Summer Local Lifestyle Playlist 2025
A Visit to the Studio with Erin Scollans
Stories in Paint, Clay & Place
Emily Noelle Lambert has made art for as long as she can remember. A Pittsburg native, art filled her home. Her father was a social worker and her mother a textile worker, painting on silk and making clothing, dresses, painted furniture, tablecloths and banners. Lambert refers to her mother’s work as “lyrical and playful.” Her pieces generally featured whimsical figures like fairies, birds, and lyrics. These two major figures helped shape not only who she has become, but how her art has come to be. “Art being everywhere and something you live with and working to make the world a better place for others—those were significant influences in my life,” she explained.
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Lambert credits works by Matisse, Diebenkorn, and Avery as some of her other major influences. She recalls taking Saturday art classes at the Carnegie Museum at a young age. Her elementary art classes at the public Pittsburg schools, worldly travels, and myriad artist friends gained along the way helped hone her medium and her specialities. From collaborating on a César Chávez mural in the Mission District of San Francisco to mural studies and solo travels in Mexico to studying women-led art organizations and artists throughout Europe, Lambert’s eclectic taste and worldly influence are something to be admired, and they shine through in her craft.
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With thirty years of painting under her belt, Lambert expanded her medium focus to ceramics during the pandemic, transferring her two dimensional paintings into the three dimensional space. “These vessels and sculptural forms function as dimensional sketches,” she explained. “Some break during the making process, and I deliberately piece them back together, allowing the fractures to become part of the final work.” The breaking and mending allows the viewer to construct particular meanings and stories in the fragments, “much like archaeologists who can read entire stories from a pottery shard’s curve or decorative detail.”
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After moving from New York City to rural New Hampshire in 2019, Lambert found herself fascinated by the concept of different environments creating different types of visual density. Where the city offered robust human interaction and urban rhythms, her new home provided more naturally sourced patterns—the shape of tree branches and the intricate makeup of leaves, the forest canopy. Her ceramic pieces reflect this new definition and understanding of home, making space for a compilation of connection and impermanence.
“Each vessel holds more than objects,” Lambert said. “It contains questions about how we relate to each other and the natural world…I create objects that invite viewers to slow down and consider their own place within the larger, interconnected systems that sustain us all.”
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Find Emily’s work throughout the greater Monadnock Region this summer! She’s participating in an open studio at the Harrisville Studios in Harrisville, NH, Thursday, June 26. Her work is featured in the upcoming Making Space exhibit at the Brattleboro Museum, with the show running from July 12th - November 11th. A Making Space Exhibit Tour will be held on August 16th starting at 7:30 and led by the exhibit’s amazing curator Sarah Freeman. Lambert will also be involved in a Mixed Media Collage Workshop at the Brattleboro Museum Main Street gallery space at the River Gallery School on Saturday, August 2nd from 2-4pm.
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@bestphotographerever
Just a small town girl.
Before they sold out typewriter cred hashtag leggings health goth banh mi single-origin coffee selfies, selvage pok pok. Intelligentsia scenester actually, iPhone la croix banjo forage meditation cold-pressed vinyl XOXO. Occupy flannel hashtag echo park. Prism freegan plaid pug slow-carb 90's, chillwave activated charcoal cornhole.
Truffaut ugh pok pok waistcoat artisan. Swag air plant vaporware, tumeric la croix microdosing offal hexagon tbh. Chambray roof party typewriter coloring book intelligentsia mlkshk lomo umami blue bottle drinking vinegar locavore PBR&B viral. Heirloom poke biodiesel, unicorn wolf leggings hella celiac adaptogen migas. La croix hexagon cold-pressed XOXO art party. Cornhole slow-carb church-key subway tile. Art party master cleanse intelligentsia fingerstache swag craft beer raw denim palo santo salvia pug scenester narwhal occupy single-origin coffee glossier. Stumptown pok pok fashion axe cornhole health goth celiac. Knausgaard YOLO mumblecore lyft glossier.
- I'm obsessed with red shoes
- My iphone 7 is my lifeline
- frogs scare me
- I will do anything for a peppermint mocha
- I've never been on an airplane
- Mountain dew should be a food group
Elm City Muay Thai
A Journey of Passion and Community with Erica Broughton
Nearly 15 years ago, a simple walk past a gym in Brighton, MA led to a life-changing discovery: Muay Thai. Drawn in by curiosity, Eric, the owner of the Monadnock Region’s first Muay Thai-only gym at first didn’t realize all this sport had to offer. But after experiencing its unique blend of punches, kicks, elbows, knees, and clinch work, he was hooked. What stood out most was Muay Thai’s versatility—not just as a powerful martial art, but as a way to boost both physical and mental health.
