Biz Briefs: New Bank Commitments Extend BerkShares Throughout Berkshire County| 01:10PM / Monday, June 13, 2016 | |
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Share alike: Residents and visitors can now exchange federal dollars for local currency at all seven branches of Adams Community Bank, from North Adams and Williamstown to Lee and Lenox, as well as at the Pittsfield branch of Lee Bank. The addition of these eight bank branches more than doubles the total number of exchange points for the local currency program, which has always relied on close partnerships with community banks in the region.
Anyone can purchase BerkShares at participating bank branches at an exchange rate of 95 cents to 1 BerkShare. BerkShares can then be spent at participating businesses at face value; 10 BerkShares can be used to make a purchase worth 10 dollars. All of the businesses that accept BerkShares are locally owned, so spending BerkShares helps to reinforce the “multiplier effect” of local spending, keeping more money recirculating within the local economy.
While Adams Community Bank is just beginning its partnership with BerkShares, Inc., Lee Bank has been a partner since the program launched in 2006. Until now, Lee Bank’s North Street Pittsfield location was the only branch that did not have BerkShares available. Branch manager Heather Bartini made the decision to get on board after learning more about the local currency’s history and its focus on shopping locally.
The opening of exchange in these seven branches of Adams Community Bank and one additional branch of Lee Bank represents the first time that BerkShares have been easily available to residents, visitors, second homeowners, and business owners north of Lenox. This presents an opportunity to business owners who would like to become part of the BerkShares network of locally owned businesses. It does not cost anything to sign up, and businesses that register at www.berkshares.org will be included on the BerkShares website and in a printed directory.
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Gary Johnson of The Johnson Dealerships, receives the Ruth P. and Nicholas Boraski Leaders in Philanthropy Award from Nicholas Boraski.
Honoring Johnson: Berkshire United Way held its 2016 Greylock Society Reception on June 7 at Cranwell Spa & Golf Resort. Close to 100 people attended the event recognizing Berkshire United Way leadership donors and honoring Gary Johnson and The Johnson Dealerships with the 2016 Ruth P. and Nicholas Boraski Leaders in Philanthropy Award.
Berkshire United Way created the award in 2005 to honor the individual, couple or group who, by their personal example as well as financial commitment, have demonstrated their dedication to improving the quality of life for everyone in our community regardless of their means.Nicholas Boraski, a long-standing supporter of Berkshire United Way and past member of its Board of Directors, attended the event to present the award to Gary Johnson who has, in partnership with Greylock Federal Credit Union, donated a new car to Berkshire United Way every year for the past 17 years. The car, an instrumental part of Berkshire United Way’s annual fundraising campaign promotion, has been life-changing for some past recipients.
The Johnson Dealership, the oldest family-owned dealership in Western Massachusetts, is celebrating 100 years in business. Tary Johnson and her brother, Chris Johnson, are the fourth generation to run the family business.
Cooking up a winner: Wahconah Country Club recently announced Aura Whitman as the new chef at the clubhouse restaurant open to the public. Whitman brings many years of culinary experience and a passion in creating natural, locally sourced menus. She was the proprietor/chef at the popular Café Reva in Pittsfield and now also heads up “Naturally,” a successful Grab & Go and Catering business, which also provides services for parties, banquets, weddings and business events at Wahconah Country Club.
Whitman is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park and the Cordon Bleu in Paris. Overlooking the historic golf course with panoramic views, the club house hosts not only the restaurant, which is open six days a week, but a full service bar and patio all open to the public.
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