Your Letters From the January 2017 Issue

Send letters to Editor Rick Broussard, New Hampshire Magazine, 150 Dow St. Manchester, NH 03101 or e-mail him at editor@nhmagazine.com.

Loving Beer
Excellent reading — first time that I picked up the magazine. Being someone who enjoys trying new beers, I thoroughly enjoyed “Quest for (Backroads) Beer” [October 2016]. I had no idea about those breweries. The other articles were just as enjoyable. Thank you!

Steve Szablak
Lowell, Massachusetts

New Trial
I have no idea as to Pam Smart’s guilt or innocence, but I am convinced that her trial was grossly unfair and very prejudicial. I watched every minute of it and could not believe my eyes and ears as to how the courtroom was managed. Her case deserves a full and impartial review as soon as possible.

Jean Hayden Anderson
Manchester

Exceeding Expectations
I’m accustomed to gorgeous photography in New Hampshire Magazine, but the lovely photo of Edra Toth really exceeded expectations [“In Their Own Words,” December 2016]. Thank you and thanks to photographer David Mendelsohn for portraying the New Hampshire performing arts scene in such a dignified and elegant way.

Lynne Sabean
Marketing Manager
Capitol Center for the Arts, Concord

Good Questions
I just finished reading the Pam Smart story [“Innocent?” November, 2016]. Thank you for a very interesting view of the case. The questions raised by Mr. Woody Woodland at the end of his piece are very good questions. If Pamela is the manipulative, calculating person that she is purported to be, wouldn’t she continue to hold to her story of innocence despite the chance of a reduced sentence just to be able to say she got away with murder? Just a thought.

On a different note, I was wondering if your magazine was planning on doing a story about the election results and how this election process has divided our country. A discussion on how the electoral college works would make for interesting reading. 

Finally, just a question regarding the Log Cabin maple syrup shown on page 23 in the section titled “Surprising Santa” [“Food & Drink,” December 2016]. If this syrup is from New Hampshire, why is the writing on the log cabin container written in French? As always, thanks for a great magazine. 

Tammy Thivierge
Colebrook

Editor’s Note: Not sure why they chose to use French on the maple syrup tin, but French Canadian is the Granite State’s official ethnicity, so it could be that. Why do you think the highway department puts “Bienvenue” on our welcome signs?

Age Doesn’t Matter
“Communal Housing” [“Seniority,” October 2016] nicely describes the benefits for older people of living in co-housing.

However, I found the box on tips for sharing housing to be somewhat off the mark. I am the author of “Sharing Housing, A Guidebook for Finding and Keeping Good Housemates” and maintain the website sharinghousing.com.

For older adults considering such a move, taking substantial care in selecting a compatible home-mate is essential. What makes two people compatible is how they live at home, not (for instance) whether they both like to play bridge. I don’t accept that people of different age groups can’t live together — in fact, I’m preparing a blog post of two home-mates with 35 years between them. It all depends on the people involved.

I also offer classes and have done several presentations in New Hampshire, most recently at the Successful Aging Summit in Concord.

Sharing housing is an excellent option for single retirees. The cost savings are obvious. We are coming to understand that social connection is critical for physical and emotional health. The daily interaction with someone you like and respect can make all the difference in the world.

Annamarie Pluhar
Dummerston, Vermont

Thanks for the Mention
I am writing as chair of the board of directors of Granite State Independent Living to thank you for featuring the story of our CEO, Clyde Terry, in your September issue as the first blind person to pilot the driverless car in Washington, DC [“Blips,” September 2016]. This technology will change the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities and will eliminate some of the social isolation persons with disabilities experience every day, and it will open doors to greater opportunity. For New Hampshire employers, this will broaden the pool of potential applicants to those who currently can’t get there because of a lack of transportation.

At GSIL, we work every day to improve the lives of thousands, and our advocacy for this technology is in keeping with our vision and mission.

I hope New Hampshire Magazine will follow the ongoing developments in this field and its benefits to all Granite State residents.

Lorna D. Greer
Whitefield

Editor’s note: Reader Greg Harriman of Belmont is a writer and a poet to boot. He asked if we would be interested in running one of his verses with a seasonal theme, and we said to send it in for consideration. We consider it perfect. His rhymes about where to find color amidst the winter freeze is short and sweet, but quite vivid. Enjoy.

Winterberry

Into icy swamps I slog,
seeking treasure in frigid bogs.
Crimson dots on pristine snow;
armloads gathered, home I go
to festoon wreath, box and pail,
or stuff an old boot on a rusty nail.
No man-made garnish can compete,
be it casual or fussy neat,
with what’s provided at no cost
out in the wind and killing frost.
Winterberries, plump and red.
The eye is dazzled.
The soul is fed …

An Instagram #TBT

Missing the holiday season already? Here’s a little reminder. J.E. VanDerKern  (@bluemoonjay) shared this photo of a tree farm in Fitzwilliam with us back in December. Follow us or share your photos on Instagram at @nhmagazine.