Press Kit

News from Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce - April 27, 2020

Contact:  Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331, PR@mtwashingtonvalley.org

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING

Businesses throughout Mt Washington Valley shift gears to adapt and help

North Conway, NH – The new normal is anything but normal as the Coronavirus pandemic continues to impact communities throughout the world. Yet, at the same time, it’s challenged businesses and individuals throughout the world to step up, step out and adapt to help others.  In Mt Washington Valley, NH, this is especially true as businesses shift gears to acclimate to social distancing, sheltering in place, helping those in need and doing their part to hamper the spread of the virus throughout the community.

The Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce has worked diligently to keep the community informed of updates from federal and state officials, resources for struggling businesses and individuals, and provide uplifting messages. The chamber’s regular newsletters have helped to keep the Valley’s business community enlightened and encouraged to know where help can be found, and progress is being made.

The pandemic has spared no corners of the Mt Washington Valley. From tourism to medical, construction, banking, non-profit, retail and service, every business has had to shift to attend to the “new normal”. No one knows how long the slow-down will be, but so many companies have efficiently and willingly shifted gears to adapt to the pandemic.

Six great examples of how businesses are adapting in Mt Washington Valley

Believe in Books Literacy Foundation

A recent press release distributed by the Foundation read, “The world has changed and there is a new normal.  The new normal for Believe in Books Literacy Foundation (BIBLF) will include the use of live streaming daily readings and giving free access to the 100-Acre Wood Trail System.”

According to the Foundation, daily live streaming will take place via Facebook Live. Tune in each Monday through Friday, at 9:30am for a different featured story, offering parents a story hour to integrate into the new routine of home schooling. 

BIBLF is offering free use of the 100-Acre Wood Trail System which currently features two Storybook Trails to offer a safe outdoor place for parents to take children and still maintain social distance.  The Storybook Trail, which can be accessed via the Theater in the Wood parking lot, will have stories new stories changed twice a week. 

In addition, the BIBLF “Books on Break” program provides children with a package of new books. Katie Young, BIBLF’s Outreach Coordinator, has been working with over 35 schools throughout Northern New Hampshire and Western Maine to schedule the delivery to over 1,000 households with packages each containing 5 books. More than 4,500 books will be donated through this program in the month of April alone.

Ragged Mountain Equipment makes masks

When the pandemic was announced, Ragged Mountain Equipment co-owner and founder Rob Nadler realized the company was in a great position to shift from making clothing to masks. Designers quickly went to work creating mask prototypes and seeking feedback from medical and other professionals on their merit. Soon after, Ragged Mountain Equipment moved to making and selling cloth masks for adults and children. Masks may be ordered on line at https://raggedmountain.com/face-masks and curbside delivery started March 30, 2020. To date an estimated 2500 have been sold.

All masks have two layers of fabric. The cotton original designs sell for $10 ($12 with shipping), while the batik sell for $8 and $10 with shipping.  After people place their orders online, staffers call customers to arrange curbside pickup when they are ready. They are then delivered to waiting cars in bags and handed to customers using a cross-country ski pole.  Those interested in buying masks are asked NOT to call the store due to the increased volume; instead, they should go online to raggedmountainequipment.com or email raggedmountainequipment@gmail.com.

Mount Washington Observatory offers free distance learning programs for virtual classrooms

Mount Washington Observatory (MWO) is offering free distance learning programs three times a week to support educators in their efforts to provide remote learning opportunities. To keep science learning going, students and weather enthusiasts can connect live to the highest peak in the Northeastern US, Mount Washington, New Hampshire, as Weather Observers and Education Specialists at MWO present Facebook Live sessions called “Home of the World’s Worst Weather Live.”

Programs are offered weekly on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 11:15 AM EST. Themes will cover topics including summit research, climate education, the 231 MPH record wind, and what it’s like to live and work as a scientist in such a remarkable place. Best of all, live programs are uploaded to MWO’s website at mountwashington.org/classroom for use outside the regularly scheduled time. For more information about this program visit mountwashington.org or follow them on social media at Facebook/MWObs to be kept up-to-date on the latest program topics.

Memorial Hospital adds Telehealth

Memorial Hospital primary care and behavioral health patients can now see their provider without leaving home by using a computer, tablet or smartphone. The hospital’s Mount Washington Valley Rural Health Clinic has signed onto Telehealth, to provide a virtual video visit with their provider using a home computer or smartphone. Patients without access to Telehealth technology can still receive a virtual visit by phone.

Mount Washington Valley Rural Health offers Telehealth visits Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. For information or to schedule an appointment contact the office at (603) 356-5472. Patients who do not meet the technical requirements, may be offered a telephone call with a provider.

Valley Pride Day - 20th Year Litter Cleanup exercises social distancing on May 2

Where there’s a will there’s a way, and the annual Valley Pride Day 2020 has been redesigned but not cancelled. It will take place May 2, 2020 throughout Mt Washington Valley and Western Maine. Where in the past crews gathered together in an annual clean-up day, this year individuals are encouraged to continue the task while keeping at least six feet apart.

Trash bags have been distributed to community leaders throughout Mount Washington Valley and western Maine, and are now available to the public for as long as supplies last. There is a low supply of gloves so participants are encouraged to bring their own, plus wear brightly colored clothing so they can be seen cleaning up beside the road and supply their own wipes and hand sanitizer.  Participants are also asked to dispose of trash properly on their own this year.

Max’s Restaurant and Pub at the Snowvillage Inn teams up with Dole & Bailey offering Home Food Kits

Max’s Restaurant and Pub at the Snowvillage Inn has partnered with Dole and Bailey Food Purveyors to offer Mt Washington Valley residents Home Food Kits. Somewhat akin to a mini specialty market for folks that would like to reduce their visits to the grocery store, seven different home food kits are being offered with options ranging from local cheese to French cheeses kits. Other boxes offer a variety of combinations of meats, pasta, fish and vary in price and have come complete with clever names. For example, the Virtual Hug box includes 4 lbs. of Assorted Pasta Varieties,2 lbs. Meatball Mix, 2 lbs. of Sausage Coils1 lb. of Apple Wood Smoked Bacon, 12 oz of Cooper's Hill Chive Cheddar Cheese, 2 Pizza Dough Balls, 1 Bag of Organic Green Peas, 3 Cans of Mutti Tomato Sauce, 1 Bag of Grated Parmesan Cheese, 1 Bag of Soft Dancing Deer Chocolate Chip Cookies for $125. That’s nearly a week’s worth of dinners in a box.

Dole & Bailey delivers to the Snowvillage Inn on Wednesday and Friday.  Customers are asked to place their order by 2pm on Tuesday and Thursday, then set a time for curbside pick-up.  In addition to the Home Food Kits, Max’s at the Snowvillage Inn has been offering Curbside TO GO on Fridays and Saturdays.  For more information go to Snowvillageinn.com/homefoodkit or call Snowvillage Inn at 603-447-2818.

Hundreds of businesses throughout Mt Washington Valley have adjusted, changed, or had to close as a result of state and federal orders.  The entire Mt Washington Valley community remains poised for re-opening, but only will once methods are in place to do so safely.  Stay tuned to updates from Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce here or visit www.MtWashingtonValley.org to start planning a vacation once it’s deemed safe to return.  For more information on visiting New Hampshire and for some armchair inspiration, go to www.VisitNH.gov.

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For photos, visit Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce online photo gallery at 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mwvchamber. Photo above from Snowvillage Inn.