The flag on Mount Jefferson was raised as we were approaching the summit. The weather was lovely for hiking and raising the flags on the peaks on the 4,000 footer list. The annual Flags on the 48 takes place on the Saturday nearest September 11th and flags are flown between 12 and 2 pm. The September 11th memorial hike has volunteer hikers carrying and hoisting American Flags on the summits of New Hampshire’s highest mountains in tribute to those that lost their lives on September 11th, 2001 in the terror attacks. To learn more or to sign-up to volunteer visit FlagsOnThe48.org.
Mount Jefferson & Mount Washington flags on the 48
by Amy Patenaude
The Purple Asters’ flowers are the sign that tells us summer is nearly over and fall is ready to begin.
Their pretty bright purple flowers are the last flowers of summer and arrive just before the trees burst forth with their display of gold and red–so the Asters get noticed. But the shocking
yellow Goldenrod does try to outshine the delicate Asters. That was what I was thinking about the flowers as Bryan and I headed up the Castle Trail. A Saturday in September in the
White Mountains is a busy time and especially when the weather forecast predicts perfect weather in the mountains. We met at the Ammonoosuc Trailhead
See PATENAUDE on 26
Red, White & Brew Festival At Funspot
Veterans Count presents the the 8th Annual Red, White & Brew Craft Beer & Wine Festival to benefit NH service members, veterans, and their families Saturday, September 28th, 1-4pm, at Funspot in Laconia. You’ll enjoy craft beer and wine, food, auction, raffles and live music from The Bob Pratte Band.
General admission tickets are $30 each, and include beverage sampling tickets and a commemorative glass (while supplies last). VIP tickets are available for $50 each, and includes a VIP hour from 12-1 pm. Military discounts for admission are available.
Also there will be the 8th Annual Car Show alongside Red, White & Brew, from 12-3pm. To enter your car, it costs $25. All car registrations include a $15 voucher that can be used towards entry at Red, White & Brew.
Top prizes will be awarded in four categories (American Muscle, Classic, Exotic, and Custom Built), and a trophy will also be awarded for Veteran Choice award. Be sure to come early to register your car for the show, as spaces fill up quick!
On The Trails & Summits Columnist
Which Side Are You On?
To The Editor:
Back in the 1990s the DC elites decided to ship our factories abroad. They reasoned: If cheap foreign labor makes our products, in turn, we could get cheap goods. They said the new system could best be built with new trade agreements.
Smart people like Ross Perot warned it would be a disaster. Perot warned of the giant sucking sound of Mexico sucking up our jobs through NAFTA. He warned it’d leave devastation behind in our towns, families, and working men especially. It would leave our supply chains very vulnerable. He was right.
But NAFTA was nothing compared to the trade deals our DC elites signed with Asian countries. Economists now admit: Struggling American factory towns began to collapse under these new trade deals. They couldn’t compete with child or slave labor. One by one, companies shut down or moved abroad. The evidence is overwhelming.
When that happened, we lost two things: The high quality American products they used to make and American families. Divorce rates increased, kids suffered, working class men lost their dignity. Some turned to booze and drugs fueling the opioid crisis which continues in many American towns today.
How do we fix that problem?
The DC elites say there’s nothing to fix. They don’t see a problem. They think the cheap stuff we buy from Walmart or Ama-
zon made by child or slave labor is worth the tradeoff. They argue; to repopulate those old factory towns, we ought to replace the Americans with foreigners. That’s what’s happening.
The problem is we’re not vetting those people. Not their health, their criminal backgrounds, nor whether their cultures are appropriate, will they assimilate? Donald Trump and JD Vance disagree with all that.
They argue this entire mess in our old factory towns goes back to the 1990s and those trade deals. That’s why the fix here is… to use tariffs between 10%60% on all foreign goods.
Those tariffs will accomplish three goals:
1) Support the remaining American companies that are barely hanging on;
2) Give space to entrepreneurs to rebuild lost industries, and;
3) Provide incentives to companies that fled abroad to come home… with our jobs … bringing back both products and dignity for Americans.
Economists argue about how much those tariffs might cost. Some argue tariff costs could be zero dollars per year to each American family. Others argue we’ll actually save money. Still others calculate it’ll cost around $2K per year per family until we get this trade mess straightened out.
The question boils down to this: Do you want to make America great again? Do we want to claw back our industrial power and rebuild the towns we lost? Do we want to
help restore an America where moms, dads, kids, and communities are vibrant, filled with hope once again? Do we want Americans to have jobs and a future? Do we want to return to the time before our DC elites sold this country down the river for cheap or slave or child labor? That’s what this election is all about. Which side are you on?
Marc Abear Meredith, NH.
Bible Quotations Are Wrong
To The Editor:
Why are some people, who write to the mailbag, afraid to express their opinion? These people have so little trust in their own ideas they have to claim their opinion is God’s. They go on to quote the Bible without indicating what version they are using. Very often their quotations are wrong; at least in my Bible, the King James Version.
If you have something to say then say it, don’t claim you are God’s spokesman or woman. If you have a valid point then make it. Do Not use your choice of a Bible version or your interpretation of scripture as a claim you and only you are right. Be a true person of God. Not someone who has so little faith they use God in order to try and get their way.
Mark Long Milton, NH.
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 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.
BIRDS For The
New England’s Wild Birds & Their Habitats
You have to love goldfinch season
by Chris Bosak Contributing Writer
American goldfinches are year-round residents of New England, of course, but they are most visible and vocal during their breeding season. For goldfinches, breeding season is August and into September, much later than most New England songbirds. In fact, most songbirds are done with their breeding season, even those that have multiple broods, by the time the goldfinches even start.
Thistle is an important component of the goldfinch breeding season as it provides both food and nesting material for the birds. The pink or purple blooms of thistle are also popular among butterflies and other insects. The rest of the plant looks menacing with its thorny stalk and leaves. It can also grow to intimidating heights for a “weed.” I put weeds in quotes because that is what
An American goldfinch perches on a thistle plant last week in New England.
many people consider thistle to be. It is actually an extremely important native plant for New England birds and insects. Despite its prickly appearance, thistle is also edible
for humans, although I have never tried it and cannot vouch for its flavor.
Thistle is particularly valuable to goldfinches. Its down is
BOSAK on 28
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Moulton Farm’s 2024 Corn Maze
Moulton Farms’ Corn Maze is now open for the season. The Corn Maze was designed by Wes Thomas who has been workng at Moulton Farm since he was in high school and has designed their corn maze for 17 years.
“Sometimes choosing the maze theme is pretty easy. I had several designs I was thinking about this year, so I did what so many of us do. I asked my wife,” said Thomas “Figuring out how to create the stars and combine the stripes and wings wasn’t easy, especially with the space I had to work with. I also needed to figure out what I’d do if certain parts of the maze didn’t grow well. We cut the maze when the corn is a few inches high, and a lot can happen between that time and when we open. Nature can be pretty uncooperative at times,” he said with the knowing laugh of an experienced farmer. Does Thomas have any advice for people finding their way through the corn maze or searching for the scavenger hunt items? “For the maze, if you’re trying to decide which way to turn, go in the opposite direction from the way you think you should go. For the scavenger hunt, expect the unexpected!” he advised cryptically.
Visitors can also enjoy pumpkin hunting, either in the farm’s “pick your own” pumpkin patch or from among the many pre-picked pumpkins grown at the farm, and there are other reasons to visit.
Horse drawn wagon rides will be on most weekends and are free. Live music is also happening most Saturdays and Sundays. Fall displays, games and baby goats will make for good pictures, and the farm’s garden center will feature items to use for decorating.
Food featuring produce grown at the farm will be available from Moulton’s Hay Wagon, the farm’s food truck. Other classic fall favorites will be available at the Cider Bellies Doughnut stand and at the farm’s market, including apple crisp, freshly baked pies, and whoopie pies in several flavors made in the farm’s kitchen and bakery.
