Portsmouth Celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride Month, BBQ Throwdown: Community News Update

Rochester Elks #1393 awards scholarship to local student

ROCHESTER — Jerry Skidds, chairman of the Rochester Elks 1393 Scholarship Committee, and Exalted Ruler Mark Guilmett presented a $1,200 Rochester Elks scholarship to Paul Butler, a senior at Spaulding High School, at the annual awards night from school. The Rochester Elks Scholarship Program is in its second year. Thanks to the generosity of our members, we can continue to support high school students in our region. Information: elks.org.

South Berwick Community Food Pantry Receives $1,000 Donation

SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — The South Berwick Community Food Pantry is an organization that serves 7,000 to 8,000 city residents and distributes food to those who are food insecure. To contribute to their service, Eric Walker, Market Manager of Partners Bank’s York office, selected the South Berwick Community Food Pantry to receive a $1,000 donation through the bank’s employee giving program for the month of April.

“Every dollar helps (the pantry) feed families who need it most.” It’s a great feeling to be part of something like this! » said Walker.

Portsmouth celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride Month

PORTSMOUTH — Mayor Deaglan McEachern, Councilors John Tabor, Kate Cook and Rich Blalock and Seacoast Outright Executive Director Heidi Carrington Heath gathered in Market Square on the first day of LGBTQ+ Pride Month for the reading of the Mayor’s Proclamation , a letter from Rep. Chris Pappas. and the raising of the Pride flag.

In addition to recognizing Rep. Pappas’ work on gay rights and marriage equality as NH’s first openly gay congressman, Mayor McEachern recognized the work of Jim Splaine, former NH Rep. and Deputy Mayor who has advocated for gay rights in New Hampshire for decades.

In his proclamation, Mayor McEachern said: “In these challenging times for LGBTQ+ rights around the world, it is increasingly important to affirm the entire community’s support for all those who make Portsmouth our place of life, work and leisure – because everything bad, bad. or lack of respect for any one of us diminishes us all. The first of our municipal goals is to “create a welcoming, safe and diverse community”; and that means ensuring that all of our LGBTQ residents, business owners and visitors can prosper, thrive and feel part of our community, not apart. Being the Open Door City means keeping our promise to keep our doors open to all members of this community.

He presented the proclamation to Seacoast Outright Executive Director Heidi Carrington Heath.

Rochester Elks volunteer for Copper Cannon Camp cleanup

ROCHESTER — On Saturday, June 1, 3,034 Rochester Elks Lodge officers traveled to the New Hampshire Elks’ state major project, Copper Cannon Children’s Camp in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, for the annual clean-up day . Members from across the state join forces once a year to help beautify this wonderful summer camp for underprivileged children. Visit the website: https://coppercannoncamp.org/.

Gundalow offers free sails to veterans

PORTSMOUTH — The Gundalow Co. is offering free sails to veterans (plus one guest) this summer.

Cruise dates are June 11 at 3:30 p.m., July 23 at 1 p.m. and August 22 at 12:30 p.m.

Veterans Sails are generously sponsored by Service Credit Union.

For more information, call 603-433-9505, email info@gundalow.org or visit gundalow.org.

Dover Residence at Silver Square to Host Throwdown Barbecue to support the Alzheimer’s association

DOVER – Join The Residence at Silver Square, 10 Sterling Way in Dover, for a rib cook-off with Dover Fire & Rescue and the Dover Police Department on Wednesday, June 12, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy ribs, potato salad and corn on the cob. and dessert! All proceeds will go to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Disease.

Seacoast youth rowers head to Florida for national championships

DOVER — Six local teen rowers from Great Bay Rowing have qualified for the U.S. Youth Rowing National Championships June 6-9 in Sarasota, Florida.

Bids for the national championship were won on the Merrimack River in Lowell May 18-19 during the Northeastern U.S. Youth Regional Championship Regatta, which attracted more than 1,800 athletes from 57 teams across the New England.

Eleven Great Bay Rowing boats competed in nine racing events, all 2,000 meters in length; with seven coming out of Saturday’s time trials to compete in Sunday’s finals, and two coming away with medals and invitations to the national championships.

For more information, visit www.greatbayrowing.org.

Dine Out and Do Good: Dine to Support Lydia’s House of Hope

SOMERSWORTH — Lydia’s House of Hope (LHOH) is encouraging Seacoast area residents to dine at their favorite participating local restaurant on Thursday, July 11 and Friday, July 12, to benefit Lydia’s House of Hope. Enjoy a delicious meal and support LHOH’s mission to break the generational cycle of homelessness in our communities.

Two restaurants will participate on Thursday evening, July 11: Moxy’s and Street in Portsmouth. On Friday, July 12, the list of participating restaurants includes Earth Eagle North, Kelley’s Row and The Rail at La Stazione in Somersworth; Cinco’s Cantina at their two locations in Epping and Dover; Chapel + Main in Dover; The Tour Golf & Grill and La Napoletana in Portsmouth; and in Maine: Lee Franks in South Berwick and Loco Cocos Tacos in Kittery. Each restaurant donates a percentage of its revenue to support Lydia’s House of Hope.

Information: lydiashousenh.org/dineout-do-good

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Portsmouth Celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride Month, BBQ Throwdown: Community News Update