Thursday, November 30, 2006

Quartz - New Hampshire


Quartz - New Hampshire (4), originally uploaded by adamantine.

A cluster of quartz crystals from Westmoreland, New Hampshire. This view is 15 mm across.


After '08 announcement, Vilsack makes beeline to N.H.

By Holly Ramer, Associated Press Writer | November 30, 2006

CONCORD, N.H. --Facing the first Democrat to formally enter the race for president in 2008, New Hampshire voters got right down to business Thursday, pressing Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack on a range of domestic and foreign issues.

When Vilsack was introduced at a dinner organized by Merrimack County Democrats, Beth Campbell was dismayed to hear a reduction in state workers was included among Vilsack's other accomplishments.

"As a state employee in the state of New Hampshire, I'd like to know why that's a good thing?" she asked him as soon as he opened the floor to questions.

Vilsack explained that the reductions came through early retirements, not layoffs, and were part of an efficiency plan that resulted in higher salaries for the remaining workers.

"Which was the choice state workers made," he said. "It wasn't a good thing or a bad thing, but a reflection of dealing with difficult fiscal times. You have to make tough decisions, and I think what you want in people you elect to government is the ability to make tough decisions."

That satisfied Campbell, who works for the Department of Employment Security.

"I was all set to be angry with him, because I'm a union member, but he did very well," said Campbell, who is shopping around for a candidate to back since her first choice, Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin, "dumped" her by deciding not to run.

Vilsack, who is finishing his second term, announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination earlier in his hometown of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Though political analysts say a Midwestern governor running as an outsider may appeal to voters unhappy with corruption and partisan bickering in Washington, Vilsack has a low profile outside Iowa and even he acknowledges his candidacy is a long shot. In the most recent New Hampshire poll, taken in late September, he wasn't included among the possible Democratic candidates.

Vilsack he said he plans an aggressive national campaign that will focus on encouraging ordinary people to get involved in changing the country.

"I believe very strongly that the solutions to America's problems are on Main Street, not K Street, so I'm looking forward to campaigning in a place like New Hampshire where I'll have an opportunity to listen," he said in an interview before the dinner. "This isn't just about me, it's about people talking to me and encouraging them to participate in the process."

Few in the audience needed encouragement, however. One questioner began a lengthy question about what Vilsack would do to address the problem of global warming, then ended by linking the issue to campaign finance reform.

"So I want you to talk about that, too," he said.

"Do we have breakfast coming?" Vilsack joked before returning to what he called the fundamental issue of his campaign: weaning the nation off foreign oil and promoting alternative energy.

"I'm not sure it's dependent on campaign finance reform," he said. "But it really is the issue that allows us to say the solutions to America's problems are right here."

Vilsack was less direct when asked how he would respond if New Hampshire moves its presidential primary ahead of the Iowa caucus. Traditionally the Iowa caucuses have opened the nominating season, followed by the New Hampshire primary eight days later, but the Democratic National Committee has approved a Nevada caucus in between. New Hampshire has not set its 2008 date, and there has been some speculation that the state may move its contest ahead of all other states to comply with state law.

Vilsack praised the voters of both states for preparing candidates not just for vigorous campaigns but for governing.

"I think it's important for Iowa and New Hampshire to maintain their status as first-in-the-nation caucus and first-in-the-nation primary," he said. "I hope whatever the calendar ends up being, Iowa and New Hampshire are preserved as first in the nation."

Even if New Hampshire's "first" came first?

"I understand that there is the power of the Secretary of State to make those decisions ... but we will work through that," Vilsack said. "The whole point of this exercise is to make sure we have a vigorous debate that involves retail politics at its most grass-roots level."

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Stark Fort


Stark fort, originally uploaded by Ed Karjala.

Part of the remains of the now aptly named Fort Stark in Newcastle, NH as seen from Odiorne Point State Park.


Group works to return historic monument to seaside site

By Karen Dandurant

RYE -- Nestled in the middle of the woods in what may be the oldest family burial plot in New Hampshire sits a monument that is not a gravestone marker.

