December 30, 2004
Hot spots
Here's an idea for Pawtuckaway State Park. ChristianScienceMonitor.com:
On Jan. 1, Texas will become the first to provide wireless Internet service at state parks, with five of them hooked up in a new pilot program.
December 29, 2004
Breaking the ice... err...
Here are the first people I've seen out walking on the ice this season. I'm not convinced that the whole lake is safe yet, but large parts are, including where we see these folk.
December 27, 2004
Snow Devils
We got about 2-4 inches of snow here at the Lake in the past 24 hours. I was talking to someone in Newburyport, Mass, who tells me they got A FOOT down there. A report from Jamaica Plain Mass also tells of a foot on the ground.
The snow here is very light and dry. The wind is whipping it all around. I'm seeing lots of pretty cool "tornados" out on the ice.
Raymond's Yankee Food Market Not Standing Still
This specialty market, which manages to survive in the shadow of the Hannafords next door, isn't resting on its laurels.
It’s about 3 p.m. on Dec. 20, and J.R. Jacobs of Yankee Food Market in Raymond is expecting to wrap Christmas presents the next day. Something muddles her plans - more than 300 holiday orders to fill. When she and her husband, Tom Jacobs, bought the business three years ago, they made a pact to continue the tradition of supplying fresh turkeys, prime rib, and other holiday staples to local customers."That’s one thing we really wanted to keep going," Jacobs says. So Dec. 21 brings the first day of winter and a stampede of hungry customers.
The husband-and-wife team is employing a host of strategies to offset the customary post-holiday lull in store traffic.
"The business is fairly seasonal," Jacobs says, adding the Fourth of July and Christmas compete for the title of busiest day at Yankee. Periodically, the couple huddles to review their playbook. The introduction of low carbohydrate items, homemade heat-and-eat entrees, customized gift baskets, and wine tastings result.
December 24, 2004
Happy Merry
Merry Christmas to all our friends of the Pawtuckaway Lake area.
December 23, 2004
Winter Walk in the Park
The Mass Audubon Society's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, will be presenting a Nature walk in Pawtuckaway State Park in January. This is one of many nature programs offered by the group this winter.
Spend a winter day exploring Pawtuckaway State Park in Nottingham, N.H. The park's 5,500 acres feature a variety of habitats which are home to a host of wintering songbirds and mammals. We'll look and listen for pileated woodpeckers, purple finches, pine siskins, and redpolls, and search for the tracks and signs of fisher, deer, fox and beavers, porcupine and moose.
Sat, Jan 22, 8am - 4pm, non-Audubon members: $43 per person. For more information or to register, call 978-887-9264.
December 22, 2004
Still Thin Ice
We went (very carefully) out onto the ice, about 10 feet from shore, near the mouth of Neals Cove today. Punched a small hole in the ice to measure thickness. Only 3-4 inches. Not safe yet.
December 21, 2004
Rounding up them doe-gies. (cowboy accent)
Seen last week in the lot of the Epping NH Walmart. This radio controlled tug pushes a train of shopping carts as they are collected from around the lot. The operator steers by pushing the front cart, and starts and stops the tug with a handheld remote control.
December 20, 2004
Thin Ice
Be careful out there. In spite of today's first real snow, the ice on area lakes and rivers is likely not safe for crossing yet. Some safe ice thicknesses from NH Fish and Game:
From From Foster's Democrat:
New Hampshire Fish and Game recommends to determine the thickness of ice by chopping a hole in it prior to wandering on it.As a rule of thumb for new, clear ice, there should be a minimum of 4 to 6 inches to support a few well-dispersed people; 6 to 7 inches for small, on-foot group activities; and at least 8 to 10 inches for snowmobile activities.
Ice is generally thinner where there is moving water, such as inlets and outlets, around wharves, bridge abutments, islands and objects that protrude through the ice.
People should not go on the ice during thaws and should avoid ice that is cracked, squishy or honeycombed, as well as dark snow or dark ice.
Award Winning Theatre in Epping
This beautiful old building in historic downtown Epping NH, is the home of the award-winning Leddy Center for the Performing Arts.
They will be presenting nine productions during their 2005 season, starting in February with "Steel Magnolias". Other highlights include "Sunshine Boys" in March, Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" in July, and "Wizard of Oz" in October/November.
Call them for info at 603-679-2781, or visit their website at www.leddycenter.org.
December 17, 2004
Ice
Over the past couple days the lake has completely frozen for the first time this season. A few times in the past month it's looked like we were getting to this point, but each time it would thaw again. Looks like it will stick this time. Two years ago we reached this state over Thanksgiving weekend.
December 08, 2004
Snowy Panorama
Taken yesterday. The mouth of Neals Cove looking out onto Pawtuckaway's south lake.
December 07, 2004
All the world's a stage...
Raymond town leaders recently reassured its residents that contrary to a rumor circulating, that the town's drinking water was perfectly safe. At first, leaders weren't sure how the false story had gotten started. But then (Seacoast Online) ...
...the concerned callers mentioned they’d seen signs around town posted with water warnings, the mystery was soon solved.It seems the Raymond Arts Association was promoting this weekend’s production of Woody Allen’s play, "Don’t Drink the Water." And according to the town’s speedy and subsequent memorandum, some "thought it was an advisory on the town’s drinking water."
So thank goodness the Raymond Arts Association isn’t performing "Best Little Whorehouse."
December 04, 2004
Raymond Christmas on the Common
This weekend celebrate Christmas in the park in Raymond, NH. Rockingham News:
The 17th annual Christmas on the Common is Sunday at 6 p.m. with a tree lighting, carols, hot cocoa, cookies and cheer.