04/13/2023 Weirs Times

by Robert Hanaford Smith, Sr.

Contributing Writer

They were all heroes. Whether I was reading about General Ulysses Grant, General Robert E. Lee, or Davy Crockett, the

Native American Program In Tilton

On Saturday, April 22nd at 1pm, The Tilton Historical Society will present Rudy VanVeghton, a member of the Meredith Historical Society and former editor of the Meredith News and author of The History of Meredith Bay. He is currently the copy editor and frequent contributor to the de Halve Maen (The Half Moon), a quarterly journal of the Holland Society of New York devoted to the Dutch-American history of New Netherland.

Rudy’s talk focuses on the “contact period” between the Native Americans and early settlers of New Hampshire.

He will also have his new book, available for purchase.

The lecture is free to the public and will be held in the New Academic Building - Davis Lecture Hall at Tilton School.

Hero or Villain? a Founding FatHer

story line was always that of a commendable character and his/her good deeds. It was the same whether they were military men or founding fathers or cowboys. The name of the person on the book cover was revealed as someone

with few if any faults.

At least that’s how I remember it from my childhood days.

Of course there were stories about the wrong George Washington was claimed to have done by cutting down a cherry tree,

but it was offset by his admitting the deed because he couldn’t tell a lie.

Getting older and reading more detailed biographies it became obvious that heroes aren’t always faultless. Sometimes one per-

Please park at ice skating rink behind the chapel and walk over across the street to the main building on School St. Look for members wearing “Tilton Historical Society” hoodies to help guide you.

WEIRS, LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE, N.H., THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023

The General John Moulton House in Hampton, NH. The famous Revolutionary war hero wasn’t well respected by some colleagues and neighbors. Robert Hanaford Smith Sr. tells the story this week.

Article V Misrepresentation

To The Editor:

Lobbyist Ken Quinn failed, once again, to convince State legislators to call for a Constitutional Convention. Instead of realizing he has a losing argument, he blames legislators for not voting the way his polls predicted they should on HCR 1 & HCR 4. Both resolutions wisely voted down the Article V Conventions to address fiscal restraint and term limits.

Each Resolution has the same goal to force the US Congress to call for a Constitutional Convention, the second method to amend the Constitution. Since the 1787 Convention, there has been 27 Amendments passed into law by the first and safe method in Article V: 2/3 of each House pass the Amendment which is submitted to the states for ratification.

After my testimony at the HCR 1 hearing on Jan. 27, Quinn came to the microphone as the last speaker, using the advantage, that no one could follow, to counter his words. By not using my name, he referenced my testimony that I quoted from Madison’s letter of November 2, 1788 to George Turberville, saying that Madison’s letter did not contain my claim. On the contrary, this is my quote from 1/27 testimony: “ that he trembles for the results of a second Convention.”

On Feb 24, 2023, he again misrepresented Madison by telling Montana Representatives, at the hearing on his “term limits”

application (HJ 5), that Madison never said he trembled at the prospect of Article V Convention. Joanna Martin pointed him to this:

https://publiushuldah.files. wordpress.com/2023/02/ montana-house-comm-on-hj5-what-madison-really-said.pdf

Read for yourself, he again misrepresented Madison by telling Montana Representatives, at the hearing on his “term limits” application (HJ 5), that Madison never said he trembled at the prospect of an Article V Convention. See for yourself. You’ll find the source of my quote of Madison when you read Joanna Martin’s full quote. How can one disagree with Martin’s conclusion “that he is not a truthful person?”

Time and again, Mr. Quinn is consistent in misrepresentation of what his political adversaries say. For brevity, I’ll just stick to this one example of his strategy to use a “fraudulent claim.” Don’t you think one who stoops to deception is like the one apple that spoils the whole barrel? This moral dilemma brings to mind the survivor of the Soviet Gulag Alexandr Solzhenitsyn. He keenly pointed: “The line between good and evil runs through the human heart.”

History reveals that the safe method to amend our Constitution from Article V gave us the Bill of Rights. Consider the fact that the Bill of Rights is similar to the Ten Commandments. God gave mankind his rules to limit mans behavior at Mount Sinai. In both they start with almost identical commands.

This newspaper was first published in 1883 by Mathew H. Calvert as Calvert’s Weirs Times and Tourists’ Gazette and continued until Mr. Calvert’s death in 1902. The new Weirs Times was reestablished in 1992 and strives to maintain the patriotic spirit of its predecessor as well as his devotion to the interests of Lake Winnipesaukee. Our newspaper’s masthead and the map of Lake Winnipesaukee in the center spread are elements in today’s paper which are taken from Calvert’s historic publication.

Locally owned for 30 years, this publication is devoted to printing the stories of the people

The Bill of Right targets the behavior of government with the words: “Congress shall make no Law…” And The Ten Commandments words are, “Thou shall have no….” Consider the fact, these eternal foundations of liberty limit individual morality and put limits on government behavior;. In both cases: they are not the “Ten Suggestions”.

Russ Payne Merrimack, NH.

Inadequate U.S. Defense Budget

To The Editor:

Our proposed defense budget of $842 billion, which is 3% of GDP, does not meet our national security needs when facing an expansionist Russia in Europe; China’s buildup and threats in the Pacific; North Korea’s war-like attitude towards South Korea; and Iran’s moves in the Middle East. We should be spending 6% to 7% of our GDP on defense; and should increase the proposed budget to $892 billion.

The Army needs another 20 brigade combat teams, including infantry, armored and stryker units; and combat aviation brigades. This will help it to deter our adversaries and conduct potential combat operations in Europe, the Middle East and the Southeast Pacific. Our Air Force needs more stealth bombers, and it must increase the inventory of fighters, bombers, tankers, and airlift aircraft. The Navy has 298 ac-

and places that make New Hampshire the best place in the world to live. No, none of the daily grind news will be found in these pages, just the good stuff.

Published year round on Thursdays, we distribute 24,000 copies of the Weirs Times every week to the Lakes Region/Concord/ Seacoast area and the mountains and have an estimated 60,000 people reading this newspaper.

To find out how your business or service can benefit from advertising with us please call 603-366-8463.

For The

New England’s Wild Birds & Their Habitats

Birding By ear

by Chris Bosak Contributing Writer

I walked outside to the truck to start my day, and among the myriad other bird sounds, I heard a highpitched trill.

I was certain it was a dark-eyed junco, but chipping sparrows have a similar song. I had seen somewhere that chipping sparrows are returning to their breeding grounds in New England, so just to be sure of the ID, I decided to test the app on my smartphone that recognizes birds by their songs and calls.

Sure enough, it came up dark-eyed junco. But to my surprise, the phone kept lighting up with more and more species being identified by the app. I was so focused on the trill that I didn’t realize so many other birds were singing as well.

I was skeptical about these apps for a long time, but I was more than impressed with it on this morning.

It was one of those early April mornings that cry out that it is spring. Even though there would be cooler days ahead until the sustained spring warmth, this was one of those days that provided a teaser of what’s to come. The birds were in on the tease as well as they were singing up a storm and making a wonderful cacophony of bird sounds.

The app picked up

A Carolina wren is often part of the morning chorus of birds.

house sparrow, American robin and blue jay before it recognized the junco. In rapidfire succession, it also picked up northern cardinal, song sparrow, Carolina wren, downy woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, mourning dove, chickadee and white-breasted nuthatch.

The app also highlights species that are already on the list when it sings again by highlighting the name in yellow. Once I focused

morning. I still want to try it out on an active May morning with a dozen or more warbler species in the area before I give it my full endorsement, but I have a feeling I will be impressed when that day comes as well. There are a few such apps available for smartphones now. The one I use is Merlin Bird ID from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. In addition to sound ID, it also has a photo ID feature that I have used a few times and have been impressed with as well. Learning to bird by ear is challenging, fun and frustrating all at the same time. I have done OK over the years learning to identify birds by song or call,

on the individual birds, I was able to pick up all of the species that the app had picked up. If I were left to my own wits, I am not sure I would have picked out all of the species of birds singing in my yard that morning. The app recognized 12 birds and my yard is not particularly “birdy.”

I had expressed skepticism about the app in a prior column. That skepticism has been mostly put to rest with its performance that

Brendan is taking a week off from his column. This column originally appeared in our September 24, 2014 issue

of sheer foolishness. Still, some were tackled with a sense of creativity and, when successful, gave us a feeling of strange pride.

I say us, because I have tackled a few of these with my wife who, I admit is much handier than I and certainly more creative.

of luck, we successfully completed the job of painting that window. Not exactly a professional job but, as I like to say after completing another home improvement project, “Good enough!”

by Brendan Smith

Over the next few weeks this newspaper will be featuring its annual Home Improvement Section.

Just the thought of it terrifies me.

Of course, I’m not talking about the great list of talented advertisers who appear here, each very knowledgeable and talented in their fields. I am talking about the thought of having to tackle any home improvement projects on my own.

Those of you who know me will instantly understand my fear. You have seen me at my feeble attempt at work, a pair of pliers or, worse, an electric drill in my hand. In fact, it was my very own attempt at using such a drill when trying to attach a new door many years ago when I first moved to New Hampshire that led to a march on Concord to have lawmakers institute a ten day waiting period and background check for any Flatlander attempting to purchase a power tool of any kind.

Eventually it was decided that it was really only a handful of us transplants who were actually a danger when it came to the handling of power tools, and even some natives, and cooler heads prevailed. That law was never passed, much to the chagrin of those who, to this day, are ready to have all Flatlanders suffer when one such as I forgets which end of a sander is which.

But I digress.

