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AUGUST 2026 • Volume 40, Number 6 | ISSN 1532-0219
IN THIS ISSUE
38 48
92 FIRST THINGS
NAVIGATE
INFORM
CONNECT
8 Editor’s Note 8 Contributors 10 NH Notebook
14 Big Picture
26 Science & Discovery
92 Living
Seth Meyers returns to his home state for a night benefiting NH charities. By Mike Cote
FEATURES
38 In Tune with Kids
New Hampshire musicians help children move, feel, imagine and find their voice. By Kara McGrath
48 NH Magazine Reader Photo Contest
Our three judges picked standouts from more than 250 entries that captured the spirit of New Hampshire.
60 Top Dentists 2026
The annual Top Dentist list showcases excellence in dental care. See which New Hampshire dentists were voted by their peers as the most trustworthy. 4 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
Fields of Color Photo by Susan Bean
16 Our Town
Londonderry, one of NH’s fastest-growing towns, retains its friendly charm. By Megan Rogers
22 Savor
Perk up your summer with fresh-picked New Hampshire peaches. By Emily Reily
The Blue Ocean Society continues its fight for our oceans in its 25th year. By Elisa Gonzales Verdi
32 Q&A
Fox Cottage Farm in Greenland offers visitors a chance to pick from and explore thousands of dahlias. By Jill Armstrong
Roric Cunningham plays cello with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. By Mark Hayward
96 Out and About
36 WDYK
New Hampshire Fisher Cats keep fans entertained. By Lynne Snierson
Winnipesaukee island monument commemorates 1652 expedition. By Marshall Hudson
22
Calendar of events Compiled by Elisa Gonzales Verdi
98 Leisure Life
102 Community
Rescued animals enjoy a second life at Tomten Farm and Sanctuary. By John Koziol
104 Live Free
Cat’s in the Cradle By Mike Cote ON THE COVER: Reader Photo Contest Editor's Pick: Smith Cove, in Gilford. Shot with Canon RF 24-105 / Canon RF 5, F4, 1/125, ISO 100. Photo by Ann Marie Shpeley: "I have photographed this location in every season over the years and it never disappoints. As I set up my tripod, the sailboats were lined up perfectly in the cove while the sky lit up. It turned out to be one of the best sunrises I’ve seen in quite awhile and one of the reasons I keep going back. Never looks the same twice."
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6 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
EDITOR’S NOTE
‘Do-Re-Mi’ is Good for You
contributors
ONE OF THE FIRST ALBUMS I ever owned was by the Beatles, typical for a child of the ’60s. I wish that were the truth. It was an album of Beatles songs, but it wasn’t by the Beatles. My introduction to Ringo, Paul, George and John arrived courtesy of Alvin, Simon and Theodore. Our family’s scratched up copy of “The Chipmunks Sing the Beatles” is long gone, but a couple of years ago I found one in mint condition at an antique shop. After a listen, I mailed it to my grandson so he could enjoy gems like the Chipmunks’ version of “All My Loving,” which begins with studio chatter before manager Dave Seville counts off the song.
Megan Rogers is a writer based in Londonderry. She reports on New Hampshire for a variety of outlets and loves to spend time with her family and take her tiny dog, Moose, on long walks.
“All right, Chipmunks, got your hair on straight?” “Yeah! Yeah!” Now that I’ve entered my seventh decade, that’s my favorite part of the song. After that, it’s the high-pitched screech of cartoon rodents — Chipmunks creator Ross Bagdasarian’s reincarnation of the Lollipop Guild Kids from “The Wizard of Oz.” I feel roughly the same way when I hear my granddaughters listening to the KIDZ BOP kids performing a sanitized version of “Uptown Funk,” the monster hit by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. The best children’s music reaches kids where they live. While it’s not directed at adults, parents might actually enjoy it. I’ve had the pleasure of observing performances by two of the four children’s entertainers profiled by Kara McGrath this month. (page 38). I first heard about Mr. Aaron from my granddaughters, who saw him playing at local
Kara McGrath is a Keene-based writer who's been reporting on many topics for over a decade. She wrote this month's feature about a few children's musicians around the state.
gatherings before their parents booked him to perform at a birthday party. Aaron Jones, who writes original material for children, led the partygoers in songs and games — making a strong case for paying for quality entertainment versus renting a bouncy house. I’ve watched Alli Beaudry perform in venues for both children and adults. As Miss Alli, Beaudry appeared at a Christmas celebration for families of Make-A-Wish New Hampshire. Using a parachute to gather children in a circle, she encouraged them to participate and find their voice. During TEDxAmoskeagMillyard in 2024, the former Berkelee College of Music educator had hundreds of adults on their feet practicing barre dance movements while learning sign language and singing “Do-Re-Mi” from “The Sound of Music.” (I’m quite sure it was the first time I have ever done a plié.) Children’s entertainers remind us that music was never meant to be a spectator sport.
Joe Klementovich is a freelance North Conway-based photographer who specializes in environmental photography and shot this month's Informer story.
“When I’m Miss Alli, the main concept I love to project out to the community is that our bodies are our instruments,” Beaudry told the group as they began stretching, “so we need time to wake them up, especially in the middle of the day.” Just make sure you got your hair on straight.
Jill Armstrong reports on the outdoor industry in NH. She wrote this month's Living story about Fox Cottage Farm's dahlias in Greenland. 8 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
nhmagazine.com | August 2026 9
NH NOTEBOOK
PHOTO BY KAREN BACHELDER
Seth Meyers rocks SNHU Arena in 2023. He returns Aug. 7. Check out Ticketmaster.com for prices, including a VIP "meet and greet."
Seth Meyers is Ready for Some Hometown Standup
‘Late Night’ host returns to SNHU Arena on Aug. 7 to raise money for NH charities BY M I K E C O T E
A
dad is doing one for the kids. Bedford-raised Seth Meyers will perform a standup show in New Hampshire for the first time in three years, returning to SNHU Arena on Aug. 7 to raise money for CASA of New Hampshire and the Granite State Children’s Alliance. The “Saturday Night Live” alumnus has hosted “Late Night with Seth Meyers” since 2014, logging more than 1,800 episodes of a show whose popularity is fueled by the news commentary he mastered as the anchor of SNL’s “Weekend Update.” With his brother, Josh, Meyers also co-hosts “Family Trips with the Meyers Brothers,” a podcast they launched in 10 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
2023 that features celebrity guests recounting their childhood vacations and anecdotes about the Meyers brothers’ misadventures with their parents, Larry and Hilary. (Meyers also hosts the “The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast” with his former SNL buddies.) These days, Meyers and his wife, Alexi Ashe, a human rights attorney, are busy raising their three children, Ashe, 10, Axel, 8, and Adelaide, 4, who made their “Late Night” debut Nov. 27 on a Thanksgiving episode. We recently caught up with Meyers to talk about his life as a dad and TV host and the upcoming standup show.
New Hampshire Magazine: You’re coming to Manchester to once again raise money for CASA of New Hampshire and the Granite State Children’s Alliance. As a father of three young children and the husband of a human rights attorney, what do their missions mean to you?
Seth Meyers: It’s twofold. One, I just think so much respect has to be paid for people who look out for children that aren’t their own, and obviously the advocates that work with Granite State Children’s Alliance are doing that. I think it speaks to what makes New Hampshire such a great state that people look out for one another, and then of course any-
PHOTO COURTESY NBC UNIVERSAL
Seth Meyers' children Ashe, Adelaide and Axel hamming it up on their dad's show.
thing you can do to help these kids I'm happy to do. I'm lucky to have parents of my own who put their hearts into raising my brother and I, and at the same time they appreciate the need to make sure that you're looking out for other kids as well.
NHM: They all seemed to be pretty much having a lot of fun out there, unfiltered.
SM: They were also the truest versions of
debut in November, during which your daughter, Adelaide, stole the show, though her brothers showed off their dance moves. If you Google “The subway smells like diarrhea” the topped ranked video is a clip of your daughter posted to Instagram.
themselves. That was my favorite part of it. It's not as though the bright lights made them cosplay as different kids than they are. My wife made the best observation, that they all were immediately like the rest of my family in that my son Axel sat and took up all the room like my dad. Addie was just smiling and laughing like my mom. And my oldest son Ashe was like my brother Josh, just trying to wrangle the other two.
SM: It’s amazing. It seems like that was there
NHM: It’s summer vacation time. When you go
NHM: Your children made their “Late Night”
for the taking, certainly an assessment that I don't feel like she was necessarily the first to make, but she certainly made it the most adorable. And it's actually pretty good branding for the subway because she didn't seem that put off by it.
NHM: Did your kids surprise you or did you pretty much know where their antics might lead?
SM: The opposite is true, which is I surprised my kids. They were in the building taking their Christmas card photo. I was aware that were I to tell them they were going to be on my show, they would get in their heads about it. I just had my wife bring them to the stage door, and we put microphones on them and I told them, “You're going to come out and do daddy’s show.” They were surprised that they were going to be on my show, and based on the fact that we had not discussed anything ahead of time, I was of course shocked and delighted by their answers.
on trips now, do your kids wonder whether they might end up in your “Family Trips” podcast?
SM: I think they might be banking their best stories for a return to “Late Night.” They respect the podcast format, but they really love national television.
NHM: Do you ever find yourself in a situation on a family trip where you realize you’re lapsing into the kind of dad behavior you learned from your father?
SM: All the time. Although I've pointed out there’s something when my dad got mad at my brother and I, that we were genuinely intimidated by it. Somehow, I’ve inherited his ability to lose his temper, and yet I have an impotent rage that does not scare my children at all. I mostly look like a clown who is also not even getting what I want.
NHM: “Late Night” has reached season 13 and
you’ve logged more than 1,800 shows. What’s the single thing that inspires you to keep
Ordinary people can do extraordinary things for children. You don’t need to be an expert to speak up for a child who experienced abuse or neglect. If you have the heart to help, we’ll teach you the rest. Join us. Sign up for an info session at www.casanh.org nhmagazine.com | August 2026 11
NH NOTEBOOK going? Do any bucket list guests remain?
SM: I don’t really have any bucket list guests. Conan (O’Brien) was the last one who was really important just to have everyone on who’d done this show before me, and that was wonderful. What really gets me in the door every day is the fact that I just still love doing it. I love the people I work with. I love the challenge of pulling a show together every day. It flies by when you actually are doing the recording itself. I feel so lucky that I have a job that I literally can’t get enough of.
Seth Meyers will perform a standup show at SNHU Arena on Aug. 7 to raise money for CASA of New Hampshire and the Granite State Children’s Alliance.
NHM: You returned from a two-week break
PHOTO COURTESY NBC UNIVERSAL
in June, telling the audience that “nothing’s happening” before leading into a rapid-fire catalog of Trump activity. I counted 19 items, though I might have lost count because they were flying by so fast. Were there any that didn’t make it in?
SM: I'm sad to report that, of course, there are days where 19 things happen that you can’t fit in, so two weeks I would say if we did 19, we cut a great deal of them. We’re about to take a longer summer hiatus, so I would just say buckle up for the first Monday back after that one. If past is prologue, there will be plenty that we will have missed.
NHM: A fan on social media said that segment was worthy of a Peabody Award, despite the large pockets on your shirt. Are those pockets for function or fashion?
SM: I mean obviously this one really stinks. I just put the shirts on that they give me, you know what I mean? I hate to point fingers, but I will say I like having a large pocket on the front of a shirt. I think it’s underrated as a place to put your hands. One of the reasons I do my monologue at a desk now instead of standing is my hands go flying everywhere. I talk with my hands, and so having a pocket to put them is actually very helpful to me and helpful for the people on either side of me because I will hit them in the face if I gesticulate.
NHM: Your show is very structured. How does
that compare with doing standup? What do you look forward to when you get back before an arena full of people?
SM: The thing about the show is every day is its own show, and then you have to kind of throw it in the trash bin and move on. The nice thing about standup is over the course 12 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
of a year, you’re just refining jokes. You’re adding jokes. You take out the ones that you can’t figure out how to crack, and so it is this thing that you are polishing in the hopes that one day you'll get it exactly the way you want it. If that doesn't happen, at least you get it closer than the last time you did it. I was up last night at the Beacon (Theatre in New York) with John Oliver, and I think I probably have four or five more shows before I do the gig at SNHU.
NHM: The last time you performed at SNHU,
you had a bit about having a nightmare where you are performing at SNHU because you never made it out of New Hampshire. What it is like to come back and perform there?
SM: It means all the more for the fact that my parents still call it home and are still an active part of the community. So many of the people I grew up with, so many of the best people I met in my life in New Hampshire, are still living in New Hampshire. I think it’s a great place full of exceptional people, and certainly anybody who shows up for a show like the one we’re going to be doing, which is to raise money, I have an incredible amount of gratitude to them for spending an evening with us and giving their money to the right causes.
NHM: We've come full circle. Anything we
haven't talked about that you'd love to get out there?
SM: I’m trying to think if I can burn my parents, but I feel like since it’s their local press, I’m going to let them get off scot-free this time. But I will promise for anybody who comes to the show, I do burn them in my act, but I also want you to know they’ve seen the jokes, and they've signed off. They think they’re fair hits. NH Spot FOUR newts like the one here, hidden on ads in this issue, tell us where you found them and you might win a gift certificate for $50 to use at The Common Man Restaurants. Each month’s gift card will be different, which adds to the overall Newt fun. Let the hunt begin! To enter our drawing for Spot the Newt, visit spotthenewt.com and fill out the online form. Or, send answers plus your name, email address and mailing address to: Spot the Newt c/o New Hampshire Magazine 250 Commercial St., Suite 4014 Manchester, NH 03101 You can also email them to newt@nhmagazine.com. Last month’s “Spot the Newt” winner is Stacy Beaudoin of Meredith. July issue newts were on pages 8, 17, 82 and 89.
93
nhmagazine.com | August 2026 13
NAVIGATE | big picture
August 2026 2026 14 New Hampshire Magazine | August
Fields of Color “I traveled past this field in Danbury at least once a week one summer. The picnic table in the middle of the field always caught my eye, and I thought that it would make for a great sunset picture if it was set for a classic picnic. The checkers and evening colors make for the perfect evening goodbye.” P H O T O BY S U S A N B E A N
NAVIGATE | our town
The Lure of Londonderry One of NH’s fastest-growing towns retains its friendly charm BY MEGAN ROGERS / ILLUSTRATION BY PETER & ISLA NOONAN
A
bout a decade ago, Neal Fegan and his family had a decision to make: Move to Paris for work or stay in suburban Londonderry, a southern New Hampshire town known for its apple orchards and family-friendly charm, where Fegan and his wife had settled to raise their kids. Londonderry won over the City of Lights. “We love it here. You know, when we moved in, the neighbors came over with cookies and said, ‘Welcome to the neighborhood,’ ” Fegan says. “You don’t find that many places, and we knew that we picked the right place when those types of things happened.” Today, Fegan is a local celebrity: He’s “Ubah Guy Neal,” offering ride services throughout southern New Hampshire, often driving to Boston as many as four times a day. During the most recent school vacation, he drove 1,200 miles in 48 hours. He’s
16 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
driven through every Londonderry street (multiple times) and talked with hundreds of neighbors. “You get the lowdown on a whole lot of things,” Fegan says. “You get a lot of gossip, like when I pick people up after they’re coming back from their trips, they want to know what’s been going on, what’s happening, what’s been going on in town.” The answer to what’s happening in town these days often involves construction. Londonderry is one of New Hampshire’s fastest-growing towns, according to the state. Between April 2020 and July 2025, the town’s population grew by 6.9% to 27,800 residents. In recent years, there’s been a number of mixed-use development projects with industrial and office buildings, residential and retail, like Woodmont Commons, which includes 603 Brewery and Beer Hall as an anchor tenant.
Last year, O’Neil Cinemas reopened a movie theater in town at the site where the family-owned theater first opened. This year, Moose Hill Orchards, the oldest orchard in New Hampshire, submitted plans to the town for a restaurant at Mack’s Apples farm market. Those and other projects highlight a growing town. “I would say we are probably more of a big town now,” says Carmel Shea, who’s lived in Londonderry for 26 years and opened O’Shea’s Caife & Tae in 2018. “Not quite a city. Just more options.” Shea opened the coffee shop in part to give the community more options to work and hang out with friends without feeling rushed. The shop’s motto is
“Enter as Strangers, Leave as Friends,” and its name hearkens back to the town’s Scottish and Irish roots. “It’s a great town,” Shea says. “It’s a supportive town. People who live here are invested in the community. They’re invested in your success. They want to see small businesses be successful.”
Scots-Irish immigrants came to Londonderry, then known as Nutfield, in 1719. In Nutfield, they planted the first potatoes in North America on a plot that is in today’s Derry, says David Ellis, a member of the town’s historical society. The Mack family started farming in the area in the 1730s, eventually planting apple trees. Today, Moose Hill Orchards and Mack’s Apples are a Londonderry staple, drawing people in for apple picking in the fall and ice cream cones in the summer. It’s hard to overstate the influence the Mack family has had on the town, says Linda Green, president of the Londonderry Historical Society. The late Andy Mack Sr. gave the
PHOTO COURTESY OF STEPHEN LEE
PHOTO BY MEGAN ROGERS
Nutfield roots
Top: Neal Fegan is better known around Londonderry as Ubah Guy Neal. The most common comment he hears when he drops people off at their houses? “Looks like someone needs to cut the grass!” Above: Julie and Stephen Lee have been involved in the Concert on the Common series for many years. It’s a year-round labor of love for the couple. nhmagazine.com | August 2026 17
NAVIGATE | our town historical society land. That land is home to Morrison House Museum, Parmenter barn and Clark blacksmith shop and sits near the town’s common. During the summers, the Concerts on the Common is a staple community event, a free concert series on Wednesday evenings. For the past two decades, Stephen and Julie Lee have been involved in organizing the event series.
“ I would say we are probably more of a big town now. Not quite a city. Just more options.” — CARMEL SHEA
derry, whether that be in the school systems or local business owners,” says Ashley Marand Iwanicki, founder of The Collective Studios, an exercise studio offering indoor cycling, Pilates and yoga classes. In addition to the fitness classes, the studio also aims to be a third space in the community, where people can connect with friends. “Year after year, we are so impressed with the way that our community members support our business and the way that we spend time caring and supporting them. It very much feels like this symbiotic relationship, where we’re not just providing a service for people, it’s also people that genuinely care about us.”
‘Nothing is far’ People in Londonderry are proud of the town’s offerings and small-town feel. “One thing I love about Londonderry is, nothing is far,” Gary Sessa says. “It’s the perfect balance of a small town. You’re not driving forever to get to a restaurant.” There’s a wide variety of restaurants to check out. The Coach Stop Restaurant and Dining is fine-dining in an 1810 building. Janie’s Uncommon Café is classic breakfast
PHOTO BY MEGAN ROGERS
“What keeps us involved, I think it’s just the love of the event,” Julie Lee says. “We get so much energy from the crowd and from the folks, and being able to see old neighbors and see all the concertgoers that have come to us every single week for years and years and years, and they’re friends now. We just love to see everybody, and we love to be out
on the common, and we love the music.” The couple, twice named Londonderry citizens of the year, moved to Londonderry in 1987 to raise their family. Early concerts featured karaoke nights and free entertainment, drawing maybe 50 people. Now, there’s easily 500 people, sometimes 1,000, on any given night, plus multiple food trucks and a Saturday kids’ concert. “There’s just nothing like a really good band on a really nice night on the common,” Stephen Lee says. Linen was the early industry in Londonderry. Early settlers made high-quality linen, so high-quality that others outside of Londonderry tried to sell linen under the pretense that it was manufactured here. Eventually, an act was passed allowing Londonderry linen-producers to put a seal on their linen to prove where it came from, Ellis says. Nearly 300 years later, the entrepreneurial streak is still strong in Londonderry, and in recent years a number of new residents have brought boutique fitness studios, restaurants, bars and more offerings to the town. “I would say Londonderry community members really love to support London-
Linda Green and David Ellis of the Londonderry Historical Society, which hosts educational events at its property. The venue also welcomes weddings a few times a year. 18 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
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Fresh-baked authentic Greek pastries, handmade from cherished family recipes. www.auntiebsgreekpastries.com nhmagazine.com | August 2026 19
20 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
Gary and Tory Sessa outside of the sourdough shed. People drive from all over to pick up their share of the weekly drop.
