Local VFW Post named one of five top posts in NH

Bernie Marvin

Courtesy Photo

North Haverhill, NH – Word has been received that the local Post 5245 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars has been selected as one of five top posts in New Hampshire in their outstanding programs of giving back to the community.

Post member Harv Keyes, himself a veteran of 32 years in the US Air Force and one of the active members, told The Bridge Weekly that because of the distinction of their busy schedule of giving to the community and to their fellow veterans, the organization has been named as an "All American Post." 

Keyes said recently that the post maintains a list of about 80 members, many of whom are active; others are unable to participate because of their age, work schedules, or availability. No matter, Keyes said, they all contribute what they can to make the post one of the top posts in the state and nation.

He noted that the Veterans of Foreign Wars is America's oldest major organization of overseas combat veterans. VFW was established to secure rights, medical care, and benefits for service members returning from foreign wars.

VFW traces its roots back to September 1899, following the Spanish-American War; returning service members arrived home wounded or sick to a nation that had no veteran pensions or dedicated medical care system. To advocate for themselves, veterans formed local chapters across the country.

Today, the VFW operates as a huge advocacy network with over 1.5 million members across more than 6000 VFW posts throughout the world. Keyes said that Post 5245 is easy to join for veterans who qualify with overseas service. 

More information can be obtained from Commander Larry Elliott 802-249-5878; N. Haverhill, Steve Wheeler 603-236-2754, and Dale Pierson 603-616-7106. Both are in Woodsville.  In the North Haverhill area, there is Joy Henson 937-797-7471 and Gary Hebert 603-359-8830.  

Out in Mountain Lakes area, contact Bill Burroughs 603-787-2911, down in the Orford area Dave (Tim) Cole 603-353-4359 will gladly help.  Mike Conrad 603-989-5980 in Pike or East Haverhill, then down in Glencliff and Warren area is Eddie Ball 603-989-5528.  Or call Harv Keyes in Haverhill Corner 603-359-4030.

Harv Keyes says “Our motivation comes from the motto ‘No Man Left Behind’ and that translates into our dedication to our community through local support.  We invite you to join us if nothing more than just be with us through your membership.  Remember it’s not the cost of an annual membership but the ‘Sacrifice you’ve already made just to be eligible.’                                               

In reviewing some of the post's accomplishments that gained it the distinctive award recently, members sell $3000 to $5000 worth of lapel “Buddy Poppies” each year to help fund some of the community work they do. According to the records, members volunteered 2500 hours and drove 11,000 miles serving others.

He said the post also has provided honor guards and flag details for more than 15 funerals each year and cares for and pays for four Little League sports fields for teams that include 60 local kids, plus two soccer fields that host 1000 young players. 

The local Post 5245 members provide services for their care and rehabilitation. He said that members of the post have made 70 visits to area hospitals in support of veterans, and nearly 4,000 hours were given to veterans’ service programs.

He said that VFW members gave a total of about $117,455 to the community for school scholarships and financial assistance.

He said that the care and maintenance of the VFW Field in North Haverhill includes two ball fields, a playground, bathrooms, and a maintenance shed. Ball fields host over 17 local communities with more than 36 teams, with each team fielding nine to 15 players plus coaches and staff. 

At other times during the year, the ball fields are converted to soccer fields, with the average maintenance and mowing, plus upkeep and cleaning of the seals and bathrooms, requiring volunteer work of up to 22 hours weekly. All this is done by members of the post 5245 and its auxiliary at no cost to the taxpayers of Haverhill, Keyes said.

He said the post maintains no bar or alcohol facilities. The post's only income is from Wednesday night bingo programs. He said the post does have one annual raffle with the proceeds being dedicated to local youth activities.

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The North Haverhill Fair celebrates its 82nd year with perfect weather

Bernie Marvin

North Haverhill Fair directors and visitors lined up for the official ribbon cutting that opened the new Keith Office were, left to right Mike Perkins, Diane Ingalls, Gary Scruton, Jim Aldrich, John Aldrich, Linda Stoddard, Chris Dellinger, Hannah Leland, Executive Councilor Karen Liot-Hill, Debbie Bigelow, Linda Keith, President David Lackie, Bob Stoddard, Tim Clough and Amy Crocker. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.

North Haverhill, NH – It was a rare weekend last week that allowed the North Haverhill Fair to be in town for five straight rainless, stormless days. It was perfect fair weather, and the crowds attending this 82-year-old North Country family tradition were happy with all they could see, eat, and ride on over the five days from July 11 to 26, 2026.

The 45-acre fairgrounds were first occupied by the fair and its associated buildings in 1982 after leaving its former home behind the present-day James R. Morrill Municipal Building on Route 10 just north of North Haverhill Village.

It was about a mile from that spot that the fair was born, as the Pink Granite Grange Fair, in 1946, after being set up for a couple of years as a one-day agricultural event for local kids and their 4-H animals. Nothing has changed as far as that goes, but the entire fair management organization and its volunteer base have grown significantly to accommodate and host the annual North Haverhill Fairs, which draw hundreds of support personnel.

Over the years, under a series of fair directors, presidents, and other fair helpers, it has blossomed into one of the North Country's premier early-summer events, attracting thousands from across New England and beyond.

As I look back at my participation with the North Haverhill Fair, I actually began my commitment that has lasted from 1979 to the present, first as a member of the Haverhill Police Department, one of several officers walking the beat throughout the fair's presence in town. 

Back then it was only a couple of days in the early fall; then they added days here and there; now it is in session for nearly five full days. When you look over the schedule of exhibits, activities, contests, competitions, and other events, you sometimes wonder how they did it all in two or three days.

This year, the entertainment included Taylor's Story, a musical narration of Taylor Swift's greatest hits, as well as performances by the up-and-coming local hometown artist Karri Blood. Along with Thayer Stage entertainment, fairgoers enjoyed a truck show, a log-loading contest, a big-wig truck pull, many motorized events, daily animal-pulling contests, the ever-popular racing pigs, and live music shows every day.

Throughout the five days of the fair, visitors wandered through art and photography shows, crafts and collections, scarecrow art and Lego creations. There were a multitude of contests and shows, including the popular King Arthur baking contest, a classic car show, a demolition derby, a glowing competition, and other popular shows throughout the vast fairgrounds.

The animal programs are exciting for the public and for 4-H participants, with continued programs inside the Rutherford Building, one of the most popular structures on the fairground acreage.  

This year, as the new Farm Museum fills up with an amazing array of implements, tools, and early American farming machinery, it has proved to be a very popular area for fair visitors to visit, often at the same time as the Doc and Katharine Blaisdell Maple Museum.

The highlight of the fair was the construction and opening of the new Keith Office, a sterling building with ample space for the staff who manage the fair's activities. From the outside, it looks a bit like a long barn and is a handsome addition to the buildings already there that have been either moved there or built there since the fair relocated to that field in 1982.

Kevin Fagnant and crew built the new Keith office, which features a typical New England structure atop the roof amidships (in the middle), known by many as a cupola. As David Lackie will tell you, it is not a cupola; it is a belvedere.

He offered that Mr. Fagnant commented that it was a belvedere. Although it looks like a cupola, a belvedere is an Italian word meaning a structure on the top of a building that provides an elegant view. Of course, a view of the fairgrounds is an elegant view and will remain so for many years to come.

It was a happy occasion, with many of the Keith clan gathered to salute the family's involvement, along with many other families who have taken the time to volunteer for this very nice program, born and raised in North Haverhill, NH.

The actual cutting of the ribbon at the start of this year's fair on Wednesday evening came after some introductory words and a brief fair history. On hand for the event were many former directors and their families, friends of the fair, and a few others with connections to state government in Concord.

They included Executive Councilor Karen Liot-Hill and Haverhill resident Rick Ladd, who, for many years, was an education leader in Concord and served for 18 years as an elected representative. He announced his retirement earlier in the evening to the surprise of many. He was a friend of the Town of Haverhill, where he lives, and of the North Haverhill Fair.

Taking a little time to speak about the great weather and crowds who flocked to the fair over last weekend, are fair directors, left to right Gary Scruton, John Aldrich, Bob Stoddard, President David Lackie and NH Representative Rick Ladd. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Showing a new sign for the Keith Office that will be permanently displayed on a newly constructed administration building at the North Haverhill Fairgrounds are left to right, a Keith son, Tom, Fair President David Lackie and a Keith daughter, Debbie Bigelow at the North Haverhill Fair that was in town from Wednesday through Sunday last week. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

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In its 50th year, the Orford Flea Market still offers a variety of food and neighborly fun.

Bernie Marvin

Here is a typical view of the Orford Flea Market showing folks walking around the area chatting, bargaining, and telling tales. It is a great two days of social fun and visiting. The Bridge Weekly file photo/Bernie Marvin.

The area has been in love with the Orford Flea Market for 50 years. It has taken place on the spacious Orford Common, and as they say, "If it is not at the Orford Flea Market, it ain't nowhere!"

The event is coming up on Saturday and Sunday, August 1 and 2, from 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturday and from 9 AM to 4 PM on Sunday. It is a very different kind of show, and it is vast, creative, and usually crowded with people who really enjoy browsing and buying.

We have personal experience with the Orford flea market. For the past five years, we have been a participant there, selling my volumes One, Two, and Three of Bernie's Beat books, plus selling Humanitarian Food Rations (HFR) and Meals Ready to Eat (MRE).

As always, we had success selling books and meal pouches. The military food drew many interesting comments from veterans who stopped by our display, including "I remember those hockey pucks we had in our MREs!" He was referring, of course, to the hamburger or pork patty, a delightful round portion of meat that looked and tasted (most) like a hockey puck.

That was only one of the fond remembrances of military food we heard while at the flea market. There were many others, and the comments were fun and quite creative, most of which I cannot repeat here in this family newspaper. The military and humanitarian food comments from some flea market shoppers evoked memories of their days far from home in the military, when they had the opportunity to love or hate MRE meals.

Time spent with Bernie's Beat books and visitors to the Orford Flea Market was delightful, as always. The stories in the books are about local people I know or have met along the way. They are not fiction or opinion pieces. They are stories about life, work, family, and situations. The Bernie's Beat columns and books are fun to write, and they are fun to talk about because people not only buy them, but they also talk about stories of their own that were prompted by just having the books on the table being offered to the public.

But even more fun than that are the opportunities to meet friends who come to the Orford Common for these two days each summer and wander around looking and admiring all those things laid out before them. Acres of stuff, some really old and valuable, and not much junk.

The Orford Flea Market is 50 years old. It is a success and is provided for the benefit of the Orford Volunteer Fire Department. It is a mammoth occasion where the vast, majestic Orford Common is filled with vendors selling everything under the sun and moon. For the past 50 years, the stretch of Route 10 from way beyond the old Equity Publishing building to the north, down to the Orford fire station in the south, is dedicated to flea market parking for the two days of the flea market.

The common is filled with 200 dealers, each planted in their 20-by-20-foot space. For each flea market day, thousands of people meander up and down the aisles, checking out the myriad of wares all along the way. During their visit, they will find anything they want or don't need, but they buy it anyway.

The Orford Volunteer Fire Department offers food at its booth, and the church offers an assortment of breakfast sandwiches and, later, pie and ice cream.

