Cider Flights & Tasty Bites featuring North Country Hard Cider
Saturday March 23, 2024, 7-9pm, 6:30pm VIP entrance 

Grown-ups, join us at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire for an evening of hard cider sampling and tasty nibbles! This 21+ event will feature tastings of five all-natural hard ciders provided by North Country Hard Cider, based in Dover, NH. Included in the ticket price are four-ounce pours of cider, paired with tasty bites from local restaurants and activities sure to bring out your inner child! Participating businesses include Fat Dog Kitchen, Ohana Kitchen, Stalk Restaurant, HiFi Burritos, Flag Hill Distillery & Winery, Thirsty Moose Taphouse, Flight Coffee, Evviva Trattoria, Lindt Chocolate, and Sweetened Memories Bakery. A portion of each ticket sold supports Children’s Museum of NH exhibits and programs.

VIP Tickets cost $50/person or $35/person for VIP Designated Drivers, and includes early access to the event at 6:30pm and one extra cider pour (6 total). VIP tickets will not be sold at the door. General Admission Tickets cost $35/person or $25/person for General Admission Designated Driver Tickets, and includes entry at 7pm and 5 cider pours. If we haven’t sold out, tickets will be available at the door for $40/person for General Admission or $30/person for Designated Drivers. Get your tickets online at www.childrens-museum.org or at the door.

Atkinson, NH – Award-winning Palmer Gas & Oil (PGO) secured its eighth consecutive win as Best Fuel Provider by New Hampshire Business Review’s 2024 Best of Business (BOB) Awards.

“It is such an amazing honor to receive our eighth consecutive win,” says Peter Iacobucci, General Manager of Palmer Gas & Oil. “This award is extra special to all of us at PGO as it is decided by customer voting. We work hard to bring warmth and comfort to the families that we service, and this shows that they appreciate all that we do. Every PGO employee has contributed to this win, a result of our great teamwork and of all of us following our motto of Friendly, Simple, Safe.”

PGO is a one-stop shop that provides fuel, service and equipment sales, and installation throughout New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts.

For further information, please see PalmerGas.com.

Palmer Gas & Oil (PGO) is a family-owned and operated propane and oil delivery and service company based in Atkinson, New Hampshire with over 90 years serving New Hampshire, Northern Massachusetts, and Southern Maine. PGO's automatic delivery, easy payment, and scheduled maintenance plans make it simple for its customers to keep their tanks full and their equipment serviced. A full sales, service, and equipment installation business, PGO is unique to the industry in that it is truly a one-stop shop. PGO is a Business NH Magazine Business of the Decade winner in the Retail/Wholesale category, a multi-award winner of the Best of Business (BOB) awards for best fuel provider as well as a multi-award winner in the Union Leader Readers’ Choice award for oil and propane delivery, a Business Excellence Award winner in consumer services for large organizations from NH Business Review and has an accredited A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

‘Paintings for a Purpose’ Art Show to Return this Summer

Dr. Marc Bard will once again be hosting the ‘Paintings for a Purpose’ art show this summer with 100 percent of profits from the sale of his watercolor art going to local charity.

Nonprofits interested in being considered as a beneficiary of the art show are invited to complete a brief survey at surveymonkey.com/r/PaintingForAPurpose2024 on or before Friday, March 29. Beneficiaries will be selected by a committee of community members.

The ‘Paintings for a Purpose’ art show will feature Dr. Bard’s watercolor paintings of local sights and scenes. In addition, this year Dr. Bard is joined by Dr. John Ingard, whose inspiring Lakes Region wildlife photographs will be also be available for purchase. An opening reception will be held in late June at the MVSB (Meredith Village Savings Bank) Main Office at 24 NH Route 25 in Meredith and art will be on display at that location throughout the month of July. During August, artwork will be displayed in the Bank’s Wolfeboro Office at 66 North Main Street. All are invited to stop in to view and purchase.

“We are honored to once again have the opportunity to work with Marc to host this special event that blends an appreciation for the stunning lakes region with our shared passion for giving back,” said Marcus Weeks, MVSB President. “The show of the support was tremendous last year and we look forward to continuing to support Dr. Bard as he grows this event and its community impact each year.”

The 2024 ‘Paintings for a Purpose’ art show will be Dr. Bard’s 5th annual fundraiser. Last year’s event raised more than $10,000, which was donated to the Meredith Food Pantry to support food insufficiency in local communities.

Visit benjylevine07.wixsite.com/paintingforapurpose to view samples of Marc’s paintings.

Now in double overtime of Dr. Marc Bard’s fulfilling career as medical illustrator, practicing physician, author, health care executive, and national health care consultant, Dr. Bard currently devotes his time to enjoying his Squam Lake environs with his wife Carol and, whenever possible, his children and grandchildren. He enjoys studying watercolor painting and contributing to the success of local non-profit charitable organizations by donating all proceeds from his paintings to support their missions.

