We Begin the World Anew!
‘Karen and Jay share thoughts on ‘New Beginnings’ as we get ready to embark on an exciting New Year!’
New Year… New Opportunities… New Excitement! Time to take things up a notch – take it to the next level. So, as we say ‘hello’ to the New Year, let’s take a deep breath and get ready. 2023 has all the makings of an historically great year – for each and every one of us. That is, if we approach it with the right mindset. A positive ‘can do’ mentality that sees opportunity in every adversity; that believes dreams really can come true; and starts with the point of view that there is no such thing as a problem that cannot be solved. Onwards and upwards!
So as we approach this New Year, as we have done in years past, we tend to look back on the previous year in order to better understand the significance of all that we’ve experienced, while we look to the year ahead to explore and maybe even dream about what we hope becomes reality. The beginning of a new year inspires us to think of new beginnings, how we can make positive changes in order to live a better more purposeful life. It can feel like the perfect moment for a fresh start. As the American inventor Charles Kettering once said, “Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar, you present a new place for new ideas and progress.”
The thing about the new year, and the changes we seek, is that we all tend to feel we must make resolutions and accomplish them right away. Whether we want to shed some pounds, start a new project, travel to places we haven’t been and more, when we set resolutions and look to these new beginnings, we must also remember that something truly worth having rarely comes without effort and a bit of patience. We’ve probably all had resolutions we’ve set and failed to see through. It’s estimated that only 46 percent of the resolutions people set on January 1st are still being sought after by the end of January. And far fewer survive the entire year. Changing routines and habits takes more than just setting an intention, it takes consistent action and maybe even a few setbacks.
New beginnings come in many shapes and sizes, and truthfully do not require the new year either. Each and every day throughout the year is a point in time when we can take these actions and it’s important to remember this if we feel like we’ve fallen behind on our goals. And let’s be honest, change is always hard. We are creatures of habit by nature. When we want a fresh start or a new beginning, it’s important we both do not sell ourselves short by continuing to believe in ourselves, while of course, also being realistic with what we can achieve in the short term, but with a bigger, long-term vision.
So, how can you take action to create your new beginning this year? Like we’ve discussed here in the Sunshine Report, making small gains each and every day is how we make noticeable progress in the long term. Setting smaller resolutions that we can achieve can help our belief system, the more we check off and are able to celebrate, the more confident we grow to take on bigger challenges. It’s also important we check in with ourselves regularly.
Perhaps a goal in the short term is unrealistic because of your schedule or commitments. Reassessment is so abundantly important. And it doesn’t mean failure, it’s simply a way to assess what’s possible in the present. It’s also a great way to track your progress. And lastly, it’s important that we’re patient and kind with ourselves. We’re often our toughest critics and when we use defeating language like “I’m not good enough” or “why do I even bother” because we fell behind or didn’t achieve something as quickly as we wanted to, it can stop us from moving forward.
The famed banker JP Morgan had a great philosophy on new beginnings, stating, “the first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.” As we go into 2023, remember throughout this year that whether it’s January 1st or July 1st, we can decide each and every day to begin anew. Happy New Year to all!
Locals Take Back Control: Newport Golf Club Bought by Local Investment Group
Newport Golf Club Investors. Back Row: Ed Albro, Sunapee; Rob Daley, New London; Frank Tagliatela, Lempster; Bob Scheele, Georges Mills. Front Row: Don Hague, Sunapee; Charlie Olsen, Lempster; Steve Haselton, Newport; Dwight LaFontaine, Newport; Art Springsteen, Sunapee, and Gary Summerton*, Sunapee. Not Present: Mike O’Connell, Lempster; Christine Bell, Lempster; Ken Merrow, Newport; Mark and Arlene Halstead Sunapee *Mr. Summerton is the Golf Course Superintendent.
It's always exciting when a grassroots local initiative gathers momentum and sets its sights on taking control of their community’s destiny. Well, that’s what has just successfully occurred in the town of Newport. As reported in the Eagle Times below and superbly described by Reporter, Dylan Marsh, a group of Newport area citizens has taken the initiative bring the wonderful Newport Golf Club back under local control. It’s a great story and one that will have positive ripple effects throughout the region.
Eagle Times: The Newport Golf Club has recently announced a change in ownership of the club and course. On December 15, 2022, the Sugar River Golf Club Investors Group announced that they had not only purchased the course and clubhouse but intend to make significant improvements as well.
A group of 13 investors, made up of local men and women, purchased the parcel from a Kentucky bank. According to Club Manager Dustin Beaudry, the financial institution purchased the property for roughly $800,000 after the course had gone under during previous management in 2018.
SRGC purchased the property with the intention of continuing to give the course a, “small town feel,” something they were worried would be lost if the course was continued to be owned by an out of state entity. The group has also stated that their vision is to make the club a recreational asset for the community.
“There are a lot of positive things on the way after this purchase was finalized. We have a lot of events that are coming back that we haven’t been able to hold in a long time. We are looking forward to hosting more weddings, as well as installing a virtual course to offer year-round golfing, as well as new equipment and carts,” Beaudry said of some of the upcoming improvements the club has in store for the course.
They also intend to utilize the Sunshine Pavilion, which the SRGC says is one of the Lake Sunapee Region’s largest pavilions, offering up to 175 seats for any event. The course, built on 143 acres of land in Newport, was designed by well-known golf course designer Phil Wogan and proudly utilizes the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains, streams and ponds to frame its 18 holes. It was also touted by New Hampshire Golf Magazine as the “hidden gem of the Sugar River Valley.”
