Conway, NH – Residents in the Mount Washington Valley will have a chance to share their concerns about transportation in the area today. The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation will be holding 2 public hearings in the Mount Washington Valley on the 2019-2028 Ten Year Plan.
The first will be at 2pm in Berlin at the City Hall Auditorium then at 7pm the committee hosts another hearing at the Conway Town Hall. Conway’s meeting will be led by District 1 Executive Councilor Joe Kenney. Feedback gathered at the hearings will be used to make changes in the state’s Ten Year Plan, which would be completed in June 2018 and adopted into law.
Projects up for discussion include the Main Street Project, which involves ripping up Route 16 through Conway Village and replacing a water main that has leaded joints. As well as enhancements at the intersection known as the four corners in Conway, including light enhancements.
Those not able to attend the meetings can submit written testimony within 10 days of the completion of the Public Hearings, which conclude on October 26th.
https://www.wmwv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-1.jpg00Tonyhttps://www.wmwv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-1.jpgTony2017-09-19 14:58:172017-09-19 14:58:17Mount Washington Valley Residents Invited To Share Thoughts On 10 Year Transportation Plan
Sargent’s Purchase, NH – Authorities say a 66-year-old Maine man died after becoming ill while hiking up Mount Washington. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department says Rolf Diamon, of Windham, Maine, was hiking up the Lion Head Trail with his son Saturday morning when he became sick and collapsed approximately 2 ½ miles from the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center.
The son and other hikers began performing CPR immediately while emergency crews were called. A call for help was made and rescue personnel from Fish and Game, Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue (AVSAR), Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and Gorham Ambulance were mobilized and responded to the emergency call.
Due to the nature of the medical emergency, air support was requested from the National Guard unit from Concord. A Black Hawk helicopter responded to the request and was able to extract Diamon from the mountain by hoisting him up into the aircraft using a winch.
Unfortunately, despite all the exhaustive efforts by the many hikers who provided constant resuscitation for over an hour; the arrival of 1st Responders with an AED; and the use of a helicopter to get him quickly off the mountain, he did not survive.
The medical condition he was suffering from wasn’t immediately known.
https://www.wmwv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-1.jpg00Tonyhttps://www.wmwv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-1.jpgTony2017-09-18 15:23:082017-09-18 15:23:08Hiker Dies On Mount Washington
North Conway, NH – Conway Police are seeking information about a road rage incident where a woman was allegedly egged. Conway Police posted on their Facebook page that on September 2nd following a road rage incident a man in a maroon full sized pick up truck drove to a local store and purchased eggs.
Photo Courtesy of Conway Police
He then covered his license plates with paper and drove back toward the woman’s vehicle, which was in the area of the L.L. Bean store in North Conway, and proceeded to throw eggs at the woman and her vehicle. The suspect then drove off.
Pictures of the suspect and his vehicle can be found on our website wmwv.com anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Conway Police at 603-356-5715.
https://www.wmwv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-1.jpg00Tonyhttps://www.wmwv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-1.jpgTony2017-09-14 18:08:412017-09-14 18:08:41Conway Police Looking To Identify Man Who Allegedly Egged A Woman And Her Car
North Conway, NH – The Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce is looking to recognize individuals and businesses that go above and beyond the call of duty. The Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the 2017 White Mountains Treasures Award.
The White Mountains Treasures Award honors individuals in Mt. Washington Valley who have given a “‘lifetime’” of “time and talent” to the Valley and exemplify that success is not measured by what they accomplish in life for themselves but by what they do for others and the community. Nominations are also being sought for 2017 Employer of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
Awards will be presented at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting, Dinner & Awards event, Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort in North Conway. Award nomination are due by Friday, October 7.
The Annual Meeting of the Chamber of Commerce is a wonderful evening of business and social networking where Chamber members, elected officials and guests gather to review how the Chamber has advanced the local business environment and impacted the community during the previous year. A cocktail hour and silent auction follow the meeting, and lead into the dinner and the awards ceremony. Tickets to the event as well as sponsorships are available for purchase.
“We look forward to our Annual Meeting every year as a way of recognizing how far our community has come in the past year” says Janice Crawford, Executive Director of the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. “One of the best ways to do that is by acknowledging those who have made a tremendous impact in helping our valley move forward. The awards presentation is our way of saying “thank you,” and providing much deserved appreciation to those individuals.
Paula Sullivan Jones Marketing & Communications
Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce
2617 White Mountain Highway, PO Box 2300, North Conway, NH 03860
603-356-5701 Ext. 304
https://www.wmwv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-1.jpg00Tonyhttps://www.wmwv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-1.jpgTony2017-09-14 12:58:262017-09-14 13:01:42Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce Seeks Nominations for 2017 Business and Community Awards
(L-R): Nancy Devine, Mountain Top Music Exec. Director George Weise, and Laura Riggs Mitchell join Settlers Green General Manager Dot Seybold at Settlers Green Streetside. ~ Photo courtesy of Laura Tuveson.
