Late Mountain Lakes tax filings held up rate setting to the DRA

By Bernie Marvin

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Haverhill, NH – A delay in completing the Mountain Lakes financial reports for the Department of Revenue Administration (DRA) has been holding up the filing so that the Haverhill tax rate can be set and residents can pay real estate taxes.
This beginning of the year news has begun been featured on the local Haverhill social media page resulting in a few critical comments from the public and an inquiry from a Haverhill Advisory Budget Committee (ABC) member has prompted comments from Chairman Richard Guy who told The Bridge Weekly that the ABC has a budget total of $35,000 for Tax Anticipation Notes, a fund that is available in anticipation of tax revenues that will be coming into the town treasury to pay town bills.
ABC Chair Guy said last week that $35,000 was considered reasonable at the beginning of December 2025. He noted that with the date now being the middle of January, there had been no hint about when Mountain Lakes would complete their annual submittals to the DRA."
He said that "borrowing this magnitude of money is an unreasonable burden to the whole of us taxpayers." He also noted to The Bridge Weekly that his ABC did make a formal recommendation that each part of the town that reports to the DRA be brought together early each year to identify any potential delays going forward."

Mountain Lakes Commissioner Bob Long told The Bridge Weekly on Sunday, January 4, 2026, and he indicated that he "was working on this with our auditor and was hoping to have this completed a couple of weeks ago. As of now, I hope to have it completed over the next couple of days."
On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, Mr. Guy explained to The Bridge Weekly that the lateness of the filing interferes with the town's ability to obtain the funds it needs to borrow as it waits for revenues to come in.
He said that many people in Haverhill had already filed their tax payments in anticipation of the bill being late, so they paid without waiting. "That has helped quite a bit, he said.”
He said that the ABC formal recommendation is that all town sub-entities and the Town itself come together by August 15 annually to identify and resolve any issues that might interfere with tax billings. The DRA should have it all in their system in October. Bills should be sent out by the town in November and paid for the first part of December.
He said once all the figures come together, the DRA can set a tax rate in very short time, and he notes that it will not take the town long to get the tax bills out to residents. He said as it looks now to him, the tax monies flowing into the town will probably end up as much as three months late, with payments being two months late.
A notice in the Haverhill NH Discussions Forum! Facebook entry last week identified as being from the Haverhill Administration:
It notes that “Tax Bill Delays Explained: The Town of Haverhill has been receiving a lot of calls regarding when Tax Bills will be going out. The reason bills have not gone out yet is that we are waiting for Mountain Lakes District (MLD) to complete all required filings. The Selectboard has no options at this time to move forward with setting the tax rate to issue 2025 Tax Bills without the MLD filings. We hope MLD will complete their forms this week. Please be patient with our Tax Collector, as the Town has no control over this delay. The Town will notify residents as soon as the rate has been set.
For questions regarding the process at the Mountain Lakes District, they can be reached at 603-787-6180."

In an interview just prior to last Friday, January 9, 2026, with Haverhill Select Board member Ron Hurlburt, he said the select board was tired of seeing town employees and Tax Collector Melinda Boutin taking the heat from the public over something that is not their fault.
He said the late tax numbers and the long overdue subsequent filing (whenever it is made) are solely the fault of the Mountain Lakes commissioners who are holding back the process by not having their numbers ready for the DRA.
He said, “the select board’s hands are tied until Mountain Lakes comes up with the needed figures,” during the interview late last week. He said he has no idea what the problem with the late figures is and he has not been told but hopes he finds out so it will never happen again.
He said the past year and one-half, possibly longer, there have been problems with the town clerk’s office being open in a timely manner. In an effort to reduce that workload, especially in the motor vehicle registration business of the town, the select board is moving toward appointing a municipal agent/deputy town clerk position.
Select board member Hurlburt said the job description was discussed again by the board at their most recent meeting on Monday night, January 12, 2026.
The published job description is as follows:
The Haverhill Selectboard is pleased to announce they have authorized the Town Administrator to research the creation of a new part-time position as a Municipal Agent. The role is intended to increase Department of Motor Vehicle registrations to 5 days a week and include evening hours. The Selectboard recognizes the challenges many of us are facing with registrations and renewals and is working to increase the consistency of services to residents. The position will be under the direction of the Selectboard and will be using funds previously intended for a Deputy Town Clerk, now directed toward this position for better oversight and transparency.
The Selectboard has been working for the past two years to support the Town Clerk with their needs and to increase hours and services for residents. The Selectboard has no authority over the Town Clerk's Office or the services they provide. For this reason, the Selectboard feels strongly to better provide these services; it should be done under their supervision. The Selectboard will continue to support the Town Clerk while providing similar services.
We're all looking forward to the increased hours and opportunities, stay tuned!

