2025-2026 Monadnock Thrive Guide

THRIVE GUIDE 2025/ 2026

Take the Leap Are you ready to launch your next adventure?

WORK, PLAY, THRIVE IN 34 COMMUNITIES

MONADNOCKNH.COM

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Delivering Care Delivering Quality Quality Care For For More More Than Than A A Century Century

Forgenerations, generations,MCH MCH has has been been a pillar of the For communitieswe weserve. serve. Today, Today, our our expert clinical communities clinical teamprovides providescomprehensive comprehensive health health services from team from PrimaryCare Careto toSpecialty Specialty Medicines, Medicines, Minimally Primary InvasiveSurgery, Surgery,aastate-of-the-art state-of-the-art Birthing Birthing Suite, Invasive Suite, EmergencyServices, Services,and and more. more.

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Orthopedics •• Orthopedics • Primary Care • Primary Care • Rehabilitation & Wellness • Rehabilitation & Wellness • Rheumatology • Rheumatology • Surgical Services • Surgical Services • and MORE! • and MORE!

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How G re ate r Mo n a dnock.com | 1 452 Old Street Road | Peterborough, NH 03458 | 603-924-7191 | MonadnockHospital.org 452 Old Street Road | Peterborough, NH 03458 | 603-924-7191 | MonadnockHospital.org

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.

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Julie Schoelzel, President and CEO GreaterMonadnock.com

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.

Ernesto Burden, Publisher Mike Cote, Editor Sarah Pearson, Managing Editor Jodie Hall, Creative Services Director Nicole Huot, Senior Production Artist AD SALES Pamela Wilder, Silver Direct Inc. PRINTING Cummings Printing Greater Monadnock Collaborative Regional Chamber of Commerce 48 Central Square Keene, NH 03431 603-352-1303 GreaterMonadnock.com MonadnockNH.com 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.

Paid in part by:

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CONTENTS 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.

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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.

DAVE WHITE

10 /// Cleared for Take-off

It's a pleasure to have been able to serve in the communities in which we live and love. Thank you for trusting us with your real estate needs in the Monadnock Region

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THE MONADNOCK REGION MARLOW ALSTEAD

STODDARD ANTRIM

BENNINGTON

GILSUM

S U L L I VA N

S U R RY

NELSON

FRANCESTOWN

HANCOCK KEENE

S WA N Z E Y

GREENFIELD

R OX B U RY

HARRISVILLE

MARLBOROUGH T R OY

DUBLIN

PETERBOROUGH

JAFFREY SHARON

RICHMOND

FITZWILLIAM

RINDGE

TEMPLE

NEW IPSWICH

W I LT O N

GREENVILLE

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, WA L P O L E 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 WESTMORELAND Wilder’s “Our Town.” Harrisville boasts National Historic Landmark status as one of the best-preserved historic industrial CHESTERFIELD 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 HINSDALE around the world. When winter arrives, ski WINCHESTER 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.

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Build Your Future with a Bensonwood Apprenticeship Earn while you learn from master builders through our nationally certified programs in Carpentry and Sustainable Prefabricated Building.

Apply for an Apprenticeship Today!

www.bensonwood.com

Representing quality properties at all price points across the Monadnock Region.

42 GROVE STREET | PETERBOROUGH, NH O: 603.924.3321 | FOURSEASONSSIR.COM Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

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GO FOR LAUNCH

Mount Monadnock is one of the most hiked peaks in the world.

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CAPTION

Your next venture or adventure can take off in the Monadnock Region

S

outhwestern 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 G re ate r Mo n a dnock.com | 11

THE MONADNOCK CONNECTION

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.

Family-owned businesses, like Toadstool Bookshops, abound in the Monadnock Region and are a critical part of community life.

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

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.

P H O T O C R E D I T K E L LY F L E T C H E R

MAXT Makerspace provides resources to individuals to explore hobbies and perhaps create a new business, too.

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PH OTO CRED IT DAVE WHITE, Z ACH DAVIDS O N

Bensonwood is a national leader in timber frame building and sustainable construction. Its internship program trains the incoming workforce.

“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.

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.

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THE MONADNOCK CONNECTION

“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

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

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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,

P H O T O C R E D I T E T H A N A B I T Z , K E L LY F L E T C H E R

Badger is one of the Monadnock Region's B Corp-certified businesses.

