Bill began his cooking career in Michigan by learning from area chefs before moving into the airline food industry. He spent 17 years working with United Airlines and in the Boston flight kitchen, where he was responsible for all logistics stages of food preparation. He then moved into premier catering and finally the restaurant business. Most recently, he worked with the original C.R. Sparks and the Hanover Street Chop House.

When C.R. Sparks closed, Bill and Peg looked to Londonderry and realized there was a market for something convenient, high-quality, and upscale. They felt the location on Buttrick Road, connected to Mr. Steer Meats, provided a perfect place for takeout, cafe, catering. With this “three-prong” approach, they seized the opportunity.

C.R. Sparks Kitchen offers a variety of lunch and dinner items, including sandwiches, salads, and hot entrees. Bill brought in some of the best selections from the original C.R. Sparks, including the delicious meatloaf, rotisserie chickens, and burgers. Lacking a wood fire stove, he turned their famous pizzas into panini sandwiches. The cafe also features a salad bar and up to three daily hot specials and soups.

The restaurant can cater large and small events in surrounding communities and offers a catering menu with a variety of selections. Bill and Peg will work with customers to create a custom menu, plan the event, and coordinate with rental companies to provide a full service catering experience. Delivery is also available for small-event catering.

Bill and Peg believe in providing delicious, wholesome food to their customers. Everything on the menu, which is changed seasonally, is cooked fresh right on the premises and local products are used when possible. The restaurant will work with Mr. Steer’s marinated meats, as well as meats from many of the same suppliers.

C.R. Sparks Kitchen is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, 11 AM until 7 PM and Saturdays from 11 AM until 4 PM. Catering is offered for breakfast, lunch or dinner and is available anytime, including Sundays. A senior citizen discount is offered to those 60 and older every Tuesday for lunch and dinner.

For more information, visit C.R. Sparks Kitchen at 27 Buttrick Road or online here.

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The amazing thing about being part of Visit Londonderry is that I never know exactly where a week will lead. Even though I have lived here since the 60?s, grew up at Kendalwood Condos, taught at the High School, and raised my family here, each day I learn something special about our community. One thing is for sure, Londonderry is the best place to Live, Work and Play! Each week I will share with you some of the amazing businesses and things I have learned about Londonderry.

I have to start this week by telling you these things a whole week early. I guess I didn’t have ‘faith’ in myself, that I would ever tell you about these important places if I tried to next Friday. So many changes will happen in so many of our lives this week and for me many of them will test my “Faith” and already are. By the time you read this there will have been graduations at many schools all over our area. High School ones and 8th grades too. I know these are happy, beautiful times, and we are all so blessed to be a part of them, but it’s all scary too. So many unknowns. so many things we really can’t control, no matter how much we try or want too. That’s were faith comes in. That’s what Father Moe would tell me, “Faith”, remember it is Father Moe who gave our family the “Wait Three Days” gift of waiting before we just react or usually over react to any situation that upsets us. This week I’m going to pray for strength to not be so fearful of all the changes in our lives and I’m going to pray for all the graduates and their families, but especially ours.

I debated telling you about this, but In case there is even one person worrying the way I am about our children moving up and out and not being with us every day here’s what happen to me. and I do believe “faith” stepped in. Now I have been going to a little one person salon in Derry for years. It’s called Scissor Happy. We met through our families years ago and not only Shayne a gifted stylist, who charges very little for everything she does, she tolerates my last minute urgent calls and somehow cuts my ridiculously fine hair so it looks nice. I also love that while I’m there, we talk about life and a lot about ‘faith’. Now don’t get all weird about this, we are not the same religion, but we both believe strongly that we all need God in our lives, now some of you may get annoyed that I said that but we do! Shayne is a shining, sincere star who is grateful and faithful for what she has in her life. She doesn’t brag or pretend things are perfect, but she has a gift of looking around picking out the good in people and life and forgiving the flaws that we all have.

