ANDOVER — The Merrimack Valley YMCA is strengthening its fundraising team with the addition of Elizabeth Fitzsimons as the vice president of philanthropy.
“As a nonprofit, we rely on philanthropy to support the programs and services that create meaningful impact in our communities,” said Merrimack Valley YMCA President and CEO Francis J. Kenneally.
“Philanthropy allows us to feed families in need, provide transitional housing, send youth to camp, offer health and wellness programs to cancer survivors and so much more. Bringing on an experienced fundraiser like Elizabeth will elevate our work and expand our ability to serve the Greater Lawrence community.”
Fitzsimons comes with more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector with a passion for leveraging donor engagement and philanthropy to advance justice and equity. Most recently, she was the board engagement officer at the Pine Street Inn.
Throughout her career, Fitzsimons has worked to deepen donor engagement by creating and leading effective annual fund, major giving and stewardship programs. She has worked in development at organizations including the Pike School in Andover and the New England Aquarium.
Fitzsimons is a long time Merrimack Valley YMCA volunteer, donor and board member, most recently serving as the vice chair of the Andover Branch Board of Managers and as a member of the MVYMCA Strategic Planning Task Force, helping to craft the organization’s 2025-2027 strategic plan.
In her role as Vice President of Philanthropy, Fitzsimons will work closely with YMCA leadership to define and implement the donor engagement and stewardship strategy for all Merrimack Valley YMCA programs.
“I’m honored and excited to deepen my engagement with my Y, and to help strengthen our community of philanthropists in the Merrimack Valley dedicated to supporting youth and families,” Fitzsimons said.
Fitzsimons lives in North Andover with her husband and two daughters.
To learn more about the Merrimack Valley YMCA and its programs and memberships, visit mvymca.org.
New martini bar in Windham
WINDHAM — The Town of Windham and the Southern New Hampshire Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of Figaro’s Martini Bar + Kitchen recently with a ribbon cutting.
The restaurant brings fresh and flavorful cuisine to the local dining scene at 4 Cobbetts Pond Rd.
Figaro’s, the brainchild of Lauren Zorzi and her family, blends the charm of a modern martini bar with the comfort of classic cuisine. From signature martinis to bold, elevated dishes inspired by timeless traditions, Figaro’s is the perfect spot for a romantic evening, a night out with friends or a solo escape.
To view the menu, visit figaroskitchen.com
Learning Center opens in Plaistow
PLAISTOW — Friends, family and staff celebrated the grand opening of Kids at Play Learning Center in Plaistow last week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The learning center, located at 8 Main St., acts as a daycare and playroom that encourages little learners to explore, create and thrive.
The family-owned and operated center is rooted in the belief that play is learning and their hands-on, play-based approach reflects that through storytelling, sensory activities, structures exploration and more.
The center brings a much-needed early education resource to the Plaistow area, offering families a safe, nurturing environment where their children can flourish.
To learn more, visit kidsatplaylearningcenter.com
State reps attend legislative forum
LAWRENCE — The Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce held the annual State Representatives Luncheon Tuesday at Northern Essex Community College, Lawrence Campus, 414 Common St.
The sold-out crowd gathered and listened to keynote speaker State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, give insightful remarks.
State Reps. Frank Moran, Ryan Hamilton, Tram Nguyen, Francisco Paulino, Estela Reyes and Andres Vargas were all in attendance as well.
The chamber gave thanks to NECC for hosting them and PrideStar Trinity EMS for sponsoring the event.
Bank welcomes new vice president
NEWBURYPORT — Jim McCarthy, President and Chief Operating Officer of Newburyport Bank, has announced Elliot Smith has joined the bank as Senior Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer.
With more than 12 years of experience in commercial lending, Smith will be responsible for helping drive growth of the bank’s Commercial & Industrial (C&I) portfolio. His focus includes providing financing solutions for New England-based businesses and supporting the financing of mergers and acquisitions alongside private equity and search fund investors.
“Elliot is a strategic thinker with a strong commitment to his clients and community,” said McCarthy.
Smith is based out of the bank’s Exeter, N.H. office, and he is a board member of the Mary & John Elliot Charitable Foundation, supporting the Elliot Hospital since 2021.
He has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Southern New Hampshire University and is a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking.
“I’m proud to be part of an organization that values long-term relationships and community,” said Smith. “Newburyport Bank has built a reputation for trusted partnerships and thoughtful growth, and I look forward to continuing to support that mission.”
