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OCES Appoints New Community Programs Director

Brenda Carrens

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County, has promoted Brenda Carrens to Community Programs Director.

In her new role at OCES, Carrens will report directly to Nicole Long, MSW, LICSW, Chief Executive Officer. She will oversee the Nutrition Program, the Volunteer Program, Healthy Living, and the Family Caregiver Support Program as well as the supervisors and managers of these programs. 

Carrens has been with OCES for 14 years and has worked with the Greater Plymouth County’s Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, Family Caregiver Support, Healthy Living, Volunteer, Money Management and Development Programs, most recently as the Volunteer Programs Manager. She has nine years of regulatory, financial and management experience previous to joining OCES.

Carrens holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Texas, El Paso. Additionally, she holds a Certificate in Aging from the Institute for Geriatric Social Work and a Certificate in Supervision and Leadership from the Center for Aging and Disability Education and Research, both from Boston University.

A lifelong volunteer, Carrens currently volunteers for Cancer Care “CABbies” (a 501(c)3 fundraising group to support cancer patients) and Meals on Wheels. She is a former volunteer Cub Scout leader, PTA board member, and Brewins Youth Hockey board member.

Carrens is a resident of Taunton.

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 25 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency offers a number of programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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Senior insights. Seniors First podcast launched on Talking Information Center. Provides expert guidance on a full range of legal, financial, housing and lifestyle solutions.

Aging may bring wisdom, but it also creates new challenges and unanswered questions.

How can I structure my retirement to avoid outliving my savings? How do I retrofit my home to accommodate aging? How do I evaluate in-home resources to provide the extra help I might need? How do I protect my legacy for the next generation?

Seniors First, a newly formed collaborative based in Eastern Massachusetts, offering a single source and well-vetted solution, has launched a new radio show and podcast on Talking Information Center radio based in Marshfield, MA. The show airs the last Friday of each month at 7 p.m. (ET).

Hosted by George Downey, also the founder of Seniors First as well as CEO of Harbor Mortgage Solutions in Braintree, MA, the show will include a wide range of professional experts who serve the senior community. Included are Accountants, Estate and Elder Law Attorneys, Registered Investment Advisors, Financial Planners, Geriatric Care Managers, Home Modification Contractors, In-Home Care Providers, Insurance Professionals, and Mortgage and Real Estate Professionals.

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

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

Upcoming podcast topics will be wide-ranging on timely and important senior topics, for example:

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

On a monthly basis the Seniors First radio show and podcast bring you information that helps you improve your retirement. We welcome your comments and suggestions for future shows.  Please visit our website at www.SeniorsFirstMA.com.

For more information about Seniors First, contact George Downey, Harbor Mortgage Solutions, Inc., 100 Grandview Road, Suite 105, Braintree, MA 02184.  Phone: (781) 843-5553, or Email: GDowney@HarborMortgage.com

Senior insights. Seniors First podcast launched on Talking Information Center. Provides expert guidance on a full range of legal, financial, housing and lifestyle solutions.Read More

Renovating from furnace to roof, indoors and outdoors. Can do. New, simple loan program provides financing for Consumers helping Contractors.

Consumers who do not want to or can’t tap the equity in the home are often at a stalemate for somewhat larger home repairs such as a new heating system, kitchen makeover or a roof repair.

A new program developed by Bottom Line Results Consulting (BLRC LLC), based in Lincoln, RI, has streamlined the process so that Rhode Island and Massachusetts consumers can obtain the money they need and contractors are no longer missing out on mid-sized to bigger renovation projects.

“I developed this program when I personally experienced the challenge,” notes Paul Lefebvre, MBA, Paul has a accountCEO and Founder at BLRC LLC, Bottom Line Results Consulting and an experienced controller and accountant.  “I needed a new heating system that was estimated at about $4,500.  The contractors I talked to offered no financing options. I also didn’t want the hassle of a  home equity loan. I was stuck.”

  • He continued, “But this gave me the idea to work directly with lending institutions and the contractor community to develop a simple finance program for those mid-sized jobs of approximately $1,000 – $40,000.”

