Local and regional news

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Injured Hiker Carried Off Carter-Moriah Trail in Shelburne

Shelburne – Fish & Game Conservation Officers and volunteers from Androscoggin Valley Search & Rescue (AVSAR), and Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities (SOLO) responded to a report of an injured hiker approximately 3 miles up the Carter-Moriah Trail in Shelburne Saturday afternoon around 2:00 p.m.

The hiker, identified as Donald Devost, 48, of Berwick, ME, was descending after summiting Mt. Moriah when he slipped a steep, granite slab on the trail and suffered an injury to his lower leg.  In pain and unable to bear any weight on that leg, Devost made a call to 911 requesting help.

Responding rescue personnel, including a class of Wilderness First Responder students from SOLO out of the Conway area, hiked in from the trailhead off Bangor Street in Gorham.  Initial first responders on scene treated the injured leg and placed Devost into a litter and started carrying him down a mile of trail to an awaiting ATV.  Devost was then taken from the litter and placed on the ATV and driven down nearly 2 miles to the trailhead.  The rescue crew arrived at the trailhead at 6:45 p.m.  From there Devost was transported to Androscoggin Valley Hospital in Berlin for further treatment of his injury.

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Spring in NH Brings Blue Skies, Warmer Temperatures – and Wildfire Season

Gov. Sununu with Smokey Bear and N.H. Forest Protection personnel. Picture Courtesy of Governor Sununu’s Facebook Page

 

Governor Chris Sununu has proclaimed April 18-24 “Wildfire Awareness Week,” part of an effort to raise the level of public consciousness about the dangers of wildfire and its impact not only on New Hampshire’s forested landscape, but also the potential impact to homes, personal property and the state’s wide variety of recreational opportunities.

Unlike other parts of the country that experience their annual increase in wildfire activity in the summer and fall, spring is wildfire season in the northeastern portion of the United States, when dry grasses, leaves and pinecones, along with fallen twigs and branches, serve as potential fuel for a wildfire.

Limited precipitation received within the past week has not significantly improved the ongoing drought conditions in New Hampshire. More than 57 percent of the state is now experiencing moderate drought conditions and the remainder of the state is classified as abnormally dry.

The heightened concern for wildfires will continue until adequate precipitation is received allowing new leaves and green vegetation to emerge.

“As we transition from winter to spring, it’s important that everyone be aware that their change in activities may alter the causes of wildfires, but not the risk,” said Capt. Douglas Miner from the N.H. Forest Protection Bureau. “Being vigilant about what we are doing outdoors – whether disposing of ash from a woodstove, having that first cookout of the season or doing something else that involves combustion – and practicing strong wildfire prevention behavior can have an enormous impact on all of us.”

Ninety percent of wildfires in New Hampshire are caused by human behavior. While brush fires and campfires are common causes, other sources include improper disposal of smoking materials, overheated engines and sparks emitted from machinery.

“New Hampshire’s forests experienced a significant increase in visitors in 2020, and overall that’s great for our health and our economy,” said Patrick Hackley, director of the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands. “Unfortunately, not everyone understands how their actions might start a wildfire and cause damage to our landscape. This proclamation serves to highlight the importance of wildfire prevention awareness.”

The state’s Forest Protection Bureau, part of the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands, is responsible for protecting 4.5 million acres of both public and private New Hampshire forestlands from the threat of wildland fire and crimes against the forest resource. This is accomplished by forest rangers, fire patrolmen, fire tower personnel and support staff as well as the forest fire wardens and deputy wardens serving in each community.

From 2016-2020, New Hampshire experienced an average of 119 wildfires impacting 276 acres annually.

The N.H. Forest Protection Bureau is part of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Division of Forests and Lands, which protects and promotes the value provided by trees, forests and natural communities. For more information about the Division of Forests and Lands and the work of its Forest Protection Bureau, visit nh.gov/nhdfl or call 603-271-2214.

