Portsmouth, NH April 2026

Financial Planning Webinar Series

Wednesday,

The Power of Investment

Dear Reader,

Investment is synonymous with so many things that we treasure here in Portsmouth and the Seacoast. Each generation has made its mark by introducing new businesses, exciting new residential and commercial developments, public parks, and green spaces. Beyond robust financial returns, the larger goal is to maintain a wonderful quality of life with an eye to the future without ever losing sight of our rich history.   Investment always provides our community with a new life that resonates with fresh and vibrant energy. The city’s West End neighborhood is a great example. Not too long ago, it didn’t resemble the collection of chic restaurants, health clubs, yoga studios, and performing arts centers that it does now. It was a very run down, neglected part of the city that did not turn the corner until about 15 years ago.

The fruits of new investment here in the Seacoast are everywhere. Take the Pease International Tradeport, for example. In 1993, it was the former Pease Air Force Base. Thanks to shrewd investment by businesses and the State of New Hampshire, the Tradeport is one of the Granite State’s greatest economic success stories. This story will surely be repeated by the new development that will take the place of the former Fox Run Mall in Newington.

Whenever we enjoy a performance at the Music Hall or learn about our heritage at Strawbery Banke Museum, we may not realize that these cultural institutions were almost lost forever when they were threatened by new development. Thankfully, Portsmouth residents and city leaders saw the wisdom in preserving each one. Today, it would be impossible to imagine Portsmouth without them.

Investment can mean different things to each of us. For some, it is a vehicle to strengthen individual assets so they can enjoy a better retirement. For others, it involves a journey to achieve personal growth. For a community, investment often represents important projects, such as building a new school for its children. Ultimately, investment shapes the legacy that will be handed down to future generations of Seacoast residents.

This month’s issue explores some of the ways that our community members make investments. Every investment we make is an act of hope and commitment. As you explore this issue, we hope you’ll feel inspired to invest in the people, places, and dreams that matter most to you.

Warm regards,

ROBERT COOK, PUBLICATION DIRECTOR @PORTSMOUTHCITYLIFESTYLE

April 2026

PUBLISHER

Steve Yang | steve.yang@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Robert Cook | robert.cook@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Kendra Yang | kendra.yang@citylifestyle.com

COPY EDITOR

Casey Millette

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Mia Walston

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lara Bricker, Amber Peacock-Buttermore, Susan Gallagher, Anna Goldsmith, Rebecca Ingalls

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kevin Edge, Jon Crean Photography

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Zach Miller

LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Brandy Thomas

3:5-6

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city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: PROCON's Jen Stebbins Thomas receives the CelebrateHER Large Business Leader of the Year Award. 2: NH Outright's Heidi Carrington Heath receives the CelebrateHER Nonprofit Leader of the Year Award. 3: Deb Cram Living Statue was recently added to The Hawthorn's preferred vendor list. 4: New Castle’s Samantha Brown recently visited Williamsburg, Virginia to honor America’s 250th birthday. 5: Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth's Kate Malloy and Jennifer Stevens attend the 2026 CelebrateHER Awards. 6: A statue at Portsmouth's African Burying Ground holds a bouquet of flowers to welcome spring. 7: Gaelic Storm performs their brand of Celtic music at the Music Hall.

Want to be seen in the magazine?

LEARN, LAUGH, PHOTOGRAPH

Seacoast Photography School teaches the art of capturing a moment.

ARTICLE BY REBECCA INGALLS PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN EDGE

AND DAVID MAZUR

We live in a digital world in which humans of all ages feel increasingly compelled to document their lives in photographs. As the phone becomes less an object for taking a call and more an omnipresent camera in the hand, the gap between a moment and its capture has become minuscule.

“I’ve taught communication, conflict resolution, and problem solving. That’s awesome for photography... Photography is a relationship, not a transaction.”

Whether it’s a perfect plate of sushi or a mid-flight jump shot, it’s saved in milliseconds, without much of a thought.

But David Mazur, founder of Seacoast Photography School (SPS) in Portsmouth, wants his participants to take a closer look.

