Family, Farm Land, Flea Market, and Free Critters

Submitted by Marge Thompson, Granite State Ambassador

Radisson Hotel Class of 2006

Welcome to the town where I live, Hollis, New Hampshire, population 7,500. Hollis was incorporated by Colonial Governor Benning Wentworth in 1746. The name 'Hollis' comes from a Wentworth ancestor John Holl ‘e’s Earl of Clare. We’re located 7 miles west of Nashua, and Hollis abuts the Massachusetts line.

Hollis still has mixed-use farm land, apple orchards, corn fields, vegetables. We have several farm stands for Pick Your Own apples, peaches, blueberries, raspberries in season. The largest farm stand is Brookdale Fruit Farm founded in 1847 by the Edwin Hardy and the Hardy family still runs the farm to this day. The history as to how this farm developed over the years is very interesting. These farms bring in migrant workers who return year after year, as they are treated like family. Good housing is provided for these family men who come to our town each growing and harvesting season.

Thousands come to Hollis in June and October for the Strawberry and Apple Festivals sponsored by the Hollis Women’s Club and Hollis Town Band. The band plays while everyone is enjoying the delicious Strawberry Sundaes and Apple Crisp. Old Home Days in September is a three-day event starting with a dance and ending with fireworks.

Hollis Town Hall and The Common
(Source: Wikipedia)

Like all small towns, the center of Hollis has Monument Square, the Historic District which is a pleasant place to walk starting with the Nevins Stone and the Church Yard Cemetery, where many Revolutionary War soldiers are buried. Many lovely homes are located both in the Square and on Main Street, such as Cummings house 1743, Fisk House 1750, Goodale House 1600’s, which was part of the Underground Rail Road, and Whiting-Poole House 1771. The 'Always Ready' Engine House 1859 is a museum and you’ll find among other items the Horse Drawn Hearse, purchased in 1858. The hearse is a handsome vehicle with etched cranberry windows and upholstered interior. It was retired in 1920. The Ruth Wheeler house is also located on Main Street. It’s the home of the Hollis Historical Society as a permanent home for their possessions. The Engine House and Wheeler House are open by appointment only and are open during the Festivals.

Down Depot Road about ¼ mile is the Historic Restored Lawrence Barn dating back to 1780. It is a double English-style timber framed, it is one of ½ dozen still remaining in New England. It was dismantled in 1999 as it was going to be destroyed by a developer, but a group stored its lumber for several years then reconstruction began and it is now a Community Hall where many activities are held.

Hollis State Line
(Source: Wikipedia)

A short drive down Rt. 122 onto Ridge Road is the Beaver Brook Association, an Educational Conservation Association. It is a non-profit organization that began in 1964 by two cousins, Hollis P. Nichols and Jeffrey P Smith. It started with 12 acres and now there are 2,000 acres located in Hollis, Brookline and Milford. Within these acres, there are 35 miles of hiking, biking, horseback riding trails, and lots of wildlife. I live near Beaver Brook and have almost too many deer in my yard, lots of wild turkeys, and one mountain lion ran thru while I was standing in my driveway several years ago. Just this summer while watering my flowers, I heard a rustle in the bushes and there was a good size black bear! This guy has been in my yard several times according to my neighbors, and he left his scat, but this time I saw him for myself. 

Silver Lake State Park is also located in Hollis on Rt. 122 and is a very popular swimming beach. Further up on Rt. 122, the Hollis Flea Market is open during the good weather.

So this is where I live, and I know if you take a drive to Hollis, I know you’d want to live here. 

Click Your Way Into Events, Ideas & Itineraries

Betty's Travel Planning Tips

Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999 & Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

There’s probably no better way to get New Hampshire travel information than by consulting a Granite State Ambassador, but what about those times when you’re in transit, or you just feel like doing a little search for information on your own? The NH Division of Travel and Tourism website at www.visitnh.gov has the answers that travelers are seeking.

Looking for ideas on attractions and outdoor adventure? Searching for seasonal events or ideas on how to spend your time here? Go to our home page and click ‘What to Do.’

Do you want suggestions on exploring New Hampshire’s culture, heritage, and history? Are you interested in sampling NH-grown farm products, visiting a winery, or attending a farmer’s market? Go to ‘Planning and Travel Tools’ and check out the itineraries. The itineraries are designed for travelers who are seeking a certain theme for their visit – there’s even some especially designed for kids!

Whining Dogs and Clean Snow

Submitted by John Damon
Christmas Farm Inn Class of 2008

What do you do the weekend between the divisional playoffs and the Superbowl? Judy (no, not that Judi, the Judy that was the recipient of the 2010 GSA Hospitality from the Heart award) and I looked in on the Sled Dog Races on Lake Chocorua in Tamworth and the Snow Sculpting Competition held at the Black Mountain Ski Area in Jackson, NH. Both events ran both Sat and Sun. The weather was great and the crowds manageable.