MVSB has been serving the essential banking needs of people, businesses, nonprofits and municipalities for over 150 years. As a mutual savings bank, MVSB has no stock-holders but rather operates for the benefit of its customers, employees and community. Since our founding, one thing has always remained true: caring is at the heart of everything we do. By building and nurturing relationships, we believe that we can cultivate a community where we all thrive. It all starts with caring about our customers and neighbors. To learn more, visit any of the local branch offices located in New Hampshire in Alton,

Ashland, Center Harbor, Gilford, Laconia, Melvin Village, Meredith, Moultonborough, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Rochester or Wolfeboro, call 800.922.6872 or visit mvsb.com.

Caption: From left, local artist Dr. Marc Bard presents a watercolor depiction of Meredith Bay to Marcus Weeks, MVSB President. Courtesy Photo

Sponsorships are now available for the Third Annual Charity Corn Hole Tournament to be Hosted by Dover, Rollinsford, South Berwick Lions Club

The Dover, Rollinsford, South Berwick Lions Club is hosting its third annual Corn Hole Tournament on August 10, 2024 at The Barn at Dunn Farm in Berwick. Funds raised will benefit local charity “Annie’s Angels” (www.anniesangels.org). Annie’s Angels helps families struggling with life threatening illness and disabilities in and around the seacoast area.

Gold, Silver and Bronze Sponsorships are available through June 30, 2023.

Last year the group raised $6,000 for Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Health thanks to the local business community that rallied to support the cause, including SC Digital, Seacoast Tree Care, Southers Construction, J. Lapierre Construction, Jayco Disposal, Key Auto Group, Kind Farms, Somersworth Nissan, High Effect Web Design, Insurcomm, Jennifer Halteman Insurance, Meineke, BankNH, Kennebunk Savings, M&T Bank, and Servpro.

Turnout is expected to exceed 500 people, including players and spectators. Sponsors will be featured on T-shirts, banners, plus additional options. For more information, or to become a sponsor, visit https://birdease.com/cornholeforacure

The Lions Club of Dover, Rollinsford and South Berwick is a member of the Lions Club International, which began in 1917. Their motto is “We Serve.” The club gathers on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at Cara Irish Pub in Dover. For more information about the Dover, Rollinsford, South Berwick Lions Club, visit https://www.facebook.com/DRSBLionsClub

The Lions Club of Dover, Rollinsford and South Berwick has been busy meeting the needs of the community.

Thanks to volunteers, local business sponsors and members, in 2023 the club:

* Raised $6,000 for pediatric cancer research
* Donated $500 for the Ryan Home Project
* Donated $400 to Camp Sunshine
* Recycled 4,836 pounds of plastic films which would otherwise end up in our landfills
* Recycled 500+ pairs of eyeglasses
* Screened over 1,000 children for early diagnosis of vision issues, (15% identified as needing followup)

Much more is planned for 2024!  For more information on becoming a member, please email lionsdrsb@gmail.com.

The Lions Club of Dover, Rollinsford and South Berwick is a member of the Lions Club International, which began in 1917.  Their motto is “We Serve.”  The club gathers on the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday of each month at Cara Irish Pub in Dover.
 
 
For more information about the Dover, Rollinsford, South Berwick Lions Club, visit https://www.facebook.com/DRSBLionsClub

COAST Receives $25,000 Grant from Cogswell Benevolent Trust: Funding will support construction of new facility in Dover

DOVER, NH: Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation, more commonly known as COAST, was recently awarded a $25,000 grant from the Cogswell Benevolent Trust. The grant funds will help support the final design and construction of the nonprofit organization's new administration, operations, and maintenance facility in Dover.

For more than 40 years, COAST has been connecting people and communities in the Greater Seacoast region. In the last 15 years in particular, COAST has experienced its most significant growth. In order to better meet its current operational needs, be responsive to future demand and reduce its environmental impact, COAST plans to build a new facility on its current property in Dover. The project will be funded through a combination of federal, state (including NH CDFA tax credits), local, and private sources. The recent award from the Cogswell Benevolent Trust brings the total funds raised to 82% of the $17.3M projected cost.

“A new, efficiently designed facility will be transformational for COAST and for the workforce, students, seniors, individuals living with disabilities, and lower-income families that we serve,” said Rad Nichols, Executive Director of COAST. “We are so grateful to the Cogswell Benevolent Trust for investing in both the regional economy and in climate action. The new facility will help ensure that COAST will be a reliable and environmentally responsible resource for the people of the Greater Seacoast for the next 40 years and beyond.”

The City of Dover recently issued a site plan approval and conditional use permit for the project following a review by the Planning Board. At 17,500 square feet, the new operations, maintenance, and administration building is 6,000 square feet larger than COAST’s existing and leased space combined. The maintenance area is designed with two additional bays (5 total) to support the current and growing fleet. The new administration area contains space to hold larger meetings, for driver training, as well as sufficient room for dispatchers and supervisors to oversee operations. It will also house the TripLink regional call center. An additional new 28,000 square foot building would allow COAST to store its fleet out of the weather.

