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• Premier EditionSpring 2025 | Volume 9: Issue 31 arts culture food health history libations music outdoors people shops
• Page 2 2025  of Railroading over Crawford Notch! A CHOICE OF TRAIN RIDES!
• Page 3IT’S WORTH THE TRIP! Over 20,000 square feet of home fashion to fit your family’s needs.
• PUBLISHER/CREATIVE Dan Houde [email protected]MANAGING EDITOR Cam Mirisola-Bynum SALES MANAGER Chris Pacheco [email protected]
• WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERSLily Hartman, Salem, NH Lily resides in Salem, NH and enjoys writing about health and outdoor recreation. She spends most weekends hiking the White Mountains and is passionate about educating others on all things wellness. She manages her own blog, Limitless With Lily, where she inspires indi viduals to overcome their limits by moving their body. Bernadette Donohue, Fryeburg, ME Known as the Dream Home Matchmaker, Bernie’s love of adventure, nature, and people started her real estate career 37 years ago. Bernie’s passion is also to facilitate caring connections and com munity. She is co-chair of local REALTORS® Community Service Committee, Creator of MWV Photo Contest, Calendars for Charities, and Hands of Hope cancer survivor banner.
• SPRING 2025 • CONTENTS14 - MWV YOUTH STEM EXPO 38 - THE SEASON OF MUD
• Page 7OOVERVER 20 locally20 locally owned andowned and operated restaurants,operated restaurants, who are commitedwho are commited to giving backto giving back ART ON THE COVERS
• Page 8W h e r e t h e L o c a l s S h o p SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
• SoyfireBath & Body North Conway, NH
• Page 10C o m m u n i t y E v e n t WHITE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER Whitaker Wander 5K
• White Mountain Community Health Center photoLife Support to 5K Ann Norcross, a patient of the Health Center, met her goal of walking the Whitaker Wander 5k in 2024 after a difficult health year. Norcross was very active, regularly kayaking and hiking, until her COPD diagnosis, which sent her to life sup port with a collapsed lung on Christ mas of 2023. In an interview leading up to last year’s race, she said, “Most people think of a 5k as a run, but I’m going to walk it. You can do it, too! Nobody said you had to do the whole thing, nobody said you had to run, it’s what you can do. It doesn’t have to be a lot, it doesn’t have to be the same as someone else; you do what you can do to feel a bit better.” She further explained, “I have COPD [a lung disease that makes breathing difficult]. I was a very active person before. In December, my right lung collapsed and I was on life support for three days. When I came out of there, I just made a decision: This is not how it’s gonna go. It’s got to be better than this.” Norcross reflected, “I have a lot of support, between my previous co workers, my family, the medical staff. So many people have helped me out through my tough time, this is my way of giving back. I’m all about spreading love.” running a 5k for the first time are also recognized. Medical director and resident hula hooping expert, Josie Lamb, APRN, will teach hula hooping, and there will be a raffle, seed starting, and more. White Mountain Community Health Center is open to everyone in the commu nity and is accepting new patients. Most private insurance is accepted, in addition to Medicaid and Medicare. The sliding-fee scale can be combined with health insur ance to reduce out-of-pocket payments. People interested in learning more about the Health Center can visit the website at www.whitemountainhealth.org.
• Page 12C o m m u n i t y E v e n t EIGHTH ANNUAL REDLINE TRAIL DAYS Redline Guiding
• Edwin Giron DDS, DAAFECaitlin Behr RN, BSN LOOK YOUR BEST THIS SPRING!