Having spent 25 years living in York, Maine, Mazur knows a photogenic environment when he sees one. Add the energetic community of Portsmouth, and he sees an opportunity for people to truly appreciate the beauty in their world. By profession, Mazur is an educator with many years of teaching at the college level in professional development, business, and economics. This foundation speaks well to his second calling—the teaching of photography—which he has turned into a thriving business here on the Seacoast.

For Mazur, the key to photography is experiential learning. “I’ve taught communication, conflict resolution, and problem solving. That’s awesome

for photography,” he explains. “Photography is a relationship, not a transaction.” He accompanies students into the field, guiding them toward a mindfulness-based awareness of their subjects, with the goal of making the practice of photography accessible. “I use my own language so that people remember things, like DOF = Depth of Focus and ISO = Increase Shutter Option. We teach the technical without being technical. Budding enthusiasts come to SPS on auto mode, and by the end of their first session, they switch to manual mode, mastering the buttons and dials on their camera.”

For the adventurous, SPS offers destination workshops northward in Acadia and Vermont, and as far away as Yellowstone and Iceland. But adventures also await right here in town, as the monthly Street Series invites beginner and intermediate photographers to explore the local story of the busy, ever-evolving lived environment. Participants can get to know

different genres of photography, capture the unique bustle of Market Square Day in black-and-white, or immerse themselves in a myriad of Seacoast spots, where they can catch memorable moments.

One of the many accomplished photography instructors at SPS is Susan Weigold, whose professional experience is anchored in lifestyle, social media, and product photography. Weigold has a passion for teaching aspiring young creators, including homeschool students and children with learning differences. One group of her students creates stop-motion animation, where objects like superballs, Rubik’s Cubes, and Transformers come to life in a final movie project.

Meanwhile, homeschool students study modern photographers, take themed walks with their cameras, and “eat their props” after food photography sessions. Says Weigold, “Giving kids a camera helps them build confidence and discover their own voices. The work they create is amazing.”

Adults with no prior photography experience can find their way into the craft through SPS. Mazur and Weigold teach one-on-one and six-week beginner classes, in which students learn the subtle but invaluable skills that inspire the eye to see an object in a whole new way. SPS is also developing a program called the Encore Circle, which aims to support people in retirement in developing new skills through photography. When individuals have made the decision to step away from work, many find that they can finally turn their attention to art for the first time.

“We’re finding people come to us to find purpose and mindfulness as much as learn photography,” says Mazur.

Though each student carries an individual camera, there can be no doubt about the community-building that takes place, and that’s all part of Mazur’s pedagogy. Classes are small so that each student gets attention, and so students can get to know one another. “The secret sauce is having fun,” says Mazur. “We have a blast.” In one particular weekend workshop in Boothbay, Mazur saw that several of his

“…there is something intangible that is gained in their ability to be in the present moment. ‘There,’ says Mazur, ‘they carve new mental footpaths, new feelings. They learn to photograph the light, not the subject.’”

former students had signed up to take the trip all over again.

In reflecting on the mission of SPS, Mazur recalls the work of Victor Frankl, who explored the space between stimulus and response. It is there in that space where SPS instructors teach students to take a breath before taking the picture. Certainly, students learn to edit and build portfolios, and some even enter their work into contests. But there is something intangible that is gained in their ability to be in the present moment. “There,” says Mazur, “they carve new

mental footpaths, new feelings. They learn to photograph the light, not the subject.”

What better place on Earth to nurture a sense of presence than here, on the Seacoast, where the seasons open and close slowly and swiftly, where the weather bites and soothes, and where residents and visitors find solace in the magnificence of the sea? The history, the color, the landscape, the people—at SPS, students learn to see their world, and themselves, in new ways. Says Mazur, with a sparkle, “The art of photography reveals what’s possible.”

HOW TEDXPORTSMOUTH POWERS COMMUNITY IMPACT.

ARTICLE BY ANNA GOLDSMITH PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF TEDXPORTSMOUTH

SPREADING IDEAS WORTH

After one 18-minute talk about childhood hunger, local neighborhoods rallied together. They raised money, donated food and took action.

