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Cassandra Hall named DirectBuy of Buffalo’s “Do-Gooder” of the month.

CHEEKTOWAGA, NEW YORK… 

 

 

DirectBuy of Buffalo, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, established the “Do-Gooder of the Month” award to recognize employees, vendors and even members going above and beyond the call of duty—either on the job or in their everyday lives. January’s winner is Cassandra Hall, interior designer at DirectBuy of Buffalo.

 

As lead designer, Hall provides assistance to members for any number of things, ranging from reviewing floor plans to selecting home furnishings. Recently, Hall added in-home consultation as a service she offers DirectBuy of Buffalo members as a vendor/consultant. This service has been particularly well received and a good example of why Hall earned January’s “Do Gooder” award.

 

“Cassandra goes above and beyond the call of duty. By offering the in-home consultation service to members on top of what she does here in the Club, it not only helps the member feel more comfortable with the design choices they make for their home, but helps them get more value out of their DirectBuy membership. That makes the member happy and that’s what we’re always shooting for,” said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo.

 

As DirectBuy of Buffalo’s Do-Gooder of the Month, beyond the recognition, the recipient receives a restaurant gift certificate.

 

“When it comes to redesigning a room, many people have no idea where to start. By doing the in-home consultation, I can get a sense of what they like about their current space and apply it to a design that flows with the other rooms in their home but also gives it fresh, new look,” said Hall. “It’s a service I’m quite happy to provide. And if it wins me a restaurant gift certificate to boot, that’s just icing on the cake.”

 

Hall began with DirectBuy of Buffalo in March 2008 after working for Buffalo Design and Construction. A Depew resident, she holds an associate’s degree in interior design from Villa Maria College of Buffalo.

 

Members of DirectBuy have access to thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from hundreds of top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Since DirectBuy offers brand-name merchandise with no traditional retail markup, members are able to save hundreds, even thousands, of dollars on purchases for their homes.

 

To assist with home renovation, DirectBuy members also have access to licensed interior designers and product specialists who are specifically trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishings, Home Improvement, Flooring, Accessories, and Entertainment/Outdoor.

 

Conveniently located at 4950 Genesee Street in Cheektowaga, New York, DirectBuy offers members a comfortable setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

 

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can call 716-684-1400 or visit www.directbuy-buffalo.com.

 

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money to go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy has been serving the greater Buffalo area since 2005. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality.  It’s a comfortable, country-club setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. DirectBuy of Buffalo is one of more than 160 DirectBuy locations throughout North America.

 

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy at 716-684-1400, or visiting www.DirectBuy-Buffalo.com. 

 

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

Cassandra Hall named DirectBuy of Buffalo’s “Do-Gooder” of the month.Read More

Local Young Adult Author – Diane Kozak – visits the Parker Middle School

Taunton, MA… Diane Kozak, the former Chief Executive Officer/President of the Taunton Federal Credit Union, met with a group of 120 students at the Parker Middle School on Thursday, February 26th to discuss the importance of reading and writing skills in regard to future career success. By sharing her experiences with finding employees for the credit union, she explained how reading develops imagination and why she believes this talent is so important in today’s workplace. She also offered advice on choosing a career path and how education is the foundation for future career success. Through the generosity of the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation, Inc, each student received an autographed copy of her novel…Full Circle 911.

Diane Kozak is a volunteer speaker at public schools and youth organizations throughout the area. Recent appearances include a “tour” of the Boys and Girls Clubs throughout Boston, Kuss Middle School in Fall River and three middle schools in the Boston School system. “I love talking to young people about their futures and why the decisions they make today will influence their ability to make their dreams come true. When they hear about my background and experiences through the public school system, they realize that we are all capable of achieving our own personal idea of success if we take advantage of the fine education that is offered to us.”

Diane Kozak coordinated this visit with Melanie Ahern who is a 7th grade reading teacher at the Parker Middle School. She also worked with Michele Roberts at the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation, Inc on special funding for this event. “Melanie, Michele and I agree that my visit will have more impact if every student is given a copy of my book. The book will not only encourage them to read, it will also be a reminder to them that reading is a critical component of their educational foundation.”