• Innovation and Discovery in the ValleyBy Emily Calderwood LOCAL STUDENTS SHINE AT THE MWV YOUTH STEM EXPO
• 2025 MWV YOUTH STEM EXPO WINNERSElementary School 1st place: Nelly Lamneck (4th grade, MIS), “Does a Broken Reed Change the Pitch?” 2nd place: Hazel Dufilho (5th grade, JGS), “Sourest Candy” 3rd place: Vivian Klein (5th grade, JGS), “Rise of the Cookies”
• Page 16but with an environmental twist. We came up with a project that was different from last year, but was still important research to conduct. We decided to take samples of the water in our homes, schools, and communities to find out if our water quality was up to EPA standards. We sterilized seven mason jars using a pressure canner and distilled water. We took samples of our different water sources and tested them with 18-in-1 test strips. We hypothesized that because bottled water has to be approved by the FDA and the FFDCA, the drinking standards should be higher, and the water will be cleaner than the school and tap water. We found that the Jackson Grammar School water fountains were actually the cleanest, proving our hypothesis wrong. The contamination levels were relatively similar across all of our samples, they tested below EPA-recommended limits in all areas, except for nitrite, sulfate, and fluoride levels. We were pleased to have no real concerns in our water. KATIE LARACY “Clean Energy, How Easy can it be?” When coming up with my project for the 2025 Stem Expo, my mind went straight to fossil fuels, and why people will constantly choose them over clean energy for convenience. I thought about how kinetic energy can be found all over the earth, but my mind instantly went to the energy found in water. Approximately 71% of the earth is covered with moving water like oceans and rivers. Using the movement found in this water to create an electric current with a magnetic field would provide clean energy that does not strip away any of the Earth’s natural resources or pollute the atmosphere. For my project, I built multiple prototypes that use the process of electromagnetic induction to show energy being created using an an alog galvanometer. Sure enough, energy was created, which led me to think, ‘How can I make this process simpler?’With my prototype, using wire for energy transportation, my mind fell to making this process wireless. My next step in this experiment is to wirelessly transport the energy from my prototype. I am not yet sure how to execute this next step; it’s possible that a laser could be used to effortlessly transport the energy from point A to point B with no wires required. Science is complicated, but I want to make clean energy as simple as it can be. It was so cool to be able to see all the different projects at this year’s STEM Expo, and to be able to share my project with people in the community. I love how the Expo is able to bring so many people with a love for science together in one building, whether they are the students or the judges. It was very interesting hearing about other people’s projects, and what led them to come up with those topics. All in all, I think that the STEM Expo was a very fun day, and I can’t wait to be back next year!
• Photos by DiVision MediaDISCOVER ADVENTURE
• Page 18N o n p r o f i t S p o t l i g h t CONWAY AREA HUMANE SOCIETY & VALLEY ANIMAL HOSPITAL Making a difference—one paw at a time
• Meet in the mountainsMake us your place to get together pet care, and providing support during difficult end-of-life decisions. The Valley Animal Hospital offers flexible payment options, including credit plans and payment plans, for clients who are unable to pay for treatment upfront. In addition, the Veterinary Assistance Fund was established to provide finan cial assistance to clients facing significant financial hardship. This initiative aims to prevent animals from being surren dered simply because their owners cannot afford necessary medical care. CAHS is committed to supporting this initia tive by donating a portion of every animal adoption fee and hospital client visit to the Veterinary Assistance Fund. They also hope that individual donors and foundation grantors will contribute to this effort, helping to reduce the number of animals surrendered due to financial barriers. How You Can Help There are many ways to support the life-changing work of Conway Area Humane Society and Valley Animal Hospital. Whether through donations, volunteering, fostering, or simply spreading awareness, every effort contributes to their mission. • Adopt: Give a shelter pet a second chance at life. • Donate: Financial contributions help provide food, medical care, and shelter for animals in need. • Volunteer: Lend your time and skills to make a direct impact.
• Page 20K 9 C o r n e r POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT DOG TRAINING
• Page 21states, “Evidence supports the use of reward-based methods for all canine training. AVSAB promotes interactions with animals based on compassion, respect, and scientific evidence. Based on these factors, reward-based learning offers the most advantages and the least harm to the learner’s welfare.” A final significant benefit to positive training centers around the concept of “cause no harm.” In addition to all the benefits of positive training over aversive training, there is substantial evidence and support for the idea that aversive training is more likely than positive training to cause unwanted behaviors in dogs. A Closer Look at Aversive Training An article about the effects of aversive training in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior reports research results that reveal that punishment-based training methods are related to a more significant number of reported behavior problems compared to reward-based training. The study also reveals that owners with the highest obedience scores use reward-based training only, suggesting a correlation between positive rein forcement training and higher levels of obedience and fewer behavior problems. Research supports a widely accepted view that aversive dog training can cause the appropriate context. Treats used inappropriately could be regarded as bribes. If used appropriately, they are reinforcers. Like any piece of equipment or tool, people must learn how to use them properly. Sometimes, training results do take longer. However, as previously discussed, these quicker results may come at the cost of other undesired behaviors. While it may take time to achieve the desired goal, there is no concrete evidence showing that some dogs cannot learn using positive techniques. It is also quite true that success does depend on good timing and technique, which are learned skills. The same is true of aversive techniques. Tim ing and appropriate use of equipment is directly correlated with success. The difference is that poor timing in positive training may yield slower or no results, whereas poor timing in aversive training can increase the likelihood of poor or devastating results. Dog owners need to be aware of trainer differences and understand that classes or consultations may vary widely in techniques and philosophies. When trying to select a dog trainer who uses positive training techniques, things to avoid include the use of shock or prong collars, jerking or correcting when the dog does something wrong, minimal