Over the years I have attempted a few home improvement projects on my own; some out of necessity and others out

One project that we attempted recently was painting the outside trim of a second story window… standing on the ground.

The reason for this was simple: we did not have a ladder tall enough to reach and to hire a person for this one small job did not seem necessary.

The idea was to use the extension poles from our roof rake, connect them together and then, using duct tape, attach a paint brush to the end of the poles. Much like the Wright Brothers first attempt at flight, we knew the risks, but we went ahead anyway.

The contraption we created was, I must admit, pretty ingenious, but still untested. For a second I imagined us bringing it on Shark Tank to see if we could get funding for what might be a multi-million dollar invention, but other thoughts soon flooded my mind.

Visions of splattered paint not only against the outer glass of the window from an unsteady hand but also streaks of dripping white against the yellow of the house were on my mind as I dipped the brush into the paint can, an awkward feat in itself, and then carefully lifting this jerry-rigged paint brush slowly up into the atmosphere to do what it might.

There would be no hiding if disaster struck. We were exposed to the elements as well as to the windows of our neighbors who, we were sure, were watching the show. (I certainly would have been.) It was a slow Saturday.

With steady hands and a lot

Yes, a few drops of paint escaped but not a single drop of pride. All in all it was a good day.

It is moments like these that used to give me a false confidence for future home projects. But much like my bygone days of attempting to play golf, I soon learned that the one great chip shot from the bunker to within a few inches of the hole was more an act of some force greater than myself who was feeling sorry for me, than it really had anything at all to do with my own prowess.

For the most part I am a big believer in letting someone who knows what they are doing tackle the big projects (which in my case can sometimes be a small drip in the kitchen sink, it really depends on the day and frame of mind).

Some say we are put on this earth for one particular reason and it is up to us to figure out what that reason is. As I look through the advertisements for handy people with different skills in the home improvement section I try to fathom how anyone can really know how to do any of these things, then I sit down to write this column, I finally realize what the reason for my own existence is.

I am here to give all of these talented people something to do. And that’s not a bad thing.

Brendan is the author of “The Flatlander Chronicles,” “The Best of A F.O.O.L. in New Hampshire,” and “I Really Only Did It For The Socks- Thoughts and Stories on Aging.” All are available through his wesbite B

Weirs Times Editor

tHe Source oF our Freedom iS our creator, not goVernment

It is a unique and special time now because Christians, Jews and Muslims all are engaged in major holidays of religious contemplation and renewal. Christians with Holy Week and Easter, Jews with Passover, and Muslims with Ramadan.

could it Happen Here? it iS Happening Here

Ben Shapiro is off this week. Please enjoy the following column by Dennis

Prager

was in the Soviet era. As of December 2022, there were seven times more administrators (15,750) at Stanford University than faculty (2,288).

by Star Parker

We’re talking billions around the world. So, although in our time there has been a retreat in various circles from religion, it still remains a major force and presence in our world.

In our own USA, as I have touched on in columns past, the number identifying with religion and attending religious services has dropped.

Per Pew Research, now about 40% of Americans monthly attend religious services either in person or viewing online or on TV. If we consider 40% of the U.S. adult population -- the number over 18 -- we’re talking about over 100 million Americans engaged in an active way with religion.

So, although on a percentage basis, engagement with religion has dropped, it still remains a major factor among the American population.

Why should we care?

Looking at the three major religions -- all engaged today in major holidays -- we see on the surface different narratives and traditions.

But regarding the rules for living that emerge out of these different traditions, there is remarkable common ground.

They all view as sacrosanct life, family and property. That is, the basic rules conveyed to each individual regarding how to live a meaningful, responsible and successful life, and how to engage and relate to one’s neighbors, are remarkably similar. Which raises an important point that gets too little attention.

Certainly, in our country and in the Western world, few words get more use than the word “freedom.”

But the freedom we hear so much about is freedom in the political sense. Is this or that country, or society, “free”?

According to the words composed by Thomas Jefferson in our Declaration of Independence, we are all born with rights and “to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men.”

And, in the stirring conclusion of the Declaration, the signers declared the American colonies, “free and independent states.”

The focus was government and politics. But outside of government protecting freedom,

by Dennis Prager Syndicated Columnist

My field of study in graduate school was communism. As a fellow at the Russian Institute of Columbia’s School of International Affairs, I was, if I remember correctly, one of seven students in the entire university to major in what was known at the time as “Communist Affairs.”

I cite this in order to make this point: In my wildest dreams, I never imagined what I was studying would ever apply to the United States of America, the freest country in world history.

I assumed that communism was, for various reasons, something that happened elsewhere -- most obviously, Russia, China, Vietnam, Cuba, Cambodia and North Korea.

What were those various reasons? One was the absence of freedom in the history of those countries. Another was that all those countries were, with the exception of Cuba, outside of Western civilization.

All these years later, I see that I was wrong. Communism -- or if you will, leftwing fascism and totalitarianism -- is coming to America and Canada, and (a bit more gradually) to Australia and New Zealand.

Incredibly -- or maybe not so incredibly -- more than two hundred years of unprecedented and unrivaled liberty and commitment to Judeo-Christian values and reason, and all the unparalleled achievements of Western civilization, have come to mean nothing to about half of the American people and to virtually every one of its major institutions.

Our universities have become moral and intellectual wastelands -- almost as ideologically pure as Moscow State University

Our medical schools are embracing Soviet-like science. In more and more of them, incoming doctors are instructed not to use the terms “male” and “female.” Harvard Medical School officials use the terms “pregnant and birthing people” rather than “pregnant women.” And children’s hospitals are using hormone blockers (which, among other dangers, can impair future reproductive functioning) and mutilating perfectly healthy teenagers.

Students at elite law schools such as Stanford and Yale behave as if they were members of Komsomol, the Soviet Communist Youth League. On the rare occasions that conservative speakers come to their campuses to give a lecture, students heckle, shout and curse at them, disrupting their ability to speak in ways reminiscent of the Hitler Youth in 1930s Germany.

The greatest of all freedoms, that of speech, is disappearing. Since Lenin, no left-wing institution or country has ever allowed dissent, and the Left in America -- which is elected and defended by liberals -- is no exception. Already almost half of all college students say they do not believe in free speech for “hate speech,” which, of course, means they are for suppressing all speech with which the Left differs.

Perhaps even more than in the Soviet Union, lunacy has replaced reason. In Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, the provincial agency in charge of education has announced that the notion that there is only one correct answer in mathematics is an expression of white supremacy. The Oregon Education Department has announced the same thing. The American Medical Association has declared that no American birth certificates should list the sex/gender of a child -- the child will decide that later. See PRAGER

Syndicated Columnist

The Stossel TV Studio is just a block from Trump Tower.

trump good and Bad

ing Trump.

by John Stossel Syndicated Columnist

Today, noisy helicopters hover, and sidewalks are pointlessly blocked by the usual politics/media excess: too many barricades manned by too many bored police officers.

The predicted “big demonstration!” and “possible violence” are not visible.

Donald Trump left for the court-

house around 1 p.m. to turn himself in. He was booked and fingerprinted at the courthouse. He then pled not guilty to the 34-count charge of falsifying records to hide hush money payments. Presidents should not be above the law, but neither should they face politically motivated charges.

Manhattan district attorneys campaigned on opposing Trump, bragging, “I have sued Trump more than a hundred times!” He suggested he would be best choice to get Trump before he even saw the evidence. That’s just wrong. Federal prosecutors did see the evidence and decided against charg-

Using campaign funds to pay someone to keep silent about sex may well violate the rules, but most campaign finance rules are useless, and no serious person thinks this case would ever be brought against anyone other than Trump.

This is a slippery slope to banana republic.

On the other hand, Trump definitely is a horrible person.

In his real estate business, he cheated the little people, cleverly using our slow and expensive justice system to avoid paying what he owed.

As president, he was unpresiden-

tial and childish. He’s vain, selfish and mean. He doesn’t read or listen to advice from smart people, and he lies again and again. I hate him.

Yet it would be better for America if he were president today, instead of Joe Biden.

Nothing is more important to more people, especially the poor, than a solid dollar and a growing economy.

Trump’s presidency brought us closer to that than today’s Democrats ever will.

Trump knows how government can kill growth. He criticized “jobcrushing regulations,” saying he’d

taiwan’S “democracy triFecta” angerS Sullen Beijing

Taiwan’s vibrant but threatened democracy had a good week.

After months of facing ominous political threats from the Chinese communists which may eventually culminate in Beijing’s invasion of the selfgoverning island, Taiwan seemed sure footed diplomatically with a little help from its friends.

the highest level official encounter between U.S. and Taiwan Officials since 1979 when the Carter Administration broke diplomatic relations with Taipei and abrogated the Mutual Security Treaty with the Republic of China on Taiwan.

by John J. Metzler Syndicated Columnist

Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen visited the United States in an unofficial but highly significant journey to meet with U.S. House of Representatives Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California. Tsai’s meeting with McCarthy was

President Tsai was returning from visiting allies Guatemala and Belize in Central America to try to shore up its dwindling diplomatic ties, now only thirteen, in the face of Beijing’s poaching. Taiwan not only faces global diplomatic isolation but more seriously it simultaneously confronts the People’s Republic of China’s potent and expanding military.

Significantly last Summer former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a high profile trip to Taiwan which infuriated

China. Beijing’s regime has huffed and puffed over Taiwan’s political status since 1949, when the Republic of China government fled to the offshore island. Nonetheless the People’s Republic of China claims sovereignty over Taiwan even though it has never ruled the New Hampshire sized island for a single day.