To learn more about Kozak and her first novel, visit www.dianekozak.com.  Full Circle 911 is published by Sunpiper Publications @ www.sunpipermedia.com.

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Legal and Civic Counselor Albert A. DeNapoli, Esq. of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers P.C. is tapped to be President of the New England Chapter of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.

DATELINE:  BOSTON, MA…
Leadership roles are second nature to Albert A. DeNapoli, Esq., of Tarlow Breed Hart & Rodgers, P.C. in Boston, who is not only a Massachusetts Super Lawyer, as cited by Boston Magazine for the past five years, but is also a super civic counselor on local, regional, and national levels.

Most recently, DeNapoli assumed the mantle of President of the New England Chapter of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, adding to his already extensive repertoire of community involvement.

Giving back to the community isn’t just a buzzword for DeNapoli who is a member of Tarlow Breed Hart & Rodgers P.C. of Boston, where he focuses his legal practice on civil litigation involving contract disputes and employment issues. He is also the chairman of the firm’s Hospitality Practice Group, which offers legal assistance from leasing, to franchising, and licensing for a diverse clientele ranging from local restaurants and lodging businesses to nationally known chains.

A member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Boston Bar Association, DeNapoli is the Immediate Past Chairman of the Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce, where he currently serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Board, and as the Chamber’s General Counsel. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association and is a member of the Massachusetts Lodging Association.

A resident of Walpole, MA, DeNapoli is currently serving the second year of his second three-year term on the Walpole Board of Selectmen and is the board’s immediate Past Chairman. He was also a member of Walpole’s Finance Committee for seven years, serving as Chairman for four of those years, and has been a Representative Town Meeting member for his precinct in Walpole for eleven years.

DeNapoli is the Immediate Past National President of the Commission for Social Justice, the anti-defamation arm of the Order of the Sons of Italy in America, serving as its President for four years, after previously serving as National Treasurer and Vice-President. From 1999-2003 he was also the Chairman of the Massachusetts Commission for Social Justice.

The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame
The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, based in Chicago, is a non-profit educational institution dedicated to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of Italian Americans in sports. The mission of the New England Chapter of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame is to annually honor and induct local Italian-Americans who excel in the world of athletics.

Annually, the organization awards scholarships to local students from all backgrounds for their academic and athletic endeavors, awarding $32,000 in scholarships in New England in 2008. As President of the New England Chapter of the NIASHF, DeNapoli will guide the organization’s ongoing fundraising efforts to aid in the continued growth of the scholarship program.

Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C.
Formed in 1991, Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. is committed to providing high quality, comprehensive legal services to its clients. Featuring a breadth and depth of experience and perspective usually found only at larger law firms, Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers. P.C. offers sophisticated legal counsel to entrepreneurs, businesses, individuals, families, and institutions.

Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers’ areas of expertise include corporate law, employment matters, mergers and acquisitions, litigation and dispute resolution, estate planning, taxation, real estate, bankruptcy, and municipal law.

The offices of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. are located at 101 Huntington Avenue, Prudential Center, in Boston, MA 02199. For additional information, or to arrange for a consultation, please call 1-617-218-2000, e-mail info@tbhr-law.com, or visit www.tbhr-law.com.

Legal and Civic Counselor Albert A. DeNapoli, Esq. of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers P.C. is tapped to be President of the New England Chapter of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.Read More

“Go to your room!”…DirectBuy clubs of Chicagoland provide tips on designing the “perfect kid’s room.”

CHICAGO, GURNEE, HOFFMAN ESTATES, NAPERVILLE, TINLEY PARK, IL …

While in the past, a parent yelling, “Go to your room!” may have been some sort of punishment, nowadays it could pass as a reward, depending on the design and furniture selection your child’s room. DirectBuy, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, not only offer consumers a brand new way to save on home improvement projects, but also offers some helpful tips on designing the perfect kid’s room.

“A child’s bedroom serves as much more than a place for you kids to play. It’s a study, computer room, play room, game room, video/entertainment center and even a guest room,” said Karuna Talwar, owner of DirectBuy of Gurnee. “By following a few simple guidelines, you can create a room that’s comfortable for them to sleep and play in, but also maximizes the space.”

