Dreams of Puerto Rico
I love New Hampshire. Truly, summers and falls in the Granite State are exquisite. The scenery is majestic; people here are super. Anyone would be fortunate to call this their home. However, last night, I was reminded of something I miss about western Puerto Rico. I could wax eloquently about the wonderful people, beautiful landscapes, delicious food, vibrant culture–the […]
This post is heading downhill
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Alice Pearce. Until recently, Alice served as the founding president of Ski New Hampshire, Inc. I’ve known Alice for more than two decades. Hers is one of the brightest, most energetic minds ever to run any ski organization. I asked Alice to bring me up to speed on […]
Buy local: save a farm and eat well while you’re at it
As part of my continuing series of interviews, I spoke with former surgeon and Boston University faculty member, Charlie Burke. Charlie is president of the New Hampshire Farm to Restaurant Connection. Having grown tired of the urban rat race, Charlie and his wife moved to Sanbornton in 2000. Wanting to do some farming, but concerned […]
No post on Wednesday
Due to a bad reaction to oral surgery, I won’t be posting on Wednesday, May 21st.I apologize.
B&B 101
In another of my series of interviews with tourism and hospitality leaders, I met with Bill Webb. Bill and his wife Bonnie own and operate the beautiful Inn on Golden Pond bed and breakfast, in Holderness, NH.Bill spoke with me about operating a bed and breakfast, beginning with the perception issues that are a continuing roadblock […]
This is another fine mess you’ve gotten us into, Julie
The following post is based upon an interview with Julie Piehn, who, with her husband Gary, owns and operates the historic Gilcrest Cottages and Motel, in Thornton NH.Well into their middle years, with grown children, Julie and Gary Piehn wanted to enter a new vocation, one that would allow them to work side-by-side. Julie, an […]
What do these have in common(?): dairy farms, motels, classrooms
Several years ago, as I was preparing to write Sleeping Alongside the Road, I interviewed two dear friends, Fred and Maureen Clausen, proprietors of Proctor’s Lakehouse Cottages, in Weirs Beach, NH. As Fred and Maureen described typical Saturdays during a summer season, I was reminded of another old friend who once told me: motels and […]
Howdy pardner
Throughout the years, small businesses have acted like mini fortresses. The prevailing feeling has been that similar businesses were to be avoided entirely; rather, they were to be treated as enemy forces. I received an education about this more than thirty years ago. While attending a meeting with tourism officials from a Coos County (NH) community, I advised them […]
It isn’t what you say, it’s how it is said
This is the first in a series of posts based on interviews with leaders from New England’s tourism, hospitality, and cultural organizations and businesses. I have had the pleasure of interviewing Jayne O’Connor, president of the White Mountains Attractions Association, in North Woodstock, NH. Jayne taught me an important lesson during our session. I learned how important […]
Putting my money where my mouth is . . .
One of the lessons I learned during my formative years was, “put your money where your mouth is.” As I interpreted it, the axiom was saying that I should follow through on promises. Long ago, I devoted my energies toward improving the status of the tourism industry. As a pet project, I chose 1950s-1960s icons, especially motels. […]