June 2020
Digital Tradewinds is a monthly publication highlighting members of the
Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce.
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Foy Insurance Provides Grant to
NH Food Bank

Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance announce a $10,000 donation to New Hampshire Food Bank – nominated by Michael Foy of Foy Insurance Group – as part of an Emergency Community Support Grant to help independent agents give back to their local community during the COVID-19 crisis. The donation will go directly to New Hampshire Food Bank, a nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding hungry people by soliciting and effectively distributing grocery products and perishable foods, and offering innovative programs through a statewide network of approved agencies in New Hampshire.

The $10,000 grant will go towards purchasing food that will be collected, sorted and re-distributed to the community. Traditionally, a food bank does not distribute food directly to those in need. Instead, food banks serve an extensive network of organizations in their respective communities. These organizations serve one part of the community and know the needs of the people there.

Visit www.foyinsurance.com to learn more.
Exeter Adult Education Director Retires

Leslie Haslam planned to be a high school English teacher. But an experience while student teaching, where she realized there were high school students who still did not know how to read, changed all that.

While finishing her graduate work as a reading specialist at the University of New Hampshire in 1981, she took on an internship at the Rockingham County Adult Tutorial Program. That internship led to a full-time job that later became director of Exeter Adult Education , where she worked for nearly 40 years. As adult education evolved from primarily working with adults who could not read, to students who had dropped out of high school, to English language learners, Leslie’s focus on students stayed constant.

Leslie’s staff say she wanted them to be the best they could be while also fostering a sense of community within the school. When she asked for their opinion, they knew she really wanted their input.
Before special education laws improved, Leslie met students who had graduated high school and didn’t know how to read. They may have secured a hands-on job after graduation, but as they moved through life, the inability to read was a source of embarrassment. These students had a common barrier of some kind that impacted their ability to learn.

To read the full article, click here.
The Beach Plum Named to Best Lobster in
NH List

Lobster is delicious in many ways, but forget about white table linens, fancy crab-stuffed lobster tails or rich lobster Newburg – here’s where to go in the Seacoast area for a good old-fashioned lobster you crack into yourself (the butter dripping down to your elbows is optional, but encouraged) or an overflowing lobster roll on a toasted bun). While you may not be able to sit inside and enjoy your lobster roll, you may be able to find a spot on the deck overlooking the ocean (or you can do curbside pick up or takeout at these restaurants and take your lobster roll and chowder home for later.)

The Beach Plum is the place to go for that lobster roll you’ve been craving. Try the premium hard shell (otherwise known as a toasted hot dog bun, as it should be!) lobster rolls with 6, 8 or 10 ounces of lobster, or really challenge your crustacean love with the foot-long rolls that come with 12, 16 or 20 ounces.

To learn more, visit www.thebeachplum.net .
Cambridge Trust Completes Merger

On June 1, 2020, Cambridge Bancorp (NASDAQ: CATC), parent of Cambridge Trust Company , completed its merger with Wellesley Bancorp, Inc. (“Wellesley”), Wellesley Bank (“Wellesley Bank”), Wellesley’s subsidiary bank, and Cambridge Trust Company, the Company’s subsidiary bank. The systems conversion is scheduled to occur over the weekend of October 2, 2020.

In connection with the closing of the merger, Thomas J. Fontaine, the former Chairman, President and CEO of Wellesley will join the combined company in the role of Chief Banking Officer and as a director. Simon Gerlin and Kathy Hinderhofer, former directors of Wellesley, were also appointed to the Boards of Directors of Cambridge Bancorp and Cambridge Trust Company. Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of Wellesley common stock will be exchanged for 0.580 shares of Cambridge Bancorp common stock.

Visit www.cambridgetrust.com to learn more.
Exeter Rotary Helping Feed Families in Need

The Exeter Rotary Club recently made a donation to help the community with food insecurities related to COVID-19.

The club was given a $609 donation from their district to go towards those efforts and the Exeter Rotary Foundation voted to add to that amount, increasing the contribution to $3,000. The club used the funds to purchase grocery gift cards from local grocery stores, Hannaford, Market Basket and Shaw’s to support their businesses and to help nonprofits and their efforts during the COVID-19 crisis. Organizations that received funds were End 68 Hours of Hunger, Haven and New Generation.

Click Here to read to the full article.
Portsmouth Regional Hospital Helps to Establish Hotline for Unemployed

In New Hampshire, unemployment has risen from less than 3 percent to over 14 percent since the beginning of the pandemic. That number is expected to continue to rise as the economy struggles to stabilize. The COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainty for many who have lost their jobs due to the economic impacts of the virus. The loss of health insurance coverage is a major concern for those recently unemployed.

HCA hospitals in New Hampshire – including Frisbie Memorial Hospital, Parkland Medical Center, and Portsmouth Regional Hospital – said they are working to assist those who find themselves without health insurance coverage for their families by establishing a hotline to assist those who have lost health insurance coverage to secure temporary coverage while they are unemployed. The hotline at (833) 867-8771 is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

To read the full article, click here .
We want to help spread the word about YOUR business!
As a member of the EACC, you have a number of tools available to help you
promote your business.

Ready to learn more? Attend our next FastTrak Meeting:
Wednesday, July 8th, 8:30-9:30am
Thank You to our Tier Newsletter Sponsors!
Congratulations to our Award Winners!
Ambassador of the Year
Patricia Berger, Seacoast Artist Association

According to the Ambassador Leadership Team, Patricia Berger was chosen as this year's recipient because of her commitment to the Chamber and the business community. She Chaired of the Ambassadors Festival of Trees Committee and she volunteers at most Chamber events and is always available at the Chamber 's Visitors Center.

Business of the Year-Financial Services

Since their arrival in Exeter 2 year ago, Newburyport Bank has been committed to meeting the needs of their customers, and contributing to the community in so many ways through their volunteerism and philanthropic support of many nonprofit organizations. 

Each month, the Exeter Area Chamber will honor two award winners from the

Congratulations to all of our winners!

WANT MORE? VISIT EXETERAREA.ORG
Stay & Play Summer Calendar Raffle
Since we're going to be staying closer to home this summer, why not enjoy it! Purchase entries into our Stay & Play Summer Calendar Raffle and you'll be entered in to win a chance to enjoy 1 of 31 amazing prizes, all donated by Chamber members.

Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email that will include a link to the calendar of prizes. Winners will be pulled each day and with the winner's permission, will be announced on Facebook. Proceeds will benefit the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce.

Thank you to our generous Chamber members who donated all of the prizes to the calendar raffle.






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