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The Meals of Thanks program, sponsored by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Amoskeag Beverages, began in 2020 with more than 900 meals prepared by New England’s Tap House Grille on National Nurses Day in May. Since then, thousands of meals have been distributed to places such as the New Hampshire Food Bank, the Manchester VA Medical Center and The Way Home at Christmas, Thanksgiving and Veterans Day.
This year, we are once again delivering hundreds of meals to Manchester area hospitals in honor of National Nurses Day. Thank you to all our valued sponsors who continue to support this special program.
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Health care workers do not have an easy job. The hours are long. The time spent on their feet is endless. They are with patients through hardships, both physically and emotionally. Yet they show up to every shift ready to put the needs of others ahead of their own.
We at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care are especially thankful to those health care workers in New Hampshire doing their part to guide and empower our communities to live healthier lives, which is why it is an honor to help to recognize the 2023 Excellence in Nursing Awards recipients. Your tireless efforts do not go unnoticed. Thank you for demonstrating what true strength, compassion and dedication looks like. Thank you for all that you do.
NHMAGAZINE.COM
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New Hampshire Magazine® is published by Yankee Publishing, Inc., 250 Commercial Street, Suite 4014, Manchester, NH 03101, (603) 624-1442. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher assumes no responsibility for any mistakes in advertisements or editorial. Statements/ opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect or represent those of this publication or its officers. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, Yankee Publishing, Inc.: New Hampshire Magazine disclaims all responsibility for omissions and errors. New Hampshire Magazine is published monthly, with the exception of February and April. USPS permit number 022-604. Periodical postage paid at Manchester 031039651. Postmaster send address changes to: New Hampshire Magazine, P.O. Box 37900, Boone, IA 50037-0900
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June
12 Forever Young
Laconia Motorcycle Week turns 100 this year, but still brings out the kid in bikers of all ages.
By Rick Broussard16 Our Town
Spreading some cheer in Littleton
By Barbara Radcliffe Rogers
20 Summertime… and the Eatin’s Easy
With summer in full swing, these Seacoast restaurants provide the perfect warmweather dining options.
By Crystal Ward Kent
36 Rising from the Ashes
Piecing together rubble from the devastation of the 1923 Great Canaan Fire, artist Gary Hamel discovers new life.
By Lisa Rogak42 Blips
Tamworth Distilling’s Steven Grasse named an “Innovator of the Year”
By Casey McDermott
44 Politics
The Sununu Effect
By James Pindell
46 What Do You Know
Give Him a Hand
By Marshall Hudson
88 Fun with Fungi
The sustainable wonder of artist Emily Roy’s mushroomshaped terrariums.
By Caleb Jagoda
92 Seniority Making New Friends
By Lynne Snierson
94 Health Avoid the Dark Side of Tanning
By Krysten Godfrey Maddocks
96 Ayuh
The World According to Sticklers
By Rebecca Rule
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
26 Summer Fun Marketplace
32 Ask the Experts
Volume 37, Number 4 ISSN 1532-0219
Our postmodern age is fun if you enjoy watching language change before your eyes. I’m an editor, so my job is to be a stickler, but as Gen. John Stark’s life made clear, you’ve got to pick your battles. Which brings us to my point of contention: our famous state motto.
Live free or die” — four little words that say a lot, though not everyone seems pleased with the argument they make. “Can’t we just live free? Why get morbid about it?” is a typical response. The answer might be found in the part of that pithy saying that doesn’t fit on a license plate: “Death is not the greatest of evils,” wrote Stark in the original coinage of that phrase.
Here’s where my inner stickler kicks in. Of the minority of people familiar with those seven additional words, 90 percent of them will recite it as, “Death is not the worst of evils.”
Curious why that is, I asked someone more in the know than I, Elizabeth Dubrulle, director of education and public programs for the NH Historical Society and editor of their publication, Historical New Hampshire. Turns out, she had just been discussing this matter with Sarah Galligan, the library director at NHHS. Together they crafted this response:
In 1809, John Stark got invited to this dinner in Vermont to commemorate the Battle of Bennington. He declined, saying he was too old, but in his response he used the phrase: “Live free or die. Death is not the greatest of evils.” We don’t have that letter or even a copy of that letter, but the gentlemen who organized the dinner wrote back and quoted Stark’s own letter back to him, and they used the word “greatest.”
Later, after Stark finally died, his son Caleb published a book of John Stark’s correspondence, and he used the word “worst.” All of the Starks’ papers eventually came to us — John Stark’s, Caleb Stark’s, and the whole Stark family, but John Stark’s original letter to the guys in Bennington (or a copy of it) wasn’t in any of it, so there’s no way to know what he actually wrote. But the guys in Bennington who quoted him were closest to the original source document, and they used the word “greatest.”
“Since then,” Dubrulle concluded “it’s been all over the map whether it’s greatest or worst,” but most people have settled on the latter. “I suppose it flows better,” she wrote.
As fond as I am of “flow,” I have to take
exception. It’s a subtle but important difference between the two words. “Worst” implies inferiority, while “greatest” specifies the opposite. Stark, the “Hero of Bennington,” was familiar with death after so many battles and would shun a word that seemed to minimize its transformative power. Death has greatness, but Evil has powers that put even Death to shame, as many a warrior can attest. In fact, that’s why people put their very lives on the line in the military, police and safety services.
That’s just one reason why the study and appreciation of history is so important, even in a postmodern age of relativism and hubris. If nothing is worth dying for, then what’s the true value of a life?
Now, with that off my chest, I can add that one of the greatest ways to discover the true value of a life — your life — is to get out and enjoy it while you can. This issue contains an extensive list of some of the greatest things to do this summer, compiled by our editorial staff.
This summer, for the first time in 30 years, I’ll have enough free time to enjoy our summer fun issue as a reader might and not be more focused on stories we want to include for the next year. The very first magazine I had the privilege to edit was an early version of the one you hold. It was called New Hampshire Editions back then, and March 2003 was my first month on the job. My retirement will take place on June 30.
Old John Stark wrote his note to a group of friends and fellow warriors because he was unable to make it to their reunion. My last hurrah with this magazine will be at our Best of NH Party on June 22 and you are all invited to join me there and raise a glass to the past, present and future of this brave, wonder-filled state we call our home.
Lisa Rogak has been writing professionally since 1981 for hundreds of publications. She wrote this month’s Informer story, “Rising from the Ashes.”
Before calling the Monadnock Region home, photographer Kendal J. Bush — who photographed the winners of the sixth annual Excellence in Nursing Awards — traveled the world as an editor and videographer for the National Geographic Channel and NBC. See more of her work at kendaljbush.com.
New Hampshire Magazine’s assistant editor Caleb Jagoda wrote this month’s Living section, “Fun With Fungi.” You can find him out on the town, digging the scene.
Crystal
Kent is a long-time journalist and Seacoast food writer. She wrote this month’s Food and Drink story, “Summertime...and the Eatin’s Easy.”
Nicole Handel lives in Conway with her two dogs. She’s been writing recreationally for years and wrote this month’s feature “Search, Rescue, Repeat.”
Photographer Joe Klementovich specializes in environmental photography and shot this month’s feature story, “Search, Rescue, Repeat.”
Artist Peter Noonan has added color and humor to this magazine for more than two decades. So when Brad Fitzpatrick, the long-time illustrator of our last-page humor essay (Ayuh!) told us he needed to step down to concentrate on new job interests, we remembered that Noonan had handled our last-page humor column illustration back when we first started it (called “Last Laugh” back then). We asked him if he’d like to resume that duty, he said yes, and we couldn’t be more pleased. So, meet our new, old artist, seen here with his understudy/ sidekick and daughter Isla Noonan. Isla has been apprenticing with her dad (she helped with his ink washes and coloring on this month’s Ayuh cartoon, see page 96). She also provided some insight and assistance as he wrote and illustrated his new book, “The Bike Bus” (based on a true story by Jason and Betsy Soukup) that uses their Queen City hometown as the setting for a brightly illustrated tale of juvenile self-empowerment. The book is available at local bookstores and from BookBaby (store.bookbaby.com/book/the-bike-bus).
Greetings! Just got a chance to peruse the May issue of New Hampshire Magazine and was pleased to see my recommendations for “Best Places” included in the article. I guess that I should have been more specific about one of my choices. The Mount Prospect that I refer to is in Lancaster, not Holderness. While there is a Prospect Mountain in Holderness (which has lovely views, too), the one I was referring to is at Weeks State Park in Lancaster. Just wanted to clear that up so folks didn’t think that I’d lived here all my life (so far) and didn’t know the location of one of New Hampshire’s 15 fire towers. Thanks, and Happy Spring!
— Mary HildrethAs with each edition of NH Magazine, I thoroughly enjoyed the March/April edition. I was not familiar with the murder on Smuttynose Island incident, but found it not only interesting in its own right and that it seems to be frequently re-interpreted despite the lack of new facts. Maybe that’s the subject of a different letter.
My question relates to the significance of religion in this story. One of Louis Wagner’s attorneys (Max Fischacher) is described as “a Jewish attorney from Boston.” That is the only reference to Mr. Fischacher in the entire story. The religion of neither the prosecuting attorney (Mr. Yeaton) nor Wagner’s other attorney (Col. Tapley) was deemed necessary to be mentioned. Mr. Yeaton is described as having “a polished and cultivated legal mind” and Col. Tapley is described as “a former judge.” Is “a Jewish attorney” somehow supposed to describe the legal quality or background of Mr. Fischacher?
Unfortunately, this is not the first time I have seen stories (not in New Hampshire Magazine) where the Jewish religion is used to somehow characterize an individual, while other religions are rarely, if ever, used in this way. I hope New Hampshire Magazine can do better in this regard in the future.
— Paul Etkind, GranthamEditor’s Note: We passed your inquiry on to J. Dennis Robinson, the writer/historian who penned that feature and a book on the topic. While the reference could have used some better context in the story, Robinson makes clear his intent: “Max was distinctive as the only Jewish lawyer in Boston. In fact, he advertised himself that way. He considered himself as a
defender of the defenseless. I can see the reader’s point, but the description simply indicates how unique and special Wagner’s attorney was for a trial held in New England in 1873. Nothing negative, in fact everything positive, is intended by the description.”
New Castle Beckons
I always love receiving the latest issue of NH Magazine with its super-glossy cover and layout. I always love J. Dennis Robinson’s writing, so pleased to see his recent articles — Smuttynose murders and now revisiting 1623. Dennis has written a new history of New Castle for us (the New Castle Historical Society), and we expect to have printed copies in hand by late summer, hoping that Dennis can do an article on that for your magazine. The book is fabulous! Same size and format as the recent Portsmouth Music Hall book by Dennis, if you can visualize that. See forthcoming cover (photo by me).
the provocative name “Pull and Be Damned Point” applies to the other side of the river, to Goat Island. We’ve almost given up trying to correct the claims that it is the same as Henderson’s Point. The “Thomas Laighton” narrators refuse to change their mistaken narrative and even Dennis Robinson has sometimes got it wrong in his writing. But, unfortunately, your headline/lede writer undercut what Hudson had right. The title uses the Goat Island point name for an article on Henderson’s Point. And the subhead says a forgotten piece of New Castle history was blown to bits. NO! Henderson’s Point was part of the Shipyard (Seavey’s Island), in Kittery, Maine!
— Jim Cerny, board member, New Castle Historical SocietyI was especially drawn to the article by Marshall Hudson on blowing up Henderson’s Point.
I was pleased that author Hudson had the story right, after talking to Carol White, that
Editor’s Note: A J. Dennis Robinson’s story about New Castle is, indeed, in the works. As for last issue’s “What Do You Know” column, what you saw was the online version that had been rewritten a little during the posting. That’s been corrected and the original, as it appeared in print, remains correct. Send me a note with the address of the New Castle Historical Society and I’ll provide your organization with a complimentary subscription, so you can see our stories in their original (and sometimes uncorrected) versions.
Spot four newts like the one here hidden on ads in this issue, tell us where you found them and you might win a great gift from a local artisan or company.
To enter our drawing for Spot the Newt, visit spotthenewt.com and fill out the online form. Or, send answers plus your name and mailing address to: Spot the Newt c/o New Hampshire Magazine 250 Commercial St., Suite 4014, Manchester, NH 03101
You can also email them to newt@nhmagazine.com or fax them to (603) 624-1310.
Last month’s “Spot the Newt” winner is Kelly Brown of Keene May issue newts were on pages 6, 7, 11, 23, 41
The prize is a gift certificate for $50 to use online at nhmade.com or at the New Hampshire Made Store, 28 Deer St., Portsmouth. New Hampshire Made is our state’s official promoter of products and services created here in the Granite State, and the online store and downtown shop are packed with delightful gifts and specialty foods made with Granite State pride. nhmade.com
I like smoke and lightnin’. Heavy metal thunder. Racing with the wind, and the feeling that I’m under. Yeah, darlin’ gonna make it happen... — Steppenwolf, “Born to be Wild”
Motorcycle Week in Laconia has evolved over the past century, growing a bit mellower as the average age of participants has increased along with demands for creature comforts and family-friendly entertainment.
This year a lot of the guests at Motorcycle Week will be contemplating the past as the event embraces its status as a centenarian. But some things are fundamental. This 100th year’s event will still offer thousands of guests a chance to contemplate the crazy world from a seat atop a huge metal machine that roars to life at the touch of the starter, and roams effortlessly on New Hampshire pitched and rolling backroads in search of scenery and camaraderie.
Reegarding the past, Charlie St. Clair has a lot of it to contemplate. He’s been executive director of the organization since 1991. He says his first Motorcycle Week memory dates back to the 1950s when the annual parade passed just a couple of blocks from his house. Bikers who might have traveled from hundreds of miles to get there early would wind up congregating in the downtown area.
“The night before the parade, a number of motorcyclists would end up crashing on our front yard,” recalls St. Clair. “My mother would look out to see how many were there and would end up making coffee for them all — which they greatly appreciated.”
St. Clair recalls the bikers were so tidy that no one would have known they were there once they left. He also remembers his older brother taking him to the races. “You could taste the excitement as you stood trackside,” he says.
But not all his memories are so fond. He recalls a Motorcycle Week bike wash hosted by his Boy Scouts troop in 1961. “Trying to speed up the wash, I used an SOS pad to help get the bugs off a windshield,” says St. Clair. “Not the right thing to do, but the rider was very understanding. I think.”
At 13, St. Clair would sometimes stand on Union Avenue and hitchhike, hoping for a ride on one of the big motorcycles to the Weirs. “Always a thrill when it happened,” he recalls. Now he says one of his biggest pleasures is reuniting with friends from around the country that he only sees during Motorcycle Week. “That, and watching so many visitors have a wonderful time in Laconia and around the state,” he adds.
St. Clair’s partner, Deputy Director Jennifer Anderson, has her own favorite memories.
“Years ago, probably 1999 or the early 2000s, Charlie and I were leading a tour and it was a rain-or-shine event. Right before we were about to leave, the skies opened up,” she recalls. Anderson hadn’t brought rain gear. “I ended up duct-taping garbage bags around my entire body! I still have people come up to me during the rally and laugh about watching me do that.”
She’s witnessed many of the changes that have taken place in the rally over the years. “People who attended in the heydays throughout the 1990s were in their prime, probably between their 20s and 30s. Those same people still come, but they are now almost 30 years older,” she says. “I think people are now more engaged in actually riding and discovering new roads and places to
When asked for a top 10 list of things people should seek out, Anderson says, “It’s one of the hardest questions because we love all elements of the rally, so picking a few is tough.” Still, when pressured, Anderson came up with her own short list which we share with our readers:
1. First of all, RIDE! It is easy to get caught up in the normal routes (around the lake, the Kanc or up to the White Mountains) and those rides certainly don’t disappoint. New Hampshire has so many other amazing features and quintessential towns and I think those tend to be best-kept secrets. Ride the western routes through towns like Newport and Keene, or the southern White Mountains through Plymouth, Campton and Waterville Valley.
2. Book a cruise on the M/S Mount Washington (it cruises only on Tuesday of the rally). Seeing the waterfront of Lake Winnipesaukee is unmatched and can’t be fully appreciated from the road-side.
3. Take a chairlift ride to the top of a mountain, like Gunstock. The views are incredible and its something totally different from most “rally experiences.” While you’re there, take a ride on the mountain coaster or zip line at tree level. It’s a different kind of exhilaration.
4. Check out any of the races at NH Motor Speedway. The races are unbelievable: vintage races, superbike and sidecar. The sights and sounds of the live action are intense and far too underrated. NHMS knows how to host big events; they have everything on-site to keep you engaged and entertained.
5. The Hill Climbs. A vintage expo with bikes as old as 1916 (or older) race for time up Tower Street right in Weirs Beach on Tuesday and you can stand right at the action. Gunstock hosts the amateur and pro hill climb on Wednesday and it’s a favorite event for the locals and visitors.
6. Join any of the guided rides. People love the Peter Makris Memorial Ride on the first Saturday because it is fully guided by the NH State Police and, once you leave, your feet don’t touch the ground until you return back to the NASWA Resort (where the ride begins).
7. In Wolfeboro, the Wright Museum of World War II is a must see!
8. Castle in the Clouds is always a great stop too, and many people don’t even realize it’s there.
9. I would also recommend riding to the Flume to check out the beautiful waterfalls.
10. Another little gem is the TwinDesigns Gift Shop in Bristol, where people can visit Diane the Turtle. The store is owned by twin brothers, who have co-authored and illustrated their own books.
stop.” So is the image of rowdy partying all a thing of the past? “People still like to party,” she says. “but I think it’s less of a priority.”
So a lot has changed and a lot remains the same, but what does she hope never changes? “People’s admiration of the legacy of this rally and the commitment to its sustainability,” says Anderson. “Residents and visitors alike have treated Laconia Motorcycle Week with the same respect and adoration as their own homes and I hope that never changes.”
For more information on schedules and events at this year’s Motorcycle Week, visit laconiamcweek.com NH
An air of gladness pervades Littleton’s Main Street in June, inspired by a little girl named Pollyanna, whose sculpture smiles down from the lawn of the Littleton Public Library. This irrepressible optimist was the creation of Littleton native Eleanor Hodgman Porter, and instead of sliding into obscurity like many children’s books of the era, Pollyanna endured, and not just in Littleton.
