Image - Spring 2019

image culture • community • lifestyle

image

Winter 2018/2019 vol. 13 no. 4 $4.95

S P R I N G

A

2 0 1 9

HORSE CALLED HONOR

VERMONT VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY

WISE

giving voices to victims GOOD NEIGHBOR HEALTH CLINIC

TURKISH SERVING THE COMMUNITY DELIGHTS from little istanbul

BLOW-ME-DOWN FARM TOP-NOTCH ENTERTAINMENT DORR MILL STORE

for woolens galore

Spring 2019 vol. 14 no. 1 $4.95

White River TouchFree Car Wash Keep your rig clean this spring.

White River Touch-Free Car Wash features two automatic touchless wash bays, three self-serve wash bays, and six vacuum islands. You will get a great car wash at our facility! Major credit cards are accepted.

Thyme Restaurant 85 North Main Street White River Junction, VT (802) 295-3312 www.thymevermont.com Tue–Sat Lunch 11:30am–2:30pm Dinner 5pm–9pm

130 Sykes Avenue White River Junction, VT (802) 295-4059 Open every day

Junction Frame Shop Junction Frame Shop has been a steadfast part of downtown White River Junction since 1985. That’s over 30 years of providing creative picture framing for all tastes and budgets. Now we’ve added “Gallery Moments” to take your photos to new heights, printed on acrylic, aluminum, or canvas.

Check it out!

55 South Main Street White River Junction, VT (802) 296-2121 www.junctionframeshop.com Mon–Thu 9am–5pm Fri 9am–6pm Sat 9am–3pm Closed Sun

Ronin Hair Care 52 Bridge Street White River Junction, VT (802) 291-9922 www.roninmenssalon.com Mon, Tue, Wed & Fri 9am–5pm Thu 9am–1pm

Wicked Awesome BBQ Wicked Awesome BBQ is located just off the highway in White River Junction right behind McDonald’s. We serve New England– style barbecue smoked over apple and maple wood until the meat falls off the bone. We have indoor and outdoor seating where you can enjoy a cold beer or glass of wine. At Wicked Awesome BBQ, “You can’t beat my meat.”

93 Beswick Drive White River Junction, VT (802) 698-8059 www.wickedawesomebbq.com Tue–Thu 11am–8pm Fri & Sat 11am–9pm Sun 11am–7pm Closed Mon 6 image •

Spring 2019

Phnom Penh Sandwich Station 7 North Main Street White River Junction, VT (802) 281-6617 www.phnompenhsandwiches.com Mon–Sat 11am–8pm Closed Sun

We’re Making Tracks!

Big Fatty’s BBQ

Piecemeal Pies

Espresso | Bakery | Cider Bar | Catering 5 South Main Street White River Junction, VT (802) 281-6910 www.piecemealpies.com Wed & Thu 8am–3pm, Fri 8am–8pm Sat & Sun Brunch 10am–3pm

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, homemade sides, and a highly acclaimed salad bar, 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, to bring home Big Fatty’s Merchandise and to stock up on all your favorite craft beer!

186 South Main Street White River Junction, VT (802) 296-2400 www.bigfattybbq.com

F. H. Clothing Company Starting our 40th year! . . . as a nationally known, family-owned business designing and producing “clothing that loves you just the way you are.” If you haven’t stopped by, now is the time . . . You’ve GOT to be putting us on!

“Made in the USA . . . on purpose!”

1 Main Street Quechee, VT 05059 (802) 296-6646

Angry Goat Pepper Co.

83 Gates Street White River Junction, VT (802) 296-6646 www.fathat.com

Upper Valley’s Largest Hot Sauce Shop 240 South Main Street White River Junction, VT www.angrygoatpepperco.com Tue–Thu 10am–6pm Fri–Sat 10am–7pm Closed Sun & Mon

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!

Steven Thomas, Inc. 85 Gates Street White River Junction, VT (802) 457-1764 www.woodblock-prints.com Fri–Sat 11am–5pm or by appointment A call ahead is always advised.

85 North Main Street TipTop Building, Suite 150 White River Junction, VT (802) 296-6636 Tue–Fri 11am–6pm Sat 11am–4pm

Find image at www.uppervalleyimage.com •

7

Shop these ďŹ ne stores at

Rte 12A, West Lebanon (Just off I-89 - Exit 20)

The PowerHouse Mall

- Enjoy the Journey! -

CONTENTS FEATURES

34 | Honor

A riderless Morgan horse grieves for its fallen soldier.

by Mary Gow

42 | Meeting a Critical Need

Good Neighbor Health Clinic and Red Logan Dental Clinic.

by Katherine P. Cox

54 | Caving in Barbados

Take your adventure underground!

by Lisa Ballard

On the cover: Honor: A riderless Morgan horse created by Karen Petersen.

Photo by Jack Rowell.

This page: Barbados beach, Eco-Adventure Tour.

Photo by Lisa Ballard.

14 i m a g e •

Spring 2019

page

54

70

79

63 52

DEPARTMENTS 19 Editor’s Note

79 Spotlight

20 Contributors

By Susan Nye

22 Online Exclusives

Making a difference.

86 The Pick

24 Monthly Tidbits

Calendar of local events.

Seasonal facts, fun & ideas.

95 Advertisers Index

30 Season’s Best

96 Celebrate the Moment

Springtime favorites.

Readers share their photos.

32 News & Views 63 Community

More than just a sport.

By Justine M. Dominici

70 The Arts

Down on the farm.

By Susan B. Apel

6

White River Junction, Vermont Eclectic Shopping, Theater & Music, Diverse Dining

16 i m a g e •

Spring 2019

Destination New London Shop, Dine & Be Pampered!

image culture

•

community

•

lifestyle

spring • 2019

Mountain View Publishing, LLC 135 Lyme Road Hanover, NH 03755 (603) 643-1830

www.uppervalleyimage.com Publishers

Bob Frisch Cheryl Frisch Executive Editor

Deborah Thompson Associate Editor

Kristy Erickson Copy Editor

Elaine Ambrose Creative Director/Design

Ellen Klempner-Béguin Advertising Design

Hutchens Media, LLC Web Design

Locable

Inbound Marketing Manager

Erin Frisch

Advertising

Bob Frisch

KEEP US POSTED: image magazine wants to hear from readers. Correspondence may be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, image 135 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH 03755. Or email us at: dthompson@mountainviewpublishing.com.

Advertising inquiries may be made by email to rcfrisch1@comcast.net. image is published quarterly by Mountain View Publishing, LLC © 2019. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited. image magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, or photographs.

18 i m a g e •

Spring 2019

EDITOR’S NOTE

P HOTO BY I A N R AYM O N D

Those Who Serve Now that the worst of winter is behind us, we look forward to warming temperatures and longer days coaxing the earth back to life.

While you’re out and about during this beautiful season, make it a point to visit the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center (page 34). The peaceful, solemn scene of white headstones among trees and mountain views has been accented by a bronze sculpture, a statue of a horse grieving for its fallen rider. The creation of Honor, the title of the sculpture, is truly a Vermont story of community and collaboration. The idea, inspiration, planning, creation, and installation of the striking statue all took place within a few miles of its new home. It almost seems that forces were at work to influence the culmination of this meaningful project.

The cemetery holds a Memorial Day Ceremony on May 30 every year, so perhaps you’ll have a chance to attend the observance this year and pay tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in service to the country.

Speaking of service, consider the staff at Good Neighbor Health Clinic and Red Logan Dental Clinic (page 42). Local doctors, dentists, and others volunteer their time and expertise to serve Upper Valley residents who may not otherwise have access to health and dental care. What a gift to the community they are!

We’re also bringing you the story of Kim Estes, who took action to form the Upper Valley Wheelers, a power-chair soccer team for people with disabilities (page 63). In yet another story of service, read about the Lake Sunapee Area Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice (page 81). For 20 years, they’ve been honoring local women at their annual luncheon, which benefits the Association’s pediatrics program.

We’re constantly amazed by the acts of service and giving we see in our communities, and we’re grateful for the dedicated people among us who make the Upper Valley such an outstanding place to live. Be sure to thank them, and enjoy!

Deborah Thompson Executive Editor dthompson@mountainviewpublishing.com

LIKE US www.facebook.com/mountainviewpublishing Find image at www.uppervalleyimage.com •

19

ABOUT OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Susan B. Apel Susan’s creative nonfiction and poetry have appeared in numerous publications, including Vine Leaves Literary Journal, Rhizomes, Bloodroot, the Fredericksburg Literary and Art Review, and Persimmon Tree. She is an art correspondent for The Woven Tale Press, and her reviews have been published by Art New England and Vermont Art Guide. She writes about local arts on her blog, ArtfulEdge, at dailyUV.com, and contributes to Boston’s The Arts Fuse. She also authors a newspaper column, LawSpeak, for Vermont Woman. Susan’s a former professor of law who lives in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

Katherine P. Cox Kathy is a freelance writer and former writer and editor for The Keene Sentinel in Keene, New Hampshire. Her work has also appeared in Vermont’s Local Banquet, So Vermont Arts & Living, Monadnock Small Business Journal, and the anthology Beyond the Notches: Stories of Place in New Hampshire’s North Country. She was also a writer and producer for Captured Light Studio, Inc., a video and interactive production company in Keene.

20 i m a g e •

Spring

Justine M. Dominici

Mary Gow

Jim Mauchly

Justine is the editor of Tuck Today magazine and an assistant director of communications at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. She completed her master’s in creative writing at Dartmouth College in 2018 and has written for the Hartford Advocate, the Valley News, the Quechee Times, and others. Her writing explores personal histories and, specifically, addiction in New England. She lives in New Hampshire with her two rescue dogs and a hedgehog named Sylvia Plath.

Mary holds the middle place in a family with three generations of women writers. Best known for her award-winning history of science books for middle school students, she is also a regular contributor to regional magazines. She lives in Warren, Vermont.

Jim was given his first camera at the age of six. During high school he worked weekends as a photographer’s assistant in his hometown of Norristown, Pennsylvania. While serving in the Navy, he attended photography school and received training in photojournalism, aerial photography, and portraiture.

Jim is a member of the Professional Photographers of America. In 2001, he opened Mountain Graphics Photography, a professional studio, photo gallery, and custom frame shop in Fairlee, Vermont.

2019

www.mountainviewpublishing.com •

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image culture • community • lifestyle

image

Winter 2018/2019 vol. 13 no. 4 $4.95

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ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

S P R I N G 2 0 1 9

Find additional articles online at www.uppervalleyimage.com.

Go to the home page and click on the “In This Issue” button under the calendar.

A

HORSE CALLED HONOR

VERMONT VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY

DartmouthHitchcock Plans Expansion

WISE

giving voices to victims GOOD NEIGHBOR HEALTH CLINIC

TURKISH

SERVING THE COMMUNITY DELIGHTS

from little istanbul

Because of an increase in demand, a $130 million project will see a new fourstory tower built on its campus, which will add 60 inpatient beds.

BLOW-ME-DOWN FARM TOP-NOTCH ENTERTAINMENT DORR MILL STORE

for woolens galore

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22 i m a g e •

Spring 2019

CLICK ON OUR ONLINE CALENDAR TO SEE LOCAL HAPPENINGS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND ADD YOUR OWN EVENTS.

ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY Check out these local businesses in our directory.

CLICK ON www.uppervalleyimage.com

AMBROSE CUSTOM BUILDERS, INC.

