Warming winter foods are harder to come by in restaurants, so we scanned menus as we traveled, fearing that in these heady days when fusion and eclectic are the cuisine buzzwords, meatloaf and pot roast might be long forgotten. Happily,…
Since 1922 this American icon, tucked away on Manchester’s Lowell Street, has fed a potpourri of diners — tradesmen, students, business people, families and tourists — all seeking hearty American favorites, a good value, generous helpings and the Red Arrow…
The phrase “fine dining” and inexpensive rarely go together. Our larger towns like Manchester and Portsmouth charge up to $30 or more for a rack of lamb, but at Akasia Fine Dining, a cozy and casual little bistro a bit…
The history of New Hampshire is irrevocably linked to the progression of grand hotels that dotted our state near the turn of the century. The grand hotel experience involved a long journey, a lengthy stay and excellent cuisine with a…
By John Walters Photography by Mark Corliss (www.markcorliss.com) Frugality is central to New Hampshire’s image. Maybe it’s our steadfastly anti-tax politics, or our tendency to rank near the bottom in most measures of philanthropy. Or maybe it’s the stereotype of…
The Astors, the Vanderbilts and the Rockefellers — during the early 1900s, they and many others in the smart set used the Mt. Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods as their summer playground. They were drawn there by the elegance of…
It’s the second-biggest annual event in downtown Laconia — admittedly, a distant second. Both events feature a transportation medium that’s arguably more recreational than practical. Each brings big crowds to Laconia, gets loud and boisterous at times, and produces a…
A Short History of Creation, from the Big Bang to the Merrimack School Board. By Chris Dornin I know a satellite engineer, I can’t use his name, but he thinks his right hand is too deep to have popped from…
Last words (?) on the Bishop It was amusing to read all six letters regarding Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson [Nov. 2005], five females, all negative opinions, and one male. Then there was the crusty conservative silly comment that New Hampshire…
My daughter Elizabeth is a budding young writer and a bit of an idealist. Her English teacher asked her to come up with a creative writing project where two holidays get mixed up, à la “Nightmare Before Christmas.” Elizabeth agonized…
For years, you’ve probably imagined what your wedding would be like, but now you’ve said “yes” and the planning begins in earnest. To create the perfect day, it seems like there are a million decisions to make — what kind…
Make it a family affair ... It has been said that when a bride and groom get married, they don’t just marry each other, they marry families. In the case of Erin and Christopher Duhan, their families married them —…
The centerpiece of the reception is the food — it’s all about quality, flavor and presentation. Executive Chef Steve Stinnett of the Manchester Country Club, and soon his own new restaurant in downtown Manchester, suggests picking a food theme for…
When guests arrive at your wedding reception, chances are the first thing they’ll notice is your wedding cake. It is the centerpiece of your celebration, and you want it to help create the right mood for the hours ahead. A…
First, brides added color to the traditional white bouquet, everything from a subtle touch of it to bold and bright, like all red. Now their bouquet choices are going beyond flowers to feathers and jewels — some are even choosing…
We'd like our wedding to be different and special, so we are thinking of having a theme wedding. Where do we begin? A: If you wish to add some unique touches, consider simple themes such as using only three colors…
Jean Harlow sheaths, Marilyn Monroe mermaids and voluminous ball gowns sumptuous enough to make Cinderella envious are the bridal silhouettes of the 2006 season. Michelle Bouchard, owner of Down the Aisle in Style, a boutique salon in Manchester, just returned…
By Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Few activities work up an appetite quite so fast as a day’s skiing. It’s the combination of cold weather, exercise and fresh air that makes skiers ravenous by the time the lifts close. Fortunately, wherever skiers…
Hope someone kept the receipt for the E-ZPass system. By Charlie Arlinghaus It's January already. Time to look over the presents and take the ones back that don't make sense now that you sit back and think about them. Do…
Living off the power grid, Laura Richardson practices what she preaches. The volunteer president of New Hampshire’s Sustainable Energy Association (NHSEA), Richardson is passionate about renewable energy and sustainable living. She spends about 50 hours a week spreading the gospel…
One family’s arduous journey from Tinseltown to Manchattan. By Lou Bortone I’m certainly not the first person to relocate from the left coast to the Granite State. But more and more, I’m finding fellow California exiles who’ve given up the…
Michael Buckley’s new restaurant, Buckley’s Great Steaks, is now open in Merrimack. The former location of the Woodbury House has been tastefully renovated to keep the historic quality, but yet the interior is fresh and inventive. Pumpkin pine wainscotting, exposed…
By Rachel Forrest Route 125 between Plaistow and Rochester is a wonderland of funky little diners, rustic coffee shops and summertime clam shacks. I could spend weeks checking out all the spots to sample on that stretch of road, but…
It’s time to stop worrying about perfectly matching furniture. If you like it, it will all work out — with a few simple rules. By Kimberly Merritt Design-savvy homeowners appreciate beautiful surroundings, but they also want them to reflect their…
It may look like ceramic artist LuLu Fichter has gone dotty with her all-white porcelain bowls and vases. The white motif is in opposition to the colorful flowers she painted on someone else’s pots for years. As a production potter,…
Though he’s easily over six feet tall, Steve Walker is dwarfed by the dark mountains of sawdust behind him. Color that brown dust gold: It is the humble raw material that built Walker’s /n/n10 million business, New England Wood Pellet.…
Our North Country “Little Switzerland” has charmed many a visitor, compelling them to stay on. When they are Swiss and bring the cuisine of the homeland with them, the match is heavenly. By Susan Laughlin It was time for a…
Boredom hasn’t been a problem for me in a long, long time. But I can still remember when it was an everyday occurrence, probably in my teen years. In my college days, living in the big (to me) city of…
How to survive pets, pollen and pollution. By Martha Bauman Oh, it’s just an allergy.” You’ve heard it, and probably said it as you sniffled and sneezed through the season. You’re more likely to be annoyed than frightened by the…
Disappointed in Us Your November article on Gene Robinson [“Calm Before the Storm”] portrays him as a man committed to his theology. He may indeed be helpful and an encouragement to people with problems. His own problem, that he divorced…
The owner said to the designer of his lakefront mansion — “Impress me.” And so he did. By Leeann Doherty Photos by Roger Wade You’d never suspect what awaits you at the end of the winding gravel country lane in…
Can a 53-year-old “ski virgin” actually learn the ropes of the state’s official sport in a single day? By Rick Broussard Ask anyone in New Hampshire if he or she is a skier and you’ll usually get a pretty definitive…
The Abbot-Spalding House - Nashua's historical centerpiece - preserves the lifestyle and spirit of its notable occupants - Daniel Abbot, called "Father of Nashua" and General William Spalding. By Dean Dexter To visit Nashua’s Abbot-Spalding House is to be transported…
Yankee ingenuity is the blending of tradition and innovation to create new classics. When you want to warm an heirloom home in the age of nuclear energy, leave it to ingenious Yankees to figure out how to do it better…
