Is there a Market Basket Grocery Store Coming to Berlin NH?

Ok I’ve heard this rumor too many times to ignore it. Since late last summer I’ve been hearing a rumor that Market Basket, the discount grocery chain with stores located all over New England and beyond, was planning to buy or lease the former Shaw’s Supermarket building on the Berlin Gorham Road…..

Can anyone help? Is it true? Can anyone come up with some proof? There does seem to be some activity in the building here and there, with vans seen in the parking lot, but nothing significant, and its been months…… ANY HELP WITH THIS RUMOR WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

We didn’t think much of it, as this a pretty normal occurrence in northern New England…..until we were just about to step into the house and we heard, and felt a loud bang. This bang seemed to come from a distance and sounded more like an explosion. The shock-wave was felt in the air, and made me jump. It was also felt in the ground, as a quick ripple seemed to immediately roll by us…… I also noticed the windows shake ever so slightly. It was definitely a powerful blast indeed, although it did appear to occur from far away.

My gut instinct at the time was that one of the planes we heard had a terrible accident, but it has been a few days and I have seen no news on the subject. I have spoken to about a dozen people, who all confirmed that they heard it too. Could it have possibly been a sonic boom? I was hoping maybe someone could help with some proof. Your replies are welcome:

View of Berlin NH looking south-southeast from the top of Mt. Jasper

New England Cable News recently did a story on the recession, its impact on the Berlin NH region, and the economic opportunities that Berlin NH has in the pipeline. Its a little dated (June 11, 2009), but its a great little piece which touches on Laidlaw Biomass, Clean Power Biomass, the new Federal Bureau of Prisons project and the development of ATV trails, snowmobiling, and other development ideas.

Mt Forist in Berlin NH- a great rockclimbing mountain for beginners

Mt Forist (elev 2068ft), located in Berlin NH, is a dominating figure to say the least….Its sheer cliffs can be seen from almost every vantage point in town. Apparently, Mt Forist may be becoming a new attraction for rock climbers, especially beginners….according to Berlin Daily Sun reporter, and avid rock climber, Erik Eisele.

In one of his latest blog posts on The Last Print Journalist, Erik mentions that Brad White, owner of the International Mountain Climbing School had come to Mt. Forist on his recommendation, and brought along a client, a beginner climber. The day was apparently a great success, with Brad and his client impressed with the mountain, and the city. It is important to note that the client had NEVER been to Berlin NH prior to this trip.

After speaking with Erik a few times since he originally climbed the mountain a few months ago, I have become very interested in what Mt. Forist might bring to Berlin NH in term s of tourists and economic development, particularly in the light of the 21/21 initiative we have adopted earlier this summer.

Having grown up in Berlin and seeing the mountain dominate the local scenery from almost every vantage point, I had often wondered what it would be like to climb the face of the cliff. When I was a child, I had heard of stories of people falling from the top… (some real and some fictitious) so in my mind the mountain has always been linked with fear, danger, and mystery….as far as climbing it would be concerned. Knowing absolutely nothing about rock climbing, I had always figured it would most definitely take an expert climber to tackle that cliff….until I spoke with Erik.

The sheer cliffs of Mt Forist don't appear as steep form the vantage point of Mt. Jasper

According to Erik, Brad White “thinks Mount Forist will make a perfect beginner cliff, something that’s lacking around New England. He wants to develop it, guide on it, expose new people to the area. He wants to do what 21/21 wants to do, and he’s a guy with the connections to do it.” I have sent Brad (and Erik) an email to get some more information regarding the mountain and its benefits to Berlin. I have also requested to have a lesson in climbing. I look forward to hearing more about the possibilities, and the prospects of bringing tourists to the area and hopefully beginning to change its image in the process.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Mt Washington as seen from entrance to lead mine and Amscot Pond in Gorham NH