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A New Name for the North Conway Public Library

The North Conway Public Library has officially been renamed after Lyman Pope in recognition of his generous donation to the expansion project. Shown admiring the new signage is from left Lyman Pope, Sharon Wroblewski, Capital Campaign Chair, and Andrea Masters, Library Director.

 

NORTH CONWAY, NH – It’s been an exciting year for the North Conway Public Library. The expansion and renovation project, which doubled the size of the library and brought systems up to code, while adding much needed space for library services to meet community needs, was completed in 2020.

While the library is open, with limited hours due to COVID, the capital campaign is ongoing. “We have approximately $350,000 still to raise”, said Andrea Masters, Library Director. “We were so fortunate to receive funding from Lyman for the construction but rising costs during this phase of the project increased our budget needs significantly and we continue to seek grant funding, as well as community support to reach our goal.”

In 2018, the Board of Directors set a goal to renovate and expand the iconic North Conway Public Library after a very generous donation by Lyman Pope, a loyal patron of the library since the 1950’s. He said he saw the need for expansion there and was happy to be in a position to help that cause, as well as to support a library where dogs are welcome. “And this location is excellent. It’s right downtown and people have walking access to it,” Pope said.

“Lyman was instrumental in the development of plans for the expansion – a strong voice from the very beginning of planning through the construction phase” said Board President, Neill Osgood. “As with the early gifts from Mr. Whitaker and Dr. Schouler, one of the Valley’s own set the stage for the library’s future. We thank our friend, Mr. Lyman Pope, for his vision and courageous advances for the betterment of our community and future of our beloved library. We also thank our wonderful patrons and the many community members who have donated to our fund, as well.”

Known for his support of animal shelters, this is Pope’s first library donation and his first project here in his Mount Washington Valley home. The reasons are simple, he said. He cares about dogs that have been mistreated and he cares about libraries.

“Lyman loves books and libraries, and dogs”, said Andrea Masters, Library Director. “He is particularly fond of German shepherds, and as part of the building project, he commissioned a bronze statue of a shepherd that sits proudly by the new entrance in honor of war dogs that have served the American military during wartime.”

The library plans a grand opening celebration sometime in 2021 and looks forward to welcoming the community to the Pope Memorial Library, the newly renamed library announced by the board of directors at their annual meeting in March.

Mr. Pope donated $3 million to the building project and will donate $2 million to the endowment once the name change is officially recorded, all signage completed, and a new walkway built from Main Street to the new entrance of the building in the back.

“We are thrilled to name our library after Lyman Pope”, said Osgood. “His gift is all the more important as the library receives no funding from the town and relies on donations and grants. Lyman’s generosity and devotion to the library and its standing in our community will endure for years to come, as will our mission to enhance the quality of life of our patrons and community, as a whole.”

For more information on the library and its capital campaign please call 603-356-2961, visit northconwaylibrary.com, or stop by during library hours Tuesday and Thursday 10am – 2 pm and Friday 12 pm – 4 pm.

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Settlers Green is Adding 5 NEW Tenants including an Arcade!

Settlers Green is adding five new tenants including an arcade for Summer 2021.

It is also expanding Stonewall Kitchen and Kitchen Store Outlet and welcoming back local favorites Cheese Louise and Trails End Ice Cream to the food kiosks in the Courtyard.

Ryan Family Amusements will be opening an arcade next to Old Navy that will include a game room with skill, prize and video games. Ryan’s can host birthday parties, private parties and fundraising events.

There will be a new candy shop, Sweetz & More, set to open in early May next to Under Armour.

For the adults, new alcohol retailer Beer & Wine Nation offers a unique list of microbrews including singles and bombers, four-packs, and six-packs, along with a curated collection of popular wines. Beer & Wine Nation is set to open in June next to White Mountain Cupcakery at Suite D54.

