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VOLUME 35, NUMBER 20 OCTOBER 14, 2010 FREE THE WEEKLY NEWS & LIFESTYLE JOURNAL OF MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY A Century Of Caring: From 1972 until Arts Jubilee: Part 1: Arts Jubilee Seem Them Yet?: The Pumpkin today, thousands of children have been nurtured, has completed its 28th year of providing People have returned with all the flair comforted, and fed by the dedicated daycare first-class musical performances to Valley and color that the Valley has come to and pre-school staff at North Conway Daycare, residents and visitors, so the organization’s love about them, making it very difficult and this year the center is executive director, Cindy Russell, took some for judges to decide recognizing a century of time to remember back on awards, but no childcare by three of to A.J.’s earliest years matter – they’re all its dedicated profes- and the people wonderful... who made it all sionals... A4 happen… A6 A14 A SALMON PRESS PUBLICATION • (603) 447-6336 • PUBLISHED IN CONWAY, NH Page Two Artistic journeys through the White Mountains White Mountains have been source of wonder to artists for centuries By Cynthia A. Melendy, others. Artists of the White Ph.D Mountain School later illus- Executive Director trated these places. While the Mount Washington Valley earliest history of the Mt. Arts Association Washington Valley is MOST LOCAL RESI- inscribed in the poetry and DENTS KNOW that there is short stories about Native a long tradition to White Americans, there are place Mountain Art, and that the names and markers to these White Mountain School, individuals scattered through- whose focal point was Thomas out New England. Cole, helped to make the area well known in the 19th centu- AMONG THE BEST- ry. KNOWN Native American The Mt. Washington Valley people was Passaconaway, said was a source of wonder long to be tall, strong and most before 19th century artists brave. Passaconaway was a came here to paint the land- chieftain of the Penacook scape. Early in the 17th centu- tribe, and his native name, ry, Europeans “discovered” “Papoose [or Papisse] this valley that Native Conewa,” meant Child of the American people had long Bear, or Son of Bear, but white called home, calling the settlers anglicized the name as White Mountains the “Crystal Passaconaway. Passaconaway Hills.” Fanciful dreams of the was believed to have been “Crystal Hills” included born between 1550 and 1570, myths of mountains encrusted and is said to have died in with diamonds, sapphires and 1679. He became bashaba rubies, and were likely a (chief of chiefs) of the multi- (Internet Photo) reflection of glimpses from tribal Confederation that Located in Edson Cemetery in Lowell, the coastal areas of down east- drew together for mutual pro- Mass., the vandalized sculpture of Chief ern New England in the fall tection against the Mohawk. Passaconaway (above) is missing its left and winter months. In his old age, Passaconaway arm and inaccurately portrays typical During the pre- relinquished his positions of tribal dress. Revolutionary era, when authority to travel among the printed publications originat- tribes and settlers in the New Passaconaway then counseled ing in the area were only just Hampshire-Massachusetts- peace to all his tribal mem- beginning to be produced, Maine area. bers. most of the visual images of Much of Passaconaway’s life the area were illustrative of is shrouded in myth and his YET THE “GREAT SPIR- the people of the area — its portrait is likely a generic, IT” is also known to have Native Americans. composite portrait of a typical been Christian. In 1647, the Characterized by a long series warrior of his federated tribes, well-known white preacher, of Indian wars, the Mt. just as are the many stories John Eliot, who founded sev- Washington Valley’s history is surrounding Passaconaway’s eral ‘bible towns’ in order to chronicled through descrip- life and attributes (see por- convert the native people to tions of its fierce Native trait). Like many mythical fig- Christianity, may have con- American warriors who ures, Passaconaway was pur- verted Passaconaway. valiantly fought a losing battle portedly a genius, giant, and Upon his conversion to for their tribal autonomy in possessor of magical powers, Christianity, Passaconaway the area. such as making water burn, sought to maintain peace Commonly, the history of and trees and rocks dance. He between his tribes and the early New England Native could make dried-up leaves white settlers of the region, (Internet Photo) Americans, rather than illus- turn green and make living retreating to live in a wigwam trated, is secured through folk snakes out of dead snakeskin, Chief Passaconaway of the Penacook tribe was believed to have in the woods when he died at been born between 1550 and 1570, and is said to have died in 1679. tales, poetry, and the early and he could become invisible the age of 120. Legend pur- writings of the early folklorists and create thunderstorms at Much of Passaconaway’s life is shrouded in myth and his portrait ports that his body was buried (above) is likely a generic, composite portrait of a typical warrior of New England, such as John will. in a cave in the sacred native Greenleaf Whittier, Henry Another legend relates that of his federated tribes, just as are the many stories surrounding mountain Agamenticus in Passaconaway’s life and attributes Wadsworth Longfellow, and the Wampanoag chief southern Maine, and that tribe Lydia Maria Child, who Massasoit asked Passaconaway members saw his spirit carried inscribed many fanciful myths to use his supernatural powers up to Mt. Washington atop a al stones were removed to Historic Site of the Lowell related to place names in the to rid the land of Pilgrims who sled pulled by wolves and cov- shore up a garden area on the Mills), and visitors can find a White Mountains. Many of were building a village on the ered with hundreds of animal mountain. monumental statue there, cre- these stories were privately shore of Plymouth. There, skins given to him by his peo- Yet this is not the only ated by the “Improved Order published in the scarce small Passaconaway was unable to ple and his fellow sachems. mythic site of Passaconaway’s of Red Men.” Located in remembrance booklets during bring up a storm, and after There, he burst into flame and remains. While some say that Edson Cemetery in Lowell, the first decades of the 19th conversing with the Great was carried up to the heavens his bones were carried to the vandalized sculpture is century, and therein are con- Spirit, Passaconaway declared to live with the Great Spirit. France, others believe his missing its left arm and inac- tained many of the early cop- that He had commanded him This legendary burial site has remains were buried near the curately portrays typical tribal perplate place and myth illus- to live the rest of his life in recently become the focus of falls in Lowell, Mass., (now Artists continues Page 3 trations of Thomas Cole and peace with the white people. controversy, since its memori- the site of the National Parks On the Cover Inside Index Best of the best at Sandwich Fair Artistic Journey in the Whites Bringing up the end of the fair season, the Most local residents know that there is a long tradition to White Calendar................................Page 20-21 annual Sandwich Fair was held Columbus Mountain Art, and that the White Mountain School helped to make the area well known in the 19th century, but MWVAA Entertainment ............................Page 15 Day Weekend, Oct. 9 through 11 under Executive Director Cynthia Melendy expands on the long histo- Business ........................................Page 3 beautiful blue skies and fabulous foliage. ry of art in these hills. See above. Fair-goers enjoyed the parade, traditional On the Rockpile. ........................Page 23 agricultural and commercial exhibits, as Tuxes & Tails Auction Nooks & Crannies .....................Page 22 well as livestock demonstrations, plus the Best-selling author Lisa Gardner, of Jackson, is once again offer- Passages ........................................Page 9 midway and rides galore. Let the photos ing up the chance for pet owners to immortalize their favorite on Page 13 tell you the whole story. furry friend in her next mystery novel during the Conway shel- Real Estate..................................Page 11 (Lori Lenart/Mountain Ear Photos) ter’s Tuxes and Tails Auction on Saturday, Nov. 13. Page A5 Page 2 - The Mountain Ear, Thursday, October 14, 2010 Business News &&MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY REAL ESTATE LISTINGS Come check out the new facelift Cranmore Fitness Center annual Fall Open House, Oct. 16 NORTH CONWAY — eight-week programs will be week program taught on winter sports, by incorporating For more information on Cranmore Family Fitness taught on Saturday mornings, Tuesday evenings and stretching, flexibility, cardio Cranmore Fitness plus a full Center, Mt. Washington and start Oct. 23. Thursday mornings starting and functional strength train- schedule of classes and pricing, Valley’s largest health club, has Winter Sports Conditioning Oct. 19. The program is a great ing into a great indoor/outdoor visit www.cranmorefitness.com or received a major facelift, with with Larissa Taylor is a six- way to prepare the body for workout. call 1-800-SUN-N-SKI. new paint and layout, new equipment, and a plethora of new fitness classes and pro- Wonalancet, is the name of a inscribe these places as the Mt. Washington Valley Arts grams for this fall. The public is Artists village and mountain in the uniquely American, thus cre- Association, will contribute a col- invited to see the improve- Sandwich Range. ating a new cultural landscape umn each month to The ments for free, thanks to the Continued from Page 2 Passaconaway village was for the Mt.