September 2012 - Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce

September 2012
Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter
23rd ANNUAL HAMPTON BEACH
SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
September 7, 8, 9, 2012
3 DAYS OF FUN, FOOD & FANTASTIC
ENTERTAINMENT!
The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival has once again been
acclaimed as “One of the Top 100 Events in North America” for 2012 by the American Bus
Association. It is certainly the biggest street fair we know of in New England. And why wouldn’t it be when you consider all the
ingredients that make up the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival and Sidewalk Sales Days, Friday, Saturday & Sunday, September
7, 8 & 9. First and foremost, it’s a genuine seafood extravaganza and that’s the hook, so to speak. Seafood lovers cannot seem to
get their fill of the abundant choices. Almost any seafood favorite you can think of will be grilled, steamed, or deep fried from
calamari to shrimp and clams to lobsters—not to mention the chowder and delicious light lobster raviolis. The choices go on and
on. After all, there are 50+ area restaurants under large tents plying their skills. Plenty of non-seafood items and other typical fair
fare are available to keep everybody happy.
On Saturday, September 8th, 2012, the Third Annual Lobster Roll Eating Contest will take place at the Hampton Beach Seafood
Festival. Twelve lucky contestants will be chosen to compete alongside four celebrities. $1,000 is on the line, with the winner
receiving $600, second place taking home $250, and third place leaving with $150. The winner will receive bragging rights along
with automatic entry into next year’s competition. The ten-minute eating frenzy is sponsored by The 401 Tavern and the Pat
Whitley Restaurant Show.
The ideal places to enjoy your catch of the day are the “Pub Tent” with a cool Bud or Redhook Ale or a glass of Barefoot Wine, and
the expanded “Beach Tent” where you can keep your toes in the sand while enjoying your beverages and continuous entertainment.
What to place second is a toss up between the fabulous sidewalk sale lineup on closed-to-traffic Ocean Boulevard; the incredible
entertainment playing continuously on two stages; an appearance by the Air Force Band of Liberty on Saturday; spectacular fireworks Saturday at 8:15; and a skydiving demonstration on Sunday at 5:00 p.m.; or the crafts on sale by over 60 local artisans. Not
to mention magnificent culinary demonstrations by big name chefs featured on the Pat Whitley Restaurant Show, and a specially
designated Kiddie Land with puppet performances, magicians, and more to entertain the younger set.
The whole event kicks off Friday afternoon, September 7 at 4:00 p.m. Admission fee is $5.00 per day. Admission for children
under 12 is free. The entrance gates will be staffed by volunteers from the Hampton Rotary Club, who will share in the proceeds
from admission fees.
The 2012 Presenting Sponsor is Seacoast Harley-Davidson. Other sponsors include: Barefoot Wine, Foster’s Daily Democrat,
Green Mountain Coffee, Home Heat, Law Office of Andrew Cotrupi, Mohegan Sun, New Hampshire Distributors, Owens Corning
Basement Finishing Systems, Performance Roofing, Pinard Waste Systems, Power Home Remodeling Group, Renewal by Andersen,
Seacoast Coca-Cola, Subaru of New England, Jerky Hut, NE Gutter Kings, Verizon Wireless, and XFINITY.
The best deal of the festival is the free parking and shuttle service from 13 uptown satellite parking lots. Everyone is urged
to park and ride free courtesy of the First Student Bus Company, who will have over 30 volunteer bus drivers shuttling festival
goers each day.
For a complete itinerary with times, entertainment schedules, and parking locations, visit the festival website at www.hamptonbeachseafoodfestival.com.
See Entertainment Schedule and Culinary Chef Demonstration Schedule in this Newsletter.
Visit www.hamptonbeachseafoodfestival.com for Free Parking and Shuttle Locations.