They come armed with shopping lists, backpacks, and shopping carts. They make offers, they bargain, and they buy, or they don't buy. Sellers spend hours loading their wares at home, then unloading them in Orford. As Sunday approaches, many will tell you they don't have to worry about packing the stuff back into their vehicles because they've sold most of it.

The event runs smoothly, and one reason it does so without problems is that Ruth Hook was at the helm of this enormous project for many, many years. She was the go-to lady, the head boss of the flea market, and had done a great job for many years. She cruised the main corridors, plus the nooks and crannies of the flea market in her Gator vehicle. She took names and assigned spaces, and if you had a question about anything at the Orford Flea Market, she was the one who answered your questions.

The Orford Flea Market is an exciting place to visit. You can't escape from the common without taking home some oddity, an unusual knick-knack, a real piece of China, heirloom table wear, or an old photo.

It is a wonderful weekend experience, and as in the past, the weather promises to be beautiful (we hope!)

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Nice Weather, Happy Crowds Greet Warren Old Home Day Weekend Events

Bernie Marvin

Preparing to march the Warren Old Home Day Parade route last Saturday, July 11, 2026, were members of Post 5245, North Haverhill, Veterans of Foreign Wars, left to right: Commander Larry Elliott, Sr., Gary Hebert, Edward Ball. Rick Ladd, Fred Delman, and VFW Auxiliary member Terry Knights. The Bridge Weekly/ Bernie Marvin

Warren, NH – The Founding Fathers-themed Warren Old Home Days weekend was chock-full of activities, starting on Friday at 4 PM, as the Warren Volunteer Fire Department fired up the BBQ grills and hosted their Chicken Barbecue behind the Warren Village School. From there on, the weekend was non-stop Warren Old Home Days right through to Noon on Sunday, July 12, when they scheduled kids' games on the Common.

Friday evening also saw music played on the Common with fireworks later presented by Whitcher's at dusk.

Saturday's activities for the Warren Old Home Days started early with the Kyle Mooney Prouty 5K walk that stepped off at the fish hatchery. Helicopter rides were scheduled to begin at 9 AM, and the Founding Fathers Parade stepped off at the Sanford Memorial Field on Lund Lane at 11 AM sharp.

Grand Marshal for this event was the Warren Historical Society, and two members of that great organization were on hand in one of the lead-off parade vehicles. The Grand Marshal vehicle in the parade featured Historical Society Vice President Don Bagley at the wheel—a nice honor for a group that has done so much to preserve Warren's long history.

The Mount Moosilauke ATV Club presented a noon poker run, and on the Common there was live music by the Red Hat Band.

Again, this year, there was a very well-attended open house at the Warren Historical Society Museum and other activities that included strawberry shortcake, the annual corn hole tournament, a Taekwondo demonstration, candy bar bingo, and an open mic program hosted by Jim McHugh, and at 6:30 PM, the Colonial Wrestling Alliance presented a wrestling show on the Common.

Sunday's event began at 7 AM with breakfast at the Masonic Lodge, a kids' fishing derby at the Morse Museum Pond got underway at 9 AM, and the Warren traditional Old Home Day Pig Roast on the Common began serving at noon.

During the Pig Roast, there was also live music on the Common by The Roll on Buddies Bluegrass Band, and the weekend events ended with kids' games there.

The parade that rolled out of Sanford Memorial Field included a wide array of family floats and decorated ATVs, a nice selection of classic vehicles, and we saw some political folks running for a variety of offices. They were assembling at the field, getting ready for their trip into town, walking or riding along the parade route. They were Democrats Brie Choate, seeking the Grafton County Register of Deeds office; Paul Goundrey of Orford, running in the Democratic Primary, and Dusty Vigneault, who is running for the Representative seat from the Haverhill area.

Also seen at the parade were Grafton County Commissioner Katie Hedberg and State Senator David Rochefort.

Leading the parade was the usually fine, spirited music of the Baker Valley Band and the stalwart war heroes of the North Haverhill Veterans of Local Wars Post 5245, carrying the national and state colors proudly down the street, as they have for so many years at the Warren Old Home Day Parade.

Three candidates appearing in the Warren Old Home Day Parade last Saturday, July 11, 2026, are, left to right, Paul Goundrey, District 6 Representative of Orford; Brie Choate, for the Grafton County Register of Deeds and Candidate for the Haverhill area State Representative Dustin Vigneault. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

The Warren Old Home Day Parade Marshals included, front left vehicle driver, Don Bagley, Vice President of the Warren Historical Society. Others in the vehicle with Bagley were along for the ride to enjoy the beautiful parade weather. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

The Godfrey Clan on their float as they begin their ride last Saturday morning in the Warren Old Home Day Parade. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.

The Warren Old Home Day Parade featured several groups on their family floats. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

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Population Of Area Towns Both Up And Down Between 2020 And 2025, Study Shows

By Bernie Marvin

Photo by Alexius Horatius, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

The US Census Bureau has released a report which indicates that New Hampshire’s population grew by a total of 36,590 people. That is a 2.7 percent increase in the overall population statewide.

Many of the state’s smaller towns and cities and the larger locations led in municipal growth in this most recent study. Not surprisingly, the Lakes Region and White Mountains towns also experienced population increases, probably driven by retired people and remote workers moving to that region.

At the same time, growth among the state’s three biggest cities, which include Manchester, Nashua and Concord, has, according to the study, remained static over the past five years of the study. But some smaller suburbs and rural areas have seen population declines. 

This uneven population shift, some say, highlights broader challenges that include the rising cost of living and increased housing costs, which probably are deterring young families from coming to New Hampshire to settle.

An interactive map that accompanied the study shows that area towns including Haverhill, had a 2020 population of 4590 people and in 2025 the population was estimated to be 4667 people. That's a population changed total of 1.7 percent upward growth.

In Bath, the 2020 population was set at 1077 and grew to 1112 through 2025, a 3.2 percent increase. In Piermont, it was a different story between the years of 2022 and 2025. There, the population reduced from 771 in 2022 to 763 in 2025 for a 1 percent decrease in current population.

For the town of Orford, the 2020 population was 1240 and in 2025 the population was estimated at 1229 for a .9 percent reduction in population. In Warren, the population was estimated at 830 in 2020 and reduced to 823 in 2025 for a .8 percent change to less population.

From 2020 to 2025 31 New Hampshire communities, including Piermont, Warren and Orford saw population declines, while 98 others grew slowly, more slowly than the state overall average. During this period 105 municipalities saw growth rates that were similar to or faster growing than the state’s average or overall rate. 

And during those five years, 24 communities, which were mostly the low population townships in the northern parts of the Granite State, saw no estimated population changes during that time.

The town of Epping saw the fastest population increase among all of New Hampshire’s towns, adding about 820 residents over the five-year period which is an 11.5 percent increase. Several other communities in central New Hampshire saw some of the state’s largest percentage population gains during the years of the study from 2020 to 2025. These included Epping’s neighbors, like Brentwood, Dunbarton, Boscawen and Salisbury, and Auburn which led population gains. Lebanon, the popular economic area in the Upper Valley just below this location, saw the fastest population increase among the state’s 13 cities with Lebanon adding 1172 new residents. 

The report noted that New Hampshire’s uneven population growth pointed to the fact that while more people may be moving to economic centers for employment opportunities and to certain smaller towns for those preferred and amenities, broader affordability challenges and housing constraints may slow down growth in some of the states’ larger communities.

There have been policy approaches, for instance zoning changes, aimed at increasing the availability of housing and other financial investments which could help spur housing development that would possibly attract younger families and have an influence on future population growth across the State of New Hampshire.

Dr. Harry and Mary Rowe's Wells River Clinic is now in its historic 80th year!

By Bernie Marvin

Dr. Harry Rowe, photographed in 2000 at his original office of the Wells River Clinic, founded by him in 1946 after his return to the area from his US Army medical officer assignments during World War 2. The Wells River Clinic was the foundation which grew into today’s Little Rivers Health Care, with medical offices in Wells River, East Corinth, Bradford and Newbury. The Bridge Weekly file/Bernie Marvin

