The New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism is seeking information from the tourism Industry in the state to gather information about sustainability initiatives, energy efficiency efforts, and environmentally friendly practices underway at their properties or businesses.

Businesses in the tourism industry are encouraged to reach out with details of their practices and efforts. Information can be shared by contacting the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism. 

Businesses are asked to provide the following information:

• Business name
• Details of the project/initiative
• Website

Please send information to Kris Neilsen, kris.m.neilsen@livefree.nh.gov. 

Rochester, NH- Cornerstone VNA, a nonprofit home health and hospice care provider, is proud to announce that their Hospice Care program has achieved Level 5 status with the We Honor Veterans program. This is the highest recognition level of this important program.  This special recognition reflects Cornerstone VNA’s deep commitment to ensuring veterans have access to quality end-of-life care.

According to We Honor Veterans, Cornerstone VNA is the only partner agency that has achieved Level 5 status in New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont. Maureen E. Steer MDiv, Holistic Disciplines Manager at Cornerstone VNA notes, “This honor is a reflection of the hard work that the entire team puts into ensuring our veterans are given the best level of care possible.”

We Honor Veterans is a national Hospice provider awareness campaign conducted by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs. As a We Honor Veterans Partner, Cornerstone VNA is better prepared to build organizational capacity to provide quality care for veterans and to strengthen partnerships with veteran organizations. In addition, Cornerstone VNA strives to increase access to hospice and palliative care for veterans living in the community and to network with other hospices across the country to learn about best practice models.

According to The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), Hospice programs can “earn their stars” and matching We Honor Veterans logo by completing activities for each of the five levels of commitment. This allows VA staff and Veterans to easily identify hospices that have made a commitment to offer veteran-specific care and services provided by a competent and highly skilled workforce. The NHPCO adds, “By recognizing the unique needs of America’s Veterans and their families, community providers, in partnership with VA staff, will learn how to accompany and guide them through their life stories toward a more peaceful ending.” To maintain Level 5 status, a Hospice is required to recertify on a yearly basis.

According to Julie Reynolds, Cornerstone VNA CEO, "We are privileged to honor veterans and their family members, and to express our gratitude to them for their gallantry and service at the end of their lives." As a We Honor Veterans Partner, Cornerstone VNA is proud to give veterans a helping hand and the support they need at end-of-life. 

For more information about the We Honor Veterans program at Cornerstone VNA, contact Maureen E. Steer MDiv, Holistic Disciplines Manager, 603-332-1133 x1152 or msteer@cornerstonevna.org.

Members of the Hospice Care Team celebrate becoming a Level 5 Partner with the We Honor Veterans Program

Cornerstone VNA currently serves Rockingham, Strafford, Belknap and Carroll Counties in New Hampshire and York County in Maine. The team at Cornerstone VNA provides award-winning care and support through five distinct programs: Home Care, Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Life Care-Private Duty and Community Care. For 110 years, Cornerstone VNA has been committed to bringing services to people of all ages so that families can stay together at home, even when facing the challenges of aging, surgical recovery, chronic or life-threatening illnesses or end-of-life care. To learn more about Cornerstone VNA, visit www.cornerstonevna.org or call 800-691-1133.

DOVER, NH – Wentworth-Douglass Hospital was awarded an “A” grade for safety Wednesday by the Leapfrog Group, an independent, national not-for-profit watchdog organization.

The Leapfrog Group assigns letter grades, ranging from “A” to “F”, to general hospitals throughout the United States. The grades are based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public.

“Wentworth-Douglass Hospital continually seeks opportunities to improve quality and patient safety. This focus of continuous performance improvement is deeply embedded in our culture as an organization,” said Wentworth-Douglass president and COO Jeff Hughes. “We voluntarily submit data to Leapfrog to both learn and promote transparency. I am incredibly proud of this organization, and I am gratified for this external affirmation of what our skilled and dedicated staff, clinicians, physicians, and leadership team do each and every day in the care of our patients.” 

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program based exclusively on hospital prevention of medical errors and harm to patients. Safety Grade results are updated each fall and spring.

“This new update of Hospital Safety Grades shows that, at the national level, we saw deterioration in patient safety with the pandemic,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “But this hospital received an ‘A’ despite those challenges. I congratulate all the leaders, staff, volunteers and clinicians who together made that possible.”

The full Leapfrog grade details for hospitals are available online at HospitalSafetyGrade.org.

Newmarket, NH- We are excited to announce the addition of Skye Tomasyan, a licensed agent, to our team. Skye brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the agency and will help to strengthen our commitment to providing exceptional service and insurance solutions to our clients.

Prior to working with Keslar Insurance, Skye has several years of experience providing exceptional value to her customers. She has a passion for helping clients navigate the complexities of insurance and has a track record of delivering outstanding results and building long-lasting relationships with clients.