2012 Children’s Festival a Big Hit!
The Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce and
the Hampton Beach Village District would like to
thank our sponsors for making the Hampton Beach
Children’s Festival 2012 the best ever!
www.SeacoastBeachInfo.com, Sea Ketch Restaurant,
Buc’s Lagoon, Seacoast Coca-Cola, Ben’s Beach
Supplies, Bolyea Properties, Grand View Motel,
ACGPayments.com, Portsmouth Regional Hospital,
Hampton Arts Network, and all of the other generous
sponsors that make Children’s Festival possible.
CHAMBER CONNECTION
A Daytime Networking Event
Wednesday, October 3, 2012, 11:30 to 12:30
Hampton Chamber Office
One Lafayette Road, Hampton
Speaker: Dr. Mark Arsenault
Hampton Area Chamber members and their guests are
invited to join us for this straightforward networking opportunity on the first Wednesday of most months from 11:30 to 12:30.
Attendees will meet other professionals to make contacts and
expand visibility for their businesses. There will be time for a
short infomercial about your business, a featured speaker will
present a topic of interest, and the rest is all about networking.
Contact Katie Curran at 603-926-8718, ext. 104 or e-mail
[email protected] to reserve a spot. Reservations are
required. An e-mail confirmation will be sent to each month’s
attendees.
If you would like to be a speaker, email [email protected] and get on the list.
HAMPTON ARTS NETWORK 3RD ANNUAL
ARTWALK 2012 FEATURES LOCAL ARTISTS
AND ENTERTAINMENT
The Hampton Arts Network (HAN), a non-profit organization
whose mission is to support the arts and artists in Hampton, NH, is
hosting its 3rd annual Artwalk 2012 on Thursday and Friday, October
4th and 5th in downtown Hampton from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. each night
rain or shine.
The Gazebo at Depot Square and the surrounding Hampton businesses are central to the Artwalk festivities. Walk around and visit
each location displaying artwork by HAN artists. See demonstrations
of mural painting and master pumpkin carving each night. HAN’s
culinary arts program includes an exciting Pro Chef culinary competition and an edible art contest.
HAN Artwalk 2012 maps will be available to navigate the festivities. Parking is available in the Hampton municipal parking lot, corner
of High Street and Lafayette Rd. HAN is a collaborative organization
which offers a wide variety of art venues including painting, drawing, music, culinary, sculpture, photography, poetry, theater, writing,
and more. You can simply be an art lover to enjoy being a member
of the Hampton Arts Network. We invite you to learn more at www.
hamptonartsnetwork.org. (email) [email protected] or
(phone) 603-926-0443.
Exciting Sponsor Opportunity!
The Chamber will be having a drawing for a 7-night Royal
Caribbean Cruise aboard the Oasis of the Sea along with $1,000
and $500 second and third prizes. The drawing will be done
at our Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner around the end of
February 2013.
ERA The Hamptons Real Estate is one of the sponsors, along
with Seabrook Travel. If anyone is interested in participating as
a sponsor, full recognition will be given in all of our promotions,
advertising, posters, etc. Also, announcements will be made
at each Business After Hours and other events, including the
Holiday Auction on November 15, 2012.
Sponsorships are $250.00. If you have any questions
please feel free to contact Katie Curran at ext. 104 or Katie@
hamptonchamber.com.
Optima Bank & Trust Receives Honor
Pamela Morrison, chief administrative officer and senior vice
president, and Daniel Morrison, president and chief executive officer, (in center) hold the plaque Optima Bank & Trust received for
being named the 2012 Business of the Year by the Greater Portsmouth
Chamber of Commerce at its annual dinner. Other
members of the
Optima team in
attendance included (from left
to right) Rachel
Collins, vice president, communications; Debbie
Moore, assistant branch manager-Portsmouth; William Young,
chief lending officer and senior vice president; Alyson Graybill, vice
president and branch manager-Portsmouth; Ed Garside, chief financial
officer and senior vice president; Heath Wilson, commercial banking
officer and Robert Gagnon, vice president, business development.
Leddy Center School for the Performing Arts announces that registration is going on now for fall classes and private
lessons beginning the week of September 10. For information on instructors, how to set up your lessons, and to register
online, please visit the website at www.leddycenter.org.