With all the expenses coming up in the next couple weeks preparing for all these events and celebrations I had been putting off getting my hair cut and colored until the very last minute. Mackensie is always my go to person for the reality of my hair situation and she said “mommy you have to go!” I knew she was right, those darn wiry greys were taking over the top of my scalp. To funny, I shouldn’t tell you this but I will, dear Mackensie saw an infomercial for this spray hair color a year or so ago and she found me a tin of it!!! Dear God, why am I telling you this. Well in between hair colors, if I very carefully spray this canned hair color on hair it does hide the greys for that day. Yes it’s cheap too! Problem, and if you have dark hair you’ll know what I mean, the greys I want to hide are all around my face! You try spraying this bottle of black around your face! Yes it does cover the greys but then I have to try and scrub off this dark ring that is on the edges of my face! Not pretty and hard to remove, but again it works. When I see someone looking at my hair line I always wonder if I didn’t quite remove all the spray dye! I bet you might notice it now too! Anyway, after a few sprays and messy dyed face cloths from trying to remove it, I call Shayne and beg to get in last minute. Somehow I have “faith” she’ll make a spot for me and she does.

Our visit this week started off of course with me whining that Meredith is going to a school 4 hours away. Shayne listened and agreed. We both have girls and we sort of run our houses the same way. She could feel my turmoil. Then she said. Maybe you were meant to come in today for a reason. She said a lovely mom would be coming in shortly with her son. one of the nicest, most honorable, considerate, personable young men she has met. Shayne said this mom wishes she could give her son the gift of heading off to college, taking on new adventures and living his life. I thought that was odd for Shayne to say, but knew God had put me here on this day for a reason.

Within minutes as my greys were processing, in comes this lovely mom and her son. The mom was beautiful and peaceful as she” helped” her son walk into Shayn’e for his hair cut. Her son had been born like most of our children, healthy, taking baby steps and then learning to run. At some point in his life, health problems started to arise and this mom heard the terrifying news that her son had a horrible nerve degenerating disease. Their life changed forever. They went from the freedom of watching your child change in happy ways to the fear of knowing that your beautiful child will not be able to do all those things that every child should be able to too. The things that every mom should be able to experience. This young man and his mom, were just so grateful for the time they were sharing together. Most of us pride ourselves in being good parents at least we try, I promise you we have nothing on this Mom. The love and patience that she gives every second of everyday knowing that her son is in pain, and struggling yet never complaining goes far beyond what most of us experience.

I knew what Shayne meant, this mom wishes she could be like so many of us worrying about her son heading off with his friends to take on new life adventures, feeling good, thinking about the what’s ifs of the future. I was honored to meet them both, and I knew that I was put there that day to understand the gift of the life changes ahead and to embrace them and not fear them. “Faith” I guess, this mom exhibited more faith then I ever had, I doubt she has time to go into a church as I do, but her faith is strong. In all of his pain, he never complained once, but took time to ask how we are, and listened with such an open heart to all the great things going on for everyone else. Faith and a grateful heart.

Thinking of Faith, most of you know we are a catholic family, but I have always loved visiting all other faiths. This week I stopped into our Episcopal church right here on Mammoth Road. I have driven by and marveled at it’s lovely window probably every day for years. As I drove pass again I turned around at Mack’s Apples and decided to walk in. You know how I feel about these pop in visits I do, if someone is there and able to talk then I know that’s where I should be. There were a lot of cars in the parking lot so I thought maybe this “turn around and complete change of plans” would be a waste, but it wasn’t. I picked a door and walked in. Coming around the corner as I entered was a familiar face. It was one of those I know you moments for each of us and it turned out we had been girl scout leaders at the same time years ago. This mom was amazing because she would always take on the huge task of being the Cookie mom for the area too! Now that I can promise you is a labor of love! She would check to see if the Pastor was in. She was.

Their priest, Sarah, was completely lovely and welcoming too! She invited me into her office and we sat and talked, “shared” is really more what it felt like. We both talked and we both Listened. We talked about how this beautiful church came to be how beautifully welcoming they are and how they really want to let our community know that you can stop by. I promise you the church is one of the most beautiful ones I have seen. They also have a lovely peaceful area for prayer and reflection if you need a place to just be. I’ve typed this before but if you are searching for spiritual home this might be the place. Sarah and I also talked about Charity work and how much can be accomplished even when just a few people act and get involved.

Charity. Helping others and faith too. Sad events, all events I guess do have a way of leading us to something else. Faith again. You all remember the sadness of the lose of our dear friend, neighbor, husband and dad Mark Baldwin just a few months ago. Out of all that sadness and heartbreak much love did come. That’s exactly how Mark would have seen it too! A dear classmate from High School, we knew her as Jo-Ann Kingsbury but she is now Jo-Ann DelMastro, heard the tragic news about Mark and reached out to his wife Cindy, to many of us really. We had not been in touch for years. This is what she did and does.