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.

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A Great Place to Work Exceptional benefits, remarkable people, and a great future.

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Peterborough, New Hampshire

Monadnock Voices

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.

filtrine.com/careers

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.

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Let’s Get Moving!

Denise Thomas REALTOR

®

603-381-8850 denise@dthomasworks.com DeniseThomas.Masiello.com

69A Island Street | Keene, NH 603-352-5433

The Well School is an intentionally small, independent day school located in beautiful Peterborough, NH, serving children between Pre-K (ages 3-4) and 8th Grade. Our fifteen acre campus is the perfect setting for plenty of time outdoors, experiential learning, and play. We prioritize small class sizes, social & emotional learning, the arts, and physical activity.

There is something for everyone at The Well School.

Visit us today and Love School Again! fer o of p! s l a am We er C m m Su 36 Well School Road, Peterborough NH |(603)924-6908 | admissions@wellschool.org

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Monadnock Voices

THE TOADSTOOL BOOKSHOPS Enchanting selections of wonderful books and music

• Mail & Internet Orders • Used Book Departments • Out-of-Print Search Service • CD Department

Chuda Mishra W E S T S WA N Z E Y 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.

12 Emerald Street • Keene, NH 03431

603-352-8815

Mon-Thur 9-7, Fri & Sat 9-8, Sun 10-6 19 Depot Square • Peterborough, NH 03458 603-924-3543 Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4

toadbooks.com

APPLE HILL CENTER for CHAMBER MUSIC

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.

100 Acres of Music!

• Home of the Apple Hill String Quartet • Summer Workshop & Concert Series • Local, National, International Performances • Playing for Peace & Educational Programs

www.applehill.org | Nelson, NH | 603-847-3371 G re ate r Mo n a dn ock.com | 19

TOWNS WITH HEART

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

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

I

n 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.

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TOWNS WITH HEART

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 22 | Gre at e rMon ad n o ck .co m

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

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.

P H O T O C R E D I T D I R T A N D G L A S S , K E L LY F L E T C H E R

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.

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

P H O T O C R E D I T K E L LY F L E T C H E R

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

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

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The Harrisville General Store offers a selection of lunch foods in addition to grocery items and local specialty products.

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.

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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.

K E L LY F L E T C H E R , D I R T A N D G L A S S , O L I V E R P A R I N I , J O N A A N T H O N Y J . D H E P A G A N O N

TOWNS WITH HEART

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.

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21B Main Street, Jaffrey NH

Bar & Grill 603-532-1101

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Monadnock Voices

James Hansel KEENE 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.

M A R K E T P L A C E

Offering the largest selection of locally handcrafted foods and giftwares from all over New England.

LO C A L G AT H E R S H E R E

42 Main Street | Keene | 603.352.6862 | hannahgrimesmarketplace.com

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.

We treat you how we would want to be treated.

A family-owned insurance agency providing personal and business insurance for over 40 years.

603 357-2219 • 82 Cour t Street, Keene Insurancesource.com G re ate r Mo n a dn ock.com | 27

New Name, Same Trusted Care.

Raynor Dental Is Now Spoonwood Dental!

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 more at SpoonwoodDental.com

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

Cranberry Meadow Farm An Historic Inn in Peterborough www.cranberrymeadowfarminn.com 603-784-5766

ElectricEarthConcerts

Great c i s u M

Quality. Local. Care.

Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services (HCS) delivers “Five Star” care for all ages and at all stages of life – wherever in southwestern NH you call home!

FOR THE

Monadnock Region electricearthconcerts.org

The HCS Team of Services ♦ Visiting Nurses ♦ Rehabilitation Therapies ♦ Hospice at HCS ♦ Palliative Care ♦ Home Health Aides ♦ Home Support Services

♦ Healthy Starts ♦ Medical Social Work ♦ City Express & Friendly Bus ♦ Wellness Foot Clinic ♦ Meals on Wheels ♦ Friendly Meals for Older Adults

(603) 352-2253 | www.HCSservices.org

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STAY HERE AND SLEEP WELL

From family-friendly hotels, historic B&Bs and unique short-term rentals, there's a lodging style for everyone in the Monadnock Region. Here is the Field and Mountain House in Dublin.