Melissa Ransdell, new to Leddy staff, but veteran of Leddy stage, has been involved in theater her entire life, doing
productions in New Hampshire as well as Maine. Melissa has been with Leddy Center since 2004, starting out in Jennifer
Cardin’s musical theater classes, and recently playing the lead role in Leddy Center’s “Cinderella” and the leading role of
Tzeitel in this summer’s Leddy production of Fiddler on the Roof. Melissa has done everything from working backstage to
starring on stage, to working in the lighting booth for productions at Leddy Center. Melissa has grown up working with
the Leddy Center and has moved up right through the system.
She is very excited to be making the transition from student to teacher, and to be teaching your children all about theater, while having the
time of their lives. Melissa will be teaching Let’s Get Acting for ages 10 and up, on Mondays from 4:30 to 5:30pm. In this fun class the focus is
on acting with a smattering of musical theatre thrown in for those who like to sing and dance, but are more at a beginning level. If you do not
like to sing, you will NOT have to! You will learn lots of acting games and techniques and learn about character development, role playing,
scene study, skits, and improvisation! Students in this class will also learn a play that they will perform on the Leddy Center stage in a recital
at the end of the year in May.
If you ever wanted to learn how to act and perform on stage, this is the class for you! Ms. Ransdell will also be teaching Mini-Musical
Theatre for ages 5 & 6, on Mondays from 3:30 to 4:20. This is a fun class with lots of make-believe and singing and dancing for the little ones
culminating with an on stage performance in May! To register for these classes and all classes and private lessons at Leddy Center, just go on
line at leddycenter.org for information and registration forms. Leddy Center is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, until Labor Day, from
3:00pm-5:00pm. Visit or call and register for classes at 679-2781. Or just go to leddycenter.org and fill out the registration forms online! Beginning Sept. 10, Leddy Center will be open Monday through Friday, from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. Leddy Center is a non-profit 501c3 NH Arts and
Education Organization.
Rachel M. Collins has joined Optima Bank & Trust as vice president, communications. Collins, who has more than 20
years of experience in the local and national media and in public relations, will direct Optima’s public relations, marketing
and advertising. A public relations consultant with Optima since before the bank opened its doors in January of 2008, Collins’ other public relations clients have included PixelMEDIA, the Ford Motor Co., the A.C. Nielsen Co., United Technologies,
Lovelace Medical Center and Michigan Bell. She is a former correspondent or writer for The Boston Globe, The Associated
Press and The Portland Press Herald. Collins has written extensively for local magazines and newspapers, including as The
Portsmouth Herald’s “Get off the Couch” columnist. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Collins also completed
Masters work at Michigan State University’s Graduate School of Journalism. She is a UNH Alumni Publications Advisory
Committee member and a regular contributor to UNH Magazine. Collins lives with her family in York, Maine, where she has
volunteered with the local schools and with local youth sports organizations.
Optima Bank has named Kricket Hooper as a commercial credit analyst at its Portsmouth headquarters. Hooper has 14
years of experience in the commercial credit field and worked for several years in the non-profit sector. She will be responsible
for analyzing credit in processing commercial/business loans for new business offerings, as well as for existing customers. She
has a B.S. from the University of Southern Maine in accounting.
Katherine LaFevers has joined Optima Bank as the executive assistant to the bank’s president and chief executive officer,
Daniel R. Morrison. LaFevers has 20 years of administrative experience as an executive assistant and office manager. She will
be responsible for managing the office of the president and providing administrative support to the CEO in the areas of investor relations, purchasing, vendor contracts and invoices and human resources. LaFevers also will serve as a liaison between
the company and its facilities and maintenance providers. She has a B.S. in management from the University of Maryland
campus in Munich, Germany.