Jo-Ann called Cindy and offered comfort, friendship, and “faith” that she would help in any way that she could and that with time there would be healing. She also went on to offer to take Cindy to lunch, precious after all these years. She took a great Chance! Not knowing how this would be received, but she did. Out of Jo-Ann taking a chance and really listening to Cindy, she knew exactly what she could do to help. How beautifully strange is this, Cindy described to Jo-Ann that one of the hardest parts still remained, having to go through Mark’s clothing, and then how do you part with them. each piece having a memory.

As “faith” would have it Jo-Ann told Cindy she knew right then what she wanted to do.this might make you teary too. Jo-Ann has a gift for Quilting. A while ago she started a small business called G-Ma’s Quilts. She asked Cindy if she could take all of Mark’s special T-shirts and other clothing items and she would be honored to make a quilt out of them for Cindy and her daughters. Jo-Ann often does this for students heading off to college and at other times, but how beautiful was this offer. She took something so difficult to do and turned it into something that would give continued warmth and love. I’ve been holding onto a Pendleton Woolen Shirt of my dad’s and a Bath Robe of my mom’s for years now. I just can’t part with them. I know who I will be calling. In case you need the number it is G-Ma’s Quilts 603-661-0479.

I guess I will end this on the Road with A Happy Father’s Day Wish to all the Dads. As I typed about Cindy I realized that as much as this will be a Happy Father’s Day for many of us, in many houses it will be sad. When I talked to Cindy and she shared with me how happy the Shirt Quilt made all of them she also shared how much the Londonderry Trailway project to extend the Rail Trail through Londonderry has helped her family’s heart. She described to me how she plans to walk part of the trail on Father’s Day because she knows it meant so much to Mark. I was just thinking, if you are like me and have no idea what to give all the great Dad’s out there, instead of buying something else for him just to open, what if we all tried to make a donation to the Londonderry Trail Ways to honor all the great Dad’s that aren’t with us. If you can do this and it would help your heart too, Make the check out to Londonderry Trailways and just make a note that it is to be used for the 1 mile we are trying to finish that will be named for a Great Dad Mark Baldwin. Maybe make a note of it in your Father’s Day Cards, I know your special dad will be touched and honored to know that they made a difference.

One last thing,,, this week the girls and I traveled down to Boston and for the first time went to the area where the Boston Marathon bombings happened. Meredith, Mackensie and I walked and prayed for the 4 people that died and all the runners, moms and dads that lives changed forever that day. It was one of the most beautiful memorials we have ever seen. Thousands of sneakers hanging and Thousands of notes and pictures to support Boston Strong. I didn’t even think about it when I started this on the Road but if you can make a Father’s Day donation to our Londonderry Trailways you will also be helping to build a beautiful, safe haven for runners and walkers for years to come. Please donate if you can, and I’d be so grateful if you just make a note that says 1-mile Mark Baldwin on your check. This Father’s Day we can honor the Wonderful Dads that we have lost and Boston Strong too. www.londonderrytrails.org

With A Grateful Heart Sherry <3

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Once you pick those delicious strawberries you need to create something with them, how about a Strawberry and Rhubarb Pie. One like Grandma made. Londonderry is home to 4 farms and Merrill Farm in North Londonderry will supply you with the fresh Rhubarb. Merrill Farm also has Farm Fresh eggs. The eggs are located on the porch and open all day. Rhubarb is also available on the porch.

Can’t wait to get our fresh Strawberries and Rhubarb and make our Grandmother’s version of Strawberry and Rhubarb Pie.

Strawberry and Rhubarb Pie

1 ¼ cups sugar
¼ cup flour
1 cup Fresh Strawberries
2 cups diced Rhubarb
2 tbsp butter
Homemade pie pastry or purchased

Sift sugar and flour together and combine ¾ of it with fruit. Line pie pan with pastry, sprinkle remaining dry mixture over bottom and add filing. Dot with butter and arrange pastry strips over top in a Lattice Design.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees a bake for 10 minutes; Reduce oven heat to 325 degrees and bake for 30 minutes longer or until fruit is tender.

In addition to being consumed in a pie or fresh, strawberries can be frozen, made into preserves, as well as dried and used in such things as cereal bars. Strawberries are a popular addition to dairy products, as in strawberry flavored ice cream, milkshakes, smoothies and yogurts. Strawberry pigment extract can be used as a natural acid/base indicator due to the different color of the conjugate acid and conjugate base of the pigment.

