Dover’s 4th of July Celebration Offers Something For Everyone

Dover legends, Gazpacho, will headline Dover’s 4th of July celebration, 

the opening event in the 2012 Cochecho Arts Festival.

DOVER –

The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce will host Dover’s 4th of July celebration in Henry Law Park on Wednesday, July 4.  The celebration will feature two stages of entertainment, sponsored by Federal Savings Bank, carnival amusements, children’s activities, food vendors and an eight-pound hot dog eating contest.    The event is scheduled to kickoff at 2 p.m. and will conclude with the Liberty Mutual fireworks display set to begin at 9:15 p.m. 

Performances will begin at the Rotary Arts Pavilion at 2 p.m. with the Garrison Players’ performing their very own rendition of the Declaration of Independence.  Following the Garrison Players will be NorthEastern Ballet Theatre’s “Stars & Stripes” performance at 3:30 p.m. and a patriotic concert from the New Hampshire Army National Guard’s 39th Army Band at 6 p.m.

Entertainment on the River Stage, located in Lower Henry Law Park, will start at 3 p.m. with a performance by Tricky Dick’s Magic Show, followed by Matt Randall’s Black Belt Academy at 4 p.m. Mr. B’s Taekwon Do is at 5:30 p.m. and two performances from Americana Roots Rock performer Dan Walker are at 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.  Capping off the July 4th celebration will be local legends, Gazpacho, taking the River Stage at 7:30 p.m. for a “totally awesome 80’s experience” that will continue throughout the Liberty Mutual Fireworks. 

“We are so excited about the full day of activities we have planned in Dover for the 4th,” said Stephanie Bolduc, July 4th committee chair.  “July 4th is a special day and through the support of Liberty Mutual, Federal Savings Bank, the City of Dover and countless donations from community members and organizations, we have been able to assemble a day that has a little something for everyone and will be remembered by all who attend.” 

Throughout the day Vertical Entertainment will have a climbing rock wall, simulated bungee jump ride and other carnival amusements in operation.  The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire and Paint Along Dover will be on site with arts and crafts for the kids and Lauri Thompson will be offering face painting. 

Deputy Dogs of Dover will be holding a hot dog eating contest of epic proportions at 4:30 p.m.  Teams of three will compete against one another to see who can eat a gigantic eight-pound hot dog, with bun and chili, in the fastest time.  The contest is $50 per team of three and all proceeds go directly to the Dover Children’s Home.  The winning team will go home with trophies and local gift cards.

For more information on Dover’s 4th of July celebration, contact the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce at 603-742-2218.

Winners of First Granite State Beacon Award Announced

Congressman Frank Guinta posed with recipients of the first Granite State Beacon Award, Jennifer Turco Beaudet of Goffstown on the left, and Florence Wiggin of Stratham on the right.  The award was presented during the Women’s Job Fair in Manchester. (courtesy photo)

MANCHESTER –

The recipients of the very first women’s “Granite State Beacon Award” was presented during the Women’s Job Fair in Manchester. The inaugural award is shared by Florence Wiggin of Stratham and Jennifer Turco Beaudet of Goffstown.

“A beacon gives light to others,” Representative Guinta said. “The Granite State Beacon Award recognizes New Hampshire women who are actively working to improve and expand opportunities for women, and who also serve as positive role models.  For some women, success is measured by professional accomplishments and advancement in the workplace.  For others, it’s offering a helping hand to neighbors through civic and charity work.  For many women, success includes raising happy, confident and proud children and nurturing them along the path to adulthood.  Because of the many contributions made by Florence and Jennifer, New Hampshire is a better place to live, work and call home.”

A total of thirty-seven women were nominated for the award by members of Guinta’s Women’s Advisory Committee. Nominees included business executives, artists, community and civic activists, charity volunteer workers, small business owners and many others.

Florence Wiggin was selected for her wide array of community work. Besides being involved in her family’s egg business, she is a volunteer with Stratham Community Church, helps with the International Medical Equipment Collaboration, serves on the committee planning Stratham’s 300th birthday celebration and the Stratham Library’s centennial committee, serves on the New Hampshire Friendship Chorus Band, and somehow finds time to also serve on the Stratham Heritage Committee.

Jennifer Turco Beaudet was chosen in recognition of her remarkable story of overcoming repeated adversity. She is a survivor of both cancer and dating violence, and volunteers a great deal of her time and energy to help women who are struggling against both of those challenges. As a law school student, she also worked at Poverty Law Clinic as a Shelter Legal Services volunteer, and is currently with the Manchester office of Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC.

Hall of Fame Legend to Fly at Air Show

Sean D. Tucker in his Oracle Challenger III bi-plane (courtesy photo)

PORTSMOUTH –

National Aviation Hall of Fame legend Sean D. Tucker will be performing his awe-inspiring aerobatic flying routine at this weekend’s Service Credit Union Boston-Portsmouth Air Show.  The show takes to the skies Saturday and Sunday, June 30 and July 1 at the Portsmouth International Airport at Pease.  Tucker and Team Oracle arrived to begin practice on Wednesday, June 13

Tucker is internationally-known as the world’s premier civilian aviator and has received the highest awards in the industry including induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, the International Council of Air Shows Hall of Fame, the Living Legend Aviation Award, and many other awards and recognitions. He has been flying air shows worldwide since the mid 1970's and has won numerous aerobatic competitions. In that time, Tucker has flown more than 1,000 performances at more than 425 air shows, in front of more than 80 million fans.

Tucker’s airplane, the Oracle Challenger III bi-plane, has continued to improve each year. Tucker started with a factory built Pitts Special 30 years ago and modified it each year. After reaching the limits of the Pitts, Tucker's team designed a one of a kind airplane that could do anything that he asked of it. This resulted in the most high-performance aerobatic aircraft in the world in its time, the Challenger II biplane.  Tucker’s continuous demand to push the aircraft further resulted in the 2010 unveiling of the Oracle Challenger III, which is the most high-performance aerobatic aircraft in the world today.  This fire-breathing monster packs more than 400 horsepower, weighs just over 1,200 pounds and responds to the slightest pressure on the control stick even at 300 mph. To endure the extreme physical demands of each routine, Tucker maintains a rigorous physical training schedule by working out more than 340 days per year in a routine alternating jogging and weight-lifting.

Not only is Sean D. Tucker the leading aerobatic pilot in the world, he is also a larger than life character who touches the hearts of his fans and inspires millions of Americans. Tucker is extremely passionate about sharing his love of aviation with air show fans.  His self-proclaimed goal is to share the magic of flight with fans by inspiring and thrilling them. “I want them to go away saying that the air show was one of the most engaging days of their lives,” Tucker said. “We are extremely excited to be performing for the great fans in Portsmouth this weekend.”