Her story has been told in movies — a 1920 silent film, in 1960 by Disney and again in 2003 — and in two TV series, in 1973 and 1986. Back in her hometown, Pollyanna became the inspiration for Glad Day, an annual event celebrated in June (this year on June 10), and a symbol of the town’s rejuvenation.
The 2002 dedication of the bronze sculpture, created by New Hampshire artist Emile Birch, coincided with Littleton’s revitalization of its historic downtown, and Pollyanna
became the symbol of this community spirit. Empty storefronts came back to life as the town reclaimed its Main Street shopping district. By 2011 the retail vacancy rate had dropped to 2 percent. (Read more about the people behind the success of the Polyanna statue in our May issue’s Best Places feature.)
Main Street is the perfect stage for the two dozen or so independent local businesses — six blocks bookended by the 1895 town hall at one end and the 1832 First Congregational Church at the other. About halfway between them is the imposing façade and columned portico of Thayers Inn, a recently updated 1850 landmark that’s hosted U.S. presidents, movie stars and a Japanese spy just prior to World War II. It’s the oldest continuously operated hotel in the White Mountains.
Small shopfronts are set inside this row of substantial 19th-century mercantile build-
ings, many of which have bronze plaques detailing the history of the buildings, pointing out architectural details. Standouts among the specialty shops are Little Village Toy & Bookshop, The Little Herb Shoppe, White Mountain Canning Company and Calico Cottage, a sewing store.
Scattered among these are antiques and vintage stores, notably Cryans on Main, in the former Masonic Temple, styling itself accurately as “Half Antique, Half Boutique,” and just L Modern Antiques. The latter is a vast display space filled with mid-century modern and earlier furniture and housewares. Emma & Co. is a consignment clothing shop, its display windows a fashion show of retro styles. Next door is Chutters with its famous candy counter.
At the heart of this is the GoLittleton Glad Shop, a cheerful space where you can find sunshine-yellow “Be Glad” t-shirts and hats, the book itself and a variety of Littleton and Pollyanna souvenirs. A display on Eleanor Hodgman Porter includes a collection of past Pollyanna editions.
Beside the shop is the Pollyanna Gateway, easy
to spot in the summer for the canopy of colorful umbrellas that float in the air above it and all the way down the rainbow-colored staircase leading toward the river. At the bottom, on Porter Street, is the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen gallery and more small shops.
Also at the bottom, Harmony Park overlooks the river, with five outdoor musical instruments inviting everyone to make
music. A piano sits on Main Street, again for passersby to stop and play a few chords or an entire song (which others will probably carry on down the street humming). The “glad” atmosphere is contagious.
Two years after the unveiling of the Pollyanna sculpture, the Riverwalk Covered Bridge was opened, a 352-foot Warren truss bridge that crosses the Ammonoosuc River at the base of the falls. From the bridge —
for pedestrians only — you can get a good view not only of the falls but of the giant millwheel and riverside mill buildings the falls once powered. Today, the former Littleton Grist Mill building houses the brewpub of Schilling Beer Co., serving European-inspired ales and lagers to enjoy on a deck overlooking the falls.
The bridge gives a focal point to the riverside area below Main Street, as well as
access to walking trails in both directions along the river. Follow the trail downstream and recross on the Curran Suspension Bridge at Saranac Street, built to replace the 1902 suspension bridge lost in the hurricane of 1938.
Glad Day embraces the entire of downtown Littleton, with activities centered on the central blocks of Main Street and parallel Porter Street, at the foot of the rainbow staircase.
The weekend of “gladness and cheerfulness” begins this year at 11 a.m. on June 10, with a hat-decorating party on the lawn of the library on Main Street. The purpose is to create hats to wear in the annual group photo in front of the sculpture, and in the hat and pet parade that follows. The afternoon includes, among other events, music performances and a cupcake eating contest. NH
GoLittleton Glad Shop • (603) 444-0700
golittletonshop.com
Littleton Public Library • (603) 444-5741
littletonpubliclibrary.org
Thayers Inn • (603) 444-6469
thayersinn.com
New Hampshire Magazine would like to thank our sponsors and attendees for making this year’s event a night to remember! We appreciate your support, and look forward to next year’s celebration!
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023
Bedford Village Inn
Bedford, New Hampshire
With summer approaching, these Seacoast restaurants provide the perfect warm-weather dining options. Each one is fun, casual and serving up great food.
BY CRYSTAL WARD KENT
Music, the ocean and great food is a hard-to-beat combination, and Overboard offers all of that and more. Owner Jim Censabella wanted a “fun, neighborhood pub,” and, noticing a shortage in Seabrook, decided to bring back live music and entertainment with Overboard. The result renders a meeting place for both locals and tourists to gather. Live music fills the air four days a week, including open mic nights on Mondays, reggae/Jimmy Buffet fare late Saturday afternoons, Sunday “Blues & Brunch” and great dance tunes in the evenings.
“This is a place where everyone feels welcome and comes together to have fun,” Censabella says. “At Overboard, you feel like part of the family, and there’s always something going on. We do comedy nights and trivia nights and have seasonal parties
for all of the holidays. It’s a warm, happening place.”
While the music is a huge draw, so is the food, and the menu is 70 percent gluten free. “My daughter has celiac disease, so it was important to have food that people with gluten issues can eat — and is really good,” Censabella says. “Everything in our fryer is gluten free and it’s all fresh.”
Among the favorites are bang bang shrimp — coated with sriracha and sweet chili mayo garlic sauces — nachos, the lobster sushi roll, the spring tuna sushi roll and the lump crab cakes, which are drizzled with lemon aioli. Censabella credits chef John Nemr for creating innovative, quality food and general manager Brielle Gardiner for taking things to the next level.
Although Censabella is new to the restaurant business, he learned from his
Greek grandfather who ran restaurants in Boston. “He told me, give people good food, reasonable prices and pay attention to the details, like how you present the food and the quality of the experience,” Censabella says. “That was his recipe for success and, so far, it’s working for us as well.”
This summer, Overboard promises even more entertainment, with live music on Friday and Saturday nights, a hot dog eating contest and the Sunday Funday wind-down from 5 to 9 p.m. with classic “beach music.” They also offer a vast cocktail menu featuring specialty martinis, buckets of “Pirate Punch” and original cocktails like the Peached Whale, Sunken Treasure and Tropical Relaxer. If you’re looking for some beach-time fun, you found the right place.
Located in the city’s Portwalk Place district, Stroll Café & Wine Bar is literal steps from downtown, the waterfront and Prescott Park. The all-day café is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and is a popular destination for both residents and visitors. Much of the food is “grab-and-go,” making Stroll a great option for picnic supplies, a shopping lunch break or a tasty supper while watching shows at Prescott Park.
“We are part of the neighborhood,” says owner Stacy Moore. “There are a lot of people living nearby in apartments and condos, and they pop in daily for meals. In summer, the hotels are full, and tourists love that we’re nearby. Our food is fun, easy and tasty.”
Notables include the Stroll grilled cheese, with brie, green apple, honey mustard and ham; and the Islington Italian,
featuring Genoa, capicola, ham, provolone, green peppers and banana peppers. There is also a soup, stew or chowder of the day.
Stroll offers an extensive breakfast menu with everything made-to-order. All the classic bacon-and-egg options are there, as well as new favorites like salmon, capers, red onion and cream cheese on a bagel; ham and Swiss on a croissant; and Vermont cheddar, spinach, egg and tomato on a ciabatta square.
Stroll offers a wide selection of curated wines year-round, as well as low-alcohol and no-alcohol cocktails perfect for sipping in the afternoon. With outside seating returning for the warm weather, this makes for a relaxing way to wind down the day. Stroll also offers catering for up to 40 people during the summer season.
The Hungry Lobster comes from a tasty pedigree. Sharing owners with the esteemed Rye Harbor Lobster Pound, a 25-year Seacoast seafood icon, The Hungry Lobster focuses on quality, small-batch cooking designed for patrons to take with them. The ocean-adjacent eatery is cozy, with murals of the sea and a few tables on-site, but most entrees are heading
out the door, purchased by diners eager to picnic on the shore.
Owner Sylvia Cheever is an awardwinning chef whose seafood creations have won prize after prize at the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival. Lobster mac ’n cheese, mini lobster rolls stuffed to bursting, hot lobster bisque and “fluffy” lobster chowder are among the menu’s favorites. The “fluffy
chowder” alone disappears fast; a New England-style cream chowder topped with lobster in a butter-sherry sauce, the dish strikes a unique and memorable chord. Their Montauk seafood salad offers another great taste of the sea — a cold salad combining shrimp, scallops and mussels all tossed with a lemon-thyme vinaigrette. The light, fresh combination captures the essence of the ocean and is well suited to hot summer days.
“We know seafood,” Cheever says. “My dad Nathan Hanscom and I have been running the Rye Harbor Lobster Pound for more than two decades. Preparing top-quality seafood is in our blood.”
With summer back in full swing, The Hungry Lobster is also open for catering, featuring their unique seafood creations and a number of new sandwich offerings. Everything is cooked and prepared inhouse. “We roast our own beef, and our new sandwiches are almost as popular as our seafood,” Cheever says. Try the Tommy Boy, a thick-cut roast turkey sandwich with homemade stuffing and cranberry mayo; or the Holy Cow, featuring roast beef, arugula, horse radish and capers. NH
We will bring you back to when life was simple. Since 1786 our quaint little red cottage has graced the hills of southern New Hampshire, seemingly untouched by time. The enchanting cottage was chosen by Elizabeth Orton Jones as the model for her illustrations in Little Red Riding Hood (Little Golden Books, 1948.) Today it is a mecca for gardeners, foodies, and anyone looking for inspiration and relaxation. Have a Pickity day!
Ingredients:
2 ounces Twisted Tea Sweet Tea Whiskey
½ ounce Dekuyper Peach Tree
8 ounces lemonade
Shake and pour over ice.
Ingredients:
1 ½ parts Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
1 parts extra dry white port
¼ parts simple syrup
2 dashes orange bitters
Garnish:
3 Sage leaves, orange peel
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir until cold. Pour into a rocks glass over one large ice cube. Garnish with an orange peel and sage leaf floated in the glass.
Ingredients:
1 part Truly flavored vodka
1 part soda water
1 part your favorite Truly Hard Seltzer
Garnish:
Fresh fruits or herbs
Combine ingredients over ice and stir. Garnish with fresh fruits or herbs. While you can mix and match any vodka flavor and seltzer flavor, we love mixing with the Truly Berry Hard Seltzer variety pack and Lemonade pack.
Ingredients:
1 ½ parts Sipsmith London Dry Gin
½ part simple syrup
½ part lemon juice
Garnish:
Basil leaves
Muddle basil in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Fill shaker with ice. Add remaining ingredients. Shake well. Double strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with a basil leaf.
Ingredients:
1 part Tres Generaciones Plata Tequila
4 parts dry sparkling wine
2 parts grapefruit juice
½ part simple syrup
Garnish:
Grapefruit peel
Combine tequila, grapefruit juice and simple syrup in a champagne flute and stir. Top with sparkling wine.
Ingredients:
2 parts Truly Strawberry Lemonade vodka
¾ part simple syrup
½ part fresh lemon juice
2 fresh strawberries, tops removed (optional)
Garnish:
Sliced strawberries, lemon wheel, mint sprig
Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. If using fresh strawberries, muddle them in the shaker before adding rest of ingredients.
New Hampshire’s attractions, beaches, wineries, galleries and more are ready to welcome you for an epic season of warmweather excitement. The following advertisers are a great resource for starting your summer plans.
SCAN TO LEARN MORE!
Friendship, fun and a world of adventure beneath a golden sun. Summer camp registration is here!
SUMMER DAY CAMPS
YMC A of Downtown Manchester
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YMC A Day Camp of Hooksett
YMCA of Concord
YMC A of Greater Londonderry
YMC A of Strafford County
YMC A of the Seacoast
OVERNIGHT CAMPS
YMC A Camp Foss in Strafford, NH
YMCA Camp Mi-Te-Na in Alton, NH
Did you know? Members of The Granite YMC A receive discounts on summer camp, programs, and more. Financial assistance available.
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Enjoy the ultimate White Mountain vacation at Attitash Mountain Village. Relax in our spacious suites with kitchens. Explore riverside hiking and biking trails, our private beach with river swimming, or our outdoor pools and hot tubs.
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Core Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine is dedicated to providing high quality, compassionate care to infants, children and adolescents. We are pleased to assist with the health needs of your family in a child friendly, pleasant environment in three convenient locations.
All locations are welcoming new patients.
Core Pediatric Dentistry, located at 5 Hampton Road in Exeter, provides dental care for infants, children, adolescents and children with special health care needs. For more information, call 603-773-4900.
We reached out to higher education institutions to learn how these New Hampshire schools are making higher education more accessible, more affordable and allowing residents to pursue new opportunities ... and their dreams.
Affordable, quality higher education is in reach. The Granite State is home to a number of excellent institutions that meet the needs of a broad range of students. Read on to learn about how to begin (or continue) your academic journey. >>>
QWhat sets Franklin Pierce University apart from its competitors and why may it be the right choice for college-aged students and professionals who want to add new skills?
ASince 1962, Franklin Pierce University has empowered thousands of undergraduate and graduate students to achieve academic excellence and lead meaningful, successful lives. Franklin Pierce encompasses a far-reaching geographic and virtual network. Regardless of whether programs are delivered 100% online or from our flagship campus in Rindge, New Hampshire; our Academic Centers in Manchester and Lebanon, New Hampshire; and Goodyear, Arizona, we meet students where they are, enabling them to succeed academically and prepare for rewarding careers across a breadth of fields. While our geographic footprint is expansive, our campuses and programs share a common focus: cultivating students’ success and helping them achieve their goals within a highly personalized learning environment. Whether they are residential undergraduates, online
learners, or participants in a full-time graduate program, Franklin Pierce students acquire the skills required for success in tomorrow’s workforce while cultivating the depth of knowledge embodied within a traditional liberal education.
QW hat is PATHS@PIERCE and how does it provide a more personalized experience for students?
APATHS@PIERCE allows the flexibility students need and offers the financial aid and support services to ensure your dreams are well within reach
Aligned with the goals of the most recent strategic plan, Pierce@60, Franklin Pierce University has re-envisioned and adapted academic offerings to promote highly personalized and flexible learning pathways for all students. Our commitment to embracing innovation of our academic programs will continue to provide educational experiences that are relevant and accessible to all students.
PATHS@PIERCE connects all undergraduate programs to a graduate degree at Franklin Pierce or a defined career trajectory. A student’s path is based on what their ultimate objective may be, whether that includes being job market ready upon graduation, completing an undergraduate degree in just three years, or continuing on to a graduate degree with an accelerated completion option. Personalized to best fit all their goals, PATHS@PIERCE allows students flexibility and the opportunity to choose how to study — in-person, online, year-round, or in a variety of combinations, complete with internship, co-op, or other experiential learning opportunities.
At Franklin Pierce, you’ll find the degrees, programs, and opportunities you’re looking for, and the means to achieve them. We’re 100% invested in your success.
— Dr. Catherine M. Paden, Provost & VP for Academic AffairsTO LEARN MORE ABOUT PATHS@PIERCE AND SEE HOW IT’S PROVIDING A PATHWAY FOR ALL STUDENTS TO REACH THEIR GOALS, VISIT FRANKLINPIERCE.EDU/PATHS.
QWhat are the program options for people who choose to attend one of NH’s community colleges?
AStudents coming to one of New Hampshire’s community colleges have many program options that open doors to a variety of career and transfer pathways. Of course, we offer associate degree programs, which can typically be completed in two years, along with a variety of certificate offerings. There is a program to meet nearly every interest. Business? You’ll find programs from accounting to marketing to management and many more. Healthcare? Our exceptional programs in nursing and a broad range of other healthcare roles lead to careers in high demand. Hospitality, information technology, education, industrial trades, social services and advanced manufacturing and more all provide a range of specialties, such as cyber security, criminal justice, or medical assisting, that appeal to many different interests and align with what employers are looking for. The community colleges also offer short-term workforce programs that quickly lead to employment and advancement opportunities and often can be completed in a single semester
QWhat are the unique strengths of a community college?
ACommunity colleges are focused on you, the student. Our classes are small. You won’t be sitting a huge lecture hall being taught by professors who don’t know your name. Our faculty will get to know you and be there to help you explore and achieve your goals. Students play a big role in contributing to campus culture by forming clubs, taking on leadership positions, and taking advantage of community connections to learn about jobs and careers in their field. If your goal is a four-year degree, starting at a community college can help you build confidence and a strong foundation — all at a very affordable cost
“Space, it says, is big.— Douglas Adams
“All of these things in the river belonged to someone who lived before the fire, so they have memory and a story to tell.” — Gary Hamel
Close your eyes for a moment and imagine your town’s business district. Envision the shopkeeper who always recommends an ideal gift, the bank that hands out dog biscuits and lollipops at the drive-thru, the restaurant that throws your regular order onto the grill as soon as you walk through the door.
Now imagine that same scene completely burned to cinders in just three hours. It’s unimaginable, impossible to comprehend.
But that is exactly what happened a century ago when the entire downtown of Canaan, New Hampshire, was destroyed by fire on June 2, 1923. At 11 that morning, it was business as usual: workers stitched together rough cloth at the overall factory, Ned Barney edited news stories at his desk at the “Canaan Reporter,” and E.M. Allen was setting up for the day at his combination drugstore/hardware store/photography studio, after first taking a few shots of the town for his bustling postcard enterprise.
As folks started to trickle in for lunch at Addie Follansbee’s restaurant, a trickle of flame launched into a hay bale in a barn a couple of blocks away on School Street. It was windy that day, coming from the northwest, and the town hadn’t seen a soaking rain for weeks. Canaan people were frugal, eschewing more expensive slate on their roofs for cheaper wooden shingles.
The town didn’t have a chance. Despite heroic efforts from the town’s fire squad and units that rushed from as far away as Con-
cord, it took just 20 minutes for the entire downtown to catch fire as the wind carried pieces of burning wood from one building to the next.