Speaking from the highly symbolic setting of the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, Kevin McCarthy stated, the friendship between Taiwanese and Americans “is a matter of profound importance to the free world,” and is critical to maintaining economic freedom, peace and regional stability. McCarthy added, “Taiwan is a successful democracy, a thriving economy, and a global leader in

health and science.”

Taiwan’s President Tsai addressed her embattled island’s concerns head on to the bi-partisan Congressional audience stating, that “we are not isolated, and we are not alone.” She stressed “We once again find ourselves in a world where democracy is under threat. And the urgency of keeping the beacon of freedom shining cannot be understated.”

She spoke of defending the “peaceful status quo,” in other words not changing the semantic rules of the game where both governments in Beijing and Taipei speak within the context of one China. Taiwanese “separatism” or “Independence,” favored by a minority on the island would serve as a lighting rod to Beijing and

See STOSSEL on 29 See

by Mike Moffett Contributing Writer

The great Boston Celtic teams of the eighties were joys to watch. The old Boston Garden was sold out for years and the artistry of those hoopsters remains legendary. The cast of characters changed from year to year but a constant throughout was the “Big Three.”

Larry Bird. Kevin McHale. Robert Parish. One was a hick from French Lick, Indiana. One was a gawky “sixth man” from Hibbing, Minnesota. And one was a stoic, taciturn sevenfooter from Louisiana. All future Hall-of-Famers.

As the decade progressed all three also progressed—as players and as basketball ambassadors. Initially shy and media averse, they transformed into talented and glib public figures, good for basketball insights and humorous quotes.

Parish was the quietest of the three, but his work ethic endeared him to teammates and fans. He was nicknamed “Chief,” based on the Will Sampson character in the Academy-Award winning “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”

Bird retired in 1992. McHale followed in 1993. The Chief’s last year in Boston was 1994, although he played a couple seasons in Charlotte before a swan song during the

Hail to tHe cHieF

I don’t think it was the altitude. I usually played pretty well in Denver.”

The Chief seemed to really enjoy the banter and he clearly appreciated the affection so many New England basketball fans still have for him. And the hard-core hoop folks who spent that evening with Parish at “The Brook” clearly appreciated his lasting Boston basketball legacy.

Thanks for the memories, Chief.

Sports Quiz

Where did Robert Parish go to college? (Answer follows)

Born Today

That is to say, sports standouts born on April 13 include golf great Davis Love III (1964) and former Celtic guard Dana Barros (1967).

Sports Quote

1996-97 season with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. He holds the NBA record for most games played (1611).

I finally met the Chief a couple weeks ago at a special event at “The Brook,” a gaming establishment in Seabrook, where Parish held court with a sports broadcaster and talked about his life journey before taking questions. The 2003 Hall-of-Fame inductee touched on a wide range of Hoopology topics, to include how Bird’s and Magic Johnson’s friendship improved race relations. He also spoke of how he and Jordan almost came to blows during their season together with the Bulls—an episode that enhanced their mutual respect.

There was considerable discussion of the 1986-87 World Champion C’s. That team set a record by going 40-1 at home while winning 67 games. A healthy 7-foot0 Bill Walton played in almost every game as Parish’s back-up. That the amazing Walton didn’t even start speaks volumes about how good that club was. Many feel that team was the best ever.

I later told the Chief that his retirement was a rite of passage for me. After he left the NBA, I was older than every pro basketball player. And I also asked him about his least favorite NBA venue.

“Utah,” replied Parish. “Don’t really know why I didn’t play well there.

“As a kid, I lived to play basketball. Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics were my favorites.” —California native Bill Walton

Sports Quiz Answer

Robert Parish averaged 21.6 points per game during four years as a starter at Centenary College in Louisiana, from 1972-76.

State Representative Mike Moffett was a Sports Management Professor for Plymouth State University and NHTI-Concord. He coauthored the award-winning “FAHIM SPEAKS: A Warrior-Actor’s Odyssey from Afghanistan to Hollywood and Back” which is available on Amazon. com. His e-mail address is mimoffett@comcast.net.

The sports columnist with Celtic legend Robert “The Chief” Parish. (The red face reflects the lighting at The Brook, not embarrassment.)

This series of Letters

From God is an attempt to put the thoughts of God as revealed in the Scriptures.

Letters From God Letters From God

QUESTION: What Is The Significance Of Attempts To Destroy The Nuclear Family?

Like everything else, attempts are being made to attack and destroy my design of the nuclear family. You must know that the consequences are already being experienced and should you succeed they will be catastrophic. Of course, if you succeed it will only be because I have allowed it to fail in order to let you taste the pain and sorrow that will arise from your foolish choices. Unfortunately, you seem to only learn through pain.

I have told you on many occasions that I, as your wise and loving God, designed you and your family relationships to bring life into the world and to sustain the world. I know that many families are not following my will and do not draw on my wisdom and power but to dismantle my design altogether will usher in death that will be pervasive.

Every aspect of my design for family has been made to bring life. I gave men the ability to procreate life through their spouse. I made women to be uniquely designed to nurture and grow life within her body. Instead of rejecting this magnificent creation you should stand in

awe of my design and the product of a human life that flows from a man and a woman. Once born, I have designed the combined resources and unique strengths of a man and women in the context of the nuclear family, to provide for the needs of this child. Together they would sustain life and mature that nascent life into adults who are healthy and responsible enough to reproduce life themselves. Both parents are vital for this healthy development.

I also designed that those parents should be filled with my love, that comes only through a relationship with me.

You cannot give what you do not have. As both parents worship me and follow my design, I fill them with my supernatural love.

When I created the first man and woman, they knew me, walked with me, and were filled with my Spirit and love. That love overflowed into their spouse and would have entered their children had they not rejected me and been cut off from my love. It is my love alone, that can fill a child with the essential ingredients to enrich them with life.

My love has many attributes including being faithful as a spouse to one another for life so that the child birthed to them would never experience the insecurity of being forsaken. I never designed divorce. It included calling parents to sacrifice their lives

to nurture and grow a healthy child. I never designed children to be just an add on to other more important interests of parents.

It involved being pure and living according to my will as revealed in my word, the Bible.

I never designed parents to either live contrary to my will or to teach their children to live accordingly. If at any time a parent lives contrary to my will or leads their children to live contrary to my will, they will unwittingly introduce a malignant spiritual cancer that will ensure that death will steal their lives away, sometimes instantly but usually gradually over time.

“The soul who sins is the one who will die.”

(Ezekiel 18:4).

The fact that you are trying to destroy the family I designed is an egregious departure from my will and inevitably leads to sickness and death. You can’t violate the design and expect that you will experience delight and avoid death. You can’t.

You must understand that, YOU CAN’T. You are not God and you cannot defy me and live.

I made this clear when I wrote through Solomon in my book the Bible, “There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.”

(Proverbs 20:31). I asked Moses to share the same concept when he wrote in the book of Deuteronomy, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may com-

mand your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you, they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”

(Deuteronomy 32: 4647).

Note two things about my words. First, I have entrusted the task of teaching my truth to children through parents primarily, in the context of the nuclear family. Note as well that my truth is not optional idle words but words that lead to right behavior that are vital for life. Everything I commanded was given so that you may avoid dangers that will harm or kill you but also to guide you into behavior that will secure you and prosper you in life.

Without Godly families fulfilling my design, children will not grow healthy but become stunted, deformed and dysfunctional. They will exist but not thrive and limp through life instead of flourish. Listen to me and change your ways before too much damage is done and the opportunity for restoration is no longer possible.

I write because I love you, God

These letters are written by Rev. Dr. Samuel Hollo, pastor at the Community Church of Alton, NH.

Skelley’s Market Skelley’s Market

Skelley’s Market Services Include:

• Gas 24 hours a day

• Fresh pizza

• NH Lottery tickets

• Beer and Wine

• Sandwiches

• Daily papers

• Bailey’s Bubble ice cream

• Maps

• Famous Lobster Rolls

• Fish and Game

Stop by Skelley’s Market today and enjoy some great food, Bailey’s Bubble ice cream, a lobster roll or anything else you may need. You will be glad you did!

Skelley’s Market

374 Governor Wentworth HWY Moultonboro, N.H. 03254 Call 603-476-8887 • F: 603-476-5176 www.skelleysmarket.com

Whether you are a vacationer or a full time resident of the Lakes Region, Skelley's Market is the place to go for your shopping needs. Located on route

Ski wHile Still you can!

Danielle having Spring Skiing fun in the wind and rain at Cannon Mountain. The sun did come out later. Nearly all their trails are covered with snow and their projected closing date is April 16th. And don’t forget to buy your season pass for next year because the best deals are offered now until the end of April.

Most of the ski resorts have already closed or this will be their last weekend. A good number still had plenty of snow covering their trails but they ran out of skiers and snowboarders before they ran out of snow.

April 16th will be closing day for Cannon, Loon, Waterville Valley and Wildcat and that date will mark the last day to ski ride lifts in New Hampshire.

A few areas in Vermont and Maine are still open and Jay Peak and Killington Resort are

planning to make it well into May!

Our Boston family and friends are watching their kids play lacrosse games on the weekends instead of hitting the slopes. Bicycles have come out of the shed, golf clubs down from the attic and yard and garden tools all appear to be more popular than Spring Skiing.

But not for everyone, thankfully. I love Spring Skiing!

Danielle and I spent April Fool’s Day being skiing fools on Cannon Mountain’s slopes.

Saturday was a windy and wet morning with rime ice flying off the trees on the summit. Nearly every trail was open and covered with two inches of new wet snow that was more like glue than snow. At times gravity was not nearly enough to break the suction of the grippy snow and we had to skate and double pole to get back to the lifts. It was a fun challenge to try to ski fast.