The owner shares that “No one ever regrets coming to a class and most people notice an improvement in their mood when they consistently practice Muay Thai.”
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The gym attracts a wide mix of students—some with athletic backgrounds, others completely new to martial arts. One of the things that really drew Eric to the sport was that Muay Thai “is accessible to all levels. We train beginners with zero experience and the sport is adaptable to each person's level of fitness.”
So, what can a newcomer expect from a class? When a first-timer steps on the mat, they should come expecting a workout that will challenge them in the best way, to realize their full potential. The supportive group atmosphere pushes students through both physical fatigue and mental barriers, creating opportunities for growth you just don’t get in everyday life.
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Beginner sessions are one hour long and are typically followed by an intermediate class, allowing motivated students to train for up to two hours. Classes begin with a jump rope warm-up and shadow boxing before diving into pad work—where students practice techniques like punches, kicks, and knees with a partner. The structured rounds and feedback create a focused, fun training environment, and most sessions finish with high-energy core work or heavy bag drills.
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Ready to see what all the fuss is about? Classes are held Monday through Thursday evenings each week at Elm City Muay Thai’s convenient Keene location at 40 Carpenter Street. Find them on Facebook or Instagram for more details and to see the classes in action.
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>>Connect with me<<
"It’s the way the light stretches longer, giving us time to breathe, reflect, and reconnect—with each other and with ourselves. For me, it’s porch conversations at golden hour, barefoot walks on warm grass, and that deep exhale that only comes when we remember what we’re really working for: freedom, peace, and presence. That’s how I approach money too—because when your finances support your real life, not just your bills, that’s when it starts to feel like home. "
Isis Latham
Regional Vice President, Primerica
Teacher + Networker
+ Financial Mary Poppins
603.554.4399 | Isislatham@gmail.com
100 Emerald St suite E-1 Keene NH 03431
@bestphotographerever
Just a small town girl.
Before they sold out typewriter cred hashtag leggings health goth banh mi single-origin coffee selfies, selvage pok pok. Intelligentsia scenester actually, iPhone la croix banjo forage meditation cold-pressed vinyl XOXO. Occupy flannel hashtag echo park. Prism freegan plaid pug slow-carb 90's, chillwave activated charcoal cornhole.
Truffaut ugh pok pok waistcoat artisan. Swag air plant vaporware, tumeric la croix microdosing offal hexagon tbh. Chambray roof party typewriter coloring book intelligentsia mlkshk lomo umami blue bottle drinking vinegar locavore PBR&B viral. Heirloom poke biodiesel, unicorn wolf leggings hella celiac adaptogen migas. La croix hexagon cold-pressed XOXO art party. Cornhole slow-carb church-key subway tile. Art party master cleanse intelligentsia fingerstache swag craft beer raw denim palo santo salvia pug scenester narwhal occupy single-origin coffee glossier. Stumptown pok pok fashion axe cornhole health goth celiac. Knausgaard YOLO mumblecore lyft glossier.
- I'm obsessed with red shoes
- My iphone 7 is my lifeline
- frogs scare me
- I will do anything for a peppermint mocha
- I've never been on an airplane
- Mountain dew should be a food group
One Man Against 1.6 Billion Pounds with Sonja Bolton
Everyone’s Trash
You know how every summer is defined by one signature song? Well, if that were the case with books, Everyone’s Trash: One Man Against 1.6 Billion Pounds by award-winning author, Duncan Watson, would be on everyone’s playlist. It’s a riveting memoir of how this storyteller extraordinaire went from the childhood voice of Charlie Brown to re-imagining how Keene, NH deals with waste management all centered around “the dump” as a community gathering point.
Highly humorous and ultimately moving, this winner of the 2024 New England Book Festival for Wild Card also received a Booklist Starred Review: “As the world grapples with waste that has taken on a life of its own, this unique insider's look is a must-have”. Monadnock Table’s own Andrea Farnsworth described it as “both informative and full of heart.”
