New Hampshire
These 9 Towns Are New Hampshire's Best-Kept Secret
New Hampshire, in the New England region, is defined by its stunning scenery and singular towns. The small communities have a classic New England ambiance framed by gorgeous foliage, significantly when the leaves change colors in the Fall. There are vast expanses of forest, such as White Mountain National Forest and Mount Washington, popular among winter sports enthusiasts.
Amid all this beauty are nine towns that are New Hampshire’s best-kept secrets. The towns are noteworthy for their small communities, charming houses, and interesting districts worthy of a long weekend of strolling and discovering New England’s charms. You will find local and national history and more than enough outdoor adventures here.
Jackson
Jackson is a small resort town in the White Mountains. The town slogan is “Where You Should Be,” judging by the scenery, it is easy to see why. It is a four-season town that is part of the classic White Mountains Villages, a short drive from bigger cities but with a fraction of the hustle and bustle. A lot of its charm can be seen in the Jackson “Honeymoon” covered bridge, which was built in 1876, and in its beautiful waterfalls.
The red-covered bridge is a must-see location and ideal for romantic photo opportunities. Iconic white steeple churches, such as the Little White Church, complete the cozy surroundings. Several elegant lodging options will complete the Jackson experience. Offerings include the Swiss Chalet Village Inn, Lodge at Jackson Village, and Nordic Village Inn.
Meredith
In the Lakes Region, the scenic resort town of Meredith is one of New Hampshire’s best-kept secrets. It has a remarkable downtown area framed by a tranquil setting. The best way to soak in the town’s beauty is by exploring Meridith’s Sculpture Walk. The sculpture’s path leads you through manicured lawns and gardens along picturesque roads.
An ideal way to end a day of exploring Meredith’s beauty is a stop at Hermit Woods on Main Street. The quirky winery is “proud to be contrarian.” It has an incredible backstory to match its carefully crafted wines made from the unique New Hampshire terroir. Numerous lake-front lodging options, such as Center Harbor Inn, are within walking distance of fine attractions and restaurants. And, of course, nearby Lake Winnipesaukee remains an attraction in all seasons.
Littleton
Littleton, in the White Mountains, is a classic New England town with traditional brick commercial buildings and a white steeple church as the area’s hallmark. The town’s motto, “Be Glad,” came from Pollyanna, and there is a bronze statue commemorating her. Main Street has local shops, restaurants, and the historic Thayers Inn.
Thayers Inn is a landmark New England hotel with modern comforts. The historic hotel was finished in 1850 and became prominent when the railroad came to town in 1852. It has been operating ever since. The inn is within walking distance of notable shops and attractions such as the League of NH Craftsmen, Littleton Historical Museum, and the Littleton Opera House. Then there’s the rustic Grist Mill on the river, a look back in time if ever there was one.
Hollis
Hollis is a traditional New England town that is fun to explore, especially for those who love history. The Hollis Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places and has nearly 100 buildings, with Monument Square as its focal point. The town became a popular summer haven in the 1800s, and there are preserved summer residences.
Notable architectural structures are the 1935 Neo-Classical Marion Nichols Summer Home and the 1910 Hollis Social Library, which has splendid white columns. Over 90 commercial buildings and residences are explored, each revealing a piece of Hollis’s history. Another example is the Always Ready Engine House, built in 1859, which displays the quintessential New England clapboard siding.
Sugar Hill
Sugar Hill overlooks White Mountain National Forest and provides a romantic setting. You can learn about its history at the Sugar Hill Historical Museum or from the locals at the ever-popular Polly’s Pancake Parlor. Before leaving town, take home gourmet cheese from Herman’s Cheese and Country Store, one of the most visited shops in town. Visitors also enjoy seeing the iconic St. Matthews Chapel.
Several audio tours are available for a scenic drive through the dramatic White Mountains, an ideal way to soak in the area’s beauty and charm. Booking a room at the Sugar Hill Inn completes the romantic ambiance of the town. It offers views of the White Mountains, five-star dining, and luxurious rooms that will make you want to stay longer in Sugar Hill.
Harrisville
The mill village of Harrisville was incorporated in 1870 by the Harris family and, 100 years later, closed New England’s last textile mill, Cheshire Mills. The town grew around this unique atmosphere, and many of the historic commercial properties and residences have been preserved. It is in the Monadnock region, framed by ten lakes and ponds and a restored brick and granite mill in the historic district.
Audio tours are available for the historic district, which comprises elegant red brick commercial structures, white steeple churches, and homes, all carefully preserved for their historic value. Some notable buildings are the 1832 Harris Storehouse, the 1840 Vestry/Library, and the 1851 Cheshire Mills Boarding House. The elegant structures are quintessential New England architecture and will transport you to another era.
