2025-2026 Monadnock Thrive Guide

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THRIVE GUIDE 2025/ 2026

Are you ready to launch your next adventure?

More Than

• 24-Hour Emergency Care

• Cardiology

• Gastroenterology

• Laboratory Services

Medical Services • 24-Hour Emergency Care • Cardiology • Gastroenterology • Laboratory Services • OB/GYN & Birthing Care

• OB/GYN & Birthing Care

For generations, MCH has been a pillar of the communities we serve. Today, our expert clinical team provides comprehensive health services from Primary Care to Specialty Medicines, Minimally Invasive Surgery, a state-of-the-art Birthing Suite, Emergency Services, and more.

• Oncology • Orthopedics

• Oncology

For generations, MCH has been a pillar of the communities we serve. Today, our expert clinical team provides comprehensive health services from Primary Care to Specialty Medicines, Minimally Invasive Surgery, a state-of-the-art Birthing Suite, Emergency Services, and more. How can we care for you?

• Orthopedics

• Primary Care

• Primary Care • Rehabilitation & Wellness

• Rehabilitation & Wellness

• Rheumatology

• Rheumatology

• Surgical Services

• Surgical Services

• and MORE!

• and MORE!

WELCOME TO NH’S MONADNOCK REGION!

I was 18 the first time I visited the Monadnock Region. My brother was marrying a woman from Spofford, and our entire family — my parents and five siblings — made the trip from New York to attend the wedding. I remember standing at Cathedral of the Pines, sunlight filtering through the trees as I walked down the aisle to join the other bridesmaids.

Michael and his bride, Cynthia, seemed like the coolest people in the world, and the region — its beauty, serenity, and sense of place — made an indelible impression. You couldn’t script a better way to be introduced to a place. It was, in every sense, a meet-cute.

From that day forward, I became an enthusiastic, if unofficial, ambassador for New Hampshire. As my brother settled here and started a family, I visited often. When our sister also moved to the area, my ties deepened further.

Some memories stand out more vividly than others. There’s the time my brother and his wife took me and a boyfriend (didn’t last) hiking up Mount Monadnock. My brother promised it would be easy; it was not. I remember swimming in Spofford Lake with my baby niece, amazed by how the beach was filled with people who all seemed to know each other. On one Valentine’s Day, my boyfriend (did last!) arranged a sleigh ride at a local farm, and as we made our way through the moonlit snow, I realized I might just be sitting next to “the one.” He was. Years later, we gathered here for our first Christmas after my mother died, away from the home she had made so special.

It is wild to think I now call this region home. I’ve recently taken on the role of president and CEO of the Greater Monadnock Collaborative, the region’s chamber of commerce. For those who knew me in New York, it’s a natural fit. I was promoting this place long before anyone here knew my name. Of course, the Monadnock Region is also home to those whose families have been here for generations — many descended from the original adventurers who built these towns and communities. These longtimers have welcomed me and my family with open arms. Their generosity, their pride of place and their sense of stewardship have made it easier to make this place our own.

To the newly arrived, to the curious visitors, to those thinking about planting roots, I’ll say to you what I thought 30 years ago on that perfect sunny day in Rindge: The Monadnock Region isn’t just where we live; it’s home, and we’re thrilled to share it with you.

The 2025/2026 Thrive Guide is published by the Greater Monadnock Collaborative Regional Chamber of Commerce.

GREATER MONADNOCK COLLABORATIVE

Julie Schoelzel, President & CEO

EDITORIAL & PRODUCTION SERVICES

Yankee Publishing Inc.

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Sarah Pearson, Managing Editor

Jodie Hall , Creative Services Director

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Greater Monadnock Collaborative Regional Chamber of Commerce 48 Central Square Keene, NH 03431 603-352-1303

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Cover photo by David White.

Copyright 2025; all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, the publisher disclaims all responsibility for omissions or errors.

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CONTENTS

10 /// Cleared for Take-off

Launch your next venture or adventure here.

20 /// Towns with Heart

One-of-a-kind, locally owned shops and restaurants give downtowns and villages personality.

30 /// Stay Here and Sleep Well

Places to stay in the Monadnock region.

34 /// Naturally Entertaining

Over field, farm and forest, the outdoors are central to Monadnock fun.

44 /// Mountain as Muse

From classic crafts to modern marvels, artists here blend passion and purpose.

54 /// Family Friendly

When it comes to making memories, the Monadnock Region has you covered.

60 /// Monadnock Calendar

From downtown festivals to farm tours and open studios, there’s always something exciting to do in the Monadnock Region.

THE MONADNOCK REGION

Not only is New Hampshire a perennial Top 10 pick overall in U.S. News and World Report’s Best States rankings, but it’s also the No. 1 pick in the category of “Opportunity.” And that’s exactly what newcomers will find in the Monadnock Region, where history and rural beauty meet a spirit of innovation in business, education and the arts. The area has an estimated 100,000 residents, with the greatest number living in the city of Keene, home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England. America’s oldest arts colony can be found in Peterborough, said to be the inspiration for Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town.” Harrisville boasts National Historic Landmark status as one of the best-preserved historic industrial villages, while Swanzey is known for its wealth of covered bridges (four in all!). Sitting at the foot of Mount Monadnock, Jaffrey draws hiking enthusiasts from around the world. When winter arrives, ski buffs head to Bennington to hit the slopes at Crotched Mountain. In Rindge, Franklin Pierce University has been educating students since 1962. To discover what it’s like to Live, Learn, Visit and Work here, visit MonadnockNH.com.

In the southwestern corner of New Hampshire, newcomers will find diverse and exciting opportunities to work, stay and play in our region’s 34 welcoming towns.

SWANZEY

At Franklin Pierce University, students customize their educational pathways through our career-readiness model, Career Paths@Pierce. With direct support from faculty and staff, students engineer the path to academic and employment success which

fits them –and their ambitious goals. With guaranteed internship opportunities and career-readiness built into every major, our Ravens graduate with a diploma – and a stellar resume!

At Franklin Pierce University, students customize their educational pathways through our career-readiness model, Career Paths@Pierce. With direct support from faculty and staff, students engineer the path to academic and employment success which best fits them –and their ambitious goals. With guaranteed internship opportunities and career-readiness built into every major, our Ravens graduate with a diploma – and a stellar resume!

GO FOR LAUNCH

Mount Monadnock is one of the most hiked peaks in the world.
Your next venture or adventure can take off in the Monadnock Region

Southwestern New Hampshire is named for its most notable peak — Mount Monadnock — a mountain of prominence that stands apart from the surrounding plain. Some 125,000 hikers annually seek the summit, making it one of the most popular treks in the world. Visitors come in search of scenic vistas of sweeping forests, beautiful lakes and charming New England villages.

While the mountain is remarkable, what they find tucked into those towns are communities with a spirit of creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. This region has quietly built a national reputation as being a launchpad where ideas take root and flourish with nourishment from career development programs, business incubators and people committed to helping everyone thrive.

The Monadnock Region is not just a great place to land — it offers a foundation for take-off.

ECONOMIC ENGINE OF A COMMUNITY

The support of locally owned businesses is not a new trend in the Monadnock Region. It’s evident in downtowns filled with rows of shops that blend modernity with quintessential New England charm. Throughout this guide, you’ll learn of dozens of locally owned or operated businesses that have found a place to thrive.

For example, the Toadstool Bookshop, with locations in Peterborough and Keene, has operated for more than 50 years, first owned by the Williams family and now by the Sistares. Harrisville Designs, founded in 1971, is still run by the Colony family and makes wool yarn in the

village, which was designated a historic landmark in 1977. And you can hardly turn your head in the area without spotting a restaurant, deli or café with a local proprietor.

Public-private partnerships and nonprofit centers in the region are nurturing ideas, guiding startups and growing companies.

At places like the MAXT Makerspace in Peterborough, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, members can learn skills, try out tools or see if their hobby has a scalable market. Its expanded focus led to the creation of a welding technology center, a gallery space for artists to show and sell their work and the Sharing Arts Ceramics Center in Dublin. Events and programs

offer opportunities to learn new things and connect with mentors.

As future business leaders prepare to launch, programs like the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship can help. Through workshops, office space and mentorship, the Hannah Grimes Center has helped ideas become reality for many in the region. And today, that reach extends even farther through its national summit conference, Radically Rural, which encourages the exchange of ideas on how to amplify and revitalize rural life.

MEDC provides support to the business community through regional workforce recruitment and training initiatives, business financing programs and expansion of industrial and commercial real estate.

START HERE AND BRANCH OUT

In 1972, Tedd Benson and his brother, Stephen, founded the company that would evolve into Bensonwood, a national leader in timber frame building and sustainable construction. Today, it operates out of a 110,000-square-foot facility in Keene. The Timber Framers Guild and The Heartwood School now operate out of Benson’s original Alstead woodworking shop, offering professional development and skill-building.

About two years ago, Bensonwood launched two nationally certified registered programs in partnership with ApprenticeshipNH. These two work programs help those looking to develop skills in carpentry, a three-year program, or sustainable pre-fabricated building, a two-year program, explained Emily Benson, employee success officer at Bensonwood.

Apprentices also take courses at the River Valley Community College or elsewhere in the state’s community college or university system.

MAXT Makerspace provides resources to individuals to explore hobbies and perhaps create a new business, too.
Family-owned businesses, like Toadstool Bookshops, abound in the Monadnock Region and are a critical part of community life.

“It's always been a company where education is really important, and we have a long history of inviting apprentices or interns, from here in America and even all over the world, to work on a project with us,” Benson said. “Honestly, we partner with a lot of former associates... That's just a fact in construction that anyone who builds up a good skill set can go and start their own business and be an entrepreneur. And I support that.”

Among this year’s cohort of apprentices is Hong Duong of California, who previously had a career in teaching.

“I got to jump straight into it for the most part. The first two weeks, we talked about safety and an orientation of the company. Since then, I have worked on installing windows, I have built walls, built roofs. I'm working on a set of stairs right now,” Duong said. “It’s really cool to have that kind of experience and be able to immerse myself in one department for a month or so, get good at that, and then try something new. Everyone here has been super helpful and very much willing to share information and share knowledge, and I really appreciate that, especially being a woman in a male-dominated industry.”

Duong said Bensonwood offered training in the niche area of sustainability and affordability in construction that was rare, even looking across the entire country.

“Looking at their history, it really drew me into that curiosity of wanting to innovate, wanting to listen to their clients and build a home for them,” she said. “When I saw that they had an apprenticeship, that made me really interested, because they want candidates who will grow with them, not just a one-time deal. They're invested in us.”

Since arriving in New Hampshire with her husband, her first time on the East Coast, she’s found she enjoys the smaller community with a closer culture.

Bensonwood is a national leader in timber frame building and sustainable construction. Its internship program trains the incoming workforce.
Hong Duong of California relocated to New Hampshire with her husband to take part in Bensonwood's internship program. The training will help launch a construction career after originally pursuing an education path.

“I think the opportunity to grow in the company is really great,” Duong said. “I can see myself growing here, and that's why I had to get out of California, because I didn't see a possible plan for the future.”

Bensonwood is among the more than 60 registered ApprenticeshipNH programs in the Western NH region.

“We can't thrive as a business if the Monadnock Region isn't thriving,” Benson said. “I just think it's so important that, as

the business grows, we’re also contributing to the health of our region, so that we can attract people like Hong.”

