Thursday Sunset Sails on the Piscataqua

Join us onboard the Piscataqua this season as the celebration continues with live music and special presentations during our Thursday evening sails. Thursdays, June through September, will feature either live, local music, or a speaker on environmental issues or cultural and maritime heritage.

The Thursday evening sails in June run 6-8 pm and include:

June 7             Geno Marconi
                       Director of NH Ports and Harbors

June 14           Joyce Andersen and Kent Allyn
                      Veteran seacoast musicians

June 21           Peter Wellenberger
                      Great Bay-Piscataqua Waterkeeper

June 28           Susie Burke and David Surette, and daughters
                      Longtime seacoast folk duo

The once-a-month Contemporary Coastal Issues programs, sponsored by the New Hampshire Coastal Program, will begin with a free presentation in the Gundalow Office at 5:00 pm, followed by an optional sail with the speaker. All other Thursday evening programs will begin at the dock just before the Piscataqua casts off.  The Music Series is sponsored in part by The Press Room.

Destination Imagination looking for sponsors for a great cause!

Destination Imagination was introduced at the Dover Middle school in 2010 and has had great success teaching children how to problem solve and learn teamwork skills. Destination ImagiNation is a nonprofit educational organization focusing on developing student creativity, problem solving, team work, and collaboration and leadership skills.  Each team is given seven months to solve a challenge and present their solution at tournaments.  At the tournaments, the team is also given an “on-the-spot” challenge to solve (in 8 minutes!) that tests their thinking skills and teamwork under pressure.  

This year our team placed first at the NH regional tournament and moved on to the State tournament held March 31, 2012.  At the State tournament our team (Just Hold It ) placed first, allowing us to advance to the Global Finals at the University of Tennessee on May 23, 2012. In Tennessee our team will be competing against the top teams from United States and from 30 countries from around the world!

The main challenge is multifaceted.  First, we had to design, build and test a structure made entirely of wood and glue, weighing less than 50 grams, which would support as much weight as possible and hold golf balls that were delivered by a golf ball delivery device we designed and built.  At the State tournament, our structure weighed 20.8 grams held 650 pounds and held 18 golf balls without breaking!  We hope to improve on that performance at the Global competition and are feverishly testing design improvements. Second, we had to write a play complete with a script, songs, costumes, props and scenery, involving a captivator. We chose to write our skit about the Wright Brothers and how they captivated the world with the world’s first airplane. Our whole solution had to be done within a strict cost limitation of $100.00, testing our budgeting skill on top of everything else.

We are looking for sponsors to help cover our cost of our participation at the Global tournament (entrance fee of $4500) and to set up funds to increase the number of teams next year at Dover Middle School. Destination Imagination takes learning to the next level by applying what we learn in school to solve a real challenge. Your donation is tax-deductible through the Dover Middle School PTA and we will publicly thank you on our website www.dover-di.org and in an article to appear in the Fosters Daily Democrat. The DMS PTA non-profit tax ID # is: 90-0130944. We are trying to raise $10,000 and any donation you can make would be greatly appreciated.  If you are able to help, make your check payable to DMS PTA with DI fundraiser in the memo line and mail your tax deductible donation to:

Dover Middle School PTA
Attn: D.I.
16 Daley Drive
Dover, NH 03820

Thank you in advance for your consideration and support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact
me, Aimee at 603-498-5969 or Sue Sheehan (DI Parent and Just Hold It’sFund Raising Chair) at 742-1073.

Sincerely,

Aimee Marchesi and The Just Hold It team.

Riley Dube, Ryan Fitzgerald, Cody Sheehan, Connor Blomstrom, Sam Faasen, and Will Marchesi 

Portsmouth Christian Academy at Dover to Hold Informational Meeting

Portsmouth Christian Academy is now accepting applications for the 2012-2013 school year.  There is an informational meeting and campus tour scheduled for parents interested in preschool through grade 12 on Thursday, May 17, 2012, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at 20 Seaborne Drive.

A presentation about the Academy will be given by PCA administrators and teachers will also be available for questions.  The purpose of the informational meeting is to acquaint interested families with the many opportunities available at Portsmouth Christian Academy.