Wells River, VT - The Wells River Clinic, now part of the Little Rivers Health Care (LRHC) with offices in East Corinth, Bradford, Wells River, and Newbury, was founded by a Vermont country doctor who had fought in World War 2 and returned to Vermont to continue to take care of the sick and injured in the Green Mountain state he loved. Dr. Harry Morrison Rowe was born in nearby Peacham in 1912. He graduated from Peacham Academy in 1930 and from the University of Vermont in 1936 with his bachelor's degree. While studying at UVM, he met and married Mary Whitney in 1940, and he earned his medical degree in 1943. The popular couple raised a family of six children: David, Betsy, Susan, John, Alan, and Jane. With World War 2 raging, Harry joined the 78th Infantry Division, was promoted to Captain, and assigned to the 303rd Medical Battalion. He eventually served as a Battalion Medical Officer during the furious fight for American troops to enter Germany and bring the war to a close. During his military service, Dr. Rowe served in Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. Also overseas in England, France, and Germany. Dr. Rowe was awarded a Bronze Star for his service at the Bridge at Remagen over the Rhine River, a battle that lasted 18 days. Americans held their positions at the bridge crossing that, surprisingly, had not been destroyed. The furious fighting in and around the crossing location hastened the American entry into Germany by three weeks. Throughout his 15-month deployment and combat duty, he and his wife, Mary, wrote letters to each other every day. Upon Mary's death in 2002, those precious letters were discovered and read again by Dr. Rowe. These letters, written over the long time she waited for the war's end, and Dr. Rowe's fight in Germany until the war's completion, inspired him to compile them into a personal memoir. Local Vermont authors Terry Hoffer and Beth Champagne collaborated with Dr. Rowe to write and publish a book in 2009 about the letters between Dr. Rowe and his wife, Mary. The book sold well locally because of interest in these two people, who were heavily involved in their community of Wells River and the surrounding towns. The book was published by Athenaeum Press in St Johnsbury. The bulk of Dr. Rowe's life's work up until that time, along with oral histories, tapes, and other researched materials used in the production of the book, is now preserved in the Harry M. Rowe Collection at the Vermont Historical Society. In April 1946, Dr. Rowe and thousands of other service personnel who had served in Europe during the war went home to be with their loved ones. As Harry told it, "I came back to New York by ship," he said, then we were transferred to Boston by train. Mary met me in Boston. Words cannot describe how glad I was to be back in the United States and finally home on leave. We stayed in a rooming house in Boston for a day or two and then went to see friends in New York. A few days later, we headed for Vermont and home in Burlington." According to comments by Little River Health Care Physician, Dr. Steve Genereaux, Dr. Harry and Mary Rowe, with no colleagues and little actual training in rural primary care medicine, settled in Wells River along with their two-year-old son, David. In 1946, they set up a small medical practice in their home, which they purchased just south of Jock Oil on Route 5, which was, at a later time, Attorney John Morale's law office. They started seeing patients in their front room. Later, as the practice grew, they moved to the present larger site of the Wells River Clinic, now Little Rivers Health Care, at 65 Main Street in 1952. During that time, Harry reported in his book, The Grass Grew Greener, "that Mary and I were running the office pretty much alone. She had given up playing the violin with the Vermont Symphony to help. She was doing the bookkeeping, and I showed her how to do some of the lab work. I was seeing patients, and she would come, if necessary, that is, if I was doing a female exam. It became quite a busy practice. Mary was actually my nurse, secretary, cook, assistant, lab girl, and housekeeper." In 1962, Dr. Rowe officially launched his Wells River Clinic with the philosophy of "Anyone who needs to be seen will be seen," meaning that if someone did not have funds for medical services, they still received them from Dr. Rowe. Dr. Elizabeth Berry joined the practice soon after that. She was the first female physician to practice in the area and remained at the clinic until she retired in 1992. She would be seen frequently throughout the area with her husband, Dr. Kenneth Berry. This loving couple presented Wells River with what is now Berry Park, a large grassy area just outside the village, on the south side of Route 5. Dr. Rowe's son, John Edward Rowe, MD, joined his father at the clinic after finishing his medical residency. He practiced with his father for more than 10 years, relocating to North Carolina in 1992. Dr. Rowe was a traditional Vermont country doctor, practicing his medicine with house and office calls, working weekends and nights. He was also the sought-after on-call physician for the nearby Grafton County Nursing Home in North Haverhill. He was very proud to have delivered more than 1,400 babies throughout the area. Dr. Rowe practiced full-time for more than 60 years, finally retiring in 2006 at the age of 93. After that, he continued to lead a busy life, serving others in many capacities and organizations. He passed away in 2012, just short of his 100th birthday. To ensure that the area continued to receive quality medical care, as it had for so many years since the establishment of the Wells River Clinic, others have joined the effort to keep the business going. Dr. Rowe's son, Dr. John Rowe, joined the clinic with his father in 1982, was joined by Dr. Fay Homan in 1993, and, shortly thereafter, Dr. Steve Genereaux came aboard. This added depth to the ranks at the Wells River Clinic and allowed Dr. Harry to step back a bit. According to Dr. Genereaux, in 2006, the business transitioned from the Wells River Clinic to Little Rivers Health Care, and over the past 20 years, offices have been established in Bradford, East Corinth, and at Cottage Hospital in Woodsville. Community members such as Al Stevens, Dr. Sarkis, Harry Rowe, Reverend Jane Wilson, and others submitted grant applications to the federal government so that the three offices could come together for the inclusive medical practice. This action took all of three years and finally included offices in East Corinth, Bradford, Wells River, with another building in Newbury on Route 5, and a new large addition constructed at the Wells River site. This allowed the practice to include behavioral health, plus at a fifth location in downtown Wells, River at the former site of Jiffy Mart, a dental office that will soon include a dental hygienist and eventually, a dentist. LRHC owns all five buildings and the grounds involved in this expansion of what was once a small medical practice established 80 years ago in Dr. Harry and Mary Rowe's living room. As for the new space recently constructed in the Wells River Clinic building, Dr. Genereaux told The Bridge Weekly in a subsequent interview, "Having the extra space here is great." He said there are six personnel working at the clinic, three or four days a week. He said that upstairs in the new wing, behavioral health staff, social workers, and counselors are tending to patients. He noted that the staff upstairs is just as busy as on the first floor. "Over time," Dr. Genereaux said, "we have seen the number of patients here slowly climb." He said that, from an economic viewpoint, the community's salaried jobs for our 90 employees approach the budget numbers of the nearby Blue Mountain Regional School district at about $13 million. Comments from friends and residents of the area about the Wells River Clinic indicated that Dr. Rowe and Mary Rowe, together, were really community-minded and would be at the clinic, along with their first clinic nurse, Betty Minot, to answer every phone call, no matter the time of day or night. They were all there to meet community needs. Mary was eventually named director of the North Country Chorus. She was teaching at the Wells River School, giving music lessons and taking care of the growing family. As Dr. Genereaux said, if anything happened in the community and help was needed, the Rowes were usually the first to know and first to be there to help. Relative to the importance of what was begun 80 years ago by Dr. Rowe and his beloved wife, Mary, is well acknowledged by Madison Culver, a staff member of the Wells River Clinic, which remains an important part of the Little Rivers Health Care organization. She told The Bridge Weekly that: “As a nurse practitioner at the Wells River Clinic, I have seen firsthand the vital role Little Rivers Health Care plays in our community. Having grown up in the North Country and living with a chronic illness myself, I understand the challenges many of our patients face in accessing quality healthcare close to home. One of the things I value most about the Wells River Clinic is our ability to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care locally. Our patients deserve the same high-quality care they would receive at a larger academic medical center, without the burden of traveling long distances. Whether managing chronic conditions, addressing acute illnesses, or focusing on preventive care, we are able to partner with patients to help them achieve their health goals in the community they call home. What makes Little Rivers Health Care especially unique is the breadth of support available under one roof. In addition to primary medical care, patients have access to behavioral health services, case management, a food pharmacy, and other resources that address the social and economic factors that influence health. This integrated approach allows us to care for the whole person, not just their medical condition. I am proud to be part of an organization that has served this community for 80 years and continues to meet the needs of rural Vermonters. -Madison Culver, APRN, FNP-C The influence and community appreciation and love for Dr. Rowe extended well out of the Wells River locus, indeed to the east and across the Connecticut River in Woodsville, his many years of devoted duty at Cottage Hospital while serving a growing community in Vermont, led to Cottage Hospital to name a new medical office building across Swiftwater Road from the Cottage campus as the Rowe Health Center. Little Rivers Health Care CEO Andrew Barter said that the Dr. Harry Rowe and Mary story on their bold plan of setting up the original Wells River Clinic after he returned from his difficult war service is a wonderful story. He said it was typical of community-centered Dr. Harry Rowe who had returned home from fighting a world-wide war and who immediately set his mind to taking care of folks at home through strong community service. Mr. Barter said that Dr. Rowe and his wife “cast the foundation for what is now a health system for the entire area, something that is needed for everyone was his vision of 80 years ago.” He noted that some of the dedicated clinicians who worked with the Rowes are still with the medical practices set up so many years ago, citing the long and dedicated service of Drs. Stephen Genereaux and Fay Homan. “The Rowe’s home in Wells River still provides a base for medical services,” he said in a recent interview. He noted that what the Rowe’s did in serving their community is inspiring “for us today. Their dedication lives in lots of ways, and it can be seen and experienced by so many.” The Little Rivers Health Care organization took three years to become a federally qualified health center, Mr. Barter said, being founded by Drs Genereaux and Homan. “The strength in that beginning was right in Wells River. It is an important part of the area’s history and the legacy of the Rowe family and others who were part of it as it grew over the past 80 years.” “For myself and many others, it is a privilege to be a part of this story, Mr. Barter said.”

Dr. Stephen Genereaux observes a 1940 photo of Dr. Harry Rowe and his wife, Mary Rowe. The photograph is part of a historic display of photos that is dedicated to the history of the 1946 founding of the Wells River Clinic that is part of the present Little Rivers Health Care organization. The building is on Main Street in Wells River Village. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.

The main living room in the Dr. Harry and Mary Rowe home in Wells River Village as it is seen today. It was preserved when renovations were made to convert the home from a private residence and doctor’s office of the Rowe family to one of the medical buildings of Little Rivers Health Care. Although it is a meeting room, it appears much as it did in 1946 when the Wells River Clinic was founded by Dr. Rowe. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

A large poster used during the opening ceremonies of the Rowe Health Center at Cottage Hospital in Woodsville, features the center’s dedication “To the honor of Dr. Harry Rowe, a man who embodied the Rotarian Motto “Service Above Self.” The Bridge Weekly file /Bernie Marvin

On King's Plain, Woodsville High School graduates its 130th Senior Class

By Bernie Marvin

Outstanding weather greeted graduating Seniors, their families and friends for the 130th Woodsville High School graduation, held at the school last Saturday, June 13, 2026. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Woodsville, NH – The weather held back its pressing humidity for the special day of June 13, 2026, as the proud class of 50 Woodsville High School graduates under the twin batons of Class Marshals Taydin Glynn and Lincoln Williams stepped off for their short walk down the grassed aisle bedecked with high flying American flags, to the front of the gathering of family and friends assembled on the historic King's Plain.

The opening processional of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance was rousing, as the WHS Band, under the direction of Music Director Will Wright, provided the musical background of a very well-photographed group of handsome graduates as they paraded downfield to their seats facing the audience, their green and white gowns flowing in the gentle breeze that cooled the field.

The National Anthem followed, with opening remarks being offered by Principal Hayden Coon, a welcome by Katherine Houston. Makayla Walker offered the Salutatory Address. Makayla is officially recognized as the Class of 2026 Salutatorian by earning the second-highest academic ranking in the graduating class. She is a scholar-athlete and was recognized for maintaining elite academic standards while competing on the Woodsville Varsity Basketball team.

Ms. Walker, when thinking about what she was going to write about in her salutatory address, said to her mother, “I don't know." After that, she would follow up with a reminder that the speech would not be something she could just come up with; it would take time and meaningful reflection to anchor it all for the big day.

She said she caught herself returning to a specific novel by a novelist she had read, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, a story about a young shepherd boy named Santiago, leaving behind routine and comfort in pursuit of the treasure he has only dreamed about, a treasure hidden far from what is familiar to him. His journey, he said, was driven by courage and the willingness to embrace the unknown.

"In many ways, his journey parallels ours," she said, describing how she encountered uncertainty and learned to adapt when expectations shifted. She closed her speech, “So to my classmates, sometimes uncertainty is thought of as something that needs an answer, ideally immediately. What we have learned, though, and what we will continue to learn, challenge that idea.

Ms. Walker offered, "At the start of Santiago’s journey, he is told, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.” On the surface, those words may sound like external forces that always guarantee success. But the universe conspiring is about establishing a clear purpose, developing the eagerness to pursue it, and realizing that the universe will not simply hand out what you ask for. Rather, it will respond to those who are committed enough to pursue their goals. 

“So, to my classmates: sometimes uncertainty is thought of as something that needs an answer, ideally immediately. What we have learned though, and what we will continue to learn, challenge that idea. What I want to leave with all of you is simple. Value change. Embrace challenge. Trust your journey. Know that fear is ever-present, but manageable. And remember that what is meant for you WILL find you if you continue to move with intention and persistence. Thank you.”

Getting to the center of the graduation ceremony, Senior Elijah Vasconcelos stepped to the microphone to offer his high honors speech, his Valedictory Address. He is the Woodsville Valedictorian for the class of 2026. He plans to study aerospace engineering.

He said, "As I stand here today, I am reminded of a book I first read in 5th grade, my first year in New Hampshire." 

“The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is a children’s book about a tree and a boy. The boy climbs the tree's branches, picks its apples, and rests in its shade. As the boy grows older, he keeps returning to the tree to ask for things. He picks its apples to sell, takes its branches to build a house, and cuts down its trunk to build a boat and sail away. In the end, the tree, reduced to a stump, offers its now old and frail friend a place to sit and rest for a while. And the tree was happy.” 

“I believe we can all relate to the boy. But our trees don't grow leaves and apples." 

"Our trees are the ones who packed our lunches and drove us to school before we could do so ourselves. They are the ones who helped us with our homework until we no longer needed help. They are the ones who showed up to soccer games and concerts without fail sacrificing sleep and time for our benefit, never once asking for recognition." 

