Manchester New Hampshire College

A Christmas Joy

Tuesday, January 3, 2012 by Gail Gifford

As I sit and watch the Bowl games on TV, I ponder over what happened in my life just last week. I had a wonderful time as I ventured down to Nashville, Tennessee to visit my youngest daughter who works as a manager at Roast Inc.. It is the best coffee I have ever had. They roast their own beans and make each cup of craft coffee to your liking as you wait. It is well worth the wait as it is so good, you will be hooked. So, if you are ever in the Nashville area, please look it up. I also spent a few days with my grandson who is almost five. We went ice skating one day which was really fun even if his legs didn't work right, so he says anyways.

I remember learning how to ice skate when I was young, I remember that feeling and probably thought "what am I suppose to do on this one blade?" I am sure he probably thought the same as he could not keep himself upright for too long without the help of Grammy supporting him.

The next day my daughter had off so the three of us went up to Cave City Kentucky to go through Mammoth Cave. He had never been in a cave so I was not sure how he was going to be and my daughter was really young when she last went through. It was about a two hour drive from Nashville but it went by fast as we stopped for a snack along the way. I am all about making these experiences FUN so he will want to do it again someday. I pretty much have that attitude with everything. Even when I attended Granite State College in Manchester New Hampshire, I was thinking how can I make this a fun experience. It was easy as I met some really neat people to hang out with, study with and smile our way through one class after another. Yep, learning can be fun and what you learn can enrich your life so much that the outcome is fun. I would love to go back and get my Master of Science Project Management degree someday. School was fun and even though it was lots of hard work and time management skills, it was well worth it.

For my grandson, skating and spelunking through the caves, were something new for him. If school is something you want to do, just do it. It may be new to you but you will never get that degree until you make that first step kind of just like my grandson learning to skate.

Another Incredible College Course

Thursday, November 24, 2011 by Heather Carter

Speaking of incredible adult college courses that deeply impacted
me (well, I was speaking

of it in my last post anyway), I'll never forget another class I took through Granite State College-- a Manchester, NH college class called Humanities in the Age of Technology. I always loved the unique course selections available to me every term, excited when a crisp new course schedule would arrive in the mail, and this was no exception.

Professor Jeff Haight was the instructor's name and he was really tough. But he was the best kind of tough, because his high standards, proficiency, and insistence on advanced-level learning challenged me beyond what I thought I could do. He introduced me to another genre of learning that was to become a lifelong love of mine-- philosophy. His passion for the subject made it easy to attend that weekend college class.

His was the type of course that went beyond just career training education; It was a class that provoked me to pursue questions about life and meaning and analytical thought. He introduced me to the discourses of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, exposed the class to the trial of Socrates, and taught us the concept of consilience-- the unity of knowledge.

So, yeah. Here's a shout out to you, Jeff Haight. Thank you for your teaching excellence. I won't forget it.

Health and Wellness - It's in our hands

Tuesday, November 15, 2011 by Cathy Driesch

I recently attended the Business NH Health Care Summit in Manchester - an event and topic that interests me greatly, thanks to my role as program director of the Granite State College Bachelors degree in Health Care Management. The New England Director of the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services, Christi Hager, delivered the keynote where she discussed what has transpired since Health Care Reform was introduced and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Many businesses and agencies were represented at the conference and all are grappling with the high cost of health care benefits. Small companies tend to pay 18% more in premiums than larger corporations resulting in them being a third less likely to offer insurance. The State Based Insurance Exchange will make coverage more affordable for small businesses and is slated to be available in 2014.

We learned that New Hampshire has one of the highest quality health care delivery systems in the country and has the highest rate of private insurance coverage at 72%.

A panel consisting of HR representatives from a large corporation and a small business, a physician, the president of NH Hospital Association, a representative from AARP, and someone from Harvard Pilgrim N.E. answered questions and discussed emerging trends. Health care costs have lead to a trend in companies and insurance agencies to promote wellness among their employees. These initiatives range from discounts on health club memberships, sport teams, onsite health professionals, onsite fitness centers, regular safety assessments, smoke-free workplaces, walking clubs, and preventative care, to free health coach consultations from insurance providers. The bottom line is that to control health care costs, companies need to embrace wellness programs.

