Mountain Ear Chronicles

11/09/2024

Here's an event to reminisce about great times in the Valley and also to learn more about how the Valley came to be the wonderful place that it is. Hope to see you there!

10/28/2024

The Ear's late publisher Steve Eastman dreamed of a book featuring some of the Mountain Ear's most iconic stories, maybe a little different than the one that's about to come out, but we think he'd approve.
Stay tuned for information about the book launch and panel at the M&D Playhouse at the historic Eastern Slope Inn on Friday, November 22. Hope to see you there and bring your memories of favorite times in the Valley. You can preorder the book from White Birch Books.

08/13/2024

With Kay Hubbell about to be inducted into the N.H. Tennis Hall of Fame, thought people would enjoy reading this story from 1984.

If you are a tennis fan, you surely didn't miss the action this past weekend on Center Court, Wimbledon--unless you were out playing tennis yourself. Although almost a foregone conclusion that Navratilova and McEnroe would continue their dominance and repeat for the All-English titles, it was still....

06/08/2024

With all the news of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, I thought this story of Harry Eastman and the weekly letters he wrote, starting in 1944 just after D-Day, to those serving overseas was timely to run.

In 1944, Harry Eastman started writing letters to local Fryeburg area servicemen and -women serving overseas. He got many letters back.

05/27/2024

Everything you ever wanted to know about New Hampshire's state flower, the lilac, but didn't know who to ask. Of course, the Mountain Ear wrote about it!

New Hampshire marks the place in America where the lilac was first successfully grown.

03/21/2024

Have some fun with these classic Resort Report photos.

Fun photos from the Resort Report.

02/13/2024

Yes, things have really changed at Mt. Cranmore since this 1993 article about Ski School Director Karen Dolan, but Karen is still there heading up the ski school. I'm thinking some things have changed in teaching methods, however, since this article but certainly not Karen’s teaching skills.

Teaching skiing has strong heritage at the venerable Mt. Cranmore, according to Karen Dolan, director of the Cranmore Ski School for the past three years. It was at Mt. Cranmore that Hannes Schneider, the undisputed father of modern skiing, came to teach skiing and run a ski school in 1939. Wealthy....

01/23/2024

The World Mud Bowl is one of those classic events in the Valley that still continues to entertain and support Valley charities.

The Mud Bowl has been with us a long time--moving it into North Conway at its current site was a genius move.

01/18/2024

The late Dick May was a local historian and an entertaining personality. Both of those qualities come out in this story about skiing's start in Jackson, N.H.

This 1986 synopsis of Jackson's ski history by Dick May reveals little known facts and the author's wry sense of humor.

01/16/2024

This story by Chris Stewart is long, but worth every minute. Phil Labbe's adventures on Mt. Washington could be a movie for sure.

This story of survival on Mt. Washington will take your breath away.

01/07/2024

Always interesting to read about people whose personality and talents were such an addition to Mt. Washington Valley -- here's one on Elizabeth Durell, written by none other than Joan Sherman.

Who knew there was a Volvo Showhouse for people to enjoy?

01/06/2024

We just read in the Conway Daily Sun of the recent passing of Mt. Washington legend Marty Engstrom. Here is Tom Eastman's story in the Mountain Ear from 2002 when Marty retired, which gives a good feeling for Marty's impact and personality.

For 38 years, Every other week, eight days on and six days off, winter and summer alike, he has been gazing down over us here in the Valley from his perch atop Mt. Washington, but now Marty Engstrom, one of the North Country’s more colorful characters, has decided it’s time to come down. After n...

01/02/2024

The years of the Volvo International in Mt. Washington Valley, which sadly ended in 1984, were certainly fun times. Reading about the tennis greats that graced the Cranmore courts will bring back wonderful memories.

The Volvo years were a wonderful time in Mt. Washington Valley -- read and remember!

12/20/2023

Here's another great story by Tom Eastman. This time he chronicles the amazing history of Purity Spring Resort and King Pine.

Purity Spring Resort and King Pine have an inspiring history and they are still run by the Hoyt family after more than a century.

12/12/2023

A mere 39 years ago, philanthropist and animal lover Jean Edwards donated her home to the Harvest Hills Animal Shelter. This is after spending nearly 40 years caring for unwanted animals.

In 1984, one person's dedication to saving unwanted animals led to the expansion of Harvest Hills Animal Shelter.

12/07/2023

Ah, those were the days when Devonsquare performed regularly in the Valley. Who got to see them live?

Almost 40 years ago, our Valley's own Devonsquare released their first album.