Image - Fall 2023

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Fall 2023 vol. 18 no.3 $4.95 THE NEW LONDON INN TRADITIONAL CHARM, FIRST-CLASS COMFORT HIT THE TRAIL WITH GLOW WOMEN’S BIKING GROUP culture • community • lifestyle Fabulous Fall! GET SET FOR A SENSATIONAL SEASON

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After a procedure or surgery, inpatient stays at the hospital can become necessary. We know that part of the healing process includes the company of the people who love you. That’s why at Valley Regional Hospital we offer the greater Claremont community an inpatient experience with private patient rooms and ample space for visitors and loved ones to spend time at your bedside. This, together with carefully considered care plans enable our doctors and nurses to provide a positive patient experience and return you to your healthy life as quickly as possible.

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Valley Regional Hospital has been caring for the greater Claremont community since 1893.

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CONTENTS

FALL 2023

FEATURES

34 | Kickstands Up!

Women bikers GLOW in the Upper Valley. by Charlotte

58 | CraftStudies Moves to White River Junction

A new home that’s just right.

66 | A Rainbow of Glass

Janet Zug creates colorful masterpieces in her Tunbridge studio.

74 | e New London Inn

Where traditional charm and contemporary comfort meet.

34 page

14 image • Fall 2023
Above: New London Inn. Photograph courtesy of the New London Inn. Right: Glorious Ladies on Wheels (GLOW). Photograph by Herb Swanson. Cover: The view atop Jericho Hill in Norwich, looking toward Pomfret and Woodstock across the White River. Photograph by Lars Blackmore.
74
16 image • Fall 2023 CONTENTS | DEPARTMENTS 19 Editor’s Note 20 Contributors 22 Online Exclusives & Business Directory 24 Monthly Tidbits Seasonal facts, fun, and ideas. 40 Fantastic Finds Create an Artful Home: Prospect Hill Home Gallery. by Rosanna Eubank 46 Business Spotlight Home Comfort Warehouse. by Pamela Brown 84 Active Life Rock climbing on the Royal Gorge via ferrata. by Lisa Ballard 92 Business Sense Nathan Wechsler & Company appoints new managing director. by Pamela Brown 95 e Pick Calendar of local events. 103 Advertisers Index 104 Celebrate the Moment Readers share their photos. 40 46 Destination New London! Shop, Dine & Support Local! 54 special advertising sections 84 White River Junction, Vermont Eclectic Shopping, eater & Music, Diverse Services 82

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18 image • Fall 2023
603.504.6460 broker@realpropertyoptionsnh.com 394 Main Street, New London, NH 03257
culture • community • lifestyle Fall • 2023

Focus on Fall

is season is traditionally the time of year we get back to our routines— vacations are over and we’re back to work, summer camp has ended and the kids are heading o for a new school year, and shorts and ip- ops season has come to a close, so we’re replacing them with sweatpants and furry boots. ere’s a lot to do to prepare for Halloween and anksgiving, but don’t be so busy that you don’t have time to take in the brilliant fall foliage. Plan a leisurely drive with your family in the beautiful countryside, and consider making the New London Inn your destination for a casual lunch or an elegant dinner (page 74). e new owners have made some updates to the historic landmark, honoring its long tradition while providing contemporary comforts and an updated menu. Stop in to see them soon!

We caught up with the GLOW (Glorious Ladies on Wheels) biking group. ey move quickly, so it wasn’t easy! anks to Herb Swanson for his fabulous photos. We’re sure you’ll enjoy learning more about the organization (page 34) and their ursday night rides, which take them to a variety of trails around the Upper Valley.

Speaking of outstanding photos, get a load of Jack Rowell’s shots of glassblower Janet Zug at work in her studio (page 66.) Her creations are amazing! Don’t be shy—make an appointment, and on one of those drives we talked about earlier, stop in to see her. Tip: Gift-giving season will be here soon!

Other places of interest in this issue are CraftStudies and their new location in White River Junction (page 58), Home Comfort Warehouse (page 46), and Prospect Hill Home Gallery (page 40). You can sign up for a pottery class; check out the latest wood-burning and gas replaces, inserts, and wood stoves; and browse three oors of art and antiques. You have a lot to do!

e sta and I hope you’ll spend some time with this issue. Keep in touch with news and local events at www.greateruppervalley.com. Have a wonderful autumn! Enjoy!

www.facebook.com/greateruppervalley.com

EDITOR’S NOTE Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 19
PHOTOBYIANRAYMOND
LIKEUS

Susan

Susan shuttered a lifelong career as a law professor to continue an interest (since kindergarten) in writing. Her freelance business, The Next Word, includes literary and feature writing; her work has appeared in a variety of lit mags and other publications including Art New England,The Arts Fuse, and Persimmon Tree. She connects with her neighbors through Artful, her blog about arts and culture in the Upper Valley. She’s in love with the written word.

Chris Jackson, WRITER

Chris grew up in Randolph, Vermont. He spent his youth wandering the highways and byways of the Upper Valley, often on foot, sometimes by hitchhiking, occasionally on a bike. Eventually, he joined the great migration south and made a life for himself in Boston.

Rosanna Eubank, WRITER

Rosanna has her own art advisory, app a sal an estate se ces fi Rosanna Eubank LLC. She majored in art history at Barnard College, Columbia University and has her master’s degree in Decorative Arts, Design History, and Material Culture. She has worked for Christie’s auction in both Los Angeles and New York City and was a research assistant at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the American Decorative Arts Department. She lives in New London with her three kids, a giant dog, and three normal-sized cats.

Chantelle Neily, PHOTOGRAPHER

Chantelle grew up in rural Vermont; at a young age she was introduced to photography, and was immediately drawn to the excitement, challenge, and opportunities that each new photograph presented. After receiving a BFA in Photography f o a e olle e of l an an a e t ficate n ofess onal Photography from Hallmark Institute of Photography, she moved back to the Upper Valley and started CPerry Photography.

Jack Rowell, PHOTOGRAPHER

fifth ene at on e onte ac as o n an a se n central Vermont. He has been a professional photographer for over 40 years, shooting documentary, commercial, and advertising photographs. His work has been published in People Weekly, London Independent, Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, and the Times of London. In addition, ac s an enth s ast c an e pe ence an le .

20 image • Fall 2023 ABOUT OUR CONTRIBUTORS
B. Apel, WRITER
ne E battery ts any E po er tool

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Twenty

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22 image • Fall 2023
Hanover Conservancy Launches 2023 Capital Campaign
toward
A New Face on an Old Man
far, the conservancy has raised more than $1.3 million
the $2 million goal. 
years
Old Man
the
in the
of
in
Get to Know Chocolate Fusion Co. Made in Vermont  Owners Paige Hiller and Lindsay Rogers, who founded the chocolate company last fall, bring an equal dose of fun and deliciousness to chocolate-making. VISIT US ONLINE FindThings to Do, Local Guides, Community Profiles, and other Online Exclusives! Subscribe to Our Newsletter www.greateruppervalley.com/newsletter Follow Us on Facebook www.facebook.com/greateruppervalley Find Past Issues www.greateruppervalley.com/archives  www greateruppervalley com is proudly brought to you by these local businesses.
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Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 23 CLICK ON For more information about how your business can get listed on our ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY or for other online advertising opportunities, contact Bob Frisch at (603) 867-9339 or email rcfrisch1@comcast.net. WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM Check out these local businesses in our directory.
ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY

MONTHLY TIDBITS FACTS, FUN & IDEAS

Brain-Healthy Foods

Upper Valley Walk to End Alzheimer’s

On Saturday, September 30, spend a fall morning with good company connecting, sharing stories, and furthering the work of the Alzheimer’s Association at the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which starts at 9:30am at Hanover High School. In addition to funding critical research, the organization provides a 24/7 Helpline, education programs, care consultations for families facing a diagnosis, and more. These services are all free, funded entirely by the money raised during this walk and other fundraising events. Registration is free but all walkers are encouraged to fundraise and support the work of the Alzheimer’s Association. For information on walking, volunteering, or supporting, go to act.alz.org/uppervalley.

Love Your Library

September is Library Card Sign Up Month, so if you don’t already have a library card, go get one! Libraries are incredible community resources that offer so much more than books. From classes and author events to social meetups, lectures, story times, kids reading to dogs, and countless other programs, our libraries are truly community hubs that bring us together and broaden our horizons. Whether it’s Tracy Memorial Library in New London, Abbott Library in Sunapee, Lebanon Public Library, Kilton Public Library in West Lebanon, or any other library in the Upper Valley, get yourself a library card and take advantage of all your library has to offer.

The foods you eat can have a major impact on your brain health, and two diets in particular have been linked to reducing the risk of dementia and cognitive decline: the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet. The Mediterranean diet focuses on eating lots of fruits and vegetables plus seafood, olive oil, nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, and whole grains. Poultry, dairy, eggs, and red wine can be enjoyed in moderation. The DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) diet is similar to the Mediterranean diet but suggests capping sodium intake at 1,500 mg and allows for more lean meats. To support brain health for years to come, limit your intake of processed foods, red meat, and added sugar and load up on nutrient-rich foods.

Did You Know?

Our gorgeous fall foliage isn’t due to current weather conditions. Leaves change color because of the amount of daylight and photosynthesis. The reduced daylight tells deciduous plants that it’s time to stop gathering energy and get ready for winter. Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight and gives leaves their green color. Chlorophyll also masks other color pigments, so as it starts to fade, we start to see reds and yellows showing through.

24 image • Fall 2023
SEPTEMBER
Photograph by Lars Blackmore
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National Pasta Day

Ju t in case you need an excuse to eat pasta, October 17 is National Pasta Day, so celebrate by cooking up your favorite variety. Undecided about what type to use for a certain dish? Here are some basic guidelines.

• Angel hair works well when tossed in a thin sauce, oil, or dressing.

• Cavatappi is like elbows but longer and spiraled. Similar to rigatoni, its ridges make it great for carrying sauces and toppings. It’s also a good choice for pasta salad.

• Ditalini is perfect for soup—small enough to scoop up with a spoon and large enough to match the size of cut-up veggies and beans.

• Elbows interlock when cooked, and they’re best for cheesy recipes with small ingredients.

• Fettuccine is wider than linguine and narrower than tagliatelle. It provides a bit of a bite, so it’s great for hearty recipes.

• Orecchiette, like shells, are excellent with thicker sauces that allow the to nest to ether and de iver tons of flavor.

• Rotini spirals soak up sauce and dressing, making it perfect for salads. Small ingredients and cheese nestle between the spirals to deliver a i u flavor.

• Spaghetti is super versatile and best for twirling and eating with soft toppings that can easily be pierced with a fork.

26 image • Fall 2023 MONTHLY TIDBITS | OCTOBER
Orecchiette Ditalini Cavatappi

Happy Birthday, Dracula

On October 20, 1882, Bela Lugosi, the actor famous for playing Count Dracula, was born in Lugos, Hungary, located near the western border of the Transylvanian Alps in what is now Lugoj, Romania. Lugosi had an extensive stage career in Hungary and came to America in 1920. He created his portrayal of Count Dracula—the makeup, the style of dress, and the mannerisms—in the 1927 Broadway stage production of Dracula and brought this portrayal to the big screen in Universal Studios’ Dracula, which opened in 1931. Fun fact: he never wore fangs! Lugosi died at his home in Los Angeles on August 16, 1956, and was buried in one of his Dracula capes.

A Special Stone

October’s birthstone, the opal, may be the most beautiful and unique gemstone. Unlike most gems, the opal is amorphous, which eans t oes not ha e a efine c stall ne

28 image • Fall 2023 MONTHLY TIDBITS | OCTOBER
Bela Lugosi

The Most Magical Day of the Year

Halloween originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would i ht on res and wear costu es to ward off ghosts. Celts believed that on this day that marked the end of the summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred and the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. It’s no wonder that October 31 is also National Magic Day, which celebrates the magic and mystery in the world. Harry Houdini, the most celebrated magician and escape artist of the 20th century, died in the afternoon on October 31, 1926. While Houdini campaigned against mediums, mind readers, and others who claimed supernatural talents but depended on tricks, he was deeply interested in spiritualism and made a pact with his wife and friends that the rst to die would try to communicate from the spirit world. His wife declared the experiment a failure shortly before her death in 1943.

structure—it takes on many shapes and colors. Opals are made from silica carried down into rock crevices by heavy rains. Once the water evaporated, the silica gel hardened over millions of ea s. t ta es a o t fi e ll on years to solidify just one centimeter of opal. Evidence of opal artifacts dates as far back as 4000 BC, and in Greek mythology, opals are said to have originated from Zeus’s tears after winning the battle against the Titans.

Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 29
Harry Houdini

Prep Your Fridge for Thanksgiving

Are you ready for a fridge full of sides, pies, and anything else that can be prepped before turkey day—and then a fridge full of leftovers? On the15th, Clean Out Your Fridge Day, make some space for the upcoming holiday and while you’re at it, give the refrigerator a good deep clean. Good Housekeeping breaks down the process into a few simple steps:

1. Start by emptying all the food from the fridge. Keep dairy products, meat, and other food that needs to stay cold in an insulated bag packed with ice packs. Toss any food that’s expired or clearly past its prime.

2. Remove the crisper drawers and shelves and wash them with dish soap and hot water. Rinse with clean water and dry with a clean towel. For any shelves that can’t be removed, wipe them down with a clean cloth soaked in a cool solution of dish soap and water and thoroughly wrung out.

30 image • Fall 2023 MONTHLY TIDBITS | NOVEMBER
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3. Wipe down the interior with a mix of seven parts cool water and one part baking soda. Dry thoroughly with paper towels or a clean tea towel.

4. Replace the shelves and drawers and wait a bit before replacing food so they reach the temperature of the rest of the fridge.

We Got the Beat

Attention seniors: looking for a fun way to keep your body moving (especially as we enter the holiday season when we tend to indulge in too many treats)? Try cardio drumming at the Bugbee Senior Center in White River Junction. It’s a fun and simple exercise that activates many muscles with high-intensity drumming movements. Besides drumming, this exercise includes dance moves that will put your whole body in motion. For more information, visit bugbeecenter.org or call (802) 295-9068.

What are some benefits of cardio drumming for seniors? This low-impact workout gets your heart pumping while strengthening the upper body and improving motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It also releases endorphins, which boost your mood.

Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 31

Eat a Cranberry Day

Thanksgiving Day, which falls on November 23 this year, also happens to be Eat a Cranberry Day, but these little superfoods should be enjoyed year-round. Cranberries contain vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, and manganese. Thanks to their high amount of antioxidants, cranberries have antin a ato effects an ha e een l n e to improved heart health and a lower risk of chronic diseases like cancer.

White snowdrop in November

My free soul owering with harvests.

32 image • Fall 2023 MONTHLY TIDBITS | NOVEMBER
I shall go now towards winter
Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 33
34 image • Fall 2023
Juli Hamblin leads Janet Moore and Kim Cohen on one of GLOW’s Thursday night adventure rides on Parcel 5 Trails, Norwich, Vermont.

Kickstands Up!

Women Bikers GLOW in the Upper Valley

Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 35

One soggy ursday night in the summer of 2021, about 10 avid mountain bikers—all women—showed up at French’s Ledges Trail in Plain eld, New Hampshire, keen to scramble up and down hills and over slippery rocks and roots. No one knew exactly what to expect, but everyone seemed game for just about anything.

Ride leader Juli Hamblin, who recruits physicians for Dartmouth Health, had sent out an invitation through a couple of social media platforms. Her mission, then and now: to link up with other intermediate and advanced riders eager to spend at least one night a week, year-round, whatever the weather, navigating tricky terrain on the Upper Valley’s 15-plus trails. And—this was important from the start—Juli wanted to create a community of ambitious, can-do women willing to be uplifting and encouraging to one another as they took risks and rose to daunting new challenges.

Two years later, Glorious Ladies on Wheels—GLOW, for short—boasts a core group of 30 skilled riders. eir lively website and steady stream of social media feeds, labors of Juli’s love for the sport, have drawn over 400 steady followers. In addition to the ursday night rides from a range of locations

(followed by social “afterGLOWS” at members’ homes or local restaurants), GLOW holds clinics and weekend getaways within and beyond the Upper Valley, including bone-chilling winter ascents to remote mountain cabins. A biweekly podcast o ers a wealth of information about technique, equipment, and tips for coping with the ups and downs of a daunting sport.

Ready to Roll

Juli, who grew up in Cornish, New Hampshire, started biking as a young girl, egged on by her brother and father. “But it was just always the boys, right? I did nd a women’s Monday night ride back in the late nineties, with the wives of my dad’s biking buddies. So I got to feel the di erence a women’s ride makes from a young age.”

Juli moved away to start her career, but when she returned to the Upper Valley to join Dartmouth Health, she bought a condo on Mount Ascutney and hit the trails right outside her door. (Recently, the Ascutney Trails Association opened a brand-new biking ow trail named Kickstands Up! in honor of GLOW’s motto.)

“I have two young daughters, four-and-a-half and six-anda-half. I travel a lot for work and my recreational time’s pretty limited,” says Juli. “So I love a standing ride. I love that you can just show up—that you know it’s going to be there, week after week,” she says.

36 image • Fall 2023
Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 37
Above, from left: Helene Sisti, Karen Thorp, Stacia Andrews LaPan, Juli Hamblin, Kim Cohen, Sarah McMaster, Mary Bouchard, Janet Moore, Devan Tracy, Leah Valente, Becca Sharpe, Jen Hannux, Marley McDonald, and Alyssa Godesky at Parcel 5 Trails, Norwich, Vermont. Left: Anna Schaal, Juli Hamblin, and Janet Moore pause after recording a podcast and then head off for a ride at the Hartford Town Forest’s Hurricane Hill trails in Hartford, Vermont.

She also knows it’ll always be tough going, even for her, an accomplished athlete. “I learned to read a trail from other outdoor sports such as snowboarding glade runs—my rst passion,” she says. Juli was a Vermont AllState Soccer Goalie and captain of soccer and softball teams during high school and played rugby in and after college. So when she got her rst mountain bike in 2012—“an old fullsuspension bike with dated components and geometry”—she was ready to roll.

Back then, most women’s biking groups in the region were on-ramps for beginners, and Juli wanted a steeper learning curve. “With GLOW, we o er a place to shred, well beyond the typical stereotype of female mountain bikers,” she says. “It takes years of work to be able to join one of our rides, given the advanced terrain we cover at a swift pace. We’ve even attracted a handful of professional riders.”

An Exhilarating Challenge

But Juli herself isn’t aiming for pro status. “As a leader, I’m incredibly laid back and don’t take my riding too seriously,” she says. What she does take seriously is camaraderie, and she credits two other advanced riders for giving her the advice she needed to start GLOW and keep it going strong. Janet Moore, who recently retired from a career in IT from Dartmouth, and Anna Schaal, a Dartmouth Health nurse practitioner who works with cancer patients, have become certi ed mountain biking coaches, adding yet another layer of training for women who seek it.

Unlike Juli, Janet had a relatively late entry into biking. “I was a trail runner, doing triathlons and road biking, but then I hurt my hip and just could not run,” she says.

“My husband’s a mountain biker, so we went mountain biking. But my God, I’d get on the trails, and I’m like, you’ve got to be kidding me. Rocks and roots? What is this? But when I got into regular mountain biking, I fell in love with it. So many challenges. Can I get up that route? Can I go down that thing? Do I have the courage to do half of it?” All reasonable questions from someone who’s had both hips replaced. “ e other thing is, it keeps you present,” says Janet. “You’re not thinking about anything else because you’ve got to look at the trail. You’ve got to pay attention.”

38 image • Fall 2023

For Anna, keeping a razor-sharp focus on the trails lters out workplace stress. Seeing patients struggle through cancer can be emotionally draining, but careening through the wilderness brings a kind of exhilaration she gets nowhere else. “ e way mountain biking emulates life is so satisfying,” she says. “You look ahead, you can get over that obstacle, you don’t give up. What was hard yesterday is not so hard today. ings change. Sometimes we fall and sometimes it hurts, but that’s okay. We get back up and we do it again and we eventually become successful.”

Sharing a Bigger Mission

To be clear, success, in GLOW terms, is not just a solo act. It’s a collective goal. “It’s really impressive, what this group does, but egos are left aside,” says Juli. “It doesn’t matter who’s in front. We just really enjoy each other, and we all share a bigger mission. We’re always thinking, ‘How can we give back? What are some good ideas?’ Some of the group’s events raise money for local communities in need. GLOW has also begun collaborating with local and national businesses, including Brownsville’s Butcher and Pantry and the Wheelhouse Bike Shop in Claremont.”

While men are welcome to join, women always lead the rides. “Some dudes will say, ‘I’m not riding with GLOW. It’s too intimidating,’” says Janet. “Which is pretty funny, since that’s why some women started riding without men to begin with.”

In some mountain biking events, female racers are, like their male counterparts, highly competitive, and a few can be cutthroat. But that’s not what GLOW is about. “We’re creating the opposite of that,” says Juli. “When someone’s having a rough day, either on the trails or o the trails, we’re here to straighten each other’s crowns.”

She plans to be doing that for a very long time. “For me, success means being able to ride both my snowboard and my mountain bike with my grandkids when I am 80,” she says. “For me, it’s not just a sport, it’s a lifestyle, and a community like no other.” •

GLOW MTB

Hartland Four Corners, VT (802) 200-2749

glowmtb.org

Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 39

Prospect Hill Home Gallery has grown to be not only the region’s premiere source for antiques but also a fine-art gallery for a lovely selection of New England artists.

40 image • Fall 2023
Marilyn Wendling art, Stickley furniture, and Revelation furniture make for a co fo ta le sett n on the a n oo . hoto co tes of ospect ll o e alle .

