Weekend Visitors Part 1: Farms, Food, Fun and a Memorial

Over the weekend of Oct 2-5, Tom's sister Lisa and her hubby, Greg, visited for the first time since we moved. It was their first visit to Maine, so they got to experience Maine and New Hampshire attractions, a memorial celebration, food and events and enjoy the beautiful fall colors. And of course, there were many dog walks!

(Lisa and Greg loved the breakfast at our favorite restaurant so much we went back 2 days in a row)

(Photo right: Beautiful horses at the farm where we stopped)

FOOD STUFF- Local food is always a treat for visitors, and you can't get any more local than me (Rob's) home cooking. :) One evening I made homemade sloppy joes on white rice with baked beans and another night I made pot roast with baked potatoes, corn and fresh bread. Not to mention baking fresh pumpkin bread and other desserts. We ventured out to our favorite Mexican restaurant, and our favorite breakfast place located in a former train station in southern New Hampshire.

(Photo right: Rob with Lisa, Tom and Greg at a farm enjoying the horses)

FALL FARM STANDS - Since we're experiencing fall colors, and it's in the 40s at night, and 60s in the daytime, Fall is in Full Swing in Maine. 

What better place to go than a farm stand connected to an apple orchard and big working farm?

The amount of pumpkins and the different varieties were incredible! 

CHASE FARMS - From their website: "Family owned and operated since the 1600s, Chase Farms specializes in homegrown meats and produce. Come visit us in Wells, Maine to try our beef, pork, produce, fresh baked goods, a large variety of locally sourced items, and a greenhouse with abundant offerings that change with the seasons."     

"HAD TO BUYS" - Of course we bought a pumpkin. Tom bought a bunch of "Indian corn" to use as a seasonal decoration outside of the house. I bought homemade Apple Butter, and Lisa and I both eyed the "apple cider donut," so we got one to split later. 

(Photo: Rob and Lisa with a homemade apple cider donut and apple butter) 

DOG WALKS! - One of the best things to do after big meals is to take a walk and digest. That quickly became a welcome habit, as Lisa and Greg have two dogs of their own back home, so they were used to it. The crisp 50 and 60 degree days, blue skies and sunshine and the changing colors of the trees along our wooded street made the walk even more enjoyable.

A MEMORIAL EVENT - We also paid tribute to Tom and Lisa's mom and step dad whose ashes were finally interred near us. Months ago, we found the perfect cemetery that was outlined by a border of Maine pine trees and located in a quiet area, close by. 

On the morning of the event, the weather was perfect with temperatures in the 60s with sunshine and blue sky. It was a solemn event but a nice peaceful place, and its comforting to know that although they're spirit is in a better place, what's left behind for us is close by.  The cemetery had a meditation area near by with benches under a trellis. the trellis was nicely decorated with large pots of beautiful fall mums. 

PART 2 of Weekend Visitors will appear next Monday, October 19, 2026 on this blog

Wow! 7 of my books in the Top 110 in Amazon Categories on Oct 10, 2026

 On October 10, 2026, I was happily surprised and humbled to see THREE of my books about my True Encounters with ghosts were in the top 100 on Amazon!

Ghosts of England at #91 in England Travel

Ghosts of Linville Manor at #13in Maryland Travel Guides
Haunting of Wilson Castle #18 in Vermont Travel Guides

**And all FOUR of my "Pets and the Afterlife" series of books were in the Top 110 in the "Pet Loss Grief" category on Amazon. I hope readers who suffered from pet loss, as I have (7 of my dogs are on the other side) find comfort in them.
READ THEM AT www.amazon.com/author/robgutro

Idiot of the Week: Man charged with abandoning 2 small dogs in a cage in the woods

In late August in Dover, New Hampshire, some IDIOT put two tiny senior dogs in a metal pen in the woods and covered it with a cardboard box. Fortunately, someone found the dogs and contacted a local rescue who saved them and took them in, cleaned them up, got them medical care and are trying to get them adopted. Meanwhile, the local police found the degenerate and arrested him. 

Here's the story of this week's cruel, inhumane, idiot who should be locked in a cage in the woods in his own excrement. Let his punishment fit his crime and see how he likes it. 

