Here In Hanover - Winter 2025

HANOVER

and neighboring communities

CORTINA, ITALY

SKIING THE OLYMPIC TRAIL

LEMON TREE

GIFTS & HOME

PACKED WITH PRESENTS

small plates, BIG FLAVOR

A

Fusion of Tastes at CASA BRAVA TAPAS

Photo by Lisa Ballard.

On the cover:

Owners Austin Junker and Jimmy Van Kirk of Casa Brava Tapas.

Photo by Kata Sasvari.

Mountain View Publishing, LLC 135 Lyme Road Hanover, NH 03755 (603) 867-9339 www.greateruppervalley.com

Publishers Bob Frisch

Cheryl Frisch

Executive Editor Deborah Thompson

Associate Editor Kristy Erickson

Creative Director/Design Ellen Klempner-Béguin

Ad Design Melanie Marston

Web Design Locable

Inbound Marketing Manager Erin Frisch Newton

Advertising Ryan Frisch

KEEP US POSTED. Here in Hanover wants to hear from readers. Correspondence may be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, Here in Hanover, 135 Lyme Road, Hanover, NH 03755. Or email us at: dthompson@ mountainviewpublishing.com. Advertising inquires may be made by email to ryanfrisch@ mountainviewpublishing.com. Here in Hanover is published quarterly by Mountain View Publishing, LLC ©2025/2026. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited. Here in Hanover accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, artwork, or photographs.

Good Tidings

No matter how busy we are, how chaotic the world around us becomes, and regardless of how much things have changed in the last 200 years, a traditional carol of 1833, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” still rings true with a message of good cheer to all. Offering up “tidings of comfort and joy” to everyone we meet is a goal to strive for, not just for the holiday season but for every day of the year. Come to think of it, that’s a good resolution to consider making for the new year.

Besides good tidings, in this issue we’re also delivering a generous helping of holiday treats to savor—namely our delicious articles and scrumptious photography. Come along as we visit Casa Brava Tapas, our cover story (page 50). Jimmy Van Kirk, Austin Junker, and their staff are waiting to serve you from their delicious menu choices along with their original crafted cocktails. Meet your friends and make an evening of it!

We’re continuing the festivities with Cole Flannery of Half-Step Beer & Wine in Norwich, Vermont (page 44). He has selected some of his favorite wines and beers for holiday gift-giving or your own celebrations. Speaking of gifts, if you’re looking for unique items for everyone on your shopping list, check out Lemon Tree Gifts & Home (page 74). With two locations—downtown Hanover and the PowerHouse Mall—owner Melissa Haas has stocked her stores with presents that will delight even those hard-to-buy-for folks.

As we prepare to go to print, excitement is building for the winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy. Frequent contributor Lisa Ballard has competed there and skied the downhill course that this year’s Olympians will be racing on in February (page 60). She’s sharing her first-hand knowledge and a sneak peek at the mountain, the trails, and all the thrills we’re looking forward to. Go Team USA!

As winter’s chill continues, gather your loved ones around the fireplace, decorate the tree, and take lots of pictures to capture your special memories. Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanza! Happy holidays, no matter which celebration you observe. Enjoy!

Deborah Thompson Executive Editor dthompson@mountainviewpublishing.com

www.greateruppervalley.com/facebook

p Anne Richter Arnold, writer

When not sharing her passion for wine through tasting events and educational classes throughout Northern New England, Anne writes professionally and for her blog, From the Vine to Wine. She is also completing a psychological thriller set in New Hampshire. In her free time, she enjoys world travel, playing the piano, hiking, kayaking, and creating wonderful meals to pair with wine. She makes her home on the Seacoast with her husband, dogs, cats, goats, and chickens.

p Kata Sasvari, photographer

Hungarian-born photographer Kata brings a storyteller’s eye to every image. Based in Norwich, Vermont, she specializes in portraits and events, capturing genuine emotion and connection. Kata is a dedicated theater photographer whose work is often exhibited at Northern Stage. If not behind the camera, you can find her running rock shows for local teens through Tuck’s Rock Dojo. katasasvari.com

p Lisa Ballard, writer & photographer

A full-time freelance writer and photographer, Lisa is a graduate of Dartmouth College who resided in the Upper Valley for another 25 years. She is the author of 13 books, including Best Hikes with Dogs: New Hampshire & Vermont, Hiking the White Mountains, and Hiking the Green Mountains. She covers all types of travel, outdoor recreation, and conservation topics for over 25 magazines. www.LisaBallardOutdoors.com

p Kelly Sennott, writer

Kelly has written for The Concord Monitor, AMC Outdoors Magazine, and The Hippo, and she is an alum of the University of New Hampshire’s Master of Fine Arts in Writing program. She currently works in various Upper Valley libraries and lives in Lebanon, New Hampshire, with her husband and son.

p Mike Morin, writer

Mike is a columnist and 50-year radio and TV personality, and in the past decade has written three books, including his career memoir, a book on the history of the famed Red Arrow Diner, and another on modern history of candlepin bowling. He is the 2013 recipient of the Will Rogers Humanitarian Award from the National Society of Newspaper Columnists.

p Herb Swanson, photographer

Herb has been making photographs for over 25 years, and his work in journalism has taken him around the world. His portfolio is wide-ranging, capturing moments in sports, the arts, and international events. He lives in Vermont and continues to freelance for newspapers including the Boston Globe and The New York Times, and magazines including Smithsonian.

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5 Places to Grab a Holiday Drink  Unwind after work with friends over festive holiday drinks and cheerful conversation.

 Positive Pie and Farmer and the Bell Open in Woodstock

Woodstock, Vermont, has had exciting news with the opening of two new restaurants: Positive Pie and Farmer and the Bell.

 The Upper Valley’s 2025 Holiday Gift Guide

Explore our hand-selected local favorites to make holiday shopping stress-free, fun, and filled with the local spirit!

ONLINE ADVERTISERS INDEX

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BELLETETES

CALDWELL LAW

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CARPENTER & MAIN

CHAPMAN’S GENERAL STORE

COLBY INSURANCE GROUP

CO-OP FOOD STORES

COPELAND FURNITURE

CROSSROADS ACADEMY

DARTMOUTH AUTHENTIC

DATAMANN

DB LANDSCAPING

DESIGNER GOLD

DR. NEELY-HANOVER ORTHODONTICS

DUTILLE’S JEWELRY DESIGN STUDIO

EYEGLASS OUTLET

FORE-U GOLF CENTER

GILBERTE INTERIORS

HANOVER EYECARE

HUBERT’S FAMILY OUTFITTERS

IVY IV AESTHETICS

JEFF WILMOT PAINTING & WALLPAPERING, INC.

LAVALLEY BUILDING SUPPLY

LITTLE ISTANBUL

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MARTHA E. DIEBOLD REAL ESTATE

MB PRO LANDSCAPE DESIGN

MORNINGSIDE FLIGHT PARK

MVP MARINE

POWERHOUSE MALL

RAMUNTO’S OF CLAREMONT

RICHARD ELECTRIC

RIVER ROAD VETERINARY CLINIC

RODD ROOFING

SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL EVENTS

STATELINE SPORTS

THE FLYING GOOSE

THE GILDED EDGE

THE HANOVER INN AT DARTMOUTH COLLEGE

THE PUBLIC HOUSE

THE WORKS CAFÉ

TOP STITCH

TUCKERBOX

UPPER VALLEY BUSINESS ALLIANCE

VILLAGE PIZZA

VINS

WHITE RIVER FAMILY EYECARE WISE

WOODSTOCK AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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For more information about how your business can get listed on our ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY or for other online advertising opportunities, contact Ryan Frisch at (518) 365-0030 or email ryanfrisch@mountainviewpublishing.com.

by cassie horner

LOCAL HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Riverview Farm Wreath Making and Holiday Shop

The barn is decorated for the holidays. There are the sounds of seasonal music and the wonderful aroma of freshly cut evergreen branches and lots of other organic materials. It’s the setting of the popular wreath-making workshops at Riverview Farm in Plainfield, New Hampshire. This peaceful space invites eight students per workshop to slow down and engage their creative juices in making beautiful, unique wreaths sure to kick off the holiday spirit.

The enthusiasm and joy of teacher Amy Franklin, whose family has owned and operated the farm for over 40 years, is the driving force behind the classes. “It is a hyper-local product,” she says. “People love coming to the farm and having a special time in the barn. I love teaching them. It’s very mindful work, making choices about what materials to use in your wreath. You use the creative part of your brain. It allows people to slow down in a busy time of year.”

The wreath-making workshops started about 12 years ago with dried flowers left over from the season. The genesis of the wreath workshops came from Gary Hamel, a former employee at Riverview Farm, whose love for his mother’s wreaths and all things creative combined with Amy’s absolute passion for the holiday season. The schedule evolved into five eight-person classes; today Amy is up to 30 classes, including some private ones.

Clockwise from far left: Handmade wreath using apples, gomphrena, and Sweet Annie. Class participant works on her wreath. Wreaths all made by class participants. Handmade window wreaths for sale. Handmade wreath using celosia, winter rye, and pine. Locally made gifts in the holiday shop.

“We had a great partnership with Hidden Fields Fir Farm for boughs,” Amy says. After that farm closed in 2023, Riverview Farm planted 2,200 trees on two acres of field. Eventually they will offer cut-your-own tree opportunities and utilize their own boughs in the wreaths. In the meantime, they have found a local supplier of boughs.

All the wreath materials are organic, including dried flowers and seed pods. “I love helping people if they’re struggling to make a wreath, and I love watching someone who has been making wreaths for 10 years,” Amy says. “Everyone walks out with a beautiful wreath.”

The second part of the holiday events at Riverview Farm is the Holiday Shop that runs the weekend after Thanksgiving and the first weekend in December. The shop offers precut trees, a wide variety of wreaths, beeswax and other candles, locally made wood products, recycled wool blankets from Scotland, and the many products from Riverview Farm, such as jam.

Wreath-making workshops fill up very quickly. Thinking ahead to 2026, registration begins at 10am on October 1. Amy suggests that people put a reminder alert on their phone. She posts the schedule a week ahead. Visit Riverview Farm’s website at riverviewnh.com. The farm has many events going on throughout the year. t

Top from left: Handmade centerpiece. Wreath class in full swing.

Bottom, from left: Handmade wreath using broom corn, nigella, orange slices, and cedar. Riverview Farm's retail barn where all are welcome.

INTERNATIONAL NEW YEAR'SCelebrations

FUN OBSERVANCES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

For Americans, watching the ball drop in Times Square is an annual tradition. Did you know that it began as 1907 turned into 1908? That’s when The New York Times owner Adolph Ochs created the countdown event in New York City to draw attention to the Times’s new headquarters, and we’ve been gathering there to party ever since. But other countries have their own unique ways of celebrating. As the calendar turns to January 1, check out some ways different cultures mark the occasion.

BRAZIL

Going to the beach. Immediately after midnight, Brazilians run to the water and jump seven waves while making seven wishes. People dress in all white, symbolizing purity.

DENMARK

Throwing old plates. Tradition has it that the more broken kitchenware you accumulate on your doorstep, the better off you’ll be in the next year. The pile of broken plates signifies good luck and symbolizes starting the new year with a clean slate.

GREECE

Hanging an onion outside the door. Believed to bring good luck, onions symbolize fertility and growth (thanks to the ability to sprout on their own). The onion is hung on the door after attending church on New Year’s Day.

PHILIPPINES

Serving 12 round fruits. On New Year’s Eve, families make sure to serve apples, grapes, and plums, which are believed to represent prosperity because their shape is like coins. Each fruit represents one month of the year.

JAPAN

Eating soba noodles. The tradition is tied to a Buddhist temple giving out the noodles to the poor.

SPAIN

ENGLAND

Listening to Big Ben’s bells toll. It’s a tradition for British households to gather waiting for the bells of Big Ben, the clocktower at the Houses of Parliament, to ring in the New Year. The crowd is likely to form a huge circle, link hands, and start singing “Auld Lang Syne.”

Eating 12 grapes. The Spanish start off their new year by eating 12 grapes, which symbolize each strike of the clock. To have a prosperous year, however, you need to finish all the grapes before the clock finishes striking midnight. However you choose to celebrate, have a happy, healthy New Year! t

MEXICO

Giving the gift of homemade tamales. Families gather to make New Year’s Eve food—specifically tamales—and then hand them out to loved ones and neighbors.