REACHING FOR THE STARS

The success of the Monadnock region is fed by a rocket fuel of community support for businesses that put people first.

The Monadnock Food Co-op is owned by nearly 5,000 members, nearly a quarter of the city of Keene’s population,

Monadnock area downtowns like Peterborough's are full of businesses that put people first.

who value having a local grocery committed to local producers and sustainability measures.

The region is also home to B Corp-certified Badger in Gilsum and Frisky Cow Gelato in Keene.

Some of the region’s companies and organizations with local roots have grown to serve national and global audiences.

The Hansel family relocated their company, Filtrine, to New Hampshire in the early part of the 1900s, and has run it over five generations. N.H. Ball Bearings, a precision manufacturer founded in Peterborough in the 1940s, has grown and merged to be part of an advanced manufacturing network with aerospace applications.

Each year, more than 5,000 students attend college in the Monadnock Region at universities such as Keene State, Franklin Pierce and Antioch New England. They learn skills and build networks that will carry them through their careers.

Future teachers work with mentors in local schools to build real-world experience. Future nurses practice as LNAs at one of our two major hospitals, Cheshire Medical Center and Monadnock Regional Hospital, as well as at some of the area’s senior care facilities. Future scientists and engineers have internships with companies like Microspec and Corning.

Artistic fellows from across an array of disciplines come from around the world to the Peterborough campus of MacDowell, where they’ll work on potentially their next award-winning project. For more than a century, this artist-inresidence program has provided time and space to create.

For so many, the area is a place that fuels growth and inspiration. It’s a community that guides connection to research and resources.

Mount Monadnock’s summit of schist and quartzite isn’t just a rocky place to take in a stunning view; it’s a solid foundation from which innovators, optimists and thinkers launch their next big idea. n

Keene's Main Street hosts dozens of local retail shops, services and restaurants in a classic New England style downtown.
Badger is one of the Monadnock Region's B Corp-certified businesses.

Adam Berube and Armando Rangel

KEENE

What brought you to the Monadnock Region?

Adam originally grew up in Connecticut but came to Keene to attend Keene State College. After graduating in 2007, he moved out to Orange County, California, which is where we met. In 2010, we decided to move back to Keene together. Adam had always loved the area — his grandparents lived in Rindge, so he spent a lot of time here growing up. And we both felt really drawn to the sense of community and the charm of the Monadnock Region.

Why did you decide to open a restaurant here?

We decided to start our business here because we care deeply about downtown Keene. Adam worked at Fireworks for the first eight years it was open, and after it closed during the pandemic, we saw an opportunity to bring something new to the space while continuing to contribute to the growth and vibrancy of downtown. This community really shows up for small businesses, and that inspired us to invest in it.

When we were launching our first restaurant, the support we received — from other business owners, friends and people in the community — was incredible. Having people we trust in our corner, many of whom are also local entrepreneurs, made a huge difference. There’s a spirit of collaboration and encouragement that you really feel here. We’ve opened three restaurants in Keene, and we’ve found the process of working with the city to be straightforward and supportive. There’s definitely an energy here that’s open to new ideas. People in this community are excited to support local ventures, especially ones that bring something fresh and positive.

What do you feel has been your best accomplishment so far?

We’re most proud of being able to employ nearly 100 people over the past three years. Being able to contribute to the local economy, offer jobs and build a work culture that values creativity, teamwork and mutual respect — it’s incredibly fulfilling.

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs who might be considering opening a business in the area?

Our advice for anyone thinking about starting a business here: Build relationships. Get to know your neighbors, other business owners and the nonprofits doing amazing work in the region. It’s not just good for business; it makes this whole experience so much more meaningful.

Chuda Mishra

What brought you to the Monadnock Region?

My wife, Jennifer Carroll, and I moved to the Monadnock Region in 2014 when she was hired by the Historical Society of Cheshire County as the director of education. We had been wanting to move back to NH to raise our young daughters, Ruby (1) and Sofia (newborn).

Why did you decide to start a business here?

As an immigrant from Nepal, I would often meet other immigrants in the region and we would talk about how far we travel to do our grocery shopping to find foods from our culture. During COVID-19, this became more difficult, and it gave me the idea to bring international foods from NYC to Keene for people who were afraid to be in crowds. That idea started as an online store with a pop-up pickup location in Keene. Within six months, the business grew large enough to open a store.

When launching a new business in the Monadnock area, what kind of professional or community support were you able to receive?

We opened our store on a bare-bones budget with a small business loan. The community supported us with ideas for products and wordof-mouth promotion. We conducted a survey in the area to figure out what our residents needed. Soon, we were on NHPR and Boston Chronicle, which expanded our reach quickly.

The community has been very encouraging ... spreading the word about us, helping us select products, cooking for us to teach us different food cultures. Our customers constantly thank us for being here, and some of our customers have gone so far as to want to protect our store and family.

What do you feel has been your best accomplishment so far? Our best accomplishment has been supporting the diverse food cultures that are thriving in our community. We use our position in the community to invite the public to celebrate holidays and events with us, and we support nonprofits that educate youth about international cultures.

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs who might be considering opening a business in the area?

My advice to new businesses would be to be good listeners. Also, to realize that you must be committed to the business 24/7. It will become your lifestyle.

WEST SWANZEY

TOWNS WITH HEART

Keene's wide Main Street is a destination unto itself.

One-of-a-kind, locally owned shops and restaurants give downtowns and villages personality

In the downtowns and village centers across the Monadnock Region, the community’s industry and artistry are on full display. New England charm blends with modern sensibilities for neighborhoods that feel both timeless and ever-evolving.

Local businesses have personalities as varied as the people that keep them going. Entrepreneurs’ passions create places that are more than just spaces to shop or eat; they are the heart and soul of the region.

With quirky specialty stores and unique boutiques, cozy cafes and chef-driven restaurants, the small businesses reflect the spirit of the people who have chosen to call the Monadnock area home.

SHOP FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL

Keene’s famous wide Main Street makes walking and window-shopping an outdoor outing of its own. Among the myriad inviting storefronts here is Hannah Grimes Marketplace, where you’ll find the work of more than 250 local artists and makers, housewares and home decor as well as New England-made foods.

For decades, businesses like Miranda’s on Main, Ted’s Shoe and Sport, and Toy City have provided personalized shopping experiences in Keene.

Shadow and Soul Emporium, a metaphysical gift shop and tea lounge, has had a place on Main Street since 2018.

And for those seeking a gift with literal sparkle, Mon Amie Fine Jewelry or Good Fortune Jewelry can help you find just the right thing.

Toadstool Bookshop, one of the best independent bookstores in New England, is a fixture of downtowns in Peterborough and Keene.

Sporty types can find what they need for their outdoor adventures at Hubert’s Family Outfitters.

Just down the road, Depot Square’s riverside shops invite browsing for treasures.

Bowerbird & Friends is where you’ll find that antique butcher’s block, perfect linencovered chaise, or vintage Scandinavian hutch in hushed shades of gray. Across the street, Alice Blue is an eclectic boutique (think woven scarves from Japan, cotton sundresses and chunky jewelry). Another fabulous spot for vintage finds is Grove and Main Antiques in Peterborough, where you’ll find pieces for the home as well as jewelry, skin care and even gifts for kids.

A host of gourmet treats await you at Monadnock Oil & Vinegar with locations in Dublin and Amherst.

And it’s hard to find anything that compares to Frye’s Measure Mill, a National Historic Landmark in Wilton. Its rooms are filled with folk art, artisans’ wares, colonialand Shaker-style boxes, antiques and the classic wooden measuring vessels once essential to merchants in the 1800s.

STRONG BREWS AND LITTLE BITES

Morning people know there are few better ways to start a day than at a great cafe, one where you can relax with a specialty coffee and an oven-fresh treat and not feel hurried. As daybreak shifts to dawn, bustling bakeries provide menus that span from light pastries to filling lunches. And there are plenty of shops to keep you stocked on sweet treats or artisanal ingredients.

Brewbakers Café in Keene is a microcosm of the community, where on any given day you’ll find runners post-workout, parents with kids in tow, college students and

older folks settling in for conversation over coffee. Prime Roast Coffee Co. in Keene, a staple of the community, has been bringing small-batch coffee roasts, delicious muffins and good vibes to the southwest corner of New Hampshire for more than 30 years.

The croissants at Keene’s Fire Dog Breads, where the wheat is milled inhouse, may be the tastiest and flakiest you have ever had.

In Westmoreland, Barn & Thistle offers cozy treats like cinnamon rolls and gooey chocolate chip cookies.

Sisters Courtney and Beth Hodge operate Echo Farm in Hinsdale, where they use the milk from their own cows to produce from-scratch puddings that include vanilla, chocolate, butterscotch and rice, as well as seasonal flavors such as maple and spiced pumpkin. Their tasty treats can be found at several local groceries as well as stores across the Northeast.

You might have spied L.A. Burdick’s Chocolatiers in Chicago, Cambridge or Washington, D.C., but its Walpole location is the second oldest after the New York flagship store. Don’t miss an opportunity to shop from impeccable hand-crafted chocolates.

What started as an artisan marketplace has grown into a business incubator launchpad: The Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship.

French, olive-rosemary and homestyle multigrain are just a few of the many hearty breads turned out at Orchard Hill Breadworks in Alstead, which makes its home on a 1700s farm in quiet Alstead. Gardens and orchards still grace the lands, adding to the summer splendor when owner Noah Elbers cranks up the heat on his outdoor wood-fired oven to serve pizzas to his picnicking visitors.

Flag Leaf Bakery, where once you might have found the line snaking down the Antrim sidewalk, is in the process of moving to a new location in Greenfield.

In Hancock, Fiddleheads Café is a space for locals and a destination for travelers alike and where the kale salad is nothing short of legendary. Interested in dinners? Reservations are highly encouraged, as spots fill up fast.

If you want a touch of extra sweetness with that morning espresso, Sweet Macaron in Peterborough has almond-flour French delights.

When he founded his home-based bakery, French immigrant Nicolas Papoins decided to name it simply Les Bonnes Miches, meaning “The Good Loaves.” And that’s exactly what the Peterborough resident has been bringing to Monadnock foodies, with his out-of-this-world artisanal sourdough bread made in small batches using 100% organic ingredients.

The Root in Temple and Hilltop Café in Wilton combine farm-to-table excellence with a bit of country-bohemian flair.

After some experimentation with surplus milk at the TempleWilton Community Farm and some study from away, Benjamin

Meier and Andrew Kennedy launched Abbot Hill Creamery, which makes over a dozen cheese options from its Abbot Hill Blue to a raclette, plus yogurt. All the while, it has trained more than 10 apprentices in the delicious art of cheesemaking.

If Willy Wonka dealt in maple rather than chocolate, he might look a little something like Ben Fisk. A fifth-generation sugarmaker, Fisk was 5 when he became obsessed with making syrup, winning Best in State when he was 15. His Maple Station Market in Temple — a 16,000-square-foot, wooden-beamed emporium — offers shelves laden with Fisk’s own syrup and treats made with his syrup including cotton candy, popcorn, barbecue sauce, maple creamees and fresh maple doughnuts.

When evening falls, craft beer enthusiasts can also get their fill here.

In the mid-1990s, Keene’s Elm City Brewing Company had the brewery scene practically to itself; today, it’s still going strong, but it’s now joined by The Outlaw Brewing Company in Winchester; Frogg Brewing in Swanzey; Modestman, Elm City Brewing, and Branch & Blade in Keene; Post & Beam Brewing in Peterborough; Granite Roots Brewing in Troy; Hornburg Brewing Co. in Hancock; and Brewers of Nye Hill Farm in Roxbury.

