She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Massachusetts Association of Physician Assistants and the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants.

Ms. Pollard is a resident of Plymouth.

“Vanessa is compassionate, talented and a very good fit for our dermatology team. We’re pleased to welcome her aboard,” noted Dr. Ramzi Saad, M.D.

South Shore Skin Center

South Shore Skin Center is one of Massachusetts’ most progressive dermatology practices offering a wide range of medical, surgical and cosmetic services. The practice has attained and maintained an “A” rating on Angies List Health.

Having outgrown their previous office at Resnik Road in Plymouth, South Shore Skin Center has recently relocated to the 6,600 square-foot third floor of One Scobee Circle in Plymouth.

South Shore Skin Center’s cosmetic services include Fraxel re:pair and re:store; Gentle YAG, innovative Laser, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), Thermage and treatments for age spots, acne scarring, birth marks, tattoos and more. The practice also offers a full range of affordable anti-aging services including Botox, Radiesse, Sculptra and other wrinkle fillers, Microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels. Anti-Aging and Cosmetic treatments are both safer and more effective when administered at a physician’s office such as South Shore Skin Center and Spa.

South Shore Skin Center offices are located at One Scobee Circle in Plymouth, Mass., (508) 747-0711 and at 223 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Suite 202 in Cohasset, Mass. (781) 383-3340. For more information, visit the website at www.southshoreskincenter.com.

Vanessa Pollard, PA-C Joins South Shore Skin Center as a Board Certified Physician AssistantRead More

Ride on…Todson signs on as corporate sponsor for May Institute’s Rodman Ride For Kids team

NORTH ATTLEBORO, MASS…

For the second consecutive year, North Attleboro-based Todson, Inc., distributor of Topeak bicycle accessories and OnGuard Locks, will be a sponsor for the May Institute’s Rodman Ride team.  

In 2009, Todson contributed $5,000 towards the May Institute’s fundraising efforts. Todson has matched that contribution for the 2010 Rodman Ride and has donated a bike and Red Sox tickets for the Ride’s raffle. In addition, Todson staffers will participate as part of the May Institute’s team in the Rodman Ride — a  25-, 50-, or 100-mile non-competitive cycling tour to raise funds for a wide variety of children’s social service agencies across Massachusetts.

“The Rodman Ride for Kids has become one of those fundraisers that’s an event—like what the Pan Mass Challenge does for The Jimmy Fund,” said Neal Todrys, president and CEO of Todson, Inc. “Cycling accessories may be our business, but I can honestly say we’d be participating in this ride if we sold widgets—that’s how much I believe in the good work the Ride does for very worthy non-profits like the May Institute.”

May Institute serves children and adults with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness and behavioral healthcare needs. Since its founding 55 years ago, May Institute has evolved into a national network that serves over 25,000 individuals and their families annually. With corporate headquarters in Randolph, Mass., the Institute operates more than 200 service locations in the Northeast, Southeast, and on the West Coast.

Since its inception in 1991, the Rodman Ride for Kids has raised more than $30 million to help children across Massachusetts. That figures includes a whopping $7.2 million raised by the 2009 ride. That’s a figure the May Institute team hopes to help top for the 20th annual Rodman Ride for Kids this year.

“Todson has been such a wonderful supporter of the May Institute and the Rodman Ride,” said Heidi Howard, May Institute’s Chief of Strategic Development. “We’re delighted that they will again be joining our efforts to raise funds via the Rodman Ride.”

World Class Sports Accessories

Todson, Inc., the exclusive importer for Topeak for the U.S., is committed to providing the best in sports accessories to consumers around the globe.  Over the past 16 years, Topeak has risen to become the top cycling accessories brand in the world. 

In addition to Topeak cycling accessories, Todson is the distributor of renowned OnGuard line, the toughest line of power sport, bike and gear security products in the world.  The OnGuard line is available only through authorized dealers. Recognized for their legendary anti-drill and pick-proof M-Cylinder mechanism and flat key lock system, OnGuard’s locks, whether key or combination lock, are tested, approved and certified to guard bikes or power sport vehicles the world over.  OnGuard is the leading lock brand in Europe, in particular, Amsterdam, the bike theft capital of the world. 

