People's United Community Foundation Awards $46,500 to New Hampshire Community Organizations

The People’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People’s United Bank, announced today that it has awarded $46,500 to nonprofit organizations in New Hampshire during the 1st quarter of 2012. The organizations include:

• Families First of the Greater Seacoast - $3,000
• Hannah Grimes Center - $7,500
• Housing Partnership - $7,000
• More than Wheels, Inc. - $7,000
• Nashua Adult Learning Center, Inc. - $5,000
• New Generation, Inc. - $5,000
• Penacook Community Center, Inc. - $3,000
• Share Outreach, Inc. - $5,000
• Special Olympics New Hampshire, Inc. - $4,000

The People’s United Community Foundation has three areas of focus: community development, youth development, and affordable housing. “The goal of the Foundation’s support is to improve the lives of people living or working in the communities served by People’s United Bank,” said Dianne Mercier, Officer People’s United Community Foundation and President People’s United Bank New Hampshire. “Many agencies throughout our footprint are experiencing an increase in demand for their programs and services due to the economy, which means the need for program funding is increasing. People’s United Community Foundation continues to try to do its part to help these important programs during a difficult economic period.”

St. Thomas Aquinas High School Annual Fashion Show

The annual Fashion Show has had a long, beautiful history at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, with members of the community coming together to celebrate fashion from local vendors. On Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 12:30pm, STA will host Fashion It Forward in the school gymnasium where hostesses will festively decorate their tables and prepare refreshments for their guests.

Fashion Show guests will also enjoy a small live auction, a festive raffle with an array of items and have the opportunity to participate in a special appeal to help the St. Thomas Tuition Assistance program. The Tuition Assistance program helps one in five families be able to afford a St. Thomas education and disperses over $500,000 in aid annually.

All are invited to attend this special community event, enjoying fashions modeled by St. Thomas students and faculty children.

For more information, please contact the STA Advancement Office at (603) 742-3206 or visit the Fashion Show webpage at www.stalux.org/fashionshow

“5 Green Tips” from Green Alliance

This week’s tips come from Johnmark O'Brien, owner of Green Maids.

1. Clean your windows with 4 tablespoons of lemon juice diluted in 3-4 gallons of water. Avoid ammonia-based window cleaners, and help keep your house a little cleaner and greener!

2. Add a capful of vinegar into a spray bottle of water to remove mold and mildew. Avoid using bleach, which can be an irritant on your skin, eyes and affect the respiratory system.

3. Help eliminate the smells on rugs and mattresses using baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda on the effected area, let it sit for about an hour and then vacuum it up.

4. Avoid bringing toxins into the house by using a doormat. People don’t realize what we bring into the house after being outside - especially if you have kids and pets. A simple doormat helps to remove oil, animal waste and pollen from the soles of our shoes.

5. Mixing 1 tablespoon of vinegar with 1 gallon of warm water makes a solution perfect for most floor cleaning jobs. What’s more, you don’t even have to rinse afterwards – it dries itself! – saving you both time and water!

Have some great green tips you want to share? "Like" us on Facebook, and share them on our wall!

People’s United Community Foundation Grantee Recognition

What: People’s United Community Foundation will recognize their first quarter 2012 grant recipients in New Hampshire during a brief recognition ceremony and check presentation. A light breakfast will also be served.

Who: People’s United Bank will host the event on behalf of People’s United Community Foundation. Grant recipients, along with foundation and bank representatives, will be available for photos and comments.

Why: People’s United Community Foundation awarded $46,500 in grants to nonprofit organizations in New Hampshire for the first quarter of 2012.

When: Friday, February 24, 2012 @ 10:00 a.m.

Where:

People’s United Bank, Board Room

1750 Elm Street, Suite 110

Manchester, NH

Media Contact:

Kathy Schirling

People’s United Bank

Director of Marketing and Community Services, and

People’s United Community Foundation Liaison

Kathleen.Schirling@peoples.com

Phone: 802-660-1363

St. Thomas Students Named Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program

National Merit Scholarship Finalists Matthew Radford and James Klingensmith shown with St. Thomas Aquinas Principal Kevin Collins

St. Thomas Aquinas High School is pleased to announce that seniors James Klingensmith and Matthew Radford have been named National Merit Scholarship Finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Started in 1955, the National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships, honoring students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The test serves as an initial screen of more than 1.5 million entrants each year. Of these entrants, some 50,000 with the highest PSAT scores qualify for recognition in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

James and Matthew will now compete for one of the 8,400 Merit Scholarships to be awarded this spring from a group of more than 15,000 scholarship finalists. This finalist group represents less than 1% of the nation’s pool of high school seniors.

“We are very proud of James and Matthew’s accomplishments in moving forward as candidates for a National Merit Scholarship. Each is most deserving of this consideration; they are two of St. Thomas’ finest students,” said Principal Kevin Collins.

Matthew is from Brentwood, NH and was also recently named as a US Presidential Scholarship candidate. He is a three season runner and a member of the STA Music Ministry program. In college, Matt plans to study math, physics and music. Among others, Matt has applied to Olin College, Boston College, Dartmouth, Harvard, Bowdoin, Wesleyan and Gordon College.

James is from Nottingham, NH and is a member of the STA D-V State Champion Football Team and the Math Team. James is interested in studying chemical engineering and is awaiting decisions from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

HRCU Welcomes Make-A-Wish Child to Rochester Branch

Pictured from left to right first row: Brian Hughes (President & CEO) and Alex Anderson MAW recipient from Farmington, NH

Pictured from left to right second row: Christine Donnelly, Senior Teller; Carolyn Wood, Branch Manger; Karen Downes, Receptionist

On Wednesday, February 15th, Brian Hughes, HRCU President & CEO and HRCU Staff welcome Alex Anderson of Farmington, NH, to the branch. Alex is a Make-A-Wish (MAW) Child and for his wish he received an ice skating rink in his yard in Farmington.

Alex wanted to thank Holy Rosary Credit Union for selling MAW calendars and candy bars throughout the year that help fund MAW projects. Alex made delicious brownies and brought them for the HRCU staff to share.

Mr. Hughes is currently the Chairman for New Hampshire Credit Union League’s (NHCUL) Social Responsibility Committee whose goal throughout the year is to raise funds and awareness of the MAW program by working closely with the MAW Foundation of NH to sell calendars and candy as well as hold a golf tournament in the summer with proceeds going to fund the many wishes that are requested.

For the past 15 years the NHCUL has partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation in helping to make hundreds of wishes come true. They recently celebrated their 1000th wish with an Enchanted Castle for a young boy in Epping, NH. Since partnering with MAW, New Hampshire Credit Unions have raised over $1.5 million

McGeorge named Vice President of Finance at Service Credit Union

Service Credit Union President/CEO Gordon Simmons is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Andrew McGeorge as Vice President of Finance at the credit union.