Dover man charged with abandoning 2 small dogs in a cage in the woods

By Sarah Donovan, Foster's Daily Democrat, Sept. 16, 2026

DOVER — Victor Gonzalez Triana, 49, of Dover, has been arrested and charged with the abandonment of two small dogs in the woods near Gerrish Road.

Police have said the dogs were found Aug. 20 left alone in a cage under a cardboard box in the woods near Gerrish Road after they were found by a woman walking her dog.

A miniature pinscher and a chihuahua were found in a wire kennel partially covered with a cardboard box, according to police, who described the kennel as "filthy" and with a "foul-smelling sludge pooling at the bottom."

The dogs were in good health and brought to the Pope Memorial Humane Society - Cocheco Valley in Dover.

(Photo: Two small dogs, now in the care of Pope Memorial Humane Society - Cocheco Valley in Dover, New Hampshire are up for adoption. Credit: Pope Memorial Humane Society)

Two small dogs, now in the care of Pope Memorial Humane Society - Cocheco Valley in Dover, were found abandoned in woods in the area of Gerrish Road on Aug. 20, 2026. Photos of the dogs were posted online by Dover police, who received anonymous tips leading to Gonzalez Triana of Polly Ann Park in Dover, according to the department.

Gonzalez Triana was arrested Sept. 15 for two counts of cruelty to animals, both misdemeanors, according to police Capt. Brad Gould. The suspect was released on personal recognizance bail pending arraignment Oct. 22 at the Dover District Court.

Dover police ask anyone with information to call the department at 603-742-4646 or report tips anonymously to Dover CrimeLine at 603-749-6000 or via dovernhcrimeline.org.

It was not immediately known if Gonzalez Triana has an attorney.

Hero of the Week: 19-year-old who fell on third rail died trying to save girlfriend

This week's hero is a 19-year-old man who tried to rescue his girlfriend after she fell onto subway tracks in the Boston area. Unfortunately, when he jumped down on the tracks he suffered fatal electrocution. 

19-year-old who fell on third rail at Forest Hills station died trying to save girlfriend 

By Ross Cristantiello, Boston Globe,August 31, 2026

A 19-year-old who died after falling onto an electrified third rail at an MBTA (subway) station over the weekend was trying to save his girlfriend at the time, according to his family.

The victim was identified as Frankey Wright in a GoFundMe set up by a cousin.

The “tragic accident” occurred at the Forest Hills MBTA station on Saturday afternoon. “His loss has left a deep hole in the hearts of everyone who knew and loved him,” the fundraiser reads.

A woman with Wright at the time, another 19-year-old, lost her balance on the platform at Forest Hills and fell into the “empty right of way.” Wright then attempted to help her and also fell into the “right of way.” He landed on an electrified third rail and was later pronounced dead. The woman was brought to a hospital for treatment, Transit police told Boston 25 News.

The two were reportedly carrying flags representing Caribbean countries as they traveled to Boston’s annual Caribbean Carnival, which was held in Franklin Park on Saturday.

Wright’s father, also named Frankey Wright, said that his son had never ridden a train before. Wright was going to attend the Caribbean Carnival for the first time, his father told Boston 25.

“Those closest to him will always remember Frankey as a noble boy with a big heart, someone who put others before himself even in his final moments,” his family wrote alongside the GoFundMe. The page had raised almost $6,000 as of midday Monday. The money will be used to “help give Frankey the good service he deserves and to honor his life with love and dignity.”

Book of the Week: Superman Chronicles, Vol. 6 (paperback)

I love Superman, and to read some of the old classic comic books from the 1940s is a HUGE treat. The "Superman Chronicles" Paperback collection that reprints Superman's adventures in chronological order from his debut in 1938. Recently, I enjoyed Volume 6, which collects stories from 1941 in the comics: SUPERMAN #10-11 and stories from ACTION COMICS #37-40 and WORLD'S FINEST COMICS #2-3. SUPER-Awesome!! 5 of 5 stars!!

ABOUT THE BOOK: The complete reprinting of Superman's adventures in chronological order continues with this new, sixth volume, featuring tales from the early 1940s. Among the menaces facing The Man of Steel in this new volume are the mysterious gang leader known as the Unknown X, a petty thief turned radioactive, and Lex Luthor, who has gained the ability to turn invisible. Plus, Clark Kent becomes Police Commissioner after a criminal gang scares the other candidates out of taking the job.

