Chamber launches “Shop Dover First” Holiday Campaign

DOVER—
The “Shop Dover First” campaign is an effort by the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce to promote and quantify local spending. With every local purchase, consumers can enter to win one of three local shopping sprees, valued at up to $2,500.
This campaign is underway now through the end of December, with corporate support from Federal Savings Bank, and creative services for point-of-sale materials provided by Lucy’s Art Emporium.
Shoppers are encouraged to enter all purchases, regardless of dollar amount, for all purchases made in the Dover area. Consumers can submit entries at any local business displaying a white “Shop Dover First” entry box, or online at the Chamber’s website, dovernh.org.
“Local business owners invest in the community and have a vested interest in the future of Dover,” said Kirt Schuman, Executive Director of the Chamber. ““Shop Dover First” is an effort to support them. Each and every dollar spent at a local business is spent about a dozen times before it leaves our community. By patronizing local businesses, you are helping to keep your favorite establishments open while contributing to the vitality of the Dover economy.”
Eligible local purchases are not limited to retail products, but also include everyday expenses such as gasoline, groceries, coffee, prescriptions, meals and dining, as well as services such as dry cleaning, haircuts, vehicle registrations, doctor’s office visits, and ATM fees.
To encourage consumer participation, three “shopping spree” gift packages will be given away during the campaign. These packages contain gift certificates for an extensive array of products and professional services that have been graciously donated by Chamber member businesses. Prizes will be awarded on November 1st, December 1st, and the Grand Prize drawing, worth over $2,500, will be held on December 17th, with winners being notified by phone or email after each prize drawing.
Any local businesses that would like to get involved with the “Shop Dover First” campaign are highly encouraged to contact the Chamber for more information.
Photo caption: The sign at the Chamber Visitor Center says it all. (Courtesy photo)

UNH Museum of Art Opens Two New Exhibitions

DURHAM—
Two new exhibitions of local interest, The Shape of Color: Carol Aronson-Shore and Fusion: Merging the Arts in PCAC, are opening at the Museum of Art at the University of New Hampshire beginning November 6. The Shape of Color presents recent paintings inspired by two New England locations, Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Monhegan Island off the coast of Maine. Fusion spotlights 50 years of fine and performing arts studies, exhibitions, performances, and events which have taken place within the University’s cultural center, the Paul Creative Arts Center. A preview reception will be open to the public on Friday, November 5 from 5-7 p.m. in the Museum of Art. Both exhibitions will be on view through December 16 (closed November 11 and 24-28). The Museum of Art and its programs are open to the public free of charge.
The Shape of Color: Carol Aronson-Shore features over fifty works, including smaller gouache color studies for the larger oil paintings, by the renowned professor emerita of the University of New Hampshire and resident of Portsmouth. The artist began her exploration of the relationship of color and light in a series of architectural landscapes painted on Monhegan Island, Maine, and more recently, her landscape painting has focused on the museum village of Strawbery Banke, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This historic site has provided compelling views for her primary subject—the way color shapes pictorial light and space. In these paintings, color captures and defines those privileged moments during the day when light first appears or disappears, creating in these scenes an experience of time, place and memory.
Ms. Aronson-Shore’s work has been exhibited in over one hundred and fifty one-woman and group shows and is in numerous private, public and corporate collections. The White House Historical Association selected her to represent the state of New Hampshire and commissioned a painting for the 2000 Bicentennial celebration of the White House. This painting is part of the permanent collection of the White House. Reproductions of her work are included in New Hampshire: The Spirit of America, Responsive Drawing (Third Edition) and in Painting Portsmouth: A Brush with the Past. A 36-page catalogue accompanies the exhibition and is available for sale.
Fusion: Merging the Arts in PCAC is presented in conjunction with the campus-wide celebration of the fine and performing arts at the University of New Hampshire, Durham. Included in the exhibition are special visual presentations by the Museum of Art and the Departments of Art & Art History, Music, Theatre and Dance and the Celebrity Series recognizing the role of the arts within the University of New Hampshire and the Durham community. It follows chronologically the development of the Paul Creative Arts Center from its construction and dedication in October, 1960 to recent initiatives. Highlights of the many performances, exhibitions, concerts, lectures, and special events which have taken place over the past 50 years will be accentuated by a spotlight on the Museum of Art’s most recent acquisition an important painting by American Expressionist Hyman Bloom. The work, Pink Leg, was purchased by the Museum in honor of Vicki C. Wright, director of the Museum of Art, UNH from 1986-2008.
A special section of Fusion will be dedicated to the donors and supporters of the Center, including Isabel Paul of Newfields, NH. Ms. Paul and her sister Harriet were world-travelers and collectors, widely recognized for their support of their community and the arts. Other notable supporters include: Eldon L. Johnson, former president, UNH; Karl Bratton, professor of Music, UNH; Winthrop L. Carter, former president, Nashua Corporation; William G. Hennessy, director of dramatics, UNH; Harold H. Scudder, professor of English; and Lewis Churchill Swain, bandmaster.
The Shape of Color: Carol Aronson-Shore and Fusion: Merging the Arts in PCAC are presented as part of Arts for Life, a year-long celebration of the fine and performing arts in the Paul Creative Arts Center, UNH.
The Museum of Art is open during the academic year: Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 1-5 p.m.; closed Fridays, University holidays, and November 11 and November 24-28. Guided group tours for schools and other organizations are available with advance reservation by contacting Catherine A. Mazur, education and publicity coordinator, at catherine.mazur@unh.edu or 603-862-3713.
For more information, contact the Museum of Art at 603-862-3712, museum.of.art@unh.edu, or visit www.unh.edu/moa.
Photo caption: Hyman Bloom, Pink Leg, Hyman Bloom, Pink Leg, 2000, oil on canvas, 32” x 70”, collection of the Museum of Art. (Courtesy photo)

