Local Services

“We Just Show Up”

First responder Kayla Reno finds deep fulfillment in building community Article by Rebecca Ingalls | Photography by Kevin Edge The courageous individuals who occupy the “front line” believe in collective safety, for which they will risk their own. This month, as we express gratitude, we shine a light on Seacoast citizen Kayla Reno, firefighter and paramedic. We celebrate not only her courage, but also the grit of her journey and the community building that inspires her work.  For Reno, the...

Local Services

Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities

Northeast Passage empowers individuals with disability to realize possibility Article by Ann Kathryn Kelly For Luke, a 19-year-old sophomore nursing student at the University of New Hampshire (UNH), the chance to play lacrosse as a student athlete in a national tournament is a dream come true. What made that experience even more significant is that Luke was born with spina bifida, a condition where the spinal cord does not completely close during fetal development. Yet, as a UNH student...

Travel

A Seaside Escape Awaits in Cape Elizabeth

Rest before the rush of the holidays and find your inner calm Article by Peggy Newland Sometimes you just have to disconnect to reconnect, and if you give yourself some calm before the storm of holidays, you’ll be ready for the frenzy of family gatherings, neighborhood parties, and not enough wrapping paper. A quick jaunt up the coast to Inn by the Sea, in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, is the ideal reset before the onset of holidays. Set like a jewel on Crescent Beach, this oasis of empty beaches...

Life + Culture

My "Big" Best Friend

Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire transforms lives, one dedicated mentor at a time Article by Susan Gallagher | Photography by Mary Ellen McNamara The only memories 18-year-old Lana has of her mother live in dog-eared photographs and time-faded stories from those who knew her. Just three years old when she lost her mom, Lana grew up as an only child raised by her father. By the time she was nine, her mother’s absence was an aching void that nothing could fill. Hoping to ease his young...

Home Services

Special Delivery

Meals on Wheels delivers more than meals to seniors on the Seacoast Article by Susan Gallagher | Photography by Deborah Parker Doris pulls back the curtain to peer out her front window, wincing at the arthritis pain in her fingers. Tony should be here any minute. She smiles at the thought of her special friend. The Meals on Wheels delivery driver she has grown so fond of is the only person 84-year-old Doris will see all week. In a neighboring town, a tremulous hand slips out of the door...

Health + Wellness

Healing in Community

My Breast Cancer Support brings compassion, connection, and relief to those in need Article by Rebecca Ingalls | Photography by Jackie Williams Photography In 2005, one woman’s personal account of her breast cancer journey became a nexus of community building. From her online journal, “Bald Wendy,” New Hampshire resident and breast cancer survivor Wendy McCoole developed BreastCancerStories.com, a space where individuals who had been diagnosed with breast cancer could share their experiences...

Food + Beverage

Distilling Dreams

A father and son turn their passion for handcrafted, small-batch spirits into award-winning results and a legacy to last Article by Ann Kathryn Kelly | Photography by Kevin Edge Photography Founders and owners of Wiggly Bridge Distillery in York, Maine—father and son David Woods, Senior and Junior—share an entrepreneurial spirit for producing spirits (pun intended!). Their passion for, and dedication to, the art of handcrafted, small-batch distillation of fine liquor has earned Wiggly Bridge...

Food + Beverage

Barbecue Heaven in Rye

A husband-and-wife team creates smoked-meat magic on the seacoast Article by Peggy Newland | Photography by Peggy Newland and Janet Clarkson Davis Get your Texas barbecue on! Prometheus smokes like some deliciously scented dragon breathing low and slow with a peppery glow. Named for the Greek god of fire, Prometheus is an offset Texas smoker, crisping brisket, turkey, chicken, short rib, and pork, cowboy-style. Add a local brew in hand? Perfection. The smoker—and the delectable experience—can...

Style + Beauty

A Legacy of Celebrations

Elizabeth Dirom, owner of Madeleine’s Daughter, honors its origins and commemorates its success Article by Rebecca Ingalls Through its 50 years in business, Madeleine’s Daughter in Portsmouth has held two values above all others: legacy and passion. Since 2006, the shop has been owned and operated by Elizabeth Dirom, who glows when she reflects on her love for her work, and is quick to give credit to her predecessor and mentor, Janice Wood, whose mother was Madeleine.  Madeleine’s Daughter...

Shopping

Class With a Little Sass

Women find fashion flair with Maxine Graves at Maxxology Article by Gail Huff | Photography by Kevin Edge When meeting this 50-something, glamorous woman wearing designer clothes, you’d probably never guess she’s a U.S. Air Force veteran, accomplished M16 marksman, and serious weightlifter.  But Maxine "Maxx" Graves, who spent 30 years working in corporate finance, has broken out of her button-up business suit and is celebrating her life’s second act—in fashion. As owner of the new Maxxology...