Children's Museum offers Environmental Arts Camp

Kids who are curious about art and nature have a great opportunity to learn more about both subjects during New Hampshire’s April school vacation week.

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover is offering an Environmental Arts Camp for kids ages 7-10 from Tuesday, April 24 – Thursday, April 26. This half-day camp will meet from 9:30 am – noon at the Children’s Museum on all three days.

Environmental Arts Camp activities and experiences will be led by Museum educators, guest artists and local scientists. Highlights will include drawing with a scientific illustrator, exploring the world of insects with an entomologist, and learning about local wildlife and their habitats.

Registration for Environmental Arts Camp is now open. The fee is $80 for Children’s Museum members and $90 for non-members. Camp class size is limited to 12 children. To register, please call Lauren Foxall at the Children’s Museum of NH at 603-742-2002 during weekday business hours. More information on all Children’s Museum programs can be found at www.childrens-museum.org.

SCA Seeks Website Volunteer

The Seacoast Chamber Alliance (SCA), made up of the Chambers of Commerce in Exeter, Dover, Hampton, Portsmouth, Rochester, and Somersworth seeks a volunteer (person or agency) with Word Press expertise to update and maintain the SCA website.

The SCA website should adequately provide the following;

1. A HUB for the marketing and promotion of the annual Seacoast Business Expo including all booth sign up and attendance registrations
2. A VEHICLE to provide updates to our collective memberships on the Healthcare Purchasing Alliance Progress
3. A TRACKING MECHANISM for sign ups for a future Energy Savings Program
4. RECOGNIZE sponsors/supporters of SCA events

Volunteer/Agency must have extensive word press experience, be a self starter that can function with little oversight, have the capacity to work from home with own computer.

Nathan Walker presents "Scrap Sculpture" Workshop at Children's Museum of NH

Artist Nathan Walker, center, poses in front of his Giant Blue Crab sculpture with young visitors at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire.

Fans of the Giant Blue Crab outside the Children’s Museum of NH have a unique opportunity to learn about sculpture from the crab’s creator. On Saturday, April 14 from 10:30 am - noon, Seacoast-based artist Nathan Walker is offering an adult-child workshop to make Bug Bottle Bot sculptures from a variety of scrap materials.

Working together as a team, each adult-and-child pair will start by making a sketch of an idea for an insect they’d like to create. Nathan will guide participants in constructing their ‘scrap insect’ using a bottle, can or jug for the body and adding other materials to finish it off. Due to the nature of the materials and techniques that will be used, this workshop is recommended for children ages 7 and up with adult supervisions. Pre-registration for this workshop is required.

The cost for this 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. Class size is limited to 12 adult-child pairs.

Born in New England, Nathan Walker had a passion for art from an early age. He studied sculpture at the University of New Hampshire, pursued animation with the Associates of Art in Los Angeles, discovered environmental art in Australia, and finished his degree in illustration at Montserrat College of Art. He currently works as a freelance illustrator and visiting artist, with projects that extend from children’s books and murals to graphic design and sculpture. More information on his work can be found at www.nathanwalker.net.

Jewelry Creations Invites YOU to 'Steal the Deals' First!

HRCU Celebrates 50th Anniversary by Honoring Founders

President & CEO Brian Hughes, Simonne Hamman, Norby Hamman, Chairman of the Board of Directors Dana R. Flanders (L-R)

Holy Rosary Credit Union (HRCU) recently celebrated its 50th anniversary at its 2011 Annual Meeting at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish Center.

HRCU commemorated the milestone with a look back at its rich history while also highlighting a strong 2011 campaign that saw tremendous growth and record levels in assets, deposits and loans. Over 175 attendees flocked to the event, marking the largest crowd at an annual meeting in the credit union’s history.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our 50th anniversary and honor our founders than to do so in record numbers,” said President and CEO of HRCU, Brian Hughes. “2011 was a milestone year for HRCU and it is evident that even in these trying times, we will continue to thrive because of the values and commitment to service that this credit union was founded on.”

The event was highlighted by the commemoration of HRCU’s founders and families, as awards were individually presented for their role in the establishment of the credit union by Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dana R. Flanders and Hughes. HRCU founders, Bob Chasse and Gerry Gravel of Rochester, were both present at the meeting and were each honored for their services. Also in attendance at the event was Ron Burton, New Hampshire Commissioner of Banks, congratulating HRCU on its 50th anniversary.

Accepting awards on behalf of the remaining founders were; Simonne Hamman and her son Norby of Rochester for her husband Rodolphe, Michael Paradis of Sanbornville for his father Lucien, Gloria Roy of Rochester for her husband J. Paul Roy, Jean Gill of Somersworth for his uncle Monsignor Gilles Simard, and Doris St. Pierre for her aunt Angeline St. Pierre.

Also honored at the meeting were those sharing in the production of “Comme d’ Or,” a book that highlights the history of the credit union, the credit union movement and the Franco-American culture in Rochester. Michael Behrendt, Rochester’s City Planner and author of the book along with Lucien Gagne and Donna Claveau were all recipients of plaques for their work on the project. “Comme d’ Or” is available for purchase at any branch and on Amazon.com and 100 percent of the book’s proceeds will be donated to local charities and awarded later this year.

Additionally, board members re-elected to three-year terms were James Brock, Nancy Gilbert and Kathleen Simoneau. Members re-elected to three-year terms with the Supervisory Committee were Daniel Connelly, Don Doyon and Connie Hamann. Supervisory Committee member, Rachel Gilman, was elected to a two-year term to fill Kathleen Simoneau’s unexpired term. The event also featured a book signing by Behrendt and marked the release of HRCU’s annual report, which featured highlights of 2011, a timeline of the credit union’s history and financial condition, as well as a personal message from President and CEO Brian Hughes.

For more information, contact Anthony DeAngelis at (603) 332-6840, ext. 2227.

Karol Smith Joins Laconia Savings Bank’s Retail Lending Team

Laconia Savings Bank is pleased to announce that Karol Smith has joined their team of Retail Lenders as a Mortgage Loan Officer. Karol will be serving the towns of Moultonborough, Center Harbor, Sandwich, Wolfeboro, Tuftonboro, Ossipee, Brookfield, Wakefield, and surrounding communities.