Some guidelines to follow include:

●        Involve your children in the buying of the furniture and decorating process; it’s their room, after all, and it stands to reason they will be more comfortable with items they helped select.

●        Take into account your child’s age, gender and how long the furniture will be used (e.g. bunk beds might be fun at 12, but at 16 your teenager might want some more space)

●        Only consider bedroom furniture that has quality construction and age-appropriate design. It is also a good idea to bring children along while shopping to make sure the bedding is comfortable.

●        Plan for growth – not just your child getting bigger but acquiring more things and clothing that will need to be stored.

 DirectBuy carries a large selection of brand-name kids’ furniture at wholesale prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. In addition, DirectBuy employs product specialists and designers who can help parents and children select furniture and accessories to create the look you want for your child’s room.

“Sure, parents might lose a little leverage by sending a child to their room not being seen as a form of punishment,” laughs Talwar. “The upside is that by creating a room that’s a haven for your child, they’ll be happier, which in turn makes parents happier. So everybody wins.”

Since 1971, DirectBuy clubs have offered members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products and accessories by buying wholesale, directly from the manufacturer. With five convenient locations in the greater Chicago area (Chicago, Gurnee, Hoffman Estates, Naperville, and Tinley Park), consumers can enjoy a comfortable, country-club setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can visit http://www.directbuychicago.com/.

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money to go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality.  It’s a comfortable, country-club setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. The five DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 160 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuychicago.com/. 

Locations of the five DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Gurnee, 4081 Ryan Rd. #107, Gurnee, IL; DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates, 2200 N. Stonington Ave Ste. 150 Hoffman Estates, IL; DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 Avondale, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 Highgrove Ste. 136 Naperville, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

“Go to your room!”…DirectBuy clubs of Chicagoland provide tips on designing the “perfect kid’s room.”Read More

Boot Camp for New Dads Shares Budget Friendly Activities to Do with Baby

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Having fun with your baby doesn’t require a trip to the toy store, fancy baby equipment or a special membership to a baby gym.

Greg Bishop, founder of Boot Camp for New Dads, a non-profit orientation program for fathers-to-be, operating in more than 260 hospitals, clinics, schools, fire stations and churches around North America and internationally, and author of two books on fathering, offers 12 budget friendly activities to do with baby.

Below, Bishop shares input from working with more than 200,000 new dads over the past 18 years and an excerpt from his most recent book Crash Course for New Dads: Tools, Checklists and Cheat Sheets:

· Take a tour of your own house with baby in a front carrier, letting him/her grab things within reach.

· Sing songs together. It doesn’t matter if it’s a lullaby or rock ‘n’ roll as long as it’s repetitive and sung with enthusiasm.

· Give him/her airplane rides through the house or yard.

· Create some tall buildings with blocks then let him/her knock them down.

· Put baby in a carrier and go on short hiking adventures.

· Build an indoor obstacle course with pillows and sheets for tunnels that baby will enjoy crawling through.

· Start a kitchen band with pots and pans and spoons and really make some noise.

· Play “hide and seek” with toys to teach him/her how to find his/her hidden treasures.

· Encourage your little artist with crayons or non-toxic finger paint. Spread newspaper on the kitchen floor and cover with drawing paper.

· Bring the bath and beach toys into the tub along with a colander and let baby have a blast sinking ships and making “rain”.

· Make funny faces together while looking in a mirror. Use shaving cream to give baby a mirror beard and moustache.

· Make junior an instant sports fan. Watch your favorite team together on TV and practice doing the wave.

According to Bishop, “Research has shown that babies benefit from time spent with dad, doing what comes naturally to dads, such as roughhousing, playing and simply showing him/her the world. Best of all, these activities don’t cost a thing.”

Tips, Advice, Instructions and more

Greg Bishop offers strategies from more than 200,000 new dads that have gone through the Boot Camp for New Dads program in his second book, Crash Course for New Dads: Tools, Checklists and Cheat Sheets. His first book, Hit the Ground Crawling, covers work balance, being a dad, caring for a new mom and much more. Both books are available online at www.DadsAdventure.com.