“We are thrilled to welcome Skye to our team,” said David Keslar, Founder, and CEO of Keslar Insurance. “Her expertise and dedication to customer service align perfectly with our mission to provide the best possible insurance solutions to our clients.”

As a licensed insurance agent, Skye is authorized to offer a range of insurance products, including auto, home, and business insurance. Her knowledge and expertise will enable Keslar Insurance to better serve its many customers in the region.

“I am honored to join the Keslar Insurance team and to work alongside such a talented group of professionals,” said Tomasyan. “I look forward to helping our clients protect what matters most to them and to build long-lasting relationships with them.”

Skye Tomasyan

Keslar Insurance is a leading independent insurance agency that has been providing exceptional insurance solutions to clients in NH, ME & MA. With a commitment to personalized service and tailored solutions, Keslar Insurance has become one of the most trusted names in the industry.

For more information about Keslar Insurance and its insurance solutions, please visit www.keslarinsurance.com or contact them at 603-273-0953.

Rochester, NH – Cornerstone VNA, a local nonprofit home health provider, is pleased to announce the 7^th annual Caregivers Connect, a special event that focuses on providing support to local family caregivers. This free in-person event will take place at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Dover on Thursday, May 18, from 1:30pm – 4:30pm, and is generously underwritten by First Seacoast Bank.

Attendees will hear from Vicki Kirby, APRN, of Victoria Kirby Wellness, who will speak on “Creating Calm & Fostering Resilience.” An integrative Nurse Practitioner from Bedford, NH, Vicki will help caregivers rethink and reinforce self-care in a way that is attainable and meaningful and most of all simple. The first fifty registrants will receive a complimentary journal after their attendance is confirmed on the day of the event. Respite for loved ones is available upon request.

Julie Reynolds, RN, MS, President/CEO of Cornerstone VNA shares, “We are incredibly happy to be back to an in person gathering for our annual Caregivers Connect event. Our theme this year will most surely resonate with our family caregivers in the community.” Janice Howard, Life Care – Private Duty Director at Cornerstone VNA adds, “In addition to the supportive discussion, this event will enable our caregivers to experience a sense of camaraderie. It can be very comforting to know you are not alone in your journey as the caregiver of a loved one.”

To register for this special event or to learn more, call 800-691-1133 x1109 or visit https://cornerstonevna.org/event/caregiver-connect-2023/.

Vicki Kirby, APRN, of Victoria Kirby Wellness

Cornerstone VNA currently serves Rockingham, Strafford, Belknap and Carroll Counties in New Hampshire and York County in Maine. The team at Cornerstone VNA provides award-winning care and support through five distinct programs: Home Care, Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Life Care-Private Duty and Community Care. For 110 years, Cornerstone VNA has been committed to bringing services to people of all ages so that families can stay together at home, even when facing the challenges of aging, surgical recovery, chronic or life-threatening illnesses or end-of-life care. To learn more about Cornerstone VNA, visit www.cornerstonevna.org or call 800-691-1133.

ROCHESTER – The Monarch School of New England is pleased to announce that Jeanette Souther has been hired as the next Executive Director, effective July 1, 2023. Souther succeeds Diane Bessey, who will retire at the end of the current school year following 40 years of service in special education and 25 years with the Monarch School of New England.

Souther was selected by the Board of Directors after an extensive year-long process which yielded several outstanding candidates. Board President, Jean Parsons, shared; “Jeanette’s extensive special education and leadership experience impressed our hiring committee. She also demonstrated a strong alignment with the school’s philosophy that every student has potential, and every student can learn. We look forward to working with her when she joins the school community in July.”

Souther joins the Monarch School of New England from the Portsmouth School District, where she has served as the Director of Pupil Support for eight years.

Caption: Left: Jeanette Souther, incoming Executive Director Right: Diane Bessey, current Executive Director, retiring June 30, 2023 (photo credit Monarch School of New England)

About the Monarch School of New England

The Monarch School of New England is a nonprofit day school for students 5-22 years of age with significant disabilities. The school supports students with special needs to reach their greatest potential, through a comprehensive approach which integrates both education and therapy, ensuring successful transitions to school and the community. To learn more, visit: monarchschoolne.org

Contact: Amanda Martineau, Director of Community Engagement

Phone: 603.332.2848

Email: amartineau@monarchschoolne.org 

Farmsteads of New England expects to commence construction this spring on its Redberry Farm Supportive Housing Project in Epping, which seeks to create housing for 27 individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. MVSB (Meredith Village Savings Bank) is proud to support this effort with a $7,000 tax credit purchase through the Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA).

