Client News

Sprouting up in Scottsdale, AZ. Family opens new French Florist location.

November 26, 2024 // by admin

Stopping to smell the flowers, lifelong Arizona resident and first Arizona franchisee Ronny Record and his wife Nicole recently opened the doors for a new, state-of-the-art French Florist location at 6501 East Greenway Parkway, Ste. 109, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.

“We are so grateful for the strong support we are already receiving from our Scottsdale area neighbors,” commented Ronny Record. He added, “We’re experiencing a constant stream of new customers visiting us at our location, ordering bouquets online and via phone. Our opening has been truly grand.”

The new Scottsdale 1200 square footlocation creates four jobs from the start. For those who wish to work as a floral designer, customer service representative or driver, contact the store at (480) 573-0396, northscottsdale@frenchflorist.com.

French Florist, a Los Angeles-based franchise, boasts vibrant, handcrafted arrangements including fresher flowers purchased directly from major farms in Ecuador, Holland, Columbia, Mexico, Canada, United States, and more.

The new concept offers in-person or online customer service and ordering to ensure the wow factor that each recipient of hand selected flowers deserves.

Winner of L.A. Weekly’s award for Best Florist, French Florist has been family-owned and caring about customers since 1978. Seven days a week, including every holiday, French Florist offers same-day delivery.

“We are thrilled to open our first Arizona store,” notes Michael Jacobson, CEO of French Florist, second generation in the floral business. He adds, “Ronny and Nicole Record are the prototypes of the energetic, thoughtful, and ambitious franchisee partner we are looking for. With the help of capable and driven people like Ronny and Nicole, we will continue to grow contiguously location to location.”

Jacobson concluded, “Flowers are the music of nature. French Florist is the melody. We look forward to sharing the chorus.”

In addition to the new Scottsdale, Arizona location, French Florist has locations in Los Angeles, CA; Westlake Village, CA; Costa Mesa, CA; and soon to open Tustin, CA.

For more information, contact French Florist at https://frenchflorist.com. For more insight into the business opportunity in other territories, visit https://frenchfloristfranchise.com/ or call (310) 659-7700.

Sprouting up in Scottsdale, AZ. Family opens new French Florist location.Read More

Dickensian Christmas Celebration comes to Kingston. December 20-24 at the Beal House.

November 26, 2024 // by admin

True Repertory Theatre will celebrate this holiday season with its original adaptation of A Christmas Carol, by locals James Sullivan of Braintree and Donald Sheehan of Hanover. The production runs December 13 and 20 at 7:30PM, December 14, 15, & 22 at 3:00PM, and Dec. 21 at 2:00PM at the Beal House, 222 Main St. in Kingston.

This production takes a fresh look at the beloved character, Ebenezer Scrooge, in this hour long play with music. In typical True Rep fashion, the focus of this production is on the storytelling.

“It is our tradition to reinterpret this Christmas classic every year. Returning audiences find a reinvented version of A Christmas Carol that honors tradition, while keeping it new and exciting,” said Donald Sheehan, Artistic Director of True Rep.

James Sullivan, a playwright whose original, award-winning work, Ellen’s Boy’s, has delighted True Rep audiences, will be playing Ebenezer Scrooge. “I am thrilled to be back on the stage with such a talented group who give life to a story that will ignite the holiday spirit in the most hard-hearted among us.”

“This isn’t just a production, it is an event for families to enjoy,” says Victoria Bond, Assoc. Artistic Director. She added, “At all matinee performances Mrs. Claus will make cookies for the children to decorate before the show, and Santa will join us after the show, for a visit and a sing-along. We will also be auctioning off some Christmas gift baskets.”

The show will perform at The Beal House, 222 Main St. in Kingston, on December 13 and 20 at 7:30PM, December 14, 15, & 22 at 3:00PM, and Dec. 21 at 2:00PM. December 21 is also the date of the Luminaries, for those who would like to have a full day of holiday celebration in Kingston.

