Notwithstanding the fact that I was born in New Hampshire, that is not the only reason I enjoy living in the Granite State. I like the state because:

1) There is such an emphasis on history and the arts. We have quality museums that have an awful lot to offer. The NH Historical Society and Museum of NH History provides state of the art exhibits as well as wonderful publications with articles that are meaty, on target, and in depth. They provide quality educational lectures on myriad topics that both members and non-members are welcome to attend.

2) New Hampshire has been home to prominent writers, poets, sculptors, folksingers, quilters, painters, and other creative souls. To drop a few names into the conversation, we’d have to mention Richard Letterer, Robert Frost, Celia Thaxter, Augustus St. Gaudens, Bill Staines, Carol Doak, Faye Labanaris, Harriet E. Wilson, and others we have failed to list.

3) I like New Hampshire because we are home to one of the largest quilt shops in the country: Keepsake Quilting in Centre Harbor, a site that is located not far from the terrific Moultonboro Country Store, and the Remick Museum, further north, a great destination for the family.

4) We have an educational system that is unsurpassed, on all levels, and which holds high standards for teacher training. We are also home to Dartmouth College, an Ivy League school. Our state educational network of colleges and university sites are exceptional.

5) Recreation possibilities abound whether you enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, golfing, snowboarding, skiing, or skating.

6) Yankees are likely to lend a helping hand, whenever needed. Just be sure to bring a map with you. If you stop a native, he might just scratch his head and report that “You cain’t git they-a from he-a.” Of course, he’d be right! We have lots of back roads, passable only by those who know where they are going!

7) We can lay claim to having had one man elected from New Hampshire to serve in the White House, President Franklin Pierce.

With the first political primary in the country, we are the location that the nation watches when it comes to national elections.

9) Shopping for antiques here is grand. Like everywhere else, you might have to sort through the trash to find the treasure, but a day’s outing usually turns up some must-have items. Who knows? One man’s trash is another man’s treasure…as they say.

10) A sense of social justice and reason prevails here. The state was strongly abolitionist, and according to some, there was a network of “safe houses” in NH. We have also recently welcomed a huge number of immigrants, from all over the world, into our midst, not the least of whom have been people from Africa. They wear very colorful native dress and make the landscape more beautiful, by their presence.

For these ten reasons, and others, I love New Hampshire, whose motto is “Live Free or Die.”

“There is nothing so powerful as the truth.” – the late Daniel Webster, NH.

Patricia

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