Magazine Archive
Magazine Archive
Cool Down With Mini-Splits!
Mini-split HVAC systems, also known as ductless HVAC systems, have gained popularity in recent years due to their energy efficiency, flexibility, and ease of installation - and at Berkshire Heating and Air Conditioning, we have everything you need to install (or repair) this relatively new product in your home.
The Truth Behind Fiction
I’ve often encountered people who question the point of including the reading of fiction in our educational system. In a typical English class, students read and write about poetry, short stories, and longer forms of fiction, usually without fully understanding why. In fact, ELA and the other arts are treated frequently as unimportant subjects, consistently placed behind math and science.
Saving Sight & Serving Community with Vision: Meet Andrew Lam
Surgeon, writer, family man, philanthropist and mansion saver are just some of the superlatives fitting of Dr. Andrew Lam. Over the past 15 years, Andrew, his wife Christina, and their children Alex (19), Audrey (17), Sophia (17), and Daniel (12), have left their mark on Longmeadow, creating a rich history while preserving some of the town’s past.
Walking the Digital Line Between Convenience and Privacy
In today's digital age, convenience is king. After all, technology is supposed to make our lives easier. We can have our groceries delivered to our doorstep, stream movies on demand, and even control our home appliances with a simple voice command. I like to think of Privacy and Convenience as two ends of a spectrum.
Social Media Professionalism and Etiquette Tips for Recent Graduates, Parents (and Heck, Anyone Seeking Professional Employment Opportunities!)
June is always an exciting time as the spring blossoms have sprung, summer vacation is on the horizon and our recent graduates embark on their professional journeys. However, in today's digital age, it's crucial to be mindful of the impact that social and digital media can have on a personal and professional reputation. As a digital media company, we understand the importance of maximizing social media opportunities while avoiding potential pitfalls. With that in mind, we've compiled four vital tips to help navigate social media for professional success
Driven to Succeed: Meet the Rome Family
Since the 1950’s, the Rome family has been not only selling cars, but also improving the community, both at home in Longmeadow, and all over the Pioneer Valley. It seems like everyone has seen the Rome family out and about in Longmeadow, bought a car from them, or seen their philanthropy in action - and at the very least - you’ve seen and heard their dogs on TV.
“Longmeadow is a great place to raise a family,” said Gary. “It’s safe, the community is diverse and engaging, it’s not difficult for people to make friends - and it’s a great place to walk around with our dogs.”
Lessons Learned as a Rookie Bank Trustee
In August of 2008, a group of investors and myself, with great enthusiasm and fanfare, opened the doors to the first community savings bank in Massachusetts in 16 years - NUVO Bank. We were going to be different. A month later the global credit crisis hit, and the way banking was done changed forever. Running a bank in competitive good times is hard enough, running it in the middle of a global economic banking meltdown is like climbing Everest in a blizzard in your underwear. Everyday you're blinded by another force of nature you never expected. To say it was an educational experience would be an enormous understatement. You never climb Everest alone, and luckily I had two of the best banking minds in the industry, Don Chase as our Chairman and Dale Jane as our President. Together, and with our solid board of trustees, hardworking employees and valued customers, we not only thrived, we survived.
Maintain Your Beautiful Trees
Arbormax Tree Care’s motto is “Your Trees, Our Passion”. This phrase resonates with Arbormax because we truly care about your property and value your trees just as you do.
Back to Longmeadow: Meet the McVety Family
From Longmeadow to Mocorro and back again - for the McVety family, there’s nothing like raising a family in the town you grew up in - especially if that town is Longmeadow.
Brenda’s Top 5 Value-Raising Home Improvements
Whether or not you are considering selling your property, or you just want to enjoy a few simple upgrades along the way, there are several ways to boost your home improvements ROI (return on investment) over time. As housing prices continue to increase, now is the perfect time to invest in your home. A home that is similar to a crisp, clean $100 bill hot off the press will help add money to your bottom line. Whether we are in a buyers or sellers market, these types of home improvements will help net you the most profit on your home.
