atHome Magazine: Fall/Holiday 2023

Continue the forward-thinking, adventurous and openminded lifestyle you’ve always loved at Covenant Living of Keene. From cooking meals to home maintenance to being prepared for any unforeseen health issues, we’ve got you covered—so you won’t need to worry. Instead, enjoy a bright, spacious residence with endless opportunities for enrichment and purpose in a beautiful location. And relax with confidence knowing you have the security and peace of mind only a Life Plan community can provide.

atHome with Marcia

The Gift of Simplicity

“What a circus act we women perform every day of our lives. Look at us. We run a tightrope daily, balancing a pile of books on the head. Baby-carriage, parasol, kitchen chair, still under control. Steady now! This is not the life of simplicity but the life of multiplicity that the wise men warn us of.” --

Anne Morrow Lindbergh

This quote is from a cherished book I first read while my oldest was just a newborn called “Gift from the Sea.” My daughter is now 31, and my son 25, and once in a while, I will still crack open Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s classic book for inspiration. Her small volume contains incredible nuggets of wisdom about different stages in the life of women, from marriage, motherhood, aging, solitude and ultimately, happiness.

The life of “multiplicity,” as she writes, will do us in. And at no other time are we juggling a behemoth to-do list of tasks than during the holiday season. Not only do we (women and men) juggle our usual duties at work and home, but now there are holiday parties, gifts to buy and wrap, airplane or train tickets to purchase (if we are visiting family in other states or countries), a house to decorate ... steady now!

Can we simplify it all? Are there ways to scale back? Sometimes, when we are in the thick of it, it’s hard to imagine leaving anything out and creating a simplified version of what we have always done. But maybe it’s not a wholesale revamping of our traditions that we need, but tweaks to what we already do. For some practical tips, turn to page 16 to read our feature story, “Savoring Simplicity” for a taste of what the holidays can be like if we dare to pare down just little a bit.

Happy Holidays!

Marcia

atHOME MAGAZINE ISSUE #31 FALL/WINTER 2023

PUBLISHER

Backporch Publishing LLC

FOUNDER/EDITOR

Marcia Passos

CONTRIBUTORS

Nicole S. Colson

Patricia Herlevi

Marcia Passos

Caroline Tremblay

PHOTOGRAPHY

Kelly Fletcher

ADVERTISING SALES: jeanne@atHOMEnewengland.com

CONTACT US

atHome Magazine

16 Russell Street • Keene, N.H. 03431 603-369-2525

marcia@atHOMEnewengland.com www.atHOMEnewengland.com

atHome is published four times a year (Spring, Summer, Fall/Holiday and Winter) by Keene, N.H.-based Backporch Publishing LLC. atHome is a consumer publication that highlights the homes and gardens of residents in tri-state area of New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts.

This magazine is copyrighted. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. The views expressed in atHome magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of its advertisers, publisher or editor. While every effort is made to provide accurate information, neither atHome nor Backporch Publishing LLC assumes responsibility for any errors or omissions

Learn more about Backporch Publishing LLC at www.backporchpublishing.com

Shop LocaL for the hoLidayS!



Give the Gift of Sustainability

While the holiday season is full of so much cheer and celebration, the season of giving can also be filled with a lot of waste. Between presents, wrapping paper, shopping bags, food scraps and decorations, Americans throw out 25% more trash in the winter holiday season. All of the festivities are fun, but how can you partake in the holiday celebration without contributing to all of the holiday waste? Here are some tips to help you enjoy the holiday sustainably.

Get Creative with Cards

Instead of contributing to the mass amount of waste from greeting cards, try new ways to spread your season’s greetings. For example, you can reuse old cards that you’ve received or craft a card out of whatever paper and craft supplies you have in your house. If you don’t want to try an arts and crafts project, you can also purchase a card that is made out of recycled material and is sustainably sourced. Look for trusted certifications, like that of the Forest Stewardship Council, on the back of your card if you’re unsure about its environmental impact.

Also be aware before buying one of those cards that have the twinkling lights or the “perfect” holiday song: these cards have batteries and often lead solder that will eventually end up in the trash.

You can also send your holiday cheer virtually through an e-card. E-cards eliminate the paper waste of a card altogether and avoid the carbon emissions that come with sending your cards through the mail. Switching up the traditional holiday greeting card can help limit the amount of waste you generate, and you might just spread some extra holiday cheer with your creativity!

Rethink How You Gift

While it’s amazing to practice sustainability yourself, you can also share it with others by giving sustainable gifts to your family and friends. There are plenty of great items that fit the bill, including reusable cups and mugs, naturally-made soaps, sustainably-made clothing and reusable straws. You can also make your holiday gifts to reduce all the waste involved with gift-giving; try baking cookies, knitting a blanket or making soaps or a candle. Homemade gifts are better for the environment than mass-produced

gifts that take up energy and resources. There are plenty of easy do-it-yourself holiday gifts out there that help you save money and the environment.

