Editor’s Note: October’s Promise

I grew up in New Hampshire, but it wasn’t until I returned after living nearly half my life elsewhere that I rode the Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway for the first time.   

What I remember about the experience was not just the spectacular views of Franconia Notch in full foliage bloom but meeting tourists who had traveled from as far away as Japan. I had newfound appreciation for my reclaimed Granite State.

The Cannon tram, which began operation in 1938, was upgraded with two 80-passenger cable cars in 1980. Now it’s time for the third generation. Catch a ride by Oct. 26 before the tram shuts down for a couple of years to make way for a $27.2 million replacement project.

For a taste of those gorgeous White Mountain views, see our Navigator photo on page 8.
It’s an image that epitomizes New Hampshire.

We didn’t plan it this way, but this issue features appearances from two other New Hampshire icons: Mel Allen and Rick Broussard.

Allen, whose 45-year tenure at Yankee magazine included nearly 20 years as editor, has just released “Here in New England,” a collection of his articles that includes material from even his pre-Yankee days, when he was a young freelancer writing 3,000-word features for the Maine Sunday Telegram (page 28).

Broussard, who served as editor of New Hampshire Magazine for 30 years, teamed up with filmmaker and photographer John Hession this year to finish a film project they’ve been working on for a decade. “Granite Orpheus” presents a contemporary retelling of the Greek tragedy (page 30).

Pumpkin spice not spoken here

I feel the same way about the onslaught of seasonal pumpkin spice products that I do about artificial intelligence. If I pretend it doesn’t exist, will it all just go away? No pumpkin spice was used in the making of our October issue. 

But apples? How I do love them apples. My older brother, Steve, who has been abiding by healthy dietary guidelines in his elder years, has become enamored of Pink Ladies and buys them by the bagful at a Manchester produce market.

I had never heard of them, but compared to the apples in this month’s cover feature by Elizabeth Sands (with photos by Managing Editor Emily Heidt), Pink Ladies are superstars. New Hampshire orchards are nurturing a bevy of unknown heirloom varieties like Chisel Jersey, Hewes Virginia Crab and Shire Everlasting (page 40). For how to cook them apples, check out the recipes on page 16.

What would October be without the spooky houses? Assistant Editors Emily Reily and Elisa Gonzales Verdi present a double feature. 

Reily talks with admirers — and the owner — of a dilapidated house in Pittsburg that has fascinated passersby for years for its perfect picture of desolation (page 22). Verdi takes you on a trip through a mill building more than a century old that some say is haunted by the ghosts of former workers (page 50).

Don’t forget your flashlight.