North Conway, NH – It’s an exciting time at Settlers Green, the area’s largest regional outlet mall. Settlers Green Streetside is now open with impressive brands including Polo Ralph Lauren, Columbia and Skechers. Besides shopping, Settlers Green has committed hundreds of thousands of dollars to “streetscape” furnishings, planting and sitting areas, and – most exciting – original art. Several original artworks have been installed in the outdoor center, creating a place to wander and take in murals and sculptures from around New England. The Grand Opening, scheduled for October 9-15, will provide an opportunity for the community to celebrate with live music, dancing, fireworks and more. The Streetside Grand Opening will also include a unique fundraising partnership with Mountain Top Music to help the organization reach a $2.8 million goal for the renovation and revitalization of the Majestic Theater in Conway as a community gathering place and a center for performance arts. Settlers Green has pledged to match up to $15,000 of all donations received by the organization from September 9 through the weekend of October 15 and the finale of the Streetside Grand Opening celebration.
Settlers Green has a long history of supporting community projects and has been part of several large capital campaigns including the North Conway Community Center, Starting Point shelter, the Gibson Senior Center and many more, with over $1.3 million in donations over the past 29 years. While planning the Streetside Grand Opening events, the Settlers Green development team sought opportunities to continue its commitment to supporting the arts within the Mt Washington Valley community. Mountain Top Music’s ambitious project not only complements the arts focus of the Streetside Art Project, but perfectly supplements the “Dancing In the Streets” theme of the grand opening festivities here. Thus, the commitment to match up to $15,000 of community funding was launched by Settlers Green’s management team, to make a $30,000 boost to the Mountain Top Music’s Majestic launch goal possible.
A fundraising station will be available throughout the Streetside Grand Opening celebration, and opportunities to donate will be numerous, from the Ribbon Cutting ceremony on October 10 to the grand finale fireworks on October 14th. Important to note however, is that all donations received by Mountain Top Music September 9-October 15th are eligible for the match including those made directly to the organization.
“The Settlers Green Management Team feels that the grand opening of the Settlers Green Streetside development provides a unique opportunity for partnership with a local non-profit supporting community arts,” said Dot Seybold, GM of the Settlers Green development. “The theme of the multi-day Streetside Grand Opening event is “Dancing in the Street” and includes a variety of live music and dance performances. The effort by Mountain Top Music to renovate and remake the Majestic Theater into a vibrant performing arts center and community gathering place is an ambitious project which deserves to benefit from this unique opportunity for partnership,” finished Seybold.
Mountain Top Music Executive Director George Wiese noted: “It’s really a double match opportunity as anyone donating today will have their dollars matched by both Settlers Green AND the Kendal and Anna Ham Foundation! The business community has been very supportive of our project and we are happy to team up with Settlers Green and their celebration to help push us over the top and start construction.”
Dancing in The Street will celebrate the grand opening of Settlers Green Streetside with a full line-up of musical themed events, community celebrations, shopping specials, art unveilings, giveaways and many opportunities to donate to Mountain Top Music’s community theater project. Even Settlers Green tenants are helping, with Brandli’s Pizza Pasta Grille donating 10-percent of all proceeds from sales on October 14 to the Majestic project. For a complete schedule of Grand Opening events, click here. To learn more about Settlers Green and its new Streetside expansion, visit www.SettlersGreen.com. To learn about the Streetside Art Project launch, click here. For a map of Settlers Green, including the new Streetside addition, click here.
Over 500,000 square feet of North Conway retail centers, including Settlers Green, Settlers Crossing and Settlers Corner are developed and managed by OVP Management, Inc. a Newton, Massachusetts based company with management offices in North Conway. For more information please contact General Manager, Dot Seybold at dot@ovpmanagement.com or for leasing information please contact Robert M. Barsamian at RMB@ovpmanagement.com. Additional details about the shopping centers located in North Conway, NH is available at Settlersgreen.com or OVPManagement.com.
https://www.wmwv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-1.jpg00Tonyhttps://www.wmwv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-1.jpgTony2017-09-13 13:51:242017-09-13 13:51:24Settlers Green Celebrates Street Side Opening By Matching Funds To Mountain Top Music
LEBANON, N.H. (AP) — A Rhode Island man accused of fatally shooting his mother in the intensive care unit of New Hampshire’s largest hospital is set to be arraigned on murder charges.
Authorities say Travis Frink signed into the visitor center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon on Tuesday and went to the intensive care unit, where there were reports of shots fired soon after.
Attorney General Gordon MacDonald identifies the shooting victim as Frink’s 70-year-old mother, Pamela Ferriere, of Groton. He says the 49-year-old Frink, of Warwick, Rhode Island, went to the hospital with the intent of killing her. He says more than one shot was fired but no one else was injured.
