That's right, while it's always nice to go away on vacation, when you live in the four-season resort of Mount Washington Valley (okay, make that three-and-a-half season resort), a place where people pay to come and visit, sticking around to enjoy what we have here and what we write about all the time ain't so bad at all.

The first week of summer seemed like the time to take my staycation, and you have to admit, this week's weather has felt an awful lot like ... the weather we had in late March, at the end of the ski season, when temps hit the 80s. That was amazing for spring, and so has been this week's fantastic weather for the start of summer.

For the past two years, I've wanted to try out Attitash's Nor-Easter Mountain Coaster. So, I headed up to Attitash where they were hosting the first ever Thad Thorne Memorial 5k Race Saturday. 

I was a member of the Attitash Alpine Slide summer crew in its second season back in 1977 during college (and I've got the scars on my left arm to prove it from one racing mishap back in the day). So, I figured I'd check out the new coaster, to compare it to the original Alpine Slide, which is still in operation, by the way. I got there a little late for the Thad Thorne race (Attitash marketing coordinator Laura Tuveson was taking photos anyway, and I had earlier plans). But I did venture over to the coaster under the brilliant sunny skies. 

There, I ran into base coaster attendant and longtime friend Bodie Bowers, who gave me my instructions (forward on the levers makes it go fast; pull back and it stops). Pretty basic — especially for an old (well, not that old) Slide Crew veteran. With that, off I went, with my coaster car being towed by a cable a good 10 minutes through the woods, up the mountain. At the top, the computer kicks in — if you don't have your hands on the handles, the car will literally stop, Bodie had explained. It was a blast — and very fast. You twist and turn down the banked turns on the elevated trestle, looking down at the forest floor and gentle stream below. Pretty cool.

SONGO CRUISE: On Sunday, it was over to Naples, Maine, for a blues cruise on the Songo Queen II out on Long Lake on a day that was meant to be spent on the water — lots of sun, and great music. How can you beat it?

Canopy tour rides at Bretton Woods. ZipRiders at Wildcat and soon at Cranmore. Mountain coasters at Attitash and Cranmore. The Alpine Slide at Attitash, still going strong. Pony rides at Black Mountain. Mountain biking at Attitash and Great Glen Trails. How can anyone ever be bored in this valley?

ICE CREAM PARLOR AND HORSEFEATHERS: OK, the secret's out! I was given a personal tour (by a person who shall remain unnamed) Monday at long last of Horsefeathers' latest addition: “Spoons, an Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor at Horsefeathers.” Bruce Grubb, Joe DiFiore and son Carl DiFiore were hard at work, laying down the ice cream counter when we stopped in. The walls are decorated in a nice pewter antique New England hue. The lighting fixtures and  tile floor are very retro. Best thing is the parlor features an antique  “one-of-a-kind” porcelain Coca-Cola fountain, brought here from Italy. The parlor will feature Gifford's ice cream, and get this — it's part of Horsefeathers, so there's a liquor license as well as the full Horsefeathers menu for lunch and dinner. It will add to the vitality that we have been witnessing in North Conway Village this spring. The latest is Laura Slitt's vegan diner next to Olympia Sports. All very exciting.

IN OTHER LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS: Tuckerman's hosted a grand re-opening party last Tuesday, with musical entertainment by Reklis. Todd Neal and Adam Hooper are back running the place, and it certainly seemed like old times.

CHAMBER AFTER HOURS: This past Tuesday (the third Tuesday of the month), the North Conway Country Club and Ledgeview Grill hosted this month's Chamber After Hours. Some took advantage of the free golf tryout for chamber members Tuesday afternoon.

Food and beverage manager Ken Rokes said the view is always priceless, and the food prices are very reasonable. The grill is open for breakfast and lunch daily, with cocktails served until 7 p.m. “It's open to the general public, so come on over and check us out,” said Ken. Visit www.northcounteyclub.com for further information.

The Moat Smokehouse and the American Cancer Society were part of the Chamber After Hours. Kathy Metz of the ACS says the annual Making Strides for Breast Cancer event in October will feature a new course that will begin at the Whitaker Woods Homesite and go through the village and then back.

Cranmore, meanwhile, brought down some of its Segways to the country club and allowed guests to try them out for free. Anthony Gardella gave yours truly a few pointers, and then I was off, veering my way around the parking lot. It's all very intuitive — and simple to learn.

