Many years ago I was fixing a roof at the Shaker Village in Canterbury on cold, blustery day when Eldress Bertha came out and invited me in to have a piece of her apple pie (She was one of the four last living Shakers at the time). It was remarkably good and different, flavored with rose water.

That memory reminded me that NH chef James Haller, who owned the Blue Strawberry Restaurant in Portsmouth in 80s and 90s, wrote a cookbook based on recipes he gathered while living at the Shaker Village. It's called "Cooking in the Shaker Spirit." You will find many NH-ingredient-centric recipes in it.

I second the Derby Line Inn. Great Austrian food. But be aware that it might it not be around much longer. I heard that the chef is looking to sell the place and retire. He is courting a new owner, but it's unclear if it will continue its Austrian fare.

And the New England Dragway is just down the road a few miles in Epping, NH.

Market Basket isn't a significantly better grocery store than the other regional store chains. But it is a family-own business that treats their employees and customers well, and it has a pretty good inventory overall.

But the big thing for me was back in 2015 when greedy members of the Demoulas family tried to take over and screw employees with reduced pay/benefits in the process, employees went on strike with the full support of loyal customers. We boycotted the place and some even joined the picket lines. Some truckers and suppliers loyal to the CEO also contributed, gumming up the supply chain to stores. It was a remarkable thing to experience. And justice was restored.

No it's not.

Home of Darn Tough Vermont Socks.