PHOTO BY MEGAN ROGERS
food. Lucciano’s Ristorante is an Italian restaurant with a gluten-free bakeshop. In 2024, Gary and Tory Sessa started making and selling bread out of a shed at their house. Now they’re a place where people are driving — from both near and far — to pick up sourdough bread, focaccia and pastries. Recently, the pair converted their basement into a food prep space. When they list their offerings on HotPlate, they’re sold out in minutes. Three years ago, Chris and Emily Ingham moved to Londonderry. They opened The Mallard, a restaurant offering 16 rotating taps and regular events like music bingo and trivia, in early 2026. One thing that’s stood out to Chris in the months since opening is the number of people who are going out to dinner with their neighbors. “That’s super unique and telling about how much people in this area care about this area, which is a really, really cool and unique component of the community,” he says. The entrepreneurial spirit in Londonderry extends not only to businesses, but to community efforts. Over the past year, a group of friends and local basketball coaches have rallied support to restore the local basketball courts. The courts, installed in the 1970s, were heavily used, but needed some upkeep, says Trevor O’Brien. He and a group of friends took an idea out of group chat — what if we tried to fix up the basketball courts? — and turned it into a nonprofit, Restore the Recs, with support from the town, local community and businesses. They raised more than $150,000 in cash and donated labor and materials, he says, and will continue to fundraise for maintenance. “From the beginning, we’ve had local places more than willing to help out and lend money and opportunities,” O’Brien says. “We kind of knew we could do this because we knew we had people in the community that we could lean on.” The renovated courts reopened this summer. They’re near the town’s playground and its tennis courts and baseball fields. On a nice summer day, the place hums with activity — much like the rest of Londonderry. NH
PHOTO COURTESY OF SESSA’S SOURDOUGH
NAVIGATE | our town
Chris and Emily Ingham opened The Mallard in early 2026. They’re hosting events like trivia and music bingo to create a community space.
You will still find our hilltop hideaway at the end of the winding dirt road. Lighten your spirit as you step out of your world and into ours. Welcome to Pickity Place. Have a Pickity Day!
CALL US FOR DINING RESERVATIONS. nhmagazine.com | August 2026 21
INFORM | savor
Peachy Keen Perk up your summer with fresh-picked New Hampshire peaches
juicier, plumper local fruit: the peach. Apples remain the dominant crop that signal summer’s end and beckon the beginning of cozy sweater-weather season in New Hampshire. But if apples are a fall staple, then peaches are summer’s grand fruit finale, arriving as early as late July. This Southern belle, shrouded in a dainty fuzz, with swirls of reds, yellows, oranges and pinks and a juicy seam on one side, comes bearing a message: Summer is fleeting. Since Georgia’s state fruit likes warmer climates, you might think local growers would have few, if any, peach trees, but farmers have made this stone fruit a seasonal rising star by using cold-hardy varieties. This also extends the growing season for farmers and the picking season for customers. “Orchards that grow peaches are trying to bring in the pick-your-own crowd earlier in the year, as apples are not quite ready to pick in July or early August,” says Ryan Wilson, owner of DeMeritt Hill Farm in Lee. While peach season is “significantly smaller” than apple season, Wilson says the state’s proximity to the warm ocean makes the state a good environment for peaches. Giff Burnap of Butternut Farm in Farmington agrees that apples run the pick-yourown show in late summer, but that may be because customers aren’t aware the peach is an earlier option. “The masses are more looking for farm visits in September than July and August. However, once we get a person to try peach picking, especially on a good day when there is abundant ripe peach juiciness dripping from the trees, it is an experience they will never forget and probably want to come back for,” Burnap says. But if you want both, they can do that too. 22 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
“Late August through early September is a special time here at Butternut because both of these great fruits can be harvested during the same visit,” Burnap says. Wilson agrees that once customers discover that peaches here are simply ripe for the picking, they’re sold. Knowing that farmers grow unique varieties that you wouldn’t get in southern parts of the U.S. can also keep customers returning, he says. “It’s always fun to surprise visitors to the farm when you tell them that you grow peaches. Most people don’t believe it!” Wilson says. Kyle Chrestensen, owner of Mack’s Apples in Londonderry, says this year’s peach season is a can’t miss opportunity. “We will have tons of peaches this year, and we’re really excited about the crop,” Chrestensen says. Redhaven and Coralstar are among their best varieties. “Redhaven and Coralstar are both popular because they’re reliable in our climate, produce very flavorful fruit and have great texture — sweet, juicy, and ideal for both fresh eating and baking,” Chrestensen says. DeMeritt Hill Farm offers five winterhardy varieties: Klondike White, John Boy, White Lady, Flamin’ Fury and Redhaven. Many are ready to pick weeks before apples have ripened. Mack’s Apples grows seven peach varieties beginning in mid-July. “We’re especially known for our large, incredibly flavorful peaches, including favorites like Redhaven and Coralstar. Customers consistently tell us they’re some of the best they’ve ever had,” Chrestensen says. Butternut Farm grows up to 25 peach varieties and four nectarine varieties, letting the farm stretch out its peach season for several weeks, Burnap says. “Our earliest to ripen are ready around July 25, and the last are ready the middle of
PHOTO BY DAVE YEZGENIY / ADOBESTOCK
A
t summer’s height, when the air is heavy and the apples are still busy growing, consider another,
PHOTO COURTYESY NEW HAMPSHIRE FILM FESTIVAL
BY E M I LY R E I LY
Peaches are ready for picking in New Hampshire as early as late July.
nhmagazine.com | August 2026 23
PHOTO COURTESY PEACH’S RESTAURANT
INFORM | savor
Peaches and Cream Coffee Cake Makes 12 servings
C
arol Stapinski, owner of Peach’s Restaurant in North Conway, says they often make peachcentric recipes, including
peach almond pancakes and peach-stuffed French toast. “Peach pancakes and the stuffed French toast is also a favorite. Our recipe for the
Ingredients
peaches and cream coffee cake is always requested, above all else — we are famous for our peaches and cream coffee cake,” Stapinski says.
Instructions
1½ cups flour
⅓ cup oil
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2 packages vanilla pudding (not instant )
3 cups peaches (canned is also good to use)
In a large bowl, mix first six ingredients.
2 tsp. baking powder
⅔ cup peach or apple juice
Top with peaches (if using canned peaches, drain well).
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
Mix juice with cream cheese and sugar and top onto peaches.
1 cup milk
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
Add cinnamon to top and bake for 40 to 45 minutes.
Pour into a 9-inch by 13-inch pan.
Recipe by Peach’s Restaurant, 2506 White Mountain Highway, North Conway / peachesnorthconway.com
September. There are ripe peaches everywhere in between, so we have a seven-week picking window,” Burnap says. Butternut Farm’s biggest stars are Redhaven, Coralstar, Klondike White, Saturn, Fantasia (a nectarine), Canadian Harmony and Glohaven, “my personal favorite,” Burnap says. Wilson says Redhaven peaches are good for baking in pies, while John Boy and Flamin’ Fury (Wilson’s favorites) are good for snacking. “They have the right balance of sweetness,” Wilson says. But anything you choose will work out fine in a recipe or in your hand. 24 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
Short of biting into it, growers had unique takes on what customers should look for when picking a peach. A larger, plumper peach that is “like a softball,” can indicate it’s in its final stages of ripening, while smaller, firmer peaches, “like a baseball,” may need more time on the tree, Burnap says. When holding a peach, Wilson says it should feel “like the flesh has a little softness to it.” But not too much softness — they have to be just right. Wilson agrees color is one of the first things to look for in a ripe peach. “Look at the part of the peach that is not
getting sunlight. Go for the peach that is a nice yellow in color. Avoid fruit that is too firm and too soft. You won’t get the flavor you are expecting,” Wilson advises. Burnap says the “background” color of the peach is another juicy clue. “During the final week of ripening the back side of the peach will turn from grass green to a pleasant yellow. It’s that yellow backside of the peach that is a great indicator. We tell our customers to look for plump size with a yellow back side,” Burnap says. “People should look for a full background color change (no green undertones), a little give when gently squeezed, and a strong peach aroma. Those are usually the best
Butternut Farm 195 Meaderboro Road, Farmington butternutfarm.net Mack’s Apples 230 Mammoth Road, Londonderry macksapples.com DeMeritt Hill Farm 20 Orchard Way, Lee demeritthillfarm.com
GET YOUR
GEAR
PHOTO COURTESY MACK’S APPLES
indicators of ripeness and juiciness,” Chrestensen says. Don’t forget to use your nose when finding that perfect fruit. “Peaches are also very aromatic when they are ripe. It can be intoxicating when walking down a row of peach trees in August,” Wilson adds. NH
Peaches’n Pop Culture Take a few minutes to think about peaches, and you’ll discover endless references to them in pop culture, art, food and history. LABOR OF LOVE: Georgia’s claim to the peach fortune began with horticulturist Samuel Rumph, who cultivated the Elberta peach in 1870. ALL IN THE FAMILY: Peaches and their close cousins, nectarines, are only one gene away. The peach fuzz is the difference between them. ART: In 1881-1882, the French Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir was so enamored with the fruit that he spotlighted the peach in a still life called “Pesche,” with several round, ripe peaches with varying red, orange, pink and yellow hues placed neatly in a bowl. BEAUTY: Peach-centric skincare products are often given props for the vitamin C they pack in. COLOR: A couple of years ago, “peach fuzz” was Pantone’s color of the year — not just the season. TASTE: In 2020, “the world’s sweetest peach” was sold in Fukushima, Japan for $7,000. The Brix scale, which measures sweetness, placed this gem at 32 degrees Brix. (The average is around 11-15 degrees Brix.) PEACHES TO GO: Every summer, The Peach Truck lands in New Hampshire to deliver pecks of peaches straight from Georgia. TV: The tight-knit 90’s gang from “Beverly Hills, 90210” often hung out at “The Peach Pit.” MUSIC: The band The Presidents of the United States of America, with the the song “Peaches,” lauded the peach’s life cycle, from ripening in a country orchard to getting canned in a factory downtown to being the star in “millions” of recipes.
TEES, TANKS
AND MORE!
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INFORM | science & discovery
A Champion for Whales The Blue Ocean Society continues to fight for our oceans in its 25th year
BY E L I S A G O N Z A L E S V E R D I / P H O T O G R A P H Y BY J O E K L E M E N T O V I C H
It’s Dianne Schutte’s time to shine. As one of the Blue Ocean Society’s co-founders, she’s onboard the whale watch today as a naturalist, educating passengers about the Gulf of Maine and what lives in its waters. Also onboard are two Blue Ocean Society interns, who are spending the day collecting and logging data after every whale and animal sighting. This isn’t Schutte’s first whale watching rodeo. “Myself and our co-founder, Jennifer Kennedy, have been working on whale watching boats as deckhands since the mid-’90s,”
Top right: The tail of a humpback whale curls out of the ocean as it dives. Above: Dianne Schutte pauses on the pier at Rye Harbor after one of the whale-watching tours. 26 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
PHOTO COURTYESY NEW HAMPSHIRE FILM FESTIVAL
O
nly half an hour has gone by on the trip to Jeffreys Ledge before the boat starts to slow down and the roaring of the engine is replaced by the gentle rocking of waves. The Granite State Whale Watch tour hasn’t even made it past the Isles of Shoals before a spout is spotted nearby. The captain turns the engines off as the radar shows a blip swimming closer to the boat. Suddenly, a burst of water erupts from the waves as something nearby exhales, and everyone on board rushes to the ship’s port side to see a humpback whale come up for air.
Schutte says. “We met doing an internship for whale research in Gloucester, and we learned how nonprofits run and how they were collecting data on their whale watching boats, and we were like ‘We can start doing this ourselves in New Hampshire,’ and so we did.” The duo started by collecting handwritten data and taking film pictures of whales to send to other established whale research groups. After a while, they realized that these other nonprofit research groups didn’t have the time or bandwidth to incorporate the data being sent in to their study areas. “We figured if we wanted to learn anything about all the whales that we were looking into on Jeffreys Ledge, we’d have to do it ourselves,” Schutte says. The ledge sits roughly 30 miles off the coast of Rye and is a major hub of marine
Guests film and enjoy a whale coming up for a breath alongside the tour boat. nhmagazine.com | August 2026 27
INFORM | science & discovery
A pod of Atlantic white-sided dolphins swims among the whales and baitfish.
activity. Bird watchers, cod fishers and whale watching tours alike all gather at this 33-mile-long underwater ridge to enjoy all it has to offer. For local whale researchers, like those at the Blue Ocean Society, the ledge is a prime spot to encounter whales of all species, because it’s a vital feeding ground on the East Coast. Schutte and Kennedy also wanted to 28 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
do more than just publish research and write papers. “We wanted to bring what we were learning about the whales back to the public, and inspire them to take action to create a safer marine environment for these whales that we care so much about,” Schutte says. For the past 25 years, they’ve done just that. The Blue Ocean Society has grown from
humble beginnings into a major nonprofit that provides marine education and outreach to schools across the New England, hosts hundreds of beach cleanups annually, has a bustling intern program, greets thousands of visitors at their Ocean Discovery Center at Hampton Beach, has helped create marine protections and regulations for whales off the coast, and partners with Granite State Whale
A guest captures a photograph of a baby fin whale as it nears the surface.
Watch as naturalists while conducting whale research on the tours. There’s no question the impact that the nonprofit has had on our coast and our ocean. Last year, with the help of 4,000 volunteers, the Blue Ocean Society conducted about 400 beach cleanups and picked up roughly 3½ tons of trash. Off the beach, they can be found traveling to schools around New
Interns are a crucial part of the work within the Blue Ocean Society. nhmagazine.com | August 2026 29
INFORM | science & discovery England with the help of their life-sized inflatable blue whale. “We had an inflatable whale — it was a homemade thing that one of our friends donated to us and we had it for many years. Then, we decided (to upgrade to) a professionally crafted inflatable fin whale,” Schutte says. “Our fin whale is 65 feet long, and it’s modeled after an actual whale that used to live in the Gulf of Maine, named Ladder. You can actually go inside the whale and check out an inflatable heart and backbones and jaw bones.” “Even if (the students) don’t go on a whale watch, we can go throughout New England with our inflatable whale and teach kids that don’t have the opportunity to go to these coastal locations what a real whale looks like, how big it really is and then learn more about that,” Schutte says. The inflatable whale is just one of their teaching tools. One program they have allows students to sift through sand samples for microplastics to teach about marine debris. “We do a lot of work with the Marine Debris Program, talking about problems with marine debris and bringing in more reusable options for debris items,” Schutte says. “I think something like two-thirds of the debris items that we find on the beach are things that have a reusable alternative. We teach the kids about that, and talk more about microplastics and trash in general, and what the problems are with trash and microplastics, and how that impacts not just us, but also
A book of reference photos catalogs all the known whales that have been sighted in the area, complete with names and identifying marks.
the marine environment and how it goes down the food chain.” None of this would be possible without their whale research that dates back to 1996. “It’s interesting to see changes over time like, what species we’re seeing, how many of each species we’re seeing, habitat
Schutte and Spoon In high school, Dianne Schutte adopted a whale named “Spoon” from an adopt-a-whale program. After reading the description for each adoptable whale, she chose Spoon because she was described as a “mature female.” “Of course, I’m like, ‘Well, yeah, of course, because there’s no mature males out there really,’ ” says Schutte, laughing. “Even back in high school I was a feminist.” After adopting her, Schutte received a packet with photos of Spoon, and her tail, which she hung up in her room. In her first year working on a whale watching tour, Schutte didn’t see Spoon, but in her second summer, the two finally met. “It was the most amazing thing in the world,” Schutte says, recalling how she recognized Spoon immediately. “She was known for being one of the largest humpback whales in the Gulf of Maine population, and she’s well known for being extremely lazy. She likes to sleep a lot. I’m like, ‘That is just perfect.’ ” Schutte and Spoon see each other frequently on the Granite State Whale Watch tours, and Spoon’s laziness makes her a fan favorite among anyone who meets her. “It’s still amazing that she’s still around, and everyone knows this particular whale and what she’s known for throughout the Gulf,” Schutte says. “Everyone’s got their favorite for whatever reason, but (mine) goes back to high school. I adopted an individual, and there she was.” 30 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
preferences and how that’s shifting a little bit over time. It’s also really exciting for us to see whales that might’ve been born back in the early 2000s coming back today,” Schutte says. While changes are interesting to see, they are concerning to researchers. As the Gulf of Maine warms faster than any other body of water on Earth, whales are moving out of their historic protected areas and are moving into colder waters in areas where they’re unprotected and at risk. Schutte said that when the right whale’s food source in the Bay of Fundy dried up, they moved up north to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, where at least 20 (out of a remaining 370 animals) died due to the lack of speed and fishing restrictions. While the Canadian government was able to act quickly and put those protections in place in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the damage had already been done. “Whales are important to our environment. The (ocean’s) phytoplankton produces half of all the oxygen on the planet. ... (Whales are) great at nutrient-cycling,” Schutte says, adding, “Basically pooping and fertilizing the ocean; without that fertilizer, we don’t have plankton and without
plankton we don’t have air. If we’re screwing up the oceans, we’re screwing up our own habitat.” “If we don’t have a healthy ocean, we don’t have a healthy planet,” Schutte says. “The oceans are hugely important for the vitality of the population.” Schutte doesn’t feel like the future of the planet is all doom and gloom. She’s cautiously optimistic we can turn things around for ourselves and our oceans. “The general public is getting a lot more involved,” Schutte says. “There’s a lot more push from nonprofits reaching out to their supporters and asking them call their Congress, but I feel like there’s a lot more work also being done to try to get opposing groups to find solutions that are going to work for everyone.” Schutte is proud of the work the Blue Ocean Society has done in the last 2½ decades, and while they will be hosting a celebration this fall, she’s already looking ahead toward the work to be done over the next 25 years. “Come on out and see a whale and support these nonprofits! We do a lot of hard work, and have lots of volunteer opportunities as well,” Schutte says. “Be engaged!” NH
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nhmagazine.com | August 2026 31
INFORM | in their own words On top of his musical success, Cunningham has the heartthrob potential of a Harry Styles or Justin Bieber. He is 26, a mere young’un in the classical world. He stands at 6 feet, 3 inches and delivers an intense, no-nonsense stare from a clean-shaven face that is topped by wispy, dirty blond hair. “This is a job I always wanted, wished for and I got it. I’m set for life,” Cunningham said about the BSO. “Technically, I don’t have to do any more.” To listen to Cunningham is to drift along deep, luscious murmurs that he draws out of the instrument’s spruce body and steel strings.
Roric Cunningham plays a cello built in 1721 during a performance in Manchester in April.
“ A lot of hard work and hours; that’s always the secret behind anything.”
String Sensation
Manchester’s Roric Cunningham plays cello with the Boston Symphony Orchestra BY M A R K H AY WA R D / P H O T O S BY J O D I E A N D R U S K E V I C H
F
or the last 10 years or so, New Hampshire has been nurturing a budding rock star. A rock star, that is, in the classical music world. During much of the 2010s, Roric Cunningham hopscotched stages in New England, a cello at his side. Then it was off to college in New York City, and then he landed his first full-time gig as a cellist.
32 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
No startup garage band for Cunningham — he plays with the world-renowned Boston Symphony Orchestra. He has toured with the National Youth Orchestra and performed worldwide from Beijing to Berlin (the one in Europe, that is). Just this spring, he vied at a music competition in Brussels that featured young cellists from around the world.
The result: smooth, mid-range tones, lower than those of a wailing lead guitar, higher than a thumping bass. The sound evokes an instrumental equivalent to an Amy Winehouse or Luciano Pavarotti, sans lyrics. “It’s got a beautiful singing tone,” Cunningham said of the cello. “It’s easy to fall in love with that much richness.” Cunningham grew up in a single-parent home in the crime-and-poverty-infused city center of Manchester. His early lessons came from the Manchester schools’ strings program and YouTube videos. His talent soon caught the ears of movers in the Manchester classical music scene, and opportunities followed: free lessons under Harel Gietheim at the Manchester Community Music School and performances throughout the region, including the Shostakovich First Cello Concerto with the NH Philharmonic while still in high school. Then it was off to New York on a full scholarship to The Juilliard School. He was a senior at Juilliard when he won the BSO selection on his second try. “Roric is a generational talent,” said Ethan Cheng, the assistant principal cellist with the New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra. “It is truly astonishing how quickly he picks up techniques and learns.” Cunningham attributes his success to the time spent behind a music stand.
“A lot of hard work and hours; that’s always the secret behind anything,” he said. He also credits his teachers, friends and fellow performers. An example of that dedication to rehearsal took place in April, when Roric had to prepare for the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels, an international competition that drew 66 young cellists from around the world. He needed to practice in front of a crowd, so he traveled to Manchester to perform a homecoming at the Manchester Community Music School. With only a few days’ notice, the school drew a crowd of about 60 listeners. Cunningham played on a borrowed instrument, a 1721 German-built cello valued at $1.5 million. While playing a modern piece, he wields his bow as if he were fencing with an opponent, lightly touching strings to deliver a clipped response. He eventually draws the bow its length, developing a sustained purr. He may then ignore the bow and deliver staccato rejoinders with quick finger plucks. More forceful passages might require either jumping strings or hitting two simultaneously. As he does so, his hand rapidly arches at the knuckles and then flattens, as if he were the Celtics’ Derrick White dribbling through defenders. All the while, his left-hand fingers tiptoe along the 2 feet of the fingerboard, guided by a finely tuned ear. His eyes dart around at several targets: his bow hand, his piano accompanist, and a non-focused stare, where you get the feeling he is reading the score that is seared into his brain. Roric Cunningham’s early lessons came from a public school program and YouTube videos.
