Beetle Press, Easthampton, MA (2026)

08/21/2026

The Greater Lakes Region Children's Fund announced today that Hannaford Supermarkets has committed to serving as the presenting sponsor of the 2026 Children’s Auction, marking seven consecutive years of support.

The annual Children’s Auction brings together businesses, volunteers and community members from across the Lakes Region to raise critical funds for organizations that support local children and families. Hannaford’s continued sponsorship reflects its long-standing commitment to strengthening the communities it serves and helping ensure families have access to the resources they need to thrive.

“We are so grateful for Hannaford and the support they have offered us for decades in the form of auction items, employee volunteers and now seven generous years as our presenting sponsor,” said Jennifer Kelley, executive director of the Children’s Fund. “Hannaford has proven time and time again that they are committed to our community and the families who call it home.”

Larry Poliquin, Hannaford Supermarket’s store manager in Bristol and a Children’s Fund board member, is a longtime auction volunteer who has been heading up teams to assist the organization for roughly 30 years.

“At Hannaford, we’re deeply committed to creating more good in our communities,” Poliquin said. “We’re proud to partner with the Lakes Region Children’s Fund to help make a meaningful difference for youth and families in the Lakes Region. Through our continued focus on hunger relief, health and wellness and child and family development, we’re doing our part to help ensure our communities thrive for generations to come.”

In addition to its sponsorship, Hannaford associates have contributed to the success of the Children’s Auction through volunteerism, donations and hands-on support.

Read the press release here:

Greater Lakes Region Children’s Fund announced that Hannaford Supermarkets will serve as presenting sponsor of the 2026 Children’s Auction.

08/19/2026

For the fourth year in a row, Patrick's Pub & Eatery in Gilford NH has landed the honor of the Lake’s Region’s Best Burger in New Hampshire Magazine’s Best of NH 2026 initiative, receiving the award at a ceremony in June.

Since 2016, Patrick’s has been recognized nine times.

“We are constantly striving to make things better,” said Executive Chef Rick Morten. “Be it looking for the perfect bun or sourcing the best cheese we can find, we are always looking for ways to plus our recipes. It’s an honor to repeatedly be recognized for something that we put our all into.”

Morten said factors that create the restaurant’s juicy burgers include the use of a blend of Angus brisket, short rib and chuck—the key burger ingredients since 2023.

“The blend packs in the flavor while keeping the fat less than 20 percent, which keeps it juicy and delicious,” Morten said. “That, combined with the incredible bread, cheeses and house-made sauces keep the quality high.”

Using a griddle instead of a char grill to seal in the juices of the half-pound burgers sourced from Wolverine Meat Packing by US Foods also sets them apart.

Patrick’s has six main burgers on the menu, and there is usually at least one burger special a week.

Morten points out another pride point for Patrick’s Pub, found in its staff.

“Our kitchen team has worked together for a long time.,” he said. “In some cases for as long as 25 years. It’s very unusual in this business to have a crew that has spent that much time side by side. You develop a rhythm and shorthand that is hard to replicate.”

For more information, visit patrickspub.com.

Read the press release here: https://beetlepress.com/patricks-pub-eatery-takes-the-lakes-regions-best-burger-honor-in-new-hampshire-magazines-best-of-nh-2026/

Patrick’s Pub & Eatery has landed the honor of the Lake’s Region’s Best Burger in New Hampshire Magazine’s Best of NH 2026.

08/17/2026

Children can have fun with their families and get introduced to the concept of saving money at Kids’ Day at GSB to be offered by Greenfield Savings Bank (GSB) at its Northampton branch on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Activities will include face painting and crafting, and complimentary coffee and donuts will be served.

Children will also have the opportunity to open an Everyday Savings Account, through which a GSB matching deposit of up to $50 will be offered for each new account opened with at least $10.

“Having a savings account is a perfect way for children to begin to develop the good habit of saving money and get launched on an informed, lifelong financial journey,” said President and CEO Peter Albero. “They will have fun—and learn.”

