Holyoke Mall undergoing exterior enhancements

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Mall is in the middle of a so-called “center enhancement project” to revitalize and refresh the property with a number of improvements.

Over the next several months, customers will see enhancements including repaving lots and replacing curbs, updating landscaping, and painting the exterior of the mall. During this time, traffic patterns and available parking areas will be subject to change and traffic will be redirected as needed.

While work is ongoing, the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority bus stop has been temporarily relocated. The stop located in the Yellow Lot near JCPenney has moved to the Lower Green Lot near Best Buy and the outer ring road. This relocation will remain in effect for the foreseeable future.

bankESB promotes Oleksak to senior vice president

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB recently promoted Mike Oleksak, previously vice president, commercial lending, to the role of senior vice president, commercial lending team lead.

Oleksak, of West Springfield, has 21 years of banking experience. He joined the bank in 2018 and has demonstrated outstanding leadership. Before his time with bankESB, he was vice president, commercial lending at Westfield Bank, and before that, assistant vice president, business banking officer at United Bank.

In his new role, he will oversee the commercial lending division’s strategic direction, operational management, and team development. This role is integral to driving portfolio growth, ensuring regulatory compliance, and fostering strong client relationships.

Oleksak earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in business administration from Southern New Hampshire University. He also completed the LeadNY program at Cornell University, which is a training program that helps improve leadership skills, self-awareness, issues analysis, critical thinking and civic engagement.

Oleksak is currently treasurer on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western MA and is the soon to be president of the board of directors of the West Springfield Boys and Girls Club. He has also coached West Springfield youth soccer since 2018.

Allen Media & Associates celebrates 20

SOUTH HADLEY — When David Allen first shared his plans to open a marketing firm back in 2005, some said he’d never make it. The industry was crowded, the local competition fierce, and many agencies were already well established.

But Allen, armed with firsthand industry experience and an unwavering drive, wasn’t deterred. He took a leap of faith, after leaving an Atlanta corporate sales training position he launched Allen Media & Associates from a modest office in South Hadley.

Allen also expanded operations by opening a second office in Florida, allowing the firm to better serve its growing client base in the Southeast.

Twenty years later, what started as a one-man venture has grown into a coast-to-coast operation.

With a full team of marketing professionals and offices in both western Massachusetts and Florida, Allen Media & Associates has become a trusted name in the marketing world.

Allen Media & Associates offers everything from local and national digital marketing campaigns to website management and design, SEO, social media marketing, media buying, connected digital video, TV and radio production, public relations, and more.

Marcotte Ford partners Holyoke Y to launch personal training program

HOLYOKE — The Greater Holyoke YMCA has partnered with Marcotte Ford to launch a personal training studio.

Thanks to a contribution from Marcotte Ford and Ford Philanthropy, Greater Holyoke YMCA opened the studio last month. It features a 3-D body image scanner, personal health consultation, and one-on-one and small group training program.

For specific goal setting, Greater Holyoke YMCA is one of the only wellness centers in the region with a 3-D body image scanner giving individuals more than two dozen metabolic data points.

Greenfield Coop Bank to host free shredding event

SOUTH HADLEY — Greenfield Cooperative Bank is holding a free document shredding event in partnership with Valley Green Shredding on Saturday, from 9-11 a.m., at its South Hadley Branch, 487 Newton St.

People are invited to bring up to four grocery bags or two boxes of confidential documents for secure shredding. This service is provided free of charge as a way to help individuals protect their personal information.

In addition to document shredding, Greenfield Cooperative Bank will also be accepting optional non-perishable food and monetary donations to benefit Neighbors Helping Neighbors.

Herrell’s Ice Cream introduces 2024 UMass ice cream competition flavors

NORTHAMPTON/AMHERST — Herrell’s Ice Cream has introduced four new UMass flavors to its rotating ice creams collection, all of which came out winners of the 2024 Ice Cream Competition.

They include first place winner Brown Butter Miso Caramel, second place Tea Time, third place Apple Kruimel ijsje, and People’s Choice Award Pineapple Upside-Down Cheesecake.

These flavors are being sold in both Amherst and Northampton Herrell’s Ice Cream locations.

Judy Herrell and former Herrell’s Manager Kirsten Tabb worked with students throughout the spring semester to help them understand the intricacies of creating flavors.

The criterion for the judging included texture, overrun, sustainability, olfactory and taste.