By two in the afternoon, the only things left standing were chimneys, mounds of charred detritus from the smoldering hulks of buildings and the ghostly skeletons of burned trees, their stripped branches pointing to the sky as if to accuse a merciless god of forsaking the town.
When the smoke cleared, townspeople tallied up their losses: 50 businesses had been destroyed along with dozens of barns and buildings used for storage, as well as several churches and community meeting spaces. Scores of people who lived in houses and apartments above the stores lost their homes and possessions, and two residents lost their lives.
People of the time were well familiar with fire. Indeed, the town had been devastated before, with several businesses and homes burning in 1872 and again in 1893 when a spark from a locomotive caused a conflagration. But the devastation caused by this fire was unprecedented in its extent and speed. The fire was so hot that the tracks of the nearby Boston and Maine Railroad line warped.
News of the disaster quickly spread, and supplies, food, money and clothes soon poured in from residents and businesspeople in nearby towns, Dartmouth College
students and the American Red Cross. The next morning, headlines about the fire were splashed on front pages across the country, and the devastation described was so complete that many couldn’t fathom it. The town was still smoldering the following day when people arrived in droves to view the “cremated village,” as one newspaper reporter put it. Some reports say that up to 5,000 people drove from Massachusetts, Maine and Vermont — as well as from all over the Granite State — to witness the devastation. Cars were blocked from the ruins, so the lookie-loos had to abandon their vehicles along the roads leading into Canaan, hiking
in from up to a mile away. A couple of townspeople decided to capitalize on the opportunity and solicited cash donations from the visitors for relief efforts.
The Tuesday after the fire, townspeople held a meeting to discuss rebuilding the town, and within the week, trailers, tents and boxcars had sprung up to house displaced businesses and those who arrived in town to work on new construction, Those eager to put the fire behind them plowed the charred remains of the town into the nearby Indian River.
A month after the fire, downtown Canaan looked like a construction zone.
People’s lives were permanently altered that day, but in the wake of such tragedy, it’s human nature that our focus turns to the things left behind; after all, we all have our talismans that represent an earlier history.
That was his razor...There’s the head of the doll that she loved to pieces...That’s the beanpot that was on the stove when the fire started raging, and it made it through the fire. It’s charred and cracked, but it survived.
Gary Hamel is a well-known local artist who grew up in neighboring Orange. His studio is on Route 4, right next to the Red Wagon Bakery. He’s researched the Canaan fire for decades, and says if it wasn’t for
photographer E.M. Allen’s extensive postcard documentation of the town, there would be little evidence of what the town looked like before it was destroyed. After all, photography was an expensive pastime in the early 20th century, mostly left to professionals like Allen, and if you wanted a pictorial record of a place, postcards were the way to go. They also served as the texts of their day, as it was not uncommon for someone in Canaan to send a postcard to a friend in Grafton on the eastbound morning train, and receive a response on the westbound afternoon train.
Hamel has always scavenged old stuff for his art and had heard about the detritus plowed into the river, but doubted anything would be salvageable after a century of strong currents, mud and beaver dams. A few years ago, he decided to investigate and immediately spotted countless glass shards and pottery pieces staring back at him from the riverbank. He grabbed a five-gallon bucket and shovel and started to dig.
His initial visits yielded inkwells, a porcelain doll head and a Civil War belt buckle, all of which he donated to Donna Zani Dunkerton, town historian and curator of the Canaan Historical Museum up on Canaan Street. These items were all intact; what he was looking for was less specific, more broken. At the time, he was just starting to get his groove back after a severe case of shingles had wrecked the sight in his right eye. Previously a storied painter who had exhibited in Maine galleries, Hamel stopped painting a decade earlier due to vision problems, and had only recently returned to tentatively making art when he discovered the remains of the fire in the river.
He’d always been attracted to stoneware crocks, and among his early discoveries
In gluing and fitting them back together, I was reconstructing something lost in the fire, but I was also putting the pieces of my life back together.
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was an amalgam of pottery shards smashed every which way but looked like they could be one vessel. He extricated the pieces from the river and painstakingly started to reconstruct the crock back in his studio. As he worked, he realized something vital. “In gluing and fitting them back together, I was reconstructing something lost in the fire, but I was also putting the pieces of my life back together,” he says.
Hamel’s returned to the river many times since and has spent much of the last two years creating what he refers to as “assemblages” — types of shadowboxes and wooden backdrops that contain bits and pieces from the river, often alongside a reproduction of a newspaper ad from the pre-fire store where a person could have purchased the item, or with an enlarged version of one of Allen’s postcards in the background. Other items: keys, horseshoes, knives and buttons from the overall factory. Once he even pulled a half-full bottle of olives that retained their green tinge.
“Found objects have a memory that paint lacks,” Hamel says. “Putting objects with an image is a really powerful thing. All of these things in the river belonged to someone who lived before the fire, so they have memory and a story to tell.”
Less than six months after the fire, almost half of the 50 destroyed businesses were back in brand-new buildings. And more were on the way.
One of the buildings under construction
was Webster and Sons Hardware and Supply on Depot Street. Herbert Levi Webster and his three sons already had stores in West Canaan and Enfield, and they decided to capitalize on the opportunity that Canaan presented, with Herbert’s son Lynn in charge of the new store..
Today the store is known as Canaan Hardware and continues to thrive, albeit in a different location a block away. Along with the observance of the 100th anniversary of the fire, Herbert’s great-great-granddaughter, owner Robin Dow Parker, is planning to commemorate a century in business.
“All of these businesses and houses and families had been very well established in town for decades, and within a matter of hours their lives were uprooted,” Dow Parker says, adding that the continued existence of the store honors the townspeople who lived through the horrors of the fire.
But even though no remnants of the fire remain visible today, the question of “what if?” is never far away. Of course, no town has escaped change through the years wrought by war, depression or pandemic, but in the case of Canaan, it’s interesting to ponder how the town would be different today if the fire never happened — not just the businesses that didn’t reopen and the new ones that flocked to town, but also the people who shaped a town and its future.
As Canaan town historian, Donna Zani Dunkerton thinks it’s important to ask this question. “I don’t think the town ever recovered from the fire, because there were
so many families who lost everything,” Dunkerton says. “A lot of people moved away because they couldn’t afford to rebuild, and even those who had insurance suffered, because the payout only covered a portion of their loss.”
Of course, the question will remain largely unanswered, but a group of townspeople will gather on the 100th anniversary of the fire not only to commemorate what was indelibly lost but also to recognize what rose from the ashes.
The town of Canaan is commemorating the 1923 fire on June 2 and 3, 2023. Friday’s events include a service at the Methodist Church, a chicken barbecue at the American Legion and an evening concert on the Common. On Saturday, town historian Donna Zani Dunkerton and her daughter Sara Dunkerton will give a talk on how citizens rebuilt the community, and the Canaan Fire Department will hold an open house with firefighter Alton Hennessy discussing how the fire department battled the fire. Artist Gary Hamel’s show, “Putting the Pieces Back Together,” will be held at the Canaan Town Library from June 2 through Old Home Days, which end on August 6. NH
Canaan Historical Museum
464 Canaan St. • (603) 523-7960
canaannh.org/canaan-historical-museum
Tamworth Distilling & Mercantile has put out spirits made with invasive green crabs, beaver glands and even what it calls a “sinister sap,” tapped from maple trees growing next to a Granite State graveyard. Now, they’re once again pushing the limits of libations with the launch of the world’s
first wearable and drinkable perfume gin, Sylvan Mist. But before you balk at the thought of dousing yourself in a fragrance reminiscent of a fraternity party, fear not: That’s not what Tamworth Distilling is going for with this particular perfume.
“This is a gin, technically, by the law,
because it has juniper in it — a lot of juniper,” says distiller Matt Power. “It really doesn’t smell like that memory from college or whatever. It’s got its own character that’s very unique.”
The “seed of the idea,” Power says, came from Tamworth Distilling’s owner, Steven Grasse. He discovered that the distillation of spirits had roots in the distillation of botanicals for perfume. From there, Power says, their team set out to build something that could straddle the line between scents and spirits — with a fragrance potent enough to wear, but not too intense to ingest.
Power, an organic chemist by training, says it involved a lot of trial and error, working with whole plant extracts to identify potential flavors for their final product.
“We had to kind of break them apart and then build them back together and assemble them,” he says. “Sort of like taking a bunch of different sounds and breaking out the individual notes from them and then taking a note from each sound and building them into a chord, or something of that nature.”
Some ingredients didn’t pan out. The “big, floral aroma” of the osmanthus flower seemed like a promising foundation at first — but that fell short when they found out it wasn’t deemed food safe. They were also interested in ambergris, made from the waxy exudate of a sperm whale. But trade is banned in the United States — so that was also off the table.
Eventually, they settled on a blend of balsam fir, boronia and chamomile flowers, violet leaf, grapefruit and juniper, that, Power says, might remind you of a lush summertime hike up Mount Whiteface.
“One of the big things we wanted to evoke in it was a sense of place,” Power says. “Here at the distillery, we always try to — no pun
intended — infuse this concept of location into our spirits in some regards.”
Packaged to look like a perfume and adorned with a golden atomizer, the final product is designed to be more of a garnish than the base of a cocktail.
“If you wanted to try to drink some, you could do that, but you probably wouldn’t want more than a sip or two,” Power says.
And at $80 for 100 milliliters, with a 75.5 percent ABV, that’d be one expensive — and stiff — drink. NH
If your car climbed Mount Washington and you don’t have the sticker to prove it — did it really? The iconic bumper stickers adorning vehicles across New England came under fire on social media recently, as noted by Boston.com: “You’re literally just driving up a gigantic hill. That’s really all it is,” Saugus comedian Marc Lewis told the outlet. “You drove up a hill.” Perhaps. But it’s a really, really big hill.
In between stops on their spring concert tour, country stars Kenny Chesney and Kelsea Ballerini were recently spotted on the Seacoast. “We had a great day off hanging in Portsmouth, New Hampshire with Marissa McLaughlin and Tyler McLaughlin from the boat Pinwheel on the show #WickedTuna,” Chesney wrote in a photo caption on Instagram. “Thanks for the laughs and I can’t wait to go fishing.”
The year hasn’t even reached the halfway mark, but it is safe to say that New Hampshire politics in 2023 is defined by one question: Will Chris Sununu actually run for president?
At the time of writing, it is still very much an open question. He has been on a monthslong media tour, traveling around the country hoping to raise his national profile and meet potential donors if there was a campaign.
If he doesn’t run for president, Sununu said he hasn’t ruled out going to Washington anyway, maybe serving in the cabinet if a Republican is elected. He has felt this way for a long time, going back to his announcement that he would not run for the U.S. Senate last year.
But all of the talk about what Sununu is interested in doing makes it pretty obvious what he is not interested in doing: running for reelection as governor.
This is a big deal. It is also deeply underappreciated by the local political chattering class as they focus on what a presidential run might, first off, look like for Sununu, and, secondly, mean for the future of the New Hampshire primary.
However, Sununu not seeking a fifth term shakes up New Hampshire politics for the first
time in seven years. Besides Sununu holding the governor’s office since 2016, all other major offices — those in the U.S. House and Senate — have been held by Democrats during the same period. Should Sununu go, this all changes.
While Sununu has confounded Democrats who have largely been unable to effectively attack him, it’s not only the Democrats who will be glad to see him not run again.
There are Libertarian-minded Republicans who have long seen him as the person in the way of their agenda, particularly as they control the New Hampshire House. Then there are the more establishment-minded Republicans who are friends with Sununu and have ambitions of the corner office themselves. Now, they’ll have a chance to run.
Indeed, there might be no one in New Hampshire who more wants a chance of running for governor again than Sununu’s education commissioner Frank Edelblut. Edelblut, after only narrowly losing the 2016 Republican nomination for governor to Sununu, has been waiting in the wings ever since.
It’s with the Democrats, however, where you can see how the major domino effect of
Sununu’s departure from Concord would have a lot of impact.
U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas might make his move to run for governor with Sununu out of the way. It would make logical sense for Pappas. He currently occupies one of the nation’s most competitive swing seats — as a Democrat holding a district that Republican Donald Trump had won. But if he runs statewide, he gets the benefit of more Democratic voters in the state’s other congressional district who could vote for him. And then, of course, there is the simple power and lifestyle choice of being governor, versus one of 435 U.S. House members that have to constantly commute to Washington again and again.
But if Pappas runs for governor, then his House seat opens up — something that has only happened twice in the past 20 years in the state. All kinds of people could run for that role, including mayors and state senators and state representatives, that might open up their current positions to other newcomers.
In other words, while there is a lot of discussion about Sununu’s national ambitions — and rightly so — there might be a growing level of chatter about the ambitions of so many others closer to home. NH
BY JAMES PINDELL / ILLUSTRATION BY PETER NOONAN
I’m standing atop a large boulder on the east bank of the Swift Diamond River, hoping to find answers to an intriguing question. I’m at the “Hand on the Rock” site in the northern New Hampshire township of Second College Grant. This enduring mystery has been shared with me a few times, so I decided it was time to see it firsthand. A good mystery story will typically reveal the answers of “whodunit” and “why,” but with this mystery, nothing is solved. Nor can I answer the “how” and “when.”
I can answer some of the “what” element in the story though. The “what” is an unusual hand carved into a rock. More specifically, a left hand, and more than just the hand. The hand includes a forearm, and an index finger pointing at something. Beneath the forearm are the letters “WMDOW,” or “W M Dow,” or perhaps “WM Dow.” Beneath these letters is a heart. Some observers say there are small Roman numerals carved at the bottom of the forearm which translate to 1871, perhaps a significant year. Others believe it is the arm of a woman and
the Roman numerals are actually a lace decoration on the cuff of her sleeve. Some believe the finger points to the sky, some say it points into the river, others say it points southwest. As subjective as all that may be, it is the best answer anyone has given for the “what” in this mystery.
As for the “where” component, I can answer a little better. It is located in the Second College Grant, an unincorporated township of almost 42 square miles owned entirely by Dartmouth College. Back in 1789, the state of New Hampshire gave the college a grant of land in what is now Clarksville to encourage the college’s development. Most of the land in this first college grant was quickly sold off to raise funds to keep the new college operational.
In 1807, the New Hampshire Legislature gave Dartmouth College a second grant of land. This time, the college opted to use it for timber production and recreational purposes rather than sell it for funding. Today, this mostly undeveloped township, appropriately named Second College Grant, consists of nearly 27,000 acres. There are no stores, gas stations or post offices. There are no permanent residents and only a few dirt roads. These roads are privately owned by Dartmouth College, and are kept gated and locked much of the year. Vehicle access is restricted to Dartmouth-affiliated visitors and guests, but I knew a guy and gave him a call.
We met at the gate, where he let me in and then locked the gate behind me. He hid the key under a rock and told me to lock up when I left. I drove for hours on unmapped dirt roads exploring the area, and I was only somewhat lost when I came to a sign that read “Hand on the Rock.” I parked the truck and hiked the steep slope down to the riverbank searching for the mysterious legend. What struck me first when I found it was the skill of the craftsman. This was no casual etching done on a whim by some passing graffiti vandal. Whoever carved this hand into the rock had the tools, time, passion and talent to sculpt it, rather than just chisel a scar onto the rock face. The heart, forearm and fingers are rounded, shaped and smoothed
like a park statue or ornate gravestone. There is no documentation or consensus explanation for who carved this, or when and why. My inquiries discovered three theories thrown out for discussion
and argument. The first being that the Vikings did it. It was suggested that perhaps Vikings landing on the coast had also sailed up the rivers and carved this rock. Seems unlikely to me. I’m doubting that an
ocean-going Viking ship could have made it that far upriver through the falls, narrows and shallows. If they did, I suspect they would have left more evidence behind, rather than just a lady’s hand on a rock. There is also the matter of the initials; “W M Dow” doesn’t seem like a Viking name to me, but I’m not familiar with ancient Viking script, so maybe it means something like “turned around here.”
A second debated possibility involves a minister by the name of William Wallace Dow who attended Dartmouth College and graduated in the class of 1861. Dow then served in the Civil War and returned to New Hampshire, becoming a minister in Portsmouth for many years. He died in 1911 and is buried in Portsmouth, which is a long way from the Second College Grant. Perhaps when William Wallace Dow was a young man at Dartmouth, he explored the Second College Grant and staked a claim to his favorite fishing spot. Or perhaps later in his life, the Rev. Dow, mindful of the Biblical passage Job 28:9, “He putteth forth his hand upon the rock,” journeyed back to the College Grant and carved this monument with a hand pointing toward heaven at a spot that was spiritually important to him. But this theory has flaws. If it was the Rev. William Wallace Dow, you might expect the engraved initials to read “W W DOW” and not “W M DOW.” And if the Roman numerals do indicate the year 1871, then William Wallace Dow would not have been a student at Dartmouth, nor does it represent the year of his death.
The final suggestion floated about this pointing finger theorizes that in the days of the great spring river drives — when sawlogs and pulpwood choked the rivers drifting downstream to the mills — perhaps a log jam occurred and an unfortunate river driver lost his footing, slipped off a log and drowned in the swollen, frigid snowmelt fast water. If the body was never recovered for burial, then maybe his companions or family carved this monument as a headstone for the lost river driver named “W M Dow” in 1871.
We’ll likely never know exactly whodunit, how, when or why anyone would go through so much effort to sculpt a hand, a name and a heart onto a rock in this lonely remote location, but one thing can be answered with a degree of certainty: Whoever W M Dow was, someone thought enough of him to want to give him a hand. NH
Shelly Estabrooks, an intensive care nurse and dedicated, perhaps manic, thru-hiker, has traversed mountain and dale on several continents. She’d just completed another round of hiking all of our 48 White Mountains over 4,ooo feet, often breaking trails through wet, thigh-high snows, when the Appalachian Trail beckoned — 2,200 arduous miles from Georgia to the peak of Maine’s Katahdin. Five months of putting one foot in front of another in grit-testing terrain and weather: a serious test of strength and mettle often consisting of 15-hour, 25-mile days. Only one in four endure, those falling away likely succumbing to increasing interludes of sanity. Shelly: one intense hiker gal.
I‘ve had a lifelong obsession with mountains. I think I first fell in love with hiking from family jaunts up the mighty Uncanoonuc Mountains in Goffstown, where I grew up.