• Page 22R e a l E s t a t e C o r n e r NAVIGATING HOME CHOICES THROUGH THE DECADES
• Page 23primary-bedroom suites. Many featured walkout lower levels that provide additional finished living space for recreation and guests. Demand grew for smart-home technology, stone fireplaces, hardwood floors, and granite countertops, with windows positioned for enhanced mountain views. Heated garages became an expectation, as did outdoor living spaces with elaborate patios and enlarged decks. Higher-end materials and custom craftsmanship highlight these well-designed newer homes. Golf courses, lakefront properties, and stunning moun tain views attracted wealthy buyers looking to age gracefully in our area. The post-pandemic era has further reshaped our housing market. With more people working and schooling from home, many sought out places they had previously vacationed, trans forming older homes into fabulous primary residences. This shift led to numerous improvement projects, making homes more functional for full-time living, with enhanced outdoor spaces, high-speed internet, and dedicated home offices. As buy ers began to expect smart-home features controlling lighting, security, temperature, and appliances, technology became a priority. High-speed internet is now a requirement for remote work, online learning, and modern entertainment needs. Sustainability has recently taken center stage. Energy efficiency moved from a perk to an expectation, with newer homes built with high-performance insulation, Energy Star appliances, and healthier indoor air systems. Solar panels, heat pumps, tankless water heaters, and whole-house generators have become increasingly common. Builders are incorporating sustainable materials and eco-friendly design choices that align with the region’s outdoor lifestyle. Improved building codes have produced better fire-resistant materials and more durable structural components. These modern quality-built or remodeled homes usually require less maintenance, thanks to longer-lasting materials and efficient systems. That said, no home is perfect! Some buyers feel newer homes lack charm, while others find new construction costs prohibitive. Location plays a role, as newer homes are less likely to be built in downtown areas or on larger parcels. Choosing between a newly built home or one needing updates becomes a personal decision based on budget, preferences, and dreams. Ultimately, finding the right home isn’t just about what you see on the market, but what you create once you have the keys. As you embark on your home-buying journey, surround yourself with trusted advisors who can illuminate your path. With the right insight and patience, you will soon be creating lasting memories and joy in your next home. Bernadette Donohue, REALTOR & Certified Residential Specialist, CRS. Serving the real estate needs of NH and ME since 1985. Contact Bernie at Badger Peabody & Smith Realty, [email protected], (603) 356-5757 x 700 or mobile (207) 542-9967
• Page 24To reduce size, and promote socializing, there is no separate dining room in this home. The dining alcove is open to the kitchen and living areas. 24
• MWV FINE HOMES: Green Design BasicsBy John Cole and Anthony Giovanni Photos by Ed Wonsek Artworks Green design is often a priority for those seeking to build new or renovate a home. But what does “green design” mean and what are the key elements to consider?
• Page 26CONTINUOUS INSULATION OUTSIDE Continuous insulation may be added on outside or inside of the exterior walls. CONTINUOUS INSULATION INSIDE Adding continuous insulation on the inside of the exterior walls is simpler and less costly, though there is a slight decrease in continuity where vertical and horizontal studs cross.
• DesignENERGY STANDARDS There are three widely recognized energy stan dards for home building: passive house, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and HERSÒ (Home Energy Rating System). Passive house, a system originating in Germany, has the most rigorous standards. Although the standards are open source, the “Certified Passive House” des ignation requires extensive documentation by an accredited passive house expert. The time and cost to achieve the certification are not worth it to most homeowners. LEED, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, is the most widely used energy rating system in the world. It is primarily used for large commercial, institutional, and multi-family residential buildings. The HERS Index is a nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance which has been adopted by the US Department of Energy. To qualify a certified HERS rater inspects the home (including a blower door test) and rates the house on a sliding scale which gives the homeowner an indication of how energy efficient their home is in comparison to other homes. A typical home built to 2006 energy efficiency standards scores 100 in the HERS Index. A home with a HERS Index score of 70 is 30% more energy efficient than a standard new home; a score of 130 is 30% less efficient than a standard new home. A HERS Index score can be used by homeowners to apply for state and federal tax credits, and they are also beginning to be used by real estate agents to compare properties. The cost of a certified HERS rating is reasonable, and it can provide tangible benefits.
• Page 28LEFT: This is the interface between solar panels and the electrical box—where excess power is diverted to the utility grid for a credit to the homeowner. RIGHT: Ductwork for an HRV unit, which transfers heat between incoming and outgoing air, must be planned for from the start. This Greek Revival inspired farmstead was super insulated to achieve a HERS score of -30, which means it produces more energy than it consumes. The local utility company pays the owner for the excess electricity generated by the solar panels.