Soup Kitchen expands in Derry
DERRY — In response to an overwhelming rise in community need, Sonshine Soup Kitchen is expanding its free hot meal service to include Fridays, beginning the week after Labor Day.
This expansion brings the kitchen’s total weekly meal service to five days, marking a milestone in the organization’s 35-year history. The new Friday service will help fill a critical meal gap heading into the colder months and strengthen Sonshine’s role as a hub for holistic, barrier-free support.
During the first five months of 2025, Sonshine served 46% more meals than in the same period in 2024. This surge reflects deepening food insecurity across the Greater Derry area, particularly among seniors, working families, and individuals without housing.
“Our community is struggling, and we are here to respond with compassion and action,” said Executive Director Christine Fudala. “Adding a fifth meal day allows us to meet more people where they are — with warmth, dignity, and a nourishing meal.”
Sonshine Soup Kitchen operates as a barrier-free provider: no paperwork, identification, or proof of need is required. Anyone is welcome to receive meals or support, without stigma or delay.
This is especially vital for seniors, immigrants, families with young children, and individuals with mental health, housing insecurity and trauma.
Sonshine currently provides meals Monday through Thursday, along with bi-monthly Sonrise Breakfast Bags, emergency grocery gift cards, clothing, hygiene items, and referrals to social service partners.
Visit sonshinesoupkitchen.org to learn more, volunteer or contribute to this expansion.
{h3 class=”p1”}School announces new administrator{/h3}
{p class=”p2”}LAWRENCE — Lawrence Family Development Charter School (LFDCS), a public charter school committed to equitable, high-quality programs that support student learning, is pleased to announce the appointment of Sally-Ann Stukuls as the new assistant superintendent for administration, reporting, and compliance.
{p class=”p2”}She succeeds Darshan Thakkar, who was named Superintendent of LFDCS in March 2025 after serving as the assistant superintendent since August 2020.
{p class=”p4”}“We’re thrilled to have Ms. Stukuls join the family at LFDCS, where worth is seen and work is shared,” said Thakkar. “She brings a keen sense of how components fit together in a system and will ensure our school operates efficiently and cohesively.”
{p class=”p1”}Stukuls brings more than 27 years of experience in education, working in the Berlin-Boylston Regional School District, where she most recently served as the district’s curriculum and grants director.
{p class=”p1”}She also previously taught at Hopkinton Middle School, served as the assistant principal at Tahanto Regional Middle High School and held the position of interim principal in the Berlin-Boylston Regional School District.
{p class=”p1”}She holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Endicott College and is known for her dedication to curriculum development, teaching, and instructional strategies. As assistant superintendent, Stukuls will oversee all reporting and compliance matters for the school.
{p class=”p1”}LFDCS is a dual-language charter public school for learners in grades K-1 through Grade 8 founded in 1995.
UNH launches School of Nursing
DURHAM — The University of New Hampshire recently announced the establishment of the School of Nursing.
Approved last month by the USNH Board of Trustees, the new school convenes all UNH nursing programs, faculty, and students from the Durham campus and the College of Professional Studies Online campus into one academic home.
The establishment of a nursing school comes at a critical time for New Hampshire, as the state faces a significant shortage of nurses and increasing demand for highly trained healthcare professionals.
Housed within the College of Health and Human Services, the School of Nursing will play a vital role in addressing those challenges by expanding access to nursing education, strengthening critical partnerships , and preparing practice-ready graduates who are equipped to serve communities across the state, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
“This is a transformative step for nursing at UNH — and for the health of New Hampshire,” said Kirsten Corazzini, Dean of the College of Health and Human Services. “By bringing all of our nursing programs together under one School, we are not only enhancing the academic experience for our students, but also building a more robust, coordinated response to the state’s growing health care workforce needs.”
With approximately 800 students enrolled in 10 academic programs, including multiple specialized tracks, the new School of Nursing brings together undergraduate and graduate pathways into a unified, collaborative structure. Programs will be delivered both at the Durham campus and online, providing students with broad access to hands-on clinical experience, inter-professional learning and community-based health initiatives.
UNH will continue to offer its full portfolio of accredited nursing programs — from bachelor’s to doctoral — while advancing innovation and expanding capacity to respond to the changing demands of health care across the region.
To learn more about the UNH School of Nursing, visit www.chhs.unh.edu/nursing
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