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Feel Good Story of the Week – New Homeowners Return Coins Worth $25,000 Found in a Drawer

A South Carolina couple found dozens of gold and silver coins worth $25,000 while settling into their new home in Columbia, and quickly returned them, with James and Clarrisa Munford, who are both retired from the Army, saying they never thought of keeping the coins.

Last month, James Munford was checking out the built-in drawers in a closet of the home they closed on in mid-October when he found two cases holding 46 gold Liberty $5 coins and 18 Morgan silver dollars that were made in the 1800s. He texted photos of the coins to the former owner and arranged to return them.

CNN said the former owner, who didn’t want to be  named, said he didn’t realize the coins were missing and would never have known if the Munfords had decided to sell them and keep the money. Munford said of the owner, “He just thanked me because he said there’s not too many honest people out there” who would have done that.

For the full story click here.

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Box Office Recap – 11/30/2020

Universal and DreamWorks’ The Croods: A New Age topped the box office with $9.7 million over three days and $14.2 million over the long five-day Thanksgiving stretch. The total global haul was $35 million. This constitutes the best opening since the pandemic shut down theaters, besting the Robert Pattinson-toplined Tenet’s Labor Day haul of $9.35M. 

By Thanksgiving standards though, the performance was dismal, but Universal is crediting the relative win to its marketing push. 

Said Universal US distribution boss Jim Orr about Universal’s commitment to Croods 2 even as theaters began to close nationwide in recent weeks (via Deadline), “We unleashed the best in industry marketing to drive as many people to as many opened theaters as we possibly could, and the results speak for themselves.”

CHECK IT OUT:

Read the Full Story: https://bit.ly/3ljJBEj

Top 10 at the Box Office:

  1. Croods: A New Age: $9.7M
  2. Freaky, $770K
  3. War With Grandpa, $644K
  4. Let Him Go, $453K
  5. Come Play, $387K
  6. Honest Thief, $350K
  7. Elf, $315K
  8. Tenet, $300K
  9. The Santa Clause, $170K
  10. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, $169K
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Bernerhof Inn and American Legion Post 46 are Offering FREE Thanksgiving Meals to Those in Need

GLEN, NH —  Nick Panno, owner and innkeeper of The Bernerhof Inn, announced the inn is once again offering a free Thanksgiving meal to go to anyone in need who seeks a hot turkey day feast. The meals will be offered for curbside pick up from 12pm – 2:30pm on Thurs., Nov. 26, 2020.

Nick bought the Inn in 2019 and brought the tradition to the Bernerhof starting last Thanksgiving when they fed over 100 people – from veterans to seniors to families. Panno stated, “Whether an individual is alone, homeless, visiting a loved one at the hospital or nursing home … no matter what the reason, everyone is welcome to pick up a hot meal.”

Thanksgiving dinner including roast turkey and all the fixings will be served. No reservations or advance orders are necessary.  Due to COVID-19, this year’s free Thanksgiving meal is being offered to go, not at the Inn as was done in 2019.

For more information, contact Nick Panno at 603-383-4200.  The Inn is located on Route 302 in Glen, NH.

 

CONWAY — As in years past, American Legion Post 46 in Conway Village has been busy this week, creating free turkey Thanksgiving dinners. The difference is that due to pandemic guidelines, there will not be a sit-down dinner at the post come Thursday — only delivered meals and curbside pickups, said Post 46 Sons of the American Legion Commander Rick Breton.

The meals — consisting of roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potato, butternut squash, glazed carrots, gravy, a roll and slice of pie — will be available at no charge on Nov. 26 from noon-4 p.m. for curbside pickup and takeout, at Post 46, Breton said — as long as supplies last.

“We’ll have the dinners ready until we run out of food,” said Breton on Tuesday as his team of Legion volunteers worked to prep the meals.
Post 46 is located at 47 Tasker Hill Road. People can order a turkey dinner by calling Post 46 at (603) 447-3927. For more information, follow American Legion Post 46 on Facebook.

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Feel Good Story of the Day: Cat Returns Home to Berlin After 3 Years

Turtle the Cat Has Been Missing for 3 Years (Picture Courtesy of Berlin Police Department)

 

This week our Feel Good Story comes from just up the road in Berlin, New Hampshire. The Berlin Police Department posted up this story on their Facebook Page on November 18th. Enjoy!