Caused by Hair Dye- Fainting Spell Lands Man in the Hospital

This story is just one more good reason for me not to "wash the grey" out of my hair... (and I have thought about it). A man in his 60s using hair dye passed out, and doctors found the dye to be the cause after extensive testing. 

A man's sudden fainting episodes landed him in the hospital — and a hair dye was to blame

A man's fainting spells and collapsing blood pressure sent doctors searching for signs of a stroke or heart attack before they found a far more ordinary culprit.

LIVE SCIENCE, By Anirban Mukhopadhyay Edited by Nicoletta Lanese, Laura Mondragón , September 16, 2026

The patient: A 61-year-old man in India

The symptoms: The man went to an emergency department after fainting. He had felt nauseous just before the episode, which lasted about three minutes and was followed by a second fainting episode lasting about two minutes. He also had swelling around one eye.

His family told doctors that he hadn't shown any jerking movements, loss of bladder control or subsequent grogginess, which would have been telltale signs of a seizure.

What happened next: Because the man had fainted twice and had a history of heart disease, doctors first looked for problems affecting his brain and heart. An MRI of his brain, used to look for structural abnormalities that could explain the fainting, and an electroencephalogram (EEG), which records the brain's electrical activity, did not reveal a cause.

The man had persistently low blood pressure, the doctors observed, and this led them to move him to the intensive care unit. There, doctors carried out tests for infections and heart attack, but all came back negative.Meanwhile, the swelling around one of his eyes spread to both eyes and then across his face, while his blood pressure continued to fall despite treatment with intravenous fluids.

The doctors probed further into the man's medical history and activities before the fainting episodes. They learned that he had applied an artificial hair dye two days before he became ill. Soon afterward, he developed itching on his scalp, neck and face. He self-treated with the allergy medicine cetirizine, an antihistamine, for two days. He also reported spending two to three hours outdoors in the sun each day after he'd applied the hair dye.

The diagnosis: Based on the man's recent use of hair dye, the itching that followed, his rapidly worsening facial swelling and his persistently low blood pressure, doctors concluded that he was experiencing anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that can affect the whole body. The reaction can be life-threatening if left untreated.

The treatment: Doctors treated the man with epinephrine (also called adrenaline), a hormonal medication that rapidly reverses the effects of anaphylaxis. They also gave him antihistamines and steroids to help bring the allergic reaction under control, along with intravenous fluids to raise his blood pressure.

However, the patient's blood pressure remained dangerously low, so doctors continued giving him epinephrine through an intravenous drip for about 16 hours. Over the next three days of treatment, his blood pressure stabilized and the swelling in his face gradually subsided.

What makes the case unique: Most allergic reactions to hair dye remain limited to the skin, causing itching, redness and swelling where the dye has touched it. Severe reactions affecting the whole body are uncommon, the man's doctors wrote in a report of the case.

The itching the man noticed shortly after applying the dye was likely an early, mild allergic reaction, his doctors wrote. That reaction later progressed to a much more severe one, they suggested, raising the possibility of a "biphasic" allergic reaction, an uncommon pattern seen in about 5% of patients with anaphylaxis. However, this remains only a possible explanation.

The doctors also noted that the man's prolonged sun exposure after he applied the dye may have intensified the reaction; they cited previous research that ultraviolet light can enhance the allergy-triggering effects of para-phenylenediamine, a common ingredient in hair dyes. In the report, the doctors did not identify the exact hair dye ingredient that triggered the reaction in this instance.

The case highlights the importance of asking about recent use of products such as hair dye when doctors evaluate patients with otherwise unexplained fainting, facial swelling or shock, the medical team concluded.

Domestic Abuse: Woman in Ireland alleges ex-partner threatened her life over toddler son’s tracksuit

I recently read an article in the Irish Times newspaper about a domestic abuse story, and reminded me of what happened to my late friend John who lived in another state. John told me he left a 3 year abusive relationship with a guy who used to get drunk and punch John in the face, broke many bones in John's body, and pushed him down the stairs, causing a concussion and breaking several bones.  In the 1990s, because John lived in  (conservative) Tennessee, police dismissed it because he was gay and in a relationship and never arrested the partner. John told me he was told to stop calling the police. They always left him to suffer until the ambulances arrived over and over again.   ** I know it happens around the world, but the article reminded me that many people need help. Today's blog shares info, and that woman's story.   