Portsmouth Christian Academy has an enrollment of over 600 students from New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts, making PCA the largest independent Christian school in New England. Applicants must exhibit a strong desire to learn, a record of academic achievement and a strong moral character.  PCA has a selective admission process, low student-teacher ratio and before and after school programs.  Tuition assistance is available.

For more information and application forms, please contact Mrs. Diane Sipp, Director of Admissions, at 603-742-3617, ext. 116, or email dsipp@pcaschool.org. Please visit PCA’s website, www.pcaschool.org, for directions to its 50-acre campus in Dover, NH.

Alzheimer’s educational seminar for caregivers to be held June 2nd

Today, it seems that nearly everyone is touched in some way by Alzheimer’s disease. Either you know someone who is suffering from this devastating disease itself or you know their caregiver or loved ones,

To provide caregivers of persons suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias with the information and support they need, The Homemakers Health Services will be offering an Alzheimer’s Educational seminar on Saturday, June 2nd from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at its office located at 215 Rochester Hill Road, Rochester.

The program, which is free and open to the public, will be facilitated by Hanna Jacoby, of The Homemakers Health Services, who has extensive training in the area of Alzheimer’s disease.

“It’s been said that taking care of a person with Alzheimer’s disease can be like living in a foxhole – at anytime, something can hit. As the disease progresses, new behaviors emerge as old abilities are lost,” says Jacoby. “Yet at each given stage of the disease, there are ways to help make life easier and more pleasant for both the victims of the disease and those who care for them.

“Caregivers are the lifelines to persons with Alzheimer’s disease – a role which is physically and emotionally stressful and demanding,” says Jacoby. “Although there is no exact way to live with Alzheimer’s disease as the experience is different for every caregiver and every person, through this program we offer information about what you can expect throughout the disease process and suggestions on how to live with the changes you experience.”

Highlights of the session will include: an overview of Alzheimer’s and related dementias, the seven stages of Alzheimer’s disease, techniques on how to successfully handle problems which arise when caring for persons with the disease, daily living and recreational suggestions, communication techniques and a question and answer period.

As seating is limited, reservations are required and can be made by calling 822-2108.

Alzheimer’s Support Group

An Alzheimer’s Support Group, facilitated by Hanna Jacoby, of The Homemakers Health Services, is held from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Thursday of each month at the Frisbie Hospital Educational Building, 11 Whitehall Road, Rochester.

All interested persons are invited to attend. For more information contact Hanna Jacoby at 822-2108.

Established in 1974, The Homemakers Health Services provides home health, home support, adult medical/social day care and community wellness services to adults throughout Strafford County and parts of Carroll and Rockingham counties. Services include visiting nurses, wound care, IV therapy, rehabilitative therapies, medical social work, case management, home health aide, Alzheimer’s respite, homemaker, in-home care provider and adult day care.

For more information about The Homemakers Health Services, call (603) 335-1770 or 1-800-660-1770 or visit the Agency’s website www.TheHomemakers.org.

Seacoast SCORE Announces July 31st 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, July  31st, 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.

10th Annual Dover Public Library Poetry Contest

The Dover Public Library recently held its 10th Annual Student Poetry contest for grades K-12.  There were 271 entries received by the deadline of April 18 and the poems are now in the hands of the judges.  Poems are being judged on originality, style and creativity.

All participants are invited to attend an “Evening of Poetry” on Tuesday, May 22nd at 6:30pm in the library’s Lecture Hall; refreshments will be served.  Prizes will be awarded in six different categories:  Grades K-2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6, 7 & 8, 9 & 10, and 11 &12. All students are invited to read their submission poem aloud at this event, but this will be purely voluntary. The public is also warmly invited to attend the readings and award ceremony. For more information, please contact Denise LaFrance at 516-6082.

Salt River folk concert at Dover Public Library

On Tuesday evening May 15 at 7pm, the Friends of the Dover Public Library will present a concert by folk group Salt River in the library’s Lecture Hall. These “folk singers in the purest sense” (Face Magazine), are Lee Hosack, Mike and Bev Rogers, and Cathy King. They are based in the seacoast area of Maine and perform traditional and original music reflecting the lifestyle and people of New England. Their folk/blues style is accented by their vocals and Mike’s signature harmonica. Much of the group’s material is original, but heavily influenced by the acoustic folk music of the 1960s. The group’s close friendships and love of music are reflected in their performances and on their CDs.