Gifting an experience is also a great sustainable option that a recipient can truly appreciate. Whether the experience is a trip, concert, sports game or restaurant, it can be an eco-friendly gift that everyone can enjoy without having to produce more waste. And there’s always the gift of your time or assistance: offers of babysitting, lawn mowing, meal preparation, etc.

However, if you are going the shopping route, consider what stores and brands you’re buying from during the holiday season. Try shopping from brands that have more environmentally friendly practices or shop locally.

Wrapping Up the Holiday Cheer

When it comes to gifts, less wrapping is more helpful to the environment. You may enjoy the festive wrapping paper and bright-colored bows, but that wrapping paper is immediately ripped off and thrown away once someone opens it. Luckily, there are plenty of other options for wrapping your gift that allow you to be sustainable while also looking festive.

If you decide to go the wrapping paper route, purchase recyclable wrapping paper and make sure to recycle it after it’s used, instead of throwing it in the trash. You can also get creative with your wrapping paper options by using old wrapping paper, newspapers, catalogs, junk mail or comic books. Reusable materials, like a gift bag or tote bag, are also a great option compared to wrapping paper.

A reusable item like a tote bag is also a fun gift that the recipient can keep using, or level up and use crocheted or knitted bags made from scrap fabric. And use last year’s holiday cards to make gift tags. Getting creative with your wrapping can help reduce your waste by quite a bit, creating a more sustainable holiday season.

Make sure to try out a few of these tips this holiday season to celebrate the festivities and the environment. We hope you enjoy your holiday and give the gift of sustainability to your family and friends this year. And once the fun is over, remember to recycle the gift paper and boxes and don’t forget your tree! Contact your local transfer station/ recycling center for details or add it to your yard compost.

Office: 603 Office: 603 rrobin@ obin@

This article is provided courtesy of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental services. Learn more at des.nh.gov.

The Aaron Seaman House School Street, Keene, NH

The founders of Monadnock Berries in Troy know a little something about history, having moved into the oldest house in town on their 250-year-old farm in the mid’90s. Now semi-retired, Fenella and Anthony Levick (pictured, right) are starting their new life operating an antique Airbnb in Keene.

The couple purchased the sidegabled Georgian Colonial 1804 property, known as the Aaron Seaman House, about a year ago.

Anthony grew up on a fruit farm in England and brought over his family when he came to the United States in 1995. The couple fell in love with the Troy property, home to 10 acres of berries, and started a family farm. Now, the next generation, their son Oliver and his wife, Elise, are taking over, and they decided to purchase

a home in Keene (“We still work at the farm, but now we get paid,” jokes Fenella). Initially, they thought they would live at the Keene historic home but ultimately decided to run it exclusively as an Airbnb and move to Harrisville.

Aaron Seaman built the house at what is now 72 School St. It is the oldest house on the street, with the deepest setback.

The street was known as “the road to Walpole.” The course of the street was changed to the present angle to join Court Street in 1803. The street became known as School Street sometime after 1892 when the Tilden School was built.

Aaron Seaman, who lived in the house for only six years, was a partner in a “ginn” distillery and a potash works, both located on lower land north and west of the house. Potash, used in making glass and in dyeing and preparing wool, was an indispensable commodity derived from the leaching of wood ashes. Seaman also had interests in a business on Main Street, which did tanning, currying and Morocco dressing.

By Nicole S. Colson• Photos by Kelly Fletcher

In 1810, Joseph Wheeler, a popular Keene physician, became the second occupant of the house. He had a bowling alley in his backyard that was “sufficiently out of the ordinary to attract the notice of the villagers.”

The Edward Ellis family lived in the house for over half a century, and the most recent owners before the Levicks were Abe and Bonnie Jansen. The Jansens ran the property as a bed and breakfast, but only the upstairs — the Levicks rent the entire house out to guests.

The Levicks aimed to stay true in furnishing and decorating their home to the period: they brought chandeliers from their farmhouse, and Colonial-era red, blue and gold are seen throughout.

The colors are represented most prominently in the stenciling on many interior walls. Their design came from Moses Eaton. There were several itinerant stencilers known by name who worked in New England during this period, many of whom used stencils copied from Eaton’s work (see example, above).

Eaton moved to Hancock in 1792. Several homes in Dublin and Peterborough have stenciled walls done by Eaton.

Eaton’s primitive stencil designs are among the best-known of the folk art style, and he would simply “eyeball” their placement. Motifs typical of Eaton include the weeping willow (with or without a bird), pineapple, flower basket (also with or without a bird), oak

Roofing • Vinyl Siding Replacement & Storm Windows Insulation

38 Swanzey Factory Road, Swanzey, NH

leaves, maple leaves, roses, sunflowers and vines. Several of these motifs are here on the walls of the Seaman house. There is also a nod to the stencil artist written on the corner of the house’s two chimneys on the first floor, including the dates (1790-1830) that Eaton’s designs were in circulation.