Delivering Holiday Cheer By The Truckload

By Trish Griswold

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Members of the Woodsville High School Class of 2026 helped unload, set up, and tag trees on opening weekend of tree season. Pictured (L-R) are: Makayla Walker, Katie Houston, Ryan Walker, Gabe Roy, Michel Plachetzki, Morgan Crocker, Jillian Roy, Cowan Kimball, and Dylan Marshall.

NORTH HAVERHILL - For the Lackie family of North Haverhill, NH, delivering goodwill and holiday cheer is a tradition that spans many generations. “It's just what we do,” remarks David “Peanut” Lackie, a retired truck driver who has been transporting Christmas trees to the area for decades.


According to Peanut, he took over the family business in 1989 when his father, Leslie Lackie, passed away. For many years, Leslie transported cargo, including Christmas trees from as far away as Canada and as close by as northern New Hampshire. “Mountain Star Tree Farm in Swiftwater (formerly known as the Olsen Tree Farm) - that’s where Dad got started,” Peanut recalls. “He hauled trees for 15 years before I took over. Actually, he went to Wisconsin and got the first tree baler that was in this area.”


In the early 1990s, Peanut’s brother, Norman “Smiley” Lackie, started a small tree stand at the Lackie homestead on the corner of Dartmouth College Highway and Route 116. Peanut’s daughters, Amy (Lackie) Crocker and Jennifer (Lackie) Barkley, kept the tree stand going from 1994 to 1996 before passing it along to the Woodsville High School (WHS) ensemble band as a fundraiser for their trip to Annapolis, MD, to participate in a regional competition. Over the years, many other school groups and local non-profit organizations have been recipients of the fundraiser, including the WHS Class of 2000, the North Haverhill Fire Department, the Haverhill Area Youth DC Trip, the WHS Class of 2023, and the WHS Class of 2026. All of the aforementioned school-related groups, Peanut says, have included a member of the Lackie family.


“We’ve never made a dime on the trees. I buy them, bring them down, and sell them to whatever group at the same price I bought them for. We sell the trees at cost and never charge a penny to truck them.”


The Lackies also donate trucking and provide trees at cost for holiday decorating efforts in North Haverhill and Woodsville, NH, and in Wells River, VT, spreading holiday cheer on both sides of the Connecticut River. “We’ve always donated our time and trucking, and we’re happy to do it,” comments Peanut’s wife, Leslie (Pierson) Lackie, who has supported her husband in continuing both the family business and the tree stand.


The most recent recipient of the tree stand fundraiser is the WHS Class of 2026. “There are really no words that can express how appreciative our class is for the Lackies/Crockers. For the past three years, our success has been rooted from their efforts, and we couldn’t be more grateful for them,” remarks Class President Makayla Walker. “They’ve given us the Christmas tree and craft fair fundraisers that have played a significant role in making prom and our class trip possible, but it has also given us the opportunity to give back to those who have given so much to us.”


“Apart from the financial opportunities,” Makayla continues, “their generosity has brought our class together; freshman year, when we didn’t have these fundraisers, fundraising participation was absent. Now, I’d say close to 75% or more are participating. It’s obvious how committed they are to our class, and we are forever indebted to the Lackies for guiding us, supporting us, and ultimately handing us success; it’s going to be difficult figuring out how to pay them back.”


Managing the Christmas tree stand, which was relocated in 2023 to the parking area at Augie’s Rest Stop is more labor intensive than one might think. “It’s a lot of work,” says Amy, who, together with her husband, Todd Crocker, took over Peanut’s trucking company in June of 2022 and has continued the Lackie family’s time-honored traditions. “You have to set up the racks, hang the lights, bring the trees into town, unload them, set them up on the racks, cut the strings, and price them.”


Equally time-consuming is maintaining the trees after every snowstorm. “You have to shake them off every time it snows. Some years when it was down to Mother’s, we had some serious snow,” Peanut recalls. “In fact, one year we got rain, and the trees froze so we had to take some up to the fire station, thaw them out, and bring them back down. It can be a challenge.”


