Great Clips Snips Chamber Ribbon

Pictured L to R: Chamber Executive Director Molly Hodgson Smith; Jaidyn Roy; “Sudz” the Great Clips Mascot; Great Clips owner Ashley Page; Chamber Board Member Doug Glennon of Glennon Consulting; Dover Mayor Scott Myers; Chamber Board Member Donna Coraluzzo of the Dover Children’s Home; Chamber Board Member Connie Roy of Reverie Design; Chamber Ambassador Kristen Bournival of Leone, McDonnell & Roberts; Chamber Board Chair Mike Bolduc of Wyskiel, Boc, Tillinghast & Bolduc.

DOVER, NH — Great Clips, the world’s largest salon brand, has joined the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, and celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony at their new location in the Shaw’s Plaza on Central Avenue in Dover.

According to Great Clips Dover Franchise owner Ashley Page, the company was founded on the simple idea that customers shouldn’t have to wait around all day or appointments to get their hair cut by a trained stylist at a reasonable price. To that end, Great Clips offers walk-in service seven days a week, and while they provide hair salon service, the prices are more comparable to what you might find at a barber shop.

Additionally, the new location in Dover’s Shaw’s Plaza makes Great Clips as convenient as it is economical. With plenty of free parking available, Great Clips’ walk-in service makes it possible for residents to include haircuts with their other routine errands like grocery shopping, trips to the hardware store, or picking up prescriptions at the pharmacy.

Ashley Page notes, “For a professional salon cut, it just doesn’t get more convenient or more affordable than the service we offer at Great Clips, and I encourage local residents to try us out for themselves.”

For more information on Great Clips, please visit www.greatclips.com.

The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit association of businesses, professionals, individuals, and organizations working together to advance the economic well-being of its members and the community. For details on Dover Chamber membership and other programs or for a schedule of activities, please call the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce at 603-742-2218, e-mail info@dovernh.org, or visit www.dovernh.org.

Bernson Legal Joins Dover Chamber

Pictured L to R: Chamber Executive Director Molly Hodgson Smith; Chamber Board Chair Mike Bolduc of Wyskiel, Boc, Tillinghast & Bolduc; Chamber Board Member Doug Glennon of Glennon Consulting; Attorney Tracy Bernson of Bernson Legal; Dover Mayor Scott Myers; Chamber Board Member Donna Coraluzzo of the Dover Children’s Home; Chamber Board Member Connie Roy of Reverie Design; Chamber Ambassador Kristen Bournival of Leone, McDonnell & Roberts.

DOVER, NH — Bernson Legal recently joined the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, and a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the Chamber Visitor Center on Central Avenue in downtown Dover.

Attorney Tracy Bernson left the medium sized firm environment to do what she loves best: representing clients; being in the courtroom; and using unique and alternative methods to tailor a resolution to a client’s personal dilemma. Bernson Legal, PLLC brings to Dover that small town lawyer whose doors are open to everyone, regardless of income status, and who individually handles your personal legal problems herself.

For more information on Bernson Legal, please visit www.seacoastlawfirm.com.

The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit association of businesses, professionals, individuals, and organizations working together to advance the economic well-being of its members and the community. For details on Dover Chamber membership and other programs or for a schedule of activities, please call the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce at 603-742-2218, e-mail info@dovernh.org, or visit www.dovernh.org.

Laconia Savings Bank “Likes” to Support their Community

New Hampshire – May 2, 2011 - Laconia Savings Bank is proud to announce that they have launched their Facebook page.

Visit Laconia Savings Bank on Facebook at Facebook.com/laconiasavingsbank and “Like” their page. For every new “Like” they receive by June 1, 2011, Laconia Savings Bank will donate $1 to a New Hampshire non-profit organization. Vote on Laconia Savings Bank’s Facebook page for which New Hampshire non-profit organization should be awarded the donation. Cast your vote for the Make-a-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire, the Homeless Center for Strafford County or The Boys & Girls Club of Manchester.

Laconia Savings Bank, founded in 1831, provides deposit, lending and wealth management services to families and businesses throughout New Hampshire. With 19 community offices within the state and assets exceeding $1 billion, Laconia Savings Bank is the largest independent bank in New Hampshire. Because Laconia Savings Bank is a mutual organization, it doesn’t answer to stock holders and can focus on the success of its customers, communities and employees. Throughout its 180 year history, Laconia Savings Bank continues to be a strong and stable financial organization. For more information, call 1-800-832-0912 or visit www.laconiasavings.com.