LITTLE ISTANBUL

ANNEMARIE SCHMIDT EUROPEAN FACE

LOCABLE

AND BODY STUDIO

MAIN STREET KITCHENS

ARTISTREE/PURPLE CRAYON PRODUCTIONS

MARTHA E. DIEBOLD REAL ESTATE

BENJAMIN F. EDWARDS & CO.

MASCOMA BANK

BENTLEYS

MB PRO LANDSCAPE

BLOOD’S CATERING & PARTY RENTALS

MORNINGSIDE ADVENTURE FLIGHT PARK

BRAESIDE LODGING

MOUNTAIN VALLEY TREATMENT CENTER

BROWN’S AUTO & MARINE

NATURE CALLS

CALDWELL LAW

NEELY ORTHODONTICS

CARPET KING & TILE

NEW LONDON INN & COACH HOUSE

DATAMANN

RESTAURANT

DAVID ANDERSON HILL, INC.

NEXT STEP CONSULTING SERVICES

db LANDSCAPING

NORTHCAPE DESIGN BUILD

DEAD RIVER COMPANY

NORTHERN MOTORSPORT LTD

DORR MILL STORE

QUALITY INN QUECHEE

DOWDS’ COUNTRY INN

RELAX & CO.

DOWDS’ INN EVENTS CENTER

RENEWAL BY ANDERSEN OF VT

ENNIS CONSTRUCTION

RICHARD ELECTRIC

EVERGREEN RECYCLING

RIVER ROAD VETERINARY

EXPECTATIONS SALON & SPA

RODD ROOFING

FOUR SEASONS SOTHEBY’S

ROGER A. PHILLIPS, D.M.D.

INTERNATIONAL REALTY GILBERTE INTERIORS GUARALDI AGENCY HANOVER COUNTRY CLUB

THE GRANITE GROUP, THE ULTIMATE BATH STORE THE HANOVER INN AT DARTMOUTH COLLEGE

HANOVER EYECARE

THE WOODSTOCKER B&B

HAZEN HILL CONSTRUCTION

THE WOODSTOCK INN & RESORT

JEFF WILMOT PAINTING &

TUCKERBOX

WALLPAPERING, INC.

VERMOD HOMES

JUNCTION FRAME SHOP

WHITE RIVER FAMILY EYECARE

KING ARTHUR FLOUR

WOODSTOCK AREA CHAMBER

LATHAM HOUSE TAVERN

OF COMMERCE

LAVALLEY BUILDING SUPPLY

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) 643-1830 or email rcfrisch1@comcast.net.

Find image at www.uppervalleyimage.com •

23

MONTHLY TIDBITS

MARCH

F A C T S,

F U N

&

I D E A S

Go Green!

If you love tea, you’ll want to celebrate on March 19, which is Tea for Two Tuesday. The third Tuesday of the month is the time to enjoy a spot of tea with a friend—or lots of them.

Why not host a tea party with a lovely springtime table setting and beautiful china teacups and saucers?

Brew a pot or two of your favorite teas to sip, serve finger sandwiches or elegant cookies, and enjoy a delightful afternoon.

March 17 is Saint Patrick’s Day, which is set aside to honor the missionary who brought Christianity to the Irish people in the fifth century. More than 34 million Americans are of Irish descent—that’s seven times the population of Ireland!

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day

Time to Get Chopping!

March is National Celery Month, so get ready to stuff the tasty stalks with peanut butter, cream cheese, or avocado, or enjoy munching on them just plain. Store celery sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks for a healthy, ready-made snack to grab and go.

Sliced and diced, celery gives flavor to soups and casseroles and adds crunchy goodness to salads. It’s a good source of fiber, potassium, and vitamins A and C, and it possesses antiinflammatory properties.

Celery bites stuffed with cheese and walnuts.

24 i m a g e •

Tea Time

Spring 2019

Celebrate Waffles International Waffle Day originated in Sweden and is observed on March 25 in conjunction with the Feast of the Annunciation as well as the start of spring in Europe.

Waffle history dates back to 1300s Greece, where flat cakes were cooked between two metal pans and then topped with cheese and herbs. (Native Americans made the first maple syrup, and the first written documentation of maple sugaring in North America was reported in 1557.)

National Waffle Day is celebrated in the US on August 24, the day the waffle iron was patented by Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York, back in 1869.

Thanks, Mr. Swarthout!

The Worthy Kitchen, Market Table, and Lou’s are just a few of the Upper Valley restaurants offering delicious waffles.

Be Prepared

Explore a sweet treat to welcome spring!

NEW HAMPSHIRE MAPLE WEEKEND | STATEWIDE March 23–24, 2019

VERMONT MAPLE OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND | STATEWIDE March 23–24, 2019

More than 60 sugarhouses across the state participate in this open house. Learn how maple syrup is made; enjoy free samples, horsedrawn wagon rides, sugar on snow, pancake breakfasts, and more. nhmapleproducers.com

Celebrate the season and visit sugarhouses throughout the state.

Watch maple syrup being made (weather permitting) and sample maple products. vermontmaple.org

April showers might bring May flowers, but March is National Umbrella Month. The basic umbrella was invented over 4,000 years ago.

Parasols were first designed to offer shade from sunlight, and the Chinese are credited with waterproofing them for rain protection. The iteration we’re familiar with today has been around since the 1900s.

Facts show that the average household owns 3.8 umbrellas—enough to keep one at home, one in the car, and one at work so you’re never caught in a downpour. Wishful thinking, right? Maybe so, but you can always look for a rainbow.

Find image at www.uppervalleyimage.com •

25

MONTHLY TIDBITS

APRIL

F A C T S,

F U N

&

I D E A S

Give a PB&J On April 2 it’s National PB&J Day, so indulge in this childhood favorite. And the next time you’re at the supermarket, grab an extra jar or two of peanut butter and jelly—both nonperishables are on Upper Valley Haven’s list of items that are always needed in the Food Shelf. They can also use canned and dried beans, pasta and sauce, canned fruit, soups, and more. For a complete list of items needed as well as information on how to donate and volunteer at Upper Valley Haven, which provides temporary shelter and educational programming for homeless families and adults as well as food to anyone in need, visit uppervalleyhaven.org.

Cheers!

Celebrate National Beer Day on April 7 at one of the Upper Valley’s own breweries. Get your growler filled at River Roost Brewery in White River Junction or gather with friends at the Flying Goose Brew Pub in New London or Salt hill Pub in Lebanon and West Lebanon to enjoy a fantastic meal with your local craft beer in a fun, friendly atmosphere.

Help Animals in Need April 30 is Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, but visit the Upper Valley Humane Society anytime to meet dogs, cats, and small animals in need of forever homes. The adoption process at UVHS is warm, positive, and informative. Their goal is to help you connect with a pet whose personality is a good match for you, giving pets and their adopters the best chance for long-term success. They’ll even work with your existing pets—for example, if your dog has never lived with a cat but you’re interested in adopting one, they’ll work with you to introduce your dog to the new cat prior to adoption. Visit uvhs.org for more information.

26 i m a g e •

Spring 2019

Do Your Part April 22 is Earth Day, a reminder to do our part to keep the planet clean and beautiful. Recycling, planting trees, and reducing waste are all important steps we can take to make the world a little greener. Even easier? Grab some rubber gloves and a trash bag and pick up litter around your neighborhood. Take the whole family on a springtime walk and see who can be the first to fill their bag with trash.

“Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.” —Doug Larson Find image at www.uppervalleyimage.com •

27

MONTHLY TIDBITS

MAY

F A C T S,

F U N

&

I D E A S

This month starts out with a little frivolity. The first of May is May Basket Day. May 2 is International Tuba Day, so be sure to listen to your favorite tuba tunes!

On the fourth, it’s Star Wars Day—be sure to tell your friends “May the fourth be with you!” And while Cinco de Mayo on the fifth doesn’t have frivolous origins, it’s a day to celebrate Mexican heritage and enjoy your favorite salsa, tacos, and more. This busy month includes a celebration of mothers on Sunday, May 12, and of course, we close it out on a solemn note on Memorial Day, a time to pause and remember all the brave men and women who have given their lives to keep our nation free. After that, on the 31st, it’s unofficially summer. Let the backyard barbecues begin!

National Museum Day That’s May 18, a great day to visit one or two of the Upper Valley’s treasured museums. How about a trip to the Enfield Shaker Museum or up to Hanover to check out the new Hood Museum? The Montshire in hood museum Norwich is hugely popular with kids of all ages. Want more? Make it a long weekend and take the family to DC to see the Smithsonian Museums. You’ll have to stay a lot longer to see all the museums our country’s capital has to offer.

Dig In! Whatever you’ll be doing this month, it will probably involve something green. Cleaning up the yard and gardens and visiting the great garden shops in our region are at the tops of many lists in May. It’s not too early to get some parsley plants in, plus other cooler weather crops. Those started indoors from seeds can be transitioned to outdoors on mild days to harden off, and if you’re a gambler, plant beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, and lettuce directly into the garden. But have a collection of buckets, hot caps, and other frost protectors ready, just in case. Gardener’s Supply and other great hardware stores and gardening shops in the Upper Valley will have everything you need but the sunshine!

28 i m a g e •

Spring 2019

A Tisket, A Tasket If you haven’t made a May basket in a few decades or more, forget those paper cups with pipe-cleaner handles and some crepe paper trim we made back when. Pinterest, Martha Stewart, and Better Homes and Gardens are just three of the many websites that showcase 21st century takes on the humble basket. Set your goody-filled creation on your neighbor’s doorstep, ring the bell, and run!

Visit Historic Woodstock this Spring!

SEASON'S BEST

Why We Love Spring!

Subfreezing temperatures, ice, and snow are gone, and new life is bursting out everywhere under the warm sunshine. It’s time to celebrate tiny palegreen leaves and all those bulbs we faithfully planted last fall.

Wake up from hibernating, clear out the cobwebs, and head outdoors for a walk or a run, grab a blanket for a picnic or for relaxing with a book, and get your hands dirty in the garden. What’s not to love? I

30 i m a g e •

Spring 2019

NEWS & VIEWS

Way to Go, Lisa!

STORY BY LISA BALLARD 6 PHOTOS BY JACK AND LISA BALLARD

GOING FOR A

GLOBE

HOW A LOCAL 55-YEAR-OLD SKI RACER WON A WORLD TITLE

D

Lisa Ballard PHOTOS BY Jack and Lisa Ballard STORY

The author stands near the top of the World Cup Super G trail at Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The FIS Masters Cup Super G starts just below the World Cup start.

Opposite: First time’s the charm! The author on the podium after the Super G in Cortina!

Ski Faster!

TIPS TO HELP YOU KEEP UP

52 i m a g e •

eveloping world-class ski racers is part of the fabric of the Upper Valley.

Countless US Ski Team Members, including defending Olympic slalom champion Mikaela Shiffrin, age 22, have honed their skills on our local mountains. Mikaela could potentially rule the women’s World Cup for another decade. At age 39, New Hampshire native Bode Miller, the most successful American man in alpine ski racing, is on the cusp of retirement. But what if a skier wants to compete at an international level into his or her 40s, 50s, 60s—and beyond?

The Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS), the international governing body for snow sports, sanctions over 40 masters’ world cups around the globe each winter. Athletes ages 30 and over compete in five-year age groups, vying for the overall title among their peers.

