July 15 - New owners expect fall reopening of Peter Christian's Tavern

More at The Concord Monitor.

(I almost forgot.)

July 14 - Peter Christian's Tavern sold today

Ben Leubsdorf of the Concord Monitor reports that Peter Christian's Tavern sold at auction this afternoon for $465,000. The auction was at the New London premises and presumably included the seven apartments and two commercial units in the building, restaurant equipment, inventory and use of the name "Peter Christian's Tavern". Full details are expected in tomorrow's Concord Monitor.

"Canterbury Morris Dancers & Two Fiddles" perform at Newbury's Old Home Day, yesterday.

Despite dire predictions of thunderstorms all day, only a few sprinkles dotted the Newbury landscape as hundreds of visitors of all ages enjoyed a day full of Old Home Day activities yesterday.

More at Sunacom.

July 8 - Area towns among 17 to share $6.8 million

NH Dept. of Transportation announced today that New London (Elkins Village - $638,672), Bradford ($516,220) and Lebanon ($433,766) were among 17 communities awarded funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Towns will pay "at least 20%" of their projects' costs. Funding begins Oct. 1, and will spread over the next three years. A total of 54 applications were reviewed.

July 7 - Newbury opens "cooling station" for heat relief

Newbury Emergency Management used the Code Red phone call system today to inform residents that the air conditioned Town Office is open until 4 PM "for anyone needing relief from the extreme heat." Call 211 for information on other cooling stations.

This is from New London Town Administrator, Jessie Levine, but is appropriate for all area residents: "Early this afternoon, the NLPD received a call from a male with a foreign accent saying that he was from the Health and Human Services Government Grant Office and that the person being called was selected to receive a $7,000 grant from the government. The caller stated that the money would never have to be repaid. We are concerned that people in town may receive this same scam call and wanted you to be aware."

Update - Editor's note: In most scams like this the caller waits until the recipient seems interested before stating that a "processing fee" is required before the "grant" is released. 

More at The Union Leader.

Reporter Bob Sanders writes on NHBR.com today that the New Hampshire Public Utility Commission approved a 5.4 percent rate increase for PSNH, and it starts tomorrow. According to PSNH, the average residential customer will pay $4.72 more each month. 

Although the company’s cost to produce electricity has gone down, the regional transmission costs, which are beyond the control of PSNH and the PUC, have gone up 15 percent.

More at NHBR.com.

June 23 - Traffic plans for early NASCAR race at Speedway

This Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Race at NH Motor Speedway in Loudon starts at 1 PM, an hour earlier than previous years. NHDOT estimates almost 38,000 vehicles will be on the road, with maximum traffic congestion expected in the late afternoon and early evening.

More - Complete traffic control plans involving Route 106, I-393 and I-93.

June 22 - Main Street in Enfield closes this Thursday

NHDOT announced this afternoon that the Shaker Bridge area of Main Street, in Enfield, will be closed June 24 to allow connection of the new sewer force main being constructed under Mascoma Lake. Work is scheduled for 8 AM to 4 PM. The closure will extend from Route 4A to Bridge Street on the north shore of Mascoma Lake.  

The force main is being relocated from Shaker Bridge to prevent disruption of Enfield’s sewer service during replacement of Shaker Bridge over Mascoma Lake scheduled for next year.

In her recent newsletter, New London Town Manager Jessie Levine wrote that there will be a CodeRED emergency phone system test Thursday, June 24 at 11 AM to all phone numbers in the five-town database. Last Memorial Day, Newbury Fire Department issued a CodeRED informational phone call to area residents about smoke from Quebec's forest fires. If you live in Newbury, New London, Sunapee, Sutton, Springfield or Wilmot and did not receive the call, probably you're not in the database. You can complete the short sign-up form online, or call your town office.

Levine stated, "If your contact information is not in the database, you will not receive a call when an urgent message is sent. Even if you have an unlisted phone number, you can safely register your phone number in the CodeRED database; the information will not be sold nor will it be used for any purpose other than emergency contact from the town."

