ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

There comes a time in the life of the middle-aged American male where he has bought everything. You name it, I paid for it. Go ahead, try – skis, houses, cars, air hockey set, pinball machine, dolls, sporting goods, underwear, hammock, lawn furniture, cheese log, diamond ring, pet toys, coupons for a massage. Now what I really for Christmas, I can’t have.

ALUMNI NOT REALLY DEAD, YET

Oops. Half a thousand University of New Hampshire alumni were accidentallyg listed as dead in the latest Alumni Directory. That’s good news for a lot of us aging University grads who needed proof they are still living. But could there be something deeper than a simple computer error?

IN MEMORIAM

Robert Brewster
Portsmouth, NH
b. February 15, 1954
d. October 1, 2005

WE TALK TO THE FUDGE

When a promotional agent for "the last intact 60s band" was making a rare appearance in New Hampshire, we bit. The one-hit Vanilla Fudge were here at Hampton Beach in the Psychedelic Sixties. We had not heard from the since. Here's what we learned in an exclusive interview with band-founder Mark Stein.

CHURCH & STATE DEPT.

This week we got the following letter from a sharp-eyed reader and it seemed just strange enough to merit a little attention. Not much, mind you, but it isn’t every week that the so-called "religious right" cops something from your web site. Grampa told us to avoid talking politics and religion when possible. Sorry, gramps.

A PLAN FOR ALL SEASONS

The problem with being from New England is that there are no simple answers to anything. It may have something to do with living under four distinct seasons that require four distinct mindsets. It may come from being descended from hardworking, but weird Mayflower pilgrims. Consider the following question about a leaky lawnmower.

AT LONG LAST, A WAY IN

They finally did it! After years of fits and starts, Portsmouth’s biggest history museum is building a visitor’s center. We were there for the ground breaking, and we’re going to stick around for a while and get to know our Puddledock neighbor better. Why not join us?

BURNING QUESTIONS DEPT.

Scientists take note -- important discoveries are often made by researchers who boldly go where others fear to tred. Do cats watch TV? Do cats use computers? These are among the burning questions that the professionals often ignore. As a result, the fate of humankind may hang on the work of 10-year olds and the neighborhood science fair. (Includes photographic evidence.)

A YANKEE IN THE CITY

New Yorkers do have the best pizza, the best pastrami and the best bagels. Our recent foray to the Big Apple proved that conclusively. New Yorkers also have the best survival skills, a prehistoric ability to press on under the most impossible conditions. And they get a lot of practice daily just moving around a little island packed with millions of people. (Plus a DOZEN photos)

NOW THAT'S NEWS

What is this world coming to when four-year-olds are driving around town in the wee hours of the morning? Is this another example of a world gone mad or the heroic tale of a pint-sized Columbus? Either way, it’s not boring like the front page of the New York Times.