Members of the Rhode Island Builders Association, Rhode Island Association of Public Accountants, and Rhode Island Society of CPA’s, Bottom Line Results Consulting has made arrangements with multiple regional banks to simplify the loan process – often with one page, online applications. Consumer can choose from multiple financing institutions for their home improvement project.  Contractors are engaged under an agreement with BLRC LLC to participate in this program.  

Once the loan process is completed, the consumer receives the loan proceeds, signs the contractor’s estimate/quote, provides the initial deposit to the contractor and the project begins

For more information visit BLRCLLC.com or contact: Paul F. Lefebvre, 401.338-2439, Paul@blrcllc.com, 4 Lantern Brook Drive, Lincoln, RI 02865.

Renovating from furnace to roof, indoors and outdoors. Can do. New, simple loan program provides financing for Consumers helping Contractors.Read More

Speaking Up for those with Speech Dysfluency. Two join the Plymouth, MA-based Hart Speech Foundation Board of Directors.

With eye to the future and an ear for compassion, two new members have joined the Plymouth, MA-based Hart Speech Foundation Board of Directors.  The Hart Speech Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals who stutter through advocacy, scholarships and early intervention.

Christopher J Collins, a resident of Attleboro, MA and  Karen McGreal of Wellesley, MA, who have long been involved with the organization as volunteers, have accepted leadership roles on the Board.

“We welcome Chris and Karen to the Board and we are excited about the many assets that they bring,” noted Donald P. Hart, the Founder of the 501(c)(3) charitable organization. 

He added, “This continues our momentum to really scale our outreach and provide help for those with speech challenges.  We recently received a commitment from Eileen and John Grayken of London, England to match donations up to $1-million. John Patrick Grayken is a Cohasset native and an internationally known financier and founder and chairman of the private equity firm, Lone Star Funds.”

In addition to serving on the Hart Foundation board Christopher J Collins  is the Manager of Medlen & Carroll, LLP, a law firm based in Braintree, MA.

He commented, “The Hart Speech Foundation is near and dear to my heart. I have been a stutterer my whole life, and have seen first-hand the lives of many children and adults alike, changed in profound ways, by improving their fluency.  This Foundation gives stutterers the opportunity to receive intense speech therapy. Otherwise these people would not have the financial means to attend the specialized treatment.  The people on this Board and the people involved in this Foundation are so dedicated to the cause. It is my pleasure to be involved in such an organization. Any input or advice I can contribute in aiding this Foundation to further improving the lives of stutterers is a great honor.”

Karen McGreal has been involved with the Foundation since its inception in 2011. Previously she helped plan and implement the Golf Tournament and other fundraisers. McGreal is also a volunteer for the past four years with Community Investors, a 501c3 non-profit organization, is dedicated to supporting the physical, social and emotional wellness of youth communities.  

“My brother Don Hart was the driving force for the Hart Speech Foundation.  Our family has rallied to help build the organization to serve as many people as possible,” she noted.

The mission of the Hart Speech Foundation is to identify clients of all ages to ensure that no one is denied the opportunity to achieve more fluent speech. The board is made up of professionals from the legal field, design field, speech therapy and healthcare field as well as individuals with speech dysfluency.  The Hart Speech Foundation was founded by the Hart Family in 2011. The organization is managed by Donald P. Hart, the Founder and Megan T. Hart, Managing Director.

To learn more about supporting, volunteering or benefitting from Hart Speech Foundation, please visit www.HartSpeech.org or contact Don Hart (617) 852-8855, dphartlaw@verizon.net .

Speaking Up for those with Speech Dysfluency. Two join the Plymouth, MA-based Hart Speech Foundation Board of Directors.Read More

BCI Celebrates Springfield Location’s One-Year Anniversary with Open House on February 15th

Behavioral Concepts (BCI), a company of behavioral clinicians specializing in the care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Massachusetts, will celebrate the one-year anniversary of their Springfield Center at 90 Carando Drive with an Open House on Saturday, February 15, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Families and the business community will have an opportunity to meet the Director, tour the Springfield center and learn more about BCI’s clinical services.