Hillsborough
Hillsborough is most famous for its Franklin Pierce Homestead, home to the 14th president of the United States. Today, it comprises four distinct villages: Hillsborough Bridge Village (downtown), Hillsborough Center, Hillsborough Upper Village, and Hillsborough Lower Village. Downtown is a unique place along the Contoocook River with quaint inns and boutiques.
The Stonewall Farm Bed and Breakfast is ideal for a relaxing stay. The country inn offers many activities, like fishing, within walking distance of the attractive restaurants. August is an excellent time to visit when the community hosts its Living History exhibit. Attendees are encouraged to join the fun and learn how to make maple syrup and cook on a wood-fired stove.
Seabrook
Seabrook is a charming coastal village near the Massachusetts border. It has many cultural and educational attractions, such as the Science and Nature Center and the Owascoag Nature Trail. Seabrook Beach, near the Massachusetts border, is popular for those looking for a less crowded day at the beach.
Several restaurants embrace the spirit of this area, like Ernie’s Seafood and Brown’s Lobster Pound, perfect for a relaxing evening. Smoky Quartz Distillery is a veteran-owned distillery producing rum and other craft spirits, so you can bring something home from Seabrook. The town is attractive for its friendly community and relaxing atmosphere and is only a short drive from larger metropolises.
Plymouth
Plymouth is known for its lakes, ski resorts, and as a retail hub. Newfound Lake has over 4,500 acres and is famous for its clear water. Tenney Mountain Resort is family-owned and known for its 1,500 vertical drop and a host to the World Pro Ski Tour.
The town is famous for being a shopping mecca, with shops like the Gallery at Red Gate and many others. A landmark cultural attraction is the Museum of the White Mountains. The museum features rotating exhibits and paintings dedicated to the White Mountains and the surrounding region. Though Plymouth is famous as a winter sports destination, it has plenty of attractions with little to no crowds throughout the year.
New Hampshire has some of the most dramatic natural scenery in the country. Spring brings temperate conditions, Fall brings terrific colors, and winter provides the ultimate playground for outdoor enthusiasts. It is also a fun state for a road trip and finding little towns not heavily populated but full of culture and points of interest.
These towns are New Hampshire’s best-kept secret, but the small communities are warm and welcoming to visitors. Many of these nine towns are resort towns for the White Mountains. The dining and lodging options are superb, and there is much to see and do in these sparsely populated areas.
New Hampshire
Bank Robber, Sexual Assaulter, With 40-Plus Year Criminal History, Wanted On Parole Violation: NH DOC
CONCORD, NH — The New Hampshire Department of Corrections is asking for the public’s help in finding a sex offender and robbery convict, with “violent tendencies,” who is wanted on a parole violation.
Michael J. Wells is 60, white, about 5 feet, 6 inches tall, and weighs around 150 lbs. He has dirty blond hair and hazel eyes. Officials said Wells sometimes uses the following aliases: “Michael Morris,” “Michael Morse,” and “Michael Kirby.” He has Tasmanian devil, star, moon, and skull tattoos on his right arm and a cross over a skull with a spider web on his left arm.
The warrant against Wells was issued by the New Hampshire Parole Board as well as Manchester police for duty to report, after accusing him of absconding from parole and failing to register as a sex offender.
“In December 1994,” an alert stated, “Wells was convicted of aggravated felonious sexual assault and as a result, is required to register as a Tier III sex offender for the remainder of his life. Wells is currently on Parole Supervision for robbery.”
In December 2018, Wells robbed the Citizens Bank in Manchester, passing a note stating, “I have a gun. No tracking. No dye bag. $20-$50 quickly. No alarm.” In August 2021, he committed the same offense under similar circumstances, officials said, after he was placed on escape status from the Calumet Transitional Housing Unit. He was arrested in Massachusetts a few weeks later.
Wells is known to frequent both Concord and Manchester.
Editor’s note: This post was derived from information supplied by the New Hampshire Department of Corrections and does not indicate a conviction. This link explains how to request the removal of a name from New Hampshire Patch police reports.
Wells criminal history dates back more than four decades, according to superior court records, after he was accused of forgery in Nashua in August 1985. In June 1988, he was convicted on one forgery charge.
Wells was accused of theft in 1990 and he pleaded guilty to the charge a month later.
Wells was accused of bail jumping in February 1989.
In 1994, Wells was accused of aggravated felonious sexual assault, sexual assault, and second-degree assault charges in Nashua. In December 1994, he pleaded guilty to the second-degree assault charge. Wells was found guilty by the court on one aggravated felonious sexual assault charge in January 1996.
Wells was also accused of escape in December 1998.
In 2005 and 2006, more charges were racked up, including four acts prohibited counts in Nashua, a false report to law enforcement, receiving stolen property, two acts prohibited counts in Salem, and forgery in Manchester. Wells was found guilty on two of the drug charges in Salem and the Manchester forgery charge, while the others were nolle prossed.