How do you get started?

Get connected with your HR department
Form a wellness committee
Connect with other business – find out what they’ve done and set benchmarks
Create the infrastructure to support the initiative and promote cultural transformation
Develop an action plan – get data- build collaboration
Get to know your co-workers/employees
Investigate what support your insurer may provide
Develop partnership with local pharmacist to assist with education in the workplace
Go to: http://healthaffairs.org/

A night with my Dad

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 by Gail Gifford

I was so delighted when I went to my Dad's harmonica group gathering. He has played the harmonica for years; I think he said, that he "has played since he was around ten years old." He still has the first one he ever played. He taught me how to play at a young age also. I can remember driving to Florida when I was just a child and my dad would have the holder strapped around his neck and would playing songs throughout the long drive. Since we really didn't listen to the radio, we had better learn how to play the harmonica or the spoons. My choice was the harmonica with the first song being You Are My Sunshine. It was a good night with all his friends. These are all older folks as my dad just turned 90 on Sunday and his friend is 92, who calls my dad young!!

Life is good being back in Michigan. I think dad enjoys me being around and sharing some time with him. Time is all we have; time to grow, learn, enjoy and have fun. I had so much fun going to the Manchester NH college campus and meeting new friends at Granite State College. We would laugh about our classes at times, about your essays about each other really, we were all on the same boat, we wanted our degrees and we were going forward to get it.

Those days in New Hampshire were happy days and happy memories, same as days with my dad. So if you are thinking school and getting an adult education degree is all work, think again and just do it!!

Learning ...stays with you!!

Monday, July 18, 2011 by Gail Gifford

Learning, it stays with you no mater how long it has been since you learned it. It doesn't matter if it is something you learned in school, or something you have learned along life's path, you just don't forget.

Why I say this is because I had an opportunity to go golfing, a date actually, and I hadn't golfed in years. I loved it when I did it but like I said, it had been years. With attending Granite State College at the Manchester NH college campus over the past few years, and just learning a new job twice at work, I just didn't have the time or the opportunity to golf. Well, I just played this afternoon and I have to tell you, I all came back to me. I did fairly well in fact, and hope I play some more real soon. I love the sport, love the challenge of planning my swing, what club to use and just getting the ball in the we hole.

So, if you think you will never remember what you learned in school or in life, think again. You never loose it, it is there, it just needs to be ignited again.

High School VS College

Saturday, April 2, 2011 by Maria Bauer

A few weeks ago, I ran into an old friend from high school. A few days after that encounter, I ran into another friend from high school. It's always amazing how you feel when you run into old friends. There are some people you get very excited to see, and others you get this feeling in the pit of your stomach and in all honesty, you may try to dodge them from seeing you. For most people that I have met (post high school) it's a time in their life they want to forget. And seeing someone from your past can bring up some uneasy feelings that you thought you had buried.

The reason I bring this up is because seeing two of these people (one from each 'category'), I began to run through in my head what high school was like for me. I tried to remember my teachers, how they taught, the environment, etc. A lot of my high school teachers were very strict about assignments and due dates and making sure they made NO exceptions, because they were trying to prepare us for the "real world" and for college.

Because of how we were being "prepared", I didn't want to go to college anymore. Of course I had ambitions and I DID want to go to college, but I was expecting that it would not be the experience I had always dreamed it would be. Not after those experiences...

I may not be where I thought I would be when I was 16, but I'm happy to see where I am today. I'm in college, and in a short number of years I will have obtained two adult education diplomas. The exact same outcome as if I had gone off to college right after graduation.

The differences between high school and Granite State College are numerous! In high school you can become invisible. Very few people know your name, interests, etc. At this Concord, NH college campus, you walk in the front door and you are greeted by your first name! (Side note: I mention Granite State College's Concord, NH college campus because it's my "home base." I go there a great deal, even though I take classes sometimes at the Manchester, NH college campus).

In high school, no exceptions were made; here at GSC, teachers will work with you and they understand that life happens. Many students who I have taken classes with have demanding jobs and/or children.