June 14 - Today is Flag Day

"The Stars and Stripes originated as a result of a resolution adopted by the Marine Committee of the Second Continental Congress at Philadelphia on June 14, 1777. The resolution read:

"Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation."

"The resolution gave no instruction as to how many points the stars should have, nor how the stars should be arranged on the blue union. Consequently, some flags had stars scattered on the blue field without any specific design, some arranged the stars in rows, and some in a circle. The first Navy Stars and Stripes had the stars arranged in staggered formation in alternate rows of threes and twos on a blue field. Other Stars and Stripes flags had stars arranged in alternate rows of four, five and four. Some stars had six points while others had eight."

More about the US flag.

June 10 - Mount Sunapee Advisory Committee meets next Tuesday

NH Division of Parks and Recreation announced this afternoon that the Mount Sunapee Advisory Committee will meet next Tuesday, June 15, 9:30 am at the Newbury Town Office.

June 8 - Colby-Sawyer president to testify on BP oil spill today

Jeff Feingold writes in NH Business Review that Colby-Sawyer College president and expert in maritime law, Thomas Galligan, will testify today before the US Senate Judiciary Committee about legal ramification of the BP oil spill. Galligan was a law professor at Louisiana State University.

June 5 - Hazardous weather watch for our area tonight?

Updated 10:50 pm... not a cloud in sight and the stars are spectacular. Hard to imagine NOAA's prediction late this afternoon, below.

For tonight, NOAA predicts "showers and thunderstorms. Some storms could be severe, with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain. Patchy fog. Low around 58. West wind between 6 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms."

"Sunday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Patchy fog. High near 67. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible."

More at Sunacom

Beginning in 1993, National Trails Day has grown to include more than 1,000 events throughout the US. (NH events) “New Hampshire has thousands of miles of trails and National Trails Day is a great excuse to get out and enjoy them,” said Chris Gamache, Bureau of Trails Chief.

Starting today, NH Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is issuing free fruit and vegetables coupons to food supplement participants, redeemable at farmers’ markets in the state through October. Children enrolled in the program can get coupons worth $12 per month, and households with qualifying seniors (60 and older) $18 per month.

Funded by the US Dept. of Agriculture, the goal is to provide fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables for food supplement participants, and to expand availability and use of farmers’ markets.

Recipients will receive free recipes and preparation tips on how to cook fresh fruits and vegetables, and a schedule of when specific fruits and vegetables are available.

Here is a list of farmers’ markets in New Hampshire.

Conditions are expected to improve late this afternoon if the wind direction shifts as forecasted. 

For NH air quality forecasts and current air pollution levels, call 1-800-935-SMOG.

Current air quality maps, forecasts and more here.

May 26 - College honors New London restaurateur Jerod Rockwell

We learned today that restaurateur Jerod Rockwell was presented with the Town Award by Colby-Sawyer College at commencement ceremonies May 8.

As a child, Jerod moved here from California with his family in 1986, graduating from Kearsarge High School in 1999. While a teenager, he met his wife-to-be, Jennifer, "bagging groceries at Cricenti's Market". After high school, he realized that food was his passion, and soon he was off to The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Colorado. Jerod returned to New England with his degree in hand and years of experience at one of Colorado's top five restaurants. He worked with Chef Rob Newton at Simon Pearce Restaurant, in Quechee, VT, then Traditions Restaurant at Lake Sunapee Country Club, and finally as Executive Chef at the New London Inn. In September, 2007, he bought the restaurant from Inn owner, Bridget LeRoy.

More at Rockwell's at the Inn

May 23 - Cunningham releases alleged secret agreement

Calling it "about as dirty as it gets" in his Sunacom column today, Representative Steven Cunningham released a copy of the "backroom" agreement that "...rendered needless the representative form of government in New Hampshire." "The entire deal was kept from most of us until after the key vote."

More, including a copy of the agreement.

NHDOT wants your feedback to help redesign and improve the 511 System that now provides current road conditions on the Web and by phone. Please take the short survey here.

