RECENT NEWS

The times are certainly unusual as we all navigate our "new normal." We hear daily messaging about how to stay safe and still go about our lives only doing what's necessary with limited social contact. We know your financial wellness is important, and we are here for you - just in a different way. That's why we've implemented an old-school technique to adhere to the social distancing recommendations of the CDC. CU Curbside at 70 Airport Road in Concord, and 71 Calef Highway in Lee, is now in effect -- here's what it looks like! Pictured in his car curbside in Lee is member Bert Allenth, as he meets with Soupy Leuasouvanh.

Services include free internet for residential customers for 60 days

ATLANTIC BROADBAND LAUNCHES LOW-COST INTERNET OPTIONS AND BUSINESS SOLUTIONS TO KEEP COMMUNITIES CONNECTED DURING COVID-19 CRISIS

QUINCY, Mass, March 20, 2020 – Atlantic Broadband, the nation’s eighth-largest cable operator, is working to ensure that its customers and the public have access to the internet during the COVID-19 outbreak. New services include the following:

• Atlantic Broadband Internet Assist: Atlantic Broadband has introduced “Atlantic Broadband Internet Assist” for a limited time for residents in need in its service areas who do not presently have internet with Atlantic Broadband. The new 15 x 1 Mbps service, normally priced at $9.99 per month plus taxes, will be offered free for 60 days. New Atlantic Broadband Internet Assist customers also will receive free installation and a free modem with the service.
  
  
• Atlantic Broadband Business Assist: For Atlantic Broadband business customers that want to supply at home workers with voice and internet services, the company is also introducing a new “Atlantic Broadband Business Assist Package” which includes 50 Mbps High Speed Internet, a modem, a Hosted Voice Seat, and a Polycom Phone (or equivalent). It is being offered on a temporary basis at the discounted rate of $29.99 (a savings of approximately $100/month off standard prices). 
  
  
• Free Virtual Extension: Recognizing that employees are now in work-from-home situations, Atlantic Broadband will for a limited time allow existing Hosted Voice business customers to add an additional hosted voice seat to their account free. This will provide employees who are working from home a virtual extension to their business phone system. The extension can be used on a smartphone (iOS or Android) or computer (PC/Mac).
  
  
• Free WiFi Hotspots: Atlantic Broadband has opened up its WiFi Hotspots free to the public. For locations visit: https://atlanticbb.com/my-services/my-account/wifi-hotspots
  
  
• “We know that many people are now working from home or have school-aged children who are now at home and must connect to the internet for online course work,” said Heather McCallion, Vice President of Product and Programming for Atlantic Broadband. “Our new internet offerings are an affordable way for communities to stay connected at this challenging time.” 
  
  

The company also announced other initiatives in connection with the COVID-19 outbreak:

• TV Freeviews: Recognizing that customers are spending more time at home, the company has announced that it will provide the EPIX premium channel free for all Atlantic Broadband video customers from March 20, 2020 through April 3, 2020. Fox News Channel and CNN also will be opened to all video subscribers (3/20 – 4/17/20), along with Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries (3/20 – 5/13/20).
  
  
• Precautionary Measures: In order to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus at its office locations where customers transact face-to-face, Atlantic Broadband has discontinued front counter service at its office locations effective Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Customers have been informed of multiple options that are available that do not involve the need to travel to an office location for payments, equipment returns and other questions. 
  
  
• Keeping Customers Connected: Atlantic Broadband is supporting the FCC’s “Keep Americans Connected” initiative: Atlantic Broadband will not terminate service and will waive late fees for any residential or small business customer because of their inability to pay their bills due to disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
  

ABOUT ATLANTIC BROADBAND 
Atlantic Broadband, a subsidiary of Cogeco Communications Inc. (TSX: CCA), is the eighth largest cable operator in the United States, based on the number of television service customers served. The company provides its residential and business customers with Internet, TV and Phone services in 11 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Atlantic Broadband is headquartered in Quincy, Massachusetts. To learn more about Atlantic Broadband, please visit www.atlanticbb.com.