Authorities say Frink was detained as he tried to leave the hospital. Frink is in custody and can’t be reached for comment.
https://www.wmwv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-1.jpg00Tonyhttps://www.wmwv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-1.jpgTony2017-09-13 09:51:362017-09-13 09:51:36Rhode Island Man Arrested For Allegedly Killing His Mother At Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
40 rescuers from several agencies and New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officers from across the state responded to carry out 27-year-old Travis Newell from the Kilkenny Range ~ Photo Courtesy of New Hampshire Fish and Game
Kilkenny, NH – A hiker spent the night in the White Mountain National Forest after falling 15 feet this weekend. Fish and Game Officials said that 27-year-old Travis Newell of Durham Connecticut was hiking Roger’s Ledge in the Kilkenny Range when he fell injuring his ankle at around 10pm. Authorities decided it was best for Newell to stay out overnight and to start a rescue Monday morning.
At 5:30am Monday Newell called authorities to update them on his condition. Conservation Officers were called from all over the state to help with this carry out as well as AMC search and rescue, Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue team and a wilderness first responder class from SOLO in Conway. All together 40 rescue personnel were used for this long, grueling hike and carry out.
Teams hiked to Rogers Ledge and began the extraction 12:47 PM on Monday. Rescuers carried Newell over 4.5 miles to the trail head at South Pond in Stark arriving at 4:37 PM. Where they were met by Groveton Ambulance personnel who transported Newell to Weeks Hospital in Lancaster for treatment.
https://www.wmwv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-1.jpg00Tonyhttps://www.wmwv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-1.jpgTony2017-09-12 15:27:032017-09-12 15:27:03Hiker Spends The Night On Roger’s Ledge After Falling 15 Feet
NORTH CONWAY — This tourist mecca is known for many things and on Sunday it earned another moniker as the hometown of the best mud-football team anywhere.
In a battle between the 19-time champion Muddas Football Club of Amherst and the up and coming North Country Mud Crocs, the latter prevailed 14-12 in overtime to win the dramatically named World Championship of Mud Football on Steve Eastman Memorial Field at Hog Coliseum.
Now a major fundraiser for several Conway-area charities, the first mud bowl was held in 1972 at the University of Maine before moving west to its current location in North Conway four years later.
Apart from the knee-deep mud, the game is essentially seven-on-seven touch/flag football.
Jason Veno, who is both the Crocs’ quarterback and its coach and who on Sunday tossed a touchdown in overtime to James Duke IV and the two-point conversion to Brandon Hamilton, said the key to winning the Mud Bowl “is just focusing.”
“It’s hard to throw and catch a muddy football,” said Veno, who played football at and graduated from nearby Kennett High School.
A representative of Amoskeag Beverages, which was a Mud Bowl sponsor, Veno said the Crocs now have two Mud Bowl titles; the first was in 2013.
Coming into Sunday’s tilt, the Muddas, given their long and successful history, were favorites but in the end they turned out to be the runner-up for the second consecutive year.
In 2016, the Muddas fell to the Nashua Mud Gumbys 20-14 in the last second of regulation time.
After the Crocs scored Sunday, the Muddas got the ball back and had four downs to match the score, but their drive ended with an interception, which was in short order followed by an emotional eruption of the Crocs players and their supporters.
The 2017 Mud Bowl featured 12 teams, including from both near — the 11-time champion Mount Washington Valley Hogs — and from Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
North Conway – The American Legion Post 95 invites Mount Washington Valley Community members to a memorial service at Schouler Park remembering those lost during the events on September 11th 2001. Those who wish to attend are asked to be there at 8:30. The services will begin at exactly 8:46am to coincide with the first plane crash into the World Trade Center.
The brief service will include words from Rev. Gilman Healy pastor of the North Conway, First Church of Christ Congregational, the group singing of God Bless America led by Muriel Magg, and the playing of Taps by Kennett High School student, Missy Jones.
Jackson, NH – The Jackson Chamber of Commerce will hold the America Supports you freedom walk at 5pm starting on the Route 16 side of the Jackson Covered Bridge. The walk will begin after a few words from guests, a moment of silence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the singing of the National Anthem. After the walk the shovel handle pub is opening its doors to veterans, police, and fire and rescue personnel for complimentary food.
https://www.wmwv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-1.jpg00Tonyhttps://www.wmwv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-1.jpgTony2017-09-11 10:54:262017-09-11 10:54:26September 11th Memorial Services
North Conway, NH – Mt Washington Valley businesses offered mixed feedback to an informal survey about Labor Day weekend trends distributed to members of the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce (MWVCC). While rain had an impact on some of the outdoor attractions, others reported record breaking Labor Day holiday results. In a previous MWVCC survey, chamber members shared that despite a rainy beginning, most Mt Washington Valley lodging and attractions businesses posted a strong summer.
Weather has an enormous impact on tourism in Mt Washington Valley and throughout New England. Labor Day weekend was no exception with one of the key days of the three-day weekend marked by wind and rain. “Story Land saw a great crowd this summer when the weather was cooperative”, said Lauren Hawkins Story Land’s Director of Marketing. “Many rainy and poor forecast weekends pushed crowds to different days,” she finished sharing that the family attraction posted a good summer.