Except on the weekends, the tree stand is set up to use the honor system, which “works for the most part,” Amy says. “Most people are honest, and it all evens out. Some people put extra in, and some don’t. People’s generosity covers what doesn’t get paid for.”


In fact, some members of the community donate faithfully every year, including Harley Vance of Groton, VT, who purchases two trees, one for himself and one for his mother, Betty Oakes, also of Groton. “We like to support local youth organizations. Plus, they have a wide selection, the trees are well-trimmed, and the prices are more than reasonable.”


When asked about the future of the tree stand, Leslie explains that, in June, their granddaughter, Morgan, a member of the WHS Class of 2026 and this year’s recipient of the tree stand fundraiser, will graduate from high school. The Lackie family will need to decide which school group or community organization will inherit the tree stand project next. “We’d like it to continue to go towards fundraising, a scholarship, or benefit the community in some way. That is what it’s all about. The kids and the community.”

Christmas trees nestled in whiskey barrels outside Robert Lawrence Salon & Spa in Woodsville provide a festive glow during the holiday season. The Lackie Family provides more than 100 trees at cost to businesses in Woodsville and North Haverhill, NH, and Wells River, VT.

The Lackie Family tree stand located at Augie’s Rest Stop just south of Hatchland Dairy in North Haverhill provides a wide selection of balsam fir at an affordable price.

The Lackies have been delivering Christmas trees to the North Haverhill area for decades. They donate the trucking fees and provide the trees at cost to a local school group or organization for fundraising purposes. Pictured (L-R) are David “Peanut” Lackie, Leslie Lackie, Amy Crocker, and Todd Crocker.

The new Haverhill Town Administrator began duty on December 1

By Bernie Marvin

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Haverhill, NH – After more than a year's search, the Haverhill Select Board has hired a Peacham, Vermont municipal administrator, Tom Galinat, to fill the job of Haverhill Town Administrator. The job had been filled by the Haverhill Select Board Chair, Rod O'Shana, on an interim basis.

The new Haverhill Town Administrator gained municipal government experience while serving the towns of Peacham and Johnson, Vermont. For those jobs, he was hired in September 2023 as the new Town Administrator for Johnson, Vermont. Before that, he had served as the Peacham Town Clerk and Assistant Town Clerk, all according to press reports from the Vermont News Citizen. Before that, he worked at Habitat for Humanity in southern New York.

The September 8, 2025, select board minutes indicate that select board member Ron Hurlburt reported there were four finalists for the position of Haverhill Town Administrator. Full background checks have been completed on each individual within the indicated minutes, with board interviews scheduled for early October 2025.

At the November 3, 2025, select board meeting, Galinat was introduced as the new Haverhill Town Administrator. Minutes of that meeting indicated he introduced himself and "described his background and expressed his excitement about filling the position." He will be paid an annual salary of $115,000 according to information provided by the Town of Haverhill.
The long, bumpy road to this latest appointment has been a rough one. The position of Haverhill Town Manager had been in place in Haverhill since being approved by annual town meeting voters in 1994, and was first filled by Glenn English, who traveled here from New Jersey to accept the position and then fill it for the next 25 years.

Upon his retirement, the town hired Jo Lacaillade, who served until she retired, and then hired Brigitte Codling from Cabot, Vermont, in 2019. She led an active town management program, expanding town government ranks and working closely with many town departments that would allow it.

This went on until she had a falling-out with some government-active residents who took their gripes to the annual 2024 March town meeting, persuading the town to vote down the town manager form of government by a 361 to 323 vote and replace it with the town administrator form of government.

Essentially this critical town meeting vote, which changed the profile of the job challenges from the town manager, to an administrative role that put the town jobs back under the control of the elected select board.


With that done, all the board needed was a viable candidate to fill the new town administrator position. The board looked no further than the corner office and, in short order, hired Codling, the former town manager, as the new town administrator in April 2024. The position ended for Ms. Codling two months later, when she handed in her resignation on June 14, 2024.
Besides O'Shana, the select board includes Joe Longacre, Theresa Paige, Ron Hurlburt, and Vickie Wyman.

Alumni Hall Antique Show For Benefit Of Wentworth-Brown House

By Bernie Marvin

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Retired Reverend Canon David Carlson, at right center, shows friends an interesting item he found while browsing the recent Antiques Show at Alumni Hall in Haverhill Corner. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.