Karol joins Laconia Savings with more than 20 years of banking and finance experience. Her expertise has been in residential lending with extensive knowledge of the New Hampshire real estate market. Her focus is always on doing what works best for the customer and she is well versed in a full range of lending programs including first-time homebuyer programs, relocation homebuyer and vacation/second home buyers market.

A graduate of Bay Path College in Massachusetts, Karol relocated to the Lakes Region of New Hampshire in 1983, where she and her husband currently live. Karol is a long time member of the Lakes Region Board of Realtors and serves on the Affiliates Committee. She also volunteers with many fundraising activities for the Wolfeboro Area Children Center and several local food pantries.

For more information or to contact Karol, call (603)527-3385 (office) or (603)833-1246 (cell) or e-mail her at KSmith@laconiasavings.com.

5 Green Tips from EcoMovement and Green Alliance

1. Did you know that by composting you can offset the emissions from your car? Not to mention you'd be helping reduce the near 34 million tons of refuse that ends up in landfills every year!

2. We are the source of waste! Before you pick something off the shelf, imagine it as trash going to a landfull. Is it absolutely necessary?

3. Use recycled wood pallets to make a shelf, garden fence, coffee table, or even raised planting beds! Take a look around your office or neighborhood, they're everywhere!

4. If you switched from a paper cup to a reusable mug you'd be helping reduce 363 million pounds of solid waste caused by cups alone! Join the mug revolution! Some places will even give refill discounts!

5. Be part of the recycling loop! Purchase only items made from recycled materials. If you frequent a restaurant that isn't using compostable to-go items -- or isn't composting their food scraps at all -- let them know about EcoMovement's program!

HRCU Adds New Marketing Team to the Fold

Courtney Tyler and Anthony DeAngelis were named Holy Rosary Credit Union’s (HRCU) Assistant V.P. of Marketing and Sales and Marketing Coordinator, respectively, the institution recently announced.

The pair will be directly responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of HRCU’s marketing and public relations plan and will be expected to identify its needs and trends in order to utilize creative concepts and promote growth.

Tyler comes to HRCU after spending the last 15 years as Marketing Manager with Polygon, a global provider of property damage restoration, temporary humidity control and property performance services. In her time with Polygon, formerly the Munters Corporation, she oversaw the company’s marketing and publicity nationwide.

Joining Munters in August 1996, Tyler was directly responsible for implementing and spear-heading marketing campaigns while also recognizing and maximizing media exposure to stimulate company growth. Additionally, she was the Customer Support Center Manager from May 2002 until April 2011, supervising and directing the support team to deliver the highest quality service to clients. Tyler earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Plymouth State University in May 1994.

As for DeAngelis, he joins the HRCU team after spending the last five years at the University of New Hampshire as an Assistant Director in the Athletic Media and Public Relations department. He joined the staff on a full-time basis in September 2009 and was primarily responsible for the promotion and publicity of the men’s basketball, men’s soccer, women’s soccer and women’s swimming and diving programs.

Prior to UNH, he interned as a full-time reporter with the Eagle-Tribune newspaper (Derry, N.H.) from May 2007 to August 2007. DeAngelis returned to the Eagle-Tribune in August 2008 and has since served as a correspondent. DeAngelis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in both English/Journalism and Kinesiology: Sport Studies from UNH in May 2008.

For more information, contact Anthony DeAngelis at (603) 332-6840, ext. 2227.

Michael Johnson Joins Relyco as Vice President of ePayment Solutions

Johnson to lead company’s initiative to help transition customers from paper-based payments to electronic methods for accounts payable and payroll

Relyco, a leading provider of value-added business printing and payment solutions, today announced the hiring of Michael Johnson as vice president of ePayment solutions. Johnson joins Relyco to lead the company’s initiative to help transition customers from traditional methods of paper-based check payments to time and money saving electronic payment methods for accounts payable and payroll.

For more than 23 years, Relyco has been a premier supplier of laser checks and payment solutions. As an active member of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) ASC X9AB check processing committee, customers look to Relyco for expert advice. Recently, Relyco introduced new ePayment solutions that enable organizations to quickly set up electronic vendor payments and distributing payroll checks online.

• Paymode-X is the largest and fastest growing settlement network and makes paper-to-electronic migration fast, safe, and easy. Companies can make payments with unlimited digital remittance through the secure, Web-based portal, as well as, present purchase orders and receive and approve invoices.
• DocAgent is a secure online pay stub, W-2 and 1099 solution that significantly reduces operating expenses related to printing and delivering payroll stubs and tax documents.

“As our customers start to investigate electronic payment solutions, we need to leverage our payment and check expertise and focus on how our new software solutions can help them smoothly and cost-effectively make this transition,” said Michael Steinberg, president of Relyco. “We’re excited to have Mike join us to help us grow our ePayment solutions business as this is a very important market for the continued success of Relyco.”

Johnson brings over 27 years of extensive professional experience in senior management, sales and marketing programs, and business development to his new position at Relyco. Most recently, Johnson managed channel relationships and sales for Eastman Kodak Corporation’s digital print solutions and software through Ricoh. In his career, Johnson has held other management roles at companies including LexisNexis, Forsyte Associates, Xerox, and ADP.

For information about Relyco’s ePayment solutions, call today at 1-800-777-7359 or email info@relyco.com. To learn more, visit the product web pages for Paymode-X: http://www.relyco.com/Products/Paymode-X.aspx and DocAgent: http://www.relyco.com/Products/Online%20Paystub%20Software.aspx.

Cat in the Hat returns to Children's Museum

Mischief may be afoot in Dover on Saturday, April 7 as the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire hosts a visit from The Cat in the Hat.

The museum’s popular Books Alive program, underwritten by Irving Oil, will welcome Dr. Suess favorite The Cat in the Hat from 10 am – 2 pm. Museum staff will be reading Cat in the Hat tales aloud throughout the day. The friendly costumed cat will be popping in and out to greet children, exchange a hug or high-five, and pose for photos. There will be a variety of feline-inspired literacy, math and creative activities for children in the museum’s large classroom.

Adding to the family fun, musician/puppeteer Amy Conley will perform music on banjo, guitar, harmonica and more at 11 am and 1 pm. Amy has performed at hundreds of concerts and parties in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. This will be her first visit to the Children’s Museum in Dover. She has produced two CDs for children and is also the Director of Music Together of Milford and Greater Manchester/Nashua. More information on Amy can be found at www.AmyConleyMusic.com

All Books Alive activities are included with regular paid admission to the museum: $9 for adults and children over the age of 1 and $8 for seniors. Museum admission is free for Children’s Museum of NH members and children under 1 year old.

