NORTH CONWAY, NH – Local businesses are teaming up to display art around the Mount Washington Valley and they need your help. The Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, Settlers Green and Cold River Graphics 3D are working to create art maps that inform visitors to the valley as to where they can go to view public works of art.

According to a press release they are looking for businesses and individuals to inform them of where people can go to view works that are free to view within the Valley. Examples include anything from sculptures to murals on buildings and everything in between. The hope is to add all artwork, sculpture or unusual collections in museums, historic societies, galleries, libraries, theaters, restaurants, inns and hotels, gardens, etc. from businesses in every town throughout Mt Washington Valley to the map.

Chamber officials said that the idea for the map sprouted after a collection of public art pieces were added to Settlers Green.

“While the Valley is renowned for its outdoor and family recreation, there are a surprising number of art works including the handsome Hannes Schneider bronze at Cranmore, whimsical statues at the Eastern Slope Inn, and others that delight visitors to Mt Washington Valley. This map will allow visitors to more easily discover and enjoy them,” said MWV Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Janice Crawford.

Dot Seybold, General Manager of Settlers Green, said “Public art is often a dynamic and enriching encounter on its own; experiencing it while shopping is a delightful surprise to our visitors and shoppers. In addition, today’s consumer has a strong interest in discovering local treasures. Adding stores to Settlers Green is just one piece of creating a successful shopping experience here. Creating an experience, tied to our surroundings, is also an important part of our mission,”

Rebecca Klementovich, one of the local artists that added public art to Settlers Green’s new Streetside addition said “When there is well thought out public art displayed it elevates the town,” adding “Visitors see that a town takes pride in its appearance and supports the Arts.”

Once the information is collected and artwork has been designed 10,000 maps will be printed and distributed locally to businesses, lodging properties, restaurants and Info Centers in and around Mt Washington Valley. In addition, the map will be added to the Chamber’s Arts Culture webpage at ArtsMWV.com so it can be viewed digitally too.

All those interested in adding their public artworks to the map should contact Janice Crawford via email at Janice@mtwashingtonvalley.org by September 10, 2018.

STOWE, NH (AP) – New Hampshire education officials say the transition to a new statewide assessment system has gone smoothly. The state switched from the Smarter Balanced assessment program to the New Hampshire Statewide Assessment system this year. Educators met last week to analyze whether the results were compatible, and the Department of Education says they found stable and continued strong results. The analysis found that a high percentage of students who scored the proficient level remained stable or improved in math compared to last year. And in language arts, nearly half the students improved or stayed the same.

A 16-year-old Parsonsfield driver in a Pontiac Sunfire collided with a truck after allegedly failing to stop at an intersection. ~ Photo courtesy of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office

 
BALDWIN, ME – A teenage girl was seriously injured in a Maine car accident last night. According to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office at around 8:20 pm the were called to Pequawket Trail at the intersection of Depot Road in Baldwin Maine for a two vehicle accident.

When authorities arrived they found the 16-year-old Parsonsfield driver of a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire trapped in her vehicle with a head injury. The Cornish Fire Department used extrication tools to free the driver who had suffered serious but non life threatening head injuries.

A 16-year-old Parsonsfield driver in a Pontiac Sunfire collided with a truck after allegedly failing to stop at an intersection. ~ Photo courtesy of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office

 
Cumberland County Deputies said that after an investigation they believe the driver and sole occupant of the Sunfire failed to stop at the stop sign on Depot road, driving through the intersection and into the travel lane of Pequawket Trail. She was then struck by a Chevy truck driven by 60-year-old Raymond McKenney of Westbrook, Maine who was headed east.

McKenney was alone in his truck and suffered only minor injuries. A lifeflight helicopter was called for the for the 16-year-old, but weather prevented them from responding. The girl was instead rushed to Maine Medical Center via Standish Rescue, she was released this morning.

Deputies said that the investigation is still on going, but they believe the teenage driver was distracted by an electronic device.