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2015 New Hampshire Democratic Party State Convention

The 2015 New Hampshire Democratic Party State Convention was held in the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire yesterday September 20, 2015. I attended as one of the delegates representing the Democratic Committee for town of Hollis, NH.

Five of the candidates for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Governor Martin O’Malley (D-MD), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), former Governor Lincoln Chafee (D-RI), and Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig spoke at the convention.

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, one of the first speakers, was heckled as many in the crowd expressed their dissatisfaction over the DNC’s decision to hold only six debates — and only one in New Hampshire — chanting, “More debates!”

Governor Maggie Hassan, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, and Representative Annie Kuster also addressed the crowd. Former three-term Representative Carol Shea-Porter announced to the cheering crowd that she will be running again for the 1st District U.S. House seat she lost last year to Republican Frank Guinta.

More than 4,000 Democrats attended the convention on Saturday which made it the New Hampshire Democratic Party’s biggest convention ever!

Martin O’Malley in Hollis, NH

Martin O'MalleyI had the opportunity yesterday evening to hear Democratic presidential candidate, Martin O’Malley speak at a gathering at the home of friends in Hollis, NH.

I was impressed with him, and his positions on issues. He is a progressive Democrat, formerly Governor of Maryland (2007-2015), and Mayor of Baltimore (1999-2007). You can learn more about Governor O’Malley and his “15 Goals to Rebuild the American Dream” on his web site: https://martinomalley.com/

He also was interviewed on television yesterday in Manchester, NH by Josh McElveen on WMUR:

Hillary Clinton in Nashua, NH

Hillary Clinton held a town hall-style event in Nashua today at the Amherst Street School. The auditorium was packed. Granite State attendees were enthusiastic about her talk and they had lots of questions. I was glad to have the opportunity to hear her speak and snap a few photos, too.

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Presidential Candidates at 4th of July Parade

Amherst, NH Parade Draws Republican Candidates

Lindsey Graham, Rick Perry, and Jeb Bush, three of the fifteen declared Republican candidates vying to be chosen as their party’s Presidential nominee marched in the 4th of July parade in Amherst, New Hampshire.

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Hollis Old Home Days 2014

Hollis-Old-Home-Days-PosterHollis Old Home Days 2014 kicks off at 5:00 PM Friday, September 12 with Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides in the RE/MAX Hot Air Balloon, weather permitting.

Lizzi the Balloon Artist is on the Friday schedule from 5 to 9 PM, and there will be Amusement Rides and a Midway open from 6 to 10 PM, with food and beverages available for purchase. A Teen Dance with a DJ will be in the Entertainment tent from 7 to 10 PM.

Hollis Old Home Days banner

Saturday’s festivities start with an untethered hot air balloon launch for you early risers at 6:30 AM. (No pun intended!)

A variety of events will fill the day from 10 AM until the closing fireworks at 8:00 PM. Main Street will be closed at 10 AM for the parade which starts at 10:30 AM originating at Hollis Brookline Middle School and proceeding past the Town Common, ending at Nichols Field.

Activities include :

  • Silent Auction
  • Car, Truck and Tractor Show
  • Band Concert by the Hollis Town Band
  • Equestrian Demos
  • Apple Pie Contest
  • Entertainment – live music, dance, and improv performances
  • Chicken BBQ
  • Cow Pattie Bingo
  • Fireworks

Click here for the full schedule.

Annual Hollis Strawberry Festival

Celebrate the Start of Summer at the Strawberry Festival

strawberriesWhat a better way to celebrate the start of summer than by attending the Annual Hollis Strawberry Festival? Enjoy scrumptious strawberry shortcake, strawberry-rhubarb crisp, and sundaes while listening to the Hollis Town Band perform marches, swing band music, tunes from Broadway and pieces written specifically for concert bands!

The Strawberry Festival takes place on Sunday, June 22, 2014 from 2-4 PM on the Hollis Town Common.

The Hollis Woman’s Club and the Hollis Town Band work together to every year to produce a successful Strawberry Festival and share the proceeds to fund scholarships for students, adults, musicians and donations to local charities. 

For more information about the Annual Hollis Strawberry Festival visit the Hollis Woman’s Club website.

Wild Turkeys Stop Traffic!

Wild Turkeys Crossing Street - Oct. 2013

A Flock of Hens Cross the Street

I was lucky enough to catch these hens stopping traffic on Route 130 yesterday as they crossed the street and disappeared in to the Autumn foliage on the other side of the street.

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Squam Lakes – Natural Science Center

Osprey - photo by Mary Codd

I went to the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center yesterday with other members of the Hollis Women’s Club for a presentation about ospreys by Project Leader and Science Center Executive Director Iain MacLeod.
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Japanese Silverberry, Autumn Olive or Autumnberry

Japanese Silverberries
I found small trees laden with berries, growing in my backyard along the treeline bordering the lawn.  After some research I identified them as the Japanese Silverberry, Autumn Olive, or Autumnberry. The scientific name is Elaeagnus umbellata.
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Eastern Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

Eastern Wild Turkey

We’ve now made the acquaintance of one female eastern wild turkey. It was hard to judge her size because she made sure to keep me at a distance, but according to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department she should weigh about ten pounds. [continue reading…]