HOT CHOCOLATE, CAMPFIRE, AND S'MORES

Valentine's Skate

Last February, Hanover Parks & Recreation staff organized a festive community skate on the Dartmouth Green ice rink. “Dartmouth College invited us to host a few events there this past year to encourage community members to visit and use the ice rink they installed on the Dartmouth Green,” says Hannah Falcone, events and media program manager for Hanover Parks & Recreation. “The event was free to attend, and included hot chocolate, a campfire, and s’mores. We also had a Valentine’s Day playlist to soundtrack the ice skating. We had 34 families and children attend and 20 college students. It was a chilly evening, but the campfire kept us warm!”

2026 Valentine’s Skate

Friday, February 13

6 to 7:30pm

Etna Ice Rink

WEATHER DEPENDENT!

Opposite top and bottom: Families and students skate on the Dartmouth Green ice rink during the 2025 Valentine's Skate. A skater helps herself to some hot chocolate to warm up after her time on the ice.

This page top: Roasting s'mores on the campfire at the Valentine's Skate.

Bottom left and right: The sun sets as two students step out onto the ice on the Dartmouth Green rink last year. Folks warm up around the campfire with hot chocolate.

around & about

The event’s success inspired plans for a 2026 Valentine’s Skate to be held on Friday, February 13 from 6 to 7:30pm, this time at the Etna Ice Rink. There will hot chocolate and s’mores around a cozy campfire, along with music to put skaters in the Valentine’s mood. The event is free; all people need is to bring their own skates. Please note that the Valentine’s Skate is weather dependent! Be sure to visit hanoverrec.com for more details about the 2026 Valentine's Skate.

For more information about Hanover Parks & Recreation and the many programs they offer for youth and adults, visit hanoverrec.com. The organization’s theme is “explore, enrich, and expand.” t

A family comes off the ice after a long night of skating, s'mores, and fun.

Family Dance with a Twist in 2026

As the year approaches the Ides of March, many New Hampshire residents are tired of winter’s long days with early sunsets. Sometimes it feels like spring will never come! The Hanover Parks & Recreation staff decided they could do something to cheer up local families with a Spring Fling Family Dance at the RWB Community Center.

“We wanted to create an event to bring some springtime fun to families and kids while it was still dark outside so early,” says Hannah Falcone, events and media program manager. The Spring Fling Family Dance was born, complete with a spring-themed limbo and games and other activities.

In 2026, the Family Dance is evolving to become a Community Celebration of Willy Black’s Pig & Wolf during mud season. Designed to please the many fans and friends of Hanover’s Pig & Wolf (and to foster the development of new friends and fans), the event will include music, celebration, snacks, and dancing but with an added twist.

“There will also be displays recapping the adventures, outfits, and mischiefs of the dynamic duo over the years,” says Hannah. “The hope is that this will become an annual event to keep the spirit of Pig & Wolf fresh in the minds and hearts of the Hanover community. This is being done in tandem with our upcoming event lineup to commemorate

Local

and artist Willy Black and her chainsaw art creations, Pig & Wolf. Pig & Wolf dressed up in celebration of Valentine's Day. The winners of the dance-off at the 2025 Spring Fling Family Dance pose for a victory photo. A group of Spring Fling dancers pose for a photo together at the 2025 Spring Fling Family Dance. Pig & Wolf visit some local sculptures.

Scheduled from 5:30 to 7pm on Friday, March 13 at the RWB Community Center, the Community Celebration of Pig & Wolf is free.

Clockwise from top left:

teacher

around & about

America’s 250th birthday in Hanover, which Pig & Wolf are also part of like they were a part of Hanover’s 250th celebration in 2011.”

Scheduled from 5:30 to 7pm on Friday, March 13 at the RWB Community Center, the Community Celebration of Pig & Wolf is free. For more information about programs and events at Hanover Parks & Recreation, visit hanoverrec.com. t

Left: HPR staff hold the springtime limbo stick for a family during the dance. Right: A dancer pulls a string on the sunshine pull-string pinata at last year's dance.

Every year, right around this time, I start to worry that there are so many great new books coming out, we won’t be able to fit them all in the bookstore. I maintain that this is a good problem to have. For readers, this is a season of plenty, with exciting debuts and international authors on their first English translations mixing with cookbooks, memoirs, and more. And in a season of short days and cold nights, what better way to spend your time than with a good book (or, for that matter, a stack of them)?

For you and for everyone on your gift list this season, we’ve got a great read to recommend— and we gift wrap! I’m pretty sure all these excellent new books (and more that I don’t have room to write about here) will fit on our shelves . . . but just to be safe, perhaps you ought to come and pick a few of them out!

Wreck by Catherine Newman

Norwich Bookstore Holiday Picks

BOOKS FOR GIVING— AND KEEPING!

In this novel, a follow-up to last year’s hit Sandwich, we reconnect with Rocky and her family at home in Western Massachusetts. As she reckons with an empty nest and an aging parent, she finds herself fixating on a piece of local news that may or may not affect the family. Poignant, funny, warm, and wise, this is Catherine Newman at her best.

The Ferryman and His Wife by Frode Grytten

In this profound, quiet novel—originally published to great acclaim in Norway—Nils, a ferryboat captain on a remote fjord, wakes up understanding that it is his last day alive. As he travels his route, reflecting on lost loved ones and years of memories, his life plays out in reverse, and he realizes that the details he overlooked once are more important than he realized.

Some Bright Nowhere by Ann Packer

Beloved novelist Ann Packer returns with her first novel in a decade, a slim, powerful work that asks a potent question: What if fulfilling your dying partner’s last wish broke your heart?

The Orchard by Peter Heller (Available December 2)

This quiet, powerful coming-of-age novel set in a Vermont orchard and previously published only as an e-book introduces a quieter but no less compelling side of Dartmouth alum Peter Heller’s writing.

The Black Wolf by Louise Penny

No matter who you are, I pretty much guarantee that you have at least one Inspector Gamache fan on your list this holiday season (and maybe that fan is you). Either way, the 20th installment in the bestselling series

promises not to disappoint, continuing to deliver international intrigue as it continues the story arc of last year’s The Gray Wolf!

Winter Stories by Ingvild Rishøi (Available December 2)

In the vein of Claire Keegan or last season’s collection Brightly Shining, one of Norway’s most acclaimed contemporary literary voices returns with a collection of three long-form stories of kindness, courage, and hope in the face of adversity.

Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree

The latest installment in the popular cozy fantasy series that began with Legends & Lattes, Brigands & Breadknives follows bookseller Fern as she heads to the city hoping for a fresh start . . . and ends up, of course, involved in some hijinks.

Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson (Available December 9)

Fantasy colossus Brandon Sanderson’s new collection of short works includes stories set in the worlds of his popular series, standalone pieces, and a never-before-published novella!

A Little Life Box Set (Four Volumes) by Hanya Yanagihara

If someone on your holiday list loved A Little Life, the highly acclaimed 2015 novel by the enigmatic Hanya Yanagihara, don’t sleep on this beautiful four-volume anniversary edition, which features original art from four different artists.

Dog Show: Poems by Billy Collins, with illustrations by Pamela Sztybel

Preeminent poet Billy Collins shares a collection of poems inspired by dogs, paired with evocative watercolors by artist Pamela Sztybel. A perfect gift for dog lovers, poetry lovers, or anyone who wants a smile put on their face.

Something From Nothing: A Cookbook by Alison

Roman

Alison Roman needs no introduction among discerning home chefs. In her much-anticipated latest cookbook, she turns her attention to a true art: keeping a wellstocked pantry and whipping up simple yet stylish meals from what you have on hand.

Every Day I Read: 53 Ways to Get Closer to Books by Hwang Bo-reum (Available December 2)

This beautiful book of essays from Hwang Bo-reum, the bestselling author of Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop, is a true bibliophile’s delight: a warm and reflective exploration of our relationship to reading.

Bread of Angels: A Memoir by Patti Smith

This expansive memoir of love and loss, inspiration and art from Patti Smith offers a wide view of her life, including her early development as an artist and her marriage to the late guitarist Fred “Sonic” Smith, but is also among the most intimate of her books.

The Greatest Sentence Ever Written by Walter Isaacson

Walter Isaacson has a reputation as one of the most consequential biographers at work today, but here, instead of exploring a human subject, he turns his attention to a sentence that has shaped the world: the first line of the Declaration of Independence. Physically small and yet packed with insight, this book is a perfect stocking stuffer for history buffs and engaged citizens alike.

Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run by Paul McCartney

Beginning with his retreat from the public eye to a Scottish farm in the early 1970s— a period when he was rumored to have died—and continuing through nine albums and years of international adventure, this is Sir Paul McCartney’s oral history of Wings, the remarkable post-Beatles band

he formed with his wife Linda. Featuring the perspectives of dozens of the major players in the Wings story, this book is sure to delight music fans across the board.

The Humble Pie by Jory John and Pete Oswald

Following in the footsteps of The Good Egg and The Bad Seed, picture book rockstars Jory John and Pete Oswald return with the sweet (and seasonally appropriate) story of the Humble Pie, who learns that when he’s paired with a show-stopping cake on a school project, it can be okay to let your voice be heard.

The First Cat in Space and the Baby Pirate’s Revenge by Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris

Kids love this bombastic and funny graphic novel series from Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris! In this installment, notorious pirate Captain Babybeard has stolen a treasure map from the Queen of the Moon—but then falls victim to a mutiny! Now it’s up to the First Cat in Space and friends to set things right and possibly save the moon. Can they do it? Well, you’ll just have to read the book to find out!

The Last Ember by Lily Berlin Dodd

For fans of Impossible Creatures, Wings of Fire, and Skandar and the Unicorn Thief, this fast-paced middle-grade fantasy is packed full of magic, humor, and adventure! t

“The

arts are essential. And the Hop puts the arts at the center of our community—sparking joy, fueling creation and innovation, and deepening our understanding of the world.”

Nearly 500 guests attended the dedication of the Daryl and Steven Roth Wing (right) at the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth on October 17. Photo by Dave Cowley, Downriver Media.

—Mary Lou Aleskie, the Howard Gilman ’44 executive director of the Hop

from

THE NEW HOPKINS CENTER

A BUILDING FOR CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY

Following the grand opening weekend celebration (October 16 to 19) of the Hopkins Center for the Arts, the Hop will continue to offer its programming to the public: live music and dance performances, film screenings and discussions, immersive shows, and more.

The Hop first opened in 1962, and the architecture firm Snøhetta was hired to design the $123.8 million expansion and modernization. While the Hop was expanded by 10 percent, its energy usage was reduced by 25 percent. Dartmouth has an energy goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.

Some of the many new state-of-the-art spaces at the Hop include the Daryl Roth Studio Theater, Jack 1953 and Mac 2011 Morris Recital Hall, Hodgson Family Dance Studio, and the Mindy Kaling Theater Lab. Other improvements include upgrades to Spaulding Auditorium and other spaces and a focus on sustainability, such as energy-efficient lighting.

dartmouth college photos courtesy of the hopkins center for the arts

Photo by Katie Lenhart/Dartmouth.

the arts

The Roth Wing includes the Daryl Roth Studio Theater and Morris Recital Hall, featuring flexible performance space and state-of-the-art acoustics. Next to the latter is a revitalized Top of the Hop, designed for more programming and social conversations and a Top of the Hop Bar.

A JUBILANT CELEBRATION

Internationally acclaimed performers and national arts leaders joined students, faculty, and alumni to dedicate the new 15,000-square-foot Daryl and Steven Roth Wing at the Hop, heralding the reopening of the 63-year-old arts center.

The speakers at the dedication of the Roth Wing included award-winning writer, actor, and producer Mindy Kaling ’01. A gift from Kaling led to the Mindy Kaling Theater Lab, and she was later surrounded by students seeking photos with her outside the new theater space.

The sold-out concert on the David A. Graves Stage in Spaulding Auditorium featured legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma, a Montgomery Fellow; tenor and Tobique First Nation member Jeremy Dutcher; bassist and composer Mali Obomsawin ’18, an Abenaki from Odanak First Nation; Chris Newell ’96, a member of the Mystic River singers and a citizen of the Passamaquoddy Tribe; Icelandic writer Andri Snaer Magnason; and other artists.

Hundreds of students flocked to free workshops and talks with Dartmouth alumni, including a conversation with awardwinning producer and writer Shonda Rhimes ’91 about the 10th anniversary edition of her memoir Year of Yes. A workshop led by actor Connie Britton ’89, and an improv session with comedian and former Saturday Night Live cast member Rachel Dratch ’88 and filmmaker and Olympic runner Alexi Pappas ’12 were also hits.

