City of Portsmouth NH Public Art Review Committee Presents 'Summer Time Vibes - Burst Into Color' Art Exhibition- May 18 Reception
PORTSMOUTH – The City of Portsmouth Public Art Review Committee (PARC) announces its first showcase of visual art by local Seacoast artists. The new exhibition space in the Portsmouth Room at Portsmouth City Hall is located just outside the Eileen Dondero City Council Chambers. The Public Art Review Committee expects to present three to four exhibitions each year in the space. The debut invitational show, “Summer Time Vibes - Burst Into Color,” features artists Dustan Knight, Teresa McCue, Kimberly Meuse,
Benchmark at Rye completes expansion, opens new assisted living neighborhood amid strong demand
Benchmark at Rye, an Assisted Living and Mind & Memory Care community, has officially opened a new 60,000-square-foot addition at its Route 1 campus, welcoming its first residents on May 1.Barbara Vahue was the first resident to move-in, relocating from another assisted living community in Newburyport, Mass. “We found Benchmark and were thrilled with it and still are,” said Vahue. “Being the first resident feels kind of special and they’ve treated me so special, it’s very nice. I’m excited for a fresh
Sowing Love Nonprofit Fundraiser Event Supports Music Education for Children in Panama
PORTSMOUTH — Seacoast residents are invited to join an evening of music, community, and purpose at the Sowing Love Nonprofit Fundraiser Event, taking place on Thursday, June 4 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Carey Cottage, 400 Little Harbor Road in Portsmouth. Hosted by Sembrando Amor, the event will raise funds to support La Escuelita del Ritmo, a nonprofit music school in Panama that provides free music education to children in its community. The fundraiser aims to help build a dedicated dining space for
Cambridge Financial Group, Inc. and First Seacoast Bancorp, Inc. agree to merge 5.5.26
Two Community Banks: One Shared Mission CAMBRIDGE, Mass. & DOVER, N.H.—Cambridge Financial Group, Inc. (“Cambridge Financial”), the mutual holding company of Cambridge Savings Bank, and First Seacoast Bancorp, Inc. (“First Seacoast Bancorp”) (Nasdaq: “FSEA”), the holding company of First Seacoast Bank, jointly announced May 5, 2026, they have entered into a denitive merger agreement under which First Seacoast Bancorp will merge with Cambridge Financial, with Cambridge Financial as the surviving
Springfest Returns to Strawbery Banke with 'Red, White, & Bloom' for America’s 250th on May 9 and 10
PORTSMOUTH— Strawbery Banke Museum invites the public to celebrate spring, Mother’s Day weekend, and America’s 250th anniversary at Springfest: A Celebration of Gardens and Baby Animals, taking place Saturday and Sunday, May 9–10, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance tickets are encouraged at StrawberyBanke.org/tickets. Set across the Museum’s historic campus, Springfest offers a lively, immersive experience where visitors can meet heritage-breed baby animals and their mothers, watch sheep shearing and
Tee Off for a Cause: 4th Annual East Coast Cannabis Classic Returns to Support Maine Veterans
We’re excited to share an opportunity to get involved in the 4th Annual East Coast Cannabis Classic Golf Tournament, proudly benefiting the Maine Veterans Project. Held on Monday, June 15th, at the Ledges in York, Maine. This event continues to grow each year, bringing together industry professionals and community members for an enjoyable day on the course, all in support of a meaningful cause. To date, the tournament has raised more than $46,000 for Maine veterans, helping provide critical resources
Cornerstone VNA Invites Family Caregivers to a Free Event on May 13
Cornerstone VNA, a local nonprofit home health provider, is pleased to announce the tenth annual Caregivers Connect, a special supportive event for family caregivers in the community. This free in-person event will take place at the Cochecho Country Club in Dover on Wednesday, May 13, from 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm and continues to be generously underwritten by First Seacoast Bank. Caregiver attendees will hear from guest author and speaker Bonnie Brooks Dudley on “Strong Enough to Care: Emotions, Communication,
Abrielle Scharff and Natalia Bonfini named grand prize winners of The Music Hall's 2026 Emerging Artist Grant
Free outdoor pre-show celebration will feature additional grant award winners ahead of John Legend's Emerging Artist Benefit Concert on May 2 PORTSMOUTH– The Music Hall is thrilled to announce the winners of its 2026 Emerging Artist Grant Program, selected from more than 40 submissions. This year’s Grand Prize Winners – Abrielle Scharff and Natalia Bonfini – will open for Grammy-winning artist John Legend during The Music Hall’s fourth annual Emerging Artist Benefit Concert on Saturday, May 2. Before the
Get Ready for Children’s Day 2026 on Sunday, May 3!
