Image - Winter 2024

CANCER SCREENING

Detect it Early & Treat it Early!

BREAST CANCER SCREENING

1 in 8 Women will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer in their lifetime.

A yearly mammogram screening is recommended to detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. Our tools and 3D technology allows our team to examine breast tissue one layer at a time enabling us to detect cancer that is too small to be seen or felt.

Don’t let affordability get in the way of your care! Resources are available for uninsured individuals who cannot afford a mammogram.

For financial assistance please call: (603) 543-6947.

LUNG CANCER SCREENING

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for all adults.

Lung cancer screening uses a low-dose CT scan (which takes about two minutes) to detect cancer early in adults at high risk. The screening looks for nodules that may be life threatening, though 90% of tests are negative (no cancer). Patients should return yearly for screening to make sure there are no changes.

Contact your Primary Care Provider (PCP) to determine if you are eligible.

Associates in Medicine: 603-543-6900 Valley Primary Care: 603-542-6700

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

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WINTER 2024/2025

FEATURES

48 | The Inn at Pleasant Lake

Your very special home away from home. by Susan Nye

60 | Long River Gallery

Art on Main Street. by Susan B. Apel

74 | The Studio

Finding warmth and balance in yoga. by Wren Wahrenberger

86 | Ulaan-Where?

A visit to the capital of Mongolia. by Lisa Ballard

Above: Long River Gallery. Photo by CPerry Photography.

Right: The Oak Room at The Inn at Pleasant Lake.

Photo courtesy of The Inn at Pleasant Lake.

Cover: VerShare Snowshoe-A-Thon participant

Trish Poirier, 2024. Photo by Herb Swanson.

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Winter Traditions

After a traditional Thanksgiving feast with turkey and all the trimmings, the holiday season is in full swing. The shopping crunch of Black Friday is behind us, but so much more gift-hunting remains. Instead of ordering presents online, support local businesses by heading downtown or to the mall to make your purchases. Our friends and neighbors depend on us, so let’s keep our money in our own communities.

I love this time of year for its traditions. What’s more fun than carting boxes of decorations down from the attic or up from the basement and decking the halls—and the Christmas tree—while we sing along to old favorites by Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole? Sparkling lights seem to be everywhere, adding to the magic of the season. It may be cold outside, but homes are warm and cozy inside as we look forward to welcoming friends and neighbors to celebrate with us.

During this wonderful season, take time to remember those less fortunate by donating to your favorite local charity or food bank. Folks in our area are caring and generous, and it’s heartwarming to live in a place where people come together to help their neighbors. Have you noticed the more we give, the more we’re blessed in return?

The rest of the staff and I wish you and your loved ones a happy holiday season, filled with family, friends, and all your favorite traditions. Enjoy!

Deborah Thompson Executive Editor dthompson@mountainviewpublishing.com

photo

CONTRIBUTORS

 Anne Richter Arnold, WRITER

Anne is a writer and journalist who shares her passion for wine through her blog, tasting events, and educational classes. She is also working on her first novel, a psychological thriller set in New Hampshire. In her free time, she enjoys world travel, playing the piano, hiking, kayaking, and creating wonderful meals to pair with wine. She makes her home on the Seacoast with her husband, dogs, cats, and chickens.

 Susan B. Apel, WRITER

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

 Lars Blackmore, PHOTOGRAPHER

Lars grew up in Denmark and has worked as a photojournalist since the early 1990s, covering everything from concerts to conflicts on assignment for the Associated Press, Save the Children, and others. Now based in Norwich, Vermont, with his wife and two kids, he combines photography and writing assignments with graduate work at Dartmouth College.

 Chantelle Neily, PHOTOGRAPHER

Chantelle grew up in rural Vermont; at a young age she was introduced to photography and was immediately drawn to the excitement, challenge, and opportunities that each new photograph presented. After receiving a BFA in Photography from Sage College of Albany and a Certificate in Professional Photography from Hallmark Institute of Photography, she moved back to the Upper Valley and started CPerry Photography.

 Susan Nye, WRITER

While you can find her work in magazines throughout New England, Susan lives, eats, cooks, and writes in New Hampshire. She shares many of her favorite stories about family, friendship, and food on her award-winning blog, Around the Table, at www .susannye.wordpress.com.

 Wren Wahrenberger, WRITER

Wren lives with her family in Hanover and teaches journalism and fiction writing at Hanover High School. When not reading students’ papers, she finds time for regular yoga practice and hiking with her dogs, as well as keeping a small vegetable garden in the summer. Besides writing articles for Here in Hanover, Wren enjoys writing fiction.

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 Indoor Activities to Try

This Winter

Try some of these indoor activities to keep you busy all winter long.

The Upper Valley’s 2024 Holiday Gift Guide 

Explore our hand-selected local favorites to make holiday shopping stress-free, fun, and filled with the local spirit!

 What’s Happening

This Holiday Season in the Upper Valley

From tree lightings to gingerbread contests, the Upper Valley has fun holiday events happening all season.

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MONTHLY TIDBITS | DECEMBER FACTS, FUN & IDEAS

DIAL DOWN HOLIDAY STRESS

December is Stress-Free Family Holiday Month, but everything from crowded stores to the onslaught of house guests can make it feel like the most frenzied time of the year. Prioritizing self-care is critical, and the following tips can help relieve stress so you can enjoy family and friends.

• Spend some time alone. Even a 15-minute break can help you relax and relieve stress. Take a brisk walk to significantly improve your mood.

• Set limits. You can’t do everything, so do only what you enjoy.

• Reduce shopping stress. Set a budget and don’t let guilt or perfectionism make you spend more than you intend. Try focusing on shared experiences rather than material gifts.

• Enlist help. Let friends and family contribute to meals and gatherings.

• Remember what’s impor tant. Spend time focusing on family and traditions rather than stressing out about the perfect gift or table setting.

WHAT EXACTLY IS EGGNOG?

Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no denying that eggnog is a holiday tradition—so much so that December has been declared Eggnog Month. While its exact origins are unknown, eggnog’s history traces back to 13th century Britain when monks added whipped eggs and figs to their “posset,” which was a mixture of hot milk or cream, wine or ale, and spices. It developed into a beverage for aristocrats, since only members of the upper classes could afford eggs, cream, and sugar. When it made its way to North America in the mid 1700s, it became known as “egg-n-grog,” derived from the Scottish and Gaelic word noggin, which means cup, and grog, an English term for hard booze, often rum. American colonists shortened that to “eggnog.”

As milk, eggs, sugar, and rum became more affordable, eggnog became accessible to everyday Americans. Today it’s enjoyed by people around the world, often with regional variations. But the basic recipe has remained unchanged: eggs are beaten with sugar, milk, cream, and often a distilled spirit, and it’s long been a mainstay at holiday parties. Here are a few variations to try mixing into your eggnog this holiday season:

A splash of vanilla or almond extract

A shot of espresso

A scoop of vanilla ice cream

Did You Know?

Historical records show that George Washington served his own version of eggnog to his guests at Mount Vernon.

A shot of rum, bourbon, whiskey, or brandy

A sprinkle of nutmeg, cinnamon, and/or pumpkin spice

“One-quart cream, one-quart milk, one dozen tablespoons sugar, one-pint brandy, ½ pint rye whiskey, ½ pint Jamaica rum, ¼ pint sherry – mix liquor first, then separate yolks and whites of 12 eggs, add sugar to beaten yolks, mix well. Add milk and cream, slowly beating. Beat whites of eggs until stiff and fold slowly into mixture. Let set in cool place for several days. Taste frequently.”

ON THIS DAY: ART HEIST!

On December 12, 1913, Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece the Mona Lisa was recovered from Italian waiter Vincenzo Peruggia’s hotel room in Florence two years after it was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris. Peruggia had previously worked at the Louvre and took part in the heist with a group of accomplices who posed as Louvre janitors on the morning of August 21, 1911. Peruggia was convicted in Italy of robbery and spent just 14 months in jail. The Mona Lisa was returned to the Louvre, where it remains today.

A INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE

She's Much Smaller Than You Think Mona Lisa, an oil-on-wood-panel painting, measures just 30 inches by 21 inches and weighs 18 pounds.

Her Eyebrows Are Debatable

Some say her "missing" eyebrows is representative of the high-class fashion of the time. Others insist it proves that Mona Lisa is an unfinished masterpiece. But a digital scan done in 2007 revealed that da Vinci had, in fact, painted eyebrows, as well as much bolder eyelashes. Perhaps they had simply faded over time or had fallen victim to years of restoration work. Leonardo da Vinci died in 1519 before completing the portrait.

source: samsoriginalart.com

MONA LISA

MONTHLY TIDBITS |

GIVE GIFT CARDS LIKE A PRO

Everyone loves a gift card, and it’s even better when it’s presented in a way that shows how much you care. Personalize gift cards by wrapping them in a paper doily—the small ones at party stores and some grocery stores are the perfect size. Simply use a compass to cut a piece of colored paper about the same size as the doily, apply glue, and place it on the back of the doily. When the glue is dry, place the gift card in the center of the lined doily and fold the sides, bottom, and top around the card. Secure the edges with a bit of glue and tie with a pretty ribbon.

“Of

all the months of the year there is not a month one half so welcome to the young, or so full of happy associations, as the last month of the year.”

—Charles

Dickens

JANUARY

MAKE YOUR NYE PARTY SPECIAL

Ornaments aren’t just for Christmas! To make a New Year’s Eve gathering extra special, gift guests a clear ornament filled with confetti and glitter as well as encouraging and uplifting messages for the New Year. They’ll remember the fun evening with loved ones and the shared good wishes for a great year ahead.

Did You Overindulge?

Not coincidentally, January 1 is National Hangover Day. If you overindulged while ringing in the New Year, you may have nausea, headache, shaking, and fatigue and could even be feeling sweaty and dizzy with a rapid heartrate. While there’s no cure for a hangover, Harvard Health offers a few tips to help relieve the misery. First, drink plenty of fluids. You’re probably dehydrated, especially if you’ve been sweating, having diarrhea, or vomiting. Next, get some carbohydrates into your system. Drinking lowers blood sugar levels, so some symptoms could be from a brain working without enough of its main fuel. Start slowly with some toast. Take a pain reliever—but not Tylenol (acetaminophen). Aspirin and ibuprofen (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs) may help relieve a headache and achiness. But if there’s still alcohol in your system, it may accentuate Tylenol’s toxic effects on the liver. Finally, take a multivitamin. Research shows that B vitamins and zinc may lead to less severe hangovers.

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MONTHLY TIDBITS | JANUARY

ENJOY WINTER CITRUS

The fruit-growing season may have passed in the Upper Valley, but oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes are plentiful and flavorful at the market this time of year. Keep the following tips in mind when choosing citrus:

Oranges: Select oranges that are firm and heavy for their size. Lighter oranges have more skin and drier pulp, which means less juice. Avoid oranges that are bruised, soft, or puffy. Oranges will keep two weeks at room temperature or longer in the refrigerator.

Grapefruits: Choose grapefruits with thin, smooth, firm skins. They don’t have to be perfect, but avoid any that are soft, wrinkly, or have green on the skin. Grapefruits will last for about a week at room temperature or two to three weeks under refrigeration.

Lemons: When choosing a lemon, pay attention to its weight—the heavier the fruit, the thinner the skin and the more juice it contains. Avoid shriveled or soft lemons. Lemons will last for about two weeks on the countertop or up to six weeks in the fridge.