Valedictorian Vasconselos said that after today, “as we step into a larger world, we are not losing our families. Instead, we are carrying them with us in our work ethic, our resilience and our integrity. They are with us in the way we won’t quit when college gets hard. They are with us in our choice of a career.”

His speech was dedicated to the class families. “To the families of the class of 2026 – especially my own – this accomplishment is as much yours as it is ours. Thank you for being our trees.”

Others recognized as outstanding students from the class of 2026, Third Honors went to Ryan Walker, and fourth honors went to Grace McLellan. The top CTE Student was Dylan Marshall.

WHS Principal Coon and Assistant Principal Matthew Kelly presented scholarship awards to the Class of 2026, followed by the presentation of diplomas to the Class of 2026 by Haverhill Cooperative School Board Chair Sabrina Brown and Michelle Reagan.

The combined Class of 2026 and the WHS Band played and sang the school song, “On King’s Plain.” Graduate Ryan Walker offered the Farewell Address, tassels on the students’ mortarboards were turned, indicating that they were now graduates, not undergraduates.

They queued up and marched off the field to the congratulations, group photography and some gifts from parents and relatives. It was a happy occasion for all.

Class of 2026 Graduates include:

Leon Manuel Alcala, Samuel Milton Aldrich, Trenton James Alling, Isaiha Anderson, Riley Elizabeth Boutin, Thomas Gabriel Boutin, Jada Rose Brill, Jayde Lynn Brown-Colby, Trey Edward Colangelo, Morgan Elizabeth Crocker x, Kiarrali Minerva Cruz, Marion Jefferson Cummins Jr , Gavin Joseph Michael Davidson x, Josephine Iza Drake, Addison Jane Eck +x, Riley Marshall Emmerton x, Alyssia Maria Fenn x, Mason Lance Furyes, Felix Demetrio Garcia +, Eyrleigh Sedona Hambrick + x,. Katherine Ellen Houston x, Justin Sean Hutchins, Caleb David Ilsley, Kaleb Joseph Johnson, Cowan Peter Kimball x, Korina Lynne L’Heureux, Gavin Frederick Lakin, Dylan James Marshall +^ x, Taylor Ann McFarland, Grace Mae McLellan ^ x, Anthony Michael Mencia, Madison Leighann Monterosso, Savannah Marie Murray, Ethan Jacob Nalette, Wyatt Christopher Perkins, Michael Patrick Plachetzki , Gabriel Fernand Roy x, Jillian Iona Roy x, Kody Nickolas Sherman, Collin Michael Smith, Jaden Robert Ste. Marie, Shubh Ashishkumar Suthar , Ciarra Jasmine Therrien, Cassidy Ann Thompson , Calvin Staszek Tice, Elijah Roy Vasconcelos ^ x, Makayla Lyn Walker ^ x, Ryan Douglas Walker ^ x, Shawn Gavin Walker, Jameson Stephen Willard.

Key to Honors

*National Honor Society Members, ^ Magna Cum Laude, +National Vocational Technical Honor Society Members, +^Magna Cum Laude for RBCTC, x NH State Pin - Graduate met the requirement for an “Academic Diploma with Distinction.”

A panoramic view of Woodsville High School’s 130th graduation held Saturday, June 13, 2026. The weather was gorgeous as were the 50 graduates who marched in to receive awards and diplomas at the impressive ceremony. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Woodsville High School Principal Hayden Coon gave his opening remarks that began the 130th ceremony for the graduating class last Saturday, June 13, 2026. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Queued up and ready to march into their graduation ceremony on Saturday morning, June 13, 2026, is the Class of 2026. Seen left to right are Class Advisor Robert Scianna, Class Marshals Lincoln Williams and Taydin Glynn, with Class Advisor Jodi Maccini. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Woodsville High School graduating Senior Katherine Houston offers her welcome during the graduation ceremony held at the high school last Saturday, June 13, 2026. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.

Piermont student water testing performed for traces of manganese

By Bernie Marvin

Piermont Village School students, left to right, Sam Hogan, Isabelle Spooner and Kate Donnelly show Science Teacher Geoff Ashworth how they measured water samples from properties in the Haverhill, Piermont and Warren areas for manganese content. Those results were used by the students as the subject of a New Hampshire Middle school Science Fair exhibit held last month at the New Hampshire Technical Institute. Samples from two locations in Warren revealed there were .3 parts per million of manganese in the water. Residents of those two locations were notified of the findings. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.

Piermont, NH – A group of science class students and their teacher from the Piermont Village School recently tested several groundwater and well sites along Route 25C between Piermont and Warren, and along sections of Route 10 and 25 in Haverhill, a large area where mining was once conducted. They were concerned about the presence of manganese in the area's water sources, which could have been released when the mines were abandoned many years ago.

Piermont Science Teacher Dr. Geoffrey Ashworth, who has been at the Piermont Village School for six years, and three students, Kate Donnelly, Isabelle Spooner, and Sam Hogan, were alerted to the possible presence of harmful chemicals in the water being consumed by residents in the three towns, where, between them, lies Ore Hill, the site of a large mining operation many years ago.

The alert was set off several years ago by a social media comment noting that a medical professional in Warren had begun a study of the possible high incidence of cancer among some residents living along Route 25C and 25 from the Piermont area over Ore Hill and into Warren.

Mining on Ore Hill many years ago, the writer indicated, could have been the culprit behind contaminated drinking water caused by poor excavation practices in the area. With that in mind, the three Piermont students spoke with Dr. Ashworth about conducting some research into the possible presence of manganese in the water.

At the same time, plans were being made for the school to have a presence at the New Hampshire Middle School Science Fair at the Technical Institute in Concord on May 21, 2026. They decided that studying the harmful chemical would be a strong topic for their Science Fair project.

Dr. Ashworth told The Bridge Weekly in a recent interview at the school that water from areas where students lived was tested. Scientific research testing equipment was purchased by the school, with other supplies being donated to the experimenters by the New Hampshire Academy of Science at the Crossroads Academy in Lyme.

He said the sample bottles they received were placed with the families, and water testing samples were drawn. He said the group was pleased that there was little manganese present across the entire range of properties tested and that only two homes in Warren were found to have more than a trace amount of manganese, measured at the .3 parts per million limit. The families were notified of the chemical's presence by the school, Dr. Ashworth said.

He noted that he would recommend that the two residences where manganese was found have a full water test conducted by the state to determine whether there are more chemicals in the water beyond a trace of manganese.

Dr. Ashworth said that student Sam Hogan came up with the idea to do the water testing program. The group talked about how they would perform the testing and find the results for each water sample submitted by the residents in the three-town area that was being tested. The information about the water testing program was presented graphically on a large cardboard sheet and displayed in the science fair exhibit.

At each test site, a tap or well water sample was gathered. The group found only two samples from the Route 25 area that measured manganese at 3 parts per million. The testing program remained blind throughout, with the sample bottles being numbered. Dr. Ashworth said the samples were tested for color depth, which corresponded to the manganese percentage in each sample.

That would determine just how much manganese was contained in the water sample. Dr. Ashworth said he and the three students traveled to the May 21 science fair, where there were 60 or more exhibits being judged. He said the judges' comments to the Piermont team were superb; they received high ratings, but unfortunately, they took home no awards.

The students and Dr. Ashworth figured that their experiment, which was presented at the fair, was probably too well done for that particular science fair. They agreed that what they had done in sampling and gathering the information was "reaL science." He said they feel good about what they did and that their science project, presented at the fair, was well done.

He said that next year Kate will move on to the ninth grade, Sam and Isabelle will be eighth graders, and he is looking forward to another great science fair exhibit. He said the students should be proud of what they did. "Real science with real people, and they got real science results," he said.

The state guidelines for manganese are set at 0.3 on the scale, and they found two cases of local water exceeding that level. "That's real science," Dr. Ashcroft said.

A Unique Rivendell Overseas EducationProgram Takes Students To Spain This Year

By Bernie Marvin

While in Spain for their April 2026 trip, students and staff included, left to right Rivendell Academy Principal Patricia Rella with students Lily Murray, Lindsey O'Hearn, Alessio Stefanelli, Wyatt Parker, Evan Woodward, Nolan Bourn, Nathaniel Daisey and Rivendell Counselor Jeffrey Eckert. Courtesy photo

Orford, NH - Worldwide school curriculum travel experiences for French and Spanish classes at Rivendell Academy are more than a tourist-level plane trip to Europe to try out a grande assiette or piatto plano of spicy food or read a museum's descriptive four-color brochure about an art display in Madrid or Paris.

For the participating students at Rivendell, the overseas learning program at this school provides early awareness of other people around the world and how they live. These foreign trips might also inspire Rivendell students to pursue further study of what they have experienced on their travels, and to realize that their early pursuit of excellence might last a lifetime.

The program at Rivendell continues to be a deep-rooted part of the Orford school that has allowed those who have been a part of this travel program to be immersed in the cultural make-up of the population they meet through their own eyes, their experiences with those people, and to be part of a well-managed, safe adventure that develops an intellectual curiosity about what is going on beyond our shores.

The foreign travel program is but one of the many great ways for the kids to study social structures, political profiles, or intellectual curiosities of those they meet while overseas. Rivendell Academy has a superb foreign travel program for French and Spanish students. This very active and popular program has been running for several years, with each language class taking a trip every other year.

Last year, it was the students' turn for the French trip, and this April, during an extended school break, seven students traveled to Spain and spent 11 days immersed in this program, a well-known Rivendell favorite for a long time.

The Spanish class has been an important part of this long-standing international exchange and study program. This year's group included Rivendell Principal Patricia Rella and Counselor Jeff Eckert, who traveled with students Wyatt Parker, Nathanial Daisey, Lily Murray, Lindsey O'Hearn, Evan Woodward, Nolan Bourne, and Allesandro Stefanelli.

Comments from staff and students involved with both last year's French class and this year's Spanish class indicate that the educational trips are as popular as ever and are among the most important parts of the participants' educational and life experiences at Rivendell, they reported.

The school information catalog outlines travel opportunities, noting they are a "robust program of regional, national, and international travel," that includes the long-standing exchange program with a school in France, immersive language and culture-focused trips to Latin America and Spain, and long-distance bicycling trips to nearby places such as Quebec City and Lake Champlain.

According to those who have been on these trips (The Bridge Weekly interviewed some of them over the past two years), the fundraising requirements can be fun but demanding. Preparation for overseas trips is a huge responsibility for individual students and families, who must raise at least $4,000 per family for the travel package.

The foreign travel programs show how well the school manages activities with students and their families. The trips receive rave reviews from the kids, parents, staff, and others who accompany them on these adventurous learning trips.

Although they were serious about their travels around Spain for those 11 days in April, they still had time to talk about what they saw and enjoyed while in the country. Two of the seven students The Bridge Weekly spoke with this year both commented on their seven-hour plane trips, saying they were long but not too difficult, and they would do it again if the opportunity came around.

They said they enjoyed the Spanish food they had, but after a few days, it became repetitive. One student mentioned he liked going back to American food, "something I am used to," he offered. They enjoyed seafood; there was a lot of it, like seafood paella, usually made with clams, shrimp, calamari, and a rich base of tomatoes, herbs, and other meats.