Greg Fisher, Peak Resorts Vice President of Marketing shared that both Attitash Mountain Resort and Wildcat Mountain posted record traffic over the weekend. “Labor Day Weekend was fantastic for both of our properties this year even with a mid-day closure on Sunday due to the rain,” he shared. “Friday, Saturday and Monday all performed strongly. Saturday proved to be our largest summer day attendance ever at both Attitash & Wildcat. We would have crushed last year’s visits had Sunday not been a washout but in the end we were very pleased with the attendance our resorts received during the holiday,” Fisher enthusiastically told the chamber. He went on to share that even with a slower start to the 2017 season due to rain, both Attitash and Wildcat were able to overcome the start to the summer season, and finished with possibly their most visited summer (through Labor Day) ever.
A combination of Railfans Weekend and new train rides making their debut this weekend sold out train rides over the weekend at the Conway Scenic Railroad, and made for a ten-year Labor Day record, according to Susan Logan, Director of Marketing. Sunday’s rain drove business to the railroad as visitors found cover inside the trains. “This was strongest Labor Day weekend we’ve had in 10 years! Saturday started off slowly, but by the afternoon, we were selling out trains,” shared Logan. “Sunday was up significantly over last year, mostly because we ran a nine-car Notch Train to Whitefield Village, the first time that a passenger train had been to that location in over 30 years. We only had a few Coach seats left going into the weekend, and those sold out quickly, despite the weather forecast,” Logan told the chamber.
Lauren Hawkins told the chamber that Story Land saw its largest Labor Day holiday in years. While the overall weekend was even when compared to last year due to the rain on Sunday, overall the attraction posted a strong Labor Day weekend and summer holiday too.
And the region’s golf courses were busy over the summer, continuing into Labor Day weekend. Jonathan Rivers, owner of Indian Mound Golf Club, shared that they had a great Labor Day weekend, despite the rain. The course offered the best conditions in years, according to Rivers, resulting in a great season too. Rivers also noted that their “kids pay their age” special helped to boost the number of families playing at the course over the summer season, adding to the excellent summer season. Rivers also noted that golf season is not over, and that there are plenty of weeks left to play golf during the most colorful season of the year.
Had it not been for rain, Becca Deschenes, Director of Marketing at Cranmore Mountain Resort, speculates their traffic and sales would have matched 2016 Labor Day weekend. Instead, the rain caused a slight dip in numbers compared to last year’s traffic. “We finished behind last year’s long weekend looking at admissions,” said Deschenes “Cranmore closed operations early on Sunday due to rain, which was the busiest day of last year’s holiday weekend. If the weather had cooperated, I am sure we would have finished the same or surpassed last year’s numbers,” finished Deschenes.
Weddings also drove traffic to Mt Washington Valley’s lodging properties. Nearly every lodging property responding to the chamber’s survey noted that weddings drove bookings as much as the three-day weekend did. Steve Lambert, innkeeper and co-owner at Inn at Thorn Hill told the chamber that bookings were up over last Labor Day weekend by 25-percent at the inn and spa. Weddings and plenty of hikers seeking massages filled the inn. Still in his first year of ownership of the inn, Steve shared that special dinners and spa services helped to fuel the inn’s overall sales over the weekend.
Jennifer Kovach, Snowvillage Inn and Max’s Restaurant and Pub co-owner, weighed in to the chamber’s survey saying a wedding filled the inn for the weekend, noting that given the number of weddings in the region, it’s clear that many people took advantage of the three-day Labor Day weekend to get married. Looking back at the summer season, Kovach noted, “Summer was busy. The chamber did an excellent job letting folks know of all the adventures they can have in the Mt. Washington Valley. This year there was an increase in guests experiencing what we have to offer. Folks were definitely using apps on their mobile devices to find places to eat or things to do that were off the beaten path.”
Some of the smaller B&Bs and lodging properties, which asked to remain anonymous, shared that summer business was down due to the proliferation of Airbnb and short-term vacation rental opportunities in the Valley. Donna Pearce, owner of the Admiral Peary Inn B&B in Fryeburg, shared that bookings for the Labor Day weekend were down over last year by 17-percent. Her dog-friendly inn hosted a number of wedding-goers, Stone Mountain Arts Center concert goers, and couples traveling with their dogs, but did not see the number of Fryeburg Academy students and parents that they have in the past over the three-day weekend.
Similarly, Bud Salmi, owner of the Margarita Grill shared that this “was not the summer that was”, noting that 28 days of rain in June and July, and a “so-so” August had a negative impact on his business. Salmi reported that Labor Day was nearly even with last year, but not quite.
With many important weather and tourism indicators pointing to a robust fall foliage season, the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce predicts a colorful and possibly even weather breaking fall season, if the weather stays relatively dry. According to fall foliage experts at Yankee Magazine, a mild summer and long-term weather forecasts for foliage season indicate a boon for fall color during autumn. Attitash’s fall sales are a good indicator that fall foliage sales will be up over last year according to Greg Fisher. “The foliage forecast sounds great from the media and our lodging is currently pacing ahead of last year, including sales for our Oktoberfest which is in October and online for sale already,” shared Fisher. Thomas Prindle concurred, telling the chamber that numbers are on par with last year at Purity Spring Resort and Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort, indicating a strong fall season.