McGeorge will be responsible for investments, financial reporting, asset/liability management and overseeing accounting and share draft departments. He will report directly to the Chief Financial Officer, Scott Wensley.

McGeorge comes to Service Credit Union from CNBS, LLC of Overland Park, Kansas where he was a Senior Portfolio Strategist. His duties included serving as Service Credit Union’s advisor for matters relating to investment portfolio management and ALM. Prior to his employment at CNBS, McGeorge was an Associate Director at Barclays Capital.

A native of Kansas, McGeorge is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering. He also holds a Masters of Science from Northwestern University in Materials Science and Engineering and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

“Mr. McGeorge will be a solid addition to our senior management team,” says Simmons. “He brings an exceptional finance background to an already strong team at Service Credit Union.”

Foster's Invites you to a Research Information Breakfast

Business Owners:

Would you invest one hour – just 60 minutes - to find out how much local consumers plan to spend on the products and services your business offers?

The answers may surprise you!

Armed with this knowledge, you can plan how to grow your business in the coming year by marketing the specific products consumers are planning to buy. You may even identify potential areas of growth you had not considered in the past!

Please be our guest at a timely, one-hour seminar that details a recent study of New Englanders’ purchasing plans. John Marling, President of Pulse Research, will be presenting information that will help you identify the number of potential customers for your business as well as the revenue opportunity of your specific products and services. This planning data will assist you in measuring your business’ market share against your competitors, and will give you an edge in today’s tough market.

Dozens of categories have been included; for example, the study included:

All types of RETAIL businesses

All types of FINANCIAL SERVICE businesses

AUTOMOTIVE DEALERSHIPS

All types of SERVICE businesses

As a bonus, we will be awarding three FREE advertising packages by random drawing at the conclusion of the seminar – must be present to win!

Date: Thursday, March 8, 2012

Time: 7:30 a.m. Registration and Complimentary Continental Breakfast

8:00-9:00 Presentation

Location: McConnell Center, 61 Locust St., Downtown Dover (across from City Hall)

RSVP to (phone number/email address)

Space is LIMITED but the presentation is FREE so please call to reserve your seat now!

Bring your business card for the drawing to receive a free advertising package. Reservations will be accepted until all space is filled or until March 5, whichever comes first. This presentation is a one-day only event; if you are not able to attend but would like to learn more, please contact us to set up a personal appointment.

This no obligation presentation is sponsored by:

Fosters Daily Democrat

Diane Mercier Named "Outstanding Women in Business" by New Hampshire Business Review

Diane Mercier, President People’s United Bank - New Hampshire, has been chosen as a winner of the New Hampshire Business Review’s Outstanding Women in Business Award 2012.

Beginning in 2006, New Hampshire Business Review has recognized six women annually through the Outstanding Women in Business Awards. The award celebrates remarkable women in the business community who are role models for future generations of women. This year the awards ceremony took place on February 15 at the Bedford Village Inn from 6-8 p.m.

Mercier began her banking career in 1985 and has spent the past 24 years actively involved in the New Hampshire banking market. She is a leader in the local community and is actively involved with the Boys and Girls Club of Manchester and the Greater Manchester Family YMCA. She currently serves on the Board for the Central Business District Committee for the City of Manchester and is a Trustee for the Elliot Health System. Additionally, she is a member of the 2009 class of the Leadership New Hampshire program.

Mercier joined Ocean Bank in 2003 as Senior Vice President and Group Manager for Commercial Lending and has been responsible for business and market development in Manchester, Nashua and Concord, New Hampshire.

Prior to joining Ocean Bank, which was acquired by People’s United Bank in 2008, Mercier was State Director, Community Banking for Citizens Bank, where she was responsible for the initial start-up and strategic development of the State Community Banking Group in New Hampshire. She also played an active role in the implementation of a comprehensive Small Business Lending Model.

Mercier holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University.

IRS Cracks Down on Identity Theft Nationwide

In a press release from January 31, 2012, IRS commissioner Doug Shulman announced the results of a nationwide effort to cut down on identity theft and refund fraud. The IRS worked in conjunction with the Justice Department's Tax Division and local U.S. Attorneys' offices to target more than one hundred people across twenty-three states. The sweep resulted in 939 criminal charges against would-be tax frauds.

In addition to the sweep, IRS auditors and investigators visited approximately 150 money-service businesses to conduct extensive compliance visits and insure these businesses aren't engaged in practices which may facilitate refund fraud and identity theft.

Taxpayer identity theft normally occurs when a thief uses a legitimate taxpayer's identity to falsely file a tax return and claim a refund. A victim of identity theft is rarely aware their identity has been stolen until he or she attempts to file a legitimate return later in the tax season and discovers that another return has already been filed using their Social Security Number.

If you receive an IRS notification for any of the following reasons, you should take immediate action:

• More than one return was filed for you in a single tax year
• You have a balance due, refund offset or have had collection actions taken against you for a year you did not file a tax return, or
• IRS records indicate you received wages from an employer unknown to you.

Immediately respond to the name and number printed on the letter if you receive such notification.

The IRS advises you to minimize your risk of identity theft by:

• Rarely carrying your Social Security card or documents with your SSN on them.
• Disclosing your SSN only when required. Many businesses may ask for your SSN but do not actually need it. Do not give out your SSN unless absolutely necessary.
• Protecting your financial information, both online and in print.
• Checking your credit report periodically. You may check your credit without charge once a year at www.equifax.com, www.experian.com, or www.transunion.com . By using each of these services only once each year, you can actually check your credit report every four months.
• Protecting your personal computers using firewalls, anti-spam and anti-virus software. Keep your software current via frequent updates. Use secure passwords and change them often.

By taking action against tax fraud criminals, Commissioner Shulman sends a clear message to anyone considering participation in a tax fraud scheme. He said "We are aggressively pursuing cases across the nation with the Justice Department, and people will be going to jail". The IRS is taking additional steps to prevent identity theft and detect fraud by using new identity-theft screening filters and placing identity-theft indicators on taxpayer accounts to track and manage incidents of identity theft. Despite these advances, you should always be vigilant in protecting your Social Security number and financial information.

Visit Our Website: www.raichecpa.com

Sarah Haskell Presents "Feather Your Nest" Workshop

On Saturday, March 10, nationally known fiber artist and weaver Sarah Haskell will lead a 90-minute creative workshop for children age 7 or older and their parents at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire. This workshop will take place from 10:30 am – noon and each participating parent/child pair will transform a simple plastic container into a beautiful work of art using textural materials. Pre-registration for this workshop is required.