The arts center, which is at the same time a center of community life, is “uniquely Dartmouth,” says Mary Lou Aleskie, the Howard Gilman ’44 executive director of the Hop. “Yet its purpose is in service to the world.” t

by Cole Flannery

Make your Celebrations Special

’Tis the season for get-togethers with family and friends, and a celebratory beverage can make your gatherings special and memorable. Keep an eye out for some unique and limited wines to complement your meals hitting the shelves of Half-Step Beer & Wine in Norwich, Vermont, for the holidays, then ring in the New Year by toasting to friends’ health, happiness, and prosperity with a special pour of a bubbly beverage. Don’t leave beer out of your holiday celebrations, especially if your favorite football team is on television.

FESTIVE REDS

Domaine Grande Bellane Cotes du Rhone Villages Valreas (Cotes du Rhone, France, $18) is 50 percent grenache and 50 percent Syrah (no Mourvedre), which lends it to being a great wine for more hearty holiday dishes. This wine is rich and full bodied with notes of both black fruit and red fruit and a spicy (nutmeg, cinnamon) and herbaceous finish. Pair it with lamb, beef stew, steak, or any meat off the grill.

From the high alpine part of Italy bordered by both France and Switzerland, Rosset Valle d’Aosta Trasor (Aosta Valley, Italy, $24) is a minerally red wine that showcases notes of small red fruit, licorice, and black pepper. This wine will go great with braised or stewed meat as well as any hearty pasta dishes. Also try it with aged or semiaged cheese.

Holloran Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon, $25) is one of our most popular wines. Owner Bill Holloran visited the shop recently, and it was great to put a face to the fantastic wines that he and his team are producing. This classic Willamette pinot noir has notes of black cherry and strawberry, cinnamon, and even hints of toasted orange peel. This is one of the more food-friendly and versatile wines in the shop. Pair it with anything, but especially beef, game, or any kind of poultry.

Looking for a lighter red? Try Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly (Beaujolais, France, $36), an exceptional Brouilly that showcases the classic characteristics of gamay from this region—red fruit and minerality that is floral and light on its feet. This wine will pair excellently with pate, roast chicken, duck, and duck confit, as well as a Thanksgiving or Christmas ham.

DOMAINE GRANDE BELLANE COTES DU RHONE VILLAGES VALREAS

HOLLORAN PINOT NOIR

ROSSET VALLE D’AOSTA TRASOR

A delicious Barolo for only $40? It’s true, and even The New York Times agrees. G.D. Vajra Albe Barolo DOCG (Piedmont, Italy, $40) has the classic food-friendly characteristics of Nebbiolo. You’ll discover notes of red fruit, cranberry, rose petals, and figs. While Nebbiolo is an incredibly food-friendly grape, try this wine with lamb, duck, beef, or charcuterie. It also pairs great with cheeses— brie, gruyere, Havarti, mozzarella, and ricotta.

If you really want to treat yourself this season or are looking for a gift for a special someone, Bodegas R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Vina Bosconia Rioja Gran Reserva (Rioja, Spain, $170) is the dark horse of the higher-end wines in the shop. Many wine professionals consider this to be their “desert island” wine. Forget Burgundy and Bordeaux and go with this utterly unique and complex 20-year-old rioja. You’ll find characteristic notes of leather, tobacco, dark cherry, raspberry, and umami. Pair it with lamb, pork, or beef. It goes especially well with dishes containing red peppers, garlic, or saffron.

BRILLIANT WHITES

DE HEREDIA VINA

TONDONIA VINA

BOSCONIA RIOJA

GRAN RESERVA

Marcel Giraudon Bourgogne Aligote (Burgundy, France, $17) is an incredible deal for a lesser-known Burgundian grape. Aligote is a bit lighter than chardonnay but performs just as well. Near the lime stone soils of Chablis, this unoaked white has green apples, lemongrass, and herb. Pair it with chicken, oysters, bruschetta, and anything on the lighter side of the food spectrum.

I am a big fan of Rieslings and Gruners when it comes to holiday meal and wine planning. Weingut Muller-Grossmann Kremstal Riesling Furth (Kremstal, Niederosterreich, Austria, $24) is one of the more popular bottles in the shop.

MARCEL GIRAUDON BOURGOGNE ALIGOTE

WEINGUT MULLERGROSSMANN

KREMSTAL RIESLING FURTH

CHATEAU THIVIN COTE DE BROUILLY

G.D. VAJRA ALBE BAROLO

BODEGAS R. LOPEZ

Owned and produced by a female winemaker, this dry Riesling has a lovely expression of minerality and acidity with notes of stone and orchard fruits. Drink it with seafood, chicken, or my personal favorite for both dry and sweet Rieslings—spicy Asian food.

Nigl Gruner Veltliner Alte Reben (Kremstal, Niederosterreich, Austria, $48) is straight-up exceptional. Bright notes of grapefruit, pear, peach, and white pepper are balanced by an outstanding minerality and acidity. Drink it with traditional Austrian Wiener schnitzel, or try it with veal, game birds, or seafood.

Yes, another Riesling, but this time from France. Domaine Ostertag Riesling Heissenberg (Alsace, France, $55) is not your typical lighter Riesling; it’s peachy, minerally, and delicious. This is a full-bodied wine. Drink it with your main course of heartier seafood dishes and dishes with goat cheese or any creamy sauces.

California chardonnays get a bad rap—sometimes, deservedly. So skip the drama and try Evening Land Chardonnay Summum Seven Springs Estate Eola-Amity Hills (Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon, $95), an incredible chardonnay from Oregon. Evening Land’s Seven Springs Vineyard is one of the oldest and most sought-after sites in the Willamette Valley. This chardonnay is citrusy and minerally (wet stones) with notes of brioche and baking spices. It is slightly oaky, but in the best possible way. You cannot go wrong pairing this with chicken and seafood dishes.

Comtesse de Cherisey PulignyMontrachet 1er Cru (Chalumeaux, Burgundy, France, $200)—what an amazing (and extremely limited) bottle. Notes of orchard fruits blend perfectly with zesty citrus tones. You’ll find a touch of tropical fruit notes as well.

NIGL GRUNER VELTLINER ALTE REBEN

EVENING LAND CHARDONNAY

SUMMUM SEVEN SPRINGS

ESTATE EOLA-AMITY HILLS

OSTERTAG RIESLING HEISSENBERG

COMTESSE DE CHERISEY PULIGNY-MONTRACHET

DOMAINE SAINT VINCENT BRUT

CHAMPAGNE BRUT L’EXTRA OR D’EUGENE

A slight butter, cream, and vanilla flavor add to the body of this exceptional bottle. Overall, this wine is underpinned by a perfect amount of minerality. Pair this with creamy seafood or chicken dishes.

CELEBRATORY SPARKLERS

Domaine Saint Vincent Brut is hands down the best-selling sparkling wine in the store. Produced by the well-known Gruet family of the Champagne region in none other than—wait for it—the great state of New Mexico. It features green apple and citrus mineral notes with a bit of yeast on the finish. This is a very food-friendly sparkler.

Mousse Fils is making some of our most favorite champagnes right now, and Champagne Brut L’Extra Or d’Eugene (Champagne, France, $74) is no exception. A blend of both new and old vintages, you’ll find fresh fruit and floral notes of the newer wine adding to the depth of the older vintage. It features notes of orchard fruits, lemon peel, white flower, and red fruits and is mineral driven.

EXCEPTIONAL BEER

Einbecker Brauhaus Brauherren Pils (Germany, $14/four pack) is a light yet flavorful German pilsner that’s the perfect accompaniment for a hearty holiday meal. Crisp, classic, and slightly bitter. Get it when you can!

If you’ve been in the shop, you know we’re big fans of anything from Mount Holly ($17–$20/four pack). They put so much effort into sourcing their ingredients, like flying all over the world to visit hop farms. Their IPAs range from light bodied and flavorful to hazier and fuller bodied. Their Green Mountain Gold IPA is the top-selling item in the entire store! t

Half-Step Beer & Wine

289 Main Street Norwich, VT (802) 649-1970 halfstep.beer

Owners Austin Junker and Jimmy Van Kirk.

by Anne Richter Arnold | photography by Kata Sasvari

C asa B rava T apas

BRINGING THE TAPAS TRADITION BACK TO HANOVER

The chandelier-lit, chic dining room area seats 24 guests between small, intimate two-tops and two sleek round tables for larger groups.

If you are looking for craft cocktails, an innovative menu, and a welcoming atmosphere where you’re treated like family, Casa Brava Tapas in the Six South Street Hotel in Hanover is the place to go. Jimmy Van Kirk and his partner Austin Junker have created a restaurant with a cocktail-forward menu inspired by Latin American, European, and Asian cuisines that is like nothing else in town.

Jimmy is no novice when it comes to restaurants in the Upper Valley. In 2010 he started Melaza Bistro with Chef David Diaz in Woodstock, Vermont, a mix of New England and tropical cuisine inspired by his Puerto Rican heritage. In 2012 he opened Candela, a tapas restaurant and bar in Hanover that served the community for 10 years. After a year and half off and a bit of traveling, Jimmy was ready for his next venture. He got together with Chef Martin Murphy from Ariana’s, who was also looking to do something new and different in Hanover. The opportunity to bring a new, vibrant restaurant to the space at the Six South Street Hotel was just what Jimmy and Chef Martin were looking for.

AN EXCITING NEW ENDEAVOR

The Six South Street Hotel wanted to compete with Hanover Inn and its successful Pine restaurant but did not want to manage the dinner shift of their in-house restaurant anymore. Jimmy and Chef Martin’s expertise in hospitality was the perfect fit to bring a new, exciting restaurant to the hotel. The two got the ball rolling and opened Casa Brava Tapas in December 2024. Chef Martin helped create the menu, get the kitchen set, and train the young culinary team before moving on to his private catering endeavor.

Left: Enjoy custom original cocktails at the 12-seat marble-top bar featuring a high-end spirit, beer, and wine list including local favorites.

Below, from left: Six draft beer tap selections rotate with the seasons. A custom lounge couch brings sophistication and relaxation together as one.

Right: James is always ready to strike up a conversation.

Below: Bartender Elle’s specialty is crafting new eclectic cocktails.

Bottom, from left: The dedicated kitchen crew brings Casa Brava’s flavors to life. From left are Eryn, Wyndham, and Sarah. Austin lends a hand—or two.

Casa Brava Tapas has an intimate setting of just 12 tables, a bar, and a seasonal patio. A private event space in the hotel can accommodate up to 50 guests for parties and functions. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 10pm.

THE PERFECT PARTNERSHIP

In 2025 Jimmy began searching for a partner that would bring cocktail bar expertise to Casa Brava, and he found that in Austin Junker. Originally from South Florida, Austin’s hospitality background started in his teens as a busser. He quickly moved on to positions as bartender, beverage manager, and eventually general manager, running bars and programs for several locations for about 18 years. When he moved to Denver in 2020, he became immersed in the mixology end of hospitality while working in downtown hotels.

“Our menu is inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Spanish, Caribbean, and American tapas, offering a variety of small, flavorful dishes perfect for sharing with friends and family.”

—Jimmy Van Kirk

“After I’d spent four years in Denver, I had a child,” says Austin. “The city is a difficult place to raise children, so we decided to move to New Hampshire where the grandparents live. Unfortunately, in the Upper Valley it was hard to find the kind of job I wanted, and I was almost ready to go back to Florida. Then I got a call that Jimmy was looking for someone to help run his place in Hanover. And here I am.”

“We were introduced through a mutual friend,” says Jimmy, “and when I met Austin, I said to myself, ‘This is the guy.’ He brings the other part of the equation to Casa Brava, with his expertise in cocktails and mixology, as well as his hospitality background.”

Jimmy and Austin are heavily involved in running Casa Brava, with one or both always there the five days that the restaurant is open. The partners are hands-on, with a tight-knit crew dedicated to serving tasty food and good drinks like no other restaurant in the area.

KEEPING IT FRESH

“Casa Brava’s menu inspiration comes from Candela’s dynamic ‘menu in motion,’” says Jimmy. “The good thing about tapas is we can do a lot with the 12 dishes that we offer. Our menu is small, but it brings in Spanish, Mediterranean, South American, and a little bit of Asian influences and creates a fusion that you can’t find anywhere else.”

Left: The cozy window-side four-top section lets guests enjoy some sunlight while it’s available.

Center, from left: Crispy Thai Brussels Sprouts, Argentinian-style steak, and some happy faces enjoying a bottle of wine.