Optima Bank & Trust, where “Everything is Possible,” offers traditional bank products and services with competitive
rates and a focus on exceptional service. For more information, visit the Optima branches at Two Harbour Place, Portsmouth
(603-433-9600), 26 Lafayette Road, North Hampton (603-433-9633), and 17 Portsmouth Avenue, Stratham (603-773-5222), or
the website at www.optimabank.com.
Lucy Day Champion, Chamber member, Edward Jones Branch Office Administrator in North Hampton & Hampton resident of over 35
years, will be walking in the Seacoast Walk to End Alzheimer’s for the 5th year on Sunday, September 23 from Strawbery Banke, 14 Hancock
Street in Portsmouth. She has a close connection to the disease, as her mom lost her
battle 3 years ago. While many of her friends, colleagues and neighbors have little
knowledge of the tremendous progress that is being made, there are few that haven’t
been touched by the disease.
Lucy volunteers for the Alzheimer’s Association to ensure that others can receive
the support that she has received, and also to further the cause in finding the cure. Her
goal is that a cure can be found before her children have to suffer what her brothers,
father and she did when dealing with her mom’s condition. Be a sponsor, put together
a walk team, or make a contribution to - or join - Lucy’s team! Please contact her for
further information. Thank you.
Lucy Day Champion, Seacoast Walk to End Alzheimer’s Committee Member,
Team member of Chamberland’s Angels, 603-964-1947
Help Lucy surpass her goal: http://act.alz.org/goto/lucydaychampion
Hampton Beach Seafood Festival Donates $46,772 to
Hampton Rotary Club
The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival—three days of eating, entertainment, shopping
and fun, right? Yes, and it’s also the largest non-spectator event in the State of New Hampshire, acclaimed by the American Bus Association as one of the top 100 events in North
America. The Festival brings over 100,000 people to the Beach and generates more revenue
for area restaurants and hotels than any other weekend of the year. The Festival is a boon
to both the state and local economy while extending the short season for one more crucial
week. But that’s not everything. The Seafood Festival provides a lifeline for many local
service organizations with money raised from entrance fees and at Festival booths rented
to non-profits at discounted rates.
Collected by the Hampton Rotary
Club members and volunteers, the five
2012 Hampton Beach Seafood Festival
dollar admission fee not only defrays
the costs associated with orchestrating
September 7-8-9, 2012
a world-class event, but provides a sizArtist
Time
Day / & Date
Stage
able yearly donation to local non-profits.
Last year the Hampton Area Chamber
of Commerce donated $46,772 from
Ricco Barr & the Jumpn Jive
money raised at the gates to the Hamp4:00-6:00pm
Friday, September 7
Seashell Stage
Review
ton Rotary Club. These monies in turn
help over 75 local organizations such
The Reminisants
6:30-8:00pm
Friday, September 7
Seashell Stage
as, Rockingham Nutrition and Meals
Ron Drolet
4:00-7:00pm
Friday, September 7
Beach Bar
on Wheels, St. Vincent de Paul, Seacoast
Hospice, the Salvation Army, WinnacunMike Livingston
7:00-10:00pm
Friday, September 7
Beach Bar
net High School and Village Day Care
in Hampton through Rotary donations.
Soulmate
12:00-2:30pm
Saturday, September 8
Seashell Stage
B Street Bombers
3:00-5:30pm
Saturday, September 8
Seashell Stage
Air Force Band of Liberty
AFTER BURNER
6:00-8:00pm
Saturday, September 8
Seashell Stage
Mike Moore
11:00am-1:30pm
Saturday, September 8
Beach Bar
Lobster Roll Eating
Competition
2:00pm-3:00pm
Saturday, September 8
Beach Bar
Hot Like Fire
3:00-6:00
Saturday, September 8
Beach Bar
The Old Bastards
6:30-10:00pm
Saturday, September 8
Beach Bar
Extereme Air Jump Rope
12:00-1:00pm
Sunday, September 9
Seashell Stage
Irish Dancers
1:00- 1:30pm
Sunday, September 9
Seashell Stage
Idol Winners - 2 songs
2:00- 2:30pm
Sunday, September 9
Seashell Stage
The Continentals
3:00-6:00pm
Sunday, September 9
Seashell Stage
Paul Wayne
11:00am-2:30pm
Sunday, September 9
Beach Bar
Karaoke
3:00-6:00
Sunday, September 9
Beach Bar
Visit www.hamptonbeachseafoodfestival.com for complete festival information!