Now you can call 511 from any phone and cell phone, Web enabled or not. Most cell phone carriers have activated 511, but if yours has not, or if you're out of state, call toll-free 1-866-282-7579. You can access even more information online at 511nh.com.

The FCC designated 511 for national traveler information, and NH was one of the first states to build the infrastructure and implement the service. Other participants are Vermont, Maine, Alaska, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota and New Mexico. The service is free. Cell phone users pay their normal airtime and roaming charges according to their service contracts.

The NHDOT announced today that instant traffic alerts are up and running for I-89 and I-95, and will be extended to the Everett and Spaulding Turnpikes on May 15. Alerts have been available for I-93 since February. Get updates online and by cell phone with Twitter. 

The Spaulding Turnpike page will cover from the Portsmouth Traffic Circle to Exit 18, and the Everett Turnpike page will cover the Everett Turnpike from the Mass border in Nashua to Manchester.

You do not need a Twitter account to view online.

Apr. 29 - Grantham-Plainfield boundary marker found

Last Friday, Grantham Perambulation Team leader, Andy Eastman, discovered the Grantham-Plainfield boundary marker that had been lost for 63 years. Writing in Lorie McClorey's column today, team member Dick Hocker describes the hunt and discovery of the elusive marker that had not been seen since the 1953 Grantham Mountain fire.

More at Lorie's column.

Apr. 17 - Ticks are here

A few weeks ago, with snow still on the ground, I was shocked that the tickle on my neck was a tick looking for a snack. This morning another one was on me, and I haven't been out of the house in two days! It used to be just a nuisance, but New Hampshire has one of the highest numbers of Lyme Disease cases in the nation, and a tick bite could be a life-altering threat. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, Lyme Disease symptoms are:

• Rash. A small, red bump may appear within a few days to a month, often at the site of the tick bite — often in your groin, belt area or behind your knee. It may be warm to the touch and mildly tender. Over the next few days, the redness expands, forming a rash that may be as small as your fingertip or as large as 12 inches (30 centimeters) across. It often resembles a bull's-eye, with a red ring surrounding a clear area and a red center [photo]. The rash, called erythema migrans, is one of the hallmarks of Lyme disease, affecting about 70 percent to 80 percent of infected people. If you're allergic to tick saliva, redness may develop at the site of a tick bite. The redness usually fades within a week. This is not the same as erythema migrans, which tends to expand and get redder over time.
• Flu-like symptoms. A fever, chills, fatigue, body aches and a headache may accompany the rash.
• Migratory joint pain. If the infection is not treated, you may develop bouts of severe joint pain and swelling several weeks to months after you're infected. Your knees are especially likely to be affected, but the pain can shift from one joint to another.
• Neurological problems. In some cases, inflammation of the membranes surrounding your brain (meningitis), temporary paralysis of one side of your face (Bell's palsy), numbness or weakness in your limbs, and impaired muscle movement may occur weeks, months or even years after an untreated infection. Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and changes in mood or sleep habits also can be symptoms of late-stage Lyme disease.
• Less common signs and symptoms. Some people may experience heart problems — such as an irregular heartbeat — several weeks after infection, but this rarely lasts more than a few days or weeks. Eye inflammation, hepatitis and severe fatigue are possible as well.

Long-term antibiotics treatment often will not be effective against fully developed disease, but if detected early it will easily cure the vast majority of cases. However, the federal Centers for Disease Control and the Infectious Disease Society of America say that there is no such thing as chronic Lyme disease, and they, and the state Division of Public Health Services, disapprove of long-term antibiotic treatment. According to the Concord Monitor, "The official stance of the medical establishment is that people who believe they have chronic Lyme disease have something, but not Lyme." 

In New Hampshire, some physicians have been violating treatment guidelines, but last February, the New Hampshire House took the first step toward relieving physicians from disciplinary action. They passed HB 1326, permitting physicians to use long-term antibiotics for the treatment of Lyme disease. As of today, the Senate status is still "in committee". 

More at the American Lyme Disease Foundation.

More at UNH.

More at the Concord Monitor.

NH-DHHS reported today that the unidentified woman who contracted anthrax at a UNH drumming session, four months ago, has been released from the hospital to continue recovery at home.

