NES and BMU After School Programs learn about starting up a business
Director Jewett said the exercise was an opportunity to open their minds to different ways of looking into and pursuing a career when they were older. The 3 Bears Country Barn was an ideal way to learn more about the Drews and how they work closely with the community to make their store a success.
By Bernie Marvin
Newbury, VT – When the students of Newbury Elementary School and the Blue Mountain After School Program wanted to learn about starting their businesses, they chose to study how Don and Shelly Drew founded and now operate their popular Three Bears Country Barn on Route 302 in Wells River.
The best way for kids to explore career options when they are older is to learn more about a retail establishment, and for this, they chose the Three Bears Country Barn. That began with a trip to the store, an interview with the Drews that provided the kids with information and answers they had formulated during a session with After School Director Paul Jewett.
Director Jewett said the exercise was an opportunity to open their minds to different ways of looking into and pursuing a career when they were older. The 3 Bears Country Barn was an ideal way to learn more about the Drews and how they work closely with the community to make their store a success.
Director Jewett said the students’ questions were interesting, as they probed just what it would take to start a business similar to what Don and Shelly Drew had done to launch their store.
Director Jewett said, “We had a spirited discussion during a recent afternoon with the children about starting a store! I thought I would pass on some specific questions they would like the Drews to think about before their visit from BMU and NES After School Students.”
1. How did you come up with the idea of running a store?
2. How did you come up with a name for the store?
3. Have you considered expanding the store?
4. How do you determine the prices for the items you sell?
5. How much money do you have to bring in to cover your costs?
6. What steps do you need to take to secure the store?
7. Where does your store's stock come from, and do you store extra stock somewhere?
He said, “As you can see, lots of questions which will lead to a good discussion and understanding of all the things that go into making and successfully carrying out a business! Everyone involved was looking forward to a fun and learning experience,” he said.
Don and Shelly Drew told The Bridge Weekly they are presently operating their fifth season at their store. They offered that it all started after they bought the lot, cleared it, and then built the country barn. They had some assistance but did most of the work themselves. It is a beautiful building, reminiscent of a timber frame structure, and packed with a fantastic array of merchandise found in a typical small Vermont Country store.
They are locals, in that Shelly lived in Woodsville as a youth, and Don lived in Woodsville. Before opening the store, he was the head maintenance director for the Precinct of Mountain Lakes for 18 years.
They said during a tour and interview in the store that After School Program Director Jewett asked them about working with the students on what they did to set up the store, stock it, and maintain it as a country store.
The kids said they were amazed to find such a diverse assortment of foods, cheeses, wood products, books, music programs, and even a café featuring fresh coffee, baked goods, and other types of refreshments.
As the children toured the store, the variety of goods on display made it easy for them to ask Don and Shelly plenty of questions about starting the store.
Director Jewett said that the exercise provided an opportunity to open the students’ minds to different ways of pursuing a career in the future. He said the store was an ideal place for the kids to visit in order to find a well-managed, successful retail store in the area that was open from May through December each year.
Before their visit, the After School group gathered to discuss ways available to plan for a successful venture, similar to Drew’s store. Each After School Program group visited the store and was given time to wander around, examine the items for sale, and ask questions of the Drews who were on hand for the visits.
While in the store, Jewett had allowed each student to make a $5.00 purchase so they could appreciate some of the value of what the store carried and just how important it was for them to make a purchase and to talk about how the merchandise got onto the shelves, where it came from, the price markup and other considerations a store owner must have when carrying the hundreds of items that the Three Bears Country Store has available for the public to consider.
Jewett said that about 30 After School Program students, between the ages of five and 12, participated in the exercise. There have been many other types of life experiences that the students have or will explore. For instance, they investigated their ability to fly and use drones. They spent time with the magician and entertainer, Marko, and will travel to a local medical office to speak with a general practitioner about their educational needs, the process of seeking medical training, and how they plan to operate a medical business.
They have also worked on the required phases of constructing various wood projects, including a small library for Wells River and recreating a historic water box that was installed for cattle over 100 years ago. The after-school classes have successfully rebuilt one to replace the old one.
They will also learn what it takes to be a helicopter pilot, as a relative of the class is the owner of a local helicopter company. The students will learn from a local author and writer about the importance of reading books and writing stories, starting at the age of five or six years.
As the After School Program for BMU and Newbury Elementary School grows, so does enrollment from other towns, Jewett said. He will be including a new group of Bradford students in those programs that will be featured during the next school year and will also start a six-week summer program that will run into August.
The program, he said, is new and will include students from five to 12 years old, who will take field trips every week to something or somewhere different. He said it will provide an opportunity for the students to have new experiences in the area and learn something new over the summer, something kids from BMU, Newbury, and Bradford will enjoy doing.
