An alliance of commercial enterprises in Atkinson, Danville, Hampstead, Kingston, Newton, Plaistow, & Sandown — New Hampshire
About Us
“Alone we are smart. Together we are
brilliant.”
— Steven Anderson - Educator
PACE Members and guests get together on a monthly basis to network, promote our businesses & organizations, learn about best business practices and improve our local communities.
Annually, PACE hosts a number of fundraisers to raise funds for our scholarship program, which supports graduating high school students from the seven towns we cover. PACE is committed to helping our communities’ youth get a great start and achieve the education, connections and support to begin their professional lives. We also contribute to many community needs, including Plaistow Community YMCA , Lions Club, local libraries and schools, and various food pantries.
Since 1988, P.A.C.E. is a recognized 501 (c) (6) tax exempt organization.
2026 Board Officers
President: (1 yr term/no term limit)
Mary Lovell
North of Boston Media Group
50 Bloody Brook Rd
Hampstead, NH 03841
(603) 479-2998 | MLovell@northofboston.com
(term expires 11/1/26)
Vice-President: (1 yr term/no term limit)
Brent MacKenzie
MacKenzie Fuels
14 Amesbury Road
Newton, NH 03858
(603) 974-7571 x102 | brent@mackenzieheatcool.com
(term expires 11/1/26)
Secretary: (1 yr term/no term limit)
Patty Trudel
Pest-End
91 Plaistow Road
Plaistow, NH 03865
(978) 807-5382 | PTrudel@pestendinc.com
(term expires 11/1/26)
Kelly Ritter
All American at Kingston
193 Main Street
Kingston, NH 03848
(603) 347-5522 | KRitter@allamericanatKingston.com
Barbara Gallagher
YMCA of the North Shore
175 Plaistow Road
Plaistow, NH 03865
(603) 382-0641 | GallagherB@northshoreymca.org
Kerri Durkee
(603) 479-3041
Creative Communications Advisor
Treasurer: (2 yr term)
Leslie Riemitis
Leslie Riemitis Agency
62 Timberlane Road
Hampstead, NH 03841
(603)329-4580 | LeslieRealtor@comcast.net
(term expires 7/1/26)
Director: (1 yr term)
Melissa Hennessey
Merrill Lynch
100 Federal Street
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 946-4242 | Melissa.Hennessey@ml.com
(term expires 11/1/26)
The Plaistow Area Commerce Exchange, Inc. was born under the idea that a close working relationship and communication with the local business community in Southern New Hampshire was essential. Rapid changes and accelerated growth within the area towns was a serious issue and there were no means existed to address these concerns. A Plaistow resident and business owner, Davena Szmyt, contacted a few other business owners in September of 1985 to ask their opinion about the need for an organization. The purpose would be to bring business and professional people together to address issues of common concern, to get to know each other better, and work toward a more structured direction for the future growth and prosperity within the community.
Our History
A name was chosen, a nominating committee and a membership committee was organized from volunteers, and bylaws, newsletter, program and public relations committees were formed. Following the second meeting, the membership outgrew the restaurant and P.A.C.E. moved to Sawyers Banquet Hall. From the first person, to the next 8 who were called, to the 24 that attended, there were 87 members on the first anniversary. That figure has grown to 117 total members!
P.A.C.E. has flourished, brought many new friendships and business relationships together, and is well respected as a contributor to the seven towns it serves. It represents a unified and knowledgeable organization as a voice for the business sector and addresses current and future issues. Its monthly programs are diversified and informative, ranging from the New Hampshire State Attorney General, the Mayor of Haverhill, the Transportation and Banking Commissioners from New Hampshire, Advertising versus Public Relations, to the inventor of the better mousetrap!
The response was overwhelmingly favorable! An informal meeting was scheduled and approximately eight individuals were invited. There were pre-requisites: that the organization would be non-profit, that contribution, cooperation and communication would be its foundation and that dues would be minimal, in order that no one would be excluded for monetary reasons. Members would contribute their skills, knowledge and materials to make the organization meaningful as well as successful. Twenty-four men and women attended the first meeting at Sawyers Restaurant on October 29th, 1985 at 7:30 am for coffee and a brainstorming sessions. The agenda was carefully organized and covered Purpose, Structure, Liability, Locations, Names, Dues and Issues. The pros and cons were carefully discussed and the enthusiasm was contagious!
P.A.C.E. has sponsored a Business Person of the Year/Auction Night, Comedy Night Fundraiser, Toys for Tots Program, and a Candidate’s Nights/Breakfasts, Library Appreciation Events, Business After Hours Events and so much more. Currently, P.A.C.E. communicates to its members through e-mail and social media.