Some stenciled walls are crumbling with age, but there are no leaks.

“They are just old walls,” notes Fenella, adding that she and her husband have decided to preserve the stenciling themselves with whitewash and antique paint.

Some other features in the house Fenella appreciates are the fireplaces in each room (one is still in use), a clawfoot tub in one bathroom and a widow’s walk — which she finds interesting because the house isn’t anywhere near the ocean. The name “widow’s walk” is said to come from the wives of mariners, who would watch for their spouses’ return, often in vain, as the ocean took their lives, leaving the women widows.

Another part of the house that guests don’t usually see — the basement — is also interesting to Fenella.

“It has very high ceilings; it’s very cool in temperature,”

she says. “Maybe they spent the summer here, and if it’s warm in the winter, maybe they lived down here while they were building it.”

One room within the basement contains platforms that may have been used for bunk beds.

“It gets your mind wandering,” she adds.

Since this past holiday season, the Levicks have rented out the house, which has a king room downstairs (with one working fireplace), three queen rooms and a twin room upstairs, as an Airbnb and have been booked solidly.

It’s no surprise to them.

“People who like old houses tell us they sought this place out to stay,” says Anthony.

“If you like antique New England, this is the place to be,” adds Fenella.

Learn more about this historic vacation rental on the Airbnb site under “Charming colonial home in downtown Keene.” The property can accommodate 10 guests and has five bedrooms, six beds and two baths.

PHOTOS: Left to right: One of the five bedrooms in the Aaron Seaman House on School Street in Keene • The dining area • Undated photo of the home, established in 1804.

BY CAROLINE TREMBLAY

Every one of us has been there — the untested recipe gone awry or the outfit you just knew would work … until it didn’t. Too often, holiday parties equal high stress, but the new party tagline is simplicity. People want to gather and revel in one another’s company, host included. That means choosing what works so you can be fully present.

For this reason, grazing tables, a popular party trend, have become one of Arianne Miller’s favorites. She’s a private chef and caterer who loves sourcing locally from her home base in Southern New Hampshire.

Imagine a table artfully draped in lush fruits, vegetables, nuts, crackers, crostini, croissants, and, of course, Miller’s favorite surprise, candy. Kids go wild when they find a hidden treasure, like candy corn or candy canes (and adults do, too!).

How to prepare a ‘grazing table’

The grazing table is also a prime place to decorate with rich

Simplicity

Stress-Free Holiday Hosting

tablecloths, texture and scale. Once, when Miller asked her sister, also a chef, about her favorite table décor, she said, “I picked up this really cool, old birdcage at a garage sale.” Filled with gorgeous cheeses from Grafton Village Cheese in Brattleboro, Vermont, or Smith’s Country Cheese in Winchendon, Massachusetts, an unusual décor item like that can become a sophisticated centerpiece.

For another example, Miller says, “Put out your grandmother’s vase and fill it with breadsticks so you have height and beauty.” And flowers — they’re a must, especially if you can get them from your local farm. Think cornstalks, branches, mums, or pumpkins for harvest time and poinsettias, ornaments, and other baubles to sprinkle in when December arrives. The next hurdle is the main course, and Miller suggests a sheet pan approach.

“Throw in a couple of chicken breasts with a whole bunch of fresh vegetables, coat all of it in herbs, put it in the oven, and give it a really fantastic rice,” she explains. Area food producers, such as Dog Days Farm in Fitzwilliam, NH, and Sun Moon Farm in Rindge, NH, often sell CSA shares and farm stand goods, such as onions, root

vegetables, hearty greens, and herbs, far into the fall. For incredible flavor, opt for a special cut of local meat, like pasture-raised pork from Archway Farm in Keene or a heritage breed turkey from Paradise Farm in Lyndeborough.

Then onto dessert!

Pie is a holiday classic, and Miller notes, “You can take your apples and freeze them in a pie tin and then take them out and put them in a crust.”

This keeps things easy but gives you that freshbaked feel.

Jam is another great trick to keep in mind.

“If you get storebought cookies, you can put jam in between them and make a really fancy, yummy cookie,” she says.

Buying something that’s not your specialty and spicing it up with your own touch is totally fine. Or even sourcing handmade goodies.

“Use your local cafes,” Miller suggests.

High on her list is the Optimist Café, a sweet, hidden gem on a hilltop in Jaffrey, NH, owned by Chef Keith Wesley.

“He’s an amazing baker,” Miller says, recommending that party hosts take full advantage

“Choose recipes that are tried, true and within your wheelhouse.”

of their communities’ talented makers.

