Page 1 - DEC2020

SERVING THE TOWNS OF BRISTOL • BRIDGEWATER • ALEXANDRIA • HEBRON
2020 VOL. 1. NO. 1
PRSRT STD
POSTAGE
PAID PERMIT 491
Concord, NH
DECEMBER
Saying
Santa’s Village at the TTCC Will Go On
Just a bit altered due to Covid-19
By Donna rhoDes
BRISTOL – Most people have heard the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and while it seems the Co- rona virus is trying to play the role of “Grinch” this year, the joy of Santa’s Village at Tap- ply-Thompson Community Center will still go on, just a bit altered due to the unusual circumstances of 2020.
Santa’s Village is celebrat- ing its 75th anniversary of bringing holiday cheer to the Newfound Region and beyond this year. Typically families flock to the community center to enjoy the North Pole Post Office, Santa’s Toy Shop, Mrs. Claus’s kitchen, the Sweet Shop and more, ending with a personal visit with Santa.
As the number of peo- ple testing positive for the COVID-19 virus begin to rise once more, both Santa and the committee felt that opening
Tapply-Thompson Community Center will host a drive-through visit with Santa this year and each child who comes to see him will receive one of three special holiday ornaments. PHOTO BY DONNA RHODES
the indoor village would not be safe this year. However, they will not let the spirit of Christ-
mas be stolen, no matter how hard the Grinch may try.
“The theme this year is
‘How the Grinch Stole Christ-
SANTA'S VILLAGE
continued on page 2
Goodbye
to a
Small-Town
Staple
By Brittany amalfi
After sixty-two wonderful years, the town of Bristol, NH, is saying goodbye to Skip’s Sport Shop. What started as a hobby soon became a family-centered business with authentic rela- tionships that will last a lifetime. Harold Rielly (Skip) began his gunsmithing on the first floor of The White Birch Inn, and little did he know that his hobby would become such a staple in the small town of Bristol, New Hampshire.
Skip’s Sport Shop went from a typical gun store to an “outfit- ter for the town,” says Sue Wil- liamson, Skip’s daughter. They started out by just selling guns to selling accessories, magazines,
SKIP'S GUN SHOP
continued on page 7
PLYMOUTH
BRISTOL DANBURY
HILL
NEW HAMPTON
SEVEN BIRCHES WINERY