What a year 2023 was: Whether it was weather, sports or politics, we had it covered. The top 10 stories will be featured in next week’s Saturday edition. For this week, we asked Sun photographer Rachel Sharples to pick out her favorite photos from 2023 (and the staff threw in a few favorites of their own). Looking at these photos, it’s evident they capture the unique flavor of our wonderful community. Please enjoy.
JANUARY
Peter Smart rakes some loose branches by the bonfire at the 8th annual “Light the Night,” hosted by the Chocorua Community Association, at the Chocorua Dam Park on Jan. 15. The event, which drew over 50 attendees, included the old-Christmas-tree-fueled bonfire, warm drinks at the Farmstand across the street and a potluck dinner afterward at Runnells Hall. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Jeff Odhner of Amherst carves the lower section of his snow angel sculpture at the 22nd annual N.H. Sanctioned & Jackson Invitational Snow Sculpting Competition at Great Glen Trails on Jan. 28. The three-day event included 13 teams from around New England. Odhner, teamed with his daughter Jenna, won the People’s Choice award at the end of the competition. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Kennett senior Kaylee McLellan is seen during the game against Bow in the Peter Ames Gymnasium on Feb. 7. McLellan went on to make the last-minute free throw on March 12 in a game also against Bow in which the Eagles won the Division 2 state championship. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Fireworks burst over the incoming Market Basket at Settlers Green, as part of the outlet village’s celebration of its 35th anniversary, on Feb. 18 in North Conway. Dozens of spectators turned out to enjoy the spectacle, although many kept to their cars to avoid the cold. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Dave Hausman, owner of Big Dave’s Bagels & Deli, reads “My Voice is a Trumpet” to Rami Coffey’s class of fourth- and fifth-graders at the annual John H. Fuller Elementary School Community Reading Day on March 6. Several community members read and talked with students about their jobs. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Speakers line the stage during the opening ceremony at the 26th annual Hannes Schneider Meister Cup at Cranmore Mountain in North Conway on March 11 as young skiers play in the snow at the foot of the platform. Speaking is longtime local skier David Pope and Pope’s son Doug is at right. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Kennett’s Aida Wheat (center) pulls ahead in a sprint to the finish line in the 200-meter dash at the track and field meet hosted by Kennett High School in Conway on April 25. Wheat, also a standout soccer player, went on to win the 100 and 200 meters at the prestigious Meet of Champions at Oyster River High School in Durham on June 3. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
A friend of Brooke Barron’s embraces Brooke’s mother Juli (center right) on the steps of the Conway Public Library to honor the one-year anniversary of Barron’s death in a crash into the building on April 1. The driver of the vehicle pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is serving time in prison. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Lyla Marshall, 4, of Warwick, R.I., swipes at one of many rubber ducks floating down the Wildcat River at the 33rd annual Wildquack Duck Race & Music Festival in Jackson on May 28. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Veteran from Naples, Maine, Jerry Emerson plays "Taps," with the American Legion Post 46 Honor Guard behind him, during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Conway Village Cemetery, held by Post 46, on May 29. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
LEFT: Conway Police Chief Chris Mattei kicks a door closed while demonstrating how difficult it is to open and close the door at the Conway Police Department on June 2. Mattei is seeking money to renovate the station. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Vivian Rober-Carpenter jumps to hug her father Principal Kevin Carpenter after receiving her diploma at the Kennett High School graduation in Millen Stadium on June 10. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Fans crowd around for photos while former Vice President Mike Pence signs a copy of his book during Pence's presidential campaign stop at Deacon Street restaurant in North Conway Village on July 21. Pence suspended his presidential campaign on Oct. 28. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
A patriotic stilt-walker waves to the crowd at the Freedom Old Home Week Parade on July 29. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Russell Dow (right) and Thor Miller from Fox & Sons Structural Jacking of Stow, Maine, secure a base support to the top half of the old upholstery building on Greenwood Avenue in Conway Village on Aug. 23. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Dale Hamilton laughs with fellow former firefighter Jerry Cluff at his sendoff retirement ceremony at the North Conway Fire Station on Aug. 7. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Mud Heroes' team captain Jimmy Wilson, dressed as Captain America, walks near the team's float during the annual Mud Bowl Parade through North Conway Village on Sept. 9. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Kimberly Pondelis and son Nick of the Lanou family group steer their canoe as light-adorned boats paddle in circles at the annual Parade of Lights, hosted by the Chocorua Lake Conservancy, on Chocorua Lake on Sept. 3. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Cars drive along Route 16 through the scenic foliage views north of Jackson on Oct. 9. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) shakes hands with store owner Ron Patch during a brief stop at Patch's Market in Glen during a day of campaigning around the state on Oct. 12. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Re-enactors (from left) Tom Eastman as Benno Rybizka, Christoph Schneider as his grandfather Hannes Schneider and George Cleveland as Harvey Dow Gibson lead the way from the train station under an arch of raised ski poles in Schouler Park as part of the “In Memory of Martha” learning event for local fourth- and fifth-graders in North Conway on Nov. 7. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Spectators take pictures of a CHI Aviation helicopter as it flies parts of the new Mountaineer chairlift towers onto the Attitash Mountain slope in Bartlett. Attitash GM Brandon Swartz said, “It was a big day, and I couldn’t be more grateful and proud of the teams for completing this major milestone.” (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
The Ellis River rages under the Jackson XC Covered Bridge, where water flooded much of the cross country ski/golf course area, on Dec. 18. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
Santa Claus (Justin Butts) discos during the finale at the dress rehearsal for the Kennett dance and choir's "A Christmas to Remember" holiday show in the Loynd Auditorium on Dec. 7. (RACHEL SHARPLES PHOTO)
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