Lebanon’s AVA Gallery has undergone many transitions and changes this winter, saying goodbye to Bente Torjusen following her 30-year tenure as Executive Director, welcoming incoming Executive Director Trip Anderson, and completing the construction of an innovative and energy-efficient new sculpture studio.

In January, AVA Gallery completed three major capital projects: the new 4,000-square-foot Bente Torjusen West Sculptural Studies Building, and two separate solar arrays—one on the sculptural studies building and one on the existing Carter-Kelsey building. The solar arrays are part of a plan to for the buildings to be net-zero energy. In the summer months, the large array on the “Bente building” may provide enough energy, not just to power the new building and the heavy machinery in the sculpture studios, but also to supplement the array on the Carter-Kelsey building making both buildings energy neutral.… Read More

Rejoice all you die-hard bicyclists in the Upper Valley: When the snowflakes start falling, you no longer have to be forced inside and sit astride that stationary bike while you watch boring television shows in your living room!

“The fat tire bike opens up all four seasons in our region,” says Jason Ouelette, new owner of the bike shop at Mason Racing on Mascoma Street in Lebanon. It’s an ideal location when you consider that within the Lebanon area there are some 105 bike trails, highlighted by the Northern Rail Trail.

Fat tire bicycling has taken the region by storm and the Lebanon area may be the epicenter of that movement.… Read More

November and December is a time of real local pride for me, especially, and perhaps strangely, pride in our local harvest. Summer’s juicy fresh fruits and veggies are fabulous and already missed, but our autumnal New Hampshire foods dominate the traditional menus for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hannukah. The classic Hannukah potato pancakes are served with applesauce, after all, and potatoes and apples are easy to find on Lebanon farms!

The Thanksgiving story, of course, is all about New England foods. I like to add two components to my family’s big holiday meals, both of which are possible because I live here, in this rural community filled with excellent farms.… Read More

I’d no more than joined the Lebanon Historical Society when they appointed me curator,” says Ed Ashey, who is also Lebanon’s City Historian, the man in charge of fielding questions about Lebanon’s past. Though not formally trained in museum work, Ed says, “I have gone to museums forever. I knew you needed accession numbers on things, records of the donor, condition, and so forth.” He’s worked hard going through piles of photos and other records, often posting pictures on the group’s website, LebanonNHHistory.org, or on the Facebook page “You know you grew up in the Upper Valley if…”

Ed’s interest in history started when he was “just a little kid.… Read More

You may have noticed some new structures pop up around town—filled with great reads that are free to anyone who walks by.

While we’ve had public libraries here in Lebanon since 1802, the newest ones never close and don’t even require a library card. These Little Free Libraries are both beautiful and functional, allowing Lebanon residents to pass on what they don’t need and find a new treasure while they are there. The idea is to “take a book, return a book,” but there are no requirements or due dates on these shelves, no e-readers or digital copies; just free and easy access to books in public locations.… Read More

Amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the Sacred Heart Church in Lebanon offers a heartwarming reminder of what this season of giving is all about.

Each Thanksgiving, more than 100 volunteers gather at the Sacred Heart to serve a community Thanksgiving dinner, all free of charge and open to the public.

Offering both a full-course meal at the church as well as an extensive delivery service, this event serves 850 free meals to individuals, groups, and families every Thanksgiving Day.

Coordinating a meal of this size is a major undertaking. “It’s a good thing I have the whole week of Thanksgiving off work!”… Read More

Don’t forget to get your tickets to see Dark Star Orchestra to benefit the Rusty Berrings Skatepark in memory of Tyler Kirschner.

Dark Star Orchestra recreates set lists from some of the most legendary Grateful Dead shows in the Dead’s 30 years of touring. If you’ve ever wondered why the fans were/are so loyal to what the Dead was offering, you now have a chance to experience what it was like to be in an intimate venue, with a couple thousand of your now closest friends (because that’s what seems to happen), and just let the music carry the evening. When the seven members of DSO play, they remind us that the music never stopped and it definitely isn’t stopping any time soon.… Read More

Have you been lucky enough to meet Dudley, the not-so-mini mini-pig? Many in the Upper Valley have. Michelle Carbonneau and Zebulon Jenks of Vershire, Vt., are the proud owners of 3-year-old Dudley Winston Jenks, a miniature pig. Dudley is not a pot-bellied pig but a Juliana pig, also known as the Miniature Painted Pig. Unlike the more commonly known pot-bellied pigs, Juliana pigs are leaner in appearance, generally taller, and they lack the belly of other miniature pigs.

Also, Michelle and Zeb discovered that if fed and cared for properly, miniature pigs can actually grow to be quite sizable. Dudley has maxed out at a very healthy weight of 185 pounds.… Read More

When Dogs Walk Their Humans

When Becky Luce goes out for a walk these days, she is always accompanied by her faithful companion, the erstwhile Brittany, Obi. Since he joined the Luce family last winter, Becky and Obi have explored the hills and dales of the Upper Valley collecting dirt and mud, and enjoying the benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle.

One of their favorite treks is the Hanover Center portion of the Appalachian Trail in Etna, which they love to explore, especially with their friend, Lisa and her Brittany, Obi’s Aunt Maggie. “For every step I take, Obi runs at least 5!… Read More

The American Legion was born at a caucus of the First American Expeditionary Force, March 15-17, 1919, in Paris. “The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization, committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans,” according to the mission statement on Legion.org.

In July of 1919, a temporary charter was obtained to start the Lebanon American Legion Post.… Read More