• Page 29Homeowners can also opt for renewable energy sources to power the heat pump, such as solar panels, further minimizing environmental impact [see house photo on previous page ]. There are federal and state rebates and tax incentives for installing energy-efficient heat pumps. Energy-Efficient Ventilation
• Page 30A R T I N T H E V A L L E Y THE ART OF KAREN EISENBERG By Karissa Masse WiseguyCreative.com photo
• Gallery & Fine CraftsDDiissccoovveerr tthhee AArrttss WWoorrkkss bbyy 3355 aarrttiissttss ttoo ddeelliigghhtt tthhee eeyyee! GGaalllleerryy -- WWoorrkksshhooppss -- EEvveennttss
• Nick Thompson photo“When you hold a mug made by hand, you’re connected to the person who made it. I like to think there is that sensibility in my jewelry. More and more I think about the arts being lost to computers and AI, with no hands involved. We’re losing touch with how things are made. But art is a piece of you that you’re sharing. It makes that human connection.” demonstration, tapping with a rawhide hammer and progressing through the process to describe her many hammers (chasing, riveting, planishing, raising), each designed to form metal in a different way. “You can Zen out doing this. I love to work with my hands and let my hands do the work more than relying on machines. There is something very empowering and satisfying about moving metal, something that you can’t just move with your fingers. To be able to bend it and transform it.” Karen Eisenberg’s jewelry is most recognizable for its surface patterns and textures. She uses a lot of silver clay, a material that is actually fine silver powder suspended in an organic clay matter. When fired in the kiln, the organic material burns away, leaving nothing behind but the pure silver. The resulting porous nature of this metal creates a wonderful bright white matte finish that beautifully lends itself to Karen’s textures and patterns. She sometimes enhances the contrast of these textures with an an cient Korean technique called Keum Boo, in which 24k gold foil is heat-bonded to the silver. Other times she uses a patina to blacken the silver, or simply burnishes the top surfaces to make them gleam. Many of her designs include circle themes that she calls “mandalas,” and ab stract leaf textures that have a somewhat tribal sensibility. Her work also has some Japanese influence, retaining an under stated delicacy even in its boldness, along with her decisions to leave some sponta neity—some evidence of a moment, just as her teacher had once encouraged. There are subtleties of Karen’s work that point directly back to her roots in ceramics. Just as a good piece of pottery has the right weight and feel in the hand, each element of her jewelry has similarly been thoughtfully considered. Often her finishing process takes longer than the actual building of a piece. To be worn on the body, it needs to be smooth, comfort able, durable, and fully functional. She is also very much interested in the philoso phy of hand-crafted work. Similarly, Karen enjoys making cus tom-jewelry pieces for people. She loves the community connection that draws people to find her and her work, and the personal connection that develops throughout the design process for a set of custom wedding bands, or a necklace commissioned to mark a special occasion. The jewelry becomes more meaningful because the connection is also shared with the maker. “Jewelry has to have a spark. I try to make it mine, not to imitate someone else’s. It’s difficult not to be influenced by your surroundings. Sometimes in the design process, I just let my hands do what they do. It is like your unique fingerprint. Everyone’s hands move in a different way.” We are all connected and touch each other in an infinite number of ways. Even if you haven’t met Karen Eisenberg in person, you’ve probably been in close proximity with her, or her beautiful jewel ry, here in our small town. And similarly, Karen’s contribution and influence as an art teacher has touched the lives of hun dreds of creative people in our community.
• MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY ARTISTS & GALLERIESArtWorks Gallery & Fine Crafts 132 White Mountain Highway, Chocorua, NH • (603) 323-8041 www.chocoruaartworks.com Louise Perry of Vintage Frameworks 28 Norcross Circle, North Conway, NH (603) 356-7711 www.vintageframeworks.com
• Page 34Left to right: Cheese Louise general manager, Jasmine Schmidt; Cheese Louise co-owner Bryce Harrison; Sap House Meadery owner and co-founder, Matt Trahan; Saco River Brewing owner, Mason Irish; Cheese Louise co-owner, James Gaudreault. NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
• Page 35With North Conway being named (yet again!) the best ski town in North America by USA TODAY, it’s perhaps fitting that Sap House Meadery, Saco River Brewing Ta phaus, and Cheese Louise have settled into the former home of the legendary Carroll Reed Ski Shop. Much like members of a successful ski team, the three enterprises fully support each other—they even have a large, shared restroom facility inside the rear of the building—and recognize the truism that a rising tide floats all boats. Saco River Brewing Taphaus @sacoriverbrewing
• Page 36adding, “Fryeburg has the best water in the state of Maine.” Patrons can enjoy beer selections at multi-level bars, accom panied with sandwiches, salads, and pizza. They can also pur chase four-packs of cans to carry out. (Tip: try the Hornet’s Nest Double IPA, but be warned that a pint brings a sting at 8% ABV!) Saco River Brewing Taphaus is following the lead of its parent enterprise by supporting local non-profits, such as land trusts, recreational outfits, and educational groups through ing honey with water. “I feel like I’ve spent my entire life educating people about meads,” jokes Matt Trahan, owner and co-founder of Sap House Meadery and North Conway resident. Meads are extremely adaptable and can be fused with a range of flavors, such as raspberry, blueberry, or maple, to create almost any style of alcoholic beverage. Trahan stresses that a common misconception about meads is that they are all Trahan believes that the location he shares with Saco River Brewing Taphaus and Cheese Louise will help “revamp North Conway Village into more of an experiential place and add a spark to the nightlife.”