The bank’s Everyday Savings Accounts are easy to open, with no complicated requirements.

Greenfield Savings Bank’s Northampton branch is at 325 King St. A.

To learn more about Kids’ Day at GSB, visit greenfieldsavings.com/community-events/kids-day-at-gsb.

For more information about the bank’s products and services, visit greenfieldsavings.com.

Read the press release here: https://beetlepress.com/greenfield-savings-bank-to-offer-kids-day-at-gsb-at-its-northampton-branch-on-aug-22/

Children can have fun with their families and get introduced to the concept of saving money at Kids’ Day at Greenfield Savings Bank (GSB).

08/14/2026

When Maci Johnson was 9, she wanted to audition for a community theater production of “The Little Mermaid,” but she never made it to the stage.

“I got scared,” she recalled.

Today, the Holderness teen has appeared in 19 productions with Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative, including multiple roles in this summer’s upcoming performance of “Shrek.” Along the way, she has discovered confidence, lifelong friendships and a place where she truly belongs.

Johnson is one of many young people whose lives have been enriched through Powerhouse, a nonprofit supported by grants from the Greater Lakes Region Children's Fund. Through grants to roughly 60 organizations each year, the Children’s Fund is transforming the lives of local children and teens throughout the Lakes Region.

“I genuinely don’t know what my life would look like if I hadn’t joined Powerhouse,” Johnson said. “It’s added so much color to my life.”

Johnson has danced since she was 4 and first discovered theater through the Educational Theatre Collaborative in Plymouth. After making her stage debut as one of the orphans in “Annie,” the COVID-19 pandemic brought her early stage experiences to a halt.

An elementary school art teacher later encouraged Johnson to audition for Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative’s production of “A Christmas Carol.” She submitted a video audition and was cast as Tiny Tim.

“I’d only ever been a nameless orphan before,” she said. “I was blown away to be working more closely with people in my second big theater experience.”

That role launched what has become a remarkable journey.

Since joining Powerhouse, Johnson has appeared in 19 productions. She is now 16 and entering her junior year at Plymouth Regional High School.

In August, audiences will see her as one of the Three Blind Mice, a Duloc dancer and a tap dancing rat in “Shrek.”

Among her favorite memories is playing Winnie Foster in “Tuck Everlasting.”

“It was one of the only times I’ve ever cried because a show was ending,” Johnson said. “It was so much fun. The music was beautiful, and it made me so happy to be part of that group.”

For Johnson, theater has become about much more than performing.

“It’s a break from reality for a little while,” she said. “The community has a lot to do with it. I’m on stage performing with people that I love and want to spend more time with.”

She said Powerhouse helped her become more confident both on and off the stage.

“Most of my friends at school are sports people,” Johnson said. “I’m a theater person. It helped me realize it’s okay that we all have different interests.”

Discovering her people

One production, “Seussical,” proved especially meaningful.

“‘A Christmas Carol’ was fun, but it wasn’t until ‘Seussical’ that I discovered my people,” Johnson said.

She credits veteran performers Katie Duncan and Tess Hodges, who portrayed her parents in the production, with making her feel welcome from the beginning.

“They were so warm and welcoming,” she said. “I immediately fell in love with both of them. They’re amazing people and amazing performers.”

Johnson also credits producers Bryan and Johanna Halperin with helping her grow both as a performer and as a person.

“They’ve been such a great support system,” she said. “They helped me know how supportive the community was and helped me open up and explore more as a performer.”

Now one of the company’s more experienced youth performers, Johnson enjoys welcoming younger cast members and encouraging them to become part of the theater community.

About Powerhouse

Founded in 2020 as the resident theater company of the Colonial Theatre in Laconia, Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative builds community through community theater. The nonprofit welcomes performers ages 6 to more than 90 through large scale productions, workshops and its Power Chords choir.

While audiences often comment on the professional quality of its productions, producers Bryan and Johanna Halperin said they are most proud of something else.

