Sure, Columbus Day means that you might get a three-day weekend, but it also means that you might be able to visit an open studio of a local artist. I was driving along Route 4A and saw signs out for an open house. Ann Feeley – a Wilmot artist who sculpts in marble, bronze and clay – was welcoming folks into her gallery and studio. Her work is lovely, and I plan to return to learn more. Next door, Margaret Howe opened up her late husband’s studio, so folks could see the works of the talented Townsend Howe as well as her talented son Paul Howe, a local photographer. It was a pleasure to tour her home and see Townsend’s work in a real life setting. (Below is a photo of his artwork on the front porch.)  I entered to win a painting (wouldn’t that be nice?) and met another local artist, Loa Winter, who was also visiting. I am fortunate to have one of Loa’s paintings in my front hall. I’m certainly no artist (unless crafting with words counts), but I feel an urge to take a class to learn how to be one. Just need to decide which medium…  

I was in hog heaven this Sunday. I went to the Wilmot Public Library and met some of my children’s favorite people: Rosanna Dude, David Elliott, Mary Lyn Ray, Rick Libbey, True Kelley and Mary Kuechenmeister. Not that my kids know all these folks, but we do read their books! Sunday was the First Annual Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators Fair. I brought all the books I could find in our house – although I was bummed that I forgot Christmas Farm by Mary Lyn Ray – and got them signed. Then I bought more books, including True Kelley’s new book, The Dog Who Saved Santa, and Jeremy Cabbage by David Elliott. So we spent a bit less at the grocery store this week, but it was totally worth it.

It will be easy to buy local this holiday season. For the record Rosanna Dude is from Wilmot, David Elliott and True Kelley from Warner, Mary Lyn Ray from Danbury, Rick Libbey from Andover, and Mary Kuechenmeister from New London. Just ask for their books at MainStreet BookEnds in Warner or Morgan Hill Bookstore in New London.   

Here’s my daughter, reading Rosanna Eubank Dude’s new book, Natalia’s Favorite Colors. We haven’t put the book down since we bought it four days ago – the Wilmot resident did a wonderful job with this children’s book! If you’re looking for a Christmas gift for a young reader, stop by Morgan Hill Bookstore and pick up a copy.

Well, it’s not a gnome -it’s a bunny. And the Cottage at Mountain View Farm Antiques in Wilmot says that they are going to have more animals, such as pigs and dogs, coming soon.

After a business meeting, I treat myself to a huge veggie wrap at a deli in Andover, NH. I am talking huge. They ran out of tortillas so they are using pita bread. But this pita is twice the size of my head. Somehow they manage to add every vegetable known to man (I think I’ve hit my weekly quota with this sandwich) and wrap it all up so nothing falls out while I am eating it. It ends up being two meals for under $5. Good deal.

Anyway, I decide to drive around Wilmot, NH. Take some back roads, learn something new and, yes, look for a foliage shot. I find an old hitching rail on Pine Hill Road, across from the cemetery. Anyone know the history? Please drop me a note. I must be in a cemetery mood, because then I drive by Church Place Cemetery, one of three private cemeteries maintained by the nonprofit Pine Hill Cemetery Association. Unfortunately the leaves are not on the tree; they are already on the ground.

I don’t know much about Wilmot, except that it is the home to a potter (www.wildpottery.com) and a really, really good salsa maker (www.mrsfoggskitchen.com). In fact, Kearsarge Magazine profiled Sam Wild in the summer/fall 2005 issue and the Foggs were profiled in the winter 2006 issue. So when I get back to my desk I look online for more information.

Originally a part of New London, Wilmot was “carved out of the gore of Mount Kearsarge” and incorporated in 1807. It was named in honor of Dr. James Wilmot, a scholar and clergyman, and rector at Barton-on-Heath in Warwickshire, England. Dr. Wilmot had joined with William Pitt, the Marquis of Rockingham, and others in protesting the treatment of the American colonies by the British crown. The first census in 1810 found 423 residents.

The online state profile by the New Hampshire Employment Security says that there were 1,298 residents in Wilmot in 2004. I’ve got to double check that; I called the post office last week to ask how many residents there were in Wilmot and I was told 350. But they did say to call Andover for the other routes.

I know there’s probably quite a few Wilmot tales between 1807 and today — so stay tuned for more on Wilmot, either online or in print.