Haverhill Corner, NH The second Annual Antique Show held at the Alumni Hall in Haverhill Corner came together as a benefit for the nearby Wentworth-Brown House restoration project.
The 15 dealers from New Hampshire and Vermont, who gathered inside the spacious hall located on Court Street, brought a wide variety of antiques and collectibles, including baskets, books, ceramics, coins, crystal, glass, metal, and tinware, signs, small furniture, vintage linens, and considerably more.
The show, which was open to the public from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, was well attended. There were many new faces and dealers involved, as the event had a large crowd last year, according to Court Street Board Vice President Jeff Mazullo. He said that he had to turn away some vendors due to a lack of floor space to accommodate all who wanted to be part of the Court Street Arts show.

He said events such as the antiques show are helping Court Street Arts "get back into the swing of things," after the Covid time and the board is planning some exciting programs for the future. He said the "great cooperation" shown by other organizations in Haverhill Corner, such as the Haverhill Library Association, the Historical Society, and the participation in the Haverhill History Day, was superb.

For the Antiques Show event, tables and display areas were set up throughout Alumni Hall's floor space, and business was brisk because of the variety of small items that were brought in and displayed for sale. Proceeds from the sale of foods and refreshments, plus vendor display fees, were all given over to the benefit of the nearby Wentworth-Brown House, which is a mammoth Court Street Arts historic renovation project located on the south lawn of the Haverhill Common.

Court Street Arts Board President Pat Buchanan told The Bridge Weekly that the progress on the renovations at Wentworth-Brown included the installation of heat and water, and they hope to begin using the building for other programs soon.

She said the painters are ready to do their work on various rooms, proceeding one step at a time, while, Buchanan said, they decide how each area will be utilized for public programming. She said arrangements are being worked on with a well-known local musical group to feature them at the Wentworth-Brown House, which will be something different for the type of programs to be held at the Wentworth-Brown House.

She said that music practice rooms may be set up, as a generous donor has provided full-size electric keyboards. Buchanan said they are also exploring ways to utilize the beautiful grounds surrounding the Wentworth-Brown House. She said the board has received many wonderful ideas on ways to feature the facility,) including using the yard for concerts.
She said that now that the grant monies available for projects like what they are doing with the Wentworth-Brown House have pretty much dried up, they are looking forward to the annual appeal as an important fund-raising program.

Frank Stiegler, at left, speaks with antique dealers who were displaying at the recent Antiques Show at Alumni Hall in Haverhill Corner. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.

Court Street Arts President Pat Buchanan at right and Vice President Jeff Mazullo discuss the recent Antiques Show held at Alumni Hall in Haverhill Corner. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Antiques-laden tables and booths were popular gathering places during the recent Antiques Show at Alumni Hall. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.

Historical Society looking at the rehab and future use of Pierson Hall

By Bernie Marvin

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Chatting with two handsome donkeys, in a field adjacent to the Ladd Street School Museum recently, is Elaine Elliott from Haverhill. The donkeys, left to right. are Daisy and Ed. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Haverhill Corner, NH On Saturday, October 18, 2025, as a morning sun began to brighten through the cloud bank that hung over the nearby Connecticut River, donkeys Ed, Daisy, and Flower grazed in a lush field just outside the back door of the historic Ladd Street School.
It was a pretty setting as visitors began to head to the Haverhill Historical Society's 2025 Fall Open House, where, inside the white school building, the society had invited the public to come and enjoy the open house.

Once again, as they had many times in the past, society board members and others welcomed visitors to enjoy refreshments and friendly conversations as they learned about the museum's collection of military, railroad, and town history items.

In a previous report on the Town of Haverhill website, a bit of the Ladd Street School's history is mentioned, along with past work. The report indicates that the Ladd Street School, now standing at the corner of County Road and Dartmouth College Highway, was built in 1849 for School District No. 2 and was one of many Haverhill School Districts located in various sections of the town during the nineteenth century. "Its construction coincided with the demolition of the 1790 meetinghouse of the First Congregational Church, which stood nearby. When the parish purchased the brick meetinghouse on the common in 1829, the church at Ladd Street was gradually abandoned."

During the past 20 years, the Society has made extensive repairs to the foundation, windows, roof, and belfry. With major exterior repairs completed, attention has turned to refurbishing the interior, in the hope that the building -long a vital community symbol - can now also be used for Society and community functions.