My favorite peak in the Whites is Mount Guyot. It’s the absolute best place to stop to take in the Pemi Wilderness.
I started the AT on my own, but found myself in a “tramily” (trail+family) with some fellow thru-hikers I met in the first few days. Beans, Pop-Tart, Plato and Calico were my original tramily. We hiked the first couple hundred miles of trail together.
I met my most favorite person, Tiga, at mile 110 on a hiker shuttle in Franklin, North Carolina. Tiga and I quickly became inseparable, in the end hiking 2,084 miles of the AT together.
I continued hiking and traveling post-AT. I’ve been told I don’t have an “off switch.”
The hiker hunger was real. If you ever want to witness a feeding frenzy, just offer food to thru-hikers.
I ate the biggest cinnamon roll I’ve ever seen in my life from Dermody Road Coffee House in Gorham. I think it was as big as my head. I ate every single satisfying, cinnamony bite of it, and it fueled me across the Maine border. Danger? I believe being around people within city limits is more dangerous than being out in nature and on the trail.
Examples? Bears — proper food hang prevents dangerous encounters. Poisonous snakes — pay attention and provide space. Hitchhiking — hitchhike in groups; if the driver gives a bad vibe, don’t enter the vehicle. Crossing “dangerous rivers” — unclip waist/chest straps, use poles for balance, sidestep. Don’t attempt if it’s beyond your scope of experience.
For the most part, feet were not really an issue on trail until I reached New Hampshire. I already had what I considered relatively mountain-tough feet. About 1,800 miles into the trail, I remember the climb up Mount Moosilauke and for the first time being aware of the achiness in my feet.
Ask anyone who has hiked the trail, and I bet they will tell you the part they dreaded most was hitting New Hampshire. The straight up/straight down elevation, the relentless talus, rocks and scrambles, tree roots and slippery bog boards — on top of the mileage you’ve already put on your body — leaves you feeling pretty beat up.
I still have pain in my feet every morning and they are almost a full size bigger than when I left for the trail.
Some mornings I wake up and I lay there feeling like the trail was just a dream, but the aches are a reminder that the experience was undoubtedly real.
“Hike intensity” knows no age limit. In 1955, at the age of 67, Emma Rowena Gatewood, a mother of 11 and grandmother of 23, became the first woman to solo hike the entire 2,168-mile Appalachian Trail. She did it wearing Keds sneakers and carrying an army blanket, a raincoat, a shower curtain and a change of clothes in a homemade bag slung over one shoulder. Before departing, Gatewood, a survivor of domestic violence, told her grown children she was “going for a hike in the woods,” but left out a few important details. She is now considered a pioneer of ultra-light
SUMMER 2023. We made it. You didn’t endure that long, cold winter to just sit inside, now did you? We didn’t think so. Here at New Hampshire Magazine, we like to boast that we’re the definitive guide to living in the Granite State, and with much power comes much responsibility. So, we’d like to keep on giving you the skinny — this time, on all sorts of summer shenanigans you can get up to in the 603. Whether it’s hot sauce fests or moose fests, amusement parks or dog parks, live music or live theater, we’ve got you covered with all the hoppin’ happenings going down from June through August in New Hampshire. Keep your hands and arms inside the vehicle and remain seated at all times. 3…2…1…Hang on!
COMPILED BY CALEB JAGODA
JUNE 24, JULY 8, 22, AUGUST 5
Nostalgia Nights at Story Land > Calling all kids at heart — Story Land is going allout so you can relive your younger years in the “Land Where Fantasy Lives.” Jump on the rides you loved as a kid, then visit Cinderella in her castle and get your photo taken — just like the old days. Indulge in treasured snacks like cotton candy, popcorn and ice cream cones. Kick back and enjoy an adult beverage instead of a juice box and groove to the tunes of live music. $40. 5 to 10 p.m., Story Land, 850 Route 16, Glen. (603) 383-4186; storylandnh.com
WHILE THERE’S NO SHORTAGE of one-day or weekend-long events occurring this summer, here are a few activities that stretch their legs through the entirety of the dog days. Film festivals, arts in the park, concert series, history scavenger hunts, writing workshops and more; these frequently occurring festivities should keep you plenty busy around the Granite State.
Prescott Park Arts Festival > The state’s most sprawling summer arts festival returns in 2023 for yet another season of world-class entertainment for the whole family. A chili cook-off, jazz festival, movie screenings, theatrical productions, big-name musicians and a whole lot more make this one of the Granite State’s best summer outdoor gatherings. At the time of writing, the only confirmed event for 2023 is a theatrical production of “Disney’s 101 Dalmations and The Aristocrat Kids,” but check out their website as more events pop up. To avoid fighting for a spot in the first-come, first-serve outdoor space, don’t forget to reserve a blanket or table in advance. Free (donation suggested). Dates and times vary, Prescott Park, 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth. (603) 436-2848; prescottpark.org
JULY 6-AUGUST 31, EVERY OTHER THURSDAY
White Mountain Jewish Film Festival > This five-film series presents an array of unforgettable films describing the Jewish experience and culture. At each pre- and post-film reception, a unique guest speaker will introduce the film and lead a lively Q&A session. Films TBA. $45. 6:30 p.m., Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation, 39 Strawberry Hill Rd., Bethlehem. bethlehemsynagogue.org
THROUGHOUT JULY
603 History Hunt > See New Hampshire in ways you never have before. Held during the month of July, the New Hampshire Historical Society’s 603 History Hunt is a statewide scavenger hunt that tests your knowledge of the Granite State and takes you on the road to complete a series of challenges. Visit the world’s longest candy counter, locate a scene from the movie “Jumanji,” or find an 8,000-year-old summer camp — all located right here in the Granite State. Choose which challenges to accept based on your own interests and abilities, with hundreds of challenges to choose from. It’s a great activity for families, friends, couples or on your own, as people can participate as a team or as individuals. Prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories. Participation in the 603 History Hunt is free and open to the general public. This event is sponsored by Merrimack County Savings Bank. nhhistory.org
THROUGHOUT SUMMER
Gunstock Adventure Park > While Gunstock’s become known as a go-to skiing and snowboarding mecca, don’t sleep on its warm-weather offerings. Gunstock Adventure Park features miles of dog-friendly hiking and biking trails, ziplining, scenic lift rides, aerial treetop adventures, a mountain coaster and even a campground to spend the night after a full day of summer fun. Head over to Gilford to enjoy the wonders of summer in the scenic mountains. Prices and times vary, Gunstock Adventure Park, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford. (603) 293-4341; gunstock.com
HOPING TO GET OUT AND ABOUT THIS SUMMER with your closest canine companions? We got you covered. Whether it’s salty air and sandcastles at dog-welcoming beaches, doggo socials at local dog parks or mountain trails forgiving to those with four legs, here are the best dog-friendly activities to get you and your pup soaked in some sunrays this summer.
Although dogs aren’t allowed on any ocean beaches in New Hampshire state parks, there are several pet-friendly beaches along the state’s 18 miles of shoreline to explore.
Seabrook Beach > Located in Seabrook between Hampton Beach and Salisbury Beach, Seabrook Beach is a dog-friendly hidden gem for you and your pet. Dogs are required to be leashed year-round, and are limited to the hours of before 8 a.m. and after 6 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day. With this in mind, we recommend visiting off-season.
Foss Beach > Foss Beach in Rye is a townowned beach, which means that you and your dog are allowed from sunrise to 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. the Saturday before Memorial Day through the Saturday after Labor Day (and anytime during the off-season). It’s a long stretch of beach that runs from the Rye Harbor State Park along Ocean Boulevard past Washington Road. While the beach is rocky, you are allowed to have your dog off the leash as long as they are under voice control. Make sure to check the tidal charts before you head out, as this beach disappears during high tide.
Hudson Dog Park at Benson Park > Located on the grounds of the original 166-acre Benson Wild Animal Park, this park boasts plenty of room for your dog to romp around from sunrise to sunset, and there are even two separate areas, large and small, for dogs to play leash-free. Leashed dogs are welcomed to use the over 4 miles of looping trails. 19 Kimball Rd., Hudson.
Live Free and Run Dog Park > This is a fenced-in, off-leash park where you and your dog are encouraged to engage with the community around you and participate in education, training and recreational activities. There is a membership fee to be a part of this park, but dues go toward keeping the space maintained. Green Road, Kingston.
Derry Dog Park > This local park is completely fenced in, allowing your dog the opportunity to run and play freely in a safe and enclosed environment. There are also
agility obstacles available to keep your dog entertained from sunrise to sunset. Fordway Extension, Derry.
Shaker Field Dog Park > This park has something for every dog. The park features three separate enclosures: one for small dogs (30 pounds and under), one for large dogs (over 30 pounds) and a training area. There are also amenities like benches, tunnels, rock piles, boulders and tires. 535 NH-4A, Enfield.
LEISURELY
Lake Massabesic Trail, Auburn > This is a 4-mile, heavily trafficked loop that offers the chance to see wildlife and is appropriate for all skill levels. The trail also offers a number of activity options and is best used from April until October. Your dog must be on a leash if you are going to walk this trail. This is an Audubon sanctuary, and you can view the trail map online.
INTERMEDIATE
Mount Major and Brook Trail Loop, Alton Bay > This is a moderate-level, 3.7-mile, heavily trafficked loop with beautiful wild flowers, and ideal for walks from April through November. This trail is a fan favorite for its hike along a pretty brook where your dog can drink and swim. Your dog is required to be on a leash, but not many people follow this rule, as there are as many dogs on the trail as there are people.
Mount Osceola, Lincoln > If you and your dog are looking to tackle one of the Granite State’s famous 4,000-foot peaks, Mount Osceola is a good place to start. This 12.3-mile round-trip hike has gorgeous views of the Kancamagus wilderness and plenty of wildflowers that make the steep trek worth it. The entrance at Tripoli Road is the more dog-friendly place to start.
WHEN YOU WERE 12 YEARS OLD twiddling your thumbs on a picture-perfect summer day, what was your favorite way to spark some fun? Most likely, it was to gather some friends and head to an amusement park, water park or carnival to play games, take a dip and enjoy all the fruits of summer. Sure, you may not be in middle school anymore, but there’s no shame in recreating that nostalgia and going down a waterslide (headfirst, when the safety attendant’s looking away, of course) to conjure those sweaty days of yore. Here are New Hampshire’s best and brightest amusement attractions to live like a kid all summer long.
Canobie Lake Park
85 North Policy St., Salem (603) 893-3506; canobie.com
Whale’s Tale Waterpark
481 Daniel Webster Highway (Rt. 3), Lincoln (603) 745-8810; whalestalewaterpark.net
Candia Springs Adventure Park 446 Raymond Rd., Candia (603) 587-2093; candiasprings.com
← Water Country 2300 Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth (603) 427-1112; watercountry.com
Story Land 850 Route 16, Glen (603) 383-4186; storylandnh.com
Red Jacket Mountain View Indoor Waterpark 2251 White Mountain Hwy. Route 16, North Conway. (603) 356-5411; redjacketresorts.com
Santa’s Village
528 Presidential Hwy., Jefferson (603) 586-4445; santasvillage.com
Clark’s Bears ↓ 110 Daniel Webster Hwy., Lincoln (603) 745-8913; clarksbears.com
FEATURED EVENT
THROUGHOUT SUMMER
40 Years of Water Country > Celebrate four decades of summer fun at Portsmouth’s Water Country. For 2023, guests can expect an all-new redesigned main gate entrance, a brand-new Water Country sign and refreshed parking booths. In addition, there will be new way-finding signage, transformed restrooms near the park’s main entrance and a photo-opportunity area by Adventure River. Plus, new eye-catching colors are being painted on Dragon’s Den, Plunge, Racing Rapids and Hyperlight. Prices and times vary, Water Country, 2300 Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth. (603) 427-1112; watercountry.com
Vernon Family Farm Live Music Series > This favorite family farm is known as a one-stop shop for buying local, but their outdoor music series is one for the books, too. Every Friday and second Saturday of the month from May to October, the farm hosts live music, including bands like High Range and Superfrog, and offers delicious local food from their very own farm-to-table restaurant, Vernon Kitchen. New to 2023, the farm plans on hosting a Sunday brunch on the fourth Sunday of each month. Grab your friends and family and head over for a night (or morning) of community, rotisserie chicken and music at a space that nurtures the human desire to connect and love. Prices vary. 5 to 8 p.m., Vernon Family Farm, 301 Piscassic Rd., Newfields. (603) 340-4321; vernonfamilyfarm.com. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event.
THURSDAYS AND SUNDAYS
THROUGHOUT SUMMER
The Gundalow Concert Series > The Gundalow Company presents a relaxing sunset sail accompanied by multiple musicians all summer long playing a mix of music genres. Attendees board at the Prescott Park Dock next to the historic Sheafe Warehouse. $22-$44. 6 to 8 p.m., Prescott Park Dock, 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth. (603) 433-9505; gundalow.org
SECOND THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH
Expressions Through Art > Expressions Through Art provides a joyful and creative experience for people affected by cancer. Staff from the Currier and the Elliot facilitate discussions about art in their galleries and guide art-making. The program uses art as a conduit for respite and connection. Light refreshments will be provided. No art experience necessary. Advanced registration is not necessary; drop-ins are more than welcome. Free. 4 to 5:30 p.m., Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., Manchester. (603) 669-6144; currier.org
EVERY THURSDAY
Gay Paper Mache > A queer-centered, sober, all-ages, free paper mache club at the Dover nonprofit arts center. All are welcome. Suggested donation $5. 7 to 9 p.m., Wrong Brain, 66 Third St. B1, Dover. wrongbrain.net
EVERY SECOND AND FOURTH WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH
Writer’s Corner at Auspicious Brew > Come on down to Dover’s only kombucha craft brewery for a good ol’ writing brainstorm session. If you are a writer, come in. If you are a journalist, a poet, a songstress or an author, come in. Sit in Auspicious’ corner to chat, listen, read aloud, or hold your writing close if you’re not ready to share it. Come in! The Writers’ Corner is a place where anyone at any point in their process can brainstorm, share and receive feedback from a community of like-minded peers. Hosted by Jay Leavitt, Auspicious Brew co-owner and assistant brewer. Free. 6 to 8 p.m., Auspicious Brew, 1 Washington St.; Suite 1103, Dover. (603) 953-7240; auspiciousbrew.com
TUESDAYS THROUGH FRIDAYS, JULY AND AUGUST
2023 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series > Are you a Disney fan? This summer playlist is for you. The Summer Children’s Series boasts a variety of well-known and beloved stories that include music, dancing, audience participation and more. Even better? Your kiddos have the opportunity to meet the characters at the end of every show. This year’s lineup includes magician BJ Hackman, Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel and more. $10. Shows at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., The Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. (603) 668-5588; palacetheatre.org
JULY 6-27
Atlantic Grill Music by the Sea Concerts> This summer concert series brings some of New England’s hottest bands to the Seacoast on Thursday nights. Enjoy great tunes from bands like Jumbo Circus Peanuts and Joshua Tree and the seaside setting while supporting the Seacoast Science Center and their ocean education mission. Bring a blanket or chair, pack a picnic or purchase freshly grilled dinner beverages on-site. Concertgoers can also enjoy the Center and its exhibits, free with concert admission. $15-$20. 6 to 8:30 p.m., 570 Ocean Blvd., Rye. (603) 436-8043; seacoastsciencecenter.org
JUNE 3
NH Maker Fest > This festival is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and love sharing what they do. From engineers and artists to scientists and chefs, the Maker & Food Fest is a venue for these “makers” to show off hobbies, experiments and projects, and for attendees to enjoy fantastic grub. The team at the Children’s Museum call it “The Greatest Show and Tell on Earth” — a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness. Suggested donation of $5 per person. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, 6 Washington St., Dover. childrens-museum.org
JUNE 3
WOKQ Chowder Festival & Summer Social >
Prescott Park Arts Festival welcomes the Granite State to chow on some chowder and get jiggy with it. This event features restaurants from throughout the Seacoast in a delicious chowder competition for the ages. The festival also offers music, merch and other family-friendly activities for friends young and old. And for those non-chowder chompers, a host of other delicious treats will be available, including handmade ice cream sandwiches, fresh-pressed lemonade, oysters and more. Prices vary. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until the chowder runs dry), Prescott Park, 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth. (603) 436-2848; prescottpark.org
JUNE 4
16th Annual Kitchen Tour > Take a self-guided tour of some of the finest kitchens in Amherst, Bedford and Manchester — all in one day. Dig the decor and enjoy lunch from Baron’s Major Brands. All proceeds from the Kitchen Tour benefit professional and youth theater programming at the historic Palace Theatre. $55-$65. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. (603) 668-5588; palacetheatre.org. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event
JUNE 10
46th Annual Market Square Day > Created by nonprofit Pro Portsmouth to celebrate the renovation and beautification of downtown Portsmouth and, in particular, Market Square, the festival has grown in size along with the popularity of Portsmouth. It is estimated that 60,000 people walk through downtown Portsmouth on this day enjoying the entertainment, products and food offered by artists, crafters and merchants — many from the Seacoast area. Two performance stages feature local and regional musicians. The day kicks off with a 10K Road Race. Free. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., downtown Portsmouth. (603) 433-4398; proportsmouth.org
JUNE 10-19
JUNE 3
NH Bacon & Beer Festival > A fundraiser for High Hopes Foundation of New Hampshire — an organization dedicated to providing lifeenhancing experiences and medical equipment to New Hampshire’s terminally and chronically ill children — this 7th-annual event celebrates the savory grease of some good ol’ bacon alongside the endless flavor possibilities that have come to define well-crafted beer. Featuring local restaurants pulling up with their finest pork products, live music from The Slakas and over 60 breweries slinging their delicious brews, the Bacon & Beer Festival is an artery-clogging time for the ages. $35-$125. 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Anheuser-Busch Brewery, 221 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack. nhbaconbeer.com
Juneteenth Celebration 2023 > Portsmouth’s Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire offers a weeklong Juneteenth celebration to honor early African settlers and their descendants for their extraordinary contributions to the growth of the region. The celebration includes a tour, a panel discussion, a Reggae festival, a gospel choir concert, African drumming and more. Prices and times vary. Portsmouth. (603) 570-8469; blackheritagetrailnh.org
JUNE 15
New England Wine Spectacular > Celebrate New Hampshire Wine Week with the seven-day celebration’s crown jewel: the Wine Spectacular. It’s New England’s largest showcase of premium wines, featuring over 1,700 wines and 25 restaurants, and drawing a capacity crowd of more than 1,500 guests. The event now benefits the New Hampshire Food Bank, with a portion of proceeds going toward fighting hunger in the Granite State. $65-$135. 6 to 9 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown, 700 Elm St., Manchester. nhwineweek.com
JUNE 15-17
Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic
> This extravaganza boasts 200 tons of imported sand transformed into sand sculptures that will put little Bobby’s castles to shame. World-class master sculptors come together to create their own unique sculptures and compete for the $15,000 grand prize. Their masterpieces will be illuminated at night for an unforgettable walk down the boardwalk. Free. Hampton Beach, Hampton. hamptonbeach.org
JUNE 17
Manchester Pride > Celebrate pride in the Queen City! This year’s event is moving to Veteran’s Memorial Park to increase the downtown community’s involvement. The festival will feature Queerlective’s Queer Art Extravaganza, youth-focused activities, queer performers and many local community vendors. Free. 12 to 6 p.m., Veteran’s Memorial Park, 723 Elm St., Manchester. manchestertrue.org
JUNE 22-24
Concord Market Days Festival > Celebrate summer in the Capitol City with this annual free fest. Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy over 150 vendors and exhibitors, concerts in both Eagle and Bicentennial Squares and a beer tent smackdab in the middle of the festival. The weekend also coincides with the Capital City 10K, in case you like your street food served with a side of athleticism. Free. Main Street, Concord. (603) 226-2150; marketdaysfestival.com
JUNE 24
White Mountains Pride > Head to North Conway for a full day of activities including food trucks, music, kids activities and other celebrations. Check out their website for more details. Free. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., White Mountains Community Center Park, 78 Norcross Circle, North Conway. whitemountainspride.com
JUNE 24
Nashua Pride Festival > Join members of the local LGBTQIA community to celebrate Nashua Pride. The festival is a free celebration of diversity, acceptance, music and fun focused on promoting equality and inclusion of all people. The festival takes place in the Nashua Public Library parking lot and a parade kicks off at 2 p.m. at the Elm Street School. Free. 2 to 6 p.m., Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St., Nashua. Facebook.
