05/28/2020 Weirs Times by The Weirs Publishing Company

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

VOLUME 29, NO. 22

THE WEIRS, LAKE WINNIPESAUKEE, N.H., THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

COMPLIMENTARY

SUMMER IS HERE! Time To Get NH BACK TO BUSINESS! Wilmot’s Bog Mountain A Great Little Hike by Amy Patenaude Outdoor Ski Columnist

Bog Mountain in Wilmot is a great little hike. This bald granite peak gets its name from the Kimpton Brook boggy area down below at its base. The trail does not cross any wet or boggy areas. From its top hikers are rewarded with a big mountain vista for their modest effort. The Bog Mountain Trail is part of section 7 of the Sunapee-RaggedKearsarge Greenway. The SRK Greenway is a combination of 75 miles of hiking trails that circle the Lake Sunapee area and connects the three mountains in the

Greenway’s title. If you’re looking for trails that are less traveled check out the Greenway’s paths. The trail traverses Bog Mountain for 3.2 miles from the west side on Stearns Road to the eastside parking area at the Wilmot Town Library. Any combination of up and down or point to point make for a good outing. We met for a quick afternoon hike and we chose the shorter route, it is just 1.1 miles to the summit from the east side. We parked at Stearns Road, a narrow gravel road with parking for three or four cars on a widened edge of the road.See PATENAUDE on 26

NH Boat Museum Looking To Open July 1ST

A Sailboat sits at the dock at Ames Farm in Gilford. This amazing scene was photographed by Robert Clifford. You can see more of Rob’s wonderful work at RobertAllanClifford.com or at cliffordphotographynh.com

WOLFEBORO - Different than initially conceived this past winter, the New Hampshire Boat Museum’s 2020 season is expected to still feature some of its most popular programs, including rides on the ‘Millie B.’ Taking visitors out on Lake Winnipesaukee, the ‘Millie B’ is a 28-foot, mahogany, triple cockpit replica 1928 Hacker-Craft. “We are still working on the details, but the ‘Millie B’ is part of our planning process for the 2020 season,” said Executive Director Martha Cummings. “We will continue to monitor the State’s

guidelines, so we can confidently implement safety measures for our staff and visitors.” Another program expected to still take place this summer at the New Hampshire Boat Museum (NHBM) includes model yacht kit building. In this program, participants build and race radiocontrolled model yachts. Featuring the Back Bay Skippers, Model Yachting will also take place this summer, Tuesdays and Thursdays (possibly some Wednesdays), on Back Bay in Wolfeboro along the Rail Trail. “ I t ’ s f u n See MUSEUM on 12

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

Sports Opinions 2.0 ously you’ve never played ice hockey!) “For some people it’s such an alien idea but the Raiders moving to Las Vegas feels so unbelievably right to me.” (Was Tijuana not an option?)

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Sportswriter Eric Murtaugh once offered up some random sports opinions—no doubt seeking to stir up trouble. I understand, as someone who occasionally stirs pots myself. So I thought I’d opine on Murtaugh’s opinions. His are in “quotes.” Mine are italicized in (parentheses). “His hairline has always been a warning of his mortality but I find the aging of LeBron James really depressing. He was a manchild at 18 and I want him to stay young forever.” (At least LeBron hasn’t also gotten fat!) “I’d move the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament first round games to begin on Friday and stretch through Monday instead of beginning on a Thursday.” (That beats cancelling them altogether, as just happened.)

“One of the great things about watching soccer is embracing ads on jerseys.” (Sure. And we need more TV timeouts during basketball games too.)

TThis week’s Sports Quiz is about this NBA star. “I’ve put in about 10 solid hours of cricket viewing and read up on the rules. I still don’t fully understand the game.” (Try watching field hockey or Australian Rules football.) “I can probably come up with a list of 100 words or phrases that I think should be banned from sports-related conversations forever. We need new, fresh terminology.” (Banning words forever? Sound like something that would come from a

campus liberal promoting speech codes. Where would we be without sports clichés?) “There is no discussion that could convince me the grunting in the game of tennis is acceptable.” (See immediately above.) “I like to tell myself that I prefer the Winter Olympics but as I’ve grown older I secretly like the Summer Olympics more.” (Why must it be a secret? Obvi-

“I’m really surprised there hasn’t been a bigger movement in the NHL to make full facemasks mandatory.” (Back when men were men no NHL players wore helmets and goalkeepers didn’t even wear facemasks. Of course, most NHL players were also missing teeth back when men were men.) “I’m a big believer that uniform changes can bring a team great luck or terrible luck with little room in between.” (New uniforms for the Browns!) “Major League players going down to the minors on rehab stints See MOFFETT on 29

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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 over 20 years, this publication is devoted to printing the stories

of the people 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 30,000 copies of the Weirs Times every week to the Lakes Region/Concord/ Seacoast area and the mountains and have an estimated 66,000 people reading this newspaper. To find out how your business or service can benefit from advertising with us please call 1-888-308-8463.

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

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Memories To Ponder - Lest We Forget Sacrifices Of The Civil War the 3rd New Hampshire Regiment and he went on to become perhaps the youngest man in the State to become a commissioned officer, that happening when he was barely 18 years old. He eventually reached the rank of Colonel. Many have given their lives in the service of their country from the Revolutionary War to the present day, but here I will just mention a few from central New Hampshire who served in the 12th NH Regiment during the Civil War. Adna M. Hall was born in Bristol and served in Company D. This grandson of a Revolutionary War soldier fought at Fredericksburg and See SMITH on 25

by Robert Hanaford Smith, Sr. Contributing Writer

Corporal Elbridge J. Copp of Nashua, NH., the youngest commissioned officer of the Civil War to be promoted from the ranks.

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indicated that only those who were in the midst of it can have any conception of the condition of affairs at that time. He observed men who had served in the 1st New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiment returning in August after their three months enlistment period was over and described their marching through the streets of the city as a great event. Copp persuaded his father to let him enlist in

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ing much the COh butOseems r wto e virus VID-19 Cbe thought of or talked about.” In that April of 1861 the young Mr. Copp who was determined to be in the war probably had no clue as to the number of people who would die or be wounded in that war as today, in the year 2020 we only have projections as to the total that will die from the COVID-19 virus. The 16year old from Nashua,

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Though politicians hoped to find a solution to the divide between the Northern and Southern States in the middle of the 19th century, the war seemed certain to many when Fort Sumter was fired upon. Elbridge Copp was but 16 years old and working in his family’s book store in Nashua, New Hampshire when the news flashed over the telegraph of the fall of the Fort. Copp remembered his uncle saying “We are going to have a terrible war,” and he also recalled the excitement that made it difficult for him to continue to work. He wrote: “I inwardly rejoiced, and was at once filled with a determination to have a part in it. The most intense excitement stirred the whole country. As I read Elbridge Copp’s words of those days many years ago that “nothing but the war was thought of or talked about..,” I thought of the fact that today “noth-

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

WRIGHT MUSEUM OF WORLD WAR II

Yankee Magazine’s “Best 20th Century History Museum in New England” - New for 2020: Newly renovated galleries & displays!