WHAT IS IT? - Domestic abuse is a pattern of behavior in any relationship used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner or family member. Forms of Domestic Abuse include: 

1. Physical abuse: Hitting, slapping, kicking, shoving, or using physical force and weapons to cause injury.
2. Emotional and psychological abuse: Insulting, constant criticism, public embarrassment, and threats of harm to loved ones or pets. 
3. Sexual abuse: Unwanted sexual contact, forced sexual acts, or rape. 
4. Financial and economic abuse: Controlling access to money, preventing a partner from getting a job, or draining shared bank accounts. 
5. Coercive control and tech abuse: Isolation from friends and family, constant surveillance, tracking via digital devices, and severe restrictions on daily activities.

WHOM TO CALL- 1-800-799-SAFE- the Domestic Abuse hotline in the U.S. 

ON-LINE HELP - National Domestic Violence Hotline https://www.thehotline.org 

SOME U.S. STATES ALSO HAVE RESOURCES SET UP

Woman alleges ex-partner threatened her life over toddler son’s pink tracksuit 

Woman says she suffered black eyes, swollen lip and coercive control throughout relationship

The Irish Times, Mary Carolan, Sun Sept 27 2026

A woman who said her ex-partner threatened to “slaughter” her and “end her life” when objecting to their son being dressed in a pink tracksuit has secured a protection order against the man.

The woman told the emergency domestic violence court at Dolphin House in Dublin that she is “very afraid” of the man.“There have been times when I thought he was going to kill me,” she said.

The man subjected her to physical and verbal abuse and coercive control throughout their relationship, the woman told Judge Gerard Furlong, adding that she suffered black eyes, a swollen lip and lost “chunks of hair”.

She said he assaulted her “a lot”, including strangling her once when she was pregnant, and that “there would be times he would attack me and his family would have to pull him off me”.

Their relationship ended some months ago but when the man had their child recently, he phoned the woman asking what was she doing putting a pink tracksuit on his son. She said the man told her the toddler “is a boy, not a girl”.

He told her the tracksuit “is in the bin” and he would send a video showing what he had done to it, she said. He warned her that if anyone came to get the child, there would be “no talking”. She said he called her a prostitute and threatened to “split” her throat and her mother’s. He said he would “slaughter” her and end her life, adding: “Don’t think I won’t.”

During their relationship, she said, he would not let her work, controlled her money and refused to allow her to have a phone apart from a Nokia, which he later smashed. He would smash things if she did not have his dinner ready and required her to iron his clothes “and do anything he asked”.

The judge said the evidence showed a “clear history” of coercive control and that he would grant a protection order. The woman thanked him, became distressed and her hands shook as she wiped away tears.

Archaeology: Ancient School where Aristotle taught Alexander the Great has been found in northern Greece.

 If you've ever visited northern Greece, there was an amazing discovery there of a school where Aristotle taught Alexander the Great. If you've visited the modern village of Lefkadia, near the town of Naousa (or Náousa) in the Imathia regional unit of Central Macedonia, Greece, that's where the Ancient Mieza was located and where this archaeological find happened!

 (Image: This aerial image shows part of the ancient school where Alexander was taught. Image credit: Copyright Hellenic Ministry of Culture)

Nearly 2,400-year-old school where Aristotle taught Alexander the Great discovered in Greece

By Owen Jarus Edited by Laura Geggel, Kristina Killgrove

The school where Alexander the Great was educated by Aristotle more than 2,300 years ago has been uncovered in the ancient Macedonian city of Mieza, now in northern Greece, the Hellenic Ministry of Culture said in a translated statement.

Archaeologists unearthed a building complex containing two banquet halls, a sporting arena, a stadium, a roofed porch and a lecture hall with stone desks, according to the statement. Mosaic floors and columns decorated the complex. The banquet halls had raised pedestals where nearly a dozen couches would originally have been placed.