As True Rep does every year, the theatre group is collecting canned goods for the Vineyard Resource Center in Kingston, and working with the Kingston Fire Department collecting new, unwrapped toys for the charity, Toys for Tots. Please bring these items with you to the show, if possible.

Tickets are $25 for general admission, $22 for seniors and students, and $20 for groups larger than 10. Tickets may be purchased at the door or online at www.truereptheatre.com.

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Old Colony Elder Services Receives Women Non-Profit Organization Certification

November 21, 2024 // by admin

BROCKTON AND PLYMOUTH, MA… Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in Southeastern Massachusetts, is proud to announce that they have recently been certified as a Women Non-profit Organization (WNPO) by the Massachusetts’ Supplier Diversity Office (SDO).

SDO certification can enhance an organization’s ability to increase business with public and private entities. Certification can also be a competitive edge in securing governmental contracts.

“We are honored to be recognized as a Women Non-profit Organization and look forward to new opportunities as a certified business,” said Anna M. Dee, Chief Operating Officer at OCES.

For more information about the Supplier Diversity Office, please visit www.mass.gov/sdo.

About OCES
Celebrating 50 Years of Care and Collaboration and recognized as one of the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work by Cape & Plymouth Business Marketing. OCES has been certified as a woman non-profit organization (W/NPO) by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). OCES is a private, nonprofit organization with locations in Brockton and Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 23 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and proudly serves Plymouth County and surrounding communities.

Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit ocesma.org.

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OCES Kicks Off #GivingTuesday Campaign to Raise Funds for Behavioral Health and Wellness Programs

November 7, 2024 // by admin

BROCKTON AND PLYMOUTH, MA… Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a nonprofit organization that is the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in Southeastern Massachusetts, has kicked off its #GivingTuesday campaign to raise $10,000 to support their Behavioral Health and Wellness programs.

OCES’ Behavioral Health and Wellness programs help older adults (ages 60 and over) and individuals with disabilities who may be isolated or encounter barriers that limit access to behavioral health care, and who may benefit from long-term case management or counseling due to behavioral health issues, chronic illnesses, substance abuse, or crisis situations.

OCES’ Behavioral Health Outreach For Aging Population (BHOAP) Program offers in-home, one-on-one counseling, support, referrals, and resources on a case-by-case basis. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately one in every five adults in the United States live with a mental illness.

“Given the urgent need for mental health services, it is critical that OCES extends our services throughout local communities,” said Nicole Long, CEO. “This year, OCES’ GivingTuesday campaign will benefit the Behavioral Health and Wellness programs.”

Tuesday, December 3, 2024, is #GivingTuesday.

OCES’ goal is to raise $10,000 for Behavioral Health and Wellness programs.

To donate online to OCES’ #GivingTuesday campaign, visit https://ocesma.org/get-involved/donate.

Donations may also be made by check or money order and mailed to OCES, 144 Main Street, Brockton, MA 02301.

GivingTuesday donations to OCES may be made through the end of the calendar year. OCES is recognized as a tax-exempt charitable corporation under section 501c3 of the IRS tax code.

Consider sharing this message about supporting OCES in its goal to help older adults and individuals with disabilities in our community on social media and include the hashtag #MakeAnImpactGiveBack.

To learn more about GivingTuesday, visit www.givingtuesday.org.

About OCES
Celebrating 50 Years of Care and Collaboration and recognized as one of the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work by Cape & Plymouth Business Marketing, OCES is a private, nonprofit organization with locations in Brockton and Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 23 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and proudly serves Plymouth County and surrounding communities.

Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit ocesma.org.

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New bagel packaging equipment fuels Between Rounds wholesale expansion

November 1, 2024 // by admin

MANCHESTER, EAST WINDSOR, SOUTH WINDSOR, TOLLAND AND VERNON, CT…
A significant investment in new packaging machinery has Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café positioned for further expansion and growth.

Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café, the unique bagel shop and bakery café with five locations in Connecticut, is also a wholesale bagel supplier to more than 100 grocery stores.

