VOLUME 32, NUMBER 49 APRIL 17, 2008 FREE THE WEEKLY NEWS & LIFESTYLE JOURNAL OF MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY Case In Point: Dot Seybold is a marketing maven with a rich Valley history … A 2 Meet Al Risch: April 19 is a big day for Friends of Tuckerman Ravine founder … A 6 Fun Fundraisers & More: Be sure to read up on all the fun upcoming events in the Valley … B1 Down Stream: The Ear introduces a new column by kayaker Darron Jackson, NH 03846 • Lodging: 383-9443 Laughland … Recreation: 383-0845 • www.nestlenookfarm.com • 1-877-445-2022 B13 A SALMON PRESS PUBLICATION • (603) 447-6336 • PUBLISHED IN CONWAY, NH SSTTOORRYY LLAANNDD Case In Point CC OO RR NN EE RR The Mount Marketing expert says exactly what’s on her mind Washington Valley And sometimes Dot Seybold pays for it By PG Case They taught me how to become a buyer community like Cindy Russell, Mike Contributing Writer and I traveled to the ski shows in NYC Kirk and other community-minded Skating Club presents: IN THE YEAR 1976 THERE was and Las Vegas. I learned so much from titans. a myriad of things to celebrate: them. And I always feel that Peggy did- She has been with them since. Later, The nation’s bicentennial, the birth n’t get the credit she deserved when you she would help to put together a TV It’s Great of one of the finest medi-media editors think of how much she contributed to show for Valley Vision called “Point of of modern time, the opening of this place.” View,” which aired once a week, featur- Horsefeathers, the first edition of The Dot’s next big assignment was with ing Dot, Theresa Kennett and Janice To Skate! Mountain Ear and the arrival into the Anne Klein. It was a small company but Crawford, Valley of Dot Seybold. All have survived one in which she grew managerially and “But,” she says, “we were having a lot A Spring these three decades and, most, tolerably learned the life of a busy executive and of fun with it and sort of did what ever well. Some have become MAJOR con- full time Mom with two sons. She we felt like and Janice decided that she Skating Spectacular tributors to the Valley, one toils quietly opened stores all over New England, had too much responsibility [at the in his Boston den of cellulose and ink. New York and New Jersey. Chamber of Commerce] and left. I think Dorthea Seybold came to the Valley “I learned a lot working with them. It it was very controversial, but we had from Indiana and the Jersey Shore to ski was a great company,” she said enthusi- fun.” and to be with her soon-to-be husband astically, as she does about a lot of One of the segments was called “Men Rich. He was a cook at Merlino’s and she things. She actually made me feel that We Like,” and they would have them on was an unlikely waitress. learning to ski on Pine Hill, back in the show and interview them. Likeable “The only job I’ve ever been fired Indiana, was a good thing. men like David Emerson, Steve from,” she says with sheepish guilt to a Her friend Dave Van Note, who was Eastman, George Epstein and Dave Van guy who has been canned more times doing public relations for Robert Note. They also hosted such luminaries than TV laughter. Barsamian, talked her into interviewing as Granny D and Gov. John Lynch, even We were neighbors on Oak Street for the management/marketing position though they were from away. “We did when my son, the editor, was in first for the new Settlers’ Green outlet mall, the show for about seven or eight years,” grade at John Fuller and hers was a year which opened with about eight stores. she told me. or two from that same seminal step into Now there are 62 and Dot has a Dot has never been one to shy away education. Rich was by then at “the handsome office with a mini board from civic responsibility and has served Parka” and Dot had started in retail. room, an executive assistant and staff. two terms on the budget committee, They were a handsome, struggling But we really wouldn’t know about her if getting first-hand knowledge of what young couple living next to the Mustard she just stuck quietly to retail. We do really makes any town tick — money. Magnate. know about her because she makes a At the end of her six years, she served Her first foray into retail was working point of sticking her nose in other peo- as chair. “I actually loved doing it and I at the Jack Frost Shop in Jackson with ple’s business, in a really good way. think I’d like to do it again