Ribbon-cutting event celebrates new Beer & Wine gardens

NORTHFIELD — As part of an event coordinated by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and the Regional Tourism Council, more than 70 Franklin County business and nonprofit leaders gathered at Cameron’s Winery and the Backroom Brewing Co. on Sept. 14 to network and celebrate the unveiling of the award-winning winery’s new Beer & Wine gardens.

“Making wine is really an art, so we wanted to create a relaxing space to serve as the perfect canvas to complement our wine, beer and cider,” Leslie Cameron, who co-owns the two businesses with her husband, Paul, said in a statement. The winery and brewery feature nine families of wine, beer, hard cider, and a charcuterie and cheese shop.

Garden Cinemas to screen 1920 silent film version of ‘Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde’

GREENFIELD — As a prelude to Halloween season, the 1920 silent film version of “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde” will be shown on Monday, Oct. 2, at 6:30 p.m. at the Garden Cinemas, 361 Main St.

The screening will feature live accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis, a New Hampshire-based composer who specializes in creating music for silent films.

Dr. Jekyll, a London physician and philanthropist, becomes fascinated with the dual nature of man. When Jekyll invents a potion that separates the good from the evil in a person, he decides to live both roles and names the evil persona Mr. Hyde.

Admission is $10.50 adults, and $8.50 for children, seniors and students.

Ribbon-cutting event celebrates The Learning Knoll’s rebranding

GREENFIELD — Last week, Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jessye Deane joined community leaders, The Learning Knoll’s Executive Director Steven Rickman, board members, educators and students to celebrate the organization’s rebranding.

The Learning Knoll, previously referred to as the Girls Club of Greenfield, is a private nonprofit providing day services to children 8 months old and older. In addition to its Pierce Street location in Greenfield, The Learning Knoll operates an early education center in Shelburne Falls and a summer camp on Oak Hill Road in Greenfield.

To learn more, visit thelearningknoll.org.

Jessica Atwood appointed director of planning for FRCOG

GREENFIELD — The Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) has appointed Jessica Atwood as its new director of planning.

Atwood comes to this role with a background in regional planning on behalf of Franklin County. She began working with FRCOG 28 years ago as a planning grants administrator, and has most recently served as economic development program manager for the past eight years. Atwood holds a master’s in business administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

In her current role at FRCOG, Atwood has administered the Franklin County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy planning program using the U.S Economic Development Administration framework; supported the implementation of the regional Brownfields program; managed FRCOG’s State/Business and Industrial Data Center affiliate function; and produced Comprehensive Municipal Plan and Regional Transportation Plan chapters, downtown revitalization studies and site redevelopment presentations.

“We are thrilled to have Jessica assume the position of director of planning,” Linda Dunlavy, executive director of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, said in a statement. “Her experience, expertise and innovative thinking will be invaluable as we continue to address our vision of a more vibrant and sustainable future for our region.”

Atwood will officially assume her role as planning director on Oct. 2.

Siddiqui named medical director

NORTHAMPTON — Medical Oncologist/Hematologist Dr. Ahmad Daniyal Siddiqui has joined the Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital as medical director of medical oncology.

Siddiqui comes to Cooley Dickinson Hospital from the Saint Vincent Cancer and Wellness Center in Worcester, where he held the positions of medical director and chief, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology. In addition, he is an associate professor of medicine at the University of Massachusetts’ Chan Medical School in Worcester.

In his new role, Siddiqui will lead the center’s clinical care and operations, and will collaborate with physician colleagues at the Mass General Cancer Center in Boston.

“I am very pleased to join a distinguished community hospital that is part of a world-renowned academic medical center,” Siddiqui said in a statement. “I strongly believe that the future of cancer care involves expedited access to subspecialty cancer care. For patients, this means the connection to the Mass General Cancer Center provides the support and resources, in the form of second opinions and clinical trials, for example, that they may need for the best possible outcomes.”

Siddiqui treats a variety of cancers, including cancers of the skin, lung, breast, head and neck, gastrointestinal tract and prostate. He also treats benign and malignant cancers of the blood.

L.S. Starrett Co. announces fiscal year 2023 results

ATHOL — The L.S. Starrett Co., a global manufacturer and marketer of precision measuring tools, cutting tools and equipment, and high-end metrology solutions has announced its operating results for fiscal year 2023 that ended on June 30.

Net sales for FY23 were $256.2 million, an increase of 1% compared to FY22, while currency-neutral net sales of $257.9 million increased 1.7%. North American industrial net sales increased 7% compared to FY22. Global test and measurement net sales, which increased 6% year on year, were supported by high demand for precision granite products. International industrial net sales, which declined 7% compared to FY22, were impacted by macro recessionary pressures in Europe.

Operating income for FY23 was $18.9 million or 7.4% of net sales, compared to $21.6 million, or 8.5% of net sales in FY22. This reduction was the result of a lower gross margin, and an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses to support the company’s growth initiatives.

Operating cash flow in FY23 was $25.1 million, an improvement of $19.8 million compared to $5.3 million for FY22. The company retired $21.3 million in debt during FY23 as the result of its initiatives to reduce working capital and improve treasury operations. On June 30, the company’s debt totaled $10.6 million, its lowest level in more than 10 years.

Net income for FY23 was $23.1 million, or diluted earnings per share of $3.06, compared to net income of $14.9 million, or diluted earnings per share of $2.00, for FY22. The significant increase in FY23 was driven by a $10.5 million adjustment to the company’s net pension liability in the United States, and a $5 million tax credit related to a reduction of the company’s valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets.