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...

Arts + Culture

The Gift of Music

Portsmouth Pro Musica with Visionary Conductor Priscilla French Celebrate 40 Years of Choral Excellence and Community-Building Article by Rebecca Ingalls | Photography by David J. Murray ClearEyePhoto.com On Tuesday evenings in Portsmouth, four dozen people — teachers, financial and healthcare professionals, artists, students — gather to sing. With sheet music in hand, they stand semi-circled around conductor Priscilla French. She motions, their voices lift, and an ethereal sound fills the...

Home Services

The Best of Both Worlds

“At Home By Hunt” Helps Seniors Age in Place Successfully Article by Ann Kathryn Kelly | Photography by Portsmouth City Lifestyle In a close-knit cul-de-sac in Hampton, with neighbors from retirees to young families, Dan and Karen Waintroob walk their dog Belle along a mile-long loop under shade trees. They wave hello to familiar faces, tend their mature flower gardens, and cherish the home they’ve lived in and labored over for 18 years to get it just the way they like it.  There’s Karen’s...

Local Services

THE OTHER SIDE

Helping Others is Pure Joy for I Got Bridged Founder Freddy Petrone, Whose Own Arduous Journey Brought Him New Vision Article by Susan Gallagher | Photography by Allie Burke Photography Going blind saved Freddy Petrone’s life. Mired in a downward spiral of addiction, his sudden tragic sight loss in 2018 at age 45, a result of Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, detoured him onto a path of transformation, rebirth, and selflessness.  Petrone exudes pure joy, the kind that is so infectious you...

Home + Design

Preserving a Family Legacy

Thoughtfully Restoring a Generational Family Summer Home in Perkins Cove Article by Lisa Leslie | Photography by Kevin Edge Photography When a couple from Massachusetts approached Great Northern Builders (GNB) with a unique challenge, they were clear about the vision for their beloved family summer home. “We don’t want to tear it down,” they insisted. “Can you help us save it?” While other builders recommended starting with a clean slate, the couple found a partner in Great Northern, a...

Education

Learning the Tricks of the Trade

Bring Back the Trades’ Steve Turner Reignites Passion for Hands-On Work and Revives Blue-Collar Pride, While Helping Students Achieve Successful Careers in the Skilled Trades  Article by Susan Gallagher | Photography by KD Butterfly Photography On the morning of August 17, 2017, Steve Turner woke up with an idea blazing in his head. The sudden and insistent idea would burgeon into Bring Back the Trades, a national nonprofit rekindling interest in careers in the trades and providing trade...

Home + Design

Taste the Difference

Elevate Your Grill Game with Lakes Region Luxury Outdoor Article by Ann Kathryn Kelly | Photography by Matt Mikula Flickering flames, the sizzle of something good, a smoky aroma, a cold drink in your grip, the reward of biting into the perfect balance of char and juicy. Gathering with family and friends for outdoor grilling engages all five senses in a way few other experiences can. Long a summer activity, grilling has graduated to become a year-round passion for many. With advancements that...