From Lady Gaga, Perry Como, to Broadway Show Tunes
W
hat does a promising classical musician listen to when he’s not working on the technicalities of a Bach sonata? From Roric Cunningham’s streaming music playlist:
I’ll Make a Man Out of You — Donny Osmond and Chorus
Sunrise, Sunset (from “Fiddler on the Roof”) — Perry Como
Thank You — Dido
Sun and Moon (from “Miss Saigon”) — Lea Salonga
APT. — ROSE & Bruno Mars like —JENNIE (“Fearless”) — Jay Chou A Girl Worth Fighting For (from “Mulan”) — Lea Salonga Moon River (from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”) — Audrey Hepburn
Magic Moments — Perry Como Jay Chou
(“In the Name of the Father”) —
Reflection — Lea Salonga Major Tom (Coming Home) — Peter Schilling Can’t Help Falling in Love — Kina Grannis
Honor To Us All — Lea Salonga
Love Wins All — IU
Die With A Smile — Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
Somebody That I Used to Know — Gotye
Promise — Laufey
On Rainy Days — BEAST
The Never Ending Story — Limahl
Gangnam Style — PSY
“He calls and says, ‘Can I come by?’ It’s like coming home,” said Polly Towner, executive director of MCMS. The school has been in existence for 43 years. Some of its graduates tour with Broadway shows. Some play in orchestras in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. No others have reached Cunningham’s level of success. That success allows Cunningham to live in his own two-bedroom apartment in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston. (He hasn’t had a roommate in the past, but this year he invited a friend from Juilliard to share his apartment.) Work is a big part of his life. The BSO plays three nights a week during its regular season, and summers are booked at Tangle-
wood, the BSO’s summer home in the Berkshires. Cunningham practices about three hours a day. In his spare time, he scrolls Instagram. A night out with friends, nearly all fellow young musicians, is spent on the Boston restaurant scene. Then there are parties, such as when the most famous living cellist and friend of the BSO, Yo-Yo Ma, is in town. “He’s super fun and outgoing, a jokester,” Cunningham said. Although he’s an upcoming rock star, this is the classical world. After a performance, an audience member may approach and compliment him, but Cunningham thinks he is more likely noticed because he’s dressed in concert black. After all, the classical world doesn’t involve the on-stage antics of a Mick Jagger or Bruce Springsteen. Cunningham discounts any notion of drugs, sex, backbiting and celebrity glamour, such as portrayed in the Amazon Prime series “Mozart in the Jungle.” “It’s a bit of an exaggeration. My world is not like that,” he said about the series. His world is the music. “As with every person, there has to be some sort of drive behind (success), the love of the process. It’s a long and grueling process,” he said. “And also, curiosity. Everyone has to be at peak levels. You have to want that process. And have to fight for it every day.” NH nhmagazine.com | August 2026 33
New Hampshire Magazine, in partnership with the New Hampshire Nurses Association, is proud to celebrate the important contributions by nurses with the ninth annual Excellence in Nursing Awards. We are grateful to the many volunteers from the New Hampshire Nurses Association for sharing their expertise in scoring the nominations, and in particular, the members of the Commission on Nursing Practice who developed the evidence-based rubrics for more than a dozen specialties, from pediatrics and public health to leadership and education. It is with deep appreciation that we want to recognize the Commission on Nursing Practice members listed below. Chair: Kerri Reynolds DNP, MSN, RN, CNE
Lindsay Goss DNP, RN, CNE, NPD-BC
Bonnie Crumley Aybar MSN, RN, CPAN, FRE
Jennifer Orbeso DNP, MSN, RN
Carol Allen EdD MSN, RN
Briana Posanka MSN, RN, CNE
Nancy DeSotto DNP, RN Bonnie Fecowicz MSN, RN, CENP, Caritas Coach
Dianne Reid MS, BSN, RN, NE-BC Caritas Coach, Caritas Leader
Shelley Friedman MSN, MBA, RN
Pam Switzer MSN, BS, RN, CPAN, CAPA
Deb Hastings PhD, RN, NPD-BC, CNOR-(E)
Amy Thompson MSN, RN
34 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
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INFORM | what do you know
A statue of an Native American greets passing boaters from atop the granite enclosure protecting Endicott Rock.
Surveying at Endicott Rock
Winnipesaukee island monument commemorates 1652 expedition S T O RY & P H O T O S BY M A R S H A L L H U D S O N
I
was surveying a property on one of Lake Winnipesaukee’s islands, so my crew and I were at the Lakeport dock at sunrise, busily transferring equipment from truck to boat. Not knowing exactly what we might need and recognizing we would be on an island a long way from the truck, we exercised the “better to have and not need — than need and not have” school of thought and packed enough “just-in-case” equipment for an expedition. Although not needed for the surveying project, I saw fishing poles and tackle find their way into the boat. Apparently, my crew anticipated doing some multitasking during their lunch break. When the boat was loaded to the gills and ready to go, we shoved off and motored our way out of Opechee Bay, through Paugus Bay and headed north to the Weirs Channel. 36 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
As we squeezed through the channel into Meredith Bay, we passed the Abenaki statue standing sentry-like atop the granite block cage protecting Endicott Rock. I had some vague knowledge that Endicott Rock had something to do with an early surveying expedition to this location. So, feeling the irony of being in a boatload of surveyors on our own expedition up the lake … we detoured ashore to explore. I learned that Endicott Rock is a monument to a 1652 surveying party thought to be the first white men in the area. The etchings they carved into the Rock were done to perpetuate the record of this official delegation sent by the Massachusetts Bay Colony to lay claim to the northernmost boundary of their disputed territory. These surveyors concluded that this spot was the head of the Merrimack River, and therefore
the point called for in the land grant. Capts. Edward Johnson and Simon (Symon) Willard were the leaders of this expedition and were assisted by surveyors John Sherman and Jonathan Ince along with a handful of other white men. Two Native American guides called Pontauhum and Ponbakin rounded out the crew. Selecting this conveniently located, large, round-topped boulder at the mouth of the river channel, they chiseled into it the name John Endicott, governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and the initials of Edward Johnson, Simon Willard, John Sherman and Jonathan Ince. They probably also chiseled in the date 1652, but time and weather have erased it. The surveyors measured the latitude to be 43 degrees, 40 minutes, 12 seconds, “besides three miles more north wich runneth into
make return thereof to the next session of this court.”
Endicott Rock, etched by surveyors in 1652, is inside this granite structure.
the lake.” Fearing attack by indigenous people of the area, they didn’t stay long and quickly retreated downriver upon completion of their measurements. Many years went by before other white people came to the area. Endicott Rock was almost entirely forgotten for some 181 years after the inscriptions were engraved. Then in 1833, it was rediscovered during a channel widening and dredging project. The New Hampshire Legislature appropriated funds to raise the rock and make some effort to preserve it. In 1892 the state of New Hampshire completed construction of the present protective measures, including the memorial granite block structure encircling it with cage bars on the openings. The rediscovered and now protected Endicott Rock was dedicated in the fall of 1892 at a ceremony with speeches by dignitaries. A speech excerpt reveals: “In 1652 the Massachusetts Bay Colony resolved upon an exploring expedition, to determine and to fix the northern boundaries of their patents. Prior to this time conflicting views upon the construction of the peculiar description in their charter had been entertained, and now, upon a careful perusal of the instrument, it was determined that a point three miles northward of the head of the Merrimack river was the northern limit of their territory, and this notable expedition was organized to go up the river, to find the head thereof, and to establish the bounds … “The men who came up the Merrimack 244 years ago did not penetrate the wilder-
ness as adventurers. They were representatives of the Massachusetts Colony and came to determine boundaries and to take possession. The order of the court, May 3, 1652, was as follows: For the better discovery of the north line of our patent, it is ordered by this court that Captain Symon Willard and Captain Edward Johnson be appointed as commissioners to procure such artists and other assistance as they shall judge needed to go with them, to find out the most northerly part of Merrimack river, and that they be supplied with all manner of necessaries by the treasurer, fit for the journey, and they use their utmost skill and ability to make a true observation of the latitude of that place, and that they do it with all convenient speed and
In 1901, a statue of a Native American donated by a local hotel owner was erected on top of the granite enclosure. This statue lacked historical accuracy of any tribe indigenous to the area, and wore a Seminole headdress while carrying a Mohawk tomahawk. The statue was struck by lightning and damaged in 1978. After being repaired, it was relocated to a balcony overlooking the reading room at Laconia’s Gale Memorial Library, where it remains today. In 2004, sculptor Robert Morton was commissioned by the Weirs Action Committee to create a historically accurate statue of a Native American, as would have appeared to the explorers in 1652. Morton’s statue was dedicated on June 4, 2005, with participation of New Hampshire’s Native American Inter-Tribal Council. I couldn’t help but compare my surveying project today with the surveyors who had come up the river some 370 years before me. We had likely followed the same route upriver and through the bays, but I’m guessing their motorless boat journey was a little more arduous than mine. Their survey crew was larger in number, and they must have camped out each night, whereas we returned to comfortable homes. I suspect their boats were also loaded to the gills with, “have and not need vs need and not have” just-in-case equipment … but I’ll bet they too found room for some fishing tackle. NH
Left: An engraved panel located within the granite block enclosure. Right: A panel mounted on the exterior. Both help tell the story of the survey party who landed here in 1652. nhmagazine.com | August 2026 37
Mr. Aaron's kids' music pulls heavily from his background composing for musical theater.
August 2026 2026 38 New Hampshire Magazine | August
NH musicians help children move, feel, imagine and find their voice
M COURTESY PHOTO
aking kids’ music seems like fun and games. But it takes a special set of skills to put together a performance that’s both entertaining and educational … and won’t make the parents who have to endure repeat plays want to rip their ears out. “Being a children’s musician is a completely different skill from being able to play a guitar and sing,” says Aaron Jones, who performs as Mr. Aaron. “You have to have this other awareness of what everyone’s doing and how everyone’s doing. You’re managing a classroom.” In New Hampshire, there’s a growing group of musicians writing and performing songs for kids, each with their own unique approach to bringing music to the youth masses. Here are four to add to your child’s rotation.
BY KARA M c GRATH
PHOTO BY JENNIFER BAKOS
Miss Julieann is a music therapist who writes music that helps destigmatize mental health conditions in kids.
Hampshire Magazine Magazine ||August August2026 2026 40 New Hampshire
Miss Julieann LAST WINTER, Julieann Hartley, aka Miss Julieann, found herself walking among the stars in Los Angeles. Her friend, Lucky Diaz, had asked her to be a part of his most recent album, “Brillo, Brillo,” which ultimately won the Grammy for Best Children’s Music Album in 2025. To attend the ceremony, she wore a “secondhand silver sparkly dress off Poshmark” paired with a Frida Kahlo-inspired rose headpiece she made herself. “I never in my life thought I’d be on a red carpet next to Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus,” she says. As far as being a representative of the kids’ music scene in New Hampshire goes, Hartley was a good one to send to Hollywood. She’s a neurological-based music therapist who focuses on songs that can help kids build their resilience and coping skills. “I work with the way the brain and music interact to help wire in different nonmusical skills. Anyone who still remembers all the state capitals thanks to “Wakko’s America” (“Concord, New Hampshire, is just a quick jaunt / to Montpelier, which is up in Vermont.”) knows the power music can have in forming neural connections. When she first started her career as a music therapist in 2012, many of her patients were kids with trauma: those in the foster care system or those who had experienced abuse, neglect,or trafficking. “Seeing those kids go through these massive traumas made me want to be more a part of the large-scale prevention of these intergenerational trauma cycles that were fueling what these kids had experienced,” she says. Now, Hartley is writing and performing songs meant to help destigmatize mental health conditions and provide kids with tools to build up resilience — which sounds serious but rarely feels that way when she’s on stage. “I try to get these very serious concepts across in a fun, silly, engaging way,” she says.
The “lessons” in her songs are subtle; she doesn’t want the kids to notice they’re learning a new coping skill. Take “Race Car,” for example. It’s an interactive tune that requires kids to pay attention if they want to participate in the fun part. “We freeze, and whoever froze the fastest gets to pick what kind of race car we’re going to be,” Hartley says, noting that she wrote it with one little boy with autism who had a hard time with group activities in mind. “He loved race cars so much that he would join the group for this song.” That song can be useful for children who have experienced trauma, too. “Children who have experienced a lot of abuse or domestic violence in the household are going to have attention problems,” Hartley says. In her on-stage performances, she often fakes a panic attack, something she deals with in real life, and asks the kids in the audience to guide her through it. “There’s just so much stigma around mental health. It was such a struggle for me,” Hartley says. “If I can be the person that helps some fourth-grader recognize that they’re having panic attacks or anxiety and get the help they need, then that feels pretty cool.” Hartley has published a book form of one of her most popular songs, “There’s a Dinosaur at My Door,” and is now working on her third album, “Wild Child.” Since Miss Julieann is part nonprofit, she’s also applying for more grants so she can bring her resilience songs to more areas of New Hampshire and across the country. She was recently asked to do a mini tour in Roanoke, Virginia, another area of the U.S. that’s been severely affected by the opioid epidemic. She hopes to do more tours across the country to areas that need substance-abuse prevention programs most. “I love going to schools and talking with the social workers and asking, ‘What more do you need? What else can I do to fill those gaps for you?”
Mama Nous WHEN MICHELLE BARROW had twins in 2020, she, like so many that year, felt isolated and spent a lot of time on social media. “I found myself constantly singing to my kids about random things: their emotions, how they were feeling, changing their diaper,” Barrow recalls. She decided to start posting videos of those songs under the name Mama Nous; turns out, they resonated with many other people. Barrow’s stage name, Mama Nous (pronounced “mama nu”), is Franglish; “nous” is “we” in French. “I wanted the name to be bigger than me,” she says. “We (as mothers) are in this whole thing together, co-creating what’s possible for our kids.” She writes music for children with big feelings — songs that are meant to help those kids navigate bad days and hard situations. “Life is hard when you’re growing up!” Barrow says. “You need help being coached through your own experiences and understanding how to regulate and accept your own emotional experience.” Barrow recalls a message she got from a woman whose own mother had recently died and whose 8-year-old daughter was taking the loss of her grandmother quite hard. They’d come across a video of Barrow singing “I Wish You Were Still Here,” which soon became a song her daughter would request often — and then began playing it for herself whenever she was feeling particularly sad. “Her mom was afraid that acknowledging the grief would cause her child to get stuck in it,” Barrow says. “Instead, it helped her honor and move through these really big feelings.” Her music hits for parents too. “I get so many messages from adults who are like, ‘I love this music for my kids, but I’m actu-
42 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
ally learning just as much for myself,’” she says. Barrow says that having kids — who make plenty of mistakes while trying to figure out how to be a person —taught her to give herself more grace, too. Since Barrow has a totally separate day job, she does the majority of her Mama Nous work on nights and weekends: Her husband is her producer, and the couple has a home studio. She also primarily shares her music online, rather than in live performances (though she’d like to do more of the latter in the future). Her first song to go viral was “Grumpy Bunny,” a bouncy tune about how being in a bad mood doesn’t mean you don’t love your friends and family. In those virtual spaces, Barrow is often mistaken for a trad wife, but she prefers the term “hearth witch.” “It can be easy to interpret the fact that I really love my family, and I’m very into being a mom … as sort of having this traditional message,” she says. “For me, it actually comes from this place of sovereignty.” She’s also one of a growing number of children’s entertainers, Ms. Rachel arguably the most prominent, who publicly emphasize their support for kids everywhere, regardless of that child’s identity. (For example, when this interview happened in June, the Mama Nous feed was filled with support for queer and trans kids.) “As an adult, I feel a responsibility to actively shape the current world into one that is worthy of these wonderfully kind, caring, compassionate kids we're trying to raise,” Barrow says. “When I share videos that may be seen as ‘political,’ they come from the same place as my songs: a deep desire to build a world where every child feels safe in being themselves and cherished for their unique brilliance.”
COURTESY PHOTO
Mama Nous' songs are for kids with big feelings, but adult fans say the lyrics help them too.
Mr. Aaron's Kid Fest is a free, kid-focused music festival hosted annually in Concord.
Hampshire Magazine Magazine ||August August2026 2026 44 New Hampshire
AARON JONES FOUND HIS WAY into a kids’ entertainment career by way of a Craigslist ad. He was living in Brooklyn and looking for work; a nearby Mommy and Me music class needed a teacher. Jones, who has a background in writing for musical theater and opera, got the gig. Thus, Mr. Aaron was born. Without formal training, he learned what worked and what didn’t on the job (“Sometimes I would pick things that were too musician-y,” he recalls of his early flops, like incorporating lesser-known Prince songs into the set list. “But you just kind of quickly bail and get onto the next thing.”) Once he began performing original music for the kids, things really clicked into place. “I realized it was a way I could sing my own songs,” he says, noting that writing songs and music for theater was his biggest interest at the time. “It’s steady music work” that allowed him to continue playing in bands and doing musicals at night, he says. Now living in New Hampshire, Mr. Aaron’s performances are 95% original songs. “I feel privileged and grateful that I have found this line of work where I can do original music and people are into it,” he says. After all, most songs are new songs for young kids, so they’re more open to music they don’t already know. “If you go play in a bar, it’s a lot harder to do your original songs.” Jones likes songs that tell stories. “In all my songs, I like to have some kind of journey,” he says. Take, for example, “King Crow,” all about a corvid who covets all sorts of nasty trash. “You all make garbage and dump it in the sea,” the titular bird sings. “It’s not
great for fish, but it’s wonderful for me!” It’s a groovy tune that gets the audience moving, but also provides a smooth segue to talk about why littering and pollution are a problem. Jones is happy to write new music to fit a particular theme too: Recently, he wrote all new songs to perform at the New Hampshire Drinking Water Festival, an annual event hosted by the NH Drinking Water Coalition. When they reached out, he told them, “I have a whole album about the ocean.” Great, they said, but that’s not drinking water. “That’s kind of the fun thing about kids’ music. You get these weird prompts.” He also writes new songs — sometimes a whole album’s worth — every summer to correspond with the state’s reading program theme. Perhaps the most unique pieces Jones creates are done under his other musical alias, Bosey Joe. For many performances, he looks up musical equipment to living plants, including any that audience members bring from home. “(The equipment) reads the changes in electricity that go on in plants as they go through photosynthesis and move minerals and water around,” Jones says. “It converts those changes in electricity into voltages that are then used to play a synthesizer.” Above all, Jones is focused on building community. On Sep. 12, he’ll host the third annual Mr. Aaron’s Kid Fest, a free festival of original music for kids and families, on the State House Lawn in Concord. “I wanted it to be free so that it could be accessible to everyone in the community,” he says. “It’s such an important thing to get people together to sing and to dance and to move.” nhmagazine.com | August 2026 45
COURTESY PHOTO
Mr. Aaron
Miss Alli ALLI BEAUDRY HAS A MOTTO: “Be a sponge, because the world has so much to offer. Just soak it all up.” Beaudry has been a professional musician for more than 20 years, and Miss Alli, her kids’ entertainment stage name, for three. Her goal with the latter’s performances is to provide an eclectic experience that combines movement with music to create long-lasting memories. As with many of the artists in this story, Beaudry’s journey to musician for young folks started with having her own kids, specifically her second child who was born in 2020. “Things really shifted” both for herself and the people around her, Beaudry recalls. “The need and want for community connection through music seemed to be really prevalent.” So, one day, she walked into the Nest Family Cafe in Londonderry and introduced herself as a trained music educator (she taught at Berkeley College of Music for over a decade). They agreed to let her host pop-up shows, and Miss Alli’s world grew from there. Don’t expect to just sit and listen to nice songs if you attend a Miss Alli performance. “It’s very movement-based, sensory-based,” Beaudry says. “We do a lot of parachute, a lot of water themes, and storytelling through groove and song.” The first thing she says to open a show is, “Your body is your instrument, let’s wake it up!” From there, everyone gets on their feet. “We take the instruments off the floor, grab the silks, and find the most fun song to move our bodies to,” Beaudry says. You can also expect to sing along: While Beaudry does have a few originals, she primarily performs Disney hits (right now, “ ‘Moana’ is queen”) and songs you’d hear on the radio. Bob Marley is one of her go-to artists. “I open pretty much every Miss Alli performance with ‘Three Little Birds,’” she says. “It’s just a universal message … no matter what happens in life, everything will be OK.” “One Love” is typically another hit; the kids always seem surprised that “mommy or daddy or gigi are singing along.” While her performances are about having fun, they’re also rooted in her experience as a music
46 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
educator. “We do a lot of exploration with my ukulele,” Beaudry says, noting that she lets the children come up and play around while she teaches them which notes go with each string. Her melodica sparks the most curiosity: The kids can press the keys, but no music comes out until she blows into the mouthpiece. Beaudry performs at all sorts of venues — coffee shops and theaters and other kid-focused spaces — but one of her favorites is Joppa Hill Farm in Bedford, where chickens mingle with the kids. “When I’m performing on bigger venues, of course, it’s incredible to have these opportunities to play these main stages,” she says. “But I really love the intimate sessions, whether they’re for a private party or these institutions that want a music therapist to come and create that enrichment for the students and the families and their community.” Music is Beaudry’s full-time gig but, in the spirit of being a sponge, she’s not just sticking to one type of entertainment. At the time of this interview, Beaudry had just spent 10 weeks performing on the main stage at The Palace Theatre in Manchester. “I was in a show for Carole King, then I was in ‘Footloose,’ and I just finished playing Patsy Cline in ‘The Legends Live On,’ a tribute to country artists.” While she was in “Footloose,” she was also the musical director for a dinosaur musical. “During the week, it was a lot of T.rexes and triceratops and prehistoric musical magic,” Beaudry says. “Then, I’d get on the main stage in the evening to get back into the ’80s.” She loves the ability to flip back and forth between Miss Alli and Alli Beaudry, who has two adult albums out now and is working on a third to release later this year. “Creatives can’t be tamed,” Beaudry says. “I don’t think I could ever work a 9 to 5. My soul would not feel complete, because I need to be doing something all the time, and I am very grateful that I can.” Beaudry hopes she can provide community and inspiration for kids (and other adults) who feel that creative calling. “There’s only one of you in this whole universe,” she says. “So please shine bright.” NH
COURTESY PHOTO
All of Miss Alli's performances are interactive, featuring plenty of silks and ribbons to dance with.
nhmagazine.com | August 2026 47
1ST PLACE WINNER ↑
David Long
Shot with a Canon R5
"Mirror Lake in North Woodstock is one of New Hampshire's most beautiful fall destinations, known for its calm water and colorful forested shoreline. In this scene, early morning fog hangs just above the lake as peak autumn foliage covers the surrounding hillside in shades of red, orange, yellow, and green. A lone fly fisherman stands in the water, providing a sense of scale, while a small cabin tucked among the trees adds a quiet human element to the landscape. The still water reflects the colors of the hillside that captures the peaceful character of a New England autumn morning."