Bottom, from left: A toast to friends. The El Pinche Coctel and Chorizo Sliders are two new menu staples.

casa brava ’ s specialty cocktails

1½ oz 400 Conejos mezcal

½ oz Amaro Nonino

¾ oz fresh strawberry syrup

¼ oz fresh lime juice

2 tsp chili oil

Mix ingredients and pour into a stemmed glass over ice.

2½ oz matcha-infused Junmai sake

¾ oz whole milk

¾ simple syrup

Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.

Shake well until chilled.

Strain and pour into a martini glass.

He continues, “If I ever take the bang bang shrimp tacos off the menu there will be a riot. We want to keep things on the menu that our guests really love, but we like to switch things up, especially with the changing seasons. We listen to our guests and rotate and bring back items, but we are always researching new dishes to keep things fresh.”

The ever-changing food menu is in part due to the young kitchen staff that like to learn and experiment. Jimmy encourages innovation and fresh ideas. He also plans to bring in guest chefs for a few weeks as he did at Candela,

BAR SNACKS

¾ oz pecan-infused

Elijah Craig bourbon

½ oz Disaronno

½ oz Frangelico

¼ oz Gran Marnier

¾ oz fresh lemon juice

¼ oz Orgeat

2 dashes black walnut bitters

Mix ingredients in a rocks glass. Stir, add ice, and enjoy.

from Puerto Rico and other locations, who will further expand menu offerings and train the staff.

SPECIAL COCKTAILS

“With a cocktail-forward bar menu, I wanted to bring the influence of my time in Florida and Denver to create a cocktail menu that complements the food,” says Austin. “Our cocktails revolve seasonally but 80 percent are original cocktails I’ve created and 20 percent are pre-Prohibition style. Our La Zorra is a top seller—it’s a blend of Milagro Reposado, pomegranate liqueur, cinnamon syrup, and fresh lime.

THE SASHA

EL PINCHE COCTEL

“Our bar program will keep evolving and getting bigger,” says Austin. “We have a great bartender who is a true mixologist. I still bartend once a week, so I keep my hand in it. And for those who find something they love, we always have all the ingredients for all the past cocktails.”

What makes Casa Brava Tapas special, says Jimmy, is not only the innovative international menu of food and cocktails but how guests feel when they are there. “When you come here, you know you are in good hands,” says Jimmy. “We’ve become friends with many of the guests. It’s a place where you can sit with the owners and enjoy good food and drink. Ausitn and I treat Casa Brava more like a family than a business. These are things that bring people in.” t

Casa Brava Tapas

Six South Street Hanover, NH (603) 653-0199 casabravatapas.com

Jimmy Van Kirk and Austin Junker.

GO FOR IT!

RACING ON THE OLYMPIC DOWNHILL TRAIL IN CORTINA

story and photography by Lisa Ballard

Iwill never forget standing between the massive rocks framing The Schuss on the Olympia delle Tofane trail in Cortina d’Ampezzo. I was there just once, in February 2017. The bare rocks jutted over a hundred feet directly upward on either side of the steep slope, like so many of the vertical, jagged outcroppings that define the Italian Dolomites. How exciting to stand on the signature section of this wellknown World Cup skiing track!

From the steep slope, the view was a jaw-dropper. Beyond the village of Cortina d’Ampezzo in the valley below, rugged snowcapped peaks stretched to the horizon, but after a glance at the larger landscape, The Schuss had my full attention. Top athletes in downhill and super G dove down The Schuss out of the start, quickly accelerating to speeds approaching 90 miles per hour, before launching off the Duca d’Aosta, a jump at the bottom of the impressive headwall.

A section of the lower Olympia della Tofane super G and downhill track in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

I took it slower. I was in Cortina to race, but on the international masters circuit, not the World Cup. That first day, I was merely checking out the Tofane race trail after traveling to Italy from the United States. In addition to The Schuss, the trail had a number of pitches, rolls, and curves that would take getting used to. What’s more, the trail was a vertical skating rink. The World Cup had just concluded, so the surface was as hard as the rocks that framed it. I imagined the world’s top downhillers barreling through The Schuss. Could I handle it?

Benedetta, one of the Italian masters racers, skied up to me. “We don’t run it from the top,” she said, sensing my trepidation. “We start below the Duca d’Aosta.” Somewhat relieved, I reminded myself to sharpen my skis, as the words of one of my coaches from the 1970s echoed through my head: “Stay forward as if your life depends on it.” It might on this hill even if the masters course didn’t include The Schuss and the Duca d’Aosta. The course would still be challenging.

The author stands below The Schusss, on the trail for the women's downhill and super G during the 2026 Winter Olympics

The author (center) celebrates her win on the Tofane.

CORTINA/TOFANE MAP

A map of the Olympia della Tofane trail in Cortina shows the names of the various elements of this famous 1.6-mile-long World Cup track.

Clockwise from top left: Skiers stop for lunch and a view of the Dolomites at the Capanna Pomedes Rifugio (hut). A tree of historic skis in the village of Cortina. A breaktaking view of the village and the valley from the top of the tram. The large pedestrian area in the heart of Cortina. Whimsical, traditional wood carvings beside a restaurant at the ski resort.

Opposite: Tony Sailer races to a gold medal in the 1956 Olympic Downhill on the Tofana.

A LEGENDARY SLOPE

The Olympia delle Tofane is one of the most well-known ski runs in Europe.

During the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Tony Sailer, at age 20, won two of his three gold medals in downhill and slalom on this trail. (The giant slalom was held on the trail, Monte Faloria.) The men last raced on the Tofane in 1990, but the women have raced on it most years since then. It’s 90 seconds of adrenaline rush through the various parts of the course that are named like a series of whitewater rapids on a raging river.

After the Duca D’Aosta jump, racers zoom through the Delta, a blind section that spills into the Gran Curvone, a sweeping turn to the right. From there, they enter the Scarpadon, a fast, straight section that preps them for flatter, rolling terrain and concludes with a jump above the finish. The Scarpadon is named for a prince in Greek mythology, a son of

Top right: A masters racer heads into the finish at the bottom of the

Center: A masters racer rounds a slalom gate below the rock walls of the

Zeus who was a valiant swordsman and strategist, but was slain by Achilles during the Trojan War. It’s an important section of the track requiring the precision, strength, and bravery of Scarpadon. Racers need to ski flawlessly through it in order to carry maximum speed into the bottom of run.

The Tofane is nicknamed the Queen of Runs by the Italians, and American Lindsey Vonn is the Queen of the Queen. She earned her first World Cup podium there in 2004 and stills holds the record for the most wins on the Tofane, 12 total–six in downhill and six in super G. After retiring from ski racing in 2018, she famously returned to the starting gate last winter at age 40 and after a partial knee replacement. At the 2025 World Cup in Cortina, the crowds gave her a royal welcome.

Below: A gold medal from the earlier Winter Olympics in Cortina, in 1956.

Tofana during an International Masters Cup event.

Tofana.

Bottom: American Lindsey Vonn hopes to cap her comeback to World Cup racing with an Olympic medal on the Tofana.

“This the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen in Cortina,” Lindsey told the media after the downhill race. “The crowd was amazing . . . Everyone always had that energy here, but this is the next level.” The race did not go as she had planned. She finished a disappointing 20th, 1.68 seconds behind Italian downhill star Sophia Goggia. Lindsey will try to conquer the Tofane one more time, this February during the 2026 Milano/ Cortina Winter Olympics. She certainly knows the track.

A RUN TO REMEMBER

In ski racing, the more often you race on a slope, the more familiar and comfortable it becomes under your skis. The Tofane was new to me in 2017. Adding to the challenge were the tricky terrain and snow conditions. As I placed my poles over the timing wand at the start of the masters super G, I thought about Lindsey Vonn, who had nailed this course so many times. She inspired me.

“Go for it, Lisa!” shouted Benedetta as she waited her turn just behind me. On cue from the starter, I exploded down the first pitch, feeling my speed quickly pick up. It felt good. My skis were running well. I

looked for the Gran Curvone. As expected, the centrifugal force tried to pull me wide, but I fought it, urging myself to stay forward, and managed to stay on a good line.

Next came a right-footed turn, then a roll and a blind spot. “Stay middle of the trail,” I coached myself. I tried to get lower in a tuck, but my skis began to skid in the next turn, a cue to stand more solidly on my outside ski. The course dipped down another short pitch, and then another. I looked for the final jump above the finish, pushing myself to go faster despite the fatigue that crept into my legs.

Done! As I slowed down in the finish area, there were no throngs of fans waving banners. Instead, a DJ played an upbeat rock tune while a PA announcer called out my name, country, and time. A dozen of my fellow competitors, who

had already finished, cheered and clapped. “Congratulations!” shouted a racer from Great Britain. “What happened?” I gasped. Then I saw the scoreboard. I had won the race by one-hundredth of a second. “Just like on the World Cup,” said a racer from Norway. Or the Olympics.

THE 2026 WINTER OLYMPICS

This February, the women’s alpine events will be held on the Olympia delle Tofane. (The men will run the new Vertigine course.) I’ll be watching with the rest of the skiing world. Can Lindsey Vonn garner another Olympic medal to cap her sensational comeback? What a fitting conclusion to her ski racing career, a podium at the place where she first broke through on the World Cup. And she would set yet another record, the oldest woman to win an Olympic medal.

By coincidence, I’m returning to Cortina for the first time since my own memorable ski racing experience there. I’ll be there shortly after the winter Olympics for another international masters race. My edges will be sharp, and I’ll remind myself to get forward, just like before. And this time, I’ll know the hill when I go for it. t

A chairlift ride above clouds is common in the morning in the Dolomites.

Winter Wonderland

Glowen Day Spa

Step into a realm of pure tranquility and let your worries fade away at Glowen Day Spa. Experience a personalized journey toward rejuvenation and glowing skin through the power of Celluma and microcurrent treatments. Enhance your eyes’ allure effortlessly with our lash lift and tint, while personalized skin peels and hydrodermabrasion unveil your skin’s true potential, leaving it radiant and youthful. Beyond skin-deep treatments, we offer the transformative practice of reiki healing, where your body and soul are nourished and replenished.

We utilize high-quality products designed to give you the ultimate luxurious spa experience thoughtfully priced to ensure luxury is accessible to all. Everyone deserves a pampered, personalized experience. Book your rejuvenating experience today and let Danielle pamper you from head to toe and embrace the glow that lies within.

18 On the Common Lyme, NH (603) 212-8216 www.glowendayspa.com

Ramunto’s Brick & Brew

Here at Ramunto’s Brick & Brew we are dedicated to the highest quality New York pizzas. Our handcrafted pizzas, calzones, and stromboli require the freshest dough, which is made daily along with our signature sauce and freshly grated, premium whole-milk mozzarella. Our authentic wood-fired and seasoned slate ovens finish the process with our skilled cooks monitoring the process. Come join us for a real pizzeria experience in a fun family atmosphere.

9 South Street Hanover, NH (603) 643-9500 www.ramuntospizza.com

Johnson Audiology

Better hearing is directly linked to better relationships, more self-confidence, and even brain health. Hearing well is about being an active, connected part of your world. Sometimes, the answer is as simple as a hearing aid. Other times, it’s less obvious. That’s why we start the conversation by talking about you. We want to understand what’s going on in your life. And as doctors of audiology, we listen to you from that professional perspective to give you a more connected life through better hearing. Want to know more? Give us a call. We’re ready to listen.

2 Dorrance Place Hanover, NH (603) 643-4327

www.JohnsonAudiologyhearing.com

Danielle Bencze Owner/licensed esthetician

Matt Brown Fine Art

The MBFA gallery features artwork, crafts, and books by residents (past and present) of Lyme, New Hampshire, and Thetford, Vermont: paintings, prints, pottery, and poetry, jewelry, woodenware, floor cloths, photographs, cards, and syrups! Our 2025 Holiday Show closes January 31; our MBFA Holiday Show Party is Friday, January 9 from 5 to 7pm.

Visit our gallery website for more info and to sign up for our newsletter.

1 Main Street, On the Common Lyme, NH (603) 795-4855 www.mbrownfa.com

Fri 10am–5pm & Sat 10am–3pm or by chance or appointment

Half-Step Beer & Wine

Come on down to Half-Step Beer & Wine in Norwich! We’re your source for thoughtfully selected craft beer, wine, hard cider, and nonalcoholic options. We believe that buying a bottle of wine or four-pack of beer should be an approachable experience. That’s why our motto is “practicality over pretension.” We put in a lot of thought, time, and tasting when choosing our products, so you can guarantee that whatever beer, wine, or cider you choose will taste great! We look forward to helping you find your next favorite beer, wine, or cider!