While most people see things they don’t need anymore as trash, Haskell finds inspiration in found objects that others might throw away. In this workshop at the Children’s Museum, she will invite participants to explore the creative possibilities of everyday objects by focusing on texture, form and color. Everyone will go home with a colorful and unique art object for their home.

Sarah Haskell, a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design, has been weaving, teaching and exhibiting her art for over 30 years. She is an active teaching professional throughout New England. She weaves art fabrics, creates mixed media works and leads community weaving projects that literally weave the fabric of communities together.

The Children’s Museum of NH will be offering one more artist workshop this spring: Bottle Bug Bots workshop led by Nate Walker on Saturday, April 14 at 10:30 am.

The cost for each artist workshop is $25 per adult/child pair for museum members and $35 per adult/child pair for non-members. All materials are included. Registration is required by calling the Children’s Museum at 603-742-2002 or families may register at the museum’s front desk.

NH and Maine Orchid Celebration

March 3rd and 4th will mark the Second Annual Spring Orchid Celebration held in collaboration with The NH, Maine, and Eastern Maine Orchid Societies. This year’s two-day celebration will once again be hosted by Wentworth Greenhouses at 141 Rollins Road, Rollinsford, NH.

The Celebration will offer two days of lectures on orchids and their care, stunning orchid displays, and a Maine Orchid Society Show Table complete with awards for best orchids. The two-day event is free and scheduled to run from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday.

Daryl Yerdon, a member of The NH Orchid Society and Owner of Kelley’s Korner Orchid Supplies, will lead off Saturday’s roster of speakers with a presentation on “The Basic Care and Repotting of Orchids.” Shortly thereafter, at approximately 11:30 a.m, Bob Cleveland, Past President of The Maine Orchid Society will award ribbons for best Maine Orchid Society grown orchids, and will review and briefly discuss the chosen selections. At 1 pm, George Crozer of Crozer and Crozer Orchids will present on growing “Lady Slippers in the Home.” George will discuss three varieties of slipper orchids, as well as one suitable for outdoor gardens. At 2 pm, “Orchids: A Lifelong Addiction” will also be presented by Bob Cleveland who will not only discuss his life-long obsession with orchids, but will touch on methods of home culture and recommend a variety of orchids suitable for the home. Saturday’s final presentation “Growing Orchids: Tips and Ticks,” will be presented at 3 pm by Jim Marlow, NH Orchid Society Member and owner of Marlow’s Orchids. Having raised orchids for over 35 years, Jim will share tips for improving culture and getting orchids to re-bloom. The Sunday lecture series will reintroduce two Saturday talks and feature a new lecture, “Orchid Pests and Diseases” also presented by Daryl Yerdon.

The weekend-long Celebration will feature an on-going “Ask The Experts Table,” managed by Dick Green from The Eastern Maine Orchid Society, where visitors will be encouraged to ask questions about orchids and discuss any specific problems or challenges they may be facing. An “Orchid Potting Table,” managed by Bill Janetos of Wentworth Greenhouses, will also be offered for those wishing to repot orchids. Visitors are encouraged to bring their problem orchid plants with them.

Weekend-long orchid displays will be contributed by The NH Orchid Society, The Maine Orchid Society, The Eastern Maine Orchid Society, Marlow’s Orchids of Scottsville, NY, Crozer and Crozer Orchids of New London, NH, and Kelley’s Korner Orchid Supplies of Milford NH.

For additional Information about the Spring Orchid Celebration please visit www.wentworthgreenhouses.com or call 603-743-4919.

Photo Caption: L to R: Caitlin Ray, Brooke Nevins, Sammy the cat, Savannah Carberry, Andrew Bennington, Alan Huisman and Lisa Hutchinson

GARRISON PLAYERS PRESENTS “I REMEMBER MAMA”

DOVER – Garrison Players, the Dover area’s all-volunteer community theatre group, will present “I Remember Mama,” written by John Van Druten and adapted from Kathryn Forbes’ book, “Mama’s Bank Account,” on March 16-18, 23-25, 30 and 31 at the Garrison Players Arts Center, Route 4 in Rollinsford.

“I Remember Mama” is centered around Katrin, the oldest daughter, played by Caitlin Ray, a music student at UNH, and is about her many memories of her family as Katrin flashes back to her childhood. Lisa Hutchinson, a Rochester native who was seen in Garrison Players’ Wizard of Oz and Prescott Park’s production of Oliver!, plays Mama, with Seacoast actor, Alan Huisman as Papa. The play also features 12-year-old Brook Nevins as Katrin’s sister Dagmar; Savannah Carberry, an 8th grader at Portsmouth Christian Academy, as Christine; Andrew Bennington as brother Nels; Nash Tasker as Arne; and newcomer Chris Dunmyer.

Director Carol Seely describes the play as, “first and foremost, about family and the relationships among family members. Each character is a unique individual, as well as being part of a wonderful family faced with all that families must endure to flourish and grow. It is a very unique look at everyday life with all the laughter and some tears that come with relationships.” Award-winning set designer, Francois Lamothe, with set decorator Kristin St. Hilaire and her crew, and set builder Tom Dunnington, have managed to construct “a workable set” within the size constraints of the Garrison Players Arts Center stage. The period costumes were designed and constructed by talented costumer, Barbara Rowe, Carol Davenport, and Cindel Lamothe.

Tickets, at $18 for adults and $12 for students, are available online at www.garrisonplayers.org, or by calling 603-750-4ART. Show times are 8pm for evening performances, and 3pm for Sunday matinees.

Garrison Players is a nonprofit, volunteer-based community theatre group dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the area by presenting high-quality theatrical performances geared for family audiences. Established in 1953, the players encourage people of all ages to enjoy and participate in the many facets of the performing arts; and to help maintain the Garrison Players Arts Center. For more information about auditions, shows, or the Garrison Players, visit the website at www.garrisonplayers.org.

Photo's by Alexandra Roberts

Rivermill Putting Dover on Seacoast Marriage Map

DOVER, NH - It’s no secret that Dover, New Hampshire is a city on the move. In recent months, Dover has not only emerged as New Hampshire’s fastest growing city, but has also been heralded as one of CNN/Money Magazine’s Top 100 Best Places to Live in America and one of the America’s Promise Alliance’s 100 Best Communities for Young People.

Now, thanks to three prestigious awards garnered by Rivermill at Dover Landing, Dover is also quickly becoming a premier destination for weddings.

“We knew from the outset that Rivermill had the potential to be a huge success,” notes Britt Schuman, one of the entrepreneurs who comprise the Rivermill ownership team, “but we certainly didn’t expect to win three awards in our first year of existence. Needless to say, we’re both flattered and grateful to be receiving so much positive attention.”