In addition, the FIS awards season-long discipline titles in Super G, giant slalom (GS), and slalom. There are no downhills in international masters racing. There are also no coaches, gear technicians, dietitians, masseurs, agents, or lucrative sponsorships. Athletes on the international masters circuit are on their own to train, coordinate their travel, tune their skis, and handle a myriad of other details while pursuing their ski-racing goals.

Find image at www.uppervalleyimage.com •

Winter 2017/2018

1

53

A deserted beach on Hudson Bay extends as far as the eye can see. The strand would be the envy of any resort except for the frigid water.

TIPS TO HELP YOU KEEP UP

Ski Faster!

TIP: As my skis carve around this fast turn, the outside ski has the most pressure. My uphill ski is pulled under me and tipped on edge the same amount as the downhill ski. My body forms a comma shape with the downhill ski out from under me.

MORE INFO To order a personalized copy of Ski Faster! Guide to Racing and High Performance Skiing, 2nd Edition (Rocky Fork Media, 2016) or to ski with Lisa Ballard this winter, go to lisaballardoutdoors.com.

52

IF YOU LOOK AT THE TITLE OF MY BOOK, SKI FASTER!, AND THINK, “BUT I DON’T WANT TO SKI FASTER,” YOU’RE NOT ALONE. Everyone has a speed threshold on skis, even the top racers on the World Cup. Go faster than your comfort level, and you feel out of control. On the other hand, you might be annoyed by your slower pace compared to others on the slopes. Good news! With a few adjustments to your technique and a couple of gear considerations, you’ll keep up without getting nervous.

Skiing in the

2

Czech Republic A new adventure sparks memories of home Story and Photos by Lisa Ballard

TIP: At the end of the turn, my skis are now across the hill. Check out those ski bases! My skis are nicely on edge. Notice how my torso still has some orientation over my downhill ski. I never fully turn my chest across the hill.

F I N D H E R E I N H A N O V E R AT W W W. H E R E I N H A N O V E R .CO M

W IN TER 2017/2018 • HERE IN HANOVER

53

L

ast March, when the opportunity arose to ski in the Czech Republic, my first reaction was, “Of course!

It’s Europe.” A couple of fast-skiing friends I race with on the masters circuit came from the Czech Republic. Sarka Zahrobska, the 2007 World Slalom Champion, did too, so the country must have some decent skiing, I reasoned. It might not boast famous international destinations like St. Anton and Cortina, but chalk that up to marketing. No ski area in a former Eastern Bloc country was at the top of most Americans’ minds, but they sure sounded like interesting places to make some turns.

A skier arcs some fast turns on the slopes of Pec pod Snezkou.

Inset: Skiers start down a Czechstyle terrain park.

4 8 F I N D WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E AT W W W. WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E . C O M

W I N T E R 2017–2018

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WO O D S TO C K M AGA Z I N E

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The North American Snowsports Journalists Association (NASJA) recently announced that Mountain View Publishing longtime regular contributor Lisa Ballard is the recipient of their prestigious Harold Hirsch Award. This year, the Hirsch Awards had only three categories: Words, Images, and Books. Writers are asked to submit a portfolio of three stories, so Lisa sent one article from each of Mountain View’s three magazines—Here in Hanover, image, and Woodstock Magazine— and won the Words category. Congratulations, Lisa!

Be Like Bessie

Bessie’s Story: Watching the Lights Go Out is available locally at Violet’s Book Exchange (Claremont, NH), Morgan Hill Bookstore (New London, NH), Gibson’s Bookstore (Concord, NH), The Yankee Bookshop (Woodstock, VT), and The Norwich Bookstore (Norwich, VT) as well as at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Contact the author (bessiesstory@gmail.com) to have personalized/autographed copies delivered locally or mailed. To learn more, visit www.bessiesstory.com.

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Spring 2019

Bessie’s Story: Watching the Lights Go Out by Thomas Farmen of Unity, New Hampshire, chronicles the tale of a chocolate Labrador retriever who loses her sight. Bessie, who has progressive retinal atrophy, is now completely blind at nine years of age. The story of her slow fade to sightlessness provides life lessons for all ages as she continues to live her life to the fullest, joining her family on daily hikes in the woods off-leash and skillfully navigating the world around her. She also continues to retrieve on land and in the water using her heightened senses of hearing and smell.

The book has been endorsed by NEADS, Inc., an organization that raises, trains, and places World Class Service Dogs with individuals with hearing loss or a physical disability, veterans, and children

with autism or other developmental disabilities. A portion of book sales will be donated to NEADS. Author Tom Farmen gives presentations at schools with Bessie in attendance, stressing three main concepts for the students: • We all have insecurities and flaws that can hold us back if we let them. Accept your weaknesses, deal with them, and move on.

• Asking for help and giving help are essential to being successful and happy.

• Being around people with physical or intellectual handicaps or disabilities should bring out the same characteristics Bessie elicits. Share your genuine interest, offer assistance, and show affection. He concludes by saying, “Be like Bessie!”

$27,047 Raised for New England Disabled Sports On Saturday, February 2, New England Disabled Sports, located in Lincoln, New Hampshire, was presented with a check for $27,047. The money was raised at the Skate with the Boston Bruins Alumni fundraiser that took place on December 15 at The Rink at RiverWalk Resort at Loon Mountain. The event was organized by the Boston Bruins Alumni Team and featured VIP skating sessions with Bruins Alumni including Rick Middleton, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, and a cocktail reception.

New England Disabled Sports is a nationally recognized program that provides year-round adaptive sports instruction to adults and children with physical and cognitive disabilities.

From left: Shawn MacLeod, Event Coordinator for Boston Bruins Alumni Association; Dr. Jessica Harney, Board President at New England Disabled Sports; Heidi MacDonald, Director of Skating Programs at RiverWalk Resort; and Renee Blood, General Manager at RiverWalk Resort.

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BY MARY GOW

PHOTOS BY JACK ROWELL

HONOR A RIDERLESS MORGAN HORSE GRIEVES FOR ITS FALLEN SOLDIER

Looking down the slope from the chapel at the Vermont Veterans Cemetery in Randolph Center, the landscape radiates beauty, peace, and dignity. Hundreds of granite and marble headstones stand row upon row. Each commemorates the life of a United States military service veteran or a spouse or dependent. The tranquility and solemnity are heightened by the sensitive layout of the site with its gentle slope, symmetry of headstones, Memorial Garden, trees, mountain views, and distinguished Circle of Flags. An achingly beautiful new addition to the site offers solace and tribute.

In a circle of lawn just below the chapel, a riderless bronze Morgan horse stands by a maple tree, its head bowed nearly to the ground. Just in front of it is a rough, white quartz stone. The curve of the equine’s neck and its braced legs convey palpable sorrow.

It grieves for its fallen soldier. Honor, the title of the sculpture, embodies emotions deeply felt by so many who come to this place to mourn and remember men and women in their lives.

Honor takes his place in the tranquil landscape.

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1

1. Karen checks the blending of the weld seam.

3

2. Casting molten bronze into ceramic molds for the interior of the hooves.

3. Karen details the wax pattern of the head.

4. Bob paints silicone rubber onto the plaster model.

5. Aaron Emmons welds the cast pieces together.

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4

“One of the things I love to do is create emotion through form,” says Karen.

Honor evokes response through the horse’s essential, unornamented form.

This new permanent installation at Vermont Veterans Cemetery designed by Karen Petersen of Braintree and cast by Bob Wright of Randolph Center was dedicated last October. The installation of Honor on that autumn day was the culmination of a nearly two-year process, one that started with the State of Vermont’s invitation for artists to propose a new public sculpture for the cemetery, then the selection of Karen’s design, and next through the multistep casting process of transforming her vision into the finished and powerful monumental sculpture. The final detail, planting a bed of soft green sedum around the horse’s hooves, will be completed this spring in time for Memorial Day observances.

2

5

Uniquely Vermont Honor is a distinctly Vermont artwork. The Morgan horse, Vermont’s state animal, was famously first bred in Randolph Center in the late 1700s and widely used for cavalry and to pull artillery during the Civil War. The horse stands by Vermont’s state tree, the sugar maple. The artwork was conceived by a Vermont artist and cast and welded by Vermont metallurgists, all within just a few miles of its destined site.

This new public sculpture came about thanks to the Vermont Art in State Buildings Program, which provides grants to commission Vermont artworks to enhance the state’s cultural landscape in its public properties. More than two dozen projects have been commissioned since 1988. In late 2016, the state put out its call to artists for a new artwork for the cemetery.

Karen Petersen was among about a dozen who submitted proposals that were reviewed by a

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Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery

“There really are only two details in the sculpture— was important to show the eye as a powerful way

An annual Memorial Day Ceremony is held at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center at 3pm on May 30. This public observance honors men and women who gave their lives in service to the country.

The Vermont Veterans Cemetery opened in 1993.

Photos courtesy of Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

committee that included representatives of the Vermont Office of Veterans Affairs and local and arts communities, and was moderated by Michele Bailey of the Vermont Arts Council. Michele notes that the committee “wanted work to reflect the history of the site and community, wanted it to respond to the landscape, a respectful place for healing and reflection. Karen Petersen’s Honor is a very moving piece and met all our goals.”

Creating Emotion Through Form Karen’s artistic career spans three-plus

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decades and includes two- and threedimensional works. Her pieces are in public spaces and private collections worldwide. “One of the things I love to do is create emotion through form,” says Karen. Honor evokes response through the horse’s essential, unornamented form.

It brings to mind the extraordinary bonds between horses and humankind.

“I have been working on horses for many, many years. I started with traditional forms with horses with ears and manes. I challenged myself to make the horse form as simple as possible to

th to

— ay

Honor,

by Karen Petersen, head bowed in mourning, stands on the slope below the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery Chapel.

the eyes and bands around the hooves. I thought it to show emotion.” have emotional content,” says Karen. Honor does not have the details like a flowing mane that one often sees in equine statues.

“There really are only two details in the sculpture—the eyes and bands around the hooves. I thought it was important to show the eye as a powerful way to show emotion.”

The indentation above the hooves, she notes, “serves as a base for the sculpture, it grounds it in reality.”

Karen, who often works in bronze, has worked with many foundries for casting her work, including in Thailand and China.

Through a mutual friend, another Vermont

sculptor, she and Bob Wright connected.

Bob, who was with Vermont Castings for 36 years—30 as manager of foundry operations—opened his own studio, Custom Castings of Vermont, on Route 66 in Randolph Center three years ago. True to its name, Bob’s foundry provides custom services for artists and businesses. He works in both sand and lost-wax processes and in a variety of metals.

An Ancient Technique Life-sized Honor was cast using the lostwax technique, a process that dates back Find image at www.uppervalleyimage.com •

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five millennia. With lost-wax casting, a duplicate metal sculpture is cast from an original. Altogether, it requires well over a dozen steps, from enlarging the artist’s original model to the final welding and honing the patina.

Creating a silicone mold, applying the wax that takes the exact shape and detail of the original, attaching a structure of channels to conduct the molten metal, dipping the sections in several coats of ceramic slurry to form a rigid shell, removing the wax, and pouring the metal are among them.

Altogether, from the master pattern for Honor, the bronze was cast in over 30 individual pieces, all meticulously welded together for the final sculpture.

Karen and Bob worked closely on the project. “I’ve never had such an in-depth experience with a sculptor. It was great. This was a real gift to me,” says Bob, noting the value of Karen’s involvement and attention to details to the final patina.

“The end result was what hit me the most,” Bob recalls. “After all the hard work, when we put it there on that fall day, by the maple tree and with the nice blue sky—it’s a very meaningful place. Honor adds a great dimension to the cemetery.” I

Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery is located off Furnace Road in Randolph Center.

