Program for Children with Autism at Children’s Museum

DOVER—
The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire has announced Sunday, March 14 as the launch date of its new program, Exploring Our Way: the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire’s Autism Partnership Program. On that date, the museum will open early at 10 a.m. just for families whose children are affected by autism. Families will be able to enjoy the museum’s exhibits for two hours prior to opening and are also welcome to stay and play after the museum opens to the public. Families can participate in this program at no charge thanks to underwriting by the Cogswell Benevolent Trust. 
This free program will continue through the spring on the second Sunday of each month at 10 a.m.: April 11, May 9 and June 13. Future dates will be announced before the summer. 

Exploring Our Way: the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire’s Autism Partnership Program will provide free visits to the museum for families with children who have Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) while the museum is closed to the public, and continuing after it opens. Members of the museum’s education staff are working with UNH specialists and Easter Seals – The Family Place in Dover to plan for these visits to ensure participants’ full enjoyment and exploration of the museum.
 

“The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire clearly has an outstanding understanding of meeting the learning needs of children of all abilities,” said Patti Rawding-Anderson, Director of Easter Seals - The Family. “Easter Seals’ Camp Connect Summer Program for children with social challenges participated in a field trip to the museum and the staff was amazing at ensuring their experience was optimal. In fact, the museum’s director of education sought their input for change and several of our students made some excellent recommendations for a number of the exhibits. In subsequent visits, we found they had implemented a number of the suggestions. How wonderful to have such an amazing community partner in supporting the experiences of children.” 
 

Children’s Museum of N.H. Director Denise Doleac noted, “In our research, we found that there is a great need for this type of programming, and we are grateful to the Cogswell Benevolent Trust for funding this new initiative. We look forward to welcoming many families through this program in the coming year.”
 
Deb Jurkoic, Autism Family Support Specialist for Easter Seals - The Family Place, added, “We’re very excited about this new program because it will help children as well as parents. Families often feel isolated when they have a child with ASD, but these special opportunities at the museum will allow parents to network with one another and enjoy family time in a safe, understanding environment.”
(Courtesy photo)

Somersworth Chamber Elects New Board Member

SOMERSWORTH—
The Board of Directors of the Greater Somersworth Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the election of Robert “Cider” Berry to a vacant seat on the Board. Berry is a well-known Rochester native and local businessman who has dedicated his life to community service. He owned and built a successful heating fuel company, EZ Fuels, in Rochester during the 1990’s. Berry sold his company to Eastern Propane & Oil in 1999 and has been Eastern’s Public Relations Director since that time. Eastern is the 15th largest propane retailer in the United States.
Along with his business experience, Berry has an extensive background serving on Boards for Chambers of Commerce and other community organizations. He served six years on the Board of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce and was President of the Board of the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce where he served for four years. In addition, he presently serves on the Rochester Housing Authority Commission, the Board of Directors for the Rochester Fair, and the Board of Directors for the Rotary Club of Rochester. Berry lives in Rochester with Marilyn, his wife of 42 years. He has three children and three grandchildren.
Photo caption: Cider Berry, Public Relations Director for Eastern Propane and Oil. (Courtesy photo)

Toyota Safety Recall Explained

CONCORD—
Attorney General Michael A. Delaney announced on Feb. 26 that Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. has agreed to offer free at-home pickup of vehicles covered by the national safety recall, pay for consumers’ out-of-pocket transportation costs and provide drivers free rental cars during repairs. The vehicles included in this agreement are those subject to Toyota’s recent recalls for floormat pedal entrapment, sticking accelerator pedal, ABS (Anti-Lock Brake System) software update, and Tacoma drive shaft inspection.
Toyota will advise its dealers that consumers who call with concerns about a sticking accelerator pedal or ABS software recalls shall not be told to wait for a letter from Toyota before scheduling the repair of their vehicles. Consumers who call a dealer with regard to the floormat recall, can schedule a repair once they have received the recall letter. Consumers who call a dealer with regard to the Tacoma drive shaft recall will have an inspection performed of the vehicle without unnecessary delay.
Toyota will advise its dealers to address each consumer’s concerns on a case-by-case basis. If a consumer remains concerned, and depending on a consumer’s particular circumstances, Toyota can use the following tools to accommodate the consumer: expedited scheduling; pickup and return of the consumer’s vehicle by a dealership representative or by flatbed truck; driving the consumer to the dealership and/or to his or her place of work; and provision of alternate transportation, such as a rental car, a loaner vehicle, or taxi reimbursement, for the reasonable period that the consumer is unable or unwilling to use his or her car. These accommodations shall be provided to the consumer at no cost to the owner and the dealer.
Consumers who have questions should call the Toyota Customer Experience Center, 
1-800-331-4331, or to the Lexus Customer Assistance Center, 1-800-255-3987. The Centers’ hours of operation are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. PST and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.