Perch + Petal by Bell Farm spin-off boutique opens in Portsmouth
PORTSMOUTH — The owners of York, Maine gift shop Bell Farm Shops have opened a second store in Portsmouth. The store is located in the former Colby location and features garden-themed gifts, backyard bird supplies, seasonal gifts and home decor, accessories, candles, bath & body, cards, jewelry and more.
They’ve had a second location in the back of their minds for a while, and although they’ve looked at a few locations over the years, they weren’t actively looking. One day I went out to breakfast with my kids and realized it was a rental property. They checked it out the next day and ran with it. They signed the lease on Nov. 15 and were able to open on Black Friday thanks to a lot of support.
They are very excited to be part of the Portsmouth community. They lived in Portsmouth when they moved here from New Jersey eight years ago and are happy to reconnect with the area. They felt this was perfect as there was no place in Portsmouth where they could get birdhouses or feeders and that is their specialty.
They acknowledge there may be some challenges since their location is not directly downtown, but they hope the word will spread. Since we opened early, we still have a lot of work to do, such as creating a website.
Christmas is in full swing at the York store! With a Christmas tree in the back St. Nick’s Tres, a food trailer stocking holiday-themed coffee drinks and, of course, a fully decorated Christmas shop, you’ll be sure to enjoy the holiday spirit. We’re seeing some crossover between stores, but mostly new faces.
Safe Haven Humane Society of Wells receives $1,000 donation from Partners Bank employee donations this month
WELLS, Maine – Partners Bank has announced the recipients of its November Employee of the Month donation. Jane Cooper, assistant branch manager at the Portsmouth branch, was selected as an employee to select an organization to receive $1,000 from Partners Bank. She immediately chose Safe Haven Humane Society in Wells, Maine.
“I chose these because I’m a self-proclaimed ‘crazy cat lady,'” Cooper joked. “I’ve been supporting this no-kill cat shelter for years.”
The aptly named Safe Haven Humane Society is a feline sanctuary run by 80 volunteers. Their rescue approach is unique. While most animal shelters keep animals isolated in stainless steel cages, Safe Haven Humane Society believes in a more uniform approach. Their cats live together peacefully in free-roaming rooms complete with cozy baskets and beds for each cat, and rocking chairs and sofas for visitors.
Partners Bank is proud to support the growth of Safe Haven Humane Society. Since their founding, they have dramatically reduced the number of homeless cats in York County by rescuing them, providing medical and emotional care, and connecting them with forever families. A $1,000 donation from this month’s Employee Giving Program will help care for more cats.
Donations up to $40,000 will be made through December 25th. For more information on how to donate, please visit the Safe Haven Humane Society website at www.safehavenhumanesociety.org.
NH Tech Alliance Announces 2024 Product of the Year
PORTSMOUTH – Pirouette Medical’s naloxone HCI auto-injector REZQGO has been named 2024 Product of the Year by the NH Tech Alliance. Pirouette Medical is based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Five New Hampshire companies competed in a live and livestreamed event on Dec. 11 in front of an audience of approximately 800 people. The judges and audience voted to award the naloxone HCI auto-injector REZQGO as the 2024 Product of the Year. For more information or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, please visit nhtechalliance.org, email info@nhtechalliance.org, or connect via Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
HRCU officially opens Greenland, New Hampshire branch
GREENLAND — Holy Rosary Credit Union officially opened its newest branch in Greenland during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Dec. 12. The new full-service branch of HRCU, the first Greenlandic financial institution in 20 years, was welcomed to the community by the Commissioner. Greater Portsmouth Associates and Chamber of Commerce President Ben VanCamp, town staff, HRCU board members, neighbors and project team members.
HRCU Board Chair Dana R. Flanders performed the ceremonial ribbon cutting, followed by a community open house.
Located in a new mixed-use building on Route 33 adjacent to the Greenland Post Office, HRCU’s new full-service branch features a community lounge and a unique partnership with the nearby Pink Hippo Café.
Pink Hippo Cafe offers a cozy atmosphere, coffee drinks provided by Port City Coffee Roasters and Condon’s Donuts, and signature desserts and baked goods. This trendy pink cafe also features the work of more than a dozen artists who create and produce locally in Maine and New Hampshire. The two businesses are connected by welcoming French doors that are open during credit union business hours.
VanCamp praised HRCU’s work in Greenland and partnership with Pink Hippo as examples of local businesses strengthening their communities.
The new branch includes a drive-up ATM with an Interactive Teller Machine (ITM), as well as full deposit services, affordable business services, and a complete line of consumer and mortgage loans. On-site property management is provided by Northeast Planning Associates (NPA).
The branch will be open Monday through Saturday, with drive-up ATMs available 24 hours a day, and overnight access for businesses.
Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation donates $15,000 to reduce food insecurity
PORTSMOUTH — The Kennebunk Savings Bank Foundation is honoring the spirit of the holiday season by donating to local food pantries and eating places. “As a community bank, we have spent the last few years responding to the growing needs of our communities,” said Rex Meagher, president of the bank. “We donate and volunteer to help alleviate food insecurity throughout the year, but it’s important that we go even further during the holiday season.” We have donated a total of $15,000 to organizations.
One of the recipients is Gather, a Portsmouth-based food pantry and nonprofit organization that has seen a 24% increase in demand since 2023. “Gather has distributed 1.6 million pounds of food in the past 12 months,” said Danny Edgecomb, director of Kennebunk Savings. He is the head of the 1871 group of insurance companies and a member of Gather’s board of directors. “Teams have really stepped up and met this moment. But the lines are getting longer and the demand is more urgent.”
Jackie Jimenez, assistant branch manager in the bank’s Portsmouth office, is a member of Seacoast Community Lunch, a weekly free meal program hosted at Middle Street Church in Portsmouth and provided to anyone in the community. He frequently participates as a volunteer. “I like volunteering here because I get to get out into the community and meet new people and hear their stories,” Jimenez said. Kennebunk Savings has a positive volunteer culture, with more than 11,800 total volunteer hours completed last year. Seacoast Community Lunch is also the recipient of holiday donations from banks.
Another donation was made to the Little Pantry, a 24/7 food pantry operated by the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel Chambers of Commerce. It is located on the porch of the Chamber of Commerce office in downtown Kennebunk and is maintained by a team of volunteers. Our bank donations will help keep food pantries stocked during the holiday season. “We are just one part of the safety net that exists in our community,” said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Laura Dolce. “If you need anything, just take it. It’s there for you.”
NHTrust supports Gather
PORTSMOUTH — The NH Trust has donated $1,500 to Gather in Portsmouth, an organization that has been providing meals to families on the NH coast since 1816. The agency is one of the oldest social service agencies in the country, providing nutritious food and prepared meals to people suffering from hunger.
“This support from NHTrust could not have come at a better time for us,” explained Anne Hayes, Executive Director of Gather. “With winter in full swing and the holiday season upon us, we are working hard to reach as many families as possible. We served 545 meals at Thanksgiving and will continue to do so after Christmas. We look forward to expanding our reach.”
“This is a phenomenal organization,” said Michael St. Onge, NHTrust senior vice president, private client relationship manager. “I am so inspired by the depth and dedication of the people and volunteers at Gather and their unwavering commitment to ending food insecurity in our coastal communities, which is at the core of their legacy.”