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Watson’s passion shines through his words, “In this complex world we live in with all the environmental issues that seem out of control, recycling is a positive action that you can take that does make a difference.” To demonstrate that point, he shares the statistic that, “Filling up an aluminum can three-quarters full of gasoline and pouring it onto the ground is the energy equivalent of throwing out that can. The aluminum Association estimates that over a billion dollars of aluminum is thrown away every year. It represents enough aluminum to rebuild the entire US commercial air fleet every three months.”
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New Hampshire’s broken waste system was recently documented in news outlets across the state, including a story in the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript titled: “Study finds recyclables valued in millions of dollars tossed in New Hampshire’s waste stream.” This is why this book should be in the hands of every city manager across the nation and every person who wants to feel like a different future is out there if we come together to make it happen.
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Watson himself calls for waste management action: “We can absolutely do a better job treating discards as resources, and increasingly, I think we will. Our collective fate will, in part, depend on it.” Within the book, Watson walks us through his journey as a newly minted assistant director of Public Works/Solid Waste for the city of Keene, encountering a paralyzed trash system choked with recyclables going into the landfill as he systematically re-invented a sorting system that now makes the city income.
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Waston proved we can move the needle on “Everyone’s Trash” with this startling figure: “The city of Keene, a hamlet of just under 24,000 people, has generated over $10 million in recycling revenue and avoided disposal costs of over $25 million.” His waste-not-want-not playbook is available in print at your local bookstores. He’ll even pause for a cup of joe and hand you a signed copy himself if that is your cup of tea. Follow this stalwart storyteller this summer on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn or his book's landing page.
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@bestphotographerever
Just a small town girl.
Before they sold out typewriter cred hashtag leggings health goth banh mi single-origin coffee selfies, selvage pok pok. Intelligentsia scenester actually, iPhone la croix banjo forage meditation cold-pressed vinyl XOXO. Occupy flannel hashtag echo park. Prism freegan plaid pug slow-carb 90's, chillwave activated charcoal cornhole.
Truffaut ugh pok pok waistcoat artisan. Swag air plant vaporware, tumeric la croix microdosing offal hexagon tbh. Chambray roof party typewriter coloring book intelligentsia mlkshk lomo umami blue bottle drinking vinegar locavore PBR&B viral. Heirloom poke biodiesel, unicorn wolf leggings hella celiac adaptogen migas. La croix hexagon cold-pressed XOXO art party. Cornhole slow-carb church-key subway tile. Art party master cleanse intelligentsia fingerstache swag craft beer raw denim palo santo salvia pug scenester narwhal occupy single-origin coffee glossier. Stumptown pok pok fashion axe cornhole health goth celiac. Knausgaard YOLO mumblecore lyft glossier.
- I'm obsessed with red shoes
- My iphone 7 is my lifeline
- frogs scare me
- I will do anything for a peppermint mocha
- I've never been on an airplane
- Mountain dew should be a food group
A Look Behind the Curtain with Caroline Tremblay
That Unforgettable Big Band Sound
If you’re a lover of live music and have a taste for classic sound, the top-call musicians of New Hampshire-based CP Music Productions should be on your radar. Known for their unforgettable live jazz—ranging from thrumming swing dance nights to full big band holiday shows and intimate ensembles for cocktail hour—this versatile music outfit brings the moment to life.
It’s led by two generations—a father and son duo with over 60 years combined in performance, event entertainment, and live music productions. Music Director & Conductor, Clayton “Skip” Poole and son Clayton “CJ” Poole III, Business Director & Vocalist/Bassist, bring a blend of tradition and innovation to every stage.
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Their unique story and shared passion for music even got them featured on NH Chronicle earlier this year. During the remarkable interview, Skip shared, “The audience is really the electricity that fuels you.” And CP Music’s audience couldn’t agree more. Each show is followed by outpourings of write-ins, like, “What a fun date night! The New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra always sounds amazing and there is just something about a live band,” and “The show was outstanding! Keep up all the great sounds.”
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The New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra (NHJO), one of CP’s most popular ensembles, brings together talented musicians from across the region for benefit concerts, educational workshops, and mentorship programs for young musicians. The NHJO was built on the belief that music has the power to inspire, connect, and give back. Passion, purpose, and collaboration define this one-of-a-kind ensemble, making it a true gem in New England’s music scene.
Between shows, you’ll find Skip and CJ not only in rehearsals with these incredible performers, but also in the recording studio. This year, they proudly launched a brand-new podcast, Big Band Backstage, hosted by the incredible Laura Knoy, former voice of NHPR’s The Exchange and an acclaimed writer, moderator, and speaker.