JUNE 22
Best of NH Party > Shameless plug or not, this is a helluva good party you won’t want to miss: This year’s Best of NH celebration returns to its glory days of sampling great food, drink, live music and fun from across the state. The event will be an elegant tent and garden party at one of our most beautiful local treasures: Flag Hill Distillery and Winery in Lee. Sign up for our new VIP hour and private sampling opportunity, limited to 75 guests; spend the night in one of 10 tiny homes on the property; or come just for an evening of sampling and fun. And it’s all to honor the 2023 Best of NH winners and to support our nonprofit beneficiary, the New Hampshire Food Bank. $68-$98. 5 to 8:30 p.m., Flag Hill Distillery and Winery, 297 North River Rd., Lee. bestofnh.com
JUNE 3
Winnipesaukee Volleyball Classic > Hosted by the Akwa Marina Yacht Club, this competitive sand classic combines the fun of beach volleyball with making a difference in the lives of young children with special needs. All proceeds go to Crotched Mountain’s CMF Kids, an initiative that supports children with autism and other disabilities from the communities of greatest need. Prices vary. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Akwa Marina Yacht Club, 95 Centenary Ave., Laconia. (603) 669-0821; cmf.org
JUNE 10
Fun in the Sun Color Run > Open to children, adults, families and teams, the event is hosted by the Nashua Silver Knights and benefits the Lil’ Iguana’s Children’s Safety Foundation. Participants run or walk a 1-mile or 5K course around historic Holman Stadium in Nashua. Following the race, participants and their families can enjoy a “Finish Line Luau” with live music, entertainment, food and beverage samples and activities provided by area businesses and vendors. $25. 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Holman Stadium, 67 Amherst St., Nashua. (603) 881-9805; liliguanausa.org
JUNE 10-18
Laconia Motorcycle Week > Some might know the annual Bike Week as a Lakes Region traffic headache, but if you’ve never stopped in for the festivities, this is your year. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Laconia Bike Week (!!!) and includes as much tasty food, rockin’ live tunes and
interesting historical motorcycle programming as rough-and-tumble biker appeal. Prices and times vary, Weirs Beach. (603) 366-2000; laconiamcweek.com
JUNE 17
Hike for Hope > The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Hike for Hope puts a hiking spin on the “Out of the Darkness Walks” — an opportunity to bring people together to generate awareness for the cause, along with raising funds for suicide prevention in the community while fostering connection and generating important conversations. Hike for Hope provides an opportunity to enjoy our natural surroundings and acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about. Join in for a jaunt up beautiful Mount Major in this hope-filled event. Donations encouraged. 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mount Major, Alton. (603) 236-7774; asfp.org
JUNE 24
White Mountains Triathlon > Not only is this athletic event among the most scenic triathlons in the state, it’s also the only one with a whole festival built around it. Over two days, runner-biker-swimmers can participate in either the sprint, half-Iron man or Olympic distance races, and they can hang around for a Saturday post-race BBQ followed by a mountaintop sunset social. $139-$389. Early packet pick-up and registration begins on Friday at 4:30 p.m. and continues Saturday at 5:30 a.m., with the first race kicking off at 7 a.m., Cannon Mountain Ski
Area, 260 Tramway Dr., Franconia. (603) 488-1186; millenniumrunning.com
JUNE 24-25
Gunstock Trailfest > This isn’t your granddaddy’s road race! This epic weekend event hosts some of New Hampshire’s most popular trail runs with a mountain of options to choose from. Choose from The Peak Challenge, the 1.5 Mountain Climb, or the 5K, 10K, 30K, 50K and 80K trail runs. There’s also events for kids and dogs, along with a full day of festivities including a live acoustic folk singer, complimentary BBQ and two free beers. $39-$109. Times vary, Gunstock Mountain Resort, 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Gilford. gunstocktrailfest.com
JUNE 25-29
Cycling New Hampshire’s Covered Bridges > This five-day journey takes cyclists to 12 of New Hampshire’s beautiful, historic covered bridges while traversing gorgeous mountain vistas and passing sparkling lakes, rivers and streams and includes a visit to Saint-Gaudens Sculpture Gardens, plus a glorious ride on the Northern Rail Trail. Prices vary. 8 a.m., 25 Airport Rd., Lebanon. (315) 3162453; cycletheusa.com
JUNE 10
Menopause: The Musical > Four women at a lingerie sale have nothing in common but a black lace bra AND memory loss, hot flashes, night sweats, not enough sex, too much sex and more. This hilarious musical parody set to classic tunes from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s will have you cheering and dancing in the aisles. See what more than 17 million women and fans worldwide have been laughing about for over 20 years. $39-$69. Showings at 3 and 7:30 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua. (800) 657-8774; nashuacenterforthearts.com
JUNE 17-18
Bert Kreischer’s Fully Loaded > Come to one of NH’s biggest venues for a night of big-time comics. Bert Kreischer, Tiffany Haddish, Jim Norton, Big Jay Oakerson, Dan Soder and Tammy Pescatelli. $52-$500. 7 p.m., Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Ln., Gilford. (603) 293-4700; banknhpavilion.com
JUNE 23
The Human Rights Reggae Strong Tour > When it comes to reggae in Canada, nobody does it better — while remaining true to their founding principles — than Toronto’s The Human Rights. Since forming in 2007, around one of the Toronto scene’s true lions, Friendlyness, The Human Rights have developed a distinctively modern, high-energy sound that blends roots reggae with jazz, funk and R&B influences, courtesy of a blazing horn section and the soulful lead vocals of Juno award nominee Tréson. Their new album, Reggae Strong, finds The Human Rights coming as close as they have to achieving a truly Canadian reggae sound. $20-$25. 7 p.m., Stone Church Music Club, 5 Granite St., Newmarket. (603) 659-7700; stonechurchrocks.com
JULY 1-2
Hampton Falls Liberty Weekend Craft Festival
> Over 75 juried artisans from all over New England come to Hampton Falls to display and sell their American-made works. Crafts include pottery, fine art, aprons, ladies apparel, cutting boards, soaps, dolls, scarves, fine jewelry, country wood crafts, floral arrangements, vintage chic décor, mixed media, metal sculpture, glass garden art and more. Free. Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Town Common, 4 Lincoln Ave., Hampton Falls. castleberryfairs.com
JULY 1-29
New Hampshire Music Festival > Classical music lovers rejoice: Venues throughout Plymouth and Wolfeboro come alive to celebrate 71 festival years with the sounds of orchestras, choruses and professional soloists on instruments and voice. The fest plans to run three weeks this year, and feature performances at the Silver Center for Performing Arts at Plymouth State University and in various locations in the Lakes Region and further north. Prices, times and locations vary. Wolfeboro and Plymouth. (603) 238-9007; nhmf.org
JULY 8
Keep NH Brewing Festival > For a beer fest that’s all New Hampshire, all the time, look no further than this annual fête. The event features over 50 Granite State breweries and over 130 craft beers on tap. $20-$65. 12 to 4 p.m., Kiwanis Waterfront Park, 15 Loudon Rd., Concord. (334) 603-2337; nhbrewers.org
JULY 13-16
Hillsboro Summer Festival > From live music and a parade to a fairway full of carnival rides, this legendary festival is packed with activities. This year, there will also be a beer tent, 5K road race, car and truck show and more. For a free spectacle, stick around till dusk on Saturday night. Free. Times vary. Grimes Field, 29 Preston St., Hillsboro. (603) 4640377; hillsborosummerfest.com
JULY 15
American Independence Festival > If you didn’t get all the patriotism out of your system on the Fourth, then try this later homage to America. Activities at this 33-year-old fest include battle reenactments, lawn games, live music and enough kids activities to keep the little ones entertained all day. Prices vary. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., American Independence Museum, 1 Governors Ln., Exeter. (603) 772-2622; independencemuseum.org
JULY 21-23
Great American Ribfest & Food Truck Festival
> This amazing festival features delicious ribs and barbecue, three days of music, an expanded kids activites area, food trucks, drinks and desserts. Proceeds from the event will support the Merrimack Rotary Club. Make sure to check out the people’s choice rib sampler. $10-$59. Times vary, Budweiser Brewery, 221 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack. greatamericanribfest.com
JULY 26-30
North Haverhill Fair > Crowd pleasers of this event include concerts on Friday and Saturday nights, horse, pony and oxen stone boat pulling, a demolition derby, tractor and pulling events with transfer sleds, dairy, sheep, goat and dog shows for 4-H, an open horse show, as well as arts, crafts and flower shows. $3-$60. 5 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 12 to 5 p.m. on Friday and Sunday, 1299 Dartmouth College Highway, North Haverhill. (603) 989-3305; nohaverhillfair.com
JULY 28-AUGUST 6
Freedom Old Home Week > Every summer the community of Freedom is one of only five NH towns that celebrate an “Old Home Week.” Freedom’s 124th Old Home Week will feature ducky day, a lawn party, a parade, an ice cream social, a 5K and more. Free. Times vary, Freedom. freedomoldhomeweek.com
JULY 29
New England Hot Sauce Fest > Coming back for their second year, Spicy Shark presents a New England destination and celebration for hot sauce lovers. Featuring hot sauce samples from over 20 craft companies, music, food trucks, food challenges (including a hot pepper eating contest and a hot wing contest), craft vendors, Smuttynose Brewing Co. beer, bouncy houses and more, don’t miss out on the spicy-sweaty fun. Proceeds support the Blue Ocean Society and Seacoast Science Center. $11-$20. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Smuttynose Brewing Co., 105 Towle Farm Rd., Hampton. newenglandhotsaucefest.com. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event
JULY 29
JULY 29-AUGUST 6
Sunflower Festival > Coppal House Farm’s annual Sunflower Festival is a special event put on every summer to celebrate their beautiful sunflower fields. The farm harvests the sunflowers every fall to press the seeds into culinary oil — but they’re a sight to behold while blooming. Oilseed sunflowers bloom and begin to turn their heads after only 12 days, so this week-long festival is a special, ephemeral time for flower lovers. Enjoy a sunrise in the sunflowers on July 30, an artisan craft fair, live local musicians, local food vendors and a series of mini-events while gazing on the sunflowers’ natural beauty. $6-$12. 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. each day, Coppal House Farm, 118 North River Rd., Lee. nhsunflower.com. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event
24th Annual Chocolate Fest > Enjoy an evening of chocolate temptations in Town Square accompanied by a free outdoor concert as the sun sets. Pack a picnic, or just bring a bottle of your favorite red or white libation and enjoy an indulgent evening in the square, on a blanket or with your toes in the sand. 6 to 9 p.m. Town Square, 33 Village Rd., Waterville Valley. waterville.com
JULY 29
Hebron Fair > This fair boasts that it’s the place to be on the last Saturday in July. Festivities include more than 100 craftspeople, pony rides, children’s games, delicious foods, baked goods, plants and a silent auction. It’s held on the picturesque Hebron Common at the north end of Newfound Lake and will happen rain or shine. Free. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hebron Common, 16 Church Ln., Hebron. (603) 409-7143; hebronchurchfair.org
JULY 29
12th Annual Summer Psychic and Craft Fair > Come enjoy a fun-filled day with the whole family. Get a reading from one of the many psychics, experience the wonder of aura photography and shop from lots of gorgeous hand-crafted items. Then make your way to the parking lot where more vendors and artisans will be peddling their amazing offerings. Free. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Weirs Community Center, 25 Lucerne Ave., Laconia. eventbrite.com
JULY 9
Loon Mountain Race
> This Granite State race is the race to end all races. It is 6.03 miles, 10.62 kilometers, has an elevation gain of 3,125 feet and an average slope of 14 percent. It has a reputation as one of the country’s toughest mountain races, in large part due to the kilometer ascent of North Peak, known as Upper Walking Boss. “The Boss,” as it’s colloquially termed, is around a kilometer of grassy slope with angles that exceed a 40 percent grade. Voted as one of the five classic vertical trail races in the U.S., this race is no joke. If you are feeling daring this summer, be sure to check this one out. $50. 7:30 a.m., Loon Mountain Resort, 60 Loon Mountain Rd., Lincoln. loonmountainrace.com
JULY 14-15
The Prouty > If you enjoy outdoor recreation of just about any kind, then you’ll find something to suit your tastes at this annual mega-fundraiser for the Dartmouth Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center. Cyclists can opt for 20- to 100-mile rides on the road or the 200-mile, two-day Prouty Ultimate; walkers can traverse anything from a 3K stroll through Hanover to an 11K walk in the woods; rowers can hit the Connecticut River for 5 to 15 miles; and golfers can enjoy a four-person scramble at the Hanover Country Club. Don’t like any of those? They also need volunteers. Prices, times and locations around Hanover vary. (603) 646-5500; theprouty.org
JULY 16
Crayon 301 > If you haven’t attended a NASCAR race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, here’s your chance. New England’s only NASCAR weekend is July 14-16 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The NASCAR Cup Series will make its traditional mid-summer visit to “The Magic Mile” on Sunday, July 16, for the Crayon 301. $10-$59. 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., New Hampshire Motor Speedway, 1122 Route 106, Loudon. (603) 783-4931; nhms.com
JULY 30
Sunrise Ascent on Mount Washington > Get your hiking shoes and cameras ready for this sunrise hike. Before dawn, teams ascend the Mount Washington Auto Road to reach the 6,288-foot summit. Each team includes an athlete with a disability and a team of crew, who support the athlete as they climb to the summit. After the teams complete their hike to the summit, roadrunners help to transport athletes and their crew back down to the base area. Volunteers help throughout the event, with set up, registration and the celebratory after-party at the base of the Auto Road. Together, the teams are inspired by the beauty of the sunrise, the majesty of the Presidential Range and the determination shared amongst them. The goal for this event is to raise over $200,000 to help fund the operating budget of Adaptive Sports Partners. Donations accepted. 3:45 a.m., Auto Road, Gorham. (603) 823-5232; adaptivesportspartners.org
JULY 1
An Evening with Chicago > One of America’s most beloved rock bands, and self-described as a “rock and roll band with horns,” Chicago’s songs often combine elements of classical music, jazz, R&B and pop music. $39-$475. 8 p.m., Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Ln., Gilford. (603) 293-4700; banknhpavilion.com
JULY 5-16
Fiddler on the Roof at Interlakes Theatre > The heartwarming story of fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, life, love and laughter, the Interlakes Theatre brings “Fiddler on the Roof” to Meredith. Prices and times vary, Interlakes Theatre, 1 Laker Ln., Meredith. (603) 707-6035; interlakestheatre.com
JULY 14
15th Annual CLM Benefit Concert > This benefit concert — featuring Bruce Springsteen cover band Bruce in the USA — raises critical funding to support uninsured children, adolescents and adults with direct access to comprehensive emergency, clinical and medical services, case management, substance use treatment and community-based counseling support. $45-$65. 7 p.m., Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry. (603) 437-5100; tupelohall.com. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event
JULY 14-AUGUST 27
HAIR at the Seacoast Rep > For decades, audiences have flocked to the brilliant shooting star that is “HAIR” — the American tribal love rock musical. Against the backdrop of the Vietnam war, the counterculture of the ’60s is melted into a psychedelic tapestry of song, dance and self-expression in a theatrical experience that defies description. A celebration of life, love and radical peace, this 1968 musical has remained relevant for half a century, featuring billboard hits like “Aquarius,” “Good Morning Starshine” and “Let the Sunshine In.” Join the glorious rock revolution that defined a generation: “HAIR”! Prices and times vary, Seacoast Repertory Theatre, 125 Bow St., Portsmouth. (603) 433-4472; seacoastrep.org
JULY 15, 22; AUGUST 5, 19
Lynda Cohen Performing Arts Series > Originating from her love of music and the mountains, Lynda Cohen imagined a series where people from far and wide can come together nestled among the mountains of Crawford Notch to enjoy live tunes. Performers include Della Mae, Dwight + Nicole, Jim Kweskin and Friends, Serene Green and more. Free. 7 to 9 p.m., AMC Highland Center, Bretton Woods. (603) 466-2727; visitwhitemountains.com
JULY 20
Theo Vonn: Return of the Rat > Looking for laughs this summer? Stroll on down to the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion for a night with beloved Louisiana comedian Theo Von. Prices vary. 8 p.m., Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Ln., Gilford. (603) 293-4700; banknhpavilion.com
JULY 27-JULY 31
Sail Portsmouth 2023 > Five tall ships plus the Gundalow will sail up the Piscataqua River at the start of the Parade of Sail and Flotilla, scheduled to begin at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, with the tall ships leading a flotilla of other vessels, both civilian and commercial fishing boats plus military and municipal craft. They start at the mouth of the river and end at the Memorial Bridge where the tall ships will turn around and head to their mooring sites. From July 28-31, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day, two of the tall ships will be open to the public for tours at the Sail Portsmouth site. They are the replica of Magellan’s flag ship, the three-masted NAO Trinidad and the beautifully restored, two-masted schooner, ErnestinaMorrissey. Prices and times vary, Portsmouth Commercial Fish Pier, 1 Pierce Island Rd., Portsmouth. sailportsmouth.org
JULY 29
New London Historical Society Antique Show & Sale > Get ready for the 55th annual Antique Show and Sale on the New London Historical Society’s grounds. Goosefare Antiques and Promotions of Saco, Maine, is helping bring over 50 quality dealers to the show. The proceeds of the event will help the historical society. $8. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., New London Historical Society, 179 Little Sunapee Rd., New London. goosefareantiques.com
JULY 30
Glenn Miller Orchestra > The Glenn Miller Orchestra, the most popular and sought-after big band in the world today for both concert and swing dance engagements, comes to Plymouth. With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered one of the greatest bands of all time. They were formed in 1956 and have been touring consistently since, playing an average of 300 live dates a year all around the world. Erik Stabnau is the orchestra’s present music director. $39-$85. 6 p.m., The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth. (603) 536-2551; flyingmonkeynh.com
AUGUST 3-6
Cheshire Fair > This traditional agricultural fair features entertainment, crafts, vendors, rides, animals and plenty of live music. Special events for 2023 include Monster Truck Madness and performances by Heath Lewis, Pirate Man Dan, The Silver Circus, Sage King and more. This year’s theme is “Blue Jeans and Country Dreams.” Prices and times TBA, 247 Monadnock Highway, Swanzey. (603) 357-4740; cheshirefair.org
AUGUST 4-5
Journey to Jericho ATV Jamboree > This festival is an ATV enthusiast’s dream come true. The event takes place at Jericho Mountain State Park, which
has more than 80 miles of trails. There will be mud races, demo rides, obstacle courses, helicopter rides, poker run, kids fun zones, live music, delicious food and more. You won’t want to miss this summer weekend of fun. $15-$35. 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Jericho Mountain State Park, 298 Jericho Lake Rd., Berlin. androscoggin-valleychamber.com
AUGUST 4-6
41st Annual Hot Air Balloon Rally > This event, put on by the Suncook Valley Rotary, has something fun for everyone in your family. There will be a carnival, tethered hot air balloon rides, helicopter rides, craft fair, food, drinks and so much more. Make sure to be there at 8 p.m. on Saturday to see the balloons light up the night sky with a fireworks show to follow. Free to attend. Times vary, Drake Field, 17 Fayette St., Pittsfield. pittsfieldnh.gov
AUGUST 5-6
Saco River Pow Wow > Join the NH Intertribal Native American Council for their annual Pow Wow. There will be drums, dancers, food, vendors, raffles and storytelling. All are welcome to attend this Native American event. Free. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Hussey Park, 244 River Rd., North Conway. (603) 651-8769; calendar.powwows.com
AUGUST 10-12
The 66th Annual New Hampshire Antiques Show > Managed by a team of dedicated volunteers, the New Hampshire Antiques Show is considered “the best show of its kind in New England” (“Maine Antique Digest”). The 59 professional antiques dealers who exhibit at the show save merchandise throughout the year in order to ensure that the show maintains its longstanding reputation for “fresh-to-the-market” antiques.