Moulton Farm’s corn maze will be open 7 days a week starting at 8 am from September 21 through October 31. The last admission to the maze is one hour before the farm closes. Admission costs $10 per person with a special $6 rate for each child between 6 years and 3 years of age. Children under 3 years old are free. Moulton farm is located at 18 Quarry Road, Meredith. For more info visit Moulton Farm.com
Canterbury Shaker Village To Host Stone Wall Workshop
During a two-day workshop at Canterbury Shaker Village on Saturday, October 19, and Sunday, October 20, participants will explore in depth the history, construction, and maintenance of stone walls.
The workshop will be led by local stone mason Kevin Fife, who has worked on the stone walls at the Village for 30 years. “There are stone walls all over the Village grounds,” he said. “Some of these walls are 250 years old, so they need to be maintained.”
These workshops are not just educational, however, as Fife said participants repair stone walls themselves. During the last two stone wall workshops, he said participants helped to restore the stone wall on the northeast corner of the Village cemetery.
Stone Wall Workshop will be held on October 19 and 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The workshop includes materials, a gourmet lunch, and drinks each day. Tuition is $250 per person and $150 for returning participants. To register, visit shakers.org.
=Canterbury Shaker Village is a member of the NH Heritage Museum Trail, which connects the public with culturally rich heritage institutions in New Hampshire. For more information, visit nhmuseumtrail.org.
Historic Wicwas Lodge Program At Meredith Historical Society
Dean Dexter of Concord, whose family has a manygenerations-long association with Lake Wicwas, will be the featured speaker at the October 1 program titled “The Smiths of Wicwas Lodge.”
Dexter grew up in Laconia, spending summers during his childhood at a family cottage on Lake Wicwas “in the shadow of a great summer boarding house,” he said. Set on a hill overlooking the lake, Wicwas Lodge was also a working farm operated by his grandparents on land owned by the Smith family since the 1800s. It replaced the Wicwas Lake House, which was destroyed by fire in 1935. A large four-story edifice, the Lake House was where his grandfather Joseph Smith Jr. and siblings grew up. The Smiths went on to become successful in business, education, veterinary medicine, and politics. “Wicwas Lodge was one of the more popular tourist destinations in Meredith for many years,” noted John Hopper, president of the Meredith Historical Society. “Dean’s program will be a great opportunity to learn more about this historic property.”
This program will be held Tuesday, October 1, at the Meredith Community Center, 1 Circle Drive. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for light refreshments. The program begins at 7:00 p.m. All programs of the Society are free, and all are welcome.
Buster Keaton’s ‘The General’ With Live Music At Moultonborough Library
He never smiled on camera, earning him the nickname of “the Great Stone Face.” But Buster Keaton’s comedies rocked Hollywood’s silent era with laughter throughout the 1920s. See for yourself with a screening of ‘The General’ (1926), one of Keaton’s landmark feature films, on Thursday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Moultonborough Public Library, 4 Holland St, Moultonborough, N.H.
The screening will feature live music for the movie by silent film accompanist Jeff Rapsis. The screening is free and open to the public; attendees are asked to register online at moultonboroughlibrary.org under the ‘Events’ area.
The show is intended to give Lakes Region movie-goers the opportunity to experience early cinema as it was intended: on the big screen, with live music, and with an audience.
‘The General,’ set during the U.S. Civil War, tells the story of a southern locomotive engineer (Keaton) whose engine (named ‘The General’) is hijacked by Northern spies with his girlfriend on board.
Keaton, commandeering another train, races north in pursuit behind enemy lines. Can he rescue his girl? And can he recapture his locomotive and make it back to warn of a coming Northern attack?
The screening is free and open to the public; attendees are asked to register online at moultonboroughlibrary.org under the ‘Events’ area. For more info, visit the website or call (603) 476-8895. For more about the music, visit www.jeffrapsis.com.
During this campaign season people often come up to me and ask me why I am running again.
Why, they ask, would I sacrifice so much of my time for so many years running for governor? Time that could be used more creatively to accomplish other important things.
When asked I tell folks that my reason for running for office for all of these years has always been far beyond my desire to serve as governor; there has always been a much stronger purpose. Usually, this explanation is enough to send most folks on their way. But there are always a few who want me to explain exactly what that higher purpose has been.
It’s simple really.
I always felt that were I to become the governor of New Hampshire it would be a stepping stone towards my ultimate, long time goalbecoming a best-selling author.
The original plan twenty plus years ago, was that I would be elected governor and then, as many governors do, run for the U.S. Senate and then try to wrangle my way to a Vice-Presidency and
F OOL
the Write stuff
then, the dream of all dreams for an aspiring author, be elected President myself someday.
Then after leaving office, I would be offered a couple of million dollars to write my memoirs which would in turn be bought by tens of thousands of people and, voila, I’m a best-selling author. Best of all, I can just make up whatever I want and people will still come out in droves to buy the darned thing.
Of course, there are other avenues to becoming a best-selling author.
I could have foregone the whole governor thing and just toiled away in my home office, getting up at 6am every morning for months on end (or even years) working on that great American novel that would, according to the odds, be rejected by publishers anyway. (“Sorry, no room to publish more books this year, Stephen King has six more ready to go.”)
But the quickest, easiest way to become a best-selling author is to be a controversial public figure in the entertainment or political field, have a popular radio or television talk show or, foregoing even those, just get elected president, and then the publishing houses will come looking for you on bended knee.
Unfortunately, I chose what I thought would be the easy way out and ran for office.
Well, as you can tell, my plans didn’t quite work out the way I had planned and here I am,
twenty plus years later still running for office and without a bestseller.
If my plan had worked, my book would be on the bestseller list along with other great students of the written word like Stormy Daniels and Gieselle Bundchen.
Instead, I am looking at having to try that early morning writing in seclusion thing (ugh) that I know has a slim chance, if any, of succeeding in today’s publishing world.
If I’m lucky, maybe I’ll end up on the discount rack with other hacks like John Steinbeck and Leo Tolstoy.
After all, you have to give the people what they want.
Still, I am going to go down fighting. I still have an ace up my sleeve.
I just need a good
scandal.
Something that will makes its way onto the national scene and either destroy or enhance my political career, doesn’t matter which. All that matters is that it is a juicy enough scandal that tens of thousands of people will want to buy my book and read about it.
I know this is a longshot, after all the election is only a few weeks away and all of the good scandals have already been used up in this election cycle, but I’m working on it.
I realize that even if I were to be elected governor this year, it would be a long journey to get to the Oval Office and the inevitable book deal that comes with it. Hopefully I will get em-
by Brendan Smith
Weirs Times Editor
Letters From God
This series of Letters From God is an attempt to put the thoughts of God as revealed in the Scriptures as they relate to individuals and the nation of the USA
The look.. the Sounds.. the Songs..
Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 at 7pm At The Colonial Theater, Laconia, NH
Sixtiesmania “A Journey Through The Sixties” is a true celebration of the music of the '60s. From the British invasion to Woodstock and everything in between, come with us and relive the greatest musical decade of all time.
FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE OCTOBER 1ST AT 10AM Three options to secure tickets:
1. Pickup at Colonial Theater Box Office located at 609 Main Street, Laconia, NH. Box office open Tues., Oct. 1 from 10 am - 2 pm.
2. Online at www.coloniallaconia.com
3. Call 1-800-657-8774
*Free Admission - 2 ticket maximum per person; General Seating, First Come First Seated; All General Admission Tickets Holders are to be seated prior to 6:45 pm. Standby Tickets will be available day of show at 6:45 pm
Colonial Theater, 609 Main Street, Laconia, NH. Box office is open Tues. Through Fri. 10 am - 2 pm.
Letters From God
vote wisely for leaders to faithfully represent you, in order for this privilege not to be “in vain,” and instead bring untold pain.
QUESTION
How Should Christians Vote ?