Surrounded by Odiorne family graves with markings from the 1800s -- and many that are obviously much, much older -- the Founders Monument doesn't really belong in a graveyard.

Most people probably do not even know it's there.

It was originally placed overlooking the ocean at Odiorne Point in 1899 by the National Society of the Colonial Dames in New Hampshire to commemorate the landing of the first Pilgrim settlers in New Hampshire in 1623, like Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts.

It was located at the end of Columbus Road at Odiorne Point State Park. The road is now only a fragment, but the bluff where it stood remains.

To this day, members of the N.H. Colonial Dames maintain the monument and the graveyard.

It is the mission of the Colonial Dames to preserve artifacts, records and all aspects of Colonial times. Each member can trace family lineage to that time period and is a direct descendent of the state's founders.

There are two schools of thought on why the monument was moved to the graveyard; now there is a group trying to get it moved back to its original location.

Rye resident Tom Pearson, who is helping the cause by doing historical research, said he believes the monument was moved around 1955 because of cliff erosion.

"It looks kind of forlorn where it is now," said Pearson. "I think it was intended to be returned when the cliffs were repaired, but was then forgotten."

Wendy Lull, director of the Seacoast Science Center at Odiorne Point State Park, said some believe it was moved during World War I because residents thought it might be stolen.

"(Pearson) is a really interesting guy who has done an outstanding job of doing the legwork to find where that was originally sited," said Lull. "I think that it makes a lot of sense to move it back. Now it's a matter for the Parks Department and Historic Resources to authorize the move. I'd like to see it there, as just one more reminder of all the different uses humans have had on this property since the 17th century."

Lull said documentation proves that Scotsman David Thompson arrived in 1623, but there is evidence the land may have been used earlier, as summer encampments by American Indians.

"Amateur historians who studied the history are convinced that's what it was, and if you read early history of ships' logs, there are observations of Indians," said Lull.

In about 1660, John Odiorne, under a grant from the Plymouth Foundation, bought the land and built a home for his family. Eight generations of Odiornes lived there until the land was taken by eminent domain during World War II. It was given to the state after the war for use as a park.

The graveyard is down a path behind one of the homes that had been occupied by the Odiorne family. The property is now owned by the state.

Brian Warburton, director of the State Parks Department, said Pearson has approached him about moving the monument.

"It's very preliminary, and at this point all I can say is it's in the discussion stages right now," said Warburton.

Pearson said the Rye Historical Society supports moving the monument. He said there is no large cost attached to the project.

"I think eventually, all we might need is a group of volunteers to help maintain it," he said.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

lines


lines, originally uploaded by nate2000.


But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep. --Robert Frost

Monday, November 27, 2006

Searles Castle


Gate, originally uploaded by mjp3000.


A Brief History of Searles Castle

Searles Castle was built under the direction of Edward F. Searles, an interior decorator and antique collector. Having traced his ancestry to the Oxfordshire Harcourt family, he engaged the prominent architect, Henry Vaughn to design the castle in the style of Stanton Harcourt Manor in Oxon County, England. The building was completed in 1915 at a cost estimated to have been in excess of $1,250,000. The castle, located at 21 Searles Rd. in Windham, NH, contains 20 rooms.

Searles is said to have employed the finest masons and woodworkers to construct the castle, and imported marble and artifacts from Europe to furnish it. Examples of the fine work are found in the carved oak balcony, and the marble fireplaces. Edward Francis Searles was born on July 4, 1841, In Methuen, Massachusetts. At the age of thirteen he went to work in a cotton mill to support his widowed mother and his brother. His love of art and music, later to be his hallmark, were in evidence early in his life. At the age of twenty-one he was teaching piano and organ in Bath, Maine.

