News from our members
RED APPLE FARM & MOON HILL BREWING CELEBRATE THE GRAND OPENING OF THEIR NEW HARD CIDER OPERATION
First Cider, “Hailstorm” will be available at the Brew Barn on Red Apple Farm and the Gardner Ale House, Friday, October 11th.
Red Apple Farm of Phillipston and Moon Hill Brewing Co. of Gardner are continuing their great story of collaboration with yet another project, a hard cider operation on the property of Red Apple Farm in a new converted barn space, which contains the fermentation room and, in the not too distant future, a tasting room.
Red Apple Farm owner Al Rose expressed his gratitude and good fortune too, that so many people in our area support the farm, the collaboration with Moon Hill and now the new cider operation. “We had a tough time in June when a freak hailstorm hit and damaged 40% of our apple crop. So, what a wonderful solution to our problem; our version of turning lemons into lemonade is this new hard cider. Everyone has been so supportive and excited.”
Rick Walton, Moon Hill Brewing owner said the name of the first cider was a no-brainer: “We’re calling it Hailstorm. People love the name.” Red Apple Farm owner Nancy Rose alerted all to one very important fact: “Finally we can offer our own gluten-free hard cider!”
Rick Walton also said “We don’t have a logo or label design yet, but we have some words we like that will probably end up on the can one way or another.”
Hailstorm Hard Cider
Born of stormy elements.
It’s all good in the neighborhood. Moon Hill Brewing & Red Apple Farm believe everything is better when neighbors work together. Not only is this cider a barn-raising among friends and neighbors, it’s an effort to make something greater, no matter the elements!
Cheers!
Rick, Katrina, Al & Nancy
For More Information Visit
www.redapplefarm.com or www.moonhillbrewing.com
SUMMARY
GRAND OPENING HARD CIDER OPERATION Location: Red Apple Farm, Phillipston
Date: Friday, October 11th, 3:00 PM
Boston Red Sox to Receive Inaugural Gold Vest Accessible Award, Presented by NEADS World Class Service Dogs
Award recognizes Red Sox’ commitment to offering a welcoming and accessible environment for those with a disability and allowing access for legitimate Service Dog teams.
NEADS World Class Service Dogs announced that the Boston Red Sox will receive the inaugural Gold Vest Award on October 18, 2019 at NEADS’ Get Dressed. Give. Back. fundraising event. The award will be presented by Roseann Sdoia, author of Perfect Strangers. NEADS introduced the Gold Vest Award to recognize an organization that goes above and beyond to offer a welcoming and accessible environment for those with a disability and allows seamless access for legitimate, working Service Dog teams.
Accepting the award on behalf of the Boston Red Sox are Stephanie Maneikis, Senior Director of Fan Services & Entertainment, and Sheri Rosenberg, Manager of Alumni and Player Relations. Says Maneikis, “The Red Sox are committed to making Fenway Park as accessible as possible for fans of all abilities. We realize that many of our fans benefit from the assistance of a Service Dog and were excited to launch the ‘Service Dog of the Game’ program this year. Our first honoree was Rescue, NEADS Service Dog extraordinaire to our dear friend Jessica Kensky, and we could not be more honored to receive the inaugural Gold Vest award.”
Says Cathy Zemaitis, NEADS Director of Development, “The Red Sox have demonstrated their commitment to accessibility and their understanding of Service Dog access requirements in many ways, from the experiences our clients and Puppy Raisers have when they take Service Dogs and Service Dogs in Training to Fenway Park to their support of the Boston Marathon survivor community to the introduction of the Service Dog of the Game program this season. This award is testament to that commitment.”
The Gold Vest Award is part of the recently launched Red Vest Accessible program, presented by NEADS to recognize places that are welcoming and accessible to people with disabilities and are committed to public access rights for legitimate Service Dog teams.
About NEADS Inc.