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Each podcast episode takes listeners behind the curtain, celebrating the music and performers of today’s big band scene, while uncovering the unique, human stories behind its rich American heritage. Skip and CJ also welcome world-class guests they’ve collaborated with to share stories, insights, and behind-the-scenes moments—like Bryan Davis, lead trumpet for the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
Catch new episodes monthly and be sure to stay on top of the CP Music EVENTS calendar to find shows happening near you. You can often catch live music nights nearby in towns like Bedford, with plans to appear right here in the Monadnock Region coming soon. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and/or LinkedIn for the latest—and have a swingin’ summer, everyone!
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Monadnock Interfaith Project to host AN EVENING WITH DAVE NACHMANOFF, July 19, 2025, 6:30pm, at Stonewall Farm in Keene
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💗
Grabbing a Bite with Erica Broughton
Jenna’s Market: A Butchery with Heart
Nestled in the heart of Keene, New Hampshire, Jenna’s Market has quickly become the Monadnock Region’s premier destination for quality meats, fresh seafood, and mouthwatering deli fare. It’s the spot to grab a sandwich for a picnic at Ashuelot River Park, just a few steps away. Relaxing on a bench overlooking the water while you enjoy a gourmet deli sandwich is the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon!
At the helm of this locally owned butcher shop is Jenna Pearson, a passionate and skilled butcheress whose love of the craft started in high school. While working part-time at a local market, her talent was spotted by the store’s owner. He took her under his wing and trained her in the art of butchery. Years of experience and dedication later, Jenna decided to bring her vision of classic butcher with modern-day flair to life in her hometown.
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Jenna’s Market is a reflection of that vision. It’s more than just a place to buy meat—though you’ll certainly find exceptional cuts of beef, pork, and poultry sourced locally whenever possible. The market also offers a thoughtfully selected variety of fresh ingredients and prepared meals for busy nights.
Breakfast lovers will also find plenty to enjoy at Jenna’s Market. The breakfast menu features hearty, made-to-order sandwiches crafted with farm-fresh eggs, thick-cut bacon, house-made sausage, and artisanal bread. Whether you’re in a rush or want to linger with a cup of locally roasted coffee, Jenna’s Market offers a satisfying start to your day. It’s quickly become a morning favorite for those seeking a convenient, flavorful alternative to the usual breakfast fare.
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But what truly sets Jenna’s Market apart is its community spirit. Jenna believes in the power of small businesses supporting one another and emphasizes the importance of sourcing locally and sustainably. She’s committed to offering customers food they can feel good about—both in quality and origin.
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Whether you’re planning a special dinner, grabbing a quick lunch, or stocking up on everyday essentials, Jenna’s Market delivers top-notch service and outstanding products. With a blend of old-school butchery, modern convenience, and local pride, it’s no wonder this shop has become a beloved staple in Keene.
For anyone who values great food and community connection, a visit to Jenna’s Market is a must. Stop by and taste what makes this place so special!
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@bestphotographerever
Just a small town girl.
Before they sold out typewriter cred hashtag leggings health goth banh mi single-origin coffee selfies, selvage pok pok. Intelligentsia scenester actually, iPhone la croix banjo forage meditation cold-pressed vinyl XOXO. Occupy flannel hashtag echo park. Prism freegan plaid pug slow-carb 90's, chillwave activated charcoal cornhole.
Truffaut ugh pok pok waistcoat artisan. Swag air plant vaporware, tumeric la croix microdosing offal hexagon tbh. Chambray roof party typewriter coloring book intelligentsia mlkshk lomo umami blue bottle drinking vinegar locavore PBR&B viral. Heirloom poke biodiesel, unicorn wolf leggings hella celiac adaptogen migas. La croix hexagon cold-pressed XOXO art party. Cornhole slow-carb church-key subway tile. Art party master cleanse intelligentsia fingerstache swag craft beer raw denim palo santo salvia pug scenester narwhal occupy single-origin coffee glossier. Stumptown pok pok fashion axe cornhole health goth celiac. Knausgaard YOLO mumblecore lyft glossier.
- I'm obsessed with red shoes
- My iphone 7 is my lifeline
- frogs scare me
- I will do anything for a peppermint mocha
- I've never been on an airplane
- Mountain dew should be a food group
A Trip to the Library with Caroline Tremblay
Level Up this Summer!