A big assist for the trip was that Principal Rella had lived in Spain for over three years and knew places the group could visit that were educational and safe. She knew about the motels and hotels that were clean, safe, and reasonably priced. With that prior knowledge from having lived there, Principal Rella built an itinerary for the Rivendell group to follow for this year's trip.

She noted that many parts of the trip were immersive, giving students opportunities to live with Spanish residents in the area whom Principal Rella knew and was familiar with. She said she tried to arrange visits to places she knew and to places where Spanish people she knew lived or worked.

Those folks joined them so the Rivendell group could be around real Spanish people, and it wasn't just a tourist thing. "For most of our trip in Spain, we had a Spanish person with us," Ms. Rella said.

Back in 2001, during the September 11 terrorist attacks on America, the overseas trip was intended to have the Rivendell group stay in homes for the duration of the trip. When the terrorists struck, all planes in the air were ordered to land at the nearest airport immediately. The plane carrying the Rivendell class members was over the Atlantic Ocean, heading east to Europe. It turned around and headed back to the United States.

Rivendell Counselor Eckert told The Bridge Weekly that when the students, he, and Principal Rella returned to their school and classrooms, it was always a "tricky thing" to keep track of a group of high school kids while they were in their care. He said they are very active and want to "explore everything."

He said during the trip, the chaperones have to act like parents and make sure no one gets lost. They traveled to cities such as Toledo and Madrid and found the smaller places safer to travel with young people, and as the trip progressed, the kids gained more freedom.

There were nightly phone calls between Spain and America as the travelers kept their parents up to date on their day's activities. No pen pals were resulting from the trip, and post cards were sent to parents and friends.

Counselor Eckert sent a postcard from Spain to his mother-in-law and was informed that it took an entire month to reach its destination, and it was reported that the group came back with some souvenirs. photos and lots of sweets for families.

Principal Rella said that the trip members will submit a report on their program to the school board soon. Eleven days is a long time to be away, but it was enough time for the kids to see the vast differences in how Spanish people live compared to the American kids.

Interesting, too, for the American visitors: in Spain, they noted that no family or school students they met worked any afternoon or summer job. They also don’t begin a work schedule until after their college years are completed, something they will probably be discussing with their parents and the school board.

Rivendell Principal Rella, who had considerable input on the trip and who was also one of two chaperones, said in her statement: "The trip to Spain was intentionally designed as a true cultural and language immersion experience. I wanted students to move beyond tourism and engage authentically with the people, language, customs, and rhythms of daily life in Spain. One of the most valuable aspects of the trip was having a local Spanish guide and community member with us for much of the journey. Their perspective, language support, and help navigating local culture gave our group a deeper and more meaningful experience.

"What impressed me most was how fully the students embraced the opportunity. They were open-minded, flexible, and collaborative. They tried new foods, adapted to the later Spanish schedule, navigated unfamiliar situations with maturity, and consistently supported one another. Watching students step outside of their comfort zones and rise to the challenge was incredibly rewarding. The experience reinforced the value of travel as an educational opportunity that builds independence, cultural understanding, communication skills, and confidence in ways that are difficult to replicate in a classroom. The Rivendell community places high value on international travel, and the resources invested are well worth it!

In his follow-up comments on the trip, where he also served as a chaperone, Rivendell School Counselor Eckert told The Bridge Weekly: 

“Experiential learning is my favorite way to educate students. Yes, we saw beautiful sights and ate incredible food. It sounds like a vacation, and it was in some ways. However, I saw each student grow and change in a way that we cannot replicate in school. When students are on a trip-- whether it is in the mountains on an outing club trip or in Spain-- they are intrinsically motivated. They really want to be there. But the real world does not adapt to their needs. The students have to adapt. They have to deal with a different language, time zone, bed to sleep in, food to eat, and more. The kids rose to the challenge, and I was so impressed with their growth in maturity and independence!”

Rivendell Academy staff and students interviewed for the Bridge Weekly story on their Spanish Class trip included, left to right, students Wyatt Parker and Nathaniel Daisey with Rivendell School Counselor Jeffrey Eckert and Rivendell Principal Patricia Rella. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin. 

Cottage Hospital “Any Which Way” Event Fields 70 Runners

By Bernie Marvin

They’re off and running the Cottage Hospital Any Which Way Walk and Run 5K race that began at the Woodsville Elementary School and wound its way through Woodsville streets last Sunday morning, May 17, 2026. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin 

Woodsville, NH - The 6th Annual Cottage Hospital Any Which Way 5K Run and Walk was greeted early last Sunday morning, May 17, 2026, by a warm sun and clear skies, much to the event organizers’ approval after a stretch of drizzly, below seasonal temperatures.

With nearly 70 participants in the 5K event, many other families of walkers lined up at the 802 Timing Company’s start line at 9 AM to hear Jakub Kubkowski’s air horn signal the start of the event, which took runners and walkers through the quiet morning streets of Woodsville.

There were some good times logged this year. Liam Genereaux, age 31, paced his run that brought him over the finish line at just 19:22, followed by Jake Danis, age 16, at 19:24; Matt Cote, age 36, at 20:02; Jason Chester, age 44,  with 20:56, and the top female runner, Christa Ferguson, age 36,  at 21:15.

Other top females included Rylynn Hambrick, age 14, at 22:11; and Rachel Stanton, age 39,  at 24:07. Top male runners included W. Lang, age 9, at 26:00; B Sawyer, age 12, at 28:04 and P Hunter, age 12, at 28:08.

In a course-side interview prior to the race, Cottage Hospital CEO Holly McCormack told The Bridge Weekly that this, the 6th year of the event, saw a very robust sign-up with quality runners from throughout the North Country and beyond.

She said Cottage Hospital, an independent hospital and one of just two in the North Country, has had a good year, with successful job recruiting and popular hospital programs.

She said the race is a fundraiser for Cottage Hospital’s Operating Room renovations, an ongoing project that also promotes local wellness initiatives while providing important funding for several infrastructure programs planned throughout the hospital.

Ms. McCormack said this is the sixth race she has entered during her years as Chief Operating Officer at the hospital. She said that as she looks around the sea of runners and walkers, she recognizes many faithful participants who have also attended every event each year.

The race this year, as it has for many years, kicked off from behind the Woodsville Elementary School, where there has always been ample parking for the event in front or behind the building at the junction of Routes 10 and 302.

The timed event got underway at 9:00 AM sharp for runners, and the family walkers followed that group The route is 3.1 miles long and includes several interior Woodville roads and streets, ending about 20 minutes later at the finish line located at the rear of the Woodsville Elementary School playground.

Several strong local organizations assist in sponsoring this event. Companies and groups such as DJ Kev’s DJ Service, WYKR Radio 101.3 FM, the Cottage Hospital Auxiliary, The Brick Store, Northcountry Healthcare, and many others.

 Running in the recent Cottage Hospital Any Which Way 5K run & Walk were these participants from Little Rivers Health Care; kneeling, left to right are Jackie Gilmour, Rebecca Partington holding Raelynn Partington, Lisa Pearson and Amanda Regis. Standing, left to right are Dr. Stephen Genereaux, Bri Aila, Brandon Partington, Dr. Fay Homan, Tracy Thompson, Liam Genereaux, Rick Evans, Owen Davies (standing behind Tracy and Liam.) The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin 

Left to right are W. Lang and A. Roy as they run the 5K Any Which Way event sponsored by Cottage Hospital last weekend. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.

Cottage Hospital CEO Holly McCormack at the finish of her 5K race last weekend in Woodsville. Holly has run every one of the six 5K races the hospital has produced. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Talent and hard work make the WHS Three-Day CRASH effort sadly realistic

By Bernie Marvin

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Woodsville, NH – A three-day project produced last week by many dedicated people from around the area ended up as a life-like experience with a death-like result located adjacent to the Woodsville High School parking lot.

With superb play-acting right from the early morning opening scene, wailing sirens from responding emergency vehicles to an indescribably wild scene of two mangled vehicles, an assortment of emergency vehicles, medical personnel, and rescue responders poured onto the tarmac of Woodsville High School parking lot to go to work and hopefully save a life and reduce suffering of other souls involved in the madness of a seriously bad mock motor vehicle crash. The entire scenario was planned, set up, and executed with the same seriousness as a real crash.

In the mayhem playing out before more than 200 people, who included students, staff, parents, and members of the public, watched and commented on the work being done close to the observers' view. The action going on was described over the school's sound system by long-time medical responder and Emergency Medical Technician Richard Guy.

I can't count on both hands and feet times two the number of years EMT Guy has been at the scene of the Woodsville High School mock crash scenes from the past, but I know my first experience with this type of program was in the early 1980's, and he was there at the locus of the accident set-up for that school project at the old Butson's Supermarket parking lot.

That means that Mr. Guy and others of the Woodsville Fire Department and medical team have been doing this for a long time and have lots of experience with both the actual, fatal crash scenes and the fake crash scenes, like this one, as well.

Injured passengers in varying degrees of moulage (mock accident injury applications) in each crash vehicle were high school students who included Trent Alling, who was deceased as a result of his injuries, along with others who were injured, including Grace McLellan, Katie Houston, and Makayla Walker.

In the second involved vehicle, students suffering immensely realistic moulage injuries included Taylor McFarland, Maddie Monterosso, Jill Roy, and Eyrleigh Hambrick.

Woodsville Fire and Medical units arrived on scene at 8:30 sharp on the first day of the three-day program. The injured were cut loose from the wreckage and transported to Cottage Hospital by ambulance. The deceased student driver was transported from the scene in a Ricker Funeral Home hearse. Ensuring that proper legal requirements were intact, the Medical Examiner, in a role played by Haverhill Recreation Director Sherri Sargent, was on the scene.

Also, on scene for the one-hour action staging was Grafton County Attorney Martha Ann (Marcie) Hornick. She was on board later in production as the prosecutor who led the proceedings against the impaired vehicle operator that the deceased student was in.

With the shrouded body of the Alling student lying in plain view of the 200 observing students, the scene was solemn and remained so until the hearse had cleared the parking lot. But the sadness of that incident would be returned for Part Two, as creators at the school had also scheduled a full funeral for the deceased student at the Dr. John A. Bagonzi Community Building that was held the next day with flowers, music and testimonials, including an officiant Melissa Gould, pall bearers, and a visiting speaker, Derek Curtis of Groton, who had lost a child, Blue Mountain Union High School student "TC" Curtis, as a result of injuries suffered in an auto crash in 2018.

The Community and State partners who are assisting with the Mock Crash include: Haverhill Police Department, Grafton County Sheriff Department, Grafton County Attorney's Office, Ricker Funeral Home, Woodsville Cottage Hospital, Woodsville Emergency Medical Services, Woodsville Fire Department, AAA Northern New England, NH Liquor Commission, NH Department of Transportation Driving Toward Zero, NH Department of Highway Safety, Woodsville High School Band, Haverhill Recreation Department, JTB Towing and Recovery, Hatchland Farm, Copies and More, Private Citizens and WHS Students.

Day Two of the program opened inside the Dr. John A. Bagonzi Community Building, where the high school classes once again assembled to observe and some to participate in the funeral of the student killed in the mock fatal crash that played out before the students who gathered at the school's parking lot early the previous day.