Browse over 14,000 items in our collection: WWII military vehicles & weapons; a 1939-1945 Time Tunnel; a real Victory Garden, Movie Theater & Army barracks; as well as period toys, books, music, clothing… and MORE. THE

WRIGHT MUSEUM EDUCATION PROGRAM SERIES

TUESDAYS FROM JUNE THRU OCTOBER June 2, 7 pm – 8 pm World War II: African Perspectives - Lecture by Richard A. Lobban, Jr., Ph.D.

UNATELY RT FO UN June 9, 7 pm – 8 pm Collapse of the Nazi Concentration TS NE EVENCamp L JU AL SystemLecture by Dr. C. Paul Vincent. BEEN June 23, 7 pmHA – 8 pm VE Women of Espionage- Lecture by Linda Matchett. NCELLED June 30, 7 pmCA – 8 pm Plants Go To War: A Botanical History of World War II- Lecture & book signing by author Judith Summer. July 7, 7 pm – 8 pm Last Stand at Khe Sanh: The U.S. Marines’ Finest Hour in Vietnam- Lecture & book signing by Gregg Jones. July 21, 7 pm – 8 pm Code Name Lily- Lecture & book signing by author Dr. Julien Ayotte. July 28, 7 pm – 8 pm The Other Resistance: Hitler’s Slaves- Lecture by Dr. Giovanni Frisone.

Admission $8 per person; $3 for Wright Museum members. Reservations recommended, call 603-569-1212 for more info. Doors open 1 hour before the program begins. Visit www. wrightmuseum.org for details on the entire series

THE WRIGHT MUSEUM OF WORLD WAR II WILL DELAY ITS TRADITIONAL MAY 1 OPENING... We will continue to monitor the evolving Coronavirus situation and evaluate operational dates in line with state recommendations. All public and private events to be held at the Museum will not occur during the closure. Some events may be rescheduled to a later date. Please visit our website www.wrightmuseum.org for updates on exhibits and programs. When the Wright Museum does open, the first special 2020 exhibit will be:

VIETNAM: The Real War

Photographs from the Associated Press Organized by the Huntsville Museum of Art and the Associated Press The Vietnam War was a long, costly and divisive conflict that was covered extensively by an extraordinary group of Associated Press photojournalists. This exhibit contains sixty superb AP photographs that both recorded and changed history.

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603-569-1212 • www.WrightMuseum.org • 77 Center Street, Wolfeboro, NH

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

F O O L NEW HAMPSHIRE A

in brendan@weirs.com

Live Free or Die.

*A FLATLANDER’S OBSERVATIONS ON LIFE

The “Best Of” Days In last week’s column I explained how I was out of ideas for things to write about relating to the Coronavirus by Brendan Smith mania that Weirs Times Editor has been sweeping the country. More than a few readers were quick to jump in and give me some guidance on different issues I haven’t covered but should. A few of them stuck in my head. I guess you would call these “The Best Of” ideas, which is appropriate this time of year since many other publications are running their annual “Best Of This And That And Other Things” contests. With these contests people write in to vote on what businesses and services they think are the best and later the winners are announced at gatherings where those who came in second or third (or not at all) politely clap for those who got more votes than they did. Last year I had some ideas for my own “Best Of” list, including things that weren’t considered before like “Best Parking”, “Best Convenience Store” and one I can’t believe is never included in other “Best Of” Lists, the very important “Best Bathrooms”. It is now one year later and a lot of things have changed because of the Coronavirus, so I thought that there should be even more categories in any “Best Of” list since there are now new things that are important to people whose mental attitude has changed in the past few months. For these folks, winning the category of “Best Nachos” isn’t

going to be enough to get them out of the house again and to your place of business. (Well, maybe nachos. We all have our weaknesses.) “Best Social Distancing Markers” will be a big category for any business to win this year to get those folks with trepidations in coming to your business. Did your business just slop together a few arrows made out of tape and then stick them on the floor measuring out six-feet between customers at check out, or did you spend a little extra to “jazz” them up a bit. Maybe have a clue to a riddle on each distance marker and then the final answer to the riddle as you exit. Something to help keep nervous folks minds off the thought that the person in front of them might be “the one”. (Riddles would have to be updated at least weekly to keep folks coming back.) I am part of the “over sixty with underlying conditions” crowd. (Glad to be finally recognized with my very own politically correct designation.) I’d like to see a “Best Pampering To Those At Risk” category. Some stores are opening early just for my people, and that is great. Still, I would like to see it maybe taken a step further. Those of us in this category have been missing out on a lot of fun, so instead of just rushing us through the store in an hour and then getting us out of there, perhaps you could let us linger at the locked entrance, carts full of groceries, hand sanitizer and toilet paper, and stare at those outside, under sixty, clamoring to get in, clawing at the safety glass and salivating at our bounty, sort of like the zombies on “The Walking Dead.” Yes, it is a small thing, but it would give us a thrill in our fragile conditions.

The whole mask issue has created a lot of controversy too. People with masks are getting mad at those without masks and vice versa. (Actually, you could substitute a plethora of pre-Coronavirus words with masks, like reusable shopping bags and plastic straws, and get the same anger. It is just human nature to be always upset at something someone else is doing or not doing). Stores could create their own “Best Masks” contests and give daily prizes of gift certificates to winners as well as putting their pictures up on a Mask Wall Of Fame. With a contest like this, those wearing creative masks might now be happy to see other folks not wearing any masks at all as it increases their chances of winning a prize. Of course, those who will not wear masks now might go out of their way to create unique masks since they “aren’t going to let any of those damn people win that prize”. (Human nature wins every time.) Businesses are only starting to get back open, so I’m sure there will be many more “Best Of” ideas to come as things start to open up. For now, we will just have to rely on the “Same Old , Same Old” and hope “Best Pina Colada” is still going to be enough to draw folks in during these unpredictable times. Brendan is the author of “The Flatlander Chronicles” and “Best Of A F.O.O.L In New Hampshire”. His newest book “I Really Only Did It For The Socks -Stories & Thoughts On Aging” will be available later this year. Brendan has also entertained audiences around New Hampshire with his storytelling presentations. To find out more visit his website at BrendanTSmith.com

Now In 4th 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)

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

Stop Training Saudi Arabia’s Jihad Pilots I’m glad the FBI was able to crack the iPhones of the Pensacola naval air base shooter, which confirmed that radicalized Royal Saudi Air Force second lieutenant Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani had communicated with al-Qaida to carry out a “special operation.” Three young American patriots died in Alshamrani’s December 2019 attack. The more information we by Michelle Malkin have to prevent the needless slaughter Syndicated Columnist of U.S. military members on U.S. soil the better. But Attorney General William Barr’s announcement of the Pensacola jihadist’s unlocked phones yesterday raises more questions than it answers. Why haven’t the American people been informed yet of basic details regarding how Alshamrani got into our country? Why have we resumed foreign flight training while lockdowns have put nearly 37 million citizens out of work -- and while national security concerns about the A-2 visa for foreign military trainees remain unresolved? Why weren’t all temporary foreign visa programs for both civilian and military pilots from around the world immediately frozen as part of President Donald Trump’s so-called immigration ban? In January, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson, R-Wis., and fellow committee members Sens. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., asked Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf for a “timeline of Alshamrani’s nonimmigrant visa vetting process, the specific vetting actions conducted, whether he was interviewed by U.S. officials and whether the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was made aware of any documents provided by the Saudi government indicating terrorist sympathies.” The letter also sought information on “how many A visa holders were refused entry by Customs and Border Protection and how many of those refusals were Saudi nationals, as well as details on DHS monitoring of visiting foreign military personnel’s social media and any such monitoring conducted in Alshamrani’s case.” Was biometric data collected? Were any red flags shared by Saudi Arabia, and did our consular officials follow up on any warnings? The three GOP senators also asked Wolf about what “diplomatic courtesies or other differences from regular nonimmigrant visa arrivals are afforded See MALKIN on 28

