Part Two: Fall Foliage Up Close And Personal

Did You Know? - Robert Lee Frost (March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963) was an American poet. His work frequently used themes from rural life in New England, using the setting to examine complex social and philosophical themes. A popular and often-quoted poet, Frost was honored frequently during his lifetime, receiving four Pulitzer Prizes.

Although he is commonly associated with New England, Robert Frost was a native of California, born in San Francisco, and lived there until he was 11 years old. His mother, Isabelle Moodie Frost, was of Scottish descent; his father, William Prescott Frost, Jr., was a descendant of colonist Nicholas Frost from Tiverton, Devon who had sailed to New Hampshire in 1634 on the Wolfrana.

Did You Know? - Frost's father was a former teacher, and later an editor of the San Francisco Evening Bulletin (which was eventually merged into the San Francisco Examiner), and an unsuccessful candidate for the city tax collector. The road not taken for young Robert might have been as a Californian editor rather than a New England poet, but William Frost, Jr. died May 5, 1885, debts were settled, and the family moved to Lawrence, Massachusetts where William Frost, Sr., was an overseer at a New England mill. Frost's mother joined the Swedenborgian church and had him baptized in it, but he left it as an adult.

Did You Know? - Haverhill is a town located in, and the county seat of, Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. Although Haverhill is officially the county seat of Grafton County, the village of Woodsville is traditionally considered the county seat even though the village is within the town of Haverhill. The population was 4,416 at the 2000 census.

Did You Know? - In Australia, Canada and the United States, a general store is a retailer located in a small town or in a rural area with a broad selection of merchandise crammed into a relatively small space where people from the town and surrounding rural areas come to purchase all their general goods, both in stock and special order from warehouses. In the United Kingdom, similar retailers tend to be referred to as a "village shop" in rural areas or a "corner shop" in urban areas or suburbs. In New Zealand, they are called 'dairies' (from dairy, milk products).

General stores often sell staple food items such as milk and bread, and various household goods such as hardware and electrical supplies. The concept of the general store is very old, and although some still exist, there are far fewer than there once were, due to urbanization, and  urban sprawl.

Did You Know? - Gas lighting is the process of burning piped natural gas or coal gas for illumination. Before electricity became sufficiently widespread and economical to allow for general public use, gas was the most popular means of lighting in cities and suburbs. Early gas lights had to be lit manually but soon gas lights could light themselves.

In the United States, Baltimore in 1816 was the first city to light its streets with gas. The first introduction of gas lights in Rembrandt Peal's Museum in Baltimore in 1816 proved to be such a sensation and success that Peale quickly organized the first gas company in the United States and the city council passed an ordinance June 1816, permitted Peale to manufacture gas, lay pipes in the streets, and contract with the city for street lighting.

Among the economic impacts of gas lighting was to allow factories to work much longer hours. This was particularly important in Great Britain during the winter months when nights were significantly longer. Factories could even work continuously over 24 hours, resulting in increased production.

Did You Know? - The Oyster mushroom, or Pleurotus ostreatus, is a common mushroom prized for its edibility and lack of confusing look-alikes. Long cultivated in Asia, it is now cultivated around the world for food. It is related to the similarly cultivated "king oyster mushroom". Oyster mushrooms can also be used industrially for mycoremediation purposes.

Both the Latin and common name refer to the shape of the fruiting body. The latin pleurotus (sideways) refers to the sideways-growth of the stem with respect to the cap while the latin ostreatus (and the English common name, oyster) refers to the shape of the cap which resembles the bi-valve of the same name. Many also believe that the name is fitting due to the flavor resemblance to oysters.

The oyster mushroom is also one of the few known carnivorous mushrooms. Its mycelia can kill and digest nematodes. This is believed to be a way to obtain nitrogen.

Oyster mushrooms contain a small amount of arabitol which can cause gastrointestinal distress in some people. Arabitol is a sugar alcohol similar to xylitol, manitol and sorbitol; these sugar alcohols are widely used food additives and can also have laxative effectives in susceptible individuals.

Did You Know? - Daniel Webster (January 18, 1782 – October 24, 1852), was a leading American statesman during the nation's antebellum era. He first rose to regional prominence through his defense of New England shipping interests. His increasingly nationalistic views and the effectiveness with which he articulated them led Webster to become one of the most famous orators and influential Whig leaders of the Second Party System.

As an attorney, Webster served as legal counsel in several cases that established important constitutional precedents that bolstered the authority of the Federal government. As Secretary of State, he negotiated the Webster-Ashburton Treaty that established the definitive eastern border between the United States and Canada. Primarily recognized for his Senate tenure, Webster was a key figure in the institution's "Golden Age." So well-known was his skill as a Senator throughout this period that Webster became a third and northern counterpart of what was and still is known today as the "Great Triumvirate," with his colleagues Henry Clay from the west and John C. Calhoun from the south. His "Reply to Hayne" in 1830 was generally regarded as "the most eloquent speech ever delivered in Congress."

Did You Know? - Located in the picturesque New England town of Tilton and overlooking the Winnipesaukee River, the Black Swan Inn is the former Historical Peabody-Brown Estate, circa 1880. Mr. Selwin Peabody made "Tilton Tweed", and Mr. Arthur S. Brown was the inventor of the endless belt used by Henry Ford and other industries. Surrounded by flower beds, formal gardens, Oaks and Maples this 19th century Victorian bed and breakfast is a perfect retreat for guests visiting the Lakes Regions of New Hampshire.

Exceptional walnut, mahogany, and oak woodwork run throughout the spacious rooms. Museum-quality European Victorian antiques grace the entire main level. Colorful stained glass windows with lace curtains create a romantic sitting area in the living room. Two porches with rocking chairs and flower boxes make a lovely area to relax on a warm summer's evening.

Accommodations feature seven tastefully decorated and furnished air-conditioned guest rooms; some with private baths, other with shared baths. Two Carriage House Suites are also available and include living room, private bath, queen sized bed, telephone, TV, coffee maker, and air conditioning. Two fireplaces in the living and dining room make for a cozy ambiance during the cooler months. Formal gardens are well kept for guests enjoyment. Small weddings, receptions and special occasions can be held at the Black Swan Inn.

A scrumptious full gourmet breakfast is served each morning.