This is a good question about which many Christians fail to seek my thoughts and will. First, I must remind all of you who live in the United States of America, that your country belongs to you. Because of the combined wisdom of your founders, most of whom bowed before me as God and Savior, you have been granted the right to determine your own destiny, by the right to vote. Though you are a Democracy, in which the majority decide your destiny, you are also a Republic by which you elect leaders to represent you. These leaders cast the final vote in your Congress, that will represent your vote. These leaders you choose must be men and women of integrity, who honor your vote and seek to conform to your Constitution. No other country in the history of the world has been so constructed by their Constitution, to make the people the owners and determiners of its destiny. The fact that your government is “of the people, by the people and for the people,” is a privilege few have ever known throughout history. To neglect this privilege by not voting or to abuse it by voting for candidates that seek power over principle, is a deadly mistake. You must vote and you must
Next, with respect to this privilege, you must vote with the sobering realization that as a Christian, I am your God. I inspired your founders to grant you the ownership of your country and thus to determine your destiny. If you have any doubt of this, review your founding documents beginning with the Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Consider as well how each State constituted itself with the acknowledgement of me and my gracious provisions. As your God, you must never seek to live and act apart from me, your creator. Others can but you cannot. You must consult me for wisdom so that, who you choose when you vote, embraces my wisdom that leads to blessings instead of curses (Proverbs 3:5-6). I have made the path of life clear in my book to you, the Bible (Psalm 119). In it, I have clearly spoken of the ways that leads to life and not death. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12). If you don’t consult me and vote accordingly, your “lack of knowledge” will lead to destruction (Hosea 4:6). If you would like evidence of this reality, just look at Israel. I chose them to be the ones who would bring forth your Messiah, your savior into the world to be “the light to the nations,” and bring “salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Deu-
teronomy 7:6-8; Isaiah 40, 53; 42:6; 49:6). I blessed them uniquely by multiplying them into millions from one man and woman, Abraham and Sarah. They once enjoyed the rich blessings of my grace. When however, they in their prosperity, mistakenly thought they didn’t need me and could transgress my laws and ways, which I established for life, they began their fateful decent into decay, destruction and death. They chose leaders who were half-hearted toward me at best, and those who had no heart for me, at worst. If I allowed this “fall” to my chosen people, Israel, don’t ever think I won’t allow it for you and any nation that rejects me and my wisdom. What does this mean for you as Christians? You have been blessed by me because you had leaders who feared me and sought to lead you by following my wisdom, never perfectly but until now, predominantly. I have no desire to encourage voting, as you foolishly do, blindly, based on a political party loyalty from the past or candidates who will give you what you want instead of what you need. I implore you as sons and daughters, not to vote in this way. Rather, vote with an awareness and respect for me and my wisdom. Vote for candidates who most seek me and my wisdom and who humbly seek to serve you by guiding you to follow me and my wisdom. Vote for candidates who don’t use platform and positions that encourage abortion, the death
of children that I am forming in the womb, (Psalm 139:13-16) in order to garner votes and hold positions of power. This alone, will ensure my wrath will follow. Vote for candidates whose positions and platforms don’t kowtow to “a vocal few” over “a silent majority” and who claim as “freedom,” behaviors that I have deemed abominable and lead to bondage worthy of my wrath. Vote for candidates who, like me, enforce laws to restrain evil by punishing evil doers, in order to motivate them to change their behavior as well as to protect those who obey the law. Vote for candidates who recognize my created plan for a man and woman to conceive and create children in the committed union of marriage and raise their children to love and please me. Vote for candidates who honor their vows to defend your Constitution and laws and not violate those laws by illegally allowing millions of unvetted illegal migrants to enter your country, especially if it is to garner votes and hold power. You must allow immigrants but never unvetted. This policy is insane and will lead to chaos & death, as you are already experiencing. No candidate or party is perfect, but don’t let that fact lead you to elect the most imperfect, who will rob you of liberty and my blessings.
I love you, God
These letters are written by Rev. Dr. Sam Hollo of Alton, NH
Laconia Putnam Fund Presents
another Month, another truMp assassination atteMpt
by Ben Shapiro Syndicated Columnist
This week, a would-be assassin aimed a rifle at Donald Trump through the fence at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Secret Service saw the man and shot at him; he was later arrested. The alleged shooter has a long record of clear-cut, left-wing hatred: He has opined that Trump ought to be killed by Iran, he has only donated to Democrats since 2019, and his truck sports a Biden/ Harris bumper sticker.
This makes the second assas -
sination attempt on Trump in two months. Trump has now been subjected to as many near-shootings during that period as Kamala Harris has solo interviews.
Why?
The answer is obvious: America is a large country, with a large number of unstable people. Overheated rhetoric generally appeals to the unhinged; the unhinged may take seriously that rhetoric and attempt violence as a consequence. That doesn’t mean that those who spout such rhetoric are criminally responsible for the actions of the violent. It does mean that when the temperature is raised on the political stove, it becomes more predictable for the
See SHAPIRO on 29
class action scaMs
by John Stossel Syndicated Columnist
Have you gotten a letter that says, “You may be entitled to compensation”?
I get a bunch. One claimed my union (New York State forced me to join) probably cheated me on medical insurance. I didn’t think they did, but I filled out the forms. I got a check for $557. Great!
Except ... my lawyers pocketed $7 million.
How is that fair?
Likewise, lawyers accused the Boston Globe of illegally sharing my clicking habits with Facebook.
I don’t really care. Facebook already knows my clicking habits.
Anyway, I’d only briefly subscribed. I canceled as soon as I realized that much of the Globe is insipid leftist drivel rerun from The New York Times.
Still, I got a check for $158.
My new video looks at those class action lawsuits.
In theory, they protect consumers, but many of these lawsuits resemble anti-consumer scams.
First, lawsuits make most everything cost a little more.
Second, they deprive us of good products. Bendectin, a morning sickness pill, was pulled from the market after hundreds of lawsuits claimed side effects. But the FDA says the drug was safe.
Lawsuits helped kill three-wheeled ATVs, too.
See STOSSEL on 29
iMportant neW Book aBout reagan & the presidencY
Coincident with the new movie, “Reagan,” is the release of an important new book about the Reagan presidency.
Ken Khachigian, chief speechwriter for Ronald Reagan from his presidential campaign in 1980 to the conclusion of his second term in 1988, has just published his memoirs from those years. The book, “Behind Closed Doors: In the Room with Reagan and Nixon,” also includes, as noted in the title, time Khachigian worked with President Richard Nixon.
The book starts with his time in the White House at the end of the Nixon presidency and then includes
the four years he worked with Nixon after his resignation.
However, most of the book, 19 of 25 chapters, is about his work with Reagan.
Nixon recommended the young man to the newly launched Reagan campaign, and soon after, Khachigian was sitting one on one with the candidate on LeaderShip 80, the airborne headquarters of the Reagan campaign, wordsmithing text for sound bites, press releases and speeches.
It was then, in Reagan’s campaign against incumbent President Jimmy Carter, that Khachigian produced the now immortal campaign phrase, appearing in its original form, “Are you really better off than you were in 1976.”
The book is in the form of diary entries, interspersed with commen-
tary, that provide an invaluable personal snapshot of whom many see as one of America’s greatest presidents, and of a presidency of great historic consequence.
Six months before Reagan took office in January 1981, the so-called misery index -- the unemployment rate plus the inflation rate -- was 21.98%. By December 1986, it stood at 7.7%. And, by the end of his presidency, the path was paved to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Over this period, campaign speeches, inaugural addresses and State of the Union addresses flowed out of Ken Khachigian’s IBM Selectric typewriter, producing the words and imagery helping Reagan convey his love of our country and its people and his commitment to limited government and individual freedom.
Reagan’s landslide reelection in 1984, winning 49 of 50 states, is something inconceivable today.
Khachigian’s book is also important for its honesty about the human reality constituting the enterprise we know as the American presidency.
While many working Americans
See PARKER on 14
by Star Parker Syndicated Columnist
As times change, there’s one thing that ican’s hopes up - being surrounded by loved ones.
It brings them back to their roots and the meaning of being present with their family and
nforgetta ffordaBle)
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by Stephanie Ryan, DC Crossroads
The brain, a dynamic and complex organ, controls nearly every aspect of our physical and mental abilities. Just like the rest of our body, it benefits from proper care, stimulation, and habits that promote longterm health. Whether you’re looking to boost your focus, enhance memory, or improve cognitive performance, these practical, natural approaches can help you to maximize brain function.
