Assistance Canine Training Services Holds Graduation

A.C.T.S., Assistance Canine Training Services recently hosted a graduation ceremony for various service dogs – including adorable puppy Finley, who we recently met. The ceremony included demonstrations of how these service dogs have helped people, with one memorable story detailing how a dog was responsible for helping someone get to physical therapy, and how another one helped someone develop some responsibility. The dogs also exercised incredible self-control, with one carrying his own treats, and another showing his ability to relay written notes between people.

At the end, these dogs were awarded with prestigious red vests declaring them certified service dogs. We wish them and their owners the best!

Assistance Canine Training Services is the only ADI accredited service dog organization in New Hampshire. Under the leadership of Robin Crocker, A.C.T.S. is currently an all volunteer organization currently working toward full certification with Assistance Dogs International.  A.C.T.S. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

They are 100% volunteer. Check their website for more information.

Conway Area Humane Society opens Re-Tails Resale Shop

The Conway Area Humane Society (CAHS) recently held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of their new ReTails Resale Shop located at the far end of the Conway Area Humane Society Shelter building in Conway. The shop is open Monday – Saturday with many items for sale including furniture, clothing, sporting goods, bedding, collectibles and more!

Volunteer opportunities are available. For more information email Katy at kbailey@conwayshelter.org or visit conwayshelter.org.

Pictured from left Valerie Horn, Board Director, Payton Cressey, Board Director, Katy Bailey, Volunteer Manager, Virginia Moore, Executive Director, Nate Marles, Board Chair, Cheryl Mitchell, Volunteer, and Suzie Laskin, Board Director.

For more information visit Conway Area Humane Society.

Certified Nurse Midwife Kathleen Mulkern Reaches 1,000 Birth Milestone at Memorial Hospital

The Town of Jackson recorded 816 residents in the 2010 census, but Certified Nurse Midwife Kathleen Mulkern can beat that and then some … she recently surpassed her 1,000th baby delivery at Memorial Hospital. Mulkern has delivered virtually an entire village over her 15 years of service!

Photo Caption: Kathleen Mulkern, ARPN, CNM – Certified Nurse Midwife, shown here with one of the 1,000 babies she has delivered at Memorial Hospital. Mom Tiara Hale is not pictured.
Photo by Megan Bailey

Mulkern has been caring for women and their babies for almost 30 years.  She shared, “I was born and raised in the Mount Washington Valley, and was fortunate to be given the opportunity in 2003 of returning with my family to live, raise my children and work as a nurse-midwife.”

She originally wanted to be a nurse practitioner, but changed her mind when a nurse midwife gave a presentation in college. “And that was it.”

When asked what keeps her going, Mulkern states that it’s the appreciation of people, and how you touch their lives. “There are certain births you always remember. It’s the relationship and the trust between you.”

In emergencies, that trust has made all the difference. Mulkern recounted one incident where the mother’s water broke and four loops of umbilical cord came out prematurely. “I called the surgeon but we needed to act immediately. I made eye contact with the mom and told her to push, and she trusted me. The baby was born safely.”

Much has changed with midwifery since she first started her practice. “There’s a lot around ‘skin to skin’ contact between moms and babies right after the birth. The culture has changed based on research – it results in better transition, better breathing and better bonding.”

Other changes to the practice include delayed cord clamping, which lets baby get extra stem cells and oxygen; and encouraging the breast crawl, where the baby is given the opportunity to find their mothers’ breast on their own and to decide when to take the first breastfeed, resulting in better breastfeeding initiation.

Breastfeeding support has become de facto for new moms and babies too. “Many midwifery concepts have become the norm now, they’ve gone mainstream compared to when I started. Midwives can change the culture of a hospital. Doctors have adapted a lot for those that are low-risk. Doctors here have embraced it. So we only offer interventions for those that need it or want them.”

Unwelcome changes have come as well, with mothers and babies being impacted by the opioid epidemic. “When I started delivering babies, (opioid abuse) was rare. It was hardly anyone. Now it’s about 10% of our population. With programs like our New Life prenatal substance abuse treatment program, women can turn their lives around,” Mulkern stated.

With the 1,000 baby milestone behind her, she plans on continuing to add to the population of Mount Washington Valley one person at a time. “The practice of midwifery fulfills my desire to connect with the women I see and to make a difference in the world, one woman and one birth at a time.  It is my goal to empower women to become healthier, mentally and physically, to better care for themselves, their families, and their communities.”

For more information about midwifery services at Memorial Hospital or to make an appointment with Kathleen Mulkern, call 603-356-9355. You can also learn more online at http://www.memorialhospitalnh.org

North Conway Public Library Presents Antiques Roadshow with Ken Gloss on the Value of Old and Rare Books

The North Conway Public Library will present Ken Gloss, a frequent guest appraiser on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow, for a discussion of the value of old and rare books. Gloss, owner of the internationally known Brattle Book Shop in Boston’s Downtown Crossing section, will give the free and open talk on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Obs-Weather Discovery Center in North Conway Village, in the fully accessible downstairs meeting room.