Fun Facts About Strawberries:

• Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.
• The average strawberry has 200 seeds.
• Strawberries are the first fruit to ripen in the spring.
• Strawberries are a member of the rose family.
• Ninety-four percent of US households consume strawberries.
• Americans eat 3.4 pounds of fresh strawberries each year plus another 1.8 pounds frozen.
• Strawberries are low fat, low calorie; high in vitamin C, fiber, folic acid, potassium
• Strawberries, as part of a 5 a day fruit & vegetable program, can help reduce the risk of cancer & heart attacks.
• Over 53 percent of seven to nine-year-olds picked strawberries as their favorite fruit.
• Eating strawberries, which are rich in nitrate, can increase the flow of blood & oxygen to the muscles by 7%. This prevents muscle fatigue, making exercise easier.
• In a test, subjects who ate nitrate rich foods like strawberries, before exercising burned 100 more calories than those who did not.

Sacred to the both Goddess of Love and the Virgin Mary, strawberries boast a long, dramatic history:

• Strawberries were cultivated by the Romans as early as 200 BC. Strawberries were regarded as an aphrodisiac of the highest quality. Newlyweds traditionally were served a soup of thinned sour cream, strawberries, borage (a European herb whose flavor is reminiscent of cucumber) and powdered sugar.
• The ancient Romans believed that strawberries alleviated symptoms of melancholy, fainting, all inflammations, fevers, throat infections, kidney stones, bad breath, attacks of gout, and diseases of the blood, liver and spleen.
• In parts of Bavaria, country folk still practice the annual rite each spring of tying small baskets of wild strawberries to the horns of their cattle as an offering to elves. They believe that the elves are passionately fond of strawberries and will help to produce healthy calves and an abundance of milk in return.
• Folk lore states that if you split a double strawberry in half and share it with someone, you’ll soon fall in love.
• The second wife of Henry VIII, Queen Anne Boleyn (1507-36), had a strawberry-shaped birthmark on her neck. Unfortunately, some claimed this fact proved she was a witch.
• The strawberry is recognized as representing absolute perfection in the Victorian language of flowers.
• Medieval stonemasons carved strawberry designs on altars and around the tops of pillars in churches and cathedrals, symbolizing perfection and righteousness. During the same time period, strawberries were served at important state occasions and festivals to ensure peace and prosperity.

Oh and about those “fields forever,” they actually have to be rotated and replanted every few years. We can help keep the fields we visit each June open by supporting Elwood and Sunnycrest Farms; watch our breaking news for opening day. See you there!

More Information on Elwood Farm and Strawberry Picking

More Information on Sunnycrest Farm

Londonderry is the best place to Live, Work and Play. To see what Londonderry has to offer check out VisitLondonderry.com

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The festival will fun from Friday evening, June 14, to Sunday evening, June 16, 2013. Highlights of the weekend include:

• Stunt plane airshows
• Five mile road race
• Kids Piglet Run
• Teen band and karaoke competitions
• Brewery tours
• Kids area featuring hot air balloon rides, petting zoo, demos, rides
• Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned barbecue competition
• Gary Hoey, the Psychedelic Relics, the James Montgomery Blues Band, and the Slakas
• Barbecue cooking demonstration
• Beef tasting and judging
• Food from a variety of local restaurants

The Rock’n Ribfest will be held at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Merrimack, New Hampshire. Gates will open Friday at 4 PM until 11 PM, Saturday, 11 AM until 10:30 PM, and Sunday 11 AM to 3 PM. Tickets cost $7 for adults, with children under 8 free.

For more information, visit the Rock’n Ribfest website.

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Livingston has had hits like “I Will be in Love with You”, “I’ll Come Running”, “I Can Dream of You”, and “Boatman”. He has toured with major artists like Linda Ronstadt, Jimmy Buffet, and Jethro Tull, and maintains a busy scheduled of more than eighty shows each year.

Livingston is a natural performer, adding personal stories, anecdotes, and touching ballads to his performance. He has perfected a variety of genres, including folk, pop, gospel, jazz, and more.

The Concert on the Common will be held on the Town Common on the corners of Mammoth and Pillsbury roads in Londonderry. It will be held from 7 until 8:30 PM. A larger crowd is expected for this concert, so parking will be located at the Matthew Thornton parking lot. In the case of bad weather, the concert will be held in the Matthew Thornton gym.