1. Exercise Regularly
Exercise isn’t just about keeping your body fit—it’s crucial for brain health as well. Physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, which delivers oxygen and essential nutrients that promote cell growth and repair. Additionally, exercise boosts the production of brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports the survival of neurons and fosters the development of new synapses, essential for learning and memory. Aerobic exercises like walking, running, cycling, and swimming have been shown to enhance brain function and reduce the
top 10 WaYs to iMprove Brain function naturallY
risk of cognitive decline.
2. Eat a BrainBoosting Diet
The brain requires the right kind of fuel to function optimally, and a balanced diet rich in nutrients plays a key role in supporting cognitive performance. Include fatty fish like wild-caught salmon and antioxidant-rich foods such as berries and leafy greens in your diet. Avoid excessive processed foods, refined sugars, and unhealthy fats. A Mediterraneanstyle diet, which emphasizes fresh produce, healthy fats, and lean proteins, is a research-backed approach to promote cognitive health.
3. Get Adequate Sleep
Sleep is a critical factor in maintaining and improving brain func -
tion. During sleep, the brain processes and consolidates memories, removes toxins, and repairs cells. Poor sleep or chronic sleep deprivation impairs cognitive abilities, such as attention, decision-making, and memory retention.
Adults typically need 7-9 hours of sleep per night for optimal brain function. Developing good sleep hygiene, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, limiting caffeine, and creating a calming bedtime routine, can significantly improve the quality of sleep and, consequently, brain health.
4. Get Adjusted
For decades chiropractors have observed patients who report improvements in body coordination, mental focus and sleep. Chiropractic adjustments have helped people
alleviate headaches, migraines, and even helped children with ADD/ADHD. Adjustments reduce tension on the nervous system by strategically replacing misaligned vertebrae. Research published in the Journal of Neural Plasticity suggested chiropractic spinal adjustments increase activity in the brain’s prefrontal cortex, the area of higher learning and cognition, by almost 20 percent on average. See RYAN on 10
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Your Hearing is Vitally Important
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5. Manage Stress
Chronic stress is harmful to brain function, particularly affecting areas involved in memory and emotional regulation, such as the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. High levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, can lead to cognitive dysfunction and increase the risk of developing conditions such as anxiety and depression. Techniques such as meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing, and yoga can lower stress levels and promote relaxation. Regularly practicing stress-relief strategies can improve focus, memory, and emotional resilience.
6. Stay Socially Connected
Human beings are social creatures, and maintaining strong social connections is
essential for mental well-being. Engaging in meaningful conversations, maintaining friendships, and participating in group activities stimulate brain regions associated with emotional regulation, decisionmaking, and memory. Loneliness and social isolation, on the other hand, can increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Volunteer, join a club, or stay in touch with loved ones to keep your brain engaged and resilient.
7. Stay Mentally Active with Lifelong Learning
Acquiring new skills or knowledge keeps the brain active and adaptable. Taking classes, attending workshops, reading, or exploring new hobbies allows the brain to forge new neural pathways and strengthen existing ones. Lifelong learning promotes
mental agility and helps preserve brain health well into older age. It also encourages curiosity, which can lead to increased problem-solving abilities and creativity.
8. Enhance Gut Health with Probiotics
The gut and the brain are intricately connected. The gut has even been called the “second brain.” Up to 90% of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter, is made in your digestive tract. Research is suggesting that a healthy gut microbiome is important in brain health. Some studies are finding that use of probiotics (healthy bacteria) may help boost mood and cognitive function while lowering stress and anxiety. Probiotics can be found in fermented food products, drinks and supplement form.
9. Hydrate Properly
Water is essential for maintaining the health of every organ in the body, and the brain is no exception. Dehydration can impair attention, memory, and mental performance. Even mild dehydration has been linked to difficulty in concentrating and cognitive fatigue. Ensure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day, especially if you’re physically active or enjoying a warmer climate. Herbal teas, fruit-infused water, and water-rich foods like cucumbers and watermelon can also help maintain adequate hydration levels.
10. Reduce Multitasking
Multitasking has become the norm, however constantly switching between tasks can overload the brain and reduce overall efficiency. Multitasking can lead to errors, decreased productivity, and mental fatigue. The brain performs best when it can focus on one task at a time, allowing for deeper thinking and better memory retention. Practice mindfulness and focus on completing one task at a time. This approach will not only improve productivity but also protect your brain from cognitive overload, leading to better mental clarity and performance.
Make a commitment to start building your brain health today. Choose one area to focus on and stick to it. Small, consistent changes can lead to significant improvements over time.
Stephanie Ryan, DC, CCWP is the owner of Crossroads Chiropractic, PC and is the host of the “Half Hour to Health” radio show on WEMJ, WTPL and WTSN.
RYAN from 9
Not So LoNg Ago ...
Exploring ThE lEgEnd & lorE of our graniTE STaTE
iMMigration talk in nh 1924 opinion Makers
by Robert Hanaford Smith, Sr. Contributing Writer
“Immigration is a question of interest to all citizens of New Hampshire, in fact, it is one that is very often talked of.”
That was the opinion of H. Styles Bridges in 1924 when he was the editor of The Granite Monthly magazine. He would in later years become a United States Senator from New Hampshire.
A few years earlier an item in a 1917 issue of T he Youth’s Companion magazine began with the words “Henceforth it is going to be much harder for aliens to get into the the United States than it has been in the past.” That opinion was based on new action taken by the United States Congress to bring more regulation to the immigration business. According to that article the Congress had set regulations that would send the message, “Do not enter,” to certain classes of immigrants, including criminals, the physically or mentally defec-
Journalist in 1924 and later United States Senator from New Hampshire, Styles Bridges.
tive, polygamists, paupers, vagrants, people afflicted with loathsome or contagious diseases, Japanese, Chinese, and Hindu coolies, without mentioning them by their race names, and anarchists and others with lawless opinions.
The 1917 legislation, or bills similar to it had been vetoed by Presidents Cleveland, Taft, and Wilson, but the legislature finally prevailed. Another immigration law was enacted in 1921 but expired in 1924, paving the way for a new 1924 law.
Styles Bridges explained why immigration was an issue in New Hampshire in 1924 and what he found New Hampshire citizens thought we should do
about it. But before I tell you more about what he wrote, let’s look at what the American Immigration Council published about the New Hampshire immigration situation in 2020.
Five and nine tenths of the Granite State’s population or 81,900 people in 2020 were foreign born immigrants. 48,300 of these were eligible to vote and 11,100 were undocumented immigrants. Immigrants made up 7% of New Hampshire’s work force. The total amount that New Hampshire’s immigrants paid in taxes at all levels of government, local, state, and federal, was 1.1 billion dollars. The two top countries of origin of the state’s immigrants were India at
10.1 % of the total and Canada at 9%.
Home Improvement
Dining room conversion ideas to
Many homeowners can undoubtedly take a stroll through their homes and find at least one space that could be repurposed to provide more functionality. Real estate professionals know that such sentiments are not uncommon, and many point to formal dining rooms as spaces that have fallen out of favor in recent years.
The general consensus in New Hampshire a hundred years ago concerning the entrance of immigrants to New Hampshire seemed to emphasize unity over diversity. Mr. Bridges saw a problem with the system those many years ago and wrote that the problem was “fundamental.”
Formal dining rooms were once common in newly built homes, but the pivot toward open concept floor plans left it up to homeowners to decide if such spaces were for them. In a 2017 book published by
the Cotsen Institute
Belknap Mill Quilters Guild Presents their 47th Annual
Many amazing gift baskets to be raffled Tickets for the Guild’s 2024 raffle quilt “Fresh Cut” (pattern by Sue Spargo) available for purchase at the show. Food Vendor & Local Restaurants in Walking Distance Collect Mysterious Quilt Show Journey quilt block cards from participating merchants & bring to the show for a chance to win great prizes!
by Mike Moffett Contributing Writer
White sox Woes
Discussions and arguments abound concerning the best MLB team ever. But there has been broad consensus as to the worst.
The 1962 New York Mets lost more games than any team in MLB history.
