CONWAY — Scott McKinnon, president and CEO of Memorial Hospital, recently announced that the organization has appointed Karen Davenport and Mike Davenport to lead their philanthropic efforts. Karen joins the organization as director of philanthropy and Mike as associate director of philanthropy. The positions are part of an increasing recognition by the hospital and its board of trustees of the importance of philanthropy as the hospital heads into its second century.

The Davenports are joining Memorial at a critical juncture as the organization is in the process of developing a separately incorporated philanthropic foundation. "The purpose of the new Memorial Hospital Foundation is to form a fund-raising arm for the hospital," Scott McKinnon said. "It will help preserve the hospital's legacy for the future, ensuring support for the health care needs of the community. Donors will also benefit from the additional assurance that their gifts will always be used here in Mount Washington Valley to support Memorial."

The foundation is designed to build upon the hospital's current fundraising efforts including its annual appeal; the Bigelow Society honoring the vision of founder Helen Bigelow Merriman; the long-running Memorial Golf Tournament; its Legacy Gala event now entering its second year; and gifts left through people's estates/planned giving.

The Davenports bring the organization experience in the field of charitable giving and development, as well as in healthcare and finance. Mike Davenport has deep roots in Mount Washington Valley. He was a principal owner at Attitash Mountain from 1985-1994, and a trustee at the Mount Washington Ski Education Foundation and Cranmore Ski Education Foundation in the 1980s. Recently appointed trustee of Vaughn Community Services in North Conway, his health care interests date back to 1974 as a long-time board member for North Shore Medical Center in the Boston area. Professionally, he was administrative vice president at Naumkeag Trust Co. in Salem, Mass., and a director at Eastern Bank & Trust Company from 1974-2003. He currently serves as a trustee of Eastern Bank.

A seasoned development professional, Karen Davenport spent 12 years in philanthropy and volunteer services at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon. Since leaving there in 2000, Karen has held executive roles at The Planned Giving Company and Davenport & Barr – Partners in Philanthropy. Her experience includes developing annual giving programs, capital and major gift campaigns and comprehensive planned giving programs. She is an accomplished public speaker and presenter of seminars and educational workshops on a variety of subjects related to charitable giving.

Memorial Hospital, a non-profit organization founded in 1911, has long benefitted from the generosity of valley residents and visitors. The hospital was built through the charitable support of Helen Bigelow Merriman who donated the land on which the hospital is built. Merriman was at the forefront of women at the turn of the century who believed in doing good for the community. She lived in Worcester, Mass. and the valley was her second home.

For more information on philanthropy at Memorial Hospital, call (603) 356-5461 ext. 2264.

CONCORD — On Feb. 6 Patricia McMurry, executive director of the White Mountain Community Health Center, attended the Bi-State Primary Care Association's annual legislative and business breakfast. A primary topic discussed was the need to restore the 4 million state dollars cut from New Hampshire's community health centers in the last biennium. This cut included a $137,000 reduction in state support for The White Mountain Community Health Center.

Senator Bradley, a guest speaker said, "It is my hope that if there is revenue, the $2 million cut [per year of the biennium budget] from primary care will be restored. Investing in New Hampshire's Community Health Centers is a good use of scarce funds." House Speaker Norelli said, "Community Health Centers provide our most vulnerable neighbors with comprehensive, cost-effective, high quality care." New Hampshire's 16 Community Health Centers provide access to primary medical, oral, mental health and behavioral health care to 125,000 people – 1 in 10 residents.

Also discussed was the upcoming potential Medicaid expansion, which would improve the lives of over 99,100 New Hampshire residents by giving them new access to health care services. "Over the next couple of months, we will be deciding whether to expand Medicaid as part of the Affordable Care Act," said House Speaker Norelli.

"We have been reviewing the costs and benefits of expansion, both in terms of our health care system and our economy. Information so far indicates that our public health and the economic well-being of the state will benefit significantly when everyone has access to health care."