Concerts on the Common is organized by the Londonderry Arts Council. For more information, click here.

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Tickets are $8 per person or a maximum of $30 per household at the door.

Sunday services are held at 8:30 AM and 10:45 AM with adult education at 9:30 AM. During the early service, a nursery is offered for children. During the later service, a program called Real Kids is offered for children grades Kindergarten through 5th. Through this program, children participate in the opening portion of the service then are taken into classrooms where they read bible stories, do arts and crafts, and play games. A youth group for older children is also offered at 6 PM on Sundays.

The Londonderry Christian Church is located 372 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, NH. For more info please contact Matt Daniels, Youth Minister at 603-540-7008.

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Best Not Broken took shape in 2007 and has quickly evolved from a New England club favorite to an original band with burgeoning regional popularity. The pop/alternative rock quintet draws influence from genres as diverse as the experiences that shape its songs. Blending rhythmic underpinnings reminiscent of Britpop, post-punk, and reggae, the band weaves melodic themes that evoke memories of 80’s synth-pop with indie-rock guitar layers that alternately rise and chime. At times delicate and at times driving, Best Not Broken’s songs abound with vibrant lyrical landscapes rooted in singer-song-writer sensibility, resulting in a sound that is at once familiar yet satisfyingly contemporary… and definitively its own.

Making a name for itself as one of the premier up-and-coming pop/alternative rock groups in the Northeast, Best Not Broken has performed with national acts like Billboard-topping recording artists Jason Derulo (Whatcha Say, In My Head, Ridin’ Solo), Matt Nathanson (Come On Get Higher, Car Wash), and members of the band formerly known as Boston (More Than A Feeling, Peace of Mind, Amanda).

When all is said and done, Best Not Broken’s heart beats in its songs—songs that are alive with emotion, unifying listeners with stories of our human condition—a condition that is, after all, best not broken. It is this very human condition upon which Best Not Broken has built its movement: a movement that is rooted in sharing the emotions that shape who we are: the love, the pain, the laughter, the triumph and the truth. A movement that reaches beyond music and seeks to create a better place among us. A movement that started long ago, but still has only just begun.

Concerts on the Common are provided by the Londonderry Arts Council whose mission is to enrich Londonderry’s quality of life by promoting cultural arts in the community – and made possible by the generous support of Premier Sponsors including Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, Londonderry Freezer Warehouse, Londonderry Administrative Employees Association (L.A.E.A.), Ford of Londonderry, Solomon Law Office, Calvin Dental Associates and Granite Ridge Energy, LLC. Also, contributions from our Gold Sponsors Mark Oswald (Re/MAX Realtor), Market Basket, Londonderry Professional Firefighters (Local 3160), Corporate Cost Control, Lindt Chocolate of Londonderry, Shady Hill Greenhouses & Nursery, and Spectrum Gymnastics Academy. For a complete list of our sponsors, visit our website.

In the event of bad weather, the location of the Concerts on the Common will be moved to the Matthew Thornton gym. For more information contact: Stephen Lee, Londonderry Arts Council, 603-818-3232, email swl1881.londonderry(at)gmail.com.

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The shop began working with wall paper and customer drapery but moved into ready-made products about eighteen years ago. Over time, they became known for their window treatments, so Mansor dropped the wall paper and began focusing on window treatments. The store currently hosts hundreds of different styles of ready-made products, but will still do custom work upon request.

The experience and knowledge offered by Walls to Windows is extensive. Mansor can answer any and all customer questions and works closely with clients to ensure satisfaction. She gets to know her customers and can review and fine tune what they need, guaranteeing they get what they are looking for. She also encourages clients to bring in items from home, including pictures and decor, to match the curtains.

Once a fabric is selected, she encourages clients to take a swatch home to see how it will look in the space. Upon ordering the curtains, it takes about four weeks to receive the product. Walls to Windows does carry a few curtains that are available in the shop, but Mansor realizes most customers want to pick out what they want, not what the store stocks.

“Windows and the way people decorate their homes have changed over the years,” said Mansor. “More people want their windows to look nicer and fit with their home. Walls to Windows has all of your needs to meet the home decor you are looking for.”

The shop features hundreds of ready-made curtain patterns and styles to choose from, along with blinds, shades, and hardware needs. Walls to Windows can also create bed spreads, shower curtains, comforters, toss pillows, window seats, and reupholster small items.