As you plan, overarching tips to keep in mind are as follows. First, go with recipes that are tried, true, and within your wheelhouse.

“Be mindful of your guests,” Miller adds. It’s thoughtful to check in about food allergies and health choices beforehand.

Then, “Prep, prep, prep,” she says. “I do 400-people weddings by myself for food, and it’s all about just being ready.”

When the meal is under control, you can enjoy the celebration too.

“People don’t come to your house for a party to not see you. They’re coming because they want to be with you,” Miller says.

Simple Gifts to Delight

A sweet party favor can let them know you feel the same.

“If you’re having a small dinner party, you could make quick little coasters to give away,” describes New England fiber artist Grace Stamper. Stamper leads a Fiber Support Group through The Craft School Mill Hollow Works in Keene, NH, on Sundays

“A sweet home made party favor shows you care.”

and regularly offers classes that teach the five core crochet stitches. One of her favorite mini-projects is a mug rug made with leftover local yarn and bedecked with tassels on the ends.

“It takes no time at all to do, and it’s something any beginner could make. It’s literally three stitches — chains, crochets, and slip stitches. And if you have a multi-colored yarn, you don’t even have to worry about changing colors,” she describes.

Stamper points to needle felting as a similarly basic but beautiful possibility.

“You could do plain circles, make them look like retro ornaments, and decorate them however you like for the holidays,” she explains.

More experienced felters might go with 3D ornament balls or other shapes.

Or try criss-crossed candy canes with a gorgeous bow or a handcrafted tassel to cinch around each wine glass.

“It’s the thought more than the amount of effort or price that goes into it,” Stamper reminds us.

Just plan ahead so you can craft away on the porch or in front of Netflix all through fall. As the leaves change, it’s also the perfect moment to assess your wardrobe for the festive season ahead.

When it comes to holiday style, personal stylist Mary Burnett says, “The most important thing is to feel good.” Beyond that, she recommends going for something “classic rather than out there because things that are classic, you can use other than the holidays.”

Consider steering clear of bright reds and greens and instead drawing on that palette with a wine red or earthy tone to create an outfit you can wear forever.

“Earthy tones are a big trend right now; that’s what all of my fall line is,” she says. Across the style industry, brown is being touted as the new black and “also a kind of khaki color is all over the runway right now,” Burnett explains.

There’s something else you might still have in your closet that’s surprisingly popular this season.

“You’re not going to believe this, but loafers are so in right now,” Burnett admits. “If only I kept mine from high school!”

If that’s nostalgic but maybe not your look, it’s hard to go wrong with a classic pair of black pants and a white top.

“You could wrap that up for the holiday with a scarf or jewelry,” Burnett notes. The same goes with the ever-elegant “little black dress” and a bit of dainty jewelry.

“It has to match your style; it’s got to be cozy, but it has to be glamorous too. The glamorous will come with just a little tweaking,” Burnett says.

And when in doubt, a little sparkle goes a long way.

Holiday party music

The same advice goes for music. New England musician and performer Eve Pierce, who’s craft ed over 600 play lists on Spotify, is always sure to add a little surprise.

Autumn is for folk music, with Paul Simon coming immediately to mind.

“And I’m a 20-some thing-year-old girl, so obvi ously, I listen to a lot of Taylor Swift,” she says with a laugh.

Her original songs at evepierce.com are also quite fall-centric, with tunes like Hades and Persephone and Gargoyles taking listeners through the season and onto the next.

By the time the holidays roll around, Pierce is ready to let loose. Bob Dylan’s “Winterlude” is a must, but she also doesn’t shy away from curve balls like My Chemical Romance’s cover of “All I Want for Christmas” or Allen Jackson’s “Honky Tonk Christmas.” Then, it can circle back just as quickly.

“I really like Judy Garland just because it’s so raw and classic,” she says.

Her strategy is to make a long but balanced playlist carefully curated for polite company and then hit shuffle.

“I think the air of spontaneity really makes a good playlist,” she says. “You don’t have to worry about it, and anything that pops up next is a pleasant surprise.”

We also carry outdoor furniture, Green Mountain Grills, pellets and handmade folding Adirondack chairs with matching tables.

the Kitchen

Hot Cocoa: A ‘Health Drink’?

Inever associated hot cocoa with good health. It was just a better, lower fat alternative to an intense craving for, let’s say, ½ pound of dark chocolate devoured in one sitting, or really big whoopee pie.

But in recent years, hot cocoa has been elevated to a new status: Health Drink. Researchers at Cornell University have found that cocoa teems with antioxidants that prevent cancer. In fact, cocoa has nearly twice the antioxidants of red wine and up to three times those found in green tea. Other research has found that consuming cocoa can decrease inflammation, improve

heart and brain health, blood sugar and weight control and contribute to healthy teeth and skin.

