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| READ OUR MAIL October 2000 Mailbag SeacoastNH.com |
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October 30 BOO! We're going to post a bunch of mail after Halloween. Right now everything electronic in the office seems to be misfiring. Fax, phone, ISP, CPU, ad naseum. Things have not been this chaotic since the ghost of Goody Cole hexed our laser printer back in 1998. We also prefer to lay back on answering letters in the last few days of the month so the late mail will not be automatically archived. For those waiting for responses - hang in there - Halloween is nearly past. The Editor http://www.seacoastnh.com/arts/goody.html#2 October 28 PORTSMOUTH TREATY QUIERY Where was it signed? Does the Rockingham Hotel have a part in it? Are there any monuments or plaques dedicated to this event? Selena of Wells, ME snickerson@webtv.net EDITOR'S REPLY: Yes, the Rockingham, as we understand it, was mostly headquarters for the large body of media - including some of the first newsreel photographers - who covered the highly publicized month-ling event. The delegates stayed at Wentworth by the Sea nearby, also owned by the same hotel corporation that had inherited it from local ale tycoon Frank Jones. There are museum items strewn throughout the city and a large collection of Russo-Ja[anese war books at the Portsmouth Athenaeum. We toured the little treaty museum room at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard recently with the editor of the world's largest newspaper from Japan, and you can see our tour and read our coverage below: http://www.seacoastnh.com/arts/please060200.html http://www.seacoastnh.com/arts/treaty.html http://www.seacoastnh.com/navyyard/1905treaty.html October 27 Lamprey NOT AT BLOCKBUSTER I am a librarian at the Oyster River Middle School. The video which you discussed in your recent InSite article sounds like it would be a wonderful resource for us to use in our seventh grade science curriculum in which we study watershed issues. How can one borrow/buy it? Thanks for any assistance you can be to us. Nancy Bergeron of Durham, NH EDITOR'S REPLY: That tape should really be in your school library already since you are part of the watershed community for which it was designed. You may want to contact the Lamprey River Association which has offices in the Newmarket Town Hall, or contact Judith Spang who organized the project. It should be a great reference for your students. http://www.seacoastsearch.com/feature22.htm October 26 MORE SMUTTYNOSE, PLEASE Hi. I'm hoping you can help me find some info. I just checked out "The Weight of Water" by Anita Shreve which, as you know, revolves the Smuttynose murders. It was recommended that I read up on the history before reading the book - that I would more thoroughly enjoy the book if I did.
I read some of the background on your website but was interested in reading more. Have been trying to locate the primary sources that you used for your internet info. and which you listed at the end but haven't had any luck at our local libraries or bookstores. I'm really intrigued now. Any suggestions? Looking for either "Murder at Smuttynose and Other Murders", "Moonlight Murder at Smuttynose", or
"A Memorable Murder." Or anything else you might recommend.
October 25 READER SENDS SCARY HALLOWEEN POEM It's that time of year, when evil lurks around every corner.... When slimy, loathsome creatures appear at your door, And they all want Something from you --- Your Vote! Daychristy@aol.com October 25 MEMOIR OF WENTWORTH HOTEL NEAR COMPLETION Good Morning! The arrival of Webmaster Tim's Newsletter Supplement this morning reminded me to update you on my novel. Xlibris is publishing it and I am waiting for the first round of galley proofs right now. It will be called "Wentworth-By-The-Sea, 1969: A Novel". To keep the suspense and interest going among my friends and fans, I have set up a web site that you might like to glance (see link below). Considering the fact that I began this endeavor in 1985, I am excited that it is finally "coming true"! Thanks, Dennis, for steering me to Xlibris. -Sue Chapman Melanson melanson@psouth.net http://www.homestead.com/wentworthbythesea EDITOR'S REPLY: You go girl! This is interactively at its peak. We write a web site, you do a BOOK!. You can be assured of a permanent link in our popular Wentworth-by-the-Sea history theme section. Your web site is a superb overview and we look forward to supporting your self-publishing efforts in any way we can. Power to the people! It feels like the Sixtires all over again. Our readers may, in the meantime, read a key selection already on our site my Ms. Melanson. http://www.seacoastnh.com/wentbysea/lostkey.html http://www.seacoastnh.com/wentbysea October 24 SEEKING EMILY FARNUM We're interested in a photo and history of