Letters to the Editor

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

This month's lucky (and fearless) newt spotter will receive a selection of great local literature including Fritz Wetherbee's latest "In Good Company." The books are all the products of Plaidswede Publishing, which excels in featuring the most enduring works of the state's best writers. Our Spot the Newt contest is hosted each month by NH Made, the state's official non-profit, member-based booster of local products and services. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud member. (www.nhmade.org)

Spot four newts hidden on ads in this issue, tell us where you found them and you might win an assortment of great gifts. To enter our drawing for a free gift basket, send your answers to

Spot the Newt
c/o New Hampshire Magazine
150 Dow St., Manchester, NH 03101

E-mail them to newt@nhmagazine.com, or fax them to (603) 624-1310.

Last month's "Spot the Newt" winner is Ken Naylor of Bedford. August issue newts were on pages 36, 37, 78 and 107.

Letters

Kid's Paradise
Thanks for your great article on Benson's Wild Animal Farm [August 2010] - it brought back happy memories for me. My mother was Mr. Benson's cook one summer, meaning I was free to roam, play and commune with the animals at will.What more could a little kid ask for? After that experience, it's a wonder I didn't run off and join the circus when I grew up.

Joann Snow Duncanson
Greenland

A Hopeful Story
A beautiful story, "Once Upon a Time - Building on Hope" [July 2010], and to think you all did this without any government help. All of you must be very proud of a job well done. Congratulations! The house looks beautiful.

Mary Franklin
Cromwell, Ct.

Designs for Hope
Building on Hope was an amazing project to work on. The boys who live in the Krol House are great boys who have dreams to accomplish, and as one of the designers, I feel as if I was able to help them along the path! Thank you for letting me be part of this project ... always keep the hope.

Kristin Judge
KJ Designs

Very "Hopeful" News
On behalf of Building on Hope and Easter Seals New Hampshire, thank you for N.H. Magazine's support leading to the transformation of the Krol House in May. The boys love their new home, and the community outpouring they witnessed during this exciting renovation has had a profound impact as they plan their transition to independence.

We also wanted to let you know that we greatly enjoyed the Building on Hope feature in your July issue. The story truly reflected the energy, momentum and success of this multi-faceted project, an effort that demonstrated "many hands make light work."

I am happy to report that The Home Depot Foundation recently awarded a generous grant of $20,000 in support of building materials purchased during the project. As another demonstration of their community involvement, 15 Home Depot employees volunteered at the Krol House during "Home Depot Day" in May to give the project their professional touch. Thanks again to everyone in New Hampshire and across the country who helped make this dream come true.

Karen Van Der Beken
Easter Seals New Hampshire

Root Canal Issue
I have subscribed to your magazine and Down East for the last few years. I have subscribed to Yankee since the early 1970s.

As a relocated New Englander with strong ties to New Hampshire and Maine via a vacation home on the Great East Lake, I enjoy knowing what is going on in New Hampshire and Maine, particularly in the Lakes Region. In that regard, your magazine, in my opinion, falls woefully short of either Yankee of Down East.

I was contemplating not renewing my subscription when I received the August issue. That one issue was the death knell.

Do you really believe that 20-plus pages of "165 Top Dentists" is of interest to your readers? If you really want to discuss a "root canal issue" I might advise covering the topic of traffic on Route 16 in the Rochester area on Friday evening.

I believe that my current subscription runs until November. I am hoping you can wait on your feature about the top orthopedic surgeons until after my subscription expires.

Best regards.

Bob Newman
Tallahassee, Fla.

Fatal Error
Your most interesting August 2010 issue contains a much deserved notice of the centennial of the death of the father of American psychology, William James. One of his closest friends was the founder of Acadia National Park, George Bucknam Dorr. I explored this relationship extensively in both word and photographic image for the Dorr biography I just completed writing.

I suggest you compare the accompanying photograph in the New Hampshire Magazine article against the 50 images of professor James that appear at an Emory University website (www.des.emory.edu/mfp/jphotos.html). A mismatching has apparently taken place.

Ronald H. Epp, Ph.D.
Merrimack

Editor's Note: Our apologies and thanks for the correction. The featured photo was actually Dr. George Shedd of North Conway, the attending physician at James' deathbed.

Gold Star
I would like you to forward a message to John Robinson telling him that I thought he did an excellent job with the article ["It's the Law," July 2010] and that his quotes of me clearly reflected my point of view. It was great to be able to convey my perceptions of family mediation, as practiced in N.H., to the public.

Ora Schwartzberg
Concord

Online Remarks

Pat McDermott wrote:
I laughed out loud reading this one ["Last Laugh," July 2010]. Very entertaining and imaginative. I'd love to have Margie along on our next road trip. Good luck with your writing, Heather!

cactusbob wrote:
Judd Gregg talks a conservative story, ["Capitol Offenses," June 2010] but his actions (votes) reveal no conservative. Club for Growth rates him 73 and 70 for 2009 and 2008, indicating a moderate. For a President who needs to turn this country around, he has a record as a compromiser and would get in the way of reform - if he would even get elected. If Obama runs in 2012, the Republican must win and have a record conservatives can believe in.

Polt-junkie wrote:
Entertaining perspective ["Capitol Offenses," July 2010]. It is always good to take your situation in context with others of similar nature, but try not to undermine the importance of our own endeavors just because they're on a slightly smaller scale. And darn it, I would say most people proudly embrace their status of "frugal staters." But thank you again, James. It is always a pleasure reading your work!

Editor's Note: Online comments are always welcome at www.nhmagazine.com.

Correction: The correct Web site for the Fields on the Saco dinner is mtwashingtonvalley.org