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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

Burrell House Inn

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 Cranberry Meadow Farm 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

A rental cabin in Dublin.

Bridges Inn at Whitcomb House

Benjamin Prescott Inn

The Inn at East Hill Farm

Notable lodging

27 Main St., Swanzey bridgesinn.com

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

433 Turnpike Road, Jaffrey benjaminprescottinn.com 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

115 Cranberry Meadow Road, Peterborough cranberrymeadowfarminn.com

Courtyard Keene Downtown

Greenfield Inn

Hampton Inn & Suites

Aldworth Manor

Riverhouse

Monadnock Inn

One-of-a-kind

749 Forest Road, Greenfield Greenfieldinnnh.com 184 Aldworth Manor Road, Harrisville aldworthmanor.com 379 Main St., Jaffrey monadnockinn.com Woodbound Inn

247 Woodbound Road, Rindge woodbound.com

75 Railroad St., Keene marriott.com 126 Key Road, Keene hilton.com

80 Concord St., Peterborough stayriverhouse.com 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.

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Lakeside Camping

a Camping Areears! r Over 65 Y

ories fo Making Mem

(603) 239-4768

TENTERS WELCOME . EXCELLENT FISHING

Tent Cottage, Tent Trailer, and RV Rentals • BOATING & SWIMMING • FREE WIFI • RECREATION LODGE • 50+ RV SAFARI FIELD • 50 AMP SITES FOR LARGE RIGS • CLEAN RESTROOMS • FREE SHOWERS • LAUNDRY • CANTEEN

Conveniently located at 136 Athol Road near Rte. 119 on Rte. 32, Richmond, NH. Visit us at www.shir-roy.com Write or Call for Brochure.

Mailing Address: Shir-Roy Camping, 100 Athol Rd., Richmond, NH 03470

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APPROVED

Monadnock Voices

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.

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.

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.

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

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

W

hile 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.

JONANTHONY DHE PAGANON

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NATURALLY ENTERTAINING

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.

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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.

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.

DAV E WH I T E, K ELC I E M I L L ER-A N D ER S O N

Scott Brook and Scott Pond can be paddled in Fitzwilliam.

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,

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.

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.

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

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 3 8 | Gre at e rMon ad n o ck .co m

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.

DAV E W H I T E , C R OTC H E D M O U N TA I N

NATURALLY ENTERTAINING

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.

Swim on Willard Lake.

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.

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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

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CAN A DEGREE SHAPE A CAREER—AND A COMMUNITY? 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.

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Monadnock Voices

Rosemary Mack DUBLIN 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.

Live Entertainment and Film in the Heart of Keene!

C O LO N I A L P E R F O R M I N G A R T S C E N T E R

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.

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

F

Fellow June Edmonds' paintings on display for visitors to experience during Medal Day's Studio Tours.

JOANNA ELDREDGE MORRISSEY PHOTO, COURTESY OF MACDOWELL

or 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 G re ate r Mo n a dn ock.com | 47

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 48 | Gre at e rMon ad n o ck .co m

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. HE S SION, COURTE SY OF MACD OWELL

CREATIVE COMMUNITY

E R I C R O T H H A U S , C O U R T E S Y O F T H E P E T E R B O R O U G H P L AY E R S ; C O U R T E S Y O F M O N I F F

A Fellow works at a James Baldwin Library computer station in the bright, comfortable interior of the Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects-designed addition.

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

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 G re ate r Mo n a dn ock.com | 49

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 Nova Arts is a nonprofit collaborative arts initiative focused on emerging artists, underrepresented voices and unexpected juxtapositions.

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.

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Dave Painchaud plays the drums with Omoo Omoo in Keene.

E T H A N A B I T Z , K E L LY F L E T C H E R

CREATIVE COMMUNITY

S T E V E L I P O F S K Y A N D K E E N E S TAT E

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

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

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October 11–13 • 10am–5pm 65 Working Studios, Exceptional Art A self-guided tour through the breathtaking fall landscape and picturesque towns of the Monadnock Region, with a vast array of mediums and styles, and an intimate setting to chat with world-class artists in their element.

