Gary Moore and the Cookie Tour
Gary Moore
December 25, 2025
Last Sunday Linda and I spent the day in the Mount Washington Valley for the annual Cookie Tour. Now in its 28th year, the self-guided tour encompasses eleven inns in the towns of Tamworth, Madison, Eaton, North Conway, and Jackson.
It is an event we look forward to each year. Each of the eleven inns on the tour gave out signature cookies, their recipes, and hot chocolate and coffee. We especially enjoy how the inns are all decorated for the holiday season and get ideas for our decorating.
Most of the inns had craft persons selling their creations so gift buying was made easy.
Each person on the tour received a keepsake holiday recipe collection and those who visited all the inns got a keepsake ornament designed and crafted for the tour.
Normally we spend Saturday night at one of the inns so we can take our time visiting the inns over two days. This year that was not possible so we made a 199 mile circle via Vermont Rt. 5 and New Hampshire’s Rt. 302 through Crawford Notch to Rt. 16 and up to Jackson. We then took Rt. 16 south through North Conway, Chocorua and Tamworth to Rt. 25 then back through Plymouth to Vermont and home.
We met a couple from Elmyra, NY who were spending four 4 nights at the Inn at Ellis River in Jackson. It was their fourth Cookie Tour.
When they learned we were from Bradford, they told us of their experience on the way up on Thursday evening. They had a flat tire on I-91 just north of Bradford Exit. They had high praise for the VSP trooper who came to their aid and stood by while awaiting a wrecker that took them back to town where the tire was changed and soon they were on their way to Jackson.
They were impressed with his uniform, especially the campaign hat saying he looked very professional. As you may know, New York troopers wear stetsons and a gray uniform.
Durham Man Jailed For Threatening A Hunter
On Monday, December 15, N.H. Fish and Game Conservation Officers arrested Stephen Harriman, age 56, of 181 Newmarket Road in the Town of Durham. Harriman has been charged with threatening another local resident while that person was lawfully deer hunting on a neighboring property owned and managed by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, known as the Lamprey River Wildlife Management Area.
Conservation Officers investigated the complaint and have charged Harriman with felony level Criminal Threatening with a Firearm, felony level Reckless Conduct with a Firearm, and violation level Hunter Harassment. It is alleged that he used a firearm to intimidate and harass the hunter during this event.
Harriman also had outstanding warrants for failing to appear on similar charges from this past May that were issued by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. He is being held at the Strafford County House of Corrections pending arraignment.
Bits and Pieces
We should thank the landowners who allow hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, and wildlife watching on their property. They put trust in outdoor enthusiasts to treat their lands with respect.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department urges individuals to extend a sincere thank you to their neighbors, friends, and all those individuals who have shared their private property for public recreation this year. “Your expression of gratitude will go a long way toward keeping relations positive and communication open,” said Mark Beauchesne, N.H. Fish and Game’s Landowner Relations Coordinator. “Treat the landowner as you would like to be treated and treat their land as you would treat your own.”
New Hampshire Fish and Game’s Landowner Relations Program works in partnership with landowners, hunters, and anglers by proactively addressing problems landowners experience while providing access to their land to others. To learn more about the program, including Operation Land Share, please visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/landowner-relations-program/operation-land-share-application-and-signage.
***
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Deer Project Leader Becky Fuda said, “Although people may feel badly for deer and want to help, the Fish and Game Department would like to remind the public to never feed deer as it may actually harm them.”
The deer are all right, even in the winter. Deer have developed several adaptations to help them survive severe winters, which means they do not need supplemental food. Deer have a highly insulative winter coat to keep them warm, they store large amounts of body fat to use as energy reserves, they will voluntarily reduce both their food intake and daily activity to conserve energy, and most importantly, they migrate to a specialized habitat known as a deer yard, a forested shelter that allows them to better cope with winter conditions.
Feeding deer the wrong type of food or at the wrong time can lead to sickness and even death. This was the case in 2015, when twelve deer were found dead around a feed site in South Hampton after being given food they could not digest.
Deer depend on microorganisms in their stomach to aid in digestion. As a deer’s diet naturally and gradually changes with the seasons, so do the microorganisms that are required to help digest these foods. This gradual change can take several weeks. A rapid transition from a high-fiber diet of naturally woody browse to human-provided foods high in carbohydrates can cause a rapid change in a deer’s stomach chemistry, disrupting the microorganisms present. This can reduce the deer’s ability to properly digest food and cause the release of toxins which are then absorbed into the deer’s system. Many of the most common supplemental foods people provide deer with in winter are high in starches and they create a great risk for deer.
For more information on the risks associated with feeding deer, visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt746/files/inline-documents/sonh/more-harm.pdf.