Gloss will talk about and show some of his favorite finds of old and rare books and describe some of the joys of the “hunt,” as well as explain what makes a book go up in value. He has many fascinating anecdotes to share as well as guidelines for what to look for when starting a collection. There is also a Q&A session before the conclusion of his talk.

Following the talk and question-and-answer session, he will give free verbal appraisals of all books that attendees have brought with them or will do so at his shop in Boston.

Gloss has appeared as a guest appraiser on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow numerous times over the years and has been a popular guest on WBZ Radio as well as other radio, TV, and cable stations numerous times. His articles continue to appear in various antique journals and in print and online consumer publications.

“Ken Gloss has the reputation of being very entertaining and very informative, and he certainly knows all there is about old and rare books,” says North Conway librarian Andrea Masters.

“I’m sure there are a lot of people who have old and rare books, or have an interest in them,” she said. “We’re hoping people will come to find more information about the value of them.”

Gloss will also talk about the history of his historic bookshop (brattlebookshop.com), which goes back to circa 1825. He is a second-generation owner.

The Brattle Book Shop, Yankee Magazine Editor’s Choice Award for Best of New England, is one of America’s oldest and largest antiquarian bookstores. Kenneth Gloss succeeded his late father, George Gloss, a well-known figure both in Boston and national antiquarian circles. “I found that books were in my blood and that I would never be really happy if I abandoned the business,” says Ken Gloss.

This event will be held at the Weather Discovery Center, no reservations necessary. There will be time after the presentation for questions and discussion.  Homemade cookies will be served and coffee is generously provided by Frontside Grind of North Conway.

The program is free of charge, although donations to the Library are greatly appreciated. For more information about the program, please check the library’s website at NorthConwayLibrary or call the library at 603-356-2961.

Holiday Gift Ideas

The Second Annual Art Celebrates Place calendars are flying off the shelves. Have you ordered yours yet? 

These gorgeous calendars feature selected artwork by local artists from the 2010-2017 Art Celebrates Place shows. They are wire-bound, high-quality calendars printed on heavy cardstock measuring 11 1/2″ x 11 1/2″. One for the office, one for home, and three for those hard-to-buy-for-cousins you’ll see at holiday dinners this month!

Pick one up at: the USVLT office in North Conway, White Birch Books, the Met Coffee House, Soyfire Candle, the MWV Chamber of Commerce office, Vintage Frameworks, the Local Grocer, Dutch Bloemenwinkel (Jackson), Jackson Art Studio, Edge of Maine Gallery (Brownfield), Spice & Grain (Fryeburg) or online at usvlt.org/2018-art-celebrates-place-calendar/.

Give the Gift of Land Conservation this Year!

What better way to spread joy this holiday season? Land Conservation is a powerful gift — a gift that only becomes more valuable over time. Give a gift membership to all those who value the precious landscapes of the upper Saco River region. The recipient of your gift will receive a “Welcome Package” with information on USVLT and local land conservation, recent newsletters, and schedules of upcoming events.  All members have voting privileges at our annual meeting, and all memberships are good for one year. Click here to give a gift membership today .

Got your calendars and gift memberships already? There are many more ways you can support USVLT:

• Select USVLT as your preferred nonprofit while purchasing your holiday gifts on Amazon via smile.amazon.com (Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to USVLT).
• Make a tax-deductible donation online here to the operating fund which funds the behind the scenes of our land conservation work.
• Email info@usvlt.org to explore volunteer opportunities.
• Help us finish the fundraising for the Pine Hill Community Forest by donating to this specific land project today!

As always, your support of the Land Trust today ensures that we can protect our region’s rivers, farms, and forests for the future.

 

December Tidings! What a wonderful year!

We hope everyone has enjoyed a successful year! Connect A Pet New England thanks ALL of you for your continued support. Saving lives takes donations, volunteers, adopters, fosters and hope!  Please consider us as one of your fiscal year end donations!

Consider Brock!

Brock is a 2 year old Dutch Shepherd/Pit mix who is dog friendly and ignored the cat in his southern foster. Brock was in foster with children as young as 5 without issue.

 

Join Our Team!

We are always looking for foster homes, volunteers to work with the dogs, application processors and people to help us post on our social media!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice News

Gathering together with family and friends during the holidays can be a special time to share memories of loved ones who have passed. A beautiful way to honor the memory of a loved one is by purchasing a porcelain dove ornament, personalized with your loved one’s name, for a $25 donation to support Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice’s compassionate local hospice work. To order your ornament, please call Tracy Ames at 603-356-7006, choose Option 1 and Ext 10. You can also stop in at the Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice office at 1529 White Mountain Highway in North Conway.

Happy holidays from all of us at Visiting Nurse Home Care and Hospice!