“Around midnight this morning, the PD received a call from Androscoggin Valley Hospital in reference to a cat that tripped the ER doors and let herself inside. She was eventually contained in a room near the Lab and hunkered down happy to be warm. Lt. Hollie Dube responded to assist with getting the cat back outside. A Havahart trap was set, and the waiting game began.

About three hours later, we were told the cat was in the trap. Lt. Dube responded again anticipating a catch and release, with the cat being on her merry way back outside. However, now contained in the trap, Lt. Dube saw an extremely thin, dirty but very friendly feline. It was a balmy 19 degrees out and the wind and snow made it feel much colder. Lt. Dube decided to take the cat to the station and hold onto her until later that morning (after she got some much needed sleep and on her day off) where she could transport the cat to the Conway Area Humane Society, who graciously said they could take the cat in.
 
As a last-ditch effort, the cat was posted on the Berlin/Gorham Area: Lost Pets Facebook page. A short time later, Andrea Fortin, of Berlin, thought the cat may be hers and went to the PD to check her out. Low and behold, the cat was hers! Andrea said they called the cat Turtle and she had been missing for THREE YEARS! You heard me – THREE YEARS! Andrea told Lt. Dube that when she picked her up, Turtle started giving her head bumps under her chin and seemed to recognize her. When Andrea got her home, she seemed to be familiar with her surroundings and happy to be back. Turtle will be getting a much needed veterinary appointment and Andrea is ecstatic Turtle is finally home. There is always hope.”
 
Turtle the Cat Reunited with Andrea Fortin After 3 Years (Picture Courtesy of Berlin Police Department)
 
 
 
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White Mountain National Forest Service Now Offers Option to Purchase Christmas Tree Permit On-line

Campton, NH (Nov. 16, 2020) – White Mountain National Forest officials are welcoming the public to select and cut a Christmas tree on the White Mountain National Forest with the purchase of a $5.00 permit. For the first time, permits will now be available for purchase either on-line (an additional $2.50 service fee applies) or in-person at a WMNF office. In support of the Every Kid Outdoors Initiative, this year the Forest Service will provide all fourth and fifth grade students with a free Christmas tree voucher by registering here: https://everykidoutdoors.gov. Fourth and fifth graders who register must present a printed voucher to redeem an Every Kid Outdoors Pass and a Christmas tree permit.

  • Permits can be purchased either online or in-person at a WMNF office
  • Permits can be purchased in-person at our three district offices: Saco Ranger District in Conway is open daily for permit sales, 9 AM to 4 PM.  Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, please contact the Pemigewasset or Androscoggin offices prior to your visit to schedule an appointment.
  • Only 1 permit issued per household per year. Trees are for personal use only, not for resale.  Each family may cut one tree per permit per year. 
  • Use only hand tools to cut Christmas trees.  Chainsaws are not permitted.
  • Make sure you are on National Forest land.  Respect the rights of landowners when crossing private property.
  • Do not cut trees within 100 feet of: campgrounds, picnic areas, trailheads or developed recreation areas, experimental forests, designated wilderness areas, water bodies, active timber sales.
  • Do not cut trees within 100 feet of paved roads and 50 feet from dirt roads.
  • When you purchase the permit ask if there are any known “off limit” areas.
  • Do not cut trees larger than 6 inches in diameter at chest height. Pack down limb piles low enough so they are within 2 feet of the ground.
  • Cut your tree so remaining stumps will be less than 10″ in height.

Be prepared for winter — dress appropriately in warm clothing and make your day a safe one!

White Mountain National Forest Offices

Pemigewasset Ranger District — 71 White Mountain Drive – Campton, NH– 603-536-6100

Saco Ranger District — 33 Kancamagus Highway — Conway, NH — 603-447-5448

Androscoggin Ranger District — 300 Glen Rd. — Gorham, NH — 603-466-2713

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Taylor Swift Wins 3 American Music Awards Including Artist Of The Year… Here’s Your AMA Recap!