Information, Tour Map, and Artist Profiles:

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Q&A: New Gunstock GM Robert Drake PAGE 27

Novo Nordisk seeks sizeable workforce PAGE 13 increase State, 26 municipalities appeal education tax PAGE 18 decision

Commercial-to-housing proposals could help ease housing crunch, but zoning conflicts remain

BY TRISHA NAIL

Fast track to foreign markets NH Export Accelerator graduates first cohort of small

Alan Robidas was grateful as his team prepared containers of firefighting foam at the New Hampshire Fire Academy to be collected and destroyed. The foam, long used by firefighters nationwide to extinguish fires, was silently at risk of harming crews for decades, he said.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Robidas, a captain in the Concord Fire Department. “It’s been pretty helpful that the state of New Hampshire has worked with area fire departments to finally give us an opportunity to get rid of this stuff. … Some of the effects of PFAS are really invisible until they’re not.”

Robidas was referring to carcinogenic or cancer-promoting effects, stemming from PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. PFAS has been a component of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) used at fire departments and airports starting in the 1970s. Now, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) and state Fire Mashal FIREFIGHTING FOAM, PAGE 15

businesses

PRE MIE RE

to lead a trade mission overseas and helped create the Export Accelerator As members of the first cohort of small- program. business owners to graduate from the Launched in May and funded by the New Hampshire Export Accelerator pro- State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), gram, Zach Luse and Paolo Monaco told the NH Export Accelerator, according well-wishers at an Aug. 14 ceremony that to the program, “combines educational among the first things they will now do is sessions and one-on-one advising to export go on a trade mission to Brazil. mmer 2024 help businesses develop theirSpring/Su Luse, who founded Paragon Digital Mar- plan.” ride program ine.com/b keting in Keene, while Monaco’s eponyAdam Boltik, international nhmagaz mously named company is located in manager at the NH Department of BusiLondonderry, were cheered by friends, ness and Economic Affairs’ Office of Infamily and dignitaries during a gathering ternational Commerce, said other states at the Gallivant Global Eatery in Dover. have programs that help small-business Keynote speaker U.S. Sen Jeanne Sha- owners navigate the export market, but heen, chair of the U.S. Senate Committee “this is the first time you have state and on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, governor 16 PAGE Hampshire ACCELERATOR, was the first New

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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.

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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.

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FAMILY FRIENDLY

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.

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When it comes to making memories, the Monadnock Region hits it out of the park

T

he 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.

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FAMILY FRIENDLY

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

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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

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.

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. n

The Keene Senior Center and Cheshire Village at Home help seniors in our community thrive! the place to be for ages 50 and up - visit today!

The Keene Senior Center Live independently with a little help!

Cheshire village at home 312 Marlboro St. Suite 100 • Keene, NH Tel: (603) 352-5037 CVAH: 603-903-9680 https://thekeeneseniorcenter.org Not a member yet? Call to schedule a tour !

G re ate r Mo n a dn ock.com | 57

Surveying

Cheshire Children’s Museum CheshireChildrensMuseum.org

Engineering

Environmental

603-672-5456

FLC@FieldstoneLandConsultants.Com

SURVEYING & ENGINEERING

(603) 903-1800

149 Emerald Street, Keene, NH 03431

Hours

• Property Line Staking • FEMA-Elevation Certificates • Subdivisions • Site & Plot Plans

TUES – F 9am-5pm

Plus Septic Designs, Wetlands & Soil Mapping, Local, State & Federal Permitting and More!

SAT/SUN 9am-4pm Closed Mondays

Call for your free estimate.

603-672-5456 206 Elm Street, Milford NH 03055 45 Roxbury Street, Keene NH 03431

Hands-on exhibits

that spark imagination and curiosity. From the Construction Zone to the Little Investigators Corner, there’s something

Exhibitions

for every child to enjoy.

Walking Tours

Concerts

Events

Museum & Archives

Explore the region’s rich history, arts and culture.

Open Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

MonadnockCenter.org

19 Grove Street, Peterborough

Gift Shop

Check our website calendar and follow us on FB to find out more about events and activities at the museum.

58 | Gre at e rMon ad n o ck .co m

Living History

Family Events

Talks

PA I N R E L I E F I R E L A X AT I O N I B E T T E R S L E E P

59

EXPERIENCE $ THE BENEFITS OF FLOATING

INTRODUCTORY FIRST FLOAT Limited time offer!

437 West Street, Keene 603.316.5541 I trueREST.com

Professional Bra Fitting 28-48 Bands, A-O cups Sleepwear & Lingerie People to help.

