Life in the North Country of NH: Changes, new visions and passings...

Well, the leaves have exchanged their monochromatic green leaves for their "Sunday-go-to-meeting" colorful best.

There have been changes for us, Bath and the North Country in this fall season.

We raised over twenty Black Swallowtail caterpillars and saw them leave to become butterflys.

Linda and I were very surprised when we received an award from the New Hampshire Non Game and Endangered Wildlife Program for our work with the "Speaking for Wildlife" program.

Speaking for Wildlife entails us going out to groups and presenting various "talks" ranging from "The Wild History of NH", "Bats", "Gardening for Wildlife" and others. We received training from the University of New Hampshire a couple years ago.

Early in the spring we heard a strange sound in the side yard which was later identified as a porcupine looking for love. We had never seen a porcupine on our property...up until about a month and a half ago.

I noticed a dark area in the front yard so I grabbed a camera and went up to take a look. It was a porcupine! I followed it a little bit and took some pictures.

A few weeks ago just after sunset I noticed a dark form moving along behind the dog yard fence near the tree line. I grabbed the camera and went out to take a look.

It was another darker, much larger porcupine heading toward the shed. Again I took some pictures but didn't get as close this time due to the darkness.

We had a good fall. Lots of tourists, but not as many in years past. It also doesn't help that the covered bridge has been closed about a year now. We have about another 7-8 months until it will be open again. The bridge closure is hurting our local store - The Brick Store www.thebrickstore.com If you like homemade fudge (and who doesn't) check out their web page for the many flavors that Nancy makes. This truly is a mom and pop store so do your taste buds a favor, buy some fudge and help them out.

After too many years we once again have a Boxer in the house. Roadie (Scarborough's One For the Road) was given to us by longtime friend and acquaintance Virginia Zurflieh in Florida.

There will be MANY more stories about Roadie (and Mollie) in the years to come.

Sadly, the North Country has lost its biggest champion.

Ray Burton was an Executive Councilor (kind of like a Lt Governor but actually works) and Grafton County Commissioner and had been a public servant for over 38 years.

Besides his public service he also played the organ at our church and was a member of our Grange. He also taught at a local college.

He was literally the third person we met when we moved to Bath and joined us at our Christmas table each year after.

Although officially a republican he was very much in the political center. The most telling indication of this was that most of the time the democrats wouldn't run anyone against him and he would always win the write in vote for the dems.

The last election cycle he did have a dem. opponent and that was only because they didn't want a free stater (www.freestateproject.org) to get the job.

At Ray's last annual picnic which was a popular fund raiser for republicans, Ray endorsed Linda's candidacy for State Rep (Linda is a Democrat) much to the consternation of some present.

Just before Ray's passing he was honored by having a park named for him in Haverhill. The honor had been in the works before it was learned he was terminally ill.

A second honor was having a scenic overlook of Mt Washington and the Mt Washington Hotel named for him. This too was a surprise which they had to tell him to get him there.

Prior to the dedication there was a special meeting of the Executive Council and the Governor at the hotel to officially accept a portrait of Ray done by local artist Craig Pursley to hang in Executive Council Chambers at the State House.

The dedication was attended by three former governors, two senators a former congressman and more state reps that you could shake a stick at.

And finally, Tom, our oldest cat passed away this month. He was between 16 and 19 years old. He came to us as a stray while we lived in Florida.

And now, a few pictures...

What at first glance looked like a leaf caught up in broom bristles...

Was actually a moth

The surprise...

The porcupine...

Say cheese...

The evening porcupine. S/he didn't have as much white on the quills.

Sitting on the step to the shed...

Fall pictures...

This is the Swiftwater Bridge. Swiftwater is a part of Bath.

Shadows in the bridge...

The lost River...

Introducing the new kid on the block...

Roadie and his handler Beth Coviello-Davis

County Commissioners Mike Cryans, Ray Burton and Martha Richards
at the dedication of Ray Burton Park

Ray Burton and Linda after the dedication of Ray Burton park in Haverhill.

Ray (now in a wheelchair) awaiting the arrival of Governor Hassan at the Mt Washington Hotel for a meeting to accept a portrait of him to hang in Council Chambers.