Information is available at veterans.vermont.gov.

Custom Castings of Vermont is located at 4669 Route 66 in Randolph Center. Learn more at www.customcastingsofvermont.com.

Information about Karen Petersen and a gallery of her work can be seen online at www.petersensculpture.com.

ONLINE EXTRA

Find an informative update on Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery from Director Robert E. Burke at www.uppervalleyimage.com.

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Patients at the Red Logan Dental Clinic receive the same high-quality care they would get at a private dental clinic.

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BY KATHERINE P. COX PHOTOS BY JIM MAUCHLY/MOUNTAIN GRAPHICS PHOTOGRAPHY

GOOD NEIGHBOR HEALTH CLINIC & RED LOGAN DENTAL CLINIC

MEETING A

CRITICAL NEED In the Upper Valley region, we are fortunate to have a large network of hospitals, medical and dental practices, and clinics. But for some, access to medical and dental facilities is blocked by financial issues for a variety of reasons. They may not be able to afford insurance, or if they do have a plan, the deductible may be so high that seeing a doctor is still too costly. They may be between jobs or passing through the area, or they might be immigrants unsure of how to navigate the system. Or they may be homeless. Regardless of their situations, they become ill or get toothaches, and they need attention.

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Clockwise from top left: Good Neighbor Health Clinic Executive Director Dana Michalovic. A view of Good Neighbor's welcoming waiting room and check-in desk in the Medical Clinic.

A look inside one of the Red Logan Dental Clinic's treatment rooms.

Volunteer Medical Provider Dr. John Sanders.

“I’ve always felt that medical care is a right, not a privilege.

Our country doesn’t do an equitable job providing that.

We deal with people who’ve lost one or two jobs; they’ve lost insurance; or they’ve got insurance and it’s got a high deductible, which means they can’t get primary care. We fill a very important niche because no one should go without basic medical care because of an inability to pay or have insurance.”

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A Hidden Gem In the Upper Valley, those who cannot afford it receive free medical care at the Good Neighbor Health Clinic and free dental care at the Red Logan Dental Clinic in White River Junction. It’s a “hidden gem,” in the words of Executive Director Dana Michalovic, and it’s unique in its model of free care delivered by a team of volunteer doctors, nurses, and dentists—all professionals who are making a real difference in people’s lives.

The intersection of their work can even save lives.

A blood pressure check at a dental checkup could result in a referral to the medical clinic for life-saving intervention and medication. Dental work to improve problem teeth can improve a patient’s job prospects.

Last year alone, the Clinics provided a combined $1.4 million worth of care for free, thanks to the team of volunteer professionals, medical and dental students, generous donors, and grants as well as partnerships with Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital.

Two area physicians, Dr. Peter Mason and Dr. Paul Manganiello, started Good Neighbor Health Clinic in the rectory of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wilder in 1992. The Red Logan Dental Clinic, named for a beloved local dentist, followed in 1996 founded by dentist Robert Keene. Both clinics moved to the former Gates Memorial Library on North Main Street in 2004, with satellite clinics at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital; the Upper Valley Haven, a shelter in White River Junction; and the Claremont Soup Kitchen. Patients come from all over the Upper Valley, Dana says, adding, “We’re here for them.”

Good Neighbor Health Clinic Dr. John Sanders, a retired cardiac surgeon from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, has been a volunteer physician since 2010. He holds a clinic every Thursday where he sees patients and oversees medical students.

“I do it because I’ve always felt that medical care is a right, not a privilege. Our country doesn’t do an equitable job providing that. We deal with people who’ve lost one or two jobs; they’ve lost insurance; or they’ve got insurance and it’s got a high deductible,

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Last year, 1,350 people came to the Clinics; 800 were dental patients. “We typically see people a couple of times on the medical side,” AJ says. “On the dental side, we see them a number of times until we can get their mouths stabilized.”

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Top row, from far left: Patti Mitchell, Dental Assistant; Sheila Geoffrey, Dental Clinic Administrative Assistant; Rebecca Courtemanche, Dental Assistant; Dr. Craig Cohen, Dental Mentor; Mary Struziak, Tufts Dental Extern; Cameron Crowe, Tufts Dental Extern; and Ann Jane (AJ) Kemon, RDH Dental Clinic Manager. Above: Executive Director Dana Michalovic with author Kathy Cox in the Dental Clinic. Below, far left: Dental Assistant Patti Mitchell uses the Clinic's Digital Panorex machine purchased with funding from the Gladys Brooks Foundation. Center, top: Dr. John Sanders, Clinic Volunteer Medical Provider; Vanessa Garcia, Clinic Volunteer; and Jeannie Mallary, Clinic Volunteer. Bottom: Dental Clinic Volunteers and Mentors Dr. Bob Alvarenga, Dr. Donald Kalfus, Dr. Ron Spaulding, Dr. Richard Yoshikawa, and Dr. Bryant Denk.

which means they can’t get primary care,” he explains. “We fill a very important niche because no one should go without basic medical care because of an inability to pay or have insurance. We do a very good job in a very professional, high-quality way. In my mind, to have people in our community not able to have appropriate medical care because of financial pressures borders on immoral. I think most of the volunteers here would say the same thing.”

Patients are not the only ones who benefit. Partnerships with the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and Tufts Find image at www.uppervalleyimage.com •

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Dana worries that some people may hesitate to visit the Clinics. “They say ‘it’s not for us. It’s for someone who needs it more than I do.’ If people have someone they know in the community who might need help, don’t hesitate to encourage them to contact Good Neighbor or Red Logan. Patients who come here know they’re cared about and treated with respect.”

University, Boston University, and the University of New England College of Dental Medicine give students valuable hands-on experience at the Clinics as part of their training.

Medical students supervised by physicians examine patients, provide screening, and refer patients to other services when appropriate. “They get great experience,” Dr. Sanders says.

“It’s also great for the medical students to participate in this kind of caregiving.

They love to do it. The vast number of students are in medical school for the right reason—to care for people. And they are keenly aware of social justice issues, and the provision of medical care is one of them.”

Dana Michalovic agrees. “There’s something very real about teaching the next group of health professionals and passing along the values of serving a community.”

Red Logan Dental Clinic Dr. Craig Cohen, a retired oral surgeon, is the Clinic’s Dental Mentor to the dental school students at Red Logan.

“Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who don’t have the financial 48 i m a g e •

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wherewithal to see a dentist,” he says. “This is a way to help out. For someone who has severe dental problems, you can’t smile. You can’t get a job. It’s not just cosmetic.”

Dr. Cohen started volunteering with Bob Keene about 25 years ago and says he loves mentoring dental students. The Clinic gives them experience for what a private practice is like, he says. “We can show them how to do things one on one. People come here because they have a toothache. Once they come, they have a complete exam, and a treatment plan is developed.”

They also receive guidance about oral health. “We individualize it for every patient depending on what their needs are,” says Dental Clinic Manager and hygienist Ann Jane (AJ) Kemon. Education includes information on diet, oral hygiene, and smoking cessation. In addition to exams, services provided include fillings, cleanings, x-rays, and extractions.

Upper Valley Endodontics provides patients with free root canals, and two dental labs provide crowns, AJ says. “We started a denture program recently and provided dentures for 28 people in the last six months,” adds Dana. “One fellow smiled afterwards and said, ‘Now I’m going to get a better job.’” In a private dental practice, dentures can cost $600 to $1,200, she says. Just a basic cleaning could cost $185.

The Dental Clinic is very busy, Dana adds, proving the wisdom of founder Bob Keene. “He said you can’t have appropriate medical care without caring for the mouth. He’s right.

They’re interrelated,” says Dr. Sanders.

“Patients are so appreciative,” adds AJ. “They don’t take it for granted. The dentistry we do here is of the same quality as at any private dental office.

Our patients deserve the same kind of dentistry that patients at a private office would receive.”

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The Dental Clinic, in many cases, is the first defense in some patients’ medical care. “We do a lot of handoffs upstairs for high blood pressure and diabetes,” AJ says. “We send them upstairs if they don’t already have a primary care provider.”

Last year, 1,350 people came to the Clinics; 800 were dental patients.

“We typically see people a couple of times on the medical side,” she says.

“On the dental side, we see them a number of times until we can get their mouths stabilized. Our goal isn’t to become a medical home for people.”

Comprehensive Help Toward that goal, they help connect patients to social services and help them enroll in Medicaid and other insurances. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma are a large part of their patient load, Dana adds, as well as psychosocial issues. “About half our volunteers are primary care physicians and the other half are specialists, such as psychiatry, neurology, dermatology, pulmonology, gynecology,” Dana says.

Dana worries that some people may hesitate to visit the Clinics.

“They say ‘it’s not for us. It’s for someone who needs it more than I do.’ But almost all our patients come to us because a friend or family member encouraged them to do so.

If people have someone they know in the community who might need help, don’t hesitate to encourage them to contact Good Neighbor or Red Logan. Patients who come here know they’re cared about and treated with respect.” I

Good Neighbor Health Clinic and Red Logan Dental Clinic 70 North Main Street White River Junction, VT (802) 295-1868 Medical (802) 295-7573 Dental www.goodneighborhealthclinic.org 50 i m a g e •

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Destination New London!

Grounds

Peter Christian’s Tavern The Edgewood Inn

New London Inn & Coach House Restaurant

195 Main Street New London, NH (603) 526-2964 peterchristiansnh.com

353 Main Street New London, NH (603) 526-2791 www.TheNewLondonInn.com

(603) 526-2960 www.edgewoodnh.com

Please visit our website for menus, rates, and hours.

The Renaissance Shoppe

Hubert’s Family Outfitters

The Flying Goose Brew Pub

219 County Road New London, NH (603) 863-4032 www.Huberts.com

40 Andover Road New London, NH (603) 526-6899 www.FlyingGoose.com

Mon–Sat 9:30am–6pm Sun 11am–4pm

Mon–Sat 11:30am–9pm Sun 11am–8pm

Flash Photo / Flash Pack & Ship

Floorcraft

Millstone at 74 Main

New London Shopping Center 277 Newport Road New London, NH (603) 526-2400 www.FlashPhotoNH.com

231 NH Route 11 Wilmot, NH (603) 526-2600 www.FloorcraftNH.com

74 Newport Road New London, NH (603) 526-4201 www.74MainRestaurant.com

Mon–Fri 8am–5pm Sat 8am–1pm

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

A resale shop located at and to benefit Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice 107 Newport Road New London, NH (603) 526-6711 www.LakeSunapeeVNA.org

374 Main Street New London, NH (603) 526-6010 Sun–Wed 8am–3pm Thu–Sat 8am–4pm

Tue–Sat 10am–4pm

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Shop, Dine & Be Pampered!

