PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Housing Authority is the recipient of a $140,000 state grant that will cover most of the cost of installing solar panels at the Atlantic Heights senior housing development PHS worked with ReVision Energy to submit the successful grant application to the New Hampshire Department of Energy The property is located at 40 Bedford Way in the historic Atlantic Heights neighborhood after the city of Portsmouth closed the Atlantic Heights School the PHA worked in partnership with the city to redevelop the property into 30 units of housing for senior citizens The state-funded community solar projects are designed to benefit low and moderate income residential electric customers “This project will help lessen our reliance on fossil fuels and will enable us to harness the power of the sun to create a more sustainable and cost efficient way to generate electricity We are grateful for ReVision Energy’s leadership and for the New Hampshire Department of Energy’s forward-thinking approach All the money saved on our electricity bills at Atlantic Heights will go back into the complex specifically by funding air quality improvements and new accessibility features to allow seniors to continue to live independently.”  Jude Nuru is the director of community solar initiatives at ReVision Energy Nuru anticipates the installation will be finished and operational by the beginning of 2025 supporting PHA in obtaining permits and working with Eversource to connect the system to the grid RICHMOND – A bill establishing a commission to oversee regional disbursement of revenue from the Petersburg casino is already drawing heat from local leaders with one Petersburg councilor suggesting companion legislation that would require adjacent localities to share services such as law enforcement and social services Legislation dropped in the House of Delegates Jan 8 would establish a Tri-Cities Improvement Commission that would assume control of casino-related tax revenue from the host city – in this case That panel would determine priorities to share the revenue among all localities within a 10-mile radius of Petersburg that have an average annual household income of $81,000 or less that means the cities of Hopewell and Colonial Heights and the counties of Dinwiddie and Prince George House Bill 2232 is sponsored by Del. Mike Cherry, R-Colonial Heights A spokesperson for Cherry declined to comment Friday morning on the motive for the measure disbursements handled by the T-CIC would be divided equally among the five member localities based on the priorities established by the panel The term for the commission members would be two years with the localities appointing their members More: Macy's will close its Southpark Mall store this year. The final day remains unclear home to the Hard Rock Casino & Resort in Bristol a 14-locality revenue-sharing commission oversees disbursements to the cities of Bristol and Norton Bristol is one of four cities chosen in 2020 to host casino gambling in the commonwealth but that city’s voters rejected two separate referendums to allow the casino and Petersburg voters overwhelmingly approved the measure last November The Cordish Companies of Maryland and Bruce Smith Enterprise of Virginia say they will break ground on the casino project by spring of this year brand of casinos and resorts across the country including one scheduled to open next month in Louisiana More: When will Live! open Louisiana casino in Bossier? First slot machines roll onto gaming floor Cherry’s Republican colleague in the House, Del. Kim Taylor of Dinwiddie County – whose district includes Petersburg – supports the proposal Taylor said that since the casino is expected to be a regional revenue driver it was only applicable that the entire region should reap the benefits “Establishing this commission ensures that all regional stakeholders are given agency to ensure that revenue from the casino is equitably distributed amongst the localities Petersburg has waited a long time for this casino project to get under way and this commission would ensure that Petersburg has a voice in how the revenue is reinvested back into our community.”  Taylor, one of the original legislative co-sponsors of the casino project since it was launched in 2022, was not asked to back a House version of the bill during the 2024 General Assembly session. Instead, state Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg carried legislation that cleared both legislative chambers Aird told The Progress-Index Friday that she was not given advance notice of Cherry’s bill Cherry had requested a meeting with her this week to reportedly discuss it but because Richmond’s ongoing water crisis forced the General Assembly to recess until Monday Aird refrained from making an initial comment saying she intended to “give it a good read” between now and Monday when legislators return to Richmond More: Eighty-two, déjà vu: GOP incumbent Taylor announces re-election bid in repeat of 2023 race Petersburg city administration has yet to comment on Cherry’s legislation. However, Petersburg Ward 1 Councilor Marlow Jones had plenty to say about it in a couple of Facebook posts the city’s delegate – Jones said he was “appalled” by the legislation and is not hesitating to oppose it “Let’s be clear – the casino’s presence in Petersburg will naturally generate revenue for these localities which are already fortified with businesses and attractions that will undoubtedly profit from the influx of visitors,” Jones wrote this initiative appears to be a deliberate attempt to keep Petersburg shackled in the shadows of prosperity Jones proposed what he called a “counter bill” that he said “aims to rectify the imbalance created by HB 2232 and to foster a collaborative approach to community development.” His recommendations:  The localities would collaborate to provide “a sufficient number of firefighters along with an additional fire engine” to cover an extra shift for Petersburg’s depleted fire department staff; Each locality would share public-works resources with Petersburg “to support infrastructure improvements and repairs that benefit the entire region;” Each locality would contribute resources to enhance Petersburg’s school system and staff support to ensure equitable access to quality education for our children;” and Each locality would collaborate on providing more social services to Petersburg “addressing the needs of our most vulnerable populations.” That would include funding for programs that support housing “The costs associated with these contributions will either be covered by each locality or divided equitably among all involved,” Jones concluded “This approach emphasizes shared responsibility for the well-being of our community Cherry’s legislation is assumed to be heading to the House General Laws Committee for further vetting Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI A plan by developer Eric Chinburg to demolish two older homes near his company’s high-end housing development off Woodbury Avenue has angered neighbors A group of people who live near the older homes — and his Woodbury Reserve housing — turned out to oppose the demolitions at this week’s city Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting The board granted variances Chinburg needed to move forward with his plans to demolish a home at 6 Boyd Road and 216 Woodbury Ave Several residents pointed to what they see as a growing problem of older homes in Portsmouth being razed and replaced with bigger Million-dollar-plus homes becoming norm in Portsmouth Boyd Road resident Phyllis Randell told the board she was angry about the planned demolitions She said when the initial plan came for the development at the intersection of Boyd Road and Woodbury Avenue — which a different developer first pitched — it included renovating the homes now set for demolition “Why must every home in Portsmouth now cost over a million dollars?” she asked “There’s still a need in this city for modest homes not every home needs to be torn down so developers can build another McMansion.” “The new condos (in Woodbury Reserve) already take up a huge portion of that property which was combined solely to allow maximum density,” she said “Now should these existing homes be torn down … only so more expensive additional units can be built thus allowing the developer to increase their profits She asked the Zoning Board of Adjustment members to “finally take note and stand up for the neighbors Demolition of homes raises ire in Portsmouth Boyd Road resident Karen Foye told the board during their Tuesday night meeting she lives across the street from 6 Boyd Road “I’m here opposed to tearing down these homes because the agreement was to renovate them,” she said Do you know how many houses have come down in Portsmouth … so someone can put up million-dollar homes told the board “there’s nothing wrong with 6 Boyd Road.” Chinburg said it was a “difficult” decision to demolish the homes and replace them with new ones He stressed his company looks to create “energy-efficient high-performance homes,” including the ones in the Woodbury Reserve development “We would have had a really hard time renovating to our standards,” if they tried to renovate the existing homes rather than replace them it would have been more expensive to do that than building a brand new energy-efficient home That’s how we made the decision,” Chinburg said “We didn’t come to the decision easily,” he added noting the homes were part of the housing project that his company bought in 2023 at Woodbury Avenue and Boyd Road “I’ve made my name renovating and saving old mills and keeping things that are useable and can still be wonderful places to live,” he said Deciding whether to renovate an older home or demo it and build a new one is made on a “case-by-case basis,” he said “It’s often just more expensive to renovate than to build new energy-efficient homes,” Chinburg said Some residents complained about the high-end prices on the new homes being built at Woodbury Reserve which Chinburg’s company states “start at $1.3 million plus.” by “basically adding up what it costs to buy the property and build the homes,” and then adding “a fair margin.” “Unfortunately that’s the market now … we’re not gouging people,” Chinburg said “I certainly understand it,” he said when asked about concerns raised by Portsmouth residents about homes being demolished in the city and replaced by more expensive ones Chinburg Properties website describes Woodbury Reserve as “Portsmouth’s newest pocket community.” “The architecture of these new homes is inspired by Portsmouth’s 400-year history while the interiors boast Chinburg’s modern conveniences and premium craftsmanship,” according to the company’s website “This new condo community consists of four spacious duplex units and four single-family homes in the heart of Portsmouth’s West End and just one mile from downtown.” we just try to be fair and do the best we can,” Chinburg said More than 130 homes demolished in Portsmouth since 2018 Deputy City Attorney Trevor McCourt drafted and posted a “Demolition Review” memo in November in response to concerns raised by residents and city officials If someone proposed to demolish a structure in the city’s Historic District “that application is subject to rigorous review as against those standards defined by ordinance,” McCourt wrote “The Historic District Commission has authority to deny demolition applications under certain circumstances,” he wrote in the memo But for properties outside the Historic District which both of Chinburg’s homes in question are other than safety … is limited,” McCourt wrote “The current regulatory process only seeks to provide a public forum for the discussion of demolitions.” Portsmouth’s chief