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Member News: Char Gentes Chosen to Lead RSI Inc. 

Char Gentes at RSI auction in March

The Chamber congratulates Char Gentes, Riverside Industries' director of community relations, who was selected last month to replace President Deborah Thomas when she retires on Oct. 1.

Char was selected from a field of 31 applicants and has worked many different jobs at RSI since she was first hired in 1981. She managed a residence in Easthampton and then took on other roles at the agency, including rehabilitation counselor, director of employment services and management consultant, before becoming director of community relations.

Char said she applied for the position of president partly because she felt ready for a new challenge. "But the biggest attraction for me was Riverside itself," she said. "It's a wonderful organization, and I'm so excited for its future. I'm honored and humbled to be its next president." Char said that it is an exciting time to head RSI, because of advances affecting people with developmental disabilities, from technological innovations that make their lives easier to a more open-minded attitude among the public.

RSI, Inc., located at One Cottage Street, Easthampton, exists to empower individuals with disabilities to live rich and full lives. Char can reached at 527-2711, ext. 155, and more details about RSI's programs can be found at the website at www.rsi.org.  

Area News: "Grass Roots" Efforts Beautify Easthampton  

Notice all the flowers around Easthampton these days? It's thanks to the grass-roots efforts of a few local merchants, the Chamber, and the rest of the community working together-with a little help from the Internet.

One project started when Chamber member Marlies Stoddard, owner of the Nash Gallery at 40 Cottage Street, decided that the chain link fence along the bridge just down from her gallery looked unsightly and did not enhance the natural beauty of the area. She installed hanging flower pots along the bridge that were, unfortunately, vandalized and knocked down within days.

Enter Chamber President Pat Brough, who learned of the problem and used his Facebook page, "Easthampton 01027-The Good News Page," to organize a solution. He decided he would donate new boxes and enlisted the help of Kiwanis member and carpenter John Atwater to work with him in building the sturdy 9-foot planters. Fleury Lumber Co. provided wood at a substantial discount, and Manchester Company discounted the hardware. Learning of the project from Facebook, supporters dropped off bags of potting soil at Marlies' back door, and donated money for flowers and a cart for the daily job of bringing water to the planters. Ravenwold Greenhouses provided the flowers for the planters at cost. Once all the supplies were provided, Marlies then worked hard to bring the planters to life. Easthampton now has its own "Bridge of Flowers."

The summer annuals that were planted will need to be replaced in the fall. The Chamber is looking for businesses and individuals who would be willing to sponsor the purchase of fall flowers to keep the project going on a permanent basis. Anyone who is interested in donating to the Flower Fund should contact the Chamber.

At the same time, Corina Miller, owner of The Botaniste flower shop at 101 Main Street, also noted the scarcity of flowers in the city and had been planning to do the same thing. She came across steel buckets, washtubs, and other items she found in the woods behind her business and repurposed them to be planters, located along the intersection of Main and Union streets. In addition to flowers, she planted basil, sweet potatoes and lettuce, to emphasize the growing importance of sustainable ways of living.