FANTASTIC FINDS

Create an Artful Home

PROSPECT HILL HOME GALLERY

ONE OF THE GEMS OF THE LAKE SUNAPEE REGION is the treasure trove known to both locals and visitors alike—Prospect Hill Home Gallery, previously known as Prospect Hill Antiques. Currently located in the charming Sunapee Harbor, the retail location is full of unique antiques, original ne art, modern furnishings, and home accents. Over the years, the store has cleverly adapted to t the changing tastes, architecture, and design trends of the area’s clients and yet has never strayed from being a reliable source of exceptional objects for the home.

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Photography by Lars Blackmore unless noted otherwise
oth a p ell s ta e on a e napee fish n .
42 image • Fall 2023 FANTASTIC FINDS

Clockwise from far left: he a n oo sho cases a t f o ete atchel e an enee t nas oth e a psh e a t sts an st a to ch of ant e. hoto co tes of ospect ll o e alle . he e oo on the fi st oo offe s ant es f o all o e the . es n n o space th o cho ces s a e eas . ospect ll offe s nsp n es n poss l t es as o al the alle . hoto co tes of ospect ll o e alle . he e oo has e eclect c tastes co e e .

Changing with the Times and Tastes

Prospect Hill Antiques rst opened in 1976 atop Prospect Hill in Georges Mills. e original owners, Ronald and Barbara Sullivan, specialized in Victorian antiques. At the time, the market demand was high for the oak and mahogany furniture from the 18th and 19th century. e business became known as a “must visit” to add a beautiful piece to one’s collection or lake house. Soon the Sullivans began importing shipping containers of antiques from Europe, primarily the UK and Ireland. is kept the “Barn” chock-full of interesting and varied antique furniture and decorative elements.

As the market for wood furniture and Victorian antiques fell, in 2016 one of the store employees, Cory Flint, decided to purchase the business. He had a plan to make changes that would allow Prospect Hill to continue to ourish as a center for rare antiques, but also add inventory that was suitable for more modern and contemporary home design. Eventually, Cory added a business partner, Rick Mastin, who was looking for a career change. Together they opened Prospect Hill Home Gallery, located in Sunapee Harbor. Rick contributed his longtime love for automobile memorabilia and signage, which created another fun facet for collectors.

Finding the Perfect Piece

e majority of their antique inventory now comes from ne estates throughout New England, sometimes even speci cally from collections of longtime clients. Prospect Hill o ers restoration services as well as “white glove” pickup and delivery services all over New England and the United States. Cory says that one of the more enjoyable aspects of the business is during a delivery to a customer they unexpectedly nd pieces to purchase and bring back to the Gallery—sometimes even items they sold to the customer years before. In fact, one Irish antique convent table they have now o cially sold three times over the past 15 years!

For some time, Cory and Rick kept both the Gallery in Sunapee Harbor and the Barn up on the hill in Georges Mills open. But eventually, the walk-in tra c in the harbor proved to be the most successful avenue to focus their attention. Today they still own the Barn up on the hill and they use it to store backstock as well as larger antiques to view by appointment.

As with all businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic provided the impetus to further evolve as a company. Prospect Hill Home Gallery invested substantial energy in creating an online presence. ey ramped up their website and built an online storefront as well as

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partnering with known existing antique and ne-furnishing vendors. As a result, they suddenly had access to a much broader client base nationwide. During the winter months when tourist tra c is slower in Sunapee Harbor, they put time into these virtual platforms and continue to sell art and antiques online.

Original Artwork and More

Prospect Hill Home Gallery has grown to be not only the region’s premiere source for antiques but also a ne-art gallery for a lovely selection of New England artists. In 2016 Tom Pirozzoli and Rob Brown were instrumental in guiding Cory and Rick in gathering the group of artists that the Gallery represents today. ere are oil painters, watercolorists, sculptors, and ne photographers in the mix, including Peter Batchelder, David Zerba, Lisa Jellame, Peter Fiore, Marilyn Wendling, Tom Pirozzolli, Renee Bitinas, and Jack Harkins, just to name a few. e Gallery also sells modern furniture, including Stickley as well as other decorative objects such as Simon Pearce glass. Prospect Hill also has three craftsmen who build custom, traditional furniture. And they carry a line of repurposed benches and tables made by artisans in Maine.

One can enter Prospect Hill Home Gallery and nd exactly what is needed to furnish an artful home, balancing modern, comfortable furnishings with distinct and one-of kind antiques and stunning original artworks. Cory says that although the business has evolved over the decades, his favorite aspect remains discovering interesting items to bring into the store for his customers. at, and meeting fascinating people from a myriad of backgrounds who become longtime clients and eventually friends. He loves seeing that although the market for antiques has softened over the years, he has recently observed younger generations starting to take an interest in collecting and repurposing beautiful pieces with a rich history. •

Prospect Hill Home Galley

31 River Road

Sunapee, NH (603) 763-9676

prospecthillantiques.net

44 image • Fall 2023 FANTASTIC FINDS
Besides paintings in many styles, local photography is a large part of the art seen on any of the th ee oo s.
Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 45

Sponsored by

The showroom includes displays of n n as fi eplaces th lo s an lass oo s as ell as oo fi eplace nse ts an o t oo fi e ta les.

46 image • Fall 2023

HOME COMFORT WAREHOUSE

MAKING HOMES COMFORTABLE AND EFFICIENT

FINDING COMFORT IN YOUR HOME IS AT THE HEART OF HOME COMFORT WAREHOUSE in White River Junction. “A hearth has served as a family gathering place for thousands of years,” says owner Bill Mathewson. “ e majority of our hearth products are installed in the main living area for the entire family to enjoy. We’re fortunate to provide products that not only heat but also provide a sense of family.”

Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 47 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CPERRY PHOTOGRAPHY

Established in 1998, Home Comfort Warehouse (HCW) serves customers in Vermont and New Hampshire, selling and installing stoves, replaces, and replace inserts in all four categories—wood, propane, pellet, and electric—as well as heat pumps, sometimes called mini splits, that can heat, cool, and dehumidify.

e 6,000-square-foot showroom is separated into four sections organized by product type to help customers focus on their needs. At any given time, the showroom has 90 wood, gas, and pellet appliances on display with 30 of them burning. “ is allows customers to see how the appliances function,” says Bill, noting homeowners and custom home builders comprise HCW’s customer base.

A Quality Customer Experience

Customer service is a high priority. “We’re totally focused on the customer by listening rst to what they have in mind then recommending the ideal product at a fair price,” says Bill. “We’re proud to always showcase the latest products, provide knowledgeable and impartial advice in a nopressure buying environment, o er competitive pricing, and support the product after a sale is completed.” He encourages customers to visit the showroom to provide them with an approximate quote and have an installer visit their home to provide an exact quote at no cost and no obligation. Bill enjoys a long history in the industry. Upon retiring as general manager at Vermont Castings, he used his experience in new-product

48 image • Fall 2023
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
“We’re totally focused on the customer by listening first to what they have in mind then recommending the ideal product at a fair price,” says Bill.
Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 49
Opposite: Owner Bill Mathewson in front of an array of ope at n elect c fi eplaces. Clockwise from top: Wood and gas stoves are popular with c sto e s. ot sho n s a collect on of pellet sto es. he store offers many choices of gas an oo fi eplaces an nse ts.

development and marketing to develop a line of wood and gas stoves with a German manufacturer. Not being cost e ective, he transitioned into retail in 2002 and has achieved consistent sales growth every year. Bill works with a team of former Vermont Castings colleagues, including three showroom workers, a scheduler, a full-time service manager, a warehouse person, and four installers. Combined, they have over 100 years of industry knowledge with backgrounds extending beyond retail to chairman of the board of the trade association, customer service, technical support, research and development, and quality control.

Bill explains comfort depends on a customer’s needs. “Are they interested in just heat? Are they interested in both heat and ambience, or just ambience? We have products that satisfy all of this,” he says, sharing HCW’s two tongue-and-cheek sayings: “home is where the hearth is” (for the ambience customer) and “ re worx here” (for the person who needs heat).

Incentives for Alternative Energy

Alternative energy comprises a large part of the business. “Alternative energy means biomass fuel. at’s the government’s (state, federal, and IRS) term for wood and pellet fuel. In our market, where winters are long and cold and where some

50 image • Fall 2023
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT 17 Granite Place Enfield, NH 03748 • 603-632-9800 www.shakerhillgranite.com Offering
Kitchen and Bath Design Center Pizza ovens and gas grills are great ways to move cooking outdoors.

homes experience cold spots in the house, biomass stoves are the solution,” says Bill, referencing the federal IRS nine-year incentive program. “ e homeowner would be eligible for a 30 percent tax credit not to exceed $2,000 on the total invoice, including the unit, venting, and labor, on qualifying wood, pellet, or heat pump systems. is program is good for each year. For example, someone can buy a woodstove this year, get the tax credit, then buy a heat pump next year and get another tax credit and so on for the next nine years.”

For Bill, a knowledgeable sta and the customer experience are keys to success. “Two individuals on our sta go back to the Arab oil embargo when the modern woodstove era began out of necessity,” he notes. “I remember what a customer said to me years ago. She asked if I wanted to know why she was buying from us. She said, ‘because this is a re in my house and you know what you’re talking about!’”

Bill shares more about the business.

Advantages of being a business in Vermont?

Vermont has always been friendly to biomass products. A successful program in place for several years is the removal of old, non-EPA compliant woodstoves from the market. E ciency Vermont’s program allows us to provide a $400 invoice discount when the customer purchases a new EPA-approved model and allows us to remove their old, noncomplying unit and take it to a recycling center.

Top two tips homeowners should know before choosing a hearth product?

Consider how important heat is to you. Some of our products provide a lot of heat while some provide ambience. e second tip to consider is where in the home will the unit be placed. Every product has its own speci cations as to where it can and cannot be placed.

Mortgages Don’t Have to be Hard. During every step of your journey, from pre-approval to selecting the right mortgage program, to closing on your new home, you can expect personal service from our lending professionals.

Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 51
603-526-6575 PLAY | STAY | DINE | SHOP | LIVE | IN THE LAKE SUNAPEE REGION Your Best Resource For Goods, Services and Events in the Lake Sunapee Region! www.LakeSunapeeRegionChamber.com Member FDIC | EQUAL HOUSING LENDER 800.562.3145 | SugarRiverBank.com Newport | Grantham | New London | Sunapee | Warner | Concord Start your application online: sugarriverbank.com/loans/mortgage
Possibilities GRANTHAM/ UPPER VALLEY Terri Crate VP, Loan Origination O cer NMLS #419840 603.381.3096 tcrate@sugarriverbank.com NEW LONDON/ SUNAPEE/ Colleen DeAngelis Mortgage Loan O cer NMLS #2053914 603.526.2060 cdeangelis@sugarriverbank.com NEWPORT/ CLAREMONT Tor Stenberg Loan Originator NMLS #2139989 603.843.6221 tstenberg@sugarriverbank.com CONCORD/ WARNER Ellen Lessard Mortgage Loan O cer NMLS #1597160 603.477.7891 elessard@sugarriverbank.com
Imagine the

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Wood or electric replace?