How Biden Could Be Handing Trump His Reelection In national polling, former vice president Joe Biden is the clear 2020 front-runner. He’s up nearly 5 points in the RealClearPolitics polling average; he’s up in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Florida and Arizona. That’s because by Ben Shapiro Syndicated Columnist Biden campaigned as the anti-Bernie Sanders: a “return to normalcy” candidate rather than a transformational one. His entire pitch relied on his high name recognition, the general perception of his likability and his unthreatening demeanor. The coronavirus pandemic merely underscored this pitch. Biden hasn’t waned in the national polling since the pandemic -- his lead has been utterly consistent. That’s true even though Biden has been relegated to his basement, gaffing through completely anodyne statements about COVID-19, glitching his way to a few thousand viewers at a time, being interrupted by the birds honking outside his window. How can a major party candidate win if nobody cares whether he’s even alive? Because Biden’s candidacy isn’t a referendum on Biden but on Trump: President Donald Trump is widely perceived as volatile, unstable, chaotic. Biden is perceived as somnambulant. Better a sleepwalker, many voters seem to think, than the rolling chaos of a second Trump term. Yet somehow, the Biden campaign has decided to abandon Biden’s greatest advantage: his promise of a sedated interregnum. Instead, according to The New York Times, Biden’s campaign will embrace radical proposals. “With Mr. Biden leading President Trump in the polls, the former vice president and other Democratic leaders are racing to assemble a new governing agenda that meets the extraordinary times -- and they agree it must be far bolder

than anything the party establishment has embraced before,” The Times reported. Some of the new proposals are directly from the Sanders campaign: forgiving student loans, a Green New Deal, expansion of government health care, a government jobs plan, a ban on stock buybacks and compulsion toward profit sharing for corporations. Meanwhile, former President Barack Obama explained over the weekend that the coronavirus has merely underscored deep-seated American racism that requires a complete remaking of our society. Equating disparate health and incomes between black Americans and white Americans due to COVID-19 with the shooting of black Georgian Ahmaud Arbery -- and citing both as legacies of America’s historic racism -- Obama stated, “No generation has been better positioned to be warriors for justice and remake the world.” But do Americans really want the world remade? Or are they simply longing for the world of four months ago, when unemployment stood at 3.5%, when incomes were rising at the lowest end of the income scale, when Americans could attend events without fear of infection and death? Are Americans truly desperate for a reshaping of our medical system, a universal basic income and trillions more in debt? Biden seems to be betting on the latter. And that’s idiocy of the highest order. It completely undermines his entire case for the nomination; it allows Trump to place the new radical agenda front and center, rather than his own foibles. Biden’s go-forbroke strategy is a massive opportunity for Trump -- if Trump doesn’t blow it. Ben Shapiro, 36, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show” and editor-in-chief of DailyWire.com. He is the author of the No. 1 New York Times bestseller “The Right Side of History.”

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

Shutdown’s Silver Lining The government has closed most schools. So, more parents are teaching kids at home. That upsets the government school monopoly. by John Stossel Education “exSyndicated Columnist perts” say parents lack the expertise to teach their kids. Without state schooling, “learning losses... could well be catastrophic,” says The New York Times. Home schooling “will set back a generation of children,” according to a Washington Post column. Harvard Magazine’s “Risks of Homeschooling” article

quotes a professor who calls for a “presumptive ban.” The professional education establishment actually tried to ban it 98 years ago. Then, they tried to ban private schools, too! But the Supreme Court stopped them, writing, “a child is not the mere creature of the state.” I wish the state would remember that. Anyway, the educator’s complaints about home schooling “setting back a generation” are bunk. Eleven of 14 peer-reviewed studies found home schooling has positive effects on achievement. In my new video, education researcher Corey DeAngelis explains, “Children who are home-schooled

get much better academic and social results than kids in government schools.” Even though they are more likely to be poor, “Home-schoolers score 30% higher on SAT tests.” They also do better in college, and they are less likely to drink or do drugs. “Mass home schooling during this pandemic,” says DeAngelis, “may actually be a blessing.” Debbie Dabin, a mom in Utah, is one of many parents who started home schooling this spring and now is “definitely considering home schooling” next year. Dabin bought teaching materials over the internet from a company called “The Good and the Beautiful.”

Her son likes the lessons better than what he got in school. “It’s great,” Dabin says. “He likes the activities; he wants to do them.” Before the pandemic, he’d told his mom he hated school. I hated school, too. Classes were boring. Listening to lectures is a poor way to learn, and unnecessary today. In addition to home-school teaching programs, there are also free internet games that teach things like math, reading and writing, while customizing the speed of lessons to each learner’s needs. Sites like Education.com teach math by letting kids adjust pizza toppings. See STOSSEL on 29

China’s Virtual Victory at WHO, Real Crackdown in Hong Kong

The World Health Organization (WHO) held its annual Assembly with barely a mention of the member state which brought this UN agency by John J. Metzler so much politiSyndicated Columnist cal grief. But this year’s Assembly convened not in the alpine splendor of its Geneva headquarters, but in virtual reality of cyberspace owing to the ongoing COVOD-19 pandemic it has been accused of not reacting to early enough. As the world is now massively focused on the Corona pandemic, Beijing may probe in

the disputed South China Sea and politically crackdown in places like Hong Kong. Though the murky origins of the deadly COVID-19 virus have been traced to Wuhan China, the stark facts remain that WHO, either through misfeasance or malfeasance, did not react quickly enough to the warnings, or more probably was sidelined by its cosy ties to Beijing that vital health information was not shared in a timely manner. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros, has offered fulsome praise to China’s rulers, even as late as January 23rd of this year as the epidemic was already spreading widely. Moreover, he originally downplayed the dangers of human transmission.

Weeks of warning time were lost. WHO only declared a pandemic on 11 March; this wasn’t a technicality but rather an overdue alarm. Once a pandemic was declared, only then did many European countries and the USA realize this was the real thing and act accordingly. We know the rest, we are suffering through it. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned the Assembly, “The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated our global fragility.” U.S. Secretary of Health Alex Azar, addressing the Assembly stated candidly, “In an apparent attempt to conceal this outbreak, at least one member state made a mockery of their transparency obligations, with tremendous costs for the entire

world. We saw that WHO failed at its core mission of information sharing and transparency.” He added, “This cannot ever happen again. The status quo is intolerable. WHO must change, and it must become far more transparent and far more accountable.” Significantly Secretary Azar added, “It is also critical that Taiwan participate as an observer at the WHO, to bring the helpful perspective regarding their effective and exemplary response.” Despite rising American, European and Japanese support for Taiwan’s participation, Beijing’s communists have predictably blocked Taipei’s inclusion in the WHO. T a i w a n , See METZLER on 29