In 1875, after an apprenticeship with a Boston firm, Searles became an interior decorator for the prestigious Herter Brothers of New York City. In 1881, he met Mary Hopkins, a Herter Brothers client, in San Francisco. Her husband, Mark Hopkins, part-owner of the Southern Pacific Railroad, had died in 1878. He left his wife an inheritance of sixty-one million dollars. Mary Hopkins commissioned Searles to design the interior of her Nob Hill home, and to work on Kellogg Terrace in her birthplace of Great Barrington, Massachusetts. They were married on November 8, 1887 in New York City. He was forty-seven; she was about sixty-seven. From Mary's death in 1891 until his own, Searles was involved in building projects in Methuen, Massachusetts, as well as Salem and Windham, New Hampshire. He died in 1920.


Searles, originally uploaded by mjp3000.

Side view of Searles Castle in Windham NH



Searles willed the castle to his secretary, Arthur T. Walker, who died in August of 1927, leaving it to his brothers and sisters. They sold it to Mr. And Mrs. Frank Andrew of Methuen, Massachusetts, in 1930.The Sisters of Mercy acquired the castle in 1952. Since then it has been used as a novitiate for young women entering the Sisters of Mercy; a retreat house; and administrative offices. Castle College held classes in the castle for over twenty-five years.

Because the building needed extensive repairs, Castle College moved to a wing of the Sisters Of Mercy motherhouse on the property, and the castle was closed for five years. During those five years, repairs were made to the roof and building. In 1991, in an effort to restore the interior of the castle, a "Decorators' Showcase" was held. Through the generosity of those interior designers and contributions received over the years from many benefactors, the interior of the building has been refurbished. Since that time, the castle has been available to the public for social, cultural spiritual and business events.

In November of 2001, the Sisters of Mercy contracted David and Linda Kolifrath of Salem, New Hampshire to organize and manage events held at the castle. At this time it was decided that operations would be expanded to include weddings and receptions in the castle courtyard in an effort to better utilize the facility, better serve the needs of the public, and to raise additional funds to further the charitable programs of the Sisters Of Mercy.

>> more information...

Sunday, November 26, 2006

BeingVeryVeryFrugalLaundryDryingInWinter1


BeingVeryVeryFrugalLaundryDryingInWinter1, originally uploaded by Tim Somero.

I hear the crusty snow snapping and I think, 'Deer!?!'

I creep around to find that my cousin's horse is close by as it trollops through the crusty snow past my uncle's laundry drying silently in the night air.


Our February Calendar Shot.

Get yours today!

There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is in having lots to do and not doing it.

Saturday, November 25, 2006

New Hampshire Flickrers


New Hampshire Flickrers, originally uploaded by nana_cindy42.

We met Tracy Lee to get our new 2007 NH Calendars from the NH Photo Tour 2007 calendar project that we contributed to. The proceeds will go to help NH Children. Pictured are Tracy Lee (StarGazr), Mike (wingedfoot), and Tim (Tim Somero). We had a great time chatting & getting to know each other!! Hoping to do it again!

November, 22, 2006


Friday, November 24, 2006

mace-topped building


mace-topped building, originally uploaded by Ben McLeod.

I've always been a bit intrigued by this building.


Thursday, November 23, 2006

canoeing


canoeing, originally uploaded by sunapeephoto.


Oh, even the warm Indian Summer days are gone.

We in New Hampshire wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgving!!

We are thankful for the friendships we have forged, the work we have done together and the photos and memories we have shared.

Wishing all the same to you!

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Mini Meet Up of the NH Group Flickrbugs


Mini Meet Up of the NH Group Flickrbugs 1, originally uploaded by Tim Somero.

Here's a photo (what else?) from a mini meetup of the NH Photo Flickrbugs. We met at Quiznos tonight at the last minute to chat and distribute calendars from the NH Photo Tour 2007 calendar project.

Seen here are Tracy Lee, Mike (wingedfoot), and Cindy.

Cindy took a photo which she might post that has yours truly in it.


The calendars are in and being distributed!! You know you want yours, so if you haven;t already order, please order your today!!

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

The Bridge


The Bridge, originally uploaded by daman sidhu.

