Letters

Thumbs Down
I have only infrequently read your magazine (and enjoyed it), so I don’t know if Chris Dornin is a regular contributor. I sincerely hope not. I found his piece in the February issue, “Let there be a little light,” very puzzling.
I cannot understand what he is trying to say nor why. He clearly doesn’t understand the theories he is supposedly (I think) summarizing in a most condescending manner for us. His sneering treatment of Stephen Hawking is in embarassingly bad taste.
If this is intended as an “opinion piece,” then it should be rethought and rewritten. The other articles in the issue were well-written, and the authors were aware of their responsibility to their readers.
I wonder where the editors were on this piece. They are not doing a service to Mr. Dornin nor to their readers in publishing such a juvenile example of writing.
Jennifer Lee
Concord

Making a Splash
Thank you for the article “Big Patterns, Bright Colors” in the February issue of New Hampshire Magazine [about Carleton Varney’s design of the Dorothy Draper Room at the Mt. Washington Hotel]. The vivid descriptions and photographs were quite engaging.
Congratulations on bringing a splash of color to this grey winter month.
Carleton B. Varney
President, Carleton Varney
New York, NY

Small Is (Also) Beautiful
We are subscribers to your magazine and look forward to its arrival each month, when we read it from cover to cover and enjoy the interesting articles. We particularly like the articles about the lovely vacation homes located on the lakes and in the mountains of the Granite State.

These homes are usually very large, architecturally significant, and beautifully decorated on an unlimited budget. The articles are so much fun to read. However, have you given any thought to featuring some small vacation homes that have been decorated on a shoestring budget by the homeowners? There are a lot of these around, too, and they would make equally interesting reading for your subscribers.

We happen to be the owners of such a property and we are proud of our tiny cottage, located in Gilford, just a few steps from Lake Winnipesaukee, with partial lake views. It is a mere 560 square feet, has a living room, a kitchen, a tiny bathroom, two tiny bedrooms, a deck and a boat slip.

We have painted every room and furnished our cottage in a shabby chic-50s theme, using red and white as the main colors. Most of the furnishings have come from antique shops, thrift stores, even an occasional trash pile. We have done all of the cleaning, painting and decorating ourselves. It has evolved from a drab, uninviting place into a cozy, cheerful one where we love to spend as much time as possible, year round.
Susan and Bryan Kinnamon
Sara and Oliver Fritsch
Gilford

Oops …
I was just wondering about the dates in the “Learning Sugary Secrets” article for the Maple Sugar Weekend [Feb. 2006]. The dates indicated are March 27 and 28, which are Monday and Tuesday and the date for the weekend at Riverbend are 17 and 18 which are Friday and Saturday. I do read the articles after I search for the Newts. You are doing a good job with the magazine. Keep up the good work.
Robert I. Smith
Keene
Editor’s Note: Sorry, the dates of Maple Sugar Weekend were incorrect. The event actually took place on March 19 and 20 this year. The Riverbend dates were correct.

Idea Machine
I recently subscribed to your magazine after having seen it several times in different venues. It is an excellent resource and tool for my business of providing errand and concierge services. It gives me additional ideas for restaurants and events throughout New Hampshire, as well as marketplace trends and interesting articles. Thank you for a superb magazine.
Susan Poirier
Ace Concierge
Suncook

A Keen(e) Observation
Your (otherwise) delightful and informative March 2006 edition seems to have overlooked the vibrant and very charming city of Keene (http://www.ci.keene.nh.us) in its “Our Town” section. Population +/-25,000, located in the heart of the Monadnock region of New Hampshire … Keene is the home of Keene State College, the NHTCT Keene Center, Antioch University New England, the annual Pumpkin Festival, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Markem Corporation, etc. …
An oversight? A regional bias?
Does your staff need a field trip?
Neal King, Ph.D.
Keene

Home Is Where the Ads Are
I am a retired New Englander living in Colorado and enjoy your magazine. I wish you had a section with Real Estate ads like Down East and Vermont magazines. It is enjoyable looking at the various homes available. My knowledge of magazine finances is nil, but I think more advertising would be welcome and give you income to expand the magazine.
Robert Blandy
Colorado
Editor’s note: We concur, and such a section is in the works for this year.

More of a Good Thing
We enjoy New Hampshire Magazine so very much. Would like to see more full-size pictures when articles are done on “model” homes or homes of artisans, etc. Sometimes photos, when continued to following page/pages, get lost in the ads. Change layout perhaps?
Thank you again for a truly lovely, informative and inspiring magazine.
Mary Ann Manning
Salem

Nice to Know
As usual, great magazine. The article on those special low-digit plates [March 2006] was just the best. This is one of the unknown stories in any state. So many do not even know it exists. Town meetings [re: March Editor’s Note — The League of Towns] are the basis of our democracy. Keep it up.
Bill Brunkhardt
Belmont

Omission: In the March Home section, we neglected to give a photo credit for a picture of project by Dovetailed Kitchens on page 49. The photographer’s name is Bill Fish (billfishphotography.com). Our apologies.