Dr. Eileen Brandes and Dr. Christopher Ortengren of Concord Hospital recently joined the Urologic Institute. They will see patients at the Institute’s Concord and Laconia locations, keeping care local for individuals needing urological care. Brandes is a graduate of Harvard Medical School in Boston, and completed her residency in urology at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center based in Lebanon. During her studies,  Brandes published articles on female pelvic and reconstructive surgery, treatment of female urethral stricture disease and therapies for erectile dysfunction. Ortengren received his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine located in Boston. He completed his urologic surgery residency at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon.  Ortegren has published articles in the field of reconstructive urology and on the surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Merrimack County Savings Bank is promoting the growth and development of Overcomer Refugee Services with a pledge of $28,600. Made possible through the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority, the contribution will help the nonprofit expand their programs and community economic development efforts.  Overcomers Refugee Services is a nonprofit that empowers refugees and new Americans to become successful, contributing members of New Hampshire society.

RE/MAX Innovative Bayside proudly welcomes Emily Mulcahy to The Integrity Group, an esteemed team dedicated to providing exceptional real estate services in Laconia and the surrounding areas. Mulcahy, a distinguished RE/MAX agent, embodies the values of integrity, transparency, and personalized service. With a genuine dedication to her clients, She offers a unique blend of local insight and knowledge. 

Nominations are currently being sought for the 28th annual New Hampshire Construction Industry Ethics Award. The award is presented to “the individual, business or organization that, through words and deeds, best demonstrates a commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards in construction.” The award carries with it a handsome plaque and $1,000 cash contribution to the recipient’s charity of choice. Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 19, 2024, with the recipient to be announced in the spring of 2024. Guidelines for nominating deserving individuals and/or companies can be found on the Plan NH website under Programs, or by contacting Plan NH via phone at 603-452-7526, or via e- mail at info@plannh.org.

Meredith Village Savings Bank is proud to support the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire with the purchase of $10,000 in tax credits through the Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA). The Museum was granted tax credits to support its capital campaign to fund an expansion of the second floor.

Meredith Village Savings Bank is proud to purchase $5,000 in tax credits through the Community Development Finance Authority to support Granite VNA in its upcoming efforts to renovate its Laconia office at 780 N. Main St.

Merrimack County Savings Bank Foundation announced the recipients of their annual grant-based contributions. This year, the Foundation awarded $57,396 to 20 nonprofits organizations that enrich residents and improve the communities The Merrimack serves. This year’s Foundation grant recipients include the following nonprofits:

■Boys & Girls Clubs of Central New Hampshire, Concord: Awarded $2,000 to purchase a toddler-friendly climbing structure and sandbox for the Warner Early Learning Center.

■CATCH Neighborhood Housing, Concord: Awarded $4,100 to purchase and install bike racks and a basketball system for residents at Willow Crossing, an affordable housing community.

■Catholic Charities New Hampshire, Manchester: Awarded $3,000 to help 1,700 low-income, struggling families and individuals receive financial assistance through individualized casework services.

■Circle Program, Plymouth: Awarded $5,000 to support one newly enrolled 9- to 11-year-old for three weeks of residential summer camp and one 12- to 14-year-old for two weeks of residential summer camp (both from Merrimack County).

■Concord Hospital Trust: Awarded $2,500 to provide dental care for low-income patients at the Concord Hospital Family Health Center Dental Clinic.

■Crisis Center of Central New Hampshire, Concord: Awarded $2,500 for the expansion of therapeutic programming to survivor's staying in their emergency shelter.

■Family Promise of Southern New Hampshire, Nashua: Awarded $2,000 for their Diversion Program to assist families who are temporarily displaced. 

■Friends of New Hampshire Drug Courts, Concord: Awarded $3,000 to secure stable housing, transportation, dental or child care, and other critical services for 10 individuals.

■Front Door Agency, Nashua: Awarded $5,000 to provide homeless single mothers and their children affordable housing, case management, education and job training, and supportive services.

■Future In Sight, Concord: Awarded $2,000 to provide training, tools and support to low income adults who are blind and visually impaired.

■Granite YMCA of Concord: Awarded $4,000 to purchase new outdoor sensory equipment for youth in their Early Learning Child Care Center.

■Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County, Merrimack: Awarded $2,000 to provide 1,645 meals and services to older and disabled adults.

■Merrimack Valley Day Care Service, Concord: Awarded $1,296 to purchase 16 tablets to facilitate their transition to a more efficient, paper-free management and parent communication tool.

■Overcomers Refugee Services, Concord: Awarded $3,000 to fund the cost of monthly meetings for refugee and immigrant women.

■The Pittsfield Youth Workshop, Pittsfield: Awarded $3,500 to assist in providing quality and effective year-round programming for free to youth in grades six through twelve from Pittsfield and surrounding communities.

■Step Up Parents, Portsmouth: Awarded $3,000 to offer financial assistance to at least 175 New Hampshire families.

■Tapply-Thompson Community Center, Bristol: Awarded $2,000 to support the Weekend Food Supplement Program to purchase healthy foods for students to bring home on weekends.

■Twin Rivers Food Pantry, Franklin: Awarded $2,000 to purchase of farm fresh milk for the Choice Pantry Program.

■Waypoint, Manchester: Awarded $4,000 to support a drop-in center and services for youth experiencing homelessness or at risk in Merrimack County.

■YMCA of Greater Nashua: Awarded $3,000 to support the Y's Power Scholars Academy program to help up to 400 under-resourced Nashua youth who are behind grade level.