48 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
MAGAZINE
IN OUR THIRD ANNUAL SCENIC NEW HAMPSHIRE PHOTO CONTEST, we take you on a tour of New Hampshire's breathtaking beauty. From sunkissed woods, to moody days and peaceful sunrises, the Granite State’s glory is captured throughout more than 250 submissions. Our prestigious panel of judges — professional photographers Andrea Schwanbeck, Corey McMullen and Michael Blanchette — unanimously decided on this year's winning photographs. Along with being featured in print, winners received a cash prize (Editor's Pick/Cover: $500; first place: $500; second place: $300; third place: $200). All winners and honorable mentions also receive a one-year subscription to New Hampshire Magazine. Their glorious gallery begins here with David Long's stunning image of Mirror Lake.
2ND PLACE WINNER ↑
Lisa Wolfe Shot with a Sony A7iii | @lisaphotolandscape | Original Poem "Mountain Hideway" by Lisa Wolfe
"High up in the mountains/ A crisp air takes hold/ As fall colors emerge/ Their story to be told/ Vibrant, warm colors/ Adorning every branch/ Putting on a brilliant show/ Autumn’s last dance/ Swiftly through the air/ Leaves fall to the ground/ Winter season’s knocking/ As the Earth spins round/ Here in this cabin/ A step back in time/ Lingering a little longer/ A seasonal goodbye."
HONORABLE MENTION ↑
Bridgette Pontbriand | Shot with a Canon EOS 5D Mark iv
"June sunrise over Lake Winnipesaukee. I got up early to catch the sunrise. The lake was like glass. Just as I was about to start shooting a boat drifted into my image. Perfect timing!"
HONORABLE MENTION →
Ben Adams
Shot with a Canon 80D @b_adams_photography
"Glencliff Trail on Mount Moosilauke."
nhmagazine.com | August 2026 51
52 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
3RD PLACE WINNER ←
Susan Thiboult
"This photo was taken at Front Park on Lake Massabesic in Auburn, along Londonderry Turnpike (Route 28), at 6 a.m. on April 20. With the temperature at a brisk 28 degrees, the rising sun cast a warm glow across the east side of the lake as a blanket of fog hovered over the water, creating a peaceful and picture-perfect New Hampshire sunrise."
HONORABLE MENTION ↑
Frank Fichera
"Sun-kissed views over Lake Winnipesaukee, early fall at sundown."
54 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
HONORABLE MENTION ↑
Corey McKean | @coreyoutdoors
"I arrived to Crawford Notch around 11 a.m. in anticipation of catching the Cog Railway coming through the mountains. This was many days of planning with weather and the timing of the train schedule to line this all up. After a brief ½-mile hike along the tracks to get into position and a 20-minute wait, I was ecstatic as my timing paid off and the train came through! On a beautiful fall day with blue skies and peak foliage, I couldn't have asked for better conditions!"
56 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
HONORABLE MENTION ↑
Julia Fey | Shot with an iPhone Pro
"The iconic North Church in Portsmouth in springtime."
nhmagazine.com | August 2026 57
HONORABLE MENTION ↑
Mary Youngblood | Shot with a Sony A7 III and a 24–70mm f/2.8 lens
"Early on a chilly November morning, I lifted the shade and observed a layer of fog resting gently over the surface of the lake. This harmless natural phenomenon occurs when cold, dry air passes over warmer water, causing evaporated moisture to condense into a veil of visible fog. I immediately headed out with my camera and drove to one of my favorite locations as quickly as possible. By the time I arrived, the fog was already beginning to dissipate, and the first rays of sunlight were breaking through. The water was perfectly calm, creating stunning reflections that made for a memorable scene. On this day, I truly found myself in 'the right place at the right time.' "
58 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
ABOUT OUR JUDGES
Corey McMullen is an outdoor lifestyle, commercial, and landscape photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When not working with outdoor brands and telling photographic stories of living the outdoor lifestyle, you can find him running, hiking, camping, volunteering for local Search and Rescue, and eating all of the breakfast foods.
Andrea Schwanbeck is a Seacoast-based
photographer who specializes in wedding, portrait and product photography. Check out more of her work at brasstacksphotography.com.
Michael Blanchette is a New Hampshirebased photographer specializing in landscapes. His images exude a sense of tranquility, mystery and simplicity. He is also passionate about night photography, forever in search of bright stars and a colorful Milky Way. Find more of his work at michaelblanchette.com. nhmagazine.com | August 2026 59
2026 New Hampshire Magazine Looking for a new dentist for you and your family? Here are more than 250 to choose from, selected by their peers as people you can trust to provide the highest quality of care. Meet the state’s top dentists on this year’s list, in all the specialties you (and your smile) need most. This list is excerpted from the 2026 topDentists™ list, which includes listings for dentists and specialists in New Hampshire. For more information call 706-364-0853; write P.O. Box 970, Augusta, GA 30903; email help@usatopdentists.com or visit usatopdentists.com. topDentists has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Copyright 2011-2026 by topDentists, LLC, Augusta, GA. All rights reserved. This list, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without permission of topDentists, LLC. No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of the information in this list without permission.
60 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
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Joseph Cariello
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Grace Family Dentistry Concord
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Wellspring Dental Group Nashua
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Granite Family Dentistry Hooksett
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Pilon Decker Lipinski Dental Hanover deckerpilondental.com
Sterling Smiles of Nashua Nashua
Ernani S. Domingo
Bay Street Family Dental Manchester
TOP VOTE-GETTER: PEDIATRICS
Ashley A. Frankinburger Lindner Dental Associates
baystreetfamilydental.com
Elle Donnelly
Cochecho Dental Dover
cochechodental.com
Courtney A. Dressler
Hampstead Family Dental Hampstead
hampsteadfamilydental.com
Keith A. Dressler
Hampstead Family Dental Hampstead
hampsteadfamilydental.com
Carla F. Dukas We Care Dental Nashua
wecaredentalpllc.com
Richard T. Dumas
Dover Dental Associates Dover doverdental.net
Douglas Duval
TOP VOTE-GETTER: ENDODONTICS
Mathew B. Walsh NH Endodontics
Douglas Duval Family Dentists Manchester bestnhdentists.com
Alyssa Ebright
Ebright Smart Family Dentistry Londonderry
Timothy J. Goslee Robert Fromuth
Fromuth and Langlois Dental Manchester
londonderrydentist.com
manchesterbedforddentist.com
Christopher Filler
Kelly M. Ginnard
Windham Cosmetic Dentistry & Implant Center Windham windhamdentist.com
Nick I. Fleury Circle Dental Meredith
circledentalnh.com
Anthony Francis Arndt Dental Concord
arndtdental.com
Gregory Fredette
Garrison Family Dental Dover Facebook
Salvatore Guerriero nashuasmilemakers.com
Pooja Gupta
White Birch Family Dental Manchester
drkellyginnard.com
Alicia Gittleman
whitebirchdentist.com
Caring Family Dentistry Concord
William Guthrie
Bedford Dental Care Bedford
caringfamilydentistry.com
Bracken Godfrey
bedforddentalcare.com
Godfrey Dentistry Somersworth godfreydentistry.com
Curtis Hansen
Lindner Dental Associates Bedford
Goodwin Community Health Somersworth goodwinch.org
greatbaydentalcare.com
Nashua Smile Makers Nashua
Kelly M. Ginnard Manchester
Whitney E. Goode
Great Bay Dental Care Newmarket
lindnerdental.com
Ethan Harris
Hampstead Family Dental Hampstead
hampsteadfamilydental.com nhmagazine.com | August 2026 61
2026 New Hampshire Magazine
Donna L. Kalil
Kalil & Kress Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Nashua kalildental.com
Michelle Kalil
Kalil & Kress Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Nashua kalilandkress.com
Andrew K. Kalil
Kalil & Kress Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Windham kalilandKress.com
Kenneth J. Kalil
Kalil Dental Group Windham kalildental.com TOP VOTE-GETTER: ORTHODONTICS
Sogole S. Moin Moin Orthodontics
Julia Kapala
Merrimack Smiles Merrimack
merrimacksmiles.com
Eric M. Katzman Katzman Dental Dover
katzmandental.com
Melissa A. Kennell
Children’s Dental Center of New Hampshire Gilford
childrensdentistnh.com
Jason Keshian
Nashua Family Dental Nashua nashuafamily.com
Dieter H. Knauss
Granite Dental Group Barrington
granitedentalgroup.com
Puneet Kochhar TOP VOTE-GETTER: ORAL SURGERY
D. Cameron Braasch Braasch Oral Surgery
Jill Harrison
Harrison Dental Arts Portsmouth
Mahmoud Homsi
HarrisonDentalArts.com
Kristen Harvey
Benjamin Irzyk
whiteparkdental.com
hometowndentalnh.com
Hometown Dental Portsmouth
Hubert W. Hawkins IV
Andrew Janiga
drhughsdental.com
nashuadental.com
Dr. Hugh’s Dental Littleton
Matthew S. Heimbach Abenaki Dental Care Exeter
abenakidentalcare.com
Audrey A. Herod
Merrimack Dental Associates Bedford merrimackdental.com
Andrea Herold
Herold Family Dentistry Portsmouth
heroldfamilydentistry.com
alldentalcare.com
Beth A. Kress
Charm Smile Dental Concord CharmSmileDental.com
White Park Dental Concord
Alliance for Dental Care Rochester
Center for Dental Excellence Nashua
Tamatha L. Johnson
Brentwood Dental Designs Epping bddnh.com
Ashleigh F. Jones
Lakes Region Dental Care Gilford
lakesregiondentalcare.com
B. Chandler Jones
Lakes Region Dental Care Gilford
lakesregiondentalcare.com
62 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
Keith M. Levesque
Christopher S. Moriarty
Alan Pan
levesquedentistry.com
northenddentalcarenh.com
oceanshadesdental.com
Levesque Dentistry Nashua
Mark S. Morris
Greg A. Perry
levesquefamilydentistry.com
merrimacksmiles.com
perryfamilydentalcare.com
Levesque Dentistry Nashua
Jessica Peterson
libbydds.com
hampshirefamilydental.com
petersonsfamilydental.com
Kathleen R. Libby Nashua
Central Family Dental Dover
centralfamilydentalnh.com
Matthew C. Leighton
Ponemah Crossing Dental Amherst clarkandleighton.com
Samuel J. Lemeris Greatview Dental Exeter
Danielle Leonardi Glen Lake Dental Goffstown
glenlakedentalnh.com
Hampshire Family Dental Raymond
Peterson Family Dental Dover
Franklyn Liberatore
Michael Moskowitz
Stephan L. Peterson
nashuariverfrontdentistry.com
vanguarddentalgroup.com
petersonsfamilydental.com
Nashua Riverfront Dentistry Nashua
Brian T. Maguire
North Hampton Dental Group North Hampton northhamptondentalgroup.com
Praveen K. Mandera Govindaiah New Hampshire Family Dentistry Manchester
nhfamilydentist.com
Anthony Manfredi 603 Dental Family Dental Office Londonderry
603dentalnh.com
Nellita M. Manley
Piscataqua Dental Partners Portsmouth piscataquadental.com
Russell D. Mann
Mann Family Dental Manchester
mannfamilydental.com
Vera Matshkalyan
Kingston Family Dental Kingston
mykingstondental.com
Jennifer A. McConathy
Alexey Latsilnik
Perry Family Dental Care Antrim
Michele R. Morrow
Heidi Lindner Kurland lindnerdental.com
Merrimack Smiles Merrimack
Kathleen R. Libby
Christina McCann
Lindner Dental Associates Bedford
Ocean Shades Dental Portsmouth
Tara Levesque-Vogel
Kalil & Kress Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Nashua kalilandkress.com
North End Dental Care Manchester
Generations Dental Care Concord
generationsdental.com
Cochecho Dental Dover
cochechodental.com
Alex L. McCulloch
Grace Family Dentistry Concord
gracefamilydentistry.com
Barton E. McGirl
Dentistry While You Sleep Hampton Facebook
Kelley McLaughlin
Goodwin Community Health Somersworth goodwinch.org
Daphnie Mercado
Chestnut Family Dental Manchester
chestnutfamilydental.com
Vanguard Dental Group Derry
Peterson Family Dental Dover
Sayed A. Mousawi
Darren M. Phipps
hamptoncosmeticdental.com
newlondondentists.com
Hampton Family Dental Hampton
James M. Nash
North Hampton Dental Group North Hampton northhamptondentalgroup.com
Tarin Nassaney
Alliance for Dental Care Rochester alldentalcare.com
Brindha Natarajan Towne Square Dental Londonderry
mylondonderrydentist.com
Jay A. Nesvold
Atlantic Family Dental Portsmouth
atlanticfamilydental.com
Darcy A. Neveu NH Smile Co Nashua
nhsmileco.com
Lindsey M. O’Connor
Goffstown Dental Associates Goffstown goffstowndental.com
Ava O’Neill
Henniker Family Dentistry Henniker
hennikerfamilydental.com
Cheryl A. Ogden
Goffstown Dental Associates Goffstown goffstowndental.com
Joshua T. Osofsky
Family Dental Care of Milford Milford familydentalcareofmilford.com
Michael J. Paisner
Paisner Dental Associates Nashua drpaisner.com
Emily Pakula Moriarty Hillside Family Dental Candia
hillsidedentalnh.com
Jonathan C. Palazzo Jonathan C. Palazzo Manchester
jonathanpalazzodmd.com
New London Dentists New London
Tracey O. Pike
Deerfield Family Dentistry Deerfield
deerfieldfamilydentist.com
Janice E. Pilon
Pilon Decker Lipinski Dental Hanover deckerpilondental.com
Charles Pipilas Charles Pililas Nashua Facebook
Sree J. Raman
Smiles by Design Manchester
newhampshiresmiledentistry.com
Murali Ravel
NH Esthetic Dentistry Bedford
nhestheticdentistry.com
Nicholas C. Rizos Nicholas C. Rizos Bedford
drnickdmd.com
James R. Rochefort Dr. James Rochefort Dover
dovernhdentist.com
Laurie A. Rosato Laurie A. Rosato Concord
LaurieRosatoDMD.com
Craig Rothenberg
Vanguard Dental Group Derry
vanguarddentalgroup.com
Christiane M. Rothwangl Rothwangl Dental Care Bedford
rothwangldentalcare.com
Amy Rust
Vachon Dental Manchester
vachondental.com
Muhenad Samaan Manchester Dental Manchester
manchestercitydental.com
Felix Santamaria
Denise Tong
D. Cameron Braasch
Nader Moavenian
Dennis C. Hiller
oasisdentalnh.com
lindnerdental.com
braaschoms.com
drmoavenian.com
hillerortho.com
Oasis Dental Manchester
Lindner Dental Associates Bedford
Carmen V. Santana
Vincent Trinidad
baybreezedentistry.com
lindnerdental.com
Bay Breeze Dentistry Portsmouth
Thomas G. Schell
Schellnoble Dentistry Lebanon schellnoble.com
Vicktor G. Senat
Dovetail Dental Associates Amherst dovetaildental.com
Carolyn Shreck
Lindner Dental Associates Bedford Lindnerdental.com
Trevor Smart
Ebright Smart Family Dentistry Londonderry londonderrydentist.com
Amanda Smith
Nashua Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry Nashua
NashuaDentistry.com
Elizabeth S. Spindel Spindel General and Cosmetic Dentistry Manchester
elizabethspindel.com
Victoria Spindel-Rubin Spindel General and Cosmetic Dentistry Manchester
elizabethspindel.com
Lesleyann M. Splagounias Lindner Dental Associates Bedford lindnerdental.com
Victor Stetsyuk
Generations Dental Care Concord
generationsdental.com
Natalia G. Streltsov Summer Court Dental Hanover
summercourtdental.com
Jason E. Sudati
Amoskeag Family Dentistry Manchester amoskeagfamilydentistry.com
Jonathan H. Terhune Jonathan Terhune Franklin
Jyoti Thapa
Lindner Dental Associates Bedford
Ruth Trinidad
Grace Family Dentistry Concord
gracefamilydentistry.com
Jeffrey R. Vachon Vachon Dental Manchester
vachondental.com
Sreemali Vasantha
Souhegan Valley Dental Milford kenisondds.com
Deepthi Vasireddy Hearty Smiles Manchester
heartysmilespc.com
Emery Ward Emery Ward Portsmouth
emerywarddds.com
Brittney Ward
Apex Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Implantology Nashua apexomfs.com
Louis F. Clarizio
Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center Portsmouth drclarizio.com
Michael Courtney
Dave C. Pak
Seacoast Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Center Rochester seacoastoralsurgeryrochester.com
Richard J. Rosato
Capitol Center Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Concord ccoralsurgery.com
Zachary Schonfield
Jared Curtin
Kyle Stiefel
ccoralsurgery.com
Curtin and Associates Salem curtinosa.com
Corey F. Decoteau
Apex Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Implantology Nashua apexomfs.com
Daniel H. DeTolla
Jonas Westbrook
Sotirios Diamantis
lilackidsdental.com
NHOMS Nashua
Capital Center Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Concord
Seacoast Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Center Portsmouth
seacoastoralsurgery.com
NHOMS Exeter
nhoms.com
Plaistow Oral Surgery Dental Implant Center Plaistow
plaistoworalsurgery.com
Jeffrey D. Stone
Lowell, Nashua & Chelmsford Oral Surgery Associates Nashua
Erik H. Young
apexomfs.com
wicenskidental.com
Derry Dental Associates Derry derrynhdental.com
David W. Yue
Brar Family Dentistry Manchester brardentalnh.com
Silvia Yue
Brar Family Dentistry Merrimack brardentalnh.com
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Mark D. Abel
Manchester Oral Surgery Manchester
manchesteroralsurgery.com
Curtis Thibeault
drmoavenian.com
altonbaydental.com
Exeter Dental Implant and Oral Surgery Exeter
NHOMS Pembroke
Gregory S. Biron
oralsurgeryexeter.com
Patrick B. Vaughan
Amy D. Field
Gopi K. Voonna
nashuaoralsurgery.com
Christopher A. King Dover Oral and Maxiliofasical Surgery Dover doveroms.com
Hillary Kinney
ASA Dental Implants & Oral Surgery Portsmouth
advancedsurgicalassoc.com
Jason W. Lee
Lindner Dental Associates Bedford lindnerdental.com
Rachel Madden
Apex Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Implantology Nashua apexomfs.com
Salman Malik
Granite State Oral Surgery Londonderry
granitestateoralsurgery.com
Miller Orthodontic Specialists Keene millerorthodonticspecialists. com
NHorthodontics.com
Alan F. Kennell
Kennell Orthodontics Laconia
Sogole S. Moin
Jason S. Lenk
drmoin.com
Moin Orthodontics Manchester
kennellortho.com
Lenk Orthodontics Durham
Thomas Montemurno
Kenneth Li
drtomorthodontics.com
Family Orthodontics Manchester
lenkortho.com
Lindner Dental Associates Bedford
Hugh R. Phillis
Danielle London
smilemkr.com
Hugh R. Phillis Nashua
lindnerdental.com
London Family Orthodontics Bedford londonfamilyorthodontics.com
Lowell, Nashua & Chelmsford Oral Surgery Associates Nashua
Apex Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Implantology Nashua
Lowell, Nashua & Chelmsford Oral Surgery Associates Nashua
Lance R. Miller
Mehan & Johnson Orthodontics Manchester
apexomfs.com
nashuaoralsurgery.com
Benjamin Farr
nhbraces.com
Paul D. Johnson III
Apex Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Implantology Nashua
Brian Wicenski
Drs. Brian & Mary Wicenski New London
Goffstown Area Orthodontics and Weare Orthodontics Goffstown
A. Jose Torio
Thomas A. Trowbridge
lowelloralsurgery.com
Philip M. Mansour
Hiller Orthodontics Littleton
lowelloralsurgery.com
Lowell, Nashua & Chelmsford Oral Surgery Associates applewoodfamilydentistry.com Nashua
Applewood Family Dentistry Barrington
Jonathan D. Bean
Alton Bay Dental Alton
Thomas F. Burk
Lilac Kids Pediatric Dentistry Exeter
Central Family Dental Dover
centralfamilydentalnh.com
Braasch Oral Surgery Bedford
Concord Oral Surgery Concord
concordoralsurgery.com
Elliot Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Center Manchester
elliothospital.org/ website/oral-maxillofacial-surgery-center-meet-our-providers.php
TOP VOTE-GETTER: PROSTHODONTICS
Paul J. Connolly Bedford Center for Prosthodontics
Orthodontics John E. Beinoras John E. Beinoras Gilford
nhorthodontist.com
Jay M. Decoteau
Decoteau Orthodontics Nashua
decoteauorthodontics.com
Timothy Finelli
Seacoast Orthodontics Greenland
seacoastorthodontics.com
Paras Gosalia
Monadnock Orthodontics Peterborough monadnockorthodontics.com
TOP VOTE-GETTER: GENERAL DENTISTRY
Denise Tong Lindner Dental Associates