IRS Announces Major Expansion of "Fresh Start" Initiative

IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman announced a major expansion of the "Fresh Start" initiative in a press release dated March 7th, 2012. The Fresh Start initiative, first introduced in 2008 as a part of a larger program to help taxpayers address their tax liabilities, assists qualified taxpayers in three major areas: penalty relief, installment agreements, and offers in compromise.

Penalty Relief

Late-payment penalties (0.5% per month of the unpaid tax amount up to a maximum of 25%) are abated until October 15, 2012 as long as the tax, interest and any other penalties are paid by that date. Certain wage earners and self-employed individuals are given a six-month grace period for failure-to-pay penalties. The penalty relief will be available to wage earners who were unemployed for at least 30 consecutive days during 2011 or in 2012 (up to the April 15, 2012) and self-employed individuals who experienced a 25% or greater reduction in 2011 business income (compared to 2010) due to the economic downturn.

A qualifying taxpayer filing as single or head of household may not have Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) greater than $100,000. Married taxpayers who file jointly do not qualify if their AGI is more than $200,000. This penalty relief is restricted to taxpayers whose calendar year 2011 balance due (taxes owed less payments and withholding) does not exceed $50,000.

Tax returns must be filed timely. This means taxpayer(s) must file their returns by April 17, 2012 or file for an extension to October 15, 2012. Failure-to-file penalties will not be waived. New form 1127-A must be filed to qualify for relief.

Installment Agreements

The Fresh Start provisions also allow more taxpayers to qualify for installment agreements to pay taxes owed. Effective immediately, taxpayers owing taxes of $50,000 (double the previous threshold of $25,000) or less can begin an installment agreement without supplying the IRS with a financial statement. Qualified taxpayers who cannot pay the entire amounts owed by the due date may enter into a payment plan extending payments up to a maximum term of seventy-two months. Although penalties are reduced, interest continues to accrue on the outstanding balance. In addition, taxpayers must agree to monthly direct debit payments. Taxpayers can set up an agreement online at www.irs.gov by going to the online payment agreement (OPA) page and following the instructions.

Offers in Compromise

Liberalized rules for offers in compromise (agreements between taxpayers and the IRS to settle a taxpayer?s liability for less than the full amount owed) as set forth in the earlier Fresh Start remain in effect. Those changes allow more taxpayers to qualify and allow for some changes to the program to more closely reflect real-world situations.

According to Mr. Shulman, the changes to the Fresh Start initiative reflect the IRS? obligation to assist taxpayers struggling to pay their bills. "Our goal is to help people meet their obligations at get back on their feet financially," Shulman said. If you have questions about the Fresh Start Initiative and how it may apply to your financial situation, please give us a call

One Night. Many Dinners. Hundreds of Stories.

Join friends of the Gundalow Company in the home of one of our generous Seacoast hosts for an evening of food, drinks and maritime conversation with our guest experts.

$50 per person. RSVP by April 4th. Last year’s sold out fast, so get your reservation in!

Attendees will receive a confirmation and directions to their Gundalow Gathering address by April 10th.

We strive to fulfill your first choice. Questions? Email or call Meridith at 603-433-9505

Portsmouth

“Private Aims and the Common Good:
 Water as the Resource We Need”

Tom Chappell, Founder, Tom’s of Maine


Hosted by Dave & Ellie Sanderson


Dinner #1: Limit 20 guests

Durham

“From Log to Launch:
The Embedded Photographer’s View”

Ralph Morang, Ralph Morang Photography


Hosted by Peter & Marjorie Smith, Jere Lundholm & Harriet Forkey


Dinner #2: Limit 30 guests

York

“Working Waterfront”

Hosted by Cynthia & Cal Hosmer


Dinner #3: Limit 24 guests

Cape Neddick

“Thai Barge to Gundalow:
 A Look at Onboard Education”

Shaye Robbins


Hosted by Tim Ellis


Dinner #4: Limit 20 guests

New Castle

“Perspectives of Piscataqua: A Photographer’s View”

David J. Murray, ClearEye Photo


Hosted by Bill & Mil Duncan


Dinner #5: Limit 25 guests

Portsmouth

“Tall Tales & Sails”

Charles J. Doane, Executive Editor, SAIL Magazine


Hosted by Meg & Phil Cavanaugh


Dinner #6: Limit 20 guests

Durham

“Great Bay in Crisis”

Frederick T. Short, Ph.D., University of New Hampshire


Hosted by Doug & Susan MacLennan


Dinner #7: Limit 16 guests

Durham

“Who’s Your Waterkeeper?”

Peter Wellenberger, Great Bay Waterkeeper


Hosted by John & Diana Carroll


Dinner #8: Limit 14 guests

Portsmouth

“Meet the Crew & Tour Piscataqua”

Matt Glenn, Captain
- Megan Glenn, Onboard Educator
- Daisy Wilson, Business Manager


Hosted by Molly & Jeff Bolster


Dinner #9: Limit 40 guests

RSVP by April 4th

New crew onboard for the new Gundalow Piscataqua

With the launch of the new gundalow Piscataqua from Peirce Island in December, the Gundalow Company has set a new course bringing a US Coast Guard approved sailing gundalow that can take 30 passengers around the waterways of the Piscataqua Maritime Region. Starting Memorial Day weekend, public day sails, school trips, and private charters will be available from Prescott Park, and a new online ticketing system will be ready after April 1st for reservations.

The addition of the Piscataqua has brought new staff to run the gundalow and day-to-day operations. Portland, ME resident Daisy Wilson has joined the Gundalow Company as the first Business Manager. Daisy grew up sailing the waters of Casco Bay and exploring the rivers of Maine by Canoe. Her affinity for the ocean and the outdoors has served as the cornerstone of her personal and professional endeavors, and she has worked with organizations including Outward Bound and the Girl Scouts of Maine. She holds an MS in Organizational Leadership and Management from Antioch University, and is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR). Most recently, Daisy served as Operations Manager for Sail Acadia in Bass Harbor, Maine, and has also provided consultation services to companies within the area of Human Resource Management. On a recent sailing trip from St. Thomas to Bermuda, she logged close to 850 nautical miles, and hopes to make a transatlantic passage as well.