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

Physical Activity For Senior Care

by Martha Swats Comfort Keepers

It has been proven time and again that exercise is good for seniors’ physical and mental health. Regular exercise, even in small amounts, can improve mood, relieve stress and improve health. According to the CDC, four of the five most expensive health conditions older adults face can be prevented or managed with physical activity. But, only about 35% of adults over the age of 65 are physically active. Any senior starting a new exercise plan

“HealtH care for tHe wHole family”

should consult with their physician. And, it is helpful for family and members of the care team to assist and support physical activity in any way they can. For those that are physically able to begin an exercise program, regular movement can help them live a more vibrant and healthy life. Some of the health benefits include: •Improved mental health, mood and outlook •Prevention, or improvement of, diseases such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and osteoporosis •Reduced pain from arthritis and minimizing its severity •Decreased risk of falls Each individual has different needs when it comes to exercise and varying health condi-

tions that may need to be taken into consideration before beginning an exercise regimen. A health professional to determine the best approach to physical activity with senior care. There are a variety of ways to incorporate aerobic activity, strength building exercises, stretching and balance – all without leaving the comfort of home! Aerobic exercise – Walking in place, dancing or aerobic routines can help get the heart rate up. These activities improve cardiovascular health and help older adults maintain a healthy weight. Strength building exercises – there are many easy strength building exercises that can help seniors build the muscles they need to do everyday activities and prevent muscle loss.

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And, exercises can be done with household items or using body weight, so no expensive equipment is required. Stretching – Stretching before and after exercise can help prevent soreness after exercise. And, the additional benefit is improved flexibility, which is good for older adult’s physical health. For those looking to improve their flexibility even more, there are exercise routines available online that include yoga or stretching routines specifically for seniors. Balance exercises – Balance exercises help seniors prevent falls and improve mobility. Yoga, tai chi, and other low-impact activities can all help improve balance and overall physical health. Those that need a little assistance getting started should not hesitate to reach out to their doctor, family or caregiver. It is never too late to adopt an active lifestyle! Comfort Keepers is a leader in providing in-home care consisting of such services as companionship, transportation, housekeeping, meal preparation, bathing, mobility assistance, nursing services, and a host of additional items meant to keep seniors living independently worry free in the comfort of their homes. Let us help you stay independent. Please call 603-536-6060 or visit nhcomfortkeepers.com for more information.

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

Being Healthy Helps Your Mental State As Well by Dr. Graham Moneysmith, DC. Contributing Writer

Being healthy, doesn’t just mean how your body feels physically, but involves your mental state, as well. In our current world, this can be a real challenge. No matter what your feelings are on COVID-19 (I know friends ranging from “who cares, it’s no big deal” to “I’m terrified”), I think we can all agree life has changed. The stress level has increased dramatically. That stress could be worrying about getting sick, personal finances, jobs, your business, the national economy, or simply dealing with the idea of when will your life feel more normal again. It is stressful. Here’s the thing, you are a physical and mental being and these two parts of you, are completely linked and dependent on each other. For example, if you are stressed for prolonged periods, it can begin to damage your physical well being. Conversely, if you have a severe downturn in your body’s health or suffer from long term pain, it can begin to take a toll on your mental health. The problem is that it is much easier to attack your physical issues to find a fix. Chiropractic, physical therapy,

medicine, massage, acupuncture, or exercise all have useful applications in caring for your body. These modalities are generally easy to access and easy to use. When, it comes to mental health stuff it gets a little trickier. Many people are overly stressed or depressed, and while counseling and mental health services exist, many people fail to utilize them. Or in some cases, folks don’t realize that their mental health is even suffering, whereas a low back that is in pain is pretty recognizable. Overall, people tend to be pretty proactive when it comes to physical pain, but often live with stress, depression, or some other mental health issues. We will stretch or change our diets, to feel better physically, but often the problem is we don’t even know where to start to support our mental well being. So with that being the case, here, at least, is a starting point for you, during this dramatic change in our world: 1.Get a hobby: I know this may sound frivolous to a busy person, but seriously, get a hobby. People who practice hobbies, have been found to have less stress and more happiness. Hobbies have also been shown to provide purpose. Having purpose can be a key

ingredient in combating depression. Hobbies also foster social relationships, which also helps improve mental health. If we can’t go about our normal lives, just yet, you may as well find a happy and beneficial distraction. 2.Get Your Sleep On: a study from University of Pennsylvania found that the people who were limited to 4.5 hours of sleep per night for a week reported feeling increased stress, anger, sadness, and mental exhaustion. Think we’ve had enough of all of those feelings? I do too. Get some rest. 3.Exercise: seriously, the list of benefits of movement is vast. Well, add mood, anxiety and depression improvements to the list. A 1998 study in the Journal of Sports and Exercise Psychology found that even just 20 minutes of exercise three times per week, could improve mood symptoms. I understand that (as I write this) gyms haven’t opened yet. But a simple walk will do the trick. 4.Eat A Healthy Diet: eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables is always a good choice, but when it comes to mental health, per webMD: “A very large body of evidence now exists that suggests diet is as important to mental

health as it is to physical health,” says Felice Jacka, president of the International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research. “A healthy diet is protective and an unhealthy diet is a risk factor for depression and anxiety.” 5.Talk To Somebody: I can’t stress this enough, don’t hide from any concerns about your mental health, whether you are overly stressed, dealing with depression, or anything else. Don’t bury it. Talk to a friend, a family member, or your healthcare provider. Get in touch with a counselor and make an appointment. There are even so many online and phone options now too. The bottom line is, you must take care of your mental health. Stressed? Depressed? Anxious? Do not ignore it! Yes, the world has changed. It has been rough. But you possess the power to adapt and persevere. I urge you to control what you can control and find strength in yourself.

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

Postcards For Heroes by David R. Ayers I don’t think I am alone in recognizing the sheer quantity of emotions we have all had since this began. Fear, frustration, anger, hopelessness; you and I experience these emotions about our regular lives being upturned and inconvenienced. For healthcare workers all of these emotions are part of their daily life whether there is a pandemic or not. Our daily lives were changed and we were asked to adapt and alter a few things. Healthcare workers, those on the frontline of this battle, had their daily lives turned into a warzone. Underprepared as they were and in many cases lacking proper equipment and testing, these heroic people have continued to get up every day and fight this anyway. What they have done and are continuing to do is nothing short of heroic and they all need to hear that as often as we can possibly tell them. It is so easy to get lost in our own little worlds right now. “Darn, I forgot my mask.” “Shoot! I just went the wrong way down the grocery aisle.” I know I have. At one point towards the beginning I also felt truly useless. I’m a massage therapist that can’t work to heal people. I write funny greeting cards with my wife and we sell them from our store. None of that seemed like it would do much good against a worldwide pandemic.

If you would like to send a postcard please go to LittleDogPaperCo. com. There is a picture of the postcard on our front page. Click on that and select the “We’ll Send It For You” one. Once you select it and check out you simply put the Hero’s name and address as the shipping and put your note and who it’s from in the Order Comments. You can also do this in our store as well if you wish. We will take care of the rest. I hope this article finds everyone healthy and well. We will get through this… together.

It was at a truly low point that it hit me. This is not about me. It is not about any one human being but all of us together. And there was one group that has been in this since the beginning and they deserve to be praised. So I came up with the postcard you see pictured and decided that I wanted to get one in the hands of every healthcare worker I could. Little Dog Paper Company will print this postcard, fill it out, address it, stamp it, and mail it. All you need to do is provide the name and address of who will receive it and put your note to them in the Order Comments section. Don’t forget to sign who it’s coming from so they know you sent it. We

are not asking for donations for this. Just for your help in getting the word out so we can reach as many frontline workers as possible. Let us help you thank your hero.