That’s the power of a great idea shared well—and this kind of community engagement is exactly what TEDx events are designed to create.

TEDx is the local, independently organized version of the global TED conference, bringing the “ideas worth spreading” mission to communities worldwide. While most

TEDx events draw crowds of 100 or fewer, TEDxPortsmouth has earned TED’s highest-level license—a distinction reserved for events demonstrating exceptional quality and community impact.

Producer Kaarin Milne describes the vision: “TEDxPortsmouth’s impact extends in concentric circles—from speakers gaining confidence and platforms, to audience members finding inspiration and connection, to community organizations partnering on meaningful work, to the broader region benefiting from elevated discourse and collaborative action. When you invest in ideas, you invest in possibility.”

It’s this ripple effect that has powered the event’s remarkable growth.

FROM CHURCH BASEMENT TO THE BIG STAGE

This fully volunteer-run event has grown from humble beginnings in a church basement to fill the historic Music Hall, with a very long waiting list. As attendees repeatedly tell the team, it’s their favorite day of the year.

That journey was made possible by sponsors who understood they weren’t just buying advertising but investing in community transformation. Kennebunk Savings Bank, as a diamond level sponsor, has been instrumental in this growth, even integrating the event into its leadership development program. The bank recognizes that exposure to diverse ideas and community connection develops tomorrow’s leaders.

Alongside them stand Chinburg Properties, Global Seafood Alliance, Sheehan Phinney, RiverWoods Retirement Community, Piscataqua Savings Bank, The Woodland Group and Eversource Energy—all Seacoast businesses deeply committed to the region. Together, they’ve helped create something remarkable: an event that draws nearly 1,000 attendees annually and produces talks that reach audiences worldwide.

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE MAGIC

Sponsor support is essential, but people are the true engine. Nineteen volunteers— bringing expertise in marketing, design, writing, event planning, coaching and more— come together year-round under the collaborative leadership of producer Kaarin Milne and artistic director Anna Goldsmith.

Core partners like The Music Hall and Portsmouth Music and Arts Center contribute venues, technical expertise and countless hours of their own. Together, they’ve created an ecosystem where investing in

ideas means investing in community capacity—building skills, connections and confidence that ripple far beyond the event.

FROM SHARK EXPERTS TO KELP FARMERS

The speakers themselves represent remarkable diversity. Past participants have included a New Hampshire Supreme Court judge, a kelp farmer, a stand-up comedian, professors, activists and one teenage shark expert—a breadth that reflects how many ideas worth spreading we have in our own backyard.

Each speaker commits to three months of intensive coaching, working with dedicated coaches to refine every aspect of the presentation: core message, delivery style and stage presence. The investment is substantial, but so are the returns. Speakers gain confidence, clarity and platforms extending far beyond the region. Their talks are professionally videotaped by Emmy Award-winning videographer Jay Childs, reviewed by TED and posted online, where they accumulate views for years. Many report life-changing opportunities—new partnerships, media interviews, career pivots—sparked by their talk.

TEDxPortsmouth has become a “one to watch” among TED’s internal team, recognized for producing extremely high-quality talks and a dedicated community of supporters. Over 10 years, many speakers have been featured on the TED.com homepage, TED Shorts packages and even TED Radio Hour—a testament to deep investment in preparation and quality.

And for anyone hoping to get on the stage? “We never want someone to think, ‘Oh, I can’t do a TEDx talk. I don’t have speaking experience,’” says artistic director and speaker coach Anna Goldsmith. “We don’t care about that. We just want big ideas—we can train you for everything else.”

INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION

The event, now in its 10th year, continues to evolve. New last year, the Students and Educators Day brings middle and high school students behind the scenes for the dress rehearsal. They witness the magic unfold: lighting adjustments, speakers refining their delivery, the intricate choreography that creates what audiences experience as a seamless event.

Librarians, teachers and principals recognize this as an investment in their students’ understanding of public speaking, event production and the power of ideas to create change. With support from partners like Flatbread Company Portsmouth and Parker Mountain Comfort Wraps, everyone benefits: Students gain authentic learning experiences while speakers practice their talks before a live, engaged audience.

