Your Letters From the October 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.
NH Memories from Florida
The September issue is GREAT. Brought back lots of real good memories.
Farmers markets where you get real good veggies right out of the gardens — we do not get that down here where I live.
It’s nice to see the historic Canterbury Shaker Village with their recipes.
The foliage is starting, too. When the leaves change color it’s real beautiful to see.
We used to go to most of the fairs too.
Why do people have to mess up history? I hope New England and New Hampshire can say NO to Northern Pass. You need to keep it the way it is. It’s been there for a long time. I love New Hampshire Magazine and cannot wait until it comes in.
Nancy DeGrandmont
Cocoa, Florida
Another Fan of Van
Read your September issue’s very kind article [Editor’s Note] where you mentioned Van McLeod’s passing. Van was a true champion of the arts, sincere and respected by all.
I met Van when I served in the NH State Senate back in the ’80s. I always welcomed the many times we would discuss the several issues, in his calm and genuine way.
Always enjoy reading New Hampshire Magazine.
Bobby Stephen
Manchester
Disappearing Newts
I was so glad to receive the September issue of New Hampshire Magazine. I was even more excited to find the newts in this issue. I was very concerned with last month’s issue. I looked and looked and looked for those little creatures but couldn’t find one. I even had my granddaughter looking but she couldn’t find one either. I made an eye exam to make sure my eyes were okay. You know, getting to 66 can affect eyesight. Just kidding, I was scheduled for an eye exam already. They are just fine as of now, so I can keep spotting those newts for a while!
Thanks for another great issue. When I am done reading the magazine from beginning to end, I put these magazines in my daughter’s office. Clients love reading them. Hope you are getting some new subscribers.
Eva Schleigh
Salem
Editor’s Note: We got many notes from faithful newt spotters who were worried about their eyesight when the newts failed to appear in our August issue. Most were forgiving and kind. A few poked fun at us for blaming poor Cleo (our newest office dog) for the glitch.
Breaking Barriers
Thank you for your story on the stigma surrounding mental illness. Breaking this barrier is very difficult. As a student in the Master program for Clinical Mental Health Counseling, I have taken a great interest in the treatment of combat veterans and emergency responders. I know of no mental health facility that focuses on treating veterans north of the notch. It is my goal to establish a program where I go to the responder stations to provide services for these individuals regarding PTSD prevention and treatment.
I can only speak about my community area, which is northern Coös County. Most emergency responders are volunteers. They see extreme traumas and violence regularly. I asked one member of a local fire department who stated they do not have critical incident debriefings. Because of the stigma behind mental illness and mental health, most responders would not attend, or if they did, would not admit to any negative impact caused by the traumas.
It is my opinion that there is not enough education about mental health care or mental illness. Mental illness is viewed as something to be hidden and not talked about. More education can reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, which in turn would encourage more people to seek care who really need it, such as emergency responders.
Tammy Thivierge
Colebrook
The Rest of the Story
Anders Morley’s article on the Hutchinson family covers their childhood home. But their adult years weren’t included. In 1839, John, Jesse, Asa and Judson arrived in Lynn, Massachusetts — with Abby following in 1840. Jesse bought 5 and 1/2 acres on prime land on the highest point in Lynn. They built Daisy Cottage, Stone Cottage, an auditorium and an observatory — all still remain today. [The family] remained until the early 20th century, at which time they donated the land. In exchange, the city had to rebuild the observatory tower that had burned down during celebrations marking the end of the Civil War. The tower has a telescope strong enough to see the surface of the moon and great views of other [objects]. I believe the property was added to the federal list of historical sites.
[Editor’s Note: The above note came via a series of short text messages from a cell phone with no name given, but since it was relevant and uncontroversial, we chose to include it. The story on the Hutchinson family was very popular with readers and this remarkable band may finally be getting its due in other media as well. The new film “Shadows Fall North” that we review on page 30 contains some wonderful material on the Hutchinsons.]
Unfiltered: Feedback from Instagram
Instagram user nhlaker shared her photo of the Pittsfield New Hampshire Rotary Hot Air Balloon Rally. This “night glow” shot of rising hot air balloons at this annual August festival feels like a fitting goodbye to summer as we move into fall. As always, we love it when you share your photos with us! Tag @nhmagazine on Instagram or Twitter or find us on Facebook.