nhmagazine.com | August 2026 63
2026 New Hampshire Magazine
Mindy Hall
Patrick T. Wilson
lakesidesmilespd.com
gopediatricdentistry.com
Lakeside Smiles Pediatric Dentistry Alton
Danielle C. Hinton
Concord Pediatric Dentistry Concord concordpediatricdentistry.com
Nancy E. Jun
Monadnock Pediatric Dentistry Jaffrey monadnockpediatricdentistry.com
Viena G. Posada
Stephanie Phillis Stephanie Phillis Nashua smilemkr.com
Tracy Pogal-Sussman
Lindner Dental Associates Bedford lindnerdental.com
Danielle C. Ross
Windham Orthodontics Windham
windhamorthodontics.com
E. Diane Shieh
All Star Smiles Orthodontics Amherst
amherstorthodontics.com
Jennifer R. Siller
Seacoast Orthodontics Greenland
seacoastorthodontics.com
James Teebagy
Pleasant Street Orthodontics Concord pleasantstortho.com
Michael E. Vermette Vermette Orthodontics Concord vermetteortho.com
John Walsh
Great Bay Orthodontics Stratham
greatbayorthodontics.com
Brad C. Watterworth
Watterworth Orthodontics Portsmouth seacoastortho.com
Douglass C. Wilson Wilson Orthodontics Keene
drwilsonorthodontics.com
Pediatric Dentistry Roger A. Achong
Joseph H. Becht
Nashua Dentistry and Orthodontics for Children Nashua
Caitlin Pyle
Windham Cosmetic Dentistry & Implant Center Windham windhamdentist.com
Lindner Dental Associates Bedford lindnerdental.com
Adam Bottrill
Matthew B. Smith
Seacoast Children’s Dentistry Greenland seacoastchildrensdentistry.com
Michael Capozzi
Concord Pediatric Dentistry Concord concordpediatricdentistry.com
Patrick F. Capozzi
pediatricdentistryofsalem.com
Asia Yip
Lindner Dental Associates Bedford lindnerdental.com
Periodontics
nhdentalsurgery.com
Charles R. Braga
Lamprey Family Dental Raymond lampreydental.com
Carly Ramirez
nashuadocs.com
Pediatric Dentistry of Salem Salem
Manchester Dental Surgery & Implant Center Manchester
puredontics.com
Michael D. Neal Bedford Commons Periodontics
Adam J. Wolff
Irina Adler
Puredontics Portsmouth TOP VOTE-GETTER: PERIODONTICS
Great Oudoors Pediatric Dentistry Somersworth
Roland R. Bryan Roland R. Bryan Manchester
rolandbryandmd.com
Andrew Casey
Generations Dental Care Concord
generationsdental.com
Sharon E. Johnson Sharon E. Johnson Belmont
sejohnsonperio.com
Tae Kwon
Austin H. Wang
Cornerstone Periodontics & Implants Concord cornerstoneperio.com
Kate D. Wilson
Coastal Periodontics Portsmouth
coastalperiosurgery.com
Monadnock Perio & Implant Center Keene
Prosthodontics
Michael D. Neal
preferredfamilydental.com
monadnockperio.com
Bedford Commons Periodontics Bedford
bedfordcommonsperiodontics.com
Nomith T. Ramdev Dr. Ramdev Dover
drramdev.com
Amy Rosania
Seacoast Periodontics & Dental Implants Portsmouth rosaniadmd.com
David Rosania
Rosella Butura
Preferred Family Dental Bedford
Catherine Cagino Merrimack Smiles Merrimack
merrimacksmiles.com
Paul J. Connolly
Bedford Center for Prosthodontics Bedford
smiledesignnh.com
Deborah M. Munoz Bedford Center for Prosthodontics Bedford
smiledesignnh.com
Children’s Dental Center of New Hampshire Gilford
Charles J. Burliss Charles J. Burliss Salem
Seacoast Periodontics & Dental Implants Portsmouth
Christina Schiltz
Tim Smith
Francesca Failla
James D. Spivey
Lisa B. Schulman
childrensdentistnh.com
nashuariverfrontdentistry.com
childrensdentistnh.com
Children’s Dental Center of New Hampshire Gilford
perionh.com
Nashua Riverfront Dentistry Nashua
Concord Pediatric Dentistry Concord concordpediatricdentistry.com
Jonell Hopeck
rosaniadmd.com
Portsmouth Periodontics & Portsmouth Dental Implant Care Portsmouth
The Dental Center Manchester schiltzdds.com
Seacoast Dream Dentistry Portsmouth
seacoastdreamdentistry.com
drspivey.com
Selection Process (Methodology)
Lindner Dental Associates Bedford
“If you had a patient in need of a dentist, which dentist would you refer them to?”
lindnerdental.com
This is the question we’ve asked thousands of dentists to help
careful consideration by the editors. Voting characteristics and
Andrew T. Cheifetz
us determine who the topDentists should be. Dentists and
comments are taken into consideration while making decisions.
specialists are asked to take into consideration years of experi-
Past awards a dentist has received as well as status in various
ence, continuing education, manner with patients, use of new
dental academies can play a factor in our decision.
Children’s Dental Center of New Hampshire Amherst
childrensdentalnh.com
Elliot C. Chiu
Concord Pediatric Dentistry Concord concordpediatricdentistry.com
Jennifer Creem Core Physicians Exeter
corephysicians.org
Lindsay Decker Core Physicians Exeter
corephysicians.org
Ashley A. Frankinburger Lindner Dental Associates Bedford lindnerdental.com
Concord Pediatric Dentistry Concord concordpediatricdentistry.com
64 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
techniques and technologies and of course physical results. The nomination pool of dentists consists of dentists listed online with the American Dental Association, as well as all dentists listed online with their local dental societies, thus allowing virtually every dentist the opportunity to participate. Dentists are also given the opportunity to nominate other dentists that they feel should be included in our list. Respondents are asked to put aside any personal bias or political motivations and to use only their knowledge of their peer’s work when evaluating the other nominees. Voters are asked to individually evaluate the practitioners on their ballot whose work they are familiar with. Once the
Once the decisions have been finalized, the included dentists are checked against state dental boards for disciplinary actions to make sure they have an active license and are in good standing with the board. Then letters of congratulations are sent to all the listed dentists. Of-course there are many fine dentists who are not included in this representative list. It is intended as a sampling of the great body of talent in the field of dentistry in the United States. A dentist’s inclusion on our list is based on the subjective judgments of his or her fellow dentists. While it is true that the lists may at times disproportionately reward visibility or
balloting is completed, the scores are compiled and then
popularity, we remain confident that our polling methodology
averaged. The numerical average required for inclusion varies
largely corrects for any biases and that these lists continue to
depending on the average for all the nominees within the
represent the most reliable, accurate, and useful list of dentists
specialty and the geographic area. Borderline cases are given a
available anywhere. NH
Our legal team has successfully assisted in hundreds of dental practice transitions across New England. Let us help. For more information, please contact Jason Gregoire, Healthcare Group Chair, at jgregoire@sheehan.com.
Boston
Concord
Manchester Portsmouth SHEEHAN.COM
Upper Valley
nhmagazine.com | August 2026 65
2026 DENTIST PROFILES
The dentists featured in this section are among the most highly skilled and respected professionals in New Hampshire. If you’re searching for a new dentist, look no further! 66 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
2026 DENTIST PROFILES
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
DR. ROBERT MARSHALL
Dr. Robert Thomas Marshall
Innovative General and Cosmetic Dentistry Changing Lives A warm, healthy smile can be lifechanging. It can bring a new sense of confidence and sincerity, improve your self image, bring people together and create a lasting impression. The fact that Dr. Robert Marshall can deliver such beneficial, transformative dentistry with an exceptional level of comfort is what makes Aesthetic Dental Center in Concord a perennial favorite in the Granite State. “We give outstanding patient care and make each patient an ambassador for continued growth and success in their own dental health. That’s why my patients actually enjoy coming here — we simply use modern dentistry to open a new window to their world,” Dr. Marshall says. Our hygiene department is available to take care of preventative and periodontal maintenance visits. And as a leader in cosmetic and restorative dentistry,
Dr. Marshall fully understands the importance of aesthetic dentistry. So much so, he made it part of the practice’s name. “I change smiles to change people’s lives,” says Dr. Marshall. “Each procedure culminates in form, function and beauty. Clients work with me to develop the smile of their dreams.” To create that dream smile, Aesthetic Dental Center is a full-service dental office, providing a wide range of care. They offer a wide range of services from basic cleanings, whitening, tooth colored fillings, full mouth reconstruction with veneers and crowns, to partial and full arch dentures. For every challenge, Dr. Marshall has an elegant, aesthetic solution: • Using veneers for chipped, cracked or worn teeth. • Implants to replace missing teeth. • Invisalign to straighten teeth without the hassle of traditional braces. A former clinical instructor at The Pacific Aesthetic Continuum, Dr. Marshall has taught others the art of
smile enhancement. “Every dental procedure should radiate confidence to our patients,” says Dr. Marshall. “An investment in yourself pays dividends for a lifetime.” Aesthetic Dental Center is thrilled to announce that Dr. Robert Thomas Marshall joined the practice in September 2023. As the youngest son of Dr. Marshall, he has worked previously as an assistant and at the front desk and is now excited after graduating from Tufts Dental School to work chair side delivering personalized dental solutions. With his father and mentor by his side, Dr. Marshall makes dream smiles a reality through utilizing the latest in dental technologies. As is the case with most works of art — a strong foundation is necessary to achieving a smile Dr. Marshall and his patients are proud to show off. 177 Pleasant St., Concord (603) 224-1743 aestheticdentalcenter.com nhmagazine.com | August 2026 67
2026 DENTIST PROFILES
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
HAMPTON COSMETIC AND IMPLANT DENTISTRY
At Hampton Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, patients are welcomed with warmth, reassurance and a commitment to exceptional care. The practice combines advanced technology, clinical expertise and a patient-centered approach to help every individual feel comfortable, confident and well cared for throughout their dental journey. Dr. Sayed Mousawi and Dr. Elmehdi Boujida, graduates of Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, each bring more than a decade of experience to the practice. Dedicated to staying at the forefront of modern dentistry, they continually pursue advanced training and invest in cutting-edge technology to provide the highest standard of care. Dr. Mousawi also completed a post-graduate residency focused on cosmetic dentistry and has extensive experience with full-arch reconstruction, All-on-X implant cases 68 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
and minimally invasive cosmetic procedures. “Cosmetic dentistry is about enhancing the appearance of the smile while maintaining a natural look,” says Dr. Boujida. “We customize treatment plans to meet each patient’s unique goals and needs.” Hampton Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry offers a comprehensive range of services, including veneers, crowns, root canals, Invisalign, teeth whitening, restorative treatments, wisdom tooth extractions, oral surgery, dentures, laser procedures and implant dentistry. The practice is particularly known for its expertise in aesthetic dentistry, helping patients achieve beautiful, natural-looking results with conservative treatment approaches whenever possible. “Many patients think cosmetic dentistry will be painful or intimidating,” says dental hygienist Hannah Cheever. “Our
team takes the time to educate patients and guide them through every step of the process so they feel informed, comfortable and confident in their care.” Patients quickly recognize the difference when they enter the modern, state-of-the-art facility. Advanced technologies such as 3D printing, intraoral scanners and computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/ CAM) systems allow the team to provide faster, more precise and more comfortable treatment experiences. Innovations such as no-prep veneers offer a conservative option for enhancing smiles while preserving natural tooth structure. The team believes that a smile transformation can positively impact far more than appearance. Improved dental health and renewed confidence often inspire patients to make other positive lifestyle changes, including pursuing wellness goals that support their overall health. Supporting the doctors is a highly skilled team of dental assistants, hygienists and administrative professionals dedicated to delivering a seamless patient experience. From helping patients understand insurance benefits and treatment estimates to providing compassionate clinical care, every team member plays an important role in creating a welcoming environment. “We are a high-energy, patient-focused practice,” says Dr. Mousawi. “We practice conservative, ethically driven dentistry. We focus on what our patients need and strive to deliver the highest level of care every single time.” Many patients who once struggled with dental anxiety say the team’s compassion and professionalism have helped them feel relaxed and comfortable during appointments. That commitment to patient comfort, combined with clinical excellence and advanced technology, has helped Hampton Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry earn the trust of patients throughout the region. In addition to its Hampton, New Hampshire location, the practice also serves patients through offices in Salisbury and Boston, Massachusetts, providing comprehensive dental care designed to improve smiles, confidence and overall well-being. 321 Lafayette Road, Hampton (603) 929-3969 • hamptoncosmeticdental.com nhmagazine.com | August 2026 69
2026 DENTIST PROFILES
CRAFTING A HEALTHY SMILE Hampton dental practice focuses on cosmetic and functional dental services Q&A with Dr. Sayed Mousawi, DMD, CAGS, and Dr. Elmehdi Boujida, DMD, of Hampton Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry
Q
What factors should a patient consider when deciding between different cosmetic dental procedures?
A
Choosing the right cosmetic dental procedure begins with understanding your personal goals. Every patient has a different vision of what an ideal smile looks like, so the first step is discussing what you would like to improve or enhance. When evaluating a smile, we generally focus on four key elements: • Teeth color • Teeth size and shape
70 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
• Gum architecture • Facial aesthetics and smile midlines A beautiful smile is achieved by balancing all four factors in a way that complements each patient’s facial features and preferences. Our approach is always customized because what looks natural and attractive for one person may be different for another.
Q
What is a common misconception about cosmetic dentistry, and what’s the reality?
two biggest misconceptions A The are that it’s always painful and
expensive. The reality is that many cosmetic procedures are surprisingly comfortable and can often be completed without anesthesia. Professional whitening, noprep veneers, Invisalign, enameloplasty, bonding procedures and internal bleaching of root canal-treated teeth can frequently be performed with little to no discomfort. Many patients are surprised by how simple and painless the process can be. Cost is another common concern. While comprehensive smile makeovers can be a significant investment,
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many cosmetic improvements are far more affordable than people realize. Procedures such as professional whitening, minor bonding and enameloplasty can create dramatic improvements for a relatively modest cost. In some cases, insurance may even provide coverage for certain restorative or cosmetic-related procedures. An attractive, healthy smile can be truly transformative, improving confidence and making a positive impact on both personal and professional interactions.
Q
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are considered the A gold standard for replacing missing teeth, and with proper care they can last 25 years or more—often a lifetime. Several factors influence the longevity of dental implants: • Material quality: Most implants are made from titanium, a biocompatible material that integrates naturally with the jawbone.
• Oral hygiene: Regular brushing, flossing and professional cleanings are essential for maintaining healthy gums and supporting bone around the implant. • Lifestyle choices: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can negatively affect gum and bone health, potentially reducing implant longevity. • Routine dental care: Regular examinations allow your dentist to monitor the implant and address any concerns before they become larger issues. Dental implants closely mimic the appearance and function of natural teeth, allowing patients to eat, speak and smile with confidence.
Q
What are the best ways that patients can maintain their dental implants?
Maintain the same healthy habits A recommended for natural teeth like brushing, flossing and keeping up with regular dental visits. Professional cleanings and examina-
tions every six months allow your dental team to monitor both the implant and surrounding tissues, helping ensure long-term success. Good daily oral hygiene combined with routine preventive care can help implants remain healthy and functional for decades.
Q
What would you say to a patient who is nervous about having their dental implants done?
It’s completely normal to feel A nervous about any dental procedure, but dental implant treatment is often
much easier than patients expect. The most important thing is finding a dental team you trust and feel comfortable with. At Hampton Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry, we take the time to explain every step of the process, answer questions and make sure patients feel informed and at ease throughout their treatment. Our goal is to provide a positive experience from the first consultation through the final result, helping patients restore their smiles with confidence and peace of mind.
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THE PERIODONTAL OFFICE OF DR. ROLAND R. BRYAN We don’t just treat teeth. We treat the whole person. Dr. Bryan is a graduate of Tufts Dental School and completed his periodontal training at Boston University Hospital. He has been in private practice since 1993 and specializes in periodontics and dental implants. Following a complete periodontal evaluation, Dr. Bryan will assist you in developing a comprehensive periodontal treatment plan. Some of your treatment plan options may include dental implants, scaling and root planing, gingival grafting for recession, pocket elimination procedures and aesthetic laser contouring. When arriving at Dr. Bryan’s office, you will find a confident, professional and comforting atmosphere. You will quickly see that you are surrounded by the latest in dental technology including digital radiography and dental laser therapy. Whether you are considering localized or comprehensive periodontal therapy, Dr. Bryan’s team always makes your care their top priority.
LET OUR RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.