We made an attempt to ski every trail and we made a

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ICE-OUT DATES FOR LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE

EARLIEST ICE-OUT ON RECORD : March 18, 2016

The Simple Feast

jumBo BlueBerry muFFinS

by Eric N Gibson Contributing Writer

The Simple Feast Simple The Simple

It all started innocently enough. I received a text at 5:45am one morning along with a picture of Blueberry Muffins on a plate. The text read, “Trying to perfect my blueberry muffins and get them to rise.”

To me, this is an invitation to comment, so I did. I noted a few pointers that I have picked up and forgotten over the years. Simple things like check the age of the leavening agent, mix the batter well to fully incorporate the ingredients. Allow the batter a few moments to rest while greasing the pan so the ingredients can commingle and do their thing. And the most important piece of the equation, start high and end low.

I received no follow up text. Hmmm…. My next thought was to put my money where my mouth is. Taking my own advice I made some Blueberry Muffins. I was determined to make a muffin worthy of the title “Donut Shop Muffin.”

When I think of a donut shop muffin I’m not talking about those little rinky-dinky muffins that institutional operations pop out by

the truckload to accessorize their breakfast menu. I’m talking about real muffins for real appetites. The kind with substance, you know, the kind you grab and go with a cup of Joe. A muffin that is loaded with fresh ripe tasty slightly tart blueberries and has a peak that looks like it belongs on an elementary school diorama of the Presidential Range.

Now, while I have had a rudimentary class or two on baking, I am by no stretch of my imagination (nor anyone else’s) a Master Baker. But, I can read a cookbook, and I have been around a kitchen or two, or three or four, over the last 30 years.

So, armed with a modicum of knowledge and keeping the aforemen-

the list of ingredients over again in my mind I realized I forgot vanilla extract, I used white vinegar to curdle my half and half, I forgot the Baking Powder, and I used store bought “fresh” plump blueberries as big as nickels that traveled half the globe to get here and lost their flavor somewhere this side of the Andes foothills. Back to the drawing board I went.

tioned goal in mind, I began to gather the ingredients. First, a quick trip out the back door to steal a few eggs from the girls. Then, I fired up the stove and pulled the mixer to center stage on the kitchen counter. I was ready to make muffins. Queuing up the music, I began to hum “The Muffin Man” tune while methodically tossing together ingredients into the mixing bowl.

The end result was not too bad in height, the dome was a nice high crown, that peak I was looking for. But, they were just a bit too caramelized, sporting a deeper brown than I prefer. Most notably however, the crumb was too dense and lacked that pop of blueberry flavor. Running

With a few tweeks to the recipe I came up with another batch that I can say with assurance, “This is it!” I had delicious muffins with a good high crown. A nice, tender, golden cake-like crumb. Good Blueberry flavor, not too sweet and not too tart, with good fruit distribution throughout the muffin. And, just the right amount of crisp brown caramelizing on the outside edge, not too dark and not too light on the peak. In short these were the Donut Shop Muffins I was hoping for. So how did I get this to happen? Glad you asked. By using cold butter, leavening agents, complimentary acids, a combination of high and low heat, and quality blueberries.

First, I used cold butter, incorporated my sugar until it was all a crumble texture then added my eggs and extract. Second, two leavening agents. This is what gives baked goods their lift, adding air to create a lighter, rather than denser, product. In the modern era this

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Annual Ossipee Valley Agriculture Society

The Gilford Getty Station

by Donald Guarino Gilmanton, NH.

The late sixties in the Lakes Region supported a great car scene. The Gilford Getty Station was home to three memorable cars ; the Vette, the Galaxy, and the AMX.

Growing up in Gilford, the grocery store that everyone shopped at was Dan’s

Star Market in the Lakes Region Plaza. Gilford Getty was on the left as you drove into town. A passenger in my Grandfather’s pick-up, I spotted these icons of Detroit muscle.

The Corvette was the garage owner’s car. The Vette may have been a ‘63 split window, the Stingray body from 1963-1967 are automotive art.

The Ford Galaxy, mid sixties, represents Fords drag racing efforts. Win on Sunday sell on Monday mentality. Boxy and slab sided with a Ford big block engine, this car was built to win drag races. Forgive me guys if it was a Mercury Cyclone.

The AMX! With a hole in the hood and an intake manifold with two 4 barrel carbs sticking out- you knew this was a 1/4 drag racer. American motors only made this car for three years; 1968-1970.

It wasn’t unusual to see the Getty Station’s big garage doors open

and the lights on after hours. On a warm summer evening , just like other service stations in Laconia, talented mechanics working on their personal cars.

On the Laconia bypass between Gilford Ave and the Route 107 off ramp was a 1/4 mile drag strip. White rattle spray can painted, start line and fresh rubber marked the pavement. I can imagine, late on a summer evening, all of these cars visiting this spot and testing their latest adjustments. Wish I was there.

on the TOWN OUT OUT

Now Here’s A Tip

by JoAnn Derson Syndicated Columnist

* To make a special quilted keepsake, sew together baby’s receiving blankets.

* Want a delicious coating for chicken? Try basting with mayonnaise and then dip in crushed crackers. The crumbs stick well to the mayo, and it’s especially delicious with crushed butter crackers, like Ritz.

* When washing stockings by hand, add a tablespoon of vinegar to the rinse water. They will keep the stretch better. Also, if you line-dry them outdoors, slip a spoon or a few coins into the toe. This will keep them from twisting up in the wind.

* If you, like me, are washing your winter sweaters to pack away, add a bit of hair conditioner to the rinse. Also, don’t try to pull them into shape when drying. Just lay flat to dry. If you have a screen, you can set it up so that the sweater dries from both sides. This is best. -- D.Y. in Kentucky

.* I purchase rotisserie chickens and use the meat for different things -- soup, casseroles, etc. I have a trick to getting the skin off. My hand strength isn’t what it used to be, and those birds are slippery. I use a paper towel to grip the skin, and pull the meat and bone right out. It works well on a raw bird too. --

L.A. in Florida

* To re-whiten socks or washcloths, try boiling a pot of water and adding a sliced, juiced lemon. Soak the items for at least an hour, and then pick out the lemon and add the pot -- water and all -- to a load of wash.

* If there are crushed cookies in a pack I purchase, I set them aside in a plastic baggie in the freezer to use on ice cream.

Yummy! -- R.L. in Alberta, Canada

* If you have been cooking in the oven and have a pan that’s got cooked-on food, you can get it clean

without all the scrubbing. Immediately after cooking, while the oven is still hot, add enough water to cover the bottom of the pan and a little dishsoap. Put it in the oven until the oven is cool. The residual heat will work on the stuck-on food while you are dining, and it’ll wipe right out.

-- W.O. in Minnesota

* When washing out stockings, add a tablespoon of vinegar to the rinse water, and they will retain their elasticity better.

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.

ACKERLY’S

Grill & Galley

83 Main Street, Alton 603.875.3383

Akerlysgrillandgalleyrestaurant.com

Woodstock - Dbl Pig’s Ear

Stoneface - IPA

Baxter - Coastal Haze

Tuckerman - Pale Ale

603 - Winni Amber Ale

COPPER KETTLE TAVERN

At Hart’s Turkey Farm

Restaurant

233 D.W. Hwy, Meredith 603.279.6212 hartsturkeyfarm.com

Henniker - Working Man’s Porter

Concord Craft - Safe Space

Stoneface - IPA

Moat Mtn - Blueberry

603 - Winni Amber Ale

...+6 More On Tap

D.A. LONG TAVERN

At Funspot

579 Endicott St N., Weirs 603.366.4377 funspotnh.com

Hobbs - Jacked Up!

Northwoods - Lucky Cast

Foundation - Flightless

Wonder

Resilience - Arethusa

Schilling - Rennsteig

Notch - Salem Lager

...+6 More On Tap

FOSTER’S TAVERN

403 Main Street

Alton Bay, NH 603-875-1234

fosterstavernbythebay.com

Tuckerman - Pale Ale

Sam Adams - Seasonal

Sam Adams - Wicked Hazy

Maine Beer Co - Lunch

Newburyport Brewing Co -

Green Head IPA

...+2 More On Tap

JOHNSON’S

TAPHOUSE

At Johnson’s Seafood & Steak 69 Rt 11, New Durham 603.859.7500 eatatjohnsons.com/ newdurham

Lone Pine -Brightside

Widowmaker -Blue Comet Shipyard -Smashed Pumpkin

Jack Abby -Red Tape

Muddy Road -1762 Porter

Northwoods -Autumn Buzz ...+30 More On Tap

MORRISSEYS’

Porch & Pub

286 S. Main St., Wolfeboro 603.569-3662 Morrisseysfrontporch.com

Smithwick’s

Guinness

Harp

Concord Craft Safe Space

Concord Craft Coffee Stout

Stella Artois

...+11 More On Tap

OVER THE MOON FARMSTEAD

1253 Upper City Rd., Pittsfield overthemoonfarmstead.com

Oatmeal Stout

London Porter

Pitt Stop Pils

Coffee Porter

No Need To Argue -

Cranberry Mead

Maple Apple Cider ...+6 More On Tap

PATRICK’S PUB

18 Weirs Rd., Gilford 603.293.0841 Patrickspub.com

Patrick’s Slainte House Ale

Great North - Moose Juice

Guinness

Clown Shoes - Bubble Head

603 - Winni Amber Ale

Tuckerman - Pale Ale

...+9 More On Tap

THE WITCHES

BREW PUB

At The Craft Beer Xchange 59 Doe Ave., Weirs Beach 603.409.9344

FB @craftbeerxchange

**Jack’s Abby Onsite 4/15

Jack’s Abby – House Lager

Jack’s Abby – Shipping Out of Boston

Jack’s Abby – Blood Orange

Wheat

Jack’s Abby – Post Shift Pils

Jack’s Abby – Hoponius Union

Hoppy Lager

...+30 More On Tap

** Tap listings subject to change!

Home of Diane the Turtle Open 7 Days a Week

The Way Shopping Used

LOCAL HAPPENINGS

Comedy At The Sportsmans Club With Corey Rodrigues

High level Las Vegas stand-up comedy returns to the Belknap Sportsman’s Club in Gilford, Saturday April 15 at 8 pm with national and international star Corey Rodrigues.