Here are the top 5 home improvements Brenda has seen her clients successfully use to raise their home’s value
Alternative Energy Options For Your Home
Home is where the heart is - and where the heat is - if you take care of your heating systems. Berkshire Heating and Air Conditioning not only helps customers service their existing systems, but they also provide new alternatives to traditional systems. Invest your tax refund in the future of your heating and cooling systems and you’ll soon see the returns.
Balancing Business & Family: Meet the Millers
Balancing business and family isn’t an easy feat, but in the Miller Family, trying to find and share the solution is part of the daily equation. One of the many busy families of Longmeadow, they strive to strike the work/school/volunteer/life balance - but it isn’t without its complications!
“Work/life balance is a constant struggle, and I am the first one to admit that,” says Robyn Miller. “When you work remotely, work and family life all become one big blur and it is a job in itself to untangle that. But having the support of others around you, especially other mom’s who understand the battle, to help lift you up, is an essential part of reaching your goals. We have to help one another.”
A Cable TV Exodus
Am I the only one that thinks that cable companies are a bunch of thieves? Actually, I know I’m not. I hear the same thing from my clients all the time. But this is getting out of hand. Every other day, I see someone make a post about it, or I get a call from someone who is fed up with their cable bills. While the numbers are not exact, from my experience, monthly bills are ranging from $230-$290 a month! That's insanity.
Celebrating Pi Day with Mathnasium
Happy Pi Day!
Every March 14th, math students and teachers around the world come together to celebrate Pi Day, the holiday that honors the mathematical constant pi. Pi, or 3.14159…, is the distance around a circle divided by the distance across its middle, or the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter.
Building a Life in Longmeadow - One Slice at a Time
For the Ferrentino family, it was always Longmeadow - and nearly every morning - it’s coffee at the Shoppes. “We get morning coffee every day at Starbucks with a group of friends known as the “Delaney Market Club,” said Marissa Ferrentino, 31.
Traditions like this are important to the Ferrentino family, and there are plenty of family members taking part! Marissa and Frankie live in Longmeadow with their two-year-old daughter, Francesca - but when you add in Frankie’s Italian family, and Marissa’s Portuguese family, the Thanksgiving table gets pretty long.
Discovering "Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser"
I’m a Star Wars nerd. I’ll admit it. I love binge watching the movies (in order of course!) and whenever I’m at Disney World, I love hitting up Hollywood Studios. Hollywood Studios is now the mecca for anyone Star Wars fan. There are Star Wars themed rides, restaurants, and loads of characters walking around.
Bring Boston’s Books to You
Storrs Library gives you access to bunches, boatloads, buckets, and bushels of beguiling books and materials. We can even help you get access to the Boston Public Library (BPL) system. Wait! Drop those car keys and take off those boots. No need to drive across any slushy streets to get to Boston. The BPL is as close as your nearest computer.
Education & Empowerment: The Londraville Family
If you haven’t seen the Londraville family, you might need to have your eyes checked - because they are everywhere from the soccer fields, to the hockey rink, basketball courts to Batch, classrooms, author talks, and sidewalks. They’ve been in town for a decade - and they don’t plan on leaving a place they’ve come to love.
LIVING BEYOND 120 - BUILD YOUR LONGEVITY PORTFOLIO
We are living longer. The average life expectancy in 1860 was 39; today it’s 81!
Personally, I’m planning to live to 148 and my wife Lorie to 156. I often get a reaction of shock from people, as they picture me as a shriveled 148 year old prune in a wheelchair. But I’m talking about living to 148 healthy, active, and vibrant.
Impossible? Think again.
Is Solar Right For You?
Everyone has an opinion…or more like, everyone shares regurgitated facts based on the opinions of those whom have caught their ear…
The facts are that, like most things in life, every scenario is different - not just based on the house, location, shading or even amount of electricity needed. Your goals should be the deciding factor. Ask yourself these questions:
Is this my “forever home"?
What are my immediate and long term goals for my monthly budget?
Is there a home improvement project such as a new roof that I wish I could make happen without bleeding money?