New Dads Learn What to Expect at Boot Camp Workshops

Dads-to-be will be better equipped to face the challenges and opportunities of fatherhood after attending a Boot Camp “hands on” educational workshop. Men attend the class when they are expecting their first baby, and are joined in the workshop by “veterans” who had previously attended and have returned with their two to four-month-old baby in tow. They are able to give the dads-to-be a realistic idea of what to do and what to expect when their first baby comes. For many men attending, it’s their first time holding a baby.

Boot Camp for New Dads

Now celebrating their 18th year, Boot Camp for New Dads is nationally acclaimed as the “Best Practice” for preparing men to be fathers and has been named a U.S. Navy Model Program. Boot Camp for New Dads has prepared more than 200,000 men for fatherhood over the years.

With more than 4.1 million births (National Center for Health Statistics), and approximately 1.5 million men becoming new dads every year, it’s more important than ever for fathers to realize that being a “good provider” is only part of the very central role they have in their children’s lives.

For more information about Boot Camp for New Dads, visit www.bcnd.org, or to visit Dads Adventure, go to www.Dadsadventure.com. To arrange an interview with Greg Bishop, please contact sdubin@prworkzone.com, (781) 582-1061.

National and International Locations

Boot Camp For New Dads locations include ALASKA (Anchorage); ARIZONA (Chandler, Flagstaff, Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sun City); ARKANSAS (Jonesboro, Paragould, Springdale); CALIFORNIA (Apple Valley, Bakersfield, , Fresno, Garden Grove, Irvine, Laguna Hills, Madera, Merced, Mission Hills, , Oakland, Orange, Pomona, Port Hueneme, San Diego, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, , S. Lake Tahoe, Travis, Valley Springs); COLORADO (Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, Durango, Fort Collins, Fort Carson, Greeley, Longmont, Thornton, Wheat Ridge); CONNECTICUT (Bristol, Danbury, New London); FLORIDA (Brandon, Clearwater, Hollywood, Jacksonville, North Palm Beach, Orlando, St. Petersburg, West Palm Beach, Sarasota, Tampa); GEORGIA (Atlanta, Elberton, Gainesville, Marietta, Savannah); HAWAII (Pearl Harbor, Schofield); ILLINOIS (Aurora, Carbondale, Champaign, Chicago, East St. Louis, Evanston, Freeport, Geneva, Great Lakes, Highland Park, Libertyville, Moline, Oak Park, Rockford, Springfield, Urbana, Winfield); INDIANA (Anderson, Bluffton, Hammond, Indianapolis, Jeffersonville, Kokomo); IOWA (Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Jefferson, Sioux City); KANSAS (Junction City, Topeka); KENTUCKY (Paducah); LOUISIANA (Covington); MAINE (Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Brunswick, Ellsworth, Waterville); MARYLAND (Annapolis) MASSACHUSETTS (Beverly, Ipswich, Lowell, Nantucket, Plymouth, Weymouth, Springfield); MICHIGAN (, Ann Arbor, Bay City, Centreville, Iron Mountain, Ithaca, Kalamazoo, Niles, St Joseph, Ypsilanti); MINNESOTA (Brainerd, Duluth, Robbinsdale); MISSISSIPPI (Tupelo); MISSOURI (Jefferson City) MONTANA (Billings, Helena, Miles City); NEBRASKA (Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha); NEVADA (Las Vegas) NEW HAMPSHIRE (Manchester, Portsmouth); NEW JERSEY (Princeton) NEW YORK (Glens Falls, Little Falls, Mineola, Rome, Utica); NORTH CAROLINA (Burlington, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Concord, Ft. Bragg, Greensboro, Monroe, Raleigh, Shelby); NORTH DAKOTA (Grand Forks); OHIO (Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, East Cleveland, East Liverpool, Garfield Heights, Lima, Lorain, Mayfield Heights, Middleburg Heights, Orange Village, Portsmouth, Toledo, Warren, Westlake, Youngstown); OKLAHOMA (Claremore, Oklahoma City, Tulsa); OREGON (Corvalis, McMinnville, Salem, Silverton); SOUTH CAROLINA (Columbia, Pickens, Walhalla); TENNESSEE (Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis); TEXAS (Amarillo, Dallas, Fort Hood, Longview, Lubbock, Plano, San Antonio, Texarkana, Waco, Webster); VERMONT (Barre, Brattleboro, Middlebury); VIRGINIA (Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Hampton, Richmond) WASHINGTON (Everett, Fairchild AFB, Longview, Olympia, Puyallup, Yakima); WEST VIRGINIA (Wheeling); WISCONSIN (Florence, Green Bay, Madison, Oshkosh, Watertown, Wausau); JAPAN (Atsugi, Yokosuka), ITALY (Sicily); UNITED KINGDOM [a.k.a. Hit the Ground Crawling] (Birmingham, Liverpool)