Clarke’s Hardware

Village Sports

Morgan Hill Bookstore

257 Newport Road New London, NH (603) 526-2800 www.ClarkesHardware.com

394 Main Street New London, NH (603) 526-4948 www.villagesportsnh.com

253 Main Street New London, NH (603) 526-5850 www.MorganHillBookstore.com

Mon–Fri 8am–5:30pm Sat 8am–5pm Sun 9am–1pm

May 18–June 17: Thu–Mon 9:30am–5pm June 17–Labor Day: Open Daily 9:30am–5pm September: Sat & Sun 10am–4pm

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

Unleashed

Grace Hill Constuction

Timeless Kitchens 11 Pleasant Street New London, NH (603) 526-7866 www.timelesskitchen.com Mon–Fri 10am–5pm

Local Delivery Available 277 Newport Road New London, NH (603) 526-2088 www.UnleashedNH.com

PO Box 466 New London, NH (603) 748-2804 Gracehillco.com

Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 10am–2pm

Tatewell Gallery

New London Opticians

New London Shopping Center 277 Newport Road New London, NH (603) 526-2910 www.tatewell.com Winter/Spring Hours Tue–Fri 11am–5:30pm, Sat 11am–4pm Sun–Mon by appointment

255 Newport Road Unit E New London, NH (603) 526-6990 Mon, Tue, Fri 9am–5pm Wed & Sat 9am–12pm Thu 9am–7pm

Relax & Co.

Caretaking | Rentals | Concierge 120 East Main Street Bradford, NH (603) 526-2436 www.RelaxandCompany.com Mon–Fri 8:30am–5pm Sat and Sun by appointment Find image at www.uppervalleyimage.com •

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STORY AND PHOTOS BY LISA BALLARD

Caving in BARBADOS TA K E YO U R A DV E N T U R E U N D E R G R O U N D !

Stalactites inside Harrison’s Cave look like mud icicles hanging from the ceiling.

The real mud is on the ground inside the wet cave.

Opposite right: Inside the cave, the author wades through thigh-deep water.

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W

e’ve all got our hang-ups. I’m afraid of the dark. I blame the gorilla that lived outside my bedroom window when I was a kid. Though King Kong’s brother turned into a cedar shrub in daylight and eventually got taken out at the feet by my father in a fit of hedge trimming, I never quite recovered from my childhood nyctophobia.

I’ve managed my condition throughout adulthood by clinging to flashlights, full moons, lanterns, and other methods of nighttime illumination, so the idea of caving—crawling through natural tunnels under the earth—didn’t intimidate me. On the contrary! It appealed to my sense of adventure—until the guide told me to turn off my headlamp.

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Top left: Cavers traverse a limestone room partially filled with water that took a year to reach the cave.

Bottom left: A dead end. Cavers rest before turning around.

Right: Water flows down a subterranean stream.

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A pool inside the cave with interesting limestone “steps” under the water.

A LIMESTONE LABYRINTH “Really?” I asked, trying to keep my voice from trembling as I peered at a manhole-size opening in the rock. I was in Barbados, about a mile underground inside Harrison’s Cave. Named for Thomas Harrison, a local landowner on the island in the early 1700s, this extensive system of subterranean domes, passageways, streams, and pools is a limestone labyrinth. Though the cave system was discovered over 300 years ago, it wasn’t until the 1970s that it was more fully explored. It opened to the public in 1981.

Unlike most islands in the Caribbean that are volcanic in origin, Barbados sits atop a mass of limestone rock formed by ancient coral reefs. Our headlamps caught fossilized coral heads here and there inside this geologic wonder, which served as a hideout for escapees during the slave-trade era. It would have been a dank place to take shelter.

“If you don’t get wet and muddy, you’re not having fun!” exclaimed Jason, one of our guides, as a dozen of us donned knee and elbow pads and hard hats.

Harrison’s Cave is part of the island’s natural water-purification system. When it rains, which is almost every afternoon in this island paradise, the water that’s absorbed into the earth works its way deeper and deeper. After about 300 days, it reaches the cave. In other words, the water saturating us from the moment we waded through the first

FOR MORE INFO For more information on traveling to Barbados, go to barbados.org.

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Clockwise from top left: Head lamps illuminate the way across a deep pool. Fixed ropes aid a traverse across a slippery shallow slope. A caver emerges from a “room” using a ladder. Impressive limestone formations revealed by the cavers’ head lamps.

The author takes a break in a warm, shallow stream.

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waist-deep pool hit the ground almost a year ago.

We entered the caves via a paved path, making way periodically for trams that carried more sedentary tourists on a 1.5-mile underground sightseeing tour. We saw most of the gravity-defying stalactites and pillar-like stalagmite formations that the tram passengers did. They had names like “The Altar,” which looked like a man proposing to a woman; “The Great Hall,” an enormous room with a ceiling over 50 feet high; and “The Village,” where lumpy limestone columns joined the ceiling and floor.

CONQUERING THE MANHOLE Our group of cavers eventually detoured off the tram track, heading much deeper into the maze. Fixed ropes and ladders helped us navigate the pools and short climbs into and out of yawning holes. We walked, crawled on our hands and knees, belly crawled, then came to a dead end. I figured we were done, but we had only just begun. “You passed the test,” said Jason. “Now you get to see the good part.”

After swimming back across one of the pools, we headed down a narrow crack, even deeper underground.

Despite being completely soaked, I wasn’t cold. Unlike earthen caves, which are insulated from the sun, this one echoed the temperature on the surface, in the warm mid-80s.

It was almost steamy. The entire adventure intrigued and delighted me; then we came to the manhole.

It looked long and skinny. When Jason instructed us to turn off our headlamps, a large, suffocating lump formed in my throat.

“Between the crystalline structure surrounding you and the droplets of water, the reflection off your light will blind you,” he explained. “Be careful of the rock halfway through. There’s a crack there. Don’t fall into it.”

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A public beach near Needham Point, Barbados.

the others, who started down the inky black tunnel one at a time. I had never experienced such total darkness. My old phobia nagged at me. I was scared, on the verge of panicking. As I crept forward on my hands and knees, my back an inch from the jagged, coral ceiling, I periodically touched the foot of the caver ahead of me, a woman named Mandy, who was as nervous as me, judging by her constant narrative.

“It’s sure dark in here,” she babbled.

“I’m not crazy about this. There’s the rock. That wasn’t so bad. I’m so wet, there’s even mud in my ears . . .” And so went the monologue. I welcomed it. The touch of her shoe and the sound of her voice distracted me from my anxiety.

The tunnel felt like a mile, though it was less than 100 feet long. Then I chuckled.

There was, literally, a light at the end of the tunnel, actually a half-dozen lights, as the headlamps of my cavern-mates who had already emerged into the next limestone room came into view.

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Sometime later, we emerged from Harrison’s Cave. I welcomed the sunshine and lush tropical vines that spilled into the gully near the mouth of the cave. After cleaning up, we gathered under a tent to enjoy a rum punch and recap the day. (Mount Gay rum comes from this Caribbean island.)

People are drawn to Barbados for many reasons—beaches, scuba diving, sailing, sun, and drinks featuring rum.

It’s the only foreign soil that George Washington set foot on. It’s rock-star Rhianna’s childhood home. It’s also a place where someone with an explorer’s spirit can inject a little underground adventure into her vacation. I

Contributor Lisa Ballard base-camped in the Upper Valley for 20+ years. To read more about her adventures around the world and to order her new children’s book, Gasparilla, A Pirate’s Tale, visit her website, www.LisaBallardOutdoors.com.

ONLINE EXTRA

Find more photos online at www.uppervalleyimage.com.

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COMMUNITY

By Justine M. Dominici Photos by Rob Strong

MORE than JUST a SPORT

THE WHEELERS ARE THE UPPER VALLEY’S FIRST POWER-CHAIR SOCCER TEAM

Sam Estes enjoys a moment with a group of spectators as she gets hydrated before the start of the game.

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In 2011, Kim Estes of Hanover, New Hampshire, took her then 11-yearold daughter Samantha to see a soccer game at the University of New Hampshire in Durham. But this was no ordinary game. Kim and Samantha watched in awe as athletes zipped up and down the court in power wheelchairs. This was power soccer, an adaptive team sport played around the world. Seeing the sport in action was pivotal for the Estes family, especially Samantha, and they were hopeful others would soon feel the same.

Samantha, who has a physical disability, immediately fell in love with power soccer—so much so that Kim and her husband Nick began driving to Durham every weekend, nearly two hours from Hanover, so that Samantha could participate on a team. (There was no power soccer team in the Upper Valley at the time.)

“Seeing her in action on this team, I got to see her be part of something that was designed specifically for her,” says Kim. After a year of commuting south and with Samantha’s interest in the sport growing by the day, Kim and Nick had an idea: Why not bring the sport

closer to home and start a team in the Upper Valley?

TEAM EFFORT GIVES RISE TO THE WHEELERS Kim, a clinical social worker by day, galvanized the community around the effort, spreading the word to recruit new players. Next, she found a place to hold team practices; the CCBA in Lebanon was kind enough to open its basketball courts to the newly founded team for practices and games.

The Upper Valley Wheelers, which they became known as, started their first season with used equipment.

But through fundraisers organized by

“I love playing power soccer because it is fun to speed around the court and challenge other players. I played sports before, but I always needed help. I can do this one all by myself. I am independent.”—CJ Lanzim, age 36 Top: Sheldon Wood, age 15, and Cris Criswell, age 76 (left), are the oldest and youngest Upper Valley Wheelers team members. They and CJ Lanzim, Jamie Lowery, and Hannah Fowler listen to the coach’s instructions.

Inset: Cris Criswell, author of the letter to Domenic Russo shown in the sidebar on page 65.

Bottom, from left: CJ Lanzim angles for the ball during a play. Hannah Fowler and Sam Estes, the only girls on the team, would love to have more female players participate.

A member of one of the opposing teams, the Vermont Chargers from Burlington, on the court.

Sheldon Wood visits with a fan during a break in the action.

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The Thrill & Joy of Adaptive Soccer On June 30, 2018, the day of the USPSA National Tournament, Cris Criswell of the Upper Valley Wheelers sent the following letter to Dominic Russo, USPSA retiring president.

As the oldest player . . . and among the last of the “old polios,” I am honored at 75 to share my thoughts about Power Soccer, this growing new sport, and what it means to me. I’ve been involved in the formation of two adaptive sports and recreation programs over the years, as well as a player on two new Power Soccer team formations here in New Hampshire. All of us appreciate your pioneering work to help launch adaptive soccer as a national and international sport.

Our first chairs were essentially hand-me-downs with added guards—large, heavy, cumbersome, and frequently broken. Thanks to the generosity of friends and families, we acquired the new generation Strike Force chairs, so powerful and quick that, unless strapped in, one can easily be thrown out! I’ve been a serious Alpine mono-skier, and the G-forces in Power Soccer can be just as intense. When you add the competitive team spirit, every player gets to know and feel the thrill of competitive soccer.

I love my team! They’re mostly teenagers in high school. We’re a motley crew of life’s challenges with steadfast families who do whatever it takes to get us on the court. We are a relatively new team, learning how to handle the new chairs, and we struggle with the two-on-one rule. We are looking forward to winning our first game now that we are officially in the league. In the meantime, man, are we learning a lot from the seasoned teams who demonstrate remarkable ball control and play execution! The best teachers are always better players and better teams.

I once described the feeling of mono-skiing as “dancing down the mountain.” Playing Power Soccer is like being INSIDE a sports video game!

The joystick is your only way to move around the field of play and control the ball. It’s a lot harder than you think! But now I understand why my sons so loved the game. Soccer is a game of angles and chess. To see the world’s greatest sport well played and powered on wheels is a joy to behold, and I am so pleased to be a part of it.

Cordially, H. Cris Criswell Upper Valley Wheelers Find image at www.uppervalleyimage.com •

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Kim Estes makes some announcements about future games and practices. Inset: The team watches and waits as the courts are readied for the start of the game.

the team, a generous donation from the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation, and Samantha’s work with Positive Tracks, the team was able to secure new equipment that meets league regulations—specifically Strike Force™ power wheelchairs, which can cost about $7,500 a chair. In addition, the Upper Valley Wheelers were able to establish savings so that equipment could be maintained and participation on the team could be free of charge.