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Which brings us to 2024. With the MLB regular season soon ending, some drama remains as to what teams will see postseason action. It’s been fairly apparent who the six divisions winners will be, but “wild card” possibilities keep fan interest up for otherwise moribund teams.
For our medio -
New York Mets Manager Casey Stengel famously asked his players: “Can’t anybody here play this game?”
cre Red Sox, the final three-game series at Fenway Park may determine whether Boston finishes with a losing record—for those who might care about such things.
But real drama involves the last place Chicago White Sox. They’ll be finishing their season with a three-game series in Detroit against the Tigers. So why do the ChiSox rate mention in this column? The answer involves some serious MLB history. Will the White Sox end the year as the losingest team in MLB history?
Those infamous 1962 New York Mets lost 120 games. How many will the ChiSox lose?
As I’m writing this several days before you’re reading it, you
have more of the latest info on things. Fans across the world are pulling for Chicago! Like some were in the last White Sox game at Fenway earlier this month, when a ninth inning rally gave Chicago a rare win against our no-longer-Beloved BoSox.
A similar drama occurred in 2003 when the Tigers seemed a sure bet to break the Mets’ loss record. But with the whole world watching, Detroit won five of their last six games to finish the season with “only” 119 losses, thus protecting the Mets’ mark Truth be told, the 1962 Mets were not the worst MLB team ever. During the post1900 modern era, the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics went 36-117 for a .235 winning percentage which was
worse than the .250 percentage compiled by Casey Stengel’s 40120 Mets of 1962. One other team also had a lower percentage than those Mets, that being the 1935 Boston Braves, who went 38115 (.248).
(See following Sports Quiz question re: those 1935 Braves.)
And our Red Sox have also fielded some horrible teams over the many years, such as in 1932 when they went 43-111 (.279).
The White Sox may be last in the MLB, but they’ve drawn more fans than Oakland, Miami, or Tampa Bay, with turnstile numbers approaching 1.5 million. Their 18,000 per game average is about the same as the average attendance for the 1959 Go-Go White Sox, who won the American League pennant.
Consider that in 1965 the lowly Mets, who’d finished last every year of their existence, drew 1,768,389 fans. The Yankees, winners of five straight pennants, drew only 1,213,552 fans that season.
Go figure. Can you say, “Loveable Losers?”
Go White Sox!
Sports Quiz
Who was the most famous player to play for those 1935 Boston Braves, who had the worst winning percentage in National League history? (Answer follows)
The Simple Feast The Simple Feast Simple
by Eric N Gibson Contributing Writer
Whether you spell it Cousa, Kousa, or Kusa, a squash by any other name would not be so sweet. Well… actually there are sweeter squashers out there but I just felt the need to hack a line from Shakespeare. It was during a recent farm stand visit that I discovered the petite Cousa squash. I struggle to justify using the word petite to describe the Cousa as it gives the illusion of something short and slender when, in fact, this is not always the case. Being a summer squash variety it seems the best are those, like any other summer squash, that are at their peak of flavor when picked as young tender squash. However, some general characteristics in their ideal ready state seem to be contradictory as these squash can resemble in size and shape anything from the traditional “kielbasa” or “bratwurst” to something reminiscent of a miniature Nerf Football or a baby Shmoo. Their coloring too can vary. Anything from a pale green hue like that of the Honeydew Melon to a full on resemblance of
The Simple chocolate cousa Bread
the familiar Zucchini, a smattering of pale freckles on a web of deep green with definitive deep green striations running longitudinally from tip to tip. Shopping at a farm stand is always a treat. Obtaining a variety of fresh vegetables for not much more than grocery store prices is always a welcome sight on my table. And it is at the local farm stand that I can explore while marveling at all the vibrant colors of the rainbow. That deep dark maroon of fresh beets, the popsicle orange of fresh carrots, the mellow yellow and green beans, and the deep emerald green of swiss chard with its ruby red stem. Even the potatoes in their mottled off-white and dull red are delightful. But it was the Cousa Squash that caught my eye on
my first visit. I asked about the Cousa squash and was told it was similar to zucchini but a bit sweeter. I was also told that it was sometimes called Lebanese Squash. A little more research produced a bounty of information from various sources claiming that the word Kousa is Arabic for squash and that the Cousa squash originated in the western hemisphere. Upon its introduction to Europe, it was heavily cultivated by the Italians in the coastal Mediterranean region. While a particular favorite with the Lebanese population, sources were unclear as to how this particular squash migrated to the region. And the internet is full of recipes for Kousa Mahshi, a Lebanese dish of stuffed squash filled
with a mixture made of ground meat, rice, herbs, and spices, then simmered in a tomato broth. Kousa Mahshi sounded delicious so I set off once more to the farm stand to procure a few Cousa squash to make Kousa Mahshi.
I finally got there the following Wednesday and made my way into the barn. There I was greeted by not only the attendant but also all those beautiful vegetables once again. But only one Cousa squash. And no Zucchini. Zucchini didn’t fare so well this year for the farmer, it seems his plants suffered the same fate as mine. I asked if there were any more Cousa in the field and was told that that one was the last of the crop for the year. With my choices laid out before me, one or none, I snatched up the lonely little orb and guarded it as if it were gold. I was determined that I was going to make something with this delectably delicious delicacy. As a few days turned into a week and one week nearly into two, every so often I would check on my little Cousa in the vegetable drawer of the fridge to make sure it was still firm and fresh. Truth be told, as soon as I was limited to just one Cousa, the last Cousa, I decided to make something I knew would have a high acceptability factor with the family. Some dish that could aptly disguise the fact that this was squash being placed
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see government as public service, for many, it is a matter of getting high on the fumes of power and career advancement, no different than any other job.
In a chapter entitled “The Power Seekers,”
Khachigian relays a conversation with political columnist Robert Novak, who shared that then-White House Chief of Staff James Baker told him, “Remember, Bob, it’s important what you write about the president;
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but it’s even more important what you write about me.”
In a book with many moving details and moments, particularly arresting is how a personal crisis for Reagan was salvaged with a very great speech.
Early into Reagan’s second term, a visit was planned to Germany for ceremonies noting the 40th anniversary of the end of World War II. Staff scheduled him to speak at a German military cemetery, only to discover that present there were graves of German Nazi Waffen-
SS. Many Jewish leaders, and others, including first lady Nancy Reagan, implored the president to cancel. But the invitation came from German chancellor Helmut Kohl, and Reagan did not want to back out.
The salve would be another speech, in which Reagan would address the Holocaust at the site of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. The “Fireman” Ken Khachigian was called in to write the speech and stamp out the flames.
Khachigian notes that some say it was Reagan’s greatest speech ever. He talks about life and death, good and evil, and Jews being slaughtered for no other reason than their being Jews. It is a speech with moral clarity the world badly needs to hear today. For those who care about our nation, and what it can be, Khachigian’s book is an important read.
Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the weekly television show “Cure America with Star Parker.” Her recent book, “What Is the CURE for America?” is available now. 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.
Born Today
That is to say, sports standouts born on September 26 include writer and sportscaster Brent Musburger (1939) and star quarterback Dan Pastorini (1949).
Sports Quote
“The secret of managing is to keep the guys who hate you away from the guys who are undecided.” –Mets manager Casey Stengel, who also managed the Brooklyn Dodgers, Boston Braves, and New York Yankees.
Sports Quiz Answer Babe Ruth finished his legendary baseball career with the 1935 Boston Braves, highlighted by a threehomer game in an 11-7 loss to the Pirates in Pittsburgh on May 25, 1935.
State Representative Mike Moffett was a Sports Management Professor for Plymouth State University and NHTI-Concord. He coauthored the awardwinning “Fahim Speaks: Between Two Worlds: A Hollywood Actor’s Journey as a U.S. Marine Translator through Afghanistan” which is available on Amazon.com. His email address is mchlmoffett@yahoo.com.
BPT) - Frying bacon, broiling marinated chicken, straining boiling pasta - what do they have in common? In the past, these activities could cause steam or smoke to set off the smoke alarm unnecessarily, causing stress and disruption when trying to get through family dinner prep in peace. To help limit nuisance alarms and protect what matters most, follow these safety tips.