building inspector said there have been about 203 demolitions in the city dating back to 2018 An unofficial examination of the information he shared showed at least 131 of those demolitions involved properties with residential uses That included the demolition of single-family homes It is likely that in many if not most of the cases the residential units demolished were replaced by new units History of site where homes will be demolished and replaced The home at 6 Boyd Road was built in 1951 while 216 Woodbury was built in 1935 The Zoning Board of Adjustment voted in April 2022 to grant the variances needed for Maple Heights Realty LLC – the developer at the time – to demolish the former stately Victorian home at 212 Woodbury Ave. Maple Heights Realty LLC of Exeter bought 212 Woodbury Ave — for $2.425 million in 2023 to create the housing development site The Chinburg company bought the properties – along with 6 Boyd Road – later in the year according to comments from his lawyer and documents filed with the city The price for the properties was $3.2 million according to documents filed in the city assessor’s office Development of ‘cookie-cutter houses’ criticized who serves on the city’s Historic District Commission has lived in the neighborhood for 28 years He told the Board of Adjustment he was “against any further intensification of the construction activities at the Chinburg construction site.” He initially agreed to the housing development plan “after living with an abandoned house for more than two decades.” “the developer is proposing the removal of a classic bungalow style house and also a house that’s been part of the neighborhood fabric …for decades.” He criticized the plan to replace the older homes with “literally catalog-style “These come out of a catalog on a website,” Ryan added He told the board the neighborhood has endured “a very poorly run site.” “It has gotten so bad that we’ve had just mud caked in the road,” Ryan said the construction site is “a daily situation.” on dry days it’s cloudy with dust,” Ryan said but the area appeared to be well-maintained Chinburg acknowledged “we had some issues with the site work.” He stated those issues “have since been remedied.” “What you saw is because we made it better,” he added This article is being shared by partners in The Granite State News Collaborative. For more information, visit collaborativenh.org.  A committee tasked with reviewing concepts for housing development on Old North Main Street heard from Lakes Region Community Developers discussed the conceptual plan for the development of a 10-acre parcel A 12-unit raised commercial building was pitched in 2024 to replace the shack businesses but that idea was scrapped following public criticism The site will be cleared and equipped with utility service needed for the new units by the end of 2025 with construction scheduled to start in 2026 A developer plans to construct six buildings with a total of 36 housing units could soon see new life as an assisted-living and elderly housing facility The White House wants to eliminate federal support for public media Congress will vote soon on a proposal to slash millions from NHPR and NHPBS’ budgets advocates braved the cold and wind at a public gathering at Bronstein Park in Manchester to take a stand against youth homelessness JCPenney has sued the Steeplegate Mall’s owner which wants to tear down most of Steeplegate and build some 600 apartments as well as businesses such as Costco or perhaps Whole Foods New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald is implementing a hiring freeze and warning of potential layoffs across the judicial branch as the Legislature looks to make deep cuts to the budget Visitors to the tightly packed Atlantic Heights neighborhood rarely notice that the streets here – Kearsarge – are all named for ships built on the Piscataqua a federally funded project specifically designed to house workers at the nearby Atlantic Corporation I think about that a lot because visitors are always asking me how all these cute little brick houses got here was located on the site of a failed paper mill nearby during World War I (now a gypsum plant) The company built 10 cargo ships before going out of business by 1920 when the war ended We don’t honor those hulking vessels that were named that after almost 20 years living in Atlantic Heights I have never heard a neighbor tick off those names by memory I repeat the history of how Atlantic Heights got here often I never really think about the Atlantic Corporation or the ships it created Three were torpedoed in 1942 during the Second World War and carried on until it was scrapped in 1960 You can read all about it in Richard Candee’s book "Atlantic Heights: A World War I Shipbuilder’s Community," recently reprinted by the Portsmouth Marine Society Press Many of us in “the Heights” keep a copy on the coffee table and copies are often passed on from one house owner to the next The neighborhood is bordered now by a power plant on one side and an an oil terminal on the other Uncle Sam sold off all the houses in Atlantic Heights in 1925 Earlier this week I caught my neighbor to the right shoveling the snow off the strip of sidewalk in front of my house Turns out her neighbor to the right had shoveled her sidewalk That left me to shovel out my neighbor to the left But he had already cleared his sidewalk plus the bottom of my driveway created by a long defunct shipyard that we almost never talk about “Historic Portsmouth” is presented every Thursday by J whose 12 history books are available in local stores and online He can be reached at dennis@mySeacoastNH.com This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page PORTSMOUTH — Emergency personnel are conducting a search after receiving a report a person jumped off the Portsmouth side of the high-level Piscataqua River Bridge on Interstate 95 Wednesday morning New Hampshire State Police are leading an investigation after being notified about the person at 10:05 a.m A motorist along the bridge reported the incident to state police after seeing the person climb over the bridge's metal railing and jump down toward the water State and local authorities responded to the area around the bridge and the fast-moving river Wednesday morning scattering around and working to find the person "Emergency personnel from the New Hampshire State Police and United States Coast Guard have worked extensively to locate the individual," state police said Wednesday afternoon "The investigation remains active and ongoing." Local police and fire and rescue personnel from Portsmouth Portsmouth Fire Department Assistant Chief Jason Gionet said crews were dispatched at 10:09 a.m More local news: EPA sets strict new PFAS limits; Portsmouth confirms it must lower levels in water An overwater drone command was stationed on Patterson Lane in Newington and law enforcement was present at the Atlantic Heights neighborhood in Portsmouth and at an Eliot If you need helpThe National Alliance on Mental Illness - New Hampshire offers the following resources to those in distress: PORTSMOUTH — On her Instagram story nearly two months ago 26-year-old Portsmouth resident Rhianna Llewellyn posted a question for her followers to answer: For those living in Portsmouth could they afford living in the city on their own the social media app crunched the numbers: 92% of respondents said they could not make it on their own with Port City rental unit prices and overall cost of living “The results are staggering,” Llewellyn said With rental prices higher in Portsmouth than many other Seacoast communities, according to 2020 state data, many young professionals seek housing outside Portsmouth eager to enjoy the city's cultural hub and partake in its vibrant community, brave the competitive market to find an apartment.  Llewellyn is one of Portsmouth’s young renters who navigated surging prices limited vacancies and high demand to find a living space in a desirable city for young professionals a 750-square-foot space on State Street she and her boyfriend share with hot water the only utility included in the cost “Luckily I make a good living so I can afford what I choose to do,” she said.  she finds herself struggling alongside other young people hoping to stake their claim in Portsmouth’s rental market Having outgrown their current space a few years after moving in she and her boyfriend have been on the hunt for a new Portsmouth apartment for a year-and-a-half they’ve gone to just four in-person showings due to high demand and the speed at which units are getting filled she’s perfectly content to sign back on at her current unit under a landlord she loves though she understands the plight of young people hoping to live in Portsmouth and facing numerous market challenges In Portsmouth: Star chef Bobby Marcotte bringing 'new concept' restaurant to city's West End Finding housing in Portsmouth as a young individual is attainable though not without a potentially grueling search and a race to sign on How are other young Portsmouth residents finding rental units in the city Couch-surfing at friends’ places for a time helped Nick Johnson deepen his love for Portsmouth and eventually pinpoint a place of his own to rent.  was at the end of Woodbury Avenue next to White Heron Tea & Coffee the oldest of the three eventually told Johnson and their other roommate that he was going to find a place for himself and his other roommate decided to look for a new spot in Portsmouth though their landlord only gave them 30 days to move out “We had to look for another place (and) we were like ‘We can find somewhere much cheaper and save some money… or we can stay in Portsmouth and spend a lot.’ And we were like ‘It’s worth the extra.’” but “luckily” found a two-bedroom unit in Atlantic Heights they moved into in October last year They had viewed a Middle Street rental in close proximity to downtown the unit held a college dorm atmosphere they were looking to avoid they were met with “scam after scam after scam” in other listings.  “Atlantic Heights would be my recommendation really to anyone that is a bit at the younger age where you don’t make as much money,” he said “If you’re trying to live in Portsmouth Atlantic Heights just is a lot nicer and I feel like it is kind of its own little secret location in Portsmouth Unless you’re a true Portsmouth person you don’t really know the Heights.” 'An insane, perfect storm': How to buy a home in the red hot Seacoast real estate market which costs Johnson and his roommate $900 a month each Johnson doesn’t drink and called himself more “frugal” than most which has “drastically” helped his budgeting most will need to examine their needs and be willing to compromise in order to make it work.  you’re moving there because you really want to be in that environment but it’s an environment that’s unlike any other I’ve found in New England But you have to be willing to compromise,” he said “You’re not going to be able to save as much as you usually are but you are going to have a lifestyle that’s making all your friends jealous and stuff so people can't afford to wait'Formerly employed as a social media coordinator for an IT staffing agency 23-year-old Bridget Keaveney knew she couldn’t live with her family and be able to fully focus on her remote work last year she began looking for a spot to call her own “I was lucky enough to have a job that enabled me to have that freedom so I honestly made it my mission last summer to .. Keaveney spent her early summer days refreshing Craigslist Trulia and Zillow pages searching through local listings striving to “challenge” herself and find a place where she could live alone for the first time in her life Keaveney found a Columbia Circle studio costing $950 a month without utilities Keaveney later found out from her landlords she was the first person who contacted them about the space we want you to have this place,’” she recalled her landlords saying to her In Portsmouth: Whole Foods Market sets opening date on Woodbury Ave. Soon on her way to New York City for her new job working for Vimeo Keaveney said she’ll miss the safety she feels as a woman in Portsmouth in comparison to other locations and its atmosphere full of young professionals such as herself Finding a rental housing option in Portsmouth as a twenty-something can be done if people are lucky enough to have easy access to rental websites in their average day.  “Be aware of the listings that are out there because they’re out there every day,” she said “And don't underestimate Craigslist.” Word of mouth also can make all the difference as she said she hopes to pass down her apartment to a friend or acquaintance when she departs for the Big Apple in the next few months.  Typically someone who takes the time to thoroughly review a matter before a big decision Keaveney said that she switched gears to act impulsively and sign on to her lease It was only the second apartment she viewed in-person so people can’t afford to wait,” she said decided to get his own place last winter after living with his parents for a time “It's a place everyone wants to live but it's very very difficult to find a good place,” he said of Portsmouth One Facebook group, called the “Seacoast Housing & Rental Site,” had exactly what he was looking for- a two bedroom unit on State Street at a modest $750 a month before utilities which Towle said tacks on about another $80 per month an office space and a kitchen and living room area a candidate for a doctorate in civil engineering at UNH and moved into the apartment in February.  New housing coming to Portsmouth? Statey bar owner seeks to demolish building and create micro-unit apartments The cost of the apartment felt relatively cheap for Portsmouth prices saying the listing felt like it could be a scam “I really didn't think it’d be possible to live in Portsmouth with a reasonable rent as Towle later learned from his roommate he had been selected from a pool of more than 100 people who inquired about the listing in less than a week With similar interest and a parallel academic background Towle was the winning candidate from the competitive list of hopefuls “I was blessed with this,” he said adding that though the apartment is not big it serves its purpose as “home base” and is in the heart of downtown “Portsmouth is a really happening place with a lot of people especially a lot of UNH grads who want to end up in the area.” Though 2021 state rental market statistics from the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority aren’t yet available a recent report indicates both the homebuying and rental markets in the Granite State are blowing up.  The NHHFA’s spring “Housing Market Snapshot” reports headlines about the state's exploding housing market are not just hype.  “New Hampshire is a popular place to live and work perhaps even more so since the pandemic opened up the possibility that many could work remotely effectively," the report states. "Yet our housing inventory — both homes to buy and to rent — and housing affordability are seriously limiting the places that our state’s workforce will live In Portsmouth: 50 townhouses, condos proposed for new development: Here's what they look like. NHHFA spokesperson Grace Lessner said the residential rental survey findings will be released in July with new numbers on average rental prices in Portsmouth and all communities in the state “When inventory is low for would-be homebuyers as well as renters that generally indicates that people are not moving as much as they would if the rental market was more balanced,” she added 2020 NHHFA data shows Portsmouth’s median rental unit costs are higher than the Rockingham County and New Hampshire average.  The median cost of a two bedroom rental in Portsmouth last year which held the highest median cost of a two bedroom rental out of New Hampshire’s 10 counties reported its two bedroom rental median cost was $1,623 One of five select cities highlighted in the study Portsmouth came in at the highest median two bedroom rental price with Nashua coming in second and trailing by $49 a month.  the median rent for a two bedroom unit in 2020 totaled $1,413- $348 less than Portsmouth’s median rental.  In the first quarter of 2021, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics found that United States workers between the ages of 20 and 24 were bringing in a median earnings total of $628 a week over $250 less than it would take to pay for half of the city's median two bedroom rental rate Llewellyn said as she and her boyfriend continue their new apartment search they have started marketing their appeal to landlords to try to gain an edge That includes showing off photos of their friendly corgi and discussing her boyfriend’s military experience.  they’re running into obstacles and competing with bids made by their friends “We’re not the homecoming king and queen of Portsmouth but we’re in competition with people we know,” she said Like other young people who have gotten housing in Portsmouth Llewellyn is relying on housing-oriented websites like Zillow Trulia and HotPads for up-to-date listings which she says is a place renters can find the diamond in the rough she’s experiencing the hardships of searching for an apartment in a place people are flocking to every renter’s wish list item won’t likely be satisfied.  “You’re not going to get everything,” she said PORTSMOUTH — Several area youth were able to show off their brain power at a recent robotics competition thanks in part to New Heights which offers programming for Seacoast youth fielded five teams of middle school students that competed at the 2014 Seacoast First Lego League Qualifying Tournament at the University of New Hampshire this past Saturday which featured teams from across New England was the result of more than two months of effort in which students were asked to solve real-world engineering challenges by building Lego-based robots to complete various tasks Examples of tasks performed by New Heights’ robots included taking a shot with a ball into a Lego soccer net as well as depressing a lever and then pushing a Lego door open Teams were also charged with the mission to precisely place objects in scoring conditions on a board experiential learning opportunities for youth in grades 5-12 Expressing enthusiasm at their teams’ respective performances on Saturday engineering and math (STEM) coordinator Wayne Moulton said one team in particular surprised those who attended the event “Willy & the Tardises is an all-girls team which is uncommon in the sport,” said Moulton who said other New Heights teams included the Exeter Cyborgs “Since starting the program four years ago while we have had an all-girls team the past three years I am proud of what they and all the teams accomplished and the growth they demonstrated in developing the skills required to compete.” Program participants also expressed excitement as several cited the community it helped create as their favorite part we all accept each other for who we are,” said Maya Campbell “It’s nice to meet new friends,” added Logan McMillan “I met some that I would not have met otherwise but now that I know them they are amazing.” Noting her daughter “loves being the only girl team that competes,” Kristina Campbell said she has seen numerous benefits from the program and going to high school next year I am hopeful she will continue her curiosity with STEM [programming],” she said “She has learned many valuable lessons that will definitely help her as she moves into adulthood.” Participant Maeve Wivell said she enjoyed seeing how each individual team member worked together “We each have something different to contribute,” she noted “and with all of those things we make an amazing team.” whose daughter Scarlett competed in New Heights’ First Lego League Robotics all-girls team “I think my daughter enjoys the hands on learning and problem solving,” she said “She also enjoys being in a tight group of other like-minded girls where they can be equal parts brainy and goofy.” Clarke said she has also been impressed by the staff’s ability to understand and create programs for the middle school age group “Wayne especially seems to have the knack for creating just the right amount of structure and support while leaving enough space for the girls to work together and carve their own path bringing their own ideas and concepts to fruition,” she said “I think it’s fantastic that New Heights provides a place for kids who are interested in engineering and technology to connect “Each team brings unique talents and strengths,” he said “Our job is to simply create opportunities where their potential can be unleashed.” and Daystar Computer Services sponsored new Heights’ 2014 First Lego League Robotics Teams “These sponsors have been great and active in the program,” Moulton said was seeing all the teams there with great support from their families — parents For information about New Heights in Portsmouth and Exeter To learn more about this weekend’s past tournament Growing up in Portsmouth's Wentworth Acres Kendra Kersey and Gail Weeks never thought of the massive development east of Market Street as workforce housing "We just called it the Acres," Kersey said Her parents lived on Rock Hill Avenue in the mid-to-late 1940s and were there when she was born in March 1948 but returned in 1950 to a quadruplex on Circuit Road The development would later be known as Sea Crest Village and then Mariner's Village It is now the site of Osprey Landing and Spinnaker Point Kersey started kindergarten at the Wentworth School which had opened in 1942 to serve the families in the 750 newly built units for war workers The school was shuttered in the late 1980s after Pease Air Force Base was closed; the building was demolished in 2010 to make way for a city softball field "There was a little road behind our quadruplex," Kersey said "It was a buffer between us and the field it abutted Cows (from Frink Farm on Gravelly Ridge) would come to the barbed wire fence and we'd all go up and pet them She was about 6 when she moved to Wentworth Acres "We'd look at the horses at Frink Farm," she said Her family moved to Portsmouth from Reading had gotten a job as a time-study manager at the Morley Button Factory The family rented a house on Humphrey's Court then moved to the Acres about the time Gail started first grade Her entry into Wentworth School was delayed a month because she and her three siblings had whooping cough Her family lived in the Acres until Weeks was in junior high She attended Portsmouth High School when it was on Islington Street "When I lived in the Acres and climbed my big tree I could see that yellow building so clearly," she said of the yellow brick school that is now senior housing Her dad worked for the city of Portsmouth as a planning director from 1956 to 1971 landed a job as a sheet metal worker in 1950 at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard which led the family to return to the Acres There was a bus that ran through the complex to take Navy Yard workers across the bridge to Kittery built during World War I for shipyard workers Kersey said most families in the Acres did not have a car did not drive at that time and relied on buses for shopping and errands She remembers going into downtown Portsmouth with her mother to get groceries "She'd make me hang onto her skirt because she was carrying packages," Kersey recalled "Almost every Saturday my father took us somewhere miles away from home; we were good little walkers," she said of her two sisters and brother kids would