Lynch, Shaheen, Shea-Porter Formally Announce $20 Million for Memorial Bridge Upgrade

PORTSMOUTH—
On Wednesday, October 20, Governor John Lynch, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, and Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter joined with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and members of the Maine delegation to formally announce $20 million to replace Portsmouth’s Memorial Bridge. These funds were issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation under its TIGER II program.
“I’m thrilled to announce that we are committing $20 million to replace the deteriorating Memorial Bridge, keeping open a crucial river crossing for cars, trucks, cyclists and pedestrians. The Memorial Bridge replacement project is vital to the region’s economy, not only because it will create jobs, but because it will also eliminate barriers to freight movement and improve access to the region’s transportation network,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
“The Memorial Bridge is in critical need of replacement and that is exactly what we are going to do. As Governor, I feel we should not and we cannot wait any longer to address this transportation priority,” Governor John Lynch said. “That is why New Hampshire has taken the lead in ensuring we replace this bridge as soon as possible. Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to our goal of replacing the Memorial Bridge and ensuring the Seacoast has the strong transportation network it needs.”
“Memorial Bridge is critical to the Seacoast economy, connecting the commercial centers of Portsmouth and Kittery, as well as helping ensure access to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard,” said U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen. “This project is a smart investment of Recovery Act dollars: it will save New Hampshire money in the long run and will create many much-needed construction jobs. It is also an example of what is possible when we put aside party labels and come together in a bipartisan way to get things done for our communities.”
“We have to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure in New Hampshire and around the country,” said U.S. Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter. “This is a jobs issue and a safety issue. This funding will benefit the local communities in both Maine and New Hampshire and I am very pleased that the New Hampshire and Maine delegations were successful in securing this funding.”
The announcement took place at 1 Harbour Place in Portsmouth. Governor Lynch, Senator Shaheen, Congresswoman Shea-Porter, and members from the Maine delegation had all worked together with Secretary LaHood to secure the TIGER II grant.