Walls to Windows is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM until 5 PM and on Saturdays from 10 AM until 3 PM. No appointments are necessary.

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It seems this week I have coined the phrase Beautifully Bittersweet.

The older you get the more you really understand the meaning of “Bittersweet.” So many changes that you just have no control over. Things that you are so very excited for yet they make you sad too. For our family it’s all these changes around graduations. Off to college and off to High School. All so exciting, but again Beautifully Bittersweet. I want to tell you about a couple things that might make the changes you might be facing in June easier, too. If it’s not graduations for you it might be Father’s Day, birthdays, or thinking of the 4th of July. I hope the places I’ve visited lately help. We’ll start with the sweet things first.

Our Walmart in Derry. If you need a great food idea for the masses and if you are like me you’ll never believe this one. We had a celebration about a week ago and we needed quick, easy delicious food for a large number of people. The group was a prom group so you know how that kind of group can be. Some will not eat a thing and then others will be ready to jump in and enjoy. John had seen an ad that said Walmart had these great 6 Foot Subs for $28. Yes a 6 FOOT sub!

Now honestly I haven’t been too thrilled with our “new” Walmart. Yes it’s great, beautiful, new, but I guess I have a problem with change in general. I can’t find things, it’s too big, you name it I’ve whined it. I dismissed John and thought in my head what a dumb idea, yes that’s what I thought (in my head). I also thought who would by a sub from Walmart! Well before the event, since John had sparked my curiosity and a part of me wanted to prove him wrong, I stopped in one morning to take a look.

As I’m looking at all the fresh, inexpensive produce and ready cut broccoli for a veggie platter, I see this nice man carefully putting out other food items. I also notice readymade subs for just $6 that look unbelievable good. (remember I was a Home Economics Teacher, so I’m fussy about this stuff) I start thinking maybe I should investigate a little more. I decide to ask this man about the subs, thinking he will tell me something like sure we make them a couple times a week or something like that. Well Boy was I surprised!!

Lois Alvelo, turns around and with great pride begins to tell me about the Walmart Subs. First of all the ones in the cases are made fresh every day. Ok I’m impressed, but still in my mind I said “sure they are”. Then I ask Lois about the ones John wanted to order for the party. Lois, with great care stops what he is doing walks me over to the counter and carefully explains the process to me. I know I always type this, but you will be shocked. Lois explained they need at least 24 and 48 hours is better, notice because they must let the bakery know ahead. THE BREAD IS BAKED FRESH THE MORNING THAT YOUR 2 OR 4 OR 6 FOOT SUB IS MADE!!! Then they carefully make the sub just before you are picking it up to keep it fresh. Lois also took the time to suggest to me to get the lettuce, tom, and onion on the side so guest can make it their own way.

My first order was for a 4ft sub for $24 dollars. I won’t, but I could go on and on about how amazing this sub was. Our guest cut off what they wanted, and raved about how much fun and how delicious it was. I am not exaggerating, everyone was talking about it!

I went back in yesterday and ordered another 6ft one for this week’s graduation party. If you look at the picture of Lois, above is head is the length of the sub. Don’t worry, they cut it in 1 foot pieces and all your veggies are in lovely plastic containers you can serve them in. Hey they even give you a huge amount of Mayo and Mustard. YOU HAVE TO DO NOTHING! I promise you even our fussiest friends, were shocked. John has been telling me for a while I should do more of our grocery shopping there too and he is right. They really have everything you could need. Oh something else neat about Lois is he worked at Disney for almost 30 years before we were lucky and he joined our Walmart. If it wasn’t for him I never would have tried one! Thank You John and Luis.

Oh dear goodness I didn’t mean to go on for two pages about a sub, but you will understand why if you try it! Next I want to tell you about the neatest Veterinarian Service in our area, remember I mentioned it last week. Ark Veterinarian Services. I had never heard of this service before, but a dear friend had to put her dog down unexpectedly and as we were talking about how “bittersweet” even that part of our lives can be, she mentioned that she had heard about a vet in Chester that would actually come to your house to check your pet or in this case if you had to put your pet down it could be done in their home among their comfortable surroundings.