wait around to see if people got into a car and would ask if they'd take them for ice cream." We were all in the same boat economically .. The Acres gave her parents the foothold they needed to buy a home; the Spragues moved to Greenland in August 1956 as Kendra was starting third grade Kersey got a job with Public Service (now Eversource) as a meter reader which by then was in private hands and known as Sea Crest Village The 30-year-old apartment complex was showing its age and had gone downhill John Kersey suffered a spinal/brain injury in 1994 then developed brain cancer a decade or so later Writing helped get her through this experience she published "The Whatever Girl," a poetic novella documenting her grief and healing "doing whatever it takes to overcome adversity." and says the Acres is where she got a lot of her material "We had a lot of friends there," Weeks said Her father went through a period of unemployment while the family lived in the complex including a mural in one bedroom and sponge painting in another room fun home for us no matter what was going on," Gail said Weeks' writing notebooks include the story of how her father fell in love at first sight with his wife-to-be at a Massachusetts shoe factory where the two worked "She was surrounded by a group of women and was telling them something that was producing gales of laughter," Weeks said of her mom The Wennbergs lived in the Acres for 11 years and filled their yard with vegetable and flower gardens Weeks also remembers a "big beautiful elm" felled by a hurricane When the hurricane came he was out working We were standing with our arms around each other The family lived in a duplex on Livermore Street into the 1960s after she married William James Hogan in 1958 were married 49 years when he died in 2007 Gail and Class of 1956 Portsmouth High School classmate Arthur Weeks live in Rollinsford "It's going to be called 'In My Mother's Handwriting,' based on diaries from 1942 to 1962 which chronicle her life experiences during and after World War II The Portsmouth Athenaeum, 9 Market Square, is a membership library and museum founded in 1817. The research library and Randall Gallery are open Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Masks are required. For more information, call 603-431-2538 or visit www.portsmouthathenaeum.org PORTSMOUTH – Working as a team since early December a group of middle school students at New Heights recently placed first at the Destination Imagination Regionals in Kingston which qualifies them for the state finals on March 28 which will be held at Winnacunnet High School in Hampton New Hampshire Destination Imagination is an affiliate of Destination Imagination which provides opportunities for youth to develop and hone the essential skills of creativity “I am very proud of them as a team,” said Wayne Moulton who coordinates New Heights’ STEM programming “It was very rewarding to see them start off the season working just so-so as a team and then on the day of the meet pull together like they never had before to perform like a well-oiled machine.” New Heights provides experiential learning programs in adventure arts and culture and STEM for youth in grades 5-12 teams are presented with a central challenge in one of several areas of focus: technical New Heights’ team participated in the fine arts challenge called Feary Tales in which it was presented with the question “What are you afraid of?” Their challenge was to answer the question in several ways Present a team-created fairy tale about a character that faces and deals with a phobia.Create an expressive artwork that conveys a thought or feeling.Create a functional artwork that serves a practical function.Design and create an illusion that makes the impossible seem possible.According to Moulton who said his role was one of guidance only the team developed a response that centered on “an ingenious story.” “They created a character named Rosaline who has Anatidaephobia which is called Quackadakaphobia in her village and represents the fear that somewhere somehow a duck is always watching you,” he explained she ends up having to save her village and goes through a number of steps to make that happen…From the story to the artwork they created the entire experience in the program has been transformative “It's a place where you can express the full amount of your creativity and everybody else is doing the same so it creates a really unique environment,” she said you also really stretch your thinking abilities which causes you to have to be much more innovative.” Fellow participant Logan McMillan agrees and added “I like that I get to be around people who are like me and understand what it feels like to be different.” Seventh-grader Elisa Dhanger said she believes the experience has positively affected her life outside the program as she noted she has learned how to work more effectively in group settings you need to put aside your ideas and acknowledge that someone else's [idea] might be better than yours “New Heights has provided opportunities for my child to learn and experience life-long lessons that go above and beyond normal academics,” said Kathy Hatch I am very thankful to have programs such as Destination Imagination available to my child.” Kristina Campbell said she believes her daughter Maya’s participation in the program will lead to benefits that extend a lifetime “Her confidence in her ability to be part of a team and even a leader has soared,” she said “I know that being a part of these extracurricular teams will only help her as she begins to navigate high school next year and then college and life.” As for the next step for New Heights’ DI team Moulton cited their participation in the upcoming state finals at Winnacunnet High School on Saturday possibly followed by the Global tournament in Tennessee “The team is now hard at work polishing up their solution and practicing to make sure it is the best it can be for states,” he said “We’re all very excited to see what they come up with.” For more information, visit www.nh-di.org and www.newheightsonline.org This work, Impossible is nothing! USAR golden girl soars to new heights, by David San Miguel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright PORTSMOUTH — In a move extensively discussed and examined the past 12 months New Heights' board of directors on Thursday voted unanimously to merge with New Outlook Teen Center in Exeter New Heights offers experiential learning and adventure programming for middle and high school youth of the greater Seacoast with a primary focus in Portsmouth during the school year New Heights will provide programming year-round to Exeter-area youth Noting both boards worked diligently to explore a merger's financial feasibility New Heights Executive Director Tracey Tucker said the pact makes strategic sense "There is no doubt merging into one organization will provide greater opportunity for youth and realize economy of scale savings," said Tucker who will remain executive director of what will continue to be known as New Heights called the merger "a win-win" for Exeter youth while noting efficiencies gained as a result send a clear message to donors and partners "We seek to maximize the impact of each and every dollar donated," he said Several leading agencies and regional foundations have already taken notice "To finesse a merger of this sort is complex and demands a significant amount of time "Our hats are off to the visionary boards and staff of New Heights and New Outlook who undoubtedly put the youth of Portsmouth and the greater Exeter area first as they worked through this merger." chairman of the Piscataqua Region of the N.H agreed and noted that while benefits of mergers are often discussed it is rare to see nonprofits undertake such a challenging task "The merging of New Heights: Adventures for Teens and New Outlook Teen Center creates a single stronger organization that is better positioned to provide innovative programs for both the greater Portsmouth- and Exeter-area youth," said Egelston who added the merger sets a positive example for the entire nonprofit sector managing director of United Way of the Greater Seacoast which provided financial support to both agencies this past summer said they saw a unique investment opportunity with both agencies "United Way understands how demanding the ongoing sustainability of small nonprofits can be," she said "We were pleased to support New Outlook and New Heights as they leverage their combined resources Citing "invaluable support from the SAU 16 school administration," Tucker said the next step is to address the needs identified in a recent assessment conducted by Exeter Hospital which also financially invested in the merger "There is a real need for programming for youth — particularly in fifth through eighth grade," said Tucker who noted there is an equally great demand for science engineering and math education and adventure expeditions Unitil's vice president of communications and public affairs said New Heights' emphasis on STEM education served as one of the primary reasons they elected to make a financial contribution in support of the merger "Unitil strongly believes in the importance of STEM education and we're thrilled that through this merger New Heights will be able to reach even more youth with its innovative STEM programs," she said Tucker said there will be fiscal challenges in the next several years until program revenue and community fund-raising is fully leveraged Noting they have already secured more than $210,000 in support of the merger from individual and corporate investors she said both boards felt strongly a merger would be favorably viewed by the Seacoast community "We gauged community perception regarding a possible merger beforehand and the response was very positive," Tucker said The New Heights board will include membership from the NOTC board and the greater Exeter community principal at Cooperative Middle School in Stratham the most telling result will be the effect the merger will have on Exeter-area youth and STEM programs that New Heights offers for middle school-age youth is exceptional and is simply not available otherwise," he said Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInUPDATE 5/29/19 @ 1:56 p.m A man could spend the rest of his life in prison for killing another man in Scioto County Nathan Stiltner was found guilty of aggravated murder Friday A jury convicted Stiltner of killing Douglas Thackston The shooting happened at the Kendall Heights apartment complex on Thomas Avenue in Portsmouth The judge sentenced Stiltner to life without a chance at parole for 25 years He was also given an additional three years for a firearm specification meaning it will be 28 years before he is eligible for early release The trial lasted five days and the jury spent just 87 minutes deliberating According to the Scioto County Prosecutor's Office Stiltner plans to appeal the conviction under the state's that just went into effect at the end of March A man has been arrested after Portsmouth Police say he shot and killed a man at an apartment complex Saturday afternoon at the Kendall Heights apartment complex on Thomas Avenue Thackston and was considered armed and dangerous Stiltner was arrested just after noon Sunday Ohio are investigating a fatal shooting Saturday Police tell our reporter at the scene that one male victim is dead The alleged shooter is said to have walked into an apartment Police say they are still looking for a suspect Portsmouth Police say they are still searching for the weapon involved in the shooting too Police say this all unfolded at the Kendall Heights/Wayne Hills apartments on Thomas Avenue around 3:15 Saturday afternoon The building was briefly placed in a lockdown Stay with WSAZ for continuing updates