Todson has successfully marketed recreational goods for more than 50 years. Now in its third generation of family ownership, Todson specializes in strategic sales and marketing, distribution, brand management and e-commerce. For more information about Topeak cycling accessories and OnGuard Locks, visit www.Todson.com or contact Todson at (800) 213-4561.  The company is located at 73 N. Washington Street, N. Attleboro, Mass.

About May Institute and the National Autism Center
May Institute is an award-winning nonprofit organization that provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services to individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness, and behavioral health needs.

Since its founding 55 years ago, May Institute has evolved into a national network that serves over 25,000 individuals and their families annually. With corporate headquarters in Randolph, Mass., the Institute operates more than 200 service locations in the Northeast, Southeast, and on the West Coast. Four May Institute schools serve children and adolescents with ASD and other developmental disabilities. Another school serves students with brain injury.

In 2005, in response to the tremendous increase in the prevalence of ASD, May Institute founded the National Autism Center. The Center is dedicated to serving children and adolescents with ASD by promoting best practices and offering comprehensive and reliable information to families, practitioners, and communities. In 2009, the Center’s unprecedented multi-year project – the National Standards Project – established a set of standards for effective, research-validated educational and behavioral interventions for children with ASD.

Together, May Institute and the National Autism Center are committed to identifying and applying universal standards for the treatment of autism and to providing care and hope to families throughout the country.

For more information, call 800.778.7601 or visit www.mayinstitute.org

Ride on…Todson signs on as corporate sponsor for May Institute’s Rodman Ride For Kids teamRead More

Green to go. “Green” truck advertising moved to fast lane by Traffic Drivers Outdoor Advertising

Utilizing the massive open space offered by trucks that service convenience stores throughout New England, Traffic Drivers Outdoor Advertising, based in Plymouth, Massachusetts, is offering a “greener” mobile advertising alternative.

The Traffic Drivers Outdoor Advertising trucks make standard daily deliveries.  Putting ads on the sides of the vehicles does not impact fuel consumption or emissions – this is not the case with competing mobile billboard trucks that run for the sole purpose of showing ads.

“Truck-Side mobile billboards are popular in other parts of the country but relatively unknown in New England where we operate,” said Glenn Anderson, who founded Traffic Drivers.

Anderson added, “The beauty of our mobile billboards is that they cause no environmental harm while maybe even providing some entertainment for motorists.  Advertisers have the size and visibility benefits of a billboard, but it’s not a static, stationary visual that blends into the scenery over time. Mobile billboards get noticed because they are different, unexpected, and right there when you’re stuck at a light, in traffic, or on the highway.”

Traffic Drivers mobile billboards are about eight feet high and range from 20 to 50 feet in length. But while slightly smaller than a stationary billboard, they dwarf them in price. The average billboard on major highways in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut such as Route 95, the Expressway or the Mass Pike Extension costs as much as $15,000-$25,000 per month.  On average, an ad on 3 sides of a Traffic Drivers truck is under $2,000 a month and gives an advertiser exposure both on the highway and in local towns or cities.

Some of Traffic Drivers initial clients include: Route 44 Toyota-Hyundai in Raynham, Mass.; AJ Marks Jewelers in Hyannis and Wareham, Mass.; Hy-Line Cruises out of Hyannis, Mass.; Southern New Hampshire University out of Manchester, NH; and Santa’s Village of Jefferson, New Hampshire.

Traffic Drivers Mobile Billboards has agreements with several commercial trucking companies, with routes covering Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Since these trucks run on consistent delivery routes on both local roads and highways, Traffic Drivers can target a specific geographic area.

“When you’re in the tourism business on the Cape, you are competing with literally hundreds of other businesses,” said Phillip Scudder, vice president of marketing at Hy-Line Cruises. “The mobile billboard campaign put together by Traffic Drivers will help keep us top-of-mind for tourists and the locals, and that’s absolutely critical as we head into tourist season.”

“In an increasingly Internet focused advertising world”, Anderson notes, “Studies show that Out of Home Advertising is still one of the fastest growing segments in the advertising industry.  Mobile Billboards are the most cost-effective advertising option out there, at an average Cost per Thousand (CPM) of under $2.”

“We knew businesses who wanted billboard advertising in these markets, and it was either not available or way out of their budget,” said Anderson. “We saw a need in the market and decided to fill it.  Truck-side billboards are an excellent branding tool and we’re excited to be able to offer them.”

