News

The Music Hall names Markus Gottschlich as president and CEO

Arts executive, advocate, and internationally recognized Steinway Artist will begin leading the historic Portsmouth nonprofit on Sept. 1 PORTSMOUTH – The Music Hall Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Markus Gottschlich has been named the organization’s next president & chief executive officer, effective Sept. 1. Gottschlich is an Austrian-American arts executive, arts advocate, and Steinway Artist with more than 15 years of experience leading strategic transformation for cultural institutions

Gov. Ayotte Celebrates New Childcare Tax Credit Program

CONCORD – On July 9, Gov. Kelly Ayotte highlighted a new opportunity to expand access to childcare in New Hampshire with a ceremonial bill signing of House Bill 1433, which creates the NH Child Day Care Creation Tax Credit, incentivizing companies to invest in childcare for their workforce. “Expanding access to childcare is a critical part of our efforts to ensure New Hampshire remains the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” said Ayotte. “With this new childcare tax credit program, we’re

The KEY Collective Raises over $57,000 at Raise a Glass for Good

PORTSMOUTH - The KEY Collective's Raise a Glass for Good event, the organization’s 6th Annual Summer Benefit, brought together 125 community members, sponsors, donors, and supporters on June 25, 2026 at the AC Hotel in downtown Portsmouth, raising more than $57,000 to help local youth from low-income families access sports, camps, arts programs, and other out-of-school activities.The evening featured live music from RDMTION, fresh oysters from Swell Oyster Co., exceptional food, and a spirited live auction

5th Annual New England Hot Sauce Fest Comes to Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH — Pepper X, craft hot sauces from across the Northeast, food trucks, local crafters, music, and New England's hottest pepper challenges are coming to Portsmouth this August as the 5th Annual New England Hot Sauce Fest celebrates five years of bringing together chileheads, food lovers, and families for a day of unforgettable flavor and fun. The 5th Annual New England Hot Sauce Fest will take place on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026 (rain date: Aug. 2) at Strawbery Banke Museum for the first time,

Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel Launches Patio Buck-a-Shuck Featuring Veuve Clicquot

PORTSMOUTH – Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel is bringing a classic coastal tradition to the waterfront with the launch of its very own Buck-a-Shuck, an outdoor-only happy hour experience featuring fresh oysters and Veuve Clicquot Champagne on the hotel's patio. Beginning Thursday, July 16, guests can enjoy $1 oysters (up to 12 per person) and $10 glasses of Veuve Clicquot every Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. The special will be available exclusively on the Sheraton's scenic patio overlooking

The RiverWoods Group Names Kim Gaskell Chief Operating Officer

DURHAM – The RiverWoods Group, northern New England’s largest family of not-for-profit Lifecare communities, is pleased to announce the promotion of Kim Gaskell to the new role of chief operating officer (COO). Previously serving as vice president of operations, Kim will continue to oversee operations across The RiverWoods Group while expanding her focus on strategic initiatives that strengthen the organization’s future. In her new role, she will lead efforts to identify and evaluate innovative programs,

Sail Portsmouth Maritime Festival introduces timed entry ship tour tickets to enhance visitor experience

PORTSMOUTH – As excitement builds for the 2026 Sail Portsmouth Maritime Festival, organizers are introducing a new timed-entry ticketing system for Tall Ship Tours designed to provide a smoother, more enjoyable experience for festival attendees. The timed-entry process allows visitors to select a specific day and arrival window when purchasing tickets, helping reduce long lines and wait times at the Portsmouth Commercial Fish Pier during one of the festival's most popular attractions. "We listened to

Granite Outdoor Alliance to Host Networking Paddle on Sagamore Creek July 15

PORTSMOUTH— Granite Outdoor Alliance will bring its activity-based networking series to the Seacoast with Rocktails & Streams: Portsmouth Paddle on Wednesday, July 15, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Seven Rivers Paddling in Portsmouth.  The event is designed to connect outdoor industry professionals, partners, and supporters through an afternoon of paddling, networking, and community building.  Participants will paddle along scenic Sagamore Creek before returning to Seven Rivers Paddling for dinner, beverages,

New Board Leadership, Big Milestones & a Sneak Peek at street.life! 2026, the Chamber's largest celebration

Dear Chamber Collaborative Members,  Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Annual Membership Meeting on June 25, at Service Credit Union. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on an extremely successful year, in which we added 165 members and reached several milestones. It was a moment to celebrate our momentum and look ahead to what promises to be an exciting future for the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth.  During the meeting, our membership unanimously approved the minutes from

Connections Peer Support Executive Director Fred Poisson Named Peer Professional of the Year from NAMI NH