Osteopathic Family Medicine Direct Primary Care & Prolotherapy Regenerative Orthopedic Injections A non-surgical approach to joint pain using safe, effective and affordable techniques.

Get back in the game!

603-532-4147 MonadDoc.com

Marc A. Winiecki, DO 22 North Street, Jaffrey, NH 603-532-4147 MonadDoc.com

21 West Street, Keene Scan for more information G re ate r Mo n a dn ock.com | 59

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 60 | Gre at e rMon ad n o ck .co m

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.

DAVID WHITE, K EENE PRID E

The annual Winchester Pickle Festival is a really big dill for pickle lovers.

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.

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

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.

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

TOP: Keene Pride BELOW: Pumpkin Festival

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. of fine art and fabulous fall foliage in the Monadnock Region. Artists open their studios for self-guided tours. Various locations, fallfoliageartstudiotour.com

5-7 Dublin Gas Engine Show:

7-8 River Valley Artisans Wine &

7-9 Radically Rural Summit:

11-13 Fall Foliage Art Studio Tour: Experience a weekend

SEPTEMBER 2025 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.

Keene/Jaffrey, moniff.org

award-winning films on the festival circuit, domestic and foreign, along with premieres of regionally produced films

by New Hampshire and New England filmmakers.

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 G re ate r Mo n a dnock.com | 61

OUT & ABOUT

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

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.

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:

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

24-Jan.1: Hannukah Menorah Lighting: Keene will mark

TBD The Thing in the Spring:

the days of Hannukah with the lighting of a menorah in Central Square. Keene, keenesynagogue.org.

The town green becomes a winter wonderland with ice carvings, campfire, arts market, live music, songs and stories, and more.

Wilton, visitwilton.org

JANUARY 2026

APRIL 2026

TBD Children and the Arts Festival: A beloved festival

TBD Winter Frolic: Break free of

cabin fever with a community get-together in the snow.

Highlights include sledding

62 | Gre at e rMon ad n o ck .co m

TBD Keene Home Expo:

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

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 celebrating art by and for children. Crafts, demos, live music and more. Peterborough, childrenandthearts.org

CO U RTE SY O F CHILD REN A ND THE A RTS FE S TIVA L A ND M O NIFF

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.

Eat like a Local.

Jenna’s is your local Butcher | Deli | Market

featuring Boar’s Head products, house-made sandwiches, salads and prepared meals, wine and cheeses!

255 West Street (across from the Colony Mill) Keene, NH

jennasmarket.com | 603.338.0012

G re ate r Mo n a dn ock.com | 63

MEMBERSHIP

Aerial view of Peterborough.

17ROX Artist Studios

Alzheimer’s Association

Ashuelot Valley Academy

Property Management

1911 Office, LLC

American House Keene

ATA Construction

Benefit Profiles LLC

AAA

AMETEK Precitech, Inc

Athens Pizza

Bensonwood

AARP New Hampshire

AMT Productions

Atlantic Wireless

ABTech Inc

Anderson & Gilbert, Inc.

Autex Mazda

Bergeron Construction Company

Achille Agway/Blue Seal

Andy’s Furniture of Keene

B. Bakes Deli & Cakes

Best Western Hotel

Adobe Acrobat

Anew Behavioral Health

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust

Adventure Limousine & Transportation Inc.

Anitech Dog Training LLC Anthony L Olson CPA/PFS

Barbara C Harris Camp & Conference Center

Better Homes & Gardens The Masiello Group Real Estate Keene

Antioch University

Beeze Tees Screen Printing

Birch Financial Group

ARC Mechanical Contractors, Inc.

BeHappy Adventures

Blais & Associates Realtors

Belletetes

Bourgoine Logging

Arcomm Communications Corporation

Bellows-Nichols Agency, Inc.

Bowerbird and Friends Antiques

All Saints Church Alpine Bike Works

Arts Alive! Inc.

Belltower Holdings, LLC d/b/a Belltower

Boy Scouts of America, Daniel Webster Council

Aldworth Manor Alice Blue All Purpose Storage Management

64 | Gre at e rMon ad n o ck .co m

JONANTHONY J. DHE PAGANON

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

Brady Associates Financial Services

Community Volunteer Transportation Company

Bragdon, Baron & Kossayda, P.C.

