Real Estate

The Valuable, Versatile ADU

Realtor Jenn Madden explains the ins and outs of accessory dwelling units Article by Susan Gallagher Accessory dwelling units (ADUs)—smaller living units on the property of a primary residence—are becoming popular options to mitigate the housing shortage on the Seacoast. Realtor Jenn Madden, principal owner and managing broker of Madden Group in Rye, shares her expertise on these profitable and functional dwellings. What do you think is driving the high demand for ADUs? Affordable housing...

Education

Finding the Fit

CollegeYou guides students to choosing their path after high school. Article by Rebecca Ingalls Meredith Gadd’s experiences in admissions counseling and leadership has inspired her own business, CollegeYou Consulting. Here, Gadd shares the influences that led her to this work, and the philosophy behind her unique approach to guiding students toward a deeper understanding of themselves.  How did Gould Academy high school inspire your interest in college counselling? They were so passionate...

Travel

It's All in the Details

Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa makes traveling with kids and pets easy Article by Hannah Kanfer | Photography by Carley Rudd Photography and Portsmouth City Lifestyle Each summer parents are faced with the age-old dilemma, “What should we do with the kids this summer?” Finding something fun, unique, and convenient can be challenging. And if you have pets, it gets even trickier—“What about the dog?” Enter Mountain View Grand Resort & Spa. Nestled in the White Mountains, it’s the perfect...

Health + Wellness

The Courage Within

On Belay’s adventure programs provide support and empowerment for kids dealing with a loved one’s cancer Article by Susan Gallagher | Photography by On Belay Staff On a frigid February day at Gunstock Mountain, Madeline Brooks led a band of teens on a cross-country skiing trail through the woods. The group was quiet—the only sound the gentle swooshing of skis through the snow—when one teen’s voice broke the silence with a startling question: “What do you guys think about the afterlife?”...

Life + Culture

Paws and Podiums

Carol Kelly’s prize-winning, four-footed friends showcase how talent plus training brings home trophies Article by Ann Kathryn Kelly | Photography by Carol Kelly “Sit. Stay.” Table-stakes commands for most dog owners. But in the world of competitive dog shows, the road from sit and stay to tail-wagging triumph starts long before the lights go up, the judges judge, the cameras click, and top dogs are announced. Just ask Portsmouth resident and prize-winning handler Carol Kelly, who has more...

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...

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...

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...

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...