Established in 1986, Bi-State Primary Care Association, serving Vermont and New Hampshire, is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization that promotes access to effective and affordable primary care and preventive services for all, with special emphasis on underserved populations in New Hampshire and Vermont.

The White Mountain Community Health Center (WMCHC) is a private, non-profit healthcare provider located in Conway. The health center is the "safety net" provider of the greater Mount Washington Valley providing care to the underinsured and uninsured population of the region.

Studio Intervale is now offering kettlebell yoga, kettlebell training and yoga combined. New to this area, this fusion is a way to strengthen, align, balance, and power the body to create a physique and state of mind that is healthy, strong, and confident. It can also help jump start weight loss.

Classes begin with 10 minutes of yoga to warm-up your muscles, followed by active rest between kettlebell sets that include body resistance exercises and yoga poses. This class ends with savasana to restore and balance your body after the workout.

All classes are adjusted to individual skill levels and goals. Class size is limited to six students and sign-up is requested to guarantee a space. This is a four-week offering on Wednesdays: Feb. 27, March 6, 13, 20 at 5:30 p.m. For more information and to register call (603) 387-2739. Prepay at $40 per person for the four sessions. Private group kettlebell yoga (for a minimum of three participants) is also offered.

36th annual Hope on the Slopes Race To Beat Cancer's top individual fundraiser was 14 year old Neville White of Jackson (center), second highest fundraiser was Richard Ayer of Glen, (right), and third highest fundraiser was Tony Romano of Lynnfield, Mass. (left).CONWAY — This weekend's 36th annual American Cancer Society's Hope on the Slopes Race to Beat Cancer raised over $11,000 for cancer research and Mount Washington Valley patient services. Volunteers participated in a fun-filled day on the slopes including skiing, snowboarding and tubing races at Cranmore Mountain, North Conway.

"Mount Washington Valley residents, second home owners, and visitors alike really showed their spirit this weekend," said Kathy Metz, community executive for the American Cancer Society. The top three individual fundraisers were Neville White of Jackson who brought in $1,758.00, Richard Ayer of Glen, who raised $1,710 from friends and family and Ken Romano of Lynnfield, MA collecting $945.00 in donations.

Metz said that money raised in the 2013 Hope on the Slopes Race To Beat Cancer will be used to speed up the search for new weapons to fight cancer. "Cancer will soon become the number-one killer in America as baby boomers grow older. In order to expand our patient services in the Mount Washington Valley and research new ways to treat patients, we've got to channel more public attention and money into this problem."

"The funds raised through the Hope on the Slopes Race to Beat Cancer enable us to continue our investment in the fight against cancer through research, education, advocacy, and patient services," added Metz. "Thanks to the generosity of our volunteers and donors, the money raised by Hope on the Slopes Race to Beat Cancer participants goes directly to the American Cancer Society's lifesaving programs."

Outstanding Youth Fundraisers (17 years and younger, raising $100.00 or more) included: Neville White (14 years) – 1,758.00, Joey Nichipor (7 years) - $137.00, and Merrik Iacozili (5 years) - $100.00. Participants are able to join together as teams to show their group spirit. Team fundraising results: Team Believe - $750.00.

American Cancer Society's Race to Beat Cancer was made possible by our sponsors Cranmore, Storyland, Amoskeag Beverages, Flatbread Company, Memorial Hospital, M&M Assurance, Northway Bank, 93.5 WMWV, Magic 104, 1st Allied Securities, Attitash/Wildcat Mountain Resorts, Bear Notch Ski Touring, Chalmers Insurance Group, Horsefeathers, Jackson Community Church, Valley Originals, Wentworth Hotel and the White Mountain Hotel & Resort as well as many local business who donated goods and services for the top fundraiser prizes and raffle fundraisers.

Volunteers interested in serving on the 2014 planning committee are now needed. Join other area residents to help organize this fun and meaningful event.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. For more information on events, programs and services in the Mount Washington Valley, please contact Kathy Metz, American Cancer Society Community Executive, at 356-3719/800-ACS-2345 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .