rochester

Rochester’s Stitches Alterations & Needleworks to Host Open House

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  City of Rochester
Blaine Cox, City Manager
31 Wakefield Street
Rochester, NH 03867

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Rochester’s Stitches Alterations & Needleworks to Host Open House

Longtime Rochester resident Joanne Piazzi has opened a new business, Stitches Alterations & Needleworks, on North Main Street. (Courtesy Photo Stitches Alterations & Needleworks)

ROCHESTER — Residents looking to have curtains made, a jacket tailored or a hem repaired need look no further– a new business in Rochester will provide a local destination for sewing and alterations needs of all kinds.

Stitches Alterations & Needleworks, located at 107 North Main St., will host an Open House next week.

WHEN:

Thursday, Oct. 17 from 4-6 p.m.

WHERE:

Stitches Alterations & Needleworks, 107 North Main St.

WHAT:

Longtime Rochester resident Joanne Piazzi launched her sewing and alterations business, Stitches Alterations and Needleworks, from her home in March with the goal of opening a shop within the year. Approximately seven months later, Piazzi has made that goal a reality.

Piazzi retired in June following a 35-year teaching career in Rochester and Barrington.

“I’ve lived in Rochester for 27 years, and am thrilled to contribute to the burgeoning arts scene in the downtown area,” Piazzi said. “I’m looking forward to providing a place for people to learn new skills and share creative interests, in addition to promoting quality alteration services.”

With 40 years of professional experience in bridal and formal wear, menswear, vintage repair and restoration, general sewing and alterations under her belt, Piazzi is ready to take on Rochester’s sewing needs, of all shapes and sizes.

In addition to clothing alterations and needlework services, Piazzi will also craft specialized home decor items, including curtains, tablecloths and cushion covers. Her shop will also offer space for locals who would like to work on projects of their own, and guests will have the opportunity to use tables, sewing machines and tools for a small rental fee.

Piazzi also plans to offer classes in needlework, knitting and other fiber arts crafts.

“We are thrilled to welcome Stitches Alterations & Needleworks to our business community,” said City Economic Development Specialist Jenn Marsh. “Joanne has an incredible vision to not only offer high quality services, but has plans to support and connect the fiber arts community in our area by providing work space and classes.”

Stitches Alterations & Needleworks will also house Remnants — The Creativity Thrift Shop, a space where fabric, yarn, trims, books and various craft supplies will be sold at thrift shop prices. Proceeds from the thrift shop will be used to make quarterly donations to local organizations offering assistance and support to women.

Stitches Alterations & Needleworks will be open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and clients are encouraged to make an appointment by calling Piazzi at 603-866-2073 or sending an email to [email protected].

For the latest updates about Stitches Alterations & Needleworks, like and follow the shop’s Facebook page @PiazziJoanne. 

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Rochester’s Maple Street Magnet Elementary Students Explore Outdoor Classroom Areas

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Rochester Public Schools
Kyle Repucci, Superintendent
31 Wakefield St.
Rochester, NH 03867

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, Sept. 30, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Rochester’s Maple Street Magnet Elementary Students Explore Outdoor Classroom Areas

ROCHESTER — Approximately 120 Maple Street Magnet School students explored the designated outdoor learning spaces at the Hanson Pines Trails Friday, closely examining trees, foliage, wildlife and the Cocheco River.

In spring 2018, Maple Street Magnet students reached out to the Riverwalk Committee and formed a partnership to establish outdoor classrooms within the Hanson Pines Trails. Since then, students have continued to be involved as the outdoor learning spaces are planned and installed.

The Riverwalk Committee is still finalizing plans for the handful of learning spaces that have been identified on the trails, but has begun fundraising to build a small amphitheater at one location. Another location features large fallen trees arranged in a circle, creating a natural place for people to sit and talk or listen to a lecture.

On Friday, students were paired in groups of two, and each partnership included one older student and one younger student. Fifth grade students were paired with kindergarten students, fourth grade students were paired with first grade students, and second and third grade students worked together.

“These outdoor learning spaces are a wonderful asset and resource for our students, and it was exciting to see their faces light up this morning as they learned about the natural world,” said Danielle Devoid, a fifth grade teacher. “This field trip also brought our students together. Younger students had the opportunity to look up to older children while they completed various activities, and the older students were happy to help the younger children.”