Avis Goodwin Community Health Center Abbreviates Name to Goodwin Community Health

Dover, NH, April 25, 2011 – To better meet the needs of the many communities it serves, Avis Goodwin Community Health Center’s Board of Directors voted to abbreviate the organization’s name to Goodwin Community Health. The official use of Goodwin Community Health, as well as an updated logo and URL of www.GoodwinCH.org will go into effect Monday, May 2, 2011.

The changes compliment the non-profit community health center’s relocation of its three existing locations into the new Goodwin Community Health Center located at 311 Route 108 in Somersworth, NH opening in May 2011.

“A highly visible new Center coupled with a condensed version of our name will make it easier for the community to access our many health and wellness services and professionals,” says Janet Atkins, Executive Director of Goodwin Community Health. “The name continues to honor our founder, Avis Goodwin and her family. It also enhances our ability promote our Center as well as the growing array of community outreach programs that are a service of Goodwin Community Health.

The logo and name design changes were made possible in part by a grant from Boldwerks, a creative design agency in Portsmouth NH.

Goodwin Community Health will hold friends and family open house in June and a Tri Chamber of Commerce after-hours/Grand Opening on Thursday, August 18, 2011. The public is also invited to participate in the Father’s Day 5K at Margaritas on Sunday, June 19th. This is a family-friendly, run/walk that celebrates Dad’s and benefits Goodwin Community Health. Registration for this event is now open at http://www.active.com/running/dover-nh/fathers-day-5k-2011.

About Us

Goodwin Community Health is the only 501(c)(3) Community Health Center serving the Greater Strafford County area of New Hampshire and Maine. We make it affordable for local people to access the wellness services and quality primary care that lead to good Physical, Dental and Mental Health. Goodwin Community Health operates on the same principles Mrs. Avis Goodwin started the organization on 42 years ago – everyone deserves access to quality health care, at an affordable price. For more information connect with us on Facebook, at www.goodwincommunityhealth.org or visit the new Goodwin Community Health Center in Somersworth, New Hampshire.

Goodwin Community Health - Tax Credit Information

Time is Running Out on Tax Credits…reduce your taxes & direct tax money to local projects when you donate to the new Community Health Center through the Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA).

The new facility opens this May in Somersworth by Goodwin Community Health (formerly Avis Goodwin Community Health Center) to expand health care to 12,000 locals in need. “The new Center is coming just in time," explained Susan Fitzgerald Reichert, the agency’s Capital Campaign Officer. She states that, “The nonprofit ran out of room just when the need for affordable health care is reaching a critical point—the uninsured rate in this area is now over 15% and the number of underinsured is considerably higher. The new Center allows us to space to add doctors and care for more patients.”

“It’s a win-win,” declares Reichert. “Donating through CDFA, you keep tax money local, instead of it disappearing into the general fund, and receive significant tax credit. You reduce health costs while helping your neighbors in need and get to name a part of the new Center.”

Companies are coming onboard to keep tax money local and take advantage of tax credits before they run out in June. Dover native, business owner, and now Goodwin Community Health (GCH) board member, Dave Staples believes the CDFA challenge grant is a great way to go. He explains, “With CDFA, I'm pre-paying my BET payroll taxes, getting credit for most of it, and that money goes into the new Center. My taxes stay right here—I’m investing in my community's health.”

“GCH is a good investment. We save money. We fill a need. Our preventive system works and is cost-effective.” says Reichert. She continues, “Think about it. We help keep people out of the ER and prevent chronic disease—both major medical costs for our society. If we don’t treat the uninsured, where do they go? Who pays?”

“Federal Savings Bank is proud to support Avis Goodwin as they continue to have an extremely positive impact on families and individuals in the Seacoast area,” said President & CEO, James J. O’Neill. “This donation is a direct reflection of our commitment to improving the quality of life in our communities, especially during this time of economic uncertainty. It is our hope that the new building will allow Goodwin Community Health to provide more services to even more deserving community members,” he added

Goodwin Community Health is a Federally Qualified Community Health Center (FQCHC). The Community Health Center Model is praised by political parties, businesses, and government agencies alike as exemplary. The OMB ranks the Health Center Program as one of Federal’s the 10 most effective.

The Grand Opening for the Goodwin Community Health Center is also a Tri-Chamber event, August 18th at 311 Route 108, Somersworth. The Father’s Day 5K at Margaritas, a benefit for Goodwin Community Health is on Sunday, June 19th.