For those that would rather sample a serving of wine, diVine on Main in Peterborough offers wine by the glass, flight or bottle and a secret beer menu plus a selection of savory and sweet snacks. Summit Winery in Westmoreland buys the grapes from around the world so you can enjoy your favorite varietal close to home.

New England Sweetwater Distillery in Winchester crafts their

Sam Temple of Firedog Breads sprinkles vanilla sugar over apple tarts.

products from local ingredients with a focus on quality and terrior.

The region is home to several quintessential general stores. Dublin General Store has great soups, sandwiches and cookies. Sullivan Country Store has cider doughnuts and sandwiches and wraps. Harrisville General Store offers a range of options from empanadas to pizza.

DINE LIKE A LOCAL

Restaurateurs have created dining experiences in the Monadnock area that put fresh twists on family recipes and cultural mainstays. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you can dine like a local, enjoying delicious food in a welcoming space across the region.

Not far apart in downtown Keene, restaurants are serving up dishes from Asia (Thai Garden and Kurama Omakase), Mexico (Margaritas), Italy (Town Square Tavern) and Mediterranean (Granita Enoteca). Muse Bistro defies genre with a menu ranging from cold soba noodles to goat-cheese coquetas.

The Stage in Keene, at the head of the town square, has been in the Benik family for four decades. Yellow Bell Café is a go-to stop for American comfort food with a modern twist. New this year, Otto’s is named for the family’s 10-year-old foodie son.

Tempesta’s Restaurant in Keene has been a family eatery for 25 years and is now in its largest location yet. Lindy’s Diner opened in 1961 and continues to serve up classic diner fare. 21 Bar & Grill in Keene is a staple in the community and creates a monthly cocktail with proceeds going to a local nonprofit. Meanwhile, Fireworks Restaurant designs its dishes based on local and organic produce.

Birdie’s is a breakfast and lunch place by day and an event space by night, founded last year by Beth and Matt Wood.

In Walpole, The Restaurant at Burdick’s lures foodies with its elegant dining room and French-inspired menu. The Hungry Diner is a farmer-owned farm-to-table restaurant with a commitment to sustainable agriculture.

Locals rave about the surf-and-turf fare at The Smoking Trout in Marlborough, which expanded their hours to include breakfast last year. (And don’t miss the crispy cheese.)

In Troy, Royal Spice serves fresh naan to accompany soups, meat and vegetable curries, and pakoras.

Strolling through downtown Peterborough on a summer evening, you’ll spot diners sitting outside at Coopershill, enjoying the ambiance of an Irish pub as they feast on bangers and mash or Guinness stew with a side of colcannon.

Sometimes the setting is so special it shares top billing with the menu. The Waterhouse in the heart of Peterborough’s Depot Square, for instance, gives you a table right beside tumbling Nubanusit Brook.

The Peterborough Diner began in 1949, and recently hosted the cast of Broadway’s “Our Town,” which included celebrities like Katie Holmes and Jim Parsons.

Don’t miss the award-winning seafood chowder at Harlow’s in Peterborough. It recently invested in a new deep-fryer, so crispy fries could be in your future.

Maple syrup lovers have come to Stuart & John’s Sugar House in Westmoreland since 1975 for the always-comforting pancakes with the real stuff on top.

And when warm weather arrives, families begin making their pilgrimages to Kimball Farm in Jaffrey, home to lobster rolls, burgers and the biggest “small”-size, farm-fresh ice cream cone in the region, with flavors you may have forgotten: buttercrunch, grape-nut, rum raisin.

Also in the local food scene is Smokehaus Barbecue, which opened its Dublin location in 2023. n

Unique, locally owned dining options abound from restaurants such as the Waterhouse in Peterborough or Elm City Brewing and Fireworks Restaurant in Keene.
The Harrisville General Store offers a selection of lunch foods in addition to grocery items and local specialty products.

We’re just getting started.

Savings Bank of Walpole opened in 1875 as a community bank. 150 years later, we’re still the same bank—deeply committed to serving our customers and supporting our community.

As we celebrate our 150th Anniversary this year, we’re incredibly grateful for the support of our customers and community. And while we’re proud of our past, we’re even more inspired by what’s ahead—continually enhancing our services and strengthening our communities. Indeed, we’re just getting started.

Keep all your money working locally.

Open an SBW Truly Free Checking account, online or in-person, with the Monadnock Region’s truly local bank. Call (603) 352-1822 or visit walpolebank.com. The savings bank of you. |

Monadnock Voices

James Hansel

What brought you to Keene?

Growing up, I would come to the Keene area to visit family, particularly around the holidays. I was working in medicine and was experiencing a very high level of burnout, especially in the post-COVID landscape. I was looking for a change. My wife and I were always enchanted by the small bustling town whenever we came to visit, get lunch and walk around. Moving to Keene was a win-win. I was able to make a career change, and work and live in the community where our son is going to grow up. We love the fact that you get a small-town feel with plenty to do and experience while being right next to hiking and outdoor activities.

How is Filtrine working to “launch” careers?

Filtrine partners with local educational organizations like Keene State College, MC2 and the Cheshire Career Center to either get them on-the-job training through an internship or provide a space and equipment for them to learn through night classes. Recently, we have developed an apprenticeship program to create opportunities for people looking for a new career or to get experience in the trades. It is our continued hope and goal to support the next generation of those looking to move into the trades as a career.

What do you see as your role in the Monadnock community?

Filtrine strives to connect and source locally as much as possible. Not only do we work with a number of schools and educational programs, but we also utilize other small businesses in the area. We also work to stay engaged with the community, donating to festivals and organizations doing good work for the people of our community, such as Keene Housing Kids Collaborative and United Way.

Do you feel like the area is encouraging to ventures?

When I first moved to Keene, I was struck by how many small, unique businesses are in the area that have both a national as well as global presence. The amount of support that small businesses get from the community, the Greater Monadnock Collaborative, other small businesses and organizations is, I think, why so many have found success here.

What is your favorite local hangout spot?

I love taking the dogs for a walk (or swim) around Goose Pond. Going to see a show at the Colonial Theater after a beer at Modest Man or dinner at Thai Garden is a pretty perfect evening.

KEENE

Introducting Spoonwood

Dental, inspired by the pristine Spoonwood Pond and our mission to create lasting ripples of health and wellness. You’ll still be cared for by the same trusted team, with the same personalized attention. No changes to your care—just a refreshed name that better reflects who we are and the community we serve. Discover

Revitalized to Thrive

Crotched Mountain School and Village, a program of Seven Hills New Hampshire, hosts innovative, residential and day programs for children on the autism spectrum and/or who have disabilities and other challenges better supported in an alternative, least-restrictive environment. Our sprawling campus offers a therapeutic setting for students to explore and thrive. For referrals or to visit, call Admissions at 603.547.3311.

Support Our Revitalization!

Scan the QRC or visit sevenhills.org/donate.

1 Verney Dr., Greenfield, NH 03047 • 603.547.3311 • sevenhills.org

STAY HERE AND SLEEP WELL

the Monadnock Region.
the Field and Mountain House in Dublin.

When the sun sets during your days in the Monadnock Region and it’s time to turn in for the night, there are options for every style or budget.

Campgrounds

Spacious Skies Seven Maples 24 Longview Road, Hancock spaciousskiescampgrounds.com

Woodmore Family Campground 21 Woodmore Drive, Rindge woodmorecampground.com

Shir-Roy Camping Area 136 Athol Road, Richmond shir-roy.com

Ashuelot River Campground 152 Pine St., Swanzey ashuelotrivercampground.com

Monadnock State Park 169 Poole Road, Jaffrey nhstateparks.org

Swanzey Lake Camping Area 88 East Shore Road, Swanzey swanzeylake.com

Forest Lake Camping 331 Keene Road, Winchester forestlakecampgrounds.com

Inns & B&Bs

Chesterfield Inn

20 Cross Road, West Chesterfield chesterfieldinn.com

Burrell House Inn

112 Washington St., Keene burrellhouse.com

Carriage Barn Inn

358 Main St., Keene keenebnb.com

Inn of the Tartan Fox

350 Old Homestead Highway, Swanzey tartanfox.com

Bridges Inn at Whitcomb House 27 Main St., Swanzey bridgesinn.com

The Inn at East Hill Farm 460 Monadnock St., Troy east-hill-farm.com

The Inn at Hancock 33 Main St., Hancock innathancock.com

Inn at Valley Farms

633 Wentworth Road, Walpole innatvalleyfarms.com

Cranberry Meadow Farm Inn 115 Cranberry Meadow Road, Peterborough cranberrymeadowfarminn.com

Greenfield Inn

749 Forest Road, Greenfield Greenfieldinnnh.com

Aldworth Manor 184 Aldworth Manor Road, Harrisville aldworthmanor.com

Monadnock Inn 379 Main St., Jaffrey monadnockinn.com

Woodbound Inn

247 Woodbound Road, Rindge woodbound.com

Benjamin Prescott Inn 433 Turnpike Road, Jaffrey benjaminprescottinn.com

Notable lodging

Fairfield Inn and Suites Keene Downtown 30 Main St., Keene marriott.com

Holiday Inn Express 175 Key Road, Keene ihg.com/holidayinnexpress

Best Western Plus Keene Hotel 401 Winchester St., Keene bestwestern.com

Courtyard Keene Downtown 75 Railroad St., Keene marriott.com

Hampton Inn & Suites 126 Key Road, Keene hilton.com

Riverhouse 80 Concord St., Peterborough stayriverhouse.com

One-of-a-kind

Short-term rentals in the area include some unusual ones like a vintage schoolbus in Jaffery and a treehouse in Stoddard.

Field and Mountain House in Dublin is among the five-star rated Airbnbs in the area.

Cranberry Meadow Farm Inn
A rental cabin in Dublin.

Caroline Tremblay

RICHMOND

Where do you live?

My kiddos and I are lucky to live in a nature reserve where we’re surrounded by a really special community. This past spring, our neighborhood held a fun contest to guess when all the ice on the pond would finally melt. The prize was a coveted pint of Walpole Creamery ice cream. Someone guessed it exactly, but instead of just one winner, we all brought a pint and turned it into a sundae party at the beach.

What was it like growing up here?

I grew up in Rindge with a big backyard, a screen porch and a garden — late summer nights listening to the peepers and holidays warmed by the woodstove. Most days, I was outside for hours, playing by the stream or riding horses every chance I got. It gave me a heart full of memories that I took on the road when I got restless as a teen. But those early memories stayed with me, and now I’m back raising my own kids.

What brought you back to the Monadnock region?

I’m your classic boomerang. I left after high school, convinced I’d never come back to country life. I traveled, lived abroad, tried out a few cities, but each new place helped me realize the kind of magic I’d grown up with here in the Monadnock Region.

I didn’t realize it as a kid, but living here really gave me a sense of place and community. I remember watching the sun come up at MacDowell dam with friends in high school, going on a first date there in my twenties, and later hiking it with my mom friends. These places are part of me, and being able to go to them, no matter what chapter of life I’m writing — that’s so grounding.

Why did you decide to start a business here?