Traffic Drivers Mobile Billboards provides the full range of strategic planning and creative services to take mobile billboard campaigns from design to printing and finally installation. In addition, Traffic Drivers uses a variety of tools and tactics such as vanity phone numbers, landing pages and text campaigns to drive traffic to advertisers and measure results.  GPS reports are also available as proof of performance.

For more information on Traffic Drivers Outdoor Advertising, please visit http://www.TrafficDrivers.com or call 508-746-1588.

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Captain Courageous Takes on High Seas Piracy.

Personal experience pushes Captain James K. Staples to Battle Back.

DATELINE: Norwell, Mass.

Modern day high seas piracy. It happens every day.
It may lack the Hollywood charm of Johnny Depp and the Pirates of the Caribbean, but the life and death drama is real and a pressing issue.

Captain James K. Staples, referred to by some members of the press as Captain Courageous, a three decade sea captain, Master Mariner and U.S. Merchant Marine, has launched a consulting service to combat high seas piracy. He has recently been utilized as an expert by CBS News, CNN, FOX, MSNBC, BBC and organizations such as Navy and Coast Guard. He has been a key note speaker for NATO and other security conferences.

Staples also served as spokesman for the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, Mass. when fellow alum and friend Richie Phillips, Captain of the Maersk Alabama, a U.S.-flagged container ship was attacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, was being held hostage in a recent high profile piracy incident. Now he is reaching out to the international maritime community to offer his expertise and insights.

Staples is no stranger to piracy threats. In addition to commiserating with other seasoned captains about the growing problem, he experienced unwanted guests approaching his own ship the Green Bay. After firing two shots from his Browning Hi Power 9 mm pistol over the offenders bow and witnessing a quick retreat by the suspects, Staples realized how close he came to a deadly situation.

“High seas piracy affects us all,” noted Staples. He elaborated, “From the hostages who get raped, beaten and murdered, to the shipping lines who get blackmailed, to the anxious families of crews throughout the world to consumers paying higher prices at Wal-Mart.”

Battling piracy can be traced back to 1797 when the USS Constitution, the oldest naval vessel in world still afloat, was launched and pressed into service fighting piracy along Africa’s Barbary Coast. Today Somalia is a Mecca for pirates and they have nearly crippled shipping in the Gulf of Aden. Piracy is also rampant from the Strait of Malacca and Indonesia to Venezuela, Nigeria and the Persian Gulf.

Smaller crews – down from 42 to 19 on most overseas voyages – and more desperate times have been contributing factors to the rise in piracy. Staples also notes that a lack of state of the art surveillance equipment (including thermal imaging and infrared cameras tied into radar) on ships puts honest seafarers at a disadvantage.

Staples addressed the common sense and controversial ways to combat piracy and to keep shipping crews and their cargo safe. From trained marksmen and anti-piracy teams onboard to better technology, he outlines methods of taking the seas back from organized pirate groups and rouges.

“Going to sea is dangerous enough. Fire, sinking, drowning – it just part of the challenge. Piracy takes that danger to a new level and it must be curtailed,” noted Staples.

For additional information about Captain James Staples, please visit his website www.OceanRiverLLC.

Captain Courageous Takes on High Seas Piracy.Read More

Your new travel guide…Kelly Miller opens Best of Lehigh Valley Resort Maps franchise.

Resort Maps' Kelly Miller

BETHLEHEM, PENNYSYLVANIA AND WAITSFIELD, VERMONT…

Resort Maps, creator of nearly 100 customized travel maps across the United States, England, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico, recently announced Kelly Miller as the owner of the new Resort Map to be published for the Lehigh Valley. The map will include all key destinations in the Easton, Bethlehem, and Allentown areas.

Resort Maps are colorful, hand-drawn maps of towns and cities, distributed free to area visitors at travel information and rest areas as well as at advertiser locations. The Best of Lehigh Valley map will highlight local attractions and things to do, restaurants, festivals and fairs, accommodations, retail shops, real estate and other services in Lehigh Valley. Each advertiser on the map will be represented with a display ad surrounding the perimeter of the map, including a color-coded grid locator and their actual building hand-drawn, highlighted and labeled, making it easy to locate. 

“There’s so much going on in the Lehigh Valley right now with the development of local sports teams, casinos, festivals and other locally owned businesses. That’s not only drawing interest from the locals but tourists from all over,” said Miller. “There aren’t any maps that cover the attractions of this area and showcase what local businesses have to offers. Our map will help locals and tourists alike discover the Lehigh Valley.”