Food Tent Maps, Craft Vendors, Festival Sponsors, Free Parking and Shuttle Locations!
SEE YOU AT THE SEAFOOD FESTIVAL!
Did you know that as a member of
the Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce, you are part of an exclusive
group that is eligible for discounts on
your auto, home and renters insurance?
Josh Pelletier, Liberty Mutual Sales Representative, is a proud member of the Hampton Chamber of Commerce and is available to work with
you to find out how much you can save!
As a University of New Hampshire graduate
and local resident, Josh is familiar with the needs
of our area and has a vested interest in working
with local businesses. His strong commitment to
the community and vast product knowledge make him a wonderful
addition to the Chamber’s benefit program.
Also – as a fellow Chamber member, Josh is available to come to
your business to assist your employees, on-site, with their insurance
needs. Whether you are interested in a lunch and learn, a fun trivia
game or just an informational session – call to find out what Liberty
Mutual can do for you.
Josh Pelletier, Sales Representative
Auto-Home-Life-Annuities
230 Commerce Way, Suite 101, Portsmouth, NH 03801-1157
Office: 603.431.3350 x52549
[email protected]
Drift Away Restaurant in North Hampton turned one year old
in style on August 1 with a celebration that included tastings of wine,
beer, rum, and vodkas! The restaurant was filled with well-wishers,
and the big red ribbon was cut to usher in year 2. Shown in the photo
from left are: Christa Phaneuf, Becky and Bob Hoffmeister, all of Drift
Away; Pat Morgenstern and Doc Noel of the Hampton Area Chamber
of Commerce.
The HomeBrew Barn
announces the opening
of its retail location on
Route 1 in Hampton, New
Hampshire, providing the
seacoast with an exciting
complete one stop shop for
all of your home-brewing
and home-winemaking
needs. A comprehensive
collection of equipment,
supplies and the expertise
necessary to brew beer and
ferment grape juice can be conveniently found at 861 Lafayette Rd.
The HomeBrew Barn serves those already involved in the hobby, but
features informal and formal classes for the newcomer’s right in the
showroom. Whether you are a novice, a hobbyist or a gift-giver, you’ll
find what you are looking for!
The concept of the HomeBrew Barn has been developing for 35
years when the founder, Kirby Marchi made his first wine. ‘Back
then, home-winemaking had just recently been legalized so help and
supplies were scarce.’ Marchi made his first batch in a whiskey barrel
from dozens & dozens of Welch’s frozen juice concentrate cans. ‘It had
alcohol but that was about it’, Marchi said. ‘A lot has changed for the
better, the process is basic and people can learn to make beer and wine
very easily: it’s fun and cheaper than buying it’.
A portion of the showroom has been creatively designed as a ‘Dry’
bar, where customers can comfortably learn about beer and wine making on a one to one basis. One of the major differences The HomeBrew
Barn brings is focusing on properly educating people by offering a wide
range of classes which benefit the newcomers and experienced alike.
‘A vast amount of knowledge and the willingness to share it is our key
strength’ says Marchi. ‘We are beer brewers and wine makers who love
the hobby and enjoy educating and learning from other enthusiasts’.
Currently, The HomeBrew Barn is featuring one-session introductory classes for beer and wine that take about 2 hours. Can’t decide? A
special ‘Summer Beer & Wine Blend’ class will get you started in both.
Come as a group, we can accommodate up to 18 people and will tailor
a class to your specific needs! Additional information can be found on
our website at www.thehomebrewbarn.com.
The HomeBrew Barn is located at 861 Lafayette Rd in Hampton,
NH, minutes from the beach with easy access to Routes 1, 95 and 101.