IDEAS THAT TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES

This event creates connections that last and sparks conversations that continue in coffee shops, boardrooms and classrooms. Crucially, attendees are inspired to take action: Neighborhoods rally around causes, entrepreneurs launch ventures, educators redesign curricula and activists find new allies.

Every volunteer hour, sponsor dollar and coaching session creates compounding value. Ideas spread globally while remaining rooted in local soil. Careers pivot, collaborations form and communities discover what they’re capable of achieving together.

That’s the real investment TEDxPortsmouth represents—not just in ideas, but in the collective future and the belief that together we can build an even stronger community.

Because when you give a community shared ideas, you give them common ground to build a better future.

ARTICLE BY SUSAN GALLAGHER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN EDGE

EVERY OpenDOOR

Access Navigators proves that investment in accessibility benefits everyone.

In 2008, on his 50th birthday, architect Todd Hanson slipped and fell, an unusual incident for the elite distance runner and fitness enthusiast. Little did he know at the time that the mishap was a dark harbinger of things to come. The fall was the onset of increasing muscle weakness that a doctor would diagnose as primary lateral sclerosis, a rare degenerative neuromuscular disease and a variant of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Within four years, Hanson required the use of a wheelchair, a devastating blow for the former runner. But physical activity was not the only element of his life that the disease sabotaged. The busy architect had always found time to explore the coffee shops, restaurants, and charming shops in downtown Portsmouth. Now, the many steps, recessed doorways, and crowded layouts loomed as insurmountable obstacles. “Navigating these familiar places became daunting and overwhelming,” he says. “Honestly, I was afraid to go out.”

But the same inner toughness that made Hanson a fiercely competitive runner quickly quashed thoughts of giving up. He decided to use his affliction to make life easier for other individuals with disabilities. “I realized I had an obligation to share my experiences and insights,” he says. This altruistic attitude would later give rise to Access Navigators, a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities find access-friendly businesses in Portsmouth, the Seacoast area, and beyond.

Ironically, before becoming a wheelchair user, Hanson, a principal emeritus of JSA Design, spent most of his architectural

career designing spaces for people with physical and emotional challenges. He tirelessly sought a deeper understanding of those he was designing for. But it was only after experiencing a disability himself that he found true empathy.

In 2016, Hanson teamed up with JSA Design’s director of business development Anne Weidman and CIO William “Tuck” Tucker, to form Access Portsmouth, which evolved into Access Navigators. In just three months, the determined triumvirate created a website listing accessible restaurants and attractions, focusing on entry, restrooms, interior layout, and parking. The team visited local businesses to determine how accessible the premises were. According to Hanson, Portsmouth’s old buildings, while beautiful, contain countless obstacles and challenges for individuals with disabilities.

Some restaurants believe they are accessible because their restrooms are. But the hallways leading to them may be filled with furniture, blocking a wheelchair’s ability to pass. As Hanson learned through personal experience, a seemingly benign object can present a serious problem. A visit to an art museum turned into a nightmare when he became trapped in a restroom because a small, decorative table blocked the pull clearance he needed to open the door.

The good news for businesses is that most fixes are small and inexpensive. “We would never go into a business with a pricey fix,” Weidman says. “It’s often something free or a simple furniture rearrangement that can fix the minor glitch.”

"... it was only after experiencing a disability himself that he found true empathy."

Initially, the young nonprofit assumed that its database of accessible restaurants and attractions would appeal to disability organizations. Instead, the tourism industry discovered the website through the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce and embraced it. “That,” says Weidman, “is what first made us see accessibility as an economic driver.”

For businesses like restaurants, investing in accessibility lands them a hefty return. When Hanson meets friends for dinner, he chooses a restaurant that is accessible. And that party of ten or fifteen will rack up a big tab—an economic driver indeed.

Buckley’s Market & Cafe is a prime example, boasting an open layout and an accessible bar counter set low enough for wheelchair users to enjoy a reachable drink. Hanson himself was part of the architectural team that designed the building.

