NH State Home Show - Volunteer Opportunity
The NH Home Builders and Remodelers Association has asked the GSAs to help out at the 46th annual NH State Home Show. The NH State Home Show is HUGE! They filled the Expo Center, Ballroom and Armory room at the Radisson with 360 booths and 8,700 attendees in 2012. Exhibits range from typical home show fare (builders, designers, furniture, etc.) to NH and New England crafts and food.

All Granite State Ambassadors and Future Leaders of NH are welcome to sign up for shifts. Sign-ups open Wednesday, January 23th at 9am.


Gerry Steinberger
We recently received word that Gerry Steinberger, Red Spotted Newt Class of 1997, passed away December 18th. Gerry had over 2000 hours. You would generally find he and his wife volunteering at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. Gerry had been living in Delray Beach Florida the past few years with his wife Elaine.



SAVE THE DATES

Certification Training (tentative) - March 25 & 26 (Manchester), April 29 & 30 (Concord), May 28 & 29 (Gunstock Mountain Resort, Gilford) and June 3 & 4 (Children's Museum of Dover). Additional locations and confirmation on the dates will be coming soon.

LaBelle Winery Tour, Amherst - April 11, 1:30pm
 

 GSA, Moe Demers
 Comfort Inn Airport  Class of 2011

If you are looking for a different winter adventure in New Hampshire's Grand North region, you should consider visiting Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel in Jefferson, NH.  Over 130 Alaskan and Siberian Huskies have been donated to or rescued by the kennel.  There they are nursed back to health and put back doing what they love most, pulling dog sleds.  The love between the mushers and the dogs is evident.  These are pampered pooches.  And when they tire of dog sledding, the kennel finds adoptive homes for these canine couriers to the tune of 40 or 50 a year.

Read more about Moe & Elaine's adventure...

I've stayed at The Sheraton Harborside, which is beautiful with great views if you are on the side of the harbor, but it can be very expensive.  I've also stayed at the Comfort Inn (nice, but you need a car to get anywhere), and the Holiday Inn (also nice, but not downtown, it is at the circle).  The Anchorage at the circle is on the lower end.  It's older and a little run down, but much cheaper.  Anything downtown will be pricier, but depending on your plans, could be worth the cost.  If you are driving in, expect to pay to park in the downtown area.

Even in winter, I highly recommend casually strolling and shopping downtown Portsmouth/Market Square.  There are lots of interesting shops and restaurants to explore.  While in the square, stop off for coffee/tea and a pastry at Popovers or Breaking New Grounds (best spot for people watching) or a craft brewed beer at The Portsmouth Brewery, The Gaslight or RiRa (notice the amazing architecture and old giant safe at this converted bank).

If you are traveling with children, it's worth a side trip to the Children's Museum in Dover.  A nice drive along the coast, north or south on Route 1, brings some gorgeous views.

In the area, there are lots of historical homes, including Strawberry Banke, many forts which are free to explore and great shopping in Newington (don't miss Trader Joe's and Kitchen & Company) as well as outlet shopping just over the border in Kittery, Maine.