Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting at Generations Arcade

ROCHESTER — The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce helped Generations Arcade celebrate their first six months with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 8, at their location, 39-1 South Main St., Rochester.

Generations Arcade is a local, family-owned arcade, built for generational gaming for all ages. “We wanted this Arcade to be something for everyone,” said Owner Matthew Albion. “We take seriously our motto, ‘A Place Where Everyone Can Play’”

The arcade’s console room is the central feature, with consoles dating back to the 1970’s, like Atari, ColecoVision, and Intellivision, through the decades with SEGA, PlayStations 1-5, Xboxes, and Nintendo, from the original through the Wii and Switch. There are two Virtual Reality rooms in the back, a line of pinball and arcade games, along with handheld systems. They also have conventional games like rod hockey and air hockey. Their “manual room” includes jigsaw puzzles, board games, and more.

“We opened these doors to bring a social flare back to the area,” said Albion. “People are tired of being isolated and want to get back to being around friends again, and making new ones.” Generations provides ample opportunity for “couch multiplayer,” tournaments, and clubs are just a start. A 72” screen leader board fosters a strong gaming environment.

Their unique membership model encourages gamers to come and go as they please, replacing tokens and hourly fees with day and month passes. Generations is open weekdays from 3 to 9 p.m. (closed on Tuesdays), Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m. For more information, go to speak with their friendly staff, call 603-953-7400, or visit them online at www.generationsarcade.com.

The Falls Chamber of Commerce presents: Maine and N.H. Business Resource Fair

BERWICK, Maine — The Falls Chamber of Commerce is hosting the first ever Maine and New Hampshire Business Resource Fair on Oct. 4, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Berwick Town Hall. All businesses in Maine and New Hampshire are invited for an afternoon focused on helping businesses access the resources and opportunities they need to start, thrive, and grow. The fair features 13 business support organizations and counting from both Maine and New Hampshire. The fair is perfect for business owners to gain access to important tools and information that match their needs. In addition to resources, the event will include speakers from the Chamber, Envision Berwick, and the Small Business Administration. Sponsored in part by Bangor Savings Bank, Palmer Gas and Oil, and Breezeline.

Business resources featured: NH PTAC, New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs; Veteran Entrepreneurial Training and Resource Network (VETRN); Maine Small Business Development Center; Veterans Business Outreach Center of New England; Maine Department of Economic and Community Development; SBA Maine District Office; SBA New Hampshire; Seacoast SCORE; Maine International Trade Center; New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs; York County CareerCenter (Springvale); Southern Maine Finance Agency; and Finance Authority of Maine

Details on how to RSVP for the event can be found here: https://gscdtfc.wildapricot.org/event-4954745. Business resource organizations that would like to showcase at the event should contact Emerson at emerson@thefallschamber.com.

McLane Middleton Attorney Richard A. Samuels receives Business and Industry Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award

MANCHESTER – The Business and Industry Association recently announced McLane Middleton attorney Richard A. Samuels as a 2022 recipient of its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes business leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to leadership in their professions, communities and New Hampshire. Recipients help shape their communities and the state through successful business endeavors, participation in civic organizations, involvement in boards and service to local and state government.

Dick Samuels joined McLane Middleton in 1980 and has been a director since 1987. Samuels served as the firm’s Managing Director from 2013 to 2019. Samuels specializes in securities law, mergers and acquisitions, corporate business law, banking law, and energy, utilities and telecommunications. He has been recognized among Best Lawyers’ “Best Lawyers in America” every year since 1993 and as a New England “Super Lawyer” in the Business/Corporate category each year since 2007. Samuels serves as board chair of City Year New Hampshire and previously served on the board of directors for the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Manchester Community Health Center (now Amoskeag Health) and Granite State Opera. He previously served as a trustee of the New Hampshire Institute of Art (now New England College Institute of Art and Design), and the Greater Manchester YMCA (now the Granite YMCA).

This year’s awards will be presented at BIA’s 109th Annual Celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 26. For more information visit: https://bit.ly/BIAAnnualDinner.

Rochester Area Democratic Campaign office opening at TD Bank Building in Rochester

ROCHESTER — Rochester Democratic Committee is opening a campaign office in Merchant Plaza at 1 Old Dover Road in Rochester. Local candidates for office are invited to use this space. Rochester area residents are invited to drop-in.

Committee Chair Peg Higgins explained the purpose of the Rochester Area office, “An office space in town will provide our candidates with a place to launch their campaigns. They will have a central location to meet, talk about their individual campaigns and get support. Local voters now have a place to pick up information and to learn about the people attached to the names they will see on the ballot.”

Residents of Strafford County are invited to drop-in any Monday, Wednesday, or Friday late afternoon between 4 and 6 p.m. to learn about the Democratic candidates. The campaign office will also be open on weekends from mid-morning 10 a.m. until mid-afternoon 4 p.m.

MVSB Fund Grant applications due Oct. 15

STATEWIDE — Local nonprofits who wish to apply for a grant from Meredith Village Savings Bank Fund can do so by Oct. 15. The application and instructions can be accessed online at mvsb.com/community-involvement.

Established in 1997, under the leadership of John Starrett, then-President and CEO of the Bank, the MVSB Fund at New Hampshire Charitable Foundation makes grant-based contributions to nonprofit organizations that enrich and improve the quality of life for residents living in the Bank’s service areas.

The MVSB Fund has supported literacy programs, after-school programs, environmental monitoring, as well as education and restoration of historic structures, organizations that provide support for individuals and families in challenging circumstances and equipment that helps save lives. While not focused on a particular category, Fund administrators are mindful of the receiving organization and their contribution to the quality of life in the communities being served.

Grants generally range from $1,000 to $15,000 and are awarded to 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public agencies based in the Lakes Region, Plymouth and Seacoast areas. Projects supported are of high priority and need for the applicant organization and are related to their mission or development; demonstrate a clear, practical plan with objectives for services, participation and results; leverage other funding and/or voluntary support; offer evidence that project objectives will be accomplished within the grant period and demonstrate cooperation and collaboration with other organizations to provide greater community impact.

Go to mvsb.com/community-involvement to learn more and to apply.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Chamber fair and ribbon cutting, grant deadline: Seacoast business news