New Hampshire
Take a Ride on the Oldest Floating Post Office in the U.S.
If you don’t do anything else: Take the mail boat lake cruise
“You have to take a trip on the mail boat because not only is it nostalgic, but it gives you an up close and personal view of the lake,” Nix says. “You get to go out to the islands and have kind of a little bit of a picture of what it’s like to be living out on the islands in the summer.
The mail cruise leaves from the dock at Weirs Beach, in the town of Laconia twice daily, at 11 am and 2 pm, rain or shine, every day except Sunday. The two-hour cruise is extremely popular with visitors, so it’s important to purchase tickets ahead of time to make sure that you don’t get left at the dock. The dock is right along the Weirs Beach boardwalk, also where the train leaves, so you can’t miss it. The mail cruise is not the only lake cruise option, but it’s certainly the most distinct. Where else can you ride along with a mail carrier, while taking a ride around a pristine lake?
Passengers board the Sophie C and ride along the delivery route, while taking in the sites of the lake—pontoon boats, massive summer homes, tiny lake cottages, and fish birds soaring overhead. At some stops, they just throw the mail bag off at the dock, but at others, Sophie‘s visit is a social event. Island residents, like Bear Island’s Barabara Laround, often come to the dock to say hello. “You get to meet people on all of the different islands, and it’s just fun,” Nix says. Barbara’s husband likes to stand at the dock and receive a line to help the deckhand out.
During the voyage, passengers are invited to fill out and mail postcards right on board, complete with Sophie’s own unique, collectible cancellation stamp, and purchase shirts and hats. The morning and afternoon routes are different. In the morning, the boat is scheduled to stop at Loon Island, Bear Island, Three Mile Island, and East Bear Island. In the afternoon, Camp Lawrence, Birch Island, Sandy Island, Cow Island, and Jolly Island are scheduled, but some islands are not even inhabited every day. Throughout the route, the Sophie C can be spotted and waved to as it passes by.
Tiny Loon Island only has one house, and the property has been in the same family for six generations. On a pretty day, don’t be surprised to be greeted by the current owner, and he may even dive in the lake as you pull off. “It’s a tradition,” Nix says. “The islanders like to jump into the wake because of the agitation of the water and how it feels against the skin.”
Three Mile Island has a distinct teenage vibe, but in an old-school kind of way. The property, including a lodge and 47 cabins, has been owned by the Appalachian Mountain Club since 1900, and campers can be found lounging on the dock when the sun’s out. “The island kids love to come down to meet Sophie so they can get a nice ice cream treat,” Nix says. When islanders go to town to shop, they have to put everything in freezer bags to keep it cool, so on hot days, it’s difficult to transport even today.
New Hampshire
Town Of Bow: Tax Collector Says Bills Will Be Mailed Out In Early December
From the office of the Tax Collector:
I am reaching out due to the high volume of phone calls and emails we’ve received from concerned residents regarding their property tax bills.
As a result of the property tax revaluation this year, the tax rate-setting process has been delayed. We are still awaiting the finalized tax rate from the Department of Revenue. Because of this delay, we anticipate that the warrant will be prepared, and tax bills will be mailed out early December. The due date for taxes will be the second week of January, 2025.
I want to inform you that this information will also be available online for your reference. Tax bills will be posted online once they are mailed out under the online payment tab for property taxes.
In the meantime, you may pay your taxes now based on last year’s tax amount, with the balance due once you receive your updated bill.
If you are looking to qualify for an income tax deduction, please be aware that payments must be received by December 31st, 2024.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving.
This press release was produced by the Town of Bow. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
New Hampshire
Man Has Life-Threatening Injuries After 5 Vehicle Crash In Manchester
MANCHESTER, NH – Manchester Fire, AMR and police responded to a report of a multi-vehicle crash with injuries at Silver Street and Maple Street Friday.
Firefighters and AMR arrived just after 5 p.m. and immediately requested additional ambulances after finding multiple people needing medical care.
