Club News and Events
Taste of the Lakes Kick Off!
|
 |
Altrusa of Laconia Welcomes New Members!
On September 28, 2010 Altrusa of Laconia proudly welcomed three new members to their club at a ceremony at Hart’s Turkey Farm. From left:
President Diane Gaynor did the honors of initiating Dr. Lisa Singh, DDS with sponsor Laura Cameron, co-sponsor Annie Hodapp with Lea Tassone and co-sponsor Eva Hurst, Jane Bergeron with sponsor Sharon Shetler.
|
Laconia Altrusa Club Promotes Literacy at LRGH
 The Altrusa International Club of Laconia, promoting literacy, has once again donated reading
guides and books to LRGHealthcare’s Family Birthplace. The women in this group create gift bags
for new mothers that provide helpful resources and information on literacy topics, including the
improvement of reading instruction for children, youth, and adults. “We make certain that our new mother’s receive this gift bag” states Ruth O’Hara, Director of LRGHealthcare’s Family Birthplace.
|
Altrusa International Inc. of Laconia, NH recently honored Deb Frawley Drake by making her an honorary
Altrusan. Frawley Drake, the previous owner of Lakes Region Linens, has donated all of the linens that Altrusa uses for their major fundraiser, “A Taste of the Lakes” for the past nineteen years.
Frawley Drake has worked with the club each spring providing tablecloths, tableskirts and napkins for the event. Her donations enabled the club to raise more money from the one day event, all of which is turned back into the community.
When Frawley Drake sold the business to General Linen, of Somersworth, last year, the club feared that this major donation would cease, but General Linen agreed to continue the tradition by donating the Linens this year.
Deb Frawley Drake is presently the President of the Laconia Historical & Museum Society and is on the Board of Directors of the Belknap County Economic Development Council. |
| Altrusa Fundraising At Work! |
 |
 |
Peggy Selig of Laconia Adult Ed
with Diane Gaynor & Eva Hurst |
Belmont Library’s Brenda Paquette
with Judi Shaw & Maureen Sanborn |
| |
|
|
|
Randy Brough receives check
for Laconia Library |
Accepting for Gilford Library are
Katherine Dormody & Joanne Buckner |
Altrusa’s primary focus is Literacy and we have implemented several projects over the years in the community. With the assistance of Lakes Region General Hospital’s Maternity Ward, we donate packs of books to new moms in an effort to instill reading to children right from the start.
In addition to monetary donations to Laconia Adult Education and area libraries, our “Betty the Blue Bookworm” made her debut this past season. She was conceived as a means to reach out to young children and encourage them to read and write. Hints of “Betty” were displayed in our bookmarks distributed with the books we donated to the Hospital for our “Make A Difference Day” project 2008.
 6’ long “Betty” was introduced to 1st grade students at a local elementary school. The students were given an
opportunity to imagine all the adventures she could have as a result of her reading. They were also encouraged to consider the question of how she might be different from other bookworms and how she could overcome those
differences in an effort to promote tolerance. They were then asked to draw pictures of some of the things “Betty” could do. Drawings were shared with the class and will be incorporated into a book about her adventures. |
"Betty" plans to visit other schools as well as area libraries and is working on publishing
her very first book about her adventures. Look for her on bookshelves in the future.
If you’d like “Betty” to visit your school or children’s group please contact:
Judi Shaw at judishaw@metrocast.net |
Foster Care: The Altrusa Clubs of Laconia and Meredith have done it again! On July 24, 2009 the clubs delivered kids backpacks stuffed with school supplies to the DCYF office. Social workers are busy distributing them to school aged children in care. Knit items (hats, mittens, scarves) were donated by WalMart.
Altrusa Club works to improve our community with a helping hand. We are sure glad they have chosen the Foster Parent Association as a project. The club hosted our annual picnic on Newfound Lake and worked tirelessly throughout the year making bags of personal care items for kids coming into care.
|
 Presenting the packs (from left to right): Jodi Wilson, Ceil Andrews, Shawn Hamel, Hilda Schmidt, Sue Clauson, Shirley Mento and Sharon Shetler. |
For more information on National Foster Care Month visit the
National site www.fostercaremonth.org or locally at www.nhfapa.org
|
Belknap County Nursing Home: Altrusa is proud to say that for more than 30 years we have donated money and time to the Nursing Home to provide monthly Birthday Parties for its residents. The first Wednesday of each month we visit the home and bring balloons and Birthday Cards to celebrate those having a Birthday during that month. In addition our monetary donation helps the nursing home provide entertainment for the party. The residents are very appreciative and enjoy our company.