BCI’s Open House also kicks off a new Saturday Social Skills program in Springfield. The Social Skills program helps children diagnosed with autism develop the social skills they need to navigate relationships with their family, friends, and communities. BCI provides instruction, guidance, and support for each child’s unique social, behavioral, sensory and communication needs. The social skills groups provide a supportive and encouraging environment where children can learn how to relate to others and how to understand how emotions are communicated. All of BCI’s center-based services provide children one-to-one support in a group setting.

Open House attendees may experience a typical day of social skills by visiting the simulated skills areas during the Open House.

Light refreshments will be served and the general public is welcome to attend.

Early Intervention and ABA Services in Springfield

BCI provides insurance funded ABA services including center-based and home & community services, as well as Early Intervention services in partnership with the Department of Public Health. BCI currently serves more than 100 families throughout Greater Springfield. BCI’s insurance funded services are for children over age three. Center-based services include an Intensive Day Program for preschool-age children, as well as an After-School Program and a Saturday Social Skills group for school-age children. Their Early Intervention services are designed to assist infants and toddlers (birth to age three) in making significant strides in their development. These services are targeted, evidence-based, tailored to their needs, and usually provided in the home.

BCI opened the doors of their new 7,200 square foot center at 90 Carando Drive in January 2019. For over a year prior, BCI had been providing home-based Early Intervention services to families in the Springfield area.

The center is led by Bianca Sims, M.S., BCBA, LABA, Regional Director of Greater Springfield. BCI’s Springfield location now has 12 Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and 47 Behavior Technicians on staff and they continue to expand their team.

About BCI

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Worcester, BCI has grown to become the go-to provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families throughout Massachusetts. We identify and facilitate effective personalized instruction that allows children to discover more, learn more, and be more – increasing their independence and enhancing their quality of life at home, in school, and in the community. BCI is a Massachusetts Department of Public Health approved provider of specialty ABA services for early intervention. BCI also provides center, home-based, and afterschool services through private and public health insurance. Further information on BCI is available at https://bciaba.com.

BCI is part of the LEARN Behavioral family of companies, a national organization dedicated to helping all children succeed in school and life. Learn more at https://www.learnbehavioral.com/.

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Getting Ready for the Oscars. A primer on women’s contributions to filmmaking now available.

DENVER, CO… Although women have been greatly honored in various Oscar categories, their nominations and wins have been scarce in many others. How do this year’s Oscar nominations stand up?

A primer on the topic of women and film is now available. Women have been in the film business since the beginning of its existence, when it was a mere flicker of light on the screen. But, not until Hollywood: Her Story, An Illustrated History of Women and the Movies (Lyons Press), has the extent of their filmmaking contributions – both in front of and behind the camera – been captured and documented so eloquently.  The beautifully illustrated volume coffee table style book, 9.3” x 11”, is an expansive 400 pages. 

Best Actress and Beyond

In addition to the acting Oscars, Best Screenplay, Best Costume Design, Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing, and Best Production Design are just a few of the Oscar categories won by talented, enterprising women over the years. 

As the 92nd Academy Awards approach, film buffs of all ages will delight in this award-winning, visually-stunning book.

Hollywood: Her Story, with a foreword by filmmaker, activist and philanthropist Abigail E. Disney, illustrates and brings to life the many women who contributed to the Hollywood film industry over the years. Beginning in 1896 with pioneering female director, Alice Guy-Blaché, authors Jill S. Tietjen, P.E. and Barbara Bridges take readers through a photo-treasury of women and film. From movie legends to directors, producers, editors, screenwriters, stuntwomen, composers, cinematographers and others – more than 1,200 women who have added their talent and creativity in the many categories needed to make a movie are featured in this enlightening and entertaining book. 

Praise for Hollywood: Her Story

“It is a great honor to be included in Hollywood: Her Story, alongside so many extraordinary women who have inspired me throughout my life and career.” Sherry Lansing, former president of 20th Century Fox, former Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures.