someday. Peggy Frost and Lee Harmon. At Peggy’s urging Dot volunteered They are all good people, but I think Ice Show featuring “Peggy was so nurturing and helpful for Arts Jubilee, earning immediate there is a lack of leadership right now. It when I first began. And so was Lee. access to other players in the business would be great if they could start over Mt. Washington from scratch. You can get appointed eas- ily but something [seems] wrong. I think Valley Skating Club it’s in tough shape. It’s too big and too political.” skaters and coaches in solo “I know I am outspoken,” she said and group performances candidly, “yet I am a professional and I would never do anything that would risk my employer’s reputation. At the same time I can’t be afraid of controversy. I Friday, hope that I speak my mind and that what I say is thoughtful.” Reminded that her name pops up in April 18 the letters to the editor every once in a while when someone doesn’t share her 7:00pm stated point of view, she said, “It doesn’t bother me when I make mistakes, I just try to make up for it.” HAM ARENA, With all that she has going on, she still serves on the board at Starting Point West Main Street, and remembers fondly helping with a great crew to get Ham Arena built. Conway “I love it here and I love my kids and ♦ my husband.” She is married to Russ Seybold, and together they own the General Admission: $6, Conway Scenic Rail Road. In fact, they own the tracks all the Children 6 and under free way down to Albany. They also have ♦ four children between them who are now grown, and she says “our” in a way Doors open at 6pm. that one needs to be reminded that when they got married they both brought Proceeds benefit the their own two kids to the union. MWV Skating Club. “And what I love about it here is that ♦ you can get in your car and go in any direction and in 10 minutes you can be on some beautiful trail with a great view Learn to Skate. It's a all by yourself and remind yourself what skill that lasts a lifetime! Dot Seybold (PG Case/Mountain Ear Photo) really counts.” ▲ For additional information go to: www.mwvsc.org On the Cover Inside Index A fitting farewell to Winter ’08 Readers take note! Biz News ................................Page A13 Attitash said goodbye to winter ’08 with The staff at the Mountain Ear will be Calendar...................................Page B4 its first-ever pond skimming event on enjoying its annual April vacation April Entertainment..........................Page B1 Sunday, April 6. Many hardy skiers took 21 through 27, meaning that there will be Gardening ..............................Page B14 on the challenge, including the unidenti- no paper on April 24 and the next issue www.storylandnh.com fied young surfer on our cover, and all will be on newsstands Thursday, May 1. On the Rockpile.....................Page B10 agreed that they gave the 2007-08 ski We will be picking up just where we left Real Estate .............................Page A14 603-383-4186 season a fitting farewell - on to Summer off, so keep those cards and letters and 2008! releases and photos coming — we always Resort Report...........................Page B8 Rt. 16, Glen, NH (Greg Keeler/Attitash Photo) look forward to hearing from you! Sports ..............................Pages B11-12 Page A2 - The Mountain Ear, Thursday, April 17, 2008 Say Again Used news for youz Remembering young crash victims in Ossipee and more .... Compiled by PG Case in both boy’s names and several fund This week, amid a hue and cry from The primary access, Drake Hill raisers have been held to help parents WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING voters including letters, an editorial and Road, has been described as dangerous with hospital bills. If you would like to this week, April 11-16? column in the Conway Daily, the Board and there have been two reported prob- contribute, send your check to the backed off and accepted that they will lems where a residence in the park Raymond Eldridge/Hunter Streeter have to work with the default budget, burned because a fire truck could not Memorial fund for two memorial fund at PO Box 67 C/O the finding cuts where they can. This could reach the site in time, and an ambulance snowmobile victims Board of Selectman, Center Ossipee, be tough with more than half the board could not reach a woman suffering from established NH 03814 of seven members brand-new to the job.