Tickets are $30 and may be purchased in advance at https://birdease.com/BCSCComedy and tickets will be available at the door if not sold out in advance. Patrons are allowed and encouraged to bring their own food and drinks to the event which is open to the public.

Rodrigues, a Boston area comedian, rapidly rose through the comedy ranks and is now a regular in Las Vegas and Atlantic City and is frequently working cruise lines and performing overseas.

Rodrigues has been seen on Comedy Central, and Gotham Comedy TV, along with playing major clubs from Boston to L.A., Rodrigues is the past winner of the Catch a New Rising Star comedy competition, has appeared in the Boston Comedy Festival, and was the winner of The Funniest Comic in New England Contest.

Also appearing at the April 15 show will be regional star Paul Landwehr and Oshee Baugus, a Laconia area favorite.

“We’ve had two great comedy shows this year,” said Sportsman’s Club president Mike Normandin. “We had Kenny Rogerson headline one night and Steve Sweeney headlined the next. Now we’re bringing in Corey Rodrigues who is great.

“The money we raise goes to scholarships and to provide needed equipment and services for local organizations.

“We sponsor the Boy’s and Girls Clubs of the Lakes Region, we send kids to Barry Conservation Camp... eleven went this year... and we offer scholarship s to college kids pursuing careers related to forestry, biology, environmental sciences and more.”

Concord Hospital - Laconia Golf Classic

Calling all golfers! Join Concord Hospital – Laconia for the Laconia Golf Classic on Monday, May 22, 2023 presented by Stewart’s Ambulance Services. All funds raised for this event will support the Concord Hospital - Laconia Dental Center and all of its programs and services. Enjoy your day out on the green at the exclusive Laconia Country Club. Start the day at 11:00AM with registration and a welcome BBQ. Hit the links at noon with a shot gun start and wrap up the day with an awards reception in the Clubhouse. Raffles, giveaways, hole-in-one prizes with a chance to win a new car or Kubota tractor (sponsored by Irwin Automotive Group and Dr. Paul Racicot) and more.

The Dental Center is a resource for community members to receive the dental care needed. Programs and services provided allow patients to maintain their dental health, as well as receive necessary procedures required for various further medical procedures and treatment plans. This subsidized program welcomes patients regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Event sponsors supporting this event to date include: Stewart’s Ambulance Service, Daymark Solutions, HUB International of New England, Concord Orthopaedics, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Engelberth Construction, Franklin Savings Bank, Golden View Health Care Center, New Hampshire Distributors and Orr & Reno, PA.

For more information or to register your team, please go online to ch-trust.org or call (603)7376752

“Gershwin Blue” WIth Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra POPS

The Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of music director Benjamin Greene, invites you to the final concerts of the 2022-2023 season with two performances on Saturday May 13, 2023 at 7:00pm and Sunday May

14, 2023 at 3:00pm at Inter-Lakes Auditorium in Meredith.

LRSO celebrates the 100th anniversary of George Gershwin’s American Classic “Rhapsody in Blue” - perhaps Gershwin’s most famous and one of the most performed of all American concert works - with Meredith’s Chris Mega featured on piano. In the Gershwin theme LRSO welcomes vocalist Madison MacNeill to the stage performing several Gershwin and Gershwin-era standards from the Great American Songbook.

LRSO entertains with a mix of orchestral and vocal selections that include “S’Wonderful”, “Strike Up the Band”, “Embraceable You”,” But Not For Me”, “Summertime”, “Chattanooga Choo Choo”, a medley of Cole Porter tunes and more! Visit www.LRSO.org for a more complete lineup.

Chris Mega’s involvement with the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra spans over two decades, and he is currently the pianist and Executive Director of the organization. Chris is classically trained but enjoys playing jazz – a combination that fits well with Gershwin’s orchestral work. Over the years with LRSO Chris has had the opportunity to perform the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2, and the Grieg Piano Concerto, and is excited to solo with this Gershwin classic. The Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra is a Meredith, NH-based, non-profit orchestra that performs throughout the fall, winter, and spring months.

Bidding For Paws Online Silent Auction Through Sunday

Raise your paddles from the comfort of your own home now through Sunday, April 16th at 5pm to benefit the animals at the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire.

Exciting trips! Beautiful jewelry! Amazing artwork! Gifts! And more!

Register for Freetoday at https://fly.causepilot.com/arlnh/biddingforpaws.

The Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire is reliant upon the generosity of individuals, corporations, grants, and fundraising events, such as our annual auction, in order to continue their mission.

As one of their major fundraising events in 2023, you are encouraged to bid early and bid often on exciting trips and sought-after items to s help pets and the people who care for them. https://fly.causepilot.com/arlnh/biddingforpaws

The Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization that helps more than 2,000 pets and the people who care for them each year. The Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire also offers community outreach programs, including a pet food pantry, low-cost spay/neuter clinics, and Safe Haven temporary housing.

deSign a deer-reSiStant garden witHout tHe Fence

A hungry deer grazing in a garden.

by Melinda Myers

Deer are common visitors to landscapes even in urban and suburban areas.

Fencing is the most effective way to protect your plants but is not always practical or desirable. Your community may have restrictions on fencing, your budget may not support this option, or you prefer not to hide your plantings behind a fence.

Growing a beautiful garden despite the deer is possible but takes planning, persistence, and flexibility. You must be willing to change strategies as needed to minimize deer damage.

Deer dining pat -

terns can vary from one part of your neighborhood to another and from year to year. You have probably reviewed deer-resistant plant lists only to find a few of the plants frequently damaged in your yard included on the list.

No plant is immune from hungry deer, but some are a bit less palatable than others.

Look for plants with these characteristics next time you go plant shopping. Include plants with fuzzy or hairy leaves, those with prickly or thorny stems, thick and leathery leaves, and strong fragrances that deer tend to avoid. Even though

this is not one hundred percent, plant selection should be part of your strategy for reducing the risk of damage. Make note of the plants selected and how the deer responded. It will help as you make future additions to the garden. There are toxic plants that deer avoid, including daffodils, ferns, false blue indigo, poppies, euphorbias, and bleeding hearts to name a few. Some of these are also toxic to people and pets so do your research before adding them to the landscape. Some gardeners find combining the less favored plants with those the deer love

helps discourage feeding. Planting strongly

MYERS from 19 and move along. Plant these close together to discourage deer from pushing through in search of better-tasting plants.

scented lavender next to roses or surrounding a garden of deer favorites with thyme can help discourage deer browsing. Diversifying plantings is also a good strategy for reducing the risk of insects and diseases infecting and destroying gardens filled with just one type of plant. Look for pathways frequented or used to enter your landscape. Find ways to disrupt their regular routes to keep them moving along past your landscape. A trellis or a few posts covered with vines may be enough to limit access. Points of access are great places

to apply repellents like organic Plantskydd (plantskydd.com). The deer take a whiff and move along before taking a bite out of any plants. The same holds true for those key plants favored by deer. It’s rain and snow resistant so you don’t need to apply it as often as other repellent products.

Plant a deer-deterring hedge. Some gardeners use deer favorites, allowing the deer to munch on these plants as they continue past your yard. Other gardeners fill the hedge with prickly, smelly, and less desirable plants. Deer will take a bite

Design round or square beds with more space in the middle and less perimeter. Long narrow beds allow easy access to all the plants in the garden.

Keep in mind deer are focused on finding food while you have other priorities to consider. You need to be vigilant and persistent, adapting as the deer’s eating habits change to be successful. Your efforts will be rewarded as you grow an attractive garden without the help of a fence.

Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including The Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally-syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Tree World Plant Care for her expertise to write this article. Her website is www.MelindaMyers.com.

tipS to maintain your Home’S interior-ii

Wash Your Pet’s Bed

Since your pets have been spending more time at home, too, you’ve probably also made your pet’s space more comfortable for them during quarantine. Unfortunately, a dust mite’s favorite hangout is most likely the bed of your pet. To kick the bugs out, clean the bed in the washing machine on the highest temperature setting and place the bed outdoo

Start Small In The Kitchen

If your microwave has stains and residue buildup, lemons can help give this oft-used kitchen appliance a thorough cleaning. Just pour the rest of your glass cleaning solution from above into a small bowl and add two tablespoons of lemon juice. Place it in your microwave and set on high for two minutes. Once it dings, wipe down with a damp cloth.

Soap Down The Fridge

According to studies, food-borne illness occurs more often in the home than in restaurants. The bacteria lurking in your fridge is partly to blame. To give this critical appliance a thorough clean, start inside. Remove everything, throw out any expired goods and begin washing all removable items

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like bins and shelves. Then wipe down the interior with either a clean soapy cloth or antibacterial wipes. The last step is to wipe down the outside, including handles and door seals, with soapy water or stainless steel spray.