About the Authors

Authors Barbara Bridges and Jill S. Tietjen, P.E.

The authors of Hollywood: Her Story continue to illuminate readers. Tietjen is an author, speaker, and electrical engineer. She is the co-author of Her Story: A Timeline of the Women Who Changed America, which received the Daughters of the American Revolution History Award Medal. Tietjen has conducted research into historical women around the world for the past 30 years and speaks around the country about women’s contributions to history.

Bridges has spent much of her life as an entrepreneur and businesswoman. In 2006, she founded Women+Film, a program in partnership with the Denver Film Society, where she has been bringing audiences together with films, by and about women, that ignite discussions around global issues facing women today. With the annual Women+Film Festival, a section of movies in the Denver Film Festival and movie screenings throughout the year, it is a popular film program that not only entertains but educates and inspires as well.

“Hollywood: Her Story pays tribute to all the talented female filmmakers and artists who have been involved in every facet of the industry’s development.  These include famous names as well as those whose names would be unknown to most prior to this book,” said Bridges.

Hollywood: Her Story, An Illustrated History of Women and the Movies won two 2019 Best Book Awards in the categories of Best Interior Design Award and Performing Arts. It was also a finalist for Best Cover Design: Non-Fiction and Novelty & Gift Book.  

Hollywood: Her Story, An Illustrated History of Women and the Movies is available for purchase online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, BAM! Books A Million and Indie Bound as well as at independent bookstores. 

Enjoy a new perspective on the Academy Awards. For more information, visit the website, http://hollywoodherstory.com.

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Adaptable of Middleboro, MA Presents Website Accessibility Workshop at Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce on January 29th

Adaptable, a digital accessibility service based in Middleboro, MA, will present a one-hour workshop entitled “Website Accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act: What’s My Responsibility?” for hospitality professionals as well as businesses, non-profits and other organizations on January 29, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. at Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, 5 Patti Page Way in Centerville, MA 02346.

Adaptable helps businesses and organizations of all types and sizes ensure accessibility for their websites, apps, and other digital resources.

The workshop will be led by Adaptable’s accessibility experts Chris Herlihy and Mike McKenna who will cover topics including: How the ADA applies to websites and other digital media; how to assess your own website; and what to do next. Attendees will leave with an understanding of digital accessibility and the tools needed to audit their own website. 

Registration deadline is January 29, 2020. To learn more and register for the event, visit the Cape Cod Chamber’s website event page – https://www.capecodchamber.org/event/ada-website-compliance-workshop/42585/

Fall InnSanity Sponsor

Adaptable was a proud sponsor of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce’s Fall InnSanity Workshop held in November at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod. At the fall workshop, hospitality professionals from across the Cape learned how to best work with different online travel agencies to optimize revenue and marketing objectives. The workshop was led by E Scot Fuller-Beatty, Director of Sales & Education at ThinkReservations and Innkeeper/Owner of The Chadwick Bed & Breakfast in Portland, Maine.

During the event, Mike McKenna of Adaptable stressed the importance of website accessibility, which is an often-overlooked aspect of building, maintaining and owning a public-facing website. He discussed how ADA website accessibility complaints are on the rise and how Adaptable helps hotels, inns and other businesses attain and maintain website accessibility compliance.

“It’s not just large hotels that are facing legal action for website accessibility non-compliance,” explained McKenna. “A number of Cape Cod innkeepers and B&Bs have received accessibility complaints.”

Helping Businesses Meet Accessibility Standards

As many as one in four adults in the U.S. have some type of disability. Many people with disabilities rely on adaptive tools to use technology. For example, a visually impaired user can utilize a screen reader to help browse a website. If a website is not programmed to meet today’s accessibility standards, adaptive tools will not work correctly, and the user will be left at a disadvantage.

Adaptable is stepping up to implement best practices for ADA online compliance and helping companies get ahead of the curve and avoid costly liability. Services provided include: 

– Analysis of current digital accessibility status

– Formulation of a remediation plan

– Execution of the required changes

– Ongoing monitoring going forward to ensure that the business remains in compliance.