Boot Camp for New Dads Shares Budget Friendly Activities to Do with BabyRead More

DirectBuy names Barry Bennington new Director of Field Sales.

MERRILLVILLE, IN…

DirectBuy, the home improvement and home furnishings club with direct insider prices, is pleased to name Barry Bennington as its new Director of Field Sales. As Director of Field Sales, he will work with business consultants and field sales consultants on the development of training manuals, videos and scripts, and in assisting individual franchise owners through on-site meetings, conference calls, and regional training sessions.

Bennington joined the DirectBuy team in October of 2001 as a membership director at the Springfield, Missouri location. In July of 2002, he was promoted to sales manager of the Johnson County, Kansas franchise and helped guide Johnson County to a Top 10 finish in membership.

In October of 2005, Barry was hired by DirectBuy Corporate as a field sales consultant. In October of 2006, he was promoted to manager of field sales, overseeing the department’s creation of the popular Master’s Training Series, as well as the refinement and restructuring of DirectBuy’s Business Management School. In late 2008, Barry was recognized as DirectBuy’s Managing Associate of the Year for his dedication to the franchise network and overall growth of the company.

“Barry’s proven leadership abilities make him the perfect candidate for this important position,” says Bart Fesperman, DirectBuy’s Executive Vice President. “We congratulate Barry and look forward to a prosperous future as he leads our Field Sales department to even greater levels of success.”

DirectBuy offers consumers thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from more than 1000 top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers throughout North America. At more than 160 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, DirectBuy members enjoy a comfortable, welcoming setting and design center where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy also offers access to interior designers and product specialists who are specially trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishings, Home Improvement, Flooring, Entertainment/Outdoor, and Accessories. Additionally, members benefit from the use of a children’s play area, café and a member’s lounge to relax while shopping.

DirectBuy members also have access to renowned designer Christopher Lowell.  Lowell has designed twelve room settings – created exclusively with products available through DirectBuy – using his Seven Layers of Design. An innovative approach to home décor, The Seven Layers of Design keeps homeowners on budget and from feeling overwhelmed by their project.

DirectBuy Membership

Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy are encouraged to attend an exclusive Open House event, which is designed to educate families about DirectBuy’s unique business model.  The Open House also helps consumers better understand how DirectBuy members avoid traditional retail markup when purchasing brand-name merchandise.

To request a “Free Insider’s Guide to Buying Direct” and a Visitor’s Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, call 1-800-DIRECTBUY or visit www.directbuy.com.

About DirectBuy

For more than 37 years, DirectBuy 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 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy’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.

DirectBuy names Barry Bennington new Director of Field Sales.Read More

Brockton’s Mayor to Deliver Meals on March 18th as part of “Mayors For Meals” National Initiative

March is the month designated for the Meals On Wheels Association of America’s (MOWAA) annual national campaign known as “March For Meals”. Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) of Brockton participates in this campaign designed to increase public awareness, recruit new volunteers and encourage local fundraising.

OCES announced today that on March 18th, Brockton Mayor James Harrington will be among over 1,000 mayors across the country, to show their support for the Meals On Wheels programs in their cities by delivering meals to seniors on what is known as Mayors For Meals Day.

On this designated day, Mayor Harrington and OCES Executive Director Diana DiGiorgi, will visit Meals On Wheels clients at their homes and deliver the noontime meals.