NEADS Inc. has raised, trained and matched more than 1,800 World Class Service Dogs since 1976. Our Service Dogs are matched with children and adults, including veterans, who are deaf or have a physical disability, as well as children with autism and other developmental disabilities. NEADS Dogs are also partnered with professionals in the classroom, ministry, hospital, and courthouse settings. For more information about NEADS, please visit our website at www.neads.org and www.neads.org/GDGB2019.
About the Red Vest and Gold Vest Awards
NEADS is adamant about the quality of training of its dogs and client/dog teams, and advocates for making it easier for our teams to get out in the world. The Red Vest and Gold Vest designations were created to recognize those businesses who offer a welcoming and accessible environment for those with a disability and allowing access for legitimate Service Dog teams. Learn more here: https://redvest.neads.org.
Leominster Credit Union Announces Katie Najjar as Senior Vice President of Retail
Leominster, MA- Leominster Credit Union (LCU) announces they have hired Katie Najjar as Senior Vice President of Retail. Najjar will oversee LCU’s entire branch network, all deposit products and related retail services. Najjar will report to John O’Brien, President and CEO, and she will participate as a member of the senior management team.
Najjar has extensive member service experience as well as comprehensive knowledge of leading engaging learning initiatives, maximizing new ways of learning, and emphasizing a strong culture. She has a proven record of coaching and leading staff members, as well as developing strong team-building skills. Prior to joining LCU, Katie was the VP, Market Manager at People’s United Bank overseeing eight branches.
“We are thrilled to have Katie join our team, said John O’Brien, President and CEO. “With her exceptional member service background, innovative retail experience and forward thinking, Katie will make a positive impact at Leominster Credit Union.”
Founded in 1954, Leominster Credit Union (LCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative with a full range of deposit, lending and other financial services. Headquartered in Leominster, Massachusetts, LCU is proud to claim nearly 50,000 members and more than $700 million in assets. LCU has seven branch locations in Leominster, Clinton, Holden, North Leominster, Sterling and Worcester with ATM services at all branch locations. LCU also provides 24 hour banking via Mobile and Online services. Visit leominstercu.com or call 800-649-4646.
Workers Credit Union offers scholarship program funded by retired employee
FITCHBURG, Ma., September 10, 2019 – Workers Credit Union is pleased to announce its new scholarship program funded in part by retired employee, Herbert White. Herb, who devoted 41 years of his banking career to Workers, donated the funds to the credit union, which will match his donation.
“Years ago, Workers invested in my education by helping with my Bachelors and my Masters in Business Administration from Fitchburg State University. It was important for me to pay it forward and support further investments in education” said Herb.
The Herbert White Scholarship Fund will launch in early 2020, with applications available for the children of Workers Credit Union and Workers Insurance Group employees. Each year, several students will be selected to receive gifts and the remaining funds will be endowed to ensure scholarships are available for years to come.
Herb White sits with WCU Pres Doug Petersen
“Investing in not only our employees, but their children as well, is an important element of the Workers Way. We truly believe that education is the cornerstone of a bright future so we were delighted when Herb approached us to propose setting up this scholarship” said Douglas Petersen, President & CEO of Workers Credit Union. The credit union decided to match Mr. White’s donation in order to increase the number of scholarships awarded each year.
Herb began his employment with Workers Credit Union in 1976 working in personal lending. Through the years, he held various positions at the credit union before retiring as an Assistant Vice President, Business Development Officer in 2017 after 41 years of service. Herb White currently resides in Fitchburg, MA and volunteers often with the Salvation Army.
Workers Credit Union, headquartered in Fitchburg, MA, is a member-owned financial institution with full banking services to meet a lifetime of financial needs including the $3 million GiveBack program. With 15 branches in Athol, Chelmsford, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg, Orange, Townsend and Westford, Workers is proud to offer traditional banking channels as well as the latest technologies to more than 104,000 members.
Mount Wachusett Community College will host the 10th Anniversary New England Workforce Network Conference
October 11, 2019 at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner MA from 8am-3:30pm
The New England Workforce Network (NEWN) Conference is a collaborative effort with workforce professionals from all over New England. This year’s theme is Twistin’ and Turnin’: Riding the Roller Coaster of Workforce Development, reflecting the tremendous synergistic value of planning and acting in concert with the various stakeholders in workforce areas. NEWN was conceived in 2001 in response to the desire among workforce development providers to share best practices and network in a larger context that goes beyond state boundaries. Since 2002, NEWN has held a number of day-long conferences that focus on a range of topics that resonate among professionals who are involved in workforce development within community colleges, workforce development boards, economic development agencies and other settings. We hope that you will be able to join us for our exciting 10th NEWN Conference.
This year’s Keynote Speaker is Jane Oates, President, WorkingNation.
Jane is on the Executive Committee of WorkingNation, a non-profit organization that works through film and live events to tell the stories of successful training programs. An education and policy expert, Jane became a national leader in education and workforce programs during her ten years with Senator Edward M. Kennedy on the US Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP). She oversaw the Workforce Investment Act and the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Program while serving as the Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training under Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis during the Obama administration.
For more information: mwcc.edu/newn2019
To Register: http://mwcc.3dcartstores.com/NEWN-Conference-2019_p_1653.html
Oktoberfest “Party in the Street” 2019 at the Gardner Ale House
Gardner’s own Moon Hill Brewing Co. at the Gardner Ale House, along with the City of Gardner, present their 14th Annual Oktoberfest “Party in the Street”. Admission for this event is free and open to all ages. Parker Street will be closed to traffic.
The party begins at 11:00 AM with the ceremonial Tapping of the Keg in front of the Gardner Ale House. Gardner closes Parker Street for the day and a New Orleans Street Party atmosphere ensues, featuring craft beer brewed locally by Moon Hill Brewing Co. and authentic German fare. Also at 11:00 AM begins the Chair City Community Workshop’s steamrolling print project Gardner Makes! The Gardner Chair Luge, powered by the Acadien Social Club, begins at 2:00 PM. Race teams convert their armchairs, sofas, and barstools into soapbox derby-style racers. They will be competing for the coveted Chair Luge Trophy and $200 in one dollar bills. Teams compete in costume and the event has become a legend in Central Massachusetts. “Human Bumpers” keep everyone safe. And revered Acadien Club mascot Brad Gallant clowns around dressed in this year’s theme: “The Muppets”. Mr. Gallant simply replied “No comment” to our query regarding this year’s costume. Then, relenting, he added: “I’m certainly not going to be Miss Piggy”. Knowing his proclivity for dressing in female garb, one wonders if Miss Piggy just might be making a showing in spite of denials.
According to Gardner Ale House and Moon Hill Brewing Co. owner Rick Walton, “Each year we keep shooting for the stars, which means we aim to make it twice as big as the previous year. Last year we accomplished just that and had our biggest party ever. The weather helps! This years major attraction, in addition to the luge is our Totally Local line up of musical acts.
This year’s musical lineup begins at 3:30 PM, just after the Chair Luge with:
3:30 PM Safehill Taking it back to the decade they were born in, these guys are solid 90s Rock.
5:15 PM The Green Sisters A Bluegrass/Newgrass quartet from Worcester County. The four local sisters sing tight harmonies while switching instruments from upright bass to fiddle to acoustic guitar to banjo. They deliver authentic Kentucky Soul while being totally original.
7:00 PM Electric Green Co. A local groove based Blues, Rock, Jazz fusion Funk band.
8:45 PM The Sufferin’ Bastards Local classic Rock band playing all your classics and favorites.
Oktoberfest “Party in the Street” is located at the Gardner Ale House, 74 Parker St., Downtown Gardner, MA. Admission: Free, Open to All Ages
Event: Saturday, September 28, starts at 11:00 AM. Live Music is 3:30 – 10:00 PM.
For more information visit gardnerale.com or call (978) 669-0122.