Before
Dental Implant
After
769 South Main St., Suite 100, Manchester • (603) 623-3800 • rolandbryandmd.com 72 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
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CORNERSTONE PERIODONTICS AND IMPLANTS, PLLC – AUSTIN H. WANG D.D.S
Cornerstone Periodontics and Implants has provided patients throughout New England with exceptional periodontal and implant care for 25 years. Dr. Austin Wang, a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, specializes in the treatment of periodontal disease, gum recession, extractions, and dental implant solutions ranging from single-tooth replacement to full-mouth rehabilitation with fixed hybrid restorations. The practice is committed to utilizing advanced technology to improve precision, comfort, and outcomes, including Fotona LightWalker® laser procedures, LANAP® laser therapy, 3-D imaging, and YOMI®, a roboticassisted implant system that helps Dr. Wang perform implant surgery with remarkable accuracy. Cornerstone’s highly trained dental hygiene team is certified in Guided Biofilm Therapy® (GBT), a minimally invasive approach that provides a gentle, comfortable, and often pain-free cleaning experience while effectively removing harmful biofilm to support long-term periodontal health. Recognized as one of the few GBT Certified practices in the region and among the most technologically advanced periodontal offices in New England, Cornerstone Periodontics and Implants is dedicated to helping patients achieve lasting oral health and renewed confidence through personalized, comprehensive care. Pictured above: Chewy and Wicket, the practice’s full-time comfort dogs, whose primary responsibility is napping on patients’ laps during treatment. 153 Manchester St., Concord • (603) 224-9474 • cornerstoneperio.com nhmagazine.com | August 2026 73
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ELITE ENDODONTICS OF NH DR. TADROS M. TADROS The dedicated team at Elite Endodontics of NH are committed to providing a welcoming environment to our patients and dental community. Our esteemed team of endodontists —Dr. Tadros M. Tadros, Dr. Anika Solanki, Dr. Joseph A. Everett and Dr. Jessica Milliken — serve Hudson, Hooksett, Moultonborough and surrounding neighborhoods. Their aim every day is to deliver scientifically driven care to save natural teeth, minimize pain and improve a patient’s quality of life. Using state-of-the-art technology and imaging, our doctors are able to provide high-quality, efficient and comfortable treatment. With honest communication and consideration, we strive to ensure every patient is as informed and comfortable as possible when making decisions regarding their care. We are eager to work with a patient’s primary dentist to coordinate treatment plans to attain a common goal. We are happy to see last-minute emergencies, and believe in the importance of accommodating a patient into our schedule as soon as possible. The doctors at Elite Endodontics are able to offer various anti-anxiety modalities to our patients such as nitrous oxide, oral sedation or treatment under general anesthesia with our dental anesthesiologist, Dr. Lily Hu. Together, our team will work with you to accomplish comprehensive and compassionate care. We encourage you to visit our website or reach out to our wonderful staff for further information and assistance. It is our honor to make your dental health our priority.
182 Central St., Hudson • 1310 Hooksett Road, Hooksett 60 Whittier Hwy, Unit 1, Moultonborough (603) 882-5455 • eliteendodonticsnh.com
VACHON DENTAL: FAMILY & COSMETIC DENTISTRY For nearly 50 years, Vachon Dental has been a trusted name in oral healthcare for families across New Hampshire. Located in Manchester, the practice combines advanced dental technology with a warm, patient-centered approach, offering comprehensive services ranging from preventive and cosmetic dentistry to dental implants. Led by Dr. Jeffrey Vachon, Dr. Amy Rust, and the practice’s newest dentist, Dr. Jacquelyn Richards, the experienced team is committed to personalized care, patient education and creating a comfortable experience for every patient. A Maine native and graduate of Boston University’s Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Richards brings a passion for helping patients feel at ease while improving their oral health and quality of life. Together, the Vachon Dental team continues its longstanding tradition of delivering exceptional care and healthy smiles to the communities it serves. 57 Webster St., Manchester • (603) 627-2092 • vachondental.com 74 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
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GLEN LAKE DENTAL At Glen Lake Dental, Dr. Danielle Leonardi and her experienced team are committed to providing exceptional, patient-centered care built on trust, education, and lasting relationships. Many of their patients have been part of the practice for years; a testament to the personalized attention and high standard of care they strive to provide every day. Dr. Leonardi believes the best dental care begins with collaboration. By taking the time to educate patients, answer questions, and develop individualized treatment plans, she empowers each person to make informed decisions about their oral health. Her proactive approach is designed to help patients achieve healthy, confident smiles that last a lifetime. In addition to comprehensive family dentistry, Dr. Leonardi offers cosmetic dentistry, implant restorations, Invisalign®, PowerProx® Six Month Braces, laser therapies, and Botox® for both facial esthetics and the treatment of TMJ disorders. She is committed to continuing education and remains at the forefront of modern dentistry through advanced training and the latest technology. Dr. Leonardi is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. She also continues her advanced education through the Spear Education program and the American Society of Implant & Reconstructive Dentistry, ensuring her patients benefit from the most current techniques and evidence-based care. 553 Mast Road, Unit 11, Goffstown • (603) 668-5307 • glenlakedentalnh.com
JAMES ROCHEFORT FAMILY DENTISTRY Dr. Rochefort and his team are delighted and very grateful to again be recognized as one of New Hampshire’s Top Dentists. Dr. Rochefort, Misty, Megan, Susan and Angela continue to provide patients with the care, comfort, and personalized approach they have come to expect and appreciate. Maia and Mallory joined us this year and have been a welcome addition to our team. We will miss our long-time hygienists Terri and Penny, but wish them both long, happy and well-deserved retirements. We make it our priority to provide quality dental care emphasizing oral health and prevention while helping patients achieve the smile they desire. Come visit us and see how we are practicing tomorrow’s dentistry today!
801 Central Ave., Suite 5, Dover • (603) 742-0711 • dovernhdentist.com nhmagazine.com | August 2026 75
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ALLIANCE FOR DENTAL CARE Thank you to our peers who voted for us as Top Dentists for the 15th consecutive year! That says a lot about our team of caring professionals, and we welcome the opportunity to show you why we continue to earn our colleagues’ confidence. If you’re looking for a dentist for yourself or your family, or just a new dental atmosphere, then come check us out! We provide comprehensive care to all ages, which makes it convenient for everyone in the family to go to one office. Our practice facility is located in the heart of Rochester with ample parking. We are currently accepting new patients of all ages and all insurance plans. Are you putting off your own dental treatment due to finances or need payment options? We can help! Ask us about interest-free monthly payments. Call us today with questions or to schedule an appointment, or browse our website to use our easy online appointment scheduler at your convenience.
ALL THE SERVICES – ALL THE CARE 40 Winter St., Suite 201, Rochester • (603) 332-7300 • alldentalcare.com
AMBRA DENTAL CARE WE TREAT YOU LIKE FAMILY. At Ambra Dental Care, we pride ourselves on treating each patient as we would our own family. Our team of caring professionals is committed to serving our patients with compassion while focusing on each individual’s specific needs. Dr. Michael Ambra is honored to be voted a Top Dentist in New Hampshire for the eleventh consecutive year. We invite you to call and explore our website to learn more about our office, our exceptional team and our care. We offer a wide range of services, and new patients are always welcome. The team at Ambra Dental Care is looking forward to helping you achieve your oral health goals!
1 Pillsbury St., Suite 203A, Concord • (603) 226-2995 • AmbraDentalCare.com 76 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
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PERRY FAMILY DENTAL CARE
We’re Honored – Again! Dr. Perry is proud to be recognized once more by his peers and NH Magazine as a Top Dentist! While the honor is deeply meaningful, Dr. Perry credits this achievement to the exceptional team at Perry Family Dental Care — a group
of skilled, compassionate professionals committed to your comfort and care every single day. From the front desk to the treatment rooms, our entire staff works together to create a welcoming, modern environment where even the most nervous patients feel at ease.
Thank you for trusting us with your smiles — we’re here to make every visit a great experience. 391 West St., Keene • (603) 357-0677 18 Elm St., Antrim • (603) 588-6362 perryfamilydentalcare.com
NORTH END DENTAL CARE At North End Dental Care, we combine small-town hospitality with leading-edge technology to bring you the latest and best that dentistry has to offer. Dr. Christopher Moriarty and our dental care team understand that trips to the dentist can be stressful for many of our patients. Our goal is to do whatever it takes to improve your comfort to the point that maintaining a healthy smile becomes something you want to do, not something you have to do. Our entire team is proud of the warm and inviting experience that our patients enjoy in our office. State-of-the-art digital diagnostics and treatment planning ensure an optimal outcome for your preventive, general, cosmetic, and specialized dentistry with us. We make your comfort a priority by providing the high standard of compassionate treatment we would expect for our own families.
1361 Elm St., Suite 202 , Manchester • (603) 668-6360 northenddentalcarenh.com nhmagazine.com | August 2026 77
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MICHAEL D. NEAL, D.M.D.
Bedford Commons Periodontics specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of periodontal disease, which includes bone regeneration, dental implants and aesthetic tissue grafts. It has been estimated that three out of four Americans suffer from some form of periodontal disease. Treating periodontal disease can not
only lead to oral health, but overall systemic health. Recently, periodontal disease has been linked to other chronic diseases such as heart disease, respiratory illnesses, diabetes, preterm and low birth weight babies, arthritis and certain cancers. Dr. Charles D. Neal, a 2012 and 2013 Top Periodontist, started the practice
in 1974. His son, Dr. Michael D. Neal, joined the practice in 1999 and achieved board certification in 2004. Michael Neal has also been named a Top New Hampshire Periodontist by his peers every year since 2006, and was the top vote-getter in 2008-2009 and each year from 2014-2026 for his specialty.
303 Riverway Place, Bedford • (603) 623-6639 • bedfordcommonsperiodontics.com
BRAASCH ORAL SURGERY Braasch OMS is your premier wisdom tooth and dental implant specialist. Dr. Braasch grew up in central Pennsylvania and went on to attend Bucknell University. After graduation he obtained a master’s degree in biology at the College of William and Mary. Dr. Braasch earned his doctor of dental medicine degree from Boston University in 2009. His passion for education lead him to complete a four-year residency training program in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. Dr. Braasch is boardcertified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Braasch has been practicing oral surgery in southern New Hampshire since 2013. Braasch OMS opened in January 2024 in Bedford with a strong dedication to providing the highest quality oral surgery to their patients in a comfortable environment. Dr. Braasch works with an 78 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
amazing team that shares his passion for providing personalized, patient centered care! Dr. Braasch is a leading expert in wisdom tooth extraction, dental implant therapy including full mouth reconstruction, immediate implant placement and bone grafting procedures
as well as office-based anesthesia. Dr. Braasch’s newly renovated, state-of-theart office is located at: 404 Riverway Place, Building 4 Bedford • (603) 657-1984 braaschoms.com
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EVELYN M. BRYAN D.M.D., P.C. Dr. Evelyn Bryan is a graduate of Tufts Dental School and has been in practice in the Manchester area for more than 30 years. Dr. Bryan’s practice is dedicated to providing the highest quality dental care while focusing on each patient’s individual needs. Dr. Bryan and her dedicated and caring staff are committed to providing each patient with personalized, compassionate care focusing on complete health dentistry. The office offers a full range of state-of-the-art dentistry, including implant restorations, digital radiography, CEREC (same-day crowns), in-office Zoom bleaching, custom digital dentures and implant-retained dentures, TMJ/bruxism, snore and sleep apnea appliances. We welcome you to call or look at our website to learn more about our office and care. New patients are always welcome. We are committed to helping you achieve the healthy and beautiful smile you deserve in a professional, personalized and caring atmosphere.
765 South Main St., Suite 202, Manchester (603) 622-0279 drevelynbryan.com
PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANK LOMANNO
CENTER FOR DENTAL EXCELLENCE Dr. Janiga and the team at the Center for Dental Excellence have made their passion for patient care the hallmark of their practice. They are committed to listening to and understanding patients’ needs and concerns in order to provide patients with personalized options for achieving their dental goals. The entire team at the Center for Dental Excellence believes it is essential to advance their skills. Dr. Janiga regularly pursues advanced training in comprehensive restorative dentistry, including dental implants and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Janiga is a member of the American Dental Association, New Hampshire Dental Society, Academy of General Dentistry, and American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. At the Center for Dental Excellence, patients can be assured the entire team’s focus is on excellence in dental care and service.
74 Northeastern Blvd., Suite 19, Nashua (603) 886-5500 • nashuadental.com nhmagazine.com | August 2026 79
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FROMUTH AND LANGLOIS DENTAL Expect Excellence ... you deserve it! Dr. Fromuth strives to make each valued patient enjoy a healthy, confident and lasting smile. He makes it a point to listen first, getting to know your unique needs and goals before providing personalized care in a friendly, nonjudgmental way. He is extremely committed to continuing education, regularly pursuing advanced training so his clinical skills are second to none. Combining this with the latest in dental technology, Dr. Fromuth is truly dedicated to providing the best care possible to his family of patients. The team at Fromuth and Langlois Dental hope to welcome you in soon!
765 S Main St. #102, Manchester • (603) 644-3368 • manchesterbedforddentist.com
DEERFIELD FAMILY DENTISTRY Deerfield Family Dentistry continues to please patients year after year with attentive staff, state-of-the-art equipment and a comfortable, relaxed environment. A long-standing, locally owned small business, Deerfield Family Dentistry proudly supports the citizens of Southeast New Hampshire and beyond. Dr. Tracey Pike, supported by a knowledgeable and passionate team of associate dentists, dental hygienists and clinical dental assistants, provide Deerfield and surrounding area residents a full range of pediatric and adult dental services close to home. From hygiene, cleanings and general dentistry services, to restorative and cosmetic procedures, to implant placement and dentures, Deerfield Family Dentistry offers quality, comfortable dental care for the whole family. New Hampshire native Dr. Tracey Pike graduated from the School of Dental Medicine at Tufts University in 2003, and soon opened Deerfield Family Dentistry with a vision of providing high-quality dental care at an affordable price. A member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the New Hampshire Dental Society, Greater Manchester Chapter, Dr. Pike has been practicing for over 23 years, and her passion for community service truly shows. Deerfield Family Dentistry regularly sponsors area events, donates to local charities and participates in global humanitarian dental missions, bringing smiles to people whether they’re around the world or right up the road in Deerfield. 49 Cotton Rd., Deerfield (603) 463-7240 deerfieldfamilydentist.com 80 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
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NICHOLAS C. RIZOS, DMD Dr. Rizos prides himself in providing patients with information that will empower them to make the best decisions for their oral health. By selecting the best materials and laboratories to fabricate restorations, Dr. Rizos ensures longevity and great esthetic results. Here is what our patients say about us: “Dr. Rizos took a complicated mess and turned it into a complete and total make over.” — Patient from Deerfield, NH “Dr. Rizos and his amazing team are beyond impressive! … They always make you feel like you are their only patient and treat you like family. They listen very carefully to your concerns and map out a detailed plan to address them. I am so lucky to have found them and will never think of leaving them.” — Patient from Manchester, NH
“Dr. Rizos is one of the most caring, skilled dentists to whom I have ever been in 35 years. I am amazed at his expertise...” — Patient from Hooksett, NH
103 Riverway Pl., Bldg. 1, Bedford (603) 669-4384 drnickdmd.com
GRANITE FAMILY DENTISTRY At Granite Family Dentistry, our team is dedicated to creating a comfortable, welcoming environment where patients of all ages feel confident in their care. Dr. Christian provides comprehensive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry using modern techniques and advanced technology. From routine preventive care and Invisalign® to dental implants and fullmouth restorations, we offer personalized treatment designed for your goals. We believe in taking the time to listen and with ongoing continuing education and advanced training, our team stays current with the latest developments in dentistry to ensure you receive the highest standard of care. As a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Christian also provides custom oral appliance therapy for patients suffering from snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. These comfortable, custom-fitted devices offer an effective alternative for patients who cannot tolerate CPAP. If you’re seeking preventive care, cosmetic enhancements, restorative treatment, or solutions for sleep-disordered breathing, our goal is to help you achieve a healthier smile and improved overall wellness.
1558 Hooksett Road, Suite 4, Hooksett (603) 485-4855 • granitefamilydentistry.com nhmagazine.com | August 2026 81
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MEHAN & JOHNSON ORTHODONTICS Creating beautiful smiles with great patients. It’s what we do best. A confident smile makes a world of difference in one’s life. At Mehan & Johnson Orthodontics, we are confident that we can create that beautiful smile for you to put your best foot forward. Our office has served New Hampshire for over 32 years. We are blessed to have provided quality care for multiple generations of our patients. We use the latest technology in orthodontics to create great smiles in a gentle and timely fashion, but it is the way people’s lives are changed that sets our office apart. Dr. Johnson and his staff will do their best to earn your confidence for the treatment you desire. Please visit our website at NHorthodontics.com and Facebook to get a feel for our office. 113 Mammoth Road, Manchester • (603) 623-8003 • NHorthodontics.com
HOMETOWN DENTAL
Our unique, relationship-based practice has been proudly serving our local community in the heart of Portsmouth, NH for over 40 years. Dr. Benjamin Irzyk is truly grateful and honored to continually be recognized by his peers as one of New Hampshire’s Top Dentists each year. Our top priority has been and always will be 82 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
to treat each individual patient as if they that our team takes pride in and values the were a close family member and to provide long-term relationships we have developed each of them honest, high quality denwith our patients. We encourage you to tistry in a warm, welcoming and relaxed learn more about us at our website, and environment. We are also excited to have call us to join our dental family. welcomed Dr. Margaret Hancock to our 85 Merrimac St., Portsmouth practice in January. She brings the same (603) 436-6922 • hometowndentalnh.com compassion, knowledge, and dedication
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BRYAN HOERTDOERFER, DDS Renowned for his warm, friendly approach, Dr. Bryan Hoertdoerfer (affectionately known as Dr. H) leads the team at Hoertdoerfer Dentistry with a commitment to excellence in patient care. Combining compassionate service with advanced dental technology, Dr. H and his team create a safe, welcoming, and anxiety-free environment for every patient. Driven by a passion for innovation, Dr. H continually researches and adopts the latest advancements in dental care. From routine cleanings to cosmetic and restorative procedures, patients benefit from greater comfort and efficiency. Services include same-day CEREC porcelain crowns, CBCT 3D digital scans with low radiation, veneers, implant restorations, dentures, partials, bridges, sealants, and Philips ZOOM in-office teeth whitening.
Patient safety is a top priority. The office is equipped with HEPA air filtration, advanced purification systems, and individual self-contained water filtration in each treatment room. Beyond dentistry, Dr. H is deeply committed to giving back. Through his
work with the NHL, NHL Alumni, and the Boston Bruins, he supports numerous philanthropic efforts and consistently contributes to cancer-related causes and initiatives at Elliot Health System. To learn more or join the Hoertdoerfer Dentistry family, visit bruinsdentist.com.
4 Elliot Way, Suite 306, Manchester • (603) 669-1251 • bruinsdentist.com • bigzchallenge.com
LINDNER DENTAL ASSOCIATES, P.C. At Lindner Dental Associates P.C., you are welcomed by an inviting staff, family-friendly atmosphere, and state-of-the-art facility. We have proudly provided high-quality dental care to patients of all ages since 1985. Our multi-specialty practice includes board-certified pediatric dentistry, board-certified orthodontics, adult and cosmetic dentistry, board-certified oral surgery and therapeutic and cosmetic Botox. Community is at the heart of our practice, and we are grateful to once again be recognized by our peers as Top Dentists this year. We’re excited to share that we’re expanding to Windham, NH and look forward to bringing our trusted dental care to more families across southern New Hampshire this fall. 72 South River Road, Bedford (603) 624-3900 lindnerdental.com
A TEAM DEDICATED TO THE NEEDS OF PATIENTS nhmagazine.com | August 2026 83
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ALL STAR SMILES ORTHODONTICS Dr. Diane Shieh is honored to be recognized as a Top Orthodontist in NH. Being board-certified and having more than 25 years of experience, you can be assured of her commitment to delivering honest opinions with health and prevention in mind. Why Families Choose Us: • Braces and Invisalign • Treating children and adults • Esthetic and efficient treatment options • Free in-office and virtual consultations • Flexible, interest-free financing • Two convenient locations
Meet Archie, our Kids Club Captain. Joining his club is free! Come get your doggie bag with treats. He even gives out his own Croc Jibbitz!
“This place deserves 10 stars. I just finished my treatment and I can say Dr. Diane and her staff are the best. I can understand why this is the top rated orthodontist in the state because they go above and beyond to earn that title. Thank you, Dr. Diane and her staff.” –Will C.
166 S. River Rd, Bedford 5 Overlook Dr. #6, Amherst (603) 672-0844 allstarsmailesortho.com
HARRISON DENTAL ARTS Dr. Jill Harrison, a NH native and graduate of Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania, established Harrison Dental Arts in 2019 with the goal of providing comprehensive dental care to patients in the Seacoast area. Dr. Harrison and her team focus on providing a unique experience to patients so all aspects of their dental health, from function to esthetics, can be addressed, and patients can be involved in their care. Dr. Harrison, whose passion is cosmetic and restorative dentistry, has been voted one of NH’s Top Dentists for eight of the last nine years. She and her team utilize the newest technology including intraoral scanners, digital photography, and digital x-rays to treat patients in their bright, comfortable office located in Portsmouth, right off Interstate 95 at Exit 3, in Orchard Park. Serving the Portsmouth area, including Greenland, Rye, Newington, North Hampton, Hampton, Kittery and Eliot 875 Greenland Rd., Suite B7, Portsmouth • (603) 501-0263 • harrisondentalarts.com
ENDLESS SMILE FAMILY DENTAL Dr. Manal Elfahal is a skilled general and cosmetic dentist proudly serving the Hooksett/Manchester community. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Periodontics from University College London (UCL). Dedicated to providing exceptional
patient care, Dr. Elfahal is passionate about making modern dentistry comfortable, gentle, and as pain-free as possible. She combines advanced clinical expertise with a compassionate approach to help patients achieve healthy, confident smiles. Outside the office, Dr. Manal enjoys hiking, gardening, and spending quality time with her husband and children.