Hackmatack Playhouse Turns 40

BERWICK, ME —
As they tie up the loose ends of their 2010 season, the Hackmatack Playhouse is beginning to plan for the summer of 2011: their 40th year!
It was 40 years ago this winter that Producer Michael Guptill and his father, along with many other volunteers, cleaned out the hay, cemented the floor, installed the seats and built the stage that would become the Hackmatack Playhouse.
The mission was to create a summer home for high caliber, live theater entertainment and education in a relaxed country setting. Then, as now, they did not rely on government and foundation monies, but rather on the generosity and support of patrons and local business.
And the Playhouse is in need. Their original lighting system consisted of tin can stage lights - some of which you can still see used above the audience seats - but they want to update to a more contemporary and efficient lighting system. Also on the to-do list are the installation of hot water in their bathrooms, and a thorough repainting of the chipping and peeling barn.
Many audience members who love the rustic and endearing charm of Hackmatack have asked them not to change a thing, but the proposed upgrades are clearly necessities as the Hackmatack Playhouse move forward into their big 4-0. Despite the changes, they promise never to change their style!
The Hackmatack Playhouse is accepting 40th Birthday donations in the suggested amounts of $40, $400, and $4,000, but any amount is greatly appreciated.
Donations can be made by check or online by visiting their secure donations page.
For more information, visit www.hackmatack.org.
Photo caption: Artwork by Dean Diggins, depicting the Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick, Maine. (Courtesy photo)

NH Experiences Spectacular Foliage, Beautiful Weather, and Leaf Peepers

NEW HAMPSHIRE —
New Hampshire saw a steady stream of leaf-peepers this Columbus Day Weekend, making it a great success for the tourism industry. Traffic through the tolls for Friday through Monday was up 2% over last year’s Columbus Day Weekend, with more than 1.4 million people on the road. Many of the people who visited New Hampshire for peak foliage were from out-of-state, including Canadians and other international visitors.
“Blue skies, great weather and spectacular foliage really made the holiday weekend a huge success,” said Tai Freligh, Communications Manager for the Division of Travel and Tourism Development. “We heard from a lot of properties around the state that business was up over last year and in some cases, record-breaking” he added.
Here’s what members of New Hampshire’s tourism industry had to say about the Columbus Day Weekend...
Valerie Rochon, Tourism Manager, Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce said, “The weather in Portsmouth and along the Seacoast was spectacular this weekend, which brought many locals and visitors out to enjoy the many activities and events and, of course, the fall scenery. Our Visitor Information Kiosk in Market Square saw a 14% jump in visitors over last year, with the highest increase on Monday. The Visitor Center saw a 6% jump as well. Our lodging properties were almost completely booked in advance for Saturday night, with very limited availability for Friday and Sunday nights as we headed into the weekend. All in all, a superb way to wrap up this terrific summer season!”
While Kirt Schuman, Executive Director, Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce said, “Columbus Day Weekend was amazing in Dover, as our foliage peeked at the right time. Residents and visitors descended on our historic downtown to enjoy our shops, restaurants and attractions during the seasonably great weather over the course of the 3-day weekend. Our city parks and open spaces, including our new Dover Community Trail were awash in the typical hues of autumn and experienced a significant increase in utilization over the weekend as well. Attractions like the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire and the Woodman Institute Museum reported high traffic as well.”
To see a calendar of harvest and holiday events, suggested things to do and other planning tools for your trip to New Hampshire, go to the www.visitnh.gov home page. You can look at Yankee Dollar-Stretchers for lodging, restaurants and attractions and also find links to Travel and Tourism on Facebook, Twitter and Flicker. (MetroCreative photo)