The company recently invested in new packaging equipment that enables them to have their logo and full label information printed onto bagel bags, thus eliminating the paper labels which had required additional labor of adhering them to the plastic bags.

Between Rounds’ new equipment means that their locally-made bagels are packaged at Between Rounds and delivered to grocery stores or to a central drop location ready for sale.

As a result of the new packaging, interest has spiked and new retailers have become wholesale partners. Between Rounds newest partnership is with Price Chopper/Market 32.

According to Jerry Puiia, co-founder of Between Rounds, “Our wholesale business has grown significantly from independent, family-owned stores to multi-location grocery retailers. With Big Y, we had started with just a handful of stores and now we provide our bagels to all Big Y stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Our new packaging equipment enables us to meet greater demand from grocery retailers in Connecticut and beyond.”

Puiia continued, “With the new packaging system, we’ve already had an increase in orders and will likely increase our production to two shifts and expand staff. At some point, we may build another building. It also puts us in a position to expand into the Frozen food market.”

Between Rounds has also invested in a new, larger delivery truck.

Wholesale Bagels
The family-owned Between Rounds has been in business for more than three decades and is the brainchild of brothers Jerry and Joseph Puiia, who are Staten Island, NY natives. The Puiia hallmark is manufacturing and selling their own bagels, which sets Between Rounds apart from other cafés.

Between Rounds signature bagels are consistent (and made from the same family recipe for over 30 years now) and meet their wholesale partners’ high-quality standards. All the bagels are locally-produced at Between Rounds state-of-the-art South Windsor, CT headquarters and are delivered fully baked to their wholesale partners.

Wholesale Partners
Between Rounds has wholesale partnerships with independent, family-owned and multi-location grocery retailers including Highland Park Market, Geissler’s Supermarket, Fitzgerald’s Foods, Ted’s IGA, ShopRite, Big Y and most recently Price Chopper/Market 32.

Their wholesale partnerships include innovative dairy delivery services such as The Modern Milkman based in Ellington, along with Dondero Orchards based in S. Glastonbury, and hospitality groups in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

For a listing of wholesale partner store locations, visit betweenroundsbagels.com/grocery-retailers/

Retailers interested in becoming a wholesale partner and offering fresh-baked, local products are encouraged to contact Jerry Puiia at (860) 291-8780.

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-onsite 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.

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

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Drop the puck! Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield Unveils Plans for New Street Hockey Rink and Artificial Field

November 1, 2024 // by admin

MARSHFIELD, MA … The Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield located at 37 Proprietors Drive, has announced the addition of a new street hockey rink and synthetic turf field. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 18.

Dawn and Mark Warsofsky, Marshfield residents and long-time supporters of the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield, want to positively impact children and teens in the community by providing outdoor resources for social interaction and physical activity. “Our family is blessed to be able to support The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield in their mission and watch the impact that our contributions have for so many local children and their families.” A significant donation from the Warsofsky Family Foundation was made for this project.

Construction by R.A.D. Sports of Rockland MA is underway on the 45’ wide by 90’ long street hockey rink and 54,000 sf synthetic turf field. The rink may be used as an ice-skating rink in the winter and the turf field offers the community year-round opportunities for sports and events.

“The Warsofsky’s are an amazing family and have been very generous to the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield as well as to other organizations,” said Jim Bunnell, CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield. “We are extremely grateful for their ongoing support.”

The Warsofsky family is well-known in the hockey world. David Warsofsky has played for a number of teams over the years including the Boston Bruins and he was a member of the 2022 U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team. Ryan Warsofsky is the head coach of the San Jose Sharks.

Warsofsky Family Foundation
Long-standing supporters of the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield, the Warsofsky’s passion for providing unique out of school opportunities for the children of the South Shore has created a partnership unlike any other in Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield’s history. Summer Camp Warsofsky, the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield’s new summer camp launched in 2024 provides fun-filled adventures in a wellness driven environment. The summer camp is a traditional camp environment that is welcoming and accessible to all.