More at the Concord Monitor

Mar. 30 - Bank lien may force Peter Christian's Tavern auction

More at the Concord Monitor.

Mar. 26 - Missing some money? Maybe the state has it. 

With taxes due in a couple of weeks, wouldn't it be nice to discover a missing check right about now? If the state has "borrowed" it, they won't tell you unless you ask.

According to the Concord Monitor, every year New Hampshire returns to its rightful owners about $3.7 million in unclaimed stock dividends, insurance payments, utility deposits and other money. Last year, one person received $178,700!

Now there's a lawsuit in Merrimack County Superior Court that alleges the state is doing too little to find the owners. According to the State Treasury Department's 2009 annual report, $44 million in unclaimed money has been added to the state's General Fund over the past 10 years. "The state's incentive is great", said Charles Douglas, one of the attorneys who has brought the case.

Do you have some lost money?

Mar. 25 - Tourist industry could be crippled by new health care regs

John DiStaso wrote in the Union Leader, this morning, "The state’s seasonal tourism industry is only now beginning to realize that it could get hammered by the new health care reform law."

The new law fines businesses $2,000 for each full-time employee who works more than 120 days a year and is not covered by health insurance. 

I asked officials at Pat's Peak and Mount Sunapee for their perspectives. Lori Rowell, Director of Marketing and Sales at Pat's Peak responded: 

"We agree that this new health care reform in the current form will pose a problem for our industry.

"Kris Blomback, the general manager states, “I have had the opportunity to interface with well meaning government regulations for the last 20 plus years in my current capacity. It has been my experience the “law of unintended consequences” takes place very quickly when legislation is drafted quickly and not completely thought through. I am not good at digesting a law bill that is in excess of 2,700 pages. What I do know is that two pillars of the overall NH economy are recreation and tourism and they have very difficult variables to manage including weather, insurance costs, energy prices, to name just a few. I cannot speak for others but 15 years ago at Pats Peak we had a year round full time staff of approximately 10 employees fully benefited. Now as we have grown and expanded we are close to 20 employees with benefits. That was done because of economic growth not regulation.”

 

Mar. 25 - Expect company if you don't return your census form

According to the Better Business Bureau, about $85 million in taxpayer dollars is saved for every one percent increase in mail response. If that doesn't convince you to mail it in, expect a visit from a field representative beginning in April. Here are some tips to help assure they're legitimate: 

• ID badge will display their photograph, Dept. of Commerce watermark, and expiration date.
• If asked, they will provide supervisor contact information and/or the Regional Office phone number for verification.
• They will provide a letter from the Census Bureau Director on official letterhead.
• They may be carrying a laptop and/or bag with a Census Bureau logo.
  
  Field representatives will never ask for a social security number, bank account, or credit card number. They never solicit donations and will not contact you by e-mail.

Mar. 24 - Gaming Commission seeks public input

The NH Gaming Study Commission will hold hearings April 6 to take public input about expanded gaming proposals. The Commission is examining the potential for gaming to generate state revenue and its possible social, economic and public safety issues. The final report is expected by the end of May.

Hearings will be from 6 to 8 pm at two locations:

Both facilities have capacity limits, so people who want to provide input are advised to arrive early, and plan remarks to take no more than three minutes.

Mar. 17 - Four-month Andover detour begins Monday

NH Dept. of Transportation (NHDOT) announced today that on Mar. 22 they will begin removing the Route 11 bridge that had spanned Route 4 and the rail trail. A half-mile detour route will be in place for approximately four months and will include Potters Road, Cilleyville Road, Depot Street and the ramp to Routes 11 and 4. "This project involves the removal of a Red List Bridge and a reconfiguration of the road to an at-grade intersection, and the construction of a bridge to span the rail trail."

