Biography of Amanda B. Harris from Granite State Monthly magazine 1917.
Amanda Bartlett Harris was born in 1824 in Warner, New Hampshire. She began writing at an early age and her pieces appeared in many periodicals during her lifetime. She wrote mainly for children and teenagers. Continue reading
New Hampshire’s official State sport should be Ice Fishing. [Actually, it is skiing]. It is a quiet past time where you become intimate with augurs, frozen fingers, bob houses, crappies, smelt, and patience.
Interestingly about 25% of New Hampshire’s fishermen and women are into ice fishing. It is popular enough to contribute millions to the New Hampshire economy (if you include travel and equipment).
Reportedly in January 1994, at the Lake Como Fish and Game Club near Syracuse, N.Y., Brian Carr beat out three dozen competitors in the annual ice-fishing derby, with 155 catches. The temperature that day was minus 30, and the prize money for the top three anglers was $8, $6.50, and $5. Sounds like so much fun I could just spit.
Meredith, New Hampshire’s annual Rotary Ice Fishing Derby, held each year in February is very popular–an estimated 6,000 anglers compete in this statewide tournament featuring $60,000 worth of prizes. Now this kind of prize money makes even frostbite sound more exciting.
Janice
P.S.: Did you ever wonder about the origin of the term “bob house” to describe the shanty or shack used in ice fishing. The most popular theory is that any shacks left on the ice when it melts, “bobs” in the water, thereby giving it the name.
*Additional Reading*
–Why I Don’t Icefish Movie– (A MUST SEE! Not for children’s eyes)
–Winter Smelt Fishing on Great Bay, New Hampshire–
-2003 Ice Fishing Derby in Meredith NH-
-Choosing a ‘Stick’ For Ice Fishing-
–Black Crappie Fishing (Bellamy Reservoir, Madbury NH)-
-Big Ice Fish in NH-
-Fishing for Winter Fun? Try Ice Fishing This Winter-
Communion Tokens were used in the Presbyterian Church from the 1770s to the early 1900s. So, unless you are an old-timer, or a collector, you probably have not heard of them.
These tokens were used to insure that “those admitted to the celebration of the sacrament were deemed worthy by the minister of their church.” A pastor would visit with his parishioners, examine their “spirit soundness,” and then issue them a token that allowed them to partake in communion. This tradition was common in Scotland, Canada and the United States. These tokens, or coins, were made in the shapes of a square, oval, circle, and star, and often had an impression.
There is a record regarding the “Nutfield” (Londonderry) settlement….
“Communion seasons in the early days of the Nutfield settlement were held only twice a year and were occasions of great importance to the church. In 1734 Mr. Thompson had seven hundred communicants present at one season, the number including members of the church residing in other settlements and members of other churches. Communion seasons were preceded by preaching on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Thursday was observed with great strictness as a sacramental fast-day, and any violation of it was a serious matter. One church member was disciplined for spreading out hay to dry on a Thursday. The Monday following communion was a day of thanksgiving. These extra services gave rise to much preaching, requiring the aid of other ministers. Communicants from several churches, with their ministers and elders, often united in the sacrament on the Sabbath. Small pieces of metal called tokens, stamped with the initials of the churches, were distributed to prevent intruders. Long, narrow tables were spread in the aisles, and sometimes three or four sittings, arranged according to age, would be necessary, protracting the services until sunset. These seasons were often attended with many conversions.” (page 108, “Willey’s semi-centennial book of Manchester, 1846-1896 : and Manchester edition of the Book of Nutfield : historic sketches of that part of New Hampshire comprised within the limits of the old Tyng Township, Nutfield, Harrytown, Derryfield, and Manchester, from the earliest settlements to the present time by George Franklyn Willey; Manchester, N.H.” by G.F. Willey, 1896).
Janice
*Additional Reading*