Limes: Like lemons and oranges, limes should be heavy for their size. Purple or brown spots indicate decay. Limes will stay fresh at room temperature for about a week. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to two weeks; after that they will begin to lose their flavor.

BLOOD DONORS NEEDED

January is National Blood Donor Month, and the need for blood in the Upper Valley and nationwide is ongoing. “The need for blood products is continuous. It can’t be made in a factory. We rely on volunteer donors,” says Dr. Richard Kaufman, a pathologist who oversees the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center blood donor program.

JANUARY WEATHER FOLKLORE

There are many weather maxims, and it’s fun to consider how much of this timeless wisdom will hold true. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac

• Fog in January brings a wet spring.

• The first three days of January rule the coming three months.

• A summerish January, a winterish spring.

• If birds begin to whistle in January, frosts are to come.

• Always expect a thaw in January.

If you’re interested in donating blood, you can make an appointment through dartmouth-hitchcock.org to give at the DHMC location in Lebanon, which is open Monday through Thursday from 7:45am to 2:45pm. The site is looking for people to donate whole blood, platelets, and plasma. Donors at DHMC need to be at least 17 years old. There is no upper age limit. Donors should plan on about one hour to donate.

“NEVERMORE.”

January 19 marks the birth of Edgar Allen Poe, who was born in Boston in 1809. Poe died at age 40, whether from drinking, heart failure, or other causes is still uncertain. While most of us associate him with Gothic horror, Poe is also credited with initiating the modern detective story and was an early forerunner of science fiction. “The Raven” (1845) made him internationally famous and is among the spookiest and best-known poems written in English. Sources say that Poe first considered another talking bird, the parrot, when writing “The Raven.” In The Philosophy of Composition, Poe wrote that the raven, as “the bird of ill-omen,” was “infinitely more in keeping with the intended tone.”

Keep PETS Safe and Healthy THIS WINTER

By January the cold weather has settled in, and our furry friends are just as cold, if not colder, than we are. From avoiding ice melts to caring for chapped paws, here are some tips from the ASPCA on how to keep your pets safe, happy, and healthy throughout the winter months.

1. If it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet. Pets can freeze, become disoriented, lost, injured, or even killed from being left outdoors in the cold.

2. After each walk, wash and dry your pet’s feet and stomach. While on a walk, your pet may step in ice, salt, and chemicals, which can be very painful. Regularly check for cracks in paws or redness between the toes. Massage petroleum jelly into your pet’s paw pads before going outside to help protect them.

3. Never shave your dog down to their skin during winter. Longer coats provide more warmth.

4. Feed your pet a little extra in the winter months. Our pets work a harder to stay warm in the winter and therefore burn more energy.

5. Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm. Dogs can lose their scent in the snow and easily become lost.

For more tips and information, visit aspca.org.

For years, Willow Brook Builders, LLC has been a trusted name in home remodeling, catering to the discerning needs of the Upper Valley and beyond. Our expertise lies in the art of transforming interiors into extraordinary spaces that harmonize with your unique style. With a specialized focus on kitchen and bath remodeling, additions, and custom cabinetry, we bring sophistication and craftsmanship to every project.

Let Willow Brook Builders redefine your Upper Valley home and turn your dream home into a reality.

MONTHLY TIDBITS | FEBRUARY

STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS

Rosa Parks, born Rosa Louise McCauley, was a leader of the Civil Rights Movement who gained notoriety after refusing to give up her bus seat for a white person on a segregated bus. Her action led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which marked the end of racial segregation in Alabama. Americans commemorate Rosa Parks Day on February 4, which is her birthday. For her efforts, Rosa was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr.’s Award by the NAACP, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Congressional Gold Medal. She is even called the “mother of the civil rights movement” for her bravery and contribution. She was 92 years old when she died on October 24, 2005.

“You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.”—Rosa Parks

A Slice of History!

February 9 is National Pizza Day. Whether you prefer it with a thin crust, deep dish, or Chicago style, no one can resist a slice of cheesy pizza, one of the world’s most popular foods.

In ancient times, people in Rome, Egypt, and Greece ate flatbreads with different toppings on them, creating the first version of the pizza. The pie as we know it today originated in the Italian city of Naples. In 1889, the Italian Queen Margherita, after sampling many pizza varieties, declared her favorite was one topped with mozzarella, tomato, and basil, which we still enjoy today as Margherita pizza. Read on for some fun pizza facts:

Busiest Pizza Day: Super Bowl Sunday is one of the busiest days for pizza delivery in the United States. More than 12.5 million pizzas will be ordered during the game.

Largest Pizza: The largest pizza ever made was created in Rome in 2012. It measured over 13,580 square feet and used 19,800 pounds of flour.

Pizza in Space: In 2001, Pizza Hut became the first company to deliver pizza to space when they sent a pizza to the International Space Station.

source: calendar.com.

Rosa Parks Memorial by Thomas Jay Warren. Veterans Courthouse, Essex County, New Jersey. Bronze and stainless steel, over life-size.

GO, LISA!

EXCELLENCE BRINGS PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS

Congratulations to longtime image contributor Lisa Ballard! Last April, Lisa garnered the overall super G title for women on the FIS Masters Cup, her fourth Super G title, the most of any woman on the international masters circuit. She also finished the winter tied for first in Alpine Combined, second overall in her age group, and fourth overall in giant slalom. “It was an exciting finish to last winter,” says Lisa, age 62. “I’m happy to still be in the mix. Some of the women are half my age.” Lisa credits her lifetime of physical fitness and her joy of ski racing as her secrets to going fast.

Then in September, the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) honored Lisa with its Joan Wulff Enduring Excellence Award (lifetime achievement award). Lisa is only the second woman in the near 100-year history of OWAA to receive this prestigious national honor. Its namesake, Joan Wulff, was the first, in 2000. “I’m overwhelmed to be recognized by my peers in this way,” says Lisa. “It’s even more special because my husband Jack, who won this award two years ago, presented it at the conference. I’m humbled and deeply moved, but I’m not done yet. I’ve got a lot more adventures ahead to write about and photograph!”

Clockwise from above: Jack Ballard presents Lisa with the Outdoor Writers Association of America's (OWAA) Joan Wulff Enduring Excellence Award, a lifetime achievement award. Last April. Lisa won the overall super G title for women on the FIS Masters Cup, her fourth Super G title.

"A holiday isn't a holiday without plenty of freedom and fun."

—LOUISA MAY ALCOTT

by D ana J ohnson

Celebrate with Charcuterie

AN EASY WAY TO IMPRESS HOLIDAY GUESTS

This time of year is for welcoming friends and relatives into your home. Everyone is sure to remember your holiday spread when you treat them to a delicious charcuterie board. Add to the festivities by making it into a Christmas tree shape then relax while your guests dig in!

CHARCUTERIE ORIGINS

If you’re wondering about where charcuterie came from, look back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who preserved meat by salting, smoking, or drying it. In medieval France, the collection of meats and cheeses reached new heights, becoming an admirable skill in the 15th century. To ensure excellence and safety, a guild of butchers was organized at the time to oversee the cured meat trade. By the 18th century, charcuterie was a widespread culinary art in France, and it didn’t take long for the popular trend to spread to other countries. Charcuterie has regained popularity in recent years, especially in the United States.

Spanish shape of

ASSEMBLING A MASTERPIECE

Make your own charcuterie board this season using your favorite meats, cheeses, and extra fixings. Don’t skimp—select only top-quality ingredients for your delicious creation. Make your choices from the following ingredients:

CHEESES

Include a mix of textures and flavors by using hard, soft, and blue cheeses. Some good options are Brie, Camembert, cheddar, Gouda, and goat cheese.

MEATS

Cured meats like salami, ham, pepperoni, and prosciutto pair well with sweeter ingredients and are easy to fan out. You can also include Italian sausage, sliced turkey, and smoked salmon. Gently fold or roll then layer the meat slices instead of laying them flat.

EXTRAS

WE’RE HERE BEFORE

PROBLEMS ARISE

Complement the meats and cheeses with olives, pickles, nuts, and crackers. Use a few varieties of crackers and you can also use a thinly sliced baguette. Fresh fruit, such as grapes and berries, adds variety and color, as do sliced peppers, cucumbers, and celery.

TIME TO ARRANGE

Start with the larger items, like meats and cheeses, and then fill in the gaps with the smaller items. Consider using different heights, colors, and textures to create an attractive display.

CONDIMENTS

Add olive oil and vinegar to complement the other items on the board. You can use them as a dipping sauce or to add flavor to crackers or bread. Other options include various dips and stone-ground mustard. Introduce sweetness with dried fruit and jam or chutney.

To serve, provide knives for slicing and small dishes or bowls for the accompaniments. y

Visit Historic Woodstock this Winter

PHOTOGRAPHY BY HERB SWANSON

WINTER FUN for a GOOD CAUSE

THE 2025 VERSHARE SNOWSHOE-A-THON

Gather family and friends on February 22 and head to the town center of Vershire, Vermont, for the annual VerShare Snowshoe-A-Thon (SAT). Money raised will go toward hosting the 2025 Vershire summer camp held in August for children in Vershire and the surrounding towns. In 2024, the event raised more than $14,000.

Participants enjoy the ice rink at the Vershire Town Center after snowshoeing.

Above: Snowshoers enjoy the 1/4-, 1-, and 3-mile trail loops offered as part of the Snowshoe-A-Thon.

From left: Bianca Giaever leads the way. Victor Henningsen pauses to pose. Zeb Fletcher, Ava Springsteel, and Kate Colbert make a happy trio. Greg Skurka (left) and friend.

Clockwise from top left: Emma Martenis-Robiner, SAT coplanner, sets up the start/finish line. David Hooke, SAT coplanner, gives the thumbs-up for the perfect weather. Snowshoers, including students from The Mountain School in Vershire, enjoy the trails. Participants take to the Vershire ice rink after snowshoeing and lunch. Vanessa Waxman directs snowshoers to the 3-mile loop, which includes a fire and s’mores break on top of Pine Top Hill. Participants appreciate the free chili and soup lunch, provided by The Mountain School and town residents, after their hike.

The Snowshoe-A-Thon is the primary fundraiser for the free summer camp that VerShare has run for local children for more than 20 years. “The founding VerShare members wanted to ensure that all children, no matter their socioeconomic status, had a chance to attend a camp.”

—Rosie Wawrzyniak, VerShare board member and event coplanner.

The SAT is hosted by VerShare, a community organization in Vershire founded by concerned residents in 1998 to promote village activities, foster economic development, and raise funds for civic projects. It’s cohosted by the Mountain School and the Rivendell School District.

SNOWSHOEING FOR BEGINNERS

Thousands of years ago, snowshoeing was an indispensable way to travel. Over the years, it has evolved into an enjoyable outdoor activity. Here are some reasons you might want to try it:

• To stay in shape: Snowshoeing is an excellent low-impact aerobic exercise.

• To connect: It’s a winter sport in which all ages and abilities can participate.

• To save money: Forget expensive lift tickets at the resort. All you need for snowshoeing is a pair of snowshoes, which can be rented, and warm clothing.

• To get out there, even if you’re an amateur: Snowshoeing is not intimidating for beginners who stick to easy trails.

• To learn something new: If you eventually want to explore more difficult areas, taking a class can help you learn how to go up and down hills, use poles, and how to get up after falling. source: rei.com.

FIRST-TIME BASICS

• Get snowshoes that are right for your weight, the terrain, and the snow conditions.

• Wear warm, waterproof boots.