A lifelong resident of the Lehigh Valley, Miller graduated from Northampton High School and Cedar Crest College. In addition to owning a Resort Maps franchise, she is a notary and tag agent for the Department of Motor Vehicles in Wind Gap. Miller resides in Bethlehem Township.

“I’m extremely excited about this opportunity and the potential for additional maps within and around the Lehigh Valley,” said Miller.

Slated for a fall 2010 distribution, The Lehigh Valley Resort Map will offer a treasure trove of things to do for people vacationing in the area or just out for a day or two. Resort Maps free ‘souvenir style’ maps will be on display at local advertisers’ shops as well as at many non-advertiser locations throughout Lehigh Valley.

The Lehigh Valley Resort Map will also be available on-line at www.resortmaps.com, along with interactive maps to over 100 areas that Resort Maps covers. These interactive maps allow the viewer to read a description of each business as they scroll over each building and to connect to the website of the business for further information. 

For information on how to advertise on the initial Best of Lehigh Valley Resort Map, you can e-mail Kelly Miller at kellym@resortmaps.com or call 610-401-7796.

About Resort Maps

Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Resort Maps has been creating and publishing advertising maps in the northeastern U.S. since 1986. In 1993, Resort Maps expanded its reach by creating a franchise model for distribution of its colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Today, that network of franchises has grown to over 98 Resort Maps in publication in the US and the UK, with several more in the process of being published. Twenty million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2010.

For more information on Resort Maps and/or the franchise opportunity, visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

Resort Maps franchises serve cities and towns in California (Carmel, Monterey), Colorado (Boulder, Breckenridge, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Eagle River, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Summit County), Delaware (Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach), Florida (Clearwater Beach and Gulf Beaches, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Tarpon Springs), Georgia (Savannah/Tybee Island), Maine (Bar Harbor/Acadia, Boothbay region, Camden-Rockland, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Portland, York-Ogunquit), , Maryland (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Ocean City,  Solomons Island, St. Mary’s County), Massachusetts (Berkshires, Chatham-Orleans, Falmouth, Hyannis-Yarmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Newburyport, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Worcester), Michigan (Traverse City, Northern Michigan), New Hampshire (Franconia/Notch Region, Hampton Beach, Hanover/Lebanon , Keene, Lakes Region, Mount Washington Valley, Portsmouth), New Jersey (Barnegat Bay, Cape May, Hoboken/Jersey City, Hunterdon, Lambertville , Long Beach Island, Ocean Grove, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Sandy Hook), New York (The North Fork, Lake George , Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs, The Hamptons,), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Hendersonville , Outer Banks, Salisbury and Rowan County, Sandhills, Wilmington,), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, Lehigh Valley, The Main Line), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach), Tennessee (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge), Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) and Virginia (Northern Neck & Middle Peninsula) —as well as towns and cities in England (Chicester, Lewes) and Puerto Rico (Vieques, Culebra).

Your new travel guide…Kelly Miller opens Best of Lehigh Valley Resort Maps franchise.Read More

Furnished Housing by Owner (www.FHBO.com) launches Web portal for furnished vacation rental and corporate housing.

 BOSTON, MA…

There may be no place like home, but that doesn’t mean you should settle for sterile hotel accommodations when you’re on vacation or away for extended periods on business. With the launch of Furnished Housing By Owner (www.FHBO.com), travelers have a resource to search and secure furnished housing and rentals directly with the property owners – at much lower rates than an extended stay in a hotel.

FHBO.com allows property searchers to filter properties by location, keywords, # bedrooms, # beds, Internet availability and availability dates.  For each property, you can view photos, rates, reviews and a map of the exact property location.  It’s free to search FHBO’s property listings and visitors to the site can save a link to a specific property for future reference. 

“Many times business travelers or vacationers just assume they have to stay in a hotel and absorb the cost.  Unlike a hotel room, a furnished property offers the amenities of home such as a full kitchen and comfortable living space,” said David Alex-Barton, founder of FHBO.com. “With our global online service, travelers have multiple options literally at their finger tips–whether they are looking for a furnished New York studio, a self-catered London flat, or a tropical island vacation villa.”