The report also indicated that electrical work, painting, and repairs to plaster and the schoolroom's tin ceiling were made possible in large part through The Mildred Page Fund for Public Buildings at Haverhill Corner, administered by the Haverhill Select Board. The Haverhill Historical Society is grateful to the Board--and especially to Mildred Page--for their vision and generosity in helping to restore this precious link with Haverhill's earliest years to much of its former glory.

Haverhill Historical Society President Peter Tice told The Bridge Weekly that the Saturday event was well-attended, and he saw some new names and faces of people who are interested in the Historical Society. "We were also most fortunate to have in attendance lifelong Haverhill resident Gary Elliott, who shared precious information about a military long coat that we have on display that was worn in World War I by Harold Swan of Haverhill."
In a sidebar description of the Swan brothers, Haverhill Historical Society
Board member Russ Brady reported that the Twins, Harold and Herbert Swan, were born in Haverhill. Their family home was the property currently known as 1096 Dartmouth College Highway (the next house North of the Judge McKenna home) on Route 10 in Haverhill.

Brady continued, "Both Harold and Herbert served in World War 1. Harold's uniform is currently on display at Haverhill Historical Society's Ladd Street School Museum. Upon returning from service, Harold resided in Orford, NH. He is buried in the Orford cemetery."
"Herbert returned to Haverhill. He operated a funeral home in Woodsville and also made coffins and furniture. See the link: https://www.rickerfuneral.com/our-history. He owned several properties in town, including the home at the corner of School Street and Route 10 (140 School Street), Haverhill Corner, the former home of Dr. James Brown and his wife, Beverly. Herbert is buried in the Ladd Street Cemetery," Brady wrote.

Tice told The Bridge Weekly, "I think that attracting new people to the Society--whether they want to serve on the Board, volunteer to help with events or routine activities, or simply enjoy the collection and fellowship--should be a high priority."
"I believe that the Society is the people," he continued. "It goes without saying that we are stewards of the collection, the artifacts, and the buildings, but without the people, they're just things; their relationship to the people, to our heritage, to our culture is what gives them life and meaning."
Tice said the Society has two new "almost-official Board members who have been diving into the collection to move forward with the immense job of cataloguing artifacts that was started years ago by the Society and most recently addressed by long-time Board member Maryellen Kirkpatrick. The members are Catherine Bullock and Audra Weber."

He noted they will not only be cataloguing but also coordinating their efforts with other members of the Society to physically reorganize and improve the archiving of the collection that is presently out of routine public view.

"We also were proud to participate in Haverhill History Day, with two large illustrated interpretive posters regarding 19th- and 20th-century fires in Haverhill Corner. We had several Board members present at Pearson Hall to answer (and ask!) questions about Town and Village history, and we were glad to help round out the experiences enjoyed by visitors, Tice said.
He also noted the upcoming work on Pearson Hall. "We have spent much of the Summer engrossed in Pearson Hall, and we are in the process of developing plans for future rehabilitation and usage of the building."

Tice said, "Our immediate and dominant focus has been addressing the roof, which is coming due for replacement, but various members of the Board have put forth several interesting ideas for how the building is to be used and how renovation, maintenance, and operations can be funded," he concluded.

Current Board Members include President Peter Tice; Vice President Russ Brady; Treasurer Micah Weiss, and Secretary Esther Hodges-LeClaire. Other board members include Evelyn Adams, Adam Hodges-LeClaire, Greg Mathieson, and Truman Sloan.

Enjoying an afternoon at the recent Haverhill Historical Society's Open House at the Ladd Street School Museum are, left to right, Phil Szilva, Lady Borton and Truman Sloan, all of Haverhill. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

A visitor to the recent Haverhill Historical Society's Ladd Street School Museum Open House looks over historic artifacts on display, including an old Woodsville Opera House lighted sign. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Haverhill Historical Society Board members, left to right, Russ Brady and Greg Mathieson prepare refreshments prior to holding their Open House last weekend at the Ladd Street School Museum. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.

