New Hampshire
An Alternative Thought on the I-95 Bridge Between Maine and New Hampshire
Maine NH Bridge
We see it a lot more often during tourist season than outside of it, but regardless of the time of year or whether it’s from a tourist or local, the same sentiment is constantly echoed.
The I-95/Piscataqua River Bridge that connects Maine and New Hampshire always seems to stir up emotions. And, for the most part, it depends on which direction you’re driving.
Constantly in various Facebook groups, multiple posters and commenters will echo the sentiment that as they cross the bridge from New Hampshire into Maine, they feel at home with a full heart, and as they cross it going the opposite way, they feel a slight emptiness and sadness.
But I’d like to offer a different, alternative, possibly controversial view — it’s possible to feel at home no matter the direction you cross the bridge.
Welcome to Maine
I get the feeling, too. You take that final bend toward the right along 95, having passed the final Portsmouth, New Hampshire, exit a few miles back, and see that spectacular green steel structure in your path.
You feel the slight bump as your vehicle leaves the concrete above the ground and enters the concrete of the bridge. You look up, see that “Welcome to Maine” sign, and smile a bit. A few seconds later, you feel another bump, leaving the bridge, finding your vehicle on the concrete above the ground once again.
But this time, you’re in Maine, and suddenly your soul feels lighter and you get that “I’m home,” feeling. Because for a lot of us, Maine is the state we call home every day.
Welcome to NH
But here’s the thing. Other than a couple of years in Oklahoma, I’ve lived in New England my entire life, and most of those years were spent in New Hampshire. So, while others feel a sense of sadness, emptiness, and heaviness when they cross the bridge leaving Maine, I don’t.
That same feeling I described above as you cross the bridge entering Maine? I get that same feeling when I cross the bridge leaving Maine and entering New Hampshire, too. Because both states feel like home to me. Both states are home to me.
And maybe I’m one of the lucky, rare ones. Because, yes, the Piscataqua River Bridge/I-95 Bridge/Whatever-You-Call-It-Personally Bridge — it brings on a lot of emotion. But for me, no matter whether I’m driving north or south or heading into Vacationland or the Granite State…
…that emotion is always, “I’m home.”
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A man was killed Monday in an exchange of gunfire with police in Ashland, New Hampshire, authorities said.
The office of New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said Ashland police stopped a vehicle Monday evening on Main Street. A man in the vehicle, whose name has not been released, allegedly pulled a gun.
Officials said the man shot and wounded one police officer. The man was shot during the confrontation and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The officer is being treated at a hospital for a gunshot injury. No one else was hurt, authorities said.
Formella’s office is investigating the shooting alongside New Hampshire State Police.
The names of the officers involved in the incident will not be shared until interviews are completed, authorities said. The man killed in the shooting will be publicly identified after next of kin are notified and an autopsy is conducted.
No further information was immediately available.
Dover, New Hampshire is finally going to see something go into the old Ames Building, (same plaza as Hannaford) at 833 Central Avenue. It’s not just “something,” it’s a Community space we didn’t know we wanted.
Justin Grondahl is the owner of TRAENE Fitness & Pickleball and he’s opening one here in Dover. He has 63,000 square feet to make beautiful. Justin is the son of the co-founder of Planet Fitness that started right here in Dover, New Hampshire.
Justin spent some time with me here in the Townsquare Studios and told me everything we can expect.
You will not believe what he has in store for this place. It makes me want to move to Dover. (although it’s like my 2nd home – I’m here all. the. time.) Check out what his plans are:
- 10 indoor pickleball courts
- 3,000 Square Foot Classroom for Megaformer Pilates Classes
- 20,000 square feet of just gym equipment
- 2 Cold Plunges
- 3 Saunas, with three floors. Lots of people can fit into them
- Big Locker Rooms
- Red Light Beds
- Massage Chairs
- Massage Beds
- Tanning Booths
TRAENE Recently Added a Peptide Clinic to their Plans
If you are unfamiliar with peptides, they are chains of amino acids that help you heal injuries, build muscles and in some cases, lose weight.
After Justin told me all this, I asked if they will have food and drinks too because it was the only thing I could think of that they didn’t mention! He said, “yes, we’ll have something.”
What’s Up With the Penguin?
When Justin came into the studio, he had a TRAENE branded shirt that included a penguin. When I asked him why a Penguin, he said that it has always been his favorite animal because they are very tied to their Community. They never really leave and they are always together.
READ THIS: 6 Reason’s Why Brown’s Lobster Shack is a NH Seafood Treasure
Justin is already under construction of TRAENE. He said they should be open in the Fall of 2026.
Another incredible perk of being part of the TRAENE community is they are going to pick between 10 – 15 Members of the Month who are going to get rewards like:
- Renting out a race track
- Limo service to Bruins or Celtics games, whichever the member chooses
These trips will be all paid for, all free, Justin said.
New Fitness & Pickeball Center Opening Up in the Fall of 2026 in Dover, NH
As soon as I hear about when TRAENE is opening, I’ll let you know and you and I can get our pickleball team together. Justin did say sometime in the fall, but no specific date.. yet.
8 New Hampshire Restaurants That Closed in January/February 2026
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
All Team USA New England Athletes Who Won Medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics
As of Sunday, February 22, 2026, 10 athletes from New England won medals in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
The New Hampshire Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Sunday, April 19, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 8-6-2
Evening: 8-8-9
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 19 drawing
Day: 7-6-9-2
Evening: 6-5-8-4
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the New Hampshire Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Pick 3, 4: 1:10 p.m. and 6:55 p.m. daily.
- Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Megabucks Plus: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a New Hampshire managing editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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