• Page 37THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING LOCAL! AND THEN THERE’S BREETOS! Directly across from Norcross Circle is another newcomer to down town, Breetos. Owned and operated by Brein Matturro, Breetos offer fresh rolled “walking” burritos. Maximizing the small space, Breetos cooks everything in-house with the freshest ingredients and unique menu items. While serving a variety of pulled meats—spiced to your liking— they also cater to the vegan and gluten-free crowd. This sum mer, Breetos will have soft-serve ice cream, nachos, and pre-rolled burritos, for quick grab and go service. Stop by and try a burrito or check out the menu at www.breetos.com. Brein is pictured here with her husband, and former Ben & Gerry’s store owner, Vinnie Matturo.
• The SeasonMud of By Dave Greenslit 38
• Page 39“There is a reason, it’s called mud season, recently freezing, but now we’re stuck Ya know it’s better, in this spring weather to leave the minivan at home and take the pickup truck …” So goes the first verse of “Mud Season Blues,” an ode to the so-called fifth season, written by Russ Lanoie, who’s been getting down and dirty in Mt. Washington Valley mud for decades.
• Russ Lanoie photoRuss Lanoie photo ABOVE LEFT: Class 6 Albert Road in Madison. ABOVE: Russ Lanoie is pictured with his trademarked FrontRunner attachment, which can be mounted in place of a plow and used for grading dirt and gravel roads and driveways. ABOVE RIGHT: Eroded soils and silt plumes from unstable sources, including surrounding roads and improperly managed construction sites, can easily be seen here entering Big Pea Porridge Pond. See www.peaporridgepond.org/watershed-management-plan for additional information and photos. RIGHT: Hiking trails without proper draining quickly become unpassable during mud season. SectionHiker.com photo.
• Bob Christiansen photoPLEASE CHECK FOR OUR DAILY SPECIALS
• Russ Lanoie photoFinn the mud-loving dog ABOVE LEFT: Appropriately named road near Squam Lake. ABOVE: Finn the dog, doesnt seem to mind the mud ... as long as it comes with a view. RIGHT: Various casualties of muddy situations around the Valley and national forest trials.
• Courtesy photoU.S. Forest Service photo Russ Lanoie photo
• SIGNS OF SPRINGTurtles, Frogs, Peepers, & other Various Valley Road-Crossers By Matt Maloney, Tin Mountain Conservation Center
• Spring 2025As you can imagine, crossing a road is quite a precarious predicament for turtles, and other creatures. Unfortunately, they are unaware that roads have huge metal objects barreling down them night and day. Courtesy photo
• Josh Megyesy and NH Fish and GameCourtesy photo Emily Smith-Mossman
• Page 47“Big Nights”ahead for freshly active, slimy little critters on the move Add the spotted salamander to the list of road crossers in the Valley. Tin Mountain, and at times, New Hampshire Stake Parks, will hold a “Big Night(s)” event, typically in early April. Such events are characterized by hundreds of freshly active, slimy critters crawling their slow way towards vernal pools. Inactive all winter, their motivation, as soon as they wake up from this strange slumber, is to move to a vernal pool to find a mate.
• BIRDING MWV By Mik OylerBirds to Watch in the Valley As a birder, the most common question these days is, sadly, “Where did all the birds in my yard and at my feeders go?” Answer: It’s depressing, but there’s hope.
• Page 49Using the eBird “Explore” function, users can discover the best places for birding nearby, referred to as “Hotspots,” as well as reports, locations, and statistics of specific species in your area, like this map for Red-bellied Woodpecker. Advances in technology have significantly improved interest and access to com munity science projects. Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eBird website and app al lows volunteers worldwide to submit data about the birds they see at any time and in any location. Millions of observations are recorded monthly and entered into a central database that is used by scientists, land managers, and bird watchers alike.