Matt Glenn holds the first Captain position, with a 500 ton Ocean Masters license - he has sailed for years as Mate on the Bounty, the SSV Corwith Cramer and SSV Robt. Seamans and Captain of the Liberty Clipper. He also spent a season as deckhand on a tug boat – moving barges under tow on the Delaware River. Most recently, he spent two years as Captain of the A.J. Meerwald, a restored 1928 115’ oyster sloop operated by the non-profit Bayshore Discovery Project in Bivalve, NJ. The A.J. Meerwald is a vessel with a historic connection to the Delaware Bay and as Matt explains, her mission is “to motivate people to take care of the environment, the history, and the culture of New Jersey’s Bayshore region through education, preservation, and example.” Prior to going to sea, Matt graduated magna cum laude from Boston University with a B.A. in History and enjoys hiking, bicycling and paddling a kayak he built.

Megan Glenn will be the first Onboard Educator, leading programs aboard the Piscataqua while under sail. Megan completed a college semester program in the North Pacific Ocean with Sea Education Association on the SSV Robt. Seamans assisting with oceanographic data collection and analysis, and working onboard as an Educator/Deckhand. After finishing her senior thesis on “Teaching Global Climate Change: Why and How” she graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Environmental Studies from University of Pennsylvania. She spent two years as the Shipboard Program Coordinator/Educator for the Bayshore Discovery project onboard the A.J. Meerwald - teaching thousands of students about marine and coastal ecosystems in Delaware Bay. Megan “enjoys connecting students with the marine environment . . .and opening the door for many who had never experienced their surroundings in such a personal way before.” She is currently finishing her position as Educator at City Lab in Boston where she facilitates biotechnology labs for students.

The Homemakers’ “A Red Carpet Affair for Health Care Auction Raises $9,200

Volunteers Joanne Janelle and Lupe Emmond display one of several quilts which were up for bid at The Homemakers “A Red Carpet Affair for Health Care” Auction sponsored by Eastern Propane and Oil. Thanks to the support of the community, more than $9,200 was raised for the health care services provided by The Homemakers by Celebrity Auctioneers Mark Ericson and Karen Kiley of The Morning Waking Crew at WOKQ.

Thanks to the generous support of the community, more than $9.200 was raised during The Homemakers Health Services “A Red Carpet Affair for Health Care Auction.

“As we at The Homemakers Health Services celebrate our 38th year of caring and building a healthy community, we’d like to thank all of those who joined us in our mission to keep people healthy and in their comfort of their own homes through their active participation in this fundraising event,” said René Philpott, community relations director at The Homemakers Health Services. “Special thanks to our major sponsor Eastern Propane and Oil and to our other sponsors Bernier Insurance, Peach and McPherson, CPAs, Seacoast Redicare and Ross Furniture and our celebrity auctioneers Mark Ericson and Karen Kiley of The Morning Waking Crew at WOKQ 97.5. Special thanks also to Westwind Florist, A Family Affair and all of the businesses and organizations which donated items to ensure our success.”

Proceeds from the event will go toward providing vital home health, home support and adult day care services to people in need.

The Homemakers Health Services is a charitable home health care agency which provides nursing, physical and occupational therapy, medical social work, home health aide, home support and adult day care services.

Longtime FSB Employee Marge Dore Announces Retirement

Marge Dore, a 26-year veteran at Federal Savings Bank has announced her plans to retire at the end of the month. Marge started working at Federal Savings Bank in 1985 and although she has held a number of positions, working with customers at the teller line has proven to be most fulfilling.

“Marge has been a true asset to the bank and will be greatly missed by the employees and especially her customers,” said James J. O’Neill, Jr., President and CEO. “Marge truly exemplifies the very essence of the Bank’s mission and on behalf of the entire bank, we wish her well in her future endeavors,” he added.

In her tenure, Marge has had many accomplishments, but her most defining moment was in 1990 during the Bank’s 100th anniversary, when she won the very first Employee of the Year Award for her commitment to the Bank through her strong work ethic and exceptional personal service.

Those who would like to wish Marge well are invited to Federal Savings Bank’s main office in Dover on Monday, March 19 and Tuesday, March 20. Light refreshments will be served. Please contact Human Resource Director Kristen Collins at 603-742-4680 with any questions.

We Have the Signage Your Business Needs!

Discover the Mills: Dover Mill Host Business Block Party & Trade Show

Discover the businesses and shops of the Washington Street Mills Business & Cultural Center in Dover, NH at the Mill Business Block Party & Trade Show on March 29, 2012 from 5:00pm to 7:30pm. Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided by mill eateries. The event provides a casual opportunity to shop the Mill’s many artists and craftsmen, network with mill businesses, and learn more about their services and products. Also on tap, a raffle to win a grand prize featuring specialty items from mill businesses.

The Washington Street Mills Business & Cultural Center is located at One Washington Street in Dover. The event will be held in the COG (Collaborative Office Group) on the 4th Floor, suite 457. COG is an umbrella organization and incubator space for four organizations: Think Local First (is this Seacoast Local?), ReRootEd, Community Capital, and Local Economy Communities.

Proceeds from the Mill Business Block Party & Trade Show raffle go toward Dover Womenaid. Donations will also be accepted that night.

To learn more about the Mill Business Block Party & Trade Show, visit www.washingtonstreetmillls.com or call (603) 749-3355.

Pancake Breakfast hosted by Dover High School Health Occupation Students of America Club

Profits Donated to: JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)

Where: Dover Applebee’s

When: Saturday March 17^th

8:00am-10:00am

Cost: $7 at the door

The DHS HOSA Club is a club of students who wish to have a career in the healthcare field. JDRF is our service project for the year. We are hosting a Pancake Breakfast at the Dover Apple Bee’s in hopes of raising a significant amount of money to donate.

We are asking our community to help support our efforts and attend our breakfast for an UNLIMITED amount of pancakes with a choice of juice, milk, or coffee for only $7.

Free Pandora Bracelet with $100 Purchase at Jewelry Creations

St. Thomas Aquinas High School Concert

St. Thomas Aquinas High School Solo/Ensemble Concert

Where: St. Thomas Aquinas High School, 197 Dover Point Road, Dover, NH 03820

When: Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 7:00pm

Cost: Free and open to the public!

The St. Thomas Aquinas High School music department will be performing at a Solo/Ensemble Concert on March 15 at 7:00pm. Free to the community, the concert will feature both large and small vocal ensembles as well as soloists and a few duets.

