Free sail for veterans, Dover Library goes fine free: Community news update

Life Bridge Mentoring holds 22nd Annual Golf Tournament

WOLFEBORO — The rain stopped and the clouds cleared just in time for 79 golfers, sponsors and a team of volunteers to come together to support the Life Bridge’s mentoring program at the 22nd Annual Golf Tournament held on June 13 at Indian Mound Golf Club in Ossipee. The tournament, using the “scramble” format, was followed by lunch from the grill and announcements of awards to close out a full day.

The winners included:

1st Place Gross Team: Adam Dow, Ben Ekstrom, Bret Chaveree and Garret Walston

1st Place Net Team: Barry Muccio, Corey Ryder, Rod Dempsey and Jonathan Bourque

Long Drive Winners: Jackie Broza and Mike Ingalls

Closest to the Pin Winners: Linda Lucht and Chris Heath

Life Bridge Mentoring would like to thank the many local businesses who support this fundraising effort either by sponsoring a hole or donating prizes. Special recognition goes to our “Hall of Fame” Sponsors: Adam Dow - Keller Williams Realty of Wolfeboro, Hartley Well Drilling of Chocorua, Seacoast Dream Dentistry of Portsmouth, Hervey’s Tires of Rochester, Eldridge and Gillespie (Accountants) of Wolfeboro. Additional thanks go to the staff of Indian Mound who worked tirelessly to insure a fun day of golfing and a delicious meal.

Life Bridge mentoring is a non-profit organization that offers one-on-one mentoring opportunities for at-risk youth in the Lakes and the Seacoast Regions of New Hampshire. For more information about this active, volunteer organization, call Andy Johnson at 603-651-3279 or go to www.lifebridgementoring.org.

Dover Public Library goes fine free

DOVER — The Dover Public Library announced that starting July 1, we will no longer charge late fees for overdue materials.  DPL joins a growing nationwide trend of eliminating fines which supports our library's commitment to equity of access. Although the library will no longer charge late fees, patrons will still be responsible for the replacement cost of items that are lost, damaged, or not returned within 60 days.  With the start of our fine-free status, the library staff looks forward to providing access to all the library has to offer to every member of our community.  

2022 Cochecho Arts Festival buttons available to purchase

DOVER — 2022 Cochecho Arts Festival buttons are available. They are only $10 and come with a lot of benefits. Purchase them at the Chamber office (550 Central Ave.) or at a Friday headliner show.

With each Wentworth-Douglass Hospital CAF button purchased, you gain entry into the season-long raffle where one lucky winner will receive a Weber SPIRIT E-330 Gas Grill sponsored by 97.5 WOKQ.

Show your button at the Blue Dolphin Screenprint and Embroidery Box Office at each Friday headliner series concert and receive a free bottle of water from Kennebunk Savings.

You can also show your button to receive local discounts. At The Sassy Biscuit Co., receive a $1 house mimosa with purchase of an entree (must be 21 to redeem), and at The Strand, you’ll receive a free large popcorn with any paid event ticket. (Both discounts are valid July 8 to Aug. 12).

100% of your button purchase will go towards keeping Cochecho Arts Festival free of charge and open to the public. Thank you to our Cochecho Arts Festival underwriter, Orpheum Apartments & Cowork. Visit dovernh.org/caf for the summer schedule.

Durham’s Cornucopia Food Pantry increases refrigerated storage capacity

DURHAM — Recently the Cornucopia Food Pantry, located at the Waysmeet Center in Durham, N.H., received the donation of two 45 Cubic Foot commercial refrigerators from the Portsmouth-based Gather Organization. The two refrigerators have increased the refrigerated capacity of the Cornucopia Pantry by some 35% thus allowing for the storage of more food products for distribution to its growing client base.

The staff at Waysmeet and Cornucopia wish to thank Deb Anthony, Executive Director of Gather; Seneca Bernard, Associate Executive Director; Rob Delisle, COO; and Chuck Allard, Operations, for their assistance with this generous donation.

The staff of Cornucopia would also like to thank Elliott Young and Doug Rodoski for their invaluable assistance in the transport and setup of the refrigerators.

For more information about Cornucopia, call 603-862-1165 or visit their website at www.waysmeetcenter.org. For more information about Gather, call 603-436-0641or visit their website at www.gathernh.org/.

Free sail on the Gundalow for Veterans

PORSMOUTH — The nonprofit Gundalow Co located in downtown Portsmouth whose mission it is to protect the Piscataqua region’s maritime heritage and environment through education and action have also worked to acknowledge that all people have the right to access, enjoy and learn from the Piscataqua region’s heritage and ecology.

For the second year in a row the Gundalow has announced that they will be offering a free charter only intended for our beloved Veterans and their families on Thursday, Aug. 4 from 3:30 to 5 p.m., at the Gundalow PISCATAQUA, Water Street, Prescott Park.

This is a legacy gift from one of our Board Members, Robert Field, Lt. Jg., U.S. Navy to thank those who have served our country and our community without question.

Our Gundalow PISCATAQUA is able to host 46 passengers.  The sail will be at high tide so anyone in a wheelchair can safely board. This will be a first come first serve basis but it is our hope that we will not have to turn anyone away, this being said, if bookings come quickly, we may be able to add another sail. To reserve your spot email  development@gundalow.org or call/text 603-380-3935.

COAST Bus awarded $400,000 in CDFA Tax Credits

DOVER — Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation, more commonly known as COAST, was awarded $400,000 in tax credits as part of the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority’s recent funding cycle. COAST was one of just 19 organizations to receive a portion of the $5 million in funding available through the very competitive Tax Credit Program.

Grants made to organizations are in the form of tax equity. New Hampshire businesses can support the selected projects by purchasing the tax credits from the recipient organizations, resulting in the nonprofit receiving a donation and the company receiving a 75 percent New Hampshire state tax credit against that contribution. The credit can be applied against the Business Profits Tax, Business Enterprise Tax, or Insurance Premium. 

CDFA funds support initiatives that advance local community economic development goals, capacity building for the New Hampshire nonprofit sector, and support for economic development across the state. The NH CDFA Tax Credit Program is unique and not used by any other state to support the nonprofit sector in this way.

COAST is celebrating its 40th anniversary of providing public transportation to the Seacoast region. In the last 15 years in particular, COAST has experienced its most significant growth. In order to better meet its current operational needs, be responsive to future demand and reduce its environmental impact, COAST plans to build a new facility on its current property in Dover. The project, which will be funded through a combination of funding from federal, state (including the CDFA tax credits), local and private sources, is an investment in both the regional economy and in climate action. 

“We are honored to be among the organizations receiving CDFA funding this year. Tax credits are a key part of the funding strategy for building a new facility to support the administration, operations, and maintenance of COAST’s public transportation services on the Seacoast,” said Rad Nichols, Executive Director of COAST. “The project supports increased access to reliable public transportation, an essential service for local residents and economic driver in the region.”

More information about COAST’s plans for their new facility can be found at www.coastbus.org.