• Chalie Nims photoWhat can you do to help? Use native plants that provide seeds, fruits, and buds; support insects like caterpillars that birds eat; offer places for birds to build nests and find cover; and help maintain and recreate food webs and ecological systems that birds depend on. Chalie Nims photo
• Spring 202551
• WiseguyCreative.com photoRIDING THE WHITES A QUICK LOOK @ 2025
• Page 53COÖS CYCLING CLUB All Hands On Deck With over 25 miles of singletrack and machine-built flow, the Coös Trails network is perhaps the best kept secret in White Mountains mountain biking—an outstanding mix of cross-country and gravi ty-fed riding overseen by a small group of members and volunteers dedicated to building new trail, maintaining existing terrain, and introducing new participants to the sport. Supporting the club’s fundraising efforts, the 3rd annual Frost Heave backcountry mountain bike race will be held on May 17th in Jericho Mountain State Park. This unique early-season event is held on a diverse network of trails, with participants experiencing challenging climbs, rugged descents, and excellent views. Short-course (13 miles) and long-course (27 miles) options are available. Register at www.bikereg. com/frostheave. Youth Shred Camp kicks off in June, offering a very affordable full week of mountain bike programming for local youth, ages 10-14, on the Coös Trails. Group Rides are held every Wednesday evening throughout the summer/fall, meeting at Moose Brook State Park in Gorham at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome. For adults new to the sport, check out Saturday morning Chill Rides, a no-pressure way to start your mountain biking journey. Join the email list at www.cooscyclingclub.org or follow on Instagram (@cooscyclingclub) to stay updated. www.cooscyclingclub.org www.facebook.com/coos-cycling-club www.instagram.com/cooscyclingclub
• THE GEAR DOC of North ConwayGiving Outdoor Gear New Life By Lily Hartman
• Page 55Page creates an inclusive environment with weekly events at the shop. Every Saturday, The Gear Doc hosts a gathering for anyone in the community who likes to climb, where Page does presentations about different trips to help climbers prepare, such as to Denali in Alaska, where he may talk about weather, and mountain medicine, and do a Q&A session. In addition, these gatherings allow climbers to share their ad ventures, what they’ve learned, and how others can prepare. “I enjoy sharing what I know, especially with this Alaska stuff,” says Page. He has become a mentor in the local climb ing community and cares about preparing climbers for their expeditions, no matter how big or small. Clarke says that the majority of things she knows about climbing are from shared knowledge in the community. She got into climbing in her teens, but had a difficult time finding a community of like-minded climbers in the area she grew up in, saying, “It just wasn’t like the community we have up here in Conway.” After starting her job at The Gear Doc and IME, Clarke has had an easier time meeting people with similar interests and getting outside for climbing adventures. Page never wanted to run a big company. Although the shop is small and often hard to spot, it has helped, encour aged, and educated avid climbers in the North Conway area and beyond. “He’s very humble about it, but he makes a huge impact,” says Clarke. Word has gotten out about there being a gear doctor in the area—he saves people money, helps them go on once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and sometimes even hands them chili when they walk into the shop. The Gear Doc 25 Reporter Court, North Conway, NH (603) 662-4690
• Shining a Modern Spotlight on a Storied TraditionThe Continuing Legacy of Peter Limmer & Sons Story and photography by Sam Norton
• Spring 202557
• Page 58storied reputation as a result of many years of dedicated craftsmanship. As the current steward of the company’s heritage, Adam expressed gratitude for those who taught him the skills of the trade (namely Peter Limmer). He also praised the skilled labor and dedication of his employees. Pres ently, the shop employs four full-time bootmakers (in ad dition to Adam), including Annie Dumais, Patrick Moody, and Ken Smith—they share in the tasks of building a boot to its completion. When speaking to both Adam and his co-workers, it was clear that they place great value on producing hiking boots that exude the quality and consistency, which has built their reputation. This mentality of dedication pertains beyond the boot, and includes the constellation of human connections which the Limmer community is known for. Although Adam could take the shop in various directions, the future he envisions for the company is largely informed by its past traditions. Nevertheless, since 2021, the Limmer crew has undertaken initiatives that they hope will bring new opportunities to their time-hon ored craft. The Philosophy of Meticulous Craftsmanship
• Page 59N o rth C o n w a y , N H th e s o a k in g p o t.c o m New Owner, Same Philosophy
• Page 60As Peter Limmer looks on, Adam Lane-Olsen measures New Hampshire Fish & Game Conservation Officer James Benvenuti’s foot to begin the process of creating a custom-made pair of boots. the company in the 1990s, having the Limmer name gave him no divine wisdom—he was simply a steward of the family business. Like Adam today, he faced challenging decisions about how to run the shop and maintain the company’s reputation. Peter also emphasized that close friendship can be nearly as valuable as family. Thinking back on his years working with Adam, he said, “I’ve always considered Adam and I to be twin brothers by different parents.” Since passing the reins, Peter has continued working for the shop part-time. His primary role is die-cutting the boots’ outer leather “uppers,” a particularly skilled part of the process.