on this developing story Seacoast Helicopters began its business at Pease International Tradeport with one red helicopter The company endured the summer of 2015 when some residents complained repeatedly about its tours over the downtown and the City Council held meetings to discuss what it could do about the company the City Council realized Seacoast Helicopters was an allowed use at Portsmouth International Airport at Pease and focused its attention on other things The Pease Development Authority still gets complaints about the helicopters but they usually come from just a few people president and chief executive officer of Seacoast Helicopters “When I first started the company I did everything,” Cultrera said this week as people filed in and out of its Pease location to take one of its tours Seacoast Helicopters has five red helicopters now and three fixed-wing airplanes and its planning to move to a new larger facility near the former Pan Am hangar next spring “We still get a phone call or somebody that’s upset with us but generally it’s gone away,” Cultrera said of complaints “I think there’s been general acceptance of what we’re doing.” Cultrera said Seacoast Helicopters is not unlike any small company that’s fighting to grow “This company and all the trials and tribulations we went through although specific to this industry and this business are similar to the trials and tribulations that every small company goes through,” he said His vision for the company is when anyone thinks about the aviation industry in New England “they’ll know we’re the helicopter place with the red helicopters.” He laughs when asked about his red helicopters 'Why did you choose red?' It’s because the first one I bought was red we’d be the blue helicopter company,” Cultrera said So every helicopter we have is going to be red Cultrera stressed the tours Seacoast Helicopters conducts at Pease “I can’t tell you how many times our pilots are asked by people 'Where’s a good place to eat in Portsmouth?' or 'What’s fun to do in Portsmouth?' and we tell them,” he said chief collaborator of the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth said she considers Seacoast Helicopters “one of our great marketing partners.” “They are always selling the Seacoast area,” she said this week Asked about the controversy the company dealt with previously “I think any change or anything new sometimes causes people to be uncomfortable I know there were many complaints from a small number of individuals." She believes Seacoast Helicopters will continue to help Portsmouth tourism “The helicopter goes over my house all weekend long and I wave and I hope they’re waving back,” she said Seacoast Helicopters has been involved in a partnership with Great Bay Community College training students to be pilots It has had a number of recent graduates and the program will continue until 2019 said they are looking for new opportunities we want to continue to grow the program,” Hall said “And part of the reason for that is a growing program employs many of the people who graduated from it and offers employment opportunities for others.” “We want to continue the path we’re on for good Flying tours represent about 35 percent of the company’s business followed by 35 percent for charters and the rest for doing utility work “We do a lot of support work for the government which includes carrying equipment by helicopter and taking it to remote areas,” he said “Anything that has to do with work that involves using the helicopter as a tool.” Hall said much of that work is done in Maine “There’s a lot of equipment that nobody ever sees on mountaintops,” he said “You wouldn’t really notice it was there unless you hiked all the way up the mountain.” It offers another important way for the company to grow its business “Someone has to maintain that equipment and replace the broken pieces and someone has to bring all those guys up there to do it," he said “Hiking up there in many cases would be an entire day’s process.” PORTSMOUTH — To say Morgan Casey was a quick study in the high jump would be quite the understatement.  The Portsmouth High School 16-year old cleared the bar at 5 feet the first time she ever attempted the event in practice the 5-foot-11 sophomore won the high jump in Portsmouth’s final dual meet of the season where she outleaped defending state champ Lala Olagundoye of Johnston and qualified for the nationals by clearing 5-5 inches on her final jump More: Three Newport County track and field athletes strike gold at state meet I’m anxious at the same time.” she again beat the defending state champ and to collect her first state high school crown “The bigger the stage the more it brings out my competitive edge,” Casey said “Having a girl like Lala to compete against in the class and state meet helped me thrive.” More: Lehane sets two school track records as Portsmouth claims Eastern Division championship Casey had little time to enjoy her state meet win because she was off to the University of Oregon Tuesday night to compete in the outdoor nationals at the same site the U.S Olympic track and field trials recently were held Casey has gone from never competing in the high jump to facing some of the competition in the country “It’s been a whirlwind of a season,” Portsmouth coach Jeff Rose said “Our fourth dual meet was her first jump She ended up clearing 5-4 the first day she tried it More: 'It was a team effort': Portsmouth boys track team nabs first class championship in 15 years (that height) would have been good enough to qualify as state champ Her progress has just been really incredible On Saturday at Conley Stadium in Providence Casey set a new school record by clearing 5-6¼ to win the state title But that was not until all the other competitors had dropped by the wayside Olagundoye again proved to be Casey’s top challenger “We both cleared 5-2 and 5-4 on our first try,” Casey said “(Olagundoye) didn’t make any at 5-6 and I made it on my last try I was just focusing on my form and getting my head back.” More: Portsmouth ranks supreme at track meeting involving all Newport County teams Casey then had the bar raised a bit higher and cleared 5-6¼ inches to establish a new school record She failed to clear 5-7 and her day was over “I think she had a few too many jumps on the day to clear 5-7,” Rose said a member of the Portsmouth volleyball and basketball teams was introduced to the event by watching her younger brother compete in middle school She asked coach Rose if she could try high jumping one day at practice and (our team) needed someone to high jump So I thought I’d give it a try,” Casey said “I’m definitely surprised with how I’m doing “I was hoping to be pretty good at it because of my height I’m jumping all the time in basketball and volleyball and I think when I was younger and on the trampoline that helped me Casey said she would continue to play three sports with “a little indoor track” in the winter Interscholastic league rules allow Casey to play basketball full time and participate in one field event in track during the winter sports season The two-day national competition takes place June 30 and July 1 and Casey will be competing on Thursday at 9 p.m. “I’m not really looking to win at nationals,” Casey said “I’m just looking forward to the experience and to being out there competing Hopefully it will help me improve for next year.” Rose knows nationals will be a great experience for Casey who will be pushed and has a chance to better her own school record “They’ll be opening at 5-2½ at nationals This should give her a couple of opportunities to loosen up so she can get another school record.” While Casey just goes out and performs at every meet, Rose is still in disbelief with how far she has come in just a month.  “It’s all just been very impressive It’s a testament to her tenacity,” Rose said the better the competition the better she does She’s still got a lot of learning to do about the event and she’s excited to do it.” PORTSMOUTH — Atlantic Heights was the original workforce housing Built on the shores of the Piscataqua River during World War I to house the workers of the Atlantic Corporation the architecturally designed buildings were meant to last a lifetime "It was in fact the very first federal dollars for any kind of housing," said author Richard Candee during a lecture Sunday at the Atlantic Heights Senior Housing complex on Bedford Way a professor emeritus of American and New England Studies at Boston University discussed his books "Atlantic Heights: A World War I Ship Building Community" and "Building Portsmouth: The Neighborhoods and Architecture of New Hampshire's Oldest City." World War I prompted need for another shipyard and Government officials at the time realized their biggest problems was finding sufficient housing for shipyard workers Congress stepped in and appropriated $50 million to deal with the problem About $1 million went to Portsmouth for one of the early projects by the Atlantic Corporation which seized the opportunity to build on the banks of what was then a defunct paper mill hired the architectural firm of Kilham and Hopkins of Boston to layout the blueprints Walter Kilham was the lead architect on the project and laid out a New England vision of houses aligned along neat rows of intersecting streets The houses were mostly one story and made of brick and Candee said the architects believed the houses should be sturdy We should build high quality buildings that people will live in forever," he recounted Candee explained that the architects signed the contract to build the houses on April 26 Plans were approved by the federal government before May and began building thereafter About 400 units of so-called "bachelor barracks" were constructed in about eight 50-unit buildings with sitting rooms and recreational space About 250 houses were built nearby and consisted of two on an accelerated timetable because of the war Candee said the average cost per house was $2,750 All homes had relatively small living rooms because it assumed that these workers would not have many possessions Among the amenities advertised were furnaces They also touted having individual bathrooms — instead of the one bathroom common in other housing projects in the city Department of Justice noticed several irregularities in the books of the Atlantic Corporation the government decided not be involved in further housing projects All units were sold at auction in June and July 1925 The dormitories were demolished and salvaged for wood in the 1930s which Candee said is part of the neighborhood's charm "Whether it's 25 years ago when I started this (book) project or today Atlantic Heights still look like Atlantic Heights," he said And the heights project had a lasting legacy since other architects and communities copied the idea of creating worker villages Most notable were the mills and factories of the 1920s New Heights has provided youth with the opportunity to engage in any number of experiential opportunities outside the classroom during the school year and summer While research shows such programming can affect positive long-term outcomes it is a special treat for staff when they are able to work alongside former participants which is the case with brothers Ian and Evan McDermod “It has been a great experience this summer working with both brothers and seeing how they have grown as leaders,” said Sally Gregory “It’s a chance for us as a staff to see what we hope we have helped to create — great young adults.” who both attend college and worked at New Heights during the summer the chance to return as staff members was especially meaningful “The staff’s professionalism and attitude towards kids helps build lifelong relationships and memories that are crucial in teenage development,” said 