VOLUME 34, NUMBER 30 DECEMBER 24, 2009 FREE THE WEEKLY NEWS & LIFESTYLE JOURNAL OF MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY Filling The Need: A transit plan is now under way to make public a variety of bus routes stretching from North Conway to Wolfeboro… A2 A Story of Christmas Past: In 1880, Lady Blanche Murphy thought she was introducing “the first” tree to this area when she and her husband organized a community Christmas party in Bartlett, at which a decorated tree, com- plete with presents, was the central feature… A 6 Splendor On The Slopes: Ski areas in the Valley are ready to offer skiers, both Alpine and Nordic, the finest slope and trail conditions imagina- ble … B4 A SALMON PRESS PUBLICATION • (603) 447-6336 • PUBLISHED IN CONWAY, NH Page Two Routes run to Memorial Hospital, Wolfeboro and Laconia Carroll County Transit coming soon to your area CARROLL COUNTY — Transpor- tation plays a vital role in the daily life of every person, as well as the economic health of every community. Yet, increas- ing numbers of people in Carroll County do not have equitable access to medical services, employment, educa- tional institutions, and necessity shop- ping. Realizing these needs, in 2006 Tri- County CAP’s North Country Transit Division applied for a grant through the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) to do a feasibility study to quantify transportation needs in Carroll County. TCCAP’s North Country Transit received the award and research found that as of 2005, 867 fam- ilies within the County did not own a vehicle, 3,706 people belonged to the below-poverty population, 1,279 people belonged to the mobility limited popu- lation, and 11,013 people were age 60 and older. During the study a “grass roots” committee was formed to work with TCCAP on the implementation of the transit system. The group continues to work on the project in an advisory capacity and is called the Carroll County Transit Advisory Committee (CCTAC). The committee has repre- sentation throughout the county con- sisting of Town Selectmen, representa- tives from human service agencies, civic organizations, businesses, caregiver groups, and the general public. CCTAC presents route plans After a year of research the consult- ant presented several route and service plans to the committee. The preferred plan that will serve the County consists of two flex routes that will leave West Ossipee at 6 a.m. The buses will run in opposite directions, with one heading toward Huggins Hospital in Wolfeboro and the other heading toward Memorial Hospital in Intervale. Both buses will stop at sched- uled stops along the way to pick up and drop off people. Flagdowns will also be accepted if it is safe for the bus to stop. The two buses will run the route continuously, connecting in West Ossipee for transfer of passengers four times throughout the day. The system will end service at 4:45 p.m. in West Ossipee. A third bus will leave at 6 a.m. and Tamworth, and Ossipee-Wolfeboro and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). These teer drivers and welcomes individuals will travel toward Laconia twice a day. areas from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to meet the vehicles were 100 percent funded. This interested to contact Ted Laliberte, One trip will leave in the morning at 6 transportation needs of local residents. was a tremendous help for the project. System Manager at 323-8150 or tlalib- a.m. and a second trip will travel from Service will be provided throughout the Buses are scheduled to arrive in late [email protected]. Laconia to West Ossipee arriving at day, Monday to Friday. Additionally, a spring/early summer of 2010. The committee is presently working 4:45 p.m. fixed-route connector will operate Carroll County Transit plans to coor- on an RFP to contract out the flex and The routes operating on Route 16 between West Ossipee and Laconia all dinate with existing volunteer drivers commuter routes systems. The RFP is from Wolfeboro to Intervale will devi- day, five days per week. programs through the retired and senior scheduled to be on the Carroll County ate a quarter-mile, meeting ADA Eight buses acquired volunteer and Caregiver programs to Transit and Tri-County CAP website requirements. The third route to Last year, the committee was in the serve all areas not included in the pre- Dec. 28. The committee is also meeting Laconia is a commuter route and will process of raising money for capital for ferred service plan. The volunteer driv- with all the towns within Carroll County not deviate. Routes are posted on the operating the system. Needed to operate ers will fill the gap in services by provid- to keep them informed of the project Carroll County Transit website at: the system were four 16-passenger and ing residents a ride to the public transit and encouraging their support. The http://www.carrollcountytransit.info/. four eight-wheelchair accessible buses. service. This service will be coordinated, start-up date for the entire system is There are