PEMBROKE – Connections Peer Support’s executive director, Fred Poisson, was recently recognized as Peer Professional of the Year from the National Alliance on Mental Illness New Hampshire (NAMI NH). NAMI New Hampshire is a grassroots organization working to improve the lives of all people affected by mental illness and suicide through support, education and advocacy.  Every year NAMI NH recognizes individuals who work or live in New Hampshire that support mental health across the Granite State. Award

St. Mary’s Bank Named SBA Credit Union of the Year, Supporting New Hampshire Small Businesses

MANCHESTER— St. Mary's Bank is proud to announce that we have been named Credit Union of the Year at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Annual Lending Awards.   The SBA Lending Awards recognize lenders that expand access to capital and provide meaningful support to small businesses. This honor reflects our commitment to helping New Hampshire businesses and nonprofits grow, create jobs, and strengthen local communities.   As New Hampshire businesses continue to grow and innovate, we remain

Unitil Completes Purchase of Two Water Companies in New Hampshire from the Aquarion Water Authority June 30

HAMPTON — Unitil Corporation (NYSE:UTL) (“Unitil” or the “Company”) (unitil.com) announced June 30 that it completed the purchase of Aquarion Water Company of New Hampshire, Inc. and Abenaki Water Co., Inc. (the “Aquarion Companies”) from the Aquarion Water Authority (“AWA”). The Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) between Unitil and the AWA was first announced on May 6, 2025 and subsequently amended, including to limit Unitil’s purchase to the two Aquarion Companies. All conditions of the Agreement,

Six Devine Millimet Attorneys and Three Practice Areas Recognized by Chambers and Partners in the 2026 USA Guide

MANCHESTER– Devine Millimet Attorneys at Law is proud to announce that six attorneys and three practice areas have been recognized in the 2026 Chambers USA Guide, one of the legal profession's most respected and comprehensive ranking publications. Published annually by Chambers and Partners, the Chambers USA Guide identifies the nation's leading lawyers and law firms through extensive independent research. Rankings are based on in-depth interviews with clients and legal professionals, as well as an

Coastal Inspirations by Catherine Raynes featured at Kennedy Gallery through July

Portsmouth PorchFest Gears Up For 3rd Year Running on Sept. 19

PORTSMOUTH – Porchfest is returning again for the third year running! Join your neighbors and bring your friends on Saturday, Sept. 19, noon through 6 p.m. Portsmouth Porchfest is an entirely FREE, grassroots, volunteer built and driven initiative to bring our community closer together through the power of music, art and shared experiences. Local bands play on local porches and driveways and all genres of music will be played at Porchfest from indie rock to jazz and folk music. There is something for

Greater Seacoast Community Health Receives $10,000 from Bank of New Hampshire

LACONIA– Greater Seacoast Community Health served approximately 14,000 individuals throughout eastern Rockingham and Stratford counties in New Hampshire and York County, Maine in 2025, providing access to healthcare, social services, parenting education and home visiting programs. Bank of New Hampshire is pleased to continue our partnership with this vital community resource through a $10,000 donation as a Partner in Good Health sponsor. "At Bank of New Hampshire, we believe strong communities begin with

Pro Portsmouth Presents Summer in the Street 2026! Needham Bank Steps In To Make the Program Possible

PORTSMOUTH — When the NH State Council on the Arts was defunded in 2025, and the staff released, the loss of grant support meant that Summer in the Street for 2026 was in doubt until a new partner stepped forward: Needham Bank. “Summer in the Street brings people together through music, community and the shared experience of enjoying downtown Portsmouth,” said Jessica Friswell, director of Foundation & Community Relations at Needham Bank. “We are proud to support Pro Portsmouth in keeping this beloved

City of Portsmouth Plans 250th Anniversary Independence Day Fireworks and Laser Show Celebration for July 3, 2026

PORTSMOUTH – As communities across the country commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the City of Portsmouth will mark the occasion with its annual Independence Day celebration on Friday, July 3, 2026, at South Mill Pond, with a rain date of Sunday, July 5. The alcohol-free, family-friendly event is sponsored by Wilcox Industries and will feature a new laser show sponsored by Key Auto Group of Portsmouth in addition to the annual fireworks display.Portsmouth’s deep colonial

RiverWoods Durham Earns Memory Care Seal of Excellence

RiverWoods Durham has been awarded the prestigious Memory Care Seal of Excellence by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP). This distinction recognizes RiverWoods' commitment to providing exceptional dementia care and their dedication to advancing industry standards as part of the Memory Care Excellence Network (MCEN). “We are thrilled to welcome RiverWoods Durham into the Memory Care Excellence Network,” said Patrick Smith, CEO of NCCDP. “They are now recognized as a leader

