Coins from the initial run of the Arizona quarter fall into a catch bin below the press during a ceremony at the U.S. Mint in Denver on Friday, May 16, 2008. The Arizona quarter, which features an image of the Grand Canyon with a Saguaro cactus in the foreground, is the 48th coin in the U.S. Mint's 50 State Quarters program and the third commemoriative quarter-dollar coin released in 2008. Alaska and Hawaii coins are scheduled for production later this year to round out the programs. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Coins from the initial run of the Arizona quarter fall into a catch bin below the press during a ceremony at the U.S. Mint in Denver on Friday, May 16, 2008. The Arizona quarter, which features an image of the Grand Canyon with a Saguaro cactus in the foreground, is the 48th coin in the U.S. Mint's 50 State Quarters program and the third commemoriative quarter-dollar coin released in 2008. Alaska and Hawaii coins are scheduled for production later this year to round out the programs. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Credit: David Zalubowski

N.H., Vermont groups to get $1.5M in grants

New Hampshire and Vermont organizations are getting $1.5 million in grants to support efforts in the North Country.

The Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation has awarded 28 grants focusing on such projects as afterschool programs, a dental clinic upgrade, and more in-depth news coverage.

Grants are awarded to municipal, educational and nonprofit organizations throughout northern New Hampshire and bordering communities in the United States and Canada.

The grants include $300,000 to the North Country Health Consortium in Littleton over three years for general operating support; $100,000 to the Coös County Family Health Services in Berlin to purchase dental equipment and upgrade a dental clinic; and $20,000 to expand summer performances and concerts into a year-round community event series in Island Pond, Vt.

Associated Press