The concert will feature a great mix of different styles and genres, and include many beautiful, and inspiring pieces. It promises to be an interesting and exciting musical evening!

Wentworth Homecare Announcement

Wentworth Homecare, an Amedisys partner a leading home health care and hospice services company, announced that it is providing personal emergency response systems (PERS) for its homecare patients.

The PERS devices will be provided free of charge while the patient is under the care of Wentworth Homecare. Upon discharge from Wentworth homecare services, the patient will have the opportunity to continue the service by paying a market-rate fee directly to the service provider.

The PERS devices and call center services are provided by a best-in-class, national provider of remote health monitoring devices and 24/7 communication services.

“We are very pleased to provide a PERS device to our home care patients,” said Norma Juneau, R.N., Director. “Each year, one in every three adults age 65 and older falls, which can lead to moderate or severe injuries. Having a PERS device with our patients at all times enables us to more effectively communicate with our patient and respond if they have a fall or another issue, “she continued.

“As a family physician for 30 years I have seen PERS devices enable swift medical intervention that helps reduce patient anxiety, enhances their independence and quality of life and also helps to reduce unnecessary visits to the emergency room,” said Michael Fleming, MD FAAFP and Chief Medical Officer of Amedisys. “I am thrilled that Amedisys has made the investment in the quality of our patient’s care to provide PERS for free in the Seacoast area,” he continued.

Children’s Museum of NH Hosts Art Beyond Vision Gallery Show

Multi-Sensory Exhibit Created in Partnership with NH Association for the Blind and NH Art Association

It’s a common mistake to think of art as merely visual representation and a venue open only to those who can see. Inviting people to touch works of art can broaden the experience of both the sighted and the non-sighted.

In a unique collaboration between the NH Association for the Blind andthe NH Art Association, the Children’s Museum of NH’s Gallery 6 is hosting an exhibit titled Art Beyond Vision through May 28, 2012. This curated collection of textural paintings, fiber arts and sculpture welcomes visitors to open their minds to a fresh new way of experiencing the beauty of art. Tactile works created by more than adozen New Hampshire artists offer opportunities for gallery visitors to explore each piece using different senses. Unlike most art exhibits, this one welcomes guests to take a hands-on approach as they tour the gallery.

Marty Quinn's MoveMusic technology is also featured during Art Beyond Vision as part of the popular Build It, Fly It exhibit. Museum visitors will be able to hear the paths of objects as music as they fall in flight. Using visual-to-image sonification technology developed by Quinn's Design Rhythmics Sonification Research Lab, visual surveillance software tracks the moving objects as they are selecting pixels in a selected image. Those pixels are turned into music using MoveMusic's innovative algorithms. In addition to hearing the objects fall through various and selectable artistic images, qualities of the moving objects, such as size, speed, angularity and change of direction add to the musical mix, providingadditional information that visually challenged guests can utilize to perceive the flights of the falling objects, and experiment to hear how the music varies with different objects and their unique flights.

"We are thrilled to have this one-of-a-kind gallery show in the Museum,” said Justine Roberts, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum of NH. “It is amazing what you can accomplish with the right partners, and in this case, we had an ideal team with the New Hampshire Association for the Blind and the New Hampshire Art Association.”

“This show captures so much of what Gallery 6 is about,” Roberts continued. “It is multi-sensory, which is an ideal way for children to learn, and gives our visitors a successful experience with art. This show also fuses science with art by exploring vision. And we have come up with some really exciting art projects that will be available in our Studio, allowing visitors to do their own creative explorations."

George Theriault, President and CEO of the New Hampshire Association for the Blind, stated, “We hope that many, many people of all ages will come to the museum for this fascinating exhibition – it will challenge visitors to ‘see’ and perceive art in very new and different ways! And, we hope that this experience will promote better understanding and appreciation of all of the senses and how people whose sensory input is reduced or impaired can and do fully appreciate art and lead independent and fulfilling lives. The New Hampshire Association for the Blind is delighted to join in this very special partnership opportunity.”

An opening reception for the featured artists and invited guests will be held on the evening of March 14. The museum has also planned a special day of tactile experiences for young visitors on Tuesday, April 17 from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm.

The Art Beyond Vision exhibit can be viewed in Gallery 6 during regular business hours at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire: Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday noon – 5 pm. No admission fee is required to view the gallery only. Regular admission applies for families who wish to also explore the rest of the museum.

For more information about the Art Beyond Vision exhibit, please visit www.childrens-museum.org, or email NHAB@sightcenter.org or NHAA@nhartassociation.org.

About the New Hampshire Association for the Blind

The New Hampshire Association for the Blind located in Concord, NH is the only statewide, private, non-profit organization that provides vision rehabilitation services to NH residents of all ages, who are blind or have severe vision impairments. Itsmission since 1912 has been to advance the independence of persons who are blind and visually impaired. Services are provided in every community of New Hampshire and no one is ever denied access to services due to inability to pay.

About the New Hampshire Art Association

The New Hampshire Art Association (NHAA) is a non-profit professional art association founded in 1940. It is one of the oldest statewide art associations in the country. Itconsists of over 450 members of painters, photographers, watercolorists, printmakers, sculptors and other fine artists living and working primarily in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont. The mission of the NHAA is to primarily encourage and promote the artist membership through their work and participation in exhibitions and other professional endeavors and promote and enhance public awareness and understanding of the visual arts.

Join the Green Alliance and get 2 FREE lift tickets!

Become a sustaining member and the Green Alliance will send you 2 free all-day lift tickets to Black Mountain.

(a $90 value!)

"I enjoyed the benefits of the Green Alliance from a distance for a long time until I finally realized I needed to be a card carrying member and become an active participant in this great community. I joined the Green Alliance not only for the shopping discounts, but because the Green Alliance felt like a natural next step."

-Eliza Stewart McDougal

Sustaining members are lifetime members which means you never have to renew. At $150, a sustaining membership pays for itself in 4 years; not to mention the incredible return on investment when you factor in big discounts at 100 local green businesses.

Not ready to become a lifetime member? Join the Green Alliance with an annual membership for only $35.

Here's a taste of some of the great benefits and savings that come with Green Alliance membership:

• Save $500 on solar with Atlantic Green Energy.
• One free window with a purchase of 5 or more windows from Nicely Done. A $400 savings!!
• Enjoy great giveaways and invites to exclusive green events, parties, and workshops.