These adult accelerated degree programs are very different from high school. Of course there are always exceptions, but my guess is that these programs work because everyone there has the same goal: to make life better for us. That includes fellow students, and it also includes the faculty. Hazing and bullying don't go on at college (or at least this one). This is the one place you will always look back on as a positive experience. It's a second chance for people (or third, or fourth...).

In many years down the road you run into someone who you went to college with, there will be no uneasy feelings; you'll finally have an educational experience you are more than happy to revisit.

The moral of this story: don't let your past experiences hold you back from really living your life. It's always the time to create some new experiences, and you know you'll be better off for it.

How many inches of White Stuff??

Tuesday, February 1, 2011 by Gail Gifford

OMG!! I can hardly believe that the north east is getting hit with all that snow. It was sixty-nine degrees here on Sunday. Of course this is South Carolina but I am only 14 hours away from my old home in Manchester, New Hampshire and Granite State College. I have a son that lives in Chicago and the weather lady just said that they are going to get more snow in the next couple days than they have had in forty years. Wow, I hope he stays warm and safe going to and from work each day. Each day is a new day in all of our lives. Some may be out of work, some so frustrated looking for a new job or some just praying that they don't get cut from their current job. Many stresses we face during this economy. It is a rough time we are facing but, we can face it head on if we continually think of our possibilities. It may be the time for you to start thinking about an adult education degree. Getting that education you have longed for after many years of raising children or doing other things. So, why not step it up and do it? It is just like going for a run; put on your tennis shoes, tie them up and open the door, then go. School is just the same. Call Granite State College, talk about your plans, desires aspirations and plan, organize and do it. It is that first step that can change your life. Sure, you will have stresses with school but you will also be doing something for YOU. So, maybe this snowy day is your day to do it. YOU CAN YOU KNOW!! I did, and so happy I did.

Is Online College better

Tuesday, January 18, 2011 by Beth McKenna

I went to college long ago... in the dark ages... before online education became an accepted way to get an education. I often wonder if I would have liked going to college in my own living room. I think about people interested in going to college in Berlin NH, or Littleton NH, or Lebanon NH, or taking Manchester NH Classes or Portsmouth NH Classes or Rochester NH Classes and I think.. wow.. if people from all over New Hampshire decided to go to college at Granite State College they could all be going to the same class at the same time right in their own homes. Maybe that is one benefit of online education. You would come in contact with people from other areas of the state that you might never have known. It wouldn't be the same in some ways, because you would not be going out to coffee before class with online friends, but, think of the possibilities online courses present. Maybe the idea of online education is really catching on, especially at places like Granite State because people are so busy, but they still want the benefits of making connections while getting career college training and affordable continuing education without the constraints of a particular time to be sitting in a classroom. I think I would have liked online classes when I went to school. How about you?

The start of a new semester!

Thursday, January 13, 2011 by Mary Clouter

Our Winter session has started. I was really excited about the start of this new semester. Part of the reason is that I only have five more courses (including this semester) before I graduate in June with my Bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science and I'm looking forward to my courses.

I'll have two online classes for college this semester and one in the classroom at the Manchester NH college campus. I can't say that I'm very good at biology, but I am so looking forward to my class, "The Human Brain." It will be interesting to learn more about different disorders and what parts of the brain are affected. Cool stuff!

I'll also have my Introduction to Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences and Social Psychology - Hi Beth! (Beth was the instructor for my Human Development class too.)

The Intro class is so interesting even though we're only about half way through the first week. Lots of great online discussions as responses to a posted question from our instructor.

I can't wait to see how these classes unfold. I wish in some ways that I had started at Granite State College earlier because they have so many interesting classes being offered through the year. But I'm not complaining! It's because of Granite State College's flexible class schedules and different formats (classroom, online, and weekend intensive) that's allowing me to graduate in June!

I'll let you know how things progress!

mary

Why did I write that last blog??