Salt River was selected as the sole representative for the State of Maine at the New England Artists’ Congress held in Woodstock, Vermont.  More recent venues include: Prescott Park Arts Festival  Market Square Day, First Night Portsmouth, Hamilton House Series (So Berwick), and Chautauqua in Keene and Portsmouth, NH.

Friends of the Library programs are always free and open to all. Refreshments will be served following the concert. For more information, please call the Dover Public Library:  603-516-6050.

Jewelry Creations MICHELE Watch Trunk Show

Local Printer Honored for Sales Growth

Jon West, Cocheco PrintWorks, Dover, NH, has been honored for his company’s sales growth by CPrint® International during the bi-annual board meeting in Chicago, IL. CPrint® awards printers who have demonstrated a significant sales growth over the past year.

According to Todd Nuckols, CPrint® president, Cocheco PrintWorks is among an elite group of companies who are seeing sales increases in the slow economy. “Cocheco PrintWorks is focusing on principles and practices geared to exceptional customer service,” said Nuckols. “This effort is resulting in increased sales even in a time of an economic slowdown. A company who can achieve growth in these times can only achieve it by being the best print provider for its business customers.”

CPrint® International is an organization of independently owned family-based businesses that strive for professionalism and performance among small business that commonly lack highly developed systems and leadership. Companies from throughout North America participate in the program.

Cocheco PrintWorks is the only printer in Dover that qualified for the prestigious CPrint® designation. CPrint® is available only to printers who demonstrate exceptional quality and service by maintaining standards in operations, training, equipment and software as well as worker benefits and working conditions. This program requires annual onsite recertification as well as participation in continuing educational programs.

Cocheco PrintWorks is located at 442 Central Avenue, Dover, NH 03820. For more information about the company, call (603) 749-0113, e-mail jon@cochecoprintworks.com, or visit the company’s website at www.cochecoprintworks.com.

Rivermill at Dover Landing extends special rates to couples
impacted by the closure of Blue Sky in York

Rivermill at Dover Landing, New Hampshire’s newest event space, was founded on the principle of providing flexible options for clients, providing an escape from the high pressure, one-size-fits-all approach to weddings and events. The partners of Rivermill are aware of the stress caused by the sudden closure of the Blue Sky and would like to extend a special offer to clients of the recently-closed property. Rivermill at Dover Landing is offering 25% off its standard room rental rates for clients from the Blue Sky who book their 2012/2013 event at the Dover venue between now and May 15, 2012. “The decision to present this offer took all of 5 minutes,” said Rivermill partner, Kirt Schuman. “Being a relatively new venue, we have some select dates available to make this transition as easy as possible for those affected by Blue Sky’s closure.”

Rivermill at Dover Landing sits in the heart of Dover’s emerging waterfront district and is the newest event venue on the Seacoast. With lofty ceilings, 1800s brick-and-beam architecture and tall, arched windows offering views of the Cochecho River, Henry Law Park and Dover’s historic City Hall clock tower, Rivermill is a distinctive location for weddings, special events and corporate functions. Rivermill is intimate enough for gatherings of 75 but large enough for a 350 guest wedding.

Rivermill at Dover Landing is located at Two Washington Street in the Picker Building of the Washington Street Mill complex in Dover. Blue Sky clients must provide proof of contract  with Blue Sky and use one of several Rivermill preferred caterers for their event. Offer valid only on 2012 and 2013 events, subject to availability. For more information, please visit www.rivermillnh.com, www.facebook.com/rivermillnh, email info@rivermillnh.com or call 603-343-2192.

Photo Caption:

Rivermill.Photo.Shoot-01   Rivermill at Dover Landing is offering specisal rates to couples affected by the recent closure of Blue Sky in York.  In addition to its desirable location in trendy dowtown Dover, New Hampshire, Rivermill offers classic, exposed brick and beam architecture and tall, arched windows that offer expansive park and river views.

For Additional Information, please contact:

Britt Schuman
Rivermill at Dover Landing
britt@rivermillnh.com
(603) 343-2192