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Once Again, North Conway has been Named to 10 Best/USA Today’s Reader Choice Travel Award for Best Ski Town – Time to Start Voting!

North Conway, NH – Now through November 9th USA Today/10 Best is running its annual Readers’ Choice Award polls for the Best Ski Town Award and the Best XC Ski Resort Award.  For the fifth year in a row, North Conway has been nominated for the Best Ski Town list and Jackson Ski Touring Foundation has been named to the Best Cross Country Ski Resort nominees list.  Skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers and winter enthusiasts are encouraged to vote daily for these esteemed awards.  The top ten vote-getters after the voting closes on November 9th will be named to the lists, and the results will be announced on Friday, November 20th.

The voting recently opened and both North Conway and Jackson XC nominees are ranked within the top ten vote-getters, based on voting to date.  These lists are fluid, however, and the more votes the higher the rank for any of those nominees on the lists.  Voters can cast their votes once a day from each device.  Votes can be taken from computers, tablets, cell phones and any device that can connect to the internet.

In the past, North Conway and Jackson Ski Touring Foundations were among only a few entities from the Northeast. This year, North Conway is up against Bethel, ME, Stowe, VT and Canandaigua, NY for on the Best Ski Town list, making the competition in the Northeast a little tighter. In addition, popular ski towns like Aspen, Alta, Jackson Hole and Breckenridge are also on the list, making competition for the number one ski town heavy this year. Last year, North Conway lead the way in the number one spot during the entire voting process until the end when Bethel somehow got out the vote in the end, taking the #1 position.  The Mt. Washington Valley Chamber is out to regain that spot for Best Ski Town once again in 2020.

“Mt. Washington Valley is the only destination with nominations for both Best Ski Town and Best XC Resort,” noted Janice Crawford, Executive Director of the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. That alone is testimony to what kind of a premier winter destination we are lucky to live in. Making it on to these esteemed 10Best lists really helps to position Mt Washington Valley in the minds of skiers, snowboarders and XC skiers/snowshoers. We encourage everyone to vote daily to help us maintain the top place on these lists,” finished Janice.

Mt. Washington Valley is home to 13 ski resorts and XC Centers.  Referred to by many as “the birthplace of skiing,” North Conway has been garnering accolades as a ski town for decades.  In 2011, North Conway was named the #1 Destination Village for Skiers by SnowEast Magazine.  In 2012 and 2014 National Geographic named North Conway among the top 25 ski towns worldwide. In 2015 Lonely Planet named North Conway to its Best of the US 2015 list, and in 2016 Travel & Leisure readers named North Conway among the top Mountain Towns. In 2017 Country Living Magazine identified North Conway among the top 20 mountain towns for a vacation. And in 2018, Smithsonian Magazine named North Conway among the 20 best small towns to visit. North Conway has been nominated among the top Ski Towns in the USA by USA Today/10 Best for five years in a row, and all five years has made it among the top five ski towns on the list. In addition,  North Conway was named in a 10 Best/USA Today Readers Poll among the Best Small Adventure Towns in the 10 Best/USA Today Travel Awards for the third year in a row. 

And when it comes to XC skiing, Jackson Ski Touring Foundation has shared the limelight too, being named #1 Family Friendly Snowshoe Nordic Center in the USA by Snowshoe Magazine.  2019 marks the fifth year for Jackson Ski Touring Foundation to make it to USA Today’s Top Ten XC Resorts list.

To vote in the USA Today/10 Best Reader polls, follow these links:

We’ve already seen snow atop Mount Washington.  We’re counting on this omen for a great snow year in Mt Washington Valley. To learn more about ski and winter vacations in North Conway and Mt. Washington Valley, go to www.MtWashingtonValley.org or call 800-367-3364 (DO-SEE-NH).  To plan for a winter vacation in New Hampshire, go to www.VisitNH.gov.

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The Magic Holiday “Food” Drive is Looking for CASH & CHECK Donations ONLY on November 18th!

The 19th Annual Mount Washington Radio/Vaughan Community Services “Food” Drive is Wednesday, November 18th, 2020 and we’re approaching things differently this year!