The tax credit deadline is June 30. For more information on CDFA tax credits and the Changing Spaces ~ Changing Lives Campaign, contact Susan Fitzgerald Reichert at 516-2556 or sfitzgerald@goodwinch.org

NH TOURISM PARTNERS WITH PURITY SPRING RESORT IN EAST MADISON FOR MAY-JUNE VISITNH FAN BENEFIT

Facebook Fans and Twitter Followers Receive Special Discounts on Lodging and Dining

Concord, New Hampshire, May 2nd, 2011 – Today, the New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism Development (DTTD) announced the May-June VisitNH Fan Benefit: Receive 50% off a second night stay at Purity Spring Resort in East Madison, N.H. Anyone who “likes” VisitNH on Facebook or “follows” VisitNH on Twitter is eligible to receive the discount.

"The Hoyt Family and Purity Spring Resort are honored to partner with NH Travel & Tourism for the May and June VisitNH Fan benefit," said Dan Houde, Director of Marketing and Sales at Purity Spring Resort. "The resort is celebrating its 100 year anniversary this season and we welcome the opportunity to share our historic lakeside traditions with guests visiting the lakes region and White Mountains of New Hampshire."

The offer is valid on Sunday thru Thursday night reservations. The first night is at regular room rate, and the second night is 50% off the room rate. A full country breakfast is included each day.

According to DTTD, almost 32,000 fans and followers are eligible for the Fan Benefit. Fans and followers can receive benefits each month from New Hampshire properties and attractions and get access to the latest info, including events, photos, videos, links to news articles and other interesting things going on in New Hampshire.

“New Hampshire was the first state in New England to launch an exclusive social media benefit program and we’re proud that after one year we doubled the program length and extended it to Twitter followers,” said Tai Freligh, Communications Manager for DTTD. “This is an ideal way to encourage people to visit New Hampshire, take advantage of this spectacular offer, and enjoy the outdoors while staying at a beautiful resort.”

Freligh added that more than 20 lodging properties, including restaurants and attractions, have participated in the VisitNH Fan Benefit initiative since its inception, with most reporting a notable call volume increase, resulting in higher sales.

DTTD is actively involved on several social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

Celebrating 100 years of hospitality and outdoor recreation in 2011, family-owned Purity Spring Resort has long catered to families, groups and guests looking for traditional country lodging in a setting of forests, lakes and mountains. The 1,000-acre lakeside resort property, located in East Madison, NH, offers a full recreation program and resort amenities, sandy beaches, and is adjacent to a NH Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary.

ABOUT THE DIVISION OF TRAVEL AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

The Division of Travel and Tourism Development, as part of the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development, works with the state’s seven travel regions to increase visitation, travel and visitor expenditures in order to expand business activity and employment throughout the state. The division is responsible for domestic and international advertising and public relations, literature publication and distribution, www.visitnh.gov administration, grant administration and research to monitor and measure the impact of travel and tourism to the state. For more information about New Hampshire tourism, call 603-271-2665 or visit www.visitnh.gov.

Kingswood Leasing & Return to Work Initiative

Dover, NH: Kingswood Leasing has taken advantage of the Return to Work Initiative, part of Governor Lynch’s program to help business owners, and has successfully added five employees to our staff.

On Monday, April 17th, we had the chance to share our success with the Seacoast business community on the Seacoast Business Connection radio program (FM WSCA 106.1). Our president, Clifford Metcalfe Jr. was invited to join in a discussion about the state program with Sarah Morrissey from the Somersworth location of the NH Department of Employment Security, Timothy Dabrieo and Janine Parsons of the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, and hosted by Mark Miller.

“The stigma of hiring from the unemployment pool is a thing of the past,” said Metcalfe on air. Each of the nine state unemployment offices has a representative like Morrissey who will work with the employer to pre-screen applicants and find the right candidate for the job. They then go through the interview process, as you normally would. When you decide on a candidate, you get to observe them and start training them for 24 hours a week for up to six weeks.

The Return to Work program takes “The Fear of Hiring” out of bringing on new staff members. This program gives the employee and the employer time to work together and become orientated in advance with the position and its responsibilities.

Kingswood Leasing went through dozens of pre-screened resumes and interviewed 4-5 people per position. “We had a few come through that we tried out who just did not work,” Metcalfe said, on the show, “anyone can act a certain way to impress an employer during the interview, but it is hard to keep up that act for 6 weeks without the truth showing through.”

As businesses approach new hiring today, I cannot stress enough how this takes the “fear” out of making the wrong choice. Info on this state program can be found on the web at www.nh.gov/nhes/nhworking/ReturntoWork.htm.

Kingswood Leasing has been helping small businesses grow for twenty years and is the premier lease broker in New Hampshire and one of the top in the country. Find out more about them at www.KingswoodLeasing.com.