David Ayers is the owner of Little Dog Paper Company and a massage therapist at Meredith Whole Living Center.

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The New Hampshire Boat Museum hopes to have the “Millie B” giving summer rides very soon. In July, NHBM will again feature its annual Vintage Boat and Car Auction, although there will be changes. “We are going online with this year’s auction, which is a great step forward this year,” said Cummings, who said they are currently seeking consignments and donations of boats. “We will have two preview days on-site with limits to group sizes.” In looking ahead to the 2020 season, which she hopes can begin on July 1, Cummings said the safety of visitors, staff and

volunteers is foremost in her mind. “We are following COVID-19 guidelines issued by the state of NH to ensure we can offer the best possible experience for our visitors this summer,” she said. “Our summer may be different, but we want people to know we are here and doing our best to create wonderful programs and experiences for all ages.” Founded in 1992 by antique and classic boating enthusiasts, NHBM is committed to inspire people of all ages with an understanding of, and

appreciation for, the boating heritage of New Hampshire’s fresh waterways. To learn more about NHBM, including its modified 2020 event and program schedule, visit its calendar web-page at nhbm. org.

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

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I remember flying (many flights…) for a past employer and imagining, as we would descend through the clouds, how they looked like you could walk on them. Some even looked like ski trails in the winter snow. I so enjoyed the idea of walking on clouds and would recount those vivid scenes over in my mind in later days. I’m sure kids have also imagined walking on clouds as the lay on their backs in a field on a summer day. Well, a New England brewery has helped us beer enthusiasts with a similar connotation with one of their latest creations. Let’s look once again at Night Shift. Night Shift Brewing of Everett, Massachusetts has its beginnings in a kitchen in Somerville, MA. During 2007, co-founders Rob Burns, Mike O’Mara, and Michael Oxton began homebrewing at night after their normal work day jobs were done. Their hope was to make beers for friends and family that were

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Night Shift Brewing still operates and distributes from their Everett location. They now offer a craft coffee and hard seltzer side to the business and have opened a massive tasting room and eatery at LoveJoy Wharf in Boston. They also support a “pop-up beer garden” where their beer is served and supported by food trucks. Look over their website at NightShiftBrewing. com. There are a myriad of New England IPA’s out there and all are

proclaiming they are juice bombs or hop bombs. Many look like orange juice while others are dank and dense. But all have the citrusy, piney, tangerine aroma and flavor that IPA lovers crave. Well Fluffinity fits into all of those categories. This golden-hued 7% ABV comes in just shy of a double IPA rating. I find it very approachable and balanced, like all Night Shift brews. There’s not a lot of hop bite (no IBU rating on the can) and yet not exSee BREW on 15

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

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LUNCH from 14 generosity, we’ve raised $500 for each of these critically important organizations”. “In a time of such uncertainty, it really comes down to community support to get us all through this. When Allan first reached out to us with his plan, we were blown away and excited to be involved. Eastern is excited to support Patrick’s with their new online ordering system and giving back to both the Boys & Girls Club and Got Lunch! Laconia. This will hopefully offer them some additional support in a time when so much help is needed,” said

BREW from 13 actly sweet due to malted grains. Notes of mango, tangerine and other citrus flavors are at the top of the taste awareness. Overall, Fluffinity is a medium bodied, well rounded IPA most people will enjoy. BeerAdvocate.com has not officially scored Fluffinity as of this writing but followers on the BA site are giving it pretty high marks (3.92 being the lowest). You can buy Night Shift brews beers in 16 oz four packs at Casen-Keg in Meredith as well as other fine beer providers. Hopefully you can experience walking on clouds too with Night Shift’s Fluffinity.

Josh Anderson, VicePresident of Marketing and Business Development. Patrick’s recently opened back up with outside dining. “Curbside Pickup and Delivery are here to stay, but we’re really happy to see our customers back here at our new ‘Roadside Café’ ” Beetle joked. Patrick’s outside dining, along with Curbside Pickup and Delivery, is available Monday thru Thursday 3-7pm and weekends 1-8pm, with hours likely to expand. For more information, please visit www.patrickspub.com or www. eastern.com.

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

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Fill your gardens with beautiful plants that produce an abundance of seeds the birds will love. You’ll enjoy the flowers as well as the birds that visit to dine on the seeds. Best of all, there is no feeder to refill or clean. Sunflowers are likely the first seed-producing plant that comes to mind. Their dark brown centers turn to seeds that attract a wide variety of birds and of course squirrels to your yard. Add a unique flare to your sunflower collection with the All-America Selections (AAS) winner Sunflower Ring of Fire. Its chocolate brown center is surrounded

After surviving brutal winter and summer conditions, Echinacea Sombrero® Baja Burgundy, a 2020 All-America Selections winner, continued to produce flowers midsummer to frost during a three-year plant trial. by a ring of red petals tipped in gold. The 4- to 5-feet-tall plants reach their peak late in the season, adding a fresh look to any flowerbed. AAS Winner Purple Majesty Millet is another bird magnet. Tolerant of heat and drought it grows 3 to 5 feet tall and its green leaves turn purple in the sunlight. Twelve-inch-long flower spikes top the plant, making it the perfect thriller in container gardens, backdrop in flowerbeds or addition to garden bouquets. But you’ll want to leave most of the flowers on the plants to produce seeds that bring in the birds. Another group of AAS Winners, the Sal-

via Summer Jewel™ series, bloom earlier and more prolifically than other similar varieties on the market. You can choose from white, pink, red and lavender flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. And as their flowers turn to seeds, you will find colorful goldfinches flocking to the plants. Coneflowers are well known for their bird appeal. Our native purple and pale purple coneflowers are always a good choice, but a few relatively new hardy varieties increase the color options for gardeners. The 2020 AAS Winner Sombrero® Baja Burgundy was trialed for three years, survived brutal winter and summer conditions and continued to produce deep-violet-red flowers midsummer to frost. Cheyenne Spirit Echinacea produces a mix of purple, pink, red and orange flowers while PowWow Wild Berry’s compact plants are topped with deep rose-purple flowers. Start these two from seed in early spring and be rewarded with colorful flowers the first summer. A popular companion of coneflowers, blackeyed Susans, are sure to add a bright spot of color to any garden. And as the flowers fade, they provide an abundance of seed for birds to enjoy fall through See MYERS on 20

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

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Brown-headed cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of other birds. CHRIS BOSAK PHOTO cause of its shoddy craftsmanship. But, hey, I wasn’t shooting for perfection, just good enough so a bird could build a nest. Besides, the slop turned out to be a fortunate “mistake.” As of this writing, the nest has five eggs in it. It is likely a second brood for this phoebe as they are one of the first birds to arrive in spring — usually by the middle of March. But the news isn’t all good. Only four of the eggs are white phoebe eggs. A darker, mottled egg of a brownheaded cowbird is also in the nest. Brown-headed cowbirds are brood parasites and lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, leaving the parental duties to

the host bird. Phoebes are a common victim, as are other small birds such as warblers and sparrows. Brownheaded cowbird eggs typically hatch earlier than the other eggs and the baby cowbird grows at a faster rate. This makes the host bird work overtime to raise the cowbird, often at the expense of the other young birds. Cowbirds do this because of their historic nomadic nature. So, just remove the cowbird egg, right? Not necessarily. The female cowbird monitors the nest and may destroy the nest altogether if the cowbird egg is disturbed — either by the host bird or human intervention. An article I found on