Also en route is Pepper Palace is a family-owned business that started in 1989 in Wisconsin and has grown to over 100 retail locations in the US and Canada. Award-winning products include hot sauce, dry rubs, and salsa.

Beyond new stores, several expansions and construction projects are underway.

“Kitchen Store Outlet has doubled its size since its initial opening last September,” Settlers Green’s Laura Lemieux said. “There is high-demand for home goods and kitchen products in today’s market and this store has a lot to offer.”

There is also a flurry of construction activity taking place as OVP Management Inc. prepares to make way for Market Basket. Site work is expected to begin by summer at Settlers Green Streetside. On Route 16 across from Settlers Crossing, construction of a new building that will include Chipotle Mexican Grill in on track and expected to be complete by August.

OVP Management, Inc., a Newton, Massachusetts based real estate development company that has developed over 500,000 square feet of commercial properties in North Conway. Settlers Green is also the home of the Mt. Washington Radio Group.

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President Biden Signs Into Law Senator Hassan’s Bipartisan Bill to Expand Veterans’ Access to Vaccines

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden signed into law bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan, a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and her colleagues that will expand COVID-19 vaccine access to all veterans, their spouses, and their caregivers through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

While many VA Medical Centers offer vaccines to veterans who receive their health care through the VA, this new law changes the policy that restricted VA Medical Centers from providing no-cost vaccine options for veterans not enrolled in VA services. Now VA Medical Centers have the option to offer vaccines to veterans who are not enrolled in VA services – as well as their spouses and caregivers.

“Getting more vaccines into arms is critical to our efforts to save lives and get through this devastating pandemic. I am very pleased that President Biden signed into law our bipartisan bill that will allow VA Medical Centers to build on their current vaccination efforts. Because of this new law, more veterans – and their spouses and caregivers – will be able to get vaccinated more quickly,” said Senator Hassan. “I will continue to work to strengthen our country’s vaccine production and distribution, and help ensure that veterans receive the care that they deserve and have earned.”

The bipartisan Strengthening and Amplifying Vaccination Efforts to Locally Immunize all Veterans and Every Spouse (SAVE LIVES) Act would allow the VA to provide no-cost COVID vaccination services to all veterans, the spouses of veterans, caregivers, and Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) recipients to the extent that such vaccines are available. The legislation also urges the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to adjust the VA’s vaccine allocation based on this increased eligibility pool, as much as the supply chain allows.

The SAVE LIVES Act will expand VA’s authority to provide vaccines to: 

  • Veterans who are not eligible for enrollment in VA’s health care system, including veterans without compensable service-connected disabilities and veterans who have incomes above a certain threshold;
  • Caregivers of veterans who are enrolled in various VA home-based and long-term care programs;
  • Veterans living abroad who rely on the Foreign Medical Program;
  • Spouses of veterans; and
  • CHAMPVA recipients (spouses or children of permanently and totally disabled veterans or of veterans who have died from service-connected disabilities).

Senator Hassan is working to support veterans throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The Senator recently participated in a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing, where she pressed top officials at the VA about what the agency is doing to distribute COVID-19 vaccines quickly and efficiently to veterans in New Hampshire and across the country. Additionally, the American Rescue Plan that Senator Hassan helped pass into law will strengthen veterans’ health care services, including to support mental health and telehealth, and also includes significant funding for job training to help veterans get good-paying jobs. Senator Hassan also recently helped secure key priorities for Granite State veterans in the bipartisan veterans package that was signed into law earlier this year, including the Deborah Sampson Act, which Senator Hassan joined in introducing to eliminate barriers to care and services that many women veterans face. The bipartisan package also included a number of other measures cosponsored by Senator Hassan, including supporting veterans experiencing homelessness, helping veterans safely dispose of unwanted medication, and helping address the high rate of unemployment among veterans as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, last year Senator Hassan cosponsored bipartisan legislation, which is now law, to improve veterans’ access to mental health care in New Hampshire and across the country.