$10-$15. Times vary, DoubleTree by Hilton, 700 Elm St., Manchester. nhada.org
AUGUST 12
Great New England BBQ & Food Truck Festival
> This is a great family fun event that features a corn hole tournament, a kids zone with free bounce houses, face painting, slime making, artisans, music, food trucks, eating contests and more. $5-$10. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Hampshire Hills Athletic Club, 50 Emerson Rd., Milford. gnefoodtruckfest.com
AUGUST 5-13
League of NH Craftmen’s Fair > Start clearing out the car — you’ll want plenty of trunk space for this. Artisans and crafters from around the state set up shop at this massive fest, which boasts the title of oldest continuously running craft fair in the U.S. Come ready to shop or just to learn and admire; tap in for learn-how-it’s-made workshops scattered throughout the week or to the exhibition building full of curated art shows. There’s also live music, chances to meet artisans one-on-one and other fun events held throughout the week. Mount Sunapee Resort, 1398 Rte. 103, Newbury. (603) 763-3500; nhcrafts.org.
AUGUST 12
Woods, Water and Wildlife Festival > This day-long celebration of the great outdoors is a chance for families to have fun, explore and learn about the natural world together and features fun and educational outdoor activities. Take a hayride to the river, observe and learn about NH wildlife, explore the corn maze, take a discovery walk, watch demonstrations of traditional skills, try your hand at fishing, do crafts with your kids and more. $5-$10. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Branch Hill Farm, 307 Applebee Rd., Milton Mills. (603) 473-2020; mmrgnh.org
AUGUST 18-20
White Mountain Boogie n’ Blues Festival >
With two decades of festival sand and a bevy of national blues preservation awards under its belt, this boogiefest is not to be missed. This year’s lineup includes Memphis Lightning, Kenny Neal and so many more. To really dive into the festival experience, rent a campsite on the Boogie’s sprawling White Mountains grounds. $75-$110. Times vary, Sugar Shack Campground, NH Route 175, North Thornton. (603) 726-3867; whitemountainboogie.com
AUGUST 18-20
Cornish Fair > Since 1950, the Cornish Fair remains a traditional, family-friendly, educational, agricultural fair offering fruits and vegetable exhibits, horse and oxen pulling, 4-H, crafts, children’s activities, live entertainment, vendors, amusement rides and more. The Cornish Fair is also home to the largest dairy show in all of New Hampshire, and remains committed to the education and sustainability of the agriculture industry. This year’s theme is “Sunflowers.” Prices and times TBA, 294 Town House Rd., Cornish. (603) 675-5426; cornishfair.org
AUGUST 25-26
North Country Moose Festival > Head to Colebrook the weekend before Labor Day to celebrate all things “moose.” This year’s festivities include live music, arts and crafts vendors, horse and wagon rides, and rumor has it, there is even a moose-calling contest. There will also be a dog show, maple syrup tasting contest and the classic car show. Bring the whole family to this old-time fun event that showcases the many diverse talents and services in the North Country. Free. Friday 3 to 9 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Downtown Main Street, Colebrook. (603) 237-8939; mygonorth.com
AUGUST 26
Gate City Brewfest > As summer starts winding down, head to Nashua for one last beer-fueled hurrah. An extensive beer list, live music, a corn hole tournament and more are on tap. The corn holers emerging victorious at the end of the day win a prize package including Red Sox tickets and a Boston hotel stay, so act fast to qualify your team at one of the few remaining preliminary matches. $15-$70. 1 to 5 p.m., Holman Stadium, 67 Amherst St., Nashua. gatecitybrewfestnh.com
AUGUST 26
AutoFair NH 10 Miler > Run 10 miles. Eat local pizza. Attend after-party. Repeat? This event takes runners on a near-half-marathon run around the perimeter of Massabesic Lake, then rewards them with pizza from Pittsfield-based Russian Crust and free post-race beer. $35-$120. 8 a.m., Massabesic Lake, 1 Londonderry Tpke., Manchester. (603) 4881186; millenniumrunning.com
AUGUST 10-12
Manchester Film Festival 2023 > Featuring animation night, New England comedy night and audience choice night, the Manchester Film Festival brings a love of the silver screen to the Queen City. $10. 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, The Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. (603) 668-5588; palacetheatre.org
AUGUST 25
The Smashing Pumpkins > Check out one of alt rock’s most beloved bands at Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, with Interpol and Rival Sons opening. $45-$65. 6:30 p.m., Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Ln., Gilford. (603) 293-4700; banknhpavilion.com
When a person goes missing in New Hampshire or Vermont, New England K9 Search and Rescue attempt to save the day.
BY NICOLE HANDEL / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOE KLEMENTOVICH
↖ Kinley, working hard and hot on the trail of a person hiding in the woods during one of the many training days for New England K9 Search and Rescue
ew England K9 — a Northeast nonprofit Search and Rescue (SAR) organization, comprised entirely of volunteers — have been responsible for assisting in missing person searches for the last 37 years.
“We eat, sleep and breathe SAR work.” This is how Jennifer Vaughan, a senior canine handler and executive board member of New England K9, describes the daily life of a New England K9 SAR volunteer.
Vaughan has been a SAR canine handler for 10 years. She is a retired English teacher from Burlington, Vermont, and was introduced to SAR work (more or less) through her golden retriever, Olive. Olive, who is now 11 years old, began excelling at therapy work at about a year old — but Vaughan, who drew inspiration from watching the 9/11 dog and handler responders, wasn’t finding enough fulfillment in therapy work. “It just fits my personality so much,” Vaughan says of SAR work. “I love adversity, I love being in the woods with my dogs and I love pushing myself. You have to be passionate, because it’s not glamorous.”
Passion is a thread that runs through every aspect of what New England K9 does — not just within the canine and human search teams. The nonprofit, volunteer-based organization works with both dogs (the “K9” component) and a drone operator. Enter Jocelyn “Josh” Stohl.
Stohl is a 65-year-old New England K9 SAR volunteer and the organization’s only drone pilot. Running the SAR program in Vermont, Stohl was first introduced to search and rescue through her time as a Vermont State Trooper. When Stohl retired from the force, she joined New England K9. After first volunteering on the team as a canine handler, she developed an interest in drones. Stohl attended a presentation in 2018 on the impact that drones can have on search and rescue efforts, and decided to look into the viability of a drone program for the state of New Hampshire. Then, in February of 2019, she decided to enroll in the University of New Hampshire’s Drone Academy to learn more about the legal requirements for flying a drone and how to effectively operate one. In May of 2020,
Stohl received her drone license and started responding to searches sans canine.
Stohl and her drone, which was recently upgraded using donated funds to the program, primarily support SAR efforts in three ways: obtaining high-up, big-picture overviews of a search area so that on-foot volunteers can better get their bearings; watching from above for incoming hazards to warn volunteers on the ground or in the water; and actively searching for missing persons.
While Stohl can’t talk specifically about individual searches she’s performed, she recalls enough missing person drone recoveries to convince anyone of the gravity and weight of her work. The list goes on and on: a victim found in a river, a missing child located at night with infrared drone technology, etc. Despite this, Stohl doesn’t overmphasize the drone’s importance. “A lot of people see drones as a ‘gamechanger’ — but they’re just another resource, working alongside all of the other resources we have,” she says. “And everyone is working toward the same goal. If someone is found via a dog team, or a local ground team, then that’s great. That’s the best case scenario.”
Vaughan shares this perspective. She says that the entire New England K9 team understands that those of their coterie who don’t find something in a given search area are just as important as those who do. “To clear an area — to know that whoever you’re searching for is not in that place — means that you’ve done your job and have eliminated a variable,” Vaughan says. “The team who does not find the person is as successful as the team who does find the person.”
This spirit of teamwork feels deeply rooted in the culture of New England K9. Because of the nature of the work that SAR handlers do, Vaughan says that everyone on the team has a relatively similar personality: driven, enthusiastic about the outdoors, dog-loving, problem-solving, hardworking and community-motivated.
Jocelyn “Josh” Stohl demonstrates the capabilities of the small UAS drone. New England K9 Search and Rescue — along with other SAR teams operating in northern New England — use such drones to extend their capacity.
“You have to be passionate because it’s not glamorous,” Vaughan admits. She relayed numerous instances of the hardscrable work involved; Vaughan recalls getting woken up in the middle of the night, standing in cold, dark swamps, wading through drainages, bushwacking through thick forests, trudging through deep snow and, of course, dealing with emotionally challenging searches and finds.
While Vaughan and Stohl both assert that, to do this work, one must possess strong coping skills and a certain toughness, they also make sure to emotionally support the missing person. Stohl’s drone has an intercom feature that allows her to pre-record a message to play from the air while her drone is searching. The message assures the missing person that help is nearby and coming. She says its intention is to comfort and calm the person, providing the hope needed to make it through challenging conditions. Vaughan
is also constantly trying to think about the human — the person within the missing person scenario — while she searches. She remembers saying quiet prayers for a victim, or carrying messages of hope in her pocket, while in the field. Crucial to getting through challenging searches is the culture of community within New England K9. “We really love being together,” Vaughan says. “We train hard to be called out for a search. We have each other’s backs. Rain, snow, middle of the night… we really are so passionate about this.”
There’s also the community surrounding New England K9 volunteers that makes their mission possible. Spouses and families of volunteers have to support allhours calls for searches; friends have to understand last-minute cancelled plans; and employers have to accept call-outs from work. In fact, in order to join New England K9, a signed letter is required stating that the employer will support
and honor the handler leaving work at any time for a call. Because of this, and because all New England K9 SAR volunteers are just that — volunteers — many members are retired or have exceptionally flexible “day jobs.”
The ideal handler also has to enjoy working with and training their dog. “If we are not actively on a search, we are training,” says Doreen Michalak, a canine handler. “If we are not training, we are thinking about training.” Stella Richards, another handler, says that “the starting point for this work is personal accountability — making sure you’re physically fit, properly equipped and self-sufficient, so that you are not a burden to the overall mission.”
SAR drone operation has similar requirements, but replacing a dog with a drone comes with a unique set of demands. First is getting a drone operating license, what Stohl did back in 2020. Next
Kristin Campbell gets some strong vocal signals from Kinley as they search for a “missing hiker” during a day-long training session.
is selecting and purchasing a drone. There are two types of drones: recreational and commercial. Some of the differences between the two include the ability to work at night, waterproofing and the liability of using the unit. (Privately-owned recreational drones come with hefty liability to the individual owner.) Once a SAR volunteer is equipped with both a license and a drone, the work has just begun.
When Stohl gets a search call, she first assesses whether or not a drone would be of use. If so, she gathers topographical maps of the search area through a program called Terrain Navigator. She looks for the nearest airport to the search area in order to obtain a weather report and check for any local flight restrictions. If there are flight restrictions, it’s up to Stohl to follow them. For example, if the search area overlaps with a nearby manned airport and control tower, Stohl cannot fly or search without exceptional reason and special permissions — which can take up to 90 days to receive. If she does fly in a restricted area, a program on her drone will shut it down so that it cannot trespass a forbidden airspace. Additionally, if there are any aircrafts in the area (like a helicopter), they have the right of way; helicopters cannot detect nearby drones, but drones can detect nearby helicopters. Stohl must await permission from the aircraft before searching the area.
Much like canine handlers, Stohl has plenty of prep work to do before receiving a search call. With a battery-powered drone that requires frequent charging, Stohl has to make sure she has a spare set of batteries charged and ready to go. She also has to be prepared for the weather conditions; drones are challenging to operate in the winter, and keeping hands and toes warm is crucial.
All of this requires gear, and gear requires funding. The cost of operations for New England K9 covers vests and GPS collars for the dogs to the actual drones themselves. The drone that Stohl recently upgraded to cost $15,000 for the platform alone; it would cost another $45,000 for programs that network back to a command post from the unit. While a number of brands help finance the organization,
Jennifer Vaughan and Harley starting out a search at the trailhead during a New England K9 team training over the summer.
like Ruffwear and Minus33, they primarily rely on donations and grants to provide zero-cost search support to New Hampshire and Vermont.
It isn’t exactly a lucrative venture for individual volunteers, either. “Get ready for hard work without financial reward,” Richards says to prospective SAR handlers. “The other thing you have to be ready for is being on call 24/7 — that takes some getting used to.”
So what kind of teams are best-suited for SAR work? According to Donna Larson, vice president of New England K9, a very small percentage of trainees go on to get their certification because the handler and dog are evaluated as a team. A common misconception about canine SAR work is that the dog, and its nose, are the defining factors for success. “The truth is, without the handler guiding the search, the dog would be nowhere,” Richards says. “It’s the handler’s knowledge of scent science — combined with situational awareness, knowledge of the terrain, navigational skills and the dog’s olfactory skills — that make finding a subject possible. It is a true collaboration, which is a wonderful thing.”
And the dogs that show up most often in SAR work? You probably guessed it: German shepherds, Belgian malinois, golden retrievers, labrador retrievers, and, when they can learn to work collaboratively and not independently, hounds. As for humans, only two of New England K9’s 14 current handlers are male. Vaughan believes it’s because “women are cooperative and creative problem-solvers,” which is not to exclude the men on their team, but to explain why women are drawn to SAR work.
Vaughan sums up the interests of the entire New England K9 SAR team succintly: “SAR is composed of amazing folks, who devote time and energy and risk their lives to save others. There is a profound generosity and willingness to give their all, no questions asked. A total commitment to the call out.” NH
For more information on New England K9, or to support their efforts with a donation, visit: nek9sar.org.
Left: Harley eagerly awaits a chance to get out of the car and search for hidden articles of clothing. Above: Logan and his handler, Daniel Lampignano, doing an article search during a training session.
Too often, nurses are the unsung heroes of the medical community. In fact, they are key members of any health care team, but their skills and contributions go unrecognized time and time again. As the world corrects back to normal following the pandemic, it is perhaps a bit more aware of the challenges nurses face, and the professionalism and compassion they demonstrate as they continue to provide the best possible care during yet another shifting season.