Working in teams, students used their senses to discuss what they saw, heard and felt on the trails. Students then used paper and crayons to create leaf rubbings, and collected small items such as sticks and leaves to bring back to school. While exploring the area, students also brainstormed names for the outdoor learning classrooms, including “Leaning Tree of Pines,” “Riverside” and the “Leaning Tree.”

After other students left the site for lunch, third and fifth grade students began testing the water of the Cocheco River with assistance from scientists in the University of New Hampshire Docent program. The students have been partnering with the UNH scientists each week this September through a “Stream Safari” program to study the health of the Cocheco River. 

“Our students are incredibly receptive to the outdoors, and that was clear today as they walked the trails and shared their discoveries with one another,” said Principal Erin Mahoney.  “We’re so thankful to the Riverwalk Committee for designating these areas for outdoor learning, and to UNH as well. These community partnerships make an incredible difference in our children’s education, and we’re so thankful for their time and help.”

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Rochester Recreation Department Receives Donation to Benefit Camp Scholarship Fund

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  City of Rochester
Blaine Cox, City Manager
31 Wakefield Street
Rochester, NH 03867

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, Sept. 13, 2019

Media Contact: Jordan Mayblum
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Rochester Recreation Department Receives Donation to Benefit Camp Scholarship Fund

ROCHESTER — City Manager Blaine Cox and Recreation & Arena Director Chris Bowlen are pleased to share that Rochester Recreation & Arena has received a generous donation from the Rochester Social Club.

The Rochester Social Club, a community volunteer group, recently donated $2,200 to Rochester Rec to support recreation camp scholarships. The funds were raised through a kickball tournament hosted by the social club.

The donation will be used by Rochester Rec to fund tuition scholarships for campers. The amount of camp scholarships offered each season varies based on community needs.

Rochester’s recreation department offers an eight-week summer camp which hosts 150 campers who enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including swimming, sports, arts and crafts and field trips to local lakes and beaches. The department also hosts vacation camps during December and February school breaks. Campers range in age from first grade through 12 years old.

“Support from organizations like the Rochester Social Club will help to make our camp scholarship program sustainable so we can make sure that Rochester kids have the opportunity to experience a recreation camp,” Bowlen said. “We’re grateful to be part of a community that is so committed to helping one another.”

The Rochester Social Club would like to thank Lilac City Grille, Holy Rosary Credit Union, Revolution Taproom and Grill, Northwind Electric and Seacoast Kettlebell for sponsoring kickball teams, as well as all the captains and players on the tournament teams.

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City of Rochester Seeks Community Input on Downtown Master Plan

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  City of Rochester
Blaine Cox, City Manager
31 Wakefield Street
Rochester, NH 03867

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

City of Rochester Seeks Community Input on Downtown Master Plan

ROCHESTER –City Manager Blaine Cox is pleased to announce that the City of Rochester is seeking public input for the Downtown Master Plan.

Earlier this year, the City of Rochester Planning and Development Department began the process to amend and update the existing Downtown Chapter of the Master Plan in partnership with consulting firm Resilience Planning and Design. The plan will take into consideration future goals for green infrastructure, transportation, economic development, historic preservation, the arts and more.

Residents are encouraged to visit the Downtown Master Plan web page on the City’s website, where they can use an interactive mapping tool to provide comments and fill out a survey sharing their thoughts for improving the downtown area.

“This is a great opportunity for residents to share their vision for our city’s downtown,” City Manager Cox said. “We want to hear what residents like about downtown, what they would like to improve, and what goals we should prioritize. There are so many possibilities, and we’re excited to hear from residents as to what they would like to see.”

The Downtown Master Plan Steering Committee members will also collect resident input at upcoming events including Rochester United Neighborhoods, Porchfest, Foley Run, Spaulding High School football games, weekly senior events, farmers markets and more. Focus group meetings for residents, business owners, institutes of the arts, non-profits and developers will also be held on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at the City Hall Annex, and more information will be announced about the meetings as it becomes available.

City officials will continue gathering public input through the month of October, after which the City will begin drafting the new Downtown Chapter of the Master Plan. The final Downtown Chapter of the Master Plan is expected to be completed by January 2020.

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