The idea for the Sand Sculpting Competition at Hampton Beach was conceived in 2000, when master sand sculptor Gregory Grady reproduced in sand the tail side of the New Hampshire quarter during the Hampton Beach Children’s Festival. A year later, Grady and his buddies, who have become known as the “Grady Bunch,” opened shop outdoors at Hampton Beach and initiated the first Solo Master Sand Sculpting event in New England. (Continued below)

After watching a TV segment on “Chronicle” about Peirce Island, my husband and I decided to take our eight-month old yellow lab to this canine-friendly spot. My first impression of this tiny island, a stone’s throw from the center of Portsmouth, was how pristine the water appeared given that it is situated in such a busy harbor. It is situated across the PiscataquaRIver from the Portsmouth Naval Base, and is home to the city’s waste water treatment plant. (Continued below)

KIDS & NH HISTORY

Fifth graders at the Rye Elementary School were only 3-years-old when the Old Man of the Mountain fell from his perch in Franconia Notch on May 3, 2003, making them part of the first generation who will never see the New Hampshire icon as he once was.  "My parents were sad that I didn't get to see it and that a lot of people didn't get to see it," said Sarah Brandon, a fifth grader.  (Continued below)

Each year since 1998, the National Education Association (NEA) has sponsored the Read Across America program to celebrate reading and literacy on March 2^nd, the birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss. But this March, due to the recent gun legislation passed by the NH Republican House majority, the tradition of NH legislators reading books written by Dr. Seuss to selected fourth graders at the State House, has been canceled by the state chapter of the NEA. (Continued below)

EDITOR AT LARGE

Kayla found her family at last in Rochester. Her story follows in her own words. By her own count, over one thousand NH children have not yet found their adoptive parents. We hope you’ll take a moment in your busy day to read Kayla’s note and perhaps, click on the links below.

EDITOR-AT-LARGE

I tend not to jump on the pig pile when everyone else moans about corporate greed and incompetence. I like Coke. I get good service from Comcast. My father worked a lifetime at AT&T and used to drive Fords. I survived for years breakfasting at McDonald’s and lunching at Burger King. (Continued below)

GUEST EDITORIAL

Portsmouth attorney John Perrault takes a literary and literal look at the controversy over the American use of torture techniques. Should we throttle out confessions or take the higher road? The author of ‘The Brief on Bush" makes his case.