Earlier this year, the Warsofsky Family Foundation met the transportation needs of the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield with the donation of a 77-seat school bus. The Warsofsky Teen Center at the Club was established several years ago.

About the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield
The Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield’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 the Boys & Girls Club of America’s (BGCA) five core areas including leadership, education, health, arts, and fitness. The Club serves families with children ranging in age from 5 to 18 years old and provides critical services the community needs to support children and families over the short- and long-term. For more information, visit their website www.bgcmarshfield.org or call 781-834-2582.

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OCES Announces Thanksgiving Menu for Community Dining and Meals on Wheels Recipients

October 31, 2024 // by admin

BROCKTON AND PLYMOUTH, MA… Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a nonprofit organization that is the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in Southeastern Massachusetts, has announced that a special holiday meal will be available in November at Community Dining sites and delivered to Meals on Wheels recipients.

On Wednesday, November 27, 2024, OCES will provide a delicious Thanksgiving Meal that includes turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, dinner roll, and for dessert, pumpkin pie. A reservation for the Thanksgiving meal must be made in advance.

Nutrition Program
OCES’ Nutrition Program, which consists of Meals on Wheels, Community Dining, and Grab & Go meals, is critical to many older adults. Through OCES’ Nutrition Program, hundreds of nutritious meals are delivered each Monday through Friday to adults age 60+ living within 23 communities in greater Plymouth County. These are essential, nutritionally-sound and satisfying meals planned by a nutritionist. OCES offers a variety of meals including medically tailored meals (low sodium, cardiac meals, etc.) and seasonal meals throughout the year. With the help of hundreds of volunteers, the “Meals on Wheels” are delivered to individual homes. Each visit provides a safety and wellness check while addressing food insecurity, malnutrition and social isolation.

Meals on Wheels and Community Dining menus are published in COA newsletters and on OCES’ website at ocesma.org/programs-services/nutrition

For a list of Community Dining meal sites, visit ocesma.org/nutrition/community-dining
Please call the meal site to make a reservation.

For more information about Meals on Wheels or Community Dining, call OCES at (508) 584-1561.

Please note menus are subject to change.

About OCES
Celebrating 50 Years of Care and Collaboration and recognized as one of the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work by Cape & Plymouth Business Marketing. OCES has been certified as a woman non-profit organization (W/NPO) by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). OCES is a private, nonprofit organization with locations in Brockton and Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 23 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and proudly serves Plymouth County and surrounding communities.

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Making College Happen in 2024 and beyond.

October 29, 2024 // by admin

photo of the cover of Making College Happen and author Howard Freedman

The latest edition of Making College Happen: An Insightful Guide to Making Savvy Financial Decisions and Cutting College Costs is now available on Amazon. In this updated version, financial aid consultant Howard Freedman demystifies the college selection process for students and their families while providing a roadmap to help them navigate the maze of financial requirements and understand the best approaches to make informative, value-added decisions.

Employing a witty—even humorous—style, Making College Happen offers real-world, expert advice to help readers define goals and secure the financial resources needed.

“Making College Happen can help students and their families gain clarity on what can often be an overwhelming journey, from choosing the right schools and other options, while understanding financial aid opportunities,” said Freedman, who founded Financial Aid Consulting in 2002. “With this new edition, I wanted to dive deeper into several critical topics, including maximizing financial aid opportunities, the best financing choices, college visit evaluation strategies, financial assistance appeals, and seeking employment after graduation.

“This latest edition has also been carefully updated to reflect recent changes in the financial aid landscape, including the redesign of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), including changes to the calculations and analysis,” added Freedman. “As with previous editions, Making College Happen offers clear, actionable steps to help students and their families understand and enjoy the journey to college.

Freedman received his BS in Business Management from Northeastern University and an MBA from Suffolk University in Boston. Over his twenty-plus years as a financial aid consultant, he’s helped hundreds of students. This includes his time as the ACCESS program manager for the Boston Public Schools in 2003 when he provided financial aid services and scholarships to a diverse population of more than 2,700 high school seniors.