***
The 2026 Vermont Watershed Grants Program is now accepting applications for projects that protect, restore and enhance the state's lakes, streams, rivers, and ponds, including Vermonters’ ability to understand and enjoy these treasures. Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday February 4, 2026.
Program grants are available to municipalities, local and regional government agencies, sporting clubs, non-profit organizations, and water-related citizen groups. Projects that seek to directly protect or restore fish and aquatic wildlife habitat are strongly encouraged. Examples of past funded projects include streamside vegetation restoration the removal of old dams and replacement of culverts to improve fish passage.
The Vermont Watershed Grants Program is a joint project of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and the Department of Environmental Conservation. It was established by legislature and funded by sales of the Vermont Conservation License Plate.
"When Vermonters purchase a Conservation License Plate, they're helping protect healthy streams and lakes as well as conserving wildlife and important habitats for future generations," said Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jason Batchelder. “Proceeds from the sale of Conservation License Plates fund the Watershed Grants program and help support the Fish and Wildlife Department's Nongame Wildlife Fund."
The Watershed Grants application guide and application forms are available on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website.
***
North Conway will celebrate the New Year’s with a village-wide New Year’s Eve party featuring live entertainment, activities and two fireworks shows. The family friendly activities take place throughout the day and evening.
I would love to board the Conway Scenic Railroad train that leaves at 8 p.m. and returns just after midnight. Passengers can watch the fireworks from a dome car, enjoy on-board entertainment and bring in the new year in style.
More information and a complete schedule can be found at www.visitmwv.com/posts/nye.
***
Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac that on December 25, 1970: “Following a blizzard that swept in 10 to 20 inches of snow, the snowiest Christmas on record saw 30 to 40 inches of snow on the ground.”
Parting Shots
Anheuser-Busch InBev is closing its Merrimack, N.H. brewery employing about 125 full-time employees in the next two months, officials said last week.
I am sorry for the employees who are loosing their jobs and for the loss of tax revenue to the town but, for me, the big loss is the Clydesdales. The eastern team of the famous horses was stabled there and we would occasionally stop to see them.
The eight horse teams were magnificent with all their tact as they pulled the brightly colored Budweiser wagon.
***
The winter solstice occurred Sunday so now each day we will get a little more daylight.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
copyright 2025 Gary W. Moore
It is an event we look forward to each year. Each of the eleven inns on the tour gave out signature cookies, their recipes, and hot chocolate and coffee. We especially enjoy how the inns are all decorated for the holiday season and get ideas for our decorating.
Most of the inns had craft persons selling their creations so gift buying was made easy.
Each person on the tour received a keepsake holiday recipe collection and those who visited all the inns got a keepsake ornament designed and crafted for the tour.
Normally we spend Saturday night at one of the inns so we can take our time visiting the inns over two days. This year that was not possible so we made a 199 mile circle via Vermont Rt. 5 and New Hampshire’s Rt. 302 through Crawford Notch to Rt. 16 and up to Jackson. We then took Rt. 16 south through North Conway, Chocorua and Tamworth to Rt. 25 then back through Plymouth to Vermont and home.
We met a couple from Elmyra, NY who were spending four 4 nights at the Inn at Ellis River in Jackson. It was their fourth Cookie Tour.
When they learned we were from Bradford, they told us of their experience on the way up on Thursday evening. They had a flat tire on I-91 just north of Bradford Exit. They had high praise for the VSP trooper who came to their aid and stood by while awaiting a wrecker that took them back to town where the tire was changed and soon they were on their way to Jackson.
They were impressed with his uniform, especially the campaign hat saying he looked very professional. As you may know, New York troopers wear stetsons and a gray uniform.
Durham Man Jailed For Threatening A Hunter
On Monday, December 15, N.H. Fish and Game Conservation Officers arrested Stephen Harriman, age 56, of 181 Newmarket Road in the Town of Durham. Harriman has been charged with threatening another local resident while that person was lawfully deer hunting on a neighboring property owned and managed by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, known as the Lamprey River Wildlife Management Area.
Conservation Officers investigated the complaint and have charged Harriman with felony level Criminal Threatening with a Firearm, felony level Reckless Conduct with a Firearm, and violation level Hunter Harassment. It is alleged that he used a firearm to intimidate and harass the hunter during this event.
Harriman also had outstanding warrants for failing to appear on similar charges from this past May that were issued by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. He is being held at the Strafford County House of Corrections pending arraignment.