Fall colors over a bridge in White mountains, New Hamphsire.


To give you a taste to the fabulous calendars we have produced, I am going to shamelessly parade the wonderful images that appear on the 2007 NH Photo Tour Calendar. This photo was chosen for the cover because "It is so typically NH" and it "seems very New Hampshire to me".

With a cover like that...you have got to know there is a whole year of NH goodness inside!

The calendars are being picked up tomorrow. If you have ordered yours already, it will be in the mail tomorrow! If you haven't ordered yet, please do so now.



Order yours today for only $15USD to insure you get yours!

All profiits from this high quality, full sized, calendar will be donated to CHaD (Children's Hospital at Dartmouth).

Moose on the Kancomangus Hwy


Moose on the Kancomangus Hwy, originally uploaded by cousinvinnyf.

Lucky shot during a bike run throught the White mountains along Rt 112 on the Kancomangus High Way east of Lincoln NH.t was probably about 2 or 3 years old. In my judgement it may have been at least 800 or 900 lbs. They can be as much as 1600 lbs.


This is where moose belong, right? But yesterday there was 900 pound female moose that found its way into downtown Manchester, NH. For the safety of th moose and others, she had to be tranquilized. She was safely returned to the wild.

On another note, I saw the proofs for the NH Photo Tour 2007 calendar today. It looks AWESOME!! If you haven't ordered yours yet, you need to get that order in today or tomorrow to insure yours gets sent out in the first run. They will be picked up on Wednesday from AlphaGraphics in Nashua, NH.

Monday, November 20, 2006

Mt. Washington from Mt. Chocorua


Mt. Washington from Mt. Chocorua, originally uploaded by mineral2.

Mt. Washington from Mt. Chocorua


So, the NH Photo Tour 2007 Calendar Project was laid to bed early this morning. (For those of you not amiliar with the term, laid to bed refers to when the design production portion of a printing project is finished and handed over to the printers.) Which of course, meant that I had no laid myself to bed. Oh well, as the expression goes, I'll sleep when I'm dead. I just feel like walking dead today. Tomorrow is another day. It does feel great knowing that the project is completed and wil be in our hands in time for Thanksgiving!

On another note, who says there isn't a problem with global warming? Sure there are other factors involved, but if you look at the trend in the weather, you can see it is definitely a major player in the fact that NH's skiiers have lost "approximately 60 percent of its downhill ski areas since the 1970s." That is a pretty sobering number. As a person who has just discovered skiing in the past 6 years, I look forward to those great huge dumps of snow (well, truth be told, it wasn't just skiing that makes me love snow, I always have.)

There is a big problem connected with that number though since skiing plays a big part in our state's economy. They say that most of the warming in the past century has occured after 1975 and that over the course of this past century, the average temperature has risen 3.8 degrees Fahrenheit.

It is claimed that there are other reasons why NH is suffering a loss of ski resorts, but ultimately, who wants to ski when there is no snow? Bottom line. I, for one, am glad that it finally has started to feel like winter is approaching. It felt strange the other day to think about Thanksgiving less than a week away with 70 degree weather.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Things Are Looking Up!


IMG_4289, originally uploaded by ThomasRizzo.

By Steve Goldman


The NH Photo Tour 2007 calendar project is in full swing and going well! In just one day of publicising it we have over 100 orders! That's $500 for CHaD! That's incredible!

Please help get the word out. The calendars are at the printers and will be ready for pickup on Wednesday. If you have your order in, they will be shipped out then. If you don't have your order in, what are you waiting for?

These are beautiful calendars highlighting 13 of New Hampshire's finest amature photographers from all over the state. The price is right at only $15 per calendar with $5 from each calendar being donated to CHaD. They will make wonderful Christmas presents you can feel good about giving, because you are actually giving twice.

You can order through PayPal by clicking the button below:

Or you can mail a check or money order made out to:

Tracy Lee Carroll

to the following address:

NH Photo Tour
131 Daniel Webster Hwy Box 143
Nashua, NH 03060-5224
USA

You can also read the press release on Now Public.