The Tamworth Outing Club has hosted one of the races on the sled dog racing

circuit for many years. This race is one of the longest continuous running sled dog races in the Northeast. Many of you probably know that Admiral Bird’s sled dog teams were trained in the Wanalancet part of Tamworth, NH. I moved to Tamworth in 1964 and volunteered in '65 by packing some of the race course on snow shoes. While most of the up to 20 miles of course is packed by snow machines, some places still need the snow shoe approach. Eventually I worked up to cook hamburg's and hot dogs. I firmly believe the dogs have the most fun. They sure love to run. I counted 4 handlers plus the driver holding a 9 dog team back at the starting line until "mush" was called over the loud speaker. There were all kinds of whining and barking while waiting to go but once they heard "mush" there was instant silence. The "mushers" were holding on for dear life when they left the starting tunnel. We also had a chance to see the kids race a couple hundred yard sprint with only one dog pulling them and the sled. In a couple of cases it seemed that the kid was doing most of the work.



Going into Jackson on Sunday we went through the famous covered bridge and by my Alma Matter, Christmas Farm Inn, site of my GSA training in 2008. We climbed up 16B for a couple of miles to the Black Mountain Ski Area where an invitational Snow Sculpture competition was being held. This is the only New Hampshire State Sanctioned Snow Sculpting Competition! We got there just as the judging was about to begin so all the creations were in pristine condition. The general public had a chance to vote and Judy's choice was also the choice of the public. Exhibitors also judged. Non NH exhibitors judged the NH entries and the NH folks judged the non residents.  The winner was to go on to a National competition and possibly International. It certainly is amazing what you can do with a pile of snow. I found it hard to imagine how they were able to keep the snow so clean. There were about 15 creations and one heck of a lot of talent was on display.

There is so much to see and do. Being a GSA makes me more aware of the many things that are close by and interesting.



Big History in "Little Canadas"

Betty's Travel Planning Tips

Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999 & Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

If you’re like me, your grandparents, and maybe even your parents, came to New Hampshire from Canada. I still remember my Grandmother telling me how she moved to New Hampshire from a farm in Quebec, and how she worked in the manufacturing mills as a teenager. Because so many French people immigrated here during the industrial revolution, New Hampshire had lots of cities and towns that began forming neighborhoods nicknamed “Little Canadas.” The French had a huge influence on the heritage and culture of many families, and our website is proud to feature a brand new Franco-American Itinerary that’s designed for folks who want to explore their French heritage in New Hampshire.

Amoskeag Manufacturing Company,
looking up the Merrimack River, Manchester, NH;
from a 1911 postcard by Alphonso H. Sanborn.
Electronic Source: Wikipedia

The tour is centered in Manchester, as the Queen City was once home to the largest mill complex in the world, the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company. It features dining establishments that offer classic French dishes on their menus, organizations that center on educating visitors about the Franco-American culture in New Hampshire, and other points of interest directly related to the influence that the French-Canadians had in the Granite State.

Although the itinerary centers on Manchester, there are many other communities throughout New Hampshire that still carry remnants of a strong Franco-American presence within their architecture, their restaurants, and most of all, their people.

Please visit http://www.visitnh.gov/uploads/itineraries/franco-american-tour.pdf to read or download this fun and educational itinerary. Bon Voyage!

Inside, Outside, Upside, Downside, We Have Just the Thing for You!

Betty's Travel Planning Trips
Submitted by: Betty Gagne, Granite State Ambassador, First in the Nation Class 1999 & Customer Service Assistant NH Division of Travel & Tourism Development

Winter in New Hampshire isn’t just for skiers and snowboarders. The Division of Travel and Tourism has a fabulous website designed for those folks who are seeking all winter activities the state has to offer. Winternh.com is your guide to winter in New Hampshire, and features lots of fun things to do in cold weather.

WinterNH.com Home Page

Maybe you’re not a skier, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the views from the snowy mountain summits – mountain coasters and zip lines are running year ‘round and offer a whole new way to enjoy the scenery. Ski areas offer packages where you can learn to ski, and most guarantee you’ll be skiing after one lesson! Snowmobiling, snow shoeing, tubing, ice skating, ice sailing, dog sledding, and winter hiking are all popular pastimes when the temperature drops.

If you’re looking for indoor activities, discover what a true spa experience can do for your health and well-being. Massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, body wraps – anything goes in these state of the art facilities, and once you’ve found out what a day in a spa can do for your body and soul, you’ll want to return again and again. New Hampshire is also known for its tax-free shopping, and there are hundreds of outlet stores, antique shops, and shopping malls just waiting to be discovered.

VisitNH.com Winter Itinerary Web Page

Check out the itineraries for more ideas on things to do while you’re here. Winternh.com is your one-stop resource to plan your winter vacation in New Hampshire!