Crocus

Posted on 16 May, 2007 by Janice Brown

crocus

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Rindge New Hampshire’s Cathedral of the Pines

Posted on 15 May, 2007 by Janice Brown

The Cathedral of the Pines is a holy place without walls. People from all beliefs are welcome to worship and seek spiritual renewal. The cathedral floor is the pine forest, and the pews are benches in the outdoors, the altars and pulpits are made from fieldstone.

Originally part of “Interlaken” farm the property was owned by Douglas and Sibyl Sloane. Following the death of their son Sandy during World War II (Lieut. Sanderson Sloane, a bomber crewman, was shot down over Germany) prompted them to create a memorial.  The response of family and friends caused them to turn a private chapel into a public open-air cathedral. Reportedly their son had planned to build his home on the site of the current cathedral. Continue reading →

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My Tribute to A New Hampshire Mother

Posted on 13 May, 2007 by Janice Brown

Usually the female subjects that I blog about are famous, infamous, or otherwise notable women of statewide interest. For every famous woman, there are thousands of not-so-famous women whose lives have enriched our existence, and whose stories should be told.

Such is the case with Mary.  Two months ago at the age of 87-years young, she passed away, holding the hands of her loving daughter and great-granddaughter.

She was born in Manchester NH in 1919 to a family of Irish heritage.  Her parents were humble workers–her father a chauffeur, and her mother a servant to the richer families of the city, then later a busy parent of twelve children.

Only Mary and one brother, the youngest of the family, were born in a hospital (the older siblings having been born at home).  She grew up in a unassuming three-decker house on the southeast side of the Merrimack River–an area then mostly sandbank with scattered houses.  Like several children of Manchester in the 1920s, she contracted polio. Luckily she survived, but was left with a shortened leg and consequently a limp.  For her entire life she was acutely self-conscious of that disability, but she never allowed it to slow her down. Continue reading →

Posted in Irish in New Hampshire, New Hampshire Women, Personal History | Leave a comment

New Hampshire Glossary: Black Fly (They're Back!)

Posted on 11 May, 2007 by Janice Brown

Black flies are tiny annoying insects that occur in large numbers in the spring and early summer months in New Hampshire (and other northern states), especially in rural areas.  They breed in our moving water, such as rivers, creeks and streams.

In New Hampshire more than 40 species of black fly call us home (be happy, Alaska has counted more than 100 different species). Only two of the New Hampshire species usually bite human beings–Prosimulium mixtum, and Simulium venustum. Unfortunately, between the two species, they make most of the summer months uncomfortable–the first from May to June or July,while the second during August and September.

Some folks believe that the New Hampshire variety of black flies are big enough to “saddle up and ride,” when in fact at adulthood they measure only about 1/6th of an inch long.

Black flies are active during the day. Their tendency to bite increases as sunset approaches, so dusk is the worst time to be outside. Black flies do not attack at night, and so to best avoid them, do not go outside during the daytime.

Black flies find dark colors (and clothing) more attractive that pale ones, and they prefer blue, black, brown and purple to white or yellow.

To learn more, select one or more of the links below.

Janice

*ADDITIONAL READING*

–Black Flies (UNH Cooperative)–

-Black Flies & Mosquitoes, What Good Are They? (PDF)-

-All you Wanted To Know about Black Flies, and More-

-Some Questions and Answers About Black Flies in Maine–

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New Hampshire Newspaper Boy

Posted on 10 May, 2007 by Janice Brown

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