The snazzy Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club welcomes people of all abilities. Co-owner Michael Labrie says, “It’s our mission to bring arts and culture to the community, including those in wheelchairs.” When the club first opened in 2021, wheelchair users could only enter through the back door. But subsequent renovations made the sidewalk flush with the club’s grand entrance, allowing for wheelchair entry. And that front door experience is something not to be missed, with a doorman in a top hat and tails as an elegant prelude to the show.

Access Navigators’ mission includes helping the City of Portsmouth invest in accessibility, making it a true “City of the Open Door,” its century-old tagline. Upgrades to parking, sidewalks, and parks have opened the gates wide to residents and visitors of all abilities.

The most celebrated upgrades have been to outdoor dining, an experience that grew out of necessity during the pandemic and evolved into a popular trend—one that brought frustration to wheelchair users, who struggled with uneven pavements and jersey barriers. Now, these patrons can easily access outdoor dining.

Special events have become more hospitable to disabled spectators. Increasing the accessible parking spaces at Prescott Park was a game-changer for Roger Goun, a lifelong wheelchair user. No longer must he and his wife lug their picnic

"Access Navigators’ mission includes helping the City of Portsmouth invest in accessibility, making it a true 'City of the Open Door,' its centuryold tagline."

dinner a good distance to an event and back to the car. “It seems like a small thing,” Goun says, “but small improvements make a big difference in the lives of people with disabilities.”

Access Navigators promotes universal design, focused on meeting the needs of everyone, regardless of ability. The new South Mill Pond Playground is a shining example. The colorful playground doesn’t scream, “accessible”—it is just a lovely playground with easy-to-use equipment for children with disabilities.

Like the playground, accessible ramps don’t need to be ugly. The beautiful, curved ramp leading from Hanover Garage to the walkway near the Gaslight’s patio calls out to pedestrians and wheelchair users alike to walk—or roll—on it. According to Weidman, the ramp’s visual appeal “changes the whole perception of it.”

Todd Hanson is just one of the 26 percent of us living with a disability. As the global population ages, the number of people with disabilities rises along with it. Hanson says, “I am living proof that disabilities can affect anyone.”

AN INVESTMENT IN RESTORATION GUIDED BY PASSION, INTEGRITY, AND A DEEP SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

A LANDMARK REIMAGINED

BY KEVIN EDGE

The Treadwell Mansion at 93 Pleasant St. isn’t just a boutique hotel; it is a time capsule of rich, restored history and modern, luxurious charm. When Mark McNabb of McNabb Properties purchased the treasured landmark in January 2022, he wasn’t simply taking on a renovation. He was investing in history, architecture, and community.

“This building just spoke to me,” McNabb says. “If walls could talk.”

At the time, the inside had been neglected, and he wanted to change that. The outside structure was perfectly intact, but it needed stewardship.

INTUITION AND HISTORY

McNabb felt an immediate connection the first time he drove by. When the property later came up for sale, he trusted that instinct.

The mansion, a 19th-century landmark once known as the Hotel Merrick, has long been woven into Portsmouth’s story. A former carriage house on the site was eventually demolished to make room for a bowling alley. It was a loss that helped spark local preservation efforts and contributed to the founding of Strawbery Banke Museum and a larger historic renewal.

For McNabb, saving Treadwell wasn’t a financial calculation.

“I’ve always felt money is the byproduct of doing something great but never the means to the end,” he says. “Passion for renovating historic structures transcends obstacles.”

INSIDE THE MANSION

Stepping into the grand brick mansion, one is transported. Teal and marigold tones in the lobby, restored fireplaces and balconies full of sunshine bring warmth to the 38-room hotel. The mansion holds a feel of private tranquility and grace while also being in the heart of a historic, bustling downtown Portsmouth. Suites boast full kitchens and spacious sleeping and living areas.

“THIS BUILDING JUST SPOKE TO ME,” MCNABB SAYS. “IF WALLS COULD TALK.”