• Dress in layers with clothing that can handle cold, wet conditions.

• Bring adjustable poles with snow baskets (optional, but recommended).

If you’ll be out for an extended period, you may also need to pack a map, compass, or GPS device; headlamp and extra batteries; sunglasses and sunscreen; first aid, including foot care; a knife plus gear repair kit; a lighter or matches and tinder; shelter (a lightweight emergency blanket); extra food and water; and extra clothing, especially dry socks.

For more information, go to rei.com. source: rei.com.

The Snowshoe-A-Thon is the primary fundraiser for the free summer camp that VerShare has run for local children for more than 20 years. “The founding VerShare members wanted to ensure that all children, no matter their socioeconomic status, had a chance to attend a camp,” says Rosie Wawrzyniak, VerShare board member and event coplanner. The camp is a full town effort, and many residents participate as activity leaders, volunteer in the kitchen, or donate money, supplies, and food.

“I’ve been helping plan the SAT since 2021, which was also the first year my daughter attended camp, and I’m in awe every year of the way the community rallies behind these two events,” says Rosie. “Vershire may be small, but the sense of community spirit here is the most impressive of anywhere I’ve ever lived.”

For more details and to register online, visit vershare.org/events-calendar/ snowshoe-a-thon. y

394 Main Street, New London, NH 03257

Alan M. Croteau Principal Broker / Owner REALTOR, GREEN, ABR, RENE

A snow-lovers dream: The serene setting of the snow-covered grounds at the inn with its charming historic events barn is a magical winter wonderland.

BY SUSAN NYE 6

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE INN AT PLEASANT LAKE

the inn at

PleasantLake

Your very special home away from home

The Inn at Pleasant Lake has a long history of welcoming visitors from across the country and around the world. Built in 1790 by Caleb Segur, like many New Hampshire inns, it began as a simple cape-style farmhouse and barn. After the Civil War, Colonel William Messer purchased the property. Ideally located across the street from pristine Pleasant Lake with a magnificent view of Mount Kearsarge, he transformed the farm into a summer resort. The colonel raised the roof, added its distinctive gables, and named it the Red Gables Inn.

For more than 150 years of hospitality, a variety of innkeepers have overseen the property. A couple stayed for decades, while others came and went in a flash. Two years ago, the inn once again changed hands when a partnership between Verdigreen Hotels and Heartwood Hospitality acquired both the New London Inn and the Inn at Pleasant Lake.

Husband and wife team Travis and Azie Shelhorse of Verdigreen Hotels bring critical experience and expertise in hotel management, corporate finance, real estate, and design. Along with the two inns in New London, Verdigreen owns half a dozen boutique properties in New York, Florida, and Washington, DC. Longtime friends Matthew Meidinger and Danny Bortnick own Heartwood Hospitality. After several years in restaurant and bar management with Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, both front and back of the house, their consultancy provides operations and marketing strategy, planning, and execution to new and faltering establishments.

UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS

Taking over a historic inn, especially one that has been in continuous operation for more than a century and a half, can be a daunting task. Matt says, “We recognize the strong ties and nostalgia that so many people feel toward the inn.” From its early Red Gables days to becoming a clubhouse for the Slope ’n Shore community to a public restaurant and inn earning kudos for fine dining and prix-fixe multicourse menus, the Inn at Pleasant Lake has been the setting for unforgettable moments for generations.

The Oak Room, the best chophouse in the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee region, seamlessly blends old world charm with contemporary cooking and the region’s finest ingredients in a beautifully updated 1790s New England farmhouse. The adjacent Parlor offers a comfy, cozy setting for fireside cocktails, small plates, live music, and casual gatherings.

Matthew Meidinger (left) and Danny Bortnick, owners.

Director of Rooms Justin Barnes.

Executive Sous Chef Dylan Cartier.

Food and Beverage Manager Samantha Hagan.

Azie and Travis Shelhorse, owners.

Weddings are Special and a Specialty at the Inn at Pleasant Lake

Whether you plan an extravaganza with 300 people or an elopement for two or a few, the Inn at Pleasant Lake is the perfect spot for a wedding. With Pleasant Lake and Mount Kearsarge as a backdrop, you are guaranteed a beautiful day. Depending on size, you have multiple options for the ceremony and the reception, including the inn parlor and dining rooms, gardens and tent-able event lawns, the historic barn, or a combination. Additional guest rooms and spaces for celebration are available just up Pleasant Street at their sister property, the New London Inn.

The inn’s staff can ease you through all the details of your special day, from rooms for the bridal party and guests to the rehearsal dinner, welcome party, wedding ceremony and reception, after-parties, and next day brunch.

The staff keeps an extensive vendor list to ensure that everything from the flowers to music and even the comfort station is perfect. Their elopement packages provide everything you need for a flawless wedding for two plus (should you choose) a few special guests.

Late spring, summer, and early autumn are the busiest times for weddings at the inn. Be sure to contact the inn staff and book early. No matter what you choose or mix and match, a beautiful setting and flawless service await you and your guests.

From top: One of the inn’s many suites with adjoining sitting room. Heirloom furnishings coupled with modern amenities provide comfort and charm. King-sized beds, luxurious bedding, and plush terry await. A complimentary breakfast includes a bountiful buffet and daily hot offering. The stone patio with outdoor dining, fire pits, and sunset views of Pleasant Lake and Mount Kearsarge.

“Our goal for the dining room and parlor was to refresh, not do a total renovation. The new look is contemporary while respecting the building’s history and beautiful location.”

With five classic rooms and five junior suites, the historic waterfront resort has become well known for its outstanding service, warm hospitality, and outstanding views. The boutique inn provides firstclass amenities, from high-speed Internet to a delicious complimentary continental breakfast. Nearby hiking, snowshoe, and ski trails provide winter fun. A cozy fire and drink in the parlor and a wonderful meal in The Oak Room will welcome you home after your outdoor adventures.

TIME FOR A REFRESH

After taking over the inn, the partnership found their hands full with some major systems and kitchen renovations. Thankfully, all systems are now a go and fully operational. Along with infrastructure changes, the dining room and parlor have been updated and the new restaurant debuted last spring. Matt says, “Our goal for the dining room and parlor was to refresh, not do a total renovation. The new look is contemporary while respecting the building’s history and beautiful location.

Guests of the inn enjoy snowshoeing and crosscountry skiing around Pleasant Lake and the trails of Mount Kearsarge and the surrounding area.

We wanted visitors to turn their attention outward to the outstanding view of the lake and mountain.”

As the renovations neared completion, the team thought long and hard about menus as well as a name for the new restaurant. Just in time for the busy summer season, The Oak Room launched as the region’s premier chophouse. Chef Dylan Cartier and Food and Beverage Manager Samantha Hagan take hospitality very seriously and are delighted to lead the kitchen crew and waitstaff. Their goal is to ensure you enjoy a warm welcome, superb wines and cocktails, and a delicious meal.

Born and raised in Newport and educated at the New England Culinary Institute, Chef Dylan’s creativity, attention to detail, and partnerships with local farmers produce beautiful meals of ethically farmed meats and produce. “We are very particular about the products we use and how we prepare them,” he says. Along with traditional steaks and chops, The Oak Room’s menu has seafood and vegan options. Salad or soup and a breadbasket are included. An everevolving wine list and a delicious selection of hors d’oeuvres, sides, and desserts are available to complement your meal.

CLASSICS WITH A TWIST

Having grown up in Sunapee, Samantha is a great resource for visitors. She loves sharing her extensive knowledge of what to see and do in the area. Starting out as a part-time server at the New London Inn, Samantha has taken on multiple roles to gain experience and learn all sides of the business.

From the Black & Bleu Martini to the Smoldering Old Fashioned, Samantha has

Views from the beach and lake of the inn and its striking pitched gables at dusk. Expansive event lawns and lawn games, Adirondack chairs and fire pits, tennis, pickleball, and other amenities abound.

created an intriguing cocktail menu. “Think of it as the classics with a twist,” she says. Forget mixes or bottled juices, everything is freshly made from scratch. Leaning into the lake, Samantha even has a nonalcoholic Blueberry Island. The blueberry-infused cocktail shares the name of Pleasant Lake’s favorite picnic destination.

Samantha and staff are transforming the inn’s parlor into a favorite gathering spot for both inn guests and locals. She invites everyone to stop in after skiing or snowshoeing for a warm drink, something from the martini cart, or one of her innovative cocktails. Add a cheese and charcuterie board, relax, and enjoy the sunset’s reflection on snowy Mount Kearsarge and Pleasant Lake.

Looking forward, Samantha is working on a wine club and reintroducing whiskey lockers. More than a few decades ago— before the inn had a liquor license— diners brought along their favorite beverage. Rather than carry in every time, regulars kept a locker. Samantha is developing a list of fine whiskeys for patrons to purchase and store in their lockers.

The long tradition of hospitality continues today at the Inn at Pleasant Lake. While no longer red, the inn’s gables, the view of the lake and mountain, the extraordinary food, and the warm and welcoming staff await your visit. y

The Inn at Pleasant Lake

853 Pleasant Street

New London, NH

(603) 873-4833

innatpleasantlake.com TheOakRoomNH.com

Bark N Bath Pet Spa

Dog Grooming & Self-Serve Wash Boutique

374 Main Street

New London, NH (603) 526-2150

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

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram

Color Café

75 Newport Road New London, NH (603) 526-2727

Sunapee Shade and Blind

75 Newport Road

Suite 101

New London, NH

(603) 526-2397

Cell (603) 748-5782 www.SunapeeShade.com

Dr. Alla Devitskaya

Personalized Medical Optometry

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

24 Hanover Street, Unit 3 Lebanon, NH (603) 349-8787

Hugo Anderson MFA Artist/Curator

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

www.hugoanderson.com

Images available on website Represented by Candita Clayton Gallery

Optometrist On Premises

255 Newport Road Unit E

New London, NH (603) 526-6990

Tue, Thu, Fri 9am–5pm Sat 9am–12pm Closed Mon & Wed

In-house baked goods made from scratch

Grounds

Baked goods, bagels, smoothies, and more!

374 Main Street

New London, NH (603) 526-6010

Closed Wed

Follow us on social media for updated hours!