We have ve electric replaces on display. It represents an alternative to wood for homes that simply can’t have a hole made in the wall. Condos are the best example of this.

What item in your store do you use most?

e Jotul F500 woodstove—great heater, nice ames, burns overnight, and eligible for the tax credit.

Favorite season?

Autumn. at’s when our showroom is full of customers and it makes the day go by quickly! •

Home Comfort Warehouse

54 Bridge Street White River Junction, VT (802) 295-8778

homecomfortwarehouse.com

52 image • Fall 2023
Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 53

Bark N Bath Pet Spa

Dog Grooming-Self Serve WashBoutique

374 Main Street New London, NH (603) 526-2150

Mon–Fri 9am–4pm barknbathpetspa@gmail.com

Optometrist On Premises

255 Newport Road Unit E New London, NH (603) 526-6990

Mon, Tue, u, Fri 9am–5pm Wed & Sat 9am–12pm u 9am–7pm

Sunapee eBikes & More

428 Main Street New London, NH (603) 526-4948

www.sunapeeebikes.com

Tue 9am–4pm, Wed 10am–4pm u & Fri 10am–5pm, Sat 9am–3pm

In-house baked goods made from scratch

Grounds

Baked goods, bagels, smoothies, and more!

374 Main Street New London, NH

(603) 526-6010

Open 7 days a week

Follow us on Social Media for updated hours!

Evelyn J’s Fish Market

1004 Lake Avenue Sunapee, NH (603) 865-5393

Open daily 10am–6pm

Morgan Hill Bookstore

253 Main Street New London, NH (603) 526-5850

www.MorganHillBookstore.com

Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 11am–3pm

Peter Anderson Studio

428 Main Street New London, NH

(603) 229-2629

www.peterandersonstudio.com

Peternh916@gmail.com

Instagram: @peter_anderson_studio

Mon–Fri 11am–4pm Or by appointment

Fosters Fine Jewelry

428 Main Street New London, NH (603) 252-0543

Text Angela

Ear Piercing, Jewelry Repairs, Redesign New and Estate Jewelry

u & Fri 10am–4pm, Sat 10am–2pm Or by appointment

Sunapee Shade and Blind

75 Newport Road Suite 101 New London, NH

(603) 526-2397

Cell (603) 748-5782

www.SunapeeShade.com

54 image • Fall 2023

New London–Lebanon, NH (603) 877-0070

www.newenglandbeautyandwellness.com

By appointment only Now O ering Salon Services!

Stop by to see us making breads, croissants, and bagels by hand daily.

12 Lovering Lane New London, NH (603) 526-2892

www.blueloonbakery.com

Wed–Sun 8am–2pm

O ering catering for weddings, parties, family gatherings, and business meetings.

Candita Clayton Gallery

210 Main Street Across the Street from Tuckers New London, NH (401) 533-8825

www.canditaclaytongallery.com

By appointment or by chance

219 County Road  New London, NH (603) 526-4032

www.Huberts.com

Mon–Fri 9:30am–6pm

Sat 9am–6pm Sun 10am–4pm

GraceHill Construction

11 Pleasant Street New London, NH (603) 748-2804

www.gracehillco.com

All Eyes on You

9 Newport Road New London, NH (603) 748-3011

www.alleyesonyounh.com

Tatewell Gallery

New London Shopping Center 277 Newport Road New London, NH (603) 526-2910

www.tatewell.com

Tue–Fri 10:30am–5:30pm Sat 10:30am–4pm | Closed Sun & Mon

Unleashed Shop In Store or Online Curbside Pickup & Local Delivery Available

277 Newport Road New London, NH (603) 526-2088

www.UnleashedNH.com

Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm Sat 9am–5pm, Closed Sun

Millstone at 74 Main

74 Newport Road New London, NH (603) 526-4201

www.74MainRestaurant.com

Mon–Sat 11:30am–9pm Sun 11am–9pm, Brunch 11am–2pm

Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 55
Hubert’s Family Outfitters New England Beauty & Wellness

A

107 Newport Road New London, NH (603) 526-6711

www.LakeSunapeeVNA.org

Tue–Sat 10am–4pm

11 Pleasant Street New London, NH (603) 526-7866

www.timelesskitchen.com

Flash Photo NH (603) 526-2400

ashphotonh.com

digital@ ashphotonh.com

Design, Printing, Packing & Shipping & More!

Dr. Jessica Eid

Comprehensive Medical Eye Care

255 Newport Road New London, NH (603) 583-4211

www.drdorothy.org

Hours by appointment.

Newport | Grantham | New London Sunapee | Warner | Concord Your Hometown Bank

www.SugarRiverBank.com

Floorcraft

231 NH Route 11 Wilmot, NH (603) 526-2600

www.Floorcra NH.com

Mon–Fri 8am–5pm Sat 8am–1pm

207 Main Street New London, NH (603) 543-7068

4 Mill Road Andover, NH (603) 977-0194

www.re nerynh.com

Wed–Sat 12–9pm

Artist/Curator

23 Jenny Lane New London, NH (310) 266-9904

Images available on website

www.hugoanderson.com

Open studio tour Oct 7–8 10am–3pm

The Renaissance Shoppe resale shop located at and to bene t Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice Timeless Kitchens Dr. Dorothy Hitchmoth Sugar River Bank She’s A Lady Classic Clothing Boutique (located behind Tuckers Restaurant) The Refinery Restaurant & Market Member FDIC - Equal Housing Lender Hugo Anderson MFA
56 image • Fall 2023
Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 57 17 1/2 Lebanon Street, Hanover, New Hampshire | Office: 603.643.6070 | FourSeasonsSIR.com | Each Office is Independently Owned & Operated. $1,350,000 Just Listed 588 NH Route 10 Orford, NH $1,850,000 Just Listed 6 Beauty Hill Road Plainfield, NH Expect personalized attention when it come to all aspects of the listing process. We have the experience and expertise in the current market to advise and tailor to your specific needs. Reach out to Evan or Leah if you’d like to schedule a confidential listing appointment. Evan Pierce C: 201.401.4934 evan.pierce@fourseasonssir.com Leah McLaughry C: 603.359.8622 leah.mclaughry@fourseasonssir.com Facebook.com/Pierce McLaughry Group @piercemclaughrygroup piercemclaughrygroup.com Pierce McLaughry
Group
58 image • Fall 2023
Teaching Artist Charlotte Lamm guides a teenage pottery student in the Clay Studio.

CRAFTSTUDIES MOVES TO WHITE RIVER JUNCTION

A NEW HOME THAT’S JUST RIGHT

CraftStudies appears to have ended up where it was meant to be e 70-year-old arts center recently moved into its new space in White River Junction, Vermont, one of the Upper Valley’s hubs of the creative economy. e center is hoping to serve 1,000 students per year through at least 160 unique classes, workshops, and camps at its new location.

e move across the river is breathing new life into the center, which previously shared space with the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen in Hanover, New Hampshire. ere, for nearly 70 years, CraftStudies annually engaged more than 700 students of all ages through classes, camps, and workshops in the crafts of pottery, jewelry design, basketry, and bookmaking as well as textile and paper arts. In the midst of the global pandemic of 2020, both the crafts center and the League’s gallery space were forced to close. e gallery’s closing became permanent, the building was sold, and CraftStudies converted itself into a separate Vermont nonpro t. It began looking for a new home.

e new location at 87 Maple Street is comparatively spacious, with three connected studios equipped to support the teaching and learning of ceramics, jewelry design, and ber arts. e building is ADA accessible and has direct access to Advance Transit. In addition, it o ers what has become that rarest of amenities in White River Junction—free on-site parking.

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Who Is at the Helm?

In 2021, Lisa Brahms became the center’s executive director. She earned a PhD in Learning Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh, where she focused on informal learning, or how people learn in designed environments outside of schools. Just before joining CraftStudies, she served as the director of education at the Montshire Museum of Science.

In her new position, Lisa is leading a small team of administrators and studio managers, with approximately 20 teaching artists and 30 volunteers. Her sta includes Becca Osborne as clay studio coordinator, Case Hathaway Zepeda as jewelry studio coordinator, Tony Luckino as lead monitor, and Katie Kalata Rusch in a newly created position of creative media manager. Lisa says, “Our studio coordinators keep the studios humming with a lot of heart and hard work in collaboration with our incredible team of dedicated volunteer monitors. Katie’s eye for design and attention to detail have truly raised the bar.”

Welcoming Beginners to Experienced Artists

Classes at CraftStudies are varied and numerous, and to judge by the number of “sold out” notices on its website, extremely popular. e three studios—pottery, jewelry, and ber arts—welcome all levels of skill, from rank beginners to experienced artists. For example,

60 image • Fall 2023
Below, left to right: Creative Media Manager Katie Kalata Rusch, Executive Director Lisa Brahms, and Clay Studio Coordinator Becca Osborne.
Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 61
Clockwise from above left: Teaching Artist Kerstin Nichols facilitates Jewelry Design for Teens. A student shapes a vessel on the pottery wheel. A student trims a pot. A student explores metal patterning. Two students use hammers to form jewelry.
62 image • Fall 2023
1. Teaching Artist Emma Percy demonstrates a stitching during a bookbinding class. 2. Teaching Artist Molly Morin assists a student with a needle felting project. 3. Volunteers Anne Webster Grant and Amy Marcoux help community members make buttons.
• 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8
4. Teaching Artist Eric Moore demonstrates throwing on the wheel. 5. A teen jewelry student a s efo e sol e n . 6, 7, 8. Teen pottery students.

Introduction to Hand-Building Bowls starts with the basics; other courses o er Intermediate and Advanced Wheel Work, and “an intensive, weeklong workshop in Wheel rowing.”

Instructor Eric Moore notes how satisfying it is for both student and teacher “to witness the progression from the rst class to the last one. I had a student who, by the end of the rst class, didn’t have a single nished piece made. Fast-forward only six weeks later and he was able to not only produce quite a handful of pots but also started experimenting with surface decoration, handle attachments, and glazes! I am constantly in awe of how fast people can catch on to pottery.”

Rosemary Orgren, metalsmith and a longtime board member, nds that classes provide “a thrill and pride in being able to safely use a torch to create pieces of jewelry . . . along with learning to use a number of other tools, some of which seem, at rst, exotic.”

New to jewelry making? Try the Introduction to Jewelry Series. An introductory fabrics arts course, Sewing Basics promises to grow your sewing con dence in making everything from pillowcases to tote bags. en there are the courses that catch the eye for their unexpectedness: Wooden Spoon Making, maybe, but how about Squire Boots, in which you’re invited to design and create your own pair of leather boots?

Charlotte Lamm teaches classes for teens and tweens. She is among the teachers at CraftStudies who actually began as students, in her case, as a preteen. “Being a teacher allows me to create a place where kids feel safe and comfortable to express themselves and have fun. As a former student of this organization, I know how valuable that is for growing teens. CraftStudies was a safe space for me growing up and I want to provide that for as many young artists as I can.”

