Business Briefs, May 6

May 06, 2008 04:04 am

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Stroller Strides, the nation's largest fitness program for new moms, has arrived in North Andover.

"Stroller Strides is a great way to get back in shape, as well as stay in shape," said Robin Beardsley, owner of Stroller Strides of North Andover. "We present a fun opportunity for the moms of the North Andover community to turn their strollers into a workout."

Stroller Strides of North Andover is celebrating its grand opening on Thursday, May 8, at 9:30 a.m. at Smolak Farms.

Stroller Strides is a total fitness program for new moms that they can do with their babies. It includes power walking and intervals of body toning using exercise tubing and the stroller. Taught by nationally certified instructors, it's a great workout for any level of exerciser. In 60 minutes, participants will get a total body workout, improving cardiovascular endurance, strength and flexibility. The classes are equally beneficial for babies as instructors will weave songs through the workout and incorporate activities to make it fun.

According to Beardsley, Stroller Strides allows women to exercise in a social atmosphere and children can benefit from watching their moms participate. For more information on Stroller Strides, contact Robin Beardsley at 800.558.5029 or robinbeardsley@strollerstrides.net.

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The 13th annual Sponsor-A-Classroom reception will be held at the Dr. Elmer S. Bagnall School in Groveland on Friday, May 9, to honor 51 area businesses who supported the school throughout 2007-08.

Started in 1995 to enhance educational excellence, the program has generated more than $74,000 to date. Funds go directly to individual classrooms, grade levels, schoolwide programs such as art and music and specialists. Teachers and classrooms receive at least $125 from their business sponsors. In most cases, donations are used to supplement classroom libraries, and children are often invited to join in the book selection. At year-end, sponsors are invited to visit the classrooms in an event to recognize business participation in the school.

The program, administered by the Bagnall Education Foundation Inc., raised more than $7,600 this past year, with several businesses opting to sponsor entire grade levels. The Foundation extends its thanks and appreciation to its business sponsors for their support and generosity, and invites any business interested in the program for next year to call the Bagnall School at 978-372-8856, ext. 369, for more information.

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Dutton & Garfield Inc., a general contracting company in Hampstead, N.H., has been awarded the 2007 High Performance Builder Award by Butler Manufacturing Co., the world leader in the development and manufacture of metal building systems. Pictured, from left, are Timothy Hurtack, Keith Wentworth, Tom Gilligan and Steven Webster. Dutton & Garfield Inc. has been professionally building pre-engineered metal buildings for 38 years.

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Wright-Pierce, a New England provider of water, wastewater, building design and infrastructure engineering services, has added dam safety expert Patricia McIlvaine to the firm's Civil Engineering Practice Group.

McIlvaine has more than 30 years of environmental, health and safety-related experience including regulatory compliance, dam failure emergency planning and project management. Her specialties include emergency plan development and training for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; spill prevention, control and countermeasure plans; integrated contingency plans; and OSHA emergency action plans.

McIlvaine will be working closely with the Andover office on dam and other related civil infrastructure work.

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Debra Peglow has been promoted to branch manager of Pentucket Bank's Westgate office.

Peglow has held similar positions in the Merrimack Valley and has 14 years of retail banking experience. She will be responsible for managing all of the daily aspects of the branch operations, sales, lending and business development. She lives in Pelham, N.H. with her husband, Richard, and her two children, Joel and Brandee.

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Marion Donahue has been promoted to assistant branch manager of Pentucket Bank's Hampstead, N.H., office. Donahue has held similar positions in the Merrimack Valley and has 24 years of retail banking experience. She will be responsible for assisting with the all of the daily aspects of the branch operations and sales. Donahue attended Rivier College in Nashua, N.H., and lives in Bradford with her husband, Kevin.

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We want to publish news about your business — new contracts, new hires, promotions and events that are open to the public — on the pages of BizNorth. Just send a brief notice with the basics. Please be clear about the person's connection to the region. Include the name and phone number of someone we can call if we have questions. Send your news by mail to BizNorth, 100 Turnpike St., North Andover, MA 01845; by fax: 978-687-6045; or by e-mail to bcurry@eagletribune.com. Direct questions to Bill Kirk at 978-946-2228.