PORTSMOUTH — Get ready as the children of the Seacoast take over Downtown Portsmouth as, once again, Pro Portsmouth presents Children’s Day! Set to take place on Sunday, May 3rd from Noon – 4:00pm, this “kid-friendly” event features the Block Party and performances on Pleasant Street. Using the activity map and legend, families follow the alphabet all over Downtown where they can enjoy a variety of crafts, games, and interactive activities in many of the shops and restaurants. Entertainment at
April 30 deadline for Pro Portsmouth's Annual Market Square Day Logo Contest
PORTSMOUTH — The Seacoast’s premier downtown festival organization, Pro Portsmouth, will produce the 49th Annual Market Square Day Festival and Road Race on Saturday, June 13. Each year, the group looks to the artists of the Seacoast to create a logo for Market Square Day. Once again, the ‘Call to Logo Artists’ is your opportunity to create a logo that lives on for years. Since 1978, Market Square Day has taken place in the heart of the City and Pro Portsmouth looks to the artists of the community to put
$34,000 awarded to Seacoast nonprofits through The Fabulous Find’s Giving Program
$34,000 Awarded to Seacoast Nonprofits Through The Fabulous Find’s Giving Program KITTERY, MAINE — The Fabulous Find has announced the recipients of its monthly grant program for March, awarding a total of $34,337 in proceeds to three Seacoast nonprofits. Strawbery Banke Museum, Zebra Crossings, and Children's Museum of New Hampshire will each receive $11,445. Each month, The Fabulous Find donates 100 percent of its profits to selected nonprofit partners, supporting a wide range of community needs across
Alien abduction and local history collide in 'Betty & Barney' Exhibition
On the night of Sept. 19, 1961, a Portsmouth couple driving home through New Hampshire’s White Mountains reported something extraordinary: a lit-up craft in the sky, missing time, and an alien abduction. More than six decades later, the story of Betty and Barney Hill continues to captivate believers and skeptics alike. Now on view at the Portsmouth Historical Society, “Betty & Barney” explores the fascinating and multifaceted lives of the Hills– inviting visitors to look beyond the headlines and into the
Small Budget, Real Results: A Digital Marketing Playbook for Seacoast Small Businesses
More than half of all website traffic arrives without a single dollar spent on ads. According to WordStream, organic search drives most web traffic — 53% of it — and 49% of businesses say it delivers better ROI than any paid channel. For small businesses along the Portsmouth Seacoast, where a loyal local following can be the difference between a slow January and a sold-out spring, that's genuinely good news. The catch: organic results don't happen by accident. They come from a plan, and that's where most
Loyal Lab Electric & Generators launches The Rusty Fund to support NH Seacoast dog rescues
Somersworth electrical contractor launches charitable giving initiative supporting local dog rescues through every job completed SOMERSWORTH — Loyal Lab Electric & Generators, a licensed electrical contracting company serving Dover, Portsmouth, and the NH Seacoast, has launched The Rusty Fund, a charitable initiative that donates a portion of every completed job to Pope Memorial Humane Society in Dover. The fund donates $10 from every completed job and $100 from every generator installation directly to
Before things go wrong: Building a financial safety net for greater Portsmouth businesses
A financial safety net is the combination of cash reserves, credit access, insurance, and business structure that keeps you operating when something goes wrong — a slow season, an unexpected repair, a lost anchor client. Building it before you need it is the only time it works. Seventy percent of businesses hold fewer than four months of reserves, leaving them dangerously exposed when revenue stalls. For Seacoast businesses that navigate real seasonal swings — summer surges, quiet Januaries, Restaurant
What Data Visualization Really Does for Your Business — and Where to Start
Data visualization — converting raw numbers into charts, graphs, and dashboards — is one of the most underused tools in small business. A BARC Research survey found that 58% of companies base at least half of their regular business decisions on gut feel rather than data; best-in-class firms rely on gut feel far less (40%) compared to laggards (70%). For Portsmouth Seacoast businesses navigating healthcare billing cycles, hospitality demand swings, and technology sector growth, that gap has real