Expected or not, the early accolades keep coming for the young business. Wedding Wire, a national wedding and event web site, presented Rivermill with a “Best Wedding Venue” award for the Boston Market, based on reviews from clients and wedding vendors). As recently as January, Rivermill was also selected as a 2012 winner in “The Knot Best of Weddings,” a special section in “The Knot” magazine and the “Weddings from The Knot” web site (NYSE: XOXO; www.theknot.com), the number-one wedding resource that’s most trusted by brides.

Closer to home, Rivermill was honored by local non-profit Dover Main Street with their highly coveted “Community Reinvestment Award,” recognizing not only the artful restoration of an historic space, but also the ownership team’s determined efforts to draw visitors to the downtown area.

“This is not an award that we give out very often,” acknowledges Carrie Eisner, Executive Director at Dover Main Street. “We awarded it to Rivermill because of the scope of their project, and because they’ve already done so much for local area businesses. They’re truly in this for the betterment of the Dover business community as much as they are for themselves.”

To Eisner’s point, Lafrance Hospitality, the group that manages three of Dover’s largest hotels - the Comfort Inn & Suites, Homewood Suites and the Hampton Inn - is one of a number of area businesses that has been directly impacted by Rivermill’s success.

“Wedding parties typically book anywhere from ten to thirty rooms, and often for multiple nights,” says Jennifer Lerz, Regional Sales Director at Lafrance Hospitality. “When one business suddenly begins to send you that many guests on a weekly basis, it obviously makes a tremendous difference. We’re extremely pleased to have Rivermill here in Dover, and I know that a lot of other local businesses are benefiting as well.”

Is it any wonder? After all, the wedding industry isn’t a multi-billion dollar business for nothing. Caterers, hair stylists, hotels, cake makers, disk jockeys, makeup artists, photographers, bands, limousines, florists and rental companies are just a few of the many businesses who have a significant stake in the local wedding scene.

Local DJ Nate Downs has capitalized on the positive ripple effect created by Rivermill, booking several events in the early going, and with more inquiries and bookings coming every week.

“It’s been absolutely amazing for me,” says Downs. “It started with a single Rivermill booking and a favorable review from the client, and from there it’s just snowballed into a lot of business for me. The best part is that I live right here in Dover, so instead of traveling to the premier venues around the state like I’m used to doing, there’s now a premier venue in my own back yard.”

While Rivermill’s early success is impressive, it isn’t necessarily surprising when one considers the facts.

For starters, Dover is not only thriving, but as the nation’s seventh oldest permanent settlement, it is also unusually historic. Unlike many venues that suffer from the generic, “ballroom USA” look and feel, Rivermill places Dover’s unique heritage on full display. Its exposed brick and beam construction, towering windows and spectacular views give it a sense of metropolitan trendiness without sacrificing its New England charm.

In addition to its distinctive character, Rivermill’s downtown, riverside location is also a huge plus for couples looking to wow their wedding guests. Not only is the venue footsteps away from Dover’s finest restaurants and nightlife, but Dover itself is conveniently situated in close proximity to major highways and airports, and offers visitors easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, the White Mountains, and attractive tourist locales such as Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Boston, Massachusetts and Portland, Maine. Dover even serves as one of just three New Hampshire stops for the Amtrak Downeaster, a commuter train that shuttles between Boston and Portland.

Pair these inimitable features with a dynamic ownership team and a host of talented local vendors – all of whom are fair game for brides and grooms to choose from thanks to Rivermill’s “have it your way” philosophy – and suddenly this overnight success story seems more like the inevitable result of thorough planning and fortuitous timing.

For a tour of the Rivermill space, or to book an event, please visit www.rivermillnh.com.

• Dover residents can expect to see lots of brides and grooms in the downtown area, as the award-winning Rivermill at Dover Landing venue is rapidly turning Dover into a premier wedding destination.
• Located in the Picker Building adjacent to One Washington Center, the artfully restored Rivermill at Dover Landing can accommodate up to 350 guests, and includes space for wedding ceremonies as well as receptions.
• Lofty ceilings, exposed brick and beam construction, and soaring windows that offer expansive park and river views are just a few of the natural features that have helped Rivermill at Dover Landing attract dozens of soon-to-be-wed couples to the Dover area.

News from City of Dover

Citizen Speak-Out Session slated for Feb. 23

City Councilor Michael Crago will host a "Citizen Speak-Out Session" at Langdon Place on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012, at 7 p.m. Langdon Place is located on Middle Road.

The session is intended to promote and encourage constructive feedback from residents, as well as provide an opportunity for residents to voice concerns to City Councilors and City staff, according to Councilor Crago.

Crago will be joined by other members of the City Council, as well as City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr., and City department heads.

The session is open to all.

For more information, contact Councilor Crago at m.crago@dover.nh.gov.

Still time for public comment on potentially costly new EPA regulations

The Environmental Protection Agency recently held a public hearing in Dover on potentially costly new regulations that could force Dover's sewer rates to spike.

The EPA is proposing to add nitrogen discharge limits to Dover's new wastewater treatment plant permit. If that happens, Dover's sewer rates will increase significantly, depending on the nitrogen limit established in the new permit. The estimated cost of implementing the new EPA regulations is $25 million, which would cause sewer rates to double. A less costly approach that addresses nitrogen levels in Great Bay is supported by the City of Dover and a coalition of neighboring communities.

A public comment period on the proposed regulations remains open until March 5.

The public is encouraged to participate in the process.

The public hearing, as well as an informational video and workshop on the topic, can be seen on Channel 22 and online.

A page dedicated to the issue, including detailed information and video clips, can be found here.

The City Council has voted to support less expensive, alternative measures, including a strategy drafted by a coalition of neighboring communities. In addition, at a goal-setting session on Jan. 28, 2012, the City Council identified this issue as one of its top priorities.

For more information, contact Community Services at 516-6450.

Chamber of Commmerce to host forum on Dover trends

The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce's Government Affairs Committee will hold for a moderated forum focusing on the trends, economy, demographic changes, and the opportunities and challenges Dover faces in the future. The forum, "Dover: Fastest Growing City in the State; Challenges and Opportunities," will be held on Wednesday, March 14, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., at the McConnell Center.

Registration is $15 for Chamber members and $25 for nonembers. A continental breakfast will be provided.

For more information, visit the Chamber website at www.dovernh.org.

Dover Children's Home holds annual Bowl-A-Thon fundraiser

The fourth annual Dover Children's Home Bowl-a-Thon will be held on Sunday, Feb. 26, in 90-minute sessions at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Lane fees and bowling shoes will be free during the Bowl-A-Thon. Bowlers of all skill levels and ages are invited to participate. Prizes will be awarded each session for the best team theme outfits, most money raised, and highest score.

