RECENT NEWS

Rochester, NH: Cornerstone VNA, a nonprofit home health and hospice care provider, was recently awarded a $500 community grant from the Walmart Community Grants Team and Facility #1749 in Somersworth, NH. The grant funds will be used to purchase flowers and plants that a Cornerstone VNA Hospice volunteer will deliver to Hospice patients. These special deliveries are a touching way to help honor patients at end of life and bring them joy.

Nancy Nicolazzo, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator remarks, “We are so very grateful for the generous donation from Walmart that will make it possible for Barbara Kelczewski, Hospice Volunteer, to brighten the days of patients and their families by bringing them beautiful plants and flowers.” According to Somersworth Walmart Assistant Store Manager, Zac LaRoche, “We are happy to support a tremendous cause, any way we can help, we are happy to be here for you!”

For more information about the Hospice Volunteer program at Cornerstone VNA, contact Nancy Nicolazzo, Chaplain/Hospice Volunteer Coordinator at 603-332-1133 x1239 or NNicolazzo@cornerstonevna.org.

About Walmart:

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, nearly 275 million customers and members visit our more than 11,300 stores under 58 banners in 27 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2019 revenue of $514.4 billion, Walmart employs over 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at twitter.com /walmart.

About Cornerstone VNA:

Cornerstone VNA is a nonprofit organization currently serving Rockingham, Strafford, Belknap and Carroll Counties in New Hampshire and York County in Maine. The team at Cornerstone VNA provides award-winning care and support through five distinct programs: Home Care, Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Life Care-Private Duty and Community Care. For 107 years, Cornerstone VNA has been committed to bringing services to people of all ages so that families can stay together at home, even when facing the challenges of aging, surgical recovery, chronic or life-threatening illnesses or end-of-life care. To learn more about Cornerstone VNA, visit www.cornerstonevna.org or call 800-691-1133.

Barrington, NH: On Tuesday, February 18, 2020 the Town of Barrington's Planning Board accepted, and approved the conditional use permit application, submitted by the Wildlife Encounters Ecology Center & Farm School to operate as an educational institution on their 77-acre farm property located at 270 Beauty Hill Road in Barrington, New Hampshire.

Originally founded in 2004, Wildlife Encounters is the most professional and successful science-based conservation public education program that teaches with Ambassador Animals in the region. Their Outreach Education Team, which consists of primarily current and retired public school teachers offer and deliver programs for schools, businesses & communities across the region year-round.

Additionally, they have been vetted and selected to work with such national and international entities as the National Wildlife Federation, NatGeo WILD, Discovery, Animal Planet and many more. Their educators and ambassador animals reach kids and adults in ways from the classroom & library, to the computer, through the TV, or standing in front of the TV in the living room at a kid’s birthday! In fact, they have won the Parenting NH “Family Favorite” award for the latter service 6 years in a row.

Having completed the acquisition of the last remaining parcel of the old “Swain Farmstead” from long time Barrington public servant and Swain descendant Peter Cook - founder and Director of Wildlife Encounters, Derek Small shares with Peter and other family members the vision of preserving the history & natural value of the property, of returning animals to the farm, and returning the property to it’s former stature as a valuable and contributing asset to the Barrington community and the region.

The following is an excerpt from the “Narrative” provided by Mr. Small to the Barrington Planning Board as a part of their application:

Wildlife Encounters, LLC is a community education organization that for 16 years has and continues to be based on a more densely developed 0.46 acre residentially/commercially zoned parcel in neighboring Rochester. It has, does and will continue to operate for the foreseeable future with the blessing and support of the City of Rochester on that property as a NH State Fish & Game permitted, USDA licensed and inspected wildlife facility (closed to the public) which offers educational services that are outreach in nature through the delivery of educational presentations and exhibits usually featuring a selection of small dependent, non-releasable Ambassador Animals.

The intent of this project is to restore and preserve a significant historic farm property and open space on Beauty Hill in a manner that enhances and promotes the community character, natural resources and agricultural nature of the farm property and the Barrington community. Proposed with an eye to minimal development impact on the 77 acres, approval of this application would support the restoration and development of the road-side acreage too that consistent with the appearance and character of a rural residence and working farm property - featuring a beautiful barn and support structures with grazing farm animals visible to neighbors and Beauty Hill Road travelers.

Much of the wooded and back-lot areas of the property we envision would be managed and experienced with minimal disturbance, featuring vast uplands, modest wetlands, small ponds and vernal pools, groomed and developed educational spaces, walking trails and farm roads, reclaimed field space and more. Much of the open space is intended to be designated as a native wildlife and endangered species protected area electively by the Ecology Center. Additionally, the property will be submitted as a candidate to become a National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Certified Wildlife Habitat.

