ROCHESTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Secretary of State David Scanlan and Civic and Voter Education Coordinator Lily Woo are pleased to usher in Civic Learning Week (March 9–13) with a new “Civic and Voter Education” section on the Secretary of State’s website. The Secretary of State’s Office has made a concerted and continued effort to expand civic education resources for…
The Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (CAPSC) has expanded its Senior Transportation Program with new routes serving residents in Farmington and Milton, helping more older adults access essential services and remain independent in their communities. CAPSC’s Senior Transportation Program provides door-to-door transportation for Strafford County residents age 60 and older, offering rides to local…
Due to the winter storm that is predicted to arrive tonight and be in place through the first part of Friday morning, the decision has been made to delay the start of all COAST services between 7:25-8:00a, with all scheduled service operating as normal after 8:00a. “The prediction of up to 5” of snow in…
A portion of gaming revenue proceeds from The Nash Casino will enable Dismas Home of New Hampshire to expand its services and support the opening of a second home for women in recovery who are rebuilding their lives after involvement in the court system. As the nonprofit marks its ten-year anniversary, Dismas Home Executive Director…
Rochester Writers Night, the monthly literary event for the Lilac City and its writers, is holding its third annual Rochester Area Authors Fair on Saturday, April 11th, from 1 PM to 4 PM. The Fair will be held at the outdoor covered pavilion at Hanson Pines Park, located at 68 Dominicus Way, Rochester, NH 03867….
After years of planning, The Rochester Opera House has taken a major step forward in enhancing its production capabilities with the installation of a state-of-the-art fly system: the Thern Clew Winch System. This upgrade marks a significant investment in the theater’s future, enabling larger, safer, and more technically ambitious productions for years to come. Since…
The Granite YMCA is hosting a “Family Movie Night for a Cause” as part of its 2026 Community Campaign, Mission: Possible. The event will feature a screening of Lilo and Stitch on Thursday, March 12, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Rochester Performance and Arts Center, 32 N. Main Street in Rochester, NH, with…
In this episode of the Rochester NH History Podcast, we take a closer look at Rochester’s city seal — the familiar emblem seen on city trucks, municipal buildings, and official documents — and uncover the story behind it. Far from a random design, each element of the seal reflects Rochester’s traditions, civic identity, and nearly…
The Rochester Public Library Teen Room invites teens to enjoy a variety of events and activities throughout the month of March. The Teen Winter/Spring Reading Program is going strong! Raffle prizes will be awarded at the end of the program and include an art kit, water bottles, reading baskets, Pokémon cards, games, and more. Teens…
The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce will host its 2026 Business Showcase, underwritten by Breezeline, on Wednesday, April 1, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center, located at 150 Wakefield Street in Rochester. Event sponsors include Corporate Sponsor Service Credit Union and Rochester Recreation & Arena. Participating businesses are…
The Rochester Museum of Fine Arts is pleased to announce “Rococo Crab”, an art exhibition featuring works by Lydia M. Kinney in the Bernier Room at the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center, beginning February 9, 2026. Lydia Kinney is a painter working in structured and layered abstraction. Based in Greenfield, Massachusetts, where she lives…
UPDATE: The original nomination deadline of February 18, 2026, has been extended. Nominations will continue to be accepted, and the Commission will determine and announce a new submission deadline in the coming weeks. Once a new cutoff date is established, it will be posted publicly. Nominations received after the final deadline will be reviewed for…
Community Action Partnership of Strafford County (CAPSC) is pleased to announce the acquisition of the property at 86 Wakefield Street, located adjacent to the historic Gafney Home. This strategic purchase supports CAPSC’s expanding efforts to serve older adults in Strafford County through safe, affordable housing opportunities. CAPSC — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1965…
A Downtown Parking Ban will be in effect from Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 11:00pm through February 27 at 7:00am. During this time, no vehicles without an exemption permit may be parked on City streets or in municipal parking lots. For general inquiries and concerns, contact the Department of Public Works at (603) 332-4096. To…
The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the Chamber’s Business of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year, Educator of the Year, and Rochester’s Citizen of the Year awards. The Business of the Year Award recognizes a Chamber member business in good standing that has demonstrated excellence in its industry and made substantial…
A message from the Greater Rochester Community Health Foundation: The Greater Rochester Community Health Foundation (GRCHF) is seeking community members from Strafford County to serve on its Board of Directors. You can learn more about GRCHF here. The GRCHF Board of Directors is made up of individuals who live, work, or volunteer in Strafford County….