The decoration and architecture of the school is similar to that of the Macedonian royal palace at Aigai (modern Vergina in northern Greece), where Philip II and his son Alexander the Great lived, the statement noted.

Among the building ruins, which date to the fourth century B.C., archaeologists discovered coins, ceramics and four styluses that ancient pupils used for writing, providing clues to who might have been educated there.

(Photo:  Mieza, aka Shrine of the Nymphs was a town in ancient Macedonia, where Aristotle taught young AlexanderTheGreat 343 - 340 B.C. Mieza was also the home of Alexander's companion, Peucestas. Credit: Hellenic History)

Alexander the Great and Aristotle Alexander the Great was educated at a school in Mieza where Aristotle taught, the ancient writer Plutarch (who lived circa A.D. 50 to 120) wrote in his biography "Life of Alexander." Because of this, Angeliki Kottaridi, an archaeologist and director emerita of antiquities with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture who is leading excavations at the site, believes that the building complex is the very school where Alexander the Great studied.

According to Plutarch, Philip II, had this school built "for the education of his son Alexander and the children of the noble Macedonians," Kottaridi told Live Science in an email. Schools in the ancient Greek world, called "gymnasia," taught students a variety of subjects and also trained them physically.

The discovery of the school was a bit indirect, Kottaridi said. "A few years ago, I identified the ancient remains next to the ancient theater of Mieza," she said, and her team began excavating the building complex in 2024. But some excavation of the complex had been done more than 20 years earlier, she explained, when a monument dedicated to the nymphs was found nearby.

Disappointing Conference Experience, but Several Highlights

As an author I attend paranormal conferences to speak about my books and sell them. I recently attended one in that was a total financial disaster, but there were three highlights. That's today's blog.

(Photo: The 1 lone person who showed up for my lecture. We had a one-on-one conversation for an hour). 

The paranormal conference was held in August in southern New Hampshire. There are always fees to save a table (Usually its between $75 and $150) and this one was $230.00. There was also a promise it was going to have large attendance, up to 1,000 people. It did not.  

ADDITIONAL EXPENSE - Because it's a good distance from where I live, and I packed my vehicle the night before, and on the morning of the conference drove from 7 am to arrive and set up. Because It ended at 5pm, I knew it would be a long day and driving back at night would not be safe, so I booked a hotel for another $120.  

WHO CAME? Only about 30 people that showed up. That's all. I sold 6 books, including two to a fellow vendor (for a profit of only $30 (leaving $320 in the red). The vendor next to me sold one item of jewelry and they are also retired, so the financial hit was tough on them, too.

MY 2:15pm PETS AND THE AFTERLIFE LECTURE - One lone woman sat to hear my talk, and it wound up being a one-on-one. It worked out well for her because she was able to acknowledge some signs she had already been receiving, but dismissed. So, fortunately, it was healing for her. 

HIGHLIGHT #1 - I met a cool guy who may develop his psychic gift, and since there was no one attending the event, he sat with me and we talked for about 90 minutes. 

HIGHLIGHT #2 AND SIGN FROM MY TYLER - 

The second highlight was meeting little 12 year old Freddy, a long-haired black and tan Dachshund  that his mom brought into the conference in a carry bag. 

I spoke with Freddy's mom for about 30 minutes. Again, no one else was there. 

Immediately he reminded me of our Tyler who passed almost 1 year to the day (July 29, 2025). Freddy was the only dog anyone brought into the event. Now I know that I was supposed to be there at the event, so Tyler would send me a sign around the anniversary of his passing. 

HIGHLIGHT #3 - Old friends are always a highlight, and no matter how grim a situation may be, they always brighten it. That's what Candace and Derick Fedders did. We talked with each other for about an hour (because no one was there).  They are known as the "Paraclauses" because they dress as Santa and Mrs. Claus on paranormal investigations wherever there are children. She's a medium, and he's a tech expert.

WHAT HAPPENED? After promises of a big crowd, it came down to promotions and advertising. There was virtually none except for the vendors promoting it on their own pages- and that only goes so far.  I told a couple of people about it, and they came. I posted it all over my social media book pages, but few people that follow me live in the area. **There was one 12 inch by 8 inch sign at the hotel driveway (easy to miss), which was off the main road. Nothing on the Main road. Nothing on the highway exit.  No ad in a local newspaper. Nothing on the local Patch.com Events page. Zero.   

