VOLUME 34, NUMBER 34 JANUARY 21, 2010 FREE THE WEEKLY NEWS & LIFESTYLE JOURNAL OF MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY MWV Ski Team Update: Mountain EARth Series: A Mt. Washington Valley Ski Team alum Thinking green is not always 15 and current U.S. Ski Team member bad for the ski industry ... A new bakery in Leanne Smith won a Europa Cup North Conway will Downhill race on host a grand opening Jan.15 in A8 and ribbon cutting Caspoggio, Italy … on Jan. 28 ... Welcome The Cupcakery: B7 A SALMON PRESS PUBLICATION • (603) 447-6336 • PUBLISHED IN CONWAY, NH Page Two Angels & Elves proved once again that the Valley has a huge heart Forty-two days and 700 children later... Tommy Hilfiger New England District Manager, Shannon Henderson-Dures, presented a check for $5800 to Angels and Elves. (Courtesy Photo) NORTH CONWAY — It all started tions for support were processed over the noon wrapping gifts. Employees at Professionals were able to take care of a back on October 31. After a hearty next few weeks. The question arose as to Varsity Beverage saved change all year large number of packages. Wrapping was breakfast at Glen Junction Restaurant, whether there would be enough spon- from their coffee mess and soda vending further enhanced with clothing gift members of the Kiwanis Club of Mt. sors; certainly the economy would affect machine to present $750 to Angels and boxes donated by JC Penney. Washington Valley proceeded to the them also. At some point in the process, Elves. In a like manner, the Vista Store Glen Warehouse. Kiwanian Pete a decision had to be made when to send and many other groups and organiza- FORTY-TWO DAYS AND 700 chil- Levesque backed his Pete’s Restaurant out A & E “buyers” for those families tions also took up collections and made dren later, Elf Headquarters doors Equipment truck up to the warehouse who might not be sponsored. monetary contributions. Notable were closed. Supplies and equipment were and a daisy-chain started loading out Fortunately, there were many fund- those parents and friends, in response to packed away, tables broken down, tele- tables, chairs, clothing racks, office raising activities this year that provided teacher desires, who donated over $400 phones disconnected and all moved back equipment, shelving, Christmas decora- the elves with the means by which to fill on behalf of the Jackson Grammar to the Glen Warehouse. Five hundred tions and other sundry supplies for Santa’s sleigh. The Mt. Washington School. Significant outright donations rolls of wrapping paper and 700 Angels and Elves Elf Headquarters. Lodge #87 F & AM kicked it off by host- were made by such groups, organizations Christmas cards purchased on sale were Then it was off to the former Casual ing a complete breakfast buffet. Others and establishments as Country Cabinets, also stored for next year. Corner facility next to Staples, where it that followed were the Shannon Door Knights of Columbus, Pete’s Restaurant When asked what stood out this year was all unloaded. At the same time, Dave Pub, the Red Parka Pub, Eagle Equipment, Story Land, Mt. Garden as particularly significant, Head Elf, Couture of Tents-R-Us brought in 18 Mountain House, Bagley Handbags and Club, and Christ Church Episcopal Dick Ficke, was quick to praise team tables to be used for wrapping and dis- Soyfire Candle, White Mt. Cider Co., Churchwomen. leaders and office staff led by fellow playing clothing and toys. Zumba Fitness, CVS, Designs by Lisa, Stuffed animals, hats and mittens, Kiwanian, Marie Lee, Assistant Head The following week Santa’s elves were Kennett High School Key Club and the board games, books and toys were donat- Elf. busy in the back room unpacking boxes, Kennett Boys and Girls basketball teams. ed by the H.O.G.S., White Mt. Board of “Obviously significant was the record setting out toys and hanging winter The lady in Prague who celebrated her Realtors, Attitash Ski Resort, Charlie’s number of children this year,” noted clothing purchased on sale from JC birthday by having donations made in Coins, Borders Express, Pine Tree Dick. As a reflection of the economy Penney the year before on racks donated her name was responsible for 78 donors School, Zeb’s, Dollar Tree, and Ragged there were 299 new children to the pro- by TJ Maxx. Telephones were put in, contributing from 10 different countries. Mt., as well as by numerous individuals. gram this year. “Just as obviously signifi- office equipment put in place, forms The Velo Club donated five bikes along cant is how the community sensed this were reproduced by Citizen’s Bank and THEN THERE WERE VARIOUS with helmets. The Mountain Ear, was going to be a bad year,” added Ficke, Northway Bank, files set up, computer groups and organizations that took up Holiday Inn Express, Green Granite Inn “and came through with an