“In 15 years, I had two million-dollar properties that went under contract. Today, I’m showing million-dollar properties on the regular.” — Joanie McIntire, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker, via New Hampshire Bulletin
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Here’s some news to know this morning:
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Here’s what else is inside today’s newsletter:
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(Courtesy of Alethea Kehas)
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🐦 Shoutout to Alethea Kehas for sharing this photo of a barn swallow at Sunset Hill Farm in Pittsfield.
“We had a sky filled with swallows one evening, and I had so much fun photographing them as they landed on our barn. This is one of my favorites,” she said.
🐦 Fun fact: Barn swallows are expert aerial hunters, catching insects in flight and often swooping low over fields, ponds, and open spaces while feeding!
📸 Share YOUR photo! Send us your favorite New Hampshire snapshots for a chance to be featured in the newsletter. Click the button below.
Related: Rye barn swallow, trail measures advance to ballot in tense meeting
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🗳️ In New Hampshire politics, one candidate for governor won’t be on the November ballot …
Independent candidate Jon Kiper failed to collect the 3,000 signatures needed to qualify, saying he gathered only about 500. Kiper, who ran for governor as a Democrat in 2024, says he will instead continue working to build his Community First political movement through a new political action committee. New Hampshire Bulletin
🏛️ And, state lawmakers are preparing for a packed Veto Day …
The New Hampshire House and Senate will return Aug. 19 to consider 31 of Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s 33 vetoes this year. The votes come after Ayotte set a modern record for the most bills vetoed in a single year that were passed by a Legislature controlled by her own party. The measures touch on issues including bathrooms, book challenges, abortion, tolls, and housing. New Hampshire Bulletin
⚡ Finally, New Hampshire probably isn’t breaking up with the New England power grid anytime soon …
A state-commissioned report concluded that leaving the regional electric grid would likely raise costs rather than lower them. That has shifted the conversation toward how New Hampshire could push for reforms from within, including greater scrutiny of transmission spending and changes aimed at giving states and ratepayers more influence over the regional system. New Hampshire Bulletin
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Contrary to the stereotype, not all of us in the state know how to ski or have stepped onto the slopes even once. (Unsplash/Erik Uhlen)
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🤔 Myth 1: We all live in the boonies, building log cabins, and churning our own butter.
New Hampshire is heavily forested, but most residents don’t live deep in the woods. More than 60% of the state’s population lives in urban areas, including places like Manchester, Nashua, Concord, Portsmouth, and Salem.
🤔 Myth 2: We all love winter.
Plenty of Granite Staters are less than thrilled by snow, ice, early sunsets, and long winters. New Hampshire has one of the higher rates of Seasonal Affective Disorder in the country.
🤔 Myth 3: We all ski—and we’re all good at it.
Skiing is a major part of New Hampshire’s identity and tourism economy, but it’s far from universal. One in 10 New Hampshire households in the state has someone who regularly skis downhill.
🤔 Myth 4: We don’t pay taxes.
New Hampshire has no general sales tax or state tax on wage income, but residents pay some of the highest property taxes in the country. Homeowners can pay more than twice the national average in annual property taxes, and renters indirectly shoulder those costs through rent.
🤔 Myth 5: We’re all conservative, especially when it comes to politics.
New Hampshire’s “Live Free or Die” reputation can make the state seem solidly conservative, but its electorate is more politically mixed. About 40% of voters are registered undeclared, compared with 33% Republican and 28% Democrat.
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We all have different reasons for casting our ballots the way we do. For some, it comes down to the economy. For others, it might be housing, healthcare, education, abortion, immigration, or another issue entirely.
This week, we want to know what drives your vote:
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What political issue best explains how you vote—and why?
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Here’s what you’re saying:
“There’s no one issue. Anything that takes care of Americans—native born or otherwise—will get my vote, because that’s the way the founders envisioned it. Anyone who shows that they don’t stand for that (such as Ayotte) will find me voting for their opponent. We the People…” — David Masters
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🌻 Sunflower Soiree Farm Festival
Canterbury, Aug. 8-16
Wander through acres of blooming sunflowers, pick your own flowers, and enjoy hayrides, farm-fresh food, live music, kids’ activities, animals, and an artisan market.
More info
🎸 White Mountain Boogie N’ Blues Festival
Thornton, Aug. 14-16
Spend the weekend listening to blues music at the annual White Mountain Boogie N’ Blues Festival.
More info
🚗 5th Annual Car Show
Deerfield, Aug. 15
Check out cars, vintage snowmobiles, vendors, food, and live music at the Southern New Hampshire Snow Slickers’ annual car show, with trophies awarded across numerous categories.
More info
🧘 Yoga in the Woods at Lost River Gorge & Boulder Caves
Woodstock, Aug. 16
Start Sunday with an hourlong beginner-friendly yoga class surrounded by the forest, featuring gentle movement, flowing stretches, and restorative poses. $35; advance registration required.
More info
🍅 Tomato Festival 2026
South Hampton, Aug. 16
Taste heirloom tomatoes, enjoy local food and music, create art, and learn about the farm while raising money for three local nonprofits. $10 suggested donation.
More info
🎨 Mount Washington Valley August Craft Fair
North Conway, Aug. 16
Browse arts and crafts from more than 100 exhibitors, plus enjoy live music at this free, rain-or-shine event in front of the Scenic Railroad.
More info
🚂 40th Annual Concord Model Railroad Show
Concord, Aug. 16
Explore operating model railroad layouts in multiple gauges, browse more than 50 dealers, and enter for door prizes at the show’s 40th anniversary celebration. Adults $2; children under 15 free with an adult.
More info
🎈 17th Annual Hampton Beach Children’s Festival
Hampton, Aug. 17-21
Head to Hampton Beach for five days of family-friendly activities during the annual Children’s Festival. Free.
More info
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How do you feel about what you’ve been reading here?
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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Katy Savage with a story from Stacy Milbouer It was edited by Crystal Niforos.
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