the clipper ship Emily Farnum, launched in Portsmouth on July 1, 1834. George McCormick, editor forum@mail.olypen.com EDITOR'S REPLY: Your message was forwarded from the local chamber of commerce and we can help, somewhat. Ray Brighton tells the story of this popular local clipper ship, one of 28 made in this region, in his book "Clippers of the Port of Portsmouth" (Portsmouth Marine Society, 1985, page 59). There is no picture of the ship, but the wooden half model still hangs in the Portsmouth Athenaeum. Apparently there was a model of the ship on display in the old Portsmouth Savings Bank which is no longer in business. You can purchase the book online via our new SeacoastStore.com at the link below to the Peter Randall bookstore (see BOOKS). The book is listed under "Ships & Boats" in that online store. http://www.seacoaststore.com/ October 23 JPJ AGAIN Do you have any information on descendants of John Paul Jones? G.Richardson Mailwines@aol.com EDITOR'S RESPONSE: We should, but we don't have any real genealogical info. Jones himself (whose real name was John Paul) had no descendants and the Paul line traces from his sister's families in Scotland. His brother William Paul also died without an heir. A lot of literature has been produced tracing imaginary descendants from his connections in America, but none we have seen trace JPJ's authentic family roots. The "Jones" geneaology books offer no details on the authentic "Paul" family tree. Check READ OUR MAIL ARCHIVES for lots of similar letters and a discussion of the Willie Jones theory. Here is one of the "Jones" books from our collection:
Jones, William R. and Branch, Joseph G., John Paul Jones and his Ancestry together with His Last Days, Joseph G. Branch Publishing, Chicago, 1927, 284 pps.
October 22 LAUGH OR CRY? I subscribe to a newsletter called Linky & Dinky. One of the links they had recently was to CACI -- a corporation that offers free samples of zip code data on line. In part this is what they had to say about Portsmouth: "This moderate-income market is physically active. Unemployment and poverty are low with half of the work force employed in the manufacturing and service industries. Average home value is 40% below the national average. They are active in bowling and playing billiards/pool, performing volunteer work and taking domestic trips. Most drive older cars and use coupons for groceries." I wasn't sure whether I should get angry or laugh! Pat Mullaney ebooks@tiac.net EDITOR'S REPLY: Thanks Pat. Good to see that someone, at least, has a perfect summary of life here in Portsmouth. Accurate right down to the billiards which we play every Friday. Amazing stats! October 20 WITH APOLOFIES TO MA -- HA-HA We've been so busy working on SeacoastStore.com that we've neglected our bulging mailbox. Just to keep the dialog going, we're passing along a joke we heard at the barbershop today: Four New Englanders are riding in a car during leaf peeping season, one from New Hampshire, one from Vermont, one from Maine, one from Massachusetts. Suddenly the Maine guy reaches into a bag and starts tossing potatoes out the window. "What are you doing?" the others ask. "We've got so many potatoes in Maine, I just wanted to get rid of a few," he says. Later the guy from Vermont reaches into a bag and starts tossing little bottles of maple syrup out the window. "What gives?" the others shout. "Ah, we've got way too much maple syrup in Vermont," he responds. "I thought I'd just get rid of some while we were driving." That seems to make sense to the others who begin thinking. A minute later the guy from New Hampshire throws the guy from Massachusetts out the window. --- The Editors October 15 STARK STATUES I am trying to find information about the dedication of a statue to General John Stark in Manchester, Saturday, Oct 14. Nothing in Manchester Leader web page that I could find. thank you Richard Stark Little of Morgantown, WV rslit@earthlink.net EDITOR'S REPLY: That 100+ year old dedication is a little off the chart for the local newspaper. You want to go to Bibliofind.com and purchase a book published in Manchester in 1890 called "The Statue Erected by the State of New Hampshire in Honor of General John Stark. A Sketch of its Inception, Erection and Dedication" It shows up frequently in old book stores here and online. There is also a separate book about the Stark statue on the campus of the NH state capitol in Concord. We just happen to have a copy of that one here and it is entitled "Proceedings in Congress upon the Acceptance of the Statues of John Stark and Daniel Webster presented by the State of New Hampshire" published in Washington in 1895. There is also a 16 page booklet on the topic from the same era including info about the Stark House in Manchester. That's a little out of our Seacoast territory and the key info is at the Manchester