“Music Gala Fundraiser for the North Conway Library: An Afternoon of Live Music on Sunday, Dec. 17 with Mary Bastoni”

The North Conway Public Library invites you to a wonderful gala event on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. featuring singer Mary Bastoni and pianist John Waldie. Mary’s versatile vocal style ranges from classic to contemporary and she will bring iconic female vocalists to life on stage that afternoon, along with John Waldie’s skilled performance at the piano.

The afternoon kicks off with a cocktail party at 4:00 p.m. at the M&D Playhouse.  Guests will enjoy a fantastic array of hors d’oeuvres and desserts, along with a selection of wine and beer. The magnificent buffet of appetizers and desserts will be prepared and donated by the best local chefs; wine will be donated by the White Mountain Winery and the beer will be donated by Tuckerman Brewing Co.

At 5:00 p.m. Mary Bastoni will present modern classics by iconic female vocalists such as Barbra Streisand, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon, Carole King, and many more.

The Music Gala is a fantastic opportunity to mix and mingle with friends and neighbors, to sample terrific food, and listen to beautiful music, all to support your local library.

Tickets are $40, including appetizers and desserts, open wine and beer bar.  Get your tickets now as we are sure that this wonderful gala event, which is a fundraiser for the North Conway Library, will sell out.

Tickets are available at the library and need to be purchased ahead of time. To make a reservation, call the library at 603-356-2961.

Tickets can also be purchased online with a credit card on the library’s website at NorthConwayLibrary.com .

* * *

The North Conway Public Library, “Mount Washington Valley’s Free Community Library,” is a privately funded library that is free and open to the public. Its mission is to provide stimulating books, resources and services that educate, inspire and entertain people of all ages and backgrounds. Visit NorthConwayLibrary.com for more information.

Volunteer for the Journey to the North Pole Event!

“Tis that time of season!  Believe in Books Literacy Foundation is proud to present to the Mt. Washington Valley community the 23rd season of The Journey to the North Pole Event! This adventure of a lifetime takes families on a one of a kind train ride to see Santa!

They need you! And your colleagues! And your co-workers! And your neighbor and your friends and family too! Come together to volunteer  making it a fun group outing!

Please join them this holiday season in helping produce a truly magical journey to the North Pole!

The dedication and hard work of hundreds of community volunteers and supporting businesses are what keeps this event alive.

Believe in Books Literacy Foundation depends on volunteers year round to help with all of their events and Literacy Programs and especially during this holiday season!

 

They are looking to fill positions at both locations in North Conway and Lincoln, New Hampshire. For more information please email andrea@believeinbooks.org or call 603.356.9980

Gibson Center Seniors Learn About and Experience A Recreation Path

On  Friday, October 27 the  MWV Trails Association Rec Path Committee and Community Outreach Committee hosted the Gibson Center for Senior Services on a tour of the Mountain Division Trail in Fryeburg.

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Sally McMurdo, Marianne Borowski, Doug and Candy Armstrong, Tim Scott, and Jill Reynolds, program director for the Gibson Center
discussed what rec paths are, who uses them, and why, with a special presentation and discussion of the current North Conway Rec path project and capital campaign progress.

Along the way on North South Road, Rec Path Committee members pointed out where the North Conway Path will go. At the Visitor’s Center in Fryeburg, 4 seniors and volunteers walked the trail for about 40 minutes, talking about the benefits of such a rec path and the challenges of building one.

For more information visit MWV Trails Association.

Check out what is happening this FALL at White Mountain Aquatic Center

Aqua MASH – Ever wanted to try out one of our adult classes but not sure if it is the right one for you? Join us Saturday October 21^st from 11-1pm for our Aqua MASH. We will “mash” together all of our adult classes in 10 minute segments. Try any or all for FREE! There is no cost to get in, no cost to participate, and no pressure to join. Come enjoy a fall treat and see what we have to offer!

Adult Classes – Come have fun with us!

~Masters Swim – Tues & Thurs 5:30 – 6:30am

~Aqua Dance – Tues & Thurs 9:00 – 10:00am

~ Adult Movement – Fri 9:00 – 10:00am

Coming in November                                             

~Aqua Aerobics – Mon 9:00 – 10:00am

~Aqua Chi – Wed 9:00 – 10:00am

~Aqua Yoga – watch for days & times

Learn to Swim Classes – The Early Winter Session registrations are now open. This session will go from October 30th – December 15th.

Sign up online at White Mountain Aquatic Center

Leadership MWV wins Rising Star Award for Leadership Development Program

Congratulations to Leadership MWV, just named winner of the NH Rising Star Award for Leadership Development Program of the Year!
Stay Work Play, in partnership with New Hampshire Public Radio, announced the winners of the eighth annual Rising Stars Awards at the  2017 celebratory event on Monday, October 2 at Fieldhouse Sports, 12 Tallwood Drive, in Bow.

Pictured (l to r): Scott McPherson, Acting President and CEO/VP Operations & Finance, New Hampshire Public Radio; Jessica Wright, Leadership Mount Washington Valley, and Leadership Development Program of the Year; Will Stewart, Executive Director, Stay Work Play NH. Photo credit: Allegra Boverman Photography