Jeanie Forrester

To the editor,

Thanks to so many in the community, our first game show fundraiser, “Take It or Leave It” was a great success. The show, Meredith’s version of “Deal or No Deal” was held on Monday, July 21st at Church Landing. With close to 125 people from Meredith and surrounding Lakes Region communities, it was THE place to be on Monday night.

This event is a perfect example of how a collaborative effort made for success. Our trifecta for success included: our game show host, Pat Kelly, in his element and providing his own brand of entertainment that kept the crowds laughing all night; our very own Altrusa of Meredith “models” providing that extra special touch to the event with their signature “Hi, Pat” every time they were introduced to the audience; and, Mark Primeau, CEO of Laconia Savings Bank, as the “Banker” challenging the contestants (and Pat Kelly) with his offers to “Take It” during the rounds of play. In the backdrop was the Take It or Leave It Committee who organized and managed the event, and our sponsors who made it all possible.

Many, many thanks to all the sponsors and volunteers including: Laconia Savings Bank, The Wealth Management Group, Golden View Health Care, Crosspoint Associates, Inc., RE/MAX Bayside, Sean & Carol Brown, The Gallery at Mill Falls, Fair Way Funding, Her Prerogative, Municipal Resources, Inc. Grand View Home Inspections, NH Business Sales, Century 21, Overhead Door Options, Oglethorpe Fine Arts & Crafts, the Inns & Spa at Mill Falls, Cackleberries Garden & Gift Shop, Design Inspiration, Inc., Forrester Environmental Services, Inc., Waukewan Golf Course, Moulton Farm, The Wine’ing Butcher, Lago Costa Cucina, Mame’s, Phu Jee Asian Cuisine, Hart’s Turkey Farm, The Common Man Family of Restaurants, Abondante Tuscan Trattoria, Miracle Farms Landscape Contractors, Meredith Station, Jackson’s Star Market, LDR Productions, Nassau Broadcasting, Rutter Media, Dockside Florist, Altrusa of Meredith, Kay Anderson, Michelle Brown, Liz Lapham, Sean Brown, Christine Hodecker-George, Chris Kelly, Chuck Leonard, Ann Sprague, Rob Stephens, and Linda Johnson. Our Lead Investment Partners include the Town of Meredith, Meredith Village Savings Bank, Christopher P. Williams Architects, Nassau Broadcasting, the Inns & Spa at Mill Falls, NH Electric Co-op and the Common Man Family of Restaurants.

While the evening was great fun, we encourage everyone to remember two things: first, the event raised funds for the Career Partnership Program which links the business community with high school students so students learn skills to prepare them for the work world…a program that has been a great success to date; and second, this event could not have been possible without the financial support of our local businesses…with their support they reaffirm, time and time again, that our community matters to them and they are willing to invest in us…so let’s remember…when it’s time to shop, shop local!

Jeanie Forrester, Executive Director

Greater Meredith Program

Jeanie Forrester