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What To Do About Cowbird Eggs During the first spring at my house four years ago, I noticed a bird going back and forth under my neighbor’s lofted porch. Closer inspection confirmed my suspicion that an eastern phoebe had a nest there. The mud-andmoss nest was built on an old row boat oar that hadn’t been used or moved in many years. OK, a flat surface under a protected area, I thought to myself as I plotted to create my own phoebe nest habitat for subsequent springs. I rummaged through the basement and found a rectangular piece of wood, approximately 14 inches by 18 inches. I nailed the wood to some of the 2x8s underneath my own porch. Even if the phoebes don’t use it, surely a robin would, I thought. First spring, nothing. Second spring, nothing. Third spring, nothing. Fourth spring, bingo. I walked past the platform last week and noticed a small mudand-moss nest on the wood. It wasn’t built on the main part of the platform, but rather an excess corner of the wood that jutted past one of the 2x8s. My dad would have called the excess “slop” be-

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audubon.org brings up other legal and ethical questions. It used to be common practice to vilify cowbirds and everything they stood for. The no-good, lazy birds are destroying other birds and should be destroyed, was a common line of thinking — and still is for many people, I’m sure. The Audubon article, written in 2018 by Amy Lewis, states that people shouldn’t interfere with nests that have cowbirds eggs. First, it is illegal as per the Migratory Bird Treaty Act as cowbirds are native to the U.S. Though, technically, it is illegal to pick up a blue jay feather found on the ground, but not many people I know would hesitate to grab the feather. The article, quoting several sources, also states that it is best to let nature take its course. Human feelings and morals should not interfere with something that has been going on in nature for hundreds of years. It’s funny how research and science can change public opinion over time. Ten years ago I couldn’t imagine writing a bird column saying to leave cowbird eggs alone. I’m still somewhat on the fence about the whole thing as I imagine the phoebe under my porch working See BOSAK on 20

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winter. The 2020 AAS Winner American Gold Rush provides all the beauty plus a resistance to Septoria leaf spot disease. Longtime favorite flowers like cosmos, coreopsis, marigolds and zinnias also help bring in the seed-eating birds. Select single flowered varieties for maximum seed production. Radiance and Cosmic Orange cosmos, Sahara Starlight and the Profusion series of zinnias are a few outstanding performers to consider.

Look for other awardwinning varieties that attract seed-eating birds, hummingbirds and other pollinators to your garden on the AAS website (all-americaselections.org). AAS is a non-profit trialing organization with test gardens and volunteer judges across the United States and Canada. Winners are selected for their outstanding performance in home gardens and containers. Increase your garden’s beauty, decrease maintenance and bring in the birds with a few of these winning flower

varieties. Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” gardening DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio segments. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by AAS for her expertise to write this article. Myers’ web site is www.melindamyers. com.

BOSAK from 19 her tail off to raise a cowbird with possible grave consequences for her own babies. But I will not interfere. I will watch the nest daily and see what happens. Chris Bosak may be reached at chrisbosak26@gmail.com or through his website www.birdsofnewengland.com

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

Weathering The Storm

Prepare Early For Power Outages & Other Storm Impacts Surging spring temperatures can bring volatility that translates into major weather events. The 2020 storm season could see aboveaverage probability for major hurricanes hitting the United States coastline and the Caribbean, according to the annual Colorado State Tropical Meteorology Forecast. As those in the paths of seasonal storms know, property damage and power outages come with the territory. Being prepared for weather disasters and power outages is critical to protecting property, productivity

and well-being. Assess External Threats Before storm season arrives, take inventory of potential problems outdoors that could be exacerbated by bad weather. For example, trees may need trimming if limbs threaten power lines, the house or other structures on your property. Also examine the house for necessary repairs, such as loose guttering, shutters or shingles that may need to be secured and torn screens, all of which can worsen in heavy weather

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and cause more damage. Another consideration is items that could topple in heavy winds, such as barbecue grills or lawn furniture. When possible, look for ways to secure these items so they don’t take flight, aren’t destroyed or cause additional damage. Assemble Emergency Resources An overnight storm is no time to discover your flashlight batteries are dead or you don’t have the right size batteries to replace them. MakSee STORM on 22

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

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ability to illuminate their path and move safely through the house no matter where they are when the lights go out. Part of your preparation should also include restocking your first-aid kit. Some items in the kit, like ointments and medications, can expire so you’ll need to replenish anything you’ve used and double-check that the contents are still safe to use. If you don’t already have them, be sure to add a batteryoperated radio and a portable power bank so you have access to news updates and can charge a low phone battery. Take inventory of your non-perishable food items to ensure you have plenty of options on hand in the event power stays off through one or more meals. You may also want to stockpile some books and board games for convenient access to entertainment while your power is down. Make power plans. Because power outages area near certainty during severe weather season, reliable electricity is a necessity for powering work, school and daily life. An appropriately sized standby generator can ensure your home power doesn’t miss a beat when faced with

seasonal storms. Because standby generators are fueled by natural gas or liquid propane, the tank doesn’t require regular refueling with gasoline which means no last-minute trips to the gas station when your generator runs out of gas. “Standby generators can power an entire home, and because they are wired to the home’s electrical system so there is minimal interruption,” said Brian Northway, Briggs & Stratton field service manager. “When a storm knocks out power, the generator automatically takes over to deliver power, allowing you to take care of family and accomplish what you need to rather than worry about the power outage.” Generators with a smart power management system, such as the line of units offered by Briggs & Stratton, can help manage highwattage appliance priority. These power management technologies allow a homeowner to prioritize the power they need during an outage at a lower upfront acquisition cost. Learn more about standby power options at powernow.com.

How Big of a Generator Do You Need? It can be easiest to determine which type of home standby generator system is right for your household by first thinking about what items your family needs to remain functioning normally during a power outage. The number of home appliances or electrical loads you want to power will determine the size and cost of the generator. There are generally three different types of standby generators, which vary based on how much your home needs to power: Select Circuit Home Generators: Power Essential Appliances A select-circuit generator system is a costeffective way to power your home’s basics to get you comfortably through a power outage. These units can power up to 10 electrical loads in your home, including the fridge, some lights, television and the microwave. Managed WholeHouse Power Generators: Smaller, More Power A standby generator equipped with a smart power management soSee STORM on 23