New Hampshire Magazine, in partnership with the New Hampshire Nurses Association, is proud to be part of highlighting nurses’ important contributions and many talents with the fifth annual Excellence in Nursing Awards. This past winter, we accepted nominations for New Hampshire nurses in 16 vital specialties, from pediactrics and school nursing to leadership and education. The winners were selected by an independent committee of nursing leaders from adjoining states. Each nurse profiled in the following pages represents the very best in nursing — those who go above and beyond to comfort, heal and teach.
As Emily Knight remembers, she had a tough time cracking the nursing field back in 1996. “I essentially groveled to get a job working nights on [Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s (WDH)] medical surgery unit,” Knight says. After grinding out a year burning the midnight oil, and then bouncing around different hospital jobs — from patient care coordinator to interim nurse manager — she landed in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). Knight, as it were, had found her calling. “PACU nurses are leaders who have an amazing team to back them up,” she says. “A PACU nurse has to be strong and capable of standing up for what’s right for their patients. A fast critical thinker with the resiliency to return after a difficult case.”
Working as a PACU RN for the last 27 years, Knight’s “worn many different hats,” as she says, educating physicians, working with state legislators, leading the charge as chair of several committees and — maybe most importantly to her — working in pediatrics. “Kids are resilient little humans with so much potential and so much innocence,” Knight says. She recalls aiding a toddler in PACU who needed urgent intubation — and while the child lived, they were “quite possibly the sickest I’ve ever seen.” That experience had a permanent impact on Knight. “I am thankful for that child every day,” she says. “They made me a better clinician, a better resource, fueled my passion beyond anything I could imagine, and they made me a better human.” Today, Knight works as the training center coordinator for WDH’s American Heart Association, on the board of directors for the state’s sudden youth death committee and on the planning committee for Camp Meridian, a program for kids with congenital cardiac diagnoses. Nearly 30 years later, and Knight’s as inspired as ever.
Dartmouth Health, Lebanon
Debra Hastings has had the great fortune of being mentored by many nurses throughout her career so that she can do the same for other nurses today.
“As a new nurse, I looked to those who were already experienced in their roles to help me develop my skills at the point of care,” Hastings says. “As a new member of the faculty in a baccalaureate program, I sought out colleagues who were seasoned nurse educators who introduced me to the role and responsibilities of an educator in both the clinical and classroom setting. My current colleagues at Dartmouth Health, my friends, my mentors, students, interprofessional colleagues and many of the patients I have had the opportunity to interact with have inspired me and continue to help me grow.”
Through the years, she has been able to build on the foundation that her predecessors helped her create in her current role overseeing nursing professional development and joint accreditation at Dartmouth Health. She serves as the liaison with their affiliated schools of nursing, and she offers career counseling to nurses who are interested in returning to school and/ or advancing their career. She also offers guidance to employees who are interested in entering the nursing profession.
One of her favorite parts of the job? Having conversations with people that lead to the start of their nursing career. “Sometimes, I don’t even remember the person or the conversation, but the fact that they reach out to share this with me just warms my heart,” Hastings says. “It helps me realize that the next generation of nurses need our guidance and mentoring, and if we offer that to them, there is a good chance they will succeed.”
With courage and unwavering commitment, nurses make the world a better place. We celebrate your tireless efforts in providing high-quality care every day. On behalf of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and our parent company, Point32Health, we thank you for going above and beyond for our communities.
Learn more at HarvardPilgrim.org
It was Donna Roe’s family that led her into nursing.
“My mother was a nurse growing up, and I always wanted to be part of something bigger than myself, just like she was,” Roe says. “As a single mother of two young boys, I gave up my job in finance, went to college at night and began working days as a licensed nursing assistant at a hospital in Nashua, where I stayed for 24 years. After my brother battled substance abuse and lost his battle, I became committed to a life caring for the most vulnerable, including those with substance abuse disorders, psychiatric illnesses, older adults and those at the end of their lives.”
As a full-time skilled nursing facility nurse, her day-to-day responsibilities include addressing daily concerns by nursing staff, preoperative physicals, chronic care management, medication management, managing behavioral health, palliative care and end-of-life needs, as well as meeting with families and collaboration with other medical providers. “My background in emergency nursing is invaluable, as it helps to keep patients and residents from needing hospitalization,” she says, “which is less stressful for residents/patients and their families.”
Despite the rigorous demands of the job and tireless hours required, Roe strives to be like the nurses who inspired her to join the profession. “My former mentor, Pam Duchene, taught me that to be a nurse leader, you must never lose sight of the person you are caring for and to always strive to move the profession of nursing forward,” she says. “There also isn’t just one trait that is important for our profession — caring for this population takes several and includes compassion, empathy, critical thinking, communication, flexibility, competence and integrity.”
Some people figure out what they want to do early in life. Anna Holland knew a medical career was in her future all the way back in high school, when she was president of her Health Occupations Students of America class. She went on to work as a medical assistant while in nursing school where she found a passion for primary care.
“Primary care nursing is unique in that it gives you the opportunity to build special long-term relationships with patients while focusing on improving their health and managing acute and chronic conditions,” Holland says. Today, she provides support, oversight and guidance for nurses and medical assistants in internal medicine and family practice while still assisting patients in Londonderry, Windham and surrounding areas.
As she says, primary care can be a lot to juggle and requires a special focus. “I think critical thinking skills are an important character trait for someone in primary care,” Holland says. “Every day brings a new challenge, and I think having an open mindset and being able to have confidence in your team are critical for success.”
Working as a nurse manager has led Holland down new paths in her career. “Providing the best patient care remains, and will always be, my priority, but much of my focus is now on my team of clinical staff that I work with every day, ensuring they have the skills and tools they need to provide high-quality and safe patient care,” she says. “They are who inspire me every day, allowing me to share my knowledge, experience and passion for patient care while pushing them to be their best.”
Janet Thomas RN, MA, BS, Project Director
NH Citizens Health Initiative, UNH Institute for Health Policy & Practice, Concord
“Innovation is often the introduction of small changes with adoption over time,” says Janet Thomas, project director at the NH Citizens Health Initiative. “It doesn’t have to be a huge project or big splash. Innovation is also often rejected at first. Patience and commitment — along with curiosity — are necessary to promote and achieve sustainable changes.” Thomas, of all people, would know.
Working to bring “recent or innovative research into real-world practice” — which includes “designing tools that provide practical evidence-based actions for health care providers, teams and community partners” and “using various learning models, including Project ECHO, an expert-guided process improvement facilitation” — Thomas is passionate about making real change in people’s lives through innovation in the medical field. Getting her start at Lowell General Hospital before joining the Matthew Thornton Health Plan — the first staff model health maintenance organization in New Hampshire — Thomas has seen how those small changes have reverberated through our current state in health care. She hopes to continue pushing that forward with a curiosity for science, community and compassion.
In the virtual, case-based learning model her team uses called Project ECHO, Thomas increases the cognizance of providers and organizations to treat patients with the most up-to-date methods. While incredibly gratified watching health care workers learn and integrate new techniques, she loves seeing the way people come together in the process. “If not more important than the learning is the community and trust that is developed through this model,” Thomas says. “Knowing even small changes can make a tremendous difference in one person’s life moves us forward.”
Ellen M. BelterDartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon
Easing human suffering for those afflicted with mental illness drives Ellen M. Belter as a nurse supervisor in the outpatient psychiatry unit. Understanding how few nurses pursue this path, along with patients’ demands for care and compassion, gave Belter the resolve to enter this arena. She worked in a burn/trauma center in Colorado in 2015 and saw what can happen to people who don’t get the mental health services they need. Working for Dartmouth Health since November 2021, Belter believes outpatient psychiatric nurses need to be good listeners, display integrity when dealing with their patients and show resiliency to not allow patients’ suffering to prevent them from helping others.
“Being present and actively listening with curiosity and empathy to discern what the patient really needs is helpful in navigating with and for the patient and providers toward resolve,” Belter says. “Oftentimes there’s no real cure, but treatment options that can increase the quality of a person’s life and capacity to cope. I think integrity about this enables the patient to approach treatment options realistically, resulting in better outcomes. It can be harrowing to see the magnitude of suffering people endure; integrating resiliency also allows the focus to be on what potential solutions are and assisting the patient toward them thereafter.”
Working with her outpatient psychiatric unit team gives Belter the support and encouragement she needs to perform her duties at a high level.
Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department, Lebanon
“I wear many hats,” says Kristie Foster, manager/ clinical educator at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED), and her responsibilities go beyond the day-to-day operations of the ED. “As a member of the education team, I work collaboratively to provide up-to-date instruction for current best practice in our hospital.”
Foster joined the Alice Peck Day ED in 2009. In 2021, she championed the geriatric ED accreditation project which led to the hospital’s successful post-ED follow-up program. “Conducting these calls have been overwhelmingly rewarding as we are able to connect our patients with the care needed in a timely manner,” Foster says. She recalls a follow-up call to an 80-year-old woman treated for non-traumatic back pain in the emergency department. The patient was given over-the-counter medication, a lidocaine patch and a referral to a pain clinic, but the patient’s pain became worse. Foster called the hospital’s multi-specialty clinic and got her an appointment later that day, and a pain clinic appointment that same week. “When I called the patient back, her husband asked, ‘Did you find a magic wand?’” Foster says. The patient cried with gratitude when she heard the news and told Foster, “‘I’m a retired nurse. I would have been so proud to work alongside you.’”
“There are countless stories that I could share,” Foster says, “but this was the first one that made me realize how important this program was going to be to our community.”
VNA of Manchester and Southern New Hampshire Home Health and Hospice, Manchester
As the coordinator of education programs and clinical development, Lynda Martin-Heaney uses her expertise and commitment to help VNA of Manchester and Southern New Hampshire home health nurses to be at the top of their game, so every patient receives an equal dose of empathy and medical care. Martin-Heaney says that nursing was not her first career. “I worked in graphic design for most of my young adult years, along with side hustles in restaurant work and other odd jobs,” she says. “As I approached middle adulthood, I started to feel unfulfilled and disappointed by some of the values that drive the design industry. I wanted to do something more important and to make a difference in my community. My husband and family provided amazing encouragement and support throughout my transition to a career in nursing.”
Martin-Heaney believes the most important attribute home health nurses can possess is empathy. “Each patient’s situation is different,” Martin-Heaney says. “The home is ground zero for each and every individual living in our community. If we show up in a meaningful way, provide skilled care and create a network of support for each individual patient — taking into account their own unique set of circumstances — we can help effect change, one patient at a time.”
The Birchtree Center, Portsmouth
School nurses have always played an important role in ensuring the health and safety of students and faculty. This task can be especially challenging when your student population is on the autism spectrum.
Laurie Flanders has served students for three years at the Birchtree Center in Portsmouth, a year-round school that serves students with developmental disabilities from Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Flanders, as school nurse, gives scheduled medications and first-aid treatments, along with training staff in CPR, first aid and health plan protocols required for each student. “I work closely with the students, parents and staff at Birchtree,” Flanders says. “No days are ever the same.”
Flanders explains that her journey to her current role did not follow a typical path. “I have been working in health care the majority of my life,” she says. “I became a CNA my junior year of high school through the school’s vocational program. I worked at a nursing home for eight years and became medication certified. I then worked as a medical assistant in a family practice for five years and an endocrinology office for seven years while taking classes toward my nursing degree. Along the way, I worked with some amazing nurses and doctors who have taught me so much.”
When asked what inspires her to strive for excellence as a school nurse, Flanders says, “My husband and daughter along with all of the patients and students that I have crossed paths with over the years. I am a firm believer in, ‘Treat others as you wish to be treated.’”
As the associate chief nursing officer at Catholic Medical Center, Jennifer Torosian wears many hats. “I’m responsible for nursing operations of several inpatient nursing departments as well as inpatient diabetes, Department of Education, the IRB, Language Interpreter Services and Acute Inpatient Therapy,” Torosian says. She spent her early nursing career on a medical surgical unit and later became a charge nurse before assuming her current nursing leadership position. In every post, Torosian believes nurses must be transparent and trustworthy to be successful. Her medical staff colleagues inspire her to be the best she can be. “(I love) working together with our team to provide patients quality care while inspiring others to grow personally and professionally,” Torosian says. She believes nursing is not just a vocation but a true calling. “I believe that being a nurse is a privilege and an honor,” she says. “We are often with patients at the most vulnerable moments of their lives when their family and/or loved ones are not able to be with them. The professional practice of nursing is an honor in that we are able to be with and advocate for our patients during joyous times such as birth, anxious times such as surgery and even hold someone’s hand while they are dying. I work with my colleagues and team to lead by example to achieve optimal patient outcomes coupled with an exceptional patient experience.”
As a nurse manager at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Kathleen Huston supports a team of about 55 nurses, LNAs and health unit coordinators delivering care to patients with a variety of medical and surgical needs.
It’s complex work that suggests a long-standing passion for leadership, but Huston graduated college with a BA in psychology and without much of a plan. She spent six months in Australia scooping ice cream before her sister convinced her to enlist in a master’s program in nursing. After some years as an RN, the stars aligned and she joined Wentworth-Douglass just as they were developing their clinical practice leader role, becoming a nurse manager right before the pandemic began.
“My unit became a dedicated COVID-19 floor and saw some really, really sick patients,” says Huston. “My staff were scared and tired and experiencing tragedy on a daily basis.” Huston says it was her job to keep staff informed and armed with the knowledge and emotional support they needed.
“It was such an intense time, and although the experience was devastating and I would never want to revisit it, it was also one of the most rewarding times for me to know my work was impacting the lives of so many and seeing my team rise up in such a powerful way.”
The stakes remain high in the aftermath of COVID. “The inpatient nursing environment requires a level of dedication to staff and patients to see them through the challenges, to be creative in finding solutions to the changing climate,” she says. “I think having a passion and love for the job is the single most important characteristic, but there is also a need to be resilient, open to finding new ways to solve problems and see the potential in people.”
Julie Cole started volunteering at her local hospital when she was 14, and from that point, her heart was set on this profession. After spending years volunteering, she worked as a nursing assistant while attending Saint Anselm College and then spent the first half of her career working with pediatric, neonatal and post-partum families. The last 14 years of her career have been spent working in nursing professional development roles.
“I plan the curriculum of the program and work with preceptors, educators, managers and nurse residents to ensure that the education needs are being met,” Cole says. “I also oversee the Simulation Center where we provide education and training for all front-line clinical staff and local EMS groups. Simulation is used to improve individual and team performance in a safe learning environment.”
Cole says using simulation in the health care environment is a privilege. “The hospital wanted to revise the Massive Transfusion Protocol, but before proposed changes were implemented hospital wide, they were simulated on each clinical unit,” she says. “This ensured that the changes would be effective and realistic, and each has been very effective and helped patient outcomes.”
No matter if Cole is working through normal day-to-day challenges or a worldwide pandemic, it is her fellow nurses who inspire her to do her best each day. ”Nurse residents have risen to the challenge and are working harder than ever before,” Cole says. “They demonstrate professionalism, courage and resiliency. Ensuring that they have timely education and a supportive work environment is my motivation.”
Wentworth Health Partners, Dover Modern medicine is serious business, but it can be viewed as a team sport with key players and supporting members all working together. Remove any of the team from play and all the others have to compensate — a lesson that is increasingly being learned with the current shortages in nurses across the country.
Katharine Weeks began her nursing career in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at UMass Medical Center where her focus was supporting a different kind of team: children and their families. Working now in front-line administrative nursing with Wentworth Health Partners, Weeks oversees clinical operations of more than 50 outpatient practices, both primary and specialty care, and is responsible for employees, workflows and processes, training on equipment, infection prevention and countless regulatory policies and protocols.
“I love seeing feedback from patients when they have had a good experience, feel well cared for or feel like a team member went above and beyond for them,” Weeks says. But it all still boils down to the individual patient. “I remember the first letter I received as a new graduate nurse from a patient; I still have it.” A teenage girl had been in a car accident and broke her jaw, which needed to be wired shut. After the girl’s discharge, she sent Weeks a letter, telling her that she was “the best nurse.”
“I can still remember how it felt to read that letter,” she says. “I smile every time I think of it. I didn’t do anything extraordinary for her other than be kind and friendly, reassure her, take time to communicate with her and care for her. These are the fundamentals of nursing.”
Elliot Health Systems, Manchester
Donna Poirier spent 20 years of her career in the neonatal intensive care unit, but it was her personal experience with Lyme disease that led her to pivot to working in pain management for the last 15 years.
“I needed less stress and a better work-life balance,” Poirier says. “My healing journey with Lyme disease included alternative therapies like clinical aromatherapy and an herbal apprenticeship, which fueled my desire to learn more about plant medicines and eventually obtain my Holistic Nursing Certification in 2012.”
Poirier now facilitates Elliot’s Chronic Pain Support Group meetings, which meet twice a month from September through June. “Practitioners from both Eastern and Western medicine join us to present on a wide variety of topics, from acupuncture and meditation to nutrition and medical marijuana,” she says. “In turn, I also share this knowledge with peers and patients through email and handouts. I have grown so much personally and professionally because of this community. In the end, it’s really just about people helping people live better lives…holistically.”
An open mind, an ear to listen and a positive attitude fuel Poirier’s practice and help her empower her patients. “Our minds and bodies are intertwined with our emotions and pain, as well as so many internal and external factors that affect pain,” she says. “I try to teach patients to harness tools to help themselves live more satisfying lives with the pain, focusing on their abilities instead of disabilities. I encourage patients to create their own ‘toolbox’ from pearls received from another member at support group or alternative therapies that speak to them. No two toolboxes are the same, and this is what to open and pull from while navigating their wellness journey.”
Rockingham County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Working in Long Term Care (LTC) at Rockingham County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Michele Melanson-Schmitt understands the importance of adaptability. “The ever-changing demands of Long Term Care require a nursing leader to be adaptable to any given situation,” Melanson-Schmitt says. “Identifying opportunities and eliminating obstacles is essential to enhancing LTC. The ability to practice nursing smarter, not harder, will shape the future of LTC.”
Growing up, Melanson-Schmitt was surrounded by health care workers; much of her family worked in the field, and she found her calling early on in high school. She began her career in 1988 as an LNA at The Courville at Nashua and has continued working in LTC and skilled rehabilitation ever since. Through it all, it’s the lives she’s connected with that drive her. “The residents are my inspiration,” she says. “I aspire to improve the quality of care they receive every day I enter the building. They are the reason I do what I do. I strive to be better than I was the day before so that, in return, the residents receive the utmost individualized nursing care that they all deserve.”