This discovery surprised even the researchers: “If I had made a prediction before conducting the tests, I would have picked green tea as having the most antioxidant activity,” says Chang Y. Lee, chairman of the Department of Food Science and Technology at the university’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY, who led the team of researchers in the study.

Faced with the choice of drinking red wine, green tea or hot cocoa, Lee suggests enjoying all three in different parts of the day: “Personally, I would drink hot cocoa in the morning, green tea in the afternoon, and a glass of red wine in the evening. That’s a good combination,” he says.

However using this good news as an excuse to polish off more chocolate bars is a no-no: “Although a bar of chocolate exhibits strong antioxidant activity, the health benefits are still controversial because of the saturated fats present,” researchers of the study write.

They explain that cocoa has about one-third of a gram of fat per one cup serving, compared with the eight grams of fat in a standard-sized 40 gram chocolate bar.

Okay, so hot cocoa (minus the whipped cream) is a good way to get some good health benefits. But can’t you get just as many antioxidants from eating a carrot stick?

Well, yes, just any vegetable you pick up at your produce section (particularly grapes, garlic and spinach) is bound to give you healthy boost of cancer-fighting antioxidants. But how much fun can you possibly have munching on garlic cloves

In

by Marcia Passos

while curled up by the fire on a cold winter night? So this holiday season, drink up your hot cocoa. After all, it’s good for your health!

Here are two recipes.

Party Hot Chocolate: Makes a Gallon!

Here’s a recipe to serve your party of holiday guests:

1 gallon whole (healthier option: 1% or 2%) milk

1 cup chopped semi-sweet dark chocolate

1 cup raw sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or 1 vanilla bean

1 pinch of salt

Dash of cardamom or saffron

Heat milk (if using vanilla bean, add bean during the heating process) and simmer.

Add chocolate pieces and raw sugar and whisk to blend.

Check for taste and add more sugar or chocolate if desired. Add salt, and cardamom or saffron. Remove vanilla bean before serving. (If using vanilla extract, add before serving).

Cocoa Mix for Your Pantry

When making hot cocoa, skip the prepackaged mixes in your supermarket: they’re laden with too much sugar and other ugly additives your body does not need. Here’s my own homemade mix that I keep on hand in my pantry to make creamy hot cocoa at a moment’s notice:

1 cup nonfat dry milk

3/4 cup light brown sugar

½ cup cocoa

FLAVORED VARIATIONS: Add 2 teaspoons of one of these ingredients to the above mix: ground cinnamon or ground cloves or ground allspice or (my personal favorite) ground cardamom.

Combine ingredients and mix well. Store in airtight container … no need to refrigerate.

To make the hot cocoa: Whisk in 2 tablespoons of mixture into 1 cup mug of COLD milk (for easier solubility). MIX WELL. Then microwave mug of milk/chocolate mixture for 1 minute. You can also heat on the stove (do not boil).

Vermont’s Largest Farm Stand

Now pressing our own sweet apple cider, Fresh pies and award winning cider donuts made daily!

Have you watched the “Secret Life of Elephants” on the National Geographic channel? It’s an incredible show that underscores the importance of generational learning. Elephants live in matriarchal family units where information about survival is passed down from generation to generation.

Most human families have generational learning as well. My mother made it her job to teach my brother and I good manners: to be polite, to understand etiquette, the importance of handwritten thank you notes, which fork to use, how to set a table ... you get the idea.

My parents explained the world to us: mortgages, savings accounts, stocks, cooking, freezing food, canning food, and so many things that are ingrained in who I am. When I became a parent, it was my job to teach my daughters how to function in the world: good manners, being polite, thinking critically, etc. Even

Is There a Second Dog in Your Future?

BY DENISE MAZZOLA

now, as a parent to my adult children, my role is the same: to teach, educate, and help them sort out and navigate this phase of their lives: children, marriage, homeownership etc.

Our young or new-to-you dogs need this kind of “education” from a more experienced dog.

THE BEST (AND WORST) TIMES TO GET A NEW DOG

The worst time to bring a second dog into your home is while your first dog is still an adolescent. Many people mistakenly bring a second dog home while their first dog is still sorting out life, meaning under the age of three. It would be like having a 12-year-old child care for a two-year-old without parental guidance or any adult around.

It would be chaotic at best but completely unsafe, with disastrous results.

PHOTO BY MARCIA PASSOS

Scott-Farrar at Peterborough has been providing compassionate care to seniors of the Monadnock Region for over 113 years! Some of the great benefits of living in the Scott-Farrar Community today include:

• Chef prepared meals

• Staff onsite 24/7

• Happy Hour, yoga, movie matinees, gardening & more

• Housekeeping & maintenance

• Medication & transportation assistance

• Individualized care plan

• Onsite physical, occupational and speech therapy services And much more!

