Show Notes
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Christine Sieks and Doug Glennon about holiday festivities and downtown Dover activities. Glennon discusses Communitively's initiatives, including First Friday Shop Local events, the Holiday Stroll featuring hot cocoa and s'mores stations in Waldron Court, Plaid Friday promotions encouraging shopping at local businesses rather than big box retailers, and the Autumn Art Amble, organized by Susan Hanna. Sieks explains the Light Up Dover project, formed by 14 volunteers when the previous organization could no longer continue. The initiative focuses on three main goals: lighting the tops of downtown buildings, creating a mural on the old Earcraft building, and dramatically enhancing the community Christmas tree. The tree lighting is scheduled for Dec. 5, with 40 boxes of ornaments and hundreds of lights. Both guests emphasize the growing collaboration among various Dover organizations including Dover Main Street, the Arts Commission, Dover Doers, and the Holiday Parade organizers. They highlight how different groups are learning to work together rather than separately, pooling resources and coordinating efforts for greater community impact during the 2025 holiday season and planning ahead for 2026.
In This Week in Dover History, we learn about Thanksgiving week in 1925, when Dover residents enjoyed holiday dining at establishments like the Magnet Restaurant and Kimball Tavern, entertainment at the Strand and Orpheum theaters, and Ethel Mae Shorey's 10th annual Thanksgiving performance at the Dover Opera House.
More from Dover Download
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Dian Maruca, executive director of the Dover Housing Authority, as part of the podcast's continuing look at local nonprofits and social service agencies. Maruca, who has led the authority since March 2026 after joining as deputy director in 2023, shares how a teenage landscaping job at the Newmarket Housing Authority grew into a career in subsidized housing. She says that hands-on experience shapes her respect for her maintenance and administrative staff.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Director of Planning and Community Development Donna Benton about the FY28-33 Capital Improvements Program, presented to the City Council and Planning Board on Oct. 7.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Director of Media Services Mike Gillis about September's board, committee and commission meetings.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Margaret Joyce and Jed Allen of the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce about the 42nd annual Apple Harvest Day. What began as a small craft fair on Orchard Street with about a dozen crafters has grown into a signature event often described as Dover's homecoming, with roughly 250 vendors, two food courts, a road race, an apple pie contest and entertainment on two stages. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the 5K road race starting at 8:30 a.m.
In this episode of the Dover Download podcast, Deputy City Manager Christopher Parker chats with Kathy Beebe, executive director of Haven, as part of the podcast's continuing look at local nonprofits. Haven is the Seacoast's domestic violence and sexual assault prevention and support agency. It was formed through the merger of A Safe Place and Sexual Assault Support Services. Beebe explains that the new name was chosen deliberately to make clear its services are for anyone affected, including men, teens, adult survivors of childhood abuse, and family members.