The Gallery at the Washington Street Mills is pleased to present the Mill’s Artists first exclusive group exhibit

Featuring the works of Laura Utley, Ann Larkey, Aaron Stanley, Ron St. Jean, Diane St. Jean, Malori Forrestall, Joe Forrestall, Linda Wood Feldman, this exhibit brings together the various styles and sought-after works of some of the Seacoast region's most talented artists.

Entering our gallery, the visitor is moved, transported – from the world of the mundane to realms of mystery and whimsy, from the cares of yesterday and today, to the fantastic realms and the dreams of yesteryear. Every-day objects and commonplace structures, coaxed by the artist's imaginings and trained hands are reborn to take on a new life all their own. Moving sculptures and images captured in light, canvas, glass and paper lift the spirit just as surely as the Sun moves us from winter to springtime.

The public is invited to meet the artists at the reception on Friday, March 16th, from 6pm-9pm. Light refreshments will be served. The show runs through March and closes on April 27th, 2012.

The Gallery is located at the Washington Street Mills Business & Cultural Center, One Washington Street, 3rd floor West (in the Picker Building), Dover, NH. Parking Available.

Wine Mogul & Former Red Sox Player Debut Wine That'll Knock Your Sox Off

Folio Fine Wine Partner General Manager Geoff Whitman (Dover High School alum, class of 1989) and former left-handed Red Sox pitcher Bill “Spaceman” Lee have teamed up to create the first tailgate-friendly wine: Spaceman Vintage. The blend of Petit Sirah, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon channels Lee’s energy and intensity while pulling from his California roots. The smoked meat and vanilla essence would pair perfectly with a Fenway Frank or other classic meats.

Lee will debut his wine at Dover Wine Company on Thursday, March 8, 2012 from 4:00PM – 6:00PM. He will autograph bottles and speak briefly about the inspiration, successes, and pitfalls of his winemaking journey.

According to Whitman , “The 2008 vintage in California should go down in history as the ‘if it could happen, it did vintage’ what with frost, early rain and wildfires abounding. Finding the perfect pedigree for our first vintage proved challenging but quite rewarding. Much of the Petite Sirah from Lodi is known to me and, when blended with some beautiful Syrah from Napa and Cabernet, this wine becomes what we’d hoped it would and then some. We are very proud to bring you the first vintage of Spaceman and especially proud to share some of the proceeds with the Red Sox Foundation and their inner-city Youth Baseball program.”

Dover Wine Company is located at 364 Central Avenue, Dover, NH 03820. For more information, please call (603) 742-9463 or email at steve@doverwine.com.

10th Annual Dover Public Library Student Poetry Contest

The Dover Public Library is pleased to announce its 10th Annual Student Poetry contest for grades K-12. Kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school youths can find instructions for submitting an entry to the contest at the Dover Public Library, any Dover school library, or at our website: http://library.dover.nh.gov.

Poems will be judged on originality, style and creativity. Prizes will be awarded in six different categories: Grades K-2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6, 7 & 8, 9 & 10, and 11 &12. Deadline for entry is April 18th. All participants are then invited to attend an “Evening of Poetry” on Tuesday, May 22nd at 6:30pm. Students are invited to read their poetry aloud at this event, but this will be purely voluntary. Refreshments will be served. For more information about the contest, please contact Denise LaFrance at 516-6082.

Calling All Peeps to the Dover Public Library!

The Dover Public Library is looking for some creative peeps from among all Dover residents, Dover students, or Dover Public Library cardholders to enter our fourth annual “Peeps Show” contest this April.

Here’s how it works: Build a diorama using peeps of any color in a standard size shoe box. This year’s theme is anything literary: recreate a scene from a favorite book or portray a character from a book. The first 16 entries will receive a free plush Peep bunny or chick!

There are four prize divisions. Anyone 19 or older is invited to compete in the Adult Division, while peeps, er, people 13- 18 may enter the Teen Division. Children ages 4 – 7 are invited to enter the Kids Division, and ages 8 – 12 may enter the Youth Division. On the back of your shoe box, please include your name, address, phone number, and title of your “Peeps Show”. Winners in each category will receive a $25 Target gift card, courtesy of the Friends of the Library.

Your Peeps display may be dropped off at the Dover Public Library beginning Monday, March 26, through Saturday, March 31st during operating hours. Peep entries will be displayed in the library for all to enjoy. Prizes will be awarded Monday afternoon, April 9th. Peeps should then be picked up by Thursday, April 12th. All Peeps not picked up by the deadline will be discarded or eaten. For more information, call 516-6082.

“A Walk Through the Delta” Blues Concert at Dover Public Library

The Friends of the Dover Public Library are pleased to present "A Walk Through the Delta", a blues program with Howard Stith and Mike Rogers, on Tuesday evening March 20 at 7pm in the library’s Lecture Hall. This musical performance will include a discussion of early Mississippi delta blues and its influence on modern pop music.

Delta blues is a distinctly American music that developed in the Deep South after the Civil War and reached its zenith just prior to World War II. Today it is often referred to as "roots music", and was the basis for both jazz and rock & roll.

Howard Stith plays acoustic 6 and 12-string guitar and has been a student of early blues for over 40 years. He has performed throughout the U.S., as well as in Europe and Japan, and has shared the stage with such notables as Peg Leg Sam, Mojo Buford, Lazy Bill Lucas and Hammie Nixon.

Mike Rogers plays harmonica in a multitude of styles from blues to folk, but was influenced greatly by the playing of Sonny Terry. Mike has also been performing for over 40 years and has played locally with the blues group "Roundhouse" and the folk group "Salt River”.

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

'Cheers to Children' Event Showcases Best of Local Food, Wine, Music and Arts

The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is celebrating Dover’s vibrant arts and cultural community with a new fundraising event featuring wine, food, music and more. Cheers to Children will take place at the Museum on Friday, March 23 from 6-9 pm. The event will showcase signature dishes of local restaurants, hand-picked fine wines, live music and a vibrant art gallery show. The winning ticket in the Museum's 2012 MINI Cooper Car Raffle will also be pulled at this event.

“There is so much creative capital here in Dover,” said Justine Roberts, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum of NH. “Not only are there emerging technology companies and growing businesses of all types, but there are also great restaurants, galleries, studios and shops. Encouraging creativity is a core part of our mission, so we wanted Cheers to Children to have a distinctly local flavor that shows off some of the best things happening around us.”

