Missing Places: Wither’s Island, Kittery Maine

Posted on 16 August, 2014 by Janice Brown
Map of Lower Kittery, 1635-1700 from Old Kittery and her families, by Everett Stackpole, 1903

Map of Lower Kittery, 1635-1700 from Old Kittery and her families, by Everett Stackpole, 1903

Though I am blogging about an island in Maine, the history of this place is intimately connected to that of New Hampshire’s in several ways.  Thus, this tiny isle in the Piscataqua River deserves an article in my blog.

Maine’s islands, like some other locales, often changed names when ownership did.  Either the new proprietor better fancied his surname, or the locals began to call it by his name, and the moniker ‘stuck.’  I do not know if the Native Americans gave this island a name, but by 1643 it belonged to an European immigrant, Thomas Withers, and was called Withers Island, part of a grant of 400 acres from Fernando Gorges. Continue reading →

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NH Current Events: A Celebration of Nature, Art & Heritage – September 23, 2014

Posted on 11 August, 2014 by Janice Brown
1905 Photograph taken from the Mt. Pleasant House (now gone) of the White Mountains. The building in the far distance is the Mt. Washington Hotel (now the Omni-Mt. Washington Hotel)

1905 photograph taken from the Mt. Pleasant House (now gone) of the White Mountains. The building in the far distance is the Mt. Washington Hotel (now the Omni-Mt. Washington Resort). Photograph property of JW Brown.

It is not often that a single event celebrates New Hampshire’s nature, art and heritage all at the same time.  The need is great. Although we think of Tropical Storm Irene of 2011’s damage being past, is it not in New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest.

I would urge all of my readers to get involved with the White Mountain Arts Experience on September 21-23, 2014, at the Omni Mt. Washington Resort in Bretton Woods. This fundraiser, to benefit the National Forest Foundation’s “Treasured Landscapes” support of restoration work on the White Mountain National Forest as well as the Arts Alliance’s new Youth Arts Corps and Arts & Nature programming, will offer participants a wonderful fall-foliage getaway full of opportunities to learn about and engage with the mountains and forest through hands-on arts activities, classes and demonstrations as well as hikes, walks and tours with renowned artists and field experts. Continue reading →

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Nashua New Hampshire’s Highly Decorated Military and Civic Leader, Philanthropist, and Volunteer: Carl Amelio (1907-2002)

Posted on 6 August, 2014 by Janice Brown
Carl Amelio, at a St. Joseph Hospital Golf Tournament dinner.

Carl Amelio, at a St. Joseph Hospital Charity Golf Tournament dinner.

The story of Carl Amelio’s life, and his accomplishments, could easily fill several volumes. The friendships he made and the community problems that he worked to solve are countless.  He was a mentor, an energetic fund raiser, and a friend to many.   Carl Amelio held the City of Nashua–its people and its problems–as near and dear to himself, and there are few in the city who have not benefited from his work, or in some way from his efforts.

I chose the photographs shown here from my personal collection, and that is how I will always remember Mr. Amelio. He had a smile on his face as he greeted everyone with a warm handshake and kind words.  If you had a problem, he offered to help you solve it; if you were celebrating, he was delighted if you invited him to join in.  He was 100% a genuinely intelligent, thoughtful and compassionate man.

Continue reading →

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Champagne’s Super Market Founder: Manchester NH’s Romeo J. Champagne (1906-2000)

Posted on 2 August, 2014 by Janice Brown
Romeo Champagne

Romeo J. Champagne (1906-2000)

He was born “Romuald Champagne” in 1906 in Chelsea Maine, a tiny town outside of Augusta. He was the son of Canadian immigrants, Mathias and Marie Louise (Martineau) Champagne, both mill workers who immigrated to Maine, later removing to New Hampshire.  His parents moved to Manchester by the time Romeo was 3 years old and in 1910 his family is shown in the census living with maternal grandparents, Joseph & Desange Martineau, who resided at 566 Montgomery Street.  He was called ‘Romuald’ on his birth and marriage certificates, ‘Raymond’ [once] on the census, and finally was being called ‘Romeo’ by the time he owned his first grocery store. Continue reading →

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Sadie (Kane) Prichard of Weare and Hillsborough New Hampshire (1870-1933)

Posted on 28 July, 2014 by Janice Brown
Sadie Kane of Weare NH

Sadie Kane of Weare NH

 

There are many Kane, Kean, and Keane families who hail from pre-Civil War New Hampshire.  A photograph of “Sadie Kane” popped up for sale on E-bay and thinking her face was a lovely one, I bought it, determined to research who she was.  Born Sarah A. Kane in 1870 in North Weare, New Hampshire, her parents were Irish immigrants who met and married on “this side of the pond.”

Continue reading →

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