Tri-City Partnership Launches Community Initiatives Amid COVID-19

STRAFFORD COUNTY, N.H. —  Leaders of the Tri-City Partnership Dover Mayor Robert Carrier, Rochester Mayor Caroline McCarley, and Somersworth Mayor Dana S. Hilliard announce that each city has organized opportunities for residents to feel connected to one another, safely, amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“Social distancing can take an emotional toll, and people miss their friends, family, and being out in the community,” Rochester Mayor McCarley said. “Each of our cities has coordinated opportunities for residents to show their community spirit and spread some joy, and it’s our hope these efforts bring a smile to everyone’s faces as we continue to navigate the ongoing public health crisis.”

Lilac City Shines

The City of Rochester, also known as the Lilac City, is encouraging residents to hang their holiday lights outdoors to show their support of everyone in the community, as the COVID-19 pandemic has touched everyone’s life in one way or another. 

The lights will recognize those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic including health care workers, firefighters, and police; high school seniors; teachers and students participating in remote learning; restaurants and food service workers; public works, sanitation and utility workers; childcare workers; grocery store employees; truck drivers; those working from home; those waiting to return to work; and all other essential employees.

Residents who would like to recognize someone in particular are encouraged to print off a star design (see below) or design their own and write the name of the “star” person or organization they’d like to recognize. Stars can be taped or tacked onto front doors, windows or other visible locations at city homes and businesses to recognize those going above and beyond amid COVID-19.

Residents can upload their photos using the #LilacCityShines hashtag to share their community spirit on the City of Rochester NH or Rochester NH Recreation & Arena social media pages on Facebook, Rochester _Rec on Instagram or RochesterNHGov on Twitter. Residents are encouraged to tag the City’s social media accounts as well. 

Dover Organizes Tri-City Community Spirit Ribbon Initiative

The Dover Recreation Department and Dover Public Library have partnered to provide an opportunity for residents throughout the Tri-City Partnership to show their community spirit. Homeowners and businesses in each community are encouraged to display colored ribbons on their property, such as on mailboxes, doors or trees, to signify solidarity and support as everyone weathers the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dover residents and business owners are asked to display green and white ribbons, Somersworth residents and business owners may display blue and white ribbons and Rochester residents and business owners can put out red and white ribbons to participate.  

“With people cooped up at home, there is a need to foster connectivity and support throughout the community,” Dover Mayor Carrier said. “We’ve come together to plan and organize an opportunity for residents to show their community spirit and to offer a source of positivity in the middle of this uncertain, challenging time.”

Somersworth Fly the Flag Challenge

Somersworth Fire Chief George Kramlinger and Mayor Dana Hilliard are pleased to share that the City is hosting a “Fly the Flag” challenge this spring. Residents are encouraged to honor and show their pride for first responders, medical workers, educators and all essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic by displaying the American Flag on their property.

“We felt this would provide a meaningful opportunity for residents to show their appreciation to our first responders, medical professionals and essential workers, and we hope people participate,” Somersworth Mayor Hilliard said. “We’re all in this together, and these are the people who are on the front lines, making sure our community stays safe and helping those who need help during this difficult time.”

Participating residents and businesses are encouraged to take a photo of their flag and email it to SYC-bfisher@sau56.org. Photos of flags will also be shared on Channel 22. 

Somersworth Rainbow Art Challenge

The Somersworth Youth Connection has organized a rainbow challenge to raise the spirits of people in the community during COVID-19. Community members of all ages are encouraged to create, design and display rainbow art, take a picture of their creations and email or text them to SYC-bfisher@sau56.org. Residents and business owners are encouraged to showcase their art work in their windows to be enjoyed by those walking by, while practicing safe social distancing and remaining at least six feet from others. Art will also be showcased on Channel 22. 

About the Tri-City Partnership

Dover Mayor Robert Carrier, Rochester Mayor Caroline McCarley, and Somersworth Mayor Dana S. Hilliard, together with their city managers, emergency management officials and public safety chiefs have come together and agreed to form the informal Tri-City Partnership. As part of this partnership, the three cities have agreed to remain in constant communication and to share ideas, best practices and resources that will help residents and business owners in all three communities respond to and recover from the COVID-19 crisis. The cities also agreed to share information regarding each community’s public safety and government operations decisions that are being made in conformance with the recommendations from the New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as the situation continues to evolve.

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