“Participants not only get a chance to fulfill their artistic desires, but find an instant family to connect with,” Bryan said. “Our shows may be award-winning, but we are most proud of the theater family we have built at Powerhouse.”

More than 450 people have participated in at least one Powerhouse production, and 50 performers have earned membership in the organization’s 10 Show Club and three in the 25 Show Club; the clubs recognize milestones for people who have made a commitment to the group.

Johnson believes organizations like the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Fund make those experiences possible. “I think anything that provides opportunities for kids in this area and supports Powerhouse is amazing,” she said. “I’m very grateful.”

Read the press release here:

Many young people lives have been enriched through Powerhouse, a nonprofit supported by grants from the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Fund.

08/12/2026

For the sixth consecutive year, Keiter is proud to support the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce with another $25,000 donation to fund the annual Keiter Card promotion.

The initiative has generated $300,000 in direct economic impact on the Northampton community since its inception in 2021.

“When businesses actively give back and collaborate, we build a stronger economy for both residents and local merchants,” said Scott Keiter, CEO of Keiter and a former Northampton Chamber board member. “By encouraging community-focused spending, the Keiter Card plays a vital role in keeping our small businesses resilient.”

The 2026 Keiter Card allows consumers to receive $50 in spending power for a $25 purchase, effectively doubling the impact on participating small businesses.

The promotion launches Monday, Aug. 10. Cards can be purchased exclusively at the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, located at 99 Pleasant St., Northampton, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Supplies are limited, and customers must request the Keiter Card at the time of purchase.

The promotion applies to $25 Northampton Gift Card purchases and is limited to two per customer. The Northampton Gift Card is accepted at more than 125 local businesses, including restaurants, shops, services, and spas.

Keiter is a family-owned construction services firm known for managing complex projects. The company operates across a variety of sectors, including education, industrial, healthcare, commercial, and multi-family residential developments.

In the past year, Keiter received Super Sixty Awards for Give Back, Growth, and Revenue from the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, the company was named Best Local Builder in the Valley Advocate’s Best of 2026, earned a spot on The Boston Globe’s list of New England’s 50 Fastest-Growing Companies, and was recognized by the Financial Times as one of Americas’ Fastest-Growing Companies.

For more details, contact the Chamber at 413-584-1900.

Read the press release here:

Keiter is proud to support the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce with another $25,000 donation to fund the annual Keiter Card promotion.

08/10/2026

Greenfield Savings Bank recently announced that Douglas Gilbert has joined the bank as first vice president, commercial loan officer. Gilbert brings more than 30 years of banking experience and a strong background in accounting and commercial lending.

A former certified public accountant, Gilbert has built his career helping local businesses secure financing, navigate growth opportunities and achieve long-term success. In his new role, he will work closely with commercial customers throughout Franklin, Hampshire and surrounding counties, providing financing solutions tailored to their needs.

“What attracted me to Greenfield Savings Bank was the people and the bank’s deep commitment to the communities it serves,” said Gilbert, of Agawam. “As a community banker, I’ve always been impressed by GSB’s support of local organizations, businesses and residents. It’s rewarding to join a team that genuinely cares about helping our region succeed.”

Gilbert believes strong banking relationships are built on trust, accessibility and local knowledge. Known for his responsive, hands-on approach, he works closely with customers throughout the lending process and serves as a trusted resource for business owners seeking guidance on financing decisions.

Gilbert earned a master of business administration in finance from the University of Connecticut and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business management from Westfield State University. He began his career as a certified public accountant before transitioning into commercial banking.

“We’re excited to welcome Doug to Greenfield Savings Bank,” said President and CEO Peter Albero. “His extensive experience, financial expertise and relationship-focused approach make him a great fit for our commercial banking team and for the businesses we serve.”

Outside of work, Gilbert serves as a board member and treasurer of the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce and treasurer of the Mawaga Sporting Club in Agawam. He enjoys hiking, golf, fishing, pickleball and spending time with family and friends.