Company Name

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

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

C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc

Craig Vickers - State Farm

CALEB DUPUY STATE FARM

Cranberry Meadow Farm

Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, Inc.

CrossFit Monadnock

CASA of New Hampshire

Culinary Journey Management Inc. DBA Town Square Tavern

Cathedral of the Pines CC&D’s Kitchen Market Cedarcrest Center for Children

Cup of Life Healing Center Cushing & Sons Water Wells

Electronic Imaging Materials

GemGraphics

Elm City Church

GFA Federal Credit Union

Elm City Keene Rotary Club

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses

ELMMCC Emile J Legere Management Co Inc

Good Fortune Jewelry GOODELL GROUP, EXP Realty

Engrave-It / Awards of Keene

Granita Enoteca

Eversource Energy

Granite Edvance

Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce

Great Brook Farm Sugar House LLC

eXp Realty The Kate Barry Team

Great Eastern Radio

EyeWorks

Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce

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

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

Cheetah Design Studios

Custom Helpers Home Health Care LLC

Chesco Inc

Da Brothers Contractors

Cheshire Children’s Museum

Dahle North America

Cheshire County

Filtrine Manufacturing Company

Danya Designs

Cheshire County Shooting Sports Education Foundation

Financial Solutions Group

David O’Neil Construction, LLC Davis Oil & Propane

Finley Construction Company LLC

Dead River Company

Fireworks Restaurant

Greater Portsmouth Chamber Collaborative

Cheshire Medical Center

Deep Roots Massage & Bodywork

Fitzgerald Travel ~ Rivers, Oceans & Beyond

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce

Cheshire Technologies LLC

Denise Thomas - Realtor®

Fletcher Media

Greeley Farms Landscaping, LLC

Cheshire Wellness Center

DEW Construction DGCpartners LLC

Foundation for Healthy Communities

Green Energy Options

Cheshiremen Chorus

Cheshire Glass Company Cheshire Home Inspections LLC

Chesterfield Inn Children’s Dental Care

Diluzio’s Foley & Fletcher Funeral Homes

City of Keene

Fieldstone Land Consultants, PLLC

Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty

Greater Monadnock Collaborative Greater Monadnock SHRM Greater Nashua Chamber of Commerce

Green Light Physical Therapy LLC Greenwald Realty Group

Draft Gratitude

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce

Clarence DeMar Marathon, Inc

Dreamclean123

Greg Carlson State Farm Insurance

Franklin Pierce University

Clearwater Pool & Spa

Dublin School

Grove Street Fiduciary, LLC

Frazier & Son Furniture

Cocoplum Inc. / DBA Cocoplum Appliances

Earthly Elan

Guyer & Son Roofing

Freitag Marketing

EduPivot LLC

Halliday Group | eXp Realty

Coeni van Beek Coaching & Consulting LLC

Friendly Farm

Edward Jones - Alan Stroshine

Hamblet Electric

Edward Jones - Beth Lorenz

Friends of Cheshire County Recovery Courts

Hamlin Insurance Agency, Inc. formerly Campbell & Boyd

Edward Jones - Lance Flamino

Fritz of Keene

Edward Jones - Scot Ward

Froling Energy

Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce

eFix IT Consulting

Futurism Technologies

Hampton Inn & Suites

Electric Earth Concerts

Galloway Real Estate

Hamshaw Lumber Inc

Colonial Performing Arts Center Communicators Group Community Resources for Justice (Community Strategies of NH)

G re ate r Mo n a dn ock.com | 65

Hannah Grimes Center & Marketplace

Keene Day Care Center

Mascoma Bank

Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc.

Keene Downtown Group

Masiello Employment Services

Monadnock Peer Support

Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce

Keene Eye Care

Mathewson Companies

Harris Center for Conservation Education, Inc.