21-year-old Ian “Working here has really given me greater insight into the time and effort that all the staff members take into developing fun and effective programming for kids in both middle and high school.” said it feels great to have the opportunity to work with students and provide them with the same experiences that New Heights gave him “There is no better feeling than being a positive influence and making a difference in a kid's everyday life,” he said Noting he participated in everything from sports to adventure trips at New Heights Evan said attending and now working there has been “one of his best decisions.” “New Heights helps kids learn to make their own decisions mature and find one's self — and best of all “Not only did these things happen to me while I was a participant but I have seen the maturation and growth of so many participants during my two summers here and it is truly amazing.” Entering his junior year in the outdoor studies program at Alaska Pacific University in Anchorage Ian said he believes New Heights’ Adventure Program is unique He cited the small group size and the structure of its activities as two important strengths “Not only do kids become competent in skills related to hiking and how to overcome challenges together,” he said He said one of the most rewarding elements of his summer so far has been seeing groups of students come together “The small group sizes of the adventure programs breaks down the walls of certain ‘cliques’ that can form in school and allows kids to interact with others they may not have interacted with before,” he said “New friendships are always blossoming on adventure trips.” “Kids are often challenged and pushed outside their comfort zone in the adventure program," Evan added "all while having fun and forming close knit bonds.” Ian said he would encourage them to branch out and try new things “There are so many different activities that New Heights puts on that fit a plethora of interests — whether it be sports I regret not getting out of my comfort zone enough when I was a participant.” With New Heights’ summer program concluded for the year Gregory said she looks forward to the academic school year and continuing to engage students in “relevant out of school programming.” “What we are doing at New Heights is very much plugged in to what schools are doing,” she said “We complement and enhance the educational experience I’d like to think we have many ‘Ians’ and ‘Evans’ out there.” but offers need-based scholarships and the equipment necessary to participate nonviolent offenses were treated much like anyone else — they were arrested and subjected to traditional punitive measures With the launch of the Seacoast Community Diversion Program (SCDP) this past May these and similar youth have another option “Juvenile diversion programs are evidence-based and have been met with great success,” said Meme Wheeler “When the diversion program in Greenland shut down in 2010 the Seacoast was left with a gap in services other program collaborators include the Portsmouth Police Department and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) “We developed the program to address specific needs in the community and with sustainability in mind,” added Wheeler said they already have five kids enrolled with additional intakes already scheduled “I like that education and support are a huge aspect of the program as well as restorative justice,” she said youth are referred to it by school staff or law enforcement Youth do not just enter the program either but are instead accepted into it and mandated to sign and consequently full the stipulations contained within a contract “We hold each youth accountable for their actions and hone in on what we feel they would most benefit from — whether it is family therapy A family component is also required in each case with Families First Health and Support to lead a parents’ group that will start soon and meet every other month “Collaboration is the key to this program,” added Wheeler agrees with Wheeler and said their involvement in the program will consist in providing adventure-based opportunities to participants and their families “We need to create solutions together,” she added Wheeler said they are currently working to become an accredited program within the NH Juvenile Court Diversion Network there are 17 accredited diversion programs in the state with accreditation of SCDP expected by the end of 2017 Chase Home has evolved through the years to meet needs in the greater Seacoast community related to children and youth in a house on State Street not far from the foot of Memorial Bridge not long after it first went up Her mom had for years taken the ferry across the river to the shipyard where she was responsible for cleaning the captain's quarters the quaint little village high atop the riverbank He secured a home for his little family at the neighborhood when it too was still new and had recently gone from federal to private management Jack and Selena thought it would be a wonderful place to raise children she has been a happy resident of the Heights She does recall her childhood there as wonderful Especially happy are her memories of her early education at the school in the Heights One memory that is especially fond for her and may have been indicative of her future as a gardener is the year she was dressed as a rosebud for the May Day pageant Everyone knew each other in the little village then and everyone watched over all of the children most of the men came and went en masse to and from the shipyard and the children would all be sent home when the dads arrived "It was a safe place to raise children," she explains Her own dad became ill with tuberculosis and had to go to a sanatorium for years but the village was there for her and her mother Marion took a job at the Heights grocery store when she was 12 and worked there for more years than she can remember A friend in the Heights introduced her to George Fritz Jr. who took her on a date to see a Gregory Peck film But he used that persistence to find his little family a rental unit in the Heights and Marion happily came home with the first of her three babies Her husband was in an apprentice program at the yard then and money was tight but created a happy life for her family while raising her children and caring for her ailing mother She led a Brownie and Girl Scout troop in the neighborhood A friend she made then is still one of her closest friends and is another 87-year-old resident of the Heights Marion began distinguishing herself as a gardener way back when everybody of necessity maintained a victory garden to grow their own fruits and vegetables but even then she had an eye for beautifying the 'hood she brought home lilac tree transplants from a nearby abandoned barracks She says there weren't so many fences in the original lay out with people favoring living fences and access to each other's yards that she helped in the founding of the Atlantic Heights Garden Club especially heralding those homeowners who celebrate the English style of gardening suggested by the architecture They created pretty parks and hold an annual garden tour that has become quite popular It's really about community building though and Marion certainly has done her part in doing just that Her hope for the future of the Heights is only that the trend continues In most of my talks with older residents I hear laments about the demise of the neighborhoods they know with little that seems good happening over the last several decades but Marion reports that the Heights continues to become a nicer and nicer place to live PORTSMOUTH — Tracey Tucker does not just work with middle school students because she likes to She works with them because she remembers what it was like to be one "I was really quiet in middle school," the 34-year-old said "There was a lot of teasing and peer pressure in the schools." who recently became director of New Heights in Portsmouth said she knows how important middle school years are because you never know what is going to connect them to life a program of the Seacoast Mental Health Center healthy activities for more than 1,000 kids between the ages of 12 and 18 each year The program is funded by grants and donations and is guided by a volunteer community advisory board Tucker has a master's degree in counseling psychology from Gonzagas University in Spokane and has been working with adolescents for more than six years She was a history teacher for two years before she realized counseling was what she wanted to do with her life "The problem with teaching is I didn't get enough one-on-one time with the kids," she said I'll be able to give kids the time I want." There was tough competition for Tucker's new role as more than 20 people applied for the job over a three-month period "Tracey has a lot of energy and experience with adolescents," said New Heights marketing and development associate John Grady "She knows how nonprofit organizations are run and how to work with the community." Because New Heights relies on the generosity of the community and Tucker has many new ideas for programs it's no wonder she's been so busy this past month putting together a new newsletter and even going to Celtics games "I was always a Celtics fan growing up," she said "We went to their opening game with a bunch of New Heights kids They even brought out the Red Sox World Series trophy!" Grady said he is already impressed by Tucker's work ethic "She has great respect and understanding for our staff and she is very committed to the kids," he said Tucker has goals for the short and long term ranging from putting together a three-on-three basketball tourney to continuing programs without feeling financially constrained She also hopes to spread the word about New Heights to areas outside Portsmouth and showcase the staff and programs New Heights offers "Adolescents are either our future leaders or our future community weaknesses I want to make sure that as many kids as possible experience the goods of New Heights," she said Tucker said she hopes to advance programs in computers "I don't think working with adolescents is hard at all," she said "I love their creativity and the fact that they have such a fresh and open mind." who has lived in Florida and Washington state said she is enjoying her new home in the Portsmouth community She said she is looking forward to spending many years working at New Heights "is to always be able to say yes to the kids." NORTH HAMPTON — Lori Dennehy recently joined the NouveauDerm Medspa team as spa coordinator She brings a wealth of skin care industry experience to NouveauDerm at 65 Lafayette Road having held management positions at several well known day spas in Seattle and New England and serving as Northeast sales trainer for an organic skin care line Dennehy is a New Hampshire licensed and certified esthetician receiving her education at the Institute of Skin Science in Rye Dennehy has had the opportunity to own and operate her own company giving her a broader perspective on the day-to-day challenges faced by small businesses Dennehy is thrilled to work with such a dynamic team and knows NouveauDerm Medspa was the right choice for her Roxanne Barnes was named chief operating officer of NouveauDerm Medspa Barnes has been involved in and responsible for million-dollar-plus projects in the finance and energy industries She also founded her own mergers and acquisition company in Dallas wheres she successfully ran the company for 17 years before selling it in 2007 She decided to retire and move back to New Hampshire where she was originally born and raised Barnes was recently approached and decided to come out of retirement to join the staff of NouveauDerm Medspa executive vice president of NAI Norwood Group was