Disinfect That Knife Block

Never put a wet or damp knife into your knife block—always thoroughly clean and dry your knives before returning them to storage. Even then, it is always a good idea to do a more thorough cleaning once a year. For this deep clean, submerge the knife block in a mixture of one gallon of warm water and one tablespoon of household bleach. Let the wooden block soak for two minutes, then dry by turning upside-down onto a

dry towel to air dry completely.

Run White Vinegar Through Your Dishwasher And Your Tea Kettle

Appliances meant to clean other items in your home need cleaning too—particularly if you have hard water, which can cause calcium buildup. To give your dishwasher a refresh, pour a couple of cups of white vinegar in the machine and run a hot cycle. This does more than make the appliance look better; it actually keeps it running longer. You can also use white vinegar to remove any hard water stains from your tea kettle. Pour equal parts water and vinegar (about one cup each) into the tea kettle. Boil for a few minutes, then turn off the heat and let the mixture sit for a few hours. Finish clean -

ing as usual with dish soap.

Deep Clean Your Coffee Maker Like You Would Your Dentures

If coffee is your drink of choice, this unexpected drugstore item can give your machine a perfect clean. Fill the back of the tank with water, then drop two denture-cleaning tablets in and let them fully dissolve.

Run your coffee pot through a regular cycle, then repeat the entire cycle one more time, just using just warm water.

Disinfect Your Trash Can

Cleaning this receptacle is so much more important than people think. For a quick DIY cleanser, mix one cup of white vinegar with two tablespoons rubbing alcohol and a liberal amount (20-40

drops) of your favorite essential oil in a bowl. Or you can always use your favorite storebought cleanser to clean every crevice of your trash can. Make sure to get the hinges, the underside of the lid and the foot pedal.

Clean Your Washer And Dryer

When we think of our washing machine, we rarely remember that it needs cleaning, too. You can quickly

remove mineral and detergent residue by simply running two cups of white vinegar through a full hot water cycle. Make sure not to use any detergent and leave the clothes out. If you feel like that didn’t quite do the trick, repeat. And don’t forget the dryer! Scrub the lint tray with a brush, then dig deeper and clean your dryer vent, vent pipe and hoses.

Flush All Drains

Out of sight should never remain out of mind when it comes to your home maintenance, and drains are a #1 concern. To keep drains clog-free, pour a cup of white distilled vinegar down them a couple of times a month. Let the vinegar sit for about 30-45 minutes, then flush with cold water. When deep-cleaning the kitchen drains, don’t forget the garbage dis-

posal. Disconnect the unit’s power, throw on a pair of rubber gloves, and wipe down the unit with your preferred cleanser until debris is removed.

Shower Curtain TLC

We’re in the shower so often, we barely notice the gunk that can build up on the curtain. But about once a month, you should take down any fab -

See TIPS on 23

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ric curtains and/or plastic curtain liners to toss them in the washing machine. You could also throw in a few towels for added scrubbing action. Run your cycle on delicate after adding a very small amount of laundry detergent. When washing fabric curtains, they can go in the dryer on low, but it is best to towel off and then rehang to air-dry your plastic liner or curtain.

Scour That Grout

Grout is always a tough task, but you don’t need to use those harsh products to get it sparkling clean. Try a homemade solution of one cup Epsom salts, 1/2 cup baking soda, and 1/4 cup of your favorite liquid dish soap. Don’t be tempted to abandon those hardto-reach crevices and grout lines—try an extendable scrubber brush that can help you reach these germy spots without straining your back or overworking your knees.

Organize Your Medicine Cabinet

The first thing to do is toss anything past its expiration date, including skincare products, makeup, soaps and other personal care items. These all do expire—generally anywhere from six months to a few years after purchase, based on product and usage. As a general rule, if it looks, smells or feels weird, toss it. Also, don’t forget to chuck any used travel-sized

beauty products. Leaving these tiny plastic bottles open can cause bacteria to build up, so even though it reminds you of the last time you were on a trip before lockdown, it’s time for it to go.

Toss Throw Pillows In The Dryer

Whether they are in a high-traffic area of your home or not, decorative pillows can be a breeding ground for dust mites. If possible, toss the pillows in a hot dryer to kill the dust mites. If they happen to be made of fragile materials, a good alternative is to place them outside in the hot sun or the freezer for a day.

Electrostatic Dust

Your Blinds Blinds tend to collect a lot of dust and grime, and because all those crevices are such a pain to clean, they often get neglected. Use an electrostatic duster, which will attract the dust without sending it spinning off into the air. Then use a soft microfiber cloth to wipe your blinds clean with warm water and vinegar. Once dry, wipe your blinds with dryer sheets to help repel dust.

Vacuum Your Mattress

That’s right, vacuum your mattress. Once you have stripped all of the bedding off (including the mattress skirt), vacuum the mattress’s top and sides using the upholstery attachment. If your bed has any odor or shows signs

of staining, sprinkle baking soda over the top of it and let it sit for 30 minutes before vacuuming up. Finally, rotate the mattress 180 degrees or give it a flip to prolong its lifetime.

Take A Lint Brush

To Your Lamps

To clean your lamps, turn off the fixtures and allow them to cool completely, then unplug them and unscrew the lightbulb. If the bulb is dusty as well, give it a quick wipe with a dry rag. Then vacuum the lampshade using the angle or upholstery tip. Alternatively, a lint brush is another excellent option for dust. Just roll it over the entire lampshade.

Get Your Cell Phone While You Are At It

It may not be obvious, but studies show that your phone is dirtier than both your toilet seat and the bottom of your shoe! That’s not only gross but concerning, considering how easily COVID-19 is transmitted. Once a week, take the case off of your phone, swipe a disinfectant wipe over the entire surface and do the same to the case before replacing it.

TIPS from 22

son’s hero turns out to be a villain to another person. Such was the case with Jonathan Moulton of Hampton, New Hampshire in the middle years of the 1700’s.

Jonathan Moulton was a store owner who also served as a Captain and Colonel in

New Hampshire Militia groups during two of the Indian Wars and then was made a Brigadier General because his war time valor in the Revolutionary War impressed General George Washington. In the year 1763, in recognition of his service in the Indian wars he, with numer-

ous other proprietors, was granted the land, first by the Masonian Proprietors for what became the town of Moultonborough, and from Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth for what would become the towns of New Hampton and Center Harbor.

He owned a store in Hampton and was in-

volved in land deals that helped in the settlements of several other towns including Sandwich, Tamworth, and Alton. Moulton was a family man , being the father of fifteen children, eleven with his first wife, Abigail Smith, and four with his second, Sarah Emery, and being the adoptive father of at least one additional child.

He opened a store in Hampton from which he sold English and West Indies merchandise.

He was also a public servant, serving for many years as the moderator for the town of Hampton, and being elected to the legislature of New Hampshire and to the Committee of Safety. In addition he was a delegate to the state constitutional convention.

So, from a distance, it looked as if General Jonathan Moulton was deserving of much honor and being made the subject of one of those books honoring American heroes.

But not everybody was favorably impressed with the man.

Historians who wrote about him didn’t seem to agree on whether Jonathan Moulton was a hero or a villain.

Some felt his business dealings were not fair and that he took advantage of others to make himself rich.

Though coming from a family that was considered to be poor, he became the wealthiest man in Hampton, and one of the richest in the province of New Hampshire.

Serving under the British king in the Indian Wars, he fought against him in the Revolutionary conflict, guarding the New Hampshire coast with the third regiment of

the New Hampshire Militia, and then marching 300 miles with his men to help defeat the British under General Burgoyne at the Battle of Saratoga. When disputes arose concerning his business ventures and land purchases he appears to have benefited from the decisions of the courts leading to charges of improper influence over judge and jury.

Perhaps the major controversies involving Jonathan Moulton began in the year 1760 when a dispute began between Jonathan Moulton and his neighbor, Jonathan Swett. Both Jonathans apparently claimed to be the owners of some marsh land in Hampton Falls where both made their homes. Grass was grown on the marsh lands and thus it was valuable property for

hay making.

According to Mr. Moulton, Mr. Swett mowed and took the grass on the disputed property two years in a row and began to do the same on the third year, but Mr. Moulton said he removed the grass his neighbor had cut from the marsh before Mr. Swett did so. This land dispute ended up in the courts which decided in favor of Mr. Moulton.

This wasn’t the only complaint Mr. Swett, who was a Hampton Falls selectman and captain in the militia had against Mr. Moulton. They aired their differences in the newspaper, The New Hampshire Gazette and Historical Chronicle, so their feud was very public. Three times within a few years’ time barns belonging to

See SMITH on 25

Depiction of ship wreck at Hampton from which Jonathan Moulton is said to have salvaged many goods that helped make him wealthy. Drawing by Troy Smith.

Copy of New Hampshire Gazette (Portsmouth) that published letters of Jonathan Swett and Jonathan Moulton over disputed land. Item is from 1765.

SMITH from 1

Moulton were burned as a result of arson, with Swett as a suspect, but with no proof that he was to blame.

William Plumer of Epping, who had served as the governor of New Hampshire, is quoted as writing the following about General Jonathan Moulton:“The instances of his fraud and deceit, injustice and oppression are numerous; he has reduced many families from affluence to beggary.”

After those unflattering remarks Plumer gave a mixed assessment of the deeds of Jonathan Moulton. He said, “... he has expended much money in making settlements in new townships near Lake Winnipisiogee, and in making and repairing roads. In this point of view his labors have been useful to the country; but many

of those settled in his townships complain of his having ruined them.”