 Altrusa helps the NHHS (www.nhhumane.org) with monetary support and participation in their annual Woofstock Walk-a-Thon. The “no kill” animal shelter is located on Meredith Center Rd. in Laconia and does a wonderful job providing care and comfort for lost, abandoned, abused and unwanted cats and dogs. Their programs include the Spay/Neuter Assistance Program , a veterinary internship program, micro-chipping and rabies clinic, behavioral consultation and canine training classes.
|
| Check presentation to Mary Lee Gorham-Waterman, NHHS Development/Volunteer Director by Altrusan Diane Gaynor |
 |
Adopt-A-Spot: Each year Altrusa assists the city of Laconia with beautifying their streets. The club plants flowers in a large wooden planter in front of a local business. This improves the beauty of the street and lets residents and visitors alike enjoy the colorful city streets. The Adopt-A-Spot program has been in existence for 14 years and Altrusa of Laconia is proud to say we have been involved since the beginning!
If you would like more information on this program, please contact Marie Bradley (City Of Laconia) at 527-1270.
|
 On June 23, 2009, Altrusa of Laconia member Judi Shaw presented its Rose Emery Scholarship Award in the field of education to recipient Erin Carlson with a check in the amount of $2670.00. An equal amount was given to Kelsey Walton as recipient of the Dr. Alice Normandin Scholarship for her pursuit of a career in
healthcare. |
|
|
| COURTESY PHOTO The Retail Merchant Association of New Hampshire recently named Laconia Electric the 2010 N.H. Retail Merchant of the Year. Pictured at the awards banquet held earlier this month are RMANH President/CEO Nancy C Kyle, Governor John Lynch, Laura Cameron of Laconia Electric and Attorney General Mike Delaney. |
Laconia Electric named N.H. Retailer of the Year
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Laconia Electric was named the 2010 New Hampshire Retailer of the Year by the Retail Merchants Association of New Hampshire.
New Hampshire's Attorney General, Mike Delaney, along with Governor John Lynch, presented Laura Cameron, vice president of operations, with her award at RMANH's 44th Annual Member and Legislative Reception held Wednesday, Feb. 4 at the Holiday Inn in Concord.
Each year, the Retail Merchants Association of New Hampshire presents a retailer in the state with their N.H. Retailer of the Year Award. This award is presented to a New Hampshire retailer who has achieved significant success and growth in his or her business and provides excellent customer service. They support retailing locally and at a state level, and their business makes significant contributions to their local community. The winner has a progressive, well merchandised store, and provides opportunities for growth for his or her personnel.
"For over 75 years, Laconia Electric has been dedicated to the growth of both customers and employees by offering the highest value in products and services in a timely manner," said Nancy Kyle, president/CEO of RMANH. "They have courteous, professional and well educated staff, who's ultimate goal is total customer satisfaction."
Laconia Electric is a family owned and operated business with five locations spread throughout New Hampshire — they have stores in Laconia, Plymouth, Conway, Littleton and Wolfeboro. They show their community support as members of the Belknap County Economic Development Council and the Belknap Independent Business Alliance. Philanthropy is also high on their list of community involvement. They continue to compete successfully by offering the largest electrical inventory selection in northern New Hampshire, competitive pricing, highest quality products, and a courteous and knowledgeable sales. Learn more about them at www.laconiaelectricsupply.com.
The Retail Merchants Association of New Hampshire (RMANH) is a statewide, nonprofit trade association representing more than 800 businesses in the state, from large chains to small independent retailers. Formed in 1966, RMANH serves as the voice of retailing in New Hampshire and concentrates on preserving the state's strong retail climate. For more information on RMANH, visit www.rmanh.org or call the RMANH offices at 225-9748.
|
 |
 |
 |
| Altrusan Donna Werda brought “Betty” to the Laconia Public Library for story readings. |
 |
From left to right in large photo are: Jenine Wilson & Ann Babbit both of Portland, ME, Kitty Cunningham of MA, Penny Franciosi of Laconia, Beth Michalec & Diane English from Lichfield County, CT, and Kimberly Keaney also of Portland.
Yes, we put the “fun” in fundraising! With our sister club of Meredith, we hosted our District Conference the end of April here in Laconia. Eight of our Altrusa sisters decided to dive into Paugus Bay to raise what turned out to be more than $500 for the local food pantries. (We locals neglected to mention that the ice-out was only a few days before – brrrrr!) |
 |
Hurry for Altrusa sister Adrienne!! First prize winner on July 4, 2009 |
 |
while discussing Altrusa business, of course… |
|
|
