Poltrack Blog

Granted that the 4th of July was a washout. But the day after was awesome. I dug into my stash of fireworks and found some crackers.  These date back to 1972 and I bought them in Wyoming when we traveled across the country  after my Navy time. I had stored them in a coffee can and more or less forgot they were there. I'm happy to report they still worked.

The Europeans is a 1979 British Merchant Ivory Film , directed by James Ivory Several scenes were filmed at Barrett House and Bullard-Barr House in New Ipswich, NH Robin Ellis and Lee Remick filming a shot around the Central Cemetery Film crew The film crew complained about the sound of my camera shutter. I replied the chain saw in the distance was much louder. I was not going to pass up an opportunity like this. It was fairly cold when they filmed this. Apparently Lee Remick had a hot water bottle. I took the opportunity to meet Robin Ellis since at the time I was huge fan of the BBC series Poldark

Historic New England has been repainting the Barrett House in New Ipswich, NH Most of the primer coat has been applied which will be followed by 2 finish coats Light green primer on the shutters, followed by a dark green finish coat The shutters required a lot of repair, many slats were missing or damaged Appropriate beverage for New Ipswich

Thanks to all the volunteers who took to the town roads to pick up the beer cans, twisted tea bottles and other detritus tossed by careless motorists. Hopefully we will need LESS bags next year

Carry in, carry out Camping is not allowed on the conservation land at Damsite 35 in Smithville. However that didn't stop someone from pitching a tent, building a fire right in the midst of dry pine needles and consuming whatever this stuff is. What is most disconcerting to me is that they went to the trouble to carry FULL bottles to the campsite but couldn't be bothered to carry the EMPTIES out.  We took care of that for you.

The Old Burial Ground in New Ipswich has some very interesting gravestones. It is the least visited of the town's cemeteries. I took a photo of a dying tree on my visit and later noticed a pattern in the wood which I've  highlighted in this photo. What do you see? Memento mori - "Remember that you will die" This was one of the more elaborate stones at the site. The winged skull is a common motif for this era, but I found this winged "head" to be more interesting (and a little creepy)

Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils. How can you not like our state motto? Attributed to a toast made by General John Stark on July 31st, 1809 On Sunday we celebrated my Mom's birthday by attending a talk at Apotheca  in Goffstown, NH It was fitting that Rodney Stark (who is related to John Stark) gave the talk. He shared books with the audience describing both John and Molly Stark. Rodney was assisted by Sandy Whipple, Adult Services and Outreach at the Goffstown Public Library . Sandy had prepared some cookies and other foods that would have been served at tea in the Revolutionary times. Sandy Whipple and Rodney Stark Just in time for high tea Texting General Washington Helpful assistant delivered more cookies during the talk General Stark General Stark Betty Poltrack and Rodney Stark My mom is a member of the New Boston Historical Society which currently has the Molly Stark cannon on disp...