45 Londonderry Tpke., Suite 3, Hooksett • (603) 622-6446 84 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
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MUHENAD SAMAAN, DMD MANCHESTER DENTAL & BEDFORD COMMONS DENTAL
I am deeply honored and humbled to once again be recognized among New Hampshire’s Top Dentists. Being selected by my professional peers is one of the most meaningful achievements in my career, and I would like to sincerely thank my fellow dentists throughout New Hampshire for their continued trust and confidence. Since first receiving this recognition in 2019, I have remained committed to providing exceptional dental care while continuously advancing our technology, services, and patient experience. This award reflects the dedication, compassion, and
professionalism of our entire team. At Manchester Dental and Bedford Commons Dental, we are proud to continue a tradition of serving New Hampshire families that dates back to 1975. Our practices provide comprehensive dental care including preventive cleanings and diagnosis, fillings, crowns, fixed dentures, dental implants, and full-arch implant rehabilitation, including All-on-4 sameday teeth solutions. We also offer clear orthodontic aligner therapy to help patients achieve healthier, more confident smiles. By combining advanced technology with personalized care, we strive to deliver
exceptional outcomes in a comfortable and welcoming environment. Perhaps our greatest source of pride is the trust our patients place in us. The excellent Google reviews and referrals we receive reflect our commitment to providing outstanding service and clinical excellence every day. As we celebrate this recognition, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our patients, dedicated staff, and dental colleagues. Your support inspires us to continue serving New Hampshire communities with integrity, compassion, and excellence for many years to come.
Manchester Dental • 36 Bay St., Manchester • (603) 624-4147 • manchestercitydental.com Bedford Commons Dental • 401 Riverway Pl., Bedford • (603)625-9606 • bedfordcommonsdental.com nhmagazine.com | August 2026 85
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MERRIMACK DENTAL ASSOCIATES Caring for patients in Southern NH for almost 50 years: Dr. Audrey Herod and Dr. Erika Antonsson are honored to be recognized again by the dental community as Top Dentists. Merrimack Dental Associates is now conveniently located at 170 South River Road in Bedford, NH. The office is a prevention-focused family dental practice that strives to provide patients with exceptional dental care in a comfortable and friendly environment. The doctors and staff work hard to ensure that each patient feels confident in the personalized care they receive. The goal is to encourage people to be part of the conversation about their dental health and realize that healthy smiles make happy, healthy patients. 170 South River Road, Building II, Unit #4, Bedford (603) 424-6131 • merrimackdental.com
Dr. Audrey Herod, DMD
Dr. Erika Antonsson, DMD
DR. NICK I. FLEURY OF CIRCLE DENTAL We are pleased to announce that Dr. Fleury has been voted by his peers — since 2015 — as a Top Dentist as published by New Hampshire Magazine. It is an honor and Dr. Fleury and his team at Circle Dental are thankful. Community support and education is at the heart of Circle Dental. We strive to stay current with the best and latest dentistry has to offer, which is reflected in our warm and welcoming state-of-the-art office. At Circle Dental we offer a wide range of services, including dental implants, sameday crown placement, Invisalign, as well as cosmetic services. We are proud to serve our community with the highest standard of care!
A healthy mouth is the start of a healthy body! 173 NH Route 104, Suite A, Meredith (603) 515-4060 • circledentalnh.com
BAY STREET FAMILY DENTAL Because of your support, we are again honored to have been recognized by our community and colleagues as one of New Hampshire’s Top Dentists. Dr. Ernie Domingo and his Bay Street Family Dental team have been providing great dental care for the community (from youth to adults) for the past 24 years. “Our vision is to continuously provide outstanding, patient-centered dental care in a comfortable and caring environment,” Dr. Domingo says. “You know you’re in the right place when you come to our inviting, homey atmosphere. Our team demonstrates their personalized care to make you feel welcome.” We are delighted about our loyal, long-term patients and we always welcome new patients from the community. It’s time, right? Call Dr. Domingo and our Bay Street Family Dental team today at (603) 624-1342. 33 Bay St., Manchester • (603) 624-1342 • baystreetfamilydental.com 86 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
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FAMILY DENTAL CARE OF NH
At Family Dental Care of NH (Milford & Henniker), you will find a friendly atmosphere, comfortable accommodations and exceptional dental services. Our goal is to provide you with comprehensive dental care to enhance the quality of your life. Family
Dental Care of NH offers a variety of cosmetic, restorative and preventive dental services designed to improve your smile and overall health. Our goal is to enhance your physical comfort, outer appearance and your inner confidence. Our pledge is to provide
excellence and establish rewarding, lasting relationships with patients, encouraging beautiful smiles and promoting exceptional oral health for a lifetime! For more information about our practice, please visit our website: www.fdcmilford.com
154 Elm Street, Milford • (603) 673-3332 • 7 Post Office Place, Henniker • (603) 428-3419 • fdcmilford.com
nhmagazine.com | August 2026 87
2026 DENTIST PROFILES
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
PLEASANT STREET ORTHODONTICS Dr. James Teebagy is a board-certified orthodontist, Air Force veteran, and owner of Pleasant Street Orthodontics in Concord. He is honored to be recognized as one of New Hampshire’s Top Dentists and grateful for the trust of his patients and community. Dr. Teebagy graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency with the U.S. Air Force, served four years on active duty, and earned his Orthodontics and
Dentofacial Orthopedics certificate from NYU Langone Hospitals. He is also the incoming President of the Greater Concord Dental Society. In 2025, he proudly continued the legacy of a practice that has served New Hampshire families for decades, rebranding it as Pleasant Street Orthodontics. Dr. Teebagy helps children and adults achieve beautiful, healthy smiles through braces, clear aligners, and airway-focused orthodontic care. His goal is simple: help every patient ‘Smile In Style.’
155 Pleasant St., Concord • (603) 225-5242 • pleasantstortho.com
APPLE TREE ORTHODONTICS Apple Tree Orthodontics is dedicated to creating beautiful, healthy smiles through personalized orthodontic care for patients of all ages. Led by board-certified orthodontist Dr. Agata A. Bartels, our practice combines advanced technology with compassionate, individualized treatment in a friendly, family-focused environment. We proudly serve Londonderry and surrounding communities with a commitment to excellent and outstanding patient experiences. Practice Highlights: • Complimentary orthodontic consultations. • Traditional braces and Invisalign® treatment options. • Digital scanning with no traditional impressions. • Low-radiation digital imaging for advanced diagnostics. • Personalized treatment plans designed for each patient’s unique smile. • Experienced in treating complex cases, including surgical orthodontics. • Friendly, compassionate team committed to exceptional patient care.
1F Commons Dr #36, Londonderry (603) 434-0190 • appletreeortho.com
BEYOND DENTISTRY OF NASHUA Dr. Esther Kim, the sole dentist and owner of our respected dental practice in Nashua, is thrilled to welcome patients to Beyond Dentistry of Nashua. With over 50 years of history, our practice is recognized as one of the most trusted and comfortable dental centers in the area. We are committed to providing top-quality, comprehensive care with a focus on clear communication and patient comfort. Using the latest advancements in dental technology and
treatments, we strive to restore the health, function, and radiance of your smile. Our premier dental office in Nashua serves as a comprehensive care provider for all your dental care needs! Here, we provide an extensive range of dental solutions encompassing family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, periodontics, pediatric dentistry, laser dentistry, and so much more! With us, you can manage all your oral health requirements at our easily accessible Nashua location.
76 Allds St, Suite 6, Nashua, NH • (603) 882-3001 • beyonddentistryofnashua.com 88 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
2026 DENTIST PROFILES
NASHUA RIVERFRONT DENTISTRY Welcome to Nashua Riverfront Dentistry, where advanced technology meets exceptional patient care. Located in the historic Telegraph Building in downtown Nashua, our practice provides comprehensive integrative care for patients of all ages in a comfortable and welcoming environment. Our experienced team, led by Dr. Franklyn Liberatore (Dr. Franco) and board-certified periodontist Dr. Francesca Failla (Dr. Fran), utilizes leading-edge technology to enhance every aspect of your care. We offer Pearl AI-assisted diagnostics, CEREC same-day crowns, the Solea laser for drill-free fillings, Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) for a more comfortable and effective cleaning experience, and saliva testing for microbial screening. From routine preventive care, cosmetic and pediatric dentistry to dental implants and advanced periodontal treatment, we are committed to delivering precise, personalized care. Recognized for many years as one of New Hampshire’s top dental practices, we are proud to welcome new patients of all ages to the Nashua Riverfront Dentistry family. 60 Main St., Suite 330, Nashua • (603) 886-2700 nashuariverfrontdentistry.com
Thomas Burk, DMD, MD Rachel Madden, DMD, MD Corey Decoteau, DMD A. Jose Torio, DMD, MD Benjamin Farr, DDS, MD
nhmagazine.com | August 2026 89
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CONNECT | living
Fox Cottage Farm is inspired by generational garden memories — the kind passed down through grandparents, parents and quiet afternoons spent outdoors. It’s shaped by the belief that tending something well can be both grounding and hopeful, especially in a fast-moving world.
Blooms of the Season
Every August, thousands of dahlias burst into color at Fox Cottage Farm in Greenland offering visitors a chance to pick and explore BY J I L L A R M S T R O N G / P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F M AT T S I S S O N A N D S H A N N O N S H I P M A N
T
he striking beauty of a single dahlia is hard to ignore. These magnificent, geometric blooms — from soft peachy pompoms to bright fuchsia spheres, their petals layered and unfurling — range in color, shape and size. And to see thousands of these flowers, in all their variations, bloom in a single field in midsummer is truly a spectacle to behold. This is the scene at Fox Cottage Farm, 92 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
a working dahlia field at Bird Dog Farm + Cider in Greenland, where dahlias and apples share the same ground and season. The best of both worlds, the property offers visitors the chance to pick fresh dahlias and other annual varieties, try a sampling of small-batch cider in the tasting room, or play games with family and friends on the patio, soaking in the views of the 60-acre property. “Pete (Endres) and I think it’s really im-
portant to provide spaces like this for people to come and enjoy,” said Fox Cottage Farm owner Shannon Shipman about the farm and her partnership with Endres, the owner of Bird Dog. “We really believe that the community needs to be out there and experience these benefits, not only of the flowers, but being part of the community and knowing what grows in their community seasonally.” The cidery opens for visitors in May, but
Shannon Shipman, Bird Dog Cider owner Pete Endres, left, and tasting room general manager and orchardist, right, Andrew Menard, all work together to bring the taste and blooms of the Seacoast to life.
the dahlia season kicks off in August, when 5,000 dahlias and other flowers begin to blossom. Of the 18 rows in the field, nine are open to the public for pick-your-own. Guests can choose to fill a cup for $25 or a bucket for $60, or can even choose to wander through the fields, admiring the colorful scene, at their own leisure. The Seacoast provides an ideal climate for dahlias to thrive: hot days, a bay breeze and
temps that cool overnight. Although these flowers make their appearance in August, caring for and growing dahlias is a yearlong job, which for some enthusiasts, like Shipman, is their appeal. “There’s something so special about not only how they bloom, but there are seasons — from the tuber, to the planting, to the flowers, what happens at the first frost and in winter — that are so magnificently linked to
the seasons of our lives. It really draws you in,” Shipman said. At the end of the growing season, once the stalks are cut down, dahlia tubers — or the root of the plant where energy is stored — are dug up, divided and then “put to bed” for the next season. Shipman stores her tubers in plastic bins in her basement, layering and stacking the tubers in vermiculate like a lasagna. nhmagazine.com | August 2026 93
CONNECT | living
How to Make Dahlias Bloom More: Seven Mistakes That Reduce Flower Production By Shannon Shipman
1. NOT CUTTING ENOUGH
This surprises almost everyone. Dahlias respond to cutting. The more you harvest, the more they branch and produce new buds. If you leave blooms sitting on the plant for too long, the plant slows down. Cut deeply, down to a strong set of leaves. Don’t just snip the flower head. Varieties like Cornel Bronze, Eveline, Ivanetti, and Lark’s Ebbe, absolutely thrive on consistent cutting. They reward you for harvesting. Think of cutting not as removing blooms — but encouraging abundance.
2. OVERFEEDING NITROGEN
Lush leaves are not the goal. Too much nitrogen creates beautiful foliage and very few flowers. Early in the season, plants
need balanced nutrition. For the first four weeks after planting I will do a soil drench/spray with a very high nitrogen, but after I switch to a very low nitrogen seaweed fertilizer. Excessive nitrogen can stall bloom production and leafy plants -—we don’t want that. If your plants look huge and green but sparse in flowers, feeding may be the issue. Some varieties like Lark’s Ebbe and Clearview Peachy will grow vigorously — but they still need balance to shift energy toward blooming.
varieties known for repeat blooming and strong stems. Reliable producers in my field include:
3. CHOOSING THE WRONG VARIETIES FOR CUTTING
4. NOT PINCHING EARLY
Not all dahlias produce equally. Some are statement blooms. Some are workhorses. If your goal is maximum stems, you want
Cornel Bronze, Tahoma Kelli, Eveline, Isabel, Clearview Peachy, Lark’s Ebbe, Jowey Linda, Valley Tawny, Crichton Honey Dinnerplate varieties like Labyrinth or Otto’s Thrill are stunning — but they won’t produce at the same pace as smaller ball or decorative forms. A balanced planting plan changes everything. Pinching feels counterintuitive. You remove the top growth when the plant is about 12-16 inches tall — and it feels like you’re slowing it down. But you’re not. You’re encouraging branching. More branches = more stems = more flowers. If you skip pinching, you’ll often get one strong central stem and fewer side shoots. It’s one of the simplest ways to increase production.
5. PLANTING TOO FAR APART
This one surprises growers. While spacing is important for airflow, planting too far apart can reduce overall yield per square foot. As long as you are harvesting the dahlias you can plant them 9” apart, but the trick is cutting them. Moderate spacing encourages upright growth and efficient field use without sacrificing bloom quality. A well-designed row filled with productive varieties like Cornel, Genova, or Eveline creates rhythm — and rhythm creates abundance.
6. NOT ENOUGH SUNLIGHT
Dahlias are sun-lovers. Six hours is the minimum. Eight is better — way better. Without adequate sun, plants stretch. Stems weaken. Bud production slows. If blooms are sparse, evaluate light before anything else. Even strong varieties like Ivanetti or Clearview Peachy can’t perform without sufficient sun.
7. WAITING TOO LONG TO HARVEST
Shannon Shipman focuses on quality over quantity and care over convenience when it comes to dahlias.
94 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
Many beginners wait for the “perfect” bloom. But dahlias should be cut when fully open — not tight like roses. And once they’re open and ready, cutting promptly encourages the plant to continue producing. If flowers sit aging on the plant, energy shifts away from new bud development. Regular harvesting keeps the cycle moving. Trust me, they want to be cut.
Choosing Dahlia Varieties Without Feeling Overwhelmed One of the most common mistakes new growers make is selecting varieties based only on photos. Not every dahlia performs the same in a garden, especially in New England conditions. Some varieties produce endlessly, while others are grown more for their dramatic presence than their productivity. Let’s be honest, every grower has their favorites that do them no favors in the field. If this is your first season, focus on varieties that are: • Known for consistent blooming • Strong-stemmed and reliable • Easy to work with in bouquets Dinnerplate dahlias often capture attention first, but many growers find that smaller decorative and ball varieties build confidence faster because they bloom more frequently. They also have a longer vase life. At Fox Cottage Farm, variety selection is always about balance — romantic statement flowers paired with dependable workhorses.
HOW TO PLANT DAHLIAS: Dahlias need warm temperatures, lots of sunlight, well-draining and healthy soil, deep watering once the plants are established, and support for their hefty stalks. 1. Plant after the frost has passed, when the soil is about 50 degrees. 2. Space the tubers 16-24 inches apart and dig a hole 4 inches deep. Lay the tuber in the ground horizontally with the “eyes,” or sprouts, facing up. 3. Water lightly once you sprouts emerge (tubers need time to root down and can rot with excess water). 4. When the plants are about 12 inches, pinch them by snipping off the top of the central stem. This will signal more growth, which means more blooms to enjoy. 5. Stake the flowers to keep blooms from drooping. Consider stakes from the garden store, garden netting, or the corral method depending on the size of the garden. 6. Once the plants are established, water deeply (about 1 inch) once or twice a week. For reference, stand over each flower for approximately 3 minutes. 7. Use a high nitrogen fertilizer in the beginning to get the plants started. After about four to six weeks, switch to a lower nitrogen fertilizer for fewer leafy greens and bigger blooms.
WATERING AND FEEDING: BUILDING A STEADY RHYTHM After planting in the spring, Shipman doesn’t water. Tubers don’t require watering until you see active growth above the soil. Once plants begin to stretch toward the sun, consistent watering paired with balanced feeding helps them develop strong stems and healthy blooms. They need 1 inch a week, because once they sprout, they are hungry. After they are in the ground, abide by the “Jesus take the wheel” theory and let Mother Nature take its course. At Fox Cottage Farm, the goal is always steadiness — creating an environment where dahlias can grow naturally rather than forcing rapid growth. “The garden is the place you want to make your mistakes. It’s where you learn,” Shipman advised. “Don’t put pressure on yourself. Flowers are fun. They’re beautiful. If something fails, that’s OK.”
In the spring, when the soil reaches 50 degrees, the tubers are planted. Within two to four weeks, sprouts begin pushing their way up and out of the ground, and as the seasons change and warm, the plants grow significantly in size, ranging from 3 feet in height to a whopping 7 feet or taller. While there are 42 recognized species of dahlias in the world, there are more than 57,000 cultivated varieties registered with the Royal Horticultural Society. Listed on the Fox Cottage Farm website, the names of these varieties alone are enough to comfort and delight: Cafe au Lait, Belle of Barmera, Sweet Nathalie. Some of the most common varieties include the lacinated dahlia, distinguished by its fluffy, textured blooms; and the waterlily dahlia, its saucer-shape and broad, slightly curved petals resembling the plants of the same name, floating effortlessly on the surface of a still pond. “Waterlilies will close up at night and then open again when the sun comes up in the morning, and they’re just so stunning. It’s almost like God took a paintbrush and painted them just slightly,” Shipman said. “It’s hard to articulate unless you walk through and see it in person.” The dinnerplate dahlia — which isn’t exactly a single dahlia variety, but rather a descriptive classification for blooms measuring at least 8 inches in diameter, or the size of a dinner plate, as the name suggests — can grow bigger than a human head. “There’s nothing like finding joy in watching children run through the field with their eyes so big and so wide with wonder over a flower,” she said. For Shipman, tending dahlias is a labor of love, of connection, of healing. “Tending for something that is alive, especially things that are outside — there are so many long-term benefits. To be able to have a flower as dynamic as a dahlia, and to tend to that all year round, there’s so much gratification in that.” NH
Visitor Information Fox Cottage Farm’s dahlia field is open seasonally at Bird Dog Farm & Cidery, 150 Bayside Road, Greenland. Check their website for dates and times: foxcottagefarm.com nhmagazine.com | August 2026 95
CONNECT | out & about
PHOTO COURTESY LEAGUE OF NH CRAFTSMEN
Events Around the State
AUGUST 1-9
93rd Annual NH League of Craftsmen Fair The Annual Craftsmen’s Fair began in 1933 and runs for nine days each year, featuring the juried work of hundreds of members with sales booths, interactive demonstrations and curated exhibitions attracting over 20,000 visitors annually. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Ticket prices vary, Mount Sunapee Resort, 1398 New Hampshire Route 103, Newbury; nhcrafts.org
AUGUST 1
AUGUST 8
AUGUST 7
New England Hot Sauce Fest Spicy Shark presents a New England destination and celebration for hot sauce lovers. Featuring hot sauce samples from over 20 craft companies, music, food trucks, food challenges (including a hot pepper eating contest and a hot wing contest), craft vendors, libations, bouncy houses and more. Proceeds support the Blue Ocean Society and Seacoast Science Center. Ticket prices vary., Strawbery Banke Museum, 14 Hancock St., Portsmouth. newenglandhotsaucefest.com. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event.