Community Partnerships

CraftStudies also hosts community events. is past summer it joined with the Town of Hartford’s summer concert series at Lyman Point Park; concertgoers sampled crafts such as button-making and napkin-dyeing.

Our expanded showroom displays both the beautiful and unique jewelry we make right in our shop, as well as a carefully curated collection of jewelry from artisans around the world.

Top Left: Mountain pendant in 14K white gold, with bezel set multi-colored Montana sapphire and diamond moon.

Bottom Left: Pemi Collection cat’s eye tourmaline ring with 14K yellow gold wide textured band and flush set color- treated apple green and dark green diamonds.

Above: Moonstone pendant in14K white gold with sapphire halo and tsavorite garnet milgrained bail.

Below: Pemi Collection Pebble stud earrings in 14K yellow gold with rustic yellow rose cut pentagon diamond

Diamonds Custom Design Repairs

55 North Park Street, Lebanon,NH 03766

CALL/ TEXT: 603- 448- 4106 • design@dutilles.com

VISIT US ON: Facebook • Instagram • dutilles.com

2023 Holiday Decorator Showhouse

November 4-12

Tour the festively decorated Historic House Weekends:10am-3pm and Weekdays:1-3pm

~ Holiday Gift Boutique

~ Dining Room Café - Open Weekends

~ Preview Gala: Nov 3, 5:30-7:30pm

~ Ladies Night: Nov. 8, 6-8pm

~ Family Night: Nov 10, 6-8pm

For details and tickets visit www.thefells.org or call 603-763-4789 x3.

On Lake Sunapee 456 Route 103A, Newbury, NH

Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 63
©2023
Scan the QR code to view these pieces and more on our website.
The Fells Christmas
at

O ered in partnership with rePlay Arts, an art supplies Swap, Drop, and Shop day encouraged all to bring gently used items needing a new home: leftover wallpaper, upholstery books, paints, crayons, stencils, sewing supplies, beads and jewelry clasps, a spare easel. Prices were pay-what-youwant and sometimes free. e summer was replete with numerous camps for kids. And students who have previously taken classes at CraftStudies spend uninterrupted time working on their own projects in the studio. is autumn (October 21) will see the return of BowlFest, in which customers purchase a handmade bowl, sculpted by CraftStudies’ teaching artists and volunteers, which is then lled with food. Proceeds from the event bene t CraftStudies’ scholarship program and local organizations ghting food insecurity. A move across the state line and the proximity of other arts venues in White River Junction means that CraftStudies’ future plans include community collaboration. Teaching Artist Tony Luckino teaches a pottery class in partnership with Bugbee Senior Center and says, “I really enjoy working with creative seniors. ey come to class with varied art backgrounds or sometimes with no experience at all, but all have stories to tell and a willingness to try something new.”

e work of forging alliances is already well underway as CraftStudies is partnering with the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, the Hartford Parks & Recreation Department, and the Hartford Public Schools, as well as Junction Fiber Mill, White River Ballet Academy, and rePlay Arts and local artists. Lisa Brahms sees it as a continuing and ever-growing endeavor: “We look forward to expanding such partnerships and pathways for community participation in the months and years ahead.” •

CraftStudies

87 Maple Street White River Junction, VT (802) 281-6804

craftstudies.org

64 image • F all 2023

Not Your Grandpa’s Co-op,

At the Co-op, we’re building somthing new while still sticking to the core values that started it all. Whether it’s the oodles of local products, our new rewards program that pays members back for shopping with us and supporting local, or the fact that once you’re a member, you’re part of the Co-op family for life! Think of it as your cool Grandparents’s co-op for a new generation.

coopfoodstore.coop Hanover | Lebanon | White River Jct.
to support local
Lookfortheleaf

A RAINBOW

66 image • Fall 2023

OF GLASS

Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 67

anet c eates these at eco at e an ala l e han n t eas es t a t onall calle on elles n an a a of colo s an st les.

68 image • Fall 2023

When Janet Zug sets to work creating her exquisite handblown glass objects, she does so with two emotions in the forefront of her mind. e rst is the pleasure that comes from knowing that the works she is about to create will become treasured possessions for the people who buy them. She explains, “I love knowing that people will nd joy in something I made.”

e second emotion is gratitude for all who have helped her to achieve her best life: that of an independent artist with enough success to have freedom to make her own choices. “I am grateful for the support I have received,” Janet says.

Recipients of her thanks include Simon Pearce, head of the glass-making behemoth carrying his name based in Quechee and Windsor, Vermont. Simon o ered the 22-year-old Janet a glass-blowing apprenticeship in 1990. “ ey o ered me a job at the rst interview,” Janet remembers. at was how she learned the basics of glassblowing, and she remains grateful to the entrepreneur. Also guring prominently in Janet’s constellation of gratitude is Bob Burch, a Putney, Vermont–based glassblower who rst inspired Janet to strike out on her own, which she did in 1992.

Over the next 12 years she rented time in glassblowing shops in 14 states, “some in New England while I was based at home in Tunbridge and others while traveling across the country, exploring and van camping. I brought my tools with me and would ship orders from wherever I was.” In 2004, she built her own glassblowing studio back home in Vermont.

Vases Were Just the Beginning

e rst product that Janet designed is still in her product line today: a attened pendant vase designed to hang in a window. Called the Amphora, it is available in three sizes, and like most of Janet’s products, comes in a dazzling array of colors.

Janet describes the Amphora as “the rst piece I designed when I started my

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Clockwise from top left: In the “hot shop” Janet completes one of he s nat e han n ases an n ates a o l th o h the lo p pe. h ee photos sho the c eat on an heat n of the ste an a t on of the colo an foot fo one of he ne ne lasses.

glassblowing business in 1992, and they’re still at the top of the bestselling list.”

Over the years, Janet has added other vases to her product line. ese additions include the Twister, a tall square vase which Janet twists while the glass is still hot and malleable, creating a unique shape that ares out slightly at the top. Also available are what Janet calls her Jubilants and Jesters, vases similar in their teardrop design to the Amphora but designed to sit on a tabletop. e Jubilants have an opening that points straight up, while the Jesters sport a top that curves rakishly to the side. e largest of the Jesters, at almost 14 inches, is the biggest item in Janet’s product line.

While Janet’s business is dominated by the vases, she also makes a variety of drinking glasses, bowls, oil lamps, ornaments, and lampshades. Recently she has created a striking new line of stemware for which she has high hopes. Everything comes in a variety of sizes and colors and is viewable on Janet’s webpage, zugglass.com.

Visiting the Studio

You can also visit Janet’s studio and view her products in person. She is located at 168 Dickerman Hill Road in

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Clockwise from above: Janet’s original design, the Amphora Hanging Vases. Her Mini Jester Vases create a heart when displayed together. Brandnew stemware, one with a spiral and one without. Cascading diamond ornaments offer sparkle to any scene. All Zug Glass globes and ornaments are suitable for outdoor use.

Outdoor Adventures

855-685-2151

Fourteen The Green | Woodstock, VT woodstockinn.com

Tunbridge and asks only that you contact her in person before you arrive, (802) 7389602 (voice or text). Between anksgiving and Christmas, Janet holds open studio hours on Saturdays from 9am until 3pm, when all are welcome to stop in. Her products can also be seen and purchased at the Long River Gallery inside the Hotel Coolidge in White River Junction, the South Royalton (Vermont) Market, and the Chef’s Market in Randolph, Vermont. Prices range from $28 to $275.

If you are interested in gaining a deeper experience of glassblowing, Janet is o ering glassblowing lessons again, after a COVID-related pause. During the class, each student will have a choice of making either a paperweight or a cup. Contact Janet for pricing on the lessons.

Realities of the Creative Life

Watching Janet blow glass might give you the pleasant illusion that you now know what it is like to be an independent artisan, peacefully working away at your beloved craft surrounded by the majesty of the Green Mountains. On a recent visit to the studio, I was struck by how di erent this fantasy-view of the artisan’s life is from the

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The Jester Vases lean back playfully. These bud vases work well grouped to create a friendly sculpture. Orvis Tennis � Falconry � Fly-Fishing & Outdoor Gear Shop Fine Dining � Stay & Play Packages Elegant accommodations and exciting recreation offerings converge with exceptional culinary experiences at Vermont’s most beautiful address.

reality. For starters, Janet runs her glass furnace for about half the year. During the non-glassblowing months, she spends her time processing the goodies she has created and accomplishing the other critical tasks of managing her business. “Whether I am in the studio or not, my mind is always churning Zug Glass Studio,” Janet remarks.

One impression I have from visiting Janet’s studio is how solitary her work seems to be. It’s a one-woman operation and she does practically everything herself. Some might nd it a lonely life, but I don’t think it is for Janet. She lives surrounded by her family and is engaged with her community, editing a local newsletter, e Tunbridge Quarterly, for the past 17 years and organizing monthly Rock ’n’ Roll Shindigs at the Tunbridge town hall since 2008. rough sheer determination and tons of e ort, Janet Zug makes it all work. •

Zug Glass Studio

168 Dickerman Hill Road

Chelsea, VT

(802) 738-9602

zugglass.com

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Rainbow ornaments add a splash of color to any setting.
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The Elms Restaurant & Bar, located at the New London Inn, opened June 8 to much fanfare and anticipation.

The New London Inn

WHERE TRADITIONAL CHARM AND CONTEMPORARY COMFORT MEET

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Solid, some might even call it massive, the New London Inn is the grand dame of Main Street. It has been the site of countless graduation dinners, birthdays, and anniversary celebrations. It’s also been a haven on those nights when you just don’t feel like cooking. e inn has been a home away from home for antiquers, hikers, swimmers, boaters, leaf peepers, and skiers. Generations of honeymooners have spent their rst night of married life there. While most visitors spend a few nights, Calvin Sargent lived there for 26 years. e inn has been serving tourists, travelers, and townspeople, not for decades but for centuries.

A Long History

Longtime residents and visitors will recognize many of the names of early owners. Nineteen-year-old Ezekiel Sargent (great-grandfather of the aforementioned Calvin) built the original farmhouse in 1792. Herman Currier was the rst innkeeper, adding the third story and turning the property into a hotel in 1870. Called the Elms under Currier, it became the Hotel Sargent after Ezekiel’s grandnephew Walter bought the inn in 1895.

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The creative minds behind the Elms, owners Matthew Meidinger (left) and Danny Bortnick.
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Left: The stunning dining room features handmade walnut tables from Vermont Farm Table. Bottom left: Beautifully manicured gardens surround the expansive front porch, ideal for dining. Bottom right: Diners enjoy their meals, courtesy of Executive Chef Ken Cazenas.

Clockwise from top right: The Ivy Room, a private event space featuring stunning installations from the tea at local o st ll oops. ec t e hef en a enas. ne atthe e n e c afts coc ta ls n e the atchf l e es of local es ents. ocal e a psh e an te fi eplace th a han he n antle a e f o a fallen el t ee. The community gathers at the Elms a . ene al ana e ate olt.