SRGC hopes to capitalize on that natural beauty to offer affordable golfing in a beautiful setting as they continue to improve the course, after COVID-19 affected businesses in every aspect across New Hampshire. “Covid slowed everyone down as far as recreation but, despite that, the course has been running really well. We had a very bare bones operation running this year, but I would say we still had a really great year, and we are offering golfing for $100 less than last year,” Beaudry said of course attendance.
SRGC is headed by Don Hague, a Sunapee resident, along with 13 other local investors from towns ranging to Newport, Sunapee and Lempster. According to Newport property records the property value is listed at $1,350,600 and was purchased on October 4, 2022.
Extra! Extra! Read All About ‘The Eagle Times!’
Growing up in Newport, my family always read the Eagle Times, the great local daily that covered high school sports, town meetings, graduations, weddings, and all the important community events that make a community – a community!
I remember being thrilled that whenever my brother or I had a good baseball game, did well in football or made the Honor Roll, most likely we would get a chance to see our name appear in the Eagle Times. Even better, our mother would cut the article out of the paper and put it right up on the refrigerator. Big stuff! I also remember being nineteen, running for the State Legislature, and submitting an ad in the Eagle Times and asking for support. In so very many ways, I remember the Eagle Times being such an important part of my life growing up in the town of Newport. And for so many others as well, a local paper is such a vital part of the glue that holds things together.
So, with this life experience as a backdrop, it was with great pride and a deep belief in the ‘spirit of community’ that earlier this year, my wife Karen and I formed Sunshine Communications and purchased the Eagle Times! The depository of stories and history the Eagle Times has accumulated over the years is incredible and today, we are proud to own it and continue that rich legacy. And to be sure, we are focused on continuing to build the finest ‘local’ paper in the country – with a dedication to ‘local news’ and sharing a positive perspective on the many great things happening in the community.
The paper dates back 50 years and is still going strong with the road ahead filled with opportunity. Now, we can't take credit for the fantastic articles and coverage, that's due to the amazing staff at the paper. Kerry, Dylan, Tyler, and Deb work tirelessly to put the paper together so people across two states can get the latest local news and information in their communities. Our dedicated reporters and columnists provide in-depth information on key issues concerning our twin valley towns and communities. And regardless of rain, snow, or other obstacles our delivery team works through the night to ensure people wake up to the paper and get their day started on a positive, locally focused note. We could not be more proud of this team, and we’ve got some really exciting ideas we’re going to roll out in 2023.
Looking back, never in my life did I think I would be the owner of not one but three great papers. (Note: With the purchase of the Eagle Times, we also acquired the Newport Argus-Champion, now dormant, but an incredible weekly that we intend to bring back to life. In addition, we formed the Newport Times Online, earlier in the year as well.)
Since assuming ownership, we've had a chance to learn, instill positive energy and enjoy the efforts of an incredible team. It's a ton of fun and I really enjoy having the opportunity to highlight all the good that members of our communities are doing. In the year ahead we're going to grow, both in print circulation and online. Our marketing assets are going to allow for businesses to attract new customers via our digital assets. These collaborations will establish new relationships and provide more content to our subscribers. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
The Eagle Times and Sunshine Communications are on the move, and we invite you to be part of it. Our commitment to local news and storytelling is why we are here. If you have a story, are interested in becoming a contributor to the paper, or have something you want to share, the Eagle Times and Sunshine Communications want to hear from you. Or importantly, if you’d like to become a subscriber – in print or perhaps just online – For any or all of these reasons, we invite you to visit EagleTimes.com. We’re excited to spread our wings and be the eagle-eye for news for the community.
Positive Profile of the Week: Tyler Maheu
We are very excited this week to highlight an incredibly accomplished young man and leading voice in the Newport-Claremont, New Hampshire community, Tyler Maheu, Editor of the Eagle Times. Tyler’s energy and enthusiasm shine through in each and every edition of this wonderful local paper.
As described in the article above, the Eagle Times paper is under the umbrella of Sunshine Communications in Claremont, New Hampshire and whose territory covers both sides of the Connecticut River and is published both online and in print.
Tyler’s story and his rapid rise to a position responsibility is truly inspiring. Growing up in Newport, Tyler was the first New Hampshire student to be a participant in the New England High School Journalism Collaborative (NEHSJC.)
After high school, Tyler became a freelance writer with local media groups including the Eagle Times. Always passionate about local news, Tyler was hired as the Editor of the Eagle Times earlier this year. He is a leading member of a small but mighty team, while bringing a fresh look at how news can create positivity in the region.
In particular, he has a great love for local sports, which is where he started his career in journalism by covering the local teams and still fuels his desire to go to games and report on them whenever he can.
Tyler is bright, upbeat, and has a contagious excitement for news along with the role it can play in helping develop the Twin Valley region. We are delighted to have Tyler as a key member of the Eagle Times team. Thank you, Tyler, for your selfless devotion to our community! You are truly making a positive difference!
Quotes of the Week: New Beginnings
“You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So get on your way!” — Dr. Seuss
“This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change.” ― Taylor Swift
“The beginning is always today.” – Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley”
“Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life. The secret of success is in turning that diary into the best story you possibly can.” — Douglas Pagels
“The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all.” — Josiyah Martin
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