Woods, Water and Wildlife Festival This day-long celebration of the great outdoors is a chance for families to have fun, explore and learn about the natural world together and features fun and educational outdoor activities. Take a hayride to the river, observe and learn about NH wildlife, take a discovery walk, watch demonstrations of traditional skills, try your hand at fishing, do crafts with your kids, enjoy food trucks and more. Prices vary. 10 a.m.—3 p.m., Branch Hill Farm, 307 Applebee Road., Milton Mills. (603) 473-2020; mmrgnh.org
An Evening with Seth Meyers Seth Meyers is returning for a special stand-up show at the SNHU Arena to benefit CASA of New Hampshire and the Granite State Children’s Alliance! The SNL alum and host of Late Night with Seth Meyers will be coming back to his hometown for a night you won’t forget, while supporting our state’s children! Tickets are limited and likely to sell out. Ticket prices vary, 8 p.m., SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St., Manchester; snhuarena.com
96 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
AUGUST 8-16
AUGUST 15
AUGUST 22
Sunfox Farm Sunflower Bloom Festival Twenty acres of sunflowers awaits you at Sunfox Farm’s 7th Annual Sunflower Bloom Festival. The event will take place at their 57-acre farm located in the heart of Concord. Walk through the fields and experience the beauty and vibrancy of sunflowers towering over you, stretching nearly as far as the eye can see. In addition to the beautiful blooms, during festival weekends enjoy local musicians, as well as a variety of vendors showcasing unique offerings, and food trucks too. Concord. sunfoxfarm.org
Boot Scootin‘ Boogie 5k & Brewfest Following the 5k that starts on Sargent Road, and ends at the Londonderry Athletic Fields, participants and their friends and families can enjoy a brewfest with over 15 participating breweries. At the brewfest, you’ll unwind with a bonfire, and enjoy live music and delicioius food until the night ends. Please bring cash, as credit cards may not be accepted with all vendors. Registration required. 6:30 p.m., 98 Sargent Road, Londonderry; millenniumrunning.com
12th Annual Gate City Brewfest As summer starts winding down, head to Nashua for one last beer-fueled hurrah. An extensive beer list, live music, a corn hole tournament and more are on tap. $15-$70. 1 to 5 p.m., Holman Stadium, 67 Amherst St., Nashua. gatecitybrewfestnh.com. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event.
AUGUST 8-16
Sunflower Soiree Experience the wonder of sunflowers in full bloom at Brookford Farm. The whole family will love picking their own sunflowers, seeing farm animals up close and so much more! brookfordfarm.com AUGUST 9
Fairy Festival This celebration of Fairy Houses connects children to the natural world and includes crafts, readings of fairy tales, face painting, a whimsical Tea Party in the Pavilion, and, of course, building fairy habitats in the Fairy Village. Children are invited to dress in their finest Fairy or Gnome attire. An ice cream truck will be available onsite. There will also be a special performance by local dancers from Dance Arts Academy. $5-20, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., John Hay Estate at The Fells, 456 Rt 103A, Newbury; thefell.org
AUGUST 22
Hampton Beach Children’s Festival The Hampton Beach Children’s Festival will delight the young (and young at heart) with magic shows, storytelling, a costume parade and more. Free, times vary. Hampton Beach State Park, NH 1-A, Hampton. hamptonbeach.org
Wildflower Festival For a fourth year in a row, the Wildflower Festival, a nonprofit arts, music and ecology festival is back. This year’s festivities will include art vendors, food trucks, live music, a plant sale, educational booths (with the NH Audubon, the Caterpillar Lab) and more. Noon- 9 p.m., $10 suggested donation, Keyes Field Stage, Milton; Instagram/ @wildflowerfest
AUGUST 21-25
AUGUST 22-23
The 76th Annual Cornish Fair Since 1950, the Cornish Fair remains a traditional, family-friendly, educational, agricultural fair offering fruits and vegetable exhibits, horse and oxen pulling, 4-H, crafts, children’s activities, live entertainment, vendors, amusement rides and more. The Cornish Fair is also home to the largest dairy show New Hampshire, and remains committed to the education and sustainability of the agriculture industry. Prices and times vary (Reminder: The fair is cash only), 294 Town House Road, Cornish. (603) 675-5426; cornishfair.org
Fine Arts and Crafts Festival This beloved summer tradition brings together an exceptional collection of fine artists and skilled craftspeople from across the region, showcasing a stunning variety of handmade works. Stroll through rows of colorful tents filled with handcrafted jewelry, original paintings, distinctive pottery, and one-of-a-kind art pieces, all set against the beauty of the Lakes Region. Enjoy live music from talented local musicians throughout the weekend. Meredith; meredithareachamber.com
AUGUST 17-21
AUGUST 23
AutoFair NH 10 Miler Run 10 miles. Attend after-party. Repeat? This event takes runners on a near-half-marathon run around the perimeter of Massabesic Lake, then rewards them with a free post-race beer. Registration Required. 8 a.m., New Boston, (603) 488-1186; millenniumrunning.com AUGUST 28-29
Grammy Award Winner Ruthie Foster
COURTESY PHOTO
AUGUST 14-16
White Mountain Boogie n’ Blues Festival With two decades of festival sand and a bevy of national blues preservation awards under its belt, this boogiefest is not to be missed. This year’s lineup includes Grammy Award Winner, Ruthie Foster, Albert Cummings, Will Wilde, The Sauce Boss and so many more! To really dive into the festival experience, rent a campsite on the Boogie’s sprawling White Mountains grounds. Prices and times vary, Sugar Shack Campground, 210 NH Route 175, North Thornton. (603) 726-3867; whitemountainboogie.com
North Country Moose Festival The weekend before Labor Day means it’s time for the North Country Moose Festival! This year’s festivities will include a moose calling contest, parade, live music, artisan and craft vendors, and family favorites such as a dog show, and maple syrup tasting contest – not to mention the classic car show. Don’t forget to head down the road to Dixville Notch State Park, where you might spot a moose of your own! On Saturday, head over the border to Canaan, Vermont, for a down-home country fair. Free, times vary. Colebrook, chamberofthenorthcountry.com nhmagazine.com | August 2026 97
CONNECT | leisure life
Minor League Baseball holds a unique place in American sports culture.
Home Run for Family Fun New Hampshire Fisher Cats keep fans entertained BY LY N N E S N I E R S O N / P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y M L B . C O M F I S H E R C AT S
W
hen it comes to affordable, family- friendly fun, creative entertainment geared toward kids, community engagement and the chance to see future stars, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats always hits a grand slam. New Hampshire’s minor league baseball team, which is the Double-A affiliate of the Major League Baseball Toronto Blue Jays, has called Manchester home since 2004. But things are distinctly different since the franchise was bought in 2024 by Diamond Baseball Holdings, which has 49 minor league baseball teams across North America in its portfolio and is a subsidiary of the investment group Silver Lake. DBH is providing new opportunities for the club and the community to preserve the national pastime in the Granite State. 98 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
“These aren’t your father’s Fisher Cats,” says General Manager Taylor Fisher, while adding that this is his real last name. Fisher, a New England native, has been involved in minor league baseball for 14 years. He was brought in after serving as a vice president of the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, a Milwaukee Brewers affiliate. “It’s different here now when you’re backed by an ownership group that’s backed by a private equity firm. That’s not the norm. Most minor league baseball teams are owned by a single owner, and it’s a single club. Now we are one of 49 teams that have a huge backing, a huge amount of buying power and a high level of stability. This has allowed us to tell a very different story for 2026 and beyond,” he says. New Hampshire has a colorful recent
history with minor league sports teams. The Manchester Monarchs, the AHL and then ECHL franchise of the National Hockey League’s Los Angeles Kings, The Manchester Wolves of the Arena Football League, and the American Basketball Association’s expansion Manchester Mill Rats enjoyed popularity for a time. None survived. “The Fisher Cats have a very strong fan base. A big part of it is we have been a Blue Jays affiliate since day one,” explains the team’s GM. “What very much separates minor league baseball apart from those other leagues is that those individual teams pay their players and coaches and are responsible for the huge expense of their salaries. That’s not how minor league baseball works. All our players and coaches are paid by the parent club and are Blue Jays employees.”
Delta Dental Stadium provides the ballpark experience without the high cost of a major league ticket.
The front office personnel are on the Fisher Cats payroll and are responsible for running the business and operating the stadium. In the offseason, DBH invested more than $1 million in the physical ballpark to improve the fan experience. After complaints about the food and beverage provided by a third-party concessionaire last year, everything was brought in-house to much better reviews. As for the business side, the turnaround with corporate sponsors is remarkable. “Coming out of the 2025 season 80 percent of our partners were on one-year deals up for renewals. By the end of 2025, they had instead committed to three- or five-year deals. That was something that took an immense amount of work,” says Fisher. “We worked extremely hard coming into this year to show the growth, the changes and the investment. Almost every one of our partners renewed, so now we need to back it up and show why that commitment from our corporate partners is worthwhile and valid.” So far, so good. Lauren Getts, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce vice president
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats have been Eastern League Champions four times. nhmagazine.com | August 2026 99
CONNECT | leisure life for economic development and strategic communications, says, “From an economic standpoint, their impact on Manchester is significant and far-reaching. On game nights, our downtown comes alive and local businesses see a real boost in foot traffic. A thriving anchor attraction like the Fisher Cats helps make Manchester a destination, drawing visitors from across the region who spend money, explore our city and come back again.” They also invest in local community in immeasurable ways. “From hosting nonprofit fundraisers and awareness nights, to making their facility available for community events, the Fisher Cats show up for Manchester over and over. They are a cornerstone of what makes this city a great place to live, work and do business,” notes Getts. The response from season ticket holders is overwhelming as well. “We were given a goal for 2026 and of the 49 teams in our ownership group, we were number one. We beat our season ticket goal by 170 percent. Season tickets in many locales in many sports are in decline, so to be able to say we just beat our season ticket goal by 170 percent is crazy. We are very proud of that,” Fisher says. Ryan Fragala of Londonderry and his family have been fans for 10 years. “This year it (the ballpark experience) is different. Now there is a more of a big-league feel and it’s so much more reasonably priced than Fenway Park. Plus, the kids have more fun here than they do at a Red Sox game. I would absolutely recommend to any other family that they come to games here. It’s a great experience for the whole family,” he says. It isn’t just the kiddos enjoying a trip to the ballpark. “During one of our quarterly networking events, I watched over 150 business professionals set down their phones, grab a hot dog and a beer and just enjoy a beautiful evening together — you could literally see the weight lift off everyone's shoulders,” Getts says. “That’s the magic of the Fisher Cats experience. They create an environment where people connect, relax and remember why community matters.” NH For more information about the Fisher Cats and their upcoming schedule of games, visit mlb.com/milb/new-hampshire. 100 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
Every game holds the chance for a memory with a future major-leaguer.
Play Ball! In the 2025 World Series, the American League Champion Toronto Blue Jays lost a one-run heartbreaker to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7. With 40 percent of the Blue Jays roster being former New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the team had plenty of local support. “We’ve been very fortunate that we’ve had a lot of really good guys play here. It makes the Blue Jays easy to root for,” says GM Taylor Fisher. One of the advantages of minor league baseball is the intimacy of the game, where fans can interact with the players. The Fisher Cats are connected to this community, and especially to the kiddos. “It’s a really big deal when an athlete pays attention to a kid. Our guys are good at that. We have a lot of good guys. They hang out, sign autographs, take pictures, give kids baseballs, all of it. That’s what we care about, making sure that the players understand the significance of that. While they’re here, we want them to have immense success plus go out of their way to interact with the fans and show the kids some love,” says Fisher. Those kids just might be getting a ball signed by a future Major League All-Star. “This year we’ve already had a couple of players on our team get called up to the Blue Jays. That’s very special,” Fisher says.
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Donkey Hotey, a miniature donkey, left, spends some time with Jen Vickery and his best friend, Cowboy, at Tomten Farm and Sanctuary in Haverhill.
Free to Roam
Rescued animals enjoy a second life at Tomten Farm and Sanctuary S T O RY & P H O T O S BY J O H N KO Z I O L
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ife is filled with beautiful, wonderful things, few more awesome to behold than the sheer physicality and the speed with which a horse goes from a gentle trot to a full, head-up gallop. Even more compelling than watching a horse doing “zoomies,” however, is knowing that just a short time earlier, when he was rescued this past December from an abusive situation in New York State by Tomten Farm and Sanctuary and others, the horse was emaciated and could barely stand, having been shut up in a pen for five years. Now, at the ripe age of 22, BenAgain, as he is affectionately known, is living his new, forever best life at Tomten, in Haverhill, along with a hundred animals similarly blessed. Located between the Connecticut River to the west and the White Mountains to the east, Tomten is a place where, through the 102 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
generosity and compassion of many people, good things happen for animals. It is a place where the animals’ burdens are laid aside, where theirs is a natural life filled with affection and friends of many species, not the specter of the slaughterhouse. Tomten, which is named after a Scandinavian elf who, at night, comforts farm animals and their humans, was born through the love of all animals and the death of one in particular. Jenifer “Jen” Vickery grew up in Massachusetts with deep feelings for all of God’s creatures. A champion equestrienne, she parted ways with her horse, Sturgeon Moon, when she went to college. She thought she was leaving Sturgeon Moon in good hands, only to learn that the horse had been sold by its
caretakers, not returned to her as their contract stipulated. To her horror, Vickery was told that Sturgeon Moon had been acquired by a meat merchant and that there was nothing she could do. Fast-forwarding a few years, Vickery opened a sanctuary in Bolton, Mass., but when it got to be too constrained, she relocated in 2014 to Haverhill, where Tomten occupies about 100 acres of mostly rolling farmland. There, visitors — who need to call ahead and make an appointment and, ideally, come as part of a group, Vickery urged — can see chickens and roosters walking around like they own the place. In separate paddocks and other parts of Tomten are geese, cats, rabbits, goats, sheep, pigs, a llama, alpacas, horses, donkeys, mules and cows, all with new, colorful names in celebration of their new lives. Lucinda Longneck, an alpaca, likes to hang out with her best friend, Lilith Lightfoot, a sheep, who has a gray goose shadow who is friends to both of them and is simply known as “Lilith’s Goose.” The goats chill out together, and so do the donkeys, joined by SaMule Halfhorse, a ponderously large but charming mule. Tomten is home to two miniature donkeys —
Vickery tends to Marilyn Moo-nroe at Tomten Farm and Sanctuary in Haverhill.
Hotey (who is a donkey and hence known as “Donkey Hotey,” and his longtime best pal, Cowboy. Marsha, who weighs in at around 600 pounds, is a contented sow who enjoys belly rubs, while equally contented are Tomten’s cows, among them Marilyn Moo-nroe. Yes, that is her name. Vickery said when the donkeys first arrived at Tomten they were wary of humans and would flee to the far end of their paddock. Now they cautiously come to check out visitors, and while not lap dogs, let visitors get up close to them. BenAgain, meanwhile, has gained weight and strength since coming to Tomten and he, too, is more welcoming of people. He likes carrots, he likes being outdoors and he likes doing zoomies, the latter of which make Vickery happy to her core. For all the good news coming out of Tomten, there is sadness and struggle, too. Like many rescues/sanctuaries, Vickery has discovered that she has to say “no” more often than “yes” in accepting animals. Tomten has limited resources, she explained, and taking in more animals than it is able to care for means that all the animals suffer. It is expensive to take care of an animal for its entire life, and the cost increases as the animal gets older, Vickery said. Tomten is dedicated to helping farm animals, and is what Vickery calls a “life-
long sanctuary for unwanted, unaffordable and unadoptable animals,” but it also helps human beings. Petunia’s Pantry at Tomten is “a short-term food-assistance program serving the Grafton County community,” designed to help keep animals “fed and safely at home during times of temporary hardship.” Earlier this year, Tomten posted its “Planning Ahead” guide on its website. On the website, Vickery explains that pre-planning is a smart thing to do for all animal lovers. “Hardship can happen to anyone at any time. Even the most devoted guardians can face illness, financial strain, or circumstances none of us see coming. Here at Tomten, we have learned that a little planning can go a long way in keeping beloved animals safe and in gifting the people who love them something equally precious: peace of mind.” Tomten has an annual operating budget of about $750,000 and is currently completing a fundraising effort to put aside enough money to run, under a worst-case scenario, for one year. Tomten, which is overseen by a seven-person board of directors, has multiple succession plans in place, said Vickery, and she herself is insured so that Tomten can remain open and hire an executive director as well as a barn manager in case anything happens to her. Because donations are critical to it, Tomten
is careful to present an open, transparent face to the public. It has a platinum rating from Candid, formerly GuideStar, and merited three out of four stars from Charity Navigator. Vickery said Tomten could have earned four stars if it conducted an audit, choosing, however, to spend that $20,000 on the animals rather than the audit. The long-term goal is to make Tomten “a sustainable organization,” she said, and to offer more educational opportunities. She thanked “everyone who has joined us on our journey,” including partners such as the Massachusetts and New Hampshire societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dorset Equine Rescue in East Dorset, Vermont. Several groups, among them the DER, helped rescue BenAgain, six other stallions and a cow that had been standing atop a 5-foot-tall mound of manure. BenAgain was the most fragile of the horses, which is why Tomten wanted to help him. Jen Straub, the DER’s founder and executive director, said Tomten “is an organization that we at The Dorset Equine Rescue have come to know and trust deeply over the years. In the animal rescue world, having reliable and knowledgeable partner organizations is incredibly important, especially during large-scale rescue cases when resources and capacity can quickly become stretched.” Straub said the willingness of Vickery and Tomten “to help a variety of species … speaks to both the depth of their compassion and their commitment to animal welfare. We have always been impressed not only by the care they provide, but also by the professionalism, integrity and thoughtfulness with which they operate. Their dedication to giving animals a safe and loving future truly sets them apart.” Vickery and Laima Whitty, a vice president and founding member of Tomten, agree that Tomten transforms lives by helping to save them. The need for life-long sanctuaries is great, they said, and not every animal can be saved, but the effort has to be made and every rescue is a gift to be celebrated. Tomten, said Whitty, wants to give animals “the dignity they didn’t have in life.” NH For more information about Tomten Farm and Sanctuary, go to tomtenfarmandsanctuary.org. nhmagazine.com | August 2026 103
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Charlie, awake and ready for mischief.
Charlie slept with us in our bed the first couple of nights. He did OK until the morning light starting peeking into our bedroom, then our fabric-covered headboard became his giant scratching post. I’ve adjusted to getting up for the day at 5:20, though I’m still working on weaning him from nipping at my feet while I try to make a cup of coffee. I’m not fast enough with a spray bottle of water that early in the morning. I don’t get much accomplished for at least the first half-hour of the day, though I’m pretty good at wielding a cat streamer toy with one hand and sipping coffee with the other. Whenever I wonder how long this routine is going to last — I could be working out at the gym right now — I remember how brief it will be, an accelerated version of watching an infant evolve from drinking milk from a bottle to pedaling a tricycle. Lincoln and I had a similar routine. As an adult cat, his morning ritual was following me into the kitchen, where I would spoon out some wet cat food for him, usually before I had a chance to make my coffee. Often, he would wander into the living room, returning to eat only after I had left the kitchen. He liked to dine alone. Lincoln, party of one. While he would spend some time with me, rolling over on his back to be rubbed, after a few minutes, he’d scamper back upstairs. There he would sleep with Jeannie, who’d let him curl up near her despite her dander allergy.
Cat’s in the Cradle S T O RY & P H O T O S BY M I K E C O T E
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he cat’s in the cradle. OK, we don’t have a cradle. But the cat’s in a wicker basket full of dirty laundry. He’s atop a pile of precious vinyl records. He’s inside a mesh pet carrier that nearly killed him when he got himself twisted in one of its handles. That’s because he’s not a cat. He’s a kitten. And kittens are crazy. Charlie arrived at our home nine weeks after he was born and only a couple of weeks after we said goodbye to our 14-year-old cat, Lincoln, who had a tumor that was robbing him of his ability to breathe. My wife and I hadn’t planned to adopt another pet so fast, but when Jeannie learned a friend had kittens who needed a home, she couldn’t help but respond, even while she was deeply grieving her precious Bubba Goose. Her friend’s daughter visited with three kittens for us to meet. Charlie, a Siamese with a bobtail — a fancy name for a stub — won the audition after falling asleep in my arms, Jeannie’s arms and on one of our living room chairs. We would soon learn to appreciate every moment he is asleep. 104 New Hampshire Magazine | August 2026
Lincoln, AKA Mr. President, cozy in a sandal.
My stepdaughter, Lauren, brought Lincoln home as a kitten, naming him after the New Hampshire town home to Loon Mountain Resort, where she and her now-husband, AJ, love to snowboard. We had dozens of names for Lincoln. I called him Mr. President and, for short while, Kit Romney. (It’s a nonpartisan thing: Charlie right now is Joe Bitin’.) Everyone in our neighborhood knew Lincoln’s real name, thanks to his frequent escapes from our backyard, where our “indoor” cat would hang with us on the grass, showing no signs of fleeing under the fence unless we left him alone for a moment. Then we would be wandering around the block calling after him, though he almost always ended up in the same place, hiding under our neighbor’s backyard shed, out of reach. We’re holding onto those memories as we make new ones with Charlie, conscious of how much time we’re spending with him, just as we are with our children and grandchildren. The time to have a good time is now. NH
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