Every season is the perfect time to explore Mt Washington Valley. With the busy fall season approaching, the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce advises to “book now or forever hold your peep.” Booking early results in the best availability for those coming to see the spectacular fall foliage in the Valley. Visit www.MtWashingtonValley.org or call 800-DO-SEE-NH (800-367-3364) for complete vacation planning information. To learn more about planning a New Hampshire getaway, go to www.VisitNH.gov for all the information you need.
https://www.wmwv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-1.jpg00Tonyhttps://www.wmwv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-1.jpgTony2017-09-07 12:33:432017-09-07 12:34:59Mt. Washington Valley Businesses Top Off Strong Summer With Mixed Results For Labor Day Weekend
Mount Washington Valley Residents Invited To Share Thoughts On 10 Year Transportation Plan
Conway, NH – Residents in the Mount Washington Valley will have a chance to share their concerns about transportation in the area today. The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation will be holding 2 public hearings in the Mount Washington Valley on the 2019-2028 Ten Year Plan.
The first will be at 2pm in Berlin at the City Hall Auditorium then at 7pm the committee hosts another hearing at the Conway Town Hall. Conway’s meeting will be led by District 1 Executive Councilor Joe Kenney. Feedback gathered at the hearings will be used to make changes in the state’s Ten Year Plan, which would be completed in June 2018 and adopted into law.
Projects up for discussion include the Main Street Project, which involves ripping up Route 16 through Conway Village and replacing a water main that has leaded joints. As well as enhancements at the intersection known as the four corners in Conway, including light enhancements.
Those not able to attend the meetings can submit written testimony within 10 days of the completion of the Public Hearings, which conclude on October 26th.
Hiker Dies On Mount Washington
Sargent’s Purchase, NH – Authorities say a 66-year-old Maine man died after becoming ill while hiking up Mount Washington. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department says Rolf Diamon, of Windham, Maine, was hiking up the Lion Head Trail with his son Saturday morning when he became sick and collapsed approximately 2 ½ miles from the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center.
The son and other hikers began performing CPR immediately while emergency crews were called. A call for help was made and rescue personnel from Fish and Game, Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue (AVSAR), Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and Gorham Ambulance were mobilized and responded to the emergency call.
Due to the nature of the medical emergency, air support was requested from the National Guard unit from Concord. A Black Hawk helicopter responded to the request and was able to extract Diamon from the mountain by hoisting him up into the aircraft using a winch.
Unfortunately, despite all the exhaustive efforts by the many hikers who provided constant resuscitation for over an hour; the arrival of 1st Responders with an AED; and the use of a helicopter to get him quickly off the mountain, he did not survive.
The medical condition he was suffering from wasn’t immediately known.
Conway Police Looking To Identify Man Who Allegedly Egged A Woman And Her Car
North Conway, NH – Conway Police are seeking information about a road rage incident where a woman was allegedly egged. Conway Police posted on their Facebook page that on September 2nd following a road rage incident a man in a maroon full sized pick up truck drove to a local store and purchased eggs.
He then covered his license plates with paper and drove back toward the woman’s vehicle, which was in the area of the L.L. Bean store in North Conway, and proceeded to throw eggs at the woman and her vehicle. The suspect then drove off.
Pictures of the suspect and his vehicle can be found on our website wmwv.com anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Conway Police at 603-356-5715.
Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce Seeks Nominations for 2017 Business and Community Awards
North Conway, NH – The Mount Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce is looking to recognize individuals and businesses that go above and beyond the call of duty. The Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the 2017 White Mountains Treasures Award.
The White Mountains Treasures Award honors individuals in Mt. Washington Valley who have given a “‘lifetime’” of “time and talent” to the Valley and exemplify that success is not measured by what they accomplish in life for themselves but by what they do for others and the community. Nominations are also being sought for 2017 Employer of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year awards.
Awards will be presented at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting, Dinner & Awards event, Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort in North Conway. Award nomination are due by Friday, October 7.
The Annual Meeting of the Chamber of Commerce is a wonderful evening of business and social networking where Chamber members, elected officials and guests gather to review how the Chamber has advanced the local business environment and impacted the community during the previous year. A cocktail hour and silent auction follow the meeting, and lead into the dinner and the awards ceremony. Tickets to the event as well as sponsorships are available for purchase.
“We look forward to our Annual Meeting every year as a way of recognizing how far our community has come in the past year” says Janice Crawford, Executive Director of the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce. “One of the best ways to do that is by acknowledging those who have made a tremendous impact in helping our valley move forward. The awards presentation is our way of saying “thank you,” and providing much deserved appreciation to those individuals.
Award nomination forms, criteria, and more information can be found at www.MWVCC.org or contact lisa@MtWashingtonValley.org.
Story Contributions by
Paula Sullivan Jones
Marketing & Communications
Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce
2617 White Mountain Highway, PO Box 2300, North Conway, NH 03860
603-356-5701 Ext. 304
Settlers Green Celebrates Street Side Opening By Matching Funds To Mountain Top Music
(L-R): Nancy Devine, Mountain Top Music Exec. Director George Weise, and Laura Riggs Mitchell join Settlers Green General Manager Dot Seybold at Settlers Green Streetside. ~ Photo courtesy of Laura Tuveson.