I wondered if I would be able to tract this place down, but even with my basic internet skills I did. It is called Arc Animal Homecare. I called the number 603 860 9855 and Tricia answered. She was great and explained to me what they are all about. Dr. Erika realized that there was a need out there for a mobile vet unit for many reasons. Dr. Erika knew there was a need. She can help older people who want to take care of their pets but it may be difficult to go to an office; she said it also helps people who have more than one pet and what intrigued me about this service is that I wanted a Vet to observe the behavior that we are having trouble with in our dog Shea.

Soon after talking to Tricia, I called back and made an appointment. Within a few days, this amazing mobile Veterinarian service was in my driveway. Look at this picture, it really is pretty neat! Dr. Erika (that’s just what I like to call her) and her assistant came to the door. What I loved was she could observe the trouble Shea has been having in his own home. We stood at my kitchen counter and Dr. Erika really listened to me and watched Shea’s behavior. When it was time to do his physical we walked out to the mobile unit and inside was everything you would see in a traditional office. Exam table, weight scale, x-ray area if needed and of course a treat for Shea’s good behavior. Dr. Erika said she needed to think about Shea’s separation problem and she would get back to me. She did, we talked about it a couple more times and now we are in the process of trying one of the possible solutions.

A few people have mentioned to me that they first learned about Ark Animal Homecare because they saw them on the television show Chronicle! Give them a call, Shea felt so much more comfortable and I loved that I feel as though I can call Dr. Erika’s office anytime, her schedule can include weekends and evenings, and “she” will call you back to discuss your concerns. I really kind of forgot that she had many other patients to worry about because each time we have met or talked she is 100% focused on Shea. I really liked that, and I know you will too!

Now I’ve debated adding this one in but it does fit with Bittersweet, so here goes. Last week our friend Bart treated us to a Birthday celebration dinner. My daughter picked Maza. The beautiful sushi/Japanese’s Grill located near Barnes and Noble. I’ve been there for the sushi before and it is the best I have ever had! Oh I wish I had some of it right now. I also think it is one of the prettiest places in the area. That’s all the sweet stuff, but here’s the little bitter part. Mackensie wanted to go to the Grill area so that we could all share in that fun together. I’ll keep this short, promise. The food and atmosphere exceptional! Here is the only part I didn’t like and it really has more to do with knowing your audience.

Of course we all love the traditional show of watching our food being cooked, the huge pop of flames, and breaking the egg which usually gets tossed into the chef’s hat. Great fun. This was a little different though. We were of varied ages at our table, even a couple on a date was sitting with us. Our Chef just went a little beyond what I wanted to experience in our Birthday Celebration. Here’s the bitter for me. Rice was tossed to our mouths, a stream of liquid from a squirt bottle was aimed at a couple of our mouths until we couldn’t keep going anymore and then a bottle in the shape of a little boy with oil spraying from it to look as though the boy was tinkling. Now I know too many this would be great fun, but again you have to know your audience.

The idea of tinkling oil is icky to me, even the girls didn’t like that, not while waiting for a lovely meal anyway. I could have said no to the water mix being sprayed in my mouth, but it’s that weird human feeling of do you just go along for a second or make everyone uncomfortable by saying no. The worst part was the rice being tossed at the guys who spent time trying to reach down their shirts to retrieve the little pieces. Please remember I said the food was delicious. I know many of you would call me a “funsucker” for even mentioning these things, but remember the title of my On The Road this week was Bittersweet. Of course I would still go back, just something that got me thinking.

With A Grateful Heart Sherry

The post The B’s – Beautifully Bittersweet with Sherry appeared first on Visit Londonderry.

Join staff as the unveiling of the pool area’s Giving Wall of tiles. This Wall is a way to recognize donors who contributed to the YMCA’s capital campaign that allowed for the outdoor pool to be built and make improvements and additions to the facility and Camp Pagonki. There will also be the opportunity to meet members of the camp staff, check out the facility, and experience some of the great activities that are offer at summer camp.

The pool will be open for the community to enjoy and free BBQ will also be held in conjunction with the open house. If you would like to attend, contact Lisa Fitzgerald, Branch Director at 603.437.9622 or email her at lfitzgerald(at)yogm.org.

The YMCA has been serving the community of Londonderry since 1999. Hours at the YMCA vary, but summer camp is open from 7 AM until 6 PM Monday through Friday. Otherwise, there is typically someone onsite from 9 AM until 6 PM. Evening classes are also offered.

Visit the Londonderry YMCA at 206 Rockingham Road or online here.

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