Ample parking available at no charge! Store hours are 11 am to 6 pm
Tuesday – Thursday, 10 am to 7 pm Friday, noon to 7 pm Saturday
and noon to 5pm Sunday. Closed Mondays – (we have to brew too!)
Call for more information at 603-601-2548.
Chefs at Hampton Beach
September 8th and 9th
Listen to the Pat Whitley Restaurant Show Sundays from 10 to 1PM
on WRKO-680-AM for more information about the 2012 Chef’s
Demonstration Tent at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival.
Scheduled to Appear
Savory Square Bistro - Hampton, NH
Chez Boucher - Hampton, NH
Court House Pub - Peabody, MA
Gennaro’s Eatery - Quincy, MA
The Colosseum - Salem, NH
Peddler’s Daughter - Nashua & Haverhill
Ron Jillian’s - Hampton, NH
Lobster Tail - Windham, NH & N. Andover
NY MORE!
MANY MA
Free Recipes Available At Culinary Desk - Schedule Subject to Change
McGuirk’s Ocean View to Host the
Hampton Area Chamber at
Chamber Officers
Chairman
Dean Merrill
Tobey & Merrill
Insurance
1st Vice Chairman
Paul LePere
The Hamptons Real
Estate
Immediate Past Chairman
Tim Noonis
Unitil Corporation
Treasurer
Scott Beattie
The Provident Bank
Chamber Staff
President
B.J. “Doc” Noel
Assistant to the President
Katie Curran
Director of Special Events
Ginni McNamara
Director of Membership
Development
Pat Morgenstern
Office Assistant
Sherrill Ayles
Reception
Sandy Flesher
Hampton Area Chamber
of Commerce
One Lafayette Road
P.O. Box 790
Hampton, NH 03843
Phone: 603-926-8718
Fax: 603-926-9977
“Business After Hours”
Wednesday, September 26, 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Join us for Business After Hours at McGuirk’s Ocean View for the much
anticipated event where we bid farewell to Summer in style every year. Located at 95 Ocean Boulevard in Hampton Beach, McGuirk’s has been a landmark business for many years. The McGuirk family are excellent hosts and
are once again opening their restaurant to the Chamber. Guests will enjoy the
legendary hospitality of McGuirk’s Ocean View, and network with friends and colleagues. Business
After Hours is open to Hampton Area Chamber members, their guests, and prospective members.
Admission is two business cards. Refreshments and a cash bar will be available.
The Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy group serving primarily the
seacoast communities of Seabrook, Hampton Falls, Hampton, Hampton Beach, North
Hampton and Rye. For more
information or information on
joining the Chamber, see www.
hamptonchamber.com.
McGuirk’s Ocean View Named Best Lobster Roll in New England by
New England Cable News!
McGuirk’s Ocean View, the well-known Restaurant and Pub on Hampton Beach, NH, has been named the
winner of the 2012 Best Lobster Roll in New England by New England Cable News (NECN). McGuirk’s took
top honors in the Lobster Roll category of NECN’s annual “Baby You’re the Best” viewer poll -- which names
the best of New England in various food categories.
McGuirk’s, celebrating their 21st season, has been family-owned and operated since 1991. Known for its
generous portions and the freshest seafood, McGuirk’s has become famous for their overstuffed Lobster Roll
-- 7 oz. of succulent lobster combined with just the right amount of mayonnaise served on a freshly baked mini
baguette with hand-cut french fries.
“We’ve always considered our Lobster Roll to be the Biggest and Best on Hampton Beach,” said Tom
McGuirk, who runs the family’s restaurant. “And to be recognized in the whole of New England as the best is
a huge honor and really a testament to our commitment to this true New England classic -- the Lobster Roll.”
McGuirk’s is located at 95 Ocean Blvd., Hampton Beach, NH. For more information, visit http://
mcguirksoceanview.com/ or call 603-944-6564.
Connect with McGuirk’s: Follow us on FourSquare and Twitter: @McGuirks1 and like us on Facebook.