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2021 Mount Washington Valley Mr. Crowned

Clay Groves is Valley Mr. 2021 – Picture courtesy of Valley Promotions

 

NORTH CONWAY, NH – Over $29,000.00 was raised for local non-profits by the 11 men who competed in the 2021 Mount Washington Valley Mr. Pageant, aired on Sunday, March 21st.  Presented by Mount Washington Valley Promotions, the collaborative fund-raising event was hosted virtually by Valley Vision Channel 3.  Each man was scored in Interview, Runway and Prepared Speech by a panel of judges.  In addition, each was asked to collect funds for his chosen non-profit, those figures also factoring into the final score. 

At the end of the pageantry, Clay Groves, representing White Mountains Pride, was crowned 2021 Valley Mr. and received a check for $500.00 for the organization, in addition to the funds he raised in his Ca$h Can.  Eric Moran represented White Horse Recovery, claiming the Runner-up position. Top fund-raiser, for Conway Area Humane Society, was Jimmy Gardner.  The other contestants were Marshall Allan – representing Carroll County RSVP, Del Bean – representing Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, Brendan King – representing Linderhof Country Club, Joe McCusker – representing North Conway Community Center, Tee Rendleman – representing Project SUCCEED, Benjamin Russell – representing Visiting Nurses of Carroll County & Western Maine, Grayson Smith – representing M&D Playhouse and Robert Young – representing North Conway Rotary Club. 

Reigning Mount Washington Valley Ms., Laurie Ramsay, served as emcee of the event, with 2019 Mount Washington Valley Mr., Christopher Bellis, passing the crown to the new king.  Entertainment was provided by Kennett Drumline, Kennett Dance Team, Miss MWV Teen Ella Fecteau and Miss NH for America Hannah-Jo Weisberg.  Local businesses donated “swag” items for all of the participants so everyone who participated, and their causes, were winners in the end.

Event organizer and Valley Promotions Executive Director, Lisa DuFault, was thrilled with the collaboration.  “Not only did these men represent their chosen organizations well”, she stated, “they supported one another and raised a LOT of money for the local non-profits”.

To learn about future collaborative events,  visit www.ValleyPromotions.net.

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NH DNCR Opens FY2021 ‘Moose Plate’ Cultural Conservation Grant Round

The N.H. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources is now accepting letters of intent for projects seeking funding from its Conservation License Plate fiscal year 2021 grant round.

DNCR “Moose Plate” grants support the restoration, preservation and / or conservation of publicly owned items significant to New Hampshire’s cultural heritage.

Three of the DNCR’s divisions – the Division of Historical Resources, the State Council on the Arts and the State Library – support cultural conservation grant programs through Moose Plate funding. Each division’s grant program has specific requirements.

Organizations seeking Moose Plate grant funding are required to submit a letter of intent, providing a brief description of the project and confirming that the resource is publicly owned, by May 7th. Applicants will be notified if their project fits a DNCR division’s program criteria. They may then choose to submit a full application by June 25th.

More information about each division’s specific grant program requirements is available at dncr.nh.gov/moose_plate. Applicants may only apply to one DNCR grant program in a given year.

Each year, the DNCR receives a percentage of funds raised from the sales of Moose Plates. To help preserve the state’s cultural heritage, the department designates a portion of those funds for the conservation of cultural resources in New Hampshire.

Funds received by the DNCR also support its Division of Forests and Lands’ Natural Heritage Bureau and its Division of Parks and Recreation’s Historic Sites Bureau.

In fiscal year 2019, 30 projects received a total of $269,218 in DNCR cultural conservation grant funding.

For more information about the Moose Plate Program, including how to purchase a Moose Plate, visit mooseplate.com.

The N.H. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ five divisions are dedicated to protecting, promoting and managing a wide variety of New Hampshire’s natural, recreational and cultural resources.

Together, these resources help define our state and are major drivers of our economy and high quality of life. For more information, visit dncr.nh.gov.