Call

80 Martell Ct Keene, NH 03431 US Phone: 603-357-5720

Achille

US

603-765-9400

Pets atHome (continued)

Some dogs will breeze through adolescence and life in general, regardless of whether there is an older dog to show them the ropes, but other dogs will suffer without this guidance.

When I brought Gio home, he was 11 months old, and Jubilee was seven years wise. He was just beginning to feel his adolescence. Jubilee was at the perfect age to teach Gio the ropes of life in a home. He came from a kennel with limited human access and home life. Jubilee was a great rule-setter. She was clear in her communication, from how Gio could play with her (i.e., don’t jump on or straddle her) to how we walked and hiked and what the feeding routine was. She was calm and confident in life, which helped him tremendously.

Now Gio is eight years wise, and Minty, our new dog, is two years young. Gio is her mentor, teaching her the ropes. His calmness and confidence in life are a great role model for her. In new situations, Minty looks to him for guidance, or she just parks herself next to him. As if she is saying, “Hey, Gio, can I hang out with you until I’m comfortable with this circumstance?” He has modeled the crate-atnight routine. She fussed a night or two but calmed down quickly with Gio crated right next to her. On walks, she was more comfortable with her big brother along.

Sometimes, I think we forget how stressful it is for puppies to leave their litter, for older dogs to move in with us or for rescued dogs to learn the ropes, trust us and feel comfortable. But with an older “sage” dog at home to show them the way, we can implement generational learning and set our puppies and dogs up for success.

Certified Professional Dog Trainer

Denise Mazzola is the owner of Denise Mazzola’s Everything Dog. She has been working with people and training dogs for over 30 years. Everything Dog provides services to clients throughout the Monadnock Region of NH by offering private lessons, group classes, board and train, as well as day training services. Denise has been published in the trade journal, Chronicle of the Dog, and writes a monthly column for Everything Dog’s Monthly Newsletter. She also hosts a monthly “Ask the Trainer” radio show on WKBK. Denise lives in Keene with her life and business partner, Amy Willey CPDT-KA, and they share their home with two dogs. She has three adult daughters and two grandsons. For more information, visit www.everythingdognh.com. On youtube at Everything Dog.

PICTURED, LEFT PAGE: The author’s dogs, Minty, left, (the younger) and Gio (the elder) in party hats at the author’s home.

PREVIOUS PAGE: The editor’s two dogs, Sadie (the elder) and Tessa (the younger) taken in 2013 (Sadie has since crossed the Rainbow Bridge, but not before she coached Tessa on doggie manners).

Design by Patricia Herlevi

Where Form, Function & Art Intersect

When it comes to designing kitchens, Gary Spykman (Spykman Design) isn’t your average builder/designer. Combining functionality with an artistic flare, the kitchen is the canvas. We recently caught up with Spykman to discuss his background, philosophy and inspiration behind his unique designs.

When did you become interested in construction and carpentry work?

I was about 12 years old when I started my first woodworking projects —working in my parent’s basement with scrap wood and whatever tools I could find. But what really set my course in life was a chance encounter on a Lake Michigan beach in 1976, when I was 16. I met a couple, Curt and Linda, hippie woodworkers, who invited me to join them in their shop where they were building mountain dulcimers. This was where I first learned to use machinery such as table saws and sanders. At about the same time, my family was building a small cottage, and I was involved in just about every phase of that project — carpentry, plumbing, electrical, etc.

Did you start with a different medium, such as fine art?

My Dutch ancestry is rich with painters, wood carvers and furniture makers — even a wooden shoemaker — from whom I clearly inherited my talents. However, I didn’t learn directly from any of them. From a young age, I was an art nerd. I took every art class I could in school, even summer school art programs.

As a student at City High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan — an alternative school that encouraged experiential learning and community involvement — I had the opportunity to take college-level art courses. I spent time in the pottery and jewelry-making studios.

What inspires you to come up with your unique designs?

I absorb influences from all around me. I have an intense awareness of the design that surrounds all of us — graphic design, automotive design, product design, architecture. I’m a fan of the “built environment.” At the same time, the curves and shapes I am attracted to and that I incorporate into my work are from nature, such as leaves, seed pods and river bends. In my mid-30s, I did a deep dive into classical architecture. It’s the basis of almost all of the buildings we see around us, though it isn’t always obvious. It’s in the proportions, the symmetry, the scale and balance. The principles

Photos courtesy Gary Spykman; Gary’s headshot photo by Cheryl Senter

of design learned from studying ancient Greek and Roman buildings are at the core of everything that I make.

What was your first job with carpentry, and how did that morph into your current work?

My career path hasn’t been direct. It spans from Grand Rapids to New Orleans to coastal Mississippi to Martha’s Vineyard, and finally here to Keene, New Hampshire. My first job in the building trades was re-wiring an enormous Victorian house. I spent several years doing anything-fora-buck maintenance and repair work — painting, shingling, decks, drywall. It was a mix of working for one-man contractors and self-employment.