289 Main Street Norwich, VT (802) 649-1970

Lemon Tree Gifts

Distinctive Gifts, Jewelry & Home Décor

Visit the Upper Valley’s premiere gift shop where you’ll find a little something for everyone! Discover an array of treasures, including unique Dartmouth items, New Hampshire and Vermont mementos, maple syrup and candy, toys and games for all ages, bath and body, jewelry, candles, men’s and baby gifts, comfy throws, and much more!

We offer shipping, and complimentary local area delivery options. We look forward to being part of your Hanover shopping experience!

Don’t forget to visit us in our PowerHouse Mall location across from L.L.Bean!

28 South Main Street (next to Lou’s) Hanover, NH (603) 643-5388

Lemon Tree Gifts of Hanover Open Daily

Color woodblock prints by Matt Brown: Tuckerman’s from Wildcat Mtn. (2nd state), Birches below Lincoln Peak, and Winter Walk.

Walt & Ernie’s Barbershop

Walt & Ernie’s is your neighborhood barbershop, located just off Main Street in the heart of Hanover, New Hampshire. Proudly serving the Dartmouth and Upper Valley community since 1938, our friendly, professional team delivers quality haircuts and beard trims in an authentic four-chair barbershop experience. Rich in Dartmouth College and Hanover history, Walt & Ernie’s offers quality haircuts with friendly service. The hairstyles may have changed, but the true barbershop experience has stayed the same! Walk-ins and appointments are welcome.

New Location!

42 South Main Street

Hanover, NH

(603) 359-8064

www.waltanderniesbarbershop.com Mon, Wed & Thu 9am–5pm Tue & Fri 7:30am–5pm

35 South Main Street Hanover, NH (603) 277-9147 www.theivyedit.com

The Ivy Edit

The Ivy Edit is the “trendy sister” of the popular 37 Central Clothiers in Woodstock, Vermont. It’s flirty, fashion forward, and fun. Whether you’re looking for a specialoccasion dress, going-out top, or just a great pair of Levi’s, you will find it there. Ivy also has an expanding selection of footwear. Follow them on Instagram @ the_ivy_edit.

188 South Main Street, Unit 110

White River Junction, VT

(802) 899-0405

www.putnamsvineyard.com

Tue–Sat 8am–10pm, Sun 8am–9pm

The Gilded Edge

Visit Us at Our New Location

An award-winning custom picture framing shop offering options for every budget, from ready-made frames and the new “Frugal Framing” line to full custom, handfinished frames that are works of art themselves. We have received our 15th consecutive “Best of the Best” picture framers in the Upper Valley!

69 Hanover Street Lebanon, NH (603) 643-2884

www.gildededgeframing.com

100% By appointment only. Appointments available. Wed–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 10am–5pm

Putnam’s vine/yard

SHOP DRINK LEARN. Located in a historic Vermont railyard, the Putnam’s vine/ yard secret garden is the perfect place to catch up with friends or find a quiet spot to relax with a great book and glass of wine. We are family friendly with an assortment of wooden toys, and we serve nonalcoholic beverages including specialty coffee and imported artisanal teas. Check out the Event Calendar on our website for upcoming Wine School & Vine School Classes, as well as PopUps from local food purveyors and artists. Stop by every weekend for brunch between 8am and 3pm.

3 Lebanon Street (Second Floor) Hanover, NH (603) 277-9659

thefourthplacehanover.com

Regular Hours: Wed–Fri 2–11pm, Sat & Sun 11am–11pm

The Fourth Place

The Fourth Place is a free community space for everyone who loves games, comics, and geek culture—with a free board game café all the time, and over 50 totally free public events per month! That includes at least two board game nights and two Magic: The Gathering events per week, free RPG adventures, three monthly book clubs, Pokémon, Scrabble, Star Wars: Unlimited, wargames, crafting and painting, and so much more! Plus we have a summer day camp and after school clubs.

Event Calendar: 4th.me/events

Youth Programs: 4th.me/youth

Pro GM RPG Campaigns: tavernsandtowers.com

Holiday Hours (Nov. 28 to Jan. 9): Tue–Thu 2–11pm, Fri–Sun 11am–11pm

The Norwich Bookstore

Located in the heart of Norwich, Vermont, just five minutes from the Dartmouth College Campus, The Norwich Bookstore is a vibrant, general-interest bookstore, serving the Upper Valley since 1994. Known for our community programming, author events, and personalized staff recommendations, we strive to embody the spirit of cooperation, diversity, and independent thought seen throughout our community. Whether you’re seeking that one book everyone’s talking about, greeting cards for every occasion, book club picks, or simply your next favorite read, we’re here to help!

291 Main Street, Norwich, VT (802) 649-1114

www.norwichbookstore.com

Mon–Sat, 9am–6pm, Sun 11am–5pm Instagram: @norwichbookstore

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Dartmouth

Osher at Dartmouth is a volunteer, noncredit continuing-education program for adults. We offer a wide variety of courses and events throughout the year, with opportunities to participate both in person and online. Check our website for our 2026 Winter Term courses!

Visit osher.dartmouth.edu for more information.

1 Court Street, Suite 380 Lebanon, NH (603) 646-0154

osher.dartmouth.edu

Mon–Thu 8:30am–4:30pm, Fri 8:30am–1pm

Surprise and Delight

LEMON TREE GIFTS & HOME IS STAGING FOR A SEASON OF IN-PERSON SHOPPING

Entrance to PowerHouse Mall location.

Right, from top left: Winter scarves and velvet tote bags. Cardinal water lantern. Dash & Albert rugs. Hand-carved Santas by local Norm Campbell.

by Kelly Sennott | photography by Ian Raymond

Before Melissa Haas owned Lemon Tree Gifts, she was an opera singer, performing on stages all over the world. But all the while, she harbored another dream. “I just always had this idea that I wanted to have a little gift shop,”

Melissa says. It wasn’t until 14 years ago that timing for this next venture felt right. She was recently married to her husband, John Haas, and had settled in the Upper Valley. Together, they began searching for vacant spaces and eventually opened Lemon Tree Gifts in Hanover in 2012.

Since opening, Melissa and John have seen highs and lows with the business, particularly the last five years, with a pandemic, the ever-present competition of the Internet, and a flood that closed one location for months in early 2025. This holiday season, to benefit the customers who’ve stuck around, Melissa says Lemon Tree will feature more new items and deals than ever before.

It might seem that running a gift shop is a far stray from her former life as a performer, but Melissa says the jobs are actually similar. Now, the store is her stage, and she designs an ambiance through fragrant scents and beautiful items that surprise and delight. “Singing was always about connecting with your audience,” Melissa says. “It was about feeling that I had reached people, that what I was doing was touching their soul. That connection? It’s the same thing here in the store.”

OPENINGS, CLOSINGS, AND REOPENINGS

Planting a lemon tree in your yard signifies good luck, which seemed to Melissa the perfect symbol for her business. After opening their first location in Hanover where Roberts Flowers now resides, they moved to Main Street in 2015, which Melissa says was “life changing.” A year and a half later, they opened a second location in the PowerHouse Mall. “Business was good, and I guess I have that entrepreneurial spirit. When I see an empty space, I go, ‘Oh my gosh, what I could do here!’ And I had a husband who was willing to take the risk with me, which meant a lot,” Melissa says.

Far left: The staff includes Sylvia Alberta, Bethany Druge (manager), Melissa Haas, Cheryl Nevers (manager), Caroline “B” Graubert, and Jellycat Bartholomew Bear. Murano glass.

Center: Baby and toddler toys. Hand-crafted cutting boards.

Below: Leaf lamps. Leather goods and door toppers.

The past five years have certainly thrown tests to Melissa and John: During the pandemic, Melissa was able to do some work from Hanover, but the PowerHouse location was closed entirely. Then, last year, the day after Christmas, a flood at the mall forced them to close the PowerHouse location again. Everything needed to be dismantled, and shipping issues with the new carpets stalled reopening until April.

“It’s taking time for the customers to figure out that we’re still here,” Melissa says. “But you find your will to keep going. Once we started putting the store back together, and I saw it come to shape again, I started getting excited about it.”

READY FOR THE SEASON

In the past, Melissa says she made the mistake of getting ready for the holidays too late. She thought you shouldn’t start Christmas preparations until after Thanksgiving. But in retail, you can’t think like that. Now they prepare for the gifting season months ahead of time.

The PowerHouse Mall location spans three storefronts and smells of flowers or Fraser fir depending on where you stand. Melissa highlights the variety of soaps and the wall of embroidered pillows decorated with different colleges and states. “We’ve carried them since day one. People love them,” she says.

There’s a display of soft robes, patterned overalls, zipup hoodies decorated with cats, and an assortment of socks. Nearby are cards, games, puzzles, coffee table books, and stuffies you can microwave to make extra cozy.

They’ve expanded children’s items since the closure of Country Kids and Bonkers/Nature Calls in the mall. In the back of the shop you’ll find whimsical

Top, from left: State and university pillows. French soaps. Italian coats. Nepalese winter hats

Below, from left: Dining and kitchen ware. Lighted crystal globe. Mouse on the Moon. Douglas cuddle toys.

children’s umbrellas hanging from the ceiling, and on the shelves are toys, doll houses, Jellycats, books, and tiny mice dressed as ballerinas and superheroes.

Melissa says she works hard to keep the store stocked with unique and delightful items, traveling to Georgia twice yearly for the Atlanta Market and attending regional shows in New England and New York. When buying, “I go with my gut. Sometimes I might go in looking for something specific, but most of the time, I want to be surprised,” she says.

IN-PERSON MAGIC

These days, more and more people holiday shop online, but Melissa says when you do this, you miss out on the serendipity and delight of visiting in person. You also miss out on that interpersonal connection; Bethany Druge, manager at the PowerHouse Mall’s Lemon Tree location, says she’s found some of her interactions with customers very touching.

“One customer is so sweet; one day she came in and she said, ‘You look a lot happier today. I noticed that the last few times I’ve

come in, something was a little off.’ My grandmother had passed,” Bethany says. “It was the sweetest, that a customer remembered me and my demeanor.”

Keeping the place thriving is more than full-time work—John holds another fulltime job while running the business with Melissa—but Melissa says they still find so much joy at Lemon Tree. She enjoys curating the collection, making the place beautiful, and meeting the store’s visitors. They love that Lemon Tree has become part of the fabric of the Upper Valley and that people continue to support it. “I had no idea it was going to be as successful as it is,” Melissa says. “That’s been a blessing and a surprise.” t

Lemon Tree Gifts

28 South Main Street Hanover, NH (603) 643-5388

PowerHouse Mall

8 Glen Road Lebanon, NH (603) 790-8492

Entrance to games, puzzles, and men’s area.

Rousseau & Ross

REPRESENTATION YOU CAN COUNT ON

Car crashes are not anyone’s favorite dinner conversation topic. Realistically, though, most everyone will have been involved in an accident or knows someone who has. Often, outcomes are painful and costly. In New Hampshire alone, from 2019 to 2023, the Department of Transportation found well over 1,000 road fatalities that involved somebody’s loved one and someone paid the price, either through insurance, or worse, out of pocket.

The Upper Valley–based law firm of Rousseau & Ross has been growing their reputation as lawyers who bring aggressive representation. Their approach is key to dealing with insurance companies who are not eager to offer adequate settlements to injury victims. There are ways to avoid stingy settlements you should know about.

GOING THE DISTANCE FOR CLIENTS

Cristina Rousseau and Kristin Ross are upfront about their settlement approach. “I think what our method does for us is make it clear to opposing attorneys and insurance companies that we stand behind our clients 100 percent and will call RESPONSIVE

mike morin

CRISTINA ROUSSEAU

KRISTIN ROSS

expert guidance

their proverbial bluff. If they don’t want to give our clients a fair settlement, we will try the case, and if they want to appeal the case, we will follow through with the appeal. If they want to go tangle in New York or one of the appeals courts in a federal case, we will do that too. We have taken on hospitals in medical malpractice cases. I think it matters when they know you are willing to go the distance,” says attorney Cristina Rousseau. The firm has argued cases in the New Hampshire and Vermont Supreme Courts.

NAVIGATING INSURANCE

Rousseau & Ross subscribe to the mindset that if you’re not battling for a fair settlement in front of a jury of 12 citizens, the insurance companies are the ones often dictating what’s fair. That’s because if people are just taking the least amount the insurance company is willing to pay them, then the insurance company is dictating what is justice, according to attorney Kristin Ross.