Walk In Beauty Spa & Wellness

Top Notch Facials & Massage Therapy

219 County Road (next to Hubert’s Clothing Store) New London, NH (603) 557-1001

www.walkinbeautyspaandwellness.com

Easily book online 24/7

Carol Shepherd

120 Route 10 South Grantham, NH (603) 863-3278 www.sheprealty.com

Busy Women Wellness, LLC Holistic Health Practitioner & Spiritual Spine Straightening 11 Pleasant Street

New London, NH (603) 748-5559

www.busywomenwellness.com Hours by Appointment

74 Newport Road

New London, NH (603) 526-4201

www.74MainRestaurant.com

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

New England Beauty & Wellness

New London–Lebanon, NH (603) 877-0070

www.newenglandbeautyandwellness.com By appointment only

Main Street New London, NH (603) 526-2024

Tue–Sat 10am–4pm Sun 10am–3pm Closed Mon

www.alleyesonyounh.com Follow us on instagram alleyesonyounh Millstone at 74 Main

New London, NH (603) 748-3011

219 County Road

New London, NH (603) 526-4032

www.Huberts.com  Mon–Fri 9:30am–6pm Sat 9am–6pm Sun 10am–4pm

The Hair Station Full Service Salon

the Gallery at 276 Newport Road

New London, NH (603) 526-8056

Visit us on Facebook @theHairStation Mon–Fri 8am–7pm, Sat 9am–4pm

Evelyn J’s Fish Market

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

Mon 1–6pm Tue–Sat 10am–6pm

The Refinery Restaurant & Market

4 Mill Road Andover, NH

(603) 977-0194

www.refinerynh.com Wed–Sat 12–9pm

The Elms Restaurant and Bar at The New London Inn

353 Main Street New London, NH (603) 526-2791

www.TheElmsRestaurant.com Tue–Sun, Bar 4–10pm, Dining 5–9pm

Floorcraft

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

www.FloorcraftNH.com Mon–Fri 8am–5pm Sat 8am–1pm

Tatewell Gallery

New London Shopping Center

257 Newport Road

New London, NH (603) 526-2910

www.tatewellgallery.com

Tue–Fri 10:30am–5:30pm, Sat 10:30am–4pm

Open Mon Thanksgiving–Christmas 10:30am–5:30pm

Morgan Hill Bookstore

253 Main Street

New London, NH (603) 526-5850

www.MorganHillBookstore.com Mon–Fri 9am–5:30pm Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 11am–3pm

Peter Anderson Studio

428 Main Street

New London, NH (603) 229-2629

www.peterandersonstudio.com

Mon–Fri 11am–4pm Or by appointment

Peternh916@gmail.com

Instagram: @peter_anderson_studio

Foster’s Fine Jewelry

428 Main Street

New London, NH (603) 252-0543

Text Angela Thu & Fri 10am–4pm, Sat 10am–2pm Or by appointment

Ear Piercing, Jewelry Repairs, Redesign New and Estate Jewelry

LONG RIVER GALLERY

ART ON MAIN STREET

BY SUSAN B. APEL 6 PHOTOGRAPHY BY LARS BLACKMORE

Rachel Obbard and Kathy Detzer are the slightly improbable co-owners of Long River Gallery in White River Junction, Vermont. Rachel has an engineering background and has taught at the Thayer School at Dartmouth College; she is currently a senior lecturer and assistant adjunct professor at Dartmouth’s Institute of Writing and Rhetoric. Kathy has a degree in graphic design and has been a painter “forever,” working mostly in pastels. They’ve known each other since their children, now grown, were in the second grade at the Dothan Brook School. In 2018, Rachel wandered into the gallery during a First Friday event in downtown White River, where her husband was playing in a band called Meadowlark. She learned the business was for sale and leapt at the opportunity.

The two women find joy in running the gallery and acknowledge that their talents and contributions to the enterprise are complementary. “Extrovert,” says Kathy pointing at herself, and “introvert,” this time pointing at her partner. “I do the QuickBooks,” adds Rachel; Kathy loves being on the gallery floor. Kathy has an eye for the display, knowing what works might complement each other on a gallery wall. Rachel can be seen balancing on the ladder, taking on the physical task of hanging the paintings.

A NEW HOME

The two have been co-owners since 2020. They are relatively recent players in the gallery’s history. Long River Gallery was founded by Maggie Busheri, Allie Farr, and Peg Little as an artists’ cooperative in Lyme, New Hampshire, where it remained for over 20 years. In 2013, Dave Celone, then of Lyme, took over the business. Three years later, Dave moved the gallery into the former White River Yarns space in downtown White River Junction, stating, “I thought it would bring visibility to the expanding number of artists. Lyme was a slow location

Top row from left: Owners Kathy Detzer and Rachel Obbard.

Photo courtesy of Long River Gallery. A view of the gallery floor from the main entry.

Bottom row from left: Stemmed glassware and paperweights by Alex Kalish and cordial glasses by Janet Zug. Stained glass piece by Kathleen Curwen and framed images by illustrator Zoe Tilley-Poster. Amanda Ann Palmer’s pottery on display in the gallery window.

Clockwise from top left: Oil paintings by painter Betsy Derrick. Collages of cut paper by Anne Santa Maria. A unique selection of felted art, cards, games, and books. Jewelry display of various artists. An assortment of woodenware from Rockledge Farms.

from a customer traffic standpoint, and it was set a long way back from the road.”

In Lyme, the gallery was solitary. The move to White River Junction meant Long River would swim in artsy waters, alongside art bigwigs like the College for Cartoon Studies and Northern Stage, as well as offbeat commercial establishments like clothing stores Revolution and Oodles, Lampscapes, Scavenger Jewelry, and eventually newer art galleries like Kishka. Lyme was more bucolic, serene. Downtown White River thrums with more activity and foot traffic, particularly as it became one of the Upper Valley’s restaurant— as well as art—hubs.

Rachel and Kathy both speak of how supportive the local business and arts community has been, noting that their gallery has joined the newly formed Downtown Business Association that meets at the Coolidge Hotel on the first Monday of each month to discuss common concerns and search for ways to support the town’s arts and small business economy and each other. As a side note, the majority of arts and other businesses in White River seem to be—like Long River Gallery—woman-owned.

SERVING UPPER VALLEY ARTISTS AND PATRONS

Long River Gallery is a place of both art and commerce. It hosts quarterly exhibitions of the works of one regional artist at a time. When possible, there are meet-theartist receptions, often coinciding with one of White River Junction’s First Friday celebrations, a self-guided walk through the downtown area with open houses, live music, and maybe some wine and hors d’oeuvres. First Fridays are popular and energetic, drawing approximately 60 patrons or more into the gallery in an evening. In addition, the gallery’s compact space displays for sale the works of approximately 80 local artists and craftspeople: fine art paintings, functional pottery, fabric art, and wearables like scarves and mittens. The art tends toward the representational and nature scenes; the crafts are well-curated.

How are artists selected? The gallery has what it refers to as a few “legacy artists,” who

When we come together as community, we become something greater than ourselves.

saskadenasix.com

THE STANDING MOUNTAIN

have had work more or less continuously at the gallery since its inception, decades ago, in Lyme. For others, there is a twice yearly (January and June) submission process. In addition to quality, Rachel and Kathy judge the submissions according to whether the work is a “good fit” for sale in their gallery. Occasionally they have discovered artists whose work may not fit for the purpose of retail but is compelling enough to be considered for one of their exhibitions. Staging exhibitions and selling art and crafts are the central but not the only activities at the gallery. In addition to the First Friday celebrations, Long River participates in the Vermont Crafts Council’s Open Studios, an annual open house event in which creatives demonstrate their processes in their working studios. The gallery’s business model includes “shop sitters,” also known as “artistes de galerie,” who are represented artists and crafters who take turns minding the store. In between ringing up sales, they can be found working on and answering questions about their art—painting, making jewelry, needle felting.

Like many small businesses, the holiday season is particularly busy and accounts for much of the retail sales at the gallery. Shelves are kept well-stocked with seasonal work that is popular for gift giving. Then January is a time to take a breather, deep clean the store after all the holiday traffic, and plan for the upcoming year.

Both owners love that their workplace is filled with art, and they often have to fight the urge to buy it and take it home. Apart from the aesthetics, they feel a sense of history about the gallery and are honored to have a place in it. Rachel searched for the right word to describe their roles and landed on “stewards,” adding, “We are the current owners. Long before us, and long after us, we see Long River Gallery as being in service to artists in the Upper Valley.” y

Long River Gallery

49 South Main Street

White River Junction, VT

(802) 295-4567

longrivergallery.com

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

by pamela brown

john w. hession

except where noted

OLD HAMPSHIRE DESIGNS

DESIGNING EXCEPTIONAL HOMES TO MEET CUSTOMERS’ LIFESTYLES

OUR HOME IS OUR SANCTUARY and a special reflection of our individual lifestyle. “A home is never just a home,” says Jay Tucker, owner of Old Hampshire Designs, Inc., an award-winning full-service custom design-build company located in New London, New Hampshire.

“Every custom home that we build is designed to meet the specific needs of that particular client. The goal is to be sure that we successfully create a home that is unique to them. If the design and

the quality of the work are exceptional, the client should feel a great deal of satisfaction for as long as they live in their home,” says Jay.

Established in 1984, Old Hampshire Designs works with residential and commercial clients in the Dartmouth/Lake Sunapee region, developing a project from conceptual design to final construction drawings. A wide spectrum of home styles ranges from a Timberpeg timber frame, a conventionally

photography by

Jay Tucker, owner of Old Hampshire Designs, Inc.

The Business Spotlight highlights businesses that have been in our community for many years.

Top center: This contemporary design features a fully retractable NanaWall positioned perfectly to maximize stunning waterfront views.

Above: A successful timber frame hybrid collaboration with Canadian architectural firm Anderson Architects. Photo by William Fish.

Left: Old Hampshire Designs enjoyed collaborating with Eagle Pond Studio architect Jessica Cook on this enchanting family vacation home.

“We

act as a general contractor for the construction of a home, handle all the permitting prior to construction, and take care of every detail until the client is ready to move in,” Jay says.

Jay enjoys working closely with his clients throughout the design phase of each project to ensure that every detail meets their expectations.

Above: Old Hampshire Designs enjoyed the opportunity to create an attractive stucco exterior for this contemporary home.

Right: No detail gets left behind in an Old Hampshire Designs home. Photos by William Fish.

“Building energy-efficient homes has always been an important measure of what we do. The challenge comes with meeting a client’s desires and their budget,” he says.

framed home or office, a hybrid, and everything in between. “We act as a general contractor for the construction of a home, handle all the permitting prior to construction, and take care of every detail until the client is ready to move in,” Jay says.

THE PERFECT DESIGN

The company offers quality craftsmanship that highlights details such as fireplaces, interior trim and paneling, stairways, and magnificent windows to ensure structures are both aesthetically pleasing and efficient. “Each one of these features should be embraced by the client as they touch and feel them every day in one way or another. The perfect design is one that reflects good balance and proportion,” says Jay, who personally oversees the development and design of each project and relies on his experienced and knowledgeable team and other craftsmen he has worked with for over 40 years.

Top center and above: The placement of a home on its property is as important as the architectural design. Landscaping by Moulton Lawn & Landscaping.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

“Our tagline, ‘Honesty—Integrity— Detail,’ sums up who we are. Our goal is to provide our clients with the best possible value we can, and we stand behind our product when we are finished.”

Old Hampshire Designs, a member of the New Hampshire Green Building Council, is a leader in green building and energy-efficient design. The company works with a LEED-certified architect to develop green building plans to reduce energy dependence and create safe, healthy homes and office environments. “Building energy-efficient homes has always been an important measure of what we do. The challenge comes with meeting a client’s desires and their budget,” he says. “We stress investing in the most important items first such as building a high-quality energy-efficient envelope. Other features such as geothermal heat and the use of solar become very project specific.”

BUILDING SOMETHING TOGETHER

Jay’s career in the industry was inspired during his college years when he worked with a skilled craftsman. “He was a wonderful teacher and took great pride in his work,” says Jay, who earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire and an MBA from Plymouth State University. “I loved being outside and working with my hands. I’ve always had an appreciation for pleasing architecture and have been inspired by the designs of many beautiful homes. I’ve also had the privilege to work with a number of talented architects,” says Jay, who enjoys the collaborative, long-lasting relationship he has with clients after completion of their home. “This relationship is about building something together and our commitment to a satisfied client who knows they can reach out to us at any time, and we will be there for them.” Jay shares more about his company.

What’s your most unique and favorite project you’ve designed?

