New Hampshire: Leaf Peeping Through Time

Posted on 2 October, 2013 by Janice Brown

AUTUMN (1831). — The later weeks in autumn possess a pensive interest from the change of the forest foliage–The fresh, beautiful green, that girded the mountain, and foliage1waved over the vales like the graceful folds of a mantle, is now no more.  The traveler trades in the wilderness on a rustling bed, and the passing wind is burdened with the descent and flight of the sere and yellow leaves.  The trees begin to stretch out their bare imploring arms toward a heaven that may frown in wintry terror upon them.  A walk in the woods in these clear autumnal days, is a lesson in wisdom.  The spring is foretold in the death of vegetation, as immortality is denoted by the grave.  In both cases nature dies that is may live again; lays down in the dust that it may clothe itself afresh in the colors of glory….. [from BADGER’S WEEKLY MESSENGER, as published in Farmer’s Cabinet, Amherst NH; Vol. 30, Issue 13, Page 1. Continue reading →

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Missing Places: Yoken’s Restaurant in Portsmouth NH (1947-2004)

Posted on 27 September, 2013 by Janice Brown

Yoken’s Restaurant on Lafayette Road in Portsmouth NH closed in September of 2004. yokens postcardThe property was sold, and the original landmark demolished.  Now some are trying to rescue the “Thar She Blows” trademark sign. In a city known for the preservation of its ancient buildings, the enthusiasm for a metal and neon artifact of a mere 66 years is not surprising. Continue reading →

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September’s National Honey Month–A Time for New Hampshire to Buzz

Posted on 24 September, 2013 by Janice Brown

Can you imagine New Hampshire without its apple orchards, (or Massachusetts without Honeybeeits cranberries)?  According to the National Honey Board, both apples and cranberries are 90% dependent on honeybee pollination (along with a variety of other plants).

Without the humble honeybee, New Hampshire’s apple harvest that we are currently enjoying, would be ‘toast‘ so to speak. And though the tiny insect is responsible for much of what we love to eat, they too produce a wonderful crop.
Continue reading →

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New Hampshire’s Aviation Museum: A Bridge Between Past and Present

Posted on 20 September, 2013 by Janice Brown

A building seemingly tucked away at the edge of the Manchester-Boston Airport runway holds many New Hampshire Aviation Museum in art deco building keys to New Hampshire’s aviation past, and I suspect also has great significance for its future.  I had the wonderful opportunity to tour there today, with acting director Wendell Berthelsen as my guide. Continue reading →

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A Window into World War II: Grenier Field aka Manchester (NH) Airport

Posted on 17 September, 2013 by Janice Brown

When we think or read about air bases during World War II, the great metal birds–the Album Cover, World War II, US Army Airforce Cow Hampshirebomber and surveillance airplanes–are what frequently come to mind.  Yet like any microcosm of society, an air base had to organize, to inform, to feed, to train, and even to entertain the thousands of service men and women who lived there, worked there, or just passed through.  I was fortunate to spy a vintage U.S. Army Air Force photograph on Ebay and quickly purchase it. Continue reading →

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