Grantham School District Election

Board: Walla 360, Schaefer 173

Moderator: unopposed Hanson 502

Treasurer: unopposed Rea 472

Clerk: unopposed Small 477

Town ballot

Selectman: unopposed Jones 479

Planning Board:  not reported

Clerk/Tax Collector:  Eigenbrode 363, Laurie 155

Trust Funds Trustee 3yr: unopposed Mcintire 426

Trust Funds Trustee 2yr: unopposed Lewis 455

Trust Funds Trustee 1yr:  write-in Jessica Smith 32

Library Trustee 3yr: unopposed Clark 318, Gobin 427

Library Trustee 2yr: unopposed Comeau-Kronenwetter 455

Moderator: unopposed Smith 469

Mar. 11 (Mar. 12 update) - Results of Newbury warrant articles voting

2. Passed as written $3,205,990 for general operations.

3. Passed as written $169,000 for capital reserve funds.

4. Passed as written $40,000 for existing RSA 31:19-a maintenance expendable trust funds.

5. Postponed until plans can be considered at next Town Meeting. $125,000 to renovate the Vets Hall.

6. Passed as written $40,750 for new chipper with $37,250 from highway equipment Capital Reserve Fund and $3,500 old chipper trade-in.

7. Passed as written $26,350 for new fire pump and fire boat modifications.

8. Passed as written $210,000 for new Mini-Pumper for Fire Dept. with $160,000 from FD Capital Reserve fund and $50,000 from taxation.

9. Passed by ballot vote 84 to 70. $100,000 for Center Meeting House restoration.

10. Passed as written $12,000 for Old Home Day fireworks, with $10,000 donation offset. Update Mar. 12: $12,000 donation received, covering total cost.

11. Passed as written $1,900 for Cemetery Maintenance Trust Fund by $1,900 transfer from undesignated fund balance.

12. Passed as written Adopt provisions for optional property tax exemption for solar, wind or wood heating systems.

13. Passed as written Accept all of Chapin Way in Angel Hawk subdivision. (By Petition).

14. Failed Accept Winter Lane. (By Petition)

15. Postponed indefinitely Approve resolution to vote on state Constitution that defines "marriage". (By Petition).

Mar. 11 - Bradford election results (Thanks to Sasha Wolfe)

Moderator: unopposed Steiner, 402

Selectman: Stumph 10, Wheeler 195, Wright 215, Meany 38

Supervisor of Checklist: unopposed Marden 423

Trustee of Trust Funds: unopposed Kittredge 421

Trustee, Brown Memorial Library: unopposed Jordan 371, MacLeod 384

Scholarship Committee: write-in Nancy McEachern 7

Budget Committee 3 yrs: Cilley 232, Marlene Freyler 149, Jackson 215, Lucas 179

Budget Committee 2 yrs: unopposed Rodd 362

Planning Board: unopposed Keller 349, write-in Delbert Harris 33

Zoning Board: unopposed Glennie 337, McCandlish 361

Cemetery Commission: unopposed Rodd 411

More at the Concord Monitor

Mar. 10 - Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday

Next Saturday night / Sunday morning, when the Lake Sunapee area  is about to reach 2:00:00 AM, Eastern Standard Time, Sunday, March 14, 2010, advance your clocks forward 1 hour to 3:00:00 AM Eastern Daylight Saving Time.

Mar. 10 - Newbury ballot results

Newbury, NH voters registered their choices in yesterday's balloting. Voting on warrant articles will be today at 7 pm, at the Mount Sunapee Resort lodge.

Selectman: LaFrance 34, Matte 126, Wright 159

Moderator: unopposed Marashio 309

Trust Funds Trustee unopposed Johnson 307

Library Trustee unopposed Tentarelli 298

Cemetery Trustee unopposed Riley 294

Planning Board Ashworth 169, Vanatta 188, Williams 161

Zoning Board unopposed Holmes 273, Seidel 230

School Board Questions

#1 -  $2,936,573 bldg. energy conservation     Yes (63%)

#2 - Budget A=$36,478,189  B=$36,389,789    B (13%)

#3 - Salary & benefits increases       Yes (16%)

#4 - $25,000 Special ed. trust fund     Yes (30%)

#5 - $50,000 building maintenance fund     Yes  (38%)

#6 - $72,000 Sutton Resource Officer     No  (11%)

 

 

Mar. 5 - DES urges well water checkups

Most Lake Sunapee residents depend on private well water. According to the Dept. of Environmental Services (DES), 20 percent of private well water in the state has unhealthy levels of naturally occurring arsenic, and an even higher number of wells have elevated concentrations of radon. "Wells that have not been properly maintained may produce water contaminated with bacteria and other contaminants. Well owners often don’t have the right kinds of tests done or do not use accredited laboratories." 