All funds raised will directly support the Children's Home.

Reserve a lane by contacting Donna at dcoraluzzo@doverchildrenshome.org or 742-4289, Ext. 12.

NHLRA Ski Day - Seeking raffle prizes

Upcoming Events for Zebra Crossings

Caregiver Conversation Series

Zebra Crossings and CHaD at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital are proud to be partnering together to bring this new workshop series to Dover and is open to anyone caring for a child with a chronic health condition.

The first workshop, Navigating Your Child's Chronic Health Condition, will be held on Thursday, March 8 from 6:30-8 pm at the McConnell Center in Dover. This interactive parent panel will provide an opportunity to share, care & learn from each other.

For more information or to register, please email Tammy Bond at tammy@zebra-crossings.org or call 603-312-2052.

Find new ways to support, network and advocate for your child!

A Night of Music/Silent Auction to Benefit Zebra Crossings

Our event, featuring local musicians Leo Ganley & Regina, will be held on Thursday, April 5 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm at Kelley’s Row in downtown Dover. Doors open at 6 pm with the music beginning at 6:30 pm. Enjoy a night out with family or friends while raising funds for Zebra Crossings’ programs benefiting children who have a chronic health condition. Tickets are only $15 and can be purchased by calling (603) 312-2052 or on-line at info@zebra-crossings.org.

The evening will include a silent auction offering many wonderful items including local gift certificates, a hotel stay, hand-crafted jewelry and furniture piece, as well as sporting event tickets.

About Zebra Crossings

Zebra Crossings, based at the McConnell Community Center, provides enrichment programs for children with a chronic health condition including but not limited to; asthma, diabetes, heart condition, epilepsy, seizure disorder, cystic fibrosis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Our programs, including day events, family retreats and overnight experiences are intentionally designed to further develop children’s skills, boost their independence and reduce fear and anxiety based upon their illness. They discover what they are capable of achieving through developing social and life skills and attitudes when they are facing difficult moments in life. We plan our activities primarily in the greater seacoast region of NH, including communities in southern ME and our aim is to expand throughout the state.

Relyco Offers Industry-Leading Paymode-X ACH Payment Processing and Rebate Software as a Service

Relyco, a leading provider of value-added business printing and payment solutions, announced the introduction of Paymode-X electronic ACH payment processing and rebate software powered by Bottomline Technologies to its lineup of payment solution products. Paymode-X is a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution that helps organizations to easily and securely convert from paper to electronic ACH payments – enabling them to reduce cost, streamline operations, and turn Accounts Payable into a profit center through a dividend rebate program.

The Paymode-X solution is targeted toward medium-to-large-sized enterprises, including Fortune 500 companies, state and local governments, and companies in the $100 million-and-up revenue range.

Relyco will officially launch the Paymode-X software in this upcoming Webinar:

Title: Making Accounts Payable a Profit Center: Through Ground-breaking ACH Payment and Rebate Software

When: February 29, 2012 at 1:00PM EST

To Register: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/971422838

“For more than 20 years, Relyco has been an expert in secure check printing and processing solutions. Our customers rely on us to guide them to best payment solutions for their business,” said Bruce Steinberg, senior vice president of sales for Relyco. “More and more customers are now looking for electronic methods for payments and we chose Paymode-X as a best-of-breed solution. With Paymode-X, our customers will not only save money by transitioning to electronic payments, but they will also have the opportunity to make money with a very compelling rebate program.”

Paper-to-Electronic Conversion Starts Instantly

With more than 150,000 companies enrolled in the Paymode-X network, organizations can convert significant portions of their paper-based payments to electronic transactions immediately. In fact, most new payers find that one in three of their strategic vendors are already enrolled—providing instant cost savings. Paymode-X clients typically convert 50-70 percent of their paper payments to electronic within the first 12-16 weeks of implementation.

Dividend Rebate Program Turns Accounts Payable into Profit Center

Paymode-X offers a unique, incremental profit center for an organization’s Accounts Payable department via the software’s dividend model. Organizations are realizing a combined savings and earnings in the hundreds of thousands of dollars range.

Benefits of paying electronically with Paymode-X include:

Convert from paper to electronic payments and remittances advice painlessly

Turn Accounts Payable into a profit center through vendor rebates

Build stronger payer-vendor relationships

Streamline payment processes to reduce operational and transactional costs, delays, processing errors and bank fees

Seize early payment discount opportunities

Protect against payment fraud

Achieve greater control and predictability of cash flows to optimize working capital

No capital expense on customer side

Availability, Information, and Pricing

Paymode-X is available through Relyco now. For more product information, pricing, and to set up a Paymode-X demo, visit the Relyco Paymode-X web page, call 1-800-777-7359, or email info@relyco.com.

Rebel Chef Cafe & Catering After-Hours

GRAND OPENING of the After-Hours Pub

Wednesday, Feb. 15th 4:00-7:00pm (TONIGHT!)

The bar is now open!! The menu has expanded along with the addition of great games and 2 pool tables. The Rebel Chef Cafe in the historic Cocheco Mills is now the place to stop by for an after work drink and a bite to eat.

We've got games:

Pool tables

Basketball

Dart Boards

Lights Out

And THE coolest Juke Box you've ever seen!

This is a sample of our new extended pub menu:

Stuffed Breads: Steak & Cheese or Spinach & Artichoke

Wings & Rings

Brushetta

Homemade Chips-n-Dip

5 different Beef Sliders

Espinaca

Great beers and wines are available - come on by for our GRAND OPENING! We'll see you on Wednesday, February 15th from 4-7pm

Our regular hours will be:

Monday: 11:00am to 2:00pm

Tuesday - Friday: 11:00am to 7:00pm

Rebel Chef Cafe Location:

Cocheco Falls Millworks, 383 Central Avenue, 3rd Floor, Suite 300, Dover NH

Driving Directions/Parking Dover street parking is metered until 7pm. Please use the Central Falls Entrance located behind the TD Bank North in Downtown Dover. Take the elevator to the 3rd Floor.

More Info

Contact: Rebel Chef Cafe: mailto:rebelchefcatering@gmail.com?subject=Rebel%20Chef%20Cafe

Call 603-396-1637

Federal Savings Bank Recognizes Christine Baker

Federal Savings Bank President & CEO, James J. O’Neill, Jr. is pleased to recognize Christine Baker on achieving the designation of Accredited ACH Professional (AAP). The AAP accreditation is recognized as the gold standard in ACH excellence, an accomplishment shared by only 4,000 people in the United States.

