We are all aware of the obvious ramifications of todays economy. Foreclosures, gasoline prices, unavailable credit, soaring health care costs (if you can afford it at all), food prices and job security to name the obvious....but if we look hard enough....we will see fallout in every city and town in America. Fallout that never reaches the front page.
I was listening to a report the other day, by Chris Jensen, a reporter for NPR. It was about the small town of Northumberland (Groveton) NH. Northumberland has a population of just over 2000 people with a Median Household Income of $31,500. It is not a large nor prosperous town.
Northumberland is trying to raise some money. They are looking to raise $100,00, not a fortune by todays standards. The money is earmarked to shore up the river bank 
in an area that has been eroded forty feet by the Connecticut River. Forty feet encroaching on the final resting place of Northumberlad citizens....past and present - the town cemetery. The town has approached the Connecticut River Mitigation and Enhancement Fund and the Connecticut River Joint Commissions to no avail. Recently they had understood that NHDES had agreed to provide 60% of the funds....that never came to pass.
A few years ago they had to have a husband and wife moved because part of the embankment collapsed.Last March the Town voted to spend $30,000 to move 8 more graves.
So while there is much attention being paid to the obvious and while the politicians are vieing for the most attention and while every crisis is THE crisis....
There's a small town in the Great North Woods of New Hampshire protecting the dignity of their dead. 
In small town America....Life goes on.....
Concord New Hampshire Realtor Area Information
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Joan Mirantz - Joni is a Realtor® with Keeler Family Realtors, a locally owned, Customer Service oriented Firm.
Joan Publishes a monthly Newsletter "Food For Thought" under the pen name Realtor Sherpa.
(Joan also answers to Miz Maven and Miss Joni.)
Joan works in Buyer and Seller Representation with concentrations in the Merrimack Valley Area and towns surrounding Concord NH - the Capital City.
"I love what I do, and it shows in how I do it"
Hi Joan, You put a little bit of real life back into the proposition of a small town. There is something wonderful about small towns and the life and challenges there even in the cemeteries, churches and schools. Oh the little towns aren't fancy, but they are the heart of what made this country great. And it may be losing it's greatness when measured that way , so now the rule seems to be to measure it's greatness in other and different ways.
Along the way, the small towns and little communities survive out of shear will. It doesn't make bigger towns and communities bad or wrong but neither are these small towns with their open windows and front porches and gravel driveways.
When you have lived in the big city ( any bigger city) you can get lost in the rush ( some intend exactly that for reasons not germain to this comment) while in a small town it seems that if you get sick, someone is at your door wanting to help. What made America great in the minds of American people, wasn't the giant stock deals and the financial wiz kids that rock the financial world. It was the Mom and Dads and the kids that did the living and learning and learned the value of the human spirit aspect of their lives. Rich or poor, all were welcome.
When a small town is in need, there usually aren't the philanthropists dropping by but more often all the community chips in until the deed is accomplished. These people really own their little towns and have the spirit and the heart to be responsible for it, while in other bigger cities and towns, most of the people are just "visiting" citizens and invest very little if anything in its life.
...Happy ever after in the market place, Desmond let's the children lend a hand.
Molly stays at home and does her pretty face, and in the evening she still sings it with the band...
I had to finish the song for you, Joan. Average, simple life is the subject of the Beatles song. If only things could be as simple for Northumberland....I hope they get what they need.
William..I don't do idol...LOL
I love to sing and dance and in my own head and ears...I'm pretty good!
Everything is dissected because people don't know how to think for themselves anymore and have to be led to an understanding or conclusion...and on that "deep" note...I'm off to bed!(it's 2:30 here)
Oh....if you want to be impressed...click on David Saks (name above you) ...read his profile and listen to the wonderful music! You won't be sorry. Nite
Joan,
It occurs to me that there may be some revolutionary war soldiers buried in that cemetary, and if so, might there be some help from the Federal gov't?
Mike in Tucson
Joni~
This is one of my all-time favorite Joni-Posts! It inspires and informs and makes me feel proud to my core....proud of what is happening in Northumberland...and proud to know the person who is telling the story of the spirit of America...alive and well...
Joan - Once again, my friend, you have pulled at my heartstrings. I wish I had that much disposable money laying around as I would send it to them today. Northumberland is a charming little town - full of all things New England. There is (was?) a quality of life there that many have forgotten over time in our effort to be more successful, better noticed and progressive to a fault. Makes you wonder if all that success is really worth it since we tend to forget the basics. Me included. :(
Perhaps the people of Northumberland would be served to contact their Senator and Representative and ask for intervention of the Army Corps of Engineers. And maybe a call to one of those Sunday morning news shows that does special reports on small towns in America. Just the historical side of this story would make lots of folks sit up and take notice. It can't hurt to try.
Thanks for a tremendous post. Now the wheels in my head are going round and round.
Joan, please post if or when you can update everyone (hopefully for the best).
Hello Christopher...nice to meet you. I will try to remember to contact someone up there thanks for the prompt!