Page 14 The Colebrook Chronicle Friday, January 6, 2017
Around The Region
Caleb and Minnie Camapgna were out on the ice last weekend at the Sawyerville skating rink – Minnie clutching tightly to her big brother during her maiden voyage. Corey Bellam photo.
This group was seen working on their hockey skills at the Sawyerville skating rink last weekend. Corey Bellam photo.
NEW YEAR’ S EVE AT BERWICK / LLOYD GARAGE
The garage of Barry Berwick and Nancy Lloyd came to life on New Year’ s Eve at around 8 p. m. as Barry and Nancy welcomed in very close to 100 family and friends to their New Year’ s Eve bash. This certainly brought the surrounding communities together and even brought people from south of the border up to party. The fun all kicked off at 8 p. m. with David McBurney and friends hitting the stage to provide good old country music for all, going well into the early morning hours of 2017.
Barry and Nancy started holding this New Years party a few years ago now and it has grown into a Sawyerville tradition. The music was superb and the fun level was through the roof all night. 2017 came in with style.
– Corey Bellam
WREN FOOD AND FARM PROGRAM
Interest in locally produced food and“ agritoursim” is soaring nationally— and so are visitors to the region. Over six million people visit the White Mountain National Forest annually. In response to these trends and the growth in members representing the local food and farm cluster, WREN is expanding their focus on supporting these enterprises. WREN already hosts farmers’ markets in Bethlehem and Berlin and sell value-added products in the stores, so expanding the program is a natural fit.
With support that includes the Neil and Louise Tillotson Fund, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Foundation, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, USDA Rural Development, and Wholesome Wave, WREN will be offering one-on-one coaching to farms and businesses, increasing access to fresh food for families, and participating in the development of the regional food system. This winter, WREN will host webinars in season extension, farm food safety, accessing new markets, and diversifying a farm operation.
The goal is to improve lives and livelihoods by helping farms and local food businesses grow and access new markets, such as tourists. Other benefits to this region include better diets for residents, preservation of farmland, job creation, and more dollars circulating in the local economy.
Some opportunities already exist, such as the farmers’ markets around the region and the Littleton Coop. WREN is part of a group that is exploring providing locally grown food to hospitals. WREN helps farms evaluate new opportunities and bring them cutting edge technologies, resources, and market research. The University of New Hampshire is studying best practices for growing spinach in tunnels, for example. This type of research addresses the North Country challenge of a short growing season and lack of winter availability of produce.
Food-related businesses and farms can contact Food and Farm Program Manager David White to receive one-on-one business assistance, learn about educational opportunities, or sign up for WREN’ s informative monthly newsletter. David can be reached
The new year was brought in with grand style by the musical talents of David McBurney, Willy Fisk, Terry Howell, Dareth Fowler and Janis Graham at the Berwick / Lloyd garage. Corey Bellam photo.
at 869-9736 or davidw @ wrenworks. org.
VISITING SAWYERVILLE’ S SKATING RINK
Last weekend we stopped in at the Sawyerville Skating Rink to check out the action. We found Rink Master Jeff Cross hard at work, tying skates and ensuring all were safe. Out on the rink, a hockey game was going on with both young and old taking part. We always love to stop at this place for a visit with Jeff and the children. Jeff really goes all out for the kids, with hot chocolate brewing and treats on hand. Jeff makes a small rink out at one side where the beginners can practice before hitting the big rink – it is safer that way for all.
– Corey Bellam
This young man gave us a big smile as Jeff Cross, rink master at the Sawyerville skating rink, tied his skates on for a day of adventure. Corey Bellam photo.