Fitness

Summit Quest

Hiker Corrine Ferzoco conquers all 48 New Hampshire 4000-footers and discovers her inner strength Article by Susan Gallagher Corrine Ferzoco looked up at the majestic and daunting peak of Mount Bondcliff, which looms at 4,265 feet above her, and took a deep breath. This was it—the final summit. Completing this climb would be the culmination of her six-year quest to scale all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4,000-foot mountains, an impressive feat at the age of 69. “I was determined to do it before I...

Arts + Culture

Conservation’s Creative Side

At the intersection of architecture and art, Sash & Solder restores stained glass windows to museum-quality condition to last another century Article by Ann Kathryn Kelly | Photography by Kevin Edge Stained glass windows are more than exquisite works of visual art. Each window also tells a written story, literally. Throughout the Middle Ages, stained glass windows were dominant across Europe’s Gothic cathedrals. While breathtaking, these windows had a practical purpose. They were “the poor...

Arts + Culture

Community of Creativity

Port City Makerspace brings creatives together on a shared journey of artistic exploration Article by Susan Gallagher A unique community exists in the heart of Portsmouth—a wildly diverse band of artists, craftspeople, tinkerers, and techies. Different ages, different backgrounds, same agenda–create! They don’t shun one another because of their differences, but welcome the life-spice of variety. This artsy crew shares knowledge and equipment willingly, collaborates happily, and basks in...

Travel

Lost and Found at Hidden Pond

At this sanctuary resort you’ll find the real power of rest Article by Rebecca Ingalls | Photography by Doug Merriam, Jeff Roberts, Todd Snyder Surrounded by abundant New England flora, just minutes from Goose Rocks Beach, Hidden Pond is quaintly nestled in the natural world. Emily Nelson, general manager of the Kennebunkport Resort Collection, which features 10 different “boutique destinations,” has been a steward of this rich haven of hospitality for the last decade. “You pull in, and you’re...

Health + Wellness

Electric Revolution

The versatile e-bike is opening roads to endless possibilities Article by Susan Gallagher It was an “aha” moment for Steve Gerhartz—that eye-opening maiden voyage on an electric bike (e-bike). He immediately understood what e-bike aficionados were raving about. “You don’t have to go 50 yards on one of these to know how great they are,” he says. Owner of Seacoast E-Bikes in Newington since 2020, this savvy entrepreneur seeks to spread the word about the myriad lifestyle benefits of this...

Finance + Legal Services

Wealth Management, With A Twist

Wealth advisor Art Meconi brought whimsy to his practice, turning balloon animals into business leads Article by Ann Kathryn Kelly | Photography by Allie Burke Photography It’s not every day a balloon dog helps pave the way to a retirement plan. Yet, that’s exactly what happened in a local mall when wealth advisor Art Meconi set up a table. As he twisted balloon dogs, ducks, and swords and handed them out to delighted children, he also handed his business card to parents and grandparents.  He...

Arts + Culture

Go For It

Co-founder Russ Grazier sings the praises of music-making in a community that meets students where they are Article by Rebecca Ingalls | Photography by David J. Murray ClearEyePhoto.com The ancient Greeks had a special word that captured the serendipity of “right place, right time”: kairos . For Russ and Katie Grazier, the right place was Portsmouth, and the right time was 2002 when the City of Portsmouth’s cultural plan put a spotlight on arts education in its call for an independent...

Life + Culture

Dear Aspen & Scarlet

A Letter to my Daughters Article by Ian Kaner Dear Aspen & Scarlet Do you remember how you used to shout, “IT’S A BUDGET BLINDS VAN!” from your booster seats whenever you spotted one around town? It’s a memory that brings me so much pleasure—the two of you perched up front next to me in my work van, your eyes wide seeing out the windshield, your voices echoing with pure excitement. When I bought that van, I was thinking purely logistically. I had just become a Budget Blinds franchise owner...

Local Services

Riding the Grain

Reviving wooden craftsmanship in the New England surf community Article by Hannah Kanfer | Photography by Nick LaVecchia Tucked just two blocks from the ocean on the southern coast of Maine sits a small, unassuming surf shop, Grain Surfboards, that’s anything but ordinary. The Beginnings  Before there was Grain, founder Mike LaVecchia moved to Vermont in the mid-’80s and immediately took to snowboarding. A few years later, he worked for the industry leader Burton Snowboards.  It was there...

Arts + Culture

Capturing the Chi

Artist Bruce Iverson brings nature to life with the ancient technique of Asian brush painting Article by Susan Gallagher | Photography by Kevin Edge What first pulls your eyes to the painting is the dragonfly, hovering over the delicate petals of the lotus, its translucent wings beating airily. Gazing at this ethereal image, you can almost sense the flow of life in motion—the humming of the insect's wings, the anticipation of its sweet landing, and the lotus whispering, "Come closer,"—words...