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Peek inside the historic Hotel Portsmouth after a complete redesign

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Peek inside the historic Hotel Portsmouth after a complete redesign


New England Travel

“We’re thrilled to unveil this new take on a quintessentially New England hotel.”

A room at The Hotel Portsmouth. Read McKendree

A historic Portsmouth, N.H., hotel steps from bustling Market Square just reopened after a complete redesign.


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The Hotel Portsmouth is a 32-room hotel originally built in 1881 by wealthy ship merchant and businessman John E. Sise. The Queen Anne Victorian, formerly the Sise Inn, served as one of the city’s first independent lodging establishments and was acquired by Lark Hotels in 2014. Its recent redesign was led by boutique design firm Elder & Ash.

The getaway’s new look “combines modern sophistication with the warmth of traditional New England charm,” according to the design team.

“From original crown moldings and working fireplaces to meticulous woodwork around its central staircase, we have always been in awe of The Hotel Portsmouth’s architectural charm,” Rob Blood, founder and president of Lark Hotels and principal of Elder & Ash, said in a statement. “This new look honors the building’s innate beauty and celebrates the rich culture of the city and region in an unexpected way. We’re thrilled to unveil this new take on a quintessentially New England hotel.”

A room at The Hotel Portsmouth. Read McKendree

The hotel offers a variety of room types, from a petite king to a dual-loft suite and sprawling penthouse suite. There are also ADA-accessible and pet-friendly rooms.

Designers took inspiration from the surrounding city.

“We find the arts and culture scene of Portsmouth to be unique,” Megan Kennedy, creative director for Lark Hotels and principal of Elder & Ash, said in a statement. “Historic landmarks like the Strawbery Banke Museum are
met with more contemporary counterparts, like 3S Art Space. Venues like Jimmy’s Jazz Club, the Seacoast Repertory Theater and The Music Hall, just to name a few, give our guests an unparalleled opportunity for a cultural experience in this small city. We wanted The Hotel Portsmouth to emulate and
add to this experience. Instead of just a place to stay, we aimed for it to tell a visual story of its deeply New England roots, both past and present.”

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A guest room at The Hotel Portsmouth. Read McKendree

The getaway’s interior is dominated by reds and blues with Americana patterns, geometrics, and touches of maritime history. The work of American photographer Slim Aarons is featured on the walls alongside contemporary street art, historic original landscapes, and portrait paintings.

A guest room at The Hotel Portsmouth. Read McKendree

“The bold and layered approach to the design is how we’re expressing Americana as a technique more so than as a visual picture,” Kennedy said in a statement. “Modern Americana design for this project was much more than stars, stripes and patchwork quilts (while there are still many of those), it was about noticing how multiple patterns and textures and colors come to feel like ‘Americana’. Tribal mud cloths work harmoniously with greek key motifs, and while some would argue about heritage — we saw it as an opportunity to emulate the melting pot.”

A guest room at The Hotel Portsmouth. Read McKendree

The bathrooms offer tubs and walk-in showers and guests use Lather bath products.

A bathroom at The Hotel Portsmouth. Read McKendree

The common spaces “blend small town American charm with one of a kind furnishings,” according to the team.

A common room at The Hotel Portsmouth. Read McKendree

Lucy & John’s is a bar area with a billiards table and group seating. The hotel now has a full liquor license, so travelers can enjoy batched cocktails and canned beer and wine along with light bites.

A common space at The Hotel Portsmouth. Read McKendree

Guests can shop at the gift boutique located behind the reception desk, which offers designer vintage clothing, modern Americana home decor, and locally made items.

The gift boutique at The Hotel Portsmouth. Read McKendree

Travelers enjoy curated small bites for breakfast, a 24-hour concierge service, and several indoor and outdoor gathering spaces.

An outdoor space at The Hotel Portsmouth. Read McKendree

Families traveling with kids can ask for a kids welcome basket, complete with toys and snacks. Other types of baskets guests can order include breakfast baskets and a New England beer-tasting basket.

Room rates start at at $200 per night, depending on the room type and dates of stay.





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New Hampshire

TRAENE Fitness Pickleball Brings Pickleball Courts And Wellness Options To Dover

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TRAENE Fitness Pickleball Brings Pickleball Courts And Wellness Options To Dover


Dover, New Hampshire is finally going to see something go into the old Ames Building, (same plaza as Hannaford) at 833 Central Avenue.  It’s not just “something,” it’s a Community space we didn’t know we wanted.

Justin Grondahl is the owner of TRAENE Fitness & Pickleball and he’s opening one here in Dover.  He has 63,000 square feet to make beautiful.  Justin is the son of the co-founder of Planet Fitness that started right here in Dover, New Hampshire.

Justin spent some time with me here in the Townsquare Studios and told me everything we can expect.

You will not believe what he has in store for this place.  It makes me want to move to Dover. (although it’s like my 2nd home – I’m here all. the. time.)  Check out what his plans are:

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  • 10 indoor pickleball courts
  • 3,000 Square Foot Classroom for Megaformer Pilates Classes
  • 20,000 square feet of just gym equipment
  • 2 Cold Plunges
  • 3 Saunas, with three floors.  Lots of people can fit into them
  • Big Locker Rooms
  • Red Light Beds
  • Massage Chairs
  • Massage Beds
  • Tanning Booths

TRAENE Recently Added a Peptide Clinic to their Plans

If you are unfamiliar with peptides, they are chains of amino acids that help you heal injuries, build muscles and in some cases, lose weight.

After Justin told me all this, I asked if they will have food and drinks too because it was the only thing I could think of that they didn’t mention!  He said, “yes, we’ll have something.”

What’s Up With the Penguin?