It all comes back to community. In my late twenties, I met with Terrence Williams from The Keene Sentinel at Prime Roast one morning, and he gave me a shot at writing articles for ELF Magazine. Thanks to his mentorship and the guidance of many others at The Sentinel, that opportunity grew into writing for other publications and, eventually, for many of the entrepreneurs I’d had the honor of featuring. That’s how my copywriting and ghostwriting business, Owl & Pen, was born more than a decade ago.

Then in 2020, I launched The Monadnocker, a digital magazine that began as a kind of antidote to the “nothing to do” feeling so many had during the pandemic. It quickly became a platform to spotlight the incredible outdoor spaces in our region, as well as creative events, innovative businesses, local theater, takeout gems, and all the things that make this place vibrant. We continue shouting must-have experiences here, which means there will be never-ending stories to tell.

When launching a new business in the Monadnock area, what kind of professional or community support were you able to receive?

Over the years, I’ve received so much support — everything from formal coaching to pep talks over tea. The business community here is warm, generous and surprisingly organic. I’m not exactly sure how I became surrounded by so many talented business owners and community leaders. They just made me feel included and connected me with the next right person — small but powerful gifts that have led to a successful business for me.

Do you feel like the business environment and/or community is encouraging to new ventures?

My business, Owl & Pen, was built on the support and good faith of the local business community. After writing magazine features about makers, farmers and shop owners in the area, many of them reached out and said, “Let’s do more together.” That turned into website storytelling, social media and email marketing — and little by little, I built a business from scratch, doing what I love. In a very real sense, this region helped raise my business. Talk about homegrown.

What do you feel has been your best accomplishment so far?

I think one of my proudest accomplishments has been helping to shift the narrative around rural life. People often say, “There’s nothing going on out there,” but that couldn’t be further from the truth in the Monadnock Region. Honestly, I live in a near-constant state of FOMO — between the book readings, farm dinners, group hikes and creative meetups, there’s always something happening.

Through storytelling — whether it’s a feature, a blog or a social media post — I’ve been able to help people see their neighbors in a new light and feel more connected to the magic happening all around them. That’s been the real gift of this work. It makes me proud to be rural by choice. What advice would you give to others who might be considering opening a business in the area?

If you’re thinking of starting a small business here, my advice is: Heck yes. This region is full of longtime business owners who are generous with their wisdom and new entrepreneurs who are experimenting in bold ways. If there’s someone you admire, invite them for coffee at Brewbakers. People here are incredibly open to sharing what they’ve learned.

Take advantage of resources like the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship, and make time for local events hosted by groups like the Keene Young Professionals Network, Stay Work Play and the Greater Monadnock Collaborative. Just showing up can spark the connections and energy you need to get started and keep going.

Tell me about your other work or community connections. As a mom with young kids, most of my energy right now goes into my family and my writing, but I do everything I can to stay connected. We’re part of the Gathering Waters school community in Keene, which has introduced us to some of the most thoughtful, engaged families I’ve ever known.

Through The Monadnocker, I’m also able to spotlight local pop-ups and events, help promote small businesses and pitch in with volunteer efforts whenever we can. This past fall, we had a blast partnering with The Craft School Mill Hollow Works for their “Celebration of Heritage Craft.” I’m excited to continue collaborating with them and other organizations that are making a difference for Monadnockers.

What is your favorite local spot?

What an impossible question! How much space do you have? If I could smoosh in Rockwood Pond, Bowerbird & Friends, the Tiny Farmstand at Cheshire Garden (personal-sized artisanal berry pies, anyone?), and a zillion other spots, that would be absolute perfection.

NATURALLY ENTERTAINING

Over field, farm and forest, the outdoors are central to Monadnock fun

While Mount Monadnock gets lots of love for its views, you can find lesser-traveled routes and other activities along the Wapack Range and in the region’s valleys.

Hiking and cycling trails crisscross the landscape. Rivers and streams find their ways to glistening ponds. Adventurers can plan multiday camping trips, test their speed running along hiking and biking trails or take a leisurely walk before kicking back with a locally crafted drink. Speed down a mountain in winter on skis or a snowboard. Or keep an eye out for fowl while canoeing on a lake or river this summer. Whichever way you wish to interpret the call of the wild, there’s an outdoor option for you.

In true Yankee fashion, many of these options serve more than one purpose depending on the season. Many trails for hiking, running or biking are used for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing or even downhill/backcountry skiing when the snow falls.

Monadnock Paddle in Fitzwilliam has everything you need to enjoy a day out on the water.
JONANTHONY DHE PAGANON

HIT THE TRAIL

Mount Monadnock offers hiking trails that get you to the summit (3,165 feet) in less than two hours with views of all six New England states. Different routes in Dublin and Marlborough will lead you to the top, but the best starting point for newcomers is Monadnock State Park, whose 6,000 acres spread across parts of both Dublin and Jaffrey. The grounds include a visitor’s center, campground and more than 35 miles of trails, including the White Dot, the mountain’s most direct route.

If you’re looking to take in the scenery with less company, to the east of Mount Monadnock are North Pack in Greenfield and Pack Monadnock in Peterborough. The pair are the tallest and most northern peaks on the Wapack Trail, which travels over 20 miles south into Massachusetts. Pack Monadnock is part of Peterborough’s Miller State Park, where a summit fire tower offers sweeping views that can stretch all the way to Boston.

Mount Monadnock's relative isolation rewards hikers on clear days with views of Vermont's Green Mountains, the Boston skyline and Massachusetts' highest peak, Mount Greylock.

The region’s grand hiking route is the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, which runs from Mount Monadnock in Jaffrey nearly 50 miles north, to Mount Sunapee in Newbury. The trail puts the Monadnock Region’s beauty on full display as it winds across the Monadnock Highlands, through historic villages and past many rivers, lakes and ponds. Along the route is Pitcher Mountain, known for its legendary blueberry picking. The MonadnockSunapee Greenway Trail Committee oversees the route and maintains backcountry campsites and lean-tos for backpackers.

You’ll find more walks to remember in the region’s many state parks, which rank among the best New Hampshire has to offer. At Rhododendron State Park in Fitzwilliam, get an up-close view of the property’s namesake via a half-mile stroll around a 16-acre rhododendron grove. Pisgah State Park is New Hampshire’s largest state park, whose 13,300 acres stretch across the towns of Hinsdale, Winchester and Chesterfield; it’s a popular year-round destination not only for hiking but also for mountain biking, ATV riding and snowmobiling.

Woven throughout Cathedral of the Pine’s 236 acres, two trail systems offer a mix of hiking, exploring things like “dinosaur egg” and the “peace monument.” You can also cross-country ski them in the winter.

Trails departing from the Harris Center in Hancock will lead you to Skatutakee Mountain or Thumb Mountain, a pair of peaks just under 2,000-feet elevation. Explore boulders, rocks,

minerals and more at Bears Den Natural Area and Gilsum Gorge. Finally, in the spirit of opening the outdoors to everyone, Distant Hill Trails in Walpole and the Dutton Brook and Gregg Trails on Crotched Mountain were made to accommodate wheelchairs and strollers, creating a natural but accessible hiking experience.

FOREST OR FARM LIFE

While wildlife watching is a perk for any outdoor sport, it’s worth making the effort to head up Pack Monadnock for the autumn Hawk Watch run by New Hampshire Audubon and the Harris Center for Conservation Education. As raptors pass overhead on their way to southern wintering grounds, it’s a spectacle of migration not to be missed. An all-terrain wheelchair is available at the center as they work to make accessibility improvements to the grounds

Alyson’s Orchard in Walpole was founded more than 40 years ago. Take in the hilltop views of neat rows of apple trees — more than 50 varieties in all — and sweeping views of the Connecticut River Valley. Bring a picnic, and top it off with a pie from the orchard’s store. Want to spend more time here? Book an event or a getaway stay in their lodges or glamping tents.

Scott Brook and Scott Pond can be paddled in Fitzwilliam.
The Crotched Mountain Foundation boasts the longest accessible trails in a mountainside environment in the U.S., with hardpack pathways, boardwalks, moderate grades and rest stops.
The Harris Center has several trails with low grades and compact surfaces. They also have an all-terrain wheelchair available for use on its grounds or on nearby rail trails.

A luxury experience is blended with an agrarian focus at the Farm Wolf Pine Hollow, where they raise flowers; tree fruits like apple, pear and peach; vegetables and berries; eggs and boil maple syrup.

Luscious veggies and home-raised chickens, pigs, rabbits and lambs are at the center of Blackfire Farm in Hancock’s offerings. You can find their agricultural goods at the Hancock Farmers’ Market throughout the summer, while the weekends feature Blackfire’s made-from-scratch, wood-fired pizzas at Post & Beam Brewing in Peterborough.

First-generation farmers Sarah Costa and Sam Canonica of Manning Hill Farm in Winchester keep a unique dairy herd of heritage Dutch Belted cows renowned for their sweet, superpremium milk, which you can buy right on-site at the farm store. (The chocolate milk is a must-try.) They also raise and sell pastured meats including beef, pork, chicken and eggs — and yes, maple syrup, too.

A place of hilly pastures, lakes and forests lined with old stone walls, Mayfair Farm sits just up the road from Harrisville Pond. Like many successful family farms in New England, it’s an amalgam of businesses: an orchard, a vegetable garden, an Airbnb cottage, and a farm store that sells maple products, prepared meals and baked goods. There are pigs in pens, and lambs up on the hill. There’s also an Instagram-ready event space that hosts weddings and community farm dinners from spring through autumn.

Wandering the apple orchard in search of the perfect fruit has been a tradition at Washburn’s Windy Hill Farm in Greenville for

over 25 years. When you’re finished your collection, treat yourself with something from the farmstead bakery.

There are few better ways to spend a late summer morning or afternoon than picking blueberries, raspberries and other fruits at Monadnock Berries in Troy, with Mount Monadnock rising to the northeast and the green hills seeming to float above the fields. Long after you have enjoyed the berries’ sweetness, you’ll recall the feeling of a day passing slowly on this hillside, feasting on what you pick and what you see.

CYCLE THE SIGHTS

The Monadnock Region is laced with miles of biking trails, many of which have been restored and maintained by crews of volunteers in the Monadnock Region Rail Trails Collaborative; the group’s website is an excellent place for new bikers to get their bearings.

Take in a bit of history during your ride by following the Bike the Bridges Tour, a 12-mile route starting in Swanzey that will take you to some of the region’s romantic covered bridges.

In Keene, you’ll find the Ashuelot Recreational Rail Trail, a 21-mile trek over trestle bridges and past farms that concludes in Winchester. The 42 miles that compose the Cheshire Recreational Rail Trail also runs through Keene, as well as the neighboring towns of Fitzwilliam and Troy, on its way into Massachusetts. For a shorter but no less scenic jaunt, the nine-mile Fort Hill Recreational Rail Trail in Hinsdale is a river-focused ride along the Connecticut River.

DAVE WHITE, CROTCHED
Miles of the region's multi-use trails are available for pedestrians, bikers, horseback riding, and even snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

There’s also two-wheeled fun to be had right in the heart of town, thanks to a pair of facilities that allow riders of all ages catch some air as they hone their mountain-biking skills: Peterborough Bike Park at Adams Playground and Keene Bike Park in Wheelock Park.