Then there are people who are underinsured, or as Cristina calls it, effectively judgement proof. “Yes, you can get a $10 million verdict you’re never going to collect,” she admits, “but if you had your own insurance, you could turn to that insurance. We’re not talking disability insurance. It is part of motor vehicle insurance and umbrella policies. I don’t think we have ever or rarely ever had somebody that had enough insurance on a catastrophic claim.”

The lesson here is to avoid that scenario by having enough uninsured/underinsured and liability insurance to begin with. A large number of motorists carry minimal amounts of insurance. That won’t get the job done.

“What’s really frustrating is that people don’t understand until it’s too late that the difference to raise that premium, the difference in cost from $100,000 in coverage, let’s say to $250,000 in coverage, might be less

than 20 bucks a year,” explains Kristin. They advise a million-dollar policy is even better.

ADD HEALTH INSURANCE TO THE MIX

When your health insurance pays medical bills that were caused by an accident, your health insurance company will be first in line to be paid back, which surprises some people, according to Cristina. “They are shocked. ‘I paid my premiums. Why do I have to pay my health insurance back from this money?’ some ask. Well, you do. You have to pay health insurance if you have Medicaid, Medicare, or if you have private health insurance. I don’t think that I have ever seen a health insurance that did not have a right of subrogation,’’ Cristina says. The attorneys offer one more important piece of advice when it comes to compensation. “We have folks who are just getting out of the hospital, coming out of a major surgery, or still out of work, and the insurance companies are trying to make them a quick settlement when they’re desperate and financially vulnerable. It’s really, really important that when people are injured and it is not their fault and there’s going to be an insurance claim that they consult with an attorney and they do not just take whatever the insurance company dangles in front of them in the weeks and months after something happens,” says Kristin.

Also important: In the event of a motor vehicle accident, always request a police report and secure the name and contact information from the other party, regardless of fault. Insurance companies need this for the record. t

Rousseau & Ross

367 NH Route 120

Suite B-7

Lebanon, NH

(603) 212-1176

(802) 304-4592

rousseaurosslaw.com

smart cooking

by susan nye

Once the holidays have come and gone, winter can be a dangerous time. And no, not just because of ice on the road and frigid temperatures. The worry is that it can become a months-long hibernation. There are many ways to combat cold-weather isolation— snowshoe outings with friends, mah-jongg at the community center, and local theater events, to name a few.

Then again, if you like to cook and have some like-minded friends, why not start a supper club? Winter is the perfect time to share a cozy and comforting meal with friends. Think hardy boeuf bourguignon, coq au vin, fish stew, chili, fettuccine Bolognese, and more.

smart cooking

’Tis the season to corral 8 to 12 friends and start your own supper club. It can be easy once you define the what, where, when, and how. How often—weekly, monthly, or bimonthly? What night? Who cooks—potluck or the host takes care of everything? There’s a lot less organization and back-and-forth if the host does it all. If preparing the full meal seems daunting, remember that next time all you need do is show up. Now, what about that one friend who everyone loves but he doesn’t cook? Go ahead and include him. He can bring the wine.

POT ROAST BOURGUIGNON

Serves 8–12

4–6 oz thick-cut bacon, roughly chopped

3–4½ lb pot roast or thick-cut London broil

2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped

2 stalks celery, finely chopped

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp herbs de Provence

¼ tsp or to taste red pepper flakes Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1½ lb frozen pearl onions

1½ cups crushed tomatoes

4–6 cups dry red wine

4–6 cups chicken broth

1 bay leaf

2 lb mushrooms, sliced

¾ cup sour cream

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Cook the bacon in a heavy casserole over medium-low heat until crisp and brown. Remove the bacon and reserve. Pour off all but about 2 tablespoons bacon fat and reserve.

2. Raise the heat to medium-high and brown the beef, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and reserve.

3. Put the carrots, celery, garlic, herbs and chili flakes in the casserole, season with salt and pepper, toss to combine, and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes.

4. Add the pearl onions, tomatoes, 3 to 4 cups each red wine and broth, the bay leaf, and bacon and stir to combine. Return the beef to the pot, wiggle it down into the vegetables and sauce, and bring to a simmer. Transfer the casserole to the oven and cook at 350° for 1 hour.

5. Sauté the mushrooms in a little bacon fat or olive oil over medium heat until lightly browned. Put the sour cream in a bowl, a few tablespoons at a time. Stir in about 1 cup hot liquid from the casserole and then stir the tempered sour cream into the sauce. Stir in the mushrooms and add more wine and broth if necessary. Return the pot to the oven and continue cooking, covered, until beef is very tender, about 1 hour.

6. Remove the meat from the casserole, cut across the grain in thick slices, and transfer to a deep platter or individual plates and top with a little sauce. Transfer the remaining sauce to a serving dish to pass.

ROAST CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES

Serves 8–12

2 (4–6 lb each) whole chickens

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

4 lemons

1 onion, quartered

8 cloves garlic, peeled

6 sprigs rosemary

6 sprigs thyme

2–3 lb carrots, sliced on the diagonal about 1-inch thick

2–3 lb baby potatoes, larger spuds cut in half or quartered

1 lb frozen pearl onions Olive oil

1. Preheat the oven to 425°. Remove the giblets from the chicken cavities and reserve for another use.

2. Put the chickens on a rack in a roasting pan. Sprinkle each chicken’s cavity with salt and pepper. Quarter 2 lemons, squeeze the juice over the chickens, and put the lemon pieces, 2 onion quarters, 2 garlic cloves, and 2 sprigs each rosemary and thyme into each bird’s cavity. Liberally season the outside of the chickens with salt and pepper.

3. Put about 1 inch of water in the bottom of the roasting pan and loosely cover the chickens with foil. Roast the chickens for 15 minutes, turn the heat down to 375°, and continue roasting for 30 minutes.

4. While the chickens roast, slice the remaining lemons into quarter-inch rounds and mince the remaining garlic. Put the lemon, garlic, carrots, potatoes, pearl onions, and remaining rosemary and thyme in a bowl, drizzle with enough olive oil to lightly coat, season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine.

5. Remove the foil and scatter the vegetables, herbs, and lemon in the bottom of the roasting pan. Return to the oven and continue roasting for 1 hour or until the vegetables are tender and the chickens are golden and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 160°.

6. Transfer the chickens to a cutting board to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and return the pan to the oven to keep the vegetables warm.

7. Carve the chickens and transfer the pieces to a large platter, add the juices back to the pan, and toss with the vegetables. Arrange the vegetables around the chicken and serve.

FETTUCINE WITH SAUSAGE AND MUSHROOM RAGU

1 cup per person Sausage and Mushroom Ragu

2 oz fettucine per person

Garnish: grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

1. Make the Sausage and Mushroom Ragu and keep warm on low.

2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta, and cook according to package directions, less 1 minute. Reserving a little pasta water, drain the fettucine and return it to the pot.

3. Add the Sausage and Mushroom Ragu to the pasta, toss to combine, and bring to a simmer. If the pasta seems dry, add a little pasta water. Cover and simmer on low for 1 to 2 minutes.

4. Transfer to a deep platter or individual shallow bowls, sprinkle with a little ParmigianoReggiano, and serve. Pass more grated cheese.

and Mushroom Ragu recipe

Sausage

smart cooking

Sausage and Mushroom Ragu

Makes about 4 quarts, enough for 16 or more servings

2 lb Italian sausage; hot, sweet, or a mix, casings removed

2 onions, finely chopped

2 carrots, finely chopped

2 stalks celery, finely chopped

2 tsp dried Italian herbs

½ tsp or to taste crushed red pepper flakes

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

4 cloves garlic, minced

3 (28-oz) cans crushed tomatoes

1 cup dry white wine

1 bay leaf

1 cup heavy cream (optional)

1. Heat a heavy casserole over medium, add the sausage, and, breaking it into small pieces, cook until brown. Leaving enough fat to lightly coat the pot, use a slotted spoon to remove from the pan.

2. Add the onion, carrot, and celery, sprinkle with the Italian herbs and pepper flakes, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for 2 minutes more.

3. Return the sausage to the casserole, raise the heat to medium-high, add the wine, and simmer until reduced by half. Add the crushed tomatoes and bay leaf, bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in the cream and continue simmering for 15 to 20 minutes more.

Note: Can be made in advance, covered and refrigerated or frozen. t

by katherine p. cox

AI and Cosmetic Dermatology

A SMART ASSISTANT TO PREDICT TREATMENTS AND OUTCOMES

“ AI is being introduced not as a replacement for human artistry, but as an assistant, a powerful assistant, improving objectivity, refining treatment plans, and personalizing certain outcomes in ways that before were intuitive,” he says. “It’s like a smart assistant to support the provider’s decision-making. ”

“Imagine walking into your dermatologist’s office and when you get there you have several high-res images taken of your face, maybe in 3D, and within minutes of getting those pictures taken you get a data-driven skin map that highlights all the zones of your early sun damage, changes in your skin firmness, irregularities of your vasculature, shifts in pigmentation, even how your skin could respond to certain treatments. That’s not science fiction,” says Dr. Andre Berger, cosmetic surgeon and founder of the Rejuvalife Vitality Institute in Beverly Hills. “It’s increasingly becoming a reality thanks to AI.”

living well

Because of individual variations and aesthetics in the field of cosmetic dermatology, “AI is being introduced not as a replacement for human artistry, but as an assistant, a powerful assistant, improving objectivity, refining treatment plans, and personalizing certain outcomes in ways that before were intuitive,” he says. “It’s like a smart assistant to support the provider’s decision-making.”

PREDICTING CHANGES AND OUTCOMES

Using technology that analyzes skin images, AI can detect and quantify various features such as fine lines and wrinkles, pore density and size, sun damage and pigmentation, irregularities in skin texture, and hydration levels in the skin. “It can bridge the gap between a visual appearance and the functional skin measurements,” Dr. Berger says. AI can also help forecast the outcome of care or treatment and predict what will happen. “For example, beyond the imaging, you can train AI on various data sets of before and after photos to predict how a certain treatment might look over time. You could estimate how a laser resurfacing would smooth out fine wrinkles, or you could even model out the appearance and outcome after filler injections or volume lifting.”

The most common ways practitioners use AI is getting a 3D facial scan and maybe a multiangle high-resolution image under controlled lighting. The AI software then segments the zones of concern and shows various issues. The practitioner then reviews the overlays that show areas to intervene or initiate treatment. Based on the analysis and the patient’s risk profile, you can customize your plan, Dr. Berger says, and even divide different treatments to specific zones.

TAILORING TREATMENTS

Forecasting skin concerns, particularly about aging, is another way AI can be used. It can predict what changes would be over time and patients can see how they can expect to change as they age. Likewise, AI can simulate how skin will evolve after treatments, managing patient expectations and monitoring progress.

In some models, AI can reduce trial and error by determining which patients respond best to certain treatments. It can tailor treatments by integrating the imaging data, patient demographics, lifestyle factors, and historical outcomes patients have received and then assist in determining which treatments or combinations would be optimal for the patient, Dr. Berger says. AI could suggest how long between treatments a patient can go and can modify the intervals between procedures. “It gives the patient a more visual progress report—a timelapse view of their treatments.”

AI can also bridge the medical aesthetic side such as lasers and injectables with the skin-care cosmetic side. Analyzers can evaluate skin concerns and then recommend certain product regimens—cleansers, serums, sunscreens— that are tailored to a particular skin state. There is also what Dr. Berger calls a virtual try-on: a simulation of the effects of products, or how certain skincare products could affect your look.

KNOW THE LIMITATIONS

There are caveats, Dr. Berger cautions. “The integration of AI and cosmetic dermatology is promising, particularly in enhancing objectivity and decision support. It gives a little extra assistance to the provider. It’s not going to replace the provider, but it enhances their objectivity and it can help them make a decision,” he says. “But there are limitations. Many of these models have been trained

on certain data sets that skew toward lighter skin tones, certain age ranges, and certain ethnicities. That can lead to inaccuracies for those who are underrepresented in the data set. In aesthetic dermatology, improvement is partly subjective in terms of beauty or satisfaction. To establish consistent measurement is still challenging.”

Generalization and costs can also be problems. “AI could perform really well in a controlled setting,” Dr. Berger says, but in the real world, because of so much diversity of patients, its suggestions may not apply as well. Some practices may lack the infrastructure or capital to deploy AI systems.

