Kearsarge Magazine has Newport Launch Party for its Spring Issue

By ANN ST. MARTIN STOUT
NEWPORT —The Newport Historical Society Museum was abuzz with activity on Sunday as Kearsarge Magazine chose the Museum to host a Launch Party for its Spring issue.

Laura Jean Whitcomb, publisher and editor of the magazine said, “For the last issue we had a launch party in Warner at Main Street BookEnds on the same weekend as New Hampshire Open Doors.”

Whitcomb asked herself, after the first successful Launch event, “Why haven’t we been doing this for every issue?” The success of this first Launch Party encouraged her to look ahead to the public introduction of each new issue.

When asked how Nettleton House, Newport’s Historical Museum, was chosen, Whitcomb said, “I love this place, and I wanted to give people another reason to come visit.”

Fittingly, one of the articles in the Spring issue of Kearsarge Magazine (KM) is about a newly published book “Newport, New Hampshire in Time and Place”. Authors Mary Lou McGuire and Ray Reid, both Newporters, are passionate, amateur historians. They were on hand to sell the book, sign copies and answer questions. The book can be ordered online or by contacting Reid.

Also on hand at the event were many members of the Newport Historical Board of Trustees to welcome visitors and help them get to know what the museum offers. The Museum is open every Sunday, at no charge, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Kearsarge Magazine was established in 2005 and has become known for articles about all things local including attractions, topics, organizations and businesses, accompanied by colorful, quality photographs. Says Whitcomb in the Editor’s Letter, “I can keep Kearsarge Magazine’s focus local with articles on the businesses and people who live in the 15 or so towns we call home.”

The current issue also includes “Life Comes Full Circle” about Full Circle Farm in Newport, with its therapeutic horsemanship programs, which serve those with disabilities. The vision of the late-Steve Cossingham, the farm and therapeutic riding opportunity is now carried on by his wife, Deb.

A Taste for the Grape (and Berry) profiles a few local wineries. An Appraisal business, Rosanna Eubank LLC, appraises items and advises for a variety of needs including estate, insurance, and donation values.

Nourish Holistic Health & Nutrition owner Kristen Branzetti “tells her wellness story and helps clients with theirs.” The publication of art and poetry in the book “Visual Verse”, a production by New London Center for the Arts, celebrates local writers, artists and the beauty of The Fells.

Whitcomb often takes advantage of her public forum in Kearsarge Magazine to spread the word about non-profit organizations. This issue Bev McKinley, the founder of Silent Warriors, is profiled. The organization provide equipment to the homeless in the form of camping gear – tents, sleeping bags, small propane tanks, etc.

Photo essays are a staple of Kearsarge Magazine and currently include Quiet Places, Celestial Lights, and On the Road, all focused on helping readers better enjoy the best of the region. In the case of Jim Block’s Celestial Lights photo essay, helping the reader navigate the optical phenomena of the sky.

Many of the contributors to the Spring issue were on hand to help celebrate the Launch, including familiar names such as Natasha Osborne-Howe, Paul Howe, Leigh Ann Root, and Sue Anne Bottomly. More information is available at www.kearsargemagazine.com or on the newsstand locally.