Businesses, non-profits and other organizations may arrange for a free website audit by contacting Chris Herlihy at 781-801-5803 or ch@adaptablelab.com.

For more information about Adaptable, visit www.adaptablelab.com.  

For more information about the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, visit www.capecodchamber.org/

About Adaptable

Adaptable is a service of Shotgunflat, Inc. Since 2002, Shotgunflat has been designing and building compelling websites and apps for small businesses and non-profits, as well as marketing, branding, PR and advertising agencies across the U.S. The firm’s comprehensive suite of services includes Adaptable digital accessibility, web design and development for enterprise, and website maintenance and support. 

An innovative leader in accessibility compliant websites and apps for retail, dining, non-profit, education, high-tech and other industries, Adaptable is based at Shotgunflat headquarters in Middleboro, MA. For more information about Adaptable, contact 781-801-5803 or visit https://www.adaptablelab.com.

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Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café Launches New Digital Menu Displays

Between Rounds Bakery Sandwich Café, a growing fast-casual dining establishment and wholesale bagel supplier in Connecticut, has recently installed new digital menu boards at their Manchester, South Windsor and Vernon, CT locations.

Between Rounds recently upgraded their traditional menu boards – which were elaborate signs suspended from the ceilings of each of their Cafés – to electronic menu boards. The modernized signage enables Between Rounds to make instant menu changes and incorporate new additions to the menu boards at all of their Cafés at same time. 

Previously, if Between Rounds needed to make any sort of change, they would have to have a brand-new menu board designed and printed. Now, the corporate office can make changes remotely across all locations with just a few keystrokes. They are also able to create a custom design on screen in graphics and then post it on the board.

A section of the boards may be dedicated to new product images and the display theme may be changed anytime to reflect holidays, celebrations, special events and more. 

“We made a significant investment in this innovative technology that we’ve installed in our Manchester, South Windsor, and Vernon locations and it has been well-received by our customers,” said Between Rounds co-founder Jerry Puiia. “The digital menu boards provide us with incredible flexibility when it comes to announcing new products while also saving a significant amount of time when updates are needed. They are visually appealing and a real game-changer.”

Visit Between Rounds’ website, https://betweenroundsbagels.com, for store hours, menus and more information.

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 with free Wi-Fi.

Between Rounds is licensed to manufacture prepared foods, and wholesales their breakfast and lunch sandwiches to gas station convenience stores in Hartford County and beyond. The company is also a wholesale bagel supplier to many independent grocers throughout the region. Between Rounds signature bagels are delivered to grocers fully baked so no additional labor is required of the bakery department. 

Between Rounds locations include South Windsor, Vernon, Manchester and Tolland, CT. Franchise 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 offerings, contact (860) 291-0323 or visit betweenroundsbagels.com.

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Old Colony Elder Services recognizes 10 employees for years of service

Glenda DeVincentis, Lorry Wanat, CEO Nicole Long, Edna Gordon and Valerie Winters

Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the non-profit agency proudly serving older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities, recognized 10 employees for their years of service in a ceremony held at OCES’ Brockton office.

During their annual staff meeting, OCES held an “All Staff Recognition Presentation” in appreciation of their employees’ hard work and commitment. Nicole Long, CEO of OCES, thanked all staff and presented several staff with award certificates honoring their years of dedicated service. Staff recognized were: Valerie Winters, Frances Cruise, Miriam Monteiro, Guerdy Seddoh and Zachary Walton for 10 years of service; Juanita Timson-Brown for 15 years of service; Richard Alvarnaz, Edna Gordon for 20 years of service; and Glenda DeVincentis and Lorry Wanat for 30 years of service.

“It’s a great pleasure to recognize our staff members for their unwavering dedication to our organization and in serving the community at large for many years,” said Long. “We appreciate the efforts of all of our employees as their contributions and commitment to our mission help us serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers in 23 communities in Southeastern Massachusetts.”

About OCES

Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 25 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCES’ mission is to support the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy and safe living. The agency offers a number of programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit www.ocesma.org.

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