* Ensure your home is properly equipped with updated technology . Having functioning alarms installed throughout your home is the first line of defense for fire prevention. First Alert recently introduced Precision Detection advanced sensing technology smoke alarms, which are designed and tested to provide early warning
cook up
kitchen safetY
in the event of a home fire emergency, while also reducing nuisance alarms as the technology better differentiates non-threatening from threatening smoke.
* Never leave the stove or oven unattended. Always stay in the kitchen when cooking to keep an eye on the meal. If you must leave the room, assign watching duties to another member of the household.
* Keep children away from stove-tops and open flames. Create a boundary of 3 feet around all ovens or stoves being used. Avoid any accidents or fires by letting children know the stove is hot and that it is important to be alert. Also, make sure to keep any lighters and matches locked in a high cabinet to avoid starting a fire.
* Be mindful of cluttering cords. Electric mixers, coffee makers, and plate warmers can be an electrical fire hazard due to the amount of electricity running through the outlets. Also ensure cords are not dangling off the counter within arm’s reach of children.
* Test your smoke alarms. Having working smoke alarms is the first line of defense. Roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Fire spreads fast and working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly. Test your smoke alarms regularly to ensure they’re in functioning condition and replace the batteries at least every 6 months. Smoke alarms don’t last forever and need to be replaced at least every 10 years.
* Have a fire extinguisher on hand. If a fire does happen, make sure to have a fire extinguisher easily accessible in the kitchen - and know how to use it. Remember the acronym P.A.S.S. when operating. Pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the trigger and sweep from side to side.
To learn more about First Alert’s Precision Detection alarms, or for additional fire safety tips, visit FirstAlert. com.
strategies for adding native plants to Your landscape
by Melinda Myers
More and more gardeners are adding native plants to their landscapes. These plants provide more than beautiful flowers for us to enjoy. They also support pollinators and other beneficial insects, and provide food and shelter for songbirds, toads, and other wildlife.
In addition, these plants help protect and improve our soil and manage stormwater. The plants slow stormwater runoff and help direct it into the soil through pathways created by their deep roots to the groundwater below. These deep roots also help break up compacted clay soils. Legumes like blue false indigo (Baptisia australis) that are hardy in zones 3 to 10 help add nitrogen to
outdoor repairs With heavY-dutY duct tape
(StatePoint) With fall here, it’s time to prepare yards and outdoor gear for the cooler months. While many think of duct tape as a quick fix for indoor projects, it might come as a surprise just how versatile and effective heavy-duty duct tape can be for upkeep outside.
Tool Tune-UpShovels, rakes and lawnmowers are key for prepping and maintaining the yard. These tools may show signs of wear and tear after enduring heavy use
all summer. Use durable duct tape to make any necessary fixes to ripped lawn mower bags or a peeling rake grip, so they’ll hold up under the stresses of fall yard work and help you get the job done without interruption.
Sturdy And Safe Outdoor Furnitur eSummer storms and heavy winds might have damaged exterior furniture and décor. But broken tables and chairs can become a hazard if left in poor shape. Before hosting
a bonfire or other backyard gathering, assess the condition of your patio furniture. If quick, sturdy fixes are needed, Duck Max Strength Duct Tape is an excellent choice, whether for mending a cracked chair arm or tears in an umbrella or canopy. The tape offers the ideal balance between being easy to tear and tough enough to make long-lasting repairs. The strong adhesion and holding power ensure furniture stays functional and safe for guests.
For more ways to use duct tape visit https:// www.duckbrand.com/. From fixing yard tools to patching up camping gear, duct tape is an essential item in any shed, garage or toolbox this fall.
yellow flowers provide food for hummingbirds and long-tongued insects. Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) makes an excellent groundcover that can hold its ground against garlic mustard and other invasive plants.
Perhaps you or members of your household have been reluctant to add these plants to your landscape. Some people worry that these plants won’t fit in with their current landscape design or be accepted by their neighbors. One option is to start including native plants in your landscape one plant or
garden at a time.
As always, make sure the plants you select are suited to the growing conditions, your garden design, and the available space. Some native plants are aggressive and work best when given a lot of room to grow and spread. Others grow in clumps and slowly increase in size making them easier to include in smaller yards.
Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a wonderful but very aggressive native plant that’s a favorite of the monarch caterpillar. It spreads by seeds and deep rhizomes making it challenging to contain.
Consider growing other native milkweeds that will support the monarch but are less aggressive when space is limited. Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) hardy in zones 3 to 10 is a great option for those with sunny well-drained locations. Red milkweed also known as swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) also grows best in full sun, but this milkweed tolerates moist soils.
Think about substitutions when starting to add native plants to the garden. When one plant dies look for a native plant to fill the void. Consider one with
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a similar growth habit, texture, and bloom time. Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepsis) is a North American native grass with a growth habit similar to ornamental fountain grass (Pennisetum) and it provides many more benefits. Hardy in zones 3 to 8, it has uniquely fragrant flowers in late summer, golden fall color, and seeds that look like gems when covered with ice in the winter. It is also a host plant for six different moths and butterflies. This elegant grass is at home in just about any style garden.
As you get to know the native plants of your re-
gion and gain experience adding them to your gardens you may decide to create gardens of all native plants. Look to nature for some winning combinations. Combine plants that look good together, have the same growing conditions, and are equally assertive. When aggressive plants are mixed in with timid plants, you end up with a garden of just one or two overly assertive plants.
As always, do your research first. Visit nearby nature centers and talk to others growing native plants to gather information and inspiration. As you gain success and
confidence, you are sure to find creative ways to add these beauties to your landscape.
Melinda Myers has written over 20 gardening books, including 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 radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers. com
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upon the naysayers palette. Zucchini Bread never goes out of style. Neither does chocolate. And when paired together, Chocolate Cousa Bread, while not exactly having the wow factor of chocolate and peanut butter, I felt could offer a uniquely pleasing pairing to tickle the taste buds.
Initially this bread comes out of the oven as a raised loaf, very impressive I might add. However, in the time it takes to finish the barter of a dozen eggs to the neighbor, the loaf had settled. Not to a disappointing concave appearance but it definitely flattened out within a few minutes while at rest. Could this have been avoided? Perhaps. A true baker could more readily answer this question better than I can. They say to keep a peak on muffins you begin at high heat then turn it back. Can this
principle also be applied to sweet breads as well? Honestly, after the oven fiasco of this past summer I am still getting used to my new oven, its quirks, and figuring out some of its features. And summer time is not my favorite time to bake anything in the house so once the mercury settles into consistent fall temperatures I can explore this question more. The color however was a pleasingly deep dark rich chocolate brown, rather than that sickly pale hazy brown that some people have the gall to call chocolate. Once out of the pan and cool it was wrapped, to await its after dinner debut. And this is where the proof is in the pudding because it is at the table where lasting impressions are made. First, bring a sharp thin knife. The exterior of the loaf, while not rubbery, has some spring that duller knives may find diffi -
CHOCOLATE COUSA BREAD
YIELD: 1 Loaf TIME: 65-75 Minutes
INGREDIENTS
Chocolate Sauce Ingredients
1 Cup Water
1 Cup Sugar
2/3 Cup Cocoa Powder
1 ½ Tbsp. (+/-) Butter
Dash Vanilla Extract
Dash Salt
Batter Ingredients
1 ½ Cups (+/-) Shredded Cousa
Squash
2 Eggs
½ Cup Sugar
½ Cup Vegetable Oil
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 ½ Cups Flour
½ tsp. Baking Soda
¾ tsp. Baking Powder
Dash Salt
PREPARATION
- In a saucepan over low heat combine water, sugar, and vanilla extract and bring to a simmer.
- Add cocoa powder and stir to fully combine. Allow to come back to a simmer and then add the butter. (If using salted butter you can omit the dash of salt.) Simmer for about 5 to 8 minutes while stirring constantly to reduce without burning. It should be a thin chocolate syrup consistency. Remove from heat to let cool.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.. Grease the bottom and sides of a loaf pan and set aside.