Learn more about Greenfield Savings Bank at greenfieldsavings.com.

Read the press release here: https://beetlepress.com/greenfield-savings-bank-welcomes-douglas-gilbert-as-first-vice-president-commercial-loan-officer/

Greenfield Savings Bank announced that Douglas Gilbert has joined the bank as first vice president, commercial loan officer.

07/28/2026

Nate Abbott, the principal consultant of Abbott Business Networks, LLC, an IT firm, has recently shifted his model from an implementation and support service to consulting.

Formerly a firm with up to five employees that installed computer networks and offered on-site support and maintenance as needed, the model for Abbott Business Networks shifted after a client with 100 employees was acquired by a larger entity with its own IT service provider.

Abbott Business Networks will now be comprised of Abbott and his wife, Betty Ann Abbott, who provides bookkeeping and accounting services for the business.

Nate Abbott offers predominantly remote support—and on-premises, as needed—for businesses with roughly 100 networked devices and larger businesses that would like a dedicated resource focused on security, disaster recovery infrastructure, virtualization or AI.

“I still answer calls for help from clients with a range of technology needs. I have a tool kit and can manage a desktop remotely and resolve issues from a malware spoof to a nonfunctioning printer, email issues or security breaches,” Abbott said. “Those are the kinds of problems I love to unwrap.”

Abbott has been in business for 29 years and has worked in a range of industries, including healthcare, tax support, legal, manufacturing, financial, PR and marketing, publishing, marine and RV and the nonprofit arena.

“The thing I’ve done the most is solve network problems for which there is no road map,” he said.

Early on in his career, beginning in 1986, Abbott was a senior system engineer for businesses that included Xerox, Bank of Tokyo Financial and Charter Systems. While successful, he became uninspired by working with internal corporate clients and wanted to work directly with business owners who have a direct stake in the outcomes.

Abbott founded Iron Works Technology Consultants in 1998 and began helping entrepreneurs set up and manage their computer networks, sourcing and maintaining everything from the computers themselves to the cables, Wi-Fi, Ethernet switches and routers.

“When you solve a tech problem for a small business owner, you’re giving them a piece of their life back or a way to pay themselves more money. That’s really my guiding principle: How do I make you more successful and happier?” Abbott said. “Because technology is the thing that frequently takes the joy out of running a business.”

Over the years, he has adapted to new technology platforms and helped his clients adapt as well. In 2006, the business name changed to Abbott Business Networks, LLC.

Around 2000, Abbott began helping clients migrate their systems to software bundles like Microsoft Small Business Server and products like it. By 2010, those systems were being replaced with platforms like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, and he continues to operate on these platforms.

He also helps clients adapt to AI.

“I cut my teeth on system infrastructure in the early days, and then I marched along with it as it’s moved to the cloud,” he said. “I’m working with all of my clients on how we adapt. How do we perform with AI?”

Abbott is also active in the community.

He served as selectman in Gilmanton from 2000 to 2006; as a volunteer, board member and Chair for Future In Sight, previously the New Hampshire Association for the Blind; and as a volunteer instructor and board member for Lakes Region Disabled Sports.

Abbott currently sits on the Zoning Board of Adjustment in Gilmanton.

For more information, or to book time with Abbott, visit https://www.abbottbiznet.com.

Read the press release here: https://beetlepress.com/abbott-business-networks-llc-shifts-business-model-to-consulting/

Nate Abbott, of Abbott Business Networks, LLC, an IT firm, shifted his model from an implementation and support service to consulting.

07/23/2026

Hayden Cardinal is exploring microbiology as a junior at Laconia High School.

Mileydi Jaynes, a sophomore at Winnisquam Regional High School, is building leadership skills through Civil Air Patrol.

And Soleil Lamar, a young woman from the Northern Mariana Islands, has entered the United States Naval Academy with hopes of becoming a military pilot.

Funding from the Greater Lakes Region Children's Fund is helping change the lives of these young people—and many others—by opening doors to STEM-related careers through WinnAero’s Aerospace Career Education (ACE) Academy at Laconia Airport, one of the many nonprofit programs the fund supports.