Essentially, AI “is a decision-support tool. It can analyze and suggest things, but the final artistry judgment and safety oversight remains in the hands and head of the provider,” Dr. Berger says. Human experience plays a crucial role. “Your brain has accumulated a data set, and you’ve attended a lot of courses and conferences and read a lot of literature, so AI can validate what you’re thinking, or it can give you an idea you haven’t thought about.”

AI models are evolving very quickly, Dr. Berger says, and will improve and become more sophisticated to the point where they will be indispensable. But at this time, it’s not mainstream, he says. “It’s not necessarily something that should be adopted to replace clinical judgment. Right now, it’s a smart assistant, not a quick fix.” t

For more from Dr. Berger, see his book The Beverly Hills Anti-Aging Prescription.

THE HOOD MUSEUM OF ART | @ DARTMOUTH

COLLEGE

WINTER EVENTS

The Hood Museum of Art is free and open to all. Public programs are free unless otherwise noted. Hours: Wednesday, 11am–5pm; Thursday and Friday, 11am–8pm; Saturday, 1–5pm. For information, visit hoodmuseum.dartmouth.edu or call (603) 646-2808.

Join us for lectures with scholars and discussions with artists. Contribute to important conversations on current issues and take a closer look at works in the collection. We can’t wait to see you in the galleries!

Ongoing

Stone, Sand, and Clay: Connecting Cultures in the Ancient Mediterranean

How did common materials—stone, sand, and clay—serve as the foundations for artmaking in the ancient world? In this exhibition, objects that have never been on view in the Hood Museum’s galleries join familiar favorites in an exploration of the museum’s deep collection of ancient Mediterranean art.

On view through January 10, 2026

Beyond the Bouquet: Arranging Flowers in American Art

Inspired by flowers, North American artists working across time, cultural traditions, and artistic styles have embraced floral beauty in the natural world.

On view through November 14, 2026

Animal, Vegetable, Mineral: Making Colors in Europe, 1400–1800

Animal, Vegetable, Mineral: Making Colors in Europe, 1400–1800 examines artistic production in the early modern period through the lens of its distinctive colors; recipes for pigments, dyes, and glazes were often closely guarded secrets and critical to the value of a work of art.

On view through February 27, 2027

From Mastodon to Mosaic: Building an Academic Art Collection in America

This exhibition investigates how ancient art from around the globe became part of the academic and aesthetic life of the college. Incorporating a timeline and

Animal, Vegetable, Mineral: Making Colors in Europe, 1400–1800 on view in the Hood Museum’s Harrington Gallery. Photo by Rob Strong.

paired with archival material, the exhibition complements the exhibition Stone, Sand, andClay:ConnectingCulturesintheAncient Mediterranean and was developed as part of the Hood Museum’s 40th anniversary year.

Through March 20, 2027

Always Already: Abstraction in the United States

Abstraction in North America predates the founding of the United States by thousands of years. Picking up this story in the 19th century, AlwaysAlready celebrates diverse approaches to color, geometry, and composition.

December 5

Celebrate the Season: Hands-on Art-Making!

Stop by anytime during the program to participate in art-making and enjoy cookies and cider as part of Hanover’s annual Celebrate the Season event! Create a seasonal craft in the Russo Atrium and visit the Make Space gallery on the second floor for more hands-on experiences.

4–6pm

January 9

A Space for Dialogue Gallery Talk Curated by student interns, the A Space for Dialogue series highlights creative and diverse perspectives on the museum’s permanent collection. Museum intern Sara Shelton ’26 will discuss their exhibition, which celebrates some of the many ways artists incorporate joy, surprise, and humor into their art.

4–4:45pm

January 14

Exhibition Tour: Animal, Vegetable, Mineral

Join exhibition curator Elizabeth Rice Mattison in exploring Animal,Vegetable,Mineral: MakingColorsinEurope,1400–1800. Discover artistic production in the early modern period through the lens of its distinctive colors; recipes for pigments, dyes, and glazes were often closely guarded secrets and critical to the value of a work of art. Space is limited. No registration required.

12:30–1:30pm

WINTER EVENTS

January 22

The John Kobal Foundation Collection Lecture: “Everybody Sing and Dance: The Pleasures and Perils of Studying Musical Film”

The musical is a complex, multifaceted genre that has been produced by a diverse group of filmmakers and in countries far and wide for nearly 100 years. In this talk, Professor Desiree Garcia explores the rich history of the musical, why the genre is both beloved and hated, and what it teaches us about performance as a mode of human expression in societies past and present.

5–6pm

January 24

Storytime in the Galleries: American Pop

Join us for Storytime in the Galleries for our youngest visitors. Explore art together and engage in hands-on activities inspired by AmericanPop, which highlights artists using familiar imagery in new and exciting ways. For children ages 4 to 5 and their adult companions. Space is limited; register for free on the museum’s website.

1–1:45pm

January 24

Maker Drop-in

This free drop-in program for all ages invites you to try new mediums or tools with a self-guided artmaking activity. All materials provided and no experience necessary. No registration required. 1–4pm

January 28

Hood Highlights Tour

Join us for an in-person tour of the museum’s galleries. Meet in the Russo Atrium five minutes prior to the start time. No registration necessary.

12:30–1:30pm

February 6

Winter Exhibition Opening Reception Celebrate our exhibitions! Learn about what’s new on view, discover upcoming programs, and enjoy an evening of ingallery exploration, music, refreshments, and remarks from Virginia Rice Kelsey 1961s Director John R. Stomberg.

5–6:30pm

February 11

Exhibition Tour: Revolution Reconsidered

Join exhibition co-curator Elizabeth Rice Mattison for an introduction to Revolution Reconsidered: History, Myth, and Propaganda. Explore how visual representations of the American Revolution became, and remain, potent carriers of national history and identity.

12:30–1:30pm

February 14

Lunar New Year Celebration: The Year of the Horse

Enjoy artmaking activities and a curated reading nook or join a spotlight talk featuring horses in the exhibition Nurturing Nationhood in US and Indigenous Art, 1790–1940. This is a free, drop-in program for all ages and visitors. Refreshments and snacks will be served. 1–4pm

February 26

Exhibition Tour: Inhabiting Historical Time

Join exhibition co-curator Alisa Swindell for an introduction to Inhabiting HistoricalTime:SlaveryandItsAfterlives which explores slavery’s impact and its enduring legacies via histories of oppression, resistance, subversion, and resilience.

12:30–1:30pm

February 28

Hood Highlights Tour

Join us for an in-person tour of the museum’s galleries. Meet in the Russo Atrium five minutes prior to the start time. No registration necessary. 2–3pm

Hood Highlights Tour

HOPKINS CENTER FOR THE ARTS

@ DARTMOUTH COLLEGE hop.dartmouth.edu

For information, tickets, or pricing information, call (603) 646-2422 or visit hop.dartmouth.edu.

December 6

HopStop Family Event: Cookie Swap Contest Top of the Hop, 12pm

December 6

Met Opera in HD: TheMagicFlute Spaulding Auditorium, 1pm

December 13

Met Opera in HD: Andrea Chenier Spaulding Auditorium, 1pm

January 7

Chrybaby Cozie & Harlem Lite Fleet

Daryl Roth Studio Theater, 7:30pm

January 9

Melissa Villasenor Spaulding Auditorium, 7:30pm

January 10

Recital Series: Horszowski Trio Morris Recital Hall, 5 & 7:30pm; Post-show reception 9pm

January 11

Met Opera in HD: I Puritani Spaulding Auditorium, 1pm

January 15–18

Scott Silven: Wonders

Daryl Roth Studio Theater, 15 & 16, 7:30pm; 17, 2 & 7:30pm; 18, 2pm

January 21

Recital Series: Jason Moran Presents Duke Ellington: My Heart Sings Morris Recital Hall, 7 & 9pm

WINTER EVENTS

January 22

Jason Moran and the Bandwagon Spaulding Auditorium, 7:30pm

January 24

HopStop Family Film & Workshop: The Gruffalo and Stop-Motion

Animation Creation Loew Auditorium, 11am

January 29

Mark Morris Dance Group: Dance Class Hodgson Dance Studio, 5pm

January 30, 31

Pre-Show Conversations

Top of the Hop, 6:30pm

January 30, 31

Mark Morris Dance Group: The Look of Love

The Moore Theater, 30, 7:30pm; 31, 2 & 7:30pm

February 4

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra

Spaulding Auditorium, 7:30pm

February 6

Hop Film Event: Omoiyari: ASongFilmbySishiBashi

Loew Auditorium, 7pm

February 7

Kishi Bashi

Spaulding Auditorium, 7:30pm

February 10, 11

Recital Series: Sally Pinkas and Friends

Morris Recital Hall, 7:30pm

February 13

Winter 2026 Dartmouth College Wind Ensemble

Spaulding Auditorium, 7:30pm

February 14

HopStop Family Celebration: Lunar New Year Dragon Dance

Top of the Hop, 11am

February 14

Selected Shorts

Morris Recital Hall, 4 & 7pm

December 6, The Magic Flute

January 30, 31, Mark Morris Dance Group, The Look of Love

January 9, Melissa Villasenor

February 17

Recital Series: yMusic Morris Recital Hall, 5 & 7:30pm

February 18

Elisapie

Spaulding Auditorium, 7:30pm

February 20–21, 26–28

Department of Theater: Legacy of Light

Daryl Roth Studio, 20, 26 & 27, 7:30pm; 21 & 28, 3 & 7:30pm

February 22

Winter 2026

Dartmouth College Glee Club

Rollins Chapel, 2pm

February 26

Winter 2026

Dartmouth College

Gospel Choir

Spaulding Auditorium, 7:30pm

February 28

Illegal Crowns and the Coast Jazz Orchestra Spaulding Auditorium, 7:30pm

February 6, Hope Film Event, Omoiyari: A Song Film by Sishi Bashi

February 7, Kishi Bashi

February 18, Elisapie

just soap and water.

HAPPENINGS | WINTER 2025/2026

Montshire Museum of Science

One Montshire Road Norwich, VT (802) 649-2200 montshire.org

Exhibit: Timber Tumble

It’s an auditory experience, it’s an interactive playscape, and it’s a meditative sculpture park all in one. This outdoor exhibition was created using natural and found materials sourced entirely from the Montshire’s 110-acre property. Timber Tumble features hand-made and roughhewn switchbacks, spirals, raceways, and ball runs that are designed to engage all senses and encourage calm.

Exhibit: Wonder Woods

Wonder Woods is specially designed to ignite the curiosity and support the development of the museum’s youngest visitors—children ages 5 and under. Informed by the latest research on early childhood development, this permanent, 600-square-foot, multilevel learning space is designed to foster an early love and interest in STEM learning (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) as it aims to help children become confident lifelong learners.

Exhibit: Bubbles:ScienceinSoap

Delight in experimenting with surface tension, concocting new ways to create a bubble, crafting a foam sculpture, and injecting a bubble with mist.

Exhibit: Solve It! Puzzles, Math & Problem-Solving

Energize your brain and spark your imagination as you quest to solve hands-on puzzles and games.

Exhibit: DiscoveringtheNaturalWorld

Featuring real tools of scientific research, DiscoveringtheNaturalWorld makes learning about living plants and animals an interactive process that will surprise and delight.

Exhibit: Air Works

Air Works, featuring a dazzling array of interactive exhibits, helps to flex engineering muscles, strengthen the understanding of core scientific concepts, and spark the imaginations of all ages.

Exhibit: Life in Local Waters

See fish, frogs, and turtles native to the New England region. Each aquarium is representative of a different freshwater habitat. From toads to turtles, crayfish to trout, view native species close up.

Exhibit: Glow Room

Experiment with ultraviolet light, visit with friendly dinosaurs, and design with a vivid array of neon colors in the new interactive Instagrammable dark space.

Hands-On Science Activities

Every day is different! You may get to hold a fossil or make a parachute, build an electric circuit, or use a microscope!

