Archives: November 2011

Letters to the Editor

Need a good reason to spot the newt?This month’s lucky (and fearless) newt spotter will receive a Totally Awesome Gourmet Popcorn basket valued at $75 from Michele’s Sweet Shoppe of Epsom (www.nhpopcorn.com). Michele’s trademarked motto is “The proof is in the popcorn!”Michele’s Sweet Shoppe is a proud member of NH Made (www.nhmade.com), the state’s official non-profit booster of locally generated…

Political Science?

The Granite State isn’t eager to serve as a national lab rat.States, in theory, are supposed to be the “laboratories of democracy.” The challenge of how to solve some of the nation’s biggest problems is supposed to be undertaken by different legislatures or even cities. Some work, some don’t and that’s the point. None of the hypotheses must be perfect,…

Welcome, Presidential Hopefuls

A fun-filled day awaits you in beautiful Frost Heaves, N.H.Lately, we’ve had a bumper crop of politicians traipsing through New Hampshire, people you never heard of hoping to use their successful stint as the Louisiana Commissioner of Mattress Safety as a springboard to the Oval Office. Most of these folks have about as much chance of being president as my…

The Flag Police

In 1942 Congress passed the Flag Code, which outlines what can and can’t be done to the American flag. There were no penalties prescribed, though, so enforcement has been sketchy. Too sketchy for Steve Fowle, editor of The New Hampshire Gazette, trademarked as “The Nation’s Oldest Newspaper.”He’s used his newspaper, which is published in Portsmouth and distributed in the Seacoast…

September Essentials

Early fall in New Hampshire is a great time to get outside, whether you’re fishing a remote river or visiting your local farmers market.1. Great Bay Rod Co.Many fly-fishing enthusiasts will tell you the cooler and scenic fall days make for the best experience. For a rod made right here in New Hampshire try the Rochester-based Great Bay Rod Co….

Tiny Reminder

Every month I enjoy writing these articles. By the time this issue is out, I will have just finished New Hampshire Antiques Week and exhibited at the 54th Annual New Hampshire Antique Dealers Association Show in Manchester. Antiques Week is always an exciting week-long event and the array of antique shows brings thousands of collectors from across the country to…

See Worthy

From ceramic pots to snapping turtles.Glen MacInnis of Auburn is swimming in ceramic turtles. It all began about 10 years ago when he spied a snapping turtle on the banks of the Merrimack River and ran to get his sketchbook.The first couple years he made just a few – taking the time to give them a certain “turtle-ness,” as he…

Twist and Turn

The revelation of the second look.David Belser now has something to show for his work. As a software engineer he is not able to show off the beauty of an elegant algorithm, but as an artist working with wood, beauty reveals itself in three dimensions.Each piece begs a walk around, as wood and negative space are in a state of…