LACONIA — The Family Resource Center of Central New Hampshire, located at 719 North Main Street, Laconia, is once again offering a free, "Cooperative Co-Parenting" program to families in the Lakes Region.
The program will meet on Thursdays, May 30, June 7, June 14, and June 21 from 6-8 p.m. and includes an optional dinner from 5:30-6 p.m. This free, 4-part series is for non-married, separated, or divorced parents and caregivers raising children together who share separate households.
Presenters Jay Apicelli, MS, family mediator and human services educator, Janice L. McLaughlin, Attorney, and Tammy Emery, Step Ahead Family Support Specialist, Lakes Region Community Services, will cover these topics: coping through separation and transition; skills for dealing with stress and anger; positive communication strategies; how to reduce and resolve conflict, negotiating agreements, and mediation and guardianship.
Advance registration is requested for this program. On-site childcare will be provided, and assistance with transportation is available with advance notice and approval. Space is limited. Call Shannon Robinson-Beland, Lakes Region Community Services, at 581-1571, or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or to register. Attendance certificates are provided at the parenting programs sponsored by Lakes Region Community Services, Family Resource Center of Central New Hampshire.
Lakes Region Community Services (LRCS) is a nonprofit, comprehensive family support agency with a primary focus of providing supports to individuals with developmental disabilities and/or acquired brain disorders and their families. LRCS has offices in Laconia and Plymouth which combine to serve families residing throughout Belknap and Southern Grafton Counties. For more information contact Joanne Piper Lang at 603-524-8811 or visit www.lrcs.org

LACONIA — Sixteen women from Nepal attended the "Refugee Women's Health Event" at Health First Family Care in Laconia on May 16. The event was held in conjunction with LRGHealthcare and sponsored by a grant from the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
During the event, women were given an opportunity to learn about the importance of breast and pelvic health during a presentation by Laura Zakorchemny, APRN. Educational hand-outs interpreted into the Nepalese language proved to be an effective teaching tool. Silicone Breast models, simulating breast lumps were also available to teach women about self awareness and self exam. Ms. Zakorchemny explained the benefit of monthly breast self-examination and the importance of reporting changes to a medical provider for further evaluation. She explained that "the best possible outcomes are possible when breast or cervical cancer is detected early".
Tiffany Fuller, Breast and Cervical Cancer Project Outreach Coordinator from the NH Department of Health & Human Services in Concord, explained that the "Let No Woman Be Overlooked" breast and cervical cancer screening program is available for uninsured women who meet financial guidelines. She also explained that program is available at LRGHealthcare and Health First Family Care.

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Sixteen women from Nepal attended the "Refugee Women's Health Event" at Health First Family Care in Laconia on May 16. During the event, women were given an opportunity to learn about the importance of breast and pelvic health. (Courtesy photo)

CRAWFORD NOTCH — Representatives of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and Plymouth State University (PSU) made their organizations' commitment to continued collaboration official on May 6 with the signing of a memorandum of understanding designed to foster ongoing sharing of resources and expertise.
Officials of both organizations cited similar goals and objectives and noted that continued coordination and collaboration will advance their respective missions, while helping both institutions make a positive impact on the region's environment, economy, communities, and people. Specifically, senior staff at the signing event spoke about mutual interests, goals, and objectives centered around education, scientific and environmental research, community partnerships, experiential learning, cultural and historic studies, and public service.
The memorandum was signed by AMC President John D. Judge and PSU President Sara Jayne Steen at AMC's Highland Center at Crawford Notch.
"We are extremely pleased to formalize our collaborative working relationship with Plymouth State University, and we are energized by the prospect of a limitless number of exciting things we can accomplish together in support of our respective missions," said Judge.
Steen agreed. "We are happy to extend our wonderful partnership with the AMC and advance our common mission for this region."

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PSU President Sara Jayne Steen and AMC President John D. Judge at AMC’s Highland Center at Crawford Notch for the signing of a memorandum of understanding. The document details continued coordination and collaboration to advance their respective missions, while helping both institutions make a positive impact on the region’s environment, economy, communities, and people. (Courtesy photo)