North Conway, NH – It’s an exciting time at Settlers Green, the area’s largest regional outlet mall. Settlers Green Streetside is now open with impressive brands including Polo Ralph Lauren, Columbia and Skechers. Besides shopping, Settlers Green has committed hundreds of thousands of dollars to “streetscape” furnishings, planting and sitting areas, and – most exciting – original art. Several original artworks have been installed in the outdoor center, creating a place to wander and take in murals and sculptures from around New England. The Grand Opening, scheduled for October 9-15, will provide an opportunity for the community to celebrate with live music, dancing, fireworks and more. The Streetside Grand Opening will also include a unique fundraising partnership with Mountain Top Music to help the organization reach a $2.8 million goal for the renovation and revitalization of the Majestic Theater in Conway as a community gathering place and a center for performance arts. Settlers Green has pledged to match up to $15,000 of all donations received by the organization from September 9 through the weekend of October 15 and the finale of the Streetside Grand Opening celebration.
Settlers Green has a long history of supporting community projects and has been part of several large capital campaigns including the North Conway Community Center, Starting Point shelter, the Gibson Senior Center and many more, with over $1.3 million in donations over the past 29 years. While planning the Streetside Grand Opening events, the Settlers Green development team sought opportunities to continue its commitment to supporting the arts within the Mt Washington Valley community. Mountain Top Music’s ambitious project not only complements the arts focus of the Streetside Art Project, but perfectly supplements the “Dancing In the Streets” theme of the grand opening festivities here. Thus, the commitment to match up to $15,000 of community funding was launched by Settlers Green’s management team, to make a $30,000 boost to the Mountain Top Music’s Majestic launch goal possible.
A fundraising station will be available throughout the Streetside Grand Opening celebration, and opportunities to donate will be numerous, from the Ribbon Cutting ceremony on October 10 to the grand finale fireworks on October 14th. Important to note however, is that all donations received by Mountain Top Music September 9-October 15th are eligible for the match including those made directly to the organization.
“The Settlers Green Management Team feels that the grand opening of the Settlers Green Streetside development provides a unique opportunity for partnership with a local non-profit supporting community arts,” said Dot Seybold, GM of the Settlers Green development. “The theme of the multi-day Streetside Grand Opening event is “Dancing in the Street” and includes a variety of live music and dance performances. The effort by Mountain Top Music to renovate and remake the Majestic Theater into a vibrant performing arts center and community gathering place is an ambitious project which deserves to benefit from this unique opportunity for partnership,” finished Seybold.
Mountain Top Music Executive Director George Wiese noted: “It’s really a double match opportunity as anyone donating today will have their dollars matched by both Settlers Green AND the Kendal and Anna Ham Foundation! The business community has been very supportive of our project and we are happy to team up with Settlers Green and their celebration to help push us over the top and start construction.”
Dancing in The Street will celebrate the grand opening of Settlers Green Streetside with a full line-up of musical themed events, community celebrations, shopping specials, art unveilings, giveaways and many opportunities to donate to Mountain Top Music’s community theater project. Even Settlers Green tenants are helping, with Brandli’s Pizza Pasta Grille donating 10-percent of all proceeds from sales on October 14 to the Majestic project. For a complete schedule of Grand Opening events, click here. To learn more about Settlers Green and its new Streetside expansion, visit www.SettlersGreen.com. To learn about the Streetside Art Project launch, click here. For a map of Settlers Green, including the new Streetside addition, click here.
Over 500,000 square feet of North Conway retail centers, including Settlers Green, Settlers Crossing and Settlers Corner are developed and managed by OVP Management, Inc. a Newton, Massachusetts based company with management offices in North Conway. For more information please contact General Manager, Dot Seybold at dot@ovpmanagement.com or for leasing information please contact Robert M. Barsamian at RMB@ovpmanagement.com. Additional details about the shopping centers located in North Conway, NH is available at Settlersgreen.com or OVPManagement.com.
Rhode Island Man Arrested For Allegedly Killing His Mother At Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
LEBANON, N.H. (AP) — A Rhode Island man accused of fatally shooting his mother in the intensive care unit of New Hampshire’s largest hospital is set to be arraigned on murder charges.
Authorities say Travis Frink signed into the visitor center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon on Tuesday and went to the intensive care unit, where there were reports of shots fired soon after.
Attorney General Gordon MacDonald identifies the shooting victim as Frink’s 70-year-old mother, Pamela Ferriere, of Groton. He says the 49-year-old Frink, of Warwick, Rhode Island, went to the hospital with the intent of killing her. He says more than one shot was fired but no one else was injured.
Authorities say Frink was detained as he tried to leave the hospital. Frink is in custody and can’t be reached for comment.
Hiker Spends The Night On Roger’s Ledge After Falling 15 Feet
Kilkenny, NH – A hiker spent the night in the White Mountain National Forest after falling 15 feet this weekend. Fish and Game Officials said that 27-year-old Travis Newell of Durham Connecticut was hiking Roger’s Ledge in the Kilkenny Range when he fell injuring his ankle at around 10pm. Authorities decided it was best for Newell to stay out overnight and to start a rescue Monday morning.