In order to obtain this important accreditation, Christine spent numerous hours studying all aspects of ACH processing including the rules and regulations of the National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA), and successfully completed the extremely difficult examination, on her first try.

Baker joined Federal Savings bank in 2006 and was promoted to ACH Administrator in 2010. Her vast knowledge of all areas of banking contribute to her success as an ACH professional.

“Christine is a true asset to Federal Savings Bank and I am proud to recognize her hard work and dedication in achieving this title,” said O’Neill. National AAP Recognition Day is celebrated annually in February, and recognizes the importance of the AAP accreditation to AAPs nationwide. “This year, we will be celebrating locally, in honor of our very own Federal Savings Bank team member,” O’Neill added.

Children’s Museum of NH hosts Kids’ Clothing and Gear Consignment Sale

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is hosting a major Consignment Sale of children’s clothing and gear on March 31 and April 1, 2012. This sale will offer gently used, good quality children’s clothes, baby clothes and gear, footwear, costumes, toys, nursery furniture and décor, sports equipment, books, music, and videos at outstanding prices. Maternity wear will also be available. People who consign items will earn 60% of the revenue from their sold items. The remaining net proceeds will benefit the Children’s Museum of NH and its vital education and outreach programs.

The sale will be open to the public at the Museum’s 6 Washington Street location on Saturday, March 31 from 12 noon – 7 pm and on Sunday, September 11 from 12 noon – 5 pm. Sunday will be a half-price sale on many items. There will also be a private pre-sale event on Saturday morning from 9 am - noon for people who consign 25 items or more, or who register to volunteer at the sale.

“We got such a great response to our first consignment sale last fall, we decided to make it a semi-annual event,” said Justine Roberts, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire. “We love it because consignment sales not only help families recoup some of the money they’ve spent on kids’ clothes and accessories, but they also help other families in the community, promote recycling and provide support for our museum, which serves the entire region.”

The Children’s Museum’s consignment sale makes use of technology to streamline the process of consigning items, scheduling volunteers and automating sales. “People interested in consigning can go to our website and click through to a page where they can log in all the items they want to sell,” Roberts explained. “When all of their items are entered, the program will print out a page of bar-coded tags that can be cut out and attached to each item before being dropped off for the sale. Clothing will all be organized by size to make shopping easier, and the tags clearly state the brand and price of each item. We use hand-held bar-code scanners for easy check-out, then consignors can log in and see which of their items sold and how much money they have earned. Volunteers can also sign up right at our website.”

At the conclusion of the sale, consignors may pick up their unsold items or sign-off to have the Children’s Museum donate unsold items to local charities.

For more information about the Consignment Sale, please click on the Consignment Sale link on the museum’s homepage at www.childrens-museum.org.

Feeling the Pressure?

Are you feeling the pressure because you don’t know your numbers? If you don’t know your numbers you should! It could save your life.

“Your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers are really important can help you keep your heart healthy,” says Registered Nurse Donna Chouinard, director of clinical services at The Homemakers Health Services. “Consider them to be heart health barometers; if they’re too high, you could get into trouble.

If you don’t know your numbers don’t worry, The Homemakers Health Services will make it really easy for you to find out.

“The Homemakers Health Services has teamed up with NorDx Laboratories to launch our “Feel the Pressure” campaign. We’re gathering up our blood pressure cuffs and our cholesterol capabilities and we’re hitting the road to bring heart health awareness to you,” says LeeAnn Lajoie, community liaison with The Homemakers. “Throughout the month of February – American Heart Health Month – members of The Homemakers professional health care teams will provide free blood pressure checks at select locations throughout Rockingham, Strafford and Carroll counties.”

In addition, NorDx will provide certificates for those participating in the blood pressure clinics to receive a complimentary cholesterol screening at any one of its Seacoast locations. All participants of the blood pressure clinics will also receive a “Know Your Numbers” card from the NH Heart Association as well as informational materials regarding heart health.”

“High blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because there are no symptoms associated with it and most people are unaware that they have the condition,” says Chouinard. “It affects one in three adults in the Granite State; and left untreated, high blood pressure along with high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking accounts for 85 percent of our risk of having a heart attack or stroke which are the #1 causes of death in New Hampshire. That’s a pretty concerning statistic and The Homemakers and NorDx Laboratories think it’s time to step up and do something about it.”

“The health of our community is important to us,” says Scott Taggersell, director at NorDx . “We believe that knowledge is power and that good health starts with being informed and taking care of yourself. If you know your numbers then you can make healthy decisions and get the help you need before your well-being is at risk.”

“After all most heart disease and strokes are preventable,” adds Chouinard. “If you know your numbers and you modify a few things in your life, like diet and exercise, it will go a long way towards keeping your heart healthy. This is all about avoiding long term cardiac health issues, debilitating strokes and sad to say, premature death. We feel that people in communities throughout New Hampshire should know their numbers because they deserve to be healthy, they deserve to live long and happy lives.”

According to Lajoie, in conjunction with our “Feel the Pressure” campaign, The Homemakers will be hosting “The Amazing Heart Race” Facebook Contest.

“Each day, on our Facebook page, The Homemakers will post a picture of our “Amazing Heart” with a clue pointing to where we provided blood pressure screenings that day,” says Lajoie. “The person to guess the most correct places The Homemakers’ Amazing Heart has been throughout the month will win a hand-thrown Rock Garden Pottery bowl filled with heart healthy snacks.”

If you’re business or organization would like to host an on-site blood pressure clinic, contact LeeAnn Lajoie at 335-1770, 114 or llajoie@thehomemakers.org.

People's United Community Foundation

People’s United Community Foundation Grantee Recognition

What: People’s United Community Foundation will recognize their first quarter 2012 grant recipients in New Hampshire during a brief recognition ceremony and check presentation. A light breakfast will also be served.

Who: People’s United Bank will host the event on behalf of People’s United Community Foundation. Grant recipients, along with foundation and bank representatives, will be available for photos and comments.

Why: People’s United Community Foundation awarded $46,500 in grants to nonprofit organizations in New Hampshire for the first quarter of 2012.

When: Friday, February 24, 2012 @ 10:00 a.m.

Where:
People’s United Bank, Board Room

1750 Elm Street, Suite 110

Manchester, NH

Media Contact: Kathy Schirling

People’s United Bank

Director of Marketing and Community Services, and People’s United Community Foundation Liaison

Kathleen.Schirling@peoples.com

Phone: 802-660-1363

People's United Bank Unveils New Brand Messaging

Launches Campaign with Super Bowl Ad on Local NBC Networks

People's United Bank, subsidiary of People's United Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: PBCT), announced that they are launching a new marketing and advertising campaign based on research conducted with customers, employees and other stakeholders. The campaign highlights the traits of “empathy” and “expertise” that, as the market research demonstrated, characterize People’s United among its constituents.