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Early in the 20th century it became the New London Inn and, in spite of passing through several owners, the name stuck. Twentiethcentury owners and managers included Colby Academy (now Colby-Sawyer College), investor Harry Nichols, stagecoach operator Charles E. Shepard, and Frank and Lois Conklin. More recently, Bridget Leroy, whose family famously ran Tavern on the Green, the Russian Tea Room, and Maxwell Plums in New York, and local state representative and real estate investor Dan Wolf have overseen the inn’s hospitality.

Over the inn’s 240-plus year history, it has been enlarged, updated, recon gured, and remodeled. Such ne luxuries as central heating, indoor plumbing, and electric lights were added. At various times, there has been a stable to accommodate horses and carriages as well as chau eurs’ quarters. In 1916, the inn boasted 50 rooms (with shared bath at the end of the hall.) at number has shrunk to 23 spacious rooms and junior suites, all with private baths.

New Owners and Fresh Updates

Last October, the inn once again changed hands when a partnership between Verdigreen Hotels and Heartwood Hospitality acquired both the New London Inn and the Inn at Pleasant Lake. Husband-and-wife team Travis and Azie Shelhorse of Verdigreen Hotels bring critical experience and expertise in hotel management, corporate nance, real estate, and design. Along with the two inns in New London, Verdigreen owns half a dozen boutique properties in New York, Florida, and Washington, DC.

Longtime friends Matthew Meidinger and Danny Bortnick own Heartwood Hospitality. After several years in restaurant and bar management with Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants at both front and back of the house, their consultancy provides operations and marketing strategy, planning, and execution to new and faltering establishments. e foursome is both excited and humbled by their plunge into New London’s hotel and restaurant market. “We are shepherds of this amazing historic property,” says Matt. “We have to thread a very ne needle of

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honoring tradition while providing guests with contemporary comforts and cuisine.” is past spring, the team completed their rst major renovation projects—the dining room and lobby. Both areas are fresh, bright, and open. Matt says, “Everything is custom (except the chairs—the lead time was too long) and produced by local and regional contractors and artisans.”

In addition to new oors, furnishings, paint, paper, and replace surround, the menus have been updated. Matt says, “ e inn’s restaurant had a strong following for many years. but it was on the back end of its success. We are excited by the opportunity to rebuild and rejuvenate it.” Along with new décor and a new menu, the restaurant has a new name, the Elms.

Kate Holt is the new general manager at the inn. Originally from Ohio, Kate has lived on the west coast for many years. “ is is my rst time living in a small town. e people here have been very kind and welcoming,” she says. Matt agrees. e Meidingers currently live in California but are considering a move to New Hampshire. “Everyone has been great,” he says. “We are looking forward to becoming an integral part of the community.”

New London’s Kitchen and Dining Room

Matt believes the inn has the potential to be New London’s kitchen and dining room, a place for the community to gather and feel comfortable and welcome. “We look to straddle the line of being both approachable and special. We hope guests will come to celebrate special occasions and milestones. In addition, we want to be a place you can stop in after golf or work for a burger and a beer.” Kate agrees. “We are proud of what we do. We want the community to know that they can come to the Elms and enjoy a good meal and a good cocktail or glass of wine.”

Ken Cazeñas is the new executive chef at the Elms. Born in Saudi Arabia of Filipino descent and raised in Los Angeles, he learned to cook and to love food and cooking from his grandmother. “Growing up, I was the youngest of four kids and spent a lot of time at the market and in the kitchen with my grandmother,” Chef Ken says. “Cooking with her was all about fresh, local ingredients and simple, straightforward techniques

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and recipes.” From the humble start in his grandmother’s kitchen, Chef Ken has graduated to ne-dining restaurants and hotels in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Hong Kong. He took a break from corporate hospitality for a few years in 2018 to operate a cozy guest house and farm-to-table restaurant on a beach in the Philippines.

Chef Ken chooses his words deliberately when discussing his cooking style and philosophy. When designing a menu, he looks at the ingredients rst. Based on what’s in season, he decides what to cook. Avoiding showy or ostentatious presentation, his dishes are thoughtful, clean, and straightforward. Following the advice of Mahatma Gandhi to “Speak only if it improves upon the silence,” he stays away from frills, fads, and extraneous additions or fussy details. Each dish is designed to bring together a balance of avors and techniques. Elms diners can expect menus to change with the seasons and focus on local products when possible. Chef Ken has already fallen in love with northern New England. Most dishes coming from the Elms’ kitchen will be familiar, lighter versions of traditional New England fare.

If you have guests coming to visit or need a night out, be sure to put the New London Inn and the Elms Restaurant and Bar on your list of places to be this fall. Whether you stop in for a beer after a leafpeeping hike or bring the family for the opulent anksgiving bu et, you will be welcomed with superb service, comfortable surroundings, and a re ned but never stu y menu. •

The New London Inn

353 Main Street

New London, NH

(603) 526-2791

www.thenewlondoninn.com

www.theelmsrestaurant.com

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Putnam’s vine/yard

Putnam’s vine/yard is a wine bar and shop featuring bottles to take home as well as houseplants and gifts for the plant-lover. Located in a historic Vermont railyard, the Putnam’s vine/ yard secret garden is the perfect place to catch up with friends or find a quiet spot to relax with a great book and glass of wine. We are family friendly with an assortment of wooden toys, and we serve nonalcoholic beverages including pour-over coffee and imported artisanal teas. Check out the vent Calendar on our website for upcoming Wine School & Vine School Classes, as well as pop-ups from local food purveyors and artists. Stop by every Saturday between 10am and 2pm for our Satur-YAY Mimosa Flights!

188 South Main Street, Unit 110 White River Junction, VT (802) 899-0405

www.putnamsvineyard.com

Big Fatty’s BBQ

Centrally located in White River Junction, Vermont, Big Fatty’s BBQ is the Upper Valley’s premiere barbecue and craft beer destination. Featuring freshly cooked meats and homemade sides, Big Fatty’s continues to delight locals and visitors alike. With live music every Friday and Saturday night, themed events, and tap takeovers, there’s no shortage of entertainment! Want to take something home? Check out Big Fatty’s Crowler Pit located right next door for Big Fatty’s merchandise and to stock up on all your favorite craft beer!

186 South Main Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 295-5513

www.bigfattybbq.com

Upper Valley Food Co-op

The Upper Valley Food Co-op is an independent co-op located in downtown White River Junction. We focus on products that are local, organic, fair trade, and minimally packaged. We have a strong commitment to local farmers and producers, and you’ll find local products in every department of the store.

193 North Main Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 295-5804

85 North Main Street White River Junction, VT (802) 295-3312

www.thymevermont.com

Wed–Sat 5–8:30pm

Patio Dining Private Room Reservations suggested

Fine Arts & Antiques

85 Gates Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 457-1764

www.woodblock-prints.com

Fri–Sat 11am–4pm or by appointment

C&S Pizza

104 South Main Street White River Junction, VT (802) 295-5622

Mon–Thu 11am–8pm

Fri & Sat 11am–9pm Closed Sun

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Steven Thomas, Inc. Thyme Restaurant

Flourish Beauty Lab

4 North Main Street White River Junction, VT (802) 291-3709

www.flourishbeautylab.com

Tue–Fri 10am–5:15pm

Mon & Sat 10am–3pm

We’re Making Tracks!

Junction Frame Shop

Junction Frame Shop has been a steadfast part of downtown White River Junction since 1985. That’s 38 years of providing creative picture framing for all tastes and budgets.

55 South Main Street White River Junction, VT (802) 458-0569

www.junctionframeshop.com

Mon–Fri 9am–5pm Sat 9am–3pm

Tuckerbox

Tip Top Pottery

85 North Main Street, Suite 110 White River Junction, VT (802) 280-1700

www.tiptoppottery.com

Tue & Wed 10am–6pm, Thu & Fri 10am–9pm, Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 10am–3pm, Closed Mon

Tuckerbox is located in the heart of downtown White River Junction. A community gathering place with exceptional coffee, exceptional service, and truly authentic Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. We are working every day to go above and beyond in keeping our environment safe and clean for all our guests and our employees. Make reservations now for socially distanced indoor and outdoor dining. We look forward to seeing all our wonderful guests again, from a safe distance of course, and with plenty of hand sanitizer.

1 South Main Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 359-4041

www.tuckerboxvermont.com

Oodles

Oodles is full of out-of-the-ordinary cool stuff. A collection of all things wonderful . . . from clothing to one-of-a-kind jewelry, antiques, furniture, arts and crafts, and more. It’s not just about the treasures you’ll find—it’s the experience you’ll have. Come meet Petey, the shop dog—he’ll have you at hello!

85 North Main Street

Northern Stage

74 Gates Street White River Junction, VT (802) 296-7000

www.northernstage.org

Box Office Hours: Mon–Fri 12–5pm Performances: Wed–Sun

TipTop Building, Suite 150 White River Junction, VT (802) 296-6636

Wed–Sat 11am–4pm

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84 image • Fall 2023
Left: The author steps off a footbridge to the Throne, a scenic perch that’s part of the Royal Gorge via ferrata. Right: View of the Arkansas River from the starting point (bottom) of the Royal Ridge route.

ROYAL GORGE

Rock climbing on the Royal Gorge Via Ferrata

UP , UP, and UP!

Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 85 ACTIVE LIFE

Ipaused with my right foot on a piece of protruding rebar. e ngers of both hands clung to tiny two-inch shelves in the rock wall. My left foot was wedged into a scraggly crack that held it like granite Velcro. e two carabiners connected to my harness by four-foot lengths of climbing rope relaxed on the cable beside me as I contemplated my next move.

“Look down!” shouted Andy, one of my climbing partners. I knew better but obliged out of curiosity. I glanced past at my right foot, which was poised a dizzying 800 feet above the roiling Arkansas River where it squeezed through Royal Gorge near Canon City, Colorado. I was partway up a cli on a via ferrata called Royal Ridge within Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. Perhaps Andy, who owned Echo Canyon River Expeditions, the local whitewater rafting company with whom I planned to run that very stretch of river the next day, thought I might enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the rapids.

While I’m not afraid of heights, looking down made me realize how much exposure I had on that particular vertical wall. It was enough to make the average rock climber wet his climbing pants, and I’m well below that skill level. While I’ve done some rock climbing and know the basics, my experience is limited to a half-dozen technical ascents over my six decades, counting this via ferrata. “Don’t make a mistake,” I gulped to myself.

e Place

Royal Gorge is a 1,000-foot-deep canyon carved out millions of years ago as pebbles and sediments washed down the Arkansas River. Its granite and gneiss walls date from the Precambrian era, four billion years ago. A hundred-million years ago, when the climate was much wetter in southeastern Colorado, dinosaurs like stegosaurus and brontosaurus roamed this area. Much later the Ute Indian Tribe wintered in the canyon, and several other Plains tribes hunted bison there.

In 1928, Lon Piper, a bridge builder from San Antonio, Texas, visited Royal Gorge and was inspired to build a span across it mainly for the incredible view. Work began in 1929 on what would become the world’s highest suspension bridge, a claim that endured for another 70-plus years.

