New Hampshire

“Live Free or Die”
- New Hampshire State Motto

I love the words and do realize how these words, seemingly very clear, can have different interpretations for each person.

Rosie and I drove on to New Hampshire from Vermont. New Hampshire, like every state has its own beauty, spirit and vibes. We drove on smaller back roads which made the ride even more pleasant and stupendous in many ways.

To all at School on Wheels in Los Angeles, we visited with Neda Mashouf, a former volunteer tutor! Neda was a consistent volunteer to our ‘old’ Downtown Learning Center in Skid Row. Her coordinator at that time was Esteban who I just visited in Brooklyn, New York. He always speaks highly of Neda’s generosity and her understanding of the kids and their needs. Her present support of School on Wheels reflects a deep value of seeing education as the avenue out of poverty and homelessness for the hundreds plus more children and teens in our program. I was so happy to meet Neda.

Even though I am not an artist, I am the biggest fan of music, art, dance — all creativity. With Neda, it is just there – in her and all around her including the Village of Meriden.

Plainfield is a town in Sullivan County, NH and includes the Village of Meriden, home of Kimball Union Academy. Plainfield is also home to the Helen Woodruff Smith Bird Sanctuary and Annie Duncan State Forest.

Here are links to websites on New Hampshire:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hampshire
• http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/newhampshire/

New Hampshire ranks #2 in helping homeless children in their state! How wonderful is that – yet, at the same time how sad we have any homeless children in the country.

It is only fitting that New Hampshire ranks high in helping kids. Neda introduced Rosie and I to her friend, Lynn, who is also her child’s teacher. As I listened to a very stimulating conversation, I witnessed two strong advocates, not only for their own children, but for all students. These two moms, not only talk about caring, but go the extra mile in expanding kids’ hearts and understanding.

The one thing I am certain from this trip, I will be returning to visit New England and hope again to pass through the Village of Meriden.

From there, we started to drive toward Claremont when a blinding rain storm popped up out of nowhere! Rosie is an excellent driver and was quite calm and confident as we drove along not able to have the consistent help of windshield wipers. (Rosie taught me how to drive years ago and that evening proved she was an excellent teacher). We finally found out way to Claremont and spotted an American Legion Center. A couple (our peer group age) – suggested where to stay and led us to an place called ‘The ‘Common Man Inn’.

As I write this, I am now in Scranton, PA and in a couple of days will be on my way to visit two grand-nieces in Carlisle and University City. My drive from Fishkill, New York to here – along I-84 West was gorgeous! Trees all around and beyond were turning or had turned colors. I felt very nostalgic and sentimental as I drove along this magical road. I have not seen this in years and years and more years. Interestingly enough, the temperature was not crisp – we are in our 80s here. I had not expected to witness this as most trees had not started to turn while I was in Vermont and New Hampshire.

I will write more on my New Hampshire visit as we drove on to meet relatives for the first time in New London, NH.

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