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VOLUME 33, NUMBER 39 FEBRUARY 19, 2009 FREE THE WEEKLY NEWS & LIFESTYLE JOURNAL OF MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY The Story Of The West Kebar: Captain Dwight Smith Sr.’s merchant ship was torpe- doed during World War II, and writer Steven Caming tells the incredible story that followed … A 6 Ski Jumping Champs: The Kennett High School Ski Jumping Team took home the State Champion trophy after the competition at Proctor Academy Feb. 13… B10 MAILING LABEL A SALMON PRESS PUBLICATION • (603) 447-6336 • PUBLISHED IN CONWAY, NH Give a gift of family Page Two togetherness & lifelong memories… Open House offered on Feb. 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. GSC’s OLLI program is a stimulus package for the mind By Linda Tucker experiences and pursue fresh interests. Each community presents unique educa- Contributing Writer OLLI at GSC is expecting vigorous tional offerings. There is no end to the THERE’S BEEN A LOT OF talk renewal numbers and is hoping to attract subjects that can be explored. This these days about the need for a stimulus at least 200 new members this spring! spring, topics offered in Conway will package. If you want to take a break from Structured as a membership program, encompass arts, literature, film, history, all the political turmoil, consider Granite participants pay $35 per year to join technology, religions, finances, science, State College’s OLLI program. It prom- OLLI and then usually an additional $5 world affairs and the environment. The ises a stimulus package for your brain that per session each time a class or workshop OLLI catalog gives full course listings for will also be loads of fun. And, it won’t meets. Some classes, however, are free! all campuses. require spending the grandkids’ inheri- Programs might consist of a single ses- According to Virginia Martin, OLLI tance to pay for it. sion or meet weekly for up to eight weeks Director and member, “all four OLLI On Feb. 26, Granite State College will usually for one-and-a-half to two hours. curriculum committees have worked cre- host an OLLI open house from 1 to 3 Course activities include lectures, travel, atively – not to mention diligently – to p.m. to launch its spring 2009 offerings at outdoor exploration, cultural and ethnic bring an enticing variety of great classes its campus at 53 Technology Lane in experiences, small group discussion and and activities.” The spring schedule con- Conway. social opportunities. tains some intriguing course titles. The open house will feature light Payment of membership dues gives If you’re the adventuresome type, you Story Land refreshments and a presentation by Betsy access to the programs and activities at might be fascinated by “The Lewis and Gemmecke, Outreach Coordinator. the Conway campus and at any of the Clark Expedition,” as relayed by Catalogs will be available, course facilita- other three Granite State College Marianne Borowski. Marianne will show 2009 Season tors will be on hand and attendees will be Institute locations in New Hampshire. and tell how she bicycled across the U.S. able to register for classes. With courses geared to students age 50 and over, OLLI (Osher Lifelong The graduation ceremony consisted Passes and Day Learning Institute) provides an opportu- of Instructor Richard Mullen lead- nity for adults to explore avenues of inter- ing the class in a Conga line around est in a collegiate environment without the OLLI GSC Conway campus. Passes are now the pressure of tests, grades or homework (Courtesy Photo) and at a surprisingly affordable cost. Regardless of a person’s educational background, this is a chance to learn for available! the fun of it. The Bernard Osher Foundation fos- ters a growing national network of life- long learning institutes for seasoned adults located at 119 colleges and univer- sities from Maine to Hawaii and Alaska. Until recently, for New Hampshire resi- dents to participate in OLLI, students needed to travel to Manchester, Concord or Exeter. The OLLI program came to Conway last fall and has already become hugely popular. With 83 new members in its debut year, it’s catching on fast as a place to meet with old and new friends, share A Season Pass is just $66 per person, ages 3 and above, for unlimited admission every day of the 2009 season. Call 603-383-4186, ext. 0. It wasn't hard for these OLLI A Day Pass is just $25 per students to enjoy going back to school. The laughs came a mile person, ages 3 and above, for a minute as students in Richard admission one day in the 2009 Mullen's fall Gelotology class season. Purchase online and studied the effect of humor and laughter on the human body. print at home ($1.25 fee per (Courtesy Photo) ticket applies), or contact the Story Land office. On the Cover Inside Index A great year to be a Nordic skier A True Tale of Seamanship Arts & Entertainment..............Page B1 The trails of the Jackson Ski Touring Steve Caming uncovered the never- Calendar...................................Page B6 Foundation have been alive with the before written tale of Captain Dwight Entertainment..........................Page B8 sounds of happy Nordic skiers this sea- Smith of North Conway (father of son. The JSTF isn’t the only place to Dwight Smith Jr.,of Intervale) who On the Slopes & Trails.......Pages B2-4 find great cross-country conditions; commanded the merchant ship West On the Rockpile.....................Page A10 Great Glen Trails, Bear Notch Ski Kebar, which was torpedoed during Nooks & Crannies.................Page A17 603-383-4186 Touring, Bretton Woods, MWV Ski & during World War II. But that’s just the Rt. 16, Glen, NH 03838 Snowshoe Foundation and King Pine beginning of this amazing story. Page Real Estate .............................Page A19 can all boast Nordic skiing bliss. www.storylandnh.com A6 Sports ..............................Pages B10-15 (Thom Perkins/Jackson Ski Touring Photo) Page A2 - The Mountain Ear, Thursday, February 19, 2009 in 2002 and rode the Lewis and Clark Trail from St. Louis to the Pacific on the Carol Foorde acts out the character of Molly 200th anniversary of the expedition in Ockett for the White Mountain Tales class. 2004. If you’re really looking for excite- (Courtesy Photo) ment, in week two, she promises to help you plan your own biking adventure with all the details to make it easy and fun. If all the electronic wizardry that your grandchildren are playing with has you baffled, “Gizmos and Gadgets” sounds like it will answer all your questions while providing an interactive experience. The grandkids might be impressed when you get fit on your Wii or text them from your Blackberry. And if you’re hoping to get an early glimpse of spring, take a May 6 walk in the woods with Joshua Potter, a natural- ist with the Tin Mountain Conservation Center. My husband and I have spent OLLI students engage many happy hours learning from Josh in printmaking dur- about the mountains and valley we live in. ing the fall term. There are 17 other courses to choose (Courtesy Photo) from, including Golf 101, Spontaneous Cooking, Mosaic Art and many more. To get the complete list, attend the open began to focus on offering courses to a “These results will be achieved not facilitators, topic experts and qualified house or visit the OLLI website at more mature population — those whose through a small number of large gifts but members with an accumulation of knowl- www.granite.edu/olli. Register early! primary purpose was to learn for the joy rather from a large number of dedicated edge. Wherever your interests may lie, Classes fill quickly. Credit cards are of learning, not to accumulate credits members making modest gifts.” you’re sure to find a lively and spirited accepted by phone at 447-3970. toward a degree or upgrade career skills. Martin is hoping that along with the group looking to share your enthusiasm. All presenters are volunteers and In early 2001, an endowed grant was $35 membership fee, members will con- Granite State’s Conway campus is future subject matter will be determined bestowed to the University of Southern sider including a $10 or larger tax- located off the White Mountain by the interests of the members. To Maine, enabling them to expand and deductible donation to OLLI. Highway (Rte. 16) in Suite 150 of the Mt. become an instructor, anyone with a improve their already existing “Senior OLLI can connect you with new and Washington Valley Economic Council's topic that they think is appealing and that College” with programs targeted toward fascinating people in your community Technology Village. For further informa- may be relevant to others is welcome to students near or at retirement age. from all walks of life. Members are tion about Granite State College or contact Betsy Gemmecke. Today, the OLLI at the University of retired, semi-retired, in transition, look- OLLI, logon to www.granite.edu/olli., OLLI derives its name from benefac- Southern Maine functions as a National ing for a change, or still working. or call 447-3970. ▲ tor Bernard Osher, a native of Biddeford, Resource Center facilitating the Educators include retired instructors, Maine, and a graduate of Bowdoin exchange of opinions, solutions and expe- College. Osher began his business career riences amongst the current network of managing the family’s hardware and over 120 nationwide OLLI centers. plumbing supply business before becom- Virginia Martin, OLLI Director, says ing involved in banking and investing. In that due to the current economic climate, 1997 he created the Bernard Osher OLLI at GSC is no longer receiving Foundation.