featured in the July/August issue of Commercial Investment Real Estate Read his comments in "2010 Rising Stars," which is available at http://cire.epubxpress.com CCIMs have earned an internationally recognized professional designation that signifies their expertise in commercial investment real estate For Norwood's expertise on the local commercial real estate market an international commercial real estate network with more than 325 offices spanning the globe PORTSMOUTH — Great Bay Community College President Wildolfo Arvelo announced five new members were added to its College Advisory Board They will each be serving a term of three years Alexander is the principal and co-founder of Alexander Technology Group a New Hampshire-based provider of technology consulting and staffing solutions Carberry is vice president of Program & Alliance Management at Biogen Idec McDonough is superintendent of schools for the Portsmouth School District Mezquita is vice president/principal-in-charge of Appledore Engineering a civil engineering consulting firm specializing in site design permitting and construction administration for a variety of development projects throughout New England Strong is vice president for marketing and development at Huggins Hospital in Wolfeboro The new members will be joining existing College Advisory Board members including Chairwoman Nancy T Seacoast School of Technology; Douglas Bates Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce; N.H town administrator for Rye; Thomas Pavlidis Wentworth by the Sea Marriott Hotel and Spa Lamond was selected for inclusion on the 2010 list of "New England Super Lawyers." The Portsmouth resident practices law with the firm of McDonald which represents labor unions and individual employees throughout New England building maintenance workers and their unions and has been included in the publication "Best Lawyers in America" since 2007 He is a former president of the board of Prescott Park Arts Festival and is active in coaching youth sports formerly a program of Seacoast Mental Health Center for more than 20 years recently elected its board of directors at its first annual meeting as an independent nonprofit organization who boasts extensive professional volunteer experience with deep ties to the greater Seacoast Additional executive appointments include Vice President Lindsay Josephs of the Endowment for Health; Treasurer David Splaine with Ellis Insurance Agency in York cited the diverse nature and experience of its board as crucial to New Heights' future "There is no doubt they have already made an impact on how we envision ourselves as an organization and how we'll go about things moving forward," she said New Heights must assume a strong leadership role in the community it is our job to help New Heights grow and assert itself as a leader in quality out-of-school programming," Dennett said "I think it is also very important for us to be mindful that New Heights is much more than a resource for kids We're here for the entire community and our programs in the coming months and years will reflect that." New Heights' mission is to assist Seacoast youth to develop the competence and resiliency necessary for a healthy and successful adulthood Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker PORTSMOUTH — With their designer kitchens and baths private elevators and balconies with soaring views of Narragansett Bay the luxury condominiums at the Carnegie Tower have undeniable glamour turned out to be a losing prospect for developer J The 79-unit tower opened when the housing market was in freefall a broken water main caused a mini-disaster flooding and completely ruining the first three floors of the tower prompting a to-the-studs renovation of the newly built spaces several prospective buyers sued to get their deposits back O’Neill had to refinance to avoid a planned tax sale of 77 tower condos by paying the Town of Portsmouth more than $2 million in back taxes when the Pennsylvania-based builder turned over an estimated 68 of the condos to his creditors in a deed-in-lieu-of-foreclosure transaction A bank and an insurance company now own the unsold condominiums according to Melanie Delman of Lila Delman Real Estate Amalgamated Bank owns four units that are listed with Delman's agency put up for sale by one of the few original owners which Delman said are not officially on the market which covers the entire top floor and a rooftop deck priced at nearly $15 million when the property opened in 2009 the asking price had dropped to $11 million who has also represented O'Neill in several of his private real estate transactions in the Newport area said the developer "poured his heart and soul" into the tower project Delman is also one of the few private owners of a tower condo and she has also purchased one of the cabanas surrounding the outdoor pool Delman's tricked-out cabana features a sleeping loft above the living area a photo of herself with singer Smokey Robinson appeared eerily quiet during a visit Thursday morning a beautiful sunny day in the height of the summer vacation season along with the elegantly appointed entrance foyer and common areas The Carnegie Abbey Club was founded by British businessman Peter de Savary in 2000 on land leased from the Benedictine monks who run the nearby Portsmouth Abbey School clubhouse with fitness center and spa rooms an outdoor pool and an equestrian center with seven miles of riding trails O'Neill added an array of residential options at Carnegie Abbey called "Royal Cottages." Although the golf course is on leased land the tower and cottages are on land purchased by O'Neill when he bought the club from de Savary A spokesman for Amalgamated Bank said the company would have no comment on its ownership of four tower condos Ullico has not responded to a request for comment But the new corporate owners still face a challenging market for luxury and second homes in Rhode Island with plenty of inventory competing for a small group of buyers According to statistics from the Rhode Island Association of Realtors there were 447 single-family and condominium properties listed for sale in Rhode Island at prices of $1 million and above only 191 million-dollar-plus sales took place in the state there were just 95 sales topping $1 million PORTSMOUTH — For anyone unfamiliar with “outdoor education,” you should meet Donald Gagnon of Traip Academy and Sally Gregory of New Heights two educators who have made a living in adventure for years adventure and the wilderness has created an opportunity for both to work together in recent years on a concept they have termed "the experiential classroom.” “It’s an opportunity to get students out of their comfort zone and into wilderness,” said Gagnon who teaches physical education at Kittery’s high school and has started an outdoor leadership program in addition to a First Responder program In creating an experiential classroom in collaboration with Gregory Gagnon said they have created opportunities for students to experience nature and wilderness learn and earn high school credits at the same time Their first experiential classroom took place on an extended expedition to Utah in 2012 “We had nine students from Traip Academy go on it and it was really an incredible experience,” he said There was an educational component to it.” In addition to writing an essay for consideration to participate in the trip students researched topics while in Utah and presented their findings to the School Committee They also read and wrote journals about Edward Abbey’s book “Desert Solitaire,” in which the author discussed his time as a park ranger at Arches National Park Other experiential classrooms have taken place since then as have various team-building programs for Traip Academy sophomores with one taking place in mid-October at New Heights in Portsmouth the chance to infuse adventure and outdoor experiences into the curriculum at Traip Academy is “very exciting.” “When you can put students into challenging situations where they are forced to rely on themselves and one another you have incredible teachable moments and learning opportunities,” she said self-worth and the ability to look beyond themselves and gain respect for fellow students and their teachers are just some of the things we see out of students when they complete one of these programs.” Gagnon's collaboration with Gregory and New Heights is especially meaningful as he started out as a participant when the agency was located at the old Connie Bean Center in Portsmouth “I lived in Kittery and would ride my bike across the bridge,” he said “I would do as many trips as I possibly could They helped me stay out of trouble and helped me create who I am today as a person.” Eventually working as a senior staff member at New Heights during the summer while earning a bachelor of science in outdoor education Gagnon said outdoor educational experiences enable students to develop skills that are relevant across multiple settings communication – these are things that well-designed outdoor adventure programs can help develop in students,” he said Gregory said the programs they have built together and he has built on his own at the school reflect the impact outdoor opportunities can have for people of all ages “When you can put kids into situations where they can earn their freedom they learn the value of responsibility and accountability – not just to themselves Gregory said the inherent difficulty of some of the adventure opportunities experienced by youth participants should not be overlooked either “With our New Heights Adirondacks Canoe Expedition trip these kids carry a 55-pound canoe on their shoulders for a mile and a half over a rocky trail,” she said Students learn something about themselves that they can “carry with them” long after the adventure is over," she said and they develop empathy for their fellow students," she said "They help each other when they are struggling Those are life lessons they’ll never forget.” Founded in 1987, New Heights offers programs in science, technology, engineering, art and math and arts and culture in addition to adventure. Many of its programs align with 21st century skills, which center on collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity. For information, visit www.newheightsonline.org Rhi Jeffrey may not look like your typical swim coach But the woman who won Olympic Gold in the 4x200 Freestyle Relay at the 2004 Olympics has been coaching swimming for more than 10 years Jeffrey brought her expertise and passion to Portsmouth when she took over Cannonball Swim Club the team — with members from southern Maine Brentwood and Exeter — has risen to new heights The 2017–18 winter season recently came to a close at the TSSA Championship meet CSC swimmers established five new meet records — a quarter of all new records over the weekend — and despite being the second smallest team competing at UNH’s Swasey pool Three members of the team — Sophia Dmytruk (12) Harper Levitsky (8) and Kenzie Patch (14) — achieved maximum points The team had 18 first-place finishers and came second in the “average points per swimmer” calculator (they were beaten by Dover’s SSA by just 0.26) CSC has won all of its meets and seen more than 12 percent of the team qualify for the New England Age Group competitions (swimming’s Junior Olympics) Patch and Dmytruk will be swam at the Eastern Zone SC Championships in Webster (a competition open to just the top 2-3 swimmers in each event from the New England area) Patch is also the team’s first New England Seniors Championship Qualifier So what has turned the fortunes of this little team The kids know the answer: Jeffrey and her fellow coaches As one 10-year-old team member says: “They’re super hot on technique and stamina “Swimming is a lifetime sport,” Jeffrey says “You can teach technique and build endurance they’ll be burned out by the time they’re 14 and 65 CSC swimmers are ready to make more waves of excellence Search suggestions update instantly to match the search query Pro-Vice Chancellor for Global Engagement at the University of Portsmouth has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to the international education sector Bobby won the PIEoneer award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Industry 2023’, alongside Edwin van Rest from Studyportals and Cyndi McLeod from Global University Systems at The PIEoneer Awards which honour the very best in innovation and achievement across the whole of the global education industry The judges said Bobby is a remarkable example of someone who has helped shape and evolve the global education sector in a significant way vision and dedication in advancing the UK’s international education sector in various ways.  