Tuesday, January 11, 2011 by Gail Gifford

I think I jinxed it. We got so much snow last night and through the day, it was crazy. Wintry mix, not quite, more like a blizzard is what I called it. I woke up to the white stuff on roof tops, driveways and shutting down the city pretty much. It was not just South Carolina, North Carolina and the mountains got it too. I ended up with about 6 1/2 inches where the mountains got anywhere from 8-12, it was crazy. Work was called off so I worked from home. The snow just reminded me of my many times in the parking lot at work in New Hampshire, getting the car cleaned off. Going to school at the Manchester campus to take my adult education classes, was the only thing I had on my mind as I cleaned off the windows of my car. But that is not the case here, the city shuts down. I took a couple walks with my neighbor as she walked the dog, it felt good to get outside for a bit. I hate being cooped up inside, I am such an outdoorsy person. I had the gear though, Ski pants, ski jacket, mittens, scarfs and hat, oh and lets not forget the boots. They are only ankle boots but I am sure glad I had them. I played a bit too, can't lie. The snow brings out the kid in all of us!! Check out the ducks, standing on the ice. That is not supose to happen in the South!!

Two days later:
We still have ice, schools are closed, some streets are slick and I am staying in side today to sew. I will go to work in the morning and I believe we are done with the snow at this point. I did see New Hampshire was getting some snow though. Well enjoy it as you venture out and be thankful that you all have the equipment to clear the streets and life keeps going as you know it, even in two feet of snow. Enjoy your Manchester NH Education and Career College Training as long as you can.

Wintry mix???

Thursday, January 6, 2011 by Gail Gifford

I wake up this morning to the radio and the broadcaster calling for a "wintry mix."

Until I moved to the south, I never knew what a wintry mix was. Growing up in Michigan, winter was just that, winter. It meant snow, ice, cold weather, boots, gloves, hats and long johns. As a child, I was sent out the door prepared for the worse weather ever. Snow pants, boots, gloves and hats were the attire for most of those wintry days. As an adult, I went to work with boots, scarf, hat and gloves, ready for the worse with my snow brush in the car and scrapper. My life changed when I moved to the south. Schools would close when snow was in the forecast that morning. Kids were sent home from school if a white flake was spotted outside, and work had emergency lines to call and see if work was delayed or called off for the day. I am used to it now but thinking about it, brought back a fond memory I had one evening after work in Bedford, New Hampshire. It had snowed all day and no, we were not sent home, we were working since eight am that morning. It had snowed about one foot throughout the day and I had school after work to go to at the Manchester New Hampshire college located in the old airport. Some of my coworkers had remote starts, I was amazed; pushing a button to start their cars from inside the office, crazy but cool. Others had gone out early to start the cars. I just thought I would be fine at the end of my shift and had plenty of time to clean off the car and get to my class on time. Well, I was mistaken. That snow had a thin coat of ice under it and my wee credit card (southern scrapper) didn't do the trick. Thank God one of my fellow employees had a good scraper to clean off my car and get me on the road. From that day on, I had a good scrapper ready at all times.

Back to the wintry mix they are calling for this morning. We may get a dusting and up in the mountains, they may get a couple of inches of the white stuff, hence a wintry mix. The grocery stores will be full of people buying milk and bread as they are afraid they will get shut in for days. For me, it will be work as usual. I will hit the road early and go slow, remember some driving skills learned in my Michigan and New Hampshire days how to drive in the stuff. I will get to work the same as I got to class that night. It was one of my accelerated studies classes so there was no way I could miss it. I needed to be there to get the assignments for the next few days. I bet my friends in New Hampshire wish they had more "Wintry Mix Days" than the snow that fell just a few hours ago!!

Frank Lloyd Wright

Friday, December 24, 2010 by Deidre Romeo

The things you learn in an adult college program… I remember taking a walk in Oak Park, IL many years ago with a friend from high school. She pointed out a couple homes and commented on them being Frank Lloyd Wright creations. I had no interest; they simply appeared to be boring little homes to me. Some ten plus years later I found myself immersed in adult college courses, one being World Architecture to satisfy my global arts requirement. This is where I was introduced to the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and found a true love for all architecture. I also learned that we had a Frank Lloyd Wright home, the Zimmerman house, available for touring right here in New Hampshire! The Currier Museum of Art in Manchester offers several weekly tours of the home. Among the different tour options is one called, “The Four Seasons at the Zimmerman House.” These tours include admittance to the museum with wine and cheese served and live music at the home during the tour.