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

Flags of the 3rd New Hampshire Volunteer Regiment in the Civil War. SMITH from 3 Chancellorsville and was shot early in the fighting at Gettysburg and died from his wounds. Another casualty at Gettysburg was Edwin E. Brown of Bridgewater who was described in the history of the 12th as “...a sincere Christian, a brave and patriotic soldier and an honest man.” From Ashland (then Holderness), Sergeant Samuel T. Cheney was called “one of the heroic patriots of the regiment” and was one of four brothers who served in the Union army. Cheney died on the battlefield at Cold Harbor. Also dying from wounds received at Cold Harbor was John W. Dow of New Hampton who received his widowed mother’s permission to enlist at the beginning of the war and of whom it was written, “His record as a soldier stands among the best.” Many who died during the War lived for some time after being injured, but eventually lost their

lives as a result of those injuries. One of those was Corporal Henry J. Smith who was born and buried in Laconia (then Meredith). Hiram Elliot who was born in Loudon in 1813 had served as an officer in the old State Militia, as had his father. This father of four who was about 50 years of age was killed at Chancellorsville. After the war Decoration Day was started to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. Remembering those who lost their lives during the Civil War was extended to honor those of all wars on a Memorial Day, and today we use the day to remember all of our dead, while having special ceremonies for those who have died for their country and placing flags at their graves. During wars, including the Civil War, I have noticed that the American flag is afforded special attention by our servicemen and if a designated flag-bearer falls another soldier is quick to retrieve the banner and lift

it high during the battle. The Stars and Stripes represent America and the freedom our country stands for and which so many have fought and died for. The country’s flag which has become so meaningful to loyal Americans has its own special day in June. The United States now has a large standing Army, Navy, Air Force, etc. and New Hampshire has a National Guard, a modern day, though better trained and equipped, equivalent to the militia of old. Those New Hampshire citizens who volunteered their service in the regiments of the Civil War were not highly trained or prepared for the battles they would soon be involved in, and they were hastily formed and organized. There are many stories of bravery associated with the war, as there are with the current health crisis in 2020, but it is true of the 1860’s as it is in 2020, that there were some who weren’t so brave or upright in conduct. Though the regular soldiers of the 1st NH Regiment only received their $11 monthly pay, some members of later regiments were paid bounties to enlist and/or received payments from their towns to support dependents while they were at war. It was legal for those who could afford it to pay for a substitute to take their place in the Army. Some of those substitutes received payments for enlisting and soon afterwards deserted their comrades. Some of the deserters were foreign opportunists who returned to their native country; others from other countries served valiantly under the American flag. The author of the History of the Twelfth Regiment ,A.W. Bartlett, one of its soldiers, wrote “ No one who has never been

them a fresh and bountiful supply of ozone from nature’s own laboratory.” He indicated that the rain, after every battle relieved the suffering of thousands and saved the lives of hundreds. Bartlett wrote in his diary on May 8, 1863: “Rain again in the night, and another dull and cloudy day. It seems as if the heavens weep by night and put on the veil of mourning by day in sorrow for the fallen heroes, who but yesterday were here, but today sleep beneath the blood-soaked sod where they fell.” The rain always ends as do wars, and fallen heroes allow for the sun to shine again, then and in 2020.

From Ashland (then Holderness), Sergeant Samuel T. Cheney was called “one of the heroic patriots of the regiment.” there himself can have any adequate idea how exhaustive to the vital forces is the struggle for victory between contending forces on the field of battle.” Concerning the conclusion of the battle at Chancellorsville he wrote that a cloud-burst of rain “...was a merciful God-send to the wounded, many of whom were still lying on the field unprotected, except by the shade of the trees. It allayed the inflammation of their wounds, checked the fever that was burning them up, and gave

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

Yours truly and Bria on Bog Mountain; Bria is sitting on the memorial granite Nearing the top of the Bog Mountain Trail on the open ledges with a fine view of Mount Kearsarge in the distance. bench dedicated to Bill Best and there is a Wilmot Tiny Library nearby. PATENAUDE from 1 Please be respectful and do not block or crowd the road. If there wasn’t room here we would have gone to the other side of the mountain where there

is plenty of parking available across from the Wilmot Library. But no surprise we were the only cars. The trail is well maintained and the path was so clean we won-

dered if someone had raked it. In just a half a mile we reached the ridge and an outlook ledge with a view to the south. We hunted for wildflowers but most were not open yet. Vio-

lets and some Trilliums were out. The trail crosses ledgy areas and nearing the summit it is an open granite knob. This is the most difficult part of the hike but it

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granite memorial bench and a mini Wilmot Library. The view was wonderful and we could see that there were still traces of snow on the slopes of Mount Sunapee. There is a spur path to more open ledges with a wider view south but big Mount Kearsarge blocks most of the view. Or instead maybe should I say that from these ledges there is an excellent wide view of Mount Ke-

arsarge! We took some time to bushwack near these ledges and found an old bad idea fire ring and another ledgy open area that would make for a more private picnic area. The actual high point of Bog Mountain is just off the trail to the north when starting the trail down to the other side. There is a small rock cairn and an obstructed view through the See PATENAUDE on 27

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

Wild Violets were abundant along the trail. I admit I haven’t eaten one yet but I will soon--I learned that the flowers are edible and are high in vitamin C.

Your truly starting up Bog Mountain’s open ledges. The Bog Mountain Trail is wonderfully maintained and would be a fun hike for the whole family. PATENAUDE from 26 trees of Ragged Mountain. Another hiker arrived on the summit from the other side just as we were about to head back down. On our return we had a pleasant hike taking our time looking and trying to identify the plants, trees and flowers. If we had had more time we could have

Bog Mountain Trailhead sign on Stearns Road, “foot traffic only, summit 1.1 miles, Wilmot Greenway Committee.”

parked on Route 4 and hiked up to Stearns Road using the Kimpton Brook Trail, we’ll have to get that piece of trail another time. When we finished our hike there was another car parked behind ours and a young mother and her two children were readying to hit the trail. We all agreed it was a good day for a hike. Get outside and have fun.

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

MALKIN from 6 on arrival to individuals on an A visa?” It’s ancient history, but those of us who care about a functioning immigration and entrance system remember how lazy and pandering State Department bureaucrats didn’t even bother to interview the 9/11 Saudi hijackers in person when they applied for fast-track visas. The Bush administration set up the so-called “Visa Express” program to allow Saudis to skip the lines and wait times. We also remember that when the FBI was warned before 9/11 by Phoenix-based agent Kenneth Williams that Arab Muslim pilots should be monitored because his investigation found “a

coordinated effort by Usama Bin Laden to send students to the United States to attend civil aviation universities and college,” the FBI ignored Williams. He had called on his superiors to conduct nationwide sweeps of aviation schools and surveillance of suspicious visa applicants. Had the feds done so, of course, Muslim grievance-groups would have been up in arms and hindsight hypocrite columnists like former New York Times’ finger-wagger Maureen Dowd would have screamed “Islamophobe” faster than a speeding bullet. Instead, the Bush administration did nothing to stop the inflow of terrorists into our homeland through an alphabet soup of visa

programs, including F-1 student visas, B-1 tourists visas, J-1 cultural exchange visas, diversity visas and the A-2s. In 2018-2019, the number of foreign students from Saudi Arabia in the U.S. totaled more than 37,000, 30.2% of whom were admitted to study in STEM/Engineering fields. Moreover, our U.S. military has been training Saudi airmen since 2012 at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas; Eglin AFB, Florida; Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina; and Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida. Government officials insist that the vetting is rigorous. But a 2017 report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction exposed how untold numbers of A-2

foreign pilot trainees from the Middle East have simply disappeared for more than a dozen years. In 2014, I reported on the alarming phenomenon of Muslim deserters in 2014 who had been granted visas for serving as interpreters in Afghanistan and Iraq. “We generally don’t know who we are training. We have little reliable information,” one U.S. official told RAND Corp. researchers. Their study “found significant problems with current U.S. vetting practices in relation to security assistance.” Why would we continue to put our soldiers, pilots, sailors and citizens at such unnecessary risk? Follow the money. The Pensacola joint training program was part of the $30 bil-