Student and faculty pallbearers included Principal Hayden Coon, Teachers Robert Scianna and Glen Page, also Assistant Principal Matt Kelly, and students Maddox Furyes and Grace McLellan.

The casket, memorial photos, flowers, and signs were placed around the gym as seniors and staff made their entrance and took their seats in designated areas. An intermittent slideshow was held to commemorate the life of deceased student Trent Alling, with appropriate background music provided by Music Director Wright.

Opening the service was Derek Curtis, father of BMU student TC Curtis, who was killed in a vehicle crash in 2018. The students listened intently to his words as a father who had experienced the death of a child.

Student speakers were Grace McLellan, Josie Drake, and Mila Townsand.

Vocalist Mila Townsend sang Amazing Grace, as the vista of flowers and students marked the realistic setting of a memorial service for a student loved by friends and classmates, his short life snuffed out the previous day in a motor vehicle crash. Melissa Gould was an officiant throughout the program, something she does professionally with great feeling and love.

The service was closed with a reading and a poem recitation by Melissa. Pallbearers assembled once again to carry the casket out of the Community Building, and students returned to the Roundhouse with their teachers.

Teachers then facilitated discussions on the mock funeral they had just witnessed.

Day Three of the three-day event began at noon on Friday, May 1, 2026, and included a mock court trial, featuring Grafton County Attorney Marcie Hornick, Defense Attorney Amanda Jacobson, a Lead Assistant County Attorney, and Judge Tara Heater, a Deputy County Attorney.

During the court proceedings, students observed and heard the arraignment and bail hearing for the defendant charged in the staged mock crash scene. Also, they witnessed the trial proceedings, including witness testimony, evidence presentation, closing arguments, and the defendant's sentencing.

An important part of the program included the day's activities on the final day, Friday, May 1, 2026. It included large-group sessions on safe driving, reducing impaired and distracted driving crashes, a lunch period, and the mock trial from noon to 1:30 PM.

Assembled in the parking lot for student visits and discussions were AAA Northern New Hampshire and programs that included distracted-driving glasses, impaired-vision goggles, and a program by the New Hampshire Liquor Commission that included a golf-cart operation activity and impairment glasses.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation cargo trailer was set up alongside other outdoor stations for student access during student rotations. The program ended at 3 PM.

At the mock crash produced recently at Woodsville High School, Woodsville Fire Department rescue crews work to free injured students trapped in a wrecked vehicle. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Injured Woodsville High School student is loaded into a Woodsville ambulance, after being freed from a crashed vehicle during a school-wide mock accident, funeral, and court trial awareness exercise held at the school over April 29, 30, and May 1, 2026. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

During the funeral services staged for a victim of a mock motor vehicle crash at Woodsville High School, pallbearers bring in the coffin of student Trenton James Alling for funeral services at the Dr. John A. Bagonzi Community Building. From left to right, seen are Teacher Bob Scianna, Maddox Furyes, Principal Hayden Coon, Teacher Glen Page, Grace McLellan, and Assistant Principal Matthew Kelly. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.

At trial on the third day of the WHS Crash program, defendant Taylor McFarland, a Woodsville High School student, at center, listens as Grafton Country Attorney Marcie Hornick, at right, and defense lawyer Amanda Jacobson, argue the charges leveled against McFarland. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

New Model A club forms for Northern NH and NE Kingdom

By Bernie Marvin

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Lisbon, NH – A newly chartered Model A club has been formed for New Hampshire’s North Country and Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. The club’s membership has been accepted by the Model A Ford Club of America (MAFCA).

The new club held its first meeting earlier in April, which marked the official launch of the club that will be serving the Granite and Green Mountain States’ Model A enthusiasts. The Northern Valley A’s, a 501(c)7 social club was created to bring together owners and admirers of the 1928–1931 Ford Model A. The club plans to host seasonal tours, informal gatherings, technical troubleshooting sessions, and showcase the vehicles at community events in the area.

“We are excited to build a friendly, local community around these cars. Model A owners are invited to join us as we explore back roads, share knowledge, and keep these historic vehicles on the road,” said Club President Eric Zaharee.

Club members are anxiously waiting for the weather to warm as bit and hopefully the final mud will dry, and members can drive their vehicles. The group will be holding monthly meetings through October. Members are planning each month but there are no trips in the schedule, yet.

If you live in the area and own or are restoring a Model A, you are welcome to connect with the club and participate in upcoming activities. For more information or to get involved, contact the Northern Valley A’s at northernvalleyas@gmail.com. Visit us on Facebook facebook.com/NorthernValleyAs.

A long line of Model A vehicles lined up in front of the Mount Washington Hotel during a recent club meeting of the Worcester County Model A Club. The trip was arranged by members of the Northern Valley A’s Club, a new club in the North Country. Courtesy photo

Soil Scientist Joe Homer Talks About Sugar Hill Dirt

By Bernie Marvin

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Sugar Hill, NH – Soil Scientist Joe Homer is well known in these parts of the North Country because of his long-time work with soil. He recently presented his "Let's Talk Dirty" program at the Carolina Crapo Building.

Joe has served as the New Hampshire State Soil Scientist for the USDA–Natural Resources Conservation Service. He retired after more than 33 years of service with that organization and has performed and managed mapping and fieldwork throughout New England, with additional work in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Oregon, and Minnesota.

He has also served as a field soil scientist, soil survey project leader, and assistant state soil scientist in New Hampshire. He is the author of the Grafton County and Coos County Soil Survey reports and has conducted hydric soils and wetlands identification and delineation for the USDA in New Hampshire, and has trained other federal and state agency staff, as well as New England consultants.

Joe's speech in Sugar Hill was for the Sugar Hill Improvement Association, and according to those who were there, it was an engaging and informative talk. Joe explored the fascinating world beneath their feet, mainly soil. He spoke on how soil forms and why it plays a crucial role in agriculture, environmental health, and climate resilience. Attendees said they gained a deeper understanding of why healthy soil matters to everyone.

Joe brought his years of experience in soil science and environmental education to the crowd. His approachable style and passion for the subject make complex scientific concepts accessible and enjoyable for audiences of all ages.

The event was open to the public and was underwritten as a part of the Carolina Crapo Education Fund. It was established by Henry Crapo in honor of his wife, Carolina, shortly after the Sugar Hill School burned down in 1948. The Sugar Hill Improvement Association administers the funds for projects identified to better the Town of Sugar Hill.

The Carolina Crapo Trust Fund also provides book awards for students pursuing their education or training, in addition to bringing speakers to the town. There was no fee to hear soil scientist Homer speak.

Soil Scientist Joe Homer presented a program on the benefits of soil’s role in food production, and strong soil conservation. Courtesy photo

Cottage Hospital's Donate Life Week Featured Two Important Events

By Bernie Marvin

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Woodsville, NH – Cottage Hospital has been observing Donate Life programs for the past 10 years, usually by raising a special Donate Life flag out in front of the hospital on Swiftwater Road, then later in the week or month, a different special event would be observed.

This year they raised the Donate Life flag in the usual robustly breezy April noon time program and for their second event, they held a special red maple tree planting across Swiftwater Road on the rolling lawns of the Rowe Building, where a group of Cottage Hospital employees gathered around while CEO Holly McCormack placed the first shovel full of loam onto the tree's root ball, to the cheers of those watching.

This commemorative tree planting honored hospital staff and community members who have given or received gifts of life through the donation program that is so popular throughout the nation.

According to hospital officials "The tree stands as a symbol of hope, strength and the lasting impact of generosity, because, like a red maple tree, strength (and trees) come in all sizes. We all look forward to watching this tree grow alongside our organization, rooted in giving and a reminder of the lived forever connected through a program of donation."

According to Cottage Hospital, New England Donor Services, the federally designated nonprofit organization responsible for coordinating organ and tissue donation across the region, presented donor participation awards to hospitals that go above and beyond in supporting donor awareness and education. Recipients are selected based on their dedication to best practices, collaboration, staff engagement, and meaningful efforts to increase public understanding of organ and tissue donation. This includes initiatives such as educational programs, community outreach events, and awareness campaigns designed to inform and empower individuals to register as donors.

According to Cottage Hospital Community Relations Director Kuba Kubkowski, assisting CEO McCormack with the program and organizing the Donate Life events at the hospital was Quality Director and Donate Life Liaison Kelly Hussey.

It was a busy time at the hospital as they celebrated Donate Life programs. National Donate Life Month and hospital programs reminded the community of the tremendous impact of organ, eye and tissue donations and the power of giving the gift of life.

During the week, Cottage Hospital held its annual Donate Life flag raising, which brought the staff together in a meaningful show of support, they said. As part of the special moment, they also wrote messages of hope, filling each of them with gratitude, remembrance and encouragement for those whose lives have been touched by donations.

They offered that "we are so grateful to our staff who took the time to come out, reflect, and stand together in support of this important cause. Their compassion and commitment help keep hope growing in the community."

One donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of over 75 others. Behind every donation is a story of hope, resilience and strength shown by the community for those waiting on a transplant list, it can mean more time with loved ones and more moments that truly matter.

They said that at Cottage Hospital they recognized Donate Life month to help educate the community and shine a light on the lifesaving impact of donations. They noted it is time to learn, reflect and honor the individual and families whose decisions have made a lasting difference. Together, they recognized the power of giving, and their lives were forever changed because of it, they said.

Cottage Hospital CEO, Holly McCormack, third from left, was assisted by several hospital employees in a special Donate Life tree planting last week to observe the National Donate Life program. The red maple tree was planted on the side lawn located at the hospital's Rowe Building, across Swiftwater Road from the hospital. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Wildcat Microschool takes First Place in Rube Goldberg competition

By Bernie Marvin

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Wildcat Microschool members of the Rube Goldberg competition that came away from their recent competition in Manchester, NH with a First Place. They were also awarded First Place with the Best Costumes Award. They have advanced to the national competition that will be held in New York City. At right is Wildcat teacher Laura Sjolander. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.

Haverhill, NH – The Wildcat Microschool youngsters of the kindergarten through 4th Grade came home with the First Place Rube Goldberg Competition Award recently. They also came home with the Rube Goldberg Spirit Award for being Master Contraptionists.

A Rube Goldberg Master Contraptionist, often referred to as a Contraption Master, is an expert who specializes in designing and building Rube Goldberg machines. These are highly complex devices that use a series of interconnected chain reactions to accomplish a simple task in a comically indirect way.

The Rube Goldberg competition for students in New Hampshire is known as the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest. It challenges students from grades K-12 to build complex machines from everyday objects that perform a simple task in the most unusual way possible.

The team traveled to Manchester, NH, on March 28 to compete in the Regional Rube Goldberg Competition. The Rube Goldberg Competition emphasizes the importance of problem-solving through STEM education—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, especially for young children.

Early exposure to STEM helps students build problem-solving skills, creativity, collaboration skills, persistence, and determination. Through hands-on learning experiences, students discover that failure can sometimes lead to even greater success!

This was an exciting event where students displayed their contraptions-themed "Wildcat Zoo." They dressed as zoo members, presented an educational skit on energy transfers, and ran their hand-built contraption to open a box.

The Wildcat teachers and students learned about the program through a parent whose children participated in the Rube Goldberg Contraption Camp at the Fairbanks Museum in St. Johnsbury, VT.