At Cheers to Children, guests will be able to try specialty dishes prepared by chefs from the White Apron, Terra Cotta Pasta, The Farm, Kelley’s Row, Calef's, University of New Hampshire Catering and more. Dover Wine Company has hand-selected wines that will be poured by NH-based distributors Vinlandia, The Imported Grape, Southern Wine and Spirits, RP Imports, Crush Distributors, Horizon Beverages and Candia Vineyards. There will also be live music and everyone will get to enjoy the museum's new exhibit in Gallery 6, Art Beyond Vision.

All proceeds from Cheers to Children benefit the Museum's award-winning programs. Nearly 50% of the Museum's 93,000+ annual visitors are admitted at reduced or no cost through programs like Story Explorers and the Exploring Our Way Autism Partnership Program. The Children’s Museum of NH is committed to providing critical resources for children, schools and families throughout New Hampshire.

To purchase Cheers to Children tickets, please visit www.childrens-museum.org or call the Children's Museum during weekday business hours at 603-742-2002. Reservations can also be made at the Museum’s front desk.

Seacoast SCORE Small Business Internet Workshop

SCORE, volunteer counselors to America’s small business and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration will conduct an in-depth workshop:

Title: “Using the Internet to Start or Grow a Small Business”

Date: Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012, from 6 pm to 9 pm.

Location: SCORE Office, 215 Commerce Way, Suite 420, Portsmouth, NH

Sponsor: TD Bank

Subjects covered in this workshop will include:

• Using the Internet to run you business more efficiently
• Tips for building a successful website
• Tips for improving your website’s search ranking
• How to advertise your business using the Internet
• How to sell products on the Internet

Learn about how to use the Internet to help your business from experienced executives and obtain valuable tools and reference materials to assist you. Thanks to the generous support of TD Bank, admission to this workshop is free of charge.

SCORE continues to provide individualized business counseling free of charge and attendees will have the opportunity to schedule a free follow-up counseling session. For more information or to reserve a seat, call SCORE at (603) 433-0575 or visit our website at seacoast.score.org.

Seacoast SCORE small business finance workshop

SCORE, volunteer counselors to America’s small business and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration will conduct an in-depth workshop:

Title: Small Business Finance: What You Need to Know

Date: Wednesday, May 16th, 2012, 6pm to 9pm.

Location: SCORE, 215 Commerce Way, Suite 420, Portsmouth, NH

Sponsor: Citizens Bank

Current and potential small business owners are invited to this easy to understand introduction to the essentials of small business finances. You’ll learn how to perform quick “back of the envelope” calculations to see if an idea might be profitable and you’ll learn how to understand financial statements including the income statement, the cash flow statement, and the balance sheet. Attendees will also get a chance to “follow the money” with real-world examples of financials from small businesses like yours. Thanks to generous support from Citizens Bank, we are able to offer this workshop free of charge.

SCORE continues to provide individualized business counseling free of charge and attendees will have the opportunity to schedule a free follow-up counseling session. For more information or to reserve a seat, call SCORE at (603) 433-0575 or visit our website, www.scorehelp.org.

WDH welcomes Dr. Lilian Joventino

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital would like to welcome Lilian Joventino, MD to Wentworth Health Partners as a cardiologist specializing in eletrophysiology with Wentworth Health Partners (WHP) Cardiovascular Group.

Prior to joining WHP, Dr. Joventino was a staff cardiologist at Caritas Norwood Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Needham, Massachusetts.

Dr. Joventino received her medical degree from the University of Chicago and completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Pennsylvania; she then completed fellowships in both cardiovascular disease and clinical cardiac eletrophysiology from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Joventino was also appointed Assistant Professor of Medicine in Cardiology at Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University.

Wentworth Health Partners Cardiovascular Group is located at 10 Members Way in Dover. Dr. Joventino can be reached in the office at (603) 516-5265.

People's United Community Foundation Donates $9,500 towards Books for NEA's Read Across America Program

People’s United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People’s United Bank, announced today that it has donated $9,500 towards books in recognition of the National Education Association’s Read Across America program, through a partnership with DonorsChoose.org.

Read Across America is a nationwide reading celebration created by the National Education Association (NEA), which focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources. The program is celebrated annually on March 2 in honor of the birthday of children’s author, Dr. Seuss.

In recognition of NEA’s Read Across America initiative, People’s United Community Foundation has donated $9,500 towards books through a partnership with DonorsChoose.org, an online charity dedicated to providing students in public schools with the resources and materials they need to learn. The donation will be allocated to classrooms throughout the communities People’s United Community Foundation serves in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, and Maine.

“Reading is one of the most fundamental learning activities for children and is proven to have numerous benefits including improved academic performance among students,” stated Vincent Santilli, Executive Director of People’s United Community Foundation. “Teachers in high-need school districts will greatly benefit from these books as they will help their students read at grade level; we are pleased to be able to provide this important resource for their classrooms in honor of NEA’s Read Across America day.”

“We are so grateful for People’s United Community Foundation’s continued support of classrooms in need,” said DonorsChoose.org spokesman, Dan Blum. “This donation will provide hundreds of students the books they need to learn and thrive.”

DonorsChoose.org

Founded in 2000, DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need. Public school teachers from every corner of America post requests, and individuals can give directly to the ones that inspire them. To date, 222,000 public and charter school teachers have used DonorsChoose.org to secure $108 million in books, art supplies, technology, and other resources that their students need to learn.

Dover 2023 - Building Our Tomorrow

The City of Dover is starting the next round of Master Plan work. The basis for this first project will be developing a community vision for Dover. In the past they have linked this to the land use chapter of the Master Plan, but this time they want to think broader and get input on all aspects of living, working and relaxing in Dover. In order to be successful they need broad and engaged interactions with people in the Dover Community. They are developing and holding community conversations and neighborhood meetings starting March 10th and want YOU involved!

Can you see Dover's future? Help us visualize our tomorrow!

The City of Dover has changed significantly over the last decade. What will happen in the next?

Do you want more growth or less? Do you want more of the same? How about something else? NOW is the time to think about these questions and more. We need you to share your ideas and dreams for Dover. No idea is too small, no dream too big.

Developing a vision for our City is the key to building the community that we want to be.