During this time, I also worked as a bicycle

mechanic, first in Grand Rapids and then in New Orleans. Eventually, my wife and I opened a bicycle shop in Biloxi, Mississippi. When Hurricane Elena destroyed much of Biloxi in September 1985, it spelled the end of my bicycle career. A new opportunity soon arose. I was invited to move to Martha’s Vineyard to work on the interior of what was, at the time, the largest house on the island. I spent nearly two years on that project, gaining experience in high-end architectural woodworking and improving my skills. Our family went on to spend 13 years on the Vineyard, and I established myself as a cabinetmaker and architectural woodworker during those years. We relocated to Keene in 1999, and Spykman Design moved into the

“A kitchen is like a workshop; the natural state tends toward the messy and chaotic.”

building we still occupy. Over these past couple of decades, my focus has turned more toward the design of whole projects rather than just individual elements.

Which room is your favorite to design?

Kitchens are a main focus for us, and I truly enjoy it. They’re incredibly challenging to do right. It’s more than arranging cabinet boxes to fit a space. The design process has to start with traffic patterns through the room.

What challenges does designing a kitchen present?

Here in New England, most homes have small rooms, not well suited to modern lifestyles. So, we often find ourselves taking out walls to make a space large enough for a good workflow. Being a full design/ build company, we can think bigger picture than a typical “kitchen designer” can. And because we build our own cabinets, we don’t have any constraints on sizes. We often make non-standard cabinet sizes (or shapes) to maximize the functionality of the room. A kitchen is like a workshop; the natural state tends toward the messy and chaotic. I put in effort,

as a designer, to make the space feel relaxing and harmonious. I avoid adding too many colors and textures. Let your dishes and towels and tea kettle bring those elements. With wood cabinets, tile backsplash, stone countertops, metal hardware, good lighting, we keep things simple and real.

What is your current favorite wood that you work with?

Over the past 40 years as a woodworker, I have worked with dozens, maybe hundreds, of different wood species. Some outstanding examples have been Swiss pearwood (simple and understated beauty) and English brown oak (a fungal infection causes incredibly beautiful patterns in this wood). Figured variants of otherwise common woods can be really spectacular. I have a large stash of curly maple that I have been collecting — I need to find a use for that. Currently, Spykman Design focuses on room-scale projects such as kitchens and bathrooms. The goal with these projects is the overall design, so we tend to use readily available, stable hardwoods like maple, cherry, white oak and hickory.

Structural Restoration, Repair and/or Replacement of Damaged Foundations, Sills, Joists & Framing Timber

New Foundations Constructed Under Existing Buildings Barn Frames, Timbers & Barn Board for Sale

Recycling & Dismantling of Old Barns & Reassembly

Tasteful Remodeling of & Additions to Period Homes

CUStom UpholStery

fUrnitUre • Boat • aUto Spofford, nh 603-363-8057

SpoffordUpholStery@gmail.Com

The FIRST Wednesday every month

Oct. 4 | Nov. 1 | Dec. 6 | 1-3pm

Family Resource Center at HCS 312 Marlboro Street, Keene

The THIRD Wednesday every month

Oct. 18 | Nov. 15 | Dec. 20 | 1-3pm

HCS Charlestown, 33 Arborway

The FOURTH Wednesday every month

Oct. 25 | Nov. 22 | Dec. 27 | 1-3pm

HCS Charlestown, 33 Arborway

Come to Walk-in Wednesdays for a confidential, free of charge discussion of services that are available for your family. From Healthy Starts to Hospice care, HCS has services for all ages! Can’t make Walk-in Wednesdays? Call us any time! www.HCSservices.org | 603 - 352 - 2253

ACCOUNTANTS

Anderson & Gilbert

295 Park Ave. Keene, NH 03431

603-357-1928 • taxfolks.net

ANTIQUES/VINTAGE

Flying Pig Antiques

13 Industrial Park Dr. Westmoreland, NH 03467

603-543-7490

flyingpigantiquesnh.com

Laurel & Grove

83 Grove St

Peterborough, NH 03458

603-924-4288 • laurelandgrove.com

Tribal Rugs by Hand

16 Depot Square, Unit 30 Peterborough, NH 03458

603-924-4488 tribalsrugsbyhand.com

Turning Leaf Consignment

140 Monadnock Hwy Swanzey, NH 03446

603-354-3768

FB: @turningleaf consignment

ART SUPPLIES

Peterborough Art Academy

16 School Street, Depot Square Peterborough NH 03458 603-924-4488 peterboroughartacademy.com

BOOKSTORE

The Toadstool Bookshops of Southwestern NH Keene • Peterborough toadbooks.com

BUILDING/CONSTRUCTION

REMODELING

C hris Parker Building & Restoration

4657 Coolidge Hwy. Guilford, VT 05301 802-257-4610 oldbuildingfix.com

JA Jubb

38 Swanzey Factory Road Swanzey, NH 603-762-0669 • jajubb.com

K+J Dean Builders, Inc. 20 Pine St. Swanzey, NH 03446 603-499-3561 kandjbuilders.com