- Wash Cousa squash and trim both ends. Shred the squash with a box grater and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl combine eggs and beat for about 5 minutes then add the sugar and continue to beat to a smooth consistency. Add extract and drizzle in the vegetable oil to reduce splashing while continuing to mix.
- In a bowl combine the flour, soda, powder, and salt mixing well.
- Reserve about ½ cup of Chocolate Sauce to be served with the bread. Use the remainder to combine with the egg mixture and flour mixture. While the mixer is on low, add the flour and chocolate sauce alternating between the two until each is completely incorporated with the egg mixture.
- Remove the batter from the mixer, add the shredded Cousa, and mix using a rubber spatula.
- Pour this “thin” batter into the prepared loaf pan and place into a 350 degree oven. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Check for done. If ready, remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before removing the loaf from the loaf pan and allow to cool on a rack.
- Serve with warm Chocolate Sauce.
cult to pierce and offer a clean cut. It is always best to use a thin sharp knife to cut with so that the optimum presentation can be made. Once on the plate and a prudent drizzle of chocolate sauce has been applied, the first bite was taken. Oh boy! The flavor, as expected, was sweet and chocolatey. The outer edge had that familiar sweet bread flavor found with most any variety. That flavor picked up from the bond between the cooked batter infused
with the grease used on the pan. Moving on to the next bite, just CHOCOLATE! Deep, dark, delicious, not
not gummy or dense, but not crumbly, nor did it turn to a sticky mush in the mouth, it had substance. It was just right. There were no tell tale signs of vegetable matter throughout the loaf, no green flecks running rampant throughout the product. While you could tell there was something different about this bread it was not unpleasant nor was it obvious that it was made with “squash”. While there are a few extra steps in the execution of this Chocolate Cousa Bread, I would encourage you to try making this sweet treat and introduce your friends and family to something out of the ordinary. With summer on the wane you may be hard pressed to find Cousa squash but if you do, why not try it? As an entree or a dessert, you just might find that Cousa squash adds the right flavor to your next Simple Feast. Enjoy!
too sweet but certainly not bitter; chocolate. And just a hint of a sweet mystery flavor. The crumb was moist,
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Cousa Squash
Shredded Cousa resembles shredded Zucchini. FEAST from 13
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“It concerns every man, woman and child in this country and it will have a great influence in shaping the United States of tomorrow.” In agreement with the Youth Companion’s opinion that the days of welcoming whoever wanted to come to the United States without restriction were over, Bridges noted that half of the nation’s 14 million foriegn born inhabitants in 1924 had “never assumed any of the duties or responsibilities of citizenship .”
So what were the specific problems that Mr. Styles Bridges saw with our immigration system and the anyone’s welcome policy that had prevailed in the earlier years of the United States?
First, he was troubled because many of the immigrants making their way here a hundred years ago did not speak, read, or write in English. The estimate then was that three million of the immigrants in the country could not speak the English language, another three million could not read it,and even more than these six million could not write it.
Second, some of the immigrants were not coming into the United States by the “regular channels.” The U.S. Secetary of Labor, James
J. Davis, an authority on immigration had stated that the boot-legging of aliens was one of the biggest problems the country had. Many thousands were said to be entering the country monthly with some authorities thinking that the total number was reaching one thousand a day.
A third concern involved the intellectual and social adequacy of the foreigners coming to the country, includ ing to New Hampshire. Somehow the intel ligence rating of the aliens was divided into categories with only 1.1% being rated as very superior while 13.8 % were rated very infe rior. The rating for those who were average was 26.6 %, with the total of those being above the average numbering 11.3%, and the total of those rated below the average numbering 61.1%. And for you per fectionists who are add ing the numbers, I don’t know what happened to the other 1%.
Mr. Bridges stated that the taxpayers “... are paying a certain percentage of their to tal tax bill to maintain institutions for the af flicted to care for the socially inadequate of our foreign residents.
Two New Hampshire residents who were particularly involved in studying the immigra
tion situation were the New Hampshire Commissioner of Agriculture
Andrew Felker, who was chairman of the Immigration Committee of the association of agriculture in the United States, and William H. Riley, the first vice president of the State Federation of Labor. Felker stated that farmers “want a higher type of immigrant than has been coming to these
both a moral and legal right to protect its life stream from vicious and unhealthy contamination.” He said this could be done through restrictive and selective immigration and that the selections should be mainly from the people of northern Europe. Felker also suggested that the selection of who comes should be made at “the point of embarkation.”
The labor man, Mr. Riley of Concord,indicated
that he agreed with Samuel Gompers, President of the American Federation of Labor, in restricting the number of foreigners entering the country and, that in New Hampshire, labor was “very much in favor of restricted immigration.”
The New Hampshire Farm Bureau Federation was also discussing the issue of immigration with apparent agreement that the then current percentage of 3% of
the nationality of present citizens of the United States be used as the standard for welcoming new immigrants into the country. They suggested, however, that the numbers be based on the census of 1890, instead of that of 1910, as that would bring more from the countries of northern Europe and less from southern European countries.
There was another side to immigration policy opinion in New Hampshire one hundred years ago, but it would appear that the majority of New Hampshire residents were in favor of restricted and selective mmigration beginning at the country of origin.
The President of the United States at that time, Calvin Coolidge agreed. America must be kept American, he argued, and he called for the immediate registration of all aliens.
GILPATRIC METAL RECYCLING
SMITH from 11
Map showing Immigration changes made 100 years ago.
President Calvin Coolidge signing bills including 1924 Immigration bill.
parking lot on Base Road below the Cog Railway and dropped my car at 7 am. I was lucky to get one of the last parking spots.
Bryan drove us to the Castle Trail parking area in Randolph and that lot only had a couple cars in it. The Castle Trail
to Mount Jefferson is lightly used since it is a long rugged trail. We headed up the trail and in a few minutes we easily rock hopped across the Israel River, the water was very low. The trail is relatively flat until the intersection of the Israel Ridge Path, where the trail begins to
Bryan and I chatted about Bowman and how I bushwhacked to the summit last summer. Bryan had not been there before so we decided to push through the forest. This little side adventure took about 45 minutes to go out and back. We enjoyed some obstructed views over the ravine and saw some moose poop. We both were wearing shorts but we only got a few scratches.
Back on the trail we enjoyed this section of gentle trail. We passed by a fellow headed up the trail and this would be the only person we saw until we neared the summit. The trail became steep and rugged after we passed the Link Trail intersection. Now we would begin climbing the Castled Ridge. The name comes from
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the bare rock bumps that look like the spaced gaps at the top of the castle’s embattlement. I am sure you have admired this rugged ridge when driving Route through Randolph. Scrambling up and over, we enjoyed fine views from the top and then we would climb back down into the scrub. After the last castle we would be above tree line on the rocky open slope of Mount Jefferson for more than half a mile.
This was also the Saturday closest to September 11th and the day that the American Flags fly on the 4,000 footer summits hoisted by hikers. This annual tribute honors those that lost their lives during the terror attack 23 years ago.
25 people carried a tall pole and large American Flag to Jefferson’s summit. There were so many hikers on the trails in every direction.
Seeing the flags and the hikers that made the effort to raise them was very moving and it was an honorable memorial and day of remembrance. Seeing
Yours truly near Mount Washington’s summit. I won’t wait in line for a photo next to the Mount Washington summit sign but hundreds of people do and most didn’t even hike up the mountain.
the red, white and blue means so much to so many Americans. It put a lump in my throat.
Bryan and I decided to hike over Mt. Clay because we like a quiet trail. Almost all the hikers stayed on the easier Gulfside Trail and we enjoyed the solitude for a little while longer. From here we could see the flags on Jefferson and on Washington.
Mount Washington was crowded as we expected it would be.
The line to take your photo by the summit sign looked half an hour long. We just walked on by. We had to wait in line to fill our water bottles inside the summit building. The Cog Railway and the Autoroad looked to be having a very busy day too.
