Money Magazine Ranks Dover Among Top 100 Communities

DOVER—
The City of Dover, New Hampshire is one of the best places to live in the country, according to Money Magazine.
Each year, the September edition of Money Magazine ranks the top 100 communities based on a number of factors, including quality of life, job opportunities, schools, safe streets, economic strength and weather.
Dover ranks number 90 on the list and is touted for its character; family friendly attractions, including the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire; and modern use of historic buildings.
“We’re obviously proud that our community is being recognized nationally for something we have long known locally – Dover is a great place to live,” said Dover City Manager J. Michael Joyal, Jr.
City of Dover Economic Development Director Daniel Barufaldi said he expects Dover to continue to score well.
“It’s a pleasure to see the outstanding quality of place and of life in Dover being nationally recognized,” Barufaldi said. “I fully expect that Dover’s future national ranking will continue to rise over time.”
Dover is one of only three New Hampshire communities to make the list this year. Hanover and Merrimack, New Hampshire also rank in the top 100 this year.
The list draws upon the most recent Census figures, which places Dover’s population at approximately 30,000.
For more information and to view the complete list, visit: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2011/snapshots/PL3318820.html.
Photo caption: Money Magazine recently ranked Dover #90 on their list of America’s best small towns. (Photo courtesy The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce)

Back-to-School Shopping with Operation Christmas Child

HAMPTON—
As schools nationwide prepare to open their doors for another year of learning, many parents are shopping for back-to-school bargains using a school-issued supply list as their guide.
But this year, kids across New England and the rest of the United States are thinking beyond their own backpacks and buying supplies for kids they have never met.
In the midst of their school shopping, Americans are stocking up on items for Operation Christmas Child (OCC), a massive year-round project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization based in Boone, NC.
Since 1993, OCC has hand-delivered shoe box gifts to more than 86 million hurting children overseas. To make this ministry work, participants fill shoeboxes with an assortment of school supplies, toys, necessity items and letters of encouragement that will soon be shipped and distributed to kids in some 130 countries.
Parents and kids alike love getting extra notebooks, colored pencils and erasers to pack in their shoebox gifts. During back-to-school sales they can get items for great prices, which enables families to help even more children in need.
This shoe box packing effort, requiring months of organization and preparation, will reach some 8.5 million kids who are suffering because of natural disaster, disease, war, terrorism, famine and poverty. For many of these children, the shoebox will be the first gift they have ever received.
Those participating in this annual effort are encouraged to enlist families, churches, scout troops, community groups and businesses to take advantage of back-to-school sales by collecting school supplies for shoe box gifts.
After purchasing everything that’s on your back-to-school list, simply fill shoe boxes (cardboard or plastic) with school supplies, toys, personal items (comb, toothbrush and toothpaste, facecloth, etc.) and, if desired, a letter of encouragement.
Then, when National Collection Week comes around (this year it’s November 14-21), drop off the gift boxes at a collection site near you. The local collection site in this region is at the Hampton Falls First Baptist Church, located at the junction of Routes 1-88 in Hampton Falls, across from the town common.
Detailed step-by-step shoebox packing instructions are available at www.samaritanspurse.org/occ. For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call (800) 353-5949 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.
Photo caption: Hannah White (pictured) has been packing Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for needy kids overseas with her family for most of her life. The Whites have collected thousands of shoebox gifts in their garage since 2002. (Photo courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse)

Fashion’s Night Out: From Milan to Manhattan, From Paris to Portsmouth!

PORTSMOUTH—
Fashion’s Night Out, an international fashion event taking place on September 8, 2011, will feature Portsmouth, NH as an official participant, which is great news for Portsmouth retailers and fashionistas alike. The Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce and its Retail Committee are galvanizing local retailers to participate by hosting special in-store events, creating an international fashion party from Milan to Manhattan, from Paris to Portsmouth!
Valerie Rochon, Tourism Manager for the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, reports that member retailers are planning events to take place September 8, 2011.
“Fashion’s Night Out began in New York City in 2009 as an after-hours shopping extravaganza with special events and entertainment. We are delighted Portsmouth is joining in the fashion fun this September 8, 2011,” said Rochon. Rochon reports several retailers have signed up to participate. In-store events and a special presentation at The Music Hall on September 8th are being planned and will be announced shortly.
If you are a retailer and would like to participate, please contact Valerie Rochon at tourism@portsmouthchamber.org.