Good News: Large Donation Makes NH Skiing Free at Storrs Hill!

 This week's good news comes from a large donation that enables anyone to ski at no charge at a New Hampshire ski area. Skiing is really expensive, so not everyone can afford it. Now, everyone has a chance thanks to a foundation. 

(Photo: Storrs Hill Ski Area)

Donation makes Lift Tickets Free All Season Long at New Hampshire Ski Area for Winter '24/'25 season 

Matt Lorelli, Powder.com, Dec 13, 2024

Skiing is expensive, but at Storrs Hill Ski Area in Lebanon, New Hampshire, lift tickets will be free throughout the entire season.

The community run ski area announced on December 12, 2024 that a large donation by the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation has made free lift tickets possible for the public. The initiative should attract a few tourists throughout the season, but the citizens of Lebanon and the surrounding area will really reap the benefits.

“This project embodies the spirit of our community, providing an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the outdoors and experience the magic of winter sports,” says Cory Grant, President of the Lebanon Outing Club and Hill Manager. “We hope this initiative brings neighbors together and inspires a love of skiing in a fun and accessible way.”

Free lift tickets are available to the public without needing to make a reservation. Skiers and snowboarders can simply show up to Storrs Ski Area on an operating day (the ski area is open Friday-Sunday), visit the ticket window, and claim a free lift ticket. Storrs is open on Fridays from 5 to 9pm, Saturdays 11am to 9pm, and Sundays 11am to 5pm.

In a day of parking reservations, expensive lift tickets, crowded lines, and stressful interactions, Storrs is doing the exact opposite. If that's not refreshing, we don't know what is!

Storrs Ski Area is operated by The Lebanon Outing Club, a nonprofit tasked with managing the ski area and its funds. According to a press release, The Club believes that the donation from the Jack and Dorthy Byrne Foundation could spark free skiing for seasons to come.

Great Paranormal Detective Book: Dead to Me by Anton Strout

 I recently enjoyed "Dead to Me" by Anton Strout. It's a paranormal detective series, and this is the first book. Last month I read book 3 (I happened to see it online and didn't realize it was the third in the series) and that was as awesome as this one!! 

I love the main character, Simon Canderous, a 30-something guy who has the ability to see history and incidents connected to anything he touches. He's on a team with another guy who can communicate with ghosts... and together, they work for a secret organization in NYC under the Mayor's office. In this story they run into the ghost of a woman who didn't know she was dead, and they try to find her identity, which brings them all kinds of trouble. Great read! 

ABOUT THE BOOK: A new urban fantasy featuring a man working on the right side of law-with talents that come from left field.

Psychometry-the power to touch an object and divine information about its history-has meant a life of petty crime for Simon Canderous, but now he's gone over to the good side. At New York's underfunded and (mostly) secret Department of Extraordinary Affairs, he's learning about red tape, office politics, and the basics of paranormal investigation. But it's not the paperwork that has him breathless.

After Simon spills his coffee on (okay, through) the ghost of a beautiful woman- who doesn't know she's dead-he and his mentor plan to find her killers. But Simon's not prepared for the nefarious plot that unfolds before him, involving politically correct cultists, a large wooden fish, a homicidal bookcase, and the forces of Darkness, which kind of have a crush on him.

Rob's Cranberry Recipe Version of Oatmeal Cookies

 When I was a kid, I would always help my mother bake cookies around the holidays. She instilled in me a love for baking, so around the holidays I like to bake. She was the ultimate with Christmas sugar cookies, and I can't compare, so I make another favorite, modifying a recipe from Quaker Oats and make Cranberry Oatmeal cookies. Every time I bake, my mom's spirit is around me. The message here is that although our loved ones may have crossed over, they're still in our hearts and our actions. Today's blog has that recipe! 

ROB’S CRANBERRY VERSION OF QUAKER OATS OATMEAL COOKIES

Ingredients

1 1/4 Cup(s) (2-1/2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened or whipped

3/4 Cup(s) firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 Cup(s) granulated sugar

(Photo: My mom in 2009 when she came to visit around Christmastime. She was the best-ever, when it came to baking cookies, pizzelle Italian cookies, apple pies, cakes, etc. Credit: R.G.) 

1 Egg(s)

1 Teaspoon(s) vanilla

1 1/2 Cup(s) all-purpose flour

1 Teaspoon(s) Baking Soda

1 Teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon(s) salt (optional)

1/4 Teaspoon(s) ground nutmeg

3 Cup(s) Quaker® Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)

1 to 1 ½ cups of dried cranberries (your choice- I go for the higher amount)

 

BAKING INSTRUCTIONS

Heat oven to 375°F.  -

In large bowl, beat margarine and sugars until creamy.

Add egg and vanilla; beat well.

Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg; mix well.

Add oats; mix well.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto   cookie sheets. – I recommend Spraying them

With cooking oil spray  (although the original recipe calls for ungreased cookie sheets)- they WILL STICK! 

Bake 8 to 9 minutes for a chewy cookie or 10 to 11 minutes for a crisp cookie.

**DO NOT OVERBAKE! – The bottoms will burn**

Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack.

Cool completely and then store in airtight containers… otherwise they will get hard!

NOTE: If they do get too hard, put in a piece of white bread with them, and it will soften them up.  

My New Book Comes Out Today: "Haunting of Emery Estate" (and hit #1 twice on Pre-order)

 Today is a BIG DAY for me and my co-author Monique Toosoon as our new book publishes Today, January 1st, 2025. "Haunting of Emery Estate" already hit number 1 in two categories on Amazon while the book was on pre-order. Today's blog is a captivating interview with a Behind-the-scenes look at the investigation of "Haunting of Emery Estate."  Please order a copy of the book on Amazon! - Rob