Life + Culture

Heartwarming Holiday Traditions Shared

Celebrating the Joy, Love, and Happy Memories Make the Season Merry and Bright Article by Tara Phillips Holiday traditions are what make this time of year so special. They’re the fun little moments and big celebrations that bring families and friends together. Whether baking cookies, exchanging quirky gifts, competing in silly family games, or sharing a favorite meal, these festive rituals create the magic. But they also serve a deeper purpose—giving us a reason to slow down, relax, and enjoy...

Shopping

LEGACY OF LOVE AND JEWELS

Summerwind Jewelers’ Sara Reisz Sargent Carries on Her Father’s Lifework Article by Susan Gallagher | Photography by Andrea Schwanbeck, Brass Tacks Photography Deep inside young Melvin Reisz lived a hidden talent. The gift lay dormant until 1972, when, at age 26, his longtime desire to work with his mind and hands led him to Ogunquit, Maine. There, a Perkin’s Cove jeweler trained him to create silver jewelry, an endeavor that revealed his exceptional flair for the craft.  Reisz’s love for...

Arts + Culture

Pragmatic Positivity

Developing Social Changemakers Through Lessons in Resilience, Inclusivity, Empathy, and Action Article by Ann Kathryn Kelly | Photography by Friends Forever International World Peace, Grown Locally : It’s at the center of everything Friends Forever International (FFI) does. The organization—a-political and non-denominational—is a not-for-profit 501(3)(c) with roots in Portsmouth and now headquartered in Durham. FFI started nearly 40 years ago with a focus on Northern Ireland, rocked by...

Finance + Legal Services

Sharing the Wealth This Holiday Season

Smart Year-End Giving Strategies for Doing Good And Cutting Your Tax Bill Article by Tara Phillips | Photography by Allie Burke Photography Sometimes, life delivers a sweet deal where everyone wins. Monica McCarthy of Seascape Capital Management LLC shares a few ways to do some good and shrink the IRS check you'll write next year. Donor Advised Fund (DAF)  With a DAF, donate now for immediate tax benefits but decide later which charities to support. Sweeten this deal by funding with...