I finally booked tickets for the winter season tour and invited a couple friends. When the night arrived I discovered one of my friends had taken the same course at Granite State College and the other friend had no idea what she was coming to see when she met up with us but almost immediately became emotional when she realized it was a tour of a Frank Lloyd Wright home. She knew little of him or his work but remembered that her deceased mother had been a huge admirer of Wright’s architecture. She asked the guide how long the home had been open to the public and was so disappointed when she learned it had opened to the public almost two years before her mother’s death. Had she known, she would most definitely have taken her mother.

The home was amazing and we all enjoyed every minute of it. During the tour we learned that “Falling Waters,” another amazing home of Wright’s is also open to the public in Pennsylvania. We have all vowed to take a weekend trip together this summer to tour this home as well. My adult college degree did not just educate me on business but opened my eyes and mind to many new experiences and interests.

Thank you GSC!

Come On By!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010 by Danielle Dodd

Hey everyone! I just wanted to let you know that I have begun my position as the new administrative assistant at Granite State College's Manchester NH college campus, working with our students who are taking Manchester NH classes to get their adult education diploma! I am so excited to be working with everyone! I want to help make our Manchester Campus the best it can be! So if you have any suggestions of classes you would like to take, like Behavioral Science classes or possibly any other career advancement programs, let me know! I would love to know your thoughts on how to make the Manchester Campus easier for YOU!

Thanksgiving...

Friday, November 12, 2010 by Mary Clouter

Time is flying by and in another couple of weeks we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving day. Amazing, isn't it? The seasons seem to go so quickly and before you know it, another year has gone by. When I was in my 20's... well... let's be honest... I wanted money, a lot of it, and the sooner the better! But college seemed like it would take "forever" and I wasn't ready to put in the time. I wanted everything now. I worked hard, very hard, and I was able to accomplish and experience some terrific things... good pay, travel, my own house. But it took so many more years to get there and, at times, I had to prove myself to others more than my peers

who did have college degrees. I don't regret it, but where would I have been if I had started off with a college degree. Who knows, but it certainly wouldn't have hurt, I know that.

Good news (terrific news, actually) is that it's never too late! I can't believe all of the amazing experiences I've had since leaving my job of 20+ years a few years back and going in a completely different direction in my career. I grabbed hold of all of the possibilities of college life and ran with it. Heck, I even played the college mascot at one of Nashua Community College's basketball games. Yup! That's me at 47! What a kick!

So, is it ever too late to go to college? I don't think so! Granite State College has many degrees to suit your interest or, perhaps, working with a Granite State College advisor, create your own! I chose Behavioral Science and I'm psyched about being able to complete my courses via GSC's online courses and by attending both the Manchester NH college campus and the Concord NH college campus. I can't wait to walk in June with my bachelor's in Behavioral Science. How cool!

Race for the cure

Sunday, October 17, 2010 by Gail Gifford

It was a sunny Saturday morning September 26, 2010 when over 3,000 people came out to run a 5k, 1k or walk the distance for breast cancer. I was one of them. They raised more than $500,000 for the cause. I had a great time at Race. My boss, Jim, and friend, Jana, all ran the distance. None of us beat our times but we did finish. There had to be ten or more hills; hate those hills that wind through downtown Greenville, SC., but, we got the t-shirts and had a good day.

All three of us learned that so many people have suffered with breast cancer, had families that suffered, lost loved ones from the disease. Learning is something that takes place in all forms of life, school, work, friendships and even races. We learn how to deal with things, how to improve our times in the race, how we deal with loss of loved ones. Whether it be by experiences through our life or at college.

Granite State College gave me such insight into the world, to life, to be able to think outside the box. Whether it was online adult learning classes or face-to-face classes in Manchester NH college campus or the Portsmouth NH college campus, I learned so much. Just like I learned so much entering this fundraising function for Breast Cancer.