The Flags on the 48 group on Mt. Washington was folding the flag as we were leaving the summit. The flags are flown between 12 and
Bryan hiking over the Castled Ridge on the Castle Trail to Mount Jefferson. In the background the wooded summit of Mount Bowman can be seen.
2 pm.
We continued to enjoy our time above the treeline as we hiked down to the Lakes of the Clouds. It was a little hazy but the views were fine. I love looking down upon the spine of the mountains. I realized this was the third time I had been on Mt. Washington this summer. When we reached the hut we topped off our water bottle using their outside spigot. The Lakes of the Clouds hut is the first hut to close for the season. This year it closes on September 21st and the water is turned off after that date. The projected closing date for the summit building on Mt. Washington is October 20th.
As we approached Mount Washington’s summit via the Trinity Heights Connector/Appalachian Trail, the flag was flying. Pretty Purple Asters along the trail remind me that summer is gone. First day of Winter is December 21st!
Hiking down the steep and ledgy Ammonoosuc Ravine was really okay since it was so dry and hiking down on dry rock is much less slippery. We met a dozen people headed up to the hut. At the Gem Pool it was an easy rock hop across the headwaters of the Ammonoosuc River.
Hiking along the river and listening to the cascading water is a nice way to end the day. But when it leaves the river for the last mile to the parking lot it is an awful mess. It is surprising since it is a very popular trail. The bog bridges are all rotten, the Franklin Brook crossing is suffering trail creep and most likely confusing to many and it just has so many roots to step over.
We’re no fan of this trail but it was a glorious day of hiking. Fall has arrived. Enjoy the last few hot days while you can. I am already thinking about skiing. Have fun.
PATENAUDE
used as nesting material, and its tiny seeds are eaten by the birds. Seeing a goldfinch or two on a towering thistle plant is a reliable sighting in August and September.
A sprawling wildflower garden was planted to replace a grass lawn a few years ago at my place of work. Hundreds of native wildflowers were planted, and thousands of wildflower seeds were scat-
tered when the conversion took place. Now, a few years after the initial planting, it is not surprising that weeds have also thrived there and live among the desired wildflowers. Thistle plants pop up in random places throughout the garden, but they are not overbearing whatsoever. In fact, the pink and purple flowers add a wild beauty to the project.
Mugwort, on the oth-
er hand, is indeed a weed and has become the garden’s main problem. The invasive plant grows in thick patches and outcompetes the desirable flowers in those areas. They do not produce beautiful flowers and do not seem to add value of any sort to local wildlife. It grows taller than the wildflowers, and large patches of dull green overshadow the desirable red, pink, yellow and white flowers.
Over the past few weeks, every time I walk past this wildflower garden on my way to the cafeteria, I am treated to the sights and sounds of dozens of American goldfinches. I hear the goldfinches’ soft but recognizable flight calls long before I
reach the garden. Because goldfinches are so small, I often flush them out from the edges of the garden before I see them, as they often feed on the shorter flowers hidden by the taller plants. The thistle plants, however, tower over the rest of the flowers and mugwort, and if a goldfinch happens to be picking seeds or down from the top of a thistle, I could spot them and watch them for a while before continuing on my way.
The goldfinches are usually far enough away from the edge of the garden that they feel safe enough to know that I am not a threat, and they simply go about their day. What happens fairly often, however, is that one skittish goldfinch will fly off towards the
middle of the garden, and a dozen or more previously unseen goldfinches will pop up from flowers and follow the leader to the middle.
The new wildflower garden is an excellent reminder that it doesn’t take a lot of effort to support native wildlife. While this particular garden is several acres, even modestly sized gardens in a yard with native flowers such as coneflower and blackeyed Susans can go a long way toward supporting animals and insects. And don’t forget to leave the beneficial “weeds” such as thistle, milkweed and goldenrod alone.
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broiled in this scandal within the next week or so, it’s really my last chance to help me realize my lifelong dream of being a successful published author.
Still, if I don’t quite get there, I have a good game plan for the next election cycle in 2026. I will have a head start there and I will act fast because I know that the scandals and the book deals will be coming fast and furious.
Anything to avoid that early morning writing nonsense.
Wish me luck.
pot to boil over.
We have now been subjected to a full decade of talk about how Donald Trump is a full-scale threat to the American republic. President Joe Biden has given speeches labeling Trump a danger to the soul of democracy. Vice President Kamala Harris has said that the very fabric of our country is at stake. Trump has been compared to Adolf Hitler more often than any public figure of our lifetime. Is it an enormous shock that someone with mental issues might think that taking a shot at Trump would be justified -- heroic, even?
It’s certainly true that overheated rhetoric exists on all sides of the political aisle these days. In understanding just why Trump has been subjected to two separate assassination attempts in eight weeks, it isn’t enough just to blame violent rhetoric, though. Opponents of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris generally disdain them; they understand that neither Biden nor Harris are historic figures, indispensable to the movements they supposedly lead. In fact, there is a baseline understanding that the Democratic Party could easily switch Biden or Harris for a dozen others and that their preferred issue set would maintain apace.
The same is not true for Trump. The media and Democratic Party have determined that Trump is a singularly indispensable figure -- a sort of bizarre cult leader, who has mesmerized millions into submission. They believe, in fact, that absent Trump, the Americans who vote for him would revert to becoming good little Dem -
ocrats -- reasonable people. That lie springs from a deeper lie: the lie that human beings are inherently good (by which they mean liberal) and that they only think differently if they are bamboozled by a strongman. Dispense with the strongman, and all will be well.
The problem here is larger than hatred for Trump. It is a perverse view that those who dissent from Democratic Party politics are themselves zombies in thrall to a madman, rather than fellow Americans who disagree on key issues for good reasons of their own.
And so the assassination attempts will likely continue. Trump has dodged a bullet once and avoided a shooting a second time. Americans ought never be asked to experience a third attempt. If, God forbid, something does happen to Trump, the results for the country will be catastrophic.
Ben Shapiro’s new collection, “Facts and Furious: The Facts About America and Why They Make Leftists Furious,” is available now. Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and cofounder of Daily Wire+. He is a three-time New York Times bestselling author. To find out more about Ben Shapiro and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www. creators.com.
Lawyers I confront say losing risky products is a good thing: “If they’re scared of someone like me,” one told me, “I’m happy about that.”
We pay for his happiness.
Of course, if companies do wrong, they should be punished.
When Google was caught sleazily collecting location data from users who turned off location history, it wouldn’t have been worth any single user’s time, or money, to sue. A lawsuit would cost more than anyone might win. Hence class actions.
But the lawyers create their own scam. When Google paid $62 million to settle that lawsuit, the class action lawyers gave themselves $18 million and then gave $43 million to their favorite nonprofits. That included left wing advocacy groups like the ACLU (after it promised to use the money to help “people of color,” “activists” and “people seeking ... transgender healthcare”). They gave victimized class members nothing.
Why would a judge approve such a deal? Because judges are just lawyers in robes, and most lean left politically. They love donating other people’s money to their favorite causes.
“It’s a huge conflict of interest,” says Anna St. John, whose law firm challenges such settlements.
“You have this slush fund of tens of millions of dollars, and the parties and judge are allowed to decide who should get this money. When they have a choice between distributing that money to millions of class members who are not going to say thank you, ver-
sus directing millions of dollars to their alma maters, to organizations where they sit on the board, the choice is clear what they’re going to do. Six of the attorneys or Google employees involved in the case sit ... or sat on the boards of the recipients getting millions of dollars.”
“The guys who did bad get to reward their friends?” I ask.
“Yes. Google’s giving money to organizations it already donates to,” she notes. “It’s unclear how it can be a benefit to the class when the defendant’s just doing what it already does.”
“This is a left-wing money raiser,” I observe.
“It is. This is a settlement class of millions of Americans with diverse viewpoints, and yet the money goes to very extreme, left-wing causes favored by the attorneys and by the defendant.”
I asked the attorneys and judge who approved the deal to explain why it isn’t a scam. They didn’t answer.
America needs lawyers to protect our rights and our freedom, just like we need missiles and bombs. But lawsuits, like missiles and bombs, are tre -
mendously destructive. We try not to use our missiles. We should do the same with lawyers.
