Letters to the editor

On Steps taken to control storm flooding in Rye

I recently took some photos of the swans in Eel Pond and am making one of them, which strongly resembles a painting by the artist Claude Monet, into note cards for Christmas presents.




The reason I am writing is to ask if you could direct me to any literature about the pond, its unusual botany and ecology.

Although I am in my eighties, I would like to offer what little help I can to preserve the pond.

(I am a retired member of the Faculty of Phillips Exeter Academy, where I was editor of the alumni magazine and director of publications from 1965 to 1991.)

Paul Sadler, Jr. (PEA '45),  Brentwood, N.H.



On the old radar station

It's not the lovely beach scenes,
nor the rising of the sun.
Nor cruises to the Isles of Shoals, which always grant us fun!

It's not the waves of Jenness Beach,
nor Wallis Sands within our reach.

What makes Rye, New England's best,
regardless of any test,

is all the people passing by each and every day,
strolling on the beaches, as they go their merry way.

Some prefer to walk their dog, others choose to run,
and others ride their 10-speed bikes, until the day is done.

Rye is the perfect mixture, with people full of love,
a tiny bit of heaven, that has fallen from above.

Mike Spinelli, Rye, N.H.

(Editors note:  Mike Spinelli is owner of the “new” radar station along Rte. 1A in Rye.  With all its windows, he won’t miss a dog walker, runner, biker or boater.)



I enjoy reading Rye Reflections and was pleased to find your website. My husband and I first vacationed in Rye in 2003.  We saw the original “old radar station” which was for sale at the time and not knowing its history, thought it quite different in architecture from the other beautiful homes along Ocean Boulevard.  We took pictures to show our family and marveled at the wonderful view that must have been available from the tower.

We have been in the area a few times since - the last being early September of this year.  You can imagine our amazement to see the absolutely beautiful home being built now.  We again took pictures to share the before and after with our family and tried to determine in our minds if this was a completely new structure or had been built around the original.

After returning home, I checked Rye Reflections and was thrilled to see the article by the new owner along with the picture of the house we had just seen.  As I read, I realized this had been an ongoing piece so went back through the previous issues and found the actual demolition ones.  Also, learning the history of the original building was interesting to us.

We wish the owners much happiness in their new home and hope Rye Reflections will continue to post new pictures.  We will be back to see a finished project some day.   We enjoy the area immensely.  I do need to learn more about the moon and tides though as there was a very weak tide this year while we were there so no surfers to watch from along the Boulevard which was disappointing.

Continued success with your publication.

Don & Carolyn Hasenbalg, Tunkhannock, Penn.

Editors' note:  Try Maineharbors.com the next time you're looking for a coastal weather report.




On Portsmouth Fairy House Tour is enchanting

As always, Judy's photographs are superb.

Georgina DuBois, Wynantskill, N.Y.



Thank you, Judy Underwood, for your great Fairy House Tour photography in Rye Reflections!  I was managing the ticket booth on Marcy Street all day, both days, and did not get to see much of the actual tour.  Your photos showed me what I missed.  I passed on the Rye Reflections link to all of my nieces from out of state.  Maybe they will attend next year!

Lee-Ann McQuilken, Portsmouth, NH.



I love the photos, the faeries, and the houses!  When I was at the tour I thought if there's a heaven this must be what it is like.  The sky was cerulean, the grass verdant, joy in the making on every face I saw - and oh those faeries, everywhere.

Thank you for it all.

Karen Galipeau, Hampstead, N.H.



Fantastic pictures.  We're sorry we did not share this visit with our grandchildren.

Amelia and Dick McKenney, Rye, N.H.



What a delightful piece of photos and prose.  As always Judy's articles and photos are wonderful. I look forward to many more to come.  

Richard Franklin. Los Angeles, Calif.



On It’s a Rye dog’s world:  Nicholas confesses

Another fine chapter on Nicholas! While in Concord recently I discovered that one of my sisters has been copying this saga for her grandchildren. Well done.

Jim Estes, San Diego, Calif.


Your stories are very good, I love them!  Keep ‘em up.  

William Puckett, Rye, N.H.?


Once again you outdid yourself.

Aletta Wright, Texarkana, Tex.




On All alone by the telephone

What a wonderful piece you wrote for this month's issue.  It's in a style close to my heart, the relation of a common everyday experience, with feelings expressed.  Your message came across.  

Signed, Pappou, Greek for grandfather, whose granddaughters are forever telling me to "spare the details."  The details are LIFE. Thanks so much for your insight and wisdom.

Bill Drew, New Castle, N.H



November, 2007


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