“What really moved the idea forward was the players themselves,” says Kim. “For many of them, this was their first time playing on a team in a competitive sport that they could do independently. Their enthusiasm and their commitment to practices and each other were incredibly motivating, so from a program development perspective, it was a no-brainer. The team wanted more out of the sport, and together we made it happen.”

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PLAYERS OF ALL AGES COMPETE The Wheelers are a non-conference team that is officially part of the United States Power Soccer Association (USPSA). They compete monthly, September through May, against teams throughout New England, including teams from the Northeast Passage, an organization that provides unique opportunities to athletes with disabilities.

Although power soccer uses a traditional 13-inch soccer ball, many of the rules differ from traditional soccer. The number of athletes on the court, for example, is just eight—four players per team. Players “kick” the ball using guards attached to their power chairs.

Another major rule difference, says Molly McHugh, the Wheelers’ coach and Director of Communications at Grassroots Soccer, is what is known as the “two-on-one rule.”

“The basic premise is that you can’t have two players on the same team go for the same ball when a member of the other team is also going for the ball,” says Molly, a longtime competitive athlete who has been coaching the Wheelers for a year.

Something else particularly unique about power soccer, adds Molly, is that there are no age restrictions. The athletes on the Wheelers range from a 15-year-old to someone who’s 75. “That’s one of my favorite parts of coaching,” she says, “getting to see all these different ages playing on the court.”

Cris Criswell, the oldest player on the Wheelers, has been involved in adaptive sports for years. For Cris, who was diagnosed with polio at age

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COMMUNITY 11, power soccer was a game changer.

“Soccer is a game of angles and chess.

To see the world’s greatest sport well played and powered on wheels is a joy to behold, and I am so pleased to be a part of it,” Cris recently wrote in a letter to the USPSA expressing his gratitude for the sport.

The only real requirement to play power soccer is the drive to play a competitive sport. And if you use a power chair for mobility, options for team sports are extremely limited in terms of independent recreation or independent sport. Kim sees an opportunity to introduce others throughout the Upper Valley to the benefits of power soccer.

She plans to offer clinics this spring in conjunction with Northeast Passage to veterans at the VA Hospital in White River Junction, Vermont.

The motto of the United States Power Soccer Association is “more than just a sport.” Power soccer “isn’t just a game.

It’s a way of life,” the USPSA website reads. Kim has seen this motto in action on the court.

“It’s something bigger than the players,” she says. “This sport allows for independence and community that these players haven’t experienced before. It’s been designed—not adapted—for them.”

For more information on power soccer, visit powersoccerusa.org. To get involved with the Upper Valley Wheelers, contact Kim Estes at (603) 359-5084 and visit their Facebook page: facebook.com/ UpperValleyPowerSoccer. I

The coach and the team strategize at halftime.

ONLINE EXTRA

Find more photos online at www.uppervalleyimage.com.

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A bird's-eye view of Blow-Me-Down Farm and the Opera North Summerfest "big top" on the bank of the Connecticut River. Photo

by Lars Blackmore/Ameridane Press.

Inset: Barn at Blow-Me-Down Farm. Photo courtesy of Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, Cornish, New Hampshire.

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THE ARTS

By Susan B. Apel

DOWN ON THE FARM OPERA NORTH TAKES A JOURNEY OF REBIRTH

W

hat happens when professional opera singers and circus performers share an outdoor stage on a riverside farm in Cornish, New Hampshire?

According to Opera North, a new, creative experience for the audience seated under the big top. It may be unorthodox, but Opera North General Director Evans Haile believes there are dots between the two that are easy to connect. Tensions run high in both kinds of performance. “At the circus, the audience wonders, ‘Are they going to make that leap?’ and at the opera, they think, ‘Are they going to hit that high note?’”

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Circus performers and opera stars under the direction of Opera North Artistic Director and founder Louis Burkot (lower left) dazzled the audience. Photos by Lars Blackmore/Ameridane Press, courtesy of Opera North.

Opera North, a professional opera company that begins its 37th season in the Upper Valley, has cast itself into a journey of rebirth. For decades of summers, it has brought professionalquality traditional opera to the Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon, New Hampshire. In the past three years, Evans and Artistic Director Louis Burkot have sought to sync the image and content of Opera North’s offerings with the changing tastes and expectations of modern audiences.

Enter another unusual pairing—that of the opera company with the Blow-MeDown Farm in Cornish, New Hampshire.

The 42.6-acre parcel hugging the banks of the Connecticut River with a killer view of Mount Ascutney lies across Route 12A from Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, the only national park in the state of New Hampshire. The farm was acquired by the Saint-Gaudens site in 2010; they launched a plan to create “A Park for the Arts,” and sent out a call for community involvement. Opera North responded.

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A DESTINATION PERFORMING ARTS CENTER In considering the Blow-Me-Down, Evans, Louis, and Maria Laskaris, now the company’s Director of Development, had a few things in mind. One was the possibility of a home for Opera North. While it has been headquartered at the Lebanon Opera House and has played in other Upper Valley venues, the company has never had an actual physical location of its own.

In addition, audiences for traditional opera everywhere have become smaller and skew grayer.

Opera North did not want to continue with only the tried-and-true of presenting full-scale productions in typical venues. They wanted to create new opportunities for existing audiences, even as they enticed people for whom opera was less familiar.

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The historic 46-acre Charles Beaman Farm is set to become a national "park for the arts" thanks to a unique partnership between the National Park Service and Opera North. Photo courtesy of Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, Cornish, New Hampshire.

under which other performing artists might gather and strut their stuff.

According to Maria, when she and Evans and Louis walked the land together for the first time, they felt the potential of linking the beautiful, historic spot with a “destination” performing arts center, not unlike the Berkshires’ Tanglewood or Jacob’s Pillow. It wouldn’t be the first time that the farm inspired art-centered dreams.

Blow-Me-Down Farm is part of the rich history of the Cornish Art Colony of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Charles Beaman, a New York City lawyer, purchased the property in 1882, erecting a home, barn, and several other buildings. He also bought the property that is currently the Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site and leased it to the sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

Charles Beaman is credited with enticing Saint-Gaudens to move to Cornish, telling him that New Hampshire had plenty of men with Find image at www.uppervalleyimage.com •

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THE ARTS physiques akin to that of Abraham Lincoln who could serve as models for Saint-Gaudens’ work-in-progress—a sculpture that would become the Standing Lincoln, which incidentally is now installed at the Saint-Gaudens site. Charles brought other artists to Cornish as well and entertained them at his home at Blow-Me-Down Farm. In 1926, a fire destroyed the Beaman home, forcing the conversion of the “casino,” a building designed for guests to play games, into a new family residence.

Today, several of the original buildings on the Beaman farm remain, including an iconic New England barn, a caretaker’s cottage, a dance hall, and the post-fire Beaman home.

Opera North has received grants from the Northern Border Regional Commission, the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation, the Timken Foundation, and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation that have enabled it to enlist architect R. Andrew Garthwaite to preserve and rehabilitate the main house.

Construction is scheduled to start in the spring of 2019. Opera North will use the renovated space as a general headquarters for its summer program at the farm. Plans for other structures are subject to additional funding. Possible ideas include installing an artist-inresidence in the caretaker’s cottage and using the existing dance hall as Park Service exhibition space. As for the barn, it wouldn’t be the first time that someone stepped through an old New England barn door, eyeballed the vast emptiness, and thought “theater.”

A FRESH TAKE ON TRADITION What’s in store for Opera North patrons for this season? More time down on the farm, beginning with Hoedown at the Blow-Me-Down, featuring the music of American composers Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, and Rodgers and Hammerstein. Similar to last year’s Singers and Swingers, Mark Lonergan, director of the Big Apple Circus, and 76 i m a g e •

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professional circus artists will join Opera North’s live orchestra and resident artists (young opera singers from around the globe) for multiple performances on July 12 through 14.

After four sold-out performances last year, Opera North has contracted for a larger tent.

New this year at Blow-Me-Down is the first outdoor performance of a full operetta, Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance on July 26 through 28. Amid various concerts at other Upper Valley venues, Opera North will wrap up the summer back at the Lebanon Opera House with a full-scale production of Verdi’s Macbeth, August 4 through 10.

Extending the season is another example of pushing Opera North in new directions. Formerly a strictly summertime phenomenon, last year saw an autumn performance of the thoroughly modern, sungin-English, Scalia/Ginsburg. This October will bring the New England premiere of Glory Denied, an opera

by Tom Cipullo (based on a book by Tom Philpott) about Colonel Jim Thompson, America’s longest-held prisoner of war in Vietnam.

Change in a tradition-bound world like opera always takes place in uncharted waters. “Continuing to be creative,” says Louis, “is the beauty and curse of longevity.”

Louis’s and Evans’s respect for the form is steadfast, even as they grow animated when talking about how to present opera in other spaces, to new audiences, in collaboration with other artists. “The Blow-Me-Down is our sandbox,” says Evans, “a relaxed, family-friendly space where we can turn old into new.” I

Blow-Me-Down Farm Saint-Gaudens National Historical Site 139 Saint Gaudens Road Cornish, NH (603) 675-2175

Opera North 20 West Park Street Lebanon, NH (603) 448-4141 operanorth.org Find image at www.uppervalleyimage.com •

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SPOTLIGHT

By Susan Nye Photos courtesy of Lake Sunapee VNA unless otherwise noted

MAKING A

DIFFERENCE T

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF INSPIRATION AND SERVICE he Women Who Make a Difference Luncheon turns 20 this May. As always, the Lake Sunapee LSRVNA & Hospice’s signature event is the hottest ticket in town. The brainchild of Gail Matthews of Wilmot, it’s a wonderful celebration of women and their accomplishments.

When Gail and her husband Glenn moved to Wilmot in the late 1980s, they were immediately struck by the strength and kindness of their neighbors.

The newcomers volunteered for several projects in Wilmot and the surrounding region. “We met the most fabulous people,” says Gail. “I fell in love with New Hampshire and that special feeling of community and caring for each other.”

Above: Gail Matthews thanks Cathy Raymond for her ongoing hard work at the VNA and for the Women Who Make a Difference Luncheon. “Cathy is the unsung hero of the event,” says Gail. “We couldn’t do it without her.”

Photo by Paul Howe.

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Left: The Women Who Make a Difference Committee works year-round to make this a highlight of the spring season.

From left: Kristen Branzetti, Jane Peel, Jan Sahler, Jeana Newbern, Gail Matthews, Beth Swanson, Jayne Rayno, Ellen Brownson, Cathy Raymond, and Abby Peel. (Not shown is Tanya Wilkie.)

Bottom, from left: Carolyn Meub, Executive Director of Pure Water for the World, spoke at the 2015 luncheon.

Mary Gutsgell (right), 2003 winner, with Nancy Sporborg, author of It’s Not About the Hike and 2012 guest speaker. Gladys Smith (left), 2014 WWMD award winner, celebrates with Andi Steel. Jan Sahler (left) congratulates Andi Steel, 2008 winner of the WWMD award, as Gail Matthews (back) looks on. Wheeler Hall on the campus of Colby-Sawyer College is festooned with balloons and flowers for the event.

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Celebrating Neighbors Of course, Gail wanted to share her enthusiasm for her new community. With her boundless energy, she created Kearsarge Valley Magazine, a meet-yourneighbor program on local television. Her goal was to shine a light on local heroes and share their wonderful stories.