• Limmer Facts yearsAlongside Adam Lane-Olsen, Chris Sawyer owns Limmer Boots Inc, which makes authentic Limmer boots through a company in Germany. Peter Limmer & Sons, Inc. was established in 1919, and has been based in Intervale since 1950.
• Page 62Presently, the shop employs four full-time bootmakers (in addition to Adam), including Ken Smith, Annie Dumais, and Patrick Moody—they share in the tasks of building a boot to its completion. Making Connections
• FUEL YOUR ADVENTUREN O R T H C O N W A Y H O U S E O F
• Page 64Team MWAC pauses for a photo in front of the Snow Rangers Quarters as they prepare for a busy day in Tuckerman Ravine. Back Row: Rhys Thomas, William Degrush, Josh McCabe, Jeff Fongemie, Marin MacDonald, Charlotte MacDonald, Grace Murdoch, Kaleb Guinn. Front Row: Patrick Scanlan, Monte the fluffy husky, Julia Bowman. 64
• Spring 2025ASSESSING SPRING RISKS IN TUCKERMAN RAVINE With the Mount Washington Avalanche Center
• Page 66ABOVE: On April 4, 1937, the first giant slolom race in the U.S., the Franklin Edson Memorial Race, was held. Intended to begin at the summit, the race began halfway up Right Gully as two recent surface avalanches hinted to potential trouble on the headwall. Photo by Harold Orne. RIGHT: The Avalanche Center crew pauses in front of the avalanche informational board. From L to R: Patrick Scanlan, Jeff Fongemie, Charlotte MacDonald, Kate Moynihan. HISTORY OF THE RAVINE Tuckerman Ravine is known as the birthplace of extreme skiing, according to Patrick Scanlan, an avalanche fore caster and snow ranger at the MWAC. In the 1930s, people were skiing in this backcountry area before anywhere else in the U.S. For this reason, the ravine has become a legendary location. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) noticed that bility, and just the historic spring atmo sphere at Tuckerman,” says Moynihan.
• Spring 2025Furniture &Mattresses For Lake &Mountain Living 599 Tenney Mtn. Hwy Plymouth, NH 03264
• Page 68winter intern for the Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) and MWAC. With a background in snow hydrology, Mac Donald’s goal is to look at snow from a safety standpoint and to determine how much water a storm is carrying, and what that means for the amount of snow that may fall in the days ahead. “Mount Washington has some really specific conditions that don’t fit into that framework all the time,” says MacDonald. “A lot of work is just trying to figure out if there is a better system for determining how much snow we have.” It may snow 10 inches in the bowl, but when the wind blows into the ravine, now there’s snow piling, creating a heavy layer Before attempting to ski down Tuckerman Ravine, Fongemie suggests starting small. Hike partway up a smaller slope with a safe runout and see how it feels. If it feels okay, go a little higher the next time. “People need to be quite solid skiers, and they also need to know their limitations,” he adds.
• Spring 2025WILD & RESCUE MEDICINE From people who have done what they teach
• Page 70Sometimes, falling pieces of rock and ice can be the size of a golf ball, but at other times, they can be the size of a car or truck, weighing many tons and reaching speeds of over 60 mph. Mount Washington Avalanche Center photo. SPRING MOUNTAIN HAZARDS
• Page 71unstable. Usually, you can see or hear the running water, which are areas in which you should proceed with caution. 4. WET AVALANCHES When snow can no longer stick to the surface due to free water minimizing snow strength, a wet avalanche oc curs. Rain, warmer temperatures, and sunlight cause these. They move slowly but have a lot of power. Check the ava lanche forecast and be aware of melting snow to assess if a wet avalanche is likely to occur.
• Page 72EDUCATIONAL FILM PROJECT FUNDRAISER The Mount Washington Avalanche Center Foun dation is raising money to create a film to raise awareness about the dangers of backcountry skiing on Mount Washington. By highlighting the real risks and emphasizing the importance of preparation and respect for the mountains, MWACF aims to equip skiers with the knowledge to make safer decisions in the backcountry. By supporting this project, contributors are not just helping to make this film a reality—they’re taking a stand for the safety and education of every skier who ventures into the backcountry. Let’s honor the lives affected by these tragedies by empowering others with the knowledge to avoid them. The MWACF’s goal is to raise $50,000.
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• Digital Preservation of Our Past, Atop Mount WashingtonBy Peter Crane with Karen MacDonald The Mount Washington Observatory has the privilege of maintaining the Gladys Brooks Memorial Library, which includes books, archival material, and museum artifacts, with a principal subject focus of Mount Washington and the White Mountains. Presented here are a few of the images that have been digitized.