In a pre-recorded speech, Taylor Swift accepted Artist of The Year at last night’s (11-22) American Music Awards. She thanked her fans and apologized for not being there, stating that she was in the studio re-recording her old music. She also won Music Video and Female Artist of the Year.

The show opened with Justin Bieber and a dramatic performance of “Lonely,” and “Holy.” He was then joined by Shawn Mendes, who came back in the second hour of the show to perform again. Bieber won in 3 categories, Favorite Male Artist, Favorite Country Song, and Collaboration of the Year. The latter two he shared with Dan + Shay, who also picked up Favorite Country Duo.

Also winning 3 AMA’s, The Weeknd, performed and accepted while wearing a large, white bandage that covered nearly his entire head and face. It was never mentioned on the show, which was confusing, however, fans online assumed that it was part of a promotion for his album, in which he sports a bloodied nose on the cover.

Doja Cat took home New Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist.

BTS performed from Korea and won Favorite Social Artist and Favorite Group.

From the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, actress/host Taraji P. Henson danced onto the stage with a medley of songs including “Let’s Go Crazy” by Prince. Except for life-size cut-outs of artists like Beyonce, Stevie Nicks, and Dolly Parton, the downstairs of the theatre was empty. Small groups from the same families were allowed in the balcony. Socially distanced, they were all wearing masks, and covid tested. Henson called it “Our small, but mighty, covid-free audience.”

HIGHLIGHTS:

(10x Platinum, GRAMMY-nominated) Bebe Rexha and Doja Cat performed “Baby I’m Jealous.”

BTS performed from South Korea. It looked like a live performance until they suddenly were wearing different clothes.

The Weeknd dedicated his win for Best Album for R&B to his hero Prince. He later performed with Kenny G.

Dan + Shay made their AMA performance debut.

PERFORMANCES:

Bell Biv Devoe who made their AMA debut 30 years ago, returned to perform “Do Me,” and “Poison.”

Billie Eilish performed “Therefore I am” socially distanced from her band. The band members were wearing masks.

Megan Thee Stallion world premiered a song from her debut album, Good News.

(5 time AMA winner) Katy Perry, and Darius Rucker swapped lyrics for her song “Only Love.” Just the two of them on stage. Darius also played acoustic guitar.

Lewis Capaldi gave a slowed down performance of “Before You Go.”

Lil Baby made his AMA debut with a live performance of  “Emotionally Scarred.”

Justin Bieber sang “Lonely,” and he backed it up with “Holy.” And before the audience stopped clapping Shawn Mendes joined him on stage.

Shawn Mendes returned in the second hour to sing “I Wonder.”

24KGoldn with Iann Dior performed “Mood.”

Dua Lipa performed “Levitating.” At the end of the song… it looked like she was actually levitating.

Jennifer Lopez and Maluma world premiered “Pa’ Ti” and “Lonely.”

Dan + Shay performed “I Should Probably Go To Bed.”

Machine Gun Kelly, fresh off his #1 album debut performed a medley of his songs and was joined by Travis Barker.

The Weeknd performed a rendition of “In Your Eyes” featuring Kenny G, and the world television premiere of “Save Your Tears.”

WINNERS MONTAGE:

 

WINNERS:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Taylor Swift

FAVORITE MUSIC VIDEO: Taylor Swift “Cardigan”

FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP POP/ROCK: BTS

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Doja Cat

COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR: Dan + Shay featuring Justin Bieber “10,000 Hours”

FAVORITE SONG – POP ROCK:-  Dua Lipa “Don’t Stop Now”

FAVORITE SONG- RAP/HIP-HOP: Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion “WAP”

FAVORITE SONG – SOUL/R&B: The Weeknd “Heartless”

FAVORITE SONG – COUNTRY: Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours”

FAVORITE SONG – LATIN: Karol G and Nicki Minaj “Tusa”

FAVORITE DUO OR GROUP – COUNTRY: Dan + Shay

FAVORITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B – The Weeknd After Hours

FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP: Roddy Ricch Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial

FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK: Harry Styles Fine Line

FAVORITE ALBUM – LATIN: Bad Bunny Las Que No Iban A Salir

FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY: Blake Shelton Fully Loaded: God’s Country

