It was a gorgeous autumn morning and the only folks heading south from the foliage, pumpkins, and warm spicy concoctions throughout New Hampshire to the busy routes of Massachusetts were likely going to Ristuccia Memorial Rink. The Flames and their partial families arrived in the parking lot with smiles and lots of energy on this sunny Saturday morning.
Today, I was fortunate enough to take my Mom on a little foliage tour in New Hampshire. We drove some 175 miles before we got home. I am sharing some pictures here, but they really don’t do justice to the displays we saw all over our ride today.
Since most of the good folks from Massachusetts were up in New Hampshire looking at our leaves, the 2010 Flames hit the road for the first time in the 2020-2021 season. The team scored 6 goals and allowed 6 goals on the weekend, with a 1-1 record down in the Commonwealth.
I think that I speak for most of us when I say that we are thrilled to see all of these kids playing a sport that they love. There is healing for everyone in the spaces found in and around youth sports if you are willing to look.
It was my first time in a rink since the finish of last season, back in March. I looked around the rink and took note of ‘Old Glory’ hanging on the wall, just to make sure I was where I thought I was.
I was driving in New Hampshire, headed toward the beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee area on Tuesday evening when I got the message from my Mom. My Aunt Shirley had passed away, up in New Brunswick, Canada.
It might have been eight or more weeks ago that I started thinking about this piece. It has likely changed its form within my wandering brain several times since then, but finally I arrived at some words to put down. Random thoughts, lyrics, lines of poetry, and words have surfaced during long drives and sleepless hours in the early mornings.
There were no morning announcements at Goffstown High School on Friday morning, but the day ended with a celebration nonetheless.
Many of you in the Southern New Hampshire area have probably already heard about this project but I have been sitting on this for awhile now. The project is the The Front Steps Project for…
Most April’s greet all of us hockey fans a whole lot different than this one did. With all that is going on in the world lately, it has been hard to focus on this hockey season, or any season for that matter. At least for me. In my head, I have been writing this piece for several weeks, or maybe it’s months by now. Actually, I guess I have been writing this piece in my head for at least five or more years. Another high school hockey season has come to an end, well sort of. The 2019-2020 high school hockey season ended for Goffstown on the ice as it did for most others, but the State Tournament semifinalists’ were left wondering what could have happened.
Just when the hours were no longer fitting into each day. And many nights found me weeping, head in my hands. Thoughts were reactive and words seemed only for display. All creative energy was emptied just meeting demands.
Finishing a youth hockey season that lasted for more than 6 months, it was remarkable to witness the progress. Even though this team still struggles with spacing, structure, and strategy, I think that is okay for 9-year-olds. The personal growth and development per individual skater is obvious.
From Thomas F. Sullivan Arena, St. Anselm College, Goffstown, NH – Friday, February 28, 2020
It’s that time of the year again, when the regular season winds down and teams honor their seniors while jostling to improve their tournament seeding. Friday night was Senior Night for the Grizzlies and they honored the four seniors that will be graduating from the program in a few months. On the ice, Goffstown electrified the home crowd en route to a convincing win, 8-3 over the Admirals.
Every year, the Goffstown Hockey team selects a charity of choice and this year they raised money for the ALS Association of Northern New England. In addition to that, over the last three seasons, they…
The 2010 Manchester Flames entered the GSL State Tournament as the #1 seed. They traveled to Rochester, NH on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to play in the tournament. The 2010 Flames would end up in the final on Sunday night and battle for the title.
On Wednesday night, February 12th, 2020, Goffstown hosts John Stark-Hopkinton in NHIAA varsity hockey. This is going to be a big night! Please join us! All proceeds from the gate will be donated to the…
When you watch 9 and 10 year-old kids play youth ice hockey in a tournament miles from anywhere, how exciting can it be? I mean half of these kids have been playing hockey or even skating for less than 3 seasons. But there we were, parents, kids, players from various teams, coaches, representing all ages and sizes, each edging closer to the glass just to see how this game would finish.
On Saturday afternoon the 2010 Flames broke into the win column with a 4-2 win over SASA of St. Albans, VT. The Flames gave a solid effort from start to finish in earning the victory. I must say that the goaltender for SASA played very well and kept his team in the game.
Last night at the Ice Haus, the Flames trailed nearly the entire game before taking a 3-2 lead with 6:28 to play. Then Andover scored a pair of goals just 19 seconds apart to take the lead with just 1:25 left in the game.
After waltzing into the winter wonderland called Jay Peak yesterday afternoon and evening, the 2010 Flames were ready to open the tournament this morning. The Flames played a very good team from Wilbraham / Twin Meadows, Massachusetts.
The time passes easily like we are floating in the great big sky. Just the fresh air, our fire, the early evening colors, you and I.
I may not own a kingdom, or even a castle if truth be told. Oh but there is joy whenever I cross that simple threshold. I am not a royal, or high-ranking, and certainly not…
Today we went on a hike for some 3+ miles through the woods. The company was outstanding. The colors were awesome, and everywhere. There was peace and silence in the spaces we walked to and…
Here’s an interesting take on being happy versus experiencing joy. I have found, through a million mistakes and various experiences, that I now truly experience joy every single day. It’s all around us, in so many ways.
Sometimes the unexpected stops us in our tracks. The previous line of thought is forgotten, and the thrill of wonderment takes over.
The Old Farmer (2014) The Old Farmer Too On a walk over a hill, alongside a green field, I saw the old farmer again just the other day. He didn’t look up as he walked,…
Welcome hockey fans to the 2019-2020 hockey season! The calendar is flipping quickly toward October, school is in session, so go ahead and; Mark your Calendars!
Since we didn’t get a chance to get up to our favorite place in Maine this summer, we took full advantage of a weekend at Abrams Pond in September.
After assessing the chicken in the video, upon her dirt bath, Theodore yelled from the driveway and said, “Mom, that’s not dirt, that’s maneuver!” Another use of words from the kids, that are both priceless…
After months of a family schedule that just never seems to quit, it was time for a weekend away with family and friends. We stayed in a rustic home along the Baker River, on the edge of the White Mountain National Forest. There was no TV, no cell service, and no internet. There was the refreshing, mind-easing roar of Baker River. There was a screened in porch overlooking the river that housed a hammock and benches long enough to sleep on. And then there was a great big room with everything you could need in order to hang out and visit with friends and family. This huge space was centered on one end by a massive fireplace that was used each evening and each morning. In a nutshell, we had a blast! We truly experienced so many laughs and made so many memories all while doing things that we love and sharing the moments with people that we love. Here are a few pictures from Day 2 on our weekend up north. (Click on the pictures to enlarge them)
After months of a family schedule that just never seems to quit, it was time for a weekend away with family and friends. We stayed in a rustic home along the Baker River, on the…