Dover 2023 is a community wide project which will shape a vision for what Dover can be as it reaches its 400th anniversary in 2023. The project will host a series of community brainstorming conversations and neighborhood workshops over the next three months. These meetings will be the opportunity for you to tell us your dreams for the City! Your dreams and ideas will build a vision which will shape the City's decisions for the next decade and be the foundation for a new and improved tomorrow.

Local agent uses unique system to help support families

Dover business owners and families just gained an additional resource. Thomas F. Levasseur, CLU, MS Ed., of The Beacon Retirement Group, recently completed a training program, designed to enable him to help business owners and families avoid retirement income planning mistakes and help protect their assets.

Today people are living 20, 30 and even 40 years in retirement. This increase in longevity means people are taking a harder look at their future income needs. This new service takes a detailed look at Dover’s families retirement income needs based on current budget and assets earmarked for retirement.

This new income analysis service addresses questions such as:

• Can I continue my present standard of living into my retirement years?
• When can I retire without running out of money?
• How could my situation change during challenging economic times?
• How would it affect my family if I die prematurely?
• How would it affect my family if I enter a nursing facility?
• What are the possible solutions if my situation changes?

Tom’s 26 years of industry experience along with this service will help Dover’s business owners and families answer these questions. Tom was also named as a Five Star Advisor by a recent poll taken by NH Magazine.

To set up a no-obligation, complimentary review Tom can be reached at 603-682-7747 or by email at Thomas.Levasseur@questarcapital.com or view his website: www.thebeaonfg.com

Laconia Savings Bank Opens in Manchester!

Back Row – Peter F. Thompson, Mortgage Loan Officer for Laconia Savings Bank; Darren Howcroft, Financial Consultant for Laconia Savings Bank; Barry Leonard, SVP – Team Leader/ Commercial Services for Laconia Savings Bank; Mary Mattson, VP – Commercial Services for Laconia Savings Bank; Louis H. Guevin, Jr., EVP – Commercial Services for Laconia Savings Bank; Christopher MacDonnell, VP - Cash Management for Laconia Savings Bank; Vickie Routhier, VP - Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Laconia Savings Bank.

Front Row – Robin Comstock, President and CEO for the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce; Mark Primeau, President & CEO for Laconia Savings Bank; Mayor Ted Gatsas, Mayor for the City of Manchester; Mary Beth White, AVP - Manchester Office Manager for Laconia Savings Bank; Charlene Cesarini, Advertising Sales Manager for The Hippo.

Laconia Savings Bank recently celebrated the grand opening of their new office at 705 Hooksett Road in Manchester! Joined by representatives of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Ted Gatsas, Laconia Savings Bank employees hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to formally open the new office. Later in the day WZID broadcasted live from the new office while guests entered to win several raffle prizes such as Monarchs suite tickets and ski passes. Max the Monarch also stopped by the new office and waved at traffic and posed for pictures with locals.

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 and great product specials.

Dressing the Part: Creating an 18th Century Wardrobe

Historic role players, re-enactors, home sewers, and anyone else interested in period clothing are invited to attend “Dressing the Part: Creating an 18th Century Wardrobe” at the historic Colonel Paul Wentworth House in Rollinsford.

Presented by ARCH (the Association for Rollinsford Culture and History), this six-week series will begin on Thursday, March 8 from 7 to 9 pm with a lecture/demonstration on 18th century clothing presented by Tara Vose and Julia Roberts. The workshop will continue on subsequent Thursday evenings through April 12.

The series will focus on providing guidance in sewing reproduction 18th century garments for women, men or children. The workshop leaders will walk participants through the process of creating a period-appropriate historic outfit. Topics to be covered include selecting which garments to reproduce, advice on pattern and fabric selection and sources, sewing techniques, and choosing accessories to complete the outfit.

There is a registration fee of $15 ($10 for ARCH members). Additional costs will depend on patterns and fabrics selected by the participants. For more information or to register, contact the Colonel Paul Wentworth House at (603) 742-4747 or Julia Roberts at (603) 749-1966. Registrations can be mailed to ARCH at PO Box 16, Rollinsford, NH 03869.

WHO: ARCH (The Association for Rollinsford Culture and Hsitory)

WHAT: a lecture and workshop on creating an 18th century wardrobe

WHERE: At the Colonel Paul Wentworth House, 47 Water St., Rollinsford, NH

WHEN: Lecture March 8, followed by weekly Thursday evening gatherings

COST: $15 for non ARCH members, $10 for ARCH members plus pattern(s) and fabric

To REGISTER: leave your name and phone number at the Col. Paul Wentworth House at: 742-4747 or with Julia Roberts: 749-1966. Registrations can be mailed to ARCH, POB 16, Rollinsford, NH 03869

Federal Savings Bank Employees Recognized at Bank’s Annual Meeting

Several Federal Savings Bank employees were recognized for their service at the bank’s Annual Employee meeting held February 16th at The Oaks in Somersworth.

President and CEO, James J. O’Neill, Jr., thanked everyone for a very successful year and commented that 2012, with the group’s continued hard work, is positioned to be even more successful. “With everything community banks are facing regarding regulatory reform, FSB remains a strong institution with a very bright future,” he remarked.

Employees recognized with 5-year service awards included: Christine Baker, John Crisp, Mary Ham, Paul Bergeron, and Deb Cuthbertson. Recognized for 10-years of service were: Carrie Keech, Laurie Abbott, and Andi Brunner. Recognized for 15-years of service were: Leni Redden and Sue Brown. Paula Blanchette was recognized for 20 years of service. A special award was presented to Judy Lovely for her 25 years of service. Marge Dore was also recognized for 26 years of service.

Perfect attendance awards were presented to: Jason Dionne, Janet Woithe, Jay Doyle, Chris Morin, Marge Dore, and Cassy Cox. President O’Neill also recognized the Bank’s Relay for Life team captain, Kelly Glennon and The United Way Committee team members, Paul Bergeron, Christina Mukankaka, Brenda Turner, John Crisp, and Barbara Pitcher. Employees were presented with a bouquet of gourmet sugar cookies and a restaurant gift card.

According to President O’Neill, “FSB is fortunate to employ some of the region’s most experienced bankers. Our employees are without a doubt the bank’s greatest asset and I’m proud to steward a group of such dedicated individuals.

Employees enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner and FSB raffled off several prizes including a paid day off. President O’Neill offered in his closing remarks, “FSB is a special place to work and we have an important role to fill in our communities. We do a lot of great things locally and it’s important that this remains our top priority, as it is truly what sets us apart from our competitors.”