Bill Somerset -ABR®, E-PRO®, Realtor®, Dover NH Real estate agent

Well, you were interested weren't you! Some New Hampshire Whoopie might not have been what you thought it was, but this one is just as good.

The whoopie pie, considered a New England, and New Hampshire favorite happens to be a sweet that I have grown to love. What is a whoopie pie? A whoopie pie is a sandwich, consisting of two, chocolate flavored cakes, or cookies, with a fluffy, white filling.

The state of Maine might say that they have the original whoopie pie in their history, I think it came from the wonderful state of New Hampshire. I have lived in many places through the United States and have always looked for them no matter where I go. I've asked for whoopie pies and gotten crazy looks from people. One of my favorite stories is when I lived in Colorado. I was a young college student, living off very little money. My wonderful family, and roommates families would travel every other week to a local bakery in Somersworth NH, Pearls Bakery, and pick up 6 "original" whoopie pies. They would pack and overnight us the whoopie pies all the way to Colorado. We would dive into the box and indulge in the delicasy. Many of our new friends from Colorado would ask us what the "new" confection was. A "whoopie Pie" we would tell them. Of course we would receive crazy looks with the name!

Try this recipe: I'm sure you'll enjoy then when they are done!

Whoopie Pie Recipe

1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup cocoa
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk
Whoopie Pie Filling (see recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease baking sheets.

In a large bowl, cream together shortening, sugar, and egg. In another bowl, combine cocoa, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a small bowl, stir the vanilla extract into the milk. Add the dry ingredients to the shortening mixture, alternating with the milk mixture; beating until smooth.

Drop batter by the 1/4 cup (to make 18 cakes) onto prepared baking sheets. With the back of a spoon spread batter into 4-inch circles, leaving approximately 2 inches between each cake. Bake 15 minutes or until they are firm to the touch. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Make Whoopie Pie Filling. When the cakes are completely cool, spread the flat side (bottom) of one chocolate cake with a generous amount of filling. Top with another cake, pressing down gently to distribute the filling evenly. Repeat with all cookies to make 9 pies. Wrap whoopie pies individually in plastic wrap, or place them in a single layer on a platter (do not stack them, as they tend to stick).

To freeze, wrap each whoopie pie in plastic wrap. Loosely pack them in a plastic freezer container and cover. To serve, defrost the wrapped whoopie pies in the refrigerator.

Makes 9 large whoopie pies.

Whoopie Pie Filling:
1 cup solid vegetable shortening*
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 cups Marshmallow Fluff**
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

* Butter may be substituted for all or part of the vegetable shortening, although traditional Whoopie Pies are made with vegetable shortening only

** Marshmallow Creme may be substituted.

In a medium bow, beat together shortening, sugar, and Marshmallow fluff; stir in vanilla extract until well blended.

New Hampshire Whoopie written by Bill Somerset, Century 21 Central Falls Realty, Dover NH 03820. You can contact me at anytime at 603-742-2121x1014, or by email at bill@century21central.com Are you interested in learning more about New Hampshire, or would you like to search for a home in NH? Feel free to stop by website www.billsomerset.com

Looking for a a great place to take in scenic views of New Hampshire's Seacoast?

Check out the Garrison HIll Tower, located just off Central Ave. in Dover New Hampshire. The tower, standing at 298 feet gives visitors scenic views of New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts. On a good, clear day, visitors can get views from Mt. Washington, all the way to Boston.

Looking back in history. The hill has had structures built on it, dating back as far as 1880. It is said that native Americans built a wooden tower there to observe the land. The city of Dover purchased the hill and the land in 1888 when a more modern tower was built. By 1913 a small ski slope had been constructed for the local community to enjoy. By 1970 the tower had been worn with wear and tear, and had to fenced off due to safety issues only to be later restored by local citizens. Most recently in 1994, the tower was rebuilt at the site of the original structure.

One of the greaest things about the tower is that it is free to the public. Anyone form anywhere can come and visit and enjoy the scenery. Just a quick 5 minute drive from my office, the tower is a place that I like to take new visitors to the area. I invite you to take a look someday. Give me a call if you are in town and would like to take a visit to the tower!

Bill Somerset, Century 21 Central Falls Realty, Dover New Hampshire, 03820. Call me at 603-742-2121 x1014, or you can email me at bill@century21central.com Are you interested in learning more about New Hampshire, or searching for a home in New Hampshire? Be sure to stop in and check out my website www.billsomerset.com

No, this is not the typical nursery rhyme that you might be used to. This seems to be a practical joke played in Durham New Hampshire for April Fools day.

The six foot high cardboard cut out was placed on the dam atop the Oyster River in Durham New Hampshire. A great joke for the day if you ask me! I'm sure it may have brightened the day for some people, or even give a few laughs for those who drove by and were able to see him in person.

I guess with all of the craziness going on in the world today, just a little Humpty Dumpty can make you smile! Enjoy the day!

Bill Somerset, Century 21 Central Falls Realty, Dover New Hampshire, 03820. Realtor® licensed in both New Hampshire and Maine. Contact me at 603-742-2121 x1014 or email bill@century21central.com Start your search for a home in New Hampshire at my website, www.billsomerset.com

For the past two years I've been fortunate enough to watch one of the best young hockey players live. Living in New Hampshire, and so close to the University of New Hampshire gives me the opportunity on a weekly basis to watch the Mens ice hockey team skate.

By far, one of the best young hockey players I've seen in years, James Van Riemsdyk chose the University of New Hampshire because of the great hockey program and the ability to attend a nationally renowned school. James came to New Hampshire after playing two years for the USA national development team. In 2007 James was drafted #2 overall in the NHL draft pick by the Philadelphia Flyers. Many of us UNH fans wondered if he would even play in Durham and fore-go his collegiate career, but to our surprise he stuck it out two years and developed his hockey skills.

For me, it was tough to hear his decision to go professional and leave the University of New Hampshire. I know this is a decision that was tough on him and his family. James is not only a great hockey player, he's also a fantastic person. The hockey community is a tight nit group. I know this personally because I grew up playing hockey and now skate and coach my seven year old son and his hockey team. James has always been a great help with the local youth hockey communities and his devotion to the youth and his commitment to the sport will be well missed.

I guess for now, this is the jersey I will have to see him in. My only hopes is that the Philadelphia Flyers lose their minds and trade James to Boston. I can always dream right!

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Bill Somerset, Century 21 Central Falls Realty, Dover New Hampshire 03820. NO LISTING OR PURCHASE OF A HOME REQUIRED TO ENTER OR WIN. Odds of winning depend on number of entries. Promotion begins at 12:00:01 a.m. ET on 4/1/09 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. ET on 5/16/09. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. States and DC (except residents of KS, MO, NJ, OK and RI) who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Void in KS, MO, NJ, OK, RI, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and U.S. Military Installations in foreign countries and where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law. Subject to full Official Rules, available at www.century21.com/sweepstakes. Sponsored by: Century 21 Real Estate LLC, 1 Campus Drive, Parsippany, NJ 07054. ©2009 Century 21 Real Estate LLC. All rights reserved.
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