Joseph Dow in his history of Hampton was kinder to Moulton. He wrote, “We have seen him a prominent business man at home, energetic and public-spirited. We have seen him honored year after year to represent his townsmen in the legislature. We have seen him the

intrepid commander, in responsible positions, amid the perils of war. We have never seen him false to his trust or incompetent in its execution...One cannot believe he would have been so so honored and trusted through a most critical period of our history, had he been unworthy.”

So the main proprietor of Moultonborough, New Hampton,

and Center Harbor, and apparently a land owner in some other towns was seemingly admired by some for his military and civic accomplishments and not so much liked by some who thought his wealth came at their expense.

Was he a hero or a villain? Maybe a little bit of both. Or maybe, rather, a lot of both.

Another Hampton Falls neighbor who served as the first President of the state of New Hampshire, Meshech Weare, said of General Moulton, “The state will not forget the great aid in the French and Indian Wars nor the part in turning the tide in the battle of Saratoga. Thou hast long been both a servant of the Province and the state of New Hampshire.”

SPIRIT FARM

SMITH from 24

Jonathan Moulton’s gravestone, but the location of his burial place is unknown.

Brenda MacKay Established 1971

My Little Sewing Room

FORCallNow PROM APPOINTMENTS!

Jumbo Blueberry Muffins

Yield: 6 Each Time: Approx. 45 Minutes

INGREDIENTS

Homestead Place, Alton, NH (603) 875-5329

Newest Release By Brendan Smith “The Best of a F.O.O.L.* In New Hampshire”

*Flatlander’s Observations On Life

With over 40 of the best of Brendan’s weekly columns he covers everything from politics to health to technology to shopping and more. This is the perfect sampling of his unique humor which has been entertaining readers of The Weirs Times and Cocheco Times for twenty years.

Order your autographed copy today for $13.99 plus $3 for shipping. (Also available on Amazon andlocal bookstores

Send checks or money orders for $16.99 to Brendan Smith and mail to: Best of a F.O.O.L., c/o The Weirs Times, PO Box 5458, Weirs, NH 03247.

Order online at www.BrendanTSmith.com

Newest Release By Brendan Smith

*Flatlander’s Observations On Life

With over 40 of the best of Brendan’s weekly columns he covers everything from politics to health to technology to shopping and more. This is the perfect sampling of his unique humor which has been entertaining readers of The Weirs Times and Cocheco Times for twenty years.

Order your autographed copy today for $13.99 plus $3 for shipping. (Please include any inscription you would like the author to personalize your copy with.)

Send checks or money orders for $16.99 to Brendan Smith and mail to: Best of a F.O.O.L., c/o The Weirs Times, PO Box 5458, Weirs, NH 03247.

Order online at www.BrendanTSmith.com

(Pickup autographed copies at the Weirs Times)

1 Cup ½ and ½

3 tsp. Lemon Juice

1 ¼ Cups Sugar

1 Stk. Butter

2 Eggs

1 tsp. Vanilla

2 Cups Flour plus ¼ Cup

2 tsp. Baking Powder

1 tsp. Baking Soda

¼ tsp. Salt

2 Cups Frozen Wild Blueberries or Fresh in season

Coarse Sugar or granulated sugar for tops.

— Preparation —

-Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. and completely grease a muffin tin. (Use a jumbo 6 each tin. If using a 12 each tin you will have to adjust your cooking time.)

-In a small bowl combine the ½ and ½ and the lemon juice and set aside (about 10 minutes.)

-In a mixing bowl, using the mixing attachment, combine the stick of butter and the sugar, mixing until the combination resembles coarse crumbs. Add the eggs, one at a time and continue to mix. Add the vanilla and continue to mix.

-In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients (reserve the ¼ cup of flour) and use a whisk to mix the dry ingredients (flour, powder, soda, salt) completely.

-Mix in the dry and wet ingredients to the butter mixture, adding alternately 1/3 flour, 1/3 half and half, until all are completely combined. Mix a few minutes longer until a batter forms. Scrap the sides of the bowl if needed to ensure all the butter mixture is well incorporated.

-In a bowl combine the Blueberries and the ¼ cup of flour, tossing the Blueberries to completely coat. Fold the berries and flour into the batter with a rubber spatula. The batter should thicken a bit.

-¨Spoon¨ batter into the prepared muffin tin to the level top of the cup.

-Sprinkle each batter filled cup with granulated white sugar.

-Bake in a 400 degree oven for 12 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue to cook for an additional 20 to 23 minutes.

-Remove from the oven, check with a thermometer for internal temp of at least 160 degrees (will be about 180 degrees) and the stem thermometer comes out clean.

-Let muffins rest in the tin for about 5 minutes before removing to a cooling rack. Rest on their sides or eat them hot with butter.

FEAST from 13

usually means baking powder and baking soda. Remember back when you were a kid and mixed baking soda and vinegar? You got all those fizzy bubbles. Well, that is a chemical reaction between the sodium bicarbonate reacting with an acid.

Baking Soda and Baking Powder is the result of someone in the middle 1800’s with a penchant for baked goods playing with their chemistry set. Baking Powder reacting with liquid such a water produces bubbles while Baking Soda reacts with an acid to produce bubbles. The issue with baking powder is the reaction happens very quickly, and some-

times that reaction is lost in the mixing bowl. So along came Double Acting Baking Powder which, as the name implies, reacts twice, once with the liquid in the batter and again with the heat from the baking process. So why use both soda and powder in a recipe? Good question. I could say because each has their merits and they add some stabilizing properties throughout the process, and yada yada yada. But, my favorite answer is, because that’s what mom always did and mom always did know best.

So, what about the acid? Well, at first I used vinegar to curdle my half and half for a pseudo Butter Milk giv-

ing both flavor and acid needed to react with the Baking Soda for the fizzy bubbles which in turn gives the product lift. While the desired peak was achieved the end result was somewhat lackluster on taste and the crumb was too dense. On the second trial I used lemon juice, added Double Acting Baking Powder and adjusted the Baking Soda. The results were a much better muffin with high peaks, cake-like crumb, and much better flavor.

To the modern palette lemon tends to complement blueberry.

The other important aspect to a good crown, peak, or dome (whichever term you prefer) is Heat. Specifically, start

high to establish the crown or “set the peak” and then turn down the heat so that your muffins are not reduced to ashes. Once the crown is established, reducing the heat will ensure the muffin bakes to a much more uniform consistency throughout.

With these pointers above and the right blueberries; this time of year a ¨local¨ frozen product such as Wyman’s from Maine, you too can achieve a high crown, good light cake crumb, and just the right balance of sweet to tart. Well now, that´s a Donut Shop Muffin worthy of this Simple Feast. Enjoy!

“The Best of a F.O.O.L.* In New Hampshire”

Yours truly enjoying a brisk sunny Spring day at Bretton Woods! The snow conditions were wonderful and so was the grand White Mountain vista. The ski resorts seem to run out of skiers before they run out of snow!

PATENAUDE from 11

good dent. We made 17 trips up and down the mountain. We enjoyed some wonderful views as we watched the wild swirling clouds dance around Cannon Mountain, often giving us a peek at Mount Lafayette.

The snow conditions improved as the day went on and by 2 o’clock the wind died and the sun came out. Of course we called it quits a few minutes before 2 o’clock. We watched the sun come out as we were enjoying an apres ski beverage in the pub.

Sunday we skipped over for some afternoon skiing at Bretton Woods. Charlie dropped me off at the lodge and then he drove over to their Nordic Center to go crosscountry skiing. It was a windy chilly morning so we waited for the bright sunshine to warm up the day and to soften the snow. It was worth the wait. The groomed snow was nice for carving nice turns.

While chatting with others while riding the gondola I learned that Cannon and Wildcat had decided not to open for the day due to extra high winds. Bretton Woods most often doesn’t experience high winds. Skiers who had planned to go to those closed resorts were happy that Bretton Woods was able to spin their lifts.

Charlie reported the cross-country trails were well groomed and made for some fast skiing and he was a little sad that they’ll stop grooming the trails in a week.

Tuesday, I skipped out and went to Killington Resort in Vermont with my friend Kris. We carpooled together and when I went to pick her up in Newbury it was raining. I had told her to bring her raincoat so it wouldn’t rain. She didn’t bring it.

Lucky for us the rain stopped as we drove north and then west to the ski resort. We could see Killington’s snow covered slopes from far away.

The snow was spring snow: not sticky but wet enough that it was a bit of a chore to push your skis around in it but still fun skiing. It Would have been more fun if the sun had shone.

There were not a lot of people out but it was a wet-ish spring mid-week day and just what we had expected. But the Brits were out in force with their ski instructors.

Young groups of British people come to New England for their ski holiday. We had met some at Cannon but there were a lot more of them here. They’re nice kids out having a good time but the groups really can fill up a trail and it isn’t easy to ski around them.

You usually won’t find these groups on the black diamond trails. But everyone has to ski the famous women’s World Cup race trail–Superstar. Killington’s Super trail is covered by their man-made glacier.

Last year the slope was open until June.

Kris makes turns on the soft Spring snow underneath Killington’s gondola on the Cascade Trail. Vermont’s Killington Resort is projected to be open until the end of May. If Mother Nature helps out maybe longer.

I think it is covered with thirty feet of snow now. Well, we skied it once with a couple of the groups. It was the busiest trail on the mountain. We watched the clouds dance around opening and closing up the views. In the afternoon it showered a minute or two a couple of times. Just enough to make the chairlift seat wet and anything that sat on it. We should have stuck to the gondola or the bubble chair.

When our legs said

it was time to go home we listened.

Hope to see ya at Killington in May and maybe even in June. Have fun.

