‘Fabulous 40s Films with Jonathan Boschen’ to screen ‘National Velvet’ at Greenfield Garden Cinemas
GREENFIELD — On Monday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m., the Greenfield Garden Cinemas and Jonathan Boschen will host their fourth Fabulous 40s Film of 2026 with the 1944 film, “National Velvet.”
This movie was produced and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, stars Mickey Rooney and Elizabeth Taylor.
“National Velvet” was the first screen adaption of the 1935 novel written by Enid Bagnold, of the same name. The movie tells the story of Velvet Brown (Elizabeth Taylor) who wins a horse and trains him, with the help of a former jockey (Mickey Rooney), to compete in England’s Grand National horse race. The film was nominated for five academy awards.
Boschen will also provide an introduction to the film and discuss the history of the movie. Admission is $11 for adults, $8.50 seniors and students and free for children 14 and under.
COURTESY DAKIN HUMANE SOCIETY
Dakin Humane Society names Molly Biechele director of development and marketing
SPRINGFIELD — Dakin Humane Society has named Molly Biechele director of development and marketing, according to Executive Director Meg Talbert.
Biechele, a resident of Springfield, joined Dakin in 2017 as an associate director of development. Her primary duties included overseeing the annual giving program and donor data management. As director of development and marketing, she will be responsible for leading the creation and execution of Dakin’s fundraising and marketing plans, as well as oversee eight staff members who comprise both the development and marketing departments at Dakin.
Previously, she served as director of donor services for HelpMeSee in New York City, where she was responsible for strategically growing HelpMeSee’s donor base by managing the donor acquisitions and stewardship programs. Prior to that, she was operations manager for Lupus Research Alliance in New York City, where her duties included managing the general operations of that organization’s fundraising program, which included 18 events and over 10,000 participants.
“Molly brings a wealth of experience and commitment as she assumes the role of director of development and marketing,” noted Dakin’s executive director Meg Talbert. “For the past nine years at Dakin, she has cultivated impactful relationships with many of our donors and serves as a vital link between them and our organization. She also works closely with our marketing team to ensure that each department’s efforts reach a maximum level of success. Molly works with great efficiency and has built a team that reflects her dedication to Dakin’s principles of compassion, innovation and integrity.”
In addition to her work at Dakin, Biechele also volunteers as board president for the nonprofit Women in Philanthropy.
Northampton Jazz Festival welcomes two new board members
NORTHAMPTON — The Northampton Jazz Festival has welcomed Jack Anz and Jack Brown to the board. The two new members bring broad skills and experience in marketing, design, music production and fundraising.
“Their skills are a tremendous complement to the board, providing us with deep experience in the areas of fundraising, music production, design and marketing,” said Ruth Griggs, president of the Board of Directors.
Anz, a resident of South Hadley, is currently the director of development and community engagement for The Loomis Communities. An alum of Williston Northampton School and Trinity College in Hartford, he moved permanently to western Massachusetts in 2002 from New York City. He has served on several boards of arts organizations, including the Northampton Community Music Center and the South Hadley Cultural Council, including two years as chair. After careers in college coaching and real estate management, John has been in the development and philanthropy fields of nonprofit fundraising for more than 20 years.
Brown, of Greenfield, is the marketing director at the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce and the Hampshire County Regional Tourism Council. He’s worked in Northampton’s cultural circles for three decades as an artist, writer and musician, and promotes the region in his current role. Brown creates and executes the strategies for marketing to constituents of both organizations across all digital, social and print communications channels. Brown earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts at University of Hartford’s Hartford Art School.
Greenfield Cooperative Bank offers homebuying assistance through Lift Up Homeownership program
GREENFIELD — Greenfield Cooperative Bank has been approved to participate in the Lift Up Homeownership program, a Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston program designed to provide financial assistance to first generation homebuyers purchasing their first home.
Through Lift Up Homeownership first generation homebuyers earning up to 120% of the area median income are eligible to receive up to $40,000 in down-payment and closing cost assistance on a first-come, first-served basis to purchase their first home in New England. Homebuyers are required to complete a homebuyer counseling program prior to receiving LUH funds.
“At a time when home prices and mortgage interest rates have risen sharply in New England, the dream of owning a home is beyond the reach of many. Greenfield Cooperative Bank is pleased to participate in the Lift Up Homeownership program and offer a critical stepping stone to realizing homeownership goals,” said Jane H. Wolfe, executive vice president of residential lending at Greenfield Cooperative Bank.
For more information, contact Missy Tetreault, vice president and community engagement mortgage officer, at 413-773-6180 or mtetreault@greenfieldcoopbank.com, or Victor H. Rodriguez Sr., vice president and community engagement mortgage officer, at 413-322-7114 or vrodriguez@greenfieldcoopbank.com.
GCC welcomes Margaret A. Nugent to Board of Trustees
GREENFIELD — Greenfield Community College has announced the appointment of Margaret A. Nugent to its Board of Trustees. A seasoned leader in vocational education and workforce development, Nugent brings a wealth of experience in bridging the gap between secondary technical education and higher learning.
“This role allows me to contribute to the strategic growth of an institution vital to our region’s success,” said Nugent, who is the current vocational director at Franklin County Technical School. “I am a fierce advocate for the industrious spirit of Franklin County, and I am dedicated to ensuring our educational infrastructure remains as forward-thinking as the community it serves.”
Nugent’s dedication to the community college mission is rooted in her own educational journey, which began at Holyoke Community College. She credits the foundation she received there as the essential “door opener” for her admission to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant administration.
Before transitioning into education, Nugent spent two decades in the hospitality and food service industry. In the early 2000s, she began teaching Culinary Arts at Putnam Vocational Technical High School, sparking a passion for vocational training that led her to earn a Master of Education from Westfield State University.
A lifelong resident of western Massachusetts, Nugent resides on a small farm in Granby with her husband, Kevin. They enjoy life on the farm with their horses and three Golden Retrievers, sharing their time with their six adult children and six grandchildren.