Deborah DeScenza, Farmsteads of New England Founder and Executive Director, said this project is based off the model originally developed at the Rosewald Farm in Hillsborough.

“Our model is unique in that residents gain independence and develop a sense of belonging and accomplishment as they participate in farming activities and connect with nature,” she said. “Because most of our residents choose to stay long term, we rarely have openings and our waitlist has only continued to grow. We truly appreciate the support we have received from community partners like MVSB.”

“MVSB is committed to supporting local organizations, like Farmsteads of New England, that provide new opportunities and improve the lives of individuals and families in our communities,” said James Carrigan, MVSB Regional Vice President. “We are very proud to help them expand their capacity and welcome new residents with this contribution.” 

Farmsteads of New England was formed in 2003 and has been gradually growing ever since. The Redberry Farm Supportive Housing Project will include eight residential buildings, each with four one-bedroom apartments. Twenty-seven units are intended for individuals they support while the remaining five are designated for live-in staff. Go to farmsteads-ne.org to learn more.

CDFA tax credits allow businesses to fund qualifying economic or community development projects in exchange for a tax credit that can be applied against state business tax payments. The tax credits are administered by the New Hampshire CDFA. Any business with operations in New Hampshire that contributes to a CDFA tax credit project receives a New Hampshire state tax credit worth 75 percent of their contribution. The credit can be used over a period of five years to reduce the business’ state tax liability (business profits, business enterprise, or insurance premium taxes). The tax credit program allows New Hampshire businesses to use their state tax dollars to support local projects that they care about. CDFA reviews many project applications each year, and awards tax credits to those they determine are feasible and will make the biggest impact on economic development in the state. Visit nhcdfa.org for more information.

Unlike a stock bank, MVSB is a mutual savings bank that operates for the benefit of its depositors, borrowers and surrounding communities. As a result, MVSB has remained steadfast in fostering the economic health and well-being of the community since it was founded in 1869. For over 150 years, Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB), has been serving the people, businesses, nonprofits and municipalities of New Hampshire. MVSB and its employees are guided by the values of accountability, mutuality, excellence, respect, integrity, teamwork and stewardship. To learn more, visit any of the local branch offices located 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: Jim Carrigan, MVSB Region Vice President (right), and Angela Salb, MVSB Vice President Commercial Loan Officer (left), present a check to Deborah DeScenza, Founder and Executive Director of Farmsteads of New England. 

Atkinson, NH – Palmer Gas & Oil (PGO) officially launched its new technical training lab with the goal of fostering innovation, promoting hands-on learning, and advancing the technical skills of its staff.

Designed and developed by well-known technical trainer Terry Rickards, and managed by industry veteran Don Lamprey, the lab is designed to provide real-world HVAC training in a comfortable and familiar environment.

Says Peter Iacobucci, PGO General Manager, “We are thrilled with the way this lab turned out and excited to train our office and field staff in the latest technologies and techniques. Terry has done a fantastic job designing a lab that will help to keep our PGO team ahead of the competition, and Don has some great vendors scheduled.”

The lab includes state-of-the-art technology, tools, and equipment that combine traditional classroom training with vendor demonstrations and hands-on coaching to accommodate different learning styles.

Award-winning Palmer Gas & Oil provides propane and oil, as well as related equipment and services to customers in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. For more information, please visit 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.  

Come cheer on the Granite Web Makers as they shear a sheep, spin the wool into yarn, and knit a sweater by hand, all in one day, on Saturday, April 29 at the historic Colonel Paul Wentworth House in Rollinsford, NH. 

The day’s activities will begin at 9 am with sheep shearing, followed by a day of spinning and knitting. In addition, items made from handspun yarns and knitted by team members will be raffled off, with 100% of all raffle tickets and donations going to support Amy's Treat, a nonprofit organization which supports Seacoast area cancer patients. Visitors are also invited to try their hand at wool carding and drop spindle spinning, and peruse a display of reproduction 18^th century woolen garments. 

The Granite Web Makers are one of three official USA teams in the 2023 International Back to Back Wool Challenge, an annual event that challenges teams of woolcrafters around the globe to create a sweater directly from a sheep's back to a human's back in one day. Each team consists of a blade shearer, a country of origin sheep, and seven spinners/knitters who follow the identical Challenge rules and pattern to knit an adult size sweater, all in one day.  In addition to sharing their love of wool, the Granite Web Makers will be raising money for Amy’s Treat, which provides solutions to the day-to-day difficulties of living with cancer and offers unexpected “treats” to renew the spirit.  

Located on Water Street in Rollinsford, the circa 1701 Wentworth House is maintained by the Association for Rollinsford Culture and History (ARCH) as an educational and cultural center for the community. For more information, consult the ARCH website at www.paulwentworthhouse.org.