In a grassy field, just before one of the rolling hills that give Hilltop Farm in Mason its name, is an unusual sight for New Hampshire: a small herd of purebred Wagyu steers.

They lie or stand in the grass, mostly basking and using their all-black coats to absorb the sunlight.

“As you can tell, they’re pretty lazy,” said Nate Choquette, the Hilltop site coordinator and farm manager for New England Wagyu. “And they have good temperaments.”

Indeed, as Choquette moves through the herd, they either amble out of his way or come closer for a head scratch.

Sam Rowse and Diana Templeton own the farm and herd. Choquette runs the Hilltop operation, where the cattle are raised for the first year and a half before moving to Templeton and Rowse’s other farm in Peterborough for another year and a half.

The Wagyu breed is native to Asia and bred most famously in Japan, where it was originally used as a draft animal because of its endurance, a trait that comes from the breed’s ability to store higher intramuscular fat. That fat also makes the meat a highly sought-after delicacy.

Wagyu has up to 300% more monounsaturated fat than standard beef, high levels of omega-3 and omega-6, and lower cholesterol than fish or chicken. It also has to be cooked differently from typical cuts of beef. The melting point of Wagyu fat is between 59 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit, compared with 104 to 122 degrees for typical American beef.

So how did a Japanese breed end up in Mason?

Though an ancient breed, the animals only started to be sold outside of Asia in the mid-1970s. Since being introduced in America and Australia, many have been crossbred with Angus cattle because Wagyu is a slow-growing breed. The animals at Hilltop Farm are 100% Wagyu.

After once trying Japanese Wagyu, Rowse decided to raise the animals himself, starting with two purebred steers. After successfully raising and selling the meat, he decided to expand the operation. The herd now numbers about 20, Choquette said, though it has been as large as 83.

Part of the reason Rowse was interested in raising Wagyu is how the breed is traditionally raised in Japan, which includes time on feedlots to reduce movement and build up fat. Rowse wanted to see what the results might be with an animal raised more on pasture. Choquette said New England Wagyu is raised on pasture, grain and grass, and finished with a brewer’s mash.

Eventually, Rowse purchased a butcher shop to process the animals, so that from birth until slaughter, they remain in the hands of New England Wagyu.

“It’s a point of pride that we control everything from birth to processing,” Choquette said. “For their entire three years, they only know three farmers.”

That level of care shows in the quality of the meat. In 2025, New England Wagyu ranked fourth overall in the national Triple Crown Steak Challenge in the 100% Wagyu category and ranked among the healthiest in the competition.

New England Wagyu can be purchased at local farmers’ markets, including the Peterborough Farmers’ Market; at the farm store at Hilltop Farm in Mason; or online at newagyu.com. Wagyu burgers from New England Wagyu are also sold at Market Basket.

For more information, or to order from New England Wagyu, visit newagyu.com or the farm store, open Monday through Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. at 42 Valley Road, Mason.

I grew up in a landlocked state.  We didn’t have beaches.  I was 25 before I went to a beach with actual sand.  So, if you’ve ever tried building a sandcastle at the beach, you already know how hard it is to keep the thing standing for more than 10 minutes.

Now imagine turning a giant pile of sand into a masterpiece that looks like it belongs in an art museum.

That’s exactly what’s about to happen as the 26th Annual Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic returns June 18-20, 2026. The event is one of the biggest summer attractions on the Seacoast and brings some of the best sand sculptors in the world to New Hampshire. That’s pretty amazing.  These artists and their creations are amazing.

The competition takes place right on Hampton Beach, where artists transform roughly 200 tons of imported sand into jaw-dropping sculptures that can tower over visitors. What starts as giant piles of sand quickly turns into detailed works of art featuring people, animals, fantasy scenes, and creations that honestly make you wonder how it’s even possible.

READ MORE: New Hampshire Pollen Levels are the 4th Worst for Allergy Sufferers in the U.S.

The event has become a summer tradition for thousands of visitors who come to watch the artists work, vote for their favorites, and see the finished sculptures up close. Even after the competition ends, the sculptures remain on display for additional viewing.

If you’re planning a Hampton Beach day trip this summer, this is one of the best weekends to go. Between the beach, boardwalk, arcades, fried dough, and incredible sand art, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained.

What’s the coolest thing you’ve ever built in the sand?

For most of us, it’s probably a lopsided sandcastle that got wiped out by the tide. But maybe you were one of those kids who built an entire fortress complete with a moat.

A New Hampshire man is facing charges after a bizarre roadtrip that allegedly involved forced marriage and fear of a satanic cult.

New Hampshire Man Accused of Forcing a Woman Into Marriage

Daniel Ouellet, 47, of Lee, New Hampshire, is accused of holding a woman against her will, forcing her into marriage, and injuring her during what investigators described as a satanic ritual in Maine.

READ MORE: Maine Ranked the Safest State in America

The situation came to the attention of Newington, New Hampshire Police when they were called to an Olive Garden restaurant on Saturday morning by a Pennsylvania woman who told authorities her daughter was being held against her will.

New Hampshire Police Order Residents to Shelter in Place

When the police learned the suspect had firearms, a shelter-in-place order was enacted in the area surrounding the restaurant.

New Hampshire officers encountered the woman when she ran out of the restaurant and told them she wanted to file an emergency restraining order against Oullet.

KRCG-TV reports the police allegedly saw cigarette burns on her legs.

Scary Road Trip from Maine to New Hampshire Involved an Alleged Forced Marriage

The story that followed Ouellet’s arrest is bizarre and frightening.

Police say he allegedly pointed a gun at the woman while she was driving on Friday, telling her they were being followed by a satanic cult.

The victim told the police that Oulett allegedly forced her to marry him, and then cut her hand when they were in Kittery, Maine, as part of a satanic ritual.

According to WMUR-TV, investigators found a satanic bible, a sweatshirt, and a bag inside Ouellet’s vehicle.

Ouellet denied in court the allegations against him, stating that he would never force the woman into marriage, or harm her in any way.

Prosecutors say Ouellet has a criminal history of domestic violence and driving while intoxicated.