St. Thomas Aquinas High School Presents Christmas Concert

DOVER—
The St. Thomas Aquinas High School music program presents: A Christmas Tradition. Commemorating 50 years in the community in 2010, the St. Thomas music department has chosen a traditional Christmas theme for this year’s concert.
A concert for all ages, the program will make the entire audience want to sing along! There will be performances by the Concert Choir, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Chamber Singers. Directed by music teacher Sara Ann Shea, audiences will hear some old favorites such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “The First Noel,” as well as some newer selections like “The Polar Express” and even a new spin to some of the classics.
Please join St. Thomas Aquinas High School for A Christmas Tradition on Wednesday, December 22 at 7:00 pm at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Dover.
Photo caption: St. Thomas Aquinas High School Concert Choir singing at their recent 50th Jubilee Mass. (Courtesy photo)

Children’s Museum of NH Hosts New Year’s Bash for Families

DOVER—
Children and their families are invited to ring in 2011 a little early at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire’s annual daytime Family New Year’s Eve Celebration, sponsored by Federal Savings Bank, on Friday, December 31.
This festive event runs from 10 am – 3 pm and includes three special “countdowns to midnight” held at 11 am, 12:30 pm and 2 pm. At each countdown, a glittering ball drops 30 feet from the ceiling as everyone counts down the last ten seconds of the year. Noisemakers, party horns and confetti create an atmosphere like Times Square, and ginger ale is served to all for the first toast of the New Year. Visitors are also invited to make their own sparkly party hats and write their wishes for the New Year on mini flying blimps that are launched at each countdown.
“The Children’s Museum has been hosting this tradition for more than 20 years, and it remains one of our most popular annual events,” explained Jane Bard, Associate Director of the Children’s Museum of NH. “Kids hear about the excitement of what happens at midnight and want to experience it for themselves. We create a fun party atmosphere in the middle of the day so they can feel like they’ve actually celebrated New Year’s Eve. Hopefully this makes for a more cooperative bedtime later that night.”
The Children’s Museum of NH is located in Henry Law Park on the Cochecho River in downtown Dover, making it an ideal day-trip destination. There is plenty of parking, the city’s public indoor pool is right next-door, and dozens of restaurants and shops are within an easy walk. More information on planning a trip to Dover can be found at www.dovernh.org.
Regular museum admission applies for this special event: $8 for adults and children, $7 for seniors age 65+, and free for children under one year old.
Photo caption: Families prepare for the mid-day “countdown to midnight” at the Children’s Museum of NH’s annual Family New Year’s Eve Celebration. (Photo by TARAPhotography.com)

Second Chamber Shopping Spree Awarded

DOVER—
Thanks to a recent purchase at Central Paint, Dover resident Beth Driscoll has been selected as the winner of the second “Local Shopping Spree” in the Greater Dover Chamber’s “SHOP DOVER FIRST” campaign.
The prize, which was the second of three being award by the Chamber throughout the holidays, contained nearly $900 in Gift Cards from local businesses.
“I’m thrilled to have won,” beamed Driscoll, adding “We’re working on some renovations to our home, so I’m sure some of these gift certificates will go toward that, I’ll use some for Christmas shopping, and some I plan to use on myself.”
Included in the winning package were Gift Cards from Papa Gino’s Pizza, Harvey’s Bakery, Jewelry Creations, Dover Bowl, Gene Paltrineri Photography, Kaleo Coffee, Dover Wine, Twice the Fun, Janetos, Ross Furniture, The Oaks Golf Links, Infinite Imaging, New Hampshire Coffee Roasting Co., Forty-five Market Street Bakery, LaFesta Brick & Brew, Nicole’s Hallmark, Red’s Shoe Barn, Philbrick’s Sports and Acorn Organic Salon.
“I think the ‘SHOP DOVER FIRST’ program has really made a difference this year,” noted Parker Humphrey, owner of Central Paint where the winning entry was submitted. “We’ve been telling customers all along to make sure they enter,” he said, pointing at the white entry box on the counter beside the register. “But you can tell that they’re starting to understand what it’s all about because more and more, they’re entering for themselves without being prompted. It’s neat to see one of them actually win.”
What will be even more dramatic will be to see who wins the Grand Prize Shopping Spree, which will be drawn on December 17th - just in time to do some last-minute holiday shopping – and is worth over $3,000.
“There’s still plenty of time to enter for a chance to win the Grand Prize, and people can submit as many purchases as they want,” said Chamber Marketing Manager Aaron Wensley, noting that area residents can enter local purchases online at dovernh.org, in person at the Chamber Visitor Center on Central Avenue, or on paper in at any of the various businesses throughout the community displaying a white entry box.
“The winning entry can be for any purchase made in Dover, whether it’s a haircut, a sandwich, a bottle of aspirin, or a new minivan. No matter what it is, someone is going to be awfully glad they took the extra couple of seconds to enter their purchase.”
Photo caption: Beth Driscoll of Dover is presented with the second of three Local Shopping Spree prizes being awarded. Left to right: Parker Humphrey of Central Paint, site of the winning entry; contest winner Beth Driscoll; and Chamber Marketing Manger Aaron Wensley. (Courtesy photo)