Amy Patenaude is an avid skier/outdoor enthusiast from Henniker, N.H. Readers are welcome to send comments or suggestions to her at: amy@ weirs.com

Teachers across the country are robbing children as young as 5 of their innocence. They are routinely taken to drag queen shows where men in women’s clothing dance for them (sometimes lewdly). Why? Because it is the aim of most American schools from first grade to postgraduate to have all American young people believe that sex/ gender is “nonbinary” -- that alone in the animal kingdom, human beings are not sexually divided into male and female.

In the COVID-19 era, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health and virtually every other national medical and health agency largely abandoned science and even elementary decency (recall all the Americans who were forcibly deprived

of any visitors and left to die alone in hospitals) and became tools of the Left. They and America’s Sovietized teachers’ unions ruined millions of American children by closing schools for nearly two years. In addition to the doomsday hysteria over climate change, the imposed gender confusion and the absence of religion, this has led to the highest rates of adolescent depression and suicide ever recorded in America.

Our justice department, about half of our judges and our security agencies are well on their way to becoming what the Soviet ministry of justice, Soviet security agencies and Soviet judges were: tools of the ruling party.

Our mainstream media, with few exceptions, are as uncommitted to truth as were the organs of the So-

viet Communist Party, Pravda and Izvestia.

The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, NPR and PBS play the same role for the Left and therefore the Democratic Party.

It was only a matter of time until the Left would arrest a former president of the opposition party.

Dennis Prager is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host and columnist. His commentary on Deuteronomy, the third volume of “The Rational Bible,” his fivevolume commentary on the first five books of the Bible, was published in October. He is the cofounder of Prager University and may be contacted at dennisprager. com.

where does each individual find their personal freedom they want protected?

It was George Washington, whom I often quote, that pointed out that no beautifully designed government will work if, at the individual level, we do not have morality and religion. We see every day that beautifully designed political systems and governments fail if, at the individual level, there is wanton and irresponsible behavior.

So the core of a free society is free choice at the individual level, and the core of free choice at the individual level is right and wrong. If there is no right and wrong, what does it matter what individuals choose?

Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has pointed out that “woke”

culture is a form of religion. And he is right. Individuals may reject the truths of religion as we know them, but it remains for them to choose what they will accept, on faith, to be true. If they reject religion, so they must invent one.

Once we believe that traditional truths, good and evil passed down through the generations, interfere with our personal freedom rather than enable it, and that we can make everything up, so meaning and personal responsibility are lost. We then see more and more horrible incidents like the most recent murders in a Christian school in Franklin, Tennessee, by a very lost and confused individual.

It’s no accident that socialist societies are godless societies. They think they can make everything up.

During this special season, when so many continue to appreciate that there is meaning and truth in this world, let our prayers be directed that this continues and that more and more will begin to understand that the source of our personal freedom is our Creator and not government.

Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the weekly television show “Cure America with Star Parker.” To find out more about Star Parker and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

jlake@metrocast.net

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PARKER from 6

PRAGER from 6

eliminate two of them for every new one passed. He didn’t, but he did repeal some big ones: allowing more oil drilling, reducing the Environmental Protection Agency’s power to regulate waterways that are barely waterways, ending Barack Obama’s regulations forcing automakers to make “greener” cars (Biden reimposed them), and allowing internet service providers to charge different rates for different services (repealing the destructive net neutrality).

His words alone sent a message: “Not everyone needs welfare. You can work!”

Under Obama, people stopped looking for work. Democrats’ message was: Poor people are victims of an unfair system; you need handouts.

Under Trump, people started working again. Six million Americans were hired. Unemployment dropped to a 50year low.

Trump signed the First Step Act, reducing long prison sentences for drug-related offenses.

He launched Operation Warp Speed, speeding production of Covid vaccines.

He appointed judges who believe in free speech and limited government.

Hooray for President Trump!

But then there’s the evil Trump.

He lies and breaks promises.

Trump promised he would “cut spending, big league” and then increased spending.

Biden’s been worse; this administration’s crazy spending is why inflation is killing your savings. But Trump was little better. He increased spending from

an already astounding $4.1 trillion in 2017 to $6.55 trillion in 2020.

Trump promised to end America’s wars. He didn’t. In fact, he signed a massive $738 billion defense bill, bragging that it was “an all-time record!”

At least Trump, unlike his predecessors, didn’t start new wars.

Trump imposed tariffs on China, ignorantly claiming they’d protect American consumers. Instead, the tariffs punished American consumers and businesses. So Trump then gave billions of your dollars to farmers and others hurt by his tariffs.

Finally, Trump refused to accept the results of the election. For 224 years, our democracy has had a peaceful transfer of power. Trump ended that.

He lied about voter fraud. He told his supporters, “Fight like hell.”

On Jan. 6, he did tell them to “peacefully” march to the Capitol, but when things got ugly, he did nothing. Only hours later did he post a video asking protesters to go home. Today he shows no remorse for any of the nasty things he did. Because of Trump, Biden will probably be reelected.

Every Tuesday at JohnStossel.com, Stossel posts a new video about the battle between government and freedom.

almost certainly invite military aggression.

Just a day following the historic Tsai- McCarthy meeting in California, far across the Pacific, U.S. Representative Michael McCaul who chairs the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, along with a bi-partisan group of eight lawmakers visited Taiwan and reaffirmed Washington’s determination to stand with Taiwan and help the island defend itself. This was the first American Foreign Affairs Committee Chair to visit the island for 44 years.

Speaking at the Legislative Assembly in Taipei, Rep McCaul (R-TX) stated, “When we project strength, we get peace. If we project weakness, we invite aggression and war.” He stressed that the U.S. wants to do “everything in our power” to stand with Taiwan and to project strength to China by delivering arms sales to Taiwan and holding joint training exercises.

Importantly Taiwan’s democracy is supported by a significant bipartisan consensus in the U.S. Congress.

But while fine words flowed from American allies and friends, Beijing’s military, both its naval units and warplanes, were literally circling the island of Taiwan like vultures. China’s “maneuvers” posed a boldfaced example to bully Taiwan, threaten its sovereignty, and pressure its political process. Taiwan shall be holding presidential elections early next year.

Perhaps the boldest statement was actually made in Beijing by visiting European Union Chairman, Ursula van der Leyen.

She told Chinese leader Xi Jinping, “We all agree that stability in the Taiwan Strait is of paramount importance. We have a very clear interest in preserving this stability,” Von der Leyen added poignantly, “The threat of, or the use of, force to change the status quo is unacceptable”.

The key to Taiwan’s survival remains Deterrence; for a generation now many American administrations have been transfixed on both China’s commercial market as well as the miasma that Beijing’s Marxist regime would magically transform into a more democratic state. This has not happened. Correspondingly, neither Taiwan’s military equipment nor its military force structure is sufficient to deter a possible Chinese invasion in a few years.

The three statements supporting Taiwan’s security represent a political trifecta for preserving Democracy in East Asia. We hope.

John J. Metzler is a United Nations correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He is the author of Divided Dynamism

The Diplomacy of Separated Nations: Germany, Korea, China.

tive ships, including 11 carrier strike groups, and needs another 100 ships, including two carrier strike groups, to meet minimum requirements to project our sea power, patrol the oceans and conduct naval wartime operations. The Marine Corps needs another five infantry battalions, and another five fixed wing squadrons. Additionally, we have to restock our ammunition inventory which has been depleted due to the commitment to Ukraine.

Donald Moskowitz Londonderry NH

but I have a lot left to learn. I find the app very useful in confirming, or contradicting, my guesses. It is also useful when I hear a bird I know I should recognize, but for some reason can’t place it. The app puts my mind at ease by identifying the bird. It is also good, of course, for learning songs that I previously did not know.

Birding by ear, in conjunction with the app, adds another enjoyable element to the great hobby of birdwatching. After some initial skepticism, I can say I am a believer in the app and the technology.

As my father used to say, what’s next?

Now In 5th Printing! The Flatlander Chronicles

Weirs Times F.O.O.L columnist, Brendan Smith’s first book with over 30 of the best of his original Flatlander Columns. From learning to Rake The Roof to Going To The Dump to Buying Firewood for the first time and everything in between, Brendan recounts the humorous tales of his learning to fit into New Hampshire life as a Flatlander from New York.

Order your autographed copy today for $13.99 plus $3 for shipping. (Please include any inscription you would like the author to personalize your copy with.) Make out checks or money orders for $16.99 to Brendan Smith and mail to: The Flatlander Chronicles, c/o The Weirs Times, PO Box 5458, Weirs, NH 03247. Order online at www.BrendanTSmith.com (Pickup autographed copies at the Weirs Times)

B.C.

SUPER CROSSWORD

PUZZLE CLUE: HAVING FLITTING THOUGHTS

by Parker & Hart

MAGIC MAZE SUDOKU

THEME THIS WEEK: THINGS THAT WEAR OUT

CAPTION CONTEST

OUR PICK FOR BEST CAPTION

Runners Up : What a couple of phonies. - Bob Watson, Bristol, NH.

Doc, we’re “hear” about the ringing in our ears.

- Kathy Piotrowski, Laconia, NH.

The original Head Phone.

-Ricky Mader, Wolfeboro, NH

They took the statement “ call ahead for reservations “ seriously.David Barth, Laconia, NH.

CAPTION THIS PHOTO!!

Send your best brief caption to us with your name and location within 2 weeks of publication date... Caption Contest, The Weirs Times, P.O. Box 5458, Weirs, NH 03247 email to contest@weirs.com

PHOTO #959

PHOTO #957

The Winklman Aeffect by John Whitlock