After learning about the cool opportunity, students started their work. They have developed their knowledge of energy, engineering, electricity, and collaboration as they have worked to solve problems with creative, innovative solutions. Their final contraption consisted of about 15 chain reactions, including erosion, electrical transfer, and air. They have been creating their masterpieces for about three months.

The team will be competing next in New York City, as a result of the award they won in Manchester. This upcoming trip marks an important milestone for many of the students, as it will be their first opportunity to travel out of state for an academic competition. Students have been preparing their designs, testing ideas, and learning how different parts work together to achieve a final goal. Their hard work and dedication will be showcased alongside teams from schools across the region.

The Wildcat Microschool students were very excited to announce that their team took First Place in the regional competition and won the Rube Goldberg Spirit Award (Master Contraptionists)—also the best costumes award and the creative materials award —without marbles or dominoes.

The team will advance to the National Competition in New York City! The team has been fundraising for this event and held their fundraiser on Saturday, April 11, at the Woodsville United Methodist Church. There, they hosted a superb spaghetti dinner and a silent auction. All funds raised will be used to help with travel expenses and experiences for the students in NYC.

Seeing the children involved in their Rube Goldberg project is hard to explain to viewers new to the world of Rube Goldberg contraptions. Chain reactions of energy going every which way, and at the end of the line, a different contraption will open a box.

Parent Jean Alexander discovered the Rube Goldberg program during one of their annual demonstrations at the St. Johnsbury Fairbanks Museum. Gean has been instrumental and immensely helpful with the entire program at Wildcat, says teacher Laura Sjolander, who works closely with the kids on their STEM subjects.

Each participant had a specific job with the Rube Goldberg effort. Some of the children The Bridge Weekly spoke with included Elizabeth, who was an Investigator. She said, "She learned a lot by going to the rube Goldberg contest."

Avery said, "If you messed up. You would find out how to fix it. I fixed some wrong things."

Carson said, "Just be patient, especially with your team." Neal was an Interventionist. If the ball doesn't go down right, I fix it. Kept it running." Ethan was "really excited to be there. It is a worldwide competition and fun."

Some of the Wildcat Microschool Rube Goldberg competition team members are shown working with their winning contraption that won the team a First Place and moved them on to the national competition in New York City. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Little Rivers holds Legislative Town Hall session in Fairlee

By Bernie Marvin

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Attending a recent Vermont Legislative Town Hall at the Fairlee Town Hall were, left to right, Representative Michael Tagliavia, Representative Rebecca Holcomb, Senator John Benson, and Representative Jim Masland. Standing at right is Little Rivers Health Care CEO Andrew Barter who offered opening remarks and also moderated the meeting. Barter said the health care organization, based in Bradford, plans to hold similar forums across their service area. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Fairlee, VT – The Little Rivers Health Care, with offices in Bradford, Wells River, East Corinth, and Newbury, sponsored another Legislative Town Hall meeting at the Fairlee Town Hall on Monday, March 30, 2026.

This is not an unusual effort for the Bradford-based health care center, as it remains a busy site across its four locations, with high growth. For instance, between 2016 and 2021, Little Rivers Health Care experienced a 78 percent increase in patient visits, prompting major expansion efforts.

The recent legislative session in Fairlee was scheduled for a one-hour program and included local Vermont legislators and area residents. Legislators there included Representative Michael Tagliavia, Orange 1 District; Representative Rebecca Holcombe, Windsor-Orange 2 District; Senator John Benson, Orange District, and Representative James Masland, Windsor-Orange District 2.

Offering a welcome and making opening remarks to the attendees was Little Rivers Health Care CEO Andrew Barter at 9 AM. About 20 residents attended the session. Fairlee Select Board member Peter Berger also offered other remarks.
CEO Barter told The Bridge Weekly at the conclusion of the Fairlee Town Hall Legislative Session that he and the staff were "very pleased with the turnout and the level of engagement. The discussion reflected strong community interest in access to care and the future of local health services, which is exactly what we hoped to foster."

The programs:
Little Rivers Health Care has created an active schedule of public programs, including Town Hall sessions and advocacy and formal testimony, according to information available on their website and during the meeting.

The programs address a wide range of subjects, from rural healthcare challenges such as access to care and rising healthcare costs. About an hour was scheduled to hear from legislators who offered a summation of bills and legislation that are now or have been under consideration for action in Vermont.

Those four legislators concentrated their comments on several different subjects that headlined the meeting, including health care access and the workforce, housing and land use, education funding, and the State of Vermont budget and investment priorities.

Little Rivers Health Care is a not-for-profit, community-based, federally qualified health center. They are dedicated to providing high-quality, comprehensive primary care for individuals and families, regardless of ability to pay, in accordance with specific federal guidelines. Little Rivers Health Care works hard to meet the community's unique health needs, with a special focus on the medically underserved.

According to their online information, their service area includes the Vermont towns of Bradford, Chelsea, Corinth, Fairlee, Groton, Newbury, Norwich, Orange, Ryegate, Strafford, Thetford, Topsham, Tunbridge, Vershire, Washington, West Fairlee, and neighboring towns of border communities in New Hampshire.

Among many community legislative programs, town hall sessions are included, similar to the one held on Monday, March 30, 2026. These events allow community members to hear from and question local legislators on regional issues. Participating legislators often include regional personnel, such as those who were at the front of the room in the Fairlee Town Hall, to speak to visitors.

Discussions held usually center on health care affordability, housing challenges, and the future of community health in rural Vermont. And there is regular participation by Little Rivers Health Care leaders in the Vermont Legislative Day, where they visit the State House to meet with lawmakers, often alongside the Bi-State Primary Care Association, to advocate for the vital role of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). 

The staff at Little Rivers Health Care also provides expert testimony to the Vermont Legislature on specific public health initiatives, such as Food as Medicine, where Clinical Quality Director Maureen Boardman and other staff have testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee regarding the Little Rivers Food Farmacy, which uses nutritious food to manage chronic diseases. Also, 3SquaresVT Advocacy, with Little Rivers Health Care, is participating in 3SquaresVT Awareness Day to help legislators understand the impact of food access programs on the local community. 

Little Rivers Health Care also participates in broader state legislative initiatives designed to stabilize and improve rural health: Blueprint for Health, a state program that funds "Self-Management" workshops (such as those for diabetes or chronic pain) and integrates mental health services into primary care.
And also, the Stabilization Program: Little Rivers Health Care has been part of discussions and reporting regarding state-funded sustainability approaches for community providers facing financial pressures.

20 years of growth:
Little Rivers Health Care has a dynamic history and was founded in 2003 by a group of citizens and healthcare leaders who wanted to maintain the medical services needed in the rural areas they now serve.
Little Rivers Health Care included several local practices in its family, one of the first being the Wells River Clinic, which was originally opened in 1951 by Dr. Harry Rowe. As the business expanded from its base office in Bradford, offices in East Corinth and Newbury were added over time.
In 2022, they launched a dynamic major capital campaign, "People you know, the care you trust," which sought $6.2 million for facility expansions. They recently celebrated 20 years of service in the area and completed extensive renovations at the Bradford clinic, with additional dental and health access centers in Wells River, which opened in 2025. As of 2024, the center has provided nearly 45,000 patient visits to over 7000 community members, and Little Rivers Health Care employs over 100 people.
CEO Barter said that Little Rivers Health Care plans to hold similar forums and to rotate locations across their service area to ensure broader community participation."

2D Backcountry Patroller School Held At Pike Glades

By Bernie Marvin

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At the top of Iron Mountain, the class reviews the two types of rescue toboggans the class practiced with that weekend. The top toboggan is a Fiberglass split litter with conventional sled handles attached for control. The tub-like sled is also a split-in-half toboggan known as a “four-handle sled.” These are popular in Europe and in western Unites States. Seen left to right are Sherry Chang, Chuck Boyd, James Achard, Brandon Csongradi, Martin Csongradi, Orest Ohar and Laura Styer. Photo by Cathe Neuberger.

Pike, NH – Members of the National Ski Patrol assembled the first weekend of March 2026 at the Upper Valley Stewardship Center in Pike/East Haverhill, NH, for another weekend of rescue training at this popular Northcountry mountainscape and ski area.

The training course began at 8 AM on Saturday, where the dozen patrollers skied up Iron Mountain, a prominent peak on the backside of about 1800 acres located within the boundaries of the Stewardship Center.

They based their operations on the Warrior's Cabin, a former warming hut about halfway up the mountain, at an elevation of 2200 feet. Tentage for all participants was located there.

The theme this year was "out-of-bounds, lost skier." It was a search-and-rescue-based course. Heading up the training program was Orest Ohar of the New Hampshire Backcountry Ski Patrol, affiliated with the Granite State Backcountry Alliance.

He is one of five founders of the "New Hampshire Backcountry Ski Patrol which operates exclusively for the Granite Backcountry Alliance.

The training began on Friday evening, at the Stewardship Center staff meeting, followed by being ferried up in the mid-mountain cabin to set up base camp. With all the tents set up outside in the 20-degree weather, the staff held another meeting at dinnertime, and it was off to the sack for a busy Saturday and Sunday.

He said the classes still stress patient extraction by carry-in slit toboggans, but the surrounding theme will be preparing for lost skier searches. Saturday, the attendees met for a gear review and safety briefing.

Orest Ohar is one of five founders of the "New Hampshire Backcountry Ski Patrol" (NHBSP), which operates exclusively for the Granite Backcountry Alliance (GBA).  

"We are two separate organizations.  GBA's mission is to develop and maintain human-powered winter recreation ski glades, ensuring they remain accessible to the public.  NHBSP is a "medical backcountry rescue unit" managed by GBA, set up to improve the safety of its members and the public attending GBA events.  We serve year-round, including during community glade cut events during autumn months, as well as in the winter when GBA takes to the slopes on skis and snowboards during fundraisers, races, and ski festivals," ski patroller Ohar said.  

GBA has an ethics education program known as Ski Kind, which is augmented by safety education programs that promote safety, self-reliance, and wilderness rescue.  Both organizations serve GBA members and the public backcountry skiing community.  

He explained the situation: "The difference between ski resort Patrollers and Backcountry Patrollers is that our rescues are often far from roads and access to the EMS system.  The Backcountry Patroller's job is to locate, extricate, and evacuate patients injured deep in the wilderness and bring them out to local EMS waiting at the roadside.  At a ski area, a rescue takes approximately 20 minutes.  In the backcountry, rescuers must be prepared to work overnight to rescue their patients," Mr. Ohar said.

They then skinned up to the summit of Iron Mountain, with educational interludes along the way. There was the first Glade ski for area recon, with students setting up their camp. At 11:30 AM, toboggan laps began with skinning back to the summit.

Dinner was held at 6 PM at the Warrior Cabin. There was an SAR presentation, an SAR night Evolution and Navigation, and a 9 PM campfire and R&R. Sunday broke cold and clear; breakfast was held at the base camp, with a discussion with New Hampshire Fish and Game Officer Christopher McKee on an informant SAR discussion.

Another SAR session was held, then the team broke camp. Loaded their gear to be ferried down the mountain and prepared to ski the return leg to the base. On Sunday at 1 PM sharp, the event concluded at the Stewardship Center, and everyone headed home.