ABOUT ATLANTIC BROADBAND BUSINESS
Atlantic Broadband Business delivers advanced Video, Internet, Business WiFi and Phone services to small and medium businesses over a highly reliable, fiber-rich, high-capacity network. It also offers customized, scalable Metro Ethernet enterprise solutions, including dedicated fiber with symmetrical speeds up to 10 Gbps, point-point and multipoint transport, and Hosted Voice solutions. Atlantic Broadband supports its business clients with 24/7 network monitoring and technical support, professional client care, and dedicated local account executives. To learn more, visit atlanticbb.com/business.

WASHINGTON – SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza issued the following statement today in response to the President’s address to the nation:

“The President took bold, decisive action to make our 30 million small businesses more resilient to Coronavirus-related economic disruptions. Small businesses are vital economic engines in every community and state, and they have helped make our economy the strongest in the world. Our Agency will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest disaster recovery loans to small businesses that have been severely impacted by the situation. Additionally, the SBA continues to assist small businesses with counseling and navigating their own preparedness plans through our network of 68 District Offices and numerous Resource Partners located around the country. The SBA will continue to provide every small business with the most effective and customer-focused response possible during these times of uncertainty.”

Process for Accessing SBA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster Relief Lending

• The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration.
  
  
• Any such Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration issued by the SBA makes loans available to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations in designated areas of a state or territory to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
  
  
• SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance will coordinate with the state’s or territory’s Governor to submit the request for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance.
  
  
• Once a declaration is made for designated areas within a state, the information on the application process for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance will be made available to all affected communities.
  
  
• SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
  
  
• These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.
  
  
• SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.
  
  
• SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans are just one piece of the expanded focus of the federal government’s coordinated response, and the SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible.

For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Barrington, NH: The NH Dog Walking Club, a community outreach effort of It Takes a Village Pet Care, located in Barrington, NH, has partnered with several pet professionals to raise funds for NH pet industry nonprofit organizations.

Every year, the NH Dog Walking Club partners with area pet industry experts to offer an educational component to their popular monthly walks and hikes for dog lovers. This year, along with their expert partners, the organization will also raise funds and awareness for ElderPet, Mary’s Dogs and Live and Let Live Farm. The nonprofits were chosen through a member survey and invited to become a 2020 charitable partner.

ElderPet, located in Durham, NH, is a service organization made up of Pet Partner Therapy Teams and community volunteers. The focus of ElderPet is to facilitate the important human/pet relationships of senior citizens, people with disabilities, hospice families, and clients of health care and other facilities.

Mary’s Dogs Rescue & Adoption located in Northwood, NH, actively supports the efforts of their rescue partners, finds forever homes for dogs through their facility and offers support and medical care of rescued dogs throughout the adoption process.

Live and Let Live Farm located in Chichester, NH, is an animal shelter that rescues abused and unwanted animals, mainly horses, and pregnant dogs and cats, and provides them either a temporary or permanent safe place to interact with people. When applicable, they will try to find appropriate homes for rehabilitated animals. Those animals that are considered un-adoptable will be given lifetime care at their farm.

The NH Dog Walking Club’s charitable partner program would not be possible without the support of its expert partners, including It Takes a Village Pet Care in Barrington, K9 to 5 Dog Services in Dover, Healthy Pets NH in Webster, Red Pointy Dog Training in Strafford, Acupetvet in Somersworth, Take Five Dogcare in Lee, Jody Crotty Animal Communication in Lee, Miss Behavior Training in Northwood, Canine Karma in Northwood, and Sit.Stay.Smile. Pet Photography in Dover.

In December 2018, It Takes a Village Pet Care launched the NH Dog Walking Club, which currently has over 725 members from NH, ME, MA and CT. The Club brings dog lovers together for exercise, education and socialization. Monthly walks are hosted by industry experts who speak on several topics, including proper leash manners, fitness and strengthening, dog aggression/fear, reactive behavior, puppy basics, senior wellness, pet safety and much more. Membership is free. For more information, visit www.itavdog.club.

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.