SBA Growth Capital Program Provides Record $1.59 Billion in Financing

WASHINGTON, DC —
At a time when capital was scarce for small business, financing from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s growth capital program increased 23 percent in fiscal year 2010, providing a record $1.59 billion to help small businesses grow and create jobs, according to SBA Administrator Karen Mills.
The fiscal year 2010 volume is the highest single-year volume in the 50-year history of SBA’s Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) debenture program. Increased volume in the program is in part a result of changes made by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Those changes contributed to an increased number of new SBIC licenses, decreased license processing times, and initial capital to new funds rose dramatically.
“At a time when access to capital was tight, including from the traditional sources for growth capital, SBA helped fill some of that gap with a record amount of financing through our SBIC program,” Mills said. “Across the country, there are small business owners and entrepreneurs who are well-positioned to take that next step, grow their business and create good-paying jobs. Our efforts to strengthen our program efficiency and increase funding available through the SBIC program has provided another critical tool to help these small businesses get the capital they need and drive economic growth.”
The SBIC program was created to stimulate the growth of America’s small businesses by supplementing the long-term debt and private-equity capital available to them. SBA’s SBIC fiscal year 2010 results included the following:
Record High Financing to Small Businesses: Total financings to the SBA SBIC debenture program grew to a 50-year record high of $1.59 billion in fiscal year 2010 – a 23 percent increase over an average $1.29 billion in the four previous years. Debenture program obligations grew to $1.17 billion from an average $750.6 million, another 50-year record high.
More Licensed SBICs and Faster Processing Times: Twenty-one (21) new SBIC licensees were issued in fiscal year 2010, a 130 percent increase over the four-year average of 10 per year. Additionally, SBIC license processing time improved to just 5.8 months in fiscal year 2010, a nearly 60 percent decrease from an average of 14.6 months in 2009.
Record High Capital Commitment to Support Small Businesses: SBA capital commitments to new funds broke yet another 50-year record increasing to $1.23 billion in fiscal year 2010, a 135 percent jump from an average of $524.3 million in the four previous years. Equally important, the programs attracted record levels of private capital commitments, increasing to $615 million in 2010 from $262.1 million in previous years - another 135 percent increase. Combined total initial capital to new funds increased to $1.845 billion in FY 2010 from an average $786.4 million.
Since the SBIC program’s formation in 1958 through April 2009, it has invested approximately $56 billion in more than 100,000 small businesses in the United States. For more information about the SBA’s Investment Division and SBIC program, go to www.sba.gov/INV or call 1-800-U ASK SBA.

Frisbie Adopts iPhones for Point-of-Care Communication

ROCHESTER —
Nurses and other point-of-care workers at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester, N.H. will soon be using iPhones to improve their communication and increase efficiency, thanks to Voalté’s first-of-its-kind integrated communication solution.
The Voalté application consolidates voice, alarm and text on the versatile iPhone platform. The solution will enable the nurses and clinicians at Frisbie to send and receive presence-based text messages and make high definition voice calls across the hospital VoIP system, providing faster response to patient needs.
Frisbie’s selection of the Voalté solution was the result of a technology review and assessment that began more than one year ago.
“Antiquated communications solutions, such as voice-only devices, are no longer adequate in the hospital environment because both parties must be available in order to communicate,” said Sally Reeves, Frisbie’s Healthcare Project Director. “We evaluated all of these options and selected Voalté as the best solution to streamline our nurses’ needs.”
Frisbie Memorial is the first acute care hospital to implement the Voalté solution in the northeast and the fourth hospital in the country. The installation will be integrating to the hospital’s PBX and WiFi system thus leveraging existing infrastructure.
“Nurses are challenged with managing multiple patient requests, paperwork and other responsibilities,” said Trey Lauderdale, vice president of innovation at Voalté. “Oftentimes, performing their job successfully requires the ability to quickly communicate with other nurses, physicians and healthcare workers.”
“Innovative hospitals like Frisbie are recognizing the importance and value of smartphone technology and how it can improve patient care,” he said.
Photo caption: The Voalté application consolidates voice, alarm and text on the versatile iPhone platform. (www.voalte.com photo)