Bits and Pieces
We should thank the landowners who allow hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, and wildlife watching on their property. They put trust in outdoor enthusiasts to treat their lands with respect.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department urges individuals to extend a sincere thank you to their neighbors, friends, and all those individuals who have shared their private property for public recreation this year. “Your expression of gratitude will go a long way toward keeping relations positive and communication open,” said Mark Beauchesne, N.H. Fish and Game’s Landowner Relations Coordinator. “Treat the landowner as you would like to be treated and treat their land as you would treat your own.”
New Hampshire Fish and Game’s Landowner Relations Program works in partnership with landowners, hunters, and anglers by proactively addressing problems landowners experience while providing access to their land to others. To learn more about the program, including Operation Land Share, please visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/landowner-relations-program/operation-land-share-application-and-signage.
***
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Deer Project Leader Becky Fuda said, “Although people may feel badly for deer and want to help, the Fish and Game Department would like to remind the public to never feed deer as it may actually harm them.”
The deer are all right, even in the winter. Deer have developed several adaptations to help them survive severe winters, which means they do not need supplemental food. Deer have a highly insulative winter coat to keep them warm, they store large amounts of body fat to use as energy reserves, they will voluntarily reduce both their food intake and daily activity to conserve energy, and most importantly, they migrate to a specialized habitat known as a deer yard, a forested shelter that allows them to better cope with winter conditions.
Feeding deer the wrong type of food or at the wrong time can lead to sickness and even death. This was the case in 2015, when twelve deer were found dead around a feed site in South Hampton after being given food they could not digest.
Deer depend on microorganisms in their stomach to aid in digestion. As a deer’s diet naturally and gradually changes with the seasons, so do the microorganisms that are required to help digest these foods. This gradual change can take several weeks. A rapid transition from a high-fiber diet of naturally woody browse to human-provided foods high in carbohydrates can cause a rapid change in a deer’s stomach chemistry, disrupting the microorganisms present. This can reduce the deer’s ability to properly digest food and cause the release of toxins which are then absorbed into the deer’s system. Many of the most common supplemental foods people provide deer with in winter are high in starches and they create a great risk for deer.
For more information on the risks associated with feeding deer, visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt746/files/inline-documents/sonh/more-harm.pdf.
***
The 2026 Vermont Watershed Grants Program is now accepting applications for projects that protect, restore and enhance the state's lakes, streams, rivers, and ponds, including Vermonters’ ability to understand and enjoy these treasures. Applications are due no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday February 4, 2026.
Program grants are available to municipalities, local and regional government agencies, sporting clubs, non-profit organizations, and water-related citizen groups. Projects that seek to directly protect or restore fish and aquatic wildlife habitat are strongly encouraged. Examples of past funded projects include streamside vegetation restoration the removal of old dams and replacement of culverts to improve fish passage.
The Vermont Watershed Grants Program is a joint project of the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and the Department of Environmental Conservation. It was established by legislature and funded by sales of the Vermont Conservation License Plate.
"When Vermonters purchase a Conservation License Plate, they're helping protect healthy streams and lakes as well as conserving wildlife and important habitats for future generations," said Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jason Batchelder. “Proceeds from the sale of Conservation License Plates fund the Watershed Grants program and help support the Fish and Wildlife Department's Nongame Wildlife Fund."
The Watershed Grants application guide and application forms are available on Vermont Fish and Wildlife’s website.
***
North Conway will celebrate the New Year’s with a village-wide New Year’s Eve party featuring live entertainment, activities and two fireworks shows. The family friendly activities take place throughout the day and evening.
I would love to board the Conway Scenic Railroad train that leaves at 8 p.m. and returns just after midnight. Passengers can watch the fireworks from a dome car, enjoy on-board entertainment and bring in the new year in style.
More information and a complete schedule can be found at www.visitmwv.com/posts/nye.
***
Mark Breen reports in the Fairbanks Museum's Skywatch Almanac that on December 25, 1970: “Following a blizzard that swept in 10 to 20 inches of snow, the snowiest Christmas on record saw 30 to 40 inches of snow on the ground.”
Parting Shots
Anheuser-Busch InBev is closing its Merrimack, N.H. brewery employing about 125 full-time employees in the next two months, officials said last week.
I am sorry for the employees who are loosing their jobs and for the loss of tax revenue to the town but, for me, the big loss is the Clydesdales. The eastern team of the famous horses was stabled there and we would occasionally stop to see them.
The eight horse teams were magnificent with all their tact as they pulled the brightly colored Budweiser wagon.
***
The winter solstice occurred Sunday so now each day we will get a little more daylight.
Syndicated columnist Gary W. Moore may be reached by e-mail at gwmoore1946@icloud.com or at Box 454, Bradford, VT 05033.
copyright 2025 Gary W. Moore
Chatting with Santa on final stop of Cookie Tour
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