TAKE A DIP

You could build an entire summer vacation around exploring the Monadnock Region’s pristine ponds, lakes, reservoirs and rivers. A number of these waterways make for exceptional canoeing and kayaking, but for our money, Powder Mill Pond in Bennington is right up at the top. There are different inlets and eddies to explore, and if you go far enough, you’ll paddle under a beautiful covered bridge on the Greenfield-Hancock town line. (Don’t have a watercraft of your own? Fitzwilliam’s Monadnock Paddle has kayak and canoe rentals at the ready.)

Crossing the line between Hancock and Nelson, you can paddle a longer loop on Nubanusit Lake and with a short portage also check out Spoonwood Lake. Nubanusit is partially surrounded by conservation land, so be on the lookout for wildlife, especially eagles and loons.

The same waters that attract paddlers can also offer a proper cool-down when the temperature begins to soar. Among the 200 or so ponds and lakes within the Monadnock Region, there are many gems open to both visitors and residents, such as Otter Lake at Greenfield State Park, Spofford Lake in Chesterfield, and Surry Mountain Lake in Surry.

A bonus of moving to the Monadnock Region: access the lovely residents-only swimming spots, too, like Cunningham Pond in Peterborough and Thorndike Pond in Jaffrey.

Swim on Willard Lake.

SNOW MOTION

When winter hits, the skis come out, as many of the Monadnock Region’s paths transform into prime Nordic terrain. Cross-country fans gravitate toward the trails at Stonewall Farm in Keene and Shieling Forest in Peterborough, but the best of the best can be found in Dublin, courtesy of the 20 kilometers of professionally groomed trails at the Dublin School Nordic Center. Even better: The dedicated crew that oversees the network posts daily updates on the center’s website, so you know the conditions before you’ve even clicked into your skis.

While southwestern New Hampshire is within an easy day’s drive of several famed New England downhill skiing destinations, it’s also home to two family-friendly mountains that will keep your crew going the whole day. At Crotched Mountain Ski and Ride in Bennington, 25 trails, 80 acres of glades, and two terrain parks round out the scene. Night skiing makes the days wonderfully long, and on select nights Crotched runs its lifts all the way till midnight. Granite Gorge Mountain Park in Roxbury offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing as it updates its facilities. n

Crotched Mountain Resort offers alpine skiing and boarding on 100 acres.

CAN A DEGREE SHAP E A

C AR EER— AN D

A CO MM U NIT Y?

At Antioch University, we believe it can. For more than 60 years, our students, faculty, and alumni have helped define the Monadnock Region—educating local youth, protecting natural ecosystems, expanding access to mental health care, and advancing equity and justice.

Through online, low-residency, and inperson degree and certificate programs, Antioch prepares students for career advancement and to lead in the fields that matter most—to our region, and to our world.

Because education doesn’t just shape your career—it helps you shape your community.

Gentle Trails & Scenic Views

“For All To Enjoy!”

603.899.3300

info@cathedralofthepines.org www.cathedralofthepines.org 10 HALE HILL ROAD | RINDGE, NH 03461

Rosemary Mack

What brought you to the Monadnock Region?

In 1998, my husband and I fell in love with an old house that needed a ton of work. We knew very little about the area, but soon came to realize how lucky we were to land here. The house was a challenge, though making friends was easy.

Tell me about your work and/or community connections.

Over the years I’ve been involved with the Dublin Community Foundation, Friends of the Library and the Historical Society, all of which I enjoyed. But I wanted to do something with art and ended up in a painting class with Frankie Brackley Tolman. I’m a lousy painter, but an assignment to make something out of trash uncovered my real passion: assemblage art. Which led me to currently volunteer at the Swap Shop and church rummage sales.

When you started on this artistic path, what kind of professional or community support did you receive?

I never intended for anyone beyond classmates, family and friends to see my work. Until Mary Loftis, from the Dublin Community Center, saw a few pieces and organized a pop-up show. The positive response led me to enter a few exhibitions and eventually join Monadnock Art. I participated in the Art Tour in ’21 and ’23 and hope to do so again.

In 2020, Art New England included me in their list of 10 emerging artists in New England. It was the beginning of COVID and my 15 minutes of fame turned out to be 15 seconds, but it was still exciting. Do you feel like the business environment and/or community is encouraging to new ventures?

Very much so. Dublin is a small town; it’s exciting when something new gets started. Both the library and DubHub deserve credit for encouraging new ventures by having exhibits, offering classes and showcasing local businesses.

What do you feel has been your best accomplishment so far?

I feel fortunate to have found my bliss so late in life. I am lucky to have something that not only makes me want to get up in the morning but also makes people laugh. It makes me laugh, too, which is why I can’t let go of anything. I love my goofy collection! I’m often asked if I sell my work. I don’t, but do take great joy in sharing my creations with others

What advice would you give to others who might be considering a similar path?

Explore everything, be curious! Let your mind wander and just play. Don’t worry about making mistakes or what people think. Have fun and enjoy the process.

What is your favorite local spot?

Dublin Lake. I love hanging out with my beach buddies from late spring through fall. The water in October is cold but we stretch out the season as long as possible.

Live Entertainment and Film in the Heart of Keene!

DUBLIN

MOUNTAIN AS MUSE

From classic crafts to modern marvels, artists here blend passion and purpose

For over a century, creators of national renown have found artistic inspiration in the shadow of Mount Monadnock. Yet, the region’s impact doesn’t stop at art. The region is known for institutions that nurture artists and creatives looking to launch their bold ideas into entrepreneurial pursuits. The Monadnock Region’s thriving creative economy is one where painters, playwrights, musicians, makers and innovators find muse and motivation in the mountain's shadow.

American composer Edward MacDowell was among those captivated by the nature of Peterborough. In sharing his vision to bring more artists to the area, his pianist wife Marian helped create the artist-in-residency program at MacDowell where thousands have been supported to focus on honing their crafts.

Each year, some 300 creatives work quietly at the property’s studios and their attendance is largely unpublicized. The exception is MacDowell’s annual Medal Day event, when the public is invited to walk the property’s wooded pathways from studio to studio, meeting the artists and seeing (or hearing) their work. This year’s event, on June 29, will honor architect and filmmaker Alfredo Jaar. But Medal Day is not the only opportunity to interact with MacDowell’s tenants. From March through November, MacDowell Downtown offers free public presentations at area venues by artists in residence.

Elsewhere in the region, other venues continue a rich history of fostering artistic expression in the community. These spaces provide a home for traveling performances, film

Fellow June Edmonds' paintings on display for visitors to experience during Medal Day's Studio Tours.
JOANNA ELDREDGE MORRISSEY PHOTO, COURTESY OF MACDOWELL

screenings, live acts and gallery displays. Great artists from near and far have found audience and inspiration in the Monadnock Region.

The Colonial Performing Arts Center has made its home in Keene for more than 100 years. Originally opened as a venue for film, opera, theater and vaudeville before becoming a dedicated movie theater in the 1950s, the restored Colonial has reclaimed its place at the center of the region’s performing arts scene. The three-stage Redfern Arts Center at Keene State College also hosts a diverse array of artistic performances, both by students and visiting artists.

Down the road in Jaffrey, the Park Theatre reopened in 2021 with two theaters for the presentation of movies, concerts and stage shows. And for an extra layer of arty interest, its four WPA-era murals depicting The Four Seasons of Mount Monadnock were restored in concert with a new mural that mosaics 100 works by amateur and professional artists into “The Fifth Monadnock Mural.”

Based in a converted 18th-century barn just three miles from downtown, the Peterborough Players is a professional theater company that has been operating since 1933. Main Stage programming ranges from world premieres to classics, while Second Company shows are geared toward younger audiences.

Speaking of younger audiences, Andy’s Summer Playhouse, a youth theater based in an 1860 former town meeting house

in Wilton, has been mentoring and training local actors, stage designers, directors and playwrights in the creation of innovative plays since 1971. A more recent addition to the scene is Project Shakespeare, founded in 1994, which is based in Jaffrey but whose young actors perform classic drama at locations throughout the Monadnock Region.

If alternative theater is your thing, it just doesn’t get better than Peterborough’s Firelight Theatre Workshop, founded in 2017. Whether performing at its own converted space or taking its show on the road, Firelight specializes in creating site-specific and immersive theater in intimate spaces.

Looking to catch a movie? The Peterborough Community Theatre opened as the 500-seat Gem Theatre in 1914. Now a 95-seat theater with an adjoining restaurant, it screens movies and documentaries ranging from new releases to local works and timeless classics. In Keene, the Putnam Theater, aka the Putnam Arts Lecture Hall, is home to the Keene State College Film Society, and its state-of-the-art projection and sound systems make it a slightly off-the-radar gem. If it’s the current blockbuster you seek, Keene Cinemas 6 is a throwback strip-mall theater, complete with video games in the lobby. For something more offbeat, watch for the Monadnock International Film Festival, which offers free community screenings and showcases high-quality independent cinema, both local and international. And movie-history buffs will love the Wilton Town Hall Theatre,

JOHN W. HESSION, COURTESY OF MACDOWELL

located in an 1886 Main Street building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. First opened as a silent-movie house in 1912, it’s known for a well-curated lineup of classics and arthouse favorites.

Established as the Moving Company Dance Center in 1991, MoCo Arts in Keene offers classes in dance and theater and multi-arts camps for children ages 18 months to 18+ years, as well as professional-quality performances by those students, both at their own facility and other local venues.

Founded in 1966 and originally based at the Nelson Meeting House, Monadnock Music has a simple goal: to make exceptional music accessible, and to connect people through musical performances and educational programs. As evidenced by their dedication to bringing chamber music performances to area schools, the musicians behind Ashuelot Concerts also believe that great sounds matter. Watch for their “grownup” concerts at Stonewall Farm in Keene, Alyson’s Orchard in Walpole, and the

Top: Monadnock International Film Festival (MONIFF) showcases high-quality, independent cinema every year in the beautiful Monadnock Region.
Above: Victoria Adams-Zischke, Nicholas Wilder, Kraig Swartz and Glynis Bell in "Noises Off," a 2024 Peterborough Players production.
The Colonial Theatre in Keene
A Fellow works at a James Baldwin Library computer station in the bright, comfortable interior of the Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects-designed addition.

Park Theatre in Jaffrey. The Peterborough Folk Music Society brings a diverse lineup of singer-songwriters — including the likes of Darlingside or Le Vent Du Nord — to stages in Peterborough and surrounding towns. In Hancock, Music on Norway Pond has been presenting one-hour classical and world music performances at the town Meeting House since 2008. Electric Earth Concerts, meanwhile, takes its show on the road, offering affordable classical music experiences at smaller venues.

On a beautiful summer day in Nelson, a concert at the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music can be the centerpiece of an idyllic day. Apple Hill hosts about 300 students from diverse backgrounds each year for its Summer Chamber Music Workshop, and produces more than 50 concerts. Bands and performers can be found at Nova Arts Block in downtown Keene, where two stages feature eclectic shows in a venue that is also home to a café, a coffee roaster, a flower shop, a record shop and an open art studio.

For 50 years, the Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery at Keene State College has hosted public exhibitions and programs featuring a wide range of contemporary and historical art, as well as lectures, artist talks, workshops, and tours.

First conceived as a museum of folk art, Peterborough’s Mariposa Museum and World Culture Center now explores contemporary human experience and culture through a range of media, while just around the corner, the Monadnock Center for History and Culture presents events, performances and exhibits showcasing the region’s historic and artistic culture.