Eastern States Cup Enduro #5 at Mountain Lakes was Very Special

By Bernie Marvin

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Pro Women: 4th - Abigail Arbogast, 2nd - Kai Waldman, 1st - Amanda Vansant, 3rd - Michelle Guy, 5th - Reya Voegeli. Andrew Santoro photo

Mountain Lakes, NH rain or shine. The weather was iffy, at best, but the weekend at Mountain Lakes was very special, indeed, with a good turnout and a lot of family fun, as usual. It is what the crowd expected, sun, friendly faces and hard trails.
That was for Saturday, July 26, 2025 . On Sunday's race day, it got a bit wet, but it all presented special challenges and capped of another successful trip to Monteau for a solid day of good fun on a wet mountain that provided a somewhat wet schedule at Monteau.
It's hard to believe the schedule is at the midpoint of the season, but here they all were in the Granite State for Round 5 of Stan's Enduro action. Andrew Santoro tells it best: "We raced Monteau's abandoned ski area last year and had so much fun we decided to return for a second helping of loam and jank."
Santoro reported from trailside that "It's not a bike park, and the flow doesn't come easy here, but when you find a sneaky double or inside line, it's so rewarding. This year, Mother Nature decided to raise the stakes with a dose of moisture to keep things interesting. The already tricky terrain turned slick and unpredictable, forcing riders to dig deep and stay light on the pedals to keep momentum. Those who were able to keep the wheels rolling eventually found the podium through the raindrops," he said.

Jax Schmitz is back on the ebike, second place this weekend and gaining speed on Phil Kmetz. Andrew Santoro photo

40-49 class racer Allan Bishop does his best to keep the tires moving through the slop; he'd end the day in P2 with a couple of stage wins. Andrew Santoro photo

Ben Frithsen is still stoked after returning his chip in the pouring rain. Andrew Santoro photo

First River House event sees good weather, live music and great food

By Bernie Marvin

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Enjoying a game at the recent River House Community Day program on the Haverhill Common last Saturday, June 28, 2025, are Joni Loewen, standing at right, with children, left to right, Theodore, Spencer and Bridgit. Also joining the family is Phoebe

Haverhill Corner, NH – For their first major event surrounding the establishment of the River House on Haverhill Common, program leaders ensured there were plenty of vendors, live music throughout the day, and that visitors had a good time. All three objectives were accomplished.

According to Missie Anscombe, director of the program, this will involve converting the former home and medical office of Dr. and Mrs. James Brown into a residential house that will accommodate children from foster care families. The project has been in development for the past four years, and it is expected that new residents will move in as early as December 2025.

Anscombe told The Bridge Weekly during the event that the first annual Fund-Raising Community Field Day was an exciting first effort, and she was very pleased with the turnout. Many vendors were displaying a variety of games, foods, and other activities that made the entire show a popular venue to visit on a non-rainy Saturday, and visitors were looking forward to additional programs for the future.

She said the rebuilding project on the home is coming along nicely and that the builders are making progress that will see the designs for the heating and plumbing systems completed. She said the target date of December 25 for a move-in date will be met, “whether we are ready or not.”

She said, as she glanced out across the busy common at the height of the program last Saturday, June 28, 2025, the participants included people from the community, folks from local and area churches, and the ministries, all coming together to support this project. “Many of the people you see today have been with us for the past years and are now part of this event,” she said.

Anscombe said the support from the community has been overwhelming, mentioning that businesses and organizations such as Thomson Fuels, Under Cover Tents, Dante Sargent Builders and The Home Depot have been generous and giving for the efforts to hold the event and rebuild the home that stands at 236 Dartmouth College Highway in Haverhill Corner.

Other businesses and individuals she mentioned included Green Mountain Merchandising, Garnet Hill, Mount Washington Resort, The Bridge Weekly, Farm Way, and Hatchland. She said the outpouring of financial support and other assistance has been gratifying, and she is deeply appreciative of the Haverhill community and the residents and businesses that are helping us rebuild this excellent historic structure completely.

Enjoying a meal on Haverhill Common during last weekend’s River House Community Day. The weather was perfect, and many families attended the event. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Missie Anscombe, director of the program to establish the River House Foster Home on Haverhill Common, speaks with attendees during the recent Community Day held last Saturday, June 28, 2025. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

A sweeping view of the North Common in Haverhill Corner during last weekend’s River House Community Day. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