Five vehicles were involved, including some parked on the side of Maple Street. The first vehicle, a grey 2019 Chevrolet Traverse, was operated by a 53-year-old man from Manchester, who sustained life-threatening injuries. A trauma alert at the Elliot was requested, and AMR transported the driver.
The passenger of the Chevrolet was a 50-year-old man also from Manchester who sustained minor injuries.
The second vehicle involved was a green 2001 BMW 540I, operated by an 18-year-old man from Manchester who sustained minor injuries in the crash. The passenger of this vehicle was a 28-year-old male also from Manchester who sustained minor injuries in the crash.
The third vehicle involved was a silver 2004 Nissan 350Z, operated by a 17-year-old male from Manchester who sustained minor injuries as a result of this crash.
The fourth and fifth vehicles, a green 1999 Honda Accord and a grey 2008 Scion TC, were parked on Maple St.
Several witnesses who saw the vehicles moments before the crash said the BMW and Nissan operated by the teens appeared to be road racing at a very high speed.
One witness said the BMW was in the left lane, with the SUV in the right lane, as the Nissan approached they described it attempting to pass on the right and subsequently crashed into the parked cars.
A utility pole with a significant number of power lines was broken from the impact of the vehicles. Eversource was requested to the scene and expected to work through the night on replacing it.
The Manchester Police Department Traffic Unit is investigating the cause and factors of this crash.
If you have any information regarding this incident, please call the Manchester Police Department Traffic Unit at 603-668-8711.
©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news
New Hampshire
Contoocook Motorcyclist Indicted On 4th OUI Charge: Court Roundup
CONCORD, NH — A Merrimack County grand jury indicted the following people recently.
Jonathan E. Ball, 63, of Academy Road in Pembroke, on two felony possession of child sexual abuse images charges. He was accused of possessing videos of a boy being raped on Feb. 13 in Pembroke. Ball was previously convicted of possession of child sexual abuse images in August 2011 in Merrimack County Superior Court.
Skylar Bennett, 41, of Snow Street in Concord, on motor vehicles; penalties and controlled drug act; acts prohibited charges, both felonies. He was accused of possessing cocaine while driving on Fisherville Road in Concord on June 23 after the NH DMV certified him as a habitual offender.
Alexander Sakovits, 33, of Timberwood Drive in Lebanon, on criminal threatening and three reckless conduct charges, all felonies. He was accused of forcibly taking ahold of the steering wheel of a vehicle twice on Route 3A, causing an intimate partner to lose control of the vehicle and drive off the road, and firing a gun in the direction of an intimate partner in Hooksett on June 16.
Anthony “Andy” M. Sanborn, 62, of Eagle Drive in Bedford, on theft by deception and theft by unauthorized taking charges, both felonies. He was accused of misrepresenting gross receipts from Win, Win, Win, LCC, and-or the Draft receiving more than $1.5 million from the Main Street Relief Fund that he was not qualified to receive on June 9, 2020, in Concord.
Shawn S. Smith, 52, of North Main Street in Franklin, on a felony second-degree assault-domestic violence charge. He was accused of strangling an intimate partner on Aug. 24 in Franklin.
Mary Smolinsky, 32, of Country Land Drive in Haverhill, on possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of fentanyl, and possession of crack cocaine charges, all felonies, in Bow on April 18.
Matthew Stark, 36, of Revere Place in Franklin, on a felony controlled drug act; acts prohibited-methadone charge on Dec. 7, 2023, in Franklin.
Jennifer Sullivan, 55, of Batchelder Street in Laconia, on a felony possession of methamphetamine charge on Aug. 7 in Northfield.
John H. Tracey, 61, of Main Street/Route 103 in Contoocook, on motor vehicles; penalties and driving-operating under the influence of drugs-liquor-fourth offense charges, both felonies. He was accused of riding a motorcycle on Route 103 in Warner on July 12 after being deemed a habitual offender by the NH DMV.
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