The brainchild of Jordana Korsen, former head of the glassblowing program at Franklin Pierce University, Hot Glass Art Center is a state-of-the-art glassblowing studio that not only showcases her own work and that of other local artisans, but it also acts an education center that offers glassblowing lessons, workshops and demonstrations.

Nature’s beauty is at the center of every pot, instrument and sculpture that Shana Brautigam, a member of the League of N.H. Craftsmen, churns out at her home studio, Rooted in Clay in Rindge. Visitors can watch the artist at work, take a spin through her retail shop, or try their hand at the wheel to make their own keepsake.

New England’s history as a manufacturing and textile hub comes into full focus at Harrisville Design, whose restored brick mill buildings make it the only 19th-century industrial community in the country that still exists in its original form. It’s here you’ll find Harrisville Designs, which beautifully links the past to the present by continuing the tradition of spinning 100% virgin-wool yarn. The internationally recognized textile center offers classes on felting knitting, and

Dave Painchaud plays the drums with Omoo Omoo in Keene.
Nova Arts is a nonprofit collaborative arts initiative focused on emerging artists, underrepresented voices and unexpected juxtapositions.

weaving, while its retail shop provides just the colorful incentive you need to start work on that next blanket, rug or tapestry.

Lastly, if you’re hoping to gain a fuller appreciation for the region’s diverse artists and just how integral they are to our communities, then the annual Monadnock Art Tour and the Fall Foliage Art Studio Tour are perfect for you. Between both organizations, more than 120 artists will open their studios to visitors during the long weekend of the Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day holiday. n

A self-guided tour through the breathtaking fall landscape and picturesque towns of the Monadnock Region, with a vast array of

and

Keene State College students showcase theater and dance skills at the Redfern Arts Center.

I would be honored to help you find your perfect home at the right price here in the beau.ful Monadnock Region. When you work with me, you can expect experience, integrity, energy and excellent communica.on. And as a Cer&fied Pricing Strategy Advisor, I’ll help ensure a fair price for buyers and sellers. Let’s talk - call my cell phone any&me at 603.209.4266.

“Chris9ne went above and beyond…it was clear she was looking out for our best interest. We would not have made it through the process without her support and guidance.” - D&L, Keene

“...Chris9ne is an excep9onal Realtor and individual! The best Realtor we have ever had the pleasure to work with.” - MB, Keene

Chris&ne Berry Houston REALTOR® chris.ne@greenwaldrealty.com O: 603.357.3035 x12 C: 603.209.4266 55 Main Street Keene, NH 2022 Monadnock Region Realtor® of the Year

Jade Adams

HARRISVILLE

Why did you want to be Kid Governor?

As a Kid Governor, I knew I would have the support and assistance to carry out my platform of trying to make New Hampshire the 13th state to ban animal testing. I believe all animals should be loved and cared for, and I want to help make a positive difference in the lives of as many animals as I can. I will also be working with my Executive Council, who are the six runners-up from the Kid Governor election. We will work together to help each other carry out all our platforms. How did it feel to be nominated?

When my teacher told me there was really such a thing as NH’s Kid Governor and that we could run for office, I jumped at the chance. We were asked to think of a community issue that we cared about and wanted to help make a difference in. I chose helping animals by teaching people how to buy cruelty-free products and trying to make NH the 13th state to ban animal testing.

How did you decide this was an issue you wanted to address?

At my school, we have mixed classes, so last year it was a 4th/5th grade class, so the 4th graders got to research as if they were running (kind of as practice). I looked into animal testing, and I found a lot of information and a lot of great facts. Now that I am in 5th grade, and when it was time to pick a topic, I remembered my topic from the year before, and I wanted to keep working on it. I thought it would be a really good issue for me, because I love animals so much and it's a really important issue. I don't think animals should be tested on.

In what ways has your community supported your platform?

My school has been very supportive since the beginning. In fact, my whole class helped make my campaign video for the state. All of my family members have also been really supportive, and actually, my whole town, too. All of our neighbors and friends in Harrisville are very excited for me.

What do you want to accomplish or learn during your term?

I have seen local fundraisers and events, dinners, car washes to support a family with sick family members. It’s heartwarming to see this happen for people when they need it most. You can really sense that this community doesn’t want families to worry about medical bills and how they will live during those times.

What do you enjoy about living in the Monadnock Region?

I really like all four seasons here. I love all the lakes in the summer and great biking trails. Water skiing and snow skiing are some of my favorite things. I also love that we have the NH Dance Institute here — that is one of my favorite things, too, about the Monadnock Region. Everyone is friendly.

Tom Rush The Steel Wheels Mark Erelli Goodnight Moonshine
From taking in a Keene SwampBats game to hanging with animals at Dublin's Friendly Farm, fun and games are easy to find in the Monadnock Region.

The Monadnock Region can be your family’s launchpad for unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re raising budding naturalists, thrill-seekers or ice cream connoisseurs, this pocket of New Hampshire is full of opportunities to spend time together.

With stroller-friendly trails, hands-on museums, interactive animal encounters and plenty of places to burn off energy, the region is built for memory-making in every season. Whether you're in search of your kid’s first hike or first cow cuddle, the Monadnock Region has many options for your next great day out.

NATURAL CURIOSITY

See small wonders at The Caterpillar Lab. This Marlborough-based education and research nonprofit hosts special open hours for the public, when you can come see what happens behind the scenes and get an up-close look at caterpillars of all stripes.

Play and learn at the Cheshire Children’s Museum. Hands-on exhibits and imaginative play spaces — including a kid-size grocery store, post office and radio station — will delight young visitors while also giving them some prime bonding time with their parents, all right in the heart of Keene.

Founded in 1965, The Friendly Farm in Dublin is home to “some of the most agreeable animals you’ll ever meet,” from bunnies and chicks to goats and horses, and most are happy to eat right out of your hand.

EXPEND SOME ENERGY

The brand-new GraniteWorks Gym in Keene invites climbers to try indoor bouldering. The gym features approximately 1,200 square feet of climbing, consisting entirely of adjustable walls and boards in addition to hangboards, peg boards and fitness equipment. Also in Keene is Climb Monadnock, which offers many routes for wall climbing and has a kids’ climbing club. Kids under 3 are free at both.

Hit the slopes at Granite Gorge Mountain Park. Roxbury’s classic ski area has downhill winter fun for all ages. (Its snowtubing hill is a particular hit with wee ones.) During the warm season, take on the mountain with lift-service mountain biking.

Explore the fields and forests at Stonewall Farm. Known for its award-winning children’s camps year-round, this 120-acre learning center and working farm in Keene invites visitors to hike and bike across its beautiful property, as well as visit the farm animals, picnic and shop at the farm store.

In Chesterfield, the Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area offers a nearly one-mile, out-and-back trek highlighted by a stunning gorge and several waterfalls. Leashed, well-behaved pets are also allowed on the trail.

Distant Hill Nature Trail on the Alstead–Walpole line has a nature play area plus a StoryWalk where you can read as you wander. The paths are stroller-friendly, too.

Don’t miss a cool place to cool off. Vilas Pool Park in Alstead features a spring-fed swimming area and some nifty historical touches, like a stone bridge and an old tower. Free and open to anyone.

Have a family member who loves animals? One of the more unique offerings in our region is a chance to cuddle a cow at Granite Oak Farm. Sessions are 30 minutes for up to three people, and the cows are more than happy to snuggle up and maybe even sneak in a kiss!

ALL FUN AND GAMES

Cheer for the home team at a Keene SwampBats game. Head to Alumni Field to see one of the top teams in the New England Collegiate Baseball League in action, honoring the proud tradition of baseball in Keene all summer long. (Be sure to say hi to team mascot Ribby!)

DAVID WHITE
Alyson’s Orchard has over 50 acres of fruitbearing trees. From midsummer to late fall, there is always fresh fruit ready for harvest.

Twinkle Town in Swanzey has been the go-to for old-fashioned family fun since 1961. It offers 19 holes of mini golf at less than $5 per person (and just 50 cents for replays). There’s batting cages, too, and a snack stand that sells everything from pizza and hot dogs to Thai iced tea and homemade ice cream.

If you have time to spare, take the kids bowling. Yankee Lanes in Keene offers 10-pin bowling, while Bowling Acres in Peterborough is home to candlepin. Both offer on-site dining options and arcade games.

THRILLS AND CHILLS

Get revved up for action at the Monadnock Speedway. Have a kid that likes to go-go-go? Hit the road for Winchester, where you can take in the fast-paced excitement on the quartermile oval. Vroom!

Create the sweetest of memories at Jaffrey’s Kimball Farm. Nothing says summer like a cone or cup of homemade ice cream, which you’ll find in abundance here — more than 50 flavors in all — along with fried seafood and a country store gift shop. Keene is home to Rick’s Gourmet Ice Cream (right near Keene Cinemas), which offers the usual flavors as well as some new favorites like graham cracker and an almond milk non-dairy soft serve.

Keene Ice is an indoor rink that offers ice skating year-round. Public skating is just $5 per skater and $5 rentals available.

Cheshire Children’s Museum

CheshireChildrensMuseum.org (603) 903-1800 149 Emerald Street, Keene, NH 03431 Hands-on exhibits that spark imagination and curiosity. From the Construction Zone to the Little Investigators Corner, there’s something for every child to enjoy.

Hours

p.m.

MONADNOCK CALENDAR

From downtown festivals to farm tours and open studios, there’s always something exciting to do in the Monadnock Region.

JUNE 2025

14 Monadnock Community and Business Expo: Local businesses come together for a three-day event to share their products and services. Keene, monadnockbusinessexpo.com

13-15 Northlands Music and Arts Festival: Nationally touring musical acts and rising stars come together for a jam-packed weekend. See also installation art, performances, food trucks, beer garden and local artisans. Swanzey, northlandslive.com.

6-15 Keene Artwalk: For more than 30 years, this has been an annual celebration of

local artists and the longestrunning event in downtown Keene. For one week, the downtown area comes alive with art through a showcase of Monadnock Region artists. It is an opportunity for residents and visitors to take a self-guided tour around town as artists partner with local shops and storefronts to display a pop-up personal gallery for their creations. Keene, monadnockartsalive. org/keene-artwalk

20-22 Jumanji 30th Anniversary: A screening of the film at The Colonial Theatre,

special talks with film staff, a road race, parade and more. explorekeene.org

21 Wilton Summerfest: The Lions Club rubber ducky drop is a joyful staple of this family event, along with a pancake breakfast, fireworks, street vendors and more. Wilton, visitwilton.com/summerfest.

28-29 Gilsum Rock Swap and Mineral Show: The Gilsum Rock Swap features more than 60 dealers and swappers with gems, jewelry and minerals available for sale or trade. Pan for minerals, enjoy an old-fashioned New

England ham and bean dinner with homemade pies, sit down for a chicken barbecue lunch and more.

28 Bacon Fest: Sizzle into a day of crispy, mouthwatering fun at Bacon Fest! Indulge in delicious, baconinspired creations from the area’s best food trucks, sip on local craft brews and groove to live music. Keene, stonewallfarm.org/events

29 MacDowell Medal Day: The community is invited to join resident artists on MacDowell’s grounds to the awarding of the Edward MacDowell Medal.

The annual Winchester Pickle Festival is a really big dill for pickle lovers.
DAVID WHITE, KEENE PRIDE

Visitors can also enjoy a picnic lunch and stop by open studios. Peterborough, macdowell.org.

JULY 2025

10 Summer Night Market: Food trucks, vendors, music and more. Keene, stonewallfarm.org/events

31-Aug. 3 Cheshire Fair: Classic fun for the whole family with carnival rides and midway, truck and tractor pulls, farm animal demonstrations and live entertainment. Swanzey, cheshirefair.org

AUGUST 2025

2 Wyman Tavern Brew Fest: For its 11th year, enjoy local beers, spirits, food trucks, live music, dunk tank and mocktails, too, at the historic Wyman Tavern. Proceeds support local history preservation. Keene, hsccnh.org.

TBD Monadnock Farm Tour & After Party: Monadnock farms are opening their barn doors, pastures, hoop houses, kitchens and pudding plant for the community to experience work that goes into putting food to our tables. Various locations, mfcommunitycoalition.org

TBA Night Market: A free outdoor arts and music festival. Peterborough, peterboroughtownlibrary.org

30 Keene Music Festival: This annual late summer event features more than 80 bands

at 13 performance areas, making it one of the largest free music festivals around. The event features a wide array of musical styles around downtown. Keene, Facebook.

30-31 Art in the Park: The Monadnock Area Artists Association brings together more than 80 artists along the Ashuelot River to share their beautiful paintings, pottery, photography and more. Keene, monadnockartists.org.

SEPTEMBER 2025

5-7 Dublin Gas Engine Show: Explore America’s agricultural and industrial history through demonstrations of antique tractors, vehicles and working engines that were once the tools of the trade. Dublin, dublinnhgasenginemeet.com.

7-8 River Valley Artisans Wine & Art Tour: Summit Winery and Branch and Blade Brewing invite oenophiles and art lovers alike to stop by and sample beautiful creations. More than 25 artists will be divided at the two locations. Westmoreland and Keene, rivervalleyartisans.com.

TBD Keene Pride Festival: Celebrate the region’s LGBTQ+ community with live music and performances, children’s activities, artisans, food trucks and more. Keene, keenepride.org.

TBD Antrim Home & Harvest Festival: Community games and contests, food, arts market, live performances, a parade and fireworks all to celebrate fall. Antrim, Facebook.

27 Winchester Pickle Festival: The community event celebrates all things “pickle” and local

agriculture. Activities include a parade, crafts, food, music and family fun. Winchester, winchesternhpicklefestival.org

TBD Keene International Festival: Keene International Festival showcases and celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the community through activities that engage and connect people. Keene, keeneinternationalfestival.org

28 Clarence DeMar Marathon: Lace up your sneakers or cheer on the runners of the 46th Clarence DeMar Marathon, which celebrates the legacy of the former Keene resident, seven-time Boston Marathon champion and Olympic medalist. Keene, clarencedemar.com.

OCTOBER 2025

3-5 Monadnock International Film Festival: MONIFF features award-winning films on the festival circuit, domestic and foreign, along with premieres of regionally produced films by New Hampshire and New England filmmakers.

Keene/Jaffrey, moniff.org

7-9 Radically Rural Summit: Sessions spread throughout downtown Keene will inspire you to reimagine rural under the backdrop of a quintessential New England main street with ideas, connections and tools to build your community. Keene, radicallyrural.org.

11-13 Fall Foliage Art Studio Tour: Experience a weekend of fine art and fabulous fall foliage in the Monadnock Region. Artists open their studios for self-guided tours. Various locations, fallfoliageartstudiotour.com

11-13 Monadnock Art Open Studios: Enjoy a gallery exhibit by Monadnock Art throughout the month of October. Then get an up-close look at how more than 70 regional artists create their work during the studio tour. Various locations, monadnockart.org.

18 Keene Pumpkin Festival: A community-based, familyfriendly celebration of fall with pumpkin-themed activities throughout downtown. The tower of lighted jack-o-lanterns is a highlight not to be missed.

24—26 Viva Bach Festival: Celebrate the music of J.S. Bach with performances that aim to inspire young people and bring harmony to the community. Peterborough, vivabachpeterborough.org

NOVEMBER 2025

TBD Kristallnacht Remembrance: This annual event brings the community together on the anniversary of Kristallnacht (Nov. 9, 1938) when Nazi leaders unleashed a series of pogroms against the Jewish population in Germany. The community event is to bear

TOP: Keene Pride BELOW: Pumpkin Festival

witness and recognize our responsibility to promote an active and informed citizenry, recognize individual and societal responsibility for each other, and foster mutual respect and justice. 15 Monadnock Region Natural History Conference: This is on a three-year rotation with the next one expected in late 2025. Keene, harriscenter. org/conservation-research/ monadnock-region-naturalhistory-conference

DECEMBER 2025

TBD Lantern Festival: Give the gift of light to the community as Putnam Park is brightened with a handcrafted lantern art installation and Lantern Parade down Grove Street. Parade planned for Saturday unless weather moves it to Sunday. Peterborough, childrenandthearts.org

5-6 Feast on This: Film festival and farmer appreciation. mfcommunitycoalition.org

TBD Currier and Ives Cookie tour: Enjoy a more leisurely pace of holiday shopping by visiting more than a dozen locally owned gift shops, inns and other businesses which will be offering up holiday wares plus treating you to festive cookies, too. Maps provided after purchase of tickets. Various locations, currierandivescookietour.com

24-Jan.1: Hannukah Menorah Lighting: Keene will mark the days of Hannukah with the lighting of a menorah in Central Square. Keene, keenesynagogue.org.

JANUARY 2026

TBD Winter Frolic: Break free of cabin fever with a community get-together in the snow. Highlights include sledding

by Norway pond and snowman building. Warm up later with hot cocoa and snacks. Hancock, hancock. org/recreation-committee.

FEBRUARY 2026

TBD Ice & Snow Festival: The first weekend in February, enjoy a free family-friendly outing examining ice carvers’ works. Plus, there are other activities like a scavenger hunt, sledding, sugar on snow, hot cocoa and other treats. Keene, Facebook.

TBD Wilton Winter Festival: The town green becomes a winter wonderland with ice carvings, campfire, arts market, live music, songs and stories, and more. Wilton, visitwilton.org

APRIL 2026

TBD Keene Home Expo: The Keene Home Expo is an annual event put on by the Home Builders

Association designed to bring together builders, vendors and homeowners in a way that promotes local business and making your dream home a reality. Keene, homebuildersassocswnh.com

TBD Monadnock Earth

Day Festival: Celebrate a commitment to evergreater sustainability, healthy communities for all, and preserving and sustaining our planet. Keene, monadnockfood.coop/events

MAY 2026

TBD The Thing in the Spring: Musicians from New England and beyond take part in Nova Arts' multi-day music festival, which also offers readings and art installations around town. Keene, novaarts.org

TBD Children and the Arts Festival: A beloved festival celebrating art by and for children. Crafts, demos, live music and more. Peterborough, childrenandthearts.org

TOP: Hancock Village as paper lanterns for the Children and the Arts Festival. BELOW: Director David Abel won the Jonathan Daniels Award at the 2024 MONIFF.

MEMBERSHIP

Greater Monadnock Chamber member businesses are the rocket fuel that keep the community thriving forward.

17ROX Artist Studios

1911 Office, LLC

AAA

AARP New Hampshire

ABTech Inc

Achille Agway/Blue Seal

Adobe Acrobat

Adventure Limousine & Transportation Inc.

Aldworth Manor

Alice Blue

All Purpose Storage Management

All Saints Church

Alpine Bike Works

Alzheimer’s Association

American House Keene

AMETEK Precitech, Inc

AMT Productions

Anderson & Gilbert, Inc.

Andy’s Furniture of Keene

Anew Behavioral Health

Anitech Dog Training LLC

Anthony L Olson CPA/PFS

Antioch University

ARC Mechanical Contractors, Inc.

Arcomm Communications Corporation

Arts Alive! Inc.

Ashuelot Valley Academy

ATA Construction

Athens Pizza

Atlantic Wireless

Autex Mazda

B. Bakes Deli & Cakes

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust

Barbara C Harris Camp & Conference Center

Beeze Tees Screen Printing

BeHappy Adventures

Belletetes

Bellows-Nichols Agency, Inc.

Belltower Holdings, LLC d/b/a Belltower

Property Management

Benefit Profiles LLC

Bensonwood

Bergeron Construction Company

Best Western Hotel

Better Homes & Gardens

The Masiello Group

Real Estate Keene

Birch Financial Group

Blais & Associates Realtors

Bourgoine Logging

Bowerbird and Friends Antiques

Boy Scouts of America, Daniel Webster Council

Aerial view of Peterborough.
JONANTHONY

Brady Associates

Financial Services

Bragdon, Baron & Kossayda, P.C.

Brattleboro Portable Storage

Bretwood Golf Course

Brewbaker’s Cafe

Bridges Inn at Whitcomb House

Brows N’ Beauty Lounge

Budget Blinds of Keene & Monadnock

Bulldog Design

Business & Industry Association

C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc

CALEB DUPUY STATE FARM

Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, Inc.

CASA of New Hampshire

Cathedral of the Pines

CC&D’s Kitchen Market

Cedarcrest Center for Children

Cheetah Design Studios

Chesco Inc

Cheshire Children’s Museum

Cheshire County

Cheshire County Shooting

Sports Education Foundation

Cheshire Glass Company

Cheshire Home Inspections LLC

Cheshire Medical Center

Cheshire Technologies LLC

Cheshire Wellness Center

Cheshiremen Chorus

Chesterfield Inn

Children’s Dental Care

City of Keene

Clarence DeMar Marathon, Inc

Clearwater Pool & Spa

Cocoplum Inc. / DBA

Cocoplum Appliances

Coeni van Beek Coaching & Consulting LLC

Colonial Performing Arts Center

Communicators Group

Community Resources for Justice (Community Strategies of NH)

Community Volunteer Transportation Company

Company Name

Compass Behavioral Health PLLC

Connection, PC Connection

Business Solutions

Cooper Properties

Corning Specialty Materials

Costello,Valente & Gentry, PC

Cota & Cota

Country Bridals and Formal Wear

Cournoyer Funeral Home

Craig Vickers - State Farm

Cranberry Meadow Farm

CrossFit Monadnock

Culinary Journey Management Inc. DBA Town Square Tavern

Cup of Life Healing Center

Cushing & Sons Water Wells

Custom Helpers Home Health Care LLC

Da Brothers Contractors

Dahle North America

Danya Designs

David O’Neil Construction, LLC

Davis Oil & Propane

Dead River Company

Deep Roots Massage & Bodywork

Denise Thomas - Realtor®

DEW Construction

DGCpartners LLC

Diluzio’s Foley & Fletcher Funeral Homes

Draft Gratitude

Dreamclean123

Dublin School

Earthly Elan

EduPivot LLC

Edward Jones - Alan Stroshine

Edward Jones - Beth Lorenz

Edward Jones - Lance Flamino

Edward Jones - Scot Ward

eFix IT Consulting

Electric Earth Concerts

Electronic Imaging Materials

Elm City Church

Elm City Keene Rotary Club

ELMMCC

Emile J Legere

Management Co Inc

Engrave-It / Awards of Keene

Eversource Energy

Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce

eXp Realty The Kate Barry Team

EyeWorks

EZ-CRETE LLC

Facilitated Change

Fairfield Inn & Suites

Keene Downtown

Falls Area Community Television

Fenton Family Dealerships

Fernald, Taft, Falby & Little, P.A.

