BUSINESS BRIEFS

Mellis joins Klemm Real Estate

WASHINGTON — Litchfield County resident Susan Mellis has joined Klemm Real Estate, and is working out of Klemm’s Litchfield Office.

Mellis has been an interior designer based in Westchester County, N.Y., for many years. Beyond her skills as an interior designer, she is a national award winning kitchen and bath specialist who has “ghosted” for architects and has worked with many clients, architects and builders on both large and small scale additions and remodels.

Mellis’ work with clients in Westchester has led to work on additional properties all over the metro New York area. From Brooklyn brownstones and New York City apartments to Westchester homes of all sizes and styles, she has worked “hands on” with a multitude of different clients and in many instances has become a long time friend and confidant. A testament to her work ethic and boundless energy is the fact that she never advertised her services and built her client base solely through referrals and repeat business. Mellis now lives in Litchfeld County full time.

“I got into interior design by learning construction from an architect I worked with for many years. He owned a design firm in Armonk,” Mellis said in a statement. “From there I kept being asked to do more and I did! I have no formal schooling – all onthe-job learning. I look at joining becoming an agent at Klemm as a new phase of my life – a normal progression.”

Mellis can be reached at 914-589-7440, the Litchfield Office 860.567.5060, ext 3 or by email susan.mellis@icloud.com.

Klemm Real Estate has offices in Washington Depot, Woodbury, Litchfield, Roxbury, Lakeville/Salisbury and Sharon, staffed by 40 associates serving Litchfield County for almost 35 years.

For more information contact Graham Klemm, 860-488-6635, g@klemmrealestate.com; or www.klemmrealestate.com.

‘Food for Thought’ pantry receives bank grant

WINSTED — Food For Thought Student Food Pantry at Northwestern Connecticut Community College, was recently awarded a grant for $1,500 from The Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation, Inc.

The Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation has established a new giving campaign called Act to Impact Employees Giving Grants. This initiative was developed to allow Bank employees to give back to the communities they serve. This award to Food For Thought was presented on behalf of the Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation, Inc. and the Thomaston Savings Bank employees.

“We are proud of the well-established Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation, Inc. and are happy to be able to contribute to Northwestern Connecticut Community College’s Food For Thought,” stated Stephen L. Lewis, President of Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation, Inc., when he made the announcement that the food pantry was the recipient of the award.

Food for Thought Student Food Pantry was founded and is operated by Northwestern Connecticut Community College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.

Geer Nursing receives funding for new facility

CANAAN — Geer Nursing & Rehabilitation Center was among the 92 awardees and will receive $2.2 million to provide initial

funding for the construction of a new skilled nursing facility from the State of CT, Office of Policy & Management, according to a recent statement.

Governor Dannel P. Mallow announced Jan. 3 that approximately $30.8 million in state grants are being awarded to 92 nonprofit organizations throughout Connecticut as a part of the state’s Nonprofit Grant Program, which assists organizations with the costs associated with one-time infrastructure improvements that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the services provided by the organizations.

Geer’s Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center was built in 1969 and is licensed for up to 120 people for acute nursing care and short-term rehabilitation. “Significant changes in the industry have occurred since the facility opened and although Geer consistently is rated a 4 or 5-star facility for the quality of the care, the lack of modern facilities and an aging infrastructure are a struggle. The complexity of patient care, the type of equipment and patient expectations have all changed, while the facility has not,” officials said in a statement. “Extensive planning determined that the cost of renovating the existing facility would not achieve the desired efficiencies and meet the longterm needs of patients. In June 2018 Department of Social Services approved a Certificate of Need which provides permission to build of a new facility. The new facility is expected to cost between $22 to $27 million and is still in the early stages of development and financing.”

“This has been a dream for quite a while and while this is exciting news it is also just the beginning of an intensive process to make the dream a reality. We are extremely thankful for everyone that helped to make it happen.” said Kevin O’Connell, CEO. “We will continue to need the input and support from the community and look forward to working together for the health the northwest corner.”

Foundation announces first 2019 application deadlines

SHEFFIELD, MA — Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation recently announced the first round of deadlines for competitive grants in 2019. Regional nonprofits, students, individuals and schools are invited to apply for funding during the winter grants cycle. Apply online at www.berkshiretaconic.org/SearchGrants and www.berkshiretaconic.org/SearchScholarships.

Nonprofits:

Harvard Business School’s Performance Measurement for Effective Management of Nonprofit Organizations (PMNO) program is designed for senior nonprofit leaders who are committed to implementing effective performance measurement and management in their organizations. The program is valued at $4,750 and runs May 28-31 on the Harvard Business School campus in Boston, Mass. Applications are due Feb. 1.

The Green Pastures Fund supports nonprofit organizations or public entities that encourage or preserve small, community-based agricultural ventures. Grants range from $1,000 to $3,000. Applications are due March 1.

Harvard Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management (SPNM) program is an intensive one-week course for nonprofit CEOs, presidents or executive directors who are responsible for shaping the direction, mission policies and major programs of their organizations. The program is valued at $6,500 and runs July 14-20 on the Harvard Business School campus in Boston, Mass. Applications are due March 1.

Student scholarships:

The Margaret Derwin Scholarship offers a junior at Housatonic Valley Regional High School up to $100,000 over four years for college tuition and other costs, and up to $5,000 for an overseas community service program. Applications are due Jan. 18.

The Andrea Wagner Women in Science Scholarship Fund awards $1,500 scholarships to female residents of the Berkshire Taconic region who are currently enrolled at a four-year college and majoring in natural or physical science or engineering. Applications are due March 15.

The Ferris Burtis Scholarship Fund sponsors graduating high school seniors who have been accepted at a conservatory or school of music to pursue a career in classical music. Scholarships of $2,000 will be awarded. Applications are due March 15.

The George and Lucille Buterbaugh Scholarship Fund awards $1,000 annually to graduating seniors who are residents of Salisbury. Applications are due March 15.

The Teddy Lee Drumm Memorial Scholarship Fund awards $1,500 annually to residents of Sharon who have been accepted at an accredited college, university, vocational-technical or professional institute, as well as prior Drumm recipients. Applications are due March 15.