also three in-town Fortunately, Tri County CAP was able scheduled, and dispatched under the scheduled for July 1, 2010. demand-response services (dial-a-ride) to obtain the buses from the NH new Carroll County Transit Program Check the website for updates that areas that will operate in the Conway- Department of Transportation through and North Country Transit. Carroll will be posted as the implementation North Conway, Moultonborough- funding from the American Recovery County Transit will be recruiting volun- process progresses. ▲ On the Cover Inside Index Merry Christmas To All! Nativity in the Mountains 2009 Arts & Entertainment .....................Pages B1-3 & 11 The Remick Museum and Farm in Tamworth cel- The story is ancient but the pageants are new each ebrated the holiday season by hosting a Victorian year. Parents and grandparents will look on with Business News.......................................Pages A14-15 Christmas on Saturday, Dec. 12. The parlor was pride and love, as the Christmas Pageant tableaus Calendar................................................Pages B14-15 adorned with all the festive touches that the season unfold around the Valley. See Page A8. Nature Corner.............................................Page B13 is known for and a jolly time was had by all! The staff of the Mountain Ear wishes everyone in the Engineers of ecosystems On the Rockpile...........................................Page B10 Valley a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Tin Mountain Conservation Center’s Nature On The Slopes..........................................Pages B4-7 Season. Corner explores the ingenuity of the beaver. See (Dennis Coughlin Photo) Page B13. Real Estate ........................................Pages A3 & A15 Sports.........................................Pages B16 & A10-11 Page A2 - The Mountain Ear, Thursday, December 24, 2009 Ear Marks Valley Green Team receives grant for second community garden NORTH CONWAY — The Mt. the fund’s support.” fresh vegetables and flowers for distribu- Subcommittees of the Green Team Washington Valley Green Team recent- Also part of the subcommittee’s plan tion to area residents and seniors in include Sustainable Food and ly received a grant of $1,250 from the is to engage more gardeners through need; and a gardening experience that Agriculture, Education and Outreach, New England Grassroots Environment outreach to local schools; to donate benefits all Valley residents through gar- Recycling/Conservation, Fundraising, Fund to help establish a second commu- more food to those in need; and to use a dening education, mentoring, and vol- Legislative Issues, and Communi- nity garden in 2010. dehydrator to help enhance the storage unteer participation.” cations. Valley residents wishing to join The Green Team’s Sustainable Food value of locally grown produce. More information on the Valley a Green Team Subcommittee should and Agriculture Subcommittee estab- The Valley Community Garden’s Community Garden and the Mt. contact Green Team Chair Rob lished the first Valley Community mission is “to create an organic garden Washington Valley Green Team is avail- Burbank at [email protected]. ▲ Garden this past spring, and local resi- for Mt. Washington Valley citizens; able at www.mwvgreenteam.org. dents enjoyed tending their plots and growing their own produce. The garden contained 28 rental plots as well as a The Christmas Stocking Project brings gifts to WMCHC “Giving Garden,” tended by volunteers, NORTH CONWAY — The Christmas which provided food for local food Stocking Project was started 45 years pantries, including the Dinner Bell ago by a small group of women from the community dinners and families aided North Conway Congregational by Starting Point. Church. Russ and Joan Lanoie donated space In the project’s original format, the for the garden on their Tasker Hill Road women hand-made red Christmas property in Conway. Russ also provided stockings and stuffed them with dona- lots of sweat equity in helping to create tions of gently used and new items to the garden’s raised beds, and also donat- distribute to children in need in the Val- ed many yards of compost. ley. Subcommittee Chair Jenn Andrews Thirty-seven years ago, Sarah said the team expects to continue to use Bechtold, Jeanne Drummond, Betty the Tasker Hill garden site again next Newton and Linda Walker took the year, but, given the great community reins. Currently, founding member interest, they also plan to add one or Linda Walker is joined by Catherine more garden sites elsewhere in the val- Kyle, Mellaine Shaw, Kristin Coleman, ley to grow the effort and make garden Kathy Kiesman and a host of energetic, plots available to more local residents. hard working and dedicated elves in “We’re looking at a few potential bringing the project to life each year. spots for another community garden, As the community and the need have and we hope to have at least one more grown, the scope of the project has also site available for use by local gardeners changed.