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ACTIVE LIFE
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Clockwise from left: The author moments after completing the Royal Ridge via ferrata. Two climbers make their way up one of many nearvertical walls. A lookout hut on the top of the final ascent.

It was an engineering marvel at the time and an instant tourist attraction.

Today, the bridge is part of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, owned and maintained by Canon City. e bridge is still the main tourist attraction. Flags from every state y from its railings, welcoming visitors and providing photo opps.

ough able to handle cars, the 18-foot-wide, 1,290-foot-long bridge is for pedestrians only and leads to a menu of adrenaline rushes that allow thrill-seekers to y over and climb up the gorge. e Royal Rush Skycoaster swings visitors like human pendulums over the cli edge. A zip line and a gondola transport people over the void, and the via ferratas take climbers from deep in the canyon up to its rim.

Via ferrata is Italian for “iron way.” e rst ones were built in the Dolomites during World War I to allow soldiers to ferry supplies up vertical terrain.

e climber wears a normal climbing harness connected to a short tether (or two tethers in the case of the Royal Gorge via ferratas). A carabiner at the other end of the tether clips onto a series of permanent cables separated by xed bolts in the rock. To protect himself from a life-threatening fall, the climber unclips the carabiner(s) just below each bolt, then reclips it above the bolt as he make his way upward.

MORE INFO

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park: royalgorgebridge.com

Getting There: Fly to Colorado Springs, Colorado, then rent a car to drive to Canon City (about 50 miles).

Recommended Lodging: Rent a luxury cabin or glamp in a wall tent at Echo Canyon River Expeditions (four miles from Royal Gorge Bridge and Park). Good food there, too! www.raftecho.com

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ACTIVE ACTIVE LIFE
Clockwise from top left: Visitors stroll across the historic Royal Gorge Bridge. View into the gorge from the bridge. A gondola crosses the gorge, one of the attractions at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park.
Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 89 ACTIVE LIFE

I’ve always wanted to try a via ferrata. Royal Gorge was my chance. Given my limited rock climbing experience, I liked the idea of something guaranteed to hold onto. In addition to cables, the via ferrata routes in Royal Gorge have steel rungs that look like staples in the rock. A climber can grab or step onto one of these staples at spots where the route has no apparent handhold or foothold.

e Climb

Don, my guide, out tted me with a harness and a helmet, then I followed Andy and him down a steep footpath dropping about 600 feet into Royal Gorge canyon to the start of the route. We could see bighorn sheep grazing here and there. Cactus bloomed beside the trail. It felt good to hike. I peered at the cli s that rose taller and taller around me with each descending step, wondering which one we were destined to scale.

As an introduction, we crossed an eightinch-wide metal footbridge to a rock perch known as the rone. From the rone, Royal Gorge, with its tall Gothic walls and layers of jagged mountaintops, resembled a massive rock palace. e Arkansas River owed like a white, frayed ribbon 400 precipitous feet below the ledge on which I stood. e hard rock felt good beneath my climbing shoes.

I followed Don and Andy back across the bridge to the start of Royal Ridge, rated the most demanding of the via ferrata routes in the gorge. After watching me climb a training route prior to our hike, Don felt I was skilled enough to handle it. I trusted his judgement, though I wondered anxiously about what lay ahead.

90 image • F all 2023
ACTIVE LIFE

As Don clipped onto the cable, I could see a series of vertical walls above us separated by a few small ledges and ending at the rim of the canyon. It was a long way up!

Don and then Andy navigated their way up the rst rock face. I clicked my two carabiners onto the rst cable and followed them, reaching up to an iron staple. Instantly, my brain shut out everything but the task of climbing. Left foot on a staple. Right foot a little higher. Reach with the right hand, then with the left. Move my protection over the bolt. Reach to the crack . . . . Rock climbing required my total attention. It put me in the moment, demanding as much mental as physical output. ough hardcore rock climbers might consider via ferratas to be cheating compared to traditional rock climbing with a rope, Royal Ridge was hardly easy.

As I moved up and up, the sun also rose in the sky, heating the canyon. e heat intensi ed by the minute. Sweat rolled down my back and into my eyes. I ignored it, looking for the next staple or divot to grab or step on. e crux of the climb was a 60-foot wall, then a smaller one to the rim. I slowly, methodically made my way upward. Fatigue nagged at me. I reminded myself to be decisive with each move.

When I nally reached the rim, a wave of elation swept over me. I did it! Don and Andy, who were just ahead of me, gave me high ves while a few spectators cheered. While a via ferrata might seem pedestrian to a world-class rock climber, it upped the ante in a thrilling but not quite as deathdefying way for me. It was challenging but also con dence-building. Would I do it again? Gladly! •

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Bighorn sheep commonly graze near the top of Royal Gorge near the via ferrata training route.

NATHAN WECHSLER & COMPANY APPOINTS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR

Helping businesses determine their best nancial strategies gives Kelli D’Amore great satisfaction. “ e clients and the relationships we’ve built over the years make the job interesting and meaningful. ere are a lot of unique businesses in New Hampshire, and the people I meet make the work a lot more fun,” says Kelli, who was named managing director at Nathan Wechsler & Company, a full-service accounting and tax rm with locations in Concord, Keene, and Lebanon.

“I’m very proud of this rm. I have a lot of history with Nathan Wechsler and strong relationships within the company,” says Kelli, the rst female to lead the company in its 66-year history. “It’s exciting. I hope to continue to bring strong leadership to the rm and remain committed to our direction of growth and independence.”

Teamwork Is Critical

Kelli leads a team of 50 from the Concord o ce at 70 Commercial Street, where she began her career in 1999, leading its niche practice area for nonpro ts and working with many clients in construction and manufacturing. “Teamwork in our profession is critical. We want to continue having open, honest dialogue and transparency in the organization

so everyone is pulling in the same direction,” says Kelli. She is looking forward to helping her team develop and grow. “We are also focused on maintaining a life-work balance for our sta so they enjoy working with our amazing clients and have plenty of time to spend with their family.”

Traditions and Community

While earning a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Southern New Hampshire University, Kelli pursued private accounting before transitioning to public accounting. She’s a member of the American Institute of Certi ed Public Accountants (AICPA) and the New Hampshire Society of CPAs (NHSCPA).

“I look forward to upholding our key traditions and our status

as a respected member of the local community,” says Kelli, who has served on the board of local organizations including Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, the Capital Region Board of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Plan New Hampshire, and Associated Builders and Contractors of New Hampshire/Vermont.

Away from work, Kelli, a Deer eld resident, spends time with her husband Matt and their adult daughter and son and their growing families, including two young granddaughters. She’s a New England Patriots fan and a nature enthusiast. In summer she kayaks on New Hampshire lakes and rivers and in winter, she enjoys snowshoeing. “I like being outside.” •

92 image • Fall 2023
BUSINESS SENSE
KELLI D’AMORE LEADS WITH PRIDE AND COMMITMENT
Local decisions. Expert lending solutions. It’s our committment to you. 106 North Main Street West Lebanon, NH 800-992-0316 claremontsavings.bank FDIC Member Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 93  Westphalen
WWW.WAGNERHODGSON.COM
Photography
DESIGNING SIMPLE, ELEGANT LANDSCAPES THROUGHOUT NEW ENGLAND
94 image • Fall 2023

Fall | 202

September 25

Children’s Arts Series:

rough September 23 Linda Roesch: A Lifetime ofUn nishedDiscovery AVA Gallery avagallery.org

rough October 9

Exhibit: ASilentDialogue with Nature e Fells thefells.org

rough October 9

Exhibit: eArtist’sEyeand the Poet’s Words e Fells thefells.org

rough October 9

History Exhibit: eManyFacetedLifeofJohnHay e Fells thefells.org

September 24

An Afternoon of Sculpture and Dance with Ballet Misha e Fells, 1pm thefells.org

September 24

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner e Fells, 4pm thefells.org

September 23–24

Fairy House Festival 2023

Join us for our annual celebration of nature! e Nature Museum nature-museum.org

September 25

Children’s Arts Series: Ted Scheu, Poetry Guy Ted will share a couple of his own poems, but mostly he will encourage all participants to discover their own poetic voices. e Fells, 4pm thefells.org

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rough September 23, Linda Roesch: ALifetimeofUn nishedDiscovery Ted Scheu, Poetry Guy September 23–24, Fairy House Festival 2023

September 29

Ana Popovic

September 29

Ana Popovic

Claremont Opera House, 8pm cohnh.org

October 1

Fungi Foray

Maynard Wheeler and members of the Montshire Mushroom Club present an introduction to fungi for beginners followed by a foray amid the rich Fells woodlands. e Fells, 1pm thefells.org

October 6–8, 13–15 Scotland Road

In the last decade of the 20th century, a beautiful young woman in 19th-century cloth-

ing is found oating on an iceberg in the middle of the North Atlantic. When rescued, she says only one word: Titanic. e woman, Winifred, is taken to an isolated spot on the coast of Maine where an expert on the sinking of the liner, a mysterious man named John, has arranged to interrogate her for six days. His goal: to crack her story, get her to confess she’s a fake, and reveal her true identity. Old Church eater oldchurchtheater.org

October 8

18th Annual Pumpkin Festival Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center, 10am–3pm cedarcirclefarm.org

96 image • Fall 2023 THE PICK

October 27

Newberry & Verch

October 10

e Nature of Oaks with Doug Tallamy

An oak tree supports more lifeforms than any other tree in North America. Learn how to plant and care for them on your property to support a wide web of native species. e Nature Museum, 7pm nature-museum.org

October 11–29

SellingKabul

Kabul, Afghanistan, 2021: Taroon, a former United States military interpreter, is hiding from the Taliban at his sister’s apartment in the wake of the American troop withdrawal. On the eve of his son’s birth, Taroon is faced with an impossible decision: stay with his family or escape to safety. Sylvia Khoury’s gripping thriller is an emotional and poetic family love story about sacri ce and strength discovered under extreme circumstances. Barrette Center for the Arts northernstage.org

October 13

Comedian Brian Glowacki

Lebanon Opera House, 7:30pm lebanonoperahouse.org

October 14–15

Oval Box Making

Learn how to make your own nest of Shaker oval boxes in our Shaker Oval Box Making Workshop. Guided by box maker Eric Pintar of the Home Shop in Charlotte, Michigan, you will make ve Shaker oval nesting boxes from Pennsylvania cherry wood. e class will focus on preparing the wood, cutting swallowtail ngers, steam bending the sides and rims, and applying a hand-rubbed nish. ese iconic Shaker oval boxes are made with copper tacks and wooden pegs using the same techniques practiced by the Shaker brothers in their workshops. No previous woodworking experience necessary. Beginners are welcome! En eld Shaker Museum, 8:30am shakermuseum.org

October 21

BowlFest is family-friendly event features delicious food served in one-of-a-kind bowls sculpted by CraftStudies’ teaching artists, volunteers, and local community members. Proceeds from the event bene t CraftStudies’ scholarship program and local organizations ghting food insecurity in the Upper Valley. CraftStudies, 4–7pm craftstudies.org

October 21

WailOn: Tribute to Real Country and Outlaw Music

Claremont Opera House, 8pm cohnh.org

October 22

Children’s Arts Series: Fairy House Pumpkin Making

Join us for this fun craft activity that combines a scavenger hunt for materials with the decorating of the pumpkin fairy houses. Take your pumpkin houses home or place them in our Fairy Village. e Fells, 2pm thefells.org

October 27

Newberry & Verch

Lebanon Opera House, 7:30pm lebanonoperahouse.org

Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 97

We're still here on the mall in Lebanon, ready to Make you

November 3

Christmas at e Fells

Preview Gala

November 2, December 7

First ursday Hike at e Fells

e Fells, 11am thefells.org

November 3

Christmas at e Fells Preview Gala

Enjoy holiday cheer and sumptuous appetizers. Mingle with the decorators and shop ahead of the crowds. You won’t want to miss this magical evening.

e Fells, 5:30pm thefells.org

November 4

e Growth of Trees with Michael Wojtech Learn how trees interact with their environment across days, weeks, seasons, and years and over varying scales.

e Nature Museum, 10am nature-museum.org

November 4

Herbs for Home and Hearth

In Herbs for Home and Health you will learn about many varieties of herbs and how they can be used to make natural products for your home and body. You will have an opportunity to experiment with many di erent herbs from the museum’s herb garden, owers, seeds, spices, and barks to create a custom blend that can be made into teas, tonics, and tinctures for your well-being.

