Poltrack Blog

No more killing frosts here in New Ipswich. Our "safe" date for planting is May 30th so I've planted the tender plants like beans and squash. I get my plants from our local nurseries, Amazing Flower Farm , Mason Brook and Mason Hollow . They are the best, they know what will grow in our area and each has a unique selection of plants. The photos are not exciting but the plants will grow quickly once the chicken manure kicks in. Ugly isn't it? I bought a small stock tank from Tractor Supply Company and filled it with sphagnum moss and two Pitcher  Plants. I wonder how this will come out. Cactus in New Hampshire? Yes and they winter over! They look like hell all winter but they plump up in Spring. I'm going with heavy mulch this year. A big thanks to my friend Lora for giving me all this hay

Years ago I planted an American High Bush Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum). It is a native plant that has white flowers in the spring, red berries in summer and  bronze foliage in the fall. Birds love the berries which apparently can be made into jams. I planted it on the edge of my yard and slowly it is being strangled by invasive Rosa multiflora and Oriental Bittersweet . It managed to survive in spite of this but is now facing a new crisis. While looking at the skeletonized leaves I discovered the larvae of the Viburnum Leaf Beetle Ugly things too small to hand pick Not much leaf left

I find it hard to let go of things. In 2008 I spent quite a bit of money to buy the top of the line Digital SLR from Olympus. I opted to get their excellent 14-54 mm lens. I took 13,115 photos from 2008 to 2015, but now the camera is gathering dust. Olympus discontinued the 4/3 format and moved to a MICRO 4/3 format. This move probably saved the company. The lens and cameras became smaller and lighter. They moved into a new niche, the mirrorless camera. This is what I use now as the E-3 sits in a closet.  The E-3 weighed in at 3 pounds with the lens. Because it is optical it lacks some of the advantages of the mirrorless, such as magnified view and focus peaking. It had a 10 megapixel sensor which seems quaint today. The images were stored on Compact Flash or XD cards.I question whether the image stabilization even worked, Still I got some nice photos from this and I wish it well as I send it off to KEH for resale. Paris the Cat - Jan 10, 2008 Taken with the E-3 I u

I jumped at the chance to get free tickets for the commissioning of a US Navy ship named after the City of Manchester, NH. I was most interested in the opportunity to tour the ship, a futuristic looking thing that reminded me of the space craft one sees in Science Fiction movies. However after being shuttled to the pier it was apparent from the mass of humanity and long lines that it was going to be impossible to get through security in time for the ceremony. Note the empty seats in the fourth photo.  We stood in the parking lot and strained to hear the speeches over the sound of a compressor. The video display was washed out by the sun so after a while we left and opted for a nice lunch at Petey's In Rye, NH. Looks like it belongs in a Star Wars movie doesn't it? A high-speed trimaran designed to operate as a littoral combat ship. "Work Conquers" is the motto We had tickets but never made it through security which they shut down when the ceremon

Two years before I was born Francis John Mark Poltrack was killed during the invasion of Peleliu in WWII. 28,000 Marines and Infantry troops were involved and a full 40% who fought died or were wounded, including my uncle. In retrospect the battle was not even necessary to the war effort but that will not bring my uncle back. In our family tradition his name was passed to the next born male in the family. My cousin was born before me and became David Francis Poltrack. I was born after Dave and became John Mark Poltrack. After reading his poetry, reading his letters, hearing the recordings he made with his brothers at the 1938 World's Fair, it is obvious we would get along wonderfully but that will never be. This weekend take a moment to think of all those who never got the chance to grow old.  Francis was just 24 years old when he died.

Some photos taken at the afternoon observance of Memorial Day in New Ipswich, NH on May 20. 2018. Seating is provided for Veterans at Center Cemetery if they want or require it Decorating the waters while the band plays the Navy Hymn Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who bidd'st the might ocean deep. Its own appointed limits keep. Oh hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea! Amen Watching the parade along Main Street Prime Seating John Veeser performs Amazing Grace Wreaths are placed on Crosses At Memorial Field for Hot Dogs, Chips and Drinks

Sea Cadets Ollie Niemi Invocation Honoring the Fallen Selectman David Lage Don Poirier George Leel - WWII Veteran Decorating the waters Rifle Salute

New Ipswich observes Memorial Day a week before the calendar date. We do this so we can secure a band and the American Legion Color Guard. I find that the morning program is most poignant. Peter and Bonny Jo set up a tent and provide coffee and Nisu and the opportunity to socialize. The Gnibus family always decorates their yard for this holiday. My first Memorial Day with Dad, Mom and my Grandparents Honoring our WWII Veterans Bonny Jo and I always have a chat about Gardening. This "planter' was used to process hogs As long as I have marched in the morning parade I have seen the Halsalls family pay  their respect as we march by on Page Hill Road. A fellow veteran mentioned that you don't see that everyday but I see it on a regular basis in New Ipswich. 

At the Memorial Day Observation. Ollie Niemi shared that New Ipswich is the first New Hampshire town to be designated as a purple heart town. This happened on July 25th 2017 at the request of Kevin F. Willette, a local Purple Heart Recipient. Signage can be seen along the roadways on the borders of New Ipswich. Ollie Niemi at the afternoon Memorial Day Observance Signage near Highbridge

New Ipswich illustrator Matt Patterson  spoke about his love of amphibians and reptiles at the New Ipswich Library. Matt did the illustrations for the book The Snake and the Salamander: Reptiles and Amphibians from Maine to Virginia. He brought along original prints and as an extra treat a pet African Spurred Tortoise. Eddie the Tortoise  was the big hit with everyone Just to be clear, Eddie is a SHE, She loved the library. One of Matt's illustrations. He uses coffee for the wash. He paints in acrylics. He always starts with a pencil drawing. I love this expression Matt holds Eddie (Female). She spends summer outdoors.

The New Ipswich Farmers Market has a new home. It is now located at the Town Office at 661 Turnpike Road. It is open Saturday from 10 - 2.  I was on duty at the Green Center so I only had a few minutes to visit, but it a great location with plenty of parking. I had a nice chat with Shawn Bator of Bator's Farm  about duck eggs. Stop by and support our local farms and businesses. Mmm Honey Nice to see Maureen from Mason Brook Nursery New Ipswich = Nisu