STORIES FROM THE PAST

For Business Operations Manager Liam Annis, the connection is personal. As a child, he attended antique auctions with his family when the building was owned by Ron Bourgeault. Bourgeault, a longtime Portsmouth property owner and developer, continued to support the mansion during restoration efforts alongside McNabb.

Annis notes that during the demolition of the third floor, now the Presidential Suite, workers discovered a playing card tucked inside an original window frame. Research revealed it predated 1885. Small finds like this only deepen the mystery and uniqueness of the property’s past.

While restoring one of the last remaining stone walls on the property, the team learned the space may once have served as a town pound, holding wandering livestock. Small details like this during the restoration process added another layer to the building’s evolving story.

PRESERVATION AND PROGRESS

Today, the mansion enters a new chapter where the history is blended with updated technology and modern hospitality. Although the original architectural details remain, the interior has been fully reimagined with the level of care that travelers expect from newly updated hotels.

Annis is excited about this next chapter and sees the evolution as a bigger story. “Treadwell stands at the crossroads of Portsmouth’s past and future, a 19th-century landmark reborn as a fully autonomous apartelle. We’ve woven smart hospitality technology into historic architecture, proving that preservation and progress can thrive together. Honoring the city’s story while redefining how we all experience it.”

RISK INVESTING

Historic restoration isn’t without risk. When asked how investing in a historic home is different from other typical development projects, McNabb shares one word: “connection.”

McNabb emphasized that it can take 5 to ten years to break even and cover operating expenses for a project like this. Regardless of profit, McNabb felt that the hotel needed to return to its ultimate form and become a celebration of architectural diversity.

“Investment in real property has to align with purpose,” McNabb says. “If it’s a long-term hold, I’ll spend 30 to 50

"MCNABB IS CANDID THAT HIS WORK ISN’T ABOUT LEGACY. 'IF FUTURE GENERATIONS SEE THIS RESTORATION AS A NATURAL CONTINUATION OF PORTSMOUTH’S CHARACTER, THAT’S ENOUGH.'"

percent more to do it right. Not every developer is going to make money on every project they take on.”

A HOTEL FOR THE COMMUNITY

The vision is for the mansion to strengthen Portsmouth itself. Future plans include intimate wedding weekends, celebratory gatherings and partnerships with local organizations.

Annis explains, “We want to support local businesses, welcome travelers and deepen connections between visitors and the city.”

For McNabb and Annis, success won’t be measured only in occupancy but in how people connect to the building.

LIVING LEGACY

When asked why the investment matters so much, McNabb doesn’t hesitate.

“When decisions are passion-driven, everything has a voice,” he says. “They create places that speak back to the community.”

McNabb is candid that his work isn’t about legacy.

“If future generations see this restoration as a natural continuation of Portsmouth’s character, that’s enough,” he says.

The Treadwell Mansion opened on Feb. 10, 2026, with a warm reception from visitors. Thanks to the restoration, Portsmouth and beyond will be enriched by an investment that speaks to both the past and the future.

At Silverstone Living, your next chapter begins with choice, connection, and confidence. Whether you're looking for the walkable charm of Downtown Nashua at Hunt Community or the refined comfort of The Huntington at Nashua, both Life Plan Communities offering long-term security and peace of mind you’ll find a setting that supports the lifestyle you want today and the care you may need tomorrow

Prefer to stay in your own home? At Home By Hunt brings the benefits of a Life Plan model to you And for skilled rehabilitation, memory care, assisted living, and nursing, Webster at Rye offers compassionate support in a serene coastal setting

CARE Today, PROTECT TOMORROW

ARTICLE BY LARA BRICKER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JON CREAN PHOTOGRAPHY

When Kevin Davis’s grandmother was diagnosed with dementia, it changed the way his parents thought about their own aging process.

His grandparents had not been prepared for what his grandmother’s care—and its cost—would actually involve. She went into a facility, not of her own choosing, but a place that Medicaid would cover. Davis said his parents wanted to have more control over their living options.

That led his parents, Jean and George Davis, to reach out to Pat Bennett, President of Longevity Planning, to find out about long-term care insurance.

“I always knew my parents had [long-term care insurance], but I didn’t always appreciate it,” Davis said.