Friday, November 17, 2006

NH Group 2007 Calendar


NH Group 2007 Calendar, originally uploaded by StarrGazr.

Photo Credits

1. Cover by Daman Sidhu - The Bridge,
2. January by Michael J. Dailey - Franconia Ridge Towards Mt Lincoln,
3. February by Tim Somero - BeingVeryVeryFrugalLaundryDryingInWinter1,
4. March by Tina - pondside,
5. April by Bob - Monarch on Clover,
6. May by Darren Hewson - Crotched Mountain 2,
7. June by Bruce Denis - Some signs don't have words, some do.,
8. July by Spencer Batchelder - Lowering Old Glory,
9. August by Cindy Ware - June,
10. September by Tracy Lee Carroll - High Hopes -- Rained Upon,
11. October by Jeff Forbes - Golden Leaves,
12. November by Marc Hadley - Fallen Leaves in Water,
13. December by Mike Cosolo - RVP-06-1-2

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.


The calendar is almost on its way to the printers!

Order yours today for only $15USD to insure you get yours!

All profiits from this high quality, full sized, calendar will be donated to CHaD (Children's Hospital at Dartmouth).



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Hampshire Photographers Keep their Focus on Philanthropy


Flickr Members Create Calendar to Benefit the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth

Members of the New Hampshire group on the photo sharing website Flickr have devised a way to use their skills to benefit their own community. Group administrator Tracy Lee Carroll came up with the concept to put the group's members to work and allow them to become part of a project that was meaningful and gave back to the community they love. A calendar that highlights the State of New Hampshire and the talent that lies within to be sold over the internet to benefit CHaD (Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth).

ChaD one of the nation’s leading children’s care facilities was described as a “children’s hospital within a hospital” by the National Association of Children’s Hospitals and Related Institutions, Inc. CHaD is New Hampshire’s only children’s hospital with two locations serving the families of New Hampshire, Vermont and beyond.

The response to a simple thread posted two weeks ago was overwhelming from the group’s members and is a prime example of New Englanders sense of community and giving. “I'm behind this 100%. Let me know what I can do to help organize this”, was Mike Costolo’s response, just one of the members participating in a project that evolved into a calendar that will be available for sale by Thanksgiving.

The Calendar will be available for purchase through the groups website NH Photo Tour via PayPal with any major Credit Card or bank account or a check or money order payable to Tracy Lee Carroll may be sent to the following address:

NH Photo Tour
131 Daniel Webster Hwy Box 143
Nashua, NH 03060-5224
USA

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Still Lake Waters


Still Lake Waters, originally uploaded by Stew Stryker.

Before the sun gets too high, the lake is very still.

Maybe this is boring to some, but it's "Wow, beautiful" to me! :-)


As we go into winter and the past few days have been chilly and dreary at best, it is nice to sit back and reflect on long summer days with bright blue skies, sitting out by a lake. A photo like this allows me to take a minivacation and gives me a chance to think about sumer, if just for a moment.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Tom & Mechelle


Tom & Mechelle, originally uploaded by dannsbro.

Last saturday night, before our gig with Pondering Judd at the Barley Pub in Dover, Mechelle, Ben and I sat down with Tom Ferry of NHEdge.com and did an interview to be Podcast before the first of the year.

Ben is to camera left, Tom Ferry is pictured and Mechelle. Tom's interview style was very intelligent and thoughtful. Tom's a musician himself, so he knew how to finesse questions out of each of us. He also knew what types of questions to ask. He dug some good stuff out of us all.

Thanks Tom (if you see this).

Tom plays for The Molenes. Check them out!


Hopefully we will get word on when the podcast is available. Check back and we will let you know when it is!

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

peregrine


peregrine, originally uploaded by EMTigger.

This from Iain MacLeod:

While pulling off I-93 at Exit 24 in Ashland (heading for work) yesterday, a Peregrine banked low over my truck. I pulled over and found the bird perched on top of a light pole beside the exit ramps. I snapped a bunch of digiscope images. Nice adult bird.