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY: Maren Morris

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST SOUL/R&B: Doja Cat

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – LATIN: Becky G

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP: Nicki Minaj

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK: Taylor Swift

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK: Justin Bieber

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B: The Weeknd

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – LATIN: Bad Bunny

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP: Juice Wrld

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY: Kane Brown

FAVORITE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP: Nicki Minaj

FAVORITE ARTIST – ADULT CONTEMPORARY: Jonas Brothers

FAVORITE ARTIST – CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL: Lauren Daigle

FAVORITE ARTIST – ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC: Lady Gaga

FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK: Harry Styles Fine Line

FAVORITE SOUNDTRACK: Birds of Prey: The Album

 

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North Conway Named #1 Ski Town in North America by USA TODAY’s 10BEST

North Conway, NH – North Conway has once again been named the #1 ski town in North America by USA TODAY’s 10Best.com.  Competing against such well known ski towns as Aspen, Breckenridge and Jackson Hole, North Conway took top honors in the number one spot among those who voted in the 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards Travel Contest which took place over the past month. In addition, Jackson XC was included in the 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for the Best XC Ski Resort, coming in fifth out of the top ten XC ski centers in North America.

The number one ski town designation for North Conway has a legacy.  Since 2016, North Conway has been nominated for the esteemed title of Best Ski Town by 10Best. For a number of  years, they held the #1 spot until 2018 when they were named #2.  This served to motivate the chamber to get out the vote, and with help from skiers and riders throughout the USA, North Conway regained it’s title as the #1 ski town this year. 

“To be named the number one ski town in all of North America is a huge honor and feather in our cap, especially when we see the company we’re in among ski towns across North America” commented Janice Crawford, Executive Director of the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. “Between the 13 ski resorts and XC Centers we offer, along with on-mountain recreation for non-skiers, snowmobiling, dog sledding, sleigh rides, ice skating, and all the backcountry recreation of the White Mountains, we believe we have earned the designation of not only best ski town but best winter town too. And with Jackson XC on the 10Best XC Ski Resort list, Mt Washington Valley is certainly the premier winter destination this year” added Crawford. “We simply ask skiers who come to visit our destination to wear masks and respect the new safety measures put in place at ski resorts and other businesses throughout town,” finished Crawford.

According to 10Best editors, “Someday, we’ll all be ready to pack our suitcases again and head out on our next adventures. In the meantime, we’ll keep supporting the places that inspire us. What makes a great ski town? Some would say it’s convenient access to the slopes, for others, maybe it’s the variety of restaurants, bars, shops and accommodations. Yet others might gravitate toward a small town vibe or historic atmosphere.” The editors followed up this observation with a message to us in North Conway. “Since this nomination was carefully made by an expert panel, and the public voted for this honor, you have earned some serious bragging rights!”

The top ten winners in the USA TODAY/10Best Reader’s Choice Awards for Best Ski Town are as follows:

  1. North Conway, NH
  2. Rossland, BC, Canada
  3. Bethel, Maine
  4. Stowe, Vermont
  5. Banff, Alberta, Canada
  6. Aspen, CO
  7. Breckenridge, CO
  8. Alta, UT
  9. Jackson Hole, WY
  10. Nelson, BC, Canada

10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased, and experiential travel content of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world. The core of the site’s uniqueness is its team of local travel experts: a well-traveled and well-educated group who are not only experts in their fields – and their cities – but discriminating in their tastes. These local experts live in the city they write about so the content is constantly updated. 10Best.com averages 5 million visitors per month. It was acquired by USA TODAY in January of 2013.

North Conway sits in the center of Mt Washington Valley, NH surrounded by the 770,000 acre White Mountain National Forest.  Beyond skiing and winter outdoor recreation, North Conway and the surrounding Mt Washington Valley offer 150 different lodging options, more than 200 tax-free outlets, shops, boutiques and stores, plus more than 75 restaurants for all tastes and budgets.  There’s something for every winter traveler – both on the mountains and off.  Travelers are asked to wear masks, observe social distancing and follow the guidelines of the businesses they visit this winter.

For more information, go to www.MtWashingtonValley.org for complete trip resources and planning tools.  To learn more about visiting New Hampshire, go to www.VisitNH.gov.