After Jean was diagnosed with dementia, George initially cared for her at home. As her disease progressed, Jean was able to transition into an assisted living and later memory care facility, with help from insurance they obtained through Bennett.

During the years leading up to moving out of her home, Bennett guided Jean and George Davis through touring facilities, getting on waiting lists, and accessing their coverage when needed. Jean Davis passed away in 2020, while George Davis still lives on his

own with clarity of knowing that his own long-term care insurance is ready when he needs it.

Kevin Davis secured his own long-term care policy about a decade ago.

“If you are a young person today, you can’t get this insurance soon enough,” he said, adding it’s less expensive to get a policy when you are younger.

For Bennett, her own family’s struggles with age-related illnesses led to her career path.

“My grandmother lived to 101, and both she and my grandfather had Alzheimer's for over 12 years. We saw the tremendous toll emotionally, physically, and financially on them,” she said.

With a background in psychology and finance, Bennett saw a way to support families like her own.

“I'm the type of person who couldn't sit behind a desk and crunch numbers all day,” she said. “I’m very passionate about helping people and advocating for them in different stages of their lives.”

While her agency offers life and disability insurance and can assist with transitioning to Medicare, Bennett’s specialty is long-term care insurance. She encourages people to explore their options in their 50s.

“That's not to say that 75 is too late or 45 is too young. If you have the financial ability to consider coverage, you should consider coverage,” she said.

“I'M THE TYPE OF PERSON who couldn't sit behind a desk AND CRUNCH NUMBERS ALL DAY...I’M VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE AND advocating for them IN DIFFERENT STAGES OF THEIR LIVES.”

Often, people wait too long, not realizing that age and pre-existing medical conditions can affect coverage. Younger people pay lower premiums and can also have a policy paid up by 65.

She begins by asking people to think about what kind of realistic plan they want for themselves when they need care.

“Most everybody says they want to stay at home, and that's great,” she said.

She suggested it can help to frame the conversation to avoid absolutes and say someone wants to stay at home as long as possible, knowing they may be better served by moving into a facility.

When she sits down with people, Bennett asks how their family will be involved with their care.

“A lot of times it's a family decision,” she said. “People are buying their policies, and they're doing it so that their children can oversee the care but not provide the care.”

Bennett encourages having ongoing conversations with one’s family so that everyone understands the outcome that’s desired.

grandmother. Photo courtesy of Longevity Planning

“The conversation doesn’t have to be difficult. We approach it with a tremendous amount of humor and grace,” she said. “We make it so thinking about future care doesn’t have to be scary and overwhelming.”

Most long-term care policies cover home care and can be flexible enough to even pay a family member. When more care is needed, you can use your policy to pay for care in an assisted living or a continuing care retirement community. Bennett helps her clients evaluate how existing life insurance or annuities they currently own might fund long-term care insurance.

“Long-term care is no longer that ‘use it or lose it' type proposition that it used to be many years ago. Many of today’s policies have guaranteed premiums and a death benefit if you don’t end up needing longterm care,” she said.

She also addresses the emotional toll of caregiving, both for the individuals receiving care and their families.

“I had a client today say to me, ‘I didn't realize how vulnerable I am until I actually hurt myself trying to take care of my spouse,’” she said. “People think, I’m supposed to be a caregiver and give it everything I’ve got, but it is so hard day after day.”

For the Davis family, having Bennett as a guide through the process was invaluable.

“Because she was so good at it, my folks were completely ready at each stage,” Kevin Davis said. “At a time of your life when you really don’t want to be thinking of waiting lists for a nursing home, she gives you very clear, step-by-step guidelines. That alone is priceless. It makes your life so much easier in a really hard time.”

Protecting wealth and lifestyles

As a financial professional, I donʼt see my role as predicting the future. I see it as helping people prepare for it—so unexpected medical events, market shifts, or life changes donʼt derail their goals.

At the core of my approach is control and flexibility. I want my clients—not the IRS—to dictate the rules around their assets.