Freedman resides in Plymouth, Massachusetts with his wife Clara.

Making College Happen is available on Amazon (https://amzn.to/3AiRBDa) in paperback and Kindle formats.

About the Author

Howard Freedman published the first edition of Making College Happen in 2014. He is a highly respected college financial aid consultant and strategic planning expert. He aims to empower students to pursue their college dreams without overwhelming financial strain. For more information about Freedman and Making College Happen, visit https://www.financialaidconsulting.com/.

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Innovative sleep solution comes to Connecticut -Marsillo Chiropractic collaborates with Spherehead Pillow

October 25, 2024 // by admin

DARIEN, CT AND WARWICK, RI… Marsillo Chiropractic, located at 433 Post Road, Darien, CT, is collaborating with Spherehead Pillow to help patients with sleep challenges.

Marsillo Chiropractic’s Dr. Robert J. Marsillo, who has experienced sleep issues and neck discomfort, explained, “I met Alizah Josette of Spherehead Pillow at the Connecticut Chiropractic Association conference. When I first saw the Spherehead moon-shaped pillow, I was doubtful. I have already tried using a memory foam cervical pillow and it caused numbness in my arms as well as significant neck discomfort muscular-wise. I decided to try the Spherehead Pillow anyhow and woke up the next day with no pain. It works great. I love the charmeuse fabric and when you turn on your side, you glide–there’s no need to reposition the pillow. I’m thrilled with the Spherehead Pillow and recommend it to my patients.”

Additional chiropractic practices, physical therapy offices and sleep study locations will also be introducing the Spherehead Pillow to patients.

Round and scooped out, the patented Spherehead Pillow offers a unique physical shape and physical benefits. Within a week, most users adapt and blossom.

Spherehead’s innovative design offers restorative sleep every night by providing gentle support of the head and neck and promoting proper spine alignment. The Spherehead memory foam pillow cradles the head and mirrors the natural curve of the cervical spine. Back sleepers enjoy unrestricted movement, while Spherehead prevents damaging twists and turns of the head and neck allowing muscles to relax and unwind.

Founder and visionary Alizah Josette, a Warwick, RI resident and paralegal, struggled to find an adequate pillow that would allow unrestricted movement but prevent harmful twists and strains of the head and neck muscles. Through her persistence, dedication and numerous prototypes, she unlocked the secret to a soothing night’s sleep – a pillow that cradles and supports the head and neck, promotes alignment of the spine, and allows flexibility of sleeping positions.

“Spherehead’s memory foam pillows are crafted to collaborate with chiropractic principles, promoting proper alignment of the spine and muscular wellbeing,” said Alizah Josette.

The Spherehead pillow does not interfere with any sleep apparatus, such as an eye mask or a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. Side sleepers appreciate the gentle contour of the Spherehead pillow that rests along the curve of the cheek, ensuring the face is unobstructed. The 100 percent Charmeuse pillowcase, which comes with the pillow, is beneficial for all hair types. While the pillowcase is machine washable and durable, the smooth material bolsters healthy hair and helps prevent breakage.

Marsillo Chiropractic has been the trusted chiropractic clinic in the Darien, CT area for over 30 years providing back and neck pain relief, injury rehabilitation and more. For more information, visit www.marsillochiropractic.com.

The Spherehead Pillow is also available at Haber-DiBoni Chiropractic in Smithfield, RI and Dr. Michael Gottfried’s office at Aquidneck Chiropractic in Middletown, RI.

Spherehead Pillow is partnering with chiropractors and other healthcare professionals to make the pillow readily available. Those interested in offering this innovative sleep support directly to patients or clients, are encouraged to visit Spherehead Pillow’s website, https://sphereheadpillow.com

The Spherehead Pillow (retail $59.99) is also available for purchase online at sphereheadpillow.com as well as Amazon.com.

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