Now in it’s 19th year, the Mount Washington Radio/Vaughan Community Services Annual Food Drive showcases what living in the Mount Washington Valley is all about – community, goodwill, and service.  Once again held at the First Church of Christ in North Conway, this one-day, 12-hour event helps collect donations for area food pantries benefiting those in need during the holiday season, as well as throughout the year. Many different pantries in the Greater Mount Washington Valley will see these donations from the drive helping those less fortunate in their communities.

However, due to COVID-19, we CANNOT ACCEPT FOOD DONATIONS OR FROZEN TURKEYS. Vaughan is currently working with all the Local Food Pantries to be able to get their food through donation and being able to buy food from the New Hampshire Food Bank. The money can go up to two or three times further for them when they buy food from the Food Bank and it will keep our communities SAFE.

As always, Magic 104 will still be broadcasting LIVE the entire day with a ton of help from our sponsors!

It will be a DRIVE THRU Event and volunteers will be outside ready to accept your generous CASH or CHECK donation. Thank you for understanding and keeping our community safe.

Stay tuned for more details as we get closer and thank you in advance for your donations!

Happy Holidays!

Vaughan Community Service, Inc. (VCS) was established in 1965 as a community outreach program for the First Church of Christ, Congregational in North Conway, New Hampshire, however there is no religious affiliation associated with the services provided including this event.

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Mt. Washington Valley Businesses Report Thriving Fall Foliage Season Despite Drought, Lack Of Fly-In or Canadian Visitors & Fryeburg Fair Cancellation

Photo taken over Columbus Day weekend, provided by Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce.

 

North Conway, NH – Normally, on any Columbus Day weekend in Mt. Washington Valley, NH lodging properties, restaurants, attractions and shops would be packed with Canadians celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving, international and fly-in visitors from throughout the world, and Fryeburg Fair goers. Visitors from New England might traditionally plan to visit during less busy times of year.  However, this Columbus Day, and the entire leaf-peeping/Fair season has been quite different than in years past.  Just as the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce reported over the summer, this fall the demographics of visitors to the Valley has hailed from within a six-or-less hour drive distance and has skewed younger.  Both throughout the summer and fall, the Valley has been packed with a new crowd; often first time visitors to the Valley, seeking outdoor recreation in a destination that has scenic beauty, open air offerings, plus the lodging, restaurants, attractions and tax-free shopping that make it an ideal vacation location.  While travel for those living farther or internationally has ground to a halt, business has still boomed in Mt. Washington Valley throughout summer and fall, 2020.

     Many businesses went into the fall foliage season with trepidation after fly-in visitors cancelled reservations en masse and a drought threatened fall colors for leaf-peepers.  With capacity limits in stores, at attractions, and social distancing cutting back dining tables at restaurants, there was concern that “open the doors and they may not come”.  By all accounts from members informally polled by the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce, business has boomed throughout the fall – both midweek and weekends. If traffic is any indicator, the fall foliage season, culminating in Columbus Day weekend, has been packed in Mt. Washington Valley.

     “Neither drought nor changes in travel patterns for our traditional base put a damper on our fall season,” said Janice Crawford, Executive Director for the Mt. Washington Valley.  “It’s testimony to the draw that the Valley offers with amazing scenery and outdoor recreation complimented by all the lodging, dining, shopping and attractions that people who’ve been working and schooling remotely at home seek.  Even Mother Nature didn’t let us down, offering a beautiful vista of color throughout the Valley that continues even now, despite a drought” she added.

     In interviewing chamber members, it was abundantly clear that visitors from a nearby market filled in for all those who couldn’t fly to Mt Washington Valley this fall.  Jen Kovach, co-owner of the Snowvillage described those visiting for Columbus Day explaining, “We found that guests planned their stay about three to four weeks in advance and most stayed two to four days.  Primarily, Snowvillage Inn guests were from Southern New Hampshire, Boston area, Rhode Island and New York.  All arrived wearing masks and followed our CDC guideline,” she commented.

     In looking back at fall 2020, Laura Lemieux, Marketing & Events Director at Settlers Green, told the chamber, “Stores have been busy midweek and weekends throughout the summer and fall. We had a 100% increase in web traffic over last year for the month of September. While we do miss our Canadian shoppers, which account for 15% to 25% of our business on a given year, the increase in domestic travel has made up for it. As an open-air shopping center, we continue to feel we’ll be a popular option as we now turn to holiday shopping after Columbus Day.”