MEETING 2 MORE OLD FRIENDS - I met 2 friends for dinner at a haunted building. My friend Jim, a fellow scientist, whom I've known for 30 years, and my friend Amy, who manages the Nashua "Hunt Memorial Library" of which I co-authored the book "Haunting of Hunt Memorial Library" with Monique Toosoon, after we had a crazy paranormal investigation there. 

We decided to have dinner at Fody's in the haunted Tavern Building, located across the street from the Hunt Memorial Library. The Hunt Library sits atop the original spot of the Tavern Building. The Tavern building was moved to its present spot in 1901 so the library could be built. Learn MORE in "Haunting of Hunt Memorial Library" by Rob Gutro and Monique Toosoon. 

Idiot of the Week: Former candidate for Maine governor Ben Midgley penalized by Kalshi for betting on his campaign

If you know you're an idiot and you don't stand a chance of being elected, it's not a good idea to bet on it, because you'll get found out. That's what this week's idiot did. He joins idiot ex-Congressman and felon, George Santos (R), North Carolina congressional candidate Laurie Buckhout (R) and California's Stephen Cloobeck (R) that were also banned from the same platform for doing similar things. If you think this post is partisan, it isn't. it's just fact. But I don't understand betting against yourself. That's not healthy. 

Former candidate for Maine governor Ben Midgley penalized by Kalshi for betting on his campaign after 2 others

Ben Midgley, who finished second in the Republican gubernatorial primary, has been banned from the online prediction market platform for three years

WMTW-TV, Aug 31, 2026, Russ Reed

PORTLAND, Maine — Kalshi has banned Ben Midgley, a former candidate for Maine governor, from the online prediction platform for three years after he bet on himself.

Midgley, who finished second in the Republican gubernatorial primary after a ranked choice voting tabulation, bet less than $1,000 on his campaign.

In a statement shared with The Associated Press, Midgley said that he was not aware candidates could not support themselves on Kalshi when he used the platform he viewed as "a novelty and entertainment source."

"The moment I became aware the site preferred not to have candidates supporting themselves, I suspended any involvement," Midgley said in his statement to the AP. "I mean it is hard to take a site seriously which allows bets on virtually anything. Obviously, the novelty has worn off. I had no winnings and made a donation to charity in accordance with Kalshi’s policies."

Midgley was once the president of Planet Fitness before he became a founding partner of Crunch Franchising, LLC.

News of Midgley's three-year ban from Kalshi came on the same day the platform announced that former U.S. Rep. George Santos was permanently banned after its Compliance Department found reasonable cause to believe the former Republican congressman engaged in insider trading, contributing to speculation over whether he would attend the State of the Union address before turning a $17,839 profit on his trading activity when he did not.

Kalshi also levied a three-year ban and a $2,589 fine against North Carolina congressional candidate Laurie Buckhout after the Republican admitted placing bets of less than $1,000 on her campaign.

Stephen Cloobeck, a timeshare mogul who briefly ran for California governor, describing himself as a "Libertarian Republican," was banned for three years after Kalshi said he bought $10,000 worth of contracts on his candidacy.

Heroes of the Week: Young men use frying pan to stop Somersworth, NH garage fire

This week's heroes are two young guys who were driving by an auto repair shop and noticed the outside cigarette receptacle on fire next to the building. If they hadn't stopped to put it out, the building likely would have caught fire. Here's to these two conscientious guys who thought enough to help and make the world a better place.  

(Photo: Preston Horton, left, and Blake Carter of Somersworth, seen Monday, Aug. 25, 2026, worked together using a frying pan to put out a fire at Central Park Garage Aug. 20. Credit: Foster's Daily Democrat)

Young men use frying pan to stop Somersworth garage fire: 'Right thing to do'

Karen Dandurant, Foster's Daily Democrat .Aug. 27, 2026,

SOMERSWORTH — Two young men acted quickly last week, extinguishing a fire at Central Park Garage, potentially preventing a much worse outcome.