DES is encouraging residents to inspect their wells and test the water during National Ground Water Awareness Week, March 7 to 13.

DES’s well inspecting and testing recommendations.

Feb. 27 - Food safety during and after power failures

• Never taste food to determine if it is safe
• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain temperature. The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about four hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) and the door remains closed.
• Food can be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40°F or below.
• If possible, block or dry ice will help keep your refrigerator and freezer cold if power is out for an extended time.
• Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers, and deli items after four hours without power.

Feb. 22- Weather working wonders for local ski venues

"Bruce McCloy, director of marketing and sales at Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, said business has been fabulous, with more first-time visitors than ever. He said right now, 26 percent of business at Mount Sunapee is new business. Last year it was 21 percent, and "that's a good sign."

Lori Rowell of Pat's Peak in Henniker said that they are on track for a record-breaking season. She said, "With warmer temps, sunshine and maybe some fresh snow (this coming week), we are ready to go and looking forward to another great week."

More at the Union Leader

Feb. 17 - New London landmark restaurant closes

After 35 years in business, Peter Christian's Tavern served its last meal last Thursday. According to the Concord Monitor, Russ McDonough, who bought the restaurant in 2004, was unable to maintain his active management as a result of injuries he sustained in a car accident Dec. 16.

McDonough's attorney, Michelle Kainen, said that the tavern is current on all its payments, hasn't defaulted on its debts and isn't yet subject to foreclosure. "It would have eventually reached a point where he would not have been able to meet his current ongoing obligations," including loan payments and payroll, Kainen said. "Rather than have it reach that point, it seemed reasonable to just shut it down."

Kainen said that according to the state police, McDonough was driving on I-89 in Sutton when his car drifted off the road and hit a guardrail and several trees. The accident left McDonough "seriously injured", and was the "crowning blow" to ongoing difficulties.

More at the Concord Monitor

NH Dept. of Transportation (NHDOT) announced today that it has begun providing travelers with real-time traffic and road conditions by sending text messages directly to phones or by email. 

The first NHDOT Twitter home page (http://twitter.com/nhdoti93) is strictly for Interstate 93. The announcement stated that other interstates, turnpikes and routes will be added in the near future. To begin receiving real time I-93 traffic alerts, sign up for a free personal Twitter account, and then follow the group ‘NHDOTI93’.

UPDATE Jan. 22, 12:50 pm  Final version of the "Ten-Year Strategic Development and Capital Improvement Plan" is available at http://nhstateparks.org/planning-development/development-plan.aspx.

Friends of Mount Sunapee (FOMS) will hold a public forum about several bills that directly impact our local state parks. Senator Bob Odell, Representative Ricia McMahon and Representative Sue Gottling will discuss major policy changes proposed for this year. The Jan. 25 forum begins at 7 pm at Sunapee Methodist Church, 17 Lower Main St., in Sunapee.

Some of the bills up for discussion are: 

SB0375 clarifies that "the general court does not intend or expect that individual state parks or their facilities, or the state park system as a whole shall be self-funding or financially self-supporting."

SB0313 extends the existence of the State Parks Advisory Council.

HB1378 establishes an adopt-a-state park program.

HB1421 establishes regional advisory councils in the state park system.

Defeating Democrat and former state Representative Arthur Jillete in yesterday's special election by nearly a two-to-one margin, Croydon resident Steve Cunningham now represents Sullivan County District 2 in the NH House.  

Cunningham received 616 votes to Jillette's 314. District 2 includes Croydon, Goshen, Newport, Springfield and Washington.

More, including vote tally by town, at the Union Leader.