In addition to being an invaluable resource for travelers, FHBO.com is a boon for property owners in an economy when many travelers have cut back. For a low annual fee of $99, each property listing is highlighted with large photos, concise property details, an availability calendar, a Google map, rates, reviews and direct owner contact including a direct link to the owner’s Web site.  

FHBO.com offers an easy-to-use interface so owners can add properties quickly and easily. For even greater exposure, FHBO.com promotes individual rental listings on several online services such as Craigslist, Ebay, Facebook , Twitter, and YouTube. In addition, FHBO.com will also feature select properties on its home page.

Here is a sampling of furnished housing listings on FHBO.com with direct links:

“What makes FHBO.com different than other furnished housing sites is that we’re furnished housing owners [Back Bay Suites – Boston] as well being furnished rental experts,” said Alex-Barton. “We know that what is most important to every property owner is customer inquiries and keeping their property booked.   On FHBO, we feature properties, not advertisements and we put our focus on promoting each individual property listing.” 

To celebrate the launch of the site, FHBO.com is offering a two-month free listing with coupon code “FHBO2010”

For additional information on FHBO.COM, you can visit www.fhbo.com or call 617-262-0099.

Furnished Housing by Owner (www.FHBO.com) launches Web portal for furnished vacation rental and corporate housing.Read More

A perfect 10! DirectBuy of Nassau County celebrates 10 years in business.

WESTBURY, NY…

For 10 years, DirectBuy Club has been offering consumers in greater Nassau County a brand new way to save on home improvement projects, furnishings, and accessories.

The leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, DirectBuy of Nassau County offers products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers.

“We help consumers stretch their dollars and create the homes of their dreams. Even after 10 years that doesn’t get old,” said David Pena, owner of DirectBuy of Nassau County. “Ten years later we’re just as excited about this opportunity because DirectBuy makes even more sense for consumers than it did when we opened our doors.”

In addition to tremendous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring, and accessories, DirectBuy Club also offers design and delivery services to its members, as well as a listing of local contractors who offer installation services, many times at a discounted rate.

“Our 10 years in business have not only given us the opportunity to help families create the home of their dreams, but also to establish ourselves as part of the local business community,” said Pena. “We look forward to further cultivating those relationships with our customers and the community as we build toward even bigger and better things in the years to come.”

Conveniently located at 200 Shames Drive in Westbury, New York, DirectBuy Club offers consumers a comfortable setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 39 years, DirectBuy Club has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement, and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories, and much, much more. With more than 150 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the U.S. and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada. Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’s savings, service, and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

A perfect 10! DirectBuy of Nassau County celebrates 10 years in business.Read More

New summer programs offered at The Bridge Center in Bridgewater, Mass.

BRIDGEWATER, MASS.

The Bridge Center, a non-profit (501)(c)( 3) recreation center that serves children with developmental, physical and emotional disabilities, recently announced its new portfolio of camp programs for Summer 2010. Camp is offered to children and adolescents aged 4-22.

That new portfolio includes:

Camp Connect – Designed for children and teens with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, and related challenges, Camp Connect offers programming and supports designed to support social skills and thinking development and practice.  Camp Connect offers three- and six-week sessions with 2:6 counselor:camper ratios. First , six-week session begins Monday, June 28 and ends August 6; second Lite session (three weeks) begins August 9 and ends August 27.

Camp Summit – Designed for campers who struggle with behavioral control and benefit from significant behavioral supports and structures, Camp Summit provides an environment focused on success using a behavioral level system for the whole camp and individualized behavior plans as appropriate.  Camp Summit offers one- and three-week sessions with 2:6 counselor:camper ratios. First weeklong session begins June 28. The more intensive Summit session lasts three weeks and runs August 9 through August 27.

Camp Endeavor – Designed for campers with learning, intellectual, and developmental disabilities who benefit from intermittent or limited support, Camp Endeavor helps campers try new activities, meet new people, and feel successful.  Camp Endeavor offers one-week sessions throughout the summer with 1:3 or 1:2 counselor:camper ratios in order to assure that every camper has the appropriate accommodations so they may fully participate in all activities. One-week sessions start June 28 through week of August 23.

Camp Discovery – Designed for campers with intellectual and developmental disabilities who benefit from extensive or pervasive support, Camp Discovery provides campers full access to all activities with its 1:1 or 1:2 counselor:campers ratios that assure appropriate modifications are in place throughout camp.  Camp Discovery staff support campers with ADLs (activities of daily living) as needed and offers one1-week sessions throughout the summer. One-week sessions start June 28 through week of August 23.