Colliers Announces Retirement of Principal and Shareholder David Choate After 35-Year Career
Colliers, a global leader in commercial real estate services, respectfully announces that David F. Choate, III, Executive Vice President, Principal, and Shareholder, has decided to begin winding down his distinguished 35-year career with the firm. Bob Rohrer, managing director of Colliers in New Hampshire, said, “Over more than three decades with Colliers, David has played a meaningful role in the growth of the firm and in shaping the commercial real estate landscape throughout New Hampshire’s Seacoast
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LiFi Inc. and Life In Focus Announce Strategic Partnership and Creative Leadership Expansion
ROCHESTER / ACCESS Newswire / January 2, 2026 / Founded in Maine with a deep respect for place, light, and authenticity, Life In Focus has built a strong reputation for timeless, true-to-color photography rooted in genuine storytelling. Drawing inspiration from New England's coastal landscapes, the brand is known for capturing meaningful moments with consistency, restraint, and emotional depth. Founded in 2017, Life In Focus was built from the ground up by Nick Eaton, who launched the business at age 23
Colliers moves Portsmouth office to new location at 210 Commerce Way
PORTSMOUTH—Colliers, a global leader in commercial real estate services, is pleased to announce the relocation of its Portsmouth office to 210 Commerce Way, Suite 350, Portsmouth, effective Aug. 15. The move positions the Colliers New Hampshire team for continued growth in the Seacoast area. The new location offers modern, Class A space within a dynamic business park setting. Located just minutes from downtown Portsmouth with direct access to I-95 and the Spaulding Turnpike, the new location positions the
St. Mary’s Bank Awards Scholarships to Support Future Leaders
MANCHESTER – St. Mary’s Bank is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2025 – 2026 academic year scholarship program. This year, 15 outstanding students, each members, were awarded a total of $22,500 in recognition of their academic achievements, community involvement, and dedication to personal growth. The scholarship program, which has been a cornerstone of St. Mary’s Bank’s community outreach efforts, aims to alleviate the financial burden of higher education for its members remarks. “By investing
Chasing the Calendar: Seasonal Promotions Done Right for Small Businesses
Tapping into the rhythm of the calendar has long been a cornerstone of retail success. But for smaller operations, where every marketing dollar needs to count, seasonal promotions can either be a strategic coup or a time-sucking flop. Making the most of these opportunities requires more than slapping red and green on a homepage come December. It calls for timing, creativity, and a genuine understanding of how customers behave when the seasons shift. With a little planning and a lot of authenticity,
Chamber holds great annual meeting in an ‘Amazing’ setting
We kick off summer with Annual Membership meeting on the Rep set of ‘Joseph’ PORTSMOUTH--The Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth held its annual meeting in the theatrical setting of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at Seacoast Repertory Theatre on June 20—but the program was down to business. President and Chief Collaborator Ben VanCamp spoke of the Chamber’s accomplishments of the past fiscal year and goals for year ahead. The Chamber has stressed, and will expand upon
Farewell to our friend Tom, a great man and restaurateur
ABOVE: Tom Perron at the March 11, 2020 Restaurant Week Summit. The photograph is taken from the upper floor of his restaurant, Mombo, where he said the photographer would have a much better vantage point. BELOW: Tom shared his love of the kitchen with the Portsmouth High School Career Technical Education students, pictured here Tom was leading CTE students in making a dessert as he volunteered in December at the Career Pathways program.Farewell to our friend Tom, a great man and restaurateur Thoughtful