The trailhead is reached on route 16, known locally as the Berlin-Gorham Road, just south of Berlin NH at the large, steel Boston and Maine Railroad Trestle…..(now converted to snowmobile bridge). Parking for approximately 6-8 cars here. After parking, cross the footbridge constructed on the bottom of railroad trestle, which crosses the Androscoggin River. Bear left after exiting trestle, follow signs on a dirt road which re-joins the old rail bed in approx half a mile. Bear left another .25 miles until you reach another railroad bridge. Use caution to look for trail which bears right just after bridge. (Not marked) Trail connects with dirt road in approx 2oo feet…bear right. Follow dirt road until you reach AMC Mahoosuc trail on right…marked with signs and stone staircase. Follow this trail for approx .75 miles, bearing right when Mahoosuc trail forks left approx .5 miles from stone stairs. Mascot pond will be on right with abandoned leadmine ore pile on left.

Use caution when climbing discarded ore pile as rocks are loose and grade is steep. Main entrance to mine bears slightly left as you climb, but several more entrances (all gated) are located several hundred feet higher on hill to right of main entrance.

The caves are home to several endangered species of bats (more information to follow) and have been gated closed for past 20+ years.

Have any more infor regarding this mine? Maybe some old pictures? Comment on this article or add to the photo gallery!

In an attempt to keep the results from being manipulated, you are only allowed to vote once.

Federal Bureau of Prisons Facility in Berlin NH, due to open in 2010

Like it or not, the correctional industry is going to play a part in the future of Berlin NH’s economy for years to come. With approximately 200 (including myself), employed at the Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility and another 340 jobs planned for the Federal Bureau of Prisons Berlin NH facility, corrections jobs will be the #1 industry in town. Combined payrolls will be over $40 million annually, easily trumping the payrolls of the next 3 largest employers in Berlin NH combined. Nobody is contesting the fact that these jobs will help stabilize the local economy…. but at what cost?  Lets take a look at some pros and cons of our prison based economy:

PRO: Jobs.

In total, 540 jobs combined….starting salaries in the $35,000-$40,000 range, with averages in the $45,000-$50,000 range. All jobs currently will have great state and federal benefits, including health insurance, retirement etc…. (Although that may be at risk, as the state of NH is looking to possibly privitize the state prison, more on that later….)

CON: 2000+ inmates in the region will bring many inmate’s families to live closer to their loved-ones, possibly bringing with it more welfare, poverty and crime.

While this is known to be true…(ask anyone who works in the state prison), state officials continue to deny that this actually happens. I have personally spoken to visitors in the state prison who have moved here to be closer to their inmate loved-ones….. (last person I spoke with told me she moved from Laconia area because she was afraid of seeing moose on the way up north.) How many of these families are there? 10?, 20?, 50?…. not exactly sure……

When the federal prison opens, will it make the problem worse? After all, many of these inmates will be from far away, out of state places, making it even more difficult for families to visit….. will that bring more familes to Berlin for the sole purpose of being nearby?

There is no question that the added jobs will be beneficial to the area, hopefully stabilizing real estate prices, adding precious spendable dollars to the local economy, helping local businesses and their families. The only question: Is it worth the sacrifice? Many people are against Laidlaw because of what it brings to the center of town, but these prisons may be bringing much worse and scattering it all over town……

I’d love to hear your thoughts……

This view of Berlin NH was taken from atop Mt. Forist, also known to locals as “Elephant Mountain”. The trailhead is reached by driving through town on NH Rt. 110 northwest towards Groveton NH only a mile from town. Park across from the storage units just south of White Mountain Distributors. Gravel road continues almost all the way to top of mountain, then a short skidder trail bearing left from the woodlot takes you the rest of the way. Well worth the 30-40 minute walk!

The views from the top of the cliff are breathtaking. To the north you are able to see Cates Hill, Milan, Dummer, Milan Hill State park, 13 mile woods, the Mahoosuc range including the Mahoosuc Notch, widely regarded as the toughest mile on the Appalachain Trail. You can also see Goose Eye Mountain, Grafton Notch Maine and mountain ranges directly to the west of Sunday River Ski Area. To the south is the stunning views of the Presidential Range including Mount Washington, Wildcat Mountain Ski Area and more.