LAMPREY HEALTH CARE Events hub expands access to support and resources

Lamprey Health Care Launches Events Hub that Expands Access to Support and ResourcesCreating space for dialogue, learning, and real community impacthttps://lampreyhealth.org/events/Lamprey Health Care has launched a new Events page on its website, creating a centralized hub for community members to access programs, support groups, and health-related educational workshops that bring relevant, timely conversations to the forefront and directly into neighborhoods. The page brings together offerings ranging

Lamprey Celebrates 1-year anniversary speaker series--expands access beyond clinical care

Lamprey Health Care is proud to celebrate the one-year anniversary of its Community MattersSpeaker Series, a free, community-centered initiative designed to bring important health and wellness topics to the forefront while creating safe, welcoming spaces for connection, learning, and dialogue.          EVENTS HUB www.lampreyhealth.org/eventsLaunched to support whole-person health founded on connection and belonging, Community Matters has engaged community members across the region through interactive

Adobe Firefly: A Plain-Language Guide for Small Businesses

What Is Adobe Firefly? What is Adobe Firefly?Adobe Firefly is a family of creative generative artificial intelligence models designed for content creation. It works by converting text prompts into visual and audio assets through a web browser. The application provides high-quality images, videos, and text effects, and all features out of beta are fully cleared for commercial use. For a professional services firm, such as a regional accounting practice or consulting office based in the Portsmouth area,

Devine Millimet Attorneys Recognized by Thomson Reuters® 2026 Super Lawyers New England

Manchester, NH – Devine Millimet is pleased to announce that 10 of its attorneys have been recognized by Thomson Reuters® Super Lawyers New England for 2026Attorneys Suzanne Brunelle, David P. Eby, Matthew R. Johnson, Anu R. Mullikin, Charles R. Powell, Tom Quarles, Jr., and Christopher A. Swiniarski have earned the prestigious Super Lawyers distinction for 2026.In addition, attorneys Joe Dolciotto, Rich Driscoll, and Andrea Van Iten were recognized as Rising Stars, an honor reserved for outstanding

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

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

110 Grill New Lighter Fares Menu!

110 Grill is now featuring smaller plates for when you don't want the full thing with our new Lighter Fare Menu. Now available to order, all day every day.  See the full menu: https://www.110grill.com/lighter-fare  We have also posted about it on social media: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BAtADxF7S/ Handhelds  $12 | Served With Old Bay Potato ChipsSignature Burger Sliders Bone Marrow Butter, Pepperjack, Garlic Aioli, Griddled Sweet Potato Bun Turkey Burger Sliders  Avocado Mash, Pepperjack, Pico De

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

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

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

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,

Shields Up: Guarding Intellectual Property in the Age of Screens

The modern marketplace rewards ideas as much as—or more than—products. Whether it’s a brand concept, an algorithm, a slogan, or a signature design, intellectual property is the lifeblood of many businesses operating in a digital-first world. But when everything is online, exposure becomes vulnerability. A casual click can result in a logo being duplicated, a trade secret stolen, or an entire product line cloned. This is where strategy matters, and protection isn’t just about lawyers and paperwork

The Art of Earning Loyalty: Small Business Strategies That Actually Work

In an age of over-automated interactions and digital detachment, small businesses still hold one distinct advantage: they can make people feel seen. That emotional edge matters more than ever. Customer engagement isn't about flooding inboxes or offering the biggest discounts—it's about building relationships that outlast the transaction. The most effective small business strategies are the ones that create meaningful, memorable touchpoints in a world full of noise. Start with Listening, Not SellingToo

Planning for Growth: Crucial Steps for Small Business Expansion

Choosing to expand your business is a pivotal moment that holds the promise of new opportunities and growth. However, this exciting venture also demands meticulous planning and strategic foresight. Every step you take can significantly impact the success of your expansion efforts. In this article, we’ll explore the crucial factors that will help you pave a smooth path toward successful business growth. Let’s delve into the essential considerations that will empower you to expand with confidence and

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

EASY PEASY: How to Submit a News Release to the Chamber Collaborative Website

Submitting a news release to the Chamber Collaborative website is quick and simple! Just follow these step-by-step instructions:&##128421; Step 1: Log In to ChamberMaster Go tohttps://secure2.chambermaster.com/login?utm_ Click "Login" (right) Choose "ChamberMaster Login" (left) and sign into your account &##128161; Need help logging in or resetting your password? Email Jennifer at Jennifer @PortsmouthCollaborative.org. She’ll send you a reset prompt.&##128204; Step 2: Access the Member Information