Coming to a library near you this summer—“Level Up!” Think games, games, games in all shapes and sizes. For instance, the Fitzwilliam Town Library has planned six weeks of summer fun for all ages. Stop by for PreK story times, and themed, weekly activities for kids in grades 1-6. They’ll also be hosting monthly get-togethers for tweens & teens, as well as craft and game nights. Family BINGO, Adult Trivia, a rolling video games truck, and outdoor mini golf—you name it! (Summer reading is never complete without LIVE animals, so keep an eye out for that, too!)
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And of course, there’s going to be plenty of book love all season long. Once patrons have read a book, the librarian will weigh it in, with the goal of surpassing last year’s weight of 1,696lbs! PreK kiddos who read 10 books will receive a small prize, and elementary-aged kids can earn a pack of Reading Dragon playing cards. Plus, they’ll have the opportunity to design their own card and enter a contest! Don’t miss out on the summer-long raffle with prize baskets either!
Our local libraries want to instill a love of reading, and show just how FUN it can be! So librarians around the region are leveling up themselves, with challenges like out-of-this-world book displays. In Fitzwilliam, you can see a dress made entirely from book covers, created by Miss Merrimack and Library Assistant, Miss Merrimack, Veronika Sokol. Tweens & Teens are invited to “Level Up” the YA room during an evening of snacks, social time, and a chance to paint bookends.
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Fortunately, in the Monadnock Region, our local libraries are simply the best. No matter what town you live in, you’ll find LOTS happening through your summer reading program, too. For instance, at the Richmond Public Library, join the Dragon Party kickoff on June 21, and then keep the fun going with fairies, gnomes, and more through the months of sunshine. Definitely mark your calendar for the Elfin Picnic with local writer, naturalist, and educator, Susie Spikol, on July 12 (please register in advance).
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In spite of all that libraries are up against in this current moment with major funding cuts, they’re still putting their superpowers to work to develop incredible programming for our communities. Here, in New Hampshire, our interlibrary lending program and audio books are at risk because they are funded by the state and federal governments, and there are currently no plans for funding in 2026. Libraries are an essential part of a community and much more than a place to house books. So let’s spend the summer Leveling Up together and appreciating just how important these special resources are. And find out how you can show up in support of our libraries with even just five minutes of your time.
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A Lifestyle Upgrade with Erin Scollans
Small Batch Body Magic
Nannette Perrotte finds familiarity in herbal recipes, having been raised with French influence all of her life. Her childhood memories of the country center around family, trips to the farmer’s markets, the fresh smell of rosemary, and the herbal influence in almost all aspects of her and her family’s everyday lives.
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Perrotte’s boutique body care and lifestyle brand encapsulates just about all of that. A full-time entrepreneur, Perrotte launched LUX Lifestyle back in February of 2019. It’s a primarily online and wholesale-to-boutiques endeavor, and Perrotte finds the fun in simplicity and holistic nature of the business. She’s always exploring new ways to expand her brand, incorporating the unique herbal abundance that the Monadnock Region has to offer. LUX Lifestyle is the ultimate olfactory experience. Thanks to her French restaurant upbringing, Perrotte has a uniquely well-trained nose, ensuring none of her products are too overwhelming. And consumers can relish in the cohesive, abundant, and subtle senses that make up each quality, small-batch product.
Every season brings different challenges and needs for the body, so Perrotte ensures her products reflect those very changes with the weather. Whether it’s sourcing material for her signature Moonlit Matcha Recovery Gel Cream or Magnesium and Arnica sprays from the local farmer’s markets or wading through the beaver pond to pick the elderberry flowers herself for her luscious summer face oil, Perrotte’s careful consideration in every batch helps ensure her quality recipes are crafted to perfection. Because of LUX Lifestyle’s small business status, Perrotte is able to hone-in and shift strategies when necessary. It’s always refreshing to be able to buy small quantities precisely when it’s needed.
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With LUX Lifestyle in its sixth year, Perrotte finds herself more confident in her business than ever, recently expanding with a product line tailored for children aged 5 and up and learning about what their bodies need with the shifting seasons. LUX Bloom offers an array of scent rollers, shimmering glosses, and safe, high quality ingredients suitable for sensitive, younger skin.
