Partners Bank awards scholarships to 22 High School Seniors

SANFORD, Maine—With the beginning of a new school year, Partners Bank announces they have once again stepped up to support the pursuit of higher education in our community. Last June, Partners Bank awarded a total of $24,000 in scholarships to 2022 graduating high school seniors in Maine and New Hampshire that have now begun their post-secondary educations.

A total of 22 students from Bonny Eagle, Massabesic, Noble, Portsmouth, Sanford, Seaborn Regional, Wells and York High Schools and Sanford Regional Technical Center were selected by each school’s administration based on academic achievement and financial need to receive an award. Students were each awarded scholarships in the amounts of either $1,000 or $2,000.

Partners Bank President and CEO, Blaine Boudreau, met with five of the six recipients from Sanford schools in July to congratulate them on their awards. “It was great to meet some of our recipients and to learn more about their future endeavors,” Boudreau says. “We are proud to support these young individuals from our community as they pursue further education, and we look forward to seeing all that they accomplish in the future.”

At the start of this month, students began their new chapters of education at schools that included Empire Beauty School, Husson University, University of Maine, University of New England, University of Saint Joseph, University of Southern Maine, and more. We congratulate all of our 2022 recipients and wish them the best of luck!

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce to conduct Annual Operation Thank You

ROCHESTER — The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is beginning preparations for its Annual Operation Thank You. Sponsored by First Seacoast Bank, Operation Thank You is the Chamber's membership appreciation day where all Chamber members are thanked for their contributions and support and those in the local area receive a personal visit. This year, Operation Thank You will be held on Thursday, Oct. 20.

Volunteers will be provided with instructions to personally contact and thank assigned businesses and present the members they visit with the Chamber’s newly published 2022/2023 Business Referral Directory which contains their business listing. Volunteers will then travel around the local area to visit and thank Chamber members for their dedication and support.

The day will conclude with a Business After Hours, hosted by First Seacoast Bank, that will be held at the Rochester Performance & Arts Center at 32 North Main St., in Rochester, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

For more information on Operation Thank You or to volunteer, please call the Rochester Chamber office at 603-332-5080, email memberservices@rochesternh.org or visit www.rochesternh.org.

The Good Dog Gallery celebrates opening with a ribbon cutting

PORTSMOUTH — The Good Dog Gallery has officially opened its doors at 133 Market St., in the historic district of downtown Portsmouth, right between Treehouse Toys and Sea Bags.  A ribbon cutting was held with members of The Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth on Friday, Sept. 2.

The Good Dog Gallery is a boutique and barkery catering to dogs and dog lovers, offering a variety of dog toys, supplies, apparel, gifts for humans, and of course plenty of yummy treats and chews! Cat lovers shouldn't feel left out; there is a nice selection of items for felines as well.

Good Dog Gallery is owned by Lisa DeGloria of Newburyport Mass., and is a true family business. Often helping her both in the store and behind the scenes is her husband Don and sons James, Kevin, and Michael. This is the second store for the DeGloria family. They purchased the original Good Dog Gallery two years ago, which has been in business for 19 years on Bearskin Neck in Rockport, Mass.  Good Dog Gallery is excited to join the Portsmouth community.

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce holds a ribbon cutting for Primary Care of Rochester

ROCHESTER — The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Mass General Brigham’s Primary Care of Rochester, celebrating the grand opening of their office in Rochester. Primary Care of Rochester, a Mass General Brigham Healthcare Center, is a family practice providing care for patients of all ages. Located at 155 Marketplace Boulevard, Unit 9, in The Ridge Marketplace in Rochester, the practice fills a need for exemplary primary care medical services for the Rochester community and the region.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was followed by a Chamber Business After Hours, hosted by Mass General Brigham’s Primary Care of Rochester. The event provided guests with an opportunity to meet the new staff and tour the Primary Care of Rochester facilities. Attendees also enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and beverages, networked with fellow chamber members, goody bags for all, and three lucky guests left with door prizes.

Primary Care of Rochester, a Mass General Brigham Healthcare Center invites you to learn more by calling 603-516-4212, or visit www.wdhospital.org/whp/primary-care/primary-care-rochester.

Register for free to attend the 2022 Seacoast Area Job Fair

ROCHESTER — The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce will host the 2022 Seacoast Area Job Fair, underwritten by Wentworth Douglass Hospital, on Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center, located at 150 Wakefield St., in Rochester.

Whether seeking a job or career change, the Seacoast Area Job Fair will provide a venue in which to learn about various businesses from multiple industries, and to see what job openings are available in the area. For employers, the Seacoast Area Job Fair offers you the opportunity to meet potential candidates for existing or future job openings. Interview areas can be made available should employers wish to interview candidates on site. Several educational and state agencies will also be on hand to discuss programs that can benefit both employers and employees.

To register for free as a job-seeking attendee or employer participant and get some free job fair tips, or view the latest list of participating employers and jobs, visit: www.rochesternh.org/jobfair, call: 603-332-5080, or email: events@rochesternh.org.

Breezeline employees plant trees in Somersworth

SOMERSWORTH —  Inspired by the theme "Planting Roots in Our Communities,” over 200 volunteers planted more than 100 trees across eight states in communities where Breezeline provides Internet, TV and phone services. Trees were sourced from local nurseries, with species selected for adaptability with local climates in the eight states. In Somersworth, Breezeline sourced the trees from Wentworth Greenhouses.

The initiative is the latest example of Breezeline’s commitment to the environment and the communities it serves. Breezeline’s parent company, Cogeco, set science-based emissions reduction targets to limit the impacts of climate change back in 2021. Some highlights include:

• Reduce emissions from operations by 65% by 2030 (from 2019)

• Ensure 50% of its suppliers (based on expenditures) will set science-based emissions reduction targets by 2025

• Reduce emissions from the use of its products and from employee commuting by 30% by 2030 (from 2019)

The company has set science-based emissions reduction targets to limit the impacts of climate change. This commitment includes emissions from direct operations through fleet electrification and a commitment to reduce emissions from employee commuting.  It also includes investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects across the company’s fiber-broadband network.

Longtime Leone, McDonnell & Roberts Shareholder retires

DOVER — He is the "Roberts" in Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, PA. and it is with great admiration, appreciation and respect that Leone, McDonnell & Roberts announces that Thomas Roberts, CPA, partner, colleague and friend, has retired from his active role as a shareholder. In more of an emeritus role, Tom will continue to support firm leadership, work with the partner group as an advisor and help with special projects throughout the next year.

Tom joined the firm in 1987 during a time of expansion in the areas of audit and accounting. He was admitted as a shareholder in July 1989. With the help of his fellow partner group, he has played an integral role in the success of the firm for 35 years, leading by example, mentoring LMR team members and being an active member of the local community.

With community and volunteer service at the forefront of his career, Tom has served as a volunteer on over twenty nonprofit boards.

Tom's contributions to his work, his colleagues and his community have been exemplary and significant, and he has always demonstrated his passion for making sure every client had a positive and beneficial experience.

“Tom has not only given countless hours of outstanding service to the local community, but he has provided strong leadership, valuable insight to the partner group and team, and has helped to build a strong foundation for the firm,” said Managing Partner Evan Stowell. “Tom has been a role model to many, including me. We have a deep appreciation for his dedication and commitment to the firm’s mission, vision and values, and for serving our clients with excellence.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Ribbon cuttings, a job fair and Operation Thank You: Seacoast business news