December 5

Playgroup: Outside! 10am

December 20, January 17, February 21

Montshh . . . Montshire Sensory Hour 9am

December 31

New Year’s at Noon 2025 9:30am

January 6

Mini-Forest Revolution with Hannah Lewis 1pm

January 23

Montshire After Dark 6:30pm

February 3

Design Steps and Considerations for an Ecological Landscape with Krystyna Oszkinis 1pm

Etna Library 130 Etna Road Etna, NH (603) 643-3116 www.etna-library.org

Mondays Lego Club

3:30pm

1st & 3rd Tuesdays Arts & Crafts Club 3:30pm

1st Wednesdays Cookbook Club 12pm

2nd Wednesdays Universal Yums 3:30pm

3rd Wednesdays

Stories with Scooter the Therapy Dog

2:30pm

4th Wednesdays

Etna Library Book Group 7pm

Thursdays

Move & Groove Story Time 4:30pm

2nd & 4th Fridays

Knitting & Needlecrafters Group 2:30pm

December 17

Stuffy Sleepover

January 19

Comics in World History Trumbull Hall, 195 Etna Road, 6pm

The Fourth Place 3 Lebanon Street (Second Floor) Hanover, NH thefourthplacehanover.com

Tuesdays Member Hours 4:30–11pm

Wednesdays New Comic Book Day 2–5pm

1st Wednesday Upper Valley Young Professionals Game Night 6pm

2nd Wednesday Wargames & Card Games 6pm

Hikes for Every Month of the Year!

Download full directions for your own self-guided hike around Hanover—where to go, what you’ll see, plus a glimpse into the backstory. Access each hike on your phone (if cell service allows) or print the PDF version to take with you. Visit Hanover Conservancy’s website, hanoverconservancy.org/hike-of-themonth, for more information.

3rd Wednesday Prototype Board Game Night 6–10pm

4th Wednesday Wingspan and Nature Games 6pm

Thursdays Magic: Commander Night 4–11pm

Thursdays Board Game Night 6–10pm

Fridays Star Wars: Unlimited 5–11pm

December

Behemoths of Balch Hill 0.8 miles round-trip Fullington Farm & Old Highway 1.8 miles round-trip

January Black Bear Loop 1.05 miles round-trip Hudson Farm & the AT 1.75 miles round-trip

February

Childs Farm Loop at Trescott Lands 1.4 miles round-trip

Mill Pond Forest & Dana Pastures 2 miles

Mink Brook & the Harris Trail 1.3-mile loop Tunis Brook Mill Lot 1.1 miles round-trip

1st Friday

Friday Night Magic: Standard 4–11pm

2nd Friday

Friday Night Magic: Draft 4–11pm

3rd Friday Friday Night Magic: Pauper 4–11pm

4th Friday Friday Night Magic: Modern 4–11pm

4th Friday Star Wars Unlimited: Monthly Sealed Event! 6–11pm

5th Friday Friday Night Magic: Star 4–11pm

Saturdays Multiplayer Video Games 6–11pm

Saturdays Pathfinder Society 6pm

2nd Saturday Crafting Time 3pm

2nd Saturday Mario Kart Night 6pm

3rd Saturday Blood on the Clocktower 6–11pm

4th Saturday Pride Game Night 6pm

Sundays Family Afternoon 12–5pm

Sundays Learn & Play: One Piece Card Game 3–6pm

1st & 3rd Sundays Taverns & Towers Game 1:30–6pm

2nd Sunday Manga & Comic Book Clubs 3pm

3rd Sunday Upper Valley Scrabble Club 4–8pm

4th Sunday Pokemon 2pm

4th Sunday Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Club 3pm

December 3, January 7, February 4 Upper Valley Young Professionals Game Night 6–10pm

December 4, January 4, February 4

Community Appreciation Day 10–10:30am

December 5–7, January 2–4, February 6–8 RPG Weekend

December 27, January 24, February 28

Up-Air Valley: Smash Bros. League at The Fourth Place 1–6pm

Howe Library

13 South Street

Hanover, NH (603) 643-4120 www.howelibrary.org

Mondays

Baby Playgroup

Children’s Program Room, 10:30am

Mondays

Chess Club 4 Kids 5pm

Tuesdays

StoryCraft

Children’s Program Room, 10:30am

Wednesdays

Chess Club Mayer Room, 6pm

Thursdays

Drop-in Tech Help New Books Area Table, 10am

Thursdays

Simply Storytime Mayer Room, 10:30am

Fridays

Bach Study Group Mayer Room, 10am

December 2

Howe Fall Writing Workshop: Poetry with Marjorie Moorhead Aldrich Room, 5:30pm

December 2

Dancing with Jane Austen Mayer Room, 6:30pm

December 4

Legos at the Library

Children’s Program Room, 3:45pm

Season’s greetings to you and your family

December 4

Art in the Library: Jane Austen Inspired Embroidery Murray Room, 5pm

December 4

Horror Stories: A Book Group Aldrich Room, 6:30pm

December 7

Shakespeare Unrehearsed! A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Acts IV & V 6:30pm

December 8, January 5, 19, February 2, 16

The Howe Writing Group Aldrich Room, 5:30pm

December 9, January 13, February 16

Books and Lunch on Tuesdays Aldrich Room, 12pm

December 10

Marathon Pride and Prejudice Reading! Multiple Locations, 9am

December 10, January 14, February 11

Club Fourth-Fifth-Sixth Mayer Room, 2:30pm

December 12

Jane Austin Ball Main Floor New Books Area, 7pm

December 13, 27, January 10, 24, February 7, 21

Adult Dungeons and Dragons

Murray Room, Session I: 10am, Session II: 1pm

December 13, January 10, February 14

Memory Café Mayer Room, 10:30am

December 13, 27, January 10, 24, February 7, 21

Upper Valley Traditional Music Jam Mayer Room, 3pm

December 14

Calligraphy Practice Meetup

Murray Room, 1pm

December 15

New Year’s Eve in a Bag All Day Event

January 11, Agent of Happiness

December 15

Tween Take and Make: Paint and Sip Boba Tea All-Day Event

December 16 Game On! Teen Area, 3pm

December 18, January 15, February 19

Science Fiction Book Group Aldrich Room, 6pm

December 19

Music in the Library: Route 5 Jive Main Floor New Books Area, 3:30pm

December 31

New Year’s Eve Party with Mr. Aaron Mayer Room, 11am

January 7, 21, February 4, 18

Read to a Dog Children’s Program Room, 3–3:45pm

January 9

Music in the Library: Ninja Wizard Main Floor New Books Area, 3:30pm

January 11

Winter Film Series: Agent of Happiness Mayer Room, 2:30

January 30

Family Art Night Mayer Room, 4pm

January 31–February 1

Life-Size Candy Land 31, 10:30am; 1, 12:30pm

Norwich’s Vandalized Bible—Mending the Spaces Between

Exhibit: A Few of Our Favorite Things: Treasures from the Collection Norwich Historical Society norwichhistory.org

Online Exhibit: Mad for Mid-Century Modern Norwich Historical Society norwichhistory.org

Online Exhibit: Norwich’s Vandalized Bible— Mending the Spaces Between Norwich Historical Society norwichhistory.org

Online Exhibit: Norwich Women Crafting the Future

Norwich Historical Society norwichhistory.org

Norwich Women Crafting the Future Mad for Mid-Century Modern

Online Exhibit: Poets and the Past Norwich Historical Society norwichhistory.org

Through December 31

Exhibit: Dan & Whit’s at 70: Photographs & Memories Norwich Historical Society norwichhistory.org

January 13

Deborah Lee Luskin and Ellen B. Rockmore –Reviving Artemis and The Given-Up Girl The Norwich Bookstore, 7pm norwichbookstore.com

January 15

Tory Henwood Hoen – Before I Forget The Norwich Bookstore, 7pm norwichbookstore.com

February 12

Betsy Vereckey in Conversation with Joni B. Cole – Moving to My Dog’s Hometown

The Norwich Bookstore, 7pm norwichbookstore.com

Through December 31

Dan & Whit’s at 70: Photographs & Memories

February 12

Betsy Vereckey in Conversation with Joni B. Cole – Moving to My Dog’s Hometown

ADVERTISERS INDEX | WINTER 2025/2026

January 15

Tory Henwood Hoen –Before I Forget

3 Phase Landscaping 34

AVA Gallery and Art Center 58

Allen Pools & Spas 39

Baker Orthodontics 18

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust 19

Belletetes 6

Bethel Mills 59

Black House Real Estate 43

Carpet Mill 21

CB Lifestyles 17

Carson Wealth/Fisher Financial 65

Cota & Cota 91

Crossroads Academy 38

Crown Point Cabinetry 8

Crown Point Select 35

DRM 57

Dartmouth Authentic 11

Designer Gold 23

Donald J. Neely, DMD, MSD –Hanover Orthodontics 39

Doyle and Loughman Wealth Management Group 1

Dr. Alla Devitskaya 80

Dutille’s Jewelry Design Studio 37

Foremost Builders 82

GR Porter & Sons 68

Gilberte Interiors 15

Glowen Day Spa 70

Half-Step Beer & Wine 71

Hanover Inn 42

Hanover Road Dental Health 65

Hennessey Architecture 18

Higgerson and Co. 7

Hill Opticians & Gallagher Eye Care 101

Hillside Builders 57

Hood Museum of Art 38

Indigo 42

Ivy IV Aesthetics 90

JMH Wealth Management 88

Jasmin Auto Body 82

Jeff Wilmot Painting 88

Johnson Audiology 70

Kendal at Hanover 68

King Arthur Baking Company 98

LaValley Building Supply 69

Law Office of Margaret Jacobs 30

Lemon Tree Gifts 71

LindeMac Real Estate Inside back cover

Loch Lyme Lodge 99

Lyme Road Dental 2

Martha E. Diebold Real Estate Inside front cover

Matt Brown Fine Art 71

Mudge Greeley Architects 55

NT Ferro Estate & Custom Jewelers 9

Nathan Wechsler 91

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Dartmouth 73

Peraza Dermatology 4

Putnam’s vine/yard 72

Ramunto’s Brick & Brew 70

Real Broker, LLC 12

Renewal by Andersen 30

River Road Veterinary Clinic 98

Rousseau & Ross Back cover

Simple Energy 69

Snyder Donegan Real Estate Group 5

Systems Plus Computers 83

Terrace Communities 55

The Fourth Place 73

The Gilded Edge 72

The Ivy Edit 72

The Lyme Inn 49

The Norwich Bookstore 73

The Tea House 31

Upper Valley Business Alliance 90

Valley Floors 102

Verani Realty 3

Visage Med Spa 83

WISE 49

Walt & Ernie’s Barbershop 72

White River Family Eyecare/ Hanover Eyecare 95

William Smith Auctioneer 13

Williamson Group 10

Willing Hands 37

Woodstock Inn & Resort 67 & 80

by mike morin

Meet Morgan

Brophy

President of Upper Valley Business Alliance

Why is the UpperValley a great option for those thinking of locating here?

The Upper Valley contains this effervescent mix of arts, culture, and events with plenty of elbow room to explore all that nature surrounds us with. It’s a place where collaboration thrives— between businesses, nonprofits, and neighbors alike. The Upper Valley blends small-town charm with world-class resources— health care, education, access to the outdoors, and arts and culture. The Upper Valley offers a tight-knit community and measured pace of life where everyone can live, work, and belong.

Asaregionalchamberwith500localbusinesses,how can you help people get a handle on all that the area has to offer?

The best way for companies and individuals alike to experience the breadth of what the Upper Valley offers is to download the Local Upper Valley app (uppervalleybusinessalliance.com/ local-upper-valley-mobile-app). It’s the go-to resource for businesses welcoming new employees—especially those relocating—and for locals who think they’ve done it all. With listings for local businesses, the app is a one-stop guide to everything happening across the Upper Valley of New Hampshire and Vermont.

TheUpperValleyBurgerBattleisoneexampleoffunthat engageslocals.Anyothers?

The Burger Battle is just one way UVBA highlights local businesses in fun, creative ways. We cohost LebFest each fall with Lebanon Recreation, Arts & Parks, partner with downtown Hanover for Celebrate the Season every December, and collaborate with the Valley News on the annual Reader’s Choice Awards. And if you haven’t met Cluck, the Networking Chicken, you’ll have to drop by our Tuesday Referral Group to find out more!

Tellusaboutyourmonthlymeetupforcoffeeandnetworking. Coffee & Connections is one of several monthly opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs to build relationships. The location rotates each month so we can visit member businesses on their turf. It’s a casual setting designed to spark one-onone follow-ups that lead to meaningful referrals. Any business owner will tell you that a referral is the best kind of lead.

Whatplanslieaheadin2026forUVBAmembers?

I’m eager to enhance the programs that are working, reimagine those that could use fresh energy, and create new ways to highlight the value UVBA brings—not just to members, but to the entire Upper Valley community, where local businesses are deeply committed to making a meaningful impact on the region’s overall health and vitality. t

Morgan Brophy. Photos by Perry Smith.