Perrotte credits today’s youth for their extensive holistic knowledge, acknowledging their enthusiasm at her farmer’s market displays. Much like her childhood world travels, the LUX Lifestyle brand is a family affair. Whatever the generation (grandparents, parents, children), Perrotte aptly notes that all family members find themselves “gravitating toward their LUX Lifestyle stories together.” That’s what is so special about the product—there’s something for everyone in the LUX Lifestyle brand.
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Perrotte is always looking to expand her boutique wholesale portfolio. Until then, find LUX Lifestyle at an array of farmer’s markets this summer, including Milford, Amherst and Peterborough. She will also be attending the Roots and Wings School Child and Family Expo on June 1st. a great event for children and parents alike!
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>>Connect Here<<
"Summer here feels like home because every story we tell is rooted in the people and places that make this region one-of-a-kind."
MAXT Makerspace with David Broughton
You Can Make It Here
Take a trip down to historic Noone Falls in Peterborough to create something special this summer at MAXT Makerspace’s brand-new facility. Enjoy the beautiful cascade of water over the dam as you cross the Contoocook and descend to the river-level workshops. MAXT has a whole host of programs for youth and adults to get you in the space and making something special.
From humble beginnings in 2015, MAXT has grown to become a major creative resource for the Monadnock Region. Opening in January this year, the new facility has been designed to grow creative community and accessibility for everyone. From individuals to local organizations and nonprofits, MAXT has the tools and expertise to send you on a creative journey.
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As you step inside the new space, this commitment to the creative community is immediately on display with a beautiful entryway desk created by Avenue A Teen Center from local oak, as well as murals and hand painted signs lovingly designed and created by students from MAXT classes.
The new multi-use benches are surrounded by a plethora of equipment to inspire any artist or tinkerer. Stained glass, state-of-the-art laser cutting and 3D printing, electronics, and textiles, along with fine art supplies surround the central work area. Students and members meet, create, and share skills—you might bump into a local artist sketching or an electrical engineer testing a gadget.
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Around the corner is the printshop, home to not just a large etching press and tools but also a full 4-color screen printing studio. Perfect to print your own shirts for an event. Further down the corridor lined with artist studio booths is the woodshop, the largest workspace. Equipped with everything from a SawStop table saw to a new 20” planer, drum sander, CNC router and fully equipped lathe area. Regular open studios and classes cover everything from turning a bowl to carpentry and fine furniture making.
The final shops at MAXT are in development with brand-new equipment. The metal shop features machining tools and now a full suite of sheet metal and welding equipment. You can even visit the bike shop for cycle and ski tune ups. Just outside the door, the jewelry space will soon sport multiple torches and upgraded benches with some in-depth courses planned for the fall.
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How do you get involved? MAXT offers programs for everyone from elementary-aged kids to retirees. Five week-long intensive programs for youth are available for registration for the summer. From Upcycled Adventures for K-4 to a Public Art Party for 5-8 and Fashion Week 9-12, there’s something to inspire your kids. Free activities like monthly Art Jam and Repair Cafe are open to everyone. Classes in art and making take place all year long, and summer is the perfect time to join in—with affordable rates to learn with local artisans open to everyone. Experienced makers can become members for 24/7 access to the space for just $48/mo. You Can Make It Here!
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Keep ‘Em Healthy with Sonja Bolton
A Wellness Paws
Who has two thumbs and can’t walk into a humane society or animal rescue organization without adding a new family member to the breakfast roster? This gal. As a dedicated owner currently caring for three cats, one dog, seventeen hens and one horse, a great vet is essential. I have been fortunate to have cultivated a deep and lasting dependency on Keep ‘Em Healthy Veterinary Clinic. Even after moving over an hour away, I still make the journey with my furry friends in tow.
At the heart of Keep ‘Em Healthy is the indomitable Dr. Andrew Cooke. Smart as a tack with nothing short of heroic efforts in the field, as owner and founder of Keep ‘Em Healthy, Dr. Cooke has poured his heart and soul into what makes this clinic a cut above.
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Keep ‘Em Healthy Veterinary Clinic in Troy, NH has stewarded exceptional animal wellness for over 25 years with a passion for serving their community. As the Gold winner of best veterinary clinic and best veterinarian in the Keene Sentinel Choice Awards 4 years running, the Monadnock Region’s residents heartily agree with me. The people have spoken.
