Coos Conversations

My favorite line of the week: Why thank you, I got it in Berlin, NH

I'm no John Edwards, but I will admit there have been times in my life when I paid $150 to get my hair done. And it looked good, but probably not THAT good. So, when I reached the point where I absolutely positively HAD to get a hair cut last week, I asked around for a referral and ended up at Spring, out on Rte 110 just past Isaacson Steel.
It's about as unlikely a setting for finding the best haircut of my life as you'll find, just off the road in what could just as easily have been an autobody shop building, but don't let appearances fool you. You walk into a delightful, clean and well organized salon and are greeted by Spring herself, who lives up to her name. She's sunny and warm and funny and bright and gives the best haircuts anywhere. I told her that I wanted my hair to  look "youthful" and "fun"  -- okay, I'll admit, I have a birthday coming up and I just learned that I'm the same age as the United Nations Building. Nonetheless, Spring was up to the challenge.
In less than an hour, for a tenth of the price I'd pay in Portsmouth, I walked out with the best haircut I've ever have, looking and feeling great. And the most fun, is that I'm now in Chicago and am getting tons of compliments from people used to paying $150 for a hair cut on Michigan Avenue. And I get to say, why thank you, I got it in Berlin, NH. Which is a great segue in to why Berlin is the undiscovered gem of New England.

Madame Delahaye Speaks

I have in front of me my crystal ball, I can see the future, a bit hazy and there are some tall smoke stacks, but wait.. the air is clearing, the smokestacks are gone, there’s a symposia going on where the mill used to be hosting the best and the brightest marketing minds in the country. They’re all up here because NHCTC is THE place to come and learn about the latest and greatest technology and practices for new media and marketing. There’s a big concert tonight, Nancy Griffith is singing my favorite song to a sold out crowd at the Heritage Park..

I love this town… of hidden charms
Where no one means… you any harm..
I love this town… on the beaten track
Where nothing slips… between the cracks

Everyone’s friendly to your face
And everybody knows their place
As long as you respect their space
You won’t have to worry

The town hall clock is calling out
It’s rush hour on the roundabout
Now I know without a doubt
It’s the place for me…