Historical Society and Stark House and the at NH Historical Society in Concord. http://www.seacoastnh.com/framers/stark.html October 14 YOU USTA PRINT BREWSTER Just wondering if you were going to continue with the remaining chapters of the "Brewster's Rambles"? We enjoy them. Harold J. Odiorne Jr. harold.odiorne@the-spa.com EDITOR'S REPLY: Our apologies. Too many irons in the fire here. We're halway through serializing "Story of a Bad Boy" and we've neglected poor Charles Brewster again. We have nearly 100 chapters in the queue. If anyone comes up with a sponsor or grant writer, let us know. We will try to finish what start and get back to our pal Chuck asap. Thanks. http://www.seacoastnh.com/aldrich http://www.seacoastnh.com/brewster October 11 HEART SICK FOR THE SEACOAST I loved your piece on the Blackbeard Treasure Hunt. During the early 80's, I flew F-111's out of Portsmouth. We loved Portsmoth so much, I managed to find ways to extend my stay for 7 years. Three days after leaving fir my new assignment, I had the first of three heart attacks...guess we should never have left dear Portsmouth where it was extremely rare for us to be indoors instead of downtown at the cafe Brioche, playing tennis, playing "monster" near our home on Rye beach, blah...blah...blah. Anyway, it's hard to believe our oldest child, who still calls Porstmouth his hometown, is a senior. The whole fam loves your Web Page...except the photo's leave a bit of an empty spot in my heart. Our hearts yearn for the "Seacoast"...were committed to returning for a visit. Until then, thanks for keeping us near. P.S. my son lives in your colorful SeacoastNH.com T-shirt! Daren Jack of Eagle, Idaho darenjk@aol.com EDITOR'S REPLY: Thanks for the kind words. We have the same problem with getting Tim to wear anything but our popular logo T-shirt. Luckily, he has a dozen of them. We hope those who live here will value our precious coastline as much as those of you who once lived here do. Starting today, you can get even more Seacoast input daily -- we've torn down the Piscataqua Wall and offer now our readers online news from BOTH the Portsmouth Herald and Fosters Daily Democrat, the leading local newspapers. Wouldn't this page make an ideal bookmark? Check it out: http://www.seacoastnh.com/news October 11 FOR 10 POINTS... WhAT WAS THE USS RALEIGH? What is the significance of the ship to the State of NH? Kim of Plymouth, NH kkortz@tec.nh.us EDITOR'S REPLY: Built in 1776 in just 60 days, the Raleigh was among the very first ships commissioned by the forming United States of America. The bid went to Continental shipping agent John Langdon of Portsmouth. Landgon's next ship was John Paul Jones famous Ranger. That's why it appears on the state of NH official seal. Check these links: http://www.seacoastnh.com/ussconstitution/quiz.html http://www.seacoastnh.com/history/rev/seal.html http://www.seacoastnh.com/navyyard/index.html October 08 LOVING OUR COASTAL NH BOOK FROM LA I ordered the fabulous Seacoast photo book you pulled together, and it is awesome! What a fabulous job you did, and I enjoyed the witty comments throughout. Thanks so much for sharing your work. I am constantly telling people in LA how beautiful and perfect the NH Seacoast is, and they all look at me like I have three heads. Now I can whip out your book, and prove it. Until I move back, I can flip through the pages, click my heels 3 times and whisper "There's no place like home. There's no place like home." Congrats on your fine work. Melissa Puch de Fripp in LA sugarbedfilms@email.msn.com http://www.seacoastnh.com/store/index.htm EDITOR'S NOTE: Thanks. The last time we saw Melissa she was playing drums in a rock band in Fishtraks Recording Studio. Today the studio is a candle shop! October 08 LOVING OUR NEWSLETTER FROM CA I just love your newsletter even though I'm a southern CA person. I sent it to my sister in law who lives in Liberty ME. She just got a computer and I know she will love to read your news! Her husband grades the airport on Matinicus Island every year - for over 30 years I think. He might have some great history for you. He always brings back a case of fresh lobster when he grades the airport. Madi Creekmore madio6@iwon.com October 07 WINNACUNNET GRAD REMEMBERS WHEN I graduated from Winnacunnet HS in 1981, back when real estate in P-mouth was probably a little cheaper - but there were 2 great movie theaters downtown (as an aside, did you know that the Strand in Dover is featured under the word Marquee in one of the big dictionaries? Can't remember which one). I seem to be cursed (or blessed) with a nostalgic personality, and was wondering if there was a web resource where WHS alumni would care to share something about themselves (other than classmates.com). I enjoyed my high school years, working at Bondi's seafood, Elegant Farmer, Rexall's etc. -and yes, going