A large gambrel-style home intended to be a guest house for a large blended family. This 6,000-square-foot home was built on Lake Sunapee but inspired by a grand home in the Hamptons. My favorite was a 2,500-squarefoot lake cottage that looked and felt like a cottage from days gone by.

What are the top five features every home must have?

A welcoming front porch or entryway. An adequate mudroom and closet area. Firstfloor primary bedroom suite, even if it’s an accommodation for the future. Also, a sufficient pantry area, preferably a walk-in if possible, and lots of natural light.

How do you keep your work innovative? I listen and learn a lot from my clients. With the amount of information available to our clients online, it’s amazing to see what inspires them.

What is most important to you in home design?

The key is to design a well-thought-out home that meets the client’s needs and their budget and pay close attention to the most important features first.

If budget is an issue, where is the best place for homeowners to spend their money?

The key to any project with a client on a budget is to design within square footage that can be achieved for the money they have to spend. Try and work from the “musthave” features first, followed by those that “would be nice to have.”

What type of service do you offer?

Our tagline, “Honesty—Integrity—Detail,” sums up who we are. Our goal is to provide our clients with the best possible value we can, and we stand behind our product when we are finished. y

Old Hampshire Designs, Inc.

263 Main Street

New London, NH

(603) 526-6945

oldhampshiredesigns.com

BY WREN WAHRENBERGER 6 PHOTOGRAPHY BY CPERRY PHOTOGRAPHY

finding warmth and balance in yoga

At The Studio, located in the Junction Marketplace in White River Junction, Vermont, the front desk employee’s greeting makes you feel like they have been waiting for you to enter that door all day. The instructor for the class you’ve signed up for online is also waiting near the desk, ready to ask how you are doing, help show you around if you are new, or assess if you need any modifications to your practice due to injuries. You take off your shoes, sign in, and find a place for your mat in the hot room, knowing you have made it and carved out time for yourself at this magical and healing yoga and fitness studio.

IN THE BEGINNING

The Studio owner Maeghan Finnigan began her journey as a fitness instructor in 2005 as a certified

Original Hot Yoga (OHY) teacher. She was trained by Bikram Choudry in Los Angeles. Five years later, she bought The Studio’s current expanded space, calling it Bikram Yoga Upper Valley.

However, by 2016, the studio was struggling, and Maeghan realized that her clients wanted more than just yoga. New information made it “imperative” that the business “disassociate from the series founder and also consider additional modalities that would positively impact their students’ bodies and minds.” A few other hot yoga studios had added Inferno Hot Pilates (IHP), and as soon as Maeghan started talking with IHP creator Gabby Walters, she and her sister Julia Finnigan, who had received OHY teacher training in Australia, both realized it just made sense to add

The Studio owner Maeghan Finnigan.

The Studio’s mission became “to create a safe space where people are encouraged and supported to connect, heal, and grow through life-changing classes taught by empowering teachers.”

the class. (IHP is now called Inferno HIIT on the schedule.)

Over the ensuing years, more classes were added to the BYUV schedule, including the relaxing YIN yoga and the “power” Flow yoga classes. Then in 2021, they decided to rename the space simply The Studio. Maeghan and Julia worked to add new classes to “The Studio’s teaching toolbelt to help increase strength, flexibility, neuroplasticity, and improve range of motion.” The result was a series of new classes that complement each other and work together to holistically support healthy bodies from the inside out.

The Studio’s mission became “to create a safe space where people are encouraged and supported to connect, heal, and grow through life-changing classes taught by empowering teachers.”

EVOLVING THE OFFERINGS

“Because we loved the yoga so much and because it was so special to us, we tried to make it something it wasn’t,” Maeghan says. “Yoga is a lot of beautiful things, and everybody should have some yoga in their life for the peace of mind, for the acceptance of body, and for the challenges to your brain and your muscles. Passive stretching should be a part of everybody’s life, but it’s not the only exercise you should do, and you shouldn’t do it five days a week. You have to add some resistance training—especially women over 34.”

Maeghan learned how important it is to lift weights and added an Inferno Weights class with exercises similar to the Inferno HIIT, but using weights. At first, the heaviest weights were 8 pounds, but as her students became stronger, they

Opposite: Maeghan teaches a backbending posture. Clockwise from left: Students in an Inferno Weights class, where the focus is on biceps and triceps. Maeghan and Julia Finnigan. Inferno Weights class. Yoga class.

Right:

Studio teachers, front row: Luci, Maeghan, Scotty, Jess, and Mitch.

Back row: Julia, Heather, and Gwen.

Clockwise from right: Luci, Mae, and Ashton greet a student before class.

Yoga students concentrate deeply in a balance posture. Shop an array of activewear. The camel pose.

purchased weights up to 45 pounds. For these classes, students choose their own weights (the lightest are 2 pounds) based on their ability level. Both weights classes and Inferno HIIT classes add disco lights and music, which provide a party feel to these challenging and popular fitness offerings.

Maeghan explains that according to leading expert Dr. Stacy Sims, as soon as a person hits 30, unless they’re actively trying to put on muscle, they’re losing muscle. “Muscle is how we prevent—I don’t want to say aging because I love aging—injury, disease, and arthritis and all these things that we’ve heard for years were just going to happen, but they actually don’t have to happen at that frequency,” she says.

When it comes to injuries, Maeghan encourages transparency. “It’s very helpful when people share what they are going through,” she says. Maeghan has had her own injuries over the years and has learned how to help her students work through injuries and find alternatives to some of the exercises or poses in the classes. She does the weights classes herself because she wants to maintain the strength to “carry her own children for a long, long time,” and move things when she needs to move them. She does the Inferno HIIT because of the cardiovascular benefits. And as for the yoga, she points out, “The more people who do yoga, the better this world would be.”

A NEW APPROACH

The Studio’s offerings evolved even more as Maeghan and Julia began studying Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) created by Dr. Andreo Spina, a renowned musculoskeletal expert, with the goal of improving mobility, joint strength, and body control.

“All of a sudden,” says Maeghan,” I had a much better understanding of how bodies move and work—even about my own injuries and beliefs that I’d been holding on to for many years. It turned out I was wrong—I wasn’t approaching it the way I could have or should have.”

One of the principles Maeghan has learned through studying FRC is the importance of maintaining and strengthening healthy joints. If you don’t develop the prerequisite strengths around different joints in the body, and you try to use those joints, such as your knees or hips, you will be straining them.

The Studio added Kinstretch class, which their website declares is “the most important class on the schedule. Full stop.” Kinstretch, which focuses on small muscle movements and uses various props provided by The Studio, warms up the spine and joints. It helps other exercises feel more accessible and provides a different awareness of your body.

Maeghan talks about a study done to determine why some baseball pitchers ruin their shoulders. They analyzed videos of their pitching, and the pitchers who threw the ball the exact same way over and over became permanently injured. Those who moved their shoulders or elbows in slightly different ways each time were able to have long careers. “Taking a different class will influence your practice,” Maeghan says.

STILL PASSIONATE ABOUT YOGA

Maeghan added The Studio Yoga and OHY 2.O to help her oldschool yogis vary their practices. “We’re not going to improve those neurological connections without looking at the postures in new ways.

Even as a walker, we know to change the route,” she says. The OHY 2.0 teaches ways to better prepare and warm up before moving into a posture in the original hot yoga series. Examples of prerequisites for yoga postures are shoulder flexion, thoracic rotations, and spine flexion.

Hot Beats is another fun adaptation of the original hot yoga series. The class adds music, dims the lights, and allows for a more relaxed experience. The new Fusion class is an adaptation of the Yoga Flow and the HIIT series combined.

Heat remains an integral part of most classes at The Studio (the schedules have a little fire emoji next to heated classes), and towels are an important accessory to bring, not only to catch the sweat on your mat during class but also to dry off if you choose to take a quick shower after class. Both towels and mats can be rented before class, and The Studio has a gear shop that sells water bottles, men’s and women’s yoga clothing, sweatshirts, yoga mats, and some activewear, such as stylish Apres clothing.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

The community at The Studio is vibrant and inclusive. The feeling of being part of a family is enhanced by playful, thematic competitions over the course of the seasons, including the popular March Matness during college basketball season. Members find a partner, come up with fun team names such as Silver Peri-Power Posse, Ladies Who Crunch, and Bitches and Britches, and enter the bracket system drawn in chalk on the hallway wall. Every week they face different challenges, such as “take a class together three times.” Julia

Left: The group performs a breathing exercise at the beginning of yoga class.

reaches out to local businesses for donations, such as Indigo and Von Bargen’s, for the winners’ prizes, and the businesses are in turn featured on their social media.

Another fun Studio challenge is the Turkey to Tree over the holiday season. Students check off calendar boxes, which include “buy a friend a drink after class,” “take a weights class,” or “support a local business.” Students who check off every box get a prize, such as money on their account.

To add some enthusiasm to summer classes, students can play July BINGO and endeavor to check off boxes that ask them to, for example, “set up in the front row,” “bring a friend to class,” or “take a yoga class.” Again, winners get a prize, such as a Studio water bottle.

The Studio also supports the greater community. Because registered noshows prevent other students from reserving a spot in class, Maeghan has had to implement a no-show fee. She has donated a portion of that fund to local organizations such as JAG, WISE, the Haven, the COVER store, and the Sharing and Caring food pantry. This year, The Studio will send an Amazon wish list link to students to purchase holiday gifts for families in need through the Hartford/ Norwich Holiday Basket Helpers program.

The staff at The Studio work to create a joyful environment. It is a safe space where you can work on feeling better both physically and emotionally because, as Maeghan points out, “It can be tough out there.” You may struggle to get to class sometimes, but you will never regret going. y

The Studio 1011 North Main Street, Unit 5 White River Junction, VT (802) 698-8160 thestudiouv.com

Putnam’s vine/yard

129 South Main Street, Suite 100

White River Junction, VT (802) 478-4766

www.redcanvt.com

Dining Hours: Tue–Sat 4–9pm

ROOM 39 Speakeasy Hours: Tue–Thu ‘til 10pm, Fri & Sat ‘til 11pm

SHOP DRINK LEARN. Located in a historic Vermont railyard, the Putnam’s vine/yard secret garden is the perfect place to catch up with friends or find a quiet spot to relax with a great book and glass of wine. We are family friendly with an assortment of wooden toys, and we serve nonalcoholic beverages including specialty coffee and imported artisanal teas. Check out the Event Calendar on our website for upcoming Wine School & Vine School Classes, as well as Pop-Ups from local food purveyors and artists. Stop by every weekend between 10am and 4pm for brunch!

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

www.putnamsvineyard.com

Tue–Sat 8am–10pm, Sun 8am–9pm

193 North Main Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 295-5804

Mon–Sat 8am–7pm, Sun 9am–5pm

Upper Valley Food Co-op

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

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

www.tiptoppottery.com

& Wed 10am–6pm Thu & Fri 10am–9pm

10am–6pm, Sun 10am–3pm

Thyme Restaurant

85 North Main Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 295-3312

www.thymevermont.com Wed–Sat 5–8:30pm Private Room Reservations Suggested

www.woodblock-prints.com Fri–Sat 11am–4pm or by appointment

Long River Gallery

49 South Main Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 295-4567

www.longrivergallery.com

Wed–Sat 11am–5pm Sun 11–4pm

C&S Pizza

104 South Main Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 295-5622

Mon–Thu 11am–8pm Fri & Sat 11am–9pm Closed Sun

Cappadocia Cafe

5 South Main Street

White River Junction, VT

www.cappadociacafevt.com

Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat 7:30am–5pm Sun 9am–7pm Closed Wed

Making Tracks!