The bank is unveiled the new brand messaging on Feb. 5 in a television commercial directed by Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. The first of two advertisements debuted on NBC networks across New England during Super Bowl XLVI. They feature the new People’s United tagline: What know-how can do SM.

The new tagline reflects how the bank’s customers described their experience with People’s United – one in which empathy and expertise combined to create results. The term “know-how” uniquely captured the pragmatic planning and problem-solving approach they’ve come to see as the bank’s signature style and approach to a customer relationship.

The new commercials tell stories that illustrate that spirit of “know-how.” They follow a typical People’s United banker who, on the way to work, observes and solves small problems and helps people along the way, cheerfully and without hesitation.

“Our new brand messaging is about being genuine,” said Jack Barnes, President and Chief Executive Officer of People’s United. “It reflects our 170-year commitment to bring, not only experience, knowledge and proficiency to the table, but to do so in a productive and a personalized way,” Barnes said.

“We are the largest independent bank headquartered in New England,” he noted. “Our size and strength, along with our local leadership and local decision-making, are certainly important components of a customer’s decision to bank with us. There is, however, more to a choice as important as your personal or business banking relationship. In our case, customers are consistently impressed by the ‘know-how’ and ‘can do’ attitude of our employees. We are especially pleased with how our employees have embraced the new brand messaging because they are, above all, the ones who bring the brand to life with our customers every day.”

People’s United worked with its partner, The VIA Agency of Portland, ME to translate customers’ experiences into the new campaign.

The new tagline and brand messaging is being introduced at People’s United locations; in print, radio and TV media; on billboards; at the company website at peoples.com and on the bank’s Twitter and Facebook sites. The rollout will take place across the bank’s footprint over the next several months.

Family Legacy Photo Session from Photography by Carin

Federal Savings Bank Announces Staff Promotions

Federal Savings Bank President and CEO, James J. O’Neill, Jr., is pleased to announce the promotions of Kristen Collins, Tiffany Melanson and Kelly Glennon.

Kristen Collins has been named Vice President and Director of Human Resources. Collins is responsible for managing the Bank’s HR functions including employee benefits and compliance with federal and state laws. She is a graduate of the University of Maine and recently completed the Northern New England School of Financial Studies. Collins is an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management and the Seacoast Human Resource Association.

Tiffany Melanson has been promoted to the position of Marketing Manager and will be responsible for managing the Bank’s marketing and public relations initiatives including image and branding campaigns and corporate donations. Melanson is a graduate of the University of Maine, the Northern New England School of Financial Studies and is currently enrolled in the American Bankers Association’s School of Bank Marketing and Management.

Kelly Glennon will assume the role of Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management and will work to develop a comprehensive process for assessing, identifying, monitoring and reducing pertinent business risks that could impact the Bank’s short and long term goals. Glennon has worked for Federal Savings Bank for 15 years is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and the National Graduate School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania.

“Federal Savings Bank is fortunate to employ some of the most experienced bankers in the region. I view our employees as the bank’s greatest asset and these well deserved promotions are a reflection of the hard work and commitment demonstrated by our employees on a daily basis,” according to O’Neill.

5 Green Tips from Green Alliance and Henningsen Inspections

This week’s tips come from Ed Henningsen, owner of Henningsen Inspections. Enjoy and be sure to share with others on Facebook and Twitter!

1. Turning down your programmable thermostat by 1 degree will save 25-30 gallons of heating oil a year. For about $100 you can buy a great programmable thermostat. Select a comfortable temperature for when you’re home, and set it to 60F when you’re at work or sleeping. It is a myth that you’ll burn more fuel heating the house up.

2. Heat loss through attic hatches and knee wall doors can account for 1 to 3% of your annual heating costs. Glue 4” to 6” of rigid insulation on the cold side of the hatch or door, install gasketing between the door and molding, and use latches to keep the hatch or door tight against the gasket.

3. Use low temperature settings on your washing machine – preferably the cold water cycle – and use cold rinses. Also be sure to wash full loads, which cost less than two low or medium-sized loads.

4. Remove window air conditioners during the winter. If this isn’t practical, install insulated covers that are tight to the siding. This will save you 2% to 3% on annual heating costs.

5. Want to know where your house is losing energy? When frost or snow is covering your roof, it’s easy to see: Just look for the bare spots. For every bare spot there is a source of heat that is melting the frost of snow. Now go inside and fix the leak!

St. Thomas Aquinas High School Hosts Blood Drive

Joon Choi, international student from Korea, volunteers at the 2011 American Red Cross Blood Drive held at St. Thomas Aquinas High School. (last year's blood drive)

American Red Cross Celebrates “Red Cross Month” in March

March is Red Cross Month, a time to recognize those who volunteer their time in the spirit of neighbor helping neighbor. It’s also a good time to help save a life by giving blood.

Every day, blood helps people in need - accident victims, cancer patients and people with chronic medical conditions. Please join the ranks of silent heroes in our community who give blood regularly. It’s convenient, it’s easy and it will make you feel great.

Please consider donating at the following American Red Cross Blood Drive:

Friday, March 16th

At St. Thomas Aquinas High School – 197 Dover Point Road, Dover, NH

Donors can give the gift of life between 8:10 am to 12:30 pm.

Celebrate Red Cross Month with your gift of life.

Miracles happen when you give blood. To find out more, call the Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE LIFE .

Winter Magic at the Dover Public Library

Looking for something to do with your children during school vacation week, February 27-March 3? The staff of the Dover Public Library Children’s Room invites you to take a break from the cold and stop in to experience some Winter Magic.

On Tuesday, February 28 at 10:30am, magician Greg McAdams of Team Magic will be here to entertain us with his “Magic of Winter” show, sponsored by the Friends of the Dover Public Library. Greg has been performing magic tricks since he was eight years old and now performs an average of thirty shows a month entertaining and educating well over 3,000 children per year throughout New England. His shows include magic tricks, hilarious comedy, family-friendly jokes and gags, audience participation and very funny puppetry. There is no advance registration required and admission is free!

On Wednesday, February 29 at 10:30am, Miss Kimberly will present a special drop-in story time with a magic theme. All ages are welcome to attend.

Children are also invited to make a magic wand at our “Make-it, Take-it” craft table anytime during this week and join us for free Saturday matinees: “Puss in Boots” on February 27 and “Hugo” on March 3. Both films are rated PG and will show in the Lecture Hall at 2pm.

Laconia Savings Bank Opens in Manchester!

Ashley St. Laurent, Bank Services Representative; Mary Beth White, AVP - Office Manager; Cheryl Whalen, Bank Services Representative; Peter Cwiklinski, Bank Services Representative, Mary Mattson, VP - Commercial Services.