to school. It seems like many people have been scattered to the winds in the past 20 +/- years. I realize many ex-classmates are (or must be) still in the area, but I rarely see or hear about anyone. I have noted with interest the progress of some alumni that graduated in the late 70's or 80's. Barry Danelian is a back-up for Spyro Gyra and other noted jazz bands; Mary Jane-Begin is a noted illustrator of children's books and a RISD prof; George Hosker has obviously done well in the local arts scene, Kipling West is a well-known designer of tarot cards; and Deirdre Randall appears to be an up-and-comer on the folk music circuit. Most others grads probably live quiet, unassuming lives (like myself) - whether near the seacoast or leagues away. A noted Winnacunnet alumni of 1979 was Scott Fifer. He's a screen-writer. I know he's done scripts for Beverly Hills 90210, but I think he's done something more reputable (possibly even award-winning). And tThe following turned up on a web search: "It's been fourteen years since the founding of the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Program, now regarded as the nation's most prestigious competition for aspiring screenwriters. During the past decade judges have sifted through nearly 37,000 screenplay entries to select a mere 58 fellows. Writer-directors Allison Anders, Radha Bharadwaj, Raymond De Felitta and Mark Lowenthal and writers Max Adams, Scott Fifer, Myron Goble, Susannah Grant, Ehren Kruger, Andrew Marlowe, Randy McCormick, Jim McGlynn, T.C. Smith, and Warren Taylor are among the past winners of a Nicholl Fellowship."
Any other WHS grads from the 70's/80's care to speak up on this or another
forum? Thanks for the eye time.
October 06 WANTS SEACOAST JOB SOMEDAY I HAVE LIVED IN N.H. 40 YEARS BUT I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO THE COST SOME DAY. I CAN DO CARPENTRY WORK, NURSING, LANDSCAPING, A LITTLE ELECTRICAL WORK AND WOULD LIKE TO SPECIFICALLY BE LOCATED ON BOARS HEAD IF YOU KNOW OF ANY ONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THESE ISSUES PLEASE GIVE THEM MY E MAIL THANK YOU Lawson Brouse of Salem NH brouse@mediaone.net October 05 SHE WON FIVE PHOTO BOOKS I received the books today (what fast service!!) and they are gorgeous! Thanks so much. Pat Gale plgale@tiac.net EDITOR’S NOTE: You’re welcome! What a difference a month makes. Pat won five lovely photos books in our last contest. This month the prize is a pair of Inline skates. Next month, who knows? We, in turn, want to thank the sponsors who have made this contest possible and exciting for tens of thousands of entrants over the last four years. Pat’s books, thanks to upcoming new web site, will be permanently available from Twin Lights Publishing in SeacoastStore.com. http://www.seacoastnh.com/contests http://www.seacoastnh.com/store October 03 LIZ GETS TICKED OFF AND WRITES BACK Hi For your information (see letter from Liz below) my teacher suggested that I email a New Hampshire website because the five books I took out of the library do not have the information that I requested from you. I also checked several encyclopedias. The results were not good. I emailed you for help. I have 25 questions to answer and I sent you the ones I was having trouble with. I did not expect to be put down..........which by the way is exactly what you did. Liz EDITOR'S REPLY: No put down intended, Liz, but we see your point. We simply do not answer "homework" questions. You would be amazed at the mail we get from students who put us down by demanding instant answers to questions they should be researching on their own. We get them from parents sometimes too. We think teachers need to teach students HOW to ask effective questions to online experts, most of whom don't respond at all. We've answered 2,000 letters online - just because we like to. Anyway, your letter and response made us think and we used that time to create a "form letter" which we will begin sending. Sorry about the negative vibe. Maybe you should bring this into class and discuss it with the gang there. We web site "experts" are people too. Here's our new letter: DEAR STUDENT, SeacoastNH.com is a regional web site focused only on the Seacoast area of New Hampshire. If your question does not relate to that area of the USA, that's why we have not offered an individual response. we just do not have time or staff to answer every question online or via e-mail. Our site contains 2,500 pages of information on Seacoast, New Hampshire. You can locate information on our site or on the World Wide Web by clicking to our SEARCH engine page. It includes all our favorite search engines, including our own. http://www.seacoastnh.com/search.html This note is also sent to students who ask "homework -style" questions. If you do not get an answer from us or from other Expert sites, you may wish to adapt your