“The Meals On Wheels program is essential. We have many seniors in the city who are unable to get to the grocery store or who otherwise would not get a nutritious daily meal,” noted DiGiorgi.

The Meals On Wheels program serves Brockton residents age 60 and over, as well as disabled residents under 60. Because the Nutrition Program is primarily federally funded, there is no income-based test; all residents at least 60 years of age are eligible. Meals On Wheels, which is one aspect of the OCES Nutrition Program, is for elders who are unable to attend an OCES congregate meal site.

Elders and those younger than 60 who are disabled and able to get out for themselves may visit one of the agency’s congregate meal sites. Here, elders receive a well-balanced meal and have the opportunity to participate in a number of other diverse programs offered by OCES.

The Meals On Wheels program and the congregate meal sites rely on help from volunteers. Meals On Wheels needs volunteer drivers to deliver meals to elders throughout the Brockton area. Volunteer drivers typically deliver 15-20 meals a day, between 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and are reimbursed for mileage. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday, yet they may help out for any number of days per week that they desire.

Volunteers are also needed to set up, bag and distribute meals at the Belair, Manning, Caffrey and Campello congregate meal sites.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering at least two hours per week as a Meals On Wheels driver or as a helper at one of the congregate meal sites, contact Shawn Smith, Nutrition Director at OCES at (508) 584-1561.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent
unnecessary or premature institutionalization.

The agency has 130 employees and operates more than 12 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers.  For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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Brockton’s Mayor to Deliver Meals on March 18th as part of “Mayors For Meals” National InitiativeRead More

A perfect 10…Boston Pack and Ship owners celebrate 10 years in business together

BRAINTREE, MA…

On a scale of one to 10, Joe Fell and Bill Yankee, co-owners of Boston Pack and Ship, rate their business partnership as a 10. And that doesn’t strictly refer to the duo celebrating their 10 years as partners.

Says Fell, “Plain and simple, we work well together. That’s why it has lasted 10 years.”

Both Fell and Yankee operated as sole proprietors of The Packaging Store franchises in the late 1980s, with Fell located in Hingham and Yankee in Boston. Yet in a move designed to capture both the Boston market and the South Shore, they joined forces in 1999 and opened up shop in Braintree at 144 Lundquist Drive. And the rest, as they say, is history.

“Joe has a very good handle on the sales end of the business and getting new clients. My strength is in working with the customers. It’s a combination that’s served us well, particularly the past few years on our own,” said Yankee.

In 2007, Yankee and Fell broke free from their franchise agreement with The Packaging Store and became Boston Pack and Ship. With two decades in the business apiece, Fell and Yankee found themselves in the strange position of being a “new” business.

“Everything was essentially the same right down to the same two guys answering the phone, Bill and I, but we had to create a whole new identity as Boston Pack and Ship,” said Fell. “Just like everything else since Bill and I teamed up 10 years ago, it’s worked out. Being on our own has opened a number of doors and we’ve been able to introduce our services to several new markets.”

As its own entity and no longer paying franchise royalties, Boston Pack and Ship has reinvested those funds into marketing the company and building the brand on a local basis. That concentrated effort has allowed Boston Pack and Ship to:

●        Develop an online presence through its Web site and search engine optimization; enabling them to attract new business from online searches.

●        Enhance services with specialized services for senior moves, artwork moves, international students, estate services and international shipping.

●        Participate in philanthropic endeavors; Boston Pack and Ship has contributed shipping materials and supplies to many charitable organizations, including the Marshfield Christmas, the Braintree Women’s Club and the Nickerson American Legion Post in Quincy, to name a few.

“Our 10-year anniversary as business partners is significant in a number of ways. First, I consider any business partnership that can last more than a decade to be successful. But beyond lasting power, we’ve also been able to improve what it is we do and grow our business and that’s really gratifying,” says Yankee.