Vouchers for Veterans and the City of Rochester are excited to announce that heroism will be on display this Memorial Day weekend (May 23–25, 2026) on the Rochester Common. Flags of Honor is a stirring and unforgettable display of 550 full-size American flags arranged within and around the mile-oval park, with each flag dedicated to…
A message from the SHARE Fund: Local hockey fans can look forward to the return of the Boston Bruins Alumni to Rochester Ice Arena at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 28, for a rematch against the Share Fund Marvels. The Boston lineup, expected to include Reggie Lemelin and Hoe Mullen, will face off against Marvels,…
The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Richard W. Creteau Regional Technical Center at Spaulding High School, along with their Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter, will host a Business After Hours on Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. This special event will take place at R.W….
Cornerstone VNA proudly recognizes and celebrates the remarkable 36 years of volunteer service of Stella Marcotte, a longtime resident of Rochester, NH. Stella first became an office volunteer in 1990 when she began serving with the Rochester Visiting Nurse Association. She continued her volunteer service following the 2000 merger of Rochester VNA and Rural District…
A message from the Rochester Opera House: Reviews are in: “Saw this opening night. Lots of laughs! The glitches of opening night made it even funnier!” “Don’t miss it! Great show, lots of laughs. Fun night out.” Audiences are LOVING IT! Have you gotten your tickets to the Murder Mystery at the Rochester Opera House…
The Rochester Mental Health Alliance is inviting community members to take part in several upcoming events focused on connection, education, and seasonal fun. From the 2nd Annual Valentine Warmth & Wellness Gathering on February 20, offering activities like chair yoga, gratitude sharing, and safety resources, to a series of Suicide Prevention Trainings held across the…
In this episode of the Rochester, NH History Podcast, explore downtown Rochester in the mid-20th century, when Main Street offered a glimpse into everyday life in communities across the country. From the 1940s through the 1970s, Rochester’s downtown was more than a place to shop, it was the lively center of the community, where soda…
The Rochester Public Library recognizes Pam Hubbard, a Rochester resident and Library Trustee for 27 years, for her longstanding service and dedication to the community. Hubbard has given back to Rochester throughout her adult life. In addition to serving as a library trustee, she taught high school literature, served on the school board, and represented…
A Vision Board Workshop will be held on Saturday, February 14, from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm in the Community Room at the Rochester Public Library. The event will begin with a guided meditation to help participants reflect on their goals for the year, followed by a creative session building personalized vision boards. All supplies…
The City of Rochester is pleased to announce the successful closing and execution of a redevelopment agreement for 16 Bridge Street, formerly known as Saint Elizabeth Seton/Holy Rosary High School. Finalized on January 22, 2026, the agreement is between the City of Rochester and 16 Bridge Street Development, LLC, led by local developer Steven K….
Winter Festival will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 1–3 p.m. at Rochester Common (139 S. Main Street). The free, family-friendly event includes music, hot cocoa, s’mores, a touch-a-truck, and ice skating. Attendees are encouraged to bring food donations for the Raider Station Food Pantry at Spaulding High School. The event is hosted…
The Rochester Police and Fire Departments will host Skate with a First Responder on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the Rochester Ice Arena, located at 63 Lowell Street. The community skate will run from 12:00–1:30 p.m., followed by Rochester’s Annual Guns & Hoses Hockey Tournament from 1:30–6:00 p.m., featuring Rochester and Dover fire and police…
An update from Rochester Recreation & Arena: We might be right in the middle of winter, but, at the Rec Dept, we’re already dreaming of spring! This spring, we’re planning lots of opportunities for fun and fitness for people of all ages! You can view the full program guide here: 2026 Spring Program Guide Highlights:…
A message from the Rochester Mental Health Alliance: Join our Strafford County Addiction Task Force for this annual conference aimed at bringing information, evidence-based programs and best-practices related to the prevention, treatment, recovery and reduction of harm from substance use and mental health to our partners in Strafford County & beyond!
A Downtown Parking Ban will be in effect from Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am on January 30, 2026. During this time, no vehicles without an exemption permit may be parked on City streets or in municipal parking lots. For general inquiries and concerns, contact the Department of Public Works at…
The Rochester Public Library Teen Room invites teens to enjoy a variety of events and activities throughout the month of February. The Teen Winter/Spring Reading Program is going strong! Raffle prizes are awarded at the end of the program, including an art kit, water bottles, reading baskets, Pokémon cards, games, and more! Teens can sign…
Cornerstone VNA proudly recognizes and celebrates the remarkable 37-year career of Janice Howard, Life Care Director, as she retires from the organization, and announces Katie Michaud, MS, OTR/L, as the new Community and Life Care Director, effective January 5, 2026. Janice began her career with Cornerstone VNA in 1988 as a Certified Nursing Assistant with…