November 2008 Letters to the Editor
Newt Answers
Last month’s “Spot the Newt” winner is Susan Tullis of Henniker. October issue newts were on pages 24, 83, 94 and 96.
Need a good reason for spotting the newt?
This month’s lucky (and fearless) newt spotter will receive this four-inch twilled ball basket in natural and dyed black ash splint, birch rims, value $165, from Sharon Dugan Basketmaker of Sanbornton. (www.sharondugan.com).
Sharon Dugan is a proud member of NH Made (www.nhmade.com), the state’s official non-profit booster of locally generated products and services. (Just for the record, New Hampshire Magazine is a proud member, too.)
Letters to the Editor
An Urban Legend
Tom Thomson makes many good points about our dependence on foreign petroleum in his article, “My Dad Warned Us” [October 2008], and any voter who is not concerned about our energy future should immediately start considering it.
However, Thomson also perpetuates what some have called “an urban legend” about China drilling some 60 miles from the coast of the United States. According to FactCheck.org, both columnist George Will and Vice President Dick Cheney, who discussed China’s drilling in June, later acknowledged they had gotten it wrong.
Allison Knab
Stratham
Tracking Autism
Thank you for the article on autism published in the September issue of New Hampshire Magazine. Any awareness of autism that is brought to public attention is much appreciated.
The article states that school records are currently the only means of tracking the incidence of autism in New Hampshire when actually an autism registry was established in August of 2006 in the Department of Health and Human Services, which includes a record of all reported cases of ASDs that occur in New Hampshire. The registry enables analysis of the increase of autism in N.H. and facilitates planning for services to children with ASD and their families.
A state commission on ASDs was also established and just recently released their findings and recommendations in a comprehensive report that can be accessed here:
http://www.aucd.org/docs/resources/new_hampshire_commission_on_asd_report_2008_051908.pdf.
Viki Gayhardt
Bd. of Dir., Autism Society of N.H.
Autism Family Support Specialist, The Family Place at Easter Seals
More Eye Candy
I am a New Hampshire native and a longtime subscriber to New Hampshire Magazine. I enjoy most of the magazine’s features, especially “Road Trip,” which I bring with me on each annual visit home.
However, I feel compelled to say: Enough with the articles on interior decoration! I would much prefer your excellent photographers get a breath of fresh air and chronicle the “exterior decoration” for which the Granite State is deservedly world-famous.
What are the possibilities of including at least one pictorial in each issue that explores our majestic mountains, our short but spectacular coastline, our rivers, lakes, streams, forests and other natural scenic wonders?
I don’t expect New Hampshire Magazine to become a clone of Arizona Highways, but the latter is responsible for untold millions of tourist dollars being brought to my adopted state. I share each copy of New Hampshire Magazine with as many people as I can and I’d love to show them evidence of the beauty of the home state about which I’m constantly bragging.
Bruce Prince
Tucson, Ariz.
More Than a Robber Baron
The recent issue which included an article on Lebanon [October 2008] was especially good. However, the gratuitous comment on Andrew Carnegie was not necessary. In some minds he was a “robber baron,” but he was a lot more.
David Jones
New London
Something Not to Like
I enjoyed the “Liking Lebanon” story in the October issue. It was interesting and informative. It brought back memories of the years I lived there.
I was disappointed there wasn’t any mention of the Lebanon Senior Center and the Carter Community Building. The senior center serves meals, has speakers and entertainment. It has busses that bring seniors to the center and shopping and by appointment to medical treatment. There is a separate building with offices for the Grafton County Senior Center with computers, social workers and other help through the “Service Link.”
Nearby is the Carter Community Building with tennis courts, a heated pool and activities for all ages. It is larger than the old community building where there are activities for children including an after-school program. This is where the senior center began.
I’m sorry these were omitted.
Meriden Tibbets
Somersworth
Wiffed on Winchester
We in the southwest corner of N.H. often feel neglected, so I was pleased to see your “Road Trip” in the October issue. I was also pleased to see the nice picture of the Sheridan House, but the article only mentions the Swanzey Historical Museum. The Sheridan House is the Winchester Historical Society’s museum. It is located just across the covered bridge in Ashuelot. For anyone out touring on a Sunday afternoon it is well worth the stop.
Sheridan was a former mill owner in Ashuelot (which is a village of Winchester) and his home, a c.1870 Victorian cottage (!), has been restored to house a nice collection of Winchester memorabilia. Perhaps most notably it houses a Foster organ, built in Winchester between 1830 and 1850. It is the only known Foster organ known to remain. The museum also boasts a large collection of Albee Awards. These Victorian lady figurines are named after Persis Albee, the world’s first Avon lady who originated the direct sale method still used by Avon today.
Carol L. Poole
Curator, Sheridan House Museum
Wilder Slept There?
What a great article on Peterborough in the August 2008 issue of New Hampshire Magazine! We were thrilled to see so many of the stores, restaurants and other businesses mentioned. In fact, it seemed like the authors found a way to mention almost every retail establishment and restaurant in town. Lodging options, however, were not quite as complete.
We think your readers would be interested in knowing that there is another place to stay right in Peterborough. Little River Bed & Breakfast at 184 Union St. is just about one mile from Depot Square and the center of town. Our 1870’s farmhouse, fully renovated in 2006 and opened as a B&B in 2007, has connections to Thornton Wilder and the MacDowell Art Colony. Marian MacDowell purchased the home in 1910 to be used as the first male dormitory for MacDowell Colony artists. Later, in the 1930s, the house was operated by the Colony as the MacDowell Colony Inn.
Situated on Nubanusit Brook,we are in a uniquely natural setting, but still within walking distance of downtown.
Paula and Rob Fox, Innkeepers
Peterborough
A Load of Loveliness
I recently took the enclosed photograph (above), which I feel shows off not only the beauty of New Hampshire but also the ingenuity of its people.
My wife and I were out looking for pictures. We were in Hillsborough or Antrim on Rte. 202 and drove past this scene. I said, “Whoa, can you swing around?” She asked why but when she did she said, “Oh, now I see.”
Bob Onimus
Concord
Satisfied Surfers
I loved the article on New Hampshire surfers! Being the mother of a surfer and an aunt to wannabe surfers, I know all about the wonders of the winter swells. I would love to recognize another surf shop: Summers Session in Rye. Ryan and Tyler McGill own and operate the shop. They run the surf camp in Rye, women’s surf night (all ages) and give lessons.
Ryan is the most wonderful and fun instructor; my young niece and nephew come out of the water with wonderful stories and a great experience. Hope your readers will check them out.
Jane Sander
Rye
Black Cat Concern
I am writing to you on behalf of a co-op customer who is concerned about the use of black cats as a depiction of Halloween.
As the owner of a black cat that has been victimized by children at Halloween, he asked that we remove your magazine from our racks to help raise awareness about the harm that can come to an innocent animal by associating it with evil.
I explained to him that we would not remove the magazine for that reason, but that I would let you know about his concerns for consideration in the future.
Rosemary Fifield
Co-op Food Stores
Hanover and Lebanon