Lawrence “Larry” Laryea

Financial Professional | New York Life Insurance Company

Manchester, NH | 607-240-7753 | llaryea@ft.newyorklife.com

events

APRIL 3RD Talib Kweli

Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club, 135 Congress St., Portsmouth | 7:00 PM

Brooklyn MC Talib Kweli is one of the most lyrically gifted, socially conscious, and politically insightful rappers of the past 20 years. Across two decades, he’s built a celebrated career through Black Star with Mos Def, Reflection Eternal with Hi-Tek, landmark solo releases, and collaborations with Kanye West, Pharrell, J Dilla, Madlib, and more, commanding attention with lyricism and storytelling.

APRIL 3RD

Of All the Worlds We Could Have Dreamed

3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth | 5:00 PM

Samantha Modder’s work feels like stepping into a fairytale drawn in ballpoint pen and then blown up to the scale of a building. The artist creates large-scale, digitally manipulated drawings printed on adhesive paper — murals that reshape the entire space. The opening reception is Friday, April 3rd, 5–8pm, and the exhibit runs April 3rd–May 31st.

APRIL 9TH - 18TH

Restaurant Week

Portsmouth and the Seacoast

The Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth will celebrate spring with the return of this signature, 10-day culinary event. More than 30 Portsmouth area restaurants will offer special three course prix fixe menus for $32, $42, and $52 apiece. The chamber recommends making a reservation because space fills up fast. To see a list of participating restaurants, please visit goportsmouthnh.com

APRIL 9TH - 25TH

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

The Seacoast Repertory Theatre, 125 Bow St., Portsmouth | 7:30 PM

Step into the world of six eccentric teens as they spell their way through hilarious stories and challenging words in this witty and charming musical comedy where winning isn’t everything. For specific dates and times visit seacoastrep.org.

APRIL 20TH

Chris

Pierce

The Press Room, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth | 7:00 PM

Chris Pierce is a singular American voice whose songs carry equal parts soul, truth, and grace. Rooted in folk, blues, and Americana, his music speaks plainly and powerfully to the human condition, earning him a reputation as one of the most moving performers of his generation. For more information visit pressroomnh.com

APRIL 21ST

Soul Asylum Acoustic

The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth | 7:00 PM

Grammy-winning, multi-platinum rock band Soul Asylum emerged as Minneapolis’ punk siblings to the Replacements and Hüsker Dü. Their 1992 breakthrough Grave Dancers Union spawned hits “Runaway Train,” “Black Gold,” and “Somebody to Shove,” with “Runaway Train” earning a Grammy and reuniting missing children with families. This show features Dave Pirner and Ryan Smith in a rare, intimate acoustic set.

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ARTICLE BY SOPHIE BROCK

FOUR SIMPLE WAYS TO INVEST IN YOUR MORNING AND START YOUR DAY OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT

habits for morning success

One of the best ways to invest in yourself is by creating a consistent and intentional morning routine. No matter how unpredictable or chaotic the rest of your day may become, starting your morning with self-care and purpose sets a positive tone that stays with you throughout the day.  Once you develop a morning routine that truly resonates with you, you’ll look forward to it every night, knowing it will set the foundation for a productive and fulfilling day.

If you’re ready to elevate your mornings, here are some meaningful ways to invest in your routine and start each day on the right foot.

Be Your Own Barista:

One of life’s simplest pleasures is savoring a homemade coffee each morning. While skipping the drive-thru may be tough at first, brewing your own allows you to appreciate the process—and chances are, you’ll end up preferring your own perfect cup of joe.

Get Your Steps In:

An hour-long gym session before work may not be realistic, but a quick morning walk is. Use this time to clear your mind, enjoy nature, and listen to your favorite podcast or artist—an easy way to start your day feeling relaxed.

Enjoy Some Breakfast:

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet often the most overlooked. Setting your alarm just minutes earlier to prepare a fresh, nutritious meal can transform your morning, fueling your body and mind for a more energized and productive day.

Read A Book:

Starting your day with a book is far more calming than scrolling through social media. Reading in the morning helps ease you into the day, providing a peaceful and mindful escape that sets a positive, focused tone for what’s ahead.