At 5:30am Monday Newell called authorities to update them on his condition. Conservation Officers were called from all over the state to help with this carry out as well as AMC search and rescue, Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue team and a wilderness first responder class from SOLO in Conway. All together 40 rescue personnel were used for this long, grueling hike and carry out.
Teams hiked to Rogers Ledge and began the extraction 12:47 PM on Monday. Rescuers carried Newell over 4.5 miles to the trail head at South Pond in Stark arriving at 4:37 PM. Where they were met by Groveton Ambulance personnel who transported Newell to Weeks Hospital in Lancaster for treatment.
Mud Crocs Defeat Muddas in Overtime
In a battle between the 19-time champion Muddas Football Club of Amherst and the up and coming North Country Mud Crocs, the latter prevailed 14-12 in overtime to win the dramatically named World Championship of Mud Football on Steve Eastman Memorial Field at Hog Coliseum.
Now a major fundraiser for several Conway-area charities, the first mud bowl was held in 1972 at the University of Maine before moving west to its current location in North Conway four years later.
Apart from the knee-deep mud, the game is essentially seven-on-seven touch/flag football.
Jason Veno, who is both the Crocs’ quarterback and its coach and who on Sunday tossed a touchdown in overtime to James Duke IV and the two-point conversion to Brandon Hamilton, said the key to winning the Mud Bowl “is just focusing.”
“It’s hard to throw and catch a muddy football,” said Veno, who played football at and graduated from nearby Kennett High School.
A representative of Amoskeag Beverages, which was a Mud Bowl sponsor, Veno said the Crocs now have two Mud Bowl titles; the first was in 2013.
Coming into Sunday’s tilt, the Muddas, given their long and successful history, were favorites but in the end they turned out to be the runner-up for the second consecutive year.
In 2016, the Muddas fell to the Nashua Mud Gumbys 20-14 in the last second of regulation time.
After the Crocs scored Sunday, the Muddas got the ball back and had four downs to match the score, but their drive ended with an interception, which was in short order followed by an emotional eruption of the Crocs players and their supporters.
The 2017 Mud Bowl featured 12 teams, including from both near — the 11-time champion Mount Washington Valley Hogs — and from Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Story courtesy of John Kozial, newhampshire.com
September 11th Memorial Services
North Conway – The American Legion Post 95 invites Mount Washington Valley Community members to a memorial service at Schouler Park remembering those lost during the events on September 11th 2001. Those who wish to attend are asked to be there at 8:30. The services will begin at exactly 8:46am to coincide with the first plane crash into the World Trade Center.
The brief service will include words from Rev. Gilman Healy pastor of the North Conway, First Church of Christ Congregational, the group singing of God Bless America led by Muriel Magg, and the playing of Taps by Kennett High School student, Missy Jones.
Jackson, NH – The Jackson Chamber of Commerce will hold the America Supports you freedom walk at 5pm starting on the Route 16 side of the Jackson Covered Bridge. The walk will begin after a few words from guests, a moment of silence, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the singing of the National Anthem. After the walk the shovel handle pub is opening its doors to veterans, police, and fire and rescue personnel for complimentary food.
Mt. Washington Valley Businesses Top Off Strong Summer With Mixed Results For Labor Day Weekend
North Conway, NH – Mt Washington Valley businesses offered mixed feedback to an informal survey about Labor Day weekend trends distributed to members of the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce (MWVCC). While rain had an impact on some of the outdoor attractions, others reported record breaking Labor Day holiday results. In a previous MWVCC survey, chamber members shared that despite a rainy beginning, most Mt Washington Valley lodging and attractions businesses posted a strong summer.
Weather has an enormous impact on tourism in Mt Washington Valley and throughout New England. Labor Day weekend was no exception with one of the key days of the three-day weekend marked by wind and rain. “Story Land saw a great crowd this summer when the weather was cooperative”, said Lauren Hawkins Story Land’s Director of Marketing. “Many rainy and poor forecast weekends pushed crowds to different days,” she finished sharing that the family attraction posted a good summer.
Greg Fisher, Peak Resorts Vice President of Marketing shared that both Attitash Mountain Resort and Wildcat Mountain posted record traffic over the weekend. “Labor Day Weekend was fantastic for both of our properties this year even with a mid-day closure on Sunday due to the rain,” he shared. “Friday, Saturday and Monday all performed strongly. Saturday proved to be our largest summer day attendance ever at both Attitash & Wildcat. We would have crushed last year’s visits had Sunday not been a washout but in the end we were very pleased with the attendance our resorts received during the holiday,” Fisher enthusiastically told the chamber. He went on to share that even with a slower start to the 2017 season due to rain, both Attitash and Wildcat were able to overcome the start to the summer season, and finished with possibly their most visited summer (through Labor Day) ever.