As Work Continues, River House Prepares For Sat., June 28 Gala
The property is being designed to house up to 10 children plus the house parents with future plans for the barn to house single staff,
couples or small families. Specific rooms at the river house are being designed on the larger side in hopes of keeping siblings together in
the same house instead of being separated.
By Bernie Marvin
Haverhill Corner – A fundraising event will take place at the Haverhill Common area on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, featuring a variety of delicious foods, live music, raffles, face painting, local vendors, a silent auction, and more.
The ground zero for this exciting program will be at the newly established River House, a future local children’s home located on the beautiful property formerly owned by Dr. Jim and Beverly Brown, situated on the northern edge of the Haverhill Common.
A construction improvement program has been ongoing there for more than two years, as the River House is being entirely reconstructed to prepare it for occupancy at the end of 2025. The fundraising efforts will focus on property improvements for the Foster Care project, which has been underway since the property was acquired by Missie Anscombe of Upper Valley Ministries, an organization located at the nearby Piermont Church in
Piermont, NH.
Recently, The Bridge Weekly (TBW) asked Ms. Anscombe (MA) a series of questions that reviewed the entire project from front to back. The question-and answer session follows.
TBW-Work is continuing on River House. Could you tell me a bit about what you’re working on inside and outside the house?
MA-Framing of the main portion of the house has been the top priority because once it’s complete, electrical can go into the first floor and the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system can be designed.
Next steps are electrical, plumbing & HVAC. Then we’re on to the insulation,
sheet rock, flooring, and other cosmetic things!
TBW- When do you intend to make occupancy? Will there be children there at that time, or later?
MA- The plan is to move in December 2025 (Before Christmas), whether we have sheetrock and flooring or not. The first people to move in will be
Mike and I along with our own four children. We will then begin the fostering process, which will involve state inspections of the house. Once
the house is ready and we have all of the required licensing, we will begin taking in children between the ages of 0-9.
TBW-Do you have a number of children or families you expect at River House?
MA-The property is being designed to house up to 10 children plus the house parents with future plans for the barn to house single staff,
couples or small families. Specific rooms at the river house are being designed on the larger side in hopes of keeping siblings together in
the same house instead of being separated.
TBW-For your June 28 gala, what would you like the neighbors to know about the day’s program?
MA-This event is so we can meet and get to know our new community and give them the opportunity to partner with us in the exciting things that are happening right here in the heart of Haverhill. And to have an absolute blast as family! We know our own family is so excited for the festivities.
TBW-Do you plan to have personal visits prior to the June 28 event? Or do you hope to meet them during the June 28 event?
MA-We’ve loved meeting everyone who has stopped by the project to say hello and if we had more time, we would pay individual visits to them all, but as it is, we are excited to meet everyone at the event. We’ll have a table set up with information and hopefully some merchandise as well to help fund further renovations.
TBW-Should neighbors ask for a tour when folks are there working? Or would you rather make an appointment or pre-contact?
MA-Sometimes time is of the essence while we’re working, but if they catch us at a good time, we’re always happy to give a tour. It’s often harder to schedule things.
TBW-You have made contact with Josh Smith at WYKR Radio in Wells River?. Can folks hear your radio ad or promotion at a particular time?
MA-Yes! We love the folks at WYKR. I’m not sure of the exact time of day but I know they play twice a day up to the event.
TBW-How can locals sign up or can they sign up to volunteer to assist with the building or with kids’ programs you might have in the future?
MA-We always have projects to do for both amateurs and professionals in regard to renovations. We have a “Work with us” option on our web
site at www.theriverhousenh.org and I personally respond to each inquiry with current projects or needs. Working with children in the future is a more logistically complicated process as background checks are required.
TBW-If someone wanted to send a meal to the River House or donate items, how could they best do that?
MA-For all donations or inquiries to help will be coordinated through our website, www.theriverhousenh.org or direct email at TheRiverHouseNH@gmail.com. Financial gifts can be given online or mailed to PO Box 126. Haverhill, NH 03765.
TBW-What will you be needing most for the children at the house? Anything special you are particularly looking for?
MA-Every child’s needs will be unique and we are hopeful to partner with our community and other organizations to meet those individual needs as they come. As far as housing items, we are purchasing all new appliances and have a fund specifically for housing necessities for everyday life that anyone can donate to. We will also be furnishing a nursery with brand new items (Crib, glider, dresser, etc.) when the time comes as the chance of a child under the age of 3 being placed in our care is very likely.
Things are continuing to come together beautifully, and we have been so encouraged by the outpouring of support from the Haverhill community in this endeavor, from financial gifts to text messages of encouragement, we’ve
been blown away.
This home on Haverhill Common is being renovated from top to bottom into a future Foster Care Home for chil dren. The group, Upper Valley Ministries, formerly Youth with a Mission-Upper Valley, is doing the work and the fundraising.