So many people had names of loved ones pinned to their backs of their t-shirts. So many had Survivor t-shirts on, how wonderful, others went because they had daughters whom they cared about with hopes of finding a cure for this disease. It was a great day and a great learning experience.

Football season is hear again

Saturday, September 11, 2010 by Gail Gifford

It is Saturday evening, just got home from work and what a crazy day. I deal with Ohio dealerships and needless to say, when the football game started today on TV, there was not a deal come through for me to look at. It is an exciting time of year. Not many people are thinking about going to buy new cars the first day of football season. Lots of guys love to sit on the couch for the afternoon, watch the game, drink a few beers and have a few laughs. Some of my girlfriends love to do the same from time to time. I am not a huge football fan but do like the excitement of it and I love to watch the Super Bowl at the end of the year.

Fall is my favorite time of year, the wind is cool and we are all winding down from a busy summer. Whether that summer consisted of vacation, seeing family or taking a class at Granite State College in one of there many locations like Portsmouth NH College, Concord NH College, Claremont NH College, Manchester NH College or onine classes for college. Lets not forget about that unforgettable experience to take a class on the Isle of Shoals. We are all winding down and thinking about the fall, maybe fall classes or just what the next year may bring our way.

Football kind of starts that all off; friends, new beginnings, expectations and goals for the year to come. Go Team!! Whatever that team may be.

The College Years in the Age of Technology

Monday, August 23, 2010 by Leslie Bowering

The college years of students--younger or older-- in the age of technology abound with opportunities to succeed at Granite State College. Websites are available--every baby step of the way-- to guide students along but only if they choose to investigate them.

I have attached a link about Career Advice that may be helpful to students who are undecided about which course or academic direction they may want to take, whether they are attending classes in Rochester NH college, Concord NH college, Claremont NH college, or Manchester NH college campuses.

It is necessary to have a sense of what direction to take. Perhaps the use of a website like this one could help students decide whether they have a better aptitude for the Behavioral Sciences offered through Granite State College or maybe they are more inclined to pursue Early Childhood Education Classes there. Either way, the technology abounds to provide information when college Advisors are not available at the end of a telephone line. At least this website gives students someplace to start.

http://career-advice.monster.com/job-search/Getting-Started/Try-This-4-Year-Career-Checklist/article.aspx

Adult Education is all about independently acquiring information, skills, and success. Technology is available to also help students form questions they need to ask of their Advisors.

Why not click on this website, dip your toes in and get yourself organized for the the Fall Semester. Granite State College empowers students to ask questions and achieve answers.

A Perfect day...

Tuesday, August 10, 2010 by Deidre Romeo

I started at Granite State College in April of 2007 and this summer is the first time I have taken a semester off from school. I start back to school in the fall to attain my MBA. I love taking adult college courses and never wanted to take a semester off before but I have to say I have enjoyed this break from school. This week alone I spent one evening taking a leisurely kayak trip up the Merrymeeting River with friends from work followed by a quick night time dip in Alton Bay. Tuesday evening I spent the night with friends and fellow bloggers at the Fisher Cats game in Manchester. Living working and going to school in New England is a special way of life. New Hampshire has so many wonderful outdoor activities to offer, yet I am only an hour and half away from downtown Boston, a city which holds many fun, cultural and unique prospects.

What was the best part of this week? Spending Saturday with my daughter. Brittany had bought tickets to Cirque du Soleil for my Mother’s Day Gift. She told me to block off August 7th to spend the entire day with her. What a gorgeous day it was, warm and sunny with no humidity. We dressed in comfortable shoes and cool sundresses. We started the day having a great lunch at La Caretta’s then drove into Fan Pier in Boston. This is a fairly new development on the Boston Harbor so I had never before been. What a gorgeous area. The walkways were made of different colored pavers with beautiful plants, grass and trees lining the area. There were outdoor speakers hidden in the foliage playing lovely music for all to enjoy. The seat benches were made of wood with back rests which were four feet tall. Scattered among the area were simple aluminum tables and chairs for people to enjoy a picnic lunch or just a gathering of friends to socialize. Lighting in this area is built into the ground. The harbor was busy with sailboats and luxury yachts coming in and going out.