Fidium/Consolidated Communications

Fieldstone Land Consultants, PLLC

Filtrine Manufacturing Company

Financial Solutions Group

Finley Construction Company LLC

Fireworks Restaurant

Fitzgerald Travel ~ Rivers, Oceans & Beyond

Fletcher Media

Foundation for Healthy Communities

Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce

Franklin Pierce University

Frazier & Son Furniture

Freitag Marketing

Friendly Farm

Friends of Cheshire County

Recovery Courts

Fritz of Keene

Froling Energy

Futurism Technologies

Galloway Real Estate

GemGraphics

GFA Federal Credit Union

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses

Good Fortune Jewelry

GOODELL GROUP, EXP Realty

Granita Enoteca

Granite Edvance

Great Brook Farm

Sugar House LLC

Great Eastern Radio

Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce

Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce

Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce

Greater Falls Chamber of Commerce

Greater Lebanon Chamber of Commerce

Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce

Greater Monadnock Collaborative

Greater Monadnock SHRM

Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce

Greater Portsmouth Chamber Collaborative

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce

Greeley Farms Landscaping, LLC

Green Energy Options

Green Light Physical Therapy LLC

Greenwald Realty Group

Greg Carlson State Farm Insurance

Grove Street Fiduciary, LLC

Guyer & Son Roofing

Halliday Group | eXp Realty

Hamblet Electric

Hamlin Insurance Agency, Inc.

formerly Campbell & Boyd

Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce

Hampton Inn & Suites

Hamshaw Lumber Inc

Hannah Grimes Center & Marketplace

Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce

Harris Center for Conservation Education, Inc.

HCS, Home HealthCare, Hospice & Community Services

Hearthside Family Health,LLC

Heavy Haulers CDL and Equipment Academy

High 5 Adventure Learning Center

Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce

Historical Society of Cheshire County

HKS Associates Inc

Hogancamp PC

Honda of Keene

Houle Wealth Management

Howard Printing, Inc.

Hubbard Farms

Hubert’s Family Outfitters

Hundred Nights Inc.

Huntley Survey & Design PLLC

Hyperbaric Fitness, LLC

Hyundai of Keene

Indian King Framery

Inn At East Hill Farm

International Software Development, LLC

Isis Latham - Primerica

J & J Discount

Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce

James Thomas Salon

Jamsan Hotel Management

Jenna’s Market

Joseph’s Coat

JZ Consulting Agency

K & J Dean Builders Inc.

Kapiloff Insurance Agency

KCS Architects

Keating Plumbing and Heating

Keene Chrysler Dodge Jeep

Keene Community Education

Keene Country Club

Keene Day Care Center

Keene Downtown Group

Keene Eye Care

Keene Family YMCA

Keene Housing

Keene Housing Kids

Collaborative

Keene ICE

Keene International Market

Keene Lions Club

Keene Pride

Keene School District (SAU #29)

Keene Senior Center

Keene Sentinel

Keene State College

Keene Swamp Bats

Keene Young Professionals Network

Keeney Holdings LLC

Keller Williams

Metropolitan Keene

KeyBank N.A.

KG Performance Solutions

Kiwanis Club of Keene

Kurn Hattin Homes for Children

Lane & Bentley

Law Offices of Pamela P. Little

Lee and Mt Fuji Restaurant

Lehnen Industrial Services

Len-Tex Corporation

Leon’s Auto Center and J&L Auto Body

Life Forest

Life Safety Fire Protection, Inc

Littles Nutrition, LLC.

LR3 Development, LLC

Luxury Box Photo Booth

M&T Bank

Main Street America Insurance

Making Community

Connections Charter School

Manchester Community Resource Center

Manchester-Boston Regional Airport

Maps Counseling Services

Mascoma Bank

Masiello Employment Services

Mathewson Companies

Matthew Snow - Primerica

Mattson’s Carpentry LLC

Maxcess International

MAXT Makerspace

Menadena

Mi-Box of Central NH

Michael Petrovick

Architects, PLLC

Microspec Corporation

MilliporeSigma

Mint Premium Car Wash

MoCo Arts

Modestman Brewing

Mon Amie Fine Jewelry

Monad Doc Health Direct

Monadnock Business & Community Expo

Monadnock Capital Group

Monadnock Center for History and Culture

Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention

Monadnock Community Early Learning Center

Monadnock Community Hospital

Monadnock Conservancy

Monadnock Country Club

Monadnock Developmental Services Inc.

Monadnock Discovery Map

Monadnock Economic Development Corp

Monadnock Family Services

Monadnock Food Co-op

Monadnock Ford

Monadnock Humane Society

Monadnock International Film Festival (MONIFF)

Monadnock Ledger Transcript

Monadnock Media Group

Monadnock Medical & Aesthetics

Monadnock Millwork/ Port-O-Lite Co., INC.

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc.

Monadnock Peer Support

Monadnock Region Board of REALTORS

Monadnock Region Rail

Trail Collaborative

Monadnock Retirement Solutions, LLC

Monadnock RSVP

Volunteer Center

Monadnock Shopper News

Monadnock Shutter & Shade

Monadnock Speedway

Monadnock Sustainability Hub

Monadnock United Way

Monadnock Worksource

Montessori Schoolhouse of Cheshire County, Inc.

Moore Nanotechnology Systems, LLC

Morningside Kitty Hawk Flight Park

Nathan Wechsler & Company, PA

NBT Bank

New England Hot Spots

New England Sweetwater

New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc.

New Hampshire Dance Institute (NHDI)

New Hampshire

Employment Security

State of New Hampshire

New Hampshire Insurance Department

New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association

New Hampshire Public Radio

New Hampshire Public Television

Newport Area Chamber of Commerce

NH House of Representatives

NH Navigator Program

NH Oil Undercoating Inc.

NHTrust

Nidu Studio Inc + Tribals, Rugs by Hand

Noble Dental Care, PLLC

Norm’s Ski & Bike Shop

Northeast Delta Dental

Northern Basement Systems

Norton, Abert & Jordan, P.C.

Noyes Volkswagen

Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce

Orr & Reno, P.A.

Oster & Wheeler PC

Ouranos IT Solutions

Papagallos Restaurant

Pappas Contracting

Paragon Digital Marketing

Park Place Veterinary Hospital, PLLC

Pathways for Keene, Inc.

Peg Walsh, REALTOR® at Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty

People’s Linen Service

Perry Family Dental Care

Peterborough Diner

Peterborough Players

Petrone Real Estate

Pilgrim Pines Camp & Retreat Center

Pinney Plumbing & Heating

Pizza Pie

Positive News For You, LLC

Powers Guaranteed Services

Powers, Smith & Associates, Inc

Precision Sign Installation, Inc

Prime Roast Coffee Co

Princeton Properties Management Inc

Pyxis Academy

Quality Care Collision

R.P. Masiello Inc.

RBC Wealth Management

RE/MAX Town & Country

Real Steel Fitness Keene

Reality Check

Region 14 Applied Technology Center

Residential Resources, Inc

Revo Casino and Social House

Rindge Chamber of Commerce

Rise for Baby and Family

River Valley Community College

RiverMead

Robert Vecchiotti, Ph.D.

Roma Glow Photography LLC

Rust & Company CPA’s

S&S Painting and Decorating, Inc.

Sacred Journey Endof-Life Services

Savings Bank of Walpole

SCORE Granite Region

Scott Farrar at Peterborough

Scott Wilson Inc

Sequoya Technologies Group, LLC

Service Credit Union

SERVPRO Team Paul

Shaheen & Gordon, P.A.

Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green

Shir-Roy Camping Area

Silver Direct Inc.

Slate Roof Films, LLC

Small Business Development Center

SoClean

Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce

South Pack Solar

Southwest Region Planning Commission

Southwestern Community Services Inc.

Spoonwood Dental Partners and Spoonwood Dental (previously Raynor Dental)

Spring Village at Summerhill

Stage Restaurant

Stan’s Auto Body

Staples Office Supplies

Steele’s Stationers

Steelman Productions

Stepping Stones Farm & Retreat Center

Sterling Design and Communications

Steve DeMasco’s Shaolin Studios

Stonewall Farm

Stripe-It-Seal-It

Sturtevant Chapel

Subaru of Keene

Sullivan Tire and Automotive Service

Summit Workplace Solutions, LLC

Sunset Tool, Inc.

Superior Plus Propane

Surry Village Charter School

Sustainable Growth Partners

SV. Electric LLC

Syd’s Carpet and Snooze Room

Takodah YMCA

Targett Cleaners

TD Bank

TEAM Jaffrey

Ted’s Shoe & Sport

Temescal Wellness Inc

Thai Garden

The Arlington Inn & Tavern

The Community Kitchen

The Hilb Group of New England

The Insurance Source Inc.

The Local Crowd Monadnock

The Main Salon

The Melanson Co., Metal Fabrication Division

The Park Theatre

The Richards Group

The River Center

The Roaming Road

The Salvation Army Keene

The Summit Winery, LLC

The Toadstool Bookshop

The Vacuum Store

The Wellness Way - Keene

The Works Bakery Cafe

Theraguardia

Thomas Charters LLC

Timken Precision

TNT Fireworks

Tom Minkler

Town of Hinsdale

Town of Jaffrey

Town of Peterborough

Town of Swanzey

Toyota of Keene

Trident Environmental Group LLC

True North Networks, LLC

True REST Keene

Udderly Gutters

Upper Valley Wealth Management - Keene

Upton & Hatfield, LLP

US Cellular Wireless Communications

USDA Rural Development

Vocational Rehabilitation of New Hampshire

Volvo of Keene

W.S. Badger Company

Wellguide Advocacy, LLC

Wellscroft Fence Systems, LLC

Westside Animal Hospital

Whelen Engineering

Whitney Brothers

William Wildes General Contracting

Williams Bookkeeping & Beyond, LLC.

Winchester Economic Development Corp

Woof Wagon, LLC DBA

Dogs on Depot

Workplace Culture Solutions

World Insurance Associates

WorldWide Computer Solutions, inc.

Yankee Lanes Entertainment

Yankee Publishing Inc.

Ye Goodie Shoppe

Going Beyond Business Insurance.

On an idyllic campus brimming with resort-style amenities, including Lifecare—healthcare security for life—it’s easy to stay engaged and living every day to the fullest. With maintenance-free living, an attentive and courteous staff, chef-prepared dining and support with any unforeseen health issues, we’ve got you covered—so you never need to worry. Ready to get more out of retirement life? Call 1-877-313-2542 or visit CovLivingKeene.org today.

Wyman Road, Keene, NH 03431

IT'S TIME TO HAVE SOME FUN!

IT'S TIME TO HAVE SOME FUN!

Live life on your terms, while we take care of the rest at RiverMead, the Monadnock Region's premier Life Plan Community (CCRC). Take advantage of our on-campus trails, gardens, and riverfront. Take a course or attend a lecture. Focus on your wellness in our fitness center and indoor pool.

Live life on your terms, while we take care of the rest at RiverMead, the Monadnock Region's premier Life Plan Community (CCRC). Take advantage of our on-campus trails, gardens, and riverfront. Take a course or attend a lecture. Focus on your wellness in our fitness center and indoor pool.

At RiverMead, we want you to enjoy life to the fullest, secure in the knowledge that your future healthcare needs are planned for.

At RiverMead, we want you to enjoy life to the fullest, secure in the knowledge that your future healthcare needs are planned for. VISIT RIVERMEAD.ORG OR

Peterborough, NH

Peterborough, NH

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