Republican Presidential candidate Jon Huntsman visited Mountain View Grand on Sunday, first to be interviewed live in the morning from the hotel’s Eisenhower Library for Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace. He later met with the public at an early afternoon session in the Dodge Parlor.
The former Governor of Utah and President Obama’s ex-ambassador to China made a bit of news in the Fox interview when he told Wallace that though some political watchers have suggested that he could run as a third party candidate, he would not run as an independent and that he would defintely support the Republican nominee.

We would like to share an email message we received this week about a magnificent wedding present that a very talented mom created for her son and his new bride, who were married at Mountain View in October.

Sharon Leichsenring is a professional artist from Trumbull, Connecticut, who decided to do something extra special and out of the ordinary for her son Ryan and his new bride, Annie, who now reside in West Hartford, Conn. She painted a large three-paneled screen (51 inches wide by seven feet high) on primed canvas, which featured a beautiful scenic view of the front of Mountain View Grand. The resort serves as a backdrop for four generations of wedding pictures contributed by both sides of the new couple’s family.

Inspired by the beautiful ceiling mural of Mountain View’s Crystal Ballroom, where the reception was held, Sharon also created a stunning peacock perching regally on a stone tower in front of the hotel with the inscription “The Past Is Prologue.”

Sharon’s business home page is www.SharonPaintsMurals.com

Mountain View proudly hosted the North Country Fruit & Vegetable Seminar and Trade Show sponsored by University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension on Oct. 26.  The hotel is committed to the concept of farm-to-table foods and had the opportunity to meet with many local farmers who provide foods and beverages to our kitchens. These included representatives from Peaslee’s Potatoes, North Country Orchard and Crooked Tree Cider, Creampoke Sally’s garlic, and Meadowstone Farm along with a wide range of trade show participants.

In photo from left. Sally Zankowski and Peter Perkins of Creampoke Sally's, Mountain View Executive Chef Brian Aspell, Second Row: Steve Turaj of U.N.H. Cooperative Extension (Coos County), Zach Magione of Medowstone Farm, Craig Putnam of Echo Hill Farm, Roger Maykut of North Country Orchard, Heather Bryant of Grafton County Extension, Matt Smith and Barbar Peaslee of Peaslee's Potatoes.

Take a day trip to North Conway NH, do some Christmas shopping  and hitch a ride on the Holiday Express at the North Conway Scenic Railroad.

Santa's Holiday Express gets underway on Friday of Thanksgiving weekend and will continue through Sunday, December 18th.

Trains run on weekends only with an 11:30 a.m. departure to Bartlett (1-3/4 hours roundtrip) and a 1:30 departure to Conway (55 minutes roundtrip). Santa will be on board with a small gift in his bag for each child, and his elves will have hot chocolate and cookies for everyone! They'll take your picture, too, if you ask nicely, so be sure to bring your camera!
Children under 4 are free in Coach. Regular Valley Train fares apply for all departures.

For more information about the Conway Scenic Railroad go to conwayscenic.com
For North Conway Outlets go to settlersgreen.com

Holiday Concert Blending Foot-tapping Celtic, Scottish and Bluesgrass! Grammy-nominated Cape Breton fiddler Natalie MacMaster has performed on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and with artists as varied as Alison Krauss, Carlos Santana, the Chieftains, Paul Simon, Pavarotti, and Yo-Yo Ma. Fuller Hall - St. Johnsbury Academy, Monday, December 19th 7:00 PM
$42 Regular tickets, $20, students
 
Take a right out the the parking lot, follow Mountain View Road to the end, take a left onto Rte 2, towards Littleton, NH. Once in the town of Littleton, pass through the two intersections, at the third intersection, turn left onto Cottage St, follow Cottage St. (up a long hill) until you reach the 93 North onramp. Follow Route I-93 North until it connects with Interstate I-91 North. (about 12 miles)
Continue on Route I-91 North and take the first exit (Exit 20) for St. Johnsbury.  At the end of the exit ramp, turn right.  Take the next left up the hill. Follow this road, up the hill and when the road levels, you will be on the St. Johnsbury Academy campus (Main Street). The campus building Fuller Hall is  pillared building located on the right.