What makes Keep ‘Em Healthy so great? Dr. Cooke and his knowledgeable team care for their patients like their own pets. I know they are always representing my animals’ best interest. Even when it’s news I am not ready to hear, like when my cat, “Hank the Tank” had given me years and years of love but was really too tired to keep it up.
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There was also the time I brought home a new 8-week-old kitten, King George, and within 4 days, he was listless and lethargic. I anxiously called the clinic, and they made space for an exam. Dr. Cooke and his team worked up a diagnosis and treatment plan I could administer at home, and George was back to playing within 24 hours.
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Happily, most visits to the clinic are more straightforward. They cover all aspects of small animal wellness, from puppy to senior, dental health, surgeries, laser therapy, including the simple but often unpleasant nail trims. You can actually check out all their services in this video. One of the subscriber comments says it best: “Love these people. Been a customer for 19 Golden retrievers total for 30 years. One of the few places I feel comfortable crying.”
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Sipping Monadnock Region Wines with Ryan Cashman
Fruits of the Mountain
Did you know you can find locally produced wine in every state in the country? That’s right. Great American wine doesn’t just come from California anymore. It comes from the northern reaches of Michigan, the river valleys of New York, and even right here in the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire!
The Summit Winery in Westmorland sits on 80 pristine acres of woods on Route 12 heading towards Vermont. Located just 5 miles west of Keene, Summit is considered the region's premier winery, and owners Darren and Judy Horn have been making wine together for decades. Owing to New Hampshire’s historically harsh climate - hot, humid summers giving way to frigid winters - growing grapes can be exceptionally difficult. However, that fact has not stopped Summit from producing bottles of wine made with locally grown grapes.
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The marquette is a hardy red wine grape variety that grows well here. Summit’s Marquette, aged in American Oak barrels, comes out of the bottle with a ruby-red hue. The tasting notes are balanced, with hints of cherries and minimal tannins. It pairs perfectly with a summer steak night.
In order to expand their offerings, most of Summit’s grapes are sourced from all over the country and the globe. This practice allows them to offer familiar favorites like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Moscato.
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If you’re looking for something really refreshing on a warm summer's eve, open a bottle of their Summit Rosé. This crisp, strawberry-noted wine is perfect when it has been chilled in the fridge for several hours, and goes well with almost any summer meal. While you can purchase Summit’s wine at stores across the region, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not visiting their beautiful barn tasting room. There you can enjoy a free wine tasting with a bottle purchase and soak in excellent westward views of Vermont’s Green Mountains.
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Another spot worth checking out is Two Fruits and a Nut Farm winery in Marlborough. Located on Thatcher Road just outside of downtown, Two Fruits and a Nut Farm have a different approach to wine than Summit’s grape-centered offerings. Their idea is: if you can forage it, we can make wine out of it! That’s why you see delicious seasonal offerings like maple, crab apple/pear, mango/coconut, pomegranate/plum, and so many more! Open only on weekends, the hours and wine options may vary, so be sure to check their Facebook page for daily updates. There are plenty of outdoor picnic tables so you can enjoy your wine while taking in the warm New Hampshire summer weather. Savor it now, because it, like the wine in your glass, won’t last long!
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@bestphotographerever
Just a small town girl.
Before they sold out typewriter cred hashtag leggings health goth banh mi single-origin coffee selfies, selvage pok pok. Intelligentsia scenester actually, iPhone la croix banjo forage meditation cold-pressed vinyl XOXO. Occupy flannel hashtag echo park. Prism freegan plaid pug slow-carb 90's, chillwave activated charcoal cornhole.
Truffaut ugh pok pok waistcoat artisan. Swag air plant vaporware, tumeric la croix microdosing offal hexagon tbh. Chambray roof party typewriter coloring book intelligentsia mlkshk lomo umami blue bottle drinking vinegar locavore PBR&B viral. Heirloom poke biodiesel, unicorn wolf leggings hella celiac adaptogen migas. La croix hexagon cold-pressed XOXO art party. Cornhole slow-carb church-key subway tile. Art party master cleanse intelligentsia fingerstache swag craft beer raw denim palo santo salvia pug scenester narwhal occupy single-origin coffee glossier. Stumptown pok pok fashion axe cornhole health goth celiac. Knausgaard YOLO mumblecore lyft glossier.
- I'm obsessed with red shoes
- My iphone 7 is my lifeline
- frogs scare me
- I will do anything for a peppermint mocha
- I've never been on an airplane
- Mountain dew should be a food group