question-answering style. Here are a few tricks that may help you get more and better answers from web sites: (1) Decide what you need to know most. (2) Pick a single question, not a series of questions. (3) Identify yourself. Tell the expert a little about who you are, your grade level and the nature of your project. (4) Never tell the expert you need an immediate answer. (For example: "I've gotta have this right away since my assignment is due in the morning!") Those questions usually make experts hit the DELETE button. (5) Tell the expert what you have already learned, and what you do not currently understand about your topic. Show that you KNOW something, and care about the topic, not simply that you need a quick answer. (6) Ask a specific, not generic question. (Eg. NO: "How has civil rights changed in the last century?" YES: "Which of George Washington's slaves escaped from Mount Vernon to NH?") (7) Ask for guidance, not answers. The role of the web site expert is to lead you to helpful information that will allow you to form an opinion, not answer the question for you. Most experts used to be students, teachers and parents, so they know where you are coming from. (8) Learn to use search engines. 99% of the information you are seeking is on the WWW if you know were to look. Expert sites are designed for that 1% of questions that are no online or not easily found by effective searching. (9) Remember that there are people on the other end too. Be polite, no demanding. (10) Ask the question in your own words, not the words in your textbook or teacher assignment book. (11) Check out the content of the web site you are questioning in advance and direct your question to that topic specifically covered by that site. If it is a site about golf, don't ask about World War 2, unless you want to know about golf during wW2. (12) Look at the source of the web site to determine whom you are speaking to. (Eg, is it a library with a paid reference staff? A commercial web site designed to make money? A chamber of commerce or tourist web site? A business focused on its customers?) Some web site are run by really weird people. Hope this helps.
Feel free to copy this page and return it to your teacher for discussion in class, but don't forget where you got it - www.SeacoastNH.com.
October 03 PLEASE DO ALL MY HOMEWORK, THANKS. Hi.... I am a student doing a project on colonial New Hampshire... As part of my research I have a few questions I hope you can answer.... Was there religious tolerance? What evidence is there of either religious tolerance or no religious tolerance? From where were the people who settled in the colony? How was the colony governed? Who were the early leaders? How were these leaders chosen? What major cities developed in this colony? hank you for your help. Liz D EDITOR'S REPLY: The great thing about graduating from school and getting old is that one never has to do homework again. Instead we've put the info online for you to find. There are lots of good web sites with info on colonial NH. Start with our Colonial section and here are a couple more links. The SEARCH engine is the place to go. http://www.seacoastnh.com/history/colonial/index.html http://www.seacoastnh.com/brewster/index.html http://www.seacoastnh.com/aldrich/index.html#oldtown http://www.nh.com/history/idxoverview.html October 01 PLANNING NOW JUNE WEDDING I was wondering if someone could give me a few suggestions as to where there would be a good place for a weding ceremony in June. If you have any that would be great. Jodi JMB7373@aol.com EDITOR'S REPLY: What timing. We're working, even now, with local event planners to create just such an online guide for the Seacoast. In the meantime, check out the Wedding Guide on SeacoastSearch.com which is our online link collection. http://www.seacoastsearch.com/ October 01 THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILDE Yesterday I attended an exhibit of American Impressionism which featured the Childe Hassam painting, "South Ledges of Appledore". Also featured was his painting of "Celia in her Garden". It was a thrill to see the originals!! Even got to visit with some students studying the painting and enlighten them about the islands and Mr. Hassam. To top it off the gift shop had t-shirts with the South Ledges picture reproduced on it plus some blank books with covers of either South Ledges or of Celia. It was a really great time and wanted others to know of the opportunity if it should come to their art museum... Joan J of Bloomington, MN jljmjohn@aol.com EDITOR'S REPLY: Thanks for sharing that info. We've seen an array of similar Hassam items in the always-intriguing Star Island Gift Shop in the Oceanic Hotel that opens and closes each day during the Isles of Shoals summer season. http://www.seacoastnh.com/celia |
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