Best excuse for being late to work I've seen in ages :)




And when isn't getting the perfect shot not a good reason to be late for work?! I can't even guess how many times I have been late to something or other because I had to get my camera and catch *that* shot. Photos are captures of fleeting moments. There is no such thing as, "Well, I'll come back later and grab it," unless you are in a studio or other controled environment.

Hats off to late photographers everywhere!

Monday, November 13, 2006

Post Office


AcworthNH1, originally uploaded by Tim Somero.

Acworth, NH

Seems like that time of year is upon us again. Time to start thinging about geting Chrismas Cards in the mail and sending off packages to loved ones far away. Going to the Post Office is probably one of my most dreaded tasks, but I think if I had a Post Office like this I might just end up there more often. This looks like a great combination of Post Office and General Store. Seems like a nice combination to me. Although, my all time favourite Post Office is one up on Amherst Street in Nashua that is a Post Office and a Flower Shop called "The Blushing Rose". Nice!

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Shadow


Shadow, originally uploaded by steffie@lilypad.

Taken at Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Silky Milkweed


Silky Milkweed, originally uploaded by StarrGazr.

Surreal Sunset


Surreal Sunset, originally uploaded by mjp3000.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Orion over my bedroom.


Orion over my bedroom., originally uploaded by dannsbro.

Couldn't sleep the other night, so I went out on my roof. I found the culprit.

2007 New Hampshire Calendar Project



We of the New Hampshire group on Flickr.com are working hard to produce a 2007 calendar highlighting 12 of our groups' finest photographs. The calendars will be for sale here on this website as well as various locations around the state. The proceeds from the sale of this calendar will be donated to the CHaD (Children's Hospital at Dartmouth). in Hanover, NH.

Please help us in getting out the word to help this worthy cause and enrich your year with a beautiful calendar! Check back here for more information. As soon as the calendar is available, we will post here how it may be purchased.

Tomorrow is Veterans Day


Veteran of World War I, originally uploaded by IntoTheLens.

Veteran of World War I - Private Henry Bingham
East Westmoreland Cemetery - Westmoreland, NH

Red-light flowers on my windshield in the rain

Funny how even a cold November rain can be colorfull!

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Blackberry, Goldenrod and Frost


Blackberry, Goldenrod and Frost, originally uploaded by bobj03054.

This is one photoshoot where I regret not taking my tripod. It's hard to do a decent handheld when your whole body is shivering.It was cold that morning.

Mont Vernon, New Hampshire

Doing My Duty


Doing My Duty, originally uploaded by StarrGazr.

It is also cool to note that in NH you can register to vote right at the polling location with nothing more than a photo ID and a proof of domicile (such as a utility bill or library card).

Same Day Registration:
In NH we err on the side of allowing people to vote


Actually, I just read:

If new election day registrants do not have an approved form of photo ID, they will still be able to vote, but their registration affidavit will be marked, and within 90 days of the election they will receive a letter of welcome from the Secretary of State. If the Secretary of State's letter is returned as undeliverable, the Attorney General's office will investigate to learn why. The purpose of this is to verify that new registrants are who they say they are, and that they are legally domiciled as they indicate on their registration affidavit.

red and blue


red and blue, originally uploaded by mamabrarian.

They left the Dunkin' Donuts coffee unattended!

Look, red and blue, coexisting peacefully.

New Hampshire is actually a purple state.

Monday, November 06, 2006

farm


farm (test), originally uploaded by thirdgradevocabchamp.

Interior of Zealand Falls Hut

Located in Zealand Notch, the former scene of indiscriminate logging and devastating fires in the nineteenth century, this hut occupies a choice four-season spot near waterfalls and outstanding views at the eastern edge of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. A popular family destination, this is the perfect place to spot a moose and other abundant wildlife — and to go backcountry skiing.
Learn more>>

aunt sandy and heather singing some tunes...