• Page 75The Tip-Top House was a hotel built on the summit of Mount Washington in 1853, and remains today. It was well known enough back then to even inspire its own brand of coffee. 75
• Page 76TMemorial Library, which includes books, archi he Mount Washington Observatory has the privilege of maintaining the Gladys Brooks val material, and museum artifacts, with a principal subject focus of Mount Washington and the White Mountains. The collection includes books, guide books, maps, engravings, stereoviews, postcards, photos, motion pictures, and many other materi als—some historical, some scientific. Included are the institutional archives of the Observatory, includ ing some materials dating to the Observatory’s 19th century forebears, the 1870-1871 Hitchcock-Hun tington Expedition and the soldier-observers of the U.S. Army Signal Service. The library is located at the Observatory’s Valley Office in North Conway village, and is accessible to the public. Looking for original Mount Washington weather records from the late 1800s? You’ll find some here, in the handwriting of early U.S. Army Signal Ser vice soldiers. The original logbook in which summit weather observer Salvatore Pagliuca recorded the fateful events of April 12, 1934, the day on which a world-record wind of 231 miles per hour blew over Mount Washington is here, too. Personal books and papers of Joe Dodge, who helped establish the Ob servatory in 1932, are also on the library’s shelves. A special feature of the collection comprises of pho tos, negatives, and other materials from renowned White Mountains photographer Guy Shorey, who flourished in the first half of the 20th century. The Observatory recently initiated a pilot digitiza tion project, funded, in part, through the generosity of the Henney Historical Fund. This project focuses on some of the most iconic items in the Observatory’s collection, with a goal to make many images available to the public via the internet. Providing such expand ed access will assist historical researchers and will accommodate those with an interest in the area for personal enrichment. Having the materials digitized will also spare the original, sometimes fragile, items from unnecessary wear and tear. Presented within are a few of the images that have been digitized. These images illustrate the long and colorful history of Mount Washington, and help chronicle the fascinating stories of human endeavor on the mountain, the loftiest peak in the Northeast ern United States. We consider not just the Obser vatory and its predecessors, but other activities that have a rich heritage on the mountain, such as the Mt. Washington Auto Road, The Mount Washing ton Cog Railway, and various summit buildings that have come and gone over the years. Many of the ear liest photographic images of the summit are from stereoviews, which were very popular in the last half of the 19th century. Placed in a simple viewer, the stereoviews allowed the two similar photos to be combined into a 3D image. 76
• Page 77The simple wooden shack that housed soldiers of the U.S. Army Signal Station, 1874-1890. Discover the history and art of the Mt. Washington Valley and the White Mountains–the way that your great-grandparents would have seen them.
• Page 78There was once a very different Observatory atop Mount Washington, a tower for surveying that stood from 1880 to 1902. The Mount Washington Summit Road Company generously allowed the Observatory to use the Summit Stage Office for its home from 1932 to 1937.
• Page 79The first Summit House, 1852-1885. This simple hotel was the first building of substance on the summit. The second Summit House, a stately hotel, was opened in 1874 and burned in 1908.
• Page 80This data sheet included the record-low temperature of -46.5 degrees F experi enced on Mount Washing ton on January 29, 1934. This Observatory logbook features Sal Pagliuca’s first-hand account of clocking the world-record wind on April 12, 1934.
• Page 812025 Guy Shorey loaned a camera to 1932-1933 summit weather observer Bob Monahan, who took photos that would later be featured on postcards.
• Page 82These images are just a tiny selection from the Observatory’s extensive library and archive. The Guy Shorey collection alone comprises more than 9,000 photos and negatives! The Observatory staff and volunteers will continue to preserve illustrative material and documents in a digital format, to make this import ant Mount Washington material more readily available to researchers and to the general public, and to help safeguard the sometimes century-old source material. Interested in learning more? Get in touch—a mountain of historical material awaits! Mount Washington Observatory is a nonprofit institution with a mission to advance understand ing of the natural systems that create Earth’s weather and climate. It serves this mission by maintaining a weather station on the summit of Mount Wash ington, performing weather and climate research, conducting innovative science education programs, and interpreting the heritage of the Mount Washington region. Get additional information at www.mountwashington.org. The number of overnight visitors to the Summit House required that the Cog Railway have a baggage car for the guests’ steamer trunks. Right: Brochures, tickets, and business cards of the Cog Railway are a small but significant part of the Observatory’s collections.
• Page 83FREQUENT DEPARTURES DAILY, all year longFREQUENT DEPARTURES DAILY, all year longSpring 2025 83
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