Keene Family YMCA

Matthew Snow - Primerica

Monadnock Region Board of REALTORS

Keene Housing

Mattson’s Carpentry LLC

HCS, Home HealthCare, Hospice & Community Services

Keene Housing Kids Collaborative

Maxcess International

Hearthside Family Health,LLC

Keene ICE

Menadena

Heavy Haulers CDL and Equipment Academy

Keene International Market

Mi-Box of Central NH

Keene Lions Club

High 5 Adventure Learning Center

Keene Pride

Michael Petrovick Architects, PLLC

Hillsborough Chamber of Commerce

Keene School District (SAU #29)

Microspec Corporation

Keene Senior Center

MilliporeSigma

Keene Sentinel

Mint Premium Car Wash

Historical Society of Cheshire County

MAXT Makerspace

Keene State College

MoCo Arts

HKS Associates Inc

Keene Swamp Bats

Modestman Brewing

Hogancamp PC Honda of Keene

Keene Young Professionals Network

Houle Wealth Management

Keeney Holdings LLC

Howard Printing, Inc.

Keller Williams Metropolitan Keene

Hubbard Farms Hubert’s Family Outfitters Hundred Nights Inc. Huntley Survey & Design PLLC Hyperbaric Fitness, LLC Hyundai of Keene

KeyBank N.A. KG Performance Solutions Kiwanis Club of Keene Kurn Hattin Homes for Children Lane & Bentley

Mon Amie Fine Jewelry Monad Doc Health Direct Monadnock Business & Community Expo

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

Monadnock Capital Group

Morningside Kitty Hawk Flight Park

Monadnock Center for History and Culture

Nathan Wechsler & Company, PA

Monadnock Center for Violence Prevention

NBT Bank

Monadnock Community Early Learning Center

New England Sweetwater

Monadnock Community Hospital

New England Hot Spots New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc.

Indian King Framery

Law Offices of Pamela P. Little

Inn At East Hill Farm

Lee and Mt Fuji Restaurant

International Software Development, LLC

Lehnen Industrial Services

Isis Latham - Primerica J & J Discount

Leon’s Auto Center and J&L Auto Body

Jaffrey Chamber of Commerce

Life Forest

James Thomas Salon

Life Safety Fire Protection, Inc

Monadnock Economic Development Corp

Jamsan Hotel Management

Littles Nutrition, LLC.

Monadnock Family Services

New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association

Jenna’s Market

LR3 Development, LLC

Monadnock Food Co-op

New Hampshire Public Radio

Joseph’s Coat

Luxury Box Photo Booth

Monadnock Ford

JZ Consulting Agency

M&T Bank

Monadnock Humane Society

New Hampshire Public Television

K & J Dean Builders Inc.

Main Street America Insurance

Kapiloff Insurance Agency

Making Community Connections Charter School

Monadnock International Film Festival (MONIFF)

KCS Architects Keating Plumbing and Heating Keene Chrysler Dodge Jeep

Len-Tex Corporation

Manchester Community Resource Center

Keene Community Education

Manchester-Boston Regional Airport

Keene Country Club

Maps Counseling Services

66 | Gre at e rMon ad n o ck .co m

Monadnock Conservancy Monadnock Country Club Monadnock Developmental Services Inc. Monadnock Discovery Map

Monadnock Ledger Transcript Monadnock Media Group Monadnock Medical & Aesthetics Monadnock Millwork/ Port-O-Lite Co., INC.

New Hampshire Dance Institute (NHDI) New Hampshire Employment Security State of New Hampshire New Hampshire Insurance Department

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

Revo Casino and Social House

Tom Minkler

Rindge Chamber of Commerce

Steve DeMasco’s Shaolin Studios

Norm’s Ski & Bike Shop

Rise for Baby and Family

Stonewall Farm

Town of Jaffrey

Northern Basement Systems

River Valley Community College

Stripe-It-Seal-It

Town of Peterborough

Norton, Abert & Jordan, P.C.

RiverMead

Sturtevant Chapel

Town of Swanzey

Noyes Volkswagen

Robert Vecchiotti, Ph.D.

Subaru of Keene

Toyota of Keene

Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce

Roma Glow Photography LLC

Sullivan Tire and Automotive Service

Trident Environmental Group LLC

Orr & Reno, P.A.

S&S Painting and Decorating, Inc.