Horse Camp – Designed for campers aged 8+ who love horses, Horse Camp offers riding center activities every morning, including one mounted riding lesson each day.  In the afternoons, campers join Camp Endeavor and participate in a variety of camp activities.  We offer four 1-week sessions of Horse Camp during the summer, typically with 1:3 counselor:camper ratios. Sessions take place the weeks of: July 6, July 19, August 2 and August 16.

“Structured recreational activities are key ingredients for children’s social, emotional and physical development,” said Jennifer Harber, executive director of The Bridge Center.  “Our specialized camps offer children maximum opportunities to grow from their summer experiences.”

For more information on The Bridge Center’s camp schedule, including fees, please visit http://www.TheBridgeCtr.org. The Bridge Center strives to achieve a “no child is turned away” policy. Financial assistance and assistance with transportation are available.

About The Bridge Center

The Bridge Center, which is the new name for Handi Kids, was founded by the Knights of Pythias in 1963. The Bridge Center’s beautiful 20-acre campus is located in Bridgewater, MA and provides accessible play and skill-building activities for all children regardless of the nature or severity of their disability. Year-round activities include nine weeks of summer camp, therapeutic horseback riding, school vacation camps, holiday parties, Saturday programs, teen programs, vocational training, after-school activities and family support groups. 

The Bridge Center also offers carefully designed summer programs and social skills groups designed to meet the social and behavioral needs of children with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and related challenges. 

If you’d like to learn more about The Bridge Center’s programs or are interested in becoming a supporter, please call (508) 697-7557 or send an e-mail to info@TheBridgeCtr.org.

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Keith Mercurio Named Sales Manager at Winters Company Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

Keith Mercurio

Keith Mercurio, a Belmont resident, has been named Sales Manager at Winters Company Plumbing, Heating & Cooling of Cambridge.

Mercurio has been promoted to Sales Manager after working as an apprentice, technician and licensed plumber at Winter Company for almost seven years. Mercurio was the first in the company to go from “green” apprentice to licensed plumber through Winter’s training facility and receive plumbing certification with the state.

In his new position, Mercurio will be responsible for bidding, selling and assigning jobs to Winters’ plumbers and technicians. He will also be responsible for training all new technicians. Mercurio was recently selected by Nexstar, the independent residential service contractors association, to become one of their 12 member trainers, which is the highest level a trainer can reach in the country. Mercurio just returned from a four-day Nexstar training session in South Carolina where he trained a group in a number of disciplines.

Mercurio majored in political science and philosophy at St. Michael’s College in Vermont. In 2006, when he was a 24-year-old technician at Winters, Mercurio ran as the Republican candidate for Massachusetts State Representative of the 29th Middlesex District.

“Over the years I have received a lot of support from Winters Company that extends beyond the goals of the company. Tim Flynn and the Winters team supported me when I ran for State Rep and when I became involved with Nexstar training. Winters Company is simply one of the best companies to work for,” noted Mercurio.

Outside of Winters Company, Mercurio has volunteered at Big Brother in Boston for more than three years. He has also spearheaded a number of volunteer plumbing initiatives to help veterans.

He is a native of Watertown, MA.

About Winters Company Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

Since 1994, Winters Company Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has specialized in providing home services of plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and kitchen and bath remodeling projects to thousands of homeowners throughout Eastern Massachusetts.

Winters Company is the largest residential plumbing company in the state, with 20 trucks on the road and a full staff of licensed and insured plumbers and technicians. In addition to 24 hour service and lifetime guarantees on many of their services, Winters Company has standardized their services, which ensures that every customer receives the same high quality workmanship delivered in the same professional and courteous manner.

Winter Company’s trusted professionals are trained to care for a home ‘s systems as well as the home and homeowner. All of Winter’s technicians undergo drug-testing and background checks, ensuring that only first-rate providers comprise Winter’s team.

Winters Company has been honored with a number of awards over the years including the Local Torch Award for Excellence from the Better Business Bureau and Angie’s List Super Service Award. Winters Company is headquartered in Cambridge, MA. For more information, call (617) 484-2121 or visit the website at www.wintersplumbing.com.

Keith Mercurio Named Sales Manager at Winters Company Plumbing, Heating & CoolingRead More