Niemela Design Builders

118 Craig Road Dublin, NH 03444 603-563-8895 niemeladesign.com

DESIGN/SURVEY

Huntley Survey/Design 659 West Road Temple, NH 03084 603-924-1669 huntleysurvey.com

EDUCATION

Mountain Shadows School

149 Valley Road, Dublin, NH 03444 603-563-8170 mountainshadows school.com

FIRE PROTECTION

Life Safety Fire Protection PO Box 432, Keene, NH 03431 603-352-0202 lifesafetyfire.com

FOOD COOP

Monadnock Food Co-op 34 Cypress Court Keene, NH 03431 603-355-8008 monadnockfood.coop

FURNITURE Shaker Style Handcrafted Furniture 292 Chesham Road Harrisville, NH 03450 603-827-3340 shakerstyle.com

GARDEN/LANDSCAPING

Achilles Agway Six Locations achilleagway.com

Allen Bros. Garden Center & Nursery • 6023 US-5 Westminster, VT 05158 802-722-3395 allenbrothersfarms.com

Coll’s Garden Center 63 North St., Jaffrey, NH 03452 603-532-7516 collsgardencenter.com

Healthy Home Habitats Keene, NH 03431 603-313-9163 healthyhomehabitats.com

Maple Hill Nursery & Greenhouses

197 W Swanzey Road Swanzey, NH 03446 603-357-2555 maplehillnursery.com

INTERIOR DESIGN

Sarah Sim Intentional Interiors 603-562-4644 sarahsimdesign.com

JEWELRY/FINE

Hobbs Jewelers

20 Depot St., No. 30 Peterborough, NH 03458 603-924-3096 nhhobbsjewelers.com

JEWELRY/HANDCRAFTED

GeoGraphic Gems, Keene, NH 603-369-2525 geographicgems.com

POOL & SPA

Clearwater Pool & Spa

233 Monadnock Hwy Swanzey, NH 03446 603-357-5874 clearwaterpoolandspa.net

REAL ESTATE

Blais & Associates Realtors

32 Monadnock Highway Keene, NH 03431 603-352-1972 blaisrealestate.com

Giselle LaScala

RE/Max Town & Country 117 West St. Keene, NH 03431 (O) 603-357-4100 (C) 603-682-9472 glascalahomes.com

Traditions Real Estate

73 Main St, Walpole, NH 03608 603-756-3973 traditionsreal-estate.com

RETAIL

Gaia’s Blessing

1 Summer St. Peterborough, NH 03458 603-567-7129 gaiasblessingshop.com

Historical Society of Cheshire County GIFT SHOP 246 Main St., Keene, NH 03431 603-352-1895 • hsccnh.org

Howard’s Leather 1651 NH-9, Spofford, NH 03462 800-427-4038 howardsleathernh.com

Hubert’s Family Outfitters

Peterborough • Lebanon New London • Claremont huberts.com

Knitty Gritty Yarn Shop 16 Depot Street

Peterborough, NH 603-924-2028 knittygrittyyarns.com

Monadnock Flooring/JINGLES

1024 Route 12 Westmoreland, NH 603-399-4004 monadnockflooring.com

Monadnock Oil & Vinegar 43 Grove Street Peterborough, NH 03458 603-784-5175

monadnockoilandvinegar.com

Penelope Wurr

167 Main St. Brattleboro, VT 05301 802-246-3015

penelopewurr.com

The She Shed 331 Flat Roof Mill Road Swanzey, NH 603-398-7381

FB: @TheSheShedNH

SENIOR LIVING

Campbell House/Wayne’s Place 164 Old Springfield Rd. Charlestown, NH 03603 603-826-0840

Covenant Living of Keene 95 Wyman Road, Keene, NH 03431 1-877-285-6631

CovLivingKeene.org

Home Healthcare Hospice & Community 312 Marlboro St. Keene NH 03431 603-352-2253

hcsservices.org

Scott-Farrar at Peterborough 11 Elm Street Peterborough, NH 603-924-3691

scott-farrar.com

TREE SERVICES

Phil’s Tree Services PO Box 432, 34 Dale St. Keene, NH 03431 603-352-0202

philstreeservices.com

Wilcox Tree Service 334 Horse Hill Road Marlborough, NH 03445 603-313-0073

wilcoxtreeservice.com

UPHOLSTERY Spofford Upholstery Spofford, NH 603-363-8057

WINDOW CLEANING

Bright Clean Windows 603-365-1910

brightcleanwindows.com