Preston Horton and Blake Carter, both 21 and Somersworth residents, were driving around 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20, when they noticed the fire at the auto repair business at 470 High St.

They decided to turn around and go back to help. The garage is open weekdays and closes at 5:30 p.m., according to its listed hours.

"We were leaving Market Basket after getting subs for dinner," Carter said. "We were heading towards Walmart when I saw smoke in the air. Then I saw flames at a garage."

 "We did a U-turn," Carter said. "We saw the receptacle for cigarettes beside the building was on fire."

"At first I didn't really believe Blake, but we turned around anyway," Horton said. "It just seemed like the right thing to do. There was no one else around when we got there."

Horton said he runs a local junk removal business, while Carter works in landscaping, and both feel connected to the community.

"We try to do one thing good a day," Carter said. "Like if we see an older man at the dump, we will unload his truck for him."

A mini fire brigade with a frying pan 

The fire was not large, but it was burning strongly, they said. They called the city Fire Department and then tried to figure out what they could do themselves.

"We tried to find water," Carter said. "Preston found a water bottle. We ran around the building trying to find a spigot, and Preston noticed one on a nearby building. I went into the trunk of Preston's car, saw a frying pan, and grabbed that."

Central Park Garage at 470 High St. in Somersworth, seen Aug. 25, 2026, was the site of a smoking receptacle fire Aug. 20. The fire was prevented from spreading by two young men who put it out before it spread to the building.

The two men ran back and forth between the garage and the spigot until the fire was out.

"I got that pan off the side of road," said Horton. "I was planning on going camping this weekend and it would be useful. I refilled the water bottle for about 15 trips. Luckily the building did not catch on fire. I am not sure how long it had been going by the time we noticed it. The ashtray thing was melted."

The Fire Department responded in about five minutes.

Deputy Fire Chief James Drakopoulos said the department appreciates the quick action taken by the young men.

"They probably did help keep the fire from spreading to other parts of the building," Drakopoulos said. "We want to thank them for doing what they could to protect our citizens."

Because the fire seems to have started in the cigarette receptacle, Drakopoulos said, it's a good reminder to keep smoking containers 25 feet away from buildings.

"We would also remind everyone not to put themselves in danger from a fire," he said. "We appreciate what they did, but do not want to see anyone in harm's way."

A woman who identified herself as a manager at Central Park Garage said the business plans to offer Horton and Carter free oil changes to thank them. She said the owner, who is listed as William (Bill) Stowell, declined to comment for this story.

Book of the Week: Past His Defenses by Andrew Grey (M/M)

I recently enjoyed a gay fiction novel called "Past his Defenses" by Andrew Grey. It's about two men who were in the Marines in Afghanistan and fell for each other, then went their own ways for seven years. When one contacted the other to visit for a vacation, he never expected the other to have adopted a child. It's a great story with no explicit scenes, just a nice romantic novel with a little attempted industrial espionage. 4.5 out of 5 stars!

What I liked about the book: The characters were great, Robert, a former marine turned Detroit police detective was interesting and my favorite character. Dixie (a man), the other former marine working in cyber security adopted a somewhat disabled and smart son named Henri and lived in Paris. Henri was also a great character. The only one I didn't warm up to was Dixie. But there was intrigue as Dixie and Henri were threatened by a rival company who wanted to steal his work. The Cover was HOT. 

What could have been better- wasn't the story- it was the formatting! The font was in 10 point type which got hard to read. It was also single spaced, and the chapters didn't start on the right-facing page. I LOVED the STORY... but the formatting and font size was somewhat off-putting.

ABOUT THE BOOK: When a case reopens old wounds from the kidnapping of his younger sister, police officer Robert Fenner is told in no uncertain terms that he needs a break. And maybe his superiors are right. He books a flight to visit an old friend, who happens to be the one who got away, and hopes for the best.

Electronic security consultant Dixie Halewood works from his home in Paris, where he lives with his adopted son, Henri. Dixie doesn't expect a message from an old flame asking for a place to stay, but he agrees. Their past is just that--the past.

Things between them aren't as settled as they thought--Henri, Paris, and proximity work their magic. The two men are drawn closer and old flames burst back to life, but Dixie's work brings a new threat to their safety and the budding family they missed out on the first time around.