Gail’s first guest was Bill Kidder Sr., local businessman and banker, New London Town Clerk, and longtime member of the New Hampshire Legislature. With an avid interest in local and automotive history and collecting, Bill founded the Ice House Museum on Pleasant Street in New London. The museum is filled with many fine examples of antique automobiles, machinery, tools, and children’s toys. Gail went on to write, produce, and host interviews with more than 400 local notables.

Gail’s passion for showcasing individuals and their good works took a turn after a trip to Boston for a women’s luncheon. It was one of those things that happens to all of us. A good friend’s sister-in-law was the special honoree, and Doris Kearns Goodwin was speaking. How could she say no?

Inspiration Results in a Great Idea Driving back to Wilmot, she reflected not just on the event but on all of the wonderful women she’d met in

New Hampshire. By the time she reached home, she was convinced that the Kearsarge region was overdue for a special event honoring local women.

Gail took her idea to Andi Steel, then president of the LSRVNA, and the Women Who Make a Difference Luncheon was born. In keeping with Gail’s philosophy of giving back to the community, the event would not only honor local women but also raise funds for the LSRVNA’s pediatrics program.

While not its largest program, the LSRVNA’s pediatric caregivers play an important role in the community.

Jim Culhane, president of the LSRVNA, welcomes the focus the luncheon brings to the care of at-risk babies and children. He says, “In-home support and pediatric care is an ongoing need but, with our aging population, this portion of our business had slowly decreased over time. Demand is now on the upswing.” He continues, “Substance abuse issues and the opioid crisis are having an impact on families across the state. We are seeing an increase in demand for support and homecare for babies and young children.”

One Luncheon, Many Goals From the beginning, the Women Who Make a Difference Luncheon has served many goals. While showcasing the LSRVNA’s pediatric program, it brings

In keeping with Gail’s philosophy of giving back to the community, the event would not only honor local women but also raise funds for the LSRVNA’s pediatrics program.

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Past winners were applauded at the 10th anniversary lunch.

Seated, from left: Jan Sahler, Jeanie Plant, Michele Holton, Susan Mayer, and Mary Gutsgell. Standing, from left: Dana Dakin, Carlton Bradford (for Maggie Bradford), Mary Jane Ogmundson, Susan Cowan Morse (for Kearsarge Assets Network), Cathy Erickson (for Yankee Communications), and Clare Morgan (for Wilmot Learning Place).

Below: Kearsarge region students also make a difference. Stevens High School senior Lexie Grenier receives her award from Committee member Abby Peel. Photo by Paul Howe.

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women together to recognize and celebrate their many contributions to the community. Cathy Raymond, development officer at the LSRVNA, explains, “Women are the glue that holds families together. They build and strengthen communities. Every day, throughout the region, women step up and help others. On the surface, these simple acts of caring may seem ordinary. In reality, they are truly extraordinary.”

Jim adds, “The luncheon honors individuals but it also celebrates women throughout the Kearsarge region. We applaud their contributions as professional caregivers, as volunteers, and as neighbors, wives, mothers, grandmothers, daughters, and sisters.”

For two decades, the Women Who Make a Difference Committee has managed to make each luncheon better than the last. The Committee pays attention to every detail from the award winners and speakers to the music, menu, table settings, raffles, and door prizes. Kristen Branzetti, owner of Nourish Holistic Health and Nutrition in New London, is the newest Committee member. She says, “I was happy to get involved with the luncheon. It is a wonderful event. It’s all about solidarity, women supporting women and lifting each other up.”

“The event is always a joyful celebration and a sign that

spring is finally here,” says Cathy. “The room is alive with wonderful energy and exuberance.” The New London Elementary School chorus kicks off the event. It is a favorite moment for Kristen. “It is wonderful to see those little girls in their pretty dresses singing. I hope that they will remember that they were part of this wonderful afternoon.

I hope that they will grow up to realize their dreams.” A gifted singer, Kristen will close the event with a song. “What a Wonderful World” left everyone smiling last year. She’s keeping this year’s choice a surprise.

Impressive Speakers and Honorees In addition to the inspiring award winners, the luncheon features a prominent woman speaker. Gail says, “We have had wonderful speakers. Just phenomenal— they speak from the head and the heart.”

The list of past speakers includes Dr. Lori Alvord, author and the first Navajo woman surgeon; Maxine Kumin, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and New Hampshire Poet Laureate; Dr. Susan Lynch, Pediatric Lipid Specialist and past First Lady of the state of New Hampshire; Sidra DeKoven Ezrahi, Professor of Comparative Literature at Hebrew University, Jerusalem; Ginny Reed, Professor of Community and Family Medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth; and Dr. Marion J. Hardy, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Retired US Air Force Colonel.

“Everyone has a story,” says Gail.

“Throughout the years, our speakers have inspired us with their stories of courage and fortitude. They help us see that, in spite of sometimes difficult circumstances, we can be a victor—not a victim.”

Jan Sahler of Wilmot has been an active participant in Women Who Make a Difference since the first event. Now semiretired, as a nurse and former director of the LSRVNA’s Pediatric Program, Jan understands firsthand the difference LSRVNA nurses, staff, and volunteers can make. She says, “We take care of the whole family. “Our goal is to educate the parents to help keep Find image at www.uppervalleyimage.com •

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SPOTLIGHT

children safe, healthy, and able to realize their fullest potential. Through the years we have connected families to other community resources to assist them in becoming more selfsufficient. In doing so, I feel we make a difference.” Jan is unabashedly honest about the challenges of caring for at-risk babies and children, which she describes as a “long-term commitment.” For her good works at the LSRVNA, she was the first honoree back in 2000. She says, “I was a little embarrassed to be honored. I was doing a job I loved and couldn’t have done it without a wonderful staff and volunteers.”

Nominations for both a local woman and a high school student start in the winter and are open to the public. “There are so many outstanding women and students in the region, it’s extremely difficult to choose,” says Gail. Jan adds, “These women are all wonderful role models. The Women Who Make a Difference honorees lead by quiet example and support the community without fanfare.”

The 2018 award winner was Deborah Mozden, founder of Turning Points Network (TPN). Based in Claremont, TPN is a shelter and resource center for victims and survivors of violence. The nonprofit supports and shelters women of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and stalking. Nominated by her board members, Deborah was honored for her decades-long commitment to helping local women and their children. She is widely praised for her compassion and can-do attitude as well as for her ability to maintain calm in times of crisis.

Stevens High School senior Lexie Grenier of Claremont received last year’s Student Who Makes a Difference Award. Nominated by her principal, Patricia Barry, she was called out for her outstanding dedication, drive, and empathy. A member of both the National Honor Society and Student Council, this talented young woman’s long list of achieve84 i m a g e •

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ments includes volunteering at the Claremont Soup Kitchen and leading a walkout to publicize school safety. The demonstration was dedicated to the victims of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.

While the luncheon focuses on inspiring women, it is also a fundraiser. Gail says, “We are very grateful to the many businesses and individuals who sponsor the event and the LSRVNA. We are lucky to have the LSRVNA and the services they bring to our community—to babies and children, to families, to all ages.”

To mark the luncheon’s 20th year and celebrate the event she founded, Gail Matthews will be the keynote speaker. The award winners are always kept a secret. You must attend to find out which of your neighbors will be honored.

Gail encourages everyone to come, adding, “At the end of the luncheon, everyone is happy and feeling good about life’s possibilities.” Jan sums it up: “The speakers, the award winners, they inspire us. We carry their stories home with us. They propel us forward and give us the confidence that we too can make a difference.” I

WOMEN WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE LUNCHEON Wednesday, May 15, 11:30am Wheeler Hall on the campus of Colby-Sawyer College in New London Don’t miss out – reserve your ticket today!

For more information, visit LSRVNA’s website, www.lakesunapeevna.org.

Tickets are $40. Contact Cathy Raymond at (603) 526-4077 ext. 231 or craymond@ www.lakesunapeevna.org for reservations.

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PICK ar t s & enter t ainm ent

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar Through March 17 Buyer & Cellar Alex More has a story to tell. A struggling actor in LA, he takes a job working in the Malibu basement mini mall of beloved megastar Barbra Streisand. One day, the star herself comes downstairs to play. It feels like real bonding in the basement, but will their relationship ever make it upstairs?

Northern Stage northernstage.org

March 14 The Very Hungry Caterpillar Three beloved stories by award-winning children’s book illustrator and author Eric Carle leap from the page to the stage through the magic of black light and fanciful puppets.

Lebanon Opera House, 10am lebanonoperahouse.org

March 17 John 5 and The Creatures Guitar wizard John 5 (of Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson fame) presents an evening of electrifying music delivered with trademark theatricality and unparalleled musicianship.

Lebanon Opera House, 7pm lebanonoperahouse.org

bring your own scissors and clippers.

For more information or to register, call the Museum at (603) 632-4346 or email education@shakermuseum.org.

Enfield Shaker Museum, 2–4:30pm www.shakermuseum.org

March 23 Comedian Juston McKinney Claremont Opera House, 8pm www.claremontoperahouse.info

March 26 Out and About Preschool Program with LSPA Get out and about in nature with Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA) in Sunapee Harbor and at The Fells!

The Fells, 10am thefells.org

Juston McKinney

March 23 Dried Herbal Wreath Workshop Create a masterpiece from the everlasting flowers and herbs grown in the Shaker Museum Herb Garden. Each person will take home a finished wreath, great for decorating your home or as a thoughtful gift. All materials provided, but please

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April 12 A Sick Day for Amos McGee Amos McGee is as kindly and conscientious a zookeeper as you will find. Day after day, he bonds with each of his friends: running races with the tortoise, spending quiet time with the timid penguin, sharing a handkerchief with the sniffling elephant. One day, Amos himself feels under the weather and remains home in bed, and the animals must decide what they can do to return the favor.

Lebanon Opera House, 10am lebanonoperahouse.org

April 16

March 30 Shattering the Stigma Mark Crandall, Gen Y Creative, and Headrest of the Upper Valley invite you to hear inspirational stories and poetry designed to shatter the stigmas around mental health, substance abuse, and recovery.

Lebanon Opera House, 2pm lebanonoperahouse.org

April 4

Martin Barre Celebrates 50 Years of Jethro Tull

Fly-Fishing Film Tour The original and preeminent exhibition of fly-fishing cinema, F3T is a one-of-a-kind experience. Each year, fishy folk of all ages gather in big cities and small towns alike to soak up gorgeous, high-definition films from around the world, spin a few yarns among friends, and dream about casts yet unmade.

Lebanon Opera House, 7pm lebanonoperahouse.org

April 5 Mighty Acorns: The New Life of Spring April is a time of change here in northern New England. The last of winter begins to fade away, and the arrival of spring greets us! Learn about all the new life from sprouting plants to eggs and babies! Join us to read a story, make an animal craft, and take a hike to enjoy the changing landscape.

The Nature Museum, 10am www.nature-museum.org

April 10–May 19

Mighty Acorns: The New Life of Spring

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Once Based on the hit movie and featuring an ensemble of actor/musicians who play their own instruments on stage, Once tells the enchanting story of a Dublin street musician who is about to give up on his dream when a beautiful young woman takes a sudden interest in his haunting love songs.

Northern Stage northernstage.org

Candle-Making Workshop Make candles of natural wax, decorated with herbs grown in the museum gardens and infused with aromatic bliss. Great gifts for yourself or someone you love. For more information or to register, call the Museum at (603) 632-4346 or email education@ shakermuseum.org.