The group is about to strap on an “EMT Rescue Mannequin” onto a SKED SLED. The mannequin is used in place of a live human during technical rope rescue practice. Seen in the photo is Backcountry Instructor Linda Helms. Photo by Cathe Neuberger.

NH Backcountry Ski Patroller Orest Ohar, at left, also affiliated with the Granite Backcountry Alliance, briefs staff and students at a recent Backcountry Patroller School at the Pike Glades in Pike, NH recently. Their course began at the Upper Valley Stewardship Center and included training with the Search and Rescue-based theme of “out-of-bounds, lost skier.” Seen left to right are Orest Ohar, Laura Styer, Rachel Tobler, Sherry Chang, Brandon Csongradi, Linda Biyd, Michael Adamskowski and Martin Csongradi. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

NH Legislative Event Held At Cottage Hospital

By Bernie Marvin

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Cottage Hospital CEO and President Holly McCormack, DNP, RN, speaking at right, addresses a gathering of government and municipal officials recently at the Cottage Hospital Legislative Breakfast. The popular event is held annually and offers an opportunity for the hospital to discuss up-to-date programs and figures with legislators.                   The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin

Woodsville, NH - Cottage Hospital President and CEO Holly McCormack, DNP, RN, told a gathering of legislators and officers of the New Hampshire Hospital Association that the renowned health magazine Becker’s Healthcare recently named Cottage Hospital as one of the top 150 places to work in the field of medicine.

In her opening remarks for the legislative breakfast held at the hospital on Monday, March 9, 2026, she offered that she had been employed at the hospital for the past 16 years, with her being at the top post of the hospital that was established back in the early 1900’s for the past five years.

She told her guests at the early morning event that the hospital was a very special and unique place. It was an independent critical access hospital, and it is the largest employer in the community, with approximately 200 employees with benefits and a total of 300, which includes a per diem staff.

She reported that the hospital, although faced with a negative 16 percent operating margin, had to recruit a local permanent workforce in place of a temporary travel workforce that the hospital had been relying on. By investing in local talent, the hospital reduced the travel labor costs by 118 percent and restored the continuity of care for the patients. The changes made a significant difference to the fiscal year bottom line last year.

CEO McCormack cited many instances of government requirements being placed on her hospital. She said each day the hospital is required to provide more and more resources to manage the regulatory requirements, reporting and administrative tasks associated with caring for our patients.

“It takes more than a village to care for rural America,” she said, “but it starts here with the help of each of you at the town, state and federal level.  Your attendance here this morning demonstrates your support.  We will keep fighting for the privilege of caring for our community. We ask for your support in protecting cost-based reimbursement, strengthening workforce, and reducing the administrative barriers that pull caregivers away from patients.  Our vision is simple, a rural healthcare system where everyone, no matter their age, income or zip code- can access high quality care close to home,” she said in closing.

Also speaking at a legislative breakfast were President of the New Hampshire Hospital Association Steve  Ahnen; Vice President of the State Government Relations Board of the New Hampshire Hospital Association Ben Bradley; Special Assistant for Projects and Policies for Senator Jeanne Shaheenís office Chuck Anderson; New Hampshire District 1 Senator David Rochefort; Executive Councilwoman Karen Liot Hill and Haverhill Town Administrator Tom Galinat.

The American Revolution series by Ken Burns featured British Loyalist Col. John Peters of Bradford

By Bernie Marvin

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Colonel John Peters of the Queens Loyal Rangers was featured on the new Ken Burns series on the American Revolution. It was premiered last week with six, two-hour shows on Public Broadcasting System for New Hampshire and Vermont. Courtesy photo.

Bradford - The newest Ken Burns documentary is a six-part, 12-hour series on the American Revolutionary War. This television documentary was released to the public just last week and featured in the third section a Mooretown (now Bradford, Vermont) military man, British Colonel John Peters, and his family.
Colonel Peters hailed from Connecticut and settled in Piermont for several years, then moved across the Connecticut River to the town of Mooretown (later to become Bradford), Vermont. The town was established in May 1770 in New York before it became the State of Vermont. The town was known as Waitstown and Waits River Town before adopting its original name, Mooretown. That’s when Colonel Peters lived there. The name originated with Sir Henry Moore, the Royal Governor of New York.
According to Wikipedia, after the American Revolution, residents of Mooretown stated they no longer wanted the name to remind them of a royal governor, so they petitioned the Vermont legislature to rename the town Bradford in 1788.

The television story revealed that Peters, born in 1770 in Connecticut, was a Yale graduate and first settled in Piermont, then later moved to Mooretown on the banks of the Connecticut River, where he owned a considerable amount of land, a large home, several saw mills and grist mills, and a large farm.
He actually lived in New York at that time (it was not yet apportioned to Vermont) and was appointed Justice of the Peace, Colonel of the local militia, Judge of Probate, County Registrar, Clerk of Court, and Judge of the Court.

Because Colonel Peters was required to travel to the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1774, from time to time, he would be mobbed by the “Liberty Boys” because of his continuing and intense loyalty to the crown prior to the Revolutionary War beginning on April 19, 1775. This, according to Richard M. Ketchum's book “Saratoga, Turning Point of America’s Revolutionary War.”

Colonel Peters knew after these experiences that the American countryside would not be satisfied with anything short of total independence from England. On his way back from Philadelphia to Mooretown, another gang threatened to kill him as “an enemy.”
Peters back in his hometown was hated and abused by his neighbors and even his own father turned against him. Peters got a mission to go to Canada with American militia members, where he acted as a double agent, spying on both sides.

Peters was branded as an outlaw; his wife and eight children had been turned out of their home and sent off in a sleigh with only one bed to Ticonderoga, 140 miles through the woods, the snow, and bad roads. The group arrived “more dead than alive.”
The family group was then sent on their way to Canada; they became lost, were discovered by a passing British ship, and were transported to St. John’s, Canada. By that time, Colonel Peters was reunited with his family and taken to Montréal. He was ready to seek revenge, and that month, he began to recruit men for a regiment approved by British General John Burgoyne, who named his unit the Queen's Loyal Rangers.

Later in the war, Colonel Peters returned to Vermont, this time to join the fight with his Queen’s Loyal Rangers at the Battle of Bennington, where the British were soundly defeated. He left the Revolution and returned to England with his family.

Music Helps

By Bernie Marvin

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Music teacher Roxanna Zampieri with student Timmy Longmoore and their band instruments, acquired as part of a band initiative co-sponsored by Music Helps. Courtesy photo. Courtesy photo.

Newbury, VT - Newbury Elementary School music teacher has recently received a $1,500 grant that will enable her to establish a student band at Newbury Elementary School (NES).
Music Teacher Roxanna Zampieri had earlier applied for and received the grant from a local music education organization, Music Helps. In an interview with The Bridge Weekly, Music Helps board President Eliza Goodell noted that the overall aim of Music Helps is to facilitate the organization and distribution of private lesson scholarships, instrument rentals and loans, and school workshops, masterclasses, and performances, in an effort to increase access to musical education for all.
She said the group also aims to bring affordable, engaging musical performances to rural communities and provide spaces for music students to gain experience performing. The group is involved in everything from fundraising to organizing concerts and coordinating with schoolteachers and administrators.

For the students of NES, Music Helps is enabling access to music education and exploration that otherwise would not have been possible. According to Music Helps Board member Rowe Williams, all other Orange East Superintendency Unit (OESU) schools have music programs, and this boost gives Newbury Elementary School students the same opportunities as other students in the district to play music on an instrument of their choice.

Williams noted that Zampieri, who also teaches band music at Blue Mountain School (BMU), has already ordered instrument rentals for the program and presently has 40 students signed up. They had hoped to march in the early October Groton Fall Foliage Parade but had managed to squeeze in only one practice lesson prior to the parade stepping off.
Zampieri recently reported to The Bridge Weekly for this story that the Music Helps Scholarship program enables Newbury Elementary School students to receive an equitable music education in the OESU.

She said that students are now eligible to begin guitar/strings at Grade 2 at NES, and all other band students start in Grade 3. There are 49 students registered in Grades 2-6. Students receive a free instrument rental, along with a free weekly lesson and a monthly band class.

With this being offered to them when they leave NES for a middle school program within the OESU or in any other school, they will have the option of joining the band. If they did not have the prior education and offerings at NES, they would not have the chance, she said.

She said that music "is something that is a skill for life." Music supports reading through phrasing, note recognition/reading, and vocabulary. t supports math through counting, beat keeping, rhythmic reading, fractions, and more. Studying an instrument also supports proper health through correct posture, breathing, and cleaning, as well as learning how the instrument produces sound, understanding sound vibrations, and recognizing sound levels. This connection to science is a valuable aspect of the experience. If you add marching, it can be cardio and build stamina, she said, adding that `am also excited about what this will bring to the community.
Music Helps has indeed helped to give the gift of music to all NES students enrolled in the program.

She said she has worked with Music Helps in scheduling master classes with musician and teacher Patrick Ross when she was at SAU 23 for Grades 4-12. Patrick also team-taught his piece, "Raise Your Flag," with the students and performed with them in their spring concert.
One of the students, whom she referred to for private lessons and studies with Patrick Ross from Woodsville High School, received a lesson scholarship from Music Helps and is now majoring in music at Plymouth State University. The organization is wonderful, Zampieri said.

"Music Helps," Goodell described "began in 2022 and was brought together over a shared appreciation for music and music education. Everyone who continues to be on the board and who has joined the board has been positively impacted by access to music education and is passionate about increasing accessibility to the arts in our rural communities."
In addition to Goodell and Williams, the Music Helps board is comprised of Susan Goodell, Paul Sachs, David Carlson, and Don Sinclair. All Upper Valley locals, the board knows firsthand the critical support that was needed to foster their own musical education. Now they aim to ensure everyone has that same support.

Goodell also stated that while most of the operating costs are funded through individual donations, the group raises funds through benefit concerts, often in collaboration with local businesses. å are super grateful to have businesses in our area who support our mission, he ” he said.

Music Helps is always seeking interested schools to bring in musicians for performances, masterclasses, and workshops. Eliza added that they are working on a collaboration with both Bradford Elementary and Newbury Elementary now and have worked with Haverhill Middle and Woodsville High School, Oxbow High School, and Newbury Elementary School before.
According to the Music Helps website, private lesson scholarship applications are open for music teachers to apply on behalf of students with financial needs. Other educators may also reach out or submit applications for school collaborations of community programming. Music Helps support is available for any genre of music and any instrument.

For more information and to support their mission, please visit www.musichelps.us.

Multi-instrumentalist Patrick Ross gives a master class to an Oxbow High School guitar class in Bradford, Vermont. This multi-day intensive was supported in part by Music Helps3chool programming initiative. Courtesy photo.

The Rough and Tumble, a folk/Americana duo, performs at a Music Helps sponsored school- wide assembly at the Newbury Elementary School. Courtesy photo.

On the Newbury Common Newbury Elementary School students experiment with their new band instruments as part of the Music Helps band program collaboration. Students are, left to right, Harrison Woodward, Mckenzie Torrey, Charlotte Spooner, Stephen Oliver and Kaydence Boyce. Courtesy photo.