Sustaining and protecting the health and wellness of biodiversity, soil, open space and natural resources, while managing use in a way that benefits community, the environment and wildlife populations is one of society’s greatest modern challenges - and one our organization is committed to teaching about and advocating for.

As critical to acknowledge and address we feel, is the multigenerational and progressive decline in physical, mental and emotional health and wellness of an increasing percentage of our family, friends and neighbors, which studies show results in part from a lack of education about and engagement of the natural world and natural processes of ecology and life on Earth.

As we like to say:

“let’s turn a little screen time into green time so we can re-connect with nature, and human nature!”

We envision the development of the Wildlife Encounters Ecology Center & Farm School. As a community-centric business, our discrete nature-based operations would provide local and regional residents, schools, organizations, businesses and visitors to Barrington an opportunity to safely experience the beauty and atmosphere of a rural farm property. To learn about animals, science, food, ecology, health & wellness, stress management and more – while appreciating, connecting with and experiencing the diversity of habitats, animals and the ecology of the property we have to offer during scheduled or enrolled event/activity experiences.

Educational Services envision include but are not limited to:

• Farm Tours and Regenerative agriculture classes.
• Classes supporting mental, physical and emotional wellness education & practices.
• Stay-for-a-Day / Weekend experiences
• Volunteer & Internship / Apprentice Programs cooperatively with UNH, etc.
• Guided nature / habitat trail walks including Owl Prowls, Water & Soil testing tours, Outdoor Education, Hunter Education & Experiences, supervised snowshoeing, ice skating & other winter activities
• Community & Business Events such as conservation organization meetings, small corporate events, Chamber gatherings, Science conferences, etc.
• Private scheduled events such as Birthday Parties, family reunions, …
• Guest Speakers & Fundraising events, host community clean-up groups, etc.
• Hosting Home-School Groups, Summer Camp & School Field Trip visits as capacity allows.
• Hosting Wildlife Rehabilitation Classes and other special interest gatherings.
• School Break Day Camp Programs

If you would like to learn more about Wildlife Encounters Ecology & Farm School visit them at weecocenter.com. You can follow their progress on Facebook at facebook.com/weecocenter.

Rochester, NH: Cornerstone VNA, a nonprofit home health and hospice care provider, is proud to announce that their Hospice Care program has achieved Level Four status with the We Honor Veterans program, the highest recognition level of this important program. This special recognition reflects Cornerstone VNA’s commitment to ensuring veterans have access to quality end-of-life care. According to Kelly Doherty, RN-C, MSN, ARNP-BC, ACHPN, Hospice & Palliative Care Director at Cornerstone VNA, “This hospice specific program allows us to better care for Veterans at end-of-life.”

We Honor Veterans is a national Hospice provider awareness campaign conducted by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs. As a We Honor Veterans Partner, Cornerstone VNA is better prepared to build organizational capacity to provide quality care for veterans and to strengthen partnerships with veteran organizations. In addition, they strive to increase access to hospice and palliative care for veterans living in their community and to network with other hospices across the country to learn about best practice models.

According to The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Hospices can “earn their stars” and matching logo by completing activities for each of four levels of commitment. This allows VA staff and Veterans to easily identify hospices that have made a commitment to offer veteran-specific care and services provided by a competent and highly skilled workforce.

According to Hospice Volunteer Coordinator, Nancy Nicolazzo, "At Cornerstone VNA, we are privileged to do whatever we can to honor veterans and their family members, and to express our gratitude to them for their gallantry at the end of their lives." Cornerstone VNA has many Hospice Volunteers, including Paula Carr and Brue Larrabee, who are both veterans. According to Bruce Larrabee, “Veterans aren’t looking for a handout, they’re looking for a hand.” As a We Honor Veterans Partner, Cornerstone VNA is proud to give veterans a helping hand and the support they need at end-of-life.

For more information about the We Honor Veterans program at Cornerstone VNA, contact Nancy Nicolazzo, Chaplain/Hospice Volunteer Coordinator at 603-332-1133 x1239 or NNicolazzo@cornerstonevna.org.

Cornerstone VNA is a nonprofit organization currently serving Rockingham, Strafford, Belknap and Carroll Counties in New Hampshire and York County in Maine. The team at Cornerstone VNA provides award-winning care and support through five distinct programs: Home Care, Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Life Care-Private Duty and Community Care. For 107 years, Cornerstone VNA has been committed to bringing services to people of all ages so that families can stay together at home, even when facing the challenges of aging, surgical recovery, chronic or life-threatening illnesses or end-of-life care. To learn more about Cornerstone VNA, visit www.cornerstonevna.org or call 800-691-1133.