lion sale of F-15s to the Saudis -- engineered by Hillary Clinton and her pay-for-play State Department. Is it too much to ask President Trump, who campaigned on “America first,” “build the wall” and “drain the swamp,” to put some flesh on those bones and shut down the Saudi terror pilot pipeline? Michelle Malkin’s email address is MichelleMalkinInvestigates@ protonmail.com. To find out more about Michelle Malkin and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 — MOFFETT from 2 is still one of the silliest things in sports.” (You should be so lucky as to do your next rehab in the minors, Eric.) “If I could start my life over I would begin playing tennis and golf before my early-teens. We all have regrets, I suppose.” (So ice hockey didn’t work out?) “I positively love the smell of a new fresh can of tennis balls.” (Ummmm….) “There have been thousands, maybe millions, too many words written about the college football satellite camp rules.” (What? Huh?) “If you’re worried about the evils of annoying crowd atmospheres check out the National Lacrosse League. You won’t be able to sleep at night.” (The evils of annoying crowd atmospheres do not worry me.) “In football, the most violent of sports, if someone takes even a half-hearted swing at someone it’s viewed as basically murder.” (Actually, I don’t think OJ ever did get any Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalties.) “I’m always disappointed when a team wins a major sports championship while playing on the road. You just can’t get as hyped without the home crowd.” (Who knew? Seriously? REALLY? Get OUT of town!) “I do not, nor will I ever, trust a left-footed football placekicker.” (Yup. Mom always said never trust a left-footed football placekicker.) “Maybe it’s un-Ameri-

can to not like the U.S. men’s soccer team but I feel like they are unAmerican for being so boring and average.” (Eric, I have to say that your column may be un-American!) Oh well. As a wise man once said about opinions … Sports Quiz What year did Lebron James make his NBA debut? Born Today That is to say sports standouts born on May 28 include multi-sport Native American legend Jim Thorpe (1887) and LA Laker hoop star Jerry West (1938). Sports Quote “The cops picked me up at 3 a.m. and fined me $500 for being drunk and then another $100 for playing for the Phillies.” – former MLB catcher Bob Uecker Sports Quiz Answer LeBron James made his NBA debut at age 18 on October 29, 2003, in a Cleveland Cavalier loss at Sacramento. He finished with 25 points and nine assists on 1220 shooting. Mike Moffett was a Professor of Sports Management for Plymouth State University and NHTI-Concord. He co-authored the critically-acclaimed and award-winning “FAHIM SPEAKS: A WarriorActor’s Odyssey from Afghanistan to Hollywood and Back” which is available through Amazon.com. His e-mail address is mimoffett@ comcast.net.

METZLER from 7 despite its proximity to Mainland China, has largely avoided serious contagion and disruption from COVID-19, owing to the democratic island’s exemplary public health network. Now we come to Beijing’s mishandling of Hong Kong. Following the landmark agreement between Britain and China, the former Crown Colony reverted to Beijing’s control in 1997. The “One Country, Two Systems” deal guaranteed political rights and economic freedoms for 50 years for the city-state as a “Special Administrative Region” of China. I recall being in Hong Kong during those nervous but anxious times only to be told that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) will never kill the golden goose that is Hong Kong. Who will then lay the golden eggs? True to a point. Yet Hong Kong’s own pro-democracy movement is not going to lie down before Beijing’s steam roller Diktat, media crackdowns and bypass of the legislative process. A tough new security law promulgated by the People’s Republic would be a “death knell” for the prosperous financial hub, warned U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Congress may impose trade sanctions. Why the renewed Hong Kong tensions? As mentioned, the People’s Republic is probing the margins as the sensitive anniversary of the June 4, 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown approaches. The Chinese communists, to use their phrase, may be willing to “teach Hong Kong a lesson.” After all Hong Kong’s autonomy was always living on borrowed time, with its “guaranteed”

rights and freedoms a chimera, restrained only by Beijing’s willingness to make money and avoid global censure for any crackdown. But in the light of the PRC’s tarnished reputation in the wake of the COVID-19 health crisis, the ruling communists may feel either less constrained or more emboldened. Chairman Xi Jinping’s hyper-nationalistic regime, facing its own Corona economic downdraft, may change the narrative through its time honored bullying. Secretary Pompeo stressed, “Hong Kong has flourished as a bastion of liberty. The United States strongly urges Beijing to reconsider its disastrous proposal…We stand with the people of Hong Kong.” Most certainly, but the U.S. Congress should not treat the people of Hong Kong as just another PRC province but as the vibrant and freewheeling place it still is. 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.

STOSSEL from 7 For older kids, YouTube channels like TEDEd and Khan Academy offer “free educational videos from the world’s foremost experts on civics, history, mathematics,” adds DeAngelis. “Not good enough!” say “experts.” Michael Rebell, a professor at Teachers College at Columbia University, worries that if parents home-school, “There’s no guarantee that kids are learning democratic values, civic knowledge.” “Were they learning that in their regular schools?” I asked. “Well... it’s in the curriculum,” he responded. So what? The Nation’s Report Card, the government’s biggest nationwide test, reveals that government-school students don’t know much about history or civics. One question asked fourth graders, “Which country was the leading communist nation during the Cold War?” Only 21% answered the Soviet Union. More said France or Germany. American students did worse than if they had guessed randomly. Another question: “America fought Hitler and Germany in which war?” More picked the Civil War than World War II.

Nevertheless, said Rebell, home schooling is still worse because “there’s no effective regulation to know what’s going on.” “You sound like you think -- because there’s regulation, that makes something happen,” I said. “I do,” he replied. “Where there’s no regulation, that’s a worse situation.” But “no regulation” is the wrong way to think about it. There is plenty of regulation. It just comes from legislators and families instead of education bureaucrats. If this pandemic steers more parents away from state schools, that’s probably a good thing. Philosopher John Stuart Mill warned: “State education is a mere contrivance for moulding people to be exactly like one another... which pleases the predominant power in the government (and) establishes a despotism over the mind.” A silver lining to this pandemic is that now more parents are learning about their options outside the government system. John Stossel is author of “Give Me a Break: How I Exposed Hucksters, Cheats, and Scam Artists and Became the Scourge of the Liberal Media.”

— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

Super Crossword PUZZLE CLUE: SELF DESCRIPTIONS

B.C.

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —

Sudoku

Magic Maze

THEME THIS WEEK: ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS

Caption Contest OUR PICK FOR BEST CAPTION

PHOTO #807 No “yolk” intended: A fashion magazine recently featured this “egg-sational” hat, worn by this young chick. People hilariously cracked up over it, sending the fashion world scrambling for other ideas.

-Jean Cram, Pittsfield, NH.

Runners Up : Mabel was always hatching new ideas!! Rich Teed, Gilford, NH. Seen here, winner for most creative Bonnet at The Hooterville annual county fair. - Mark Dinorsce. Ormond Beach, Fl. Mabel was sure that her new hat helped her hatch many new ideas. -Alan Dore, Rochester, NH.

CAPTION THIS PHOTO!!

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PHOTO #809 Send your best 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

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— THE WEIRS TIMES, Thursday, May 28, 2020 —