Community Valentine Project

Community Valentine Project on Saturday, February 8th from

11:00am- 1:00pm at Portsmouth Historical Society. Join us for a fun and creative valentine-making session. We’ll paint, decorate, and craft heartfelt messages of appreciation for the places that connect us to each other and to our shared history. Then, on February 10th, the Historical Society will deliver and hang these valentines on the Tree of Love in Market Square. Everyone is welcome. RSVP requested. www.PortsmouthHistory.org

Beginner Social Square Dance Class Portsmouth

Beginner Social Square Dance Class, Thursday, Feb. 6th, 1-2:30 p.m. at the Portsmouth Senior Activity Center, 125 Cottage St. No partner, no special clothing and no experience needed. You don’t need to be a member or even be a senior. Come meet new people, get some brain and heart healthy walking exercise and have fun! Free, then $5 per class afterwards. More info, contact Priscilla at prar@alrouff.com or 603-978-1988.

 

Family Life Weekend to Remember

Family Life Weekend to Remember on April 25-27 and May 2-4 2025 from Fri 7-9, Sat 9-5, Sun 9-12:30 at the Sheraton at Sable Oaks in Portland, Maine Event Entrance Fee?: $175 per person, discounts available.

Details/Comments: Take this time to invest in and strengthen your marriage. You’re finally getting away, so get back to what matters. This is for any couple who dreams of a deep and fulfilling relationship with their spouse (or fiance—engaged couples welcome!). More info at: https://www.familylife.com/weekend-to-remember/

Cornerstone VNA Announces Leadership Transition

Cornerstone VNA Announces Leadership Transition: Jennifer Ufkin to Become President/CEO

 

Rochester, NH – Cornerstone VNA, a trusted nonprofit home health provider, announces an important leadership transition. On January 3, 2025, Julie Reynolds, RN, MS, will retire after over 30 years of dedicated service, including 12 years as President/CEO. Jennifer Ufkin, RN, MSN, a 23-year veteran of Cornerstone VNA, will succeed Julie as the next President/CEO, continuing the organization’s mission of excellence in home health care.

 

Julie shares, “I am thrilled that our Board of Directors selected Jen as the next leader of this organization. As part of our succession plan, I have been mentoring Jen since the board officially offered her the position in January, and I am confident that this will be a very smooth leadership transition.”

 

Julie joined Cornerstone VNA in 1994 and received several promotions before becoming the CEO in January 2013. Under her leadership, Cornerstone VNA received numerous accolades, including Business NH Magazine’s 2020 Health Care Business of the Decade. Julie herself was honored with awards such as the 2020 Excellence in Nursing Award from NH Magazine and the 2024 Home Care Service Award from the Home Care, Hospice, and Palliative Care Alliance of NH. During her tenure as CEO, Julie has navigated the complexities of the home healthcare sector with unparalleled expertise and insight. Over the past 12 years, the organization has more than doubled in size in both service area and staffing, and has made important investments in professional staff development and specialty care services.

 

Julie shares, “Being the CEO at Cornerstone VNA has been the greatest honor of my life. I am leaving a legacy that I know will continue for another 111 years and beyond. I am enormously proud of the organization that Cornerstone VNA has become, and I know we are poised for greater things ahead.”

 

Jen began her career as a Home Care nurse in 2001, shortly after graduating from the University of New Hampshire. Over two decades, she has risen through the ranks, most recently serving as Vice President of Operations. Throughout her career she has gained experience in healthcare management, strategic planning, and telehealth implementation. Jen has led her home health teams to achieve significant improvements in financial performance and patient satisfaction and is passionate about finding innovative ways to provide the best care to patients at home.

 

Jen share, “This is an incredible opportunity to lead Cornerstone VNA during such an exciting time of growth and innovation.” Jen adds, “For more than a century, this organization has been guided by incredible leaders, and I am proud to follow in their footsteps, and keep Cornerstone VNA at the forefront of advanced care at home.”

