Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Chamber Collaborative Of Greater Portsmouth: Cornerstone VNA Honors 2 At Staff Appreciation Breakfast
Coming up on the Portsmouth Patch calendar: Holiday Market
Good morning Portsmouth! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Greater Portsmouth chamber spotlights Cornerstone VNA staff honors
- Are your holiday decorations creating hidden fire risks at home?
- How will Portsmouth’s new 2026 tax rate hit your wallet?
Also on today's calendar: Holiday Market and 6 more events.
Find out what's happening in Portsmouthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did one astronaut stranded on the moon say to another? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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Find out what's happening in Portsmouthfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Very windy; rain, with a high of 53 and low of 27 degrees.
- Saturday: Windy and colder, temps: high: 36, low: 33.
- Sunday: Turning sunny; breezy, with a high of 43 and low of 17 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
📰 News we're reading
1. Chamber Collaborative Of Greater Portsmouth: Cornerstone VNA Honors 2 At Staff Appreciation Breakfast (patch.com) — A local business group in the Greater Portsmouth area shared a press release highlighting Cornerstone VNA’s recent staff appreciation breakfast, where two team members were honored. The announcement underscores ongoing recognition of health care workers connected to the Portsmouth community and reflects the chamber’s role in promoting local organizations and their achievements. 
2. City Of Portsmouth: Fire Department Offers Holiday Fire Safety Reminders (patch.com) — Portsmouth’s Fire Department is urging residents to follow specific holiday and cold-weather fire safety tips, from watering Christmas trees daily to keeping space heaters three feet from anything that can burn. Officials also stress working smoke and CO alarms, safe cooking habits, and annual chimney inspections so Portsmouth homes stay safe through the festive season and winter heating months.
3. Portsmouth tax rate set, slightly lower than expected (seacoastonline.com) — Portsmouth’s property tax rate for fiscal year 2026 is set at $11.51 per $1,000 of valuation, slightly lower than projected thanks to strong property development. Bills will go out in December, with payments due in January and June. Residents can estimate and pay taxes online and find information on abatements and relief programs for seniors, veterans, disabled residents, and those facing hardship.
4. Portsmouth Cheetah Running Club has 4 All-Americans at national race (seacoastonline.com) — Portsmouth’s Cheetah Running Club just wrapped its season with four young runners earning All-American honors at the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships in snowy Indiana. The local youth team also dominated the New England Championships, collecting multiple individual wins and team titles that showcase the depth of Portsmouth’s up-and-coming distance talent.
5. Woman at Center of Kiss Cam Scandal Reveals Status With Ex-CEO Andy Byron (usmagazine.com) — A high-profile HR executive at tech firm Astronomer filed for divorce in Portsmouth after her widely discussed “kiss cam” moment with the company’s then-CEO at a Coldplay concert. In a new interview, she describes the fallout, insists there was no affair, and explains how the viral scrutiny affected her family and career.
📸 Around Portsmouth
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Portsmouth
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Holiday Market
Dough Craft Pizza, 2454 Lafayette Rd, Portsmouth
11:00 am
Sunday December 21
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- A Night of Carolers at The Library Restaurant
Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce , 401 State St , Portsmouth
6:00 pm - Hiroya Tsukamoto
Button Factory Stage , 909 Islington St , Portsmouth
7:00 pm - 35th Annual GINGERBREAD House Contest and Exhibition
Portsmouth Historical Society , 10 Middle Street , Portsmouth
10:00 am - Elf The Musical
Seacoast Repertory Theatre , 125 Bow St , Portsmouth
2:00 pm - Candlelight Stroll
Strawbery Banke Museum , 14 Hancock Street , Portsmouth
4:30 pm - Salsa Secrets Holiday Gala - Social Dance!
Salsa Secrets , 2800 Lafayette Rd , Portsmouth
7:30 pm - Nichinan Nights Happy Hour
Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce , 15 Middle St. , Portsmouth - 35th Annual GINGERBREAD House Contest and Exhibition
Portsmouth Historical Society , 10 Middle Street , Portsmouth
10:00 am
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Sunday December 21
📣 Portsmouth Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- Women's Breakfast — North Church of Portsmouth
The Golden Egg Diner , 72 Mirona Rd , Portsmouth
9:00 am - 35th Annual GINGERBREAD House Contest and Exhibition
Portsmouth Historical Society , 10 Middle Street , Portsmouth
10:00 am - Mini Movers
Olivia Allen Dance & Fitness LLC , 437 Portsmouth Ave #1b , Greenland
10:15 am - Story Time at Rye Public Library
Rye Public Library , 581 Washington Rd , Rye
10:30 am
Friday December 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Portsmouth PatchAM possible:
- Dogtopia of North Hampton — (475) 338-3501
Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness - Total Basement Finishing, a Blackdog Affiliate — (603) 458-7962
Basement Remodeling Experts in NH, MA and ME - RSP Studio Custom Framing — (603) 978-6702
RSP Studio Custom Framing – for all your framing needs.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Needham Bank Charitable Foundation Awards $120,000 In Grants To Support 6 Nonprofits In NH And MA —CMJ Read on Patch
- Hit rewind and join us in the 80s for a a brand-new retro holiday classic.
Travel through the past, present, and future alongside the Greediest Geezer as he discovers that Christmas Electricity! A hilarious and heartwarming… (Nextdoor Christian Shore) - Could be any day, not just the holiday season.
Must have filled his heart with warmth after doing this. Not a bad idea for all of us to consider. (Nextdoor Frank Jones Farm)
- TJX Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for Merchandise Coordinator in Portsmouth. Apply here.
- Cold Stone Creamery posted a job opening for Crew Member in Portsmouth. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portsmouth here.
Ok Portsmouth! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t think you know the gravity of this situation.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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