About ACE Academy

Dan Caron, WinnAero’s longtime director of educational services and ACE Academy director, said the academy was designed to provide students with a window into opportunities they might not otherwise encounter.

Held each summer at Laconia Airport, ACE Academy introduces students in grades 3 through 12 to aviation, aerospace and STEM careers through hands-on activities, guest speakers, field trips, simulators and orientation flights.

“Most students are getting exposed to careers they wouldn’t be able to see otherwise,” Caron said. “They get to talk to pilots, air traffic controllers, engineers, medical professionals, drone operators, airport planners and many other professionals connected to aviation.”

This summer, more than 90 students from across New Hampshire are enrolled in 13 academy sessions. Programs range from aerospace engineering and manufacturing to air traffic control, search and rescue, space science, drone operations, aviation medicine and pre-ground school instruction.

High school participants can also earn one-half elective credit through New Hampshire’s Learn Everywhere program.

Caron, a retired technology and engineering educator with more than 45 years of experience in middle and high school classrooms, has helped lead ACE Academy since its early years. He said one of the program’s greatest strengths is introducing students to careers they may never have considered through a hands-on approach to learning.

“There are a lot of careers related to aviation that students might never have thought about,” he said.

Those careers, far beyond the cockpit, include aerospace engineering, emergency services, aviation medicine, drone technology, navigation systems and civil engineering.

The various journeys

Cardinal, the Laconia High School junior, has attended 10 ACE Academy sessions over the years. This summer, he is participating in the St. Paul’s School Advanced Studies Program and exploring a future in microbiology and other highly technical fields.

Jaynes, who lives in Tilton and attends Winnisquam Regional High School, will participate in her seventh ACE Academy session this summer. She is active in Civil Air Patrol and continues to advance through leadership positions that may eventually lead to military service.

Lamar’s story demonstrates the long-term impact the program can have.

Originally from Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands, she attended ACE Academy while traveling across the United States with her mother 2022 to visit military academies and summer programs.

During her time at ACE Academy, she met a female Coast Guard crew member from Guam who inspired her to pursue aviation. Today, Lamar is a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where she hopes to become a pilot after graduation.

Caron says Gilford Public Works Director Meghan Theriault, a civil engineer, is another example of the type of role model students benefit from meeting.

“Girls need to see somebody doing these jobs to realize they can do them, too,” Caron said.

History and mission

WinnAero was founded in 2009 by Lakes Region attorney and developer Bill Seed of Gilford.

According to Don Morrissey, WinnAero’s treasurer and a founding member, the organization’s mission is to help young people discover educational and career opportunities while building confidence and skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

WinnAero serves roughly 500 students each year. In addition to ACE Academy, the organization offers two other popular programs: Wings, Water, Wheels, an annual touch-the-plane and touch-the-truck event for families, and the Aerospace Career Fair, where STEM-related colleges, organizations and agencies showcase aviation and aerospace career opportunities for high school students.

Morrissey, a retired military pilot, said, “I am inspired by helping kids learn more about aviation, as well as the ever-changing and improving technologies available in this field.”

‘All it takes is one experience’

Whether they become pilots, engineers, scientists, military officers or leaders in other professions, ACE Academy provides students with something invaluable: the opportunity to discover what is possible.

“Sometimes all it takes is one experience or one person to open a student’s eyes to a future they hadn’t considered before,” Caron said.

To learn more, visit winnaero.org.

To learn more about the Children’s Fund, visit ChildrensFundNH.org.

Read the press release here: https://beetlepress.com/helping-ace-academy-inspire-futures-in-aviation-stem-and-beyond/

Greater Lakes Region Children’s Fund is opening doors to STEM-related careers through WinnAero’s Aerospace Career Education (ACE) Academy.

07/21/2026

The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA) recently announced it has hired Keolis Commuter Services, an international firm with a strong presence in Massachusetts, to manage its transportation services. A new sub corporation specific to BRTA, called Keolis Berkshire Transit Services, was created, and all transit employees have been folded under that umbrella.

Even before the July 1 start, the new firm had hired a general manager with over 15 years’ experience and recruited four driver candidates currently in certification class.

The move comes in a year when BRTA saw its highest ridership ever at over 700,000 by the end of the fiscal year on June 30.

Keolis provides public transit services—including bus, rail, microtransit and paratransit—across the country, and its North American sector is headquartered in Boston. The addition of BRTA to its portfolio has the firm serving 203 cities and towns in Massachusetts; BRTA is the first transit authority Keolis has contracted with in Western Massachusetts.

Engaged in a three-year contract, the firm will provide transportation operations services in every facet of the BRTA operation. In the short term, Keolis will focus on more on-time service and consistency and help solve the common challenges in rural transit.

As an example of its capacity, before the transition, Keolis led two job fairs in Lenox, seeking drivers, proactively recruiting to solve a driver shortage and bringing in four candidates to be trained. Now, the firm will engage in a comprehensive recruitment campaign, advertising through the Keolis careers page; on platforms such as Indeed, ZipRecruiter and Facebook; and with boots on the ground in the 30 Berkshire communities.

In coming years, Keolis will work closely with the BRTA administration to provide new intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and introduce new services such as microtransit.

Keolis replaces Transdev, which served the BRTA for 20 years.

“We’re excited to have this transition, and it’s providing a better work environment for employees already,” said Kathleen Lambert, administrator of the BRTA. “We are building a new culture here, and I feel very positive about it.”

She added, “They’ve hired us an extremely strong general manager with a depth of experience we haven’t had here for a long time. We will do a lot of great work together over the next several years. Keolis will really help strengthen what the future looks like and ensure we provide the highest quality services possible to Berkshire residents.”

The search

BRTA began searching for a transit management company in January. Its request for proposals outlined key areas in which the organization sought change and enhancements and brought responses from five firms, including Transdev and Keolis. Four of the companies were interviewed by a committee that included Lambert and the BRTA board chair and CFO.

Keolis rose to the top, as Lambert said it was clear Keolis had specialists who could engage with employees, improve service and help oversee the retraining of staff and operators, and bring in new technology for dispatching, scheduling and payroll.

“There are many people with a strong breadth and depth of knowledge and expertise under the Keolis umbrella. They will streamline processes and create opportunities for improvement and growth,” she added.

A new structure

Key in the contract terms was the hiring of BRTA General Manager Mark Moujabber, an employee of Keolis, who is skilled in optimizing logistics, streamlining operations and leveraging technology to ensure seamless service delivery.

Moujabber, who will move to Pittsfield with his wife, will oversee daily BRTA operations, and serve as the liaison between Lambert and the larger Keolis support system.

Jacob Fritz, Keolis’ corporate director, explained that Moujabber will oversee the sub corporation, Keolis Berkshire Transit Services.

“We’re responsible for the day-to-day initiatives, service improvements, collaborating with Kathleen, weekly meetings, reporting on incidents and accidents, also future plans and initiatives, working closely on those as well as the immediate or long-term,” Moujabber said.

He added, “One of my mantras is, ‘We’re not in the transportation business. We’re in the safety and customer service business.’”

This is why refresher trainings, safety messaging and new uniforms for drivers will be among the changes that employees and riders will see soon.

Lambert said, “If an emergency happens on the bus, the passenger needs to know who to rely on. Uniforms help passengers clearly recognize the person in charge.”

Fritz said, “Passengers will also see an improvement in services, reliability and fewer cancellations—with the goal of zero—as we hire more and more operators.”

For more information on Keolis, visit keolisna.com.

For more information on BRTA, visit berkshirerta.gov.

Read the press release here: https://beetlepress.com/berkshire-regional-transit-authority-announces-hiring-of-new-transit-management-company/

The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA) announced it has hired Keolis Commuter Services to manage its transportation services.

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