The membership is extremely loyal in supporting and promoting their membership base. With continued support from it’s membership base, P.A.C.E. will prosper within its respective communities.
In 2007, we voted to include two more towns to round out our service area for a total of seven: Atkinson, Danville, Hampstead, Kingston, Newton, Plaistow and Sandown.
We continue with the original mission and purpose under the motto Building Relationships While Supporting Our Community
Join your neighborhood community today!
The New Hampshire areas we’re a part of
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Incorporated: 1767
Origin: Atkinson was named in 1767 for Colonel Theodore Atkinson, whose farm once covered nearly all of the several hundred acres set aside from Plaistow that became the town. Colonel Atkinson was a brother-in-law to Governor Benning Wentworth, served as secretary of the colony until the Revolution, and was one of the Masonian Proprietors who parceled out New Hampshire lands to over 30,000 settlers. Colonel Atkinson bequested funds to establish Atkinson Academy, incorporated in 1787. In 1809, the state granted 13,000 acres of land in Coös County to the Academy, an unincorporated place now known as Atkinson & Gilmanton Academy Grant. Villages and Place Names: Atkinson Heights, Conleys Grove, Westville, Atkinson Depot.
Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 479 residents in 1790
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Incorporated: 1760
Origin: Danville was one of several parishes of Kingston, which was first settled in 1694. It was chartered in 1760 as Hawke, in honor of Admiral Sir Edward Hawke. Never a popular name, the town was renamed and incorporated as Danville in 1836. According to the Danville Heritage Commission, the Hawke Meeting House is the oldest original construction meeting house still standing in New Hampshire. Construction of the meeting house began in 1754, and it was used for religious services until 1832 and for town meetings through 1887. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Villages and Place Names: North Danville, South Danville
Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 420 residents in 1790
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Incorporated: 1749
Origin: Hampstead began as a part of Haverhill and Amesbury, Massachusetts, and was formed as a result of the 1739 change in boundary lines between Massachusetts and the new province of New Hampshire. It was originally known as Timberlane Parish, because of the heavy growth of native trees. In 1749, residents of the area voted to petition the governor for incorporation. Governor Benning Wentworth named the town Hampstead, after the English town where William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, lived. Pitt, a close friend of Governor Wentworth, was Prime Minister of England, and a supporter of the American cause. Villages and Place Names: East Hampstead, West Hampstead
Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 724 residents in 1790
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Incorporated: 1694
Origin: Kingston was the fifth town to be established in New Hampshire, and its charter was issued in 1694. The establishment of settlements was made possible by peace treaties with the Indians following the King's War, during the reign of William and Mary. This settlement, set off from Hampton, was chartered as Kingstown, so named in honor of the King of England. Use of the title instead of the King's name was common at the time. Kingston was home to Dr. Josiah Bartlett, "president" of the state from 1790 to 1794, delegate to the Continental Congress, first signer of the Declaration of Independence, and founder of the New Hampshire Medical Society. Villages and Place Names: South Kingston, West Kingston, Carriage Towne
Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 906 residents in 1790
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Incorporated: 1749
Origin: The sixth town to be granted from the Masonian land purchase of 1746, Newton was originally part of South Hampton. Residents in the western portion felt they were too far away from the South Hampton church and meetinghouse, some having to travel 14 miles, and petitioned for a parish of their own. The town was incorporated as New Town in 1749 simply because it was a new town. The church built by these residents was the first Baptist church in New Hampshire. In 1846, the New Hampshire legislature voted to contract the name to Newton. Villages and Place Names: Newton Junction, Rowes Corner, Sargent Corners
Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 530 residents in 1790
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Incorporated: 1749
Origin: This territory was part of the 1642 land purchase that was Haverhill, Massachusetts. When the New Hampshire‐ Massachusetts boundary was established in 1741, the portion north of the border became the Haverhill District. The town was incorporated as Plastow in 1749, and included Atkinson, which was separated in 1767. The spelling was changed later. The name may have come from the English "plaistowe," meaning "an open space or greenwood, near the center of a village where the maypole stood and where sports at holiday times were carried on." Villages and Place Names:
Westville Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 521 residents in 1790
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Incorporated: 1756
Origin: This territory was part of the original Kingston grant of 1694. As the western portion of Kingston became more heavily populated, residents felt that they could support a meetinghouse of their own, and petitioned Governor Benning Wentworth for separation. Sandown was incorporated as a separate parish in 1756. It was named for picturesque Sandown on the Isle of Wight. The first minister of Sandown, Reverend Joseph Cotton, built the Sandown Church in 1773. The church had an eleven‐foot high pulpit and marble columns supporting the gallery, and is an excellent example of early New England church architecture. Villages and Place Names: unknown
Population, Year of the First Census Taken: 561 residents in 1790