equally database templates created, and instruc- collections. The New England District and Nordic Village Resort all donated record number of fund-raisers, sponsor- tions put in place. Two new teams were of Tommy Hilfiger selected Angels and Polar Express tickets. ships and donations.” formed, for a total of 14, and teamwork Elves as its charity of choice this year. There were 275 sponsors who pur- He paused for a few seconds and then areas were taped off, each sized to The selection was made after local store chased gifts for 618 children. Once reflected that one gesture of giving will process gifts for 50 children. manager David Donald nominated again, it was the area schools which led stand out in his mind for some time. A Advertisements had been forwarded to Angels and Elves. There were 238 the way by sponsoring 30 children. The nine-year-old girl had earned $15 in her the Daily Sun and Mountain Ear and employees from seven stores in Mass., Flatbread Company and Christ school craft fair. In the finest spirit of appointments made with WMWV and Maine and N.H. who all contributed. Episcopal Church took 10 children each. Christmas, she hand-wrote a note: “To WPKQ for interviews — the stage was Shannon Henderson-Dures, Northeast More children this year meant more gifts Angels and Elves, please give this to set. District Manager, presented a check for that in turn meant more wrapping. In someone in need to have a Merry The doors opened on Nov. 9. The $5800 in early December. addition to a large number of individual Christmas.” effects of the economy were immediately At the same time, seven store man- volunteer wrappers, groups such as the Yes Virginia…. ▲ evident as a record number of applica- agers from the district spent the after- John Fuller K-Kids and the Young On the Cover Inside Index Arts & Entertainment .....................Pages B1-3, 8 13 Ahhh, winter . ! Skiing ‘green’ in the Valley The face on this tiny tuber just about says it all The ski areas in Mt. Washington Valley are at the Business News ............................................Pages A15 about enjoying a sunny winter day at a Valley ski forefront of sustainable practices when it comes to Calendar................................................Pages B10-11 area. Mother Nature has been kind recently, snowmaking, recycling, and more. See Page A8. Nature’s Corner...........................................Page B12 bringing more snow to the slopes and trails, mak- ing it easy for anyone to love the winter season. Speaking of bears ... On the Rockpile.............................................Page B9 (Dan Houde/King Pine Photo) Tin Mountain Conservation Center will offer a On The Slopes..........................................Pages B4-7 chance to learn about the black bears of N.H. at a program with acclaimed naturalist and author, Real Estate ........................................Pages A5 & A15 Ben Kilham. See Page B13. Sports ....................................................Pages A12-14 Page A2 - The Mountain Ear, Thursday, January 21, 2010 In the News Just because it’s there doesn’t mean it’s frozen! Fish & Game officials warn everyone to use extreme caution on ice CONCORD — Winter recreational the ice, and be highly aware of local condi- Be sure to assess ice safety before you go • Watch out for thin, clear or honey- activities are in full swing, but anglers, tions before snowmobiling — especially at out by using an ice chisel or axe to chop a combed ice. Dark snow and ice may also skiers and snowmobilers are being urged to night — or doing any winter sports on the hole in the ice to determine its thickness indicate weak spots. use extreme caution when going out onto ice.” and condition. Continue to do this as you • Small bodies of water tend to freeze ice-covered waterbodies, New Hampshire One example of the unusual and poten- get further out on the ice, because the thicker. Rivers and lakes are more prone Fish and Game officials warn. Windy con- tially dangerous ice conditions is Webster thickness of the ice will not be uniform all to wind, currents and wave action that ditions at the outset of the season’s cold Lake in Franklin, which still has open over the waterbody. weaken ice. weather, and uneven temperatures since, water near the Sucker Brook inlet and Though all ice is potentially dangerous, • Don’t gather in large groups on the ice. may have affected ice formation and has spans quite a distance out into the middle the Cold Region Research Laboratory in • Don’t drive large vehicles onto the ice. left open water in some areas typically of the lake. These unusual conditions Hanover offers a “rule of thumb” on ice • If you do break through the ice, don’t frozen over by this point in the winter. haven’t been seen on the lake in at least 20 thickness: There should be a minimum of panic.