As Work Continues, River House Prepares For Sat., June 28 Gala

By Bernie Marvin

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Haverhill Corner – A fundraising event will take place at the Haverhill Common area on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, featuring a variety of delicious foods, live music, raffles, face painting, local vendors, a silent auction, and more.
The ground zero for this exciting program will be at the newly established River House, a future local children’s home located on the beautiful property formerly owned by Dr. Jim and Beverly Brown, situated on the northern edge of the Haverhill Common.
A construction improvement program has been ongoing there for more than two years, as the River House is being entirely reconstructed to prepare it for occupancy at the end of 2025. The fundraising efforts will focus on property improvements for the Foster Care project, which has been underway since the property was acquired by Missie Anscombe of Upper Valley Ministries, an organization located at the nearby Piermont Church in
Piermont, NH.
Recently, The Bridge Weekly (TBW) asked Ms. Anscombe (MA) a series of questions that reviewed the entire project from front to back. The question-and answer session follows.

TBW-Work is continuing on River House. Could you tell me a bit about what you’re working on inside and outside the house?

MA-Framing of the main portion of the house has been the top priority because once it’s complete, electrical can go into the first floor and the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system can be designed.
Next steps are electrical, plumbing & HVAC. Then we’re on to the insulation,
sheet rock, flooring, and other cosmetic things!

TBW- When do you intend to make occupancy? Will there be children there at that time, or later?

MA- The plan is to move in December 2025 (Before Christmas), whether we have sheetrock and flooring or not. The first people to move in will be
Mike and I along with our own four children. We will then begin the fostering process, which will involve state inspections of the house. Once
the house is ready and we have all of the required licensing, we will begin taking in children between the ages of 0-9.

TBW-Do you have a number of children or families you expect at River House?

MA-The property is being designed to house up to 10 children plus the house parents with future plans for the barn to house single staff,
couples or small families. Specific rooms at the river house are being designed on the larger side in hopes of keeping siblings together in
the same house instead of being separated.

TBW-For your June 28 gala, what would you like the neighbors to know about the day’s program?

MA-This event is so we can meet and get to know our new community and give them the opportunity to partner with us in the exciting things that are happening right here in the heart of Haverhill. And to have an absolute blast as family! We know our own family is so excited for the festivities.

TBW-Do you plan to have personal visits prior to the June 28 event? Or do you hope to meet them during the June 28 event?

MA-We’ve loved meeting everyone who has stopped by the project to say hello and if we had more time, we would pay individual visits to them all, but as it is, we are excited to meet everyone at the event. We’ll have a table set up with information and hopefully some merchandise as well to help fund further renovations.

TBW-Should neighbors ask for a tour when folks are there working? Or would you rather make an appointment or pre-contact?

MA-Sometimes time is of the essence while we’re working, but if they catch us at a good time, we’re always happy to give a tour. It’s often harder to schedule things.

TBW-You have made contact with Josh Smith at WYKR Radio in Wells River?. Can folks hear your radio ad or promotion at a particular time?

MA-Yes! We love the folks at WYKR. I’m not sure of the exact time of day but I know they play twice a day up to the event.

TBW-How can locals sign up or can they sign up to volunteer to assist with the building or with kids’ programs you might have in the future?

MA-We always have projects to do for both amateurs and professionals in regard to renovations. We have a “Work with us” option on our web
site at www.theriverhousenh.org and I personally respond to each inquiry with current projects or needs. Working with children in the future is a more logistically complicated process as background checks are required.

TBW-If someone wanted to send a meal to the River House or donate items, how could they best do that?

MA-For all donations or inquiries to help will be coordinated through our website, www.theriverhousenh.org or direct email at TheRiverHouseNH@gmail.com. Financial gifts can be given online or mailed to PO Box 126. Haverhill, NH 03765.

TBW-What will you be needing most for the children at the house? Anything special you are particularly looking for?

MA-Every child’s needs will be unique and we are hopeful to partner with our community and other organizations to meet those individual needs as they come. As far as housing items, we are purchasing all new appliances and have a fund specifically for housing necessities for everyday life that anyone can donate to. We will also be furnishing a nursery with brand new items (Crib, glider, dresser, etc.) when the time comes as the chance of a child under the age of 3 being placed in our care is very likely.
Things are continuing to come together beautifully, and we have been so encouraged by the outpouring of support from the Haverhill community in this endeavor, from financial gifts to text messages of encouragement, we’ve
been blown away.

This home on Haverhill Common is being renovated from top to bottom into a future Foster Care Home for chil dren. The group, Upper Valley Ministries, formerly Youth with a Mission-Upper Valley, is doing the work and the fundraising.