VOLUME 36, NUMBER 41 MARCH 15, 2012 FREE THE WEEKLY NEWS & LIFESTYLE JOURNAL OF MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY Folks ‘n Focus V alley Education Keeping the A wards, Graduations and romance of Congratulations! railroads PAGE 7 A SALMON PRESS PUBLICATION • (603) 447-6336 • PUBLISHED IN CONWAY, NH Valley Feature Fields of Ambrosia blossoms bigger but stays local By Rachael Brown Small batch production yields big results at Fields of Ambrosia. You see owner and crafter Deb Jasien has moved her bath and body products production from a renovated barn at her farm home in Intervale to her North Conway store. Jasien, who began hand- crafting bath and body prod- ucts 12 years ago in the Mt. Washington Valley, has grown to occupy a 1200 square foot space in Norcross Place right next to Schouler Park and the train station. Jasien talks about her prod- ucts, business, in-store produc- tion and upcoming plans for the summer solstice on June 20th. “Even through hard eco- Rachael Brown Rachael Brown nomic times business has been State of the art stainless production table and industrial grade kitchen in Staff member, Jeanne Primeau and owner Deb Jasien are both so knowl- good. We mostly attribute that the new manufacturing area in the retail store of Fields of Ambrosia. edgeable about the products crafted here. This is the best job I have ever to the concern people have Jeanne Primeau and owner Deb Jasien are very happy. had, says Primeau. about the products they use on their bodies. Customers are Jasien stays abreast of trends the Frontside Grind, she pri- looking for handmade,” says “Even through hard economic times business and what people want globally vate labels for customers, too Jasien, whose business was has been good. We mostly attribute that to the by belonging to several trade This brings us to her new named top 100 Green associations. Latest trends: venture beginning on June Businesses in New Hampshire concern people have about the products they Shower and bath bombs. Jasien 20th. ‘Escent-ually Yours by Business NH Magazine use on their bodies. Customers are looking for makes her own - Wakey- Apothecary’ will open on June 2011. Wakey; with essential oils of 20th, the summer solstice. This “Companies that mass pro- handmade,” says Jasien hazel, rosemary and pepper- is something I have wanted to duce natural and organic prod- mint, Sleepy Time with; hazel, do for the past five years,” says ucts have grown tremendously. ria barriers. Any one can label The essentials oils are natu- lavender and chamomile, Jasien. People come in and ask I never wanted to go that route. natural, arsenic is natural but ral, except those for pomegran- Breathe Easy with; witch hazel for something we may not I feel protective about my busi- you wouldn’t want to put that ate or Lily of the Valley, you eucalyptus and spearmint carry, this way they can design ness. I did want to move my in a product,” adds Jasien. can’t get essential oil from “They are aromatic, come with their own fragrances. production to our store loca- “Many toss around organic and these, they must be synthetic, directions. You put them off to Perfumery, just like bath and tion,” says Jasien who took over natural like buzz words.” says Jasien. Again it is a very the side in the shower or right body takes much research. “We the space where her friend There are regulations for small amount. If you take an on the tub, the water will dis- have four books required Cathy Hunter’s barbershop labeling and for organic claims. eight-ounce bottle there is one solve them. They last two to research,” says Primeau. The was. The barbershop moved If a product is 70 percent percent of essential or synthetic four showers,” she says. philosophy behind perfumery next to Ben and Jerry’s. organic it can be labeled as oil. All our oils are food grade Primeau points to a psycho- is from the late 1400’s in The left over floating hard 100% organic. Ingredients quality. It goes back to what aromatherapy chart telling how France. Most perfumes com- wood floors from the barber- must be listed with English and you put on your skin goes into essential oils affect the brain. prise of three to 15 essentials, shop make a suitable work Latin name, with the greatest your body,” adds Jasien. “It is proven certain aromas made up of high notes, mid space equipped with a long amount of ingredient first, the Fields of Ambrosia crafts trigger certain parts of the notes and low notes,” adds stainless steel production table least being last, explains Jasien. lotions, creams, body spray, brain,” says Primeau. Jasien. and stainless steel industrial “In my mind organic products bath salts and soaps in small Dead Sea Salts are the other People will be able to come kitchen. “We have an industrial should be at least 95 percent batches. Hand bar soaps are popular