Big Fatty’s BBQ

Centrally located in White River Junction, Vermont, Big Fatty’s BBQ is the Upper Valley’s premiere barbecue and craft beer destination. Featuring freshly cooked meats and homemade sides, Big Fatty’s continues to delight locals and visitors alike. With live music every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, themed events, and tap takeovers, there’s no shortage of entertainment! Join us for the Upper Valley’s best and only AMAZING salad bar with fresh daily salads, soups, proteins, fresh breads, and desserts! Eat in and take out. Open for lunch and dinner.

186 South Main Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 295-5513 www.bigfattybbq.com

Junction Frame Shop

Junction Frame Shop has been a steadfast part of downtown White River Junction since 1985. That’s 39 years of providing creative picture framing for all tastes and budgets.

55 South Main Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 458-0569

www.junctionframeshop.com

Mon–Fri 9am–5pm Sat 9am–3pm

Tuckerbox

Tuckerbox is located in the heart of downtown White River Junction. A community gathering place with exceptional coffee, exceptional service, and truly authentic Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. We serve delicious Mediterranean breakfast until 2pm, a very healthy way to start your day. You can also enjoy authentic Turkish lunch items and even the best BLT you have ever had! For dinner enjoy any of our 12 different kebab dishes prepared on a wood-fired smoker grill. Dining at Tuckerbox will whisk you away to a far off land, transporting you to Istanbul and back with every bite!

1 South Main Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 359-4041 www.tuckerboxvermont.com

CHOIJIN TEMPLE

A visit to the capital of Mongolia

on’t worry if you can’t pinpoint Ulaanbaatar (oo-lan-BAH-ter) off the top of your head. Located in the north-central part of Mongolia, a country with a landmass on par with Alaska, this capital city has moved 28 times since it was founded in 1639 as a nomadic Buddhist monastery. Even today, half of the population of Mongolia lives in portable gers (yurts) because they herd goats, sheep, and yaks for a living. When the grass is gone in one spot, a family moves to greener pastures, two to four times per year.

What’s more, Ulaanbaatar has not always served as the capital of Mongolia. During the early 1200s when Chinggis (Genghis) Khan first established the Mongol Empire, he founded the city of Karakorum at a key location along the Silk Road. Karakorum became the official capital under his son Ogedie Khan. Later, under his grandson Kublai Khan, the capital moved to Dadu, what’s known today as Beijing, China.

Nevertheless, I found myself in Ulaanbaatar twice during a recent trip to Mongolia, when I arrived in the country and then again when departing for home. The main purpose of my trip was to trek in the Altai Mountains in western Mongolia. Seeing the capital was an unexpected delight.

STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY LISA BALLARD

CHOIJIN TEMPLE

SUKHBAATAR SQUAREGANDIN MONASTERY

BLUE SKY HOTEL

SUKHBAATAR SQUARE

After checking into the Blue Sky Hotel, one of the landmarks in downtown Ulaanbaatar due to its height and its curving shape, I met my two travel companions in the lobby. Though we felt foggy after flying halfway around the world, we wanted to stretch our legs. By chance, we crossed Peace Avenue along one side of the hotel and entered Peace Park, where a large statue of the famous Venetian explorer Marco Polo greeted us. During the 13th century, Polo traversed the Silk Road from Europe to China on several occasions, becoming one of Kublai Khan’s most trusted diplomats. Polo, who became fluent in Mongolian, received permission to travel freely throughout the empire and was thus able to introduce Europeans and Mongolians to each other’s customs and goods.

The statue of Marco Polo was well-maintained, but the rest of the park looked scruffy around the hedges and paved footpaths. The grass needed mowing, and the central fountain sprayed more water over a sidewalk next to the park than into the pool at its base.

From the Peace Park, we made our way to Sukhbaatar Square, Ulaanbaatar’s enormous central square. A statue of the Mongolian leader Damdin Sukhbaatar presided over the middle of the square. Sukhbaatar, a founder of the Mongolian People’s Party, died in 1923, two years after the country’s communist revolution.

Mongolia was a Russian satellite until 1990, when the square was the site of demonstrations and hunger strikes that ultimately led to the country’s change to a democracy. Sukhbaatar still looks in command from his horse, but now Chinggis Kahn watches over him and all who visit from his throne at the northern end of square. The enormous monument of the khan reminded me of a Mongolian version of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Like Abraham Lincoln, Chinggis Khan is seated, feet flat on the ground with his hands curved over the ends of his chair.

GANDAN MONASTERY

The next morning, our guide Amraa insisted that he pick us up at 7:30am to arrive at the Gandan monastery in time to hear the daily call to prayer. As we entered the monastery grounds, two teenage monks trumpeted their silver-trimmed animal horns from atop a small tower. Soon monks in red robes, many with tall yellow hats, filed into one of the temples on the monastery grounds.

The monks at Gandan monastery are part of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. They follow the Dalai Lama and are known appropriately as the “yellow hats” in Mongolia. The color symbolizes humility, lack of want for material things, and daylight. Before entering the small temple, some of the monks walked three times, clockwise, around a small chorten (shrine) while ringing the bells hanging from its miniature eaves, a custom meant to inform the deity of their arrival. Visitors, myself included, who wished to enter the temple to watch the service did, too.

Inside, the monks settled cross-legged on padded, low platforms and began to chant in a throaty tone that hardly waivered higher or lower. The chanting continued for two hours as monks and visitors came and went. At one point, a group of Koreans lined up against a wall outside the temple to conduct their own religious recitations.

After the service, we walked farther onto the monastery grounds, passing what looked like an exceptionally tall, thick telephone pole with a gold cap on top. “It’s the only remaining part of the original temple that was destroyed by the Russians,” explained Amraa. The Russians tried to eradicate Buddhism in Mongolia. They killed 14,000 monks and destroyed 700 monasteries, including most of Gandan monastery, but they kept some of it, mostly for show, or maybe to hide the purge. The temples that were not torn down were used as barns for livestock or for parties hosted by Russian officials.

As people passed the holy pole, they paused to bow their forehead to it, rub their hands on it, and circle it slowly. The spirituality of the pole drew me. I had to touch it, but then got distracted by a large, white, Tibetan-looking building. Amraa motioned for us to follow him inside.

Opposite top: Marco Polo statue in Peace Park.

Opposite bottom: Chinggis Khan statue in Sukhbaatar Square.

This page, top, above, and right: Monks at Gandan monastery enter the temple for morning chanting. Monks chanting. Visitors pray at the only remaining pole from the original temple at Gandan monastery.

Two young monks at Gandan monastery sound the morning call to prayer.

What I saw next was truly astounding! Before us stood an 87-foot golden statue of Avalokitesvara, the Buddha of compassion, which is the form of Buddha most revered in Mongolia. The stunning statue was adorned with 2,100 precious stones. “It’s a remake,” said Amraa. “The original was solid gold. The Soviets took it to Russia. This one was dedicated in 1996 as a symbol of Mongolian independence. It’s made of copper but gold-plated. We couldn’t afford another one entirely of gold. They say it’s the world’s tallest indoor statue.”

MORE SITES IN THE CITY

From Gandan monastery, we returned to our hotel and then strolled over to the Choijin Temple, a more compact campus of historic religious buildings. Choijin Temple is now a museum where you can see artifacts of Mongolian Buddhism, including a collection of symbolic masks and the decorative but worn chair still used by the Dalai Lama to receive guests. The last time he came to Mongolia was in 2016.

We also visited the Natural History Museum. In the mineral room, we learned about the country’s tremendous mining resources and saw a gigantic, three-foot quartz crystal. From there, we stopped by the dinosaur room, which housed the complete skeleton and a life-sized rendition of Taubosaurus baatar, the smaller but equally fierce cousin of Tyrannosaurus rex. Taubosaurus terrorized southern Mongolia and China during the Late Cretaceous Period, 68 million years ago, but it looked like it could walk out the door today.

We ended the afternoon in the museum’s sizeable wildlife room, where a complete collection of Mongolia’s native animals and birds were on display. The taxidermy was tattered and dusty, but still fun to peruse. I especially appreciated seeing the gobi bear and snow leopard, both considered critically endangered species.

The oddest beast in the wildlife room was a sabertoothed deer (musk deer). A deer only by name, this high-elevation animal is more closely related to antelope and goats. They don’t have antlers, but they do have exceptionally long canine teeth.

GRAND FINALE

The next morning we left for the trek, then returned to Ulaanbaatar nine days later. On the outskirts of

AVALOKITESVARA, the Buddha of compassion.

The 87-foot golden statue of Avalokitesvara, the Buddha of compassion. “The original was solid gold. The Soviets took it to Russia. This one was dedicated in 1996 as a symbol of Mongolian independence. It’s made of copper but gold-plated. We couldn’t afford another one entirely of gold. They say it’s the world’s tallest indoor statue” said Amraa.

CHINGGIS KHAN EQUESTRIAN STATUE

CHOIJIN LAMA TEMPLE

the city, we stopped at the Chingghis Khan Equestrian Statue, an enormous stainlesssteel monument, 130 feet tall. Like our Statue of Liberty, we were able to climb a long, narrow stairwell to its crown, but the crown was on the head of the khan’s horse rather than Lady Liberty.

From the crown, the face of the legendary emperor overshadowed the expansive view of the surrounding gers and steppe, or dry, vast grasslands. His commanding expression and powerful pose instilled us with the same awe that he likely evoked among his subjects a millennium ago.

To better understand this legendary ruler, the base of the statue housed artwork and artifacts from Chinggis Khan’s era. We saw the khan’s royal seal and his queen’s fur robes, along with examples of chopsticks, a helmet, chain mail, swords, and

Above: View of Chingghis Khan’s enormous face from the crown of the horse at the Equestrian Statue.

Above middle: An enormous rendition of a traditional Mongolian boot inside the base of the Chingghis Khan Equestrian Statue.

Above: A Mongolian soldier’s helmet from the 1200s on display at the Chingghis Khan Equestrian Statue.

Clockwise from top: The author with the cast of the Mongolian cultural show at the state theater in

A throat singer

accompanied by traditional Mongolian musicians. A musician plays an exceptionally long Mongolian horn. Two contortionists bend and balance together while shooting a bow and arrow.

arrowheads used by his soldiers. It was a fascinating peek into the life of the khans and their hordes when the Mongol Empire encompassed most of Asia and half of Europe.

The grand finale of our visit to Ulaanbaatar was an evening at one of the state theaters. The show opened with a concert showcasing a traditional Mongolian throat singer accompanied by an ensemble of Mongolian instruments. The soloist created a haunting harmony by vocalizing simultaneously deep in his throat and with his vocal cords, like a ventriloquist who could hum and talk normally at the same time.

The most interesting of the dozen different instruments on the stage was a horsehead fiddle, so named due to the delicately carved horsehead gracing the end of the fiddle’s long neck. It had only two strings made from a horse’s tail, but its sound was as varied and beautiful as a violin.

The show included a mask dance followed by two female contortionists who bent and twisted into unimaginable human knots. Contortionism is another treasured Mongolian art form. At the end, one of the women did a backbend while the other balanced on her hands atop the first, then shot an arrow into a bull’s eye with her feet!

The appeal of traveling to far-flung cities like Ulaanbaatar is the chance to understand cultures different from our own. Visiting the capital of Mongolia opened my eyes to aspects of Asian customs and history that we don’t learn about. There’s nothing like a firsthand look to appreciate a foreign place. y

Ulaanbaatar.

