MOULTONBOROUGH — Interlakes Community Caregivers Inc. (ICCI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ann W. Sprague of Meredith as its new Executive Director.
"We are very excited to have Ann as our new director," stated Ken Greenbaum, ICCI President. "She brings a range of experience that will continue to strengthen and grow our nonprofit organization."
"I look forward to supporting the work of the many ICCI volunteers who directly enhance the lives of so many in our community," indicated Sprague.
Sprague brings over 20 years of management and marketing experience to ICCI, the last several years working with nonprofit organizations. Her background includes strategic planning, communications and publicity, fundraising, events, grant writing and volunteer management.
A University of New Hampshire graduate, Sprague has received certifications as a marketing director and a paralegal. Ongoing professional development has included grant writing classes and several educational seminars through CONFR, the Council on Fundraising. Sprague has served as a board member on many local, regional and state level organizations and advisory councils.
Formed in 1998, Interlakes Community Caregivers Inc. is a 501(c)3 volunteer nonprofit organization that provides nonmedical support services and community information to assist people in their daily lives to remain independent. Its service area includes Center Harbor, Meredith, Moultonborough, and Sandwich. The office is located at Harbor Square, Unit 8B, 60 Whittier Highway, Moultonborough.
Typical services, that are provided free of charge, include transportation to medical appointments, respite care for primary caregivers, telephone checks and small home chores or errands. Demand for these types of services continues to grow and more volunteers are actively being sought to join the 140 volunteer roster. In 2012 alone, ICCI volunteers donated over 3,600 hours performing a variety of services and drove over 45,000 miles providing rides to those in need.
In 2011, ICCI was awarded the Volunteer NH's "Spirit of NH" Award for outstanding volunteerism and community services, as well as the only "Outstanding Champion" Award in the nonprofit category. One of the organization's founders and an active board member and volunteer, Charlotte Leavitt, received the 2012 "Community Service" Award from the Meredith Rotary Club.
To learn more about their services for you or someone you know, or to inquire how you can support these efforts, call the office at 253-9275, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or visit their website at interlakescommunitycaregivers.org.

LACONIA — NH Ball Bearings invites all Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce members to attend a Business After Hours on Tuesday, March 12 from 4-6 p.m.
Refreshments and door prizes will be provided. Attendees will get a chance to tour NHBB's World Class Manufacturing facility and find out more of what Advanced Manufacturing is all about.
New Hampshire Ball Bearings (NHBB) Astro Division is part of the Minebea family of companies headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Minebea is the world's largest producer of miniature ball bearings and a major manufacturer of precision electromechanical devices.
The Astro Division, located in the heart of the Lakes Region in Laconia since 1964, is the leading domestic supplier of spherical bearings, rod ends, lined and composite sleeves, slotted entry bearings and sub-assemblies for use in commercial and military aerospace applications.
Astro is growing and currently employs about 460 workers at its Advanced Manufacturing facility on Lexington Avenue. With growth comes the need for more skilled employees: CNC machinists, machine repair technicians and technically competent production workers.
A paradox is that NHBB's need for skilled employees continues to rapidly increase while the prevalence of these desired skills among NH's workforce continues to rapidly decrease. The result is a "skills gap" that has reached crisis proportion.
The absence of qualified employees imposes the imperative to recruit, train, and retain talent in both traditional and radically new and creative ways. But finding solutions is a collective effort and thus, engagement with community stakeholders is critically important. NHBB is steeped in a tradition of working intimately with diverse organizations such as the LRPC, BCEDC, LRCC, LACLT, Lakes Region Community College and SAU 30 to name but a few.
To RSVP for this event register on the Chamber website www.lakesregionchamber.org, Facebook
or call the Chamber at 524-5531.

CAPTION:

NH Ball Bearings, 155 Lexington Drive, Laconia is hosting the March 12 Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours from 4-6 p.m. Planning this event are NHBB Human Resources Manager Nikki Parker, NHBB Human Resources Administrator Nicole Murray and Chamber Executive Director Karmen Gifford. (Courtesy photo)

LACONIA — The St. Andre Bessette Catholic Parish will celebrate St. Patrick's Day with its annual traditional feast on Saturday, March 16 at the Parish Hall off of Union Avenue in Laconia. Corned beef
and cabbage with all the trimmings will be served beginning at 5:30 p.m.
There will be music and the church hall will be decorated in St. Patrick's Day green. A "Luck of the Irish Drawing" will be held, as well.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children 5 - 12. Children 4 and under eat free. Tickets are available at the parish office and at Sunday Mass. To reserve a table of eight or to purchase individual tickets by phone, call the parish office at 524-9609.