trend. “I get mine from in to create their own perfume. kitchen without the fryolators organic, ours are, with some made 36 at a time and lotions the Bokek region of Israel It is their personal scent,” says and grill,” says Jasien who being 100 percent.” and scrubs are made in batches where the Dead Sea has the Primeau. “If you like sandal spends three to four hours each Sometimes synthetics are of eight. “It is small and very highest mineral content,” she wood or patchouli, you’ll have a morning making products. necessary. I use a synthetic pre- controlled,” she says. One of adds. heavier base note,” adds Jasien. Jeanne Primeau, staff member, servative for lotions and body the bonuses of moving produc- Another plus for production The apothecary will be keeps a flow chart of what butter. You have to- otherwise tion to the store, is that is open, on site is private labeling. Not launched on Wednesday June needs to be replenished. they would grow bacteria, she like an open kitchen in a restau- only does Jasien private label 20th, with an open house prob- The FDA doesn’t require explains. Jasien adds that .02 rant and customers can see the for the Cut-Off Salon and Day ably flowing to the weekend, licensing, but Jasien, Primeau percent synthetic is used which production. “People see me Spa, The Wyatt House, AMC says Jasien. “I am excited about and other staffer Colleen gives a shelf life of one year. here making product, can see at Highland Center, Top Notch this,” she adds. Thornton, bottle and label Synthetic ingredients include we are hands on we are really Inn, The Old Field House, For more information: being as hygienic as can be. preservatives that are both making the product here,” she Four Your Paws Only, crafting www.fieldsofambrosia.com, “We wear gloves behind bacte- paraben and formaldehyde free. says. vanilla latte scented lotion for 603-356-3532. On the Cover Inside Index Valley Folks & Focus.....................Pages 6-8 Conway FD trains for Feature The Philbrook Museum, opening the Red Out & About.....................................Page 20 Emergency Responses Barn for Doug. Valley Education........................Pages 15-15 Page 14 Rockpile ............................................Page 10 Team members group together to support each other Roundups.............................Pages 23-27, 32 when crossing rapidly flowing water Downstream Calendar.....................................Pages 28-29 Training for safe swiftwater rescue Downstream......................................Page 21 Page 21 Photo by Darron Laughland Nooks & Crannies............................Page 31 Page 2 - The Mountain Ear, Thursday, May 24, 2012 Valley News Resident Power doubles saving guarantee PSNH customers tired of them at the time of enroll- knew we could deliver on 5%, grown more rapidly than even Manchester, NH-based constantly changing charges ment,” says Bart Fromuth, however we wanted to leave we predicted. Suppliers are Freedom Energy Logistics on their electricity bills can Managing Director of the door open to provide cutting us significant breaks. (felpower.com), family of com- now see relief. Manchester- Resident Power (RP). added savings when possible. They want our business and panies. The company’s man- based Resident Power has In fall 2011, when RP As a result, many customers are showing it through the agement team has nearly 100 announced it is doubling its entered the NH market, it have signed up with the expec- lower rates they’re offering. years of energy market experi- guaranteed savings to new cus- guaranteed new accounts at tation of 5% savings and been We simply pass savings on to ence and is widely recognized tomers. least 5% savings. In reality the overjoyed to discover that we RP customers. for its market intelligence and “At a time when PSNH cus- average savings have been delivered 10 or 12% savings.” “Customers not currently informational transparency. tomers are seeing fluctuating about 8-12%. The rapid growth of the RP enjoying the 10% minimum Resident Power is a member electricity charges, Resident Fromuth explains, “When customer base has led to the savings guarantee will see the of the Better Business Bureau. Power offers a 12-month, sta- we opened the doors for elec- new 10% guarantee. “Thanks benefits on their next contract For more information or to ble supply charge. We guaran- tricity competition to residents to first adopters who had con- renewal.” start saving today contact resi- tee it will be at least 10% less and small businesses, we didn’t fidence in RP from the start, Resident Power (resident- dentpower.com or call 603 232 than what PSNH charges want to over promise. We our pool of customers has power.com) is a member of the 9293 NH Moose Hunt Lottery Deadline Is Friday, May 25 Have you submitted your application? If you haven't submitted a 20 - 28.