Enfield Shaker Museum, 1–3pm www.shakermuseum.org

April 18 Martin Barre Celebrates 50 Years of Jethro Tull Lebanon Opera House, 7:30pm lebanonoperahouse.org

April 19 Get the Led Out Lebanon Opera House, 7:30pm lebanonoperahouse.org

April 20–21 Five-Colleges Book Sale Find 35,000–40,000 books in all fields, in good condition and carefully sorted. Maps, prints, computer materials, CDs, videos, DVDs, audio books, and ephemera.

Everything half-price on the second day!

Lebanon High School, Sat 9am–5pm; Sun 9am–3pm www.five-collegesbooksale.org

April 26–28 Spring Shaker Forum A weekend of lectures by Shaker scholars, tours of the Museum, special activities, updates on preservation projects, networking with colleagues and friends, lodging and meals in the Great Stone Dwelling, and special presentations on Friday and Saturday evenings. For a program and registration form, call the Museum at (603) 632-4346 or email education@shakermuseum.org.

Enfield Shaker Museum www.shakermuseum.org

April 27 Locals: Music, Magic & More Claremont Opera House, 7pm www.claremontoperahouse.info

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THE PICK May 2

May 5

Thursday’s Child at The Coach House Restaurant Thursday’s Child at the Coach House Restaurant at the New London Inn supports local community nonprofits one plate at a time—donating 50 percent of each Thursday evening’s net proceeds to a designated organization.

The Fells, 5pm thefells.org

Enfield Children and Youth Shaker Day In celebration of the Enfield Shaker Museum’s 2019 Season Opening on May 1, we present a Children and Youth Day that offers hands-on craft and gardening activities including make-your-own May Day head wreaths, pony rides and live animal displays, children’s puppet processions led by the animals, use of our Shaker schoolroom, noncompetitive games, garden tours, lunch in our dining room, a special sale in our gift shop, and fun for the whole family.

Enfield Shaker Museum, 10am–4pm www.shakermuseum.org

May 3

Bill Fabian by Jack Rowell Dan Zanes and Claudia Eliaza

Mighty Acorns: Pollinators: Nature’s Small and Powerful Superheroes!

Often we think of honeybees and bumblebees as the only pollinators, but there are many other types of pollinators that make up the superhero pollination force! Come learn about these many pollinators, how pollination happens, and what you can do to support them.

The Nature Museum, 10am www.nature-museum.org

May 4 Kindred Spirits: Spring – The Amazing World of Pollinators Did you know that, on average, one of every three to four bites of food we eat or sips of a drink we gulp are made possible by pollinators? So, what is a pollinator? How do they pollinate? Come learn about how pollination happens and the small heroes that make it possible.

The Nature Museum, 10am www.nature-museum.org

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May 11 Herbal Spa Workshop We will delve into aromatherapy with herbal scents. Find calming, soothing herbs to make an herbal eye pillow and use invigorating herbs for a pick-me-up tea. Create your own perfect lotion to smooth on, and inhale all the herbal layers you find most pleasing. Take home your eye pillow, tea bags, and lotion, along with all the knowledge you need to pamper yourself naturally and inexpensively. For more information or to register, call the Museum at (603) 632-4346 or email education@shakermuseum.org.

Enfield Shaker Museum, 2–4pm www.shakermuseum.org

April Verch Band

May 11 Corvettes Doo Wop Revue Claremont Opera House, 8pm www.claremontoperahouse.info

May 17 Dan Zanes and Claudia Eliaza During these highly interactive shows, the audience is invited to dance and sing along in what might be called a casual—and subversively educational—party atmosphere.

Lebanon Opera House, 10am lebanonoperahouse.org

May 17 April Verch Band Canadian fiddler, singer, and step-dancer April Verch knows how to put a fresh spin on old-time sounds.

First Congregational Church of Lebanon, 7:30pm lebanonoperahouse.org

May 18 Who’s Bad As the longest-running Michael Jackson tribute band and the only one to predate his passing, Who’s Bad has earned its name by paying studious attention to MJ’s every original groove and gravity-defying dance move.

Lebanon Opera House, 7:30pm lebanonoperahouse.org

May 20–31 & June 2–14 2019 Archaeological Field School This four-week field school will be the fifth year of professional archaeological excavations at Enfield, and we are looking forward to another momentous season filled with new discoveries. There will be both a four-week college credit offering through Plymouth State University and two, two-week volunteer offerings open to the public. For more information or to register, call the Museum at (603) 6324346 or email education@shakermuseum.org.

Enfield Shaker Museum, 9am–5pm www.shakermuseum.org Find image at www.uppervalleyimage.com •

91

THE PICK

Hopkins Center Events at Dartmouth College hop.dartmouth.edu For information, tickets, or pricing information, call the Hopkins Center Box Office at (603) 646-2422 or visit hop.dartmouth.edu. The Hopkins Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 10am to 6pm.

April 3 Jazzmeia Horn Spaulding Auditorium, 7pm

April 4, 5 Camille A. Brown & Dancers: ink The Moore Theater, 4, 7pm; 5, 8pm

April 6 HopStop Family Show: ShirLaLa: Earth Worm Disco Alumni Hall, 11am; CSB Community Center, 3pm

April 10 The English Concert, Harry Bicket, Director: Handel’s Semele Spaulding Auditorium, 7pm

April 16 Carla Kihlstedt: Understory Spaulding Auditorium, 5pm

April 25 Mitsuko Uchida, Piano Spaulding Auditorium, 7pm

April 28 Dartmouth College Gospel Choir Spaulding Auditorium, 2pm

May 1, 2 Les Septs Doigts de la Main: Patinoire Spaulding Auditorium, 7pm

May 4 Dartmouth Dance Ensemble: Get Up and Dance!

Alumni Hall, 11am

May 4 HopStop Family Show: Tanglewood Marionettes – The Fairy Circus CSB Community Center, 3pm

May 4 Dartmouth College Wind Ensemble: Dreams and Imagination Spaulding Auditorium, 8pm

May 5 Dartmouth College Glee Club Rollins Chapel, 2pm

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Les Septs Doigts de la Main: Patinoire

ShirLaLa: Earth Worm Disco

May 5 Me . . . Jane: The Dreams & Adventures of Young Jane Goodall Spaulding Auditorium, 3pm

May 11 Barbary Coast Jazz Ensemble: Annual Senior Feature Concert Spaulding Auditorium, 8pm

May 18, 19 Handel Society of Dartmouth College Spaulding Auditorium, 18, 8pm; 19, 2pm

May 24, 25 Dartmouth Dance Ensemble The Moore Theater, 8pm

May 25 Dartmouth Symphony Orchestra Spaulding Auditorium, 8pm Find image at www.uppervalleyimage.com •

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Spring 2019

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ADVERTISERS INDEX

AVA Gallery and Art Center 20

Guaraldi Agency 59

Phnom Penh Sandwich Station 6

Alice Williams Interiors 76

Hanover Inn 75

Phoenix Rising Boutique 12

Angry Goat Pepper Co. 7

Hubert’s Family Outfitters 52

Piecemeal Pies 7

Annemarie Schmidt European Face & Body 21

Jackson’s Lodge 66

Pleasant Acres 1

Appletree Opticians/Dr. Donna Reed 85

Jancewicz & Son 31

Powerhouse Hearing Center 12

Baker Orthodontics 18

Jeff Wilmot Painting 48

Quail Hollow 77

Barton Insurance Agency 92

Junction Frame Shop 6 & 93

Relax & Co. 11 & 53

Belletetes 41

Renewal by Andersen of VT 8

Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. 85

Lake Sunapee Area Visiting Nurse & Hospice 47

Bentleys 29

Landforms 33

Riverlight Builders 87

Big Fatty’s BBQ 7

LaValley Building Supply 69

Ronin Hair Care for Men 6

Biron’s Flooring 91

Lebanon Opera House 39

Rosanna Eubank, LLC 20

Brown Furniture 25

Let’s Do Lunch 49

Brown’s Auto & Marine 50

Little Istanbul 47

Springfield Medical Care Systems Inside front cover

Carpet King & Tile 48

Loewen Window Center 92

Stateline Sports 49

Charter Trust Company 19

Love’s Bedding & Furniture 89

Steven Thomas, Inc. 7

Clarke’s Hardware 53

MB Pro Landscape 90

Sugar River Bank 40

ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care 27

Main Street Kitchens 9

Superior Paving 4

Colonial Pharmacy 92

Mascoma Dental 33

TK Sportswear 83

Co-op Food Stores 78

Mayo’s Furniture 51

TLC Homecare 67

Cota & Cota 61

McGray & Nichols 51

Tatewell Gallery 53

Country Kids Clothing 12

McSwiney Law Office 40

The Carriage Shed 10

Crown Point Cabinetry 15

Merten’s House 87

The Daily Catch 77

Crown Point Select 2

Millstone at 74 Main Restaurant 52

The Flying Goose Brew Pub 52

DHMC Dermatology 93

Morgan Hill Bookstore 53

The Renaissance Shoppe 52

Davis Frame Co. Inside back cover

Mountain Valley Treatment Center 49

The Scotland House 18

Dorr Mill Store 74

Mt. Ascutney Hospital 60 & 91

The Village at White River Junction 13

Dowds’ Country Inn & Event Center Back cover

NT Ferro Estate & Custom Jewelers 29

The Woodstock Gallery 29

Nathan Weschler 68

Thyme Restaurant 6

Dutille’s Jewelry Design Studio 74

Nature Calls 23

Timeless Kitchens 53

Eastern Oil Company 94

Neely Orthodontics 83

Topstitch Embroidery 91

Expectations Salon & Spa 3

Tuckerbox 78

Eyeglass Outlet 75

New London Inn & Coach House Restaurant 52

F.H. Clothing Company 7

New London Opticians 53

Unleashed 53

Flash Photo/Flash Pack & Ship 52

Northcape Design Build 62

Upper Valley Haven 61

Floorcraft 52 & 84

Northern Motorsport 89

Village Pizza & Grill 60

Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty 5

Old Hampshire Designs 84

Village Sports 53

Friends of Norris Cotton/Prouty 66

Omer & Bob’s 59

Gilberte Interiors 17

OnStage 12

Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont & New Hampshire 62

Good Neighbor Clinic 76

Oodles 7

White River Touch-Free Car Wash 6

Grace Hill Construction 53

Peter Christian’s Tavern 52

Wicked Awesome BBQ 6

Grounds 52

Phillips Auctioneers 27

Woodstock Chamber of Commerce 29

Richard Electric 83

Tyler, Simms & St. Sauveur 50

For more information about print and online advertising opportunities, contact Bob Frisch at (603) 643-1830 or email rcfrisch1@comcast.net.

Find image at www.uppervalleyimage.com •

95

CELEBRATE THE MOMENT

Ryan and Calyn’s wedding.

An annual golf tournament raises money for David’s House.

celebrating

YOU and YOURS this SEASON! Moments to remember with family and friends Send photos of your special moments to dthompson@mountainviewpublishing.com.

Deb with grandsons Anderson and Evan after their soccer game in Woodbridge, Virginia.

Tyler Hall’s baby Logan stays warm with his bunny.

Jennifer, Brian, and new baby Jackson with Allagash and Abraxas.

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Spring 2019

David and Emma Waste were married in September 2018.

Reagan Moog enjoys her Thanksgiving dinner!