Top Fundraisers Ken Romano (right) and Richard Ayer (Left) with Kathy Metz of the American Cancer Society.

 
NORTH CONWAY – This weekend’s 41st annual American Cancer Society’s Hope on the Slopes Race to Beat Cancer raised almost $13,000 for cancer research and patient services. Volunteers participated in a fun-filled day on the slopes including skiing and snowboarding races at Cranmore Mountain, North Conway.

“Mount Washington Valley residents, second home owners, and visitors alike really showed their spirit this weekend,” said Kathy Metz, of the American Cancer Society. The top individual fundraisers were Ken Romano of Lynnfield, MA who brought in $2,250.00 and Richard Ayer of Glen, who raised $1,665.00 from friends and family.

Metz said that money raised in the 2018 Hope on the Slopes Race To Beat Cancer will be used to speed up the search for new weapons to fight cancer. “Cancer will soon become the number-one killer in America as baby boomers grow older. In order to expand our patient services in the Mount Washington Valley and research new ways to treat patients, we’ve got to channel more public attention and money into this problem.”

“The funds raised through the Hope on the Slopes Race to Beat Cancer support the American Cancer Society’s mission of saving lives from cancer by helping provide free information and support for people facing the disease today, and fund cancer research that will help protect future generations.” added Metz. “Thanks to the generosity of our volunteers and donors, the money raised by Hope on the Slopes Race to Beat Cancer participants goes directly to the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving programs.”

American Cancer Society’s Hope on the Slopes Race to Beat Cancer was made possible by our sponsors, Cranmore, Storyland, Clean Cut Construction, Amoskeag Beverages, Flatbread Company, Memorial Hospital, First Allied, North Country Dental, Northway Bank, The Mount Washington Radio Group, Bear Notch Ski Touring, FX Lyons, Jackson Community Church, The Shannon Door Pub, Valley Originals and the Wentworth Hotel as well as many local businesses who donated goods and services for the top fundraiser prizes and raffle fundraisers.

Volunteers interested in serving on the 2019 planning committee are now needed. Join other area residents to help organize this fun and meaningful event. For more information please go to www.HOTSNH.org or contact Kathy Metz, of the American Cancer Society at 512-490-8787 or (800) 227-2345 or Kathy.metz@cancer.org.

 

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of nearly 2 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is the only organization attacking cancer from every angle. For more information go to www.cancer.org.

Two men escaped serious harm when their snowmobiles collided on Trail 20 in Pittsburg this weekend ~ Photo courtesy of C.O. Christopher J. Egan

 

PITTSBURG, NH – Two men were lucky to escape injuries after their snowmobiles collided on Trail 20 in the area of Murphy Dam in Pittsburg on Sunday morning.

Just after 10 AM, Conservation Officer Chris Egan came upon the collision while patrolling trails on his snowmobile. “The crash had occurred just seconds prior to my arrival on the scene”, Egan stated. “I came through the Murphy Dam junction and observed two stationary sleds connected together and a man lying in the trail”.

After radioing for emergency personnel to respond, Egan identified the operators, neither of which appeared to be suffering from serious injuries. Personnel from Pittsburg Fire Department, Pittsburg Police Department and 45th Parallel EMS responded to the scene.

An Investigation determined that a snowmobile operated by 52-year-old David Lawton, of West Stewartstown, had rear-ended a snowmobile operated by 53-year-old Patrick Bennett, of North Stratford. The impact ejected Bennett from his machine.

The two men had been riding in the same group, along with several other local friends at the time of the crash, and both refused medical treatment. Both of the involved snowmobiles sustained moderate damage.

Lawton was cited for operating at a speed greater than reasonable and prudent for the existing conditions, with a collision resulting. Alcohol impairment was not a factor in the crash.

2002 U.S. Olympic Snowboarder Peter Thorndike visited King Pine earlier this week with his family. ~ Photo Courtesy of Thomas Prindle

MADISON, NH — As the 2018 Winter Olympics get set to begin and attention focuses on top elite U.S. athletes competing among the best of the world, Peter Thorndike a member of the 2002 U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team was enjoying a sunny Monday skiing and snowboarding with his family at King Pine.

“We’re here regularly on Mondays,” said Peter Thorndike, a former U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team member comprised of 7 men and 7 women selected to compete in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. “We homeschool our children and they are at a young age and level that works for us well here at King Pine.”