When Justin came into the studio, he had a TRAENE branded shirt that included a penguin.  When I asked him why a Penguin, he said that it has always been his favorite animal because they are very tied to their Community.  They never really leave and they are always together.

READ THIS:  6 Reason’s Why Brown’s Lobster Shack is a NH Seafood Treasure

Justin is already under construction of TRAENE.  He said they should be open in the Fall of 2026.

Another incredible perk of being part of the TRAENE community is they are going to pick between 10 – 15 Members of the Month who are going to get rewards like:

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  • Renting out a race track
  • Limo service to Bruins or Celtics games, whichever the member chooses

These trips will be all paid for, all free, Justin said.

New Fitness & Pickeball Center Opening Up in the Fall of 2026 in Dover, NH

As soon as I hear about when TRAENE is opening, I’ll let you know and you and I can get our pickleball team together.  Justin did say sometime in the fall, but no specific date.. yet.

8 New Hampshire Restaurants That Closed in January/February 2026

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

All Team USA New England Athletes Who Won Medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics

As of Sunday, February 22, 2026, 10 athletes from New England won medals in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna





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NH Lottery Pick 3 Day, Pick 3 Evening winning numbers for April 19, 2026

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The New Hampshire Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Sunday, April 19, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing

Day: 8-6-2

Evening: 8-8-9

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Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing

Day: 7-6-9-2

Evening: 6-5-8-4

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

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When are the New Hampshire Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Pick 3, 4: 1:10 p.m. and 6:55 p.m. daily.
  • Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Megabucks Plus: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
  • Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a New Hampshire managing editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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New Hampshire

‘Not cosmetic’: NH lawmaker wants state to cover GLP-1 drugs for weight loss – Concord Monitor

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‘Not cosmetic’: NH lawmaker wants state to cover GLP-1 drugs for weight loss – Concord Monitor


Two years ago, Sue Prentiss got a sobering reality check at her doctor’s office. The news was blunt: She qualified for bariatric surgery, a procedure for patients whose weight poses life-threatening risks.

She was aware of her weight and had tried everything from high-intensity workouts to weight loss programs and diets. Nothing seemed to help until she started taking GLP-1 medications.

Prentiss said between then and now, she had lost almost 80 pounds. 

But at a $500 out-of-pocket monthly fee, every refill is a financial pinch.

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“I’m just getting by, but I’m so much healthier, and if this can work for me, think about everybody else’s life where this would impact,” said Prentiss, a state senator.

To keep up with the cost, she’s made hard choices like cutting back on retirement contributions and squeezing her budget wherever possible.

Sen. Sue Prentiss Credit: Courtesy

Now, Prentiss is sponsoring Senate Bill 455, which would require the state to provide GLP-1 medications under the state Medicaid plan as a treatment for people with obesity.

As of January, New Hampshire’s Medicaid program has ended coverage for GLP-1 drugs like Saxenda, Wegovy and Zepbound for weight loss. The state still covers the medications when they’re part of a treatment plan for other chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, certain cardiovascular diseases, severe sleep apnea and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH).

According to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, the state paid managed care organizations $49.5 million to cover GLP-1 medications between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. The policy change in January reduced that cost to $41 million.

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With these drugs gaining popularity, the state estimated that if were to resume covering GLP-1s for weight loss, it would need to spend an additional $24.2 million on top of the $41 million per fiscal year.

Jonathan Ballard, chief medical officer at DHHS, said the agency opposes the bill, which would require Medicaid coverage for anyone with a body mass index above 30 seeking GLP-1 medications specifically for weight loss.

Ballard said the state cannot afford such an expansion when budgets are already tight.

“The department does not have this money today,” he said. “So, living within the realities of our current budget, there will be significant trade-offs. We will have to cut other things that are very important to the health and well-being of New Hampshire to pay for this unless there’s some change.”

GLP-1 drugs carry a steep price tag that puts significant pressure on state budgets, particularly within Medicaid programs. Several states, including California, Pennsylvania and South Carolina, have moved to drop coverage of these medications for weight loss.

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Prentiss initially drafted her legislation with private insurers in mind, but later pivoted to focus on Medicaid to serve more vulnerable populations. She is covered by commercial insurance and said the outcome of the bill will not personally affect her.

Lost coverage

GLP-1 medications mimic a natural hormone in the gut that helps regulate blood sugar, digestion and appetite.

Sarah Finn, section chief for obesity medicine at Dartmouth Health, said she has seen firsthand the impact on her patients after the state dropped Medicaid coverage for weight-loss GLP-1 drugs. 

Without access to these medications, patients experience increased hunger, cravings and persistent “food noise,” as their bodies attempt to return to a higher fat percentage, a process known as metabolic adaptation, she said.

“This is the reality of the state I’m in right now, where I don’t have options except bariatric surgery for my Medicaid patients and a lot of times patients don’t want to do a surgery,” said Finn, at a hearing for the bill on Wednesday. “What I have to tell that patient is there’s nothing I could do to advocate.”

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The Department of Health and Human Services faced a $51 million budget cut when the New Hampshire Legislature passed its biennial budget last year, forcing the department to reduce several services.

While Prentiss acknowledges the financial strain on the department, she wants the state to consider the long-term impact of using GLP-1s to prevent chronic conditions like diabetes, which is largely linked to weight gain and can drive up costs for the state over time.

“By driving down obesity, we can drive down the costs that are related to it,” she said. 

Prentiss remains on GLP-1 medications and said she feels much healthier than before.

She said that after a few months on the drugs, her blood sugar levels and kidney function began trending toward more normal ranges.

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“It’s not cosmetic,” she said. “Obesity is a medical condition.”



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