The show began at 4:00pm under the bright blue and yellow Big Top erected on the Wharf at Fan Pier. We sat in the 9th row from the stage. The show was ASTONISHING! If you ever have the opportunity to see Cirque du Soleil in person, jump for it. The creativity of the costume makers, set designers and performers is like nothing you will ever see. The entire venue was 1st class. The music was modern and upbeat with a Caribbean flare. The acts were all unique and amazing.

Granite State College is a unique academic institution that understands the need for their students to take time away from their studies to care for family members, accomplish professional projects, and live life to its fullest. Breaking away from one’s adult college education for a semester here and there to live life is part of the norm at GSC. Rest assured, your advisors, professors and adult college program will still be there when you return. After all, life is all about balance.

15+ Minutes of Fame???

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 by Beth Benoit

Will cars come screeching to a halt? Will the accident rate at four spots in New Hampshire increase substantially? Will more people start reading Granite State College's blogs?

I hope the answer to the first two questions will be "NO!" and the answer to the last will be "YES."

The new billboards for Granite State College are up, and I'm there (on the far right). Here's what it looks like:

My other "partners in crime" are (left to right) Wayne Churchill (a student at Granite State College), Sherilee Poisson (also a student), Nicole MacMillan (a coordinator in Rochester), and Leslie Bowering (another student). Yep, that's me on the right with my violin.

So if you're interested, here's where the billboards are located:
Portsmouth: Rte 1 north, near Lago’s Ice Cream
Conway: Albany S Rte 16
Newport: near McDonalds
Manchester: 293N, Near the MillWest building, on top of Ray the Mover building

Amber Card, U.S. Army, National Guard, Active Duty and Reserves

Friday, May 14, 2010 by Leslie Bowering

     At Granite State College without exeption we are fortunate to meet many young men and women who have served or are serving in our United States Military. But in their spare time or not they are also finding time to educate themselves within various programs that Granite State college has to offer.
     Recently I was fortunate to meet Amber Card who is one of the students in a Survey of American Literature course I attend on Tuesday evenings at the Manchester, New Hampshire branch of Granite State College. Like myself, Amber is taking the course as a core requirement of a Language Arts Degree. She is also intending to achieve teaching certification as part of her education.
     One evening before class I took the opportunity to interview her as a military veteran and as a continuing educational student at Granite State. She shared with me some of the daunting facts about her enlistment and her tour of duty. Amber participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom II. She was deployed from December 7, 2003 - March 2, 2005. During this time she worked as a Motor Transportation Specialist where she drove 5 tons, semi-tractor trailers and humvees. She pulled security for convoys, delivered supplies to troops including mail, food, and ammo. She also pulled security for the base and transported troops. Amber was also a Mortuary Affairs Specialist.
     She briefly shared with me her thoughts and feelings about her military service. "I wouldn't necessarily change it but it was a very hard experience at 21 to absorb. It made me grow up very quickly and realize what was important in my life. I had to set new priorities."
     When I said the word "horrible" and asked her about her immediate thoughts she said, " It was very real and you had to take the good with the bad. Five of my friends died over there and I'll never forget it but there's not a day that goes by that I don't appreciate what I have and realize what my friends gave up for me. That's why I feel I always push myself to go the extra mile.
    Lastly, I asked Amber about her most significant experience. To this she replied, "Is when we had just moved into Iraq from Kuwait and within 24 hours our base got attacked and we lost someone and several were injured. It really changes your perspective right off the bat!"
     Since my interview with Amber I listen more closely to everything she has to say in class. Immediately I notice the difference in the attention and detail she gives to the learning process. She speaks with such devotion and compassion about the children she will someday soon be teaching upon graduation from Granite State College this June. She is also pregnant with her second child, a boy. And one thing I do know for sure about Amber: She values life. She also values education and children.
     Though I am much older than Amber I am humbled by her maturity and all that she has experienced in her very young life. Experience when it does not kill us most certainly makes some of us stronger. I am a better person for having met Amber and learned about her past life and her future goals. As a woman among many she stands tall and proud in my eyes.

Leslie Bowering