En eld Shaker Museum, 1pm shakermuseum.org

November 4–12

Christmas at e Fells: Holiday Decorator Showhouse and Boutique

e Fells thefells.org

November 8

Christmas at e Fells: Ladies’ Night

e Fells, 6pm thefells.org

November 21–December 31

A Christmas Carol Barrette Center for the Arts northernstage.org

98 image • Fall 2023 THE PICK

September 26 & 27, Johnny Gandelsman

September 26

Resident Artist Reception: Welcome to is is America with Johnny Gandelsman

Join us to kick o the Grammy awardwinning violinist and producer’s yearlong residency at the Hop and the rst time his anthology is is America is presented as a whole.

Nearburg Art Forum, 6:30pm

September 26 is is America: Part I

Over the course of a yearlong residency at the Hop, violinist and former member of Silkroad Ensemble Johnny Gandelsman performs the entire anthology for the rst time and expands the project with four new Hop-commissioned pieces. Former resident artist Carla Kihlstedt will return to the Hop to shed light on her work. Church of Christ Dartmouth, 7:30pm

September 27

is is America: Part I: An Evening of Food and Music with Johnny Gandelsman

Gather at the beautiful artist retreat for an anthology of compelling new works for the virtuoso violinist, including a Hop commission.

Avaloch Farm Music Institute, 6pm

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(603) 646-2422 646-2422 or visit hop.dartmouth.edu.

October 5–8, Frogman

October 5–8

Frogman

From double Fringe First winners

Curious Directive comes this groundbreaking theatrical experience exploring the fragility of childhood imagination. Known for linking theater and science, the company created a truly unique experience that brings together elements of time travel, scuba diving, and a murder mystery told through virtual reality and live performance.

BVAC Film Studio

October 21

Met Opera in HD: DeadManWalking

Jake Heggie’s powerful work has its highly anticipated Met premiere in a new production by Ivo van Hove. Based on Sister Helen Prejean’s memoir about her ght for the soul of a condemned murderer, Dead Man Walking matches the high drama of its subject with Heggie’s poignant music and a libretto by Tony and Emmy Award-winner

Terrence McNally.

Loew Auditorium, 1pm

October 25

Dartmouth College Gospel Choir

A high-energy program featuring a selection of favorite gospel songs.

Rollins Chapel, 8pm

October 27–November 4

Lost Girl

Long after returning from Neverland, Wendy decides that she must nd Peter in order to reclaim her kiss and move on with her life. Along the way, she meets

100 image • Fall 2023 THE PICK

October 27–November 4, Lost Girl

other girls who went to Neverland and learns she is not alone. A coming-ofage exploration of rst love and lasting loss, Lost Girl continues the story of J.M. Barrie’s beloved character—the girl who had to grow up. eater on Currier

October 28

Coast Jazz Orchestra at Dartmouth e ensemble performs the music of James Jabbo Ware and Mark Harvey, plus special guests Hear in Now featuring Tomeka Reid, Mazz Swift, and Silvia Bolognesi. Collins Common Ground, 7:30pm

October 29

Dartmouth College Glee Club e club kicks o the year with a selection of choral favorites. Church of Christ Dartmouth, 2pm

October 29, Dartmouth College Glee Club

Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 101 Where friends and family gather to heal. (603) 448-1568 | info@rickerfuneralhome.com | www.rickerfuneralhome.com Ricker Funeral Homes & Crematory

November 18, Met Opera in HD: X: e Life andTimes of Malcolm X

November 5

Dartmouth College Wind Ensemble e ensemble brings the Mexican Repertoire Initiative to the storied Boston hall alongside guest conductor Luis Manuel Sánchez and musicians from the UNAM Banda Sinfonica. Jordan Hall in Boston, 3pm

November 8

Handel Society

e choral society lls the air with Carl Or ’s exuberant “Carmina Burana” for two pianos and percussion. Rollins Chapel, 8pm

November 14

Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra

e concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra returns with a program featuring “ e Four Seasons” of Vivaldi and “ e Four Seasons” of Piazzolla. Rollins Chapel, 8pm

November 18

Met Opera in HD: X: e Life andTimes of Malcolm X

Anthony Davis’s groundbreaking opera, which premiered in 1986, arrives at the Met at long last. Robert O’Hara, who was nominated for a Tony Award in 2020 for his direction of Slave Play, oversees a new staging that imagines Malcolm as an everyman whose story transcends time and space. A cast of breakout artists take part in the operatic retelling of Malcom X’s life. Loew Auditorium, 1pm

and another way to reach an affluent and educated audience.

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THE PICK
Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra

3 Phase Landscaping 65

APD Lifecare 73

AVA Gallery and Art Center 44

Align Body & Mind 91

All Eyes on You 55

Allen Pools & Spas 29

Annemarie Schmidt European Face and Body Studio 21

Baker Orthodontics 18

Bar Harbor Wealth Management 19

Bark N Bath Pet Spa 54

Barton Insurance Agency 52

Belletetes 10

Bennett Builders 57

Bethel Mills 15

Better Homes and Gardens/ The Milestone Team 32

Big Fatty’s BBQ 82

Blue Loon Bakery 55

Brown Furniture 6 & 46

C&S Pizza 82

CHC Design 33

Candita Clayton Gallery 55

Cape Air 53

Claremont Savings Bank 93

Claremont Spray Foam 9

Colonial Pharmacy 89

Co-op Food Stores 65

Cota & Cota 89

Creative Lighting Designs 38

Crown Point Cabinetry 8

Crown Point Select 23

Davis Frame 12

Dolan Real Estate 45

Dowds’ Country Inn & Event Center Back cover

Dr. Dorothy Hitchmoth 56

Dr. Neely-Hanover Orthodontics 39

Dutille’s Jewelry Design Studio 63

Eastern Propane & Oil 94

Elevation Clothing 27 & 31

Evelyn J’s Fish Market 54

Eyeglass Outlet 98

Flash Photo 56

Floorcraft 56

Flourish Beauty Lab 83

Foster’s Fine Jewelry 54

ADVERTISERS INDEX

Gilberte Interiors 5

GraceHill Construction 55

Grounds 54

Hanover Road Dental Health 79

Harbor Light Realty 73

Home Comfort Warehouse 1

Hubert’s Family Outfitters 55

Hugo Anderson Artist/Curator 56

Jasmin Auto Body 99

Jeff Wilmot Painting & Wallpapering 98

John Hay Estate at The Fells 63

Junction Frame Shop 83 & 90

King Arthur Baking Company 26

Lake Morey Resort 29

Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce 51

Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice 91

Landforms 39

LaValley Building Supply 3

Lebanon Airport 20

Lebanon Paint & Decorating 50 & 91

Little Istanbul 80

Love’s Bedding & Furniture 97

MJ Harrington Jewelers 72

MVP Marine 52

Mascoma Dental 64

McGray & Nichols 45

Merten’s House 90

Millstone at 74 Main Restaurant 55

Montcalm Golf Club 64

Morgan Hill Bookstore 54

NT Ferro Estate & Custom Jewelers 27 & 79

Nature Calls 23

New England Beauty & Wellness 55

New London Opticians 54

New London Wood Products 28

Newport Golf Club 30

Northern Stage 83

Omer and Bob’s 81

Oodles 83

Peter Anderson Studio 54

Pierce McLaughry Group 57

Putnam’s Vine/yard 82

Ramunto’s of Claremont 100

Real Property Options 18

Richard Electric 80

Ricker Funeral Home 101

Rocky’s Ace Hardware 20

Shaker Hill Granite 50

Shepherd Realty 101

She’s a Lady 56

Simple Energy 33

Springfield Medical Center Inside front cover

Steven Thomas, Inc. 82

Sugar River Bank 51 & 56

Sunapee Cove 98

Sunapee E Bikes & More 54

Sunapee Shade and Blind 54

Tatewell Gallery 55

Teaslewood Designs 28

Terrigenous Landscape 26

The Cabinet en-Counter 81

The Carriage Shed 7

The Dorr Mill Store 100

The Flying Goose Brew Pub 30

The Insurance Center 89

The Lighting Center 2

The Refinery Restaurant & Market 56

The Renaissance Shoppe 56

The Windsor Station 53

The Woodstock Gallery 27

Thyme Restaurant 82

Timberpeg 17

Timeless Kitchens 56

Tip Top Pottery 83

Top Stitch Embroidery 100

Tuckerbox 83

Tyler, Simms & St. Sauveur 38

Unleashed 55

Upper Valley Food Co-op 82

Upper Valley Music Center 31

Valley Artesian Well 13

Valley Regional Hospital 11

Vermont Cabinetry 94

Vermont Spirits Inside back cover

WISE 32

Wagner Hodgson 93

White River Family Eyecare 96

Wilson Tire 101

Woodstock Chamber of Commerce 27

Woodstock Inn & Resort 72

Yankee Barn Homes 4

For more information about print and online advertising opportunities, contact Bob Frisch at (603) 867-9339 or email rcfrisch1@comcast.net.

Find image at WWW.GREATERUPPERVALLEY.COM • 103
104 image • Fall 2023 CELEBRATE THE MOMENT
John Snyder’s family trip to North Carolina. Alex graduates from high school in New York.
to remember with family and friends Send photos of your special moments to dthompson@mountainviewpublishing.com.
Cameron’s graduation day from the University of Arizona.
Moments
Reese’s graduation from the University of New Haven.
CELEBRATING
Our publishers, Bob and Cheryl Frisch, accept the award for Small Business of the Year on behalf of our team.
YOU and YOURS this FALL!
Roland and Ellen’s wedding in Sundance, Utah. Vintage radio guys at Peter’s retirement party.

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