Loretta Allison Named Executive Director of Cocheco Valley Humane Society

Dover – The Cocheco Valley Humane Society (CVHS) Board of Directors has named Loretta Allison as its Executive Director. Allison is an experienced non-profit management professional with strong development and fundraising expertise. She will manage the daily operations of CVHS and work closely with the staff and board of directors to further advance the organization’s mission.

“We are thrilled to welcome Loretta to the CVHS family,” said board President, Kelly Glennon. “Her experience, leadership and unquestionable passion for animal welfare will greatly benefit the organization, the animals in our care, and the community as a whole,” she added. Allison began her non-profit career in 2002 and has worked for several non-profit organizations including United Way of Merrimack Valley, Phillips Exeter Academy and OdysseyNH. A graduate of Pennsylvania State University, Loretta resides in Portsmouth with her husband Tim and their chocolate Lab, Gerry.

I am proud to be part of an organization with such a long history of protecting abused, neglected and homeless animals. I am inspired daily by the dedication of the staff, board of directors and volunteers. This is a very exciting time for CVHS and there is no limit to the good we can accomplish with the support of the community,” said Allison.

For more than twenty-five years, CVHS has provided quality and compassionate care and shelter to its animals, in partnership with educating the community with respect to animal treatment and welfare. For more information, please visit www.cvhsonline.org.

Attention Economic Development Professionals

FairPoint Communications and the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce invite you to participate in a training session of the Economic Scenario Model^TM - a powerful economic impact analysis tool customized specifically for Northern New England. This Microsoft Office Excel-based software allows economic development and planning professionals to see the impact of new developments and opportunities on their specific region, down to the county level. You will be provided with a free copy of this software and a user guide as well as the training. Also, if you bring a lap top you will be able to use the model immediately.

Dover Public Library
73 Locust St. Dover, NH 03820 (603)516-6050

Thursday, May 19^th 9:30am-noon

Planning is the key to the success of any project. Having information is essential and being able to analyze that information in a meaningful way is vital.

To register, please email your completed registration form to EconomicDevelopmentNH@fairpoint.com.

FairPoint’s Economic Scenario Model^TM Training Registration Form

Name:
Title:
Organization:
Address:
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Office #:
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CITY & SITE	DATE	TIME	SELECT SITE
Dover Public Library Lecture Room 73 Locust St, Dover, NH	Thursday, May 19th	9:30am - noon

*Insert an “X” to indicate the site and session that you would like to attend.

NH’s Local Bank Supports NH Highland Games

Photo Caption (L – R): Derek Davidson, Managing Director of the NH Highland Games; Dr. Bill Crawford, Chairman of Athletics for the NH Highland Games; Cinda D’Amante, President of the Board of Directors for the NH Gathering of the Scottish Clans; Thomas Garfield, Executive Vice President of Consumer Services for Laconia Savings Bank; James Garfield, Technology Support Supervisor for Laconia Savings Bank.

Lincoln, New Hampshire – April 26, 2011 – Laconia Savings Bank is proud to announce their $2,500 sponsorship of the 2011 NH Highland Games. The NH Highland Games will be held September 16 – 18, 2011 at Loon Mountain in Lincoln, NH. “The NH Highland Games are proud of our partnerships with members of the local and state-wide business community. This support is integral to the success of the Games each year. We welcome Laconia Savings Bank and appreciate their support for the Games and the 2011 IHGF World Championship Athletics.” Stated, Cinda D’Amante, President of the Board of Directors for the NH Gathering of the Scottish Clans.

The New Hampshire Highland Games, the largest Scottish cultural festival in the Northeast, is presented by The New Hampshire Gathering of the Scottish Clans, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the furtherance of music, dance, athletics and customs of the Scottish people and to the continuance of the Gaelic culture.

The NH Highland Games is an internationally recognized three-day festival celebrating all things Scottish. The event, held at Loon Mountain, hosts international musicians, one of the largest dancing competitions in North America, piping, drumming, harp, fiddle, and pipe band competitions.

For more information about the NH Highland Games, please visit www.nhscot.org.

Laconia Savings Bank, founded in 1831, provides deposit, lending and wealth management services to families and businesses throughout New Hampshire. With 19 community offices within the state and assets exceeding $1 billion, Laconia Savings Bank is the largest independent bank in New Hampshire. Because Laconia Savings Bank is a mutual organization, it doesn’t answer to stock holders and can focus on the success of its customers, communities and employees. Throughout its 180 year history, Laconia Savings Bank continues to be a strong and stable financial organization. For more information, call 1-800-832-0912 or visit www.laconiasavings.com.