ROCHESTER, NH – HRCU is pleased to welcome Tyler Hudson as the Vice President of Digital Strategy & eServices. In this new role, he will direct and guide the digital strategy across the entire organization to ensure consistency of the member experience across all channels. With a new digital banking platform being introduced in late May, the recent addition of a network of Interactive Teller Machines (ITMs), member support and operations that now heavily rely on the digital experience, it is critical to have the experience and knowledge in place to stay ahead in the quickly changing and evolving digital world.

Hudson comes to HRCU with 17 years of experience in credit unions, financial technology, operations, process improvement and digital platform implementation. Most recently, he served as Assistant Vice President of Development at Synergent, a FinTech-focused service bureau that provides access to state-of-the-art core processing solutions, payments, programming and marketing services. In that role, Hudson led a team of Business Analysts and Programmers in software development, core data conversions, and professional services. Prior to his time with Synergent, he got his start in the credit union world at San Diego County Credit Union and Symitar, a core data processor leader.

“Tyler brings a great deal of valuable experience to HRCU”, said Brian Hughes, President and CEO. “In the ever-changing world of delivering the most convenient and comprehensive financial services, HRCU is elevating to be a leader in digital technology. Tyler will be building his HRCU team while working to bring the best digital channel experience to our members.”

Hudson resides in Springvale, Maine with his wife Erica and their three children.

HRCU is a state-chartered and NCUA federally insured community credit union that serves over 22,000 members throughout the New Hampshire Seacoast since 1962. You are eligible to be a member if you live or work in New Hampshire.

Cornerstone VNA has been selected as the January beneficiary of the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program. Each time the $2.50 reusable Community Bag is purchased at the Hannaford at 833 Central Ave. in Dover we will receive a $1 donation. Thank you for your support and thanks to our friends at Hannaford!

Barrington, NH -- Audio Events has been recognized as a winner of the 2020 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards®, an accolade representing the top wedding professionals across the board in quality, service, responsiveness, and professionalism reviewed by couples on WeddingWire. This is the seventh straight year of winning the Couples’ Choice Awards® for Audio Events.

WeddingWire analyzed reviews across more than 20 service categories, to find the most highly-rated professionals of the year. These winners exhibit superior professionalism, responsiveness, service, and quality when interacting with the consumers who turn to them to help ease their wedding planning process each month.

A leader in the local wedding and events industry, Audio Events provides couples with a one-of-a-kind wedding DJ and event lighting experience. Currently serving New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts Audio Event works under the belief that no two events should be the same, and that every couple deserves a unique experience.

Audio Events is honored to be one of the top wedding DJ businesses in New Hampshire. For more information about Audio Events, please visit them at www.audioeventsonline.com.

Rochester, NH: Cornerstone VNA, a nonprofit home health and hospice care organization, is offering a free training for individuals interested in becoming a Hospice volunteer. For as little as 4 hours per week, volunteers can offer companionship, respite care and their own unique skills to patients and family members in their community. This comprehensive 8-week Hospice Volunteer Training program focuses on how to provide comfort, support and a reassuring presence to Hospice patients and their families. No medical or volunteer experience is necessary to make a positive difference. The next training will begin on Wednesday, January 22 from 10am-12pm and will take place every week until March 11 at the Cornerstone VNA office on 178 Farmington Road in Rochester, NH.

Current Cornerstone VNA Hospice Volunteers recently shared, “Hospice volunteering has been the most rewarding and humbling experience of my life” and "Hospice visiting has shown me how to be present." Cornerstone VNA invites individuals to be a part of this enriching and meaningful volunteer experience. To register for this training or for more information about the Hospice Volunteer Program, please contact Nancy Nicolazzo, Hospice Volunteer Coordinator at 603-332-1133 x1239 or NNicolazzo@cornerstonevna.org.

Cornerstone VNA is a nonprofit home, health and hospice agency currently serving Rockingham, Strafford, Belknap and Carroll Counties in New Hampshire and York County in Maine. The team at Cornerstone VNA provides skilled nursing, rehabilitative therapies, social work as well as volunteer and support services through five distinct programs: Home Care, Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Life Care-Private Duty and Community Care. For 107 years, Cornerstone VNA has been committed to bringing services to people of all ages so that families can stay together at home, even when facing the challenges of aging, surgical recovery, chronic or life-threatening illnesses or end of life care. To learn more about Cornerstone VNA, visit www.cornerstonevna.org or call 800-691-1133.

ROCHESTER, NH – This December HRCU donated to 27 local non-profit organizations as a part of their sixth-annual Christmas Caring Campaign. For the first time, HRCU opened the process up to their membership, allowing members to nominate organizations that they felt deserved to be recognized and supported.