Laconia Savings Bank is proud to join the Manchester community by opening a new office located at 705 Hooksett Road. On Monday, February 6, the new Office opened its doors and welcomed new customers. Stop by between now and February 28, 2012 to enter to win one of several great prizes such as an iPad, 40” TV or a $100 VISA gift card.

Also as part of the Grand Opening, on Friday, February 17, 95.7 WZID will be broadcasting live at the Manchester Office from 11 am – 1 pm. Stop in for lunch and enter to win one of a dozen prizes such as Manchester Monarchs suite tickets, Palace Theatre tickets, local gift certificates and much more that will be drawn throughout the business day.

Visit www.laconiasavings.com/manchester or call the Manchester Office at (603)626-1301 to learn about all of Laconia Savings Bank’s grand opening events, great product specials and raffle prizes.

Take a Canal Boat Holiday to England at the Dover Library

The Friends of the Dover Public Library are pleased to present a delightful travelogue program entitled “A Canal Boat Holiday in England” by Dover resident Wen Houle on Tuesday, February 21 at 7pm in the Lecture Hall.

Wen recently had the pleasure of going to England for the first time and joining a women's excursion trip on a narrowboat. Renting such a vessel and cruising on the canals and rivers of England's countryside is a popular vacation for both the English and tourists alike. In fact, some people live on these boats! Cruisers may set their own (slow) pace, operate the locks, and moor anywhere along the route to explore the quaint towns (and pubs of course) alongside the British waterways. Although it was a working trip, it was an educational and fun experience for the whole group and Wen’s talk and accompanying slides will cover all the highlights of her trip.

Wen Houle was born in Taiwan, and lived in Montreal, Canada before settling in New England. She has a B.S. in Mathematics and Biology from Boston College and an MBA from the University of New Hampshire. She works at the Center for International Education at UNH.

This program is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the Dover Public Library at 603-516-6050.

Service Credit Union holds Concord Grand Opening

Service Credit Union celebrated the opening of its 38th branch worldwide, 21st in New Hampshire and 8th inside Walmart stores on February 2nd.

The new full-service banking institution with a deposit-taking ATM is located on 344 Loudon Road in Concord inside Walmart. The Concord branch opened in the latter part of 2011.

“This expansion would not have been possible without the support of the business leaders and residents of the Concord community,” says Gordon Simmons, President/CEO of Service Credit Union. “Convenience is important to members and this new location provides them with easy access.”

At the Grand Opening, Simmons acknowledged the storied history of New Hampshire’s capital city and thanked the community for welcoming Service Credit Union.

“Concord’s new location enhances Service Credit Union’s footprint of unparalleled financial services and convenience Service Credit Union currently provides,” Simmons added.

The full-service branch offers complete banking services, mortgages, consumer loans, and a full-service ATM. The hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. until 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Service Credit Union has a long history in New Hampshire. In 1957, a group of eight men signed an agreement to establish Portsmouth Air Force Base Federal Credit Union, which eventually became Service Credit Union. The credit union has grown tremendously through the years including the addition of three other New Hampshire branch locations in 2011.

Service Credit Union offers enhanced products and services, such as surcharge-free ATMs, free ATMs, free debit card usage, getting paid up to two days early, instantly-issued Visa® Credit and Debit Cards, loan discounts, low auto loan rate guarantee, shared branching and 7-day banking at all Walmart locations. Plus, members can enjoy a comprehensive suite of online services including bill pay, mobile web banking, apps for the iPhone and Android, SMS text messaging, an online financial management system and online TurboTax products.

Exploring Our Way Autism Program at Children’s Museum

On Sunday, February 12 from 10 am – noon, the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire will welcome families with children on the autism spectrum as part of Exploring Our Way, the Children’s Museum of NH’s Autism Partnership Program.

Exploring Our Way is usually held on the second Sunday of each month from 10 am – noon at the Children’s Museum of NH. At each Exploring Our Way session, families with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders are invited to visit the museum at no cost. A different regional expert will be on hand at each session to answer questions and provide resources to families,

Upcoming Exploring Our Way programs will be held on:

Tuesday, April 24, 5:30 – 7:30 pm (special evening session)

Sunday, May 13, 10 am - noon

Sunday, June 10, 10 am - noon

Paula Rais, Director of Community Engagement for the Children’s Museum of NH, stated that the program has been very well received. “Since we began, we have been averaging nearly 100 people at each monthly session,” she said. “Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. We are delighted to be able to provide a community setting where the whole family feels comfortable and has fun together.”

Exploring Our Way takes place when the Children’s Museum is closed to the public and offers families a chance to explore the museum together, with support as needed from museum staff, trained volunteers, and special materials that include mapping tools and social stories. No reservations are necessary, and families are welcome to stay and play after the museum opens to the public at noon.

The program began in March 2010 with inaugural funding from the Cogswell Benevolent Trust. For more information, please contact program coordinator Paula Rais at paula@childrens-museum.org

Garrison Players Auditions

Garrison Players, the Dover area’s all-volunteer community theatre group, will hold auditions for two upcoming shows, “6 Rms Riv Vu” to be staged in May, and “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which will open in November.

Auditions for “6 Rms Riv Vu,” a romantic comedy directed by Donna Phofolos, will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, March 19 and from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, at the Garrison Players Arts Center, Route 4, Rollinsford. "Sides" will be available for all interested actors before the audition dates. They can be picked up at the Arts Center on March 12-15 and 17, after 6:00 p.m.

The play, which features roles for four women and four men of various ages, is about a couple who have never met before and find themselves locked in a vacant Manhattan apartment that they both wish to rent. An unexpected connection forms between them, and sharing their life experiences leads to a mutual attraction that drives the story. The play will be performed on May 18-20 and 25-27.

Auditions for “Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be held on Saturday March 17 from 12.30pm to 3.30pm and Thursday March 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and are open to everyone, no matter the age or experience. All roles are available, with the possibility of some “non-traditional” casting. Director Tim Robinson says, “If Shakespeare frightens the life out of you do not worry! There will be a session aimed at demystifying The Bard and his language before rehearsals start.”

Auditioners are requested to come comfortably dressed, as they may be asked to dance, and they should prepare a10-line monologue from any of Shakespeare’s plays. Robinson adds, “Some of the characters will need to dance and play musical instruments. If you can do those things well, that’s a bonus, but mostly the characters will be expected to do both comically and badly! If you can juggle, somersault, eat-fire (just kidding there) or something similar, that too, would be of interest.”

Monologue auditions for “Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be individual in 5-minute time slots, so auditioners are asked to call 603-948-2796 or email whollyterra@hotmail.com for a time.