As small load specialists, Boston Pack and Ship provides a number of services to accommodate hard-to-ship, delicate items, expensive business equipment and irreplaceable personal items for out-of-state and international moves. Those services include:

  • Small loads – with no minimum requirement; blanket-wrapping for fragile, delicate moves; full insurance available
  • Custom crates and packaging for computers, electronic instruments, prototypes, antiques and artwork.
  • State-of-the-art, foam-in-place solutions to protect valuables
  • Multiple U.S. and International shipping options—ocean or air—to help lower costs
  • Door-to-door and door-to-port delivery with insurance available
  • On-time pickups by appointment
  • Student moves – no minimum requirements; storage space available for those summer months in between semesters

For more information on the breadth of Boston Pack and Ship’s services, you can visit the company Web site at www.bostonpackandship.com. For a free quote on an out-of-state or international move or shipment, please call (800) 400-7204.

Small load specialists

Formerly known as The Packaging Store and now repackaged as Boston Pack and Ship, these small load specialists have been a trusted strategic partner of many movers in eastern Massachusetts for more than two decades. Based in Braintree, Massachusetts, Boston Pack and Ship employs custom crates and packaging and foam-in-place solutions to pack and ship everything from artwork to heirlooms, computers to antiques to both out-of-state and international destinations. Known for its fast and efficient customer service, one call is usually all it takes to schedule a pickup for a door-to-door or door-to-port shipment. For more information, visit www.bostonpackandship.com or call (800) 400-7204 for a free quote.

A perfect 10…Boston Pack and Ship owners celebrate 10 years in business togetherRead More

Masters Touch Assisting With Renovations of Obed Baker House in Westwood

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Masters Touch of Medfield, a one-stop-shop providing architectural, design and construction services, is providing assistance with renovations of the Obed Baker House.

Masters Touch is now actively involved with the Westwood Historical Society in completing renovations of the historic Obed Baker House, also known as the “Red House”, in Westwood.

“It is an honor for Masters Touch to participate in the preservation of a piece of architectural history,” said Doug Masters, President of Masters Touch. When finished, the Obed Baker House will provide the town of Westwood a time capsule of the town’s past, dating back nearly 200 years. This important endeavor will not only enrich the community but also serve as a learning tool for adults and schoolchildren alike.

The Obed Baker House has been authenticated by the Massachusetts Historical Commission as a “well preserved example of Federal Period architecture.” Through the tireless efforts of the Westwood Historical Society and the community at large, the Obed Baker House, built in 1810 with a family history stretching back to the 1630s, became a renovation project back in 2005.

The renovation project is one determined and ultimately made possible through grants and fundraising. Masters Touch is donating portions of the necessary parts and labor and is also planning a fundraising event at their Piano Bar at their location in Medfield.

For more information about the Obed Baker House contact the Westwood Historical Society at www.westwoodhistoricalsociety.com or by e-mail at westwoodhistorical@hotmail.com.

Masters continued, “The history of our country was born and bred in small towns like Westwood and pieces of that very history live and breathe in sites like the Obed Baker House. Masters Touch is proud to play a part in preserving the integrity of this cultural artifact for this and future generations.”

The Masters Touch

Masters Touch is a full service design/build and remodeling contractor. With a team of more than 50, including architects, interior designers, project managers, and expert craftsmen all working together, Masters Touch can handle all of a client’s home building or improvement projects and provide expert guidance to DIY folks. The company was recently ranked #249 nationally in the “2008 Top 500 Contractors List” in Qualified Remodeler Magazine.

Masters Touch was founded by Doug Masters in 1997. From new homes to high-end design and build projects; kitchen and bath renovations; exterior painting, roofing and siding projects to flooring, interior painting and decorating projects, Masters Touch caters to homeowners throughout the Metrowest area.

Masters Touch is a Showcase Priority Dealer for Hunter Douglas and offers professional design and installation service. The one-stop interior design and home improvement shop also offers Marvin and Harvey windows; six lines of custom and semi-custom cabinetry; over 150 types of granite and Corian countertops; paint; carpet; hardwood and tile flooring; home theater design and installation and much more.

The company offers written warranties on all their work. Masters Touch is located on Route 109 in Medfield, MA. For more information contact 508-359-5900, e-mail info@masterstouchweb.com or visit them at www.masterstouchweb.com.

Masters Touch Assisting With Renovations of Obed Baker House in WestwoodRead More