As a nonprofit, COAST must raise its $7.5-8.0M budget annually. The new operations, maintenance, and administration building will provide numerous benefits both financial and environmental. The new facility will eliminate $70,000 in current annual operating expenses, lower COAST’s carbon footprint with improved energy efficiency (e.g. solar panels, heat pumps, modern construction, and reduced vehicle idling), return staff to one location whereby increasing productivity and efficiency, increase onsite safety, and reduce maintenance hours through shop infrastructure upgrades.

“Public transit is not a virtual job—mechanics, drivers, and dispatchers start work at 4:30 in the morning and leave after 10:00 at night,” said Nichols. “The new facility is crucial to our current operation and an absolute necessity if we are to meet the transportation needs of a growing population that increasingly values public transportation as a climate-friendly, and more socially equitable, alternative to private automobiles.”

More information about COAST’s plans for their new facility can be found at www.coastbus.org.

About COAST

Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to champion and provide customer-focused public transportation with a commitment to excellence in safety and service. COAST is currently funded primarily by federal and local government support but is looking to diversify its revenue streams. COAST is governed by a board of directors representing the communities served, two regional planning commissions, and many local and state agencies. For more information, visit www.coastbus.org.

The Falls Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce the appointment of Jim Martin, Sales Manager for Palmer Gas and Oil, to its esteemed Board of Directors.

With a distinguished career in sales management and a proven track record of excellence, Jim Martin brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to his new role. His leadership has been integral to Palmer Gas and Oil's success, exemplified by their recent achievement of winning the 8th consecutive Best Fuel Provider title in the New Hampshire Business Review 2024 Best of Business (BOB) Awards.

Jim's commitment to community engagement is evident through his active involvement with The Falls Chamber over the past year and a half. As a dedicated member, he has demonstrated a strong passion for advancing the interests of local businesses and fostering economic growth.

A graduate of the University of Connecticut with an MBA from Daniel Webster College, Jim Martin's academic background, coupled with his extensive industry experience, positions him as a valuable asset to The Falls Chamber's Board of Directors.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Jim is a devoted family man, residing in Londonderry, NH, with his wife Karen and their two children, Kathryn and Tommy. His deep roots in the community further reinforce his commitment to the chamber's mission of promoting economic vitality and prosperity.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jim Martin to The Falls Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors," said Bonnie McNair, Executive Director of The Falls Chamber. "His wealth of experience, coupled with his passion for community development, will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts to support local businesses and drive economic growth in the region."

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Jim Martin as he assumes his new role within The Falls Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Sunday, February 11, 1-3pm

Calling all wild kids! Come celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire with special guests from The Center for Wildlife. Come play in the museum exhibits, make special Valentine’s day and animal themed crafts, learn about animals that can be found in New England, and take home a fun treat at the end of the event!

Tickets must be reserved in advance, and regular discounts do not apply for this special event. Space is limited and we can not guarantee that tickets will be available for purchase on the day of the event. Ticket prices are: $10 for Members and $16 for non-members.

https://childrens-museum.org/things-to-do/events/valentines-day

Dover, NH (January 2, 2024) - The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (CMNH) is excited to share that they have been awarded a two-year grant totaling $80,000 from the Evelyn S. and K.E. Barrett Foundation to support a facility expansion project. This expansion will add two new exhibit spaces to the Museum’s second floor, allowing CMNH to meet the changing needs of children, families, and the community.  The Museum will launch this project in 2024, with the goal of opening the additional 1,000 square feet of engaging activities in late 2025.

“We have been impressed with the work that the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire has done for children and families in New Hampshire and are pleased to continue supporting their mission,” said Peter Barrett, Executive Director and Trustee at the Barrett Foundation.

The Barrett Foundation previously provided CMNH with support for their “Bolstering a Childcare System in Crisis” project through which large activity kits filled with play-based manipulatives were provided to 83 childcare centers, family resource centers, and libraries in New Hampshire. The project also supplied educators with resources such as activity guides, instructional workshops and informational videos, and ultimately impacted over 9,900 children in the state. 

“We’re thrilled to have this funding from the Barrett Foundation for our second floor expansion,” said Museum President Jane Bard. “The two new exhibits we have in the works include a New Hampshire farm exhibit designed for our youngest visitors, ages 0-5, similar to our popular Primary Place, and another designed to be a creative open space for changing exhibits and active play.”

The Museum is embracing new opportunities to grow and present new experiences to adapt to community needs. Current lack of childcare and preschool openings are bringing to light a demand for socialization and learning opportunities for children ages 0-5, as well as for their caregivers, hence the addition of a second area catering to this age. The new flexible space will allow CMNH to be responsive, not just through changing exhibits that will provide new and fresh experiences, but also as a space to expand our current drop-in programs and playgroups, community events, and school field trips.  Recent statewide data and feedback from Museum visitors also indicates an urgent need for resources to support child and family emotional wellbeing. Educational activities related to social/emotional learning will be integrated into the new exhibits and CMNH will evaluate existing exhibits in the Museum to determine additional changes that can support children and family emotional health in an approachable and age-appropriate way.

Those who would like to learn more or offer their support for the project can visit www.childrens-museum.org.