     In North Conway Village, filled with independently owned shops and restaurants, Timothy W. Psaledakis, owner of Jewelry by Tim & Friends, had to furlough his staff when the pandemic hit requiring him to do business by appointment only.  Yet, Tim told the chamber his fall foliage clients understand and amazingly, even with the doors locked, business is comparable to last year.  Tim tells the chamber that doing business in a one-on-one basis by appointment allows more focused and individualized attention. Another win!

     Even direct-from-the-manufacturer sales have grown over the summer and fall.  Rob Nadler, of Ragged Mountain Equipment, told the chamber that the store’s retail business is up 40% to 50% over last year. “While  private label sewn product sales are down from last year, manufacturing and sales of Ragged Mountain products are way up,” said Rob.  Like others interviewed, Rob shared that they saw more customers from New York and New Jersey this fall than ever before.

     Restaurants owners have been pleasantly surprised by the fall business.  “Fall foliage this year was better than expected as far as guests went.  “Our dinner counts were about even on the weekends, but up a bit mid-week,” shared Terry O’Brien, owner of the Red Parka Steakhouse and Pub.  “We have had a lot of couples visiting, which is par for the course for foliage.  We had been concerned that a lot of our older guests would stay away, but the Baby Boomers have been out in force.  We have also had more hikers than in past years of all ages,” O’Brien added.

     Referring to Columbus Day weekend, Jen Kovach shared, “We could have seated two times as many folks each night for dinner at Max’s Restaurant and Pub. We  even decided to open our restaurant on Sunday because the demand was so high,” she shared.

     Lodging properties also shared insight into the demand from closer-living guests.  Debbie Orloff, owner of the Starlight Lodge told the chamber that they were missing group bookings, reunions, boys golf weekends, girls getaways, and of course Fryeburg Fair goers this year.  However, instead they filled their rooms with couples coming from closer states.

     Perhaps it was Eleanor (Ellie) Koeppel, General Manager and owner of The Wentworth, An Elegant Inn in Jackson who summed up not only the trends but the emotions of business owners in Mt. Washington Valley. “As businesses adapt, so do our guests,” shared Ellie. “Normally at this time my hotel would be full of visitors from all over the world here to view our infamous foliage. I worried then about what the foliage season would bring, but soon my worries were put to rest when the domestic traveler took their place. The other thing that keeps me optimistic about our industry and our country is the level of support from our core customers. Instead of their usual one or two visits a year we are welcoming many of them once a month.  New England is where they feel safe, and in particular of course they feel most safe in Jackson and at The Wentworth Hotel,” finished Ellie.

     Snow has already fallen atop Mount Washington.  The Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce see’s this as a positive omen for the winter season.  And with tax-free shopping and programs like Bring A Friend at Settlers Green and the White Mountains 100-Mile Challenge, encouraging visitors to explore the back roads and smaller towns of the White Mountains region, late fall and early winter are poised to continue to welcome visitors from New England and mid-Atlantic states  seeking a fine outdoor refuge offering an alternative to home which has become the office and school all in one.

     For more information on planning a vacation to Mt Washington Valley, go to www.MtWashingtonValley.org for complete trip-planning resources.  In addition, find all the information you need to plan a New Hampshire vacation at www.VisitNH.gov.

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Injured Climber at Cathedral Ledge

On Saturday October 10th, 2020 at 11:15 a.m. 911 received a call for an injured climber at Cathedral Ledge State Park. Venkata Damaraju, 33 years old from Atlanta, Georgia, fell while rock climbing the Funhouse climbing route.  New Hampshire Fish and Game along with Mountain Rescue Service (MRS), North Conway Fire/Rescue and Brewster Ambulance service responded to the call for assistance. 