(left)

FOR MORE INFO

Official tourism website: visitulaanbaatar .net/#video-carousel-post-158 US Department of State information: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/ international-travel/InternationalTravel-Country-Information-Pages/ Mongolia.html

To plan your trip: steppestravel.com/us

“Bugbee is a fantastic senior center! The personnel make us seniors so happy in so many ways. Greetings, making us feel welcome, encouraging us to participate, and being healthy are so important.” —Donna M.

People of all ages love to explore the

“Some people have said to me, ‘So what are you doing now that you’re not working?’ And I’m like, ‘I’m having a good time at the Bugbee Center!’”

—Judi B.

“I have known the Bugbee Senior Center was here for years, and in fact, my second wife who just passed away, we had talked sometimes about coming here, but she was always so busy with other activities that we never came. And then, after she passed away, and I thought about what I needed to do, and a lot of people said, ‘Well, why don’t you go to the Bugbee Center?’ Everybody I meet and now know, and how friendly everybody is, and welcoming. It’s so nice every day when you walk through the door everybody says hi with a smile. Before I started coming here, I just sat home, and I just felt so empty.” —Paul V.

“This is the place where you want to be. Good lunches, balanced meals with everything you could want for a decent meal. Warm and inviting people and all kinds of activities. A real nice place to enjoy with your new friends!”

—Stephen S.

Clockwise from top left: Bugbee friends mingle at the Hartford Block Party. The “Golden Girls” have some fun before lunch begins. Bingo is a popular social activity at Bugbee. Participants enjoy dressing up and decorating for different holidays. Bugbee’s kitchen crew works hard to prepare meals every day. The “Men’s Table” arrives early to chat before lunch. Malcolm and Amber enjoy playing some Yahtzee. Volunteer Colleen O’Brien minds the front desk with a smile. Mark Bradley, executive director. Bottom row: Sam’s lunch review: Thumbs up!

A WELCOMING PLACE FOR OLDER ADULTS

The golden years can be challenging, with many seniors living alone, having lost a spouse, or far from family. But aging is also a gift and offers new experiences. At Bugbee Senior Center in White River Junction, Vermont, programs and nutrition support help to meet the challenges of aging. Most importantly, Bugbee celebrates the good parts of aging by building a sense of community among peers. Serving the Hartford area and the Upper Valley since 1976, the staff and volunteers of Bugbee offer daily health, fitness, and social activities; special events and trips; and an extensive nutrition program to enhance the quality of life for their members. In the past year, the center provided 45,000 services to more than 1,200 seniors ages 55 and up.

“Our whole purpose,” says Mark Bradley, executive director, “is to keep people connected to each other. . . . Here elders are at the center of life and able to be part of the rest of the community around us.”

by anne richter arnold

photos courtesy of bugbee senior center

“A

—Nathan M.

Top row from far left: Harold celebrates his prizewinning oxen. Bocce ball is no joke at the Bugbee Games. Competitive puzzling was also a part of the Games last summer. Bottom row: Bugbee seniors enjoy the Hartford Block Party. “Grand-Friends” meet their third-grade pen pals.

KEEPING PEOPLE CONNECTED

For Mark Bradley, executive director, the goal is for seniors to have fun and enjoy life. “In all of our programs and activities, we try to weave in opportunities for social connections, making friends, and meeting new people.”

Much of Bugbee Senior Center’s programming is in partnership with other places in the area, like Junction Arts & Media, Hartford Parks & Recreation, AARP Vermont, and the Upper Valley Aquatic Center. “Our whole purpose,” says Mark, “is to keep people connected to each other. As we age, the world can sometimes feel like it gets smaller, and older people are often ignored or excluded from social and civic life. Here elders are at the center of life and able to be part of the rest of the community around us.

“It is special because of the people who come here,” continues Mark. “People here get excited when someone new comes in, and sometimes they’re already on a tour of the place or chatting it up before they even get to the front desk. Bugbee seniors tend to be very friendly and open, willing to try new things and meet new people.

“Seniors take pride in Bugbee, because they are part of the programs, or leading the programs themselves. We have over 100 volunteers and most are older adults. If someone comes to us in the office with an idea, a need, or a suggestion, we can try to build a program or activity around it. And if there is a senior leading the program, we know that there’s a better chance people will attend!”

NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT

The nutrition program is the largest part of what Bugbee provides. Meals on Wheels is almost half of all services and is growing to keep up with the need for meals by homebound seniors. Bugbee provides about 20,000 meals for more than 130 people with six routes in Hartford, Norwich, and Thetford. Meal drivers are often the only people these

Top row: Volunteers prepare the monthly Bulletin mailing. Second row: Bugbee during hibiscus season. Alec, Susan, and Mark are some of Bugbee’s dedicated and fun-loving staff. Third row: Kitchen staff prepare 30,000 meals a year. Winners of the Puzzle Race at the Bugbee Games. Veterans like Herbie are always welcome at Bugbee. Bonnie is among many volunteers who keeps the Bugbee Center running. Bottom row: Results from a Zentangle (pen drawing) class. Bean the Cat is Bugbee’s youngest Bingo caller.

“You always feel welcome. There is a warm feeling from staff and volunteers. You feel good about being there. I enjoy their delicious dinners. They have different entertainment going on depending on what day of week it is. I go and have lunch, they do bingo, have exercises, and take various trips. Bugbee Senior Center is really a nice place to enjoy your day.” —Hope P.

“Bugbee fills such an important role in that it’s a leveler, in the sense that anybody can participate. Bugbee has made me much more conscious, and Meals on Wheels has made me more conscious of the need for reaching people who are a little bit more isolated. Delivering Meals on Wheels is a great way, I think, to give back, but also once you start to meet people, you don’t want to stop doing it.” —Steve T. (Meals on Wheels volunteer)

“I came to Bugbee because I was lonely. Sitting in a house, by yourself, even if I were to go outside, I was lonely. There was nobody to talk to, and I decided, hey, at least I’d go and have lunch with somebody. And it turned out to be a very pleasant experience. A lot of people who had also lost a loved one were there, and they talked to me about how they coped. It was good to know I wasn’t alone.” —Carol L

seniors see that day, and the sense of connection from Meals on Wheels is an important part of aging at home.

Bugbee serves congregate lunches for a recommended $6 donation. Seniors can also buy 10 “Bugbee Bucks” for $50. Nobody is turned away if they can’t contribute, and the dining room includes people from a wide variety of backgrounds and walks of life.

“The demand for our nutrition program is growing, and it can be challenging,” says Mark. “We are now averaging 30,000 meals a year including lunch at the center, but the kitchen hasn’t gotten any bigger!”

ACTIVITIES FOR EVERYONE

What does the center do best? “That entirely depends on who you ask,” explains Mark. “We’ve heard from seniors that people like the range of activities here, that there is always something to do for people with a variety of interests. It’s an active place, we hear ‘bustling’ and ‘busy’ a lot. This is not a sleepy place! We recently did our first Bugbee Games, with a mix of athletic and recreational activities. Thanks to the encouragement of the seniors here it turned into 13 competitions across five days all around town, and we had a blast!”

Membership at Bugbee is free thanks to diverse sources of funding, with donations and grants being about a quarter of all revenue. Participants sometimes donate even if events are free. Some activities are very reasonable, for example tai chi is $3 a class.

“The center is a place for everyone here regardless of their financial situation. We are grateful for support from the local towns,” says Mark. “The Town of Hartford built and maintains this building, which really allows our small team at the Council on Aging to focus a lot more on programs and activities for seniors. It’s a great partnership.”

Bugbee is working to engage “younger seniors,” people in the 55 to 65 age bracket, through services and programs for people still in the workforce, as people are working longer into their senior years,

community

“Bugbee, I came here when I was in my early 60s because a woman I had worked with encouraged me to come. So I did. And I found that it was interesting, I had fun, it had a lot of nice people.” —Mary Lee G.

or who may be caretakers for older parents and relatives. No one wakes up and decides that they are now “old,” so someone’s first step through the door may be for a variety of reasons.

“It takes a lot of courage to come to a new place and try new experiences, especially as we get older,” says Mark. “Everything we do, every program, we think about how to weave in opportunities for social connections, to meet new people. At Bugbee we are always reminding each other, staff or members, to be welcoming, because if people are not welcomed, they don’t come back. The center is a fun place where seniors engage and thrive, and that’s really what makes it special.” y

BUGBEE BY THE NUMBERS In the last year (September 2023–August 2024)

Meals on Wheels: 19,834 meals to 137 people

Trips: Attendance was 287

Social services: 266 appointments

Rides: 58

Volunteers: 115 volunteers, 3,361 shifts, 6,328 hours

In-person attendance by people aged 60-plus: 2,064 events/program instances

Average Daily Attendance: 75

Congregate lunch: 9,708 attended

Social and recreation: 4,648 attended

Evidence-based wellness programs: 488 attended

Fitness and exercise classes: 3,077 attended

Other health and wellness clinics/classes: 1,099 attended

Classes and presentations: 1,323 attended

Clubs and craft groups: 459 attended

Arts and culture shows: 270 attended

Arts and crafts classes: 117 attended

Total in person: 21,291 attended

All services: 45,547 services to 1,241 people

Bugbee Senior Center 262 North Main Street

White River Junction, VT (802) 295-9068

bugbeecenter.org

PICK

arts & entertainment

Winter | 2024/2025

December, Mondays

Toddler Storytime Lebanon Library, 10:30am leblibrary.com

December, January, February, Mondays Crafternoon Kilton Library, 3pm leblibrary.com

December, Wednesdays

Baby Buzz Lebanon Lebanon Library, 10:30am leblibrary.com

December, January, February, Wednesdays

Beginners Yoga

Kilton Library, 6pm leblibrary.com

December, January, February, Thursdays

Baby Buzz Kilton Kilton Library, 10:30am leblibrary.com

December, Fridays

Jammin’ Jellybeans

Kilton Library, 10:30am leblibrary.com  Through January 1

Through December 21 Gallery of Gifts: Handmade for the Holidays Library Arts Center libraryartscenter.org

Through December 27 2024 AVA Members Holiday Exhibition and Sale AVA Gallery and Art Center avagallery.org

Through January 1 Beauty and the Beast Barrett Center for the Arts northernstage.org

December 5

First Thursday Hike at The Fells The Fells, 11am thefells.org

December 6–8, 13–15

A Visit from St. Nicholas Old Church Theater oldchurchtheater.org

December 7

90s Rockfest! Lounge Fly with Evil Empire Claremont Opera House, 7:30pm cohnh.org

Beauty and the Beast

December 7–8

Holiday Gift Fair Enfield Shaker Museum shakermuseum.org

December 10, 17

Afternoon Storytime Kilton Library, 3:30pm leblibrary.com

December 12

The Mudroom: Too Much AVA Gallery and Art Center, 7pm avagallery.org

December 13

Upper Valley Ringers Holiday Concert Chosen Vale Performance Center, 7pm shakermuseum.org

December 13–14

Clara Dreamz Claremont Opera House, Fri 6pm, Sat 2pm cohnh.org

December 14, January 11, February 15

Basket-Making Workshop with Artisan Ray Lagasse Library Arts Center, 8:30am–4:30pm libraryartscenter.org

