Steve Bush / 603.455.7428 - NH Lakes Region

There are so many reasons why living in New Hampshire is such a wonderful experience. I've written about some of the music available in the Lakes Region where I live and work, but the beauty of the lakes and mountains, the farms and fields, and the history that is prevalent in the endless stone walls and antique colonial homes are seen everywhere throughout the "Granite State."

I'd like to share some pictures that I have taken of this beautiful state, and though I don't consider myself an amazing photographer (I've seen some on AR that are amazing!). it is just a little taste of what awaits anyone visiting New Hampshire. I hope you enjoy!

Center Harbor, New Hampshire at Dawn

My View at the end of Tuftonboro Neck, Mirror Lake, New Hampshire

Zoe checking out one of the many stone walls in Mirror Lake, New Hampshire

Lake Wentworth, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

Squam Lake and Sandwich Range looking North from Holderness, New Hampshire

Fall Foliage at Canaan Valley with Mt. Shaw in Tuftonboro, New Hampshire

It is extremely sad that the economy has taken such a toll on the State budget that now 27 of our parks including 3 beaches on the Atlantic are being put up for sale. The historical significance of some of these parks, not to mention the beauty, will now be available to any and all wanting to do whatever they wish. More development coming!

Here is the list compiled by the Union Leader of New Hampshire.

Ahern State Park, Laconia

Annett Wayside, Rindge

Bear's Den, Gilsum

Bedell Bridge State Park, Haverhill

Bradford Pines, Bradford

Cardigan State Park, Orange

Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area, Chesterfield

Clough State Park, Weare

Eisenhower Memorial Wayside Park, Carroll

Endicott Rock, Laconia

Forest Lake State Park, Dalton

Gardner Memorial Wayside, Wilmot

Governor Wentworth Historic Site, Wolfeboro

Hannah Duston Memorial, Boscawen

Jenness State Beach, Rye

Kingston State Park, Kingston

Lake Tarleton State Park, Piermont

Madison Boulder Natural Area, Madison

Nansan Wayside Park, Milan

North Hampton State Beach

Pisgah State Park in Winchester, Hinsdale and Chesterfield

Plummer's Ledge, Wentworth

Sculptured Rocks Natural Area, Groton

Silver Lake State Park, Hollis

Wadleigh State Park, Sutton

Wentworth State Park, Wolfeboro

White Island, Isles of Shoals, Rye

On July 3rd the beautiful and talented singer/pianist Diana Krall comes to the Meadowbrook Arts Center in Gilford, New Hampshire. I tell you this because as a music educator and lover of all forms of music, her brand of jazz is so sensitively performed. If you've heard or seen her DVD, "Live in Paris" you will know what I'm speaking of. This is just one more wonderful reason why living in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire lifts ones spirit day after day.

Photo from ROLEX

I Love what I do! I have two great jobs.

Along with being a Realtor at Maxfield Real Estate in Center Harbor, New Hampshire, I'm the music director at Inter-Lakes Junior/Senior High School in Meredith, New Hampshire. We have students attending Inter-Lakes from Sandwich, Center Harbor, and Meredith. The population of the high school is just under 400 and my high school band is 52 members. I have been teaching at Inter-Lakes for 14 years, and consider the opportunity to work with young people at this fine school one of the high points of my life.

Monday we have the pleasure and good fortune to honor the men and women of the United States, who have served our Nation or continue to serve our Nation, by marching in two Memorial Day Parades. Not a single member of the band has said they can't be there, or that they have other plans. When everyone else in the school has a three day weekend the members of the band and flag squad will devote their day off to perform and show honor to our men and women of the armed forces.

I am an extremely blessed man to work with such wonderful young men and women and who knows for a fact that many of our youth appreciate and value what it means to be a citizen of the United States as well as how to give back in their own way and to say thank you.

In your own town or city please take the time to attend a Memorial Day event. It is always moving and often a paradigm shift that can change your life at least for a day if not for longer.

I have always marveled at and enjoyed the beauty of spring in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire and particularly in my town of Tuftonboro. Just this morning our apple tree, which we planted when our son was born 22 years ago, exploded with tens of thousands of little white and tinged pink flowers. I could already see and hear the bees. I also saw an orchard oriole in the branches as well as a humming bird. Obviously I'm not the only one who is thrilled to see this splendor of nature. Just one more reason why Tuftonboro, and the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, are special places to live.