 

Jen’s career highlights include implementing evidence-based programs, reducing hospitalization rates, promoting staff development, and advancing telehealth technology. Jen also holds leadership roles on several boards, underscoring her commitment to improving the health and wellness of our local communities. With a master’s degree in nursing and a wealth of certifications and awards, Jen continues to strive for excellence in improving healthcare accessibility and outcomes for all.

 

As Julie reflects on her career with pride, she is confident in the organization’s future under Jen’s capable leadership. With a steadfast commitment to innovation and compassionate care, Cornerstone VNA is poised for continued growth and success. Julie adds, “Jen and the Cornerstone VNA team have an exciting and rewarding journey ahead as they continue to explore new opportunities to advance our mission.”

 

Cornerstone VNA currently serves Rockingham, Strafford, Belknap and Carroll Counties in New Hampshire and York County in Maine. The team at Cornerstone VNA provides award-winning care and support through five distinct programs: Home Care, Hospice Care, Palliative Care, Life Care-Private Duty, and Community Care. For more than 111 years, Cornerstone VNA has been committed to bringing services to people of all ages so that families can stay together at home, even when facing the challenges of aging, surgical recovery, chronic or life-threatening illnesses or end-of-life care. To learn more about Cornerstone VNA, visit www.cornerstonevna.org or call 800-691-1133.

PONTINE THEATRE PERFORMS  A NEW ENGLAND CHRISTMAS

29 Nov – 15 Dec / Portsmouth, NH 

PONTINE THEATRE PERFORMS  A NEW ENGLAND CHRISTMAS 

 

PORTSMOUTH NH:  Pontine Theatre’s 24-25 Performance Season continues 29 November – 15 December with A NEW ENGLAND CHRISTMAS.  Performances are scheduled for Fridays @7pm, Saturdays @3pm and Sundays @2pm.  The program includes Pontines  original staging of William Dean Howell’s Christmas Everyday and Alice Van Leer Carrick’s Christmas in Our Town.  The cast features Pontine Artistic Co-Directors, Marguerite Mathews and Greg Gathers.  Live music is provided by New England Fiddle Ensemble’s Ellen Carlson.  Following the performance the audience is invited onstage to enjoy an assortment of Christmas goodies.  Pontine’s Portsmouth NH venue, the 1845 Plains Schoolhouse theatre, is located at #1 Plains Avenue in Portsmouth’s West End. The space is fully accessible with convenient free parking located onsite.  Purchase tickets at www.pontine.org — $32 General admission, $29 for Seniors.  

 

Author, editor, playwright and  poet  William Dean Howells (1837-1920) was a resident of  Kittery, Maine.  In his story Christmas Every Day, a little girl’s wish to have Christmas everyday for a year is granted by the Christmas Fairy. The first day of Christmas is perfect.  The following day it is Christmas again, and every subsequent day as well. It wreaks havoc with the economy.  All the woods are cut down for Christmas trees. People get so poor, buying presents, that everybody had to go to the poorhouse.  

 

In her reminiscence, Christmas in Our Town, Alice Van Leer Carrick tells of her treasured memories of a New England holiday in Hanover, New Hampshire in the mid-20th century. Her whimsical turn of phrase and witty allusions coupled with sheer sentiment goes straight to the heart.  The performance concludes with a Christmas carol sing along led by Ellen Carlson of the New England Fiddle Ensemble and an onstage Christmas party. Purchase tickets at Pontine’s website:  www.pontine.org  — for information contact Pontine Theatre: 603-436-6660  or info@pontine.org,  This production is underwritten by Piscataqua Savings Bank.  Pontine’s 24-25 Season is supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. 

 

Marguerite Mathews and Greg Gathers, Artistic Co-Directors of Portsmouth NH’s Pontine Theatre, perform  A NEW ENGLAND CHRISTMAS, 29 November – 15 December.  Photo by Michael Sterling

 

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