Considering her nearly four-decade career, Melanson-Schmitt is flooded with touching recollections and pointedly human interactions. “My most cherished memories during my 35 years of nursing are the countless hours I have spent with the residents providing them reassurance, a listening ear, a friendly smile and a hand to hold,” she says. “As I reflect on my years of nursing, it is the accumulation of these moments that define why I love what I do. As a leader, I inspire to mentor others and strive to instill my love for nursing in future nurses and all health care providers.”
Dartmouth Health Children’s, Lebanon
In her 40th year as a registered nurse working in neonatal care, Tammy Lambert has worked with a lot of toddlers. So many, in fact, that she’s seen some of those babies graduate college, get married and become integral parts of their community. “While it makes me feel old, it’s heartwarming to see them in a good place in their life,” Lambert says. “I’ve also bumped into families in the store or other places and they’ve personally thanked me for the care I provided to their baby — years and years later. Wow, I know I chose the right career path!”
Lambert, now the nurse manager for the Intensive Care Nursery (ICN) at Dartmouth Health Children’s in Lebanon, started her career working a summer externship at Mary Hitchcock Hospital (the former name of Dartmouth Hitchcock). Slightly overwhelmed and green to the hospital’s specialized diction, she exhibited real resilience and “came back the next day and every day after that,” as she says, soon discovering a deep reverence for working with children. Spending the next 20 years as a clinical nurse, transport nurse and charge nurse, before transitioning to the leadership role she’s held for the last two decades, Lambert learned what she believes to be the most important trait of an ICN nurse: compassion. “Everything we do or don’t do for our babies can have a lifelong impact on them,” she says. “It is critical that they come into a nurturing environment, because that’s what their brain expects. I want to be sure that our babies have the very best care, so that they don’t ever show any trace of having been in a neonatal intensive care unit. We want our babies to grow up healthy. That’s really what motivates me every day.”
“Falling in love is like eating mushrooms: You never know if it’s the real thing until it’s too late.”
— Bill Ballance
BY CALEB JAGODA / PHOTOS COURTESY EMILY ROY
The intersections of art and nature are endlessly absorbing: the way tree bark creates an intricately textured pattern, the variegated architecture of so many species of insects, the blazing yellows and reds and purples of spring flowers. Emily Roy can’t get enough of it. “I’m just someone who sees mushrooms in everything,” Roy says. “That’s what I do with my art.”
Vegetation and fungi figure prominently in Roy’s creative process. As a junior art and psychology double-major at Plymouth State University, Roy dabbles in a variety of mediums — from oil painting and printmaking to sculpture and welding. She discovered a passion for vendable crafts in the last two years and her baubles almost exclusively feature mycology. Best-sellers include mushroom earrings and mushroom-shaped terrariums, the latter of which embody sustainability. Roy scours thrift shops for bulbous vases, fills them with forest moss, stones, dirt and succulents, and tops them with secondhand crystal bowls sporting hand-applied acrylic paint.
She describes the result as a sort of “self-sustaining organism,” entirely recycled and seldom in need of watering. “I take already-existing items and turn them into something new, which is sustainable in multiple ways,” Roy says. “I’m reusing glassware, and I’m also making a home for a plant.”
First conjuring the idea two years ago while shopping at a thrift store (“I had a bowl and a vase and I was like, ‘Ha ha, it’s a mushroom shape,’” she says), Roy has since created her own small business making and peddling fungus-themed wares. She sells her terrariums at two Granite State shops — Baba Yaga in
Littleton, and TrulyMindful Wellness Shop in Gilford — and at the smorgasbord of craft fairs she attends. It’s given her the opportunity to connect with a community of makers, bond with other mycology lovers and fuse several interests into a concentrated pursuit.
Hoping to get her master’s degree in art therapy, Roy is especially cognizant of the way imagination and emotion overlap. Just like her terrariums — a synchronicity of art and nature — her career focus aligns the healing powers of creativity and the inspiration required of self-expression. As with mycology, the possibilities are endless.
“Every mushroom I make is a different color combination or shape or size,” she says, “and what’s so cool about mycology is that there’s so many different types of mushrooms — tons. I hope people look at my stuff and smile.” NH
Follow Emily on Instagram (@em_ilyroy_art) to stay up-to-date on where to purchase her terrariums.
Friendship is one of the most cherished relationships we can have at any age. Yet the older we get, the smaller our social circles become, making it imperative for seasoned citizens to cultivate brand-new close companionships. Developing novel relationships is critically important for this age group, especially as they start losing other valued connections.
Rebecca Kentner, coordinator of the Referral, Education, Assistance and Prevention (REAP) program at the Center for Life Management in Derry and Salem, agrees wholeheartedly. “Having close relationships with somebody their own age is invaluable for seniors,” says Kenter, who is a certified specialist who counsels seniors exclusively. “It is not uncommon for the clients I work with to have some level of loss or grief, whether that pertains to the fact they’ve lost a spouse, a partner, a child, a pet, a friend or another loved one.”
Kentner explains that heartbreak can be intensified by ambiguous grief, which is the sorrow and anguish that come from factors
not initially apparent. They include the loss of abilities, mobility, a driver’s license, independence, a home, a community, a career and self-esteem, among other things. Experts universally agree that if seniors in these situations don’t make new friends, they invariably end up feeling isolated, lonely, depressed and even hopeless.
Loneliness has long been associated with the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, alcoholism, substance abuse, smoking and a lowered immune system. These conditions, needless to say, negatively affect quality of life and longevity.
“Developing new friendships for the elderly is very important because it can help them maintain good mental health,” says Dr. Karen Roberto, former coordinator of the gerontology program at the University of Northern Colorado, in a 1987 New York Times article. “Those who have several friends report greater feelings of independence and worthiness than those who don’t.”
As seniors experience the inevitable
cycle of ups and downs, new friends can be a source of support and comfort to help weather the “life-quakes,” big and small, and these buddies become a lifeline in the tough times. In the good times, they’re somebody to share the joys and simply have fun with.
Professionals agree that relying on family instead of friends can be a mistake, and a big one at that. It’s trite but true that friends are the family we choose. As the classical Greek tragedian Euripides wrote thousands of years ago, “One loyal friend is worth 10,000 relatives.”
“Family can come with a whole bunch of stuff,” says Kentner. “There can be a lot of dysfunctions. We love them, but they can bring a lot of baggage, stress and anxiety to the relationship. Friendships are really different from family relationships; they are not meant to fill the same areas. Their function is different and what we get from those relationships is different, and it’s meant to be that way.
“When you’re in a relationship with a friend, one that you have chosen, you have
The Center for Life Management offers the Referral, Education, Assistance and Prevention (REAP) program for older adults (60 and older) who are New Hampshire residents and are not active clients of the mental health center.
According to its website, this program delivers short-term confidential counseling and educational services at no cost to the individual. Typically, services are provided in the home or community. REAP is designed to assist older adults with a broad range of concerns that impact an older adult’s well-being: life changes/losses, stress, housing and safety concerns, mental health concerns and problems related to medication misuse or alcohol.
These services are also available to family members, caregivers and professionals who are concerned about an older adult. This program also provides educational sessions on topics that are of interest to older adults. Educational sessions are typically offered at senior housing sites or locations frequented by older adults such as senior centers.
The REAP program is state-funded, supported by the NH Housing authority, DHHS Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, DHHS Bureau of Behavioral Health and DHHS Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services.
If you have questions about the REAP program, contact the REAP referral line at (603) 965-0655 or the Center for Life Management at (603) 437-1577 and centerforlifemanagement.org.
camaraderie,” she continues. “You’ve had the same experiences. There are areas of your life, areas of functioning, that you can connect with because you ‘get’ each other. Friends don’t have the same expectations as family. With them you can just be.”
True friendship gives us that wonderful and unique human connection that protects from stress and allows us to feel safe, seen and heard. By the time one reaches their golden years, they’ve (hopefully) learned to be more discerning and selective.
“It’s quality over quantity,” says Kentner. “Brené Brown (professor and best-selling author) talks about forming relationships and how we all have trust marbles that are required to be put in a jar. We require things for our friendships such as trust, comfortability, time spent and mutual respect. It takes time and opportunities for someone to be able to put those marbles in our jars. We have a higher expectation of the quality of those marbles and how many there are.”
But how do seniors make new friendships that are meaningful?
“When we seek out friends, we’re typically looking for key things,” Kentner says. “They include respect, honesty, loyalty and com-
mon core values — common core values are fundamental to friendship. If you’re going to talk with somebody about the things that are most important to you — the things that really matter, the things that you really care about that are going on in the world, the things that are impacting your life directly — not having core values is going to be the deal breaker.”
So while it may be intimidating at first, it’s important to pick yourself up, put yourself out there, take a risk and attempt to forge solid friendships. Join your local senior center or a faith community if you’re spiritually inclined. Attend community events. Take a class or continuing education course to meet people with a shared interest. Volunteer for a charitable organization whose mission is close to your heart or for a political campaign you believe in. Accept and extend invitations.
Most of all, have a good attitude, stay positive and keep your heart open.
“Everyone starts out as an acquaintance,” Kentner says. “Make that effort. Take that first step. If you want to be able to build a real relationship, you have to be able to put those marbles in your jar.” NH
While the warmth of the sun feels great, exposing yourself for too long or too often can result in more than wrinkled skin. Depending upon your age, race and where you live, the sun can have an even greater impact on your skin health. New Hampshire has one of the highest rates of melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
“It’s pretty common,” says Dr. David Posnick, a dermatologist at Nashua Dermatology Associates. “The problem is that unlike places in the South where people get sun all year-round, in New Hampshire, we’re not exposed to the sun as often. That can lead to being more prone to burning,”
Beyond making our skin appear leathery, the sun can also make us more prone to developing skin cancer. While you might think of large, dark moles when you think of skin cancer, it doesn’t always present that way. There are three different types of skin cancer: basal cell, squamous and melanoma. Thankfully, many of these cancers are up to 100% treatable if caught early.
Sporting a sun tan is an aspiration for many of us, whether we sunbathe at the beach or in a booth. Americans learned more about the dangers of excessive sun exposure and indoor tanning beds by the ’80s and ’90s, but many of us had already over-exposed ourselves by then, desiring that perfect shade of bronze. However, our quest to appear sun-kissed can set the stage for unsightly wrinkles or more serious health problems. The good news is that you can enjoy the sun — if you take some precautions.
According to a recent study published in the National Library of Medicine, up to 80% of visible skin aging can be attributed to sun exposure. This includes wrinkles, age spots, dry patches and the loss of skin elasticity. The study also found that even short periods
in the sun can contribute to skin damage over time. While we can’t prevent ourselves from aging naturally, we can take measures to keep our skin smoother, longer.
“The main thing we can do is protect ourselves from the sun,” says Dr. Arul Mahadevan, medical director of radiation oncology at the Seacoast Cancer Center at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (soon to be renamed Mass General Cancer Center). “It’s a cumulative thing,” Mahadevan says. “We need to start early. As parents, we need to emphasize why we need to do it, and make sure our kids do it.”
Still, many Americans continue to forgo protection. According to a 2022 survey conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology, 63% of respondents reported getting a tan in 2021, up from 54% in 2020; and 33% reported getting sunburned in 2021, up from 25% in 2020.
At his practice, Posnick says he sees 10 cases of basal cell carcinomas — the most common type of skin cancer — each day. Basal cell carcinomas look like pink, flat lesions that don’t heal; if you don’t treat them, they can get bigger and more painful, he says. However, your chances of dying from it are very low.
The second type of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, gets its name from the type of skin cell it invades. These are more commonly firm, scaly or crusty bumps that can grow quickly, according to Dr. Daniel Stewart, a dermatologist at Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics in Manchester. This type of cancer has a slightly higher chance of being metastatic, and can be higher risk if it’s found in places like the lip or ear.
The third type of skin cancer, melanoma, is the one that presents as dark spots or patches. However, that doesn’t mean any mole you find on your body qualifies as melanoma.
When enjoying the great outdoors, there are steps you can take to protect against skin cancer.
• Wear protective clothing that covers your arms and legs. Consider wearing a hat with a brim to protect your face, ears and neck.
• Apply sunscreen before you go outside, and often! Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and re-apply every two hours or after swimming or exercise.
• Take a break in the shade. During the hottest parts of the day, usually between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., consider staying out of direct sunlight.
• Just say no to tanning beds. While you may like the idea of starting the season out with a “base tan,” tanning beds still cause skin damage and can increase your risk of skin cancer.
• Conduct your own skin checks regularly. Look for any changes in moles or any new growths. If you notice any changes, consult your health care provider.
• Get regular skin cancer screenings. Talk to your provider about how often you should have a skin cancer screening.
“The ABCDE mnemonic is an easy way to help remember some of the features that could be a sign of melanoma,” Stewart says. “Particularly for melanoma, the deeper they grow, the lower the cure rate, so early detection is critical.”
• A is for asymmetry, where one half of the mole does not look like the other.
• B is for border, where the edge of the mole is distinct.
• C is for color, such as having a lesion with multiple colors like black, brown, tan and red.
• D is for diameter, where the bigger the mole, the bigger the possible concern, especially if it is wider than a pencil eraser.
• E is for evolving, or changes in size, color and shape over time.
While it’s important to check yourself for any suspicious bumps, visiting your primary care physician and getting regular skin checks can help you determine what lesions you really need to watch. If your PCP expresses concern, he or she may refer you to a dermatologist, who’ll examine you and do a biopsy, according to Posnick.
You could know within a week if your lesion is cancerous.
“If it’s positive, you can be treated with a simple surgical procedure,” Posnick says. “You’re usually not seeing oncologists or getting chemotherapy.”
Melanoma tends to be a more aggressive cancer and has more potential to spread compared to the other types, Mahadevan says. Depending on whether or not it’s spread to the lymph nodes and what stage it is, doctors might use a combination of immunotherapy, radiation and/or chemotherapy to treat it.
Even though you think you may be safe, it’s hard to know if prior sun damage could affect you later. The rate of new skin cancers increases steadily with age, peaking somewhere in the 85-90-year-old age bracket, Stewart says. Consider playing it safe. Whether it’s overcast or you plan on being outdoors for just a little while, it pays to slather on the sunscreen.
“There is no truly safe level of UV e xposure,” says Stewart. “Your risk goes up with increased duration of exposure as well as when the sun’s rays are the strongest, typically from about 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.” NH
Jake renovated old houses. One couple wanted their new-to-them colonial restored with meticulous attention to historic accuracy.
“Alrighty,” Jake said. “Where do you want the outhouse?”
Jake was a stickler. Turns out they didn’t want that much historic accuracy.
I’M A STICKLER from a long line of sticklers. If my husband asks, “Do you know where the broom is?”
I say “Yes.” Or “No.” (Depending.) I answer the question he asks.
Every time. If he asked a different question, like “Where’s the broom?”, I respond in kind. We’ve been married 47.8 years, you’d think he’d have figured this out by now.
Sticklers stickle. We can’t help it.
AT CLYDE’S HARDWARE STORE, a collapsed shelf sent paint cans flying. “Must have been an awful mess,” a customer commiserated. “All them gallons of paint spilled on the floor.”
“T’was mostly quarts,” Clyde said. Sticklers tell it like it is, which can lead to more honesty than expected. Or appreciated. An irate citizen confronted the select board. His road needed repair. It’s needed repair for years. It’s practically impassable. “Is there a plan for fixing the roads in this town,” he demanded, “or is it willy nilly?”
“Willy nilly,” the chair replied.
FRED LEE, A LEGENDARY NORTH COUNTRY STICKLER , is said to have been working on the Kancamagus Highway when a stranger in a posh car pulled over and yelled, “Hey mister, where’s Lincoln?”
Fred said, “Far’s I know he died a hundred fifty years ago.”
MARSHALL DODGE AND BOB BRYAN , of "Bert and I" fame, contributed some cawkahs to the canon of Yankees giving directions:
Q: Which way to East Vassalboro?
A: Don’t you move a goddam inch.
As for how to get to Millinocket (according to "Bert and I"): “You can’t get theyah from heyah.”
TOURISTS ASK FOR DIRECTIONS; sticklers answer precisely. It’s a whole thing.
Q: Didn’t you say this road went to Mont Vernon?
A: It does. In the other direction. Or:
Q: Can I go over the covered bridge to Springfield?
A: If I were you, I’d go through it. STICKLERS ARE NEVER DELIBERATELY UNHELPFUL, JUST PRECISE:
Q: Where’s the post office?
A: ’Bout half a mile from the town house.
Q: On the right or left?
A: Depends what direction you’re coming from.
SOMETIMES PHILOSOPHICAL:
Q: Where am I?
A: Where do you want to be?
I STOPPED FOR LUNCH en route to a meeting and, concerned about time, asked how long it took to get from Conway to Berlin. Got the answer I deserved: “Depends how fast you go.”
YANKEES ARE ALL STICKLERS (pretty much), but not all sticklers are Yankees. They come in different shapes, ethnicities and vintages. Dave, a teacher in Lebanon, described a rainstorm that lasted three days and brought considerable flooding. Students had a hard time getting back and forth to school. Ruthie and her siblings lived across the Connecticut in Thetford, Vermont. On the third day, Ruthie’s mother’s car conked out; she couldn’t pick the children up as usual. Dave volunteered to drive them home. They piled into his car and off they went, only to discover the bridge had washed out.
“Ruthie,” Dave said, “what did your mother do yesterday when she came to the washedout bridge?”
“She drove down that road there.”
Dave took the road indicated. It turned to dirt. He drove on. It devolved into a soggy rabbit track. It was all he could do to get turned around.
“Ruthie,” he said, “What happened when your mother tried to get through on this road yesterday?”
“Same thing,” she said. “Got this far and turned around.” NH
BY REBECCA RULE / ILLUSTRATION BY PETER NOONAN
Expanded capacity
Innovative care models
Advanced technology
Enhanced care experience
“ The opening of the Patient Pavilion represents the future of healthcare for the people of Northern New England. This new building is so much more than bricks and mortar, steel and glass - it’s the foundation for meeting the growing needs of our community.”
- Joanne M. Conroy, MD, CEO, Dartmouth Health