This resulted in 10 organizations who were not part of the Christmas Caring Campaign in 2018 receiving donations this season. This group of new recipients included Cross Roads House, Friends in Action, Catholic Charities New Hampshire, First Church Congregational, The Ryan Home Project, End 68 Hours of Hunger – Dover, End 68 Hours of Hunger – Farmington, We Care Food Pantry, Strafford County Meals on Wheels and the Dover SHARE Fund.

“It was great to get such a strong response from our members during the nomination process,” said HRCU President & CEO Brian Hughes. “This helped us learn about and support new organizations that we may not have known had such a need without hearing from our members.”

Of the 27 non-profits who received donations this year, most focused on important causes in the community such as homelessness, meal services, youth support and addiction recovery.

For a full list of organizations who received donations, please visit www.HRCU.org/ChristmasCaring.

HRCU is a state-chartered and NCUA federally insured community credit union that serves over 22,000 members throughout the New Hampshire Seacoast since 1962. You are eligible to be a member if you live or work in New Hampshire.

First Seacoast Bank had a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Greater Barrington Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, December 10th, 2019 to celebrate the rebranding from Federal Savings Bank, and 45 years of doing business in Barrington, NH.

It was a foggy night on RTE-125, where First Seacoast Bank is located next to the Journey Church. It’s been a milestone year for FSB, which is a community bank that has been successful because the community supports them.

First Seacoast Bank originally opened in 1890 under the name “Dover Co-Operative Savings Fund and Loan Association”, and its original meeting location was the Cocheco Hose Company on First Street in Dover, NH. It was renamed to the “Dover Federal Savings and Loan Association” in 1974, and in 1983, it was renamed to “Federal Savings Bank”.

Barrington was FSB’s first branch – First Seacoast Bank was first headquartered on First Street in 1972, and they’ve been there ever since. The Barrington branch was opened in 1974. In 1979, the Durham branch opened, and in 1987 the Fourth branch was opened in Portsmouth. Rochester was the Fifth branch, which opened in 2009, and it was named Business of the Year in Rochester in 2019. First Seacoast Bank was also the recent recipient of the Cornerstone Award from Cornerstone VNA.

Their mission throughout the years has been to serve the community, which is why after all these years, the bank has changed names to reflect that. They sponsored the tree-lighting ceremony at the Barrington Soiree this past weekend, and the bank gives away over $300,000 in donations to the community each year.

After the ribbon cutting, FSB served refreshments and hosted a Barrington Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours (BAH). Chamber members and bank customers, alike, brought in non-perishable food items to help the Barrington Food Pantry. There was also a raffle, that attendees could only enter if they brought in a donation for the Food Pantry.

Familiar faces, food, and beverages flowed throughout the Barrington branch’s location tonight. The Chairman of the Board of the Barrington Chamber of Commerce, Michael Guyre said, “This was the best Business After Hours ever!” Members and employees from other branches travelled through rainy weather to Barrington for this amazing event.

First Seacoast Bank is a mutual bank. They work hard for their customers and the community. The bank is committed to meeting the financial service expectations of individuals, families, and locally owned businesses. First Seacoast Bank focuses on:

• Providing high-quality, personalized, convenient service.
• Offering a challenging and rewarding work environment for its employees.
• Maintaining public trust as an independent mutual community bank by operating in an ethical and sound financial manner.
• Empowering their employees to make a difference by actively and positively contributing to the quality of life in the surrounding community.

First Seacoast Bank offers Kasasa® Cash Checking, which offers 3.00% APY on balances up to $20,000, when the account meets specific qualifications – See This Flyer. For more information about First Seacoast Bank, please visit www.firstseacoastbank.com.

For the Greater Barrington Chamber of Commerce, there’s a monthly membership meeting on January 8th, 2020 for all Chamber of Commerce members.

This article was written by Patrick R. McElhiney, Chief Editor and Owner of Barrington Town News, Your Local News Provider. For more information, visit https://www.barringtontownnews.com/ 

Barrington, NH - With snowflakes slowly gently falling, it was a picturesque evening almost something out of a hallmark movie.  Calef’s Country Store, The Village Barn, and The Christmas Dove provided the perfect backdrop for this wonderful community event. Holiday music could be heard playing all around from local DJs and the sweet voices of school children caroling on the porch of the Christmas Dove.

The Greater Barrington Chamber of Commerce handed out Eggnog provided by The Christmas Dove, Cookies courtesy of Castle Rock Baking Company and held a Raffle in which fifty percent of the proceeds will be donated to the Barrington Food Pantry. A Tree Lighting Ceremony kicked off the holiday season.  The giant Christmas tree was provided and erected by Great View Landscaping and was sponsored by First Seacoast Bank who is celebrating being apart of the Barrington Community for 45 years.