Summit Workplace Solutions, LLC

True North Networks, LLC

Northeast Delta Dental

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

Rust & Company CPA’s

Sacred Journey Endof-Life Services

Sunset Tool, Inc. Superior Plus Propane

Upper Valley Wealth Management - Keene

SCORE Granite Region

Sustainable Growth Partners

Upton & Hatfield, LLP

Scott Farrar at Peterborough

SV. Electric LLC

Scott Wilson Inc

Syd’s Carpet and Snooze Room

US Cellular Wireless Communications

Sequoya Technologies Group, LLC

Takodah YMCA

Service Credit Union SERVPRO Team Paul

Targett Cleaners TD Bank TEAM Jaffrey

Perry Family Dental Care

Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green

Peterborough Diner

Shir-Roy Camping Area

Peterborough Players

Silver Direct Inc.

Petrone Real Estate

Slate Roof Films, LLC

Pilgrim Pines Camp & Retreat Center

Small Business Development Center

Pinney Plumbing & Heating

SoClean

The Insurance Source Inc.

Pizza Pie

Souhegan Valley Chamber of Commerce

The Local Crowd Monadnock

South Pack Solar

The Melanson Co., Metal Fabrication Division

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

Udderly Gutters

Surry Village Charter School

Shaheen & Gordon, P.A.

Powers Guaranteed Services

True REST Keene

Savings Bank of Walpole

People’s Linen Service

Positive News For You, LLC

Town of Hinsdale

Southwest Region Planning Commission

USDA Rural Development Vocational Rehabilitation of New Hampshire Volvo of Keene W.S. Badger Company

Ted’s Shoe & Sport

Wellguide Advocacy, LLC

Temescal Wellness Inc

Wellscroft Fence Systems, LLC

Thai Garden

Westside Animal Hospital

The Arlington Inn & Tavern

Whelen Engineering

The Community Kitchen

Whitney Brothers

The Hilb Group of New England

William Wildes General Contracting

The Main Salon

Williams Bookkeeping & Beyond, LLC. Winchester Economic Development Corp

The Park Theatre

Southwestern Community Services Inc.

Woof Wagon, LLC DBA Dogs on Depot

The Richards Group

Workplace Culture Solutions

Spoonwood Dental Partners and Spoonwood Dental (previously Raynor Dental)

The River Center

World Insurance Associates

The Roaming Road The Salvation Army Keene

WorldWide Computer Solutions, inc.

Spring Village at Summerhill

The Summit Winery, LLC

Yankee Lanes Entertainment

Stage Restaurant

The Toadstool Bookshop

Stan’s Auto Body

The Vacuum Store

Staples Office Supplies Steele’s Stationers Steelman Productions Stepping Stones Farm & Retreat Center Sterling Design and Communications

Yankee Publishing Inc. Ye Goodie Shoppe

The Wellness Way - Keene The Works Bakery Cafe Theraguardia Thomas Charters LLC Timken Precision TNT Fireworks

G re ate r Mo n a dn ock.com | 67

73 Main Street, Walpole, NH 03608

Contact Robin at Traditions Real Estate to help you find or sell your next homewith experience, knowledge, and kindness every step of the way!

Robin Sanctuary, broker Office: 603.756.3973 Cell: 603.313.9165 www.TraditionsReal-Estate.com

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happiness.

Live fuller and worry less at Covenant Living of Keene.

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.

95 Wyman Road, Keene, NH 03431

Covenant Living Communities & Services does not discriminate pursuant to the Federal Fair Housing Act. G re ate r Mo n a dnock.com | 3

ENJOY THE

Lifestyle

IT'S IT'S TIME TIME TO TO HAVE HAVE SOME SOME FUN! FUN!

Live Live life life on on your your terms, terms, while while we we take take care care of of the the rest rest at at RiverMead, RiverMead, the the Monadnock Monadnock Region's premier Life Plan Community (CCRC).

Take advantage of our on-campus Region's premier Life Plan Community (CCRC). Take advantage of our on-campus trails, trails, gardens, gardens, and and riverfront. riverfront. Take Take a a course course or or attend attend a a lecture. lecture. Focus Focus on on your your wellness wellness in in our our fitness fitness center center and and indoor indoor pool. pool.

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

VISIT VISIT RIVERMEAD.ORG RIVERMEAD.ORG OR OR CALL 800.200.5433 TO CALL 800.200.5433 TO SCHEDULE SCHEDULE A A TOUR TOUR Peterborough, Peterborough, NH NH

INDEPENDENT LIVING 4 | Gre at e rMon ad n ock .co m INDEPENDENT LIVING

ASSISTED ASSISTED LIVING LIVING

MEMORY MEMORY CARE CARE