 

 

Now living in Center Harbor with his wife Laura and their children Elsa and Pierce, Peter said it was a friend of his who similarly homeschool their children that suggested they participate in the King Pine Pioneer Race Series, a weekly race league that welcomes all ages and skill levels. “It’s less about racing for us,” admitted Peter. “We found it to be a very affordable way for us to regularly get out with our kids. It’s a relaxed day for us arriving late morning and making runs before lunch and some more after lunch.”

 

Thorndike is still involved with USASA as a clinic instructor that will often have him travel out West and he also runs a snowboard camp annually at a larger New Hampshire ski area.

“We feel fortunate to have access to such a family friendly and affordable ski area with such varied terrain and friendly staff. We really enjoy the laid back attitude and feel safe bringing our young kids to the mountain. King Pine is where I competed in one of my first snowboard races back in the early nineties and my wife Laura too was introduced to King Pine at a young age when she would come over with a Sandwich School Recreation program. It was certainly a long, winding and rewarding road for me with various academies, teams and international competitions to become part of the 2002 U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team and compete at Park City, but I’m happy to be spending time again back at King Pine now with our kids as they learn to ski.”

 

CONCORD, NH (AP) – The New Hampshire House has voted to send a bill that would reauthorize the state’s version of Medicaid expansion for further study, giving it an uncertain future.

This bill would have reauthorized the New Hampshire Health Protection Program, the state’s program that provides health insurance coverage for over 50,000 low-income adults who do not qualify for Medicaid. If not reauthorized, the program will end on Dec. 31.

The House on Thursday agreed with a committee recommendation that more work is required to create a program that taxpayers can support. A commission studying the future of New Hampshire’s expanded Medicaid program recommended last year it continue for five years, but move toward a fully managed care model in 2019.

The commission said switching to managed care would provide more straight-forward opportunities to address premium increases in the individual market and consistent benefits for all Medicaid participants.

 

Campton, NH – February 7, 2018 The White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) and Arts Alliance of Northern NH invite interested artists in all media to apply for the 2018 WMNF artist in residency program, a celebration of the connections between forest, landscape and culture. The deadline for applications is March 20, 2018.

The program offers professional and emerging artists in all disciplines from around the country — visual and performing artists, craftspeople, writers, composers, eco artists and media artists — an opportunity to pursue their particular art form while being inspired by the surrounding forest and, on several occasions, sharing their work and their artistic process with members of the public. The goal of the residency program is to use art and creative expression to explore the many ways in which people relate to forests — and to the White Mountain National Forest in particular. This year’s artist in residence will be part of the 2018 celebration of the Forest’s Centennial.

One artist residency of at least three weeks will be offered between mid-July and September. The artist will be provided accommodations on or near the forest as well as limited reimbursement of travel expenses and the cost of supplies and materials. Friends of Mead Base have provided housing to several artists in the past. Public programs may include demonstrations, talks, exploratory walks or hikes, or performances, based on the medium, interest and experience of the artist.

“All of our selected artists so far have really connected with the forest – as well as with the local community and with Forest Service personnel,” says Frumie Selchen, Executive Director of the Arts Alliance of Northern New Hampshire, a nonprofit working to promote, support and sustain cultural life throughout northern New Hampshire.

Clare Mendelsohn, WMNF Forest Supervisor commented, “There’s a sense of expectation and excitement about each new artist, and the ways in which he or she will help us see and understand our landscape, and the incredible resources the forest offers. This year’s Centennial celebration makes the opportunities even more exciting.”

Find more information and an application for the program at www.aannh.org, or contact the Arts Alliance at info@aannh.org, 603-323-7302.

Photo courtesy of worldproskitour.com

WATERVILLE VALLEY, N.H. (AP) — The World Pro Ski Tour is getting ready to kick off its 2018 winter season.

The first event will be Friday and Saturday at Waterville Valley Resort in New Hampshire, followed by events in March in Aspen, Colorado, and at Sunday River ski resort in Newry, Maine.

All three events will be televised on CBS.

The World Pro Ski Tour relaunched last year with a single event at Sunday River.

It served for decades as the only made-for-TV ski racing event with cash prizes and national sponsors. Ed Rogers created the style of competition in which skiers race against each other instead of individuals racing against the clock.