NHBR About Town: Week of July 31, 2026

Business and event happenings around the state of NH

1. On June 15, HRCU awarded 25 scholarships to local students at its 31st annual Scholarship Ceremony. This year, HRCU has awarded $25,000 in scholarships. Since the program’s beginnings in 1996, HRCU has awarded more than $325,000 in scholarships. The scholarship annually recognizes students who demonstrate academic excellence, community involvement and dedication to their future goals.

2. Advantage Truck Group is celebrating the second year of its Haulin’ 4 Hunger program, which is expanding its fresh meal deliveries to Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County. This is the second year the program is donating to Manchester’s Families in Transition. On June 25, ATG employees in Manchester delivered 1,040 breakfast bundles to the two organizations. Each bundle contained breakfast sandwiches, produce from Boston Area Gleaners, peanut butter and more.

3. Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is celebrating its 60th year in 2026, and Meredith Village Savings Bank is supporting the center with a $10,000 sponsorship. The funding is expected to expand nature-based education and activities in the Lakes Region. To further celebrate its anniversary, Squam Lakes held its Nature for Everyone Barn Bash on July 16, while MVSB this year is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its Ashland branch.

4. On July 14, Boston-based commercial real estate development firm Cathartes joined Dover’s community leaders to celebrate the opening of Nebi Park and the Truette Apartments at Nebi Park Pavilion. A dedication plaque was unveiled and the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook Abenaki People performed. Dover Mayor Dennis Shanahan and Cathartes partner, managing director Jeff Johnston, former CWDAC chair Dana Lynch and Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s office also delivered remarks.

5. The Southern New Hampshire Chamber of Commerce celebrated the ribbon-cutting of Maddie’s Brookside at 4 South Main Street in Derry. Maddie’s Brookside, which stems from the family behind Maddie’s Restaurant, offers breakfast favorites, artisan sandwiches, salads, specialties and take-out. Maddie’s Brookside also features a seasonal ice cream window open daily from 3-8 p.m.

6. To celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary, a fleet of international tall ships and military vessels reached the Port of Boston as part of Sail250. Cambridge Trust Company of New Hampshire President Susan Martore-Baker and Jeff Smith, executive vice president and head of wealth management at Cambridge Trust Wealth Management, a Division of Eastern Bank, stand aboard the Elissa, an 1877 square-rigged iron barque, one of three ships of her kind globally that actively sails.

7. Ledyard Bank is launching the 35th Anniversary Community Impact Awards, a $35,000 giving initiative. Nonprofits include: Family Promise of Southern New Hampshire; Fueled By Kids in Bedford; NH Children’s Trust in Concord; Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity; The Hand to Heart Project in Cornish; and others. From left: Katie Blake, Sam Calfy, Cody Marshall, Hand to Heart Project Executive Director Steve Gordon, his colleague Kristen Avery, and Ledyard representatives Josephine Moran and Rob Capozzoli.