He has led and contributed to numerous projects and initiatives that have improved the quality standards and attractiveness of UK education for international students He has also used his influence and network to advocate for the interests and needs of the sector and its stakeholders.  As I look ahead I want to see our industry revolutionise not evolve I want to see us provide the best possible platforms and services to students across the globe to enable them access the best education and achieve all their dreams and ambitions and in doing so be empowered to make the world a better place Bobby said: “I have been very lucky to work in such a great industry for the whole of my career and any little I have done or given back still doesn't feel enough I will continue to try to do my little bit to ensure our industry continues to be the best it can be “I couldn't have achieved this success without the support of colleagues friends and family and I would like to say a big thank you to everyone that I had the pleasure of working with across my career to date and for their contribution to achieving this award and in my case over the last 20 years I have had the support and companionship Rozina Metha (my best friend and my wife) without whom I could not have done half the things I have Without Rozina's support I would not have achieved what I have to receive this recognition “Whilst it was a great honour for me to receive this award - I dedicated this special occasion to the other important woman in my life my daughter - Sarah and I hope it inspires her to achieve her full potential and reach great heights.” With a distinguished judging panel representing geographical and professional diversity the PIEoneer Awards recognise both individuals and organisations who are pushing professional standards evolving their engagement or redefining the international student experience Bobby added: “As I look ahead I want to see our industry revolutionise not evolve I want to see us provide the best possible platforms and services to students across the globe to enable them access the best education and achieve all their dreams and ambitions and in doing so be empowered to make the world a better place.” Learn more about our international vision and activities including our international research collaborations and our plans to grow further info@port.ac.uk london@port.ac.uk +44 (0)23 9284 8484 The phone line is open Monday–Thursday 8.30am–5.15pm PORTSMOUTH — Longtime Newmarket resident Alex Peacock says there are times when he is sailing on the Privateer Lynx that it feels a lot more like 1812 than 2010 It's a life spent watching sunsets on the high seas climbing high in the masts and getting dirty while lathering up the rigs with tar "It's an incredible lifestyle," said Peacock — a 2007 graduate of Newmarket Junior/Senior High School has spent the past seven months serving as a deckhand on Privateer Lynx that is appropriately registered in Portsmouth where the longtime Newmarket resident was born The Peacock family has long been fascinated by sailing and Alex said he was thrilled that the Privateer Lynx would be among two ships stopping at Portsmouth for this weekend's Tall Ships Festival The Lynx is a replica of the type of War of 1812 vessels that operated out of ports like Portsmouth when the stalling of international trade resulted in merchant ship owners stripping down schooners and fitting them with cannons to plunder supply ships The original Lynx was used to pray on enemy shipping privateers and was built for speed to avoid the British fleet from blockading American ports Peacock said he volunteered as a deckhand on the ship in November of 2009 and was recently asked to stay on as a deckhand with his responsibilities ranging from leading guided tours to lathering the rigging with sticky tar The Newmarket native said the job is always an adventure with the boat traveling thousands of miles to take part in festivals "This boat really never stops," Peacock said with a smile On Thursday the Lynx sailed into Portsmouth and Peacock said he couldn't have been happier when he stepped of the deck to find his father waiting for him It's the closest Peacock will be to home for months He said the ship anchored off the Isles of Shoals on Wednesday evening awaiting a tide that would allow them entry to the Portsmouth Commercial Fishing Pier where the Tall Ships Festival will be located "I've been looking forward to this stop for quit a while," Peacock said The privateer replica spent recent years on the West Coast and hasn't returned to Portsmouth since 2001 Peacock said the boat is currently sailing on the East Coast and he is among a crew that works the schooner He said the ship is capable of speeds up to 13 knots and noted they were traveling at about nine knots in Cape Cod Sound as they chugged northward to Portsmouth Deckhands are required to clip into harnesses and climb high into the rigging of the ship whose main mast stretches 96 feet above the waterline Peacock said such a feat is frightening to some at first "I've never been afraid of heights," Peacock said Peacock has the look of a man who spends his days on an open working deck with his tan face The Newmarket resident said he loves his job and noted sailing can be addictive Besides the sailing and my love for the water it just takes you to some very cool places," Peacock said As for his moments standing on the deck on the open sea with nothing but the sound of waves and fluttering sails: "It feels like 1812." vision and plans for the future and how we deliver our services We do more than tackle fires and rescue people Catch up with all the latest that we have been involved in We’re proud to support and protect the wonderfully diverse community in which we serve We’re committed to keeping our communities safe well and informed and our prevention and protection work plays a large role in this Behind every firefighter there are specialist support teams all playing their part If you need to get in touch or find a form Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service The Red Watch crew from the Portsmouth station began their challenge to climb more than the combined heights of the world’s three largest mountains scaling a massive 100,000ft at the city’s Gunwharf Quays shopping centre The Fire Fighters Charity and Leukaemia Care UK and in total they were able to raise more than £4,500 “We are fundraising for these two charities which are very close to our hearts and we want to do all we can to support them “As a group we’ve been fundraising for quite a while now and after completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in September we sought out a further challenge we could set ourselves “We’d like to thank Gunwharf Quays for hosting the event as well as the team at Whittaker Scaffold Ltd for providing the scaffold rig and Holiday Inn for offering us the use of their rest and welfare facilities.” The Southsea team were aided by Chief Fire Officer Neil Odin who came down to support and couldn’t resist getting involved Throughout the challenge the Red Watch team were also supported with climbers from across the station’s other three watches K2 and Everest – the three largest mountains in the world – the crew successfully took on the three largest peaks in Britain The team were sponsored by Whittaker Scaffolding Ltd who provided the structure for the climb and supported by numerous local shops who provided much needed sustenance throughout their gruelling mission Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" PORTSMOUTH — In an age when many students gripe about having to walk even short distances a group of Portsmouth students is pledging to walk 70 or 190 miles — the width and length of the state of New Hampshire Students and staff from Portsmouth Middle School New Franklin Elementary School and the New Heights Teen Center joined with New Hampshire First Lady Susan Lynch at the middle school on Tuesday afternoon to kick off "Walk New Hampshire" with a walk around the inside of the school This new physical activity program encourages children and teenagers throughout the state to become more physically fit through practicing good eating habits and being more active Lynch is a physician who is particularly interested in the issues of children's health Lynch said the Foundation for Healthy Communities approached her with the idea for the program Lynch told the group of students some of the many reasons why walking is a great activity Beth Wheeler from the Foundation for Healthy Communities said walking is a great activity to do by yourself or in a group She added many families can also get involved in this program as a group and develop the habit of walking instead of taking a car everywhere they need to go New Hampshire students participating in Walk New Hampshire can choose to walk either 70 or 190 miles over several months The children keep track of their progress in log books there will be a celebration in Concord where all participants in the program will receive certificates patches and tickets to win prizes in a raffle "Walk New Hampshire is an excellent way to promote healthy lifestyles for middle school students and to emphasize walking for people of all ages," said John Stokel teen center coordinator and summer program coordinator at New Heights said she thinks the program is a wonderful idea "I'm excited to see the state is really trying hard to encourage our young kids to think about healthy living," she said She added that the social aspects of the program and being able to walk in a group with friends and family are an important part of the experience She said she sees many students spending too much time in front of the computer and not enough time being active "I think this is a great jump-start for these kids," she said Best friends Trey Cottonham and Melony Pagan said they are excited to participate because they not only want to help themselves but others as well The pair said they want to be sponsored while they walk the many miles to raise money for a good cause because we think it will be a nice thing to do," Cottonham said She hopes to change her own opinion by becoming more active Lynch said the beauty of this program is that it can be combined with other efforts in ways like the two friends have planned She said she has kicked off this program in other parts of the state as well the groups stopped at safe havens during the walk to show the students safe places for them stop during the walks to and from school The kickoff was combined with "Safe Walks to School Week," she said the kids really love doing this," she added after school group or youth organization that wants to get classes or groups involved in this program should contact the Foundation for Healthy Communities at 225-0900 to receive materials Visit www.WalkNH.org for more information.