December 14

Children’s Holiday Crafts Enfield Shaker Museum, 10am shakermuseum.org

 December 13-14 Clara Dreamz

December 14

Plein Air Adventure Art with Heidi Lorenz

Mount Sunapee Ski Park Area, 1pm libraryartscenter.org

December 14–15

Clara’s Dream, a Nutcracker Story

Lebanon Opera House, Sat 1 & 7pm, Sun 2:30pm lebanonoperahouse.org

December 15

Moravian Star Workshop

Enfield Shaker Museum, 2pm shakermuseum.org

December 16–20

Celebrate the Season: Silent Auction Benefit

Claremont Opera House cohnh.org

December 19, January 16, February 20

Queer Book Club

Kilton Library, 6:30pm

 December 19 Celtic Christmas

 December 15 Moravian Star Workshop

December 19

Celtic Christmas Lebanon Opera House, 7:30pm lebanonoperahouse.org

December 20

Yellow Brick Joel Lebanon Opera House, 7:30pm lebanonoperahouse.org

December 21

Winter Solstice Dinner Enfield Shaker Museum, 6pm shakermuseum.org

December 21

Community Carol Sing Chosen Vale Performance Center, 7pm shakermuseum.org

December 21

The Little Mermen Lebanon Opera House, 7:30pm lebanonoperahouse.org

December 21

Upper Valley Traditional Music Jams

Lebanon Library, 3pm leblibrary.com

December 21

2nd Annual Winter Wonders

Holiday Extravaganza Claremont Opera House, 7:30pm cohnh.org

December 22

Candy Cane Christmas Bread Workshop Enfield Shaker Museum, 1pm shakermuseum.org

January 10

The Brit Pack Claremont Opera House, 7:30pm cohnh.org

December 20

Yellow Brick Joel

 December 21

The Little Mermen

January 26

Cindy Pierce: Glitchy Business Lebanon Opera House, 7pm lebanonoperahouse.org

January 29–February 16

King James Barrett Center for the Arts northernstage.org

February 8

Recycled Percussion Lebanon Opera House, 2 & 7pm lebanonoperahouse.org

February 15

Recycled Percussion: Winter Tour Claremont Opera House, 2 & 7pm cohnh.org

Hopkins Center for the Arts hop.dartmouth.edu

For information, tickets, or pricing information, call (603) 646-2422 or visit hop. dar tmouth.edu. The Hop Box Office is open Tuesday through Friday, 10am–5pm.

December 7

Hopstop Family Show: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Celebrate the season with this holiday classic followed by hot chocolate and holiday arts and crafts.

Loew Auditorium, 10am

December 7

Met Opera in HD Holiday Encore: The Magic Flute

Julie Taymor’s (Broadway’s The Lion King) a stonishing English-language production of Mozart’s enchanting fairy tale has become a beloved holiday tradition for family audiences. Loew Auditorium, 1pm

January 10–11

Search Party

Pick a word, any word. The multifaceted poet/playwright reaches into his bag of writings searching for a fine reply. It’s a wildly captivating call and response.

Theater on Currier, 7:30pm Fri; 2 & 7:30pm Sat

January 15

Jennifer Koh

A journey through the timeless elegance of Bach and the innovative realms of contemporary violin. Rollins Chapel, 8pm

January 17–18

Trebien Pollard: Vegan Chitlins and the Artist Formerly Known as the N-Word

A multidimensional embodiment of the black experience captured through the traces of a shapeshifting figure called BLACK.

Theater on Currier, 7:30pm

 January 15

Jennifer Koh

 January 25 Aida

January 18

Hopstop Family Show: The Baffo Box Show

A daring work of puppetry full of beautiful images, junk music, and object manipulation. RWB Community Center, 11am & 3pm

January 25

Met Opera in HD: Aida

Soprano Angel Blue makes her long-awaited Met role debut as the title Ethiopian princess, backed by Michael Mayer’s innovative and immersive staging.

Loew Auditorium, 12:30pm

January 27, February 10

Coast Jazz Underground

Winter term guest artist Zack O’Farrill leads the Coast percussion ensemble and other friends in a night of Cuban rumba and other Afro-Latin jazz rhythms.

Allen Street & Sawtooth Kitchen, 8pm

February 1 

Sonia De Los Santos

February 1

Sonia De Los Santos

Dance in (and out of) your seats on a bilingual journey of song celebrating Latina musicians. Rollins Chapel, 4pm

February 9

Selected Shorts

Spellbinding, funny, and timely—an afternoon of short fiction that unpacks humans’ complex relationship with our planet, performed live by eminent actors.

Loew Auditorium, 4pm

February 14–22

Department of Theater: The School for Lies

This wild farce of furious tempo and stunning verbal display is adapted from Molière’s The Misanthrope. Theater on Currier, 7:30pm Thu & Fri; 3 & 7:30pm Sat

February 15

Dartmouth College Wind Ensemble

Led by Director Brian Messier, the ensemble is joined by guest musicians from UNAM Banda Sinfónica and guest conductor Luis Manuel Sánchez. Redfern Arts Center, 7pm

February 17

Some Stars of Native American Comedy

Laugh your way through a night of hot takes and witty insights from today’s top Native comics.

Allen Street & Sawtooth Kitchen, 7:30 & 10pm

February 19

Sally Pinkas & Elise Kuder Piano and violin string together sonatas by Brahms, Bartók, and Bacewicz. Rollins Chapel, 8pm

February 21–22

Coast Jazz Orchestra

The Coast Jazz Orchestra Weekend with special guests Adam and Zack O’Farrill. Allen Street & Sawtooth Kitchen, 9pm

February 23

Dartmouth College Glee Club

The choral singers draw on their ever-expanding repertoire for an uplifting performance. Church of Christ Dartmouth, 2pm

February 27

Dartmouth College Gospel Choir

A high-energy program featuring a selection of favorite gospel songs. Rollins Chapel, 8pm

GET CONNECTED

Get listed on the www.greateruppervalley.com BUSINESS DIRECTORY and you will also be included on our printed list in every issue of image magazine (see page 25).

HERE’S HOW!

Call Bob Frisch at (603) 867-9339 or email rcfrisch1@comcast.net. Find out how you can connect with our readers. It’s easy, inexpensive, and another way to reach an affluent and educated audience.

SUBSCRIBE

Share the wonder of our beautiful area and the latest news all year long with an image gift subscription. Friends and family who have moved away from the area will be especially appreciative. Be sure to order a subscription for yourself, too!

Send a check for $19.95 for one year (4 issues) to image, 135 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH, 03755. Or conveniently pay online using PayPal at www.greateruppervalley.com.

121 Home 41

3 Phase Landscaping 105

APD Lifecare 96

AVA Gallery and Art Center 102

All Eyes on You 57

Appletree Opticians 99

Baker Orthodontics 20

Bar Harbor Wealth Management 21

Bark N Bath Pet Spa 56

Barton Insurance Agency 72

Belletetes 23

Bethel Mills 36

Better Homes and Gardens/ The Milestone Team 40

Big Fatty’s BBQ 85

Blanc & Bailey 31

Blood’s Catering 109

Brown Furniture 10 & 68

Busy Woman Wellness, LLC 57

C&S Pizza 85

Cape Air 47

Cappadoccia Café 85

Carpet Mill 3

Chapman’s General Store 17

Claremont Framing 66

Claremont Opera House 101

Clear ChoiceMD Urgent Care 2

Colonial Pharmacy 82

Color Café 56 & 81

Co-op Food Stores 83

Cota & Cota 97

Crown Point Cabinetry 33

Crown Point Select 9

Dance Arts Academy 82

Davis Frame Co. 4

DeLeon Day Spa 27

Dolan Real Estate 37

Donald J. Neely–Hanover Orthodontics 65

Dr. Alla Devitskaya 56

Dutille’s Jewelry Design Studio 53

Eastern Propane & Oil 34

Enfield Shaker Museum 59

Ennis Construction 29

Estate Wildlife Control 103

Evelyn J’s Fish Market 58

Expectations Salon & Spa 7

Eyeglass Outlet 93

Flash Photo 57

Floorcraft 58

Foster’s Fine Jewelry 58

Gilberte Interiors 15

ADVERTISERS INDEX

Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce 101

Grounds 56

Hanover Eyecare 59

Hanover Road Dental Health 79

Harbor Light Realty 107

Helen’s Place 57

Home Comfort Warehouse 27

Hubert’s Family Outfitters 55 & 57

Hugo Anderson 56

Jeff Wilmot Painting & Wallpapering 103

Jenna Sievers Realtor 97

Junction Frame Shop 85 & 108

K’s Candy 57

Katie’s Cookies 22

Key Communications 32

Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce 100

Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice 93

LaValley Building Supply 13

Lebanon Airport 22

Lebanon Paint & Decorating 72 & 93

Library Arts Center 20

Listen Community Services 45

Little Istanbul 28

Loewen Window Center 67

Long River Gallery 85

Love’s Bedding & Furniture 67

Lumber Barn 106

MJ Harrington Jewelers 81

Mascoma Bank Back cover

Mascoma Dental Associates 28

McGee Hyundai of Lebanon 1

McGray & Nichols 37

Mertens House 111

Millstone at 74 Main Restaurant 57

Morgan Hill Bookstore 58

Mt. Ascutney Hospital 14

NT Ferro Estate & Custom Jewelers 41, 47, 107

Nathan Weschler 40

New England Beauty & Wellness 57

New London Hospital 104

New London Inn 8 & 58

New London Opticians 56

New London Wood Products 32

Omer and Bob’s 106

Peter Anderson Studio 58

Pierce McLaughry Group 83

PowerHouse Mall 108

Putnam’s Vine/Yard 84

Quail Hollow 54

Ramunto’s Brick Oven Pizza 53

Real Property Options 27

Red Can 84

Richard Electric 54

Shaker Hill Granite 29

Shepherd Realty 56

Simple Energy 110

Springfield Hospital Inside front cover

Steven Thomas, Inc. 84

Sugar River Bank 55 & 57

Sunapee Cove 106

Sunapee Shade and Blind 56

Talbot Builders 79

Tatewell Gallery 58

Terrigenous Landscape Architecture 45

The Cabinet en-Counter 82

The Carriage Shed 19

The Flying Goose Brew Pub 73

The Hair Station 58

The Insurance Center 100

The Refinery Restaurant & Market 58

The Tea House Inside back cover

The Woodstock Gallery 41

Thyme Restaurant 84

Timberpeg 6

Tip Top Pottery 84

Top Stitch Embroidery 109

Torch Family Capital 25

Tuckerbox 85

Twin State Coins 46

Tyler Simms 73

Upper Valley Food Co-op 84

Upper Valley Haven 100

Upper Valley Pediatric Dentistry 66

Valley Artesian Well Company 12

Valley Regional Hospital 5

Vintage Home Center 107

WISE 99

Wagner Hodgson Landscape Architecture 80

Walk In Beauty Spa & Wellness 56

Whisper Hill 31

White River Family Eyecare 59

William Smith Auctioneers 46

Willowbrook Builders 34

Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce 41

Woodstock Inn & Resort 65

Yankee Barn Homes 11

Send photos of your special moments to dthompson@mountainviewpublishing.com. CELEBRATING

Moments to remember with family and friends

Jack makes a new friend at Martha’s Vineyard. Welcome Marin, born in June.

Leaders of the Upper Valley Rowing and Friends Prouty team raised more than $400,000 for the 2024 Prouty.

The first Frisch family vacation at the beach.

Mike Morin and Barbara Baker’s eight grandchildren in their home for Christmas.

Lovell celebrates his second birthday.

Erin and Peter celebrate their fifth anniversary at the top of New Hampshire.