image description — In addition to fresh coats of paint, the Landing's lobby carpeting was pulled up and flooring put down to make it easier for those using walkers and wheelchairs.

Landing at Laurel Lake Celebrates Renovations

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
12:38PM / Wednesday, April 02, 2025Print Story | Email Story

The stovetops were removed from some of the kitchenettes as safety measures.

LEE, Mass. — The Landing at Laurel Lake has made renovations to its assisted living building to better help residents continue living with some independence.

Some of the changes include carpet removal, shifting tubs to walk-ins, and taking out some stovetops.

The Landing hosted an open house last Thursday for the community to come in and see the renovations.

"It's really bringing people in to see the renovations so they know that we have something really cool in our community," said Executive Director Matthew Pinto, a dementia specialist who was hired about six months ago.

"The importance of the new renovations is to modernize some things to make it simpler for them. Like the rooms, we are trying to do away with the transitions in the rooms for people that have wheelchairs."

Residents sometimes had trouble with the carpeting if using a walker or wheelchair, it's easier for some to walk into their shower, and the stovetops would sometimes be left on.

Pinto said the residents had a hand in the renovations, like helping choose paint colors and what they would like the facility change, which will help future residents with their stays.

"All the renovations had one thing in mind, how the residents can feel part of what's going on so really they were part of the decision making," he said.

The Landing at 600 Laurel St. has 53 units, 13 of which are special care. It houses a memory care unit that assists individuals with Alzheimer's and other dementia-related illnesses. It works in conjunction with adjancent Lee Healthcare, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center.

Both for-profit facilities are owned by Next Step Healthcare, which operates more than a dozen assisted, skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers in the eastern part of the state.

This isn't the last of the renovations, said Pinto, the facility is also looking to add a spa area and salon/barbershop for residents to enjoy.

Tags: assisted living,

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Greenagers Founder Will Conklin Honored as Business Person of the Year

By Breanna Steele12:17PM / Saturday, October 03, 2026

Casey Pease of state Sen. Paul Mark's office presents William Conklin, right, with a state Senate proclamation.

EGREMONT, Mass. — The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce honored a local businessman and nonprofit leader on Sept. 24 at Catamount Mountain Resort.

William Conklin was this year's Business Person of the Year, recognizing his work as founder and executive director of Greenagers, a nonprofit that helps youth and children engage in work in environmental conservation, sustainable farming, natural resource management, and vocational skills building.

Conklin and his family also run Sky View Farm and he is a managing partner of Konkapot Tree and Timber, a small-scale forest products business.

"If you spent any amount of time in Southern Berkshire, chances are you've heard his name, whether you realize the connection at the time or not," said board member Sierra King Watson, who emceed the event. "You might be having a conversation about farming, a new barn or structure that was built, students learning hands-on skills in sustainable agriculture, or a family that receives donated firewood to help keep their home warm through a cold Berkshire winter, or maybe you're simply talking about one of those community leaders who somehow manages to show up, support everyone, and seemingly be everywhere all at once.

"Well, one name has a way of continuously popping up, and that is Will Conklin."

Board President Mark Rulison said the region has more than 1,200 nonprofits. One in four jobs in the county is in the nonprofit sector, which ranks 27th nationally for nonprofit employment. He said the economic impact on the community is huge, thanking those who help.

For the event on Thursday, Conklin requested that as much of the food as possible was sourced locally. Most of it came from Greenagers, Sky View Farm, Indian Line Farm and Fancy Feast Supper Club, creative dinner series.

View Full Story