BEACHY WEATHER: The Red Parka Pub hosted its annual Beach Party Tuesday evening. Judging from the photos that Terry O'Brien, Paul Delaney and Cindy Schwartz sent us, Seammus McGrath must have won best beer belly, and the ever-tanned and beautiful Becky Armstrong won best bikini (yes, again!).

HERBERT TRIBUTES: Christoph Schneider cracked up the attendees at his and Hannes's father Herbert's funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church last Friday with a line from his eulogy.

“My brother and I never had babysitters growing up — we had ski instructors, as I have said. So, does anyone know when you know that your kids are old enough to go skiing? Anybody? No? Well, you know they're old enough when you get six inches of fresh powder, and you can't find a babysitter!” quipped Christoph.

Father Don Gauthier Jr. in his eulogy at one point mockingly scolded a white-haired gentleman in the congregation for sitting in HIS (as in Herbert's) seat in the third row of the church, saying Herbert was a man of Faith who never missed a Mass. Father Don apparently didn't realize until later that it was Richard Matt — the son of Herbert's lifelong friend, 1939 Mount Washington Inferno winner and headwall schusser Toni Matt, who died in 1989.

“I don't think he knew who I was,” a bemused Richard said after the service, standing outside the church.

Richard looks just like his dad, while his son, Anton, looks just like the young Toni. Anton raced in several Schneider Cup races at Cranmore, and just completed his first year serving with the Army in Afghanistan, his proud dad told us.

Phil Haynes — who served as one of the pallbearers — notes that an effort is getting under way to explore the idea of building a statue of Herbert, just like one was built depicting his father Hannes for the “Flight Without Wings” 50th anniversary celebration in 1989.

Meanwhile, Cranmore is planning a 75th anniversary season celebration for this winter. Call Kathy Bennett at 356-8561 for further information on how to get involved. Cranmore's first season was 1937-38.

FOR NORPopular Full Circle keyboardist Norm Smith (left) rocked out with friends at the Shannon Door Pub Wednesday night, as friends Nancy Grant Bartlett and Jeff Hayford organized the fund-raiser for Norm, who is battling cancer. Performers included Tom Dean, Al Hospers, Full Circle, Bennett and Perkins, and Knee Trembler. (TOM EASTMAN PHOTO)M: The Shannon Door hosted a benefit for keyboardist Norm Smith Wednesday night, with many local musicians turning out for the cause and to play some tunes. Yours truly was among them, Bob Dylan voiced.

Among the highlights was Rockin' Rod MacKenzie's classic rock performance with Norm, Simon Crawford and Full Circle's drummer, Neil Henry.

Norm and show co-organizer/birthday boy Jeff Hayford also teamed up for some great tunes, and Norm and his band — Full Circle — were lively and hot as eve.

Keyboardist Dickie Tilton of Hawaii could not be there, but show co-organizer Nancy Grant Bartlett says between Aug. 20 and Sept. 14, fans may download tracks from dickietilton.bandcamp.com and all monies will go to help Norm.

Norm is battling cancer and begins radiation treatments soon.


SANBORN SCREENING: A second stem cell screening will be held for Greg Sanborn, Ellen Guilford reports.

“Due to so many inquiries from the Conway area, we got with the Conway Fire Department and organized to have them host the drive,” writes Ellen.

The drive is set for Thursday, June 28, from 2 to  7 p.m with the hopes to capture law enforcement, fire, rescue and local people who work in different shifts.  Also, having this on a Thursday instead of the weekend may produce many more potential donors. 

For further information, e-mail Ellen at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (207) 754-5143.

SALUTE TO EARL: In closing, we salute one of our favorite people in the world, Earl Stetson, whose long race ended June 12 with wife Linda at his side.

He passed at age 86. As his obituary wonderfully noted, Earl was an ardent athlete who had a lifelong love for living on the edge, pushing his body to the limits, and competing in everything from skate skiing and masters racing to sailing. Most of all, he loved to fish with Linda for salmon on the Gaspe Peninsula.

“I'm sorry to hear you have cancer,” I said to Earl when I last saw him with Linda at Weston's Maine Maple Sunday.

“Hey, I'm 86,” he scoffed back in that straightforward Earl way. “I've got to die of something.”

A community celebration of Earl's life is set for Tin Mountain Conservation Center June 30.

Thanks Earl for all of your spirit, vigor and yours and Linda's love not only for one another, but for this valley.

Herbert and Earl. They both gave so much to this place we are lucky to call home.