A combination of Railfans Weekend and new train rides making their debut this weekend sold out train rides over the weekend at the Conway Scenic Railroad, and made for a ten-year Labor Day record, according to Susan Logan, Director of Marketing. Sunday’s rain drove business to the railroad as visitors found cover inside the trains. “This was strongest Labor Day weekend we’ve had in 10 years! Saturday started off slowly, but by the afternoon, we were selling out trains,” shared Logan. “Sunday was up significantly over last year, mostly because we ran a nine-car Notch Train to Whitefield Village, the first time that a passenger train had been to that location in over 30 years. We only had a few Coach seats left going into the weekend, and those sold out quickly, despite the weather forecast,” Logan told the chamber.
Lauren Hawkins told the chamber that Story Land saw its largest Labor Day holiday in years. While the overall weekend was even when compared to last year due to the rain on Sunday, overall the attraction posted a strong Labor Day weekend and summer holiday too.
And the region’s golf courses were busy over the summer, continuing into Labor Day weekend. Jonathan Rivers, owner of Indian Mound Golf Club, shared that they had a great Labor Day weekend, despite the rain. The course offered the best conditions in years, according to Rivers, resulting in a great season too. Rivers also noted that their “kids pay their age” special helped to boost the number of families playing at the course over the summer season, adding to the excellent summer season. Rivers also noted that golf season is not over, and that there are plenty of weeks left to play golf during the most colorful season of the year.
Had it not been for rain, Becca Deschenes, Director of Marketing at Cranmore Mountain Resort, speculates their traffic and sales would have matched 2016 Labor Day weekend. Instead, the rain caused a slight dip in numbers compared to last year’s traffic. “We finished behind last year’s long weekend looking at admissions,” said Deschenes “Cranmore closed operations early on Sunday due to rain, which was the busiest day of last year’s holiday weekend. If the weather had cooperated, I am sure we would have finished the same or surpassed last year’s numbers,” finished Deschenes.
Weddings also drove traffic to Mt Washington Valley’s lodging properties. Nearly every lodging property responding to the chamber’s survey noted that weddings drove bookings as much as the three-day weekend did. Steve Lambert, innkeeper and co-owner at Inn at Thorn Hill told the chamber that bookings were up over last Labor Day weekend by 25-percent at the inn and spa. Weddings and plenty of hikers seeking massages filled the inn. Still in his first year of ownership of the inn, Steve shared that special dinners and spa services helped to fuel the inn’s overall sales over the weekend.
Jennifer Kovach, Snowvillage Inn and Max’s Restaurant and Pub co-owner, weighed in to the chamber’s survey saying a wedding filled the inn for the weekend, noting that given the number of weddings in the region, it’s clear that many people took advantage of the three-day Labor Day weekend to get married. Looking back at the summer season, Kovach noted, “Summer was busy. The chamber did an excellent job letting folks know of all the adventures they can have in the Mt. Washington Valley. This year there was an increase in guests experiencing what we have to offer. Folks were definitely using apps on their mobile devices to find places to eat or things to do that were off the beaten path.”
Some of the smaller B&Bs and lodging properties, which asked to remain anonymous, shared that summer business was down due to the proliferation of Airbnb and short-term vacation rental opportunities in the Valley. Donna Pearce, owner of the Admiral Peary Inn B&B in Fryeburg, shared that bookings for the Labor Day weekend were down over last year by 17-percent. Her dog-friendly inn hosted a number of wedding-goers, Stone Mountain Arts Center concert goers, and couples traveling with their dogs, but did not see the number of Fryeburg Academy students and parents that they have in the past over the three-day weekend.
Similarly, Bud Salmi, owner of the Margarita Grill shared that this “was not the summer that was”, noting that 28 days of rain in June and July, and a “so-so” August had a negative impact on his business. Salmi reported that Labor Day was nearly even with last year, but not quite.
With many important weather and tourism indicators pointing to a robust fall foliage season, the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce predicts a colorful and possibly even weather breaking fall season, if the weather stays relatively dry. According to fall foliage experts at Yankee Magazine, a mild summer and long-term weather forecasts for foliage season indicate a boon for fall color during autumn. Attitash’s fall sales are a good indicator that fall foliage sales will be up over last year according to Greg Fisher. “The foliage forecast sounds great from the media and our lodging is currently pacing ahead of last year, including sales for our Oktoberfest which is in October and online for sale already,” shared Fisher. Thomas Prindle concurred, telling the chamber that numbers are on par with last year at Purity Spring Resort and Danforth Bay Camping & RV Resort, indicating a strong fall season.
Every season is the perfect time to explore Mt Washington Valley. With the busy fall season approaching, the Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce advises to “book now or forever hold your peep.” Booking early results in the best availability for those coming to see the spectacular fall foliage in the Valley. Visit www.MtWashingtonValley.org or call 800-DO-SEE-NH (800-367-3364) for complete vacation planning information. To learn more about planning a New Hampshire getaway, go to www.VisitNH.gov for all the information you need.
Story by:
Marti Mayne
Maynely Marketing
392A Cousins Street
Yarmouth, ME 04096
207-846-6331
info@maynelymarketing.com