Damaraju was lead climbing the Funhouse route.  He was attempting to place a piece of protection when he lost his balance and fell approximately 20 feet landing on a ledge below.  He sustained multiple injuries to his back, hip and foot.  His hiking companions were able to safely lower him to the base of the climbing route after calling 911.  MRS was able to access Damraju and lower him to a stable location before carrying him to the trailhead parking area.  Damaraju was transported to Memorial Hospital in North Conway by Brewster Ambulance Service for evaluation and treatment. 

This incident is a good reminder to all people recreating in the outdoors to plan appropriately when hiking. With the current situation of COVID 19 people are putting emergency personnel and volunteers at a great risk when they get injured. Having appropriate gear including face masks and latex gloves aids in safety.

No further information is available at this time. 

Photo provided by NH Fish and Game
Photo provided by NH Fish and Game

 

Source: NH Fish and Game Press Release

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Feel Good Story of the Week: Pharmacy Gives Boy “Monster Spray”

 

Monsters under the bed are no match for a boy in British Columbia, Canada, who found the antidote to his fears thanks to a local pharmacist’s concoction. Worried about what lurks in the dark, seven-year-old Jakob Garfield had been sneaking into his parents’ bed, and his mother, Heather Garfield, knew she had to do something to ease his anxiety. Years ago, Garfield’s older son had some of the same fears and came up with a “monster spray” to spritz around his room at night to keep the monsters away. But Jakob wasn’t going to believe in a home remedy. So Garfield went to the Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacy too see if they’d help with her request for a “monster spray.” Minutes later, Garfield left with Jakob’s new secret weapon — a spray bottle complete with an official pharmacy label including Jakob’s name and instructions for use.

For the full article click here.

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True Spooky Stories: Pompeii Artifacts Returned By Tourist Who Claimed ‘Curse’

Pompeii_Photo by Graham-H/Pixabay.com

 

If you dare take artifacts from Pompeii you might regret doing so. A Canadian woman named Nicole recently sent some pieces she took from the city 15 years ago to a travel agent in Pompeii, with a request that the items be returned to the park. She writes in the letter that she had experienced a string of bad luck since the theft that included two bouts with breast cancer. She wrote in part, “We are good people and I don’t want to pass this curse on to my family, my children, or myself anymore. Please forgive my careless act that I did years ago.” She sent along two mosaic tiles, parts of an amphora, and a piece of ceramic. A spokeswoman for the Archaeological Park of Pompeii says there have been about a hundred previous incidents of tourists sending Pompeii artifacts back to the city along with apologetic notes claiming the objects were cursed. The park has even created a museum to display the returned items and letters from apologetic tourists.

For the full article click here.

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VOTER ALERT: Unidentified Mailers Containing Absentee Ballot Application Forms

Concord, NH — Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald issues the following alert to New Hampshire voters.

The Attorney General’s Office has been notified that some New Hampshire residents have received unidentified mailers containing an absentee ballot application form with an allegedly hand written note. The message on the note states, “You are needed please fill this out and mail it in.”  The mailer also contains a return envelope with the recipient’s town or city clerk in the address block.

State law requires that a mailing such as this contain the identity of the entity mailing and distributing the form. No such identification accompanies the attached mailer.

The Attorney General’s Office has received inquiries from election officials and voters regarding this mailer. Voters should be aware that these unidentified mailers have not been sent by New Hampshire town or city clerks. These unidentified mailers have not been sent by any State agency.

Voters receiving this unidentified mailer who have already requested and/or submitted an absentee ballot need not complete another absentee ballot application form. Voters can check the status of their absentee ballot here: https://app.sos.nh.gov/Public/AbsenteeBallot.aspx

Voters can find the contact information for their local town or city clerk here: https://app.sos.nh.gov/Public/Reports.aspx

Information about absentee ballots can be found here: https://sos.nh.gov/elections/voters/absentee-ballots/

Voters are reminded that the Attorney General’s Office and Secretary of State’s Office are the official resources available to all New Hampshire voters and election officials for guidance and assistance regarding election related issues or concerns ahead of the General Election on November 3, 2020.

Voters with questions or concerns are urged to contact the Attorney General’s Election hotline:  1-866-868-3703 (1-866-VOTER03). In the event a caller receives voicemail, the caller should leave a message. Attorneys in the office will address each message received.  Inquiries and complaints may also be submitted via email at electionlaw@doj.nh.gov.