In April 2019, Wells was convicted on the December 2018 bank robbery charges. He was given a three-and-a-half-to-10-year sentence with 136 days of time served credit and a 10-to-20-year sentence, suspended for 10 years.
New Hampshire
N.H. lawmakers to vote on increasing tolls, civil rights, and k-12 education – The Boston Globe
One proposal (Senate Bill 627) would generate more than $53 million per year in estimated revenue for turnpike projects by essentially doubling what certain cars pay on the state’s toll roads.
The cash fare for Hampton’s main toll booth on Interstate 95, for example, would jump from $2 to $4 for cars and pickup trucks. The toll wouldn’t increase at all for motorists who use New Hampshire’s E-ZPass transponders.
“Surrounding states already have the same in-state discount structure in place,” Democratic Representative Martin Jack of Nashua wrote on behalf of a House committee that unanimously recommended the bill.
A potential hitch: Governor Kelly Ayotte. She’s expressed opposition to the whole toll-hiking idea, and proven she’s not afraid to use her veto pen.
Modifying civil rights standard
Another proposal (Senate Bill 464) would add a few words to the state’s Civil Rights Act. Instead of addressing conduct that is merely “motivated by” a legally protected characteristic, the proposed revision would address conduct that is “substantially motivated by hostility towards the victim’s” protected characteristic (such as their race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, or disability).
The prime sponsor, Republican Senator Daryl Abbas, an attorney, testified the change was small and aligned with the law’s intent. But the attorney who oversees the Civil Rights Unit at the New Hampshire Department of Justice, Sean Locke, testified in opposition, saying the proposal could reduce protections, especially since the meaning of “substantially” is somewhat vague.
The House is also weighing a proposed amendment that would add a few more words than Abbas’s version, potentially narrowing the Civil Rights Act’s applicability a bit further.
Open enrollment for K-12 schools
A third proposal up for a vote on Thursday (Senate Bill 101) would make every K-12 public school in New Hampshire an “open enrollment” school. That way, students could freely choose to transfer to a district other than the one where they live.
The proposed policy is controversial, partly because of how schools are funded. Districts rely mostly on local property taxes to cover their costs, as the state government chips in relatively little, and property tax rates vary widely from one community to the next. That generates concern about who will foot the bill when a student transfers.
In light of those concerns, Republicans are offering a compromise amendment to SB 101 that would require the state to provide more money per pupil that a district receives via open enrollment, as the New Hampshire Bulletin reported. Democrats are offering their own amendment to establish a study commission on this topic, rather than adopt the proposed policy now.
Lawmakers have until May 14 to take action on the bills that came from the other chamber, though they have until June 4 to iron out any discrepancies.
Amanda Gokee of the Globe staff contributed to this report.
This story appears in Globe NH | Morning Report, a free email newsletter focused on New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles elsewhere. Sign up here.
Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.
New Hampshire
Boston MedFlight expands into NH
Boston MedFlight often touches down at the scene of some of the worst tragedies in New England – where minutes can mean life or death for a victim. The critical care transport operation is now expanding with a new base in New Hampshire.
The organization is hosting an open house at the new Manchester location on Thursday.
Boston MedFlight flies a critical care transport paramedic and nurse on every flight. Jaik Hanley-McCarthy says their helicopters and ground vehicles are equipped to handle just about any emergency medical procedure.
“Anything that can be done in the ICU,” explained Hanley-McCarthy. “We have a mobile lab so we can draw blood and run labs in real time.”
Boston MedFlight now has five bases across the region.
“Having a base in Manchester just expands this Boston-level care even further north to the more remote areas of the state,” said Hanley-McCarthy.
Boston MedFlight operates as a network of bases and some of the locations are staffed 24 hours.
Chief Executive Officer Maura Hughes says the nonprofit operation survives on public and private donations.
“We provide about $7 million in free care every year to patients,” said Hughes. “Not every hospital can be everything to every patient. We’re really the glue that keeps the health care system together.”
Heather Young says her daughter, Teighan, is still alive because she was flown for a critical assessment and procedure after falling off a truck and hitting her head.
“She should not be driving and walking and talking and all the things she’s doing as quickly as she is,” said Young.
Teighan just turned 18 and plans to go to college to study the medical field.
“I want to be a nurse and help other people,” she said.
It’s stories like this that keep the men and women who work Boston MedFlight focused on their mission.
“I think we just go call by call and try to do the best we can,” said Hanley-McCarthy. “I think when we stop and truly think about it, I think that weight is pretty heavy.”
Boston MedFlight also has a yearly reunion where patients and the team get together here in Bedford to meet and check in on their progress. It really shows you how connected they are to the people they help.
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