Your Letters From the April 2016 Issue
Send letters to Editor Rick Broussard, New Hampshire Magazine, 150 Dow St. Manchester, NH 03101 or e-mail him at editor@nhmagazine.com.
Plus and Minus
There I was, standing in line at a Market Basket, when I looked over and a picture of a dog was staring at me from the magazine rack. “Rescue Me” was the title that grabbed my attention. I had to pick it up. I’m a rescuer and I needed to know what the public was being told about rescue pups. I bought the magazine and brought it home. (Glancing over it was enough to convince me I needed to indulge deeper and I was running out of time at the cash register.) Now, I am absolutely in love with this article. It answers so many questions people ask me about rescue and gives rescue a positive vibe!
I must say though, I was a little disappointed when I got to the Pet Adoption Directory and Mary’s Dogs Rescue and Adoption was not on the list. We get most of our rescue dogs from southern rescue partners that practically beg us to take their dogs because they are running out of room. We get the pups on a transport vehicle and follow state regulations by quarantining these dogs for over 48 hours. A lot of our dogs are adopted before they even get to New Hampshire (thanks to our adoptions team!), so an adoption day follows shortly behind our exam day. There is so much that goes into this process. I work here and it still amazes me!
I just wanted to thank everyone involved in this article for putting that positive spin on rescue. I hope next time an article like this comes along, Mary’s Dogs Rescue makes the cut.
Krystie Rudolph
Medical Coordinator
Mary’s Dogs Rescue and Adoption
Think of Thayer
We saw the letter to the editor in your February edition asking you to do an article about New Hampshire’s historic public libraries, and we would like to be included.
The Thayer Public Library, in Ashuelot, right across 119 from NH Covered Bridge #1, is housed in the family homestead of Julia B. Thayer. The circa 1820 Greek Revival-style home became a library after Julia Ball Thayer’s death in 1905. She wanted to provide the residents of the little village of Ashuelot a “forever free public library, reading room and assembly room.” Two of the first resident librarians were Julia’s sisters Bertha Ball and Mary (Minnie) Ball who was the librarian until her death in 1936. We found Mary’s standard English dictionary in which she noted that she bought it in 1895 for the sum of $12.95. That’s $338 in today’s money.
Today the library is enjoying a revitalization after a long dormancy. Our mostly volunteer staff (we do have one paid, part-time librarian) has rediscovered many old and wonderful books in the existing collection, many of which have printing and historical significance. Our collection of New England-themed historical fiction and other topics by New England authors continues to develop through donations from the NH State Library. Several years ago, we received a Moose Plate Grant to restore the original tin ceiling in the main part of the library.
Through our partnership with the Winchester Historical Society’s Sheridan House (across the covered bridge from the library), we are helping Ashuelot remember that it was once a vibrant mill community. The Ashuelot River is free of ice 10 months out of the year, and between this and the drop in elevation from above Keene all the way down to the Connecticut River, this valley was extremely attractive to water-driven factories and mills. This is what brought Julia B. Thayer’s husband, Edward C. Thayer, from the Worcester area, who invested in different mills and in the resultant railroad. He, Julia’s family, and many other owners and businesses made this area an industrial center that generated wealth for the city of Keene.
We invite all visitors to stop in when they come to visit the Ashuelot Covered Bridge. We’re open Tuesday and Thursday 3 p.m.-7 p.m. and on Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Jennifer Marie Bellan
Thayer Library Director/Librarian
Look Me Up
I love NH Magazine! And if you are looking to do any stories about hookers, then feel free to look me up. Rug hookers, that is. I have a studio/shop in Loudon featuring all things hooky that I moved to last year from my home studio and am, as most small businesses do, working very hard to get people to notice me. There’s more to Loudon than a loud race track!
Pam Bartlett
The Woolen Pear & Red Horse Rugs
Loudon
Cover Praise
Love the cover of the February issue of New Hampshire Magazine. I have a cat, who I brought home a few months ago. My Frank is almost 8 years old and has really made himself quite at home here.
Mary Franklin
Cromwell, Conn.
Comments From the Web
In response to photographer Matthew Lomanno’s portrait series, “Recovering” from the March issue, which featured several brave Granite Staters who shared their stories of addiction and recovery. You can see it online at www.nhmagazine.com/recovering.
Wonderfully done, Matthew. So proud of you and these brave souls that shared their faces.
Jo Ann Rubenson
In response to Lynne Snierson’s February cover story “Rescue Mission” about animal rescue and adoption in New Hampshire.
Wonderful story, Lynne Snierson, and great photos! I’ve been a fan of Kaylee’s work for several years now and love her blog posts. Gifted person, huge heart. I’m happily owned by two dogs and can’t imagine life without them. Thank you for reminding people that there are many deserving animals eager to share heart and home.
Lori Ferguson
Editor’s Note: The story included a sidebar on professional dog photographer Kaylee Greer along with some of her photos, one of which you can see on the cover that month. Learn more at dogbreathphoto.com.
