Greenfield Cooperative Bank to host free document shredding events

Greenfield Cooperative Bank is holding two free document shredding events in partnership with Valley Green Shredding. These events will take place on:

■Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Sunderland branch, located at 18 Amherst Road.

■Saturday, Sept. 28, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Florence branch, located at 6 Main St.

At both events, people are invited to bring up to four grocery bags or two boxes of confidential documents for secure shredding. This service is provided free of charge as a way to help individuals protect their personal information.

In addition to document shredding, Greenfield Cooperative Bank will be accepting optional monetary donations to benefit the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.

“We are excited to offer this valuable service to our community,” Tony Worden, president and CEO at Greenfield Cooperative Bank, said in a statement. “Protecting your personal information is important, and we are happy to provide a secure way to dispose of confidential documents.”

For more information about the free document shredding events, visit greenfieldcoopbank.com/learn/events.

Greenfield Cooperative Bank recognized as Veribanc Blue Ribbon Bank

GREENFIELD — In recognition of its commitment to financial strength and safety, Greenfield Cooperative Bank has once again been honored with the Blue Ribbon Bank Commendation of Excellence from Veribanc, an independent bank rating firm. This rating is for the quarter ending June 30, 2024. The effective date is Aug. 30, 2024.

The Blue Ribbon is the gold standard in banking, recognizing institutions that consistently demonstrate exceptional financial health and security. By achieving Veribanc’s highest rating, Greenfield Cooperative Bank demonstrates its dedication to safeguarding customers’ deposits and offering them peace of mind.

“This award is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional banking services and fostering strong relationships with our government clients,” Jim Alexander, senior vice president of government banking and treasury management, said in a statement. “We are honored to be acknowledged for our dedication to excellence and look forward to continuing to serve the government sector with the highest level of professionalism.”

Next Garden Cinemas Craft Night set for Sept. 29

GREENFIELD — Following a successful Craft Night in August, the Garden Cinemas will offer the second such event on Sunday, Sept. 29, at 6:30 p.m. with a screening of “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice.” The theater lights are left on throughout the movie so attendees can knit, crochet, quilt or work on other crafts.

“We had several dozen people knitting and crocheting at our last event for ‘Twisters’ and they had a lot of fun,” Garden Cinemas co-owner Isaac Mass said in a statement.

The theater suspends its no bags policy to allow crafters to bring in yarn and other materials to the show, but outside food is still not permitted.

On Sunday, Sept. 29, the Garden is also honoring the Greenfield High School Class of 1969 with two shows of “Easy Rider” (R, 1969) at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Members of the class participating in the reunion will get free admission to the film, while the general public is also invited to attend.

Viability announces chief of staff

SPRINGFIELD — Viability Inc., a human services organization dedicated to building a world in which individuals with disabilities and other disadvantages realize acceptance, inclusion and access, has appointed Dani Letourneau as chief of staff.

“Ms. Letourneau brings her value of mission-driven work, a roll-up-her sleeves energy and a range of experience complementary to our exceptionally dedicated leadership team. Viability is excited to have her join us,” Colleen Holmes, Viability’s president and CEO, said in a statement.

Letourneau has experience in operations and strategic project management, complemented by an understanding of nonprofits and public sector entities. She previously served as chief of staff for the city of Greenfield. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Meredith College in Raleigh, North Carolina.

“I am deeply honored to join Viability’s leadership team as the new chief of staff,” Letourneau said in a statement. “My work in the public sector and nonprofit organizations will contribute significantly to my role at this leading human services organization. I look forward to helping advance Viability’s mission and impact.”

Viability, headquartered in Springfield, provides employment, job training and placement, vocational, life skill-building and other community-based services to nearly 4,300 individuals with disabilities or disadvantages annually. With a staff of more than 430, Viability serves Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma and Rhode Island.

Two changes on GCC board of trustees

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Community College has announced two changes to its board of trustees. A trustee since 2022, Anthony Scibelli will now serve as board chair, while Stewart “Buz” Eisenberg will join as a new trustee. Both were appointed by Gov. Maura Healey.

“This is an incredibly exciting moment of transition for the GCC board,” GCC President Michelle Schutt said in a statement. “Both of these individuals bring an extensive portfolio of experiences to their board roles.”

Scibelli’s experience includes decades of human resources, operations and leadership experience. He is the system vice president, chief operating officer for Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington (part of Berkshire Health System). Prior to joining Fairview Hospital, Scibelli held the position of vice president, operations and chief administrative officer with Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in education from Worcester State University, Scibelli earned his master’s degree in training and development from Lesley University in Cambridge. In 2012, he obtained a master’s degree in business from the University at Albany in New York.

In addition to his position at Fairview Hospital and his role on the GCC board of trustees, Scibelli is an adjunct professor at Elms College, and serves on the boards of directors for the Lighthouse School and the Northampton Survival Center. A native of Springfield, Scibelli resides in South Hadley.

“My goal is to ensure that the full complement of vacant board positions become filled and that all new board members are sufficiently onboarded; to provide strategic oversight ensuring academic excellence, student success and fostering a transparent culture; and to advance governance related to the college’s work on its diversity, equity and inclusion journey,” Scibella said in a statement.

GCC Professor Emeritus Eisenberg has had a long association with the college. He served on the faculty from 1996 to 2017, teaching political science and criminal justice courses; chaired the GCC Assembly from 2002 to 2017; and is currently a member of the GCC Senior Symposium Board. The Social Sciences Department has honored his service to the college with the Buz Eisenberg Civic Engagement Scholarship.

Eisenberg received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and his law degree from Western New England University, and has been a practicing attorney for more than 40 years. He lives in Ashfield, where he has served as town moderator for 23 years. Eisenberg also co-hosts “Talk the Talk,” a weekday morning show on Northampton’s WHMP radio.

“Learning I’ve been appointed to the GCC board of trustees by Gov. Healey was as humbling as it was exciting,” Eisenberg said in a statement. “The position of trustee sits at the intersection of three true passions of mine: education, public service and this special region.”

Eisenberg said he is especially pleased to join the board at a historic time, just after the governor signed a budget providing free tuition and fees for all Massachusetts community colleges to students who reside in the state.

“I approach my tenure on the board prepared to roll up my sleeves and join my fellow trustees in supporting GCC’s administration in bringing the student-centered, employee-supportive focus our community deserves and has come to expect,” Eisenberg added.

Family Nurse Practitioner Lindsey Coward joining Greenfield practice

GREENFIELD — Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner Lindsey Coward will join Baystate Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine in Greenfield on Monday, Sept. 23.

Born and raised in coastal South Carolina, Coward earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Francis Marion University in 2010 and worked in various settings afterward, including medical intensive care, post-anesthesia care and quality assurance.

Coward worked to improve health care access in rural communities before returning to Francis Marion University to earn a master’s degree in nursing in 2017, and then she became a family nurse practitioner